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The Garden #1
In the Garden of Temptation
HONOR – Adam Stanford, Earl of Ashworth, has always done the right thing.DESIRE – Lady Catherine Bourgeault, lonely and rejected, longs to experience passion, to love just once in her life.TREACHERY – The Baron Bourgeault, to what extremes will an obsessive, unstable man go to achieve his own dark ends? SEDUCTION – In the face of a love that will not be denied, Adam and Catherine risk everything to be together.BETRAYAL – What price must Catherine and Adam pay for a forbidden love in a time when honor meant everything? didn’t know if she wanted to tell Lord Ashworth about her retreat. She had come upon it not long after her marriage to Edgar, and it had offered her the only peace she was to know for a long time. It was dangerous to share the only thing that belonged to one. Yet the thought of spending an afternoon with the earl in her most treasured place, sharing a leisurely meal, beckoned her. She glanced shyly over her shoulder to see if he still followed.Lord Ashworth rode only a few yards behind her horse, and he grinned when their eyes met. He had a lazy, sensual smile and, when he looked at her like that, she felt an odd breathless catch in her throat. She wondered how it would feel if he were to place those warm lips to hers instead of the back of her hand. Oh dear! There went that catch again.Within moments they entered a clearing. Catherine dismounted without waiting for the earl’s assistance and swung her arms wide as she turned in a circle about the shaded copse.“What do you think?” she asked.The earl, still astride, cast his gaze slowly around the tiny glen as he studied the scenery. He then turned his attention to Catherine but did not speak. A suggestive grin broke the calm of his expression as he continued to watch her.“More beautiful than I could have imagined,” he murmured.Simple statement that, but it held a wealth of meaning. Catherine dropped her arms while staring back in fascination. Her mouth fell open and her breathing quickened. The air vibrated with unspoken words as they shared a moment of absolute understanding. The specter of desire had been brought into the open and was acknowledged.Experience IN THE GARDEN OF TEMPTATION today. Meet characters you'll visit again in the other books in this series.Now Available on THE GARDEN OF SEDUCTION, Book 2 of The Garden Series.IN THE GARDEN OF DISGRACE, Book 3 of The Garden Series.IN THE GARDEN OF DECEIT, Book 4 of The Garden Series.Just THIEF OF SOULSDark and sensual, Thief of Souls is one man's battle with evil for the fate of his humanity. It is a modern vampire-esque romance, gothic in tone, with a twist on the "Beauty and the Beast" theme, for the beast's ugliness resides on the inside rather than the outside, and his hope for redemption comes not from being loved by another but from discovering his own ability to love.
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
September 11, 2011
I got this free for my kindle, and while it was not a keeper, it was worth a read. There was a disconnect with the characters that the author never overcomes. I never quite believed their feelings.
To carry on an affair, they must feel extreme passion (and, later, love) for each other. Although words to that effect were there, I just didn't believe that their feelings had escalated so fast. I don't think the author ever showed me what it was about the other that each felt so inexplicably drawn to that they just couldn't stay away despite all of the negative ramifications that could result from an affair. And likewise, the depths of the despair each apparently fell into when they were separated. Yes, the author tells us the hero has begun drinking a lot. And yes, the author tells us of the heroine's weeping while she plays the martyr. But again, I just could never see what made them so distraught.
Not to mention, the plot was completely absurd. Completely. Absurd.
Overall, though, I thought it showed promise enough that I downloaded another of the author's works.
To carry on an affair, they must feel extreme passion (and, later, love) for each other. Although words to that effect were there, I just didn't believe that their feelings had escalated so fast. I don't think the author ever showed me what it was about the other that each felt so inexplicably drawn to that they just couldn't stay away despite all of the negative ramifications that could result from an affair. And likewise, the depths of the despair each apparently fell into when they were separated. Yes, the author tells us the hero has begun drinking a lot. And yes, the author tells us of the heroine's weeping while she plays the martyr. But again, I just could never see what made them so distraught.
Not to mention, the plot was completely absurd. Completely. Absurd.
Overall, though, I thought it showed promise enough that I downloaded another of the author's works.
December 7, 2012
Maybe it's unfair to give the book such a low rating, since I didn't finish it. I mean, it didn't leave me hurling my Kindle against the wall in disgust, screaming, "This book is nothing but a vile piece of shit!" But on the other hand...I didn't finish it. I love a good bodice-ripper, but this one just didn't do it for me.
Let me start with the style issues...
The whole thing just felt very stilted, from the opening sex scene to all the dialogue. And not just between the romantically-involved characters, but all of them. Her husband's henchman, Willie, left me with a mental image of a drooling Igor from Frankenstein. There was no depth to any of the characters.
In addition to being stilted, I found it to be a bit...incongruous. Disjointed. She didn't seem able to consistently stick with the regency style of writing. It was impossible to get lost in the book and the era, because just as you were about to, you were slapped in the face with some modern turn of phrase. It was very awkward.
Finally, the author apparently believes her readers to be stupid, because any word that was even vaguely foreign was italicized. (I would give an example, but I've already deleted it from my Kindle. And I assure you, I have no intentions of downloading the thing again.) It was a distracting choice.
----SPOILERS-----
(though, frankly, I don't know that it's truly possible to spoil this book)
Now the plot....
While I'm well aware that romances are not typically noted for their believeable story lines, this one seemed especially implausible. A husband, stricken with the inability to touch anyone, is unable to consumate the marriage with his wife. Wanting a heir, he arranges for his wife to have an affair. Not only was the plot bizarre, but reader is left hanging (and confused) for far longer than necessary. I'm sure the author thought it was a brilliant plot device to leave the reader wondering what the husband was up to, but frankly, it was just strange. I kept turning pages not because I was intrigued, but because I was confused. Half way through the book, the husband finally reveals his diabolical plan...at which point, my interest in the book completely disappeared. From there on out, it was pretty clear what was to happen. I skipped to the end and confirmed that the evil husband dies and the woman and her paramour are free to live happily ever after.
Honestly the best thing I can say about this book is that it was free.
And this, fellow readers, is why I am VERY reluctant to read any free book on my Kindle. It seems you get what you pay for.
Let me start with the style issues...
The whole thing just felt very stilted, from the opening sex scene to all the dialogue. And not just between the romantically-involved characters, but all of them. Her husband's henchman, Willie, left me with a mental image of a drooling Igor from Frankenstein. There was no depth to any of the characters.
In addition to being stilted, I found it to be a bit...incongruous. Disjointed. She didn't seem able to consistently stick with the regency style of writing. It was impossible to get lost in the book and the era, because just as you were about to, you were slapped in the face with some modern turn of phrase. It was very awkward.
Finally, the author apparently believes her readers to be stupid, because any word that was even vaguely foreign was italicized. (I would give an example, but I've already deleted it from my Kindle. And I assure you, I have no intentions of downloading the thing again.) It was a distracting choice.
----SPOILERS-----
(though, frankly, I don't know that it's truly possible to spoil this book)
Now the plot....
While I'm well aware that romances are not typically noted for their believeable story lines, this one seemed especially implausible. A husband, stricken with the inability to touch anyone, is unable to consumate the marriage with his wife. Wanting a heir, he arranges for his wife to have an affair. Not only was the plot bizarre, but reader is left hanging (and confused) for far longer than necessary. I'm sure the author thought it was a brilliant plot device to leave the reader wondering what the husband was up to, but frankly, it was just strange. I kept turning pages not because I was intrigued, but because I was confused. Half way through the book, the husband finally reveals his diabolical plan...at which point, my interest in the book completely disappeared. From there on out, it was pretty clear what was to happen. I skipped to the end and confirmed that the evil husband dies and the woman and her paramour are free to live happily ever after.
Honestly the best thing I can say about this book is that it was free.
And this, fellow readers, is why I am VERY reluctant to read any free book on my Kindle. It seems you get what you pay for.
August 6, 2012
I... have no idea what to say about this one.
The characters were poorly developed. The plot was... baffling... until about the mid-way point and then extremely predictable and kind of bordered on the absurd. The explanation for Edgar's behaviour was grasping at straws, at best. (According to my daughter, my reaction was "REALLY?!? REALLY?? THAT's how you explain it?? Thank God I'm at the end of this damned book.")
I've tried to find...any... reason to justify a second star but I can't come up with one. Though the basic story had potential, I felt it wasn't developed well. In short, I simply didn't like it.
The characters were poorly developed. The plot was... baffling... until about the mid-way point and then extremely predictable and kind of bordered on the absurd. The explanation for Edgar's behaviour was grasping at straws, at best. (According to my daughter, my reaction was "REALLY?!? REALLY?? THAT's how you explain it?? Thank God I'm at the end of this damned book.")
I've tried to find...any... reason to justify a second star but I can't come up with one. Though the basic story had potential, I felt it wasn't developed well. In short, I simply didn't like it.
September 13, 2011
I'll admit I was not expecting too much from this book--a cheapie on Kindle. But it was the first historical romance in a long time that kept me up reading til I finished it in the wee hours!
It had a dark sort of plot, which reminded me of Mary Balogh, who is one of my absolute favorites and an auto-buy. It actually put me in mind of The Secret Pearl, which is one of my all-time favorite HR's.
Catherine, the heroine, has been sold off to a much older man by her father. Her husband is a very flawed individual--we don't really understand why until the very end--but he has a psychological disorder which keeps him from being able to touch other people. So at the age of 24, after 7 years of marriage, Catherine is still untouched.
She doesn't understand why her husband keeps bringing handsome younger gentlemen into their home for overnight stays, and insists on Catherine wearing clothing suitable only for a brothel.
But when Adam, the Earl of Ashworth, comes calling, there is an instant attraction, a physical pull between Adam and Catherine that they can't deny.
I am not going to have spoilers in this review, but I would recommend it to any readers who like Balogh, or who enjoy that darker element to plots. If you have an e-reader, it is definitely worth the 99 cent price. I will be purchasing and reading the rest of the Garden series.
Well done, Ms. Wicklund!
It had a dark sort of plot, which reminded me of Mary Balogh, who is one of my absolute favorites and an auto-buy. It actually put me in mind of The Secret Pearl, which is one of my all-time favorite HR's.
Catherine, the heroine, has been sold off to a much older man by her father. Her husband is a very flawed individual--we don't really understand why until the very end--but he has a psychological disorder which keeps him from being able to touch other people. So at the age of 24, after 7 years of marriage, Catherine is still untouched.
She doesn't understand why her husband keeps bringing handsome younger gentlemen into their home for overnight stays, and insists on Catherine wearing clothing suitable only for a brothel.
But when Adam, the Earl of Ashworth, comes calling, there is an instant attraction, a physical pull between Adam and Catherine that they can't deny.
I am not going to have spoilers in this review, but I would recommend it to any readers who like Balogh, or who enjoy that darker element to plots. If you have an e-reader, it is definitely worth the 99 cent price. I will be purchasing and reading the rest of the Garden series.
Well done, Ms. Wicklund!
May 31, 2011
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this book because it was very well written and something very much out of the ordinary. The characters were interesting and believeble in making a number of tough moral decisions, and the unusual plot kept me riveted. It does, however, involve adultery (although there is a form of justification used). This would not be a book for those sensitive to this issue.
March 26, 2023
So according to my Kindle I had read this before, but GR said I hadn’t - so of focus, the only thing to do was read it again to confirm instead of running errands … I mean that was the only fair no? 😊
Overall this was a surprisingly good read with a premise I wasn’t expecting. There were some uneven spots but I enjoyed it overall. I think it was the premise of the book which kind of kept this from being a 4 stars - even though it originally hooked me in as well.
Our heroine here, Catherine, is married when she meets and falls in love with our hero, Adam. This is not a spoiler as you find this out in the first chapter but noting it here for people who have a low tolerance for cheating. Yes, there are “reasons” and the husband is not the nicest man (as is to be expected from a romance).
However, those reasons didn’t convince me as much as they should have, which kept the book from getting a higher rating.
In that context, I did like the angsty nature of the romance. The pining was great between the leads and all and well written - just needed a little more clear rationale in the beginning. The plot was an interesting choice - it kind of made me feel bad for the husband to be honest and, therefore, I am not sure I buy into the romance. But this was quite a gothic tale - different from the usual romance I have read.
Overall I liked it, I think - argh - 3 stars!
Overall this was a surprisingly good read with a premise I wasn’t expecting. There were some uneven spots but I enjoyed it overall. I think it was the premise of the book which kind of kept this from being a 4 stars - even though it originally hooked me in as well.
Our heroine here, Catherine, is married when she meets and falls in love with our hero, Adam. This is not a spoiler as you find this out in the first chapter but noting it here for people who have a low tolerance for cheating. Yes, there are “reasons” and the husband is not the nicest man (as is to be expected from a romance).
However, those reasons didn’t convince me as much as they should have, which kept the book from getting a higher rating.
In that context, I did like the angsty nature of the romance. The pining was great between the leads and all and well written - just needed a little more clear rationale in the beginning. The plot was an interesting choice - it kind of made me feel bad for the husband to be honest and, therefore, I am not sure I buy into the romance. But this was quite a gothic tale - different from the usual romance I have read.
Overall I liked it, I think - argh - 3 stars!
January 9, 2019
Good
I found this a good book. Catherine is stuck in a lifeless marriage pandering to every whim of her sick husband. Lord Ashworth falls in love with her only for several obstacles to stand in their way to happiness
I found this a good book. Catherine is stuck in a lifeless marriage pandering to every whim of her sick husband. Lord Ashworth falls in love with her only for several obstacles to stand in their way to happiness
April 22, 2011
Writers sometimes believe so strongly in the worth of a story that they don't give up, and that's a very good thing for readers because In the Garden of Temptation is a gem worthy of a place on your keeper shelf. Thankfully, eBook reader devices, like my Kindle on which I downloaded In the Garden of Temptation, Book 1 of The Garden Series, make the size of a keeper shelf immense. Let me tell you about this story.
NO SPOILERS
It's hard to tell what this story is about without revealing some neat twists, but I'll try.
Adam Stanford, Earl of Ashworth, is a man who is honorable and above reproach. He's always done the right thing. Then he meets the beautiful -- and married -- Lady Catherine Bourgeault, the beautiful, young wife of one of the most disreputable men in England.
Stunned by a passion and a love that no amount of conscience can deny, Catherine and Adam risk everything for a few moments of stolen bliss. Unknown to them, every event from their introduction to the consummation of their love has been orchestrated by Catherine's evil, demented husband for his own dark purpose.
When Baron Bourgeault finally springs his trap, Catherine is forced to break Adam's heart in order to save him. The baron whisks her away to his crumbling castle in the country. As he sinks deeper and deeper into his psychosis, Catherine knows that her life, and all she holds dear, may be forfeit unless the power of redeeming love can save her.
CHARGED EMOTION
I read this book while I sat in the surgical waiting room last week. My daughter was having her third surgery in 18 months, and I was a basket case who could hardly take the slow movement of the hands of the clock. A two hour surgery turned into four and continued. If I hadn't had this book to read, I don't know what I'd have done. I can hardly believe that Catherine and Adam's emotional journey captured my attention sufficiently as to calm my nerves and give me brief respite from worry, but it did. I devoured the book.
BOTTOM LINE
This is the second novel I've read by Cynthia Wicklund, and it's truly another winner. I can't recommend her books highly enough. She has a way with women characters and the knack for presenting them as likable and honorable even when they may not be engaged in honorable actions. I understand these women, and I like them.
Her talent with characters extends to men. In Lord of Always, she took an evil man and made him the kind of man we'd all want in our lives. In Temptation, she takes an honorable man and makes him behave dishonorably, but we don't care! We still like him. We understand how he is in the grip of a love he never expected to feel. We see his battle with his conscience. Despite what he does, he's heroic.
I bought the next books in the series. Book 2 is In the Garden of Seduction, and Book 3 is In the Garden of Disgrace. Sadly, I just haven't had time to read them.
The books are available for Kindle and in other formats. However you read; get this book, and make a place on your keeper shelf.
NO SPOILERS
It's hard to tell what this story is about without revealing some neat twists, but I'll try.
Adam Stanford, Earl of Ashworth, is a man who is honorable and above reproach. He's always done the right thing. Then he meets the beautiful -- and married -- Lady Catherine Bourgeault, the beautiful, young wife of one of the most disreputable men in England.
Stunned by a passion and a love that no amount of conscience can deny, Catherine and Adam risk everything for a few moments of stolen bliss. Unknown to them, every event from their introduction to the consummation of their love has been orchestrated by Catherine's evil, demented husband for his own dark purpose.
When Baron Bourgeault finally springs his trap, Catherine is forced to break Adam's heart in order to save him. The baron whisks her away to his crumbling castle in the country. As he sinks deeper and deeper into his psychosis, Catherine knows that her life, and all she holds dear, may be forfeit unless the power of redeeming love can save her.
CHARGED EMOTION
I read this book while I sat in the surgical waiting room last week. My daughter was having her third surgery in 18 months, and I was a basket case who could hardly take the slow movement of the hands of the clock. A two hour surgery turned into four and continued. If I hadn't had this book to read, I don't know what I'd have done. I can hardly believe that Catherine and Adam's emotional journey captured my attention sufficiently as to calm my nerves and give me brief respite from worry, but it did. I devoured the book.
BOTTOM LINE
This is the second novel I've read by Cynthia Wicklund, and it's truly another winner. I can't recommend her books highly enough. She has a way with women characters and the knack for presenting them as likable and honorable even when they may not be engaged in honorable actions. I understand these women, and I like them.
Her talent with characters extends to men. In Lord of Always, she took an evil man and made him the kind of man we'd all want in our lives. In Temptation, she takes an honorable man and makes him behave dishonorably, but we don't care! We still like him. We understand how he is in the grip of a love he never expected to feel. We see his battle with his conscience. Despite what he does, he's heroic.
I bought the next books in the series. Book 2 is In the Garden of Seduction, and Book 3 is In the Garden of Disgrace. Sadly, I just haven't had time to read them.
The books are available for Kindle and in other formats. However you read; get this book, and make a place on your keeper shelf.
January 25, 2012
I generally don't like to read about infidelity because I figure you should just get a divorce/break-up with the partner if you are interested in someone else. Those people are just wimpy cowards to hide their disrespect from the people that their are supposed to be 'in love' with. But I do understand that it was almost impossible to divorce before the 20th century and even if you could get a legal divorce the two people were 'ruined' and unacceptable to 'good' society so it was much like a social death sentence.
Back to this story, it was written with care and the dialogues were natural and interesting. I think that there could have been a friendship between the Baron and Christine. But the man was so badly damaged that he made it impossible. My mother believes that any man is 'broken' if they aren't married by the age of 30 because they are too set in their ways and can't adapt to life as a couple. I've got to admit that she is right on; I have yet to meet any exceptions to this rule. Feel free to message me if you believe me in error. The end was too quick and I felt like there could have been more fleshed out with the story of the twin brother. If you like this switched-to-produce-an-heir plot then you should read Waking Up With the Duke it was a great read.
I got this novel free for kindle and it was pretty good.
2 stars
Back to this story, it was written with care and the dialogues were natural and interesting. I think that there could have been a friendship between the Baron and Christine. But the man was so badly damaged that he made it impossible. My mother believes that any man is 'broken' if they aren't married by the age of 30 because they are too set in their ways and can't adapt to life as a couple. I've got to admit that she is right on; I have yet to meet any exceptions to this rule. Feel free to message me if you believe me in error. The end was too quick and I felt like there could have been more fleshed out with the story of the twin brother. If you like this switched-to-produce-an-heir plot then you should read Waking Up With the Duke it was a great read.
I got this novel free for kindle and it was pretty good.
2 stars
April 4, 2012
Este livro surpreendeu-me bastante. Aquilo que eu julguei que fosse um livro erótico sem qualquer tipo de conteúdo, revelou ser um bom romance histórico repleto de “história” e personagens bem trabalhadas.
As personagens não nos são atiradas aos calhas, mas a sua informação também não nos é despejada assim que as conhecemos. A autora vai nos apresentando o seu background aos poucos, durante o desenrolar da trama.
Numa sociedade onde apenas as aparências importam, um homem compra a sua esposa para tentar curar a sua fobia ao toque. Pavoneando homens e vestindo a sua esposa de forma provocante, espera que esta lhe produza um herdeiro que tanto deseja, usando para isso um dos convidados. No entanto os seus planos não correm como esperado quando a sua bela e jovem esposa se perde de amores por Adam Stanford, que manda todos os seus ideais para o lixo e decide arriscar tudo por um amor proibido.
A autora apresenta-nos as dificuldades que uma mulher pode sofrer num mau casamento numa sociedade de falsas aparências e em que produzir um filho homem é uma das coisas mais importantes.
Nem Catherine Bourgeault é o que parece à primeira vista, ou melhor, nenhuma personagem acaba por encaixar na ideia que temos dela no início da história. Só com o avançar da trama é que percebemos as verdadeiras razões que levam as personagens a ter determinados comportamentos.
É um texto apaixonante que não nos deixa pousar o livro até terminar a última página.
(...)
in: http://livrosportodolado.wordpress.co...
As personagens não nos são atiradas aos calhas, mas a sua informação também não nos é despejada assim que as conhecemos. A autora vai nos apresentando o seu background aos poucos, durante o desenrolar da trama.
Numa sociedade onde apenas as aparências importam, um homem compra a sua esposa para tentar curar a sua fobia ao toque. Pavoneando homens e vestindo a sua esposa de forma provocante, espera que esta lhe produza um herdeiro que tanto deseja, usando para isso um dos convidados. No entanto os seus planos não correm como esperado quando a sua bela e jovem esposa se perde de amores por Adam Stanford, que manda todos os seus ideais para o lixo e decide arriscar tudo por um amor proibido.
A autora apresenta-nos as dificuldades que uma mulher pode sofrer num mau casamento numa sociedade de falsas aparências e em que produzir um filho homem é uma das coisas mais importantes.
Nem Catherine Bourgeault é o que parece à primeira vista, ou melhor, nenhuma personagem acaba por encaixar na ideia que temos dela no início da história. Só com o avançar da trama é que percebemos as verdadeiras razões que levam as personagens a ter determinados comportamentos.
É um texto apaixonante que não nos deixa pousar o livro até terminar a última página.
(...)
in: http://livrosportodolado.wordpress.co...
April 30, 2013
It is not easy to find your way in the wide ocean of historical romances.
Too many authors, too many blogs recommending readings.....
Sometimes you are simply lucky and you collide with interesting products by pure chance.
I appreciated this story very much, it's gothic, it's well written, it doesn't lack of the necessary psychological thickness.
A summary? Catherine is the naive and lovely wife, unfortunately married to the dark Baron Edgar (Edgar is often a name full of forebodings, isn't it?). Adam is the charming Earl in love with her. Will Adam succeed in rescuing her true love from the ugly husband?
I had to know this as fast as I could and this story was read in a week-end. A pleasureful reading!
Too many authors, too many blogs recommending readings.....
Sometimes you are simply lucky and you collide with interesting products by pure chance.
I appreciated this story very much, it's gothic, it's well written, it doesn't lack of the necessary psychological thickness.
A summary? Catherine is the naive and lovely wife, unfortunately married to the dark Baron Edgar (Edgar is often a name full of forebodings, isn't it?). Adam is the charming Earl in love with her. Will Adam succeed in rescuing her true love from the ugly husband?
I had to know this as fast as I could and this story was read in a week-end. A pleasureful reading!
March 29, 2012
I got this free from Amazon.
This book was so dumb. It is not worth reading at all. The female character is married to a big loser who can't use his words and express his feelings like a freakin 4 year old. He is verbally and physically abusive and she can't stand being around him.
All the while, he is apparently in love with her but shows in a very disturbing way. He welcomes other lords or titled young men to his home to seduce his wife. What?
I didn't finish this book. I skimmed it but then lost interest even faster. I have no idea what happens after the subduction and I don't care. The characters were lame. The principle is lame and this book is so dumb. On top of all that this ebook cover is lame.
This book was so dumb. It is not worth reading at all. The female character is married to a big loser who can't use his words and express his feelings like a freakin 4 year old. He is verbally and physically abusive and she can't stand being around him.
All the while, he is apparently in love with her but shows in a very disturbing way. He welcomes other lords or titled young men to his home to seduce his wife. What?
I didn't finish this book. I skimmed it but then lost interest even faster. I have no idea what happens after the subduction and I don't care. The characters were lame. The principle is lame and this book is so dumb. On top of all that this ebook cover is lame.
May 11, 2013
Are we idiots? That's a question for the author because we must be idiots to actually believe Lady Catherine didn't know or even consider the thought that her husband was trying to PIMP her out to other men. It was so freaking obvious. I knew right away what he was doing. and why he was doing it. Also,I didn't like the fact the author didn't even try to initially development chemistry between Lady Catherine and the hero Lord of Ashworth...no she just let them drive into some meaningless quickie in some shack. So unrealistic. If you were not going to develop these characters or the storyline, why even bother writing the story at all...was the publisher on your back for a new book or what? Just saying.
May 22, 2011
Oddly, I find myself surprised by how much I enjoyed this book and for no good reason really. I suppose a string of more mediocre offerings only enhanced this one, but it was unexpected in the twists it took. At several turns, I kept anticipating the easy way out of the situation and was pleasantly wrong in my assumptions.
Lovely setting and secondary characters only enhanced this book. I am thoroughly looking forward to reading the second book in this series.
Lovely setting and secondary characters only enhanced this book. I am thoroughly looking forward to reading the second book in this series.
July 9, 2011
I was pleasently suprised with this book. I of corse didnt read the synopsis, and just bought it, but hey.. some of my best reads have been this way. I am not big into historical romances but this one grabbed me and held me in my place. It was tastefully written and didnt give way to the consequences... they all had their issues but came through it... I enjoyed it and will prob. read the next in the series.
January 31, 2015
This surprised me since this an Amazon Free Book. With being said.. I found the book to be a captivating and enjoyable historical romance that will keep you reading it to see the different twists and turns that may happen or not... (There is adultery in the story...)
Overall I can say great read 4 stars..
Overall I can say great read 4 stars..
Want to read
April 17, 2012Free on kindle
December 30, 2017
An interesting twist on the average Regency Romance, where the heroine is actually married to someone other than the hero - so adultery is involved here which is quite unusual in this genre where though there may be dalliances and flirtations with others, the hero and heroine are usually both free to engage in those dalliances. Nicely drawn characters and some sympathy ensues for the poor old Baron Borgeault ... you'll need to read it to find out why!
April 1, 2018
Love the drama and intrigue of the first story.
The free previews *almost ruined the experience for me. Maybe also good stories, just not to my taste. The first...definitely a Monday bender on how to solve multiple knotty problems. But as in any good romance, smiles all round for the happy ending!
The free previews *almost ruined the experience for me. Maybe also good stories, just not to my taste. The first...definitely a Monday bender on how to solve multiple knotty problems. But as in any good romance, smiles all round for the happy ending!
July 22, 2017
Good read
December 7, 2017
Too be hold
Great book. Reverting and exciting. This book was a wonderful diversion from the mundane social we live in. Thanks for this book.
Great book. Reverting and exciting. This book was a wonderful diversion from the mundane social we live in. Thanks for this book.
January 20, 2019
Unusual and I liked it!
I never thought I would enjoy a book about cuckolding but I did. I look forward to other books in the series.
I never thought I would enjoy a book about cuckolding but I did. I look forward to other books in the series.
June 13, 2019
Such a great story
This totally surpassed the first book with continuous intrigue and sensuality. What a great tragedy and an even better love story.
This totally surpassed the first book with continuous intrigue and sensuality. What a great tragedy and an even better love story.
December 12, 2020
Good read
Enjoyed the process of a good ending, lol. There was a few hiccups, but happy is a good ending. Recommend
Enjoyed the process of a good ending, lol. There was a few hiccups, but happy is a good ending. Recommend
March 2, 2021
wish the plot was less mysterious/dark.
April 1, 2022
This was not the book I thought I had chosen; after 39 pages I gave it up because it is not my genre.
May 3, 2023
Enjoyed but dipped in parts
July 10, 2013
I liked this book a great deal at the beginning, for the author's writing, but then the story steadily marched itself down hill.
I firmly believe that a book is comparable to a movie in that both are fantasy - it's not meant to mirror real life, especially not real life values or morals. The Heroine here has a dastardly, alcoholic husband, who alternately abuses her emotionally and then neglects her. It sets the stage for the dashing Hero to ride in and sweep her off her feet, as he entices her into a heady, torrid, lusty love affair.
The idea is naughty and swoon-worthy and everything a romance novel should be. However, the series of events happens waaaay too quickly for the reader to feel like they're part of the story as it unfolds, and that was the death knell for this novel.
Firstly, the pair make love for the first time after being in the same general vicinity only twice. I understand lightning quick attraction and lack of willpower, but they went from mild friendliness to "home base" rather quickly. Also, neither one of them has any real compunctions about the wrongness of their actions. They just jump in head first, with incredibly little hesitation, and throw caution to the wind.
The author wasted a prime opportunity to build up the reader's interest, to make us hang on her every word with delicious sexual tension, as they desperately try to fight the smoldering attraction leading them deep into sinful temptation. Instead she delivers desert on a silver platter before the appetizer has even been finished.
Secondly, they accept their "situation" far too quickly. There's a series of not-so-clandestine meetings (at a ball, then at her house) that make me wonder if they were actively trying to get caught. Are they really so stupid as to not realize how transparent they're being? Several secondary characters mention it to them both, but they're still not worried about being found out.
Then several people do find out, and our naive paramours are still not worried about it. We're talking about an area of socialization where being unaccompanied in a man's presence is enough to completely ruin an unmarried woman's reputation irrevocably, and yet here a married woman is acting like being found out in an extra-marital affair isn't the worst thing in the world.
People know what's going on? Oh well. You know what's going on? Oops. Shhh!
What? No. Again, when you do something like this, you're taking away the "naughty factor", the "sizzle aspect" that makes romance novels worth reading!
The plot got unrealistic in the extreme, and that was where I stared to lose my interest. There's no mounting tension, nothing to cheer for, nothing to keep me riveted to the plot in order to read every scintillating detail - like exhaling with relief when they finally lose control of their tightly leashed restraint and ravage each other in a hayloft during a thunderstorm (or something), or biting my nails as the affair continues, wondering when their house of cards will fold in a dramatic crash.
Nope. There was none of that.
Thirdly, and lastly, the scheming machinations of the Heroine's husband were transparent and obvious from a mile away. I guessed it about half way into the dinner at the beginning of the book and had my suspicions confirmed not too later on, when they travel to London. Too much is revealed in conversations between the he and the Heroine to pull this off well; it made the plot easy to piece together. What should have been a surprising revelation ended up falling flat like a ruined souffle.
In conclusion, this story tasted like ash in my mouth about a third of the way in. I couldn't fully embrace the rest of the tale, and there was no saving the sinking ship, to turn the tides around enough to make me ultimately like the book.
It was just "Meh." I wasn't really all that impressed by this novel.
I firmly believe that a book is comparable to a movie in that both are fantasy - it's not meant to mirror real life, especially not real life values or morals. The Heroine here has a dastardly, alcoholic husband, who alternately abuses her emotionally and then neglects her. It sets the stage for the dashing Hero to ride in and sweep her off her feet, as he entices her into a heady, torrid, lusty love affair.
The idea is naughty and swoon-worthy and everything a romance novel should be. However, the series of events happens waaaay too quickly for the reader to feel like they're part of the story as it unfolds, and that was the death knell for this novel.
Firstly, the pair make love for the first time after being in the same general vicinity only twice. I understand lightning quick attraction and lack of willpower, but they went from mild friendliness to "home base" rather quickly. Also, neither one of them has any real compunctions about the wrongness of their actions. They just jump in head first, with incredibly little hesitation, and throw caution to the wind.
The author wasted a prime opportunity to build up the reader's interest, to make us hang on her every word with delicious sexual tension, as they desperately try to fight the smoldering attraction leading them deep into sinful temptation. Instead she delivers desert on a silver platter before the appetizer has even been finished.
Secondly, they accept their "situation" far too quickly. There's a series of not-so-clandestine meetings (at a ball, then at her house) that make me wonder if they were actively trying to get caught. Are they really so stupid as to not realize how transparent they're being? Several secondary characters mention it to them both, but they're still not worried about being found out.
Then several people do find out, and our naive paramours are still not worried about it. We're talking about an area of socialization where being unaccompanied in a man's presence is enough to completely ruin an unmarried woman's reputation irrevocably, and yet here a married woman is acting like being found out in an extra-marital affair isn't the worst thing in the world.
People know what's going on? Oh well. You know what's going on? Oops. Shhh!
What? No. Again, when you do something like this, you're taking away the "naughty factor", the "sizzle aspect" that makes romance novels worth reading!
The plot got unrealistic in the extreme, and that was where I stared to lose my interest. There's no mounting tension, nothing to cheer for, nothing to keep me riveted to the plot in order to read every scintillating detail - like exhaling with relief when they finally lose control of their tightly leashed restraint and ravage each other in a hayloft during a thunderstorm (or something), or biting my nails as the affair continues, wondering when their house of cards will fold in a dramatic crash.
Nope. There was none of that.
Thirdly, and lastly, the scheming machinations of the Heroine's husband were transparent and obvious from a mile away. I guessed it about half way into the dinner at the beginning of the book and had my suspicions confirmed not too later on, when they travel to London. Too much is revealed in conversations between the he and the Heroine to pull this off well; it made the plot easy to piece together. What should have been a surprising revelation ended up falling flat like a ruined souffle.
In conclusion, this story tasted like ash in my mouth about a third of the way in. I couldn't fully embrace the rest of the tale, and there was no saving the sinking ship, to turn the tides around enough to make me ultimately like the book.
It was just "Meh." I wasn't really all that impressed by this novel.
January 7, 2017
Entertaining read
Entertaining and an easy read. The plot is better than most with a few surprises. A good way to spend an afternoon.
Entertaining and an easy read. The plot is better than most with a few surprises. A good way to spend an afternoon.
March 24, 2016
4 Stars - An interesting story of forbidden love. I liked that Adam was looking for love in his future marriage and how emotionally deep his thoughts and feelings were for Catherine.
** SPOILERS **
Catherine has been married to her crude husband Baron Bourgeault for several years but is still chaste because he has a phobia of being touched. He had hoped marrying her would help him overcome his illness, but alas it didn't. So he had many men visit over the years, in hopes that Catherine would sleep with one and get her pregnant for he needed an heir. Unaware of his plans, Catherine hated those that visited, until Adam Stanford, Earl of Ashworth visited. He was immediately smitten with her and she was intrigued with him. Their passion gets the best of them but with her being married, he has to leave her. When the Baron finds out that Catherine has finally slept with someone, he immediately packs her up to London where Adam resides to make their liasion possible. Catherine becomes very popular which makes Adam jealous and he has a hard time trying to stay away and not create scandal. Catherine only has eyes for Adam and they secretly meet when they can but when she becomes pregnant, the Baron moves her back to the their country home. Catherine had planned to runaway with Adam until his mother talked to her and told her how much Catherine would run his life, social standing and political aspirations. So before leaving London, Catherine makes Adam believe that she had used him and didn't love him, leaving him to struggle with the pain and heartache. When Catherine gives birth to a girl, the Baron is enraged and uses the baby as hostage to make she sleep with someone else because he still needs an heir. At the request of Catherine's friend, Daniel, who a friend of Adam's, visits Catherine and discovers what the Baron plans for an heir, that she still loves Adam and that she has a baby. Returning to London, Daniel tells Adam what happened and Adam is determined to remove Catherine from that house to be with him. After arriving he and Catherine share their secrets and pain. The Baron and Adam have a confrontation but the Baron loses his balance and falls over a railing and dies, leaving Catherine free to marry Adam.
** SPOILERS **
Catherine has been married to her crude husband Baron Bourgeault for several years but is still chaste because he has a phobia of being touched. He had hoped marrying her would help him overcome his illness, but alas it didn't. So he had many men visit over the years, in hopes that Catherine would sleep with one and get her pregnant for he needed an heir. Unaware of his plans, Catherine hated those that visited, until Adam Stanford, Earl of Ashworth visited. He was immediately smitten with her and she was intrigued with him. Their passion gets the best of them but with her being married, he has to leave her. When the Baron finds out that Catherine has finally slept with someone, he immediately packs her up to London where Adam resides to make their liasion possible. Catherine becomes very popular which makes Adam jealous and he has a hard time trying to stay away and not create scandal. Catherine only has eyes for Adam and they secretly meet when they can but when she becomes pregnant, the Baron moves her back to the their country home. Catherine had planned to runaway with Adam until his mother talked to her and told her how much Catherine would run his life, social standing and political aspirations. So before leaving London, Catherine makes Adam believe that she had used him and didn't love him, leaving him to struggle with the pain and heartache. When Catherine gives birth to a girl, the Baron is enraged and uses the baby as hostage to make she sleep with someone else because he still needs an heir. At the request of Catherine's friend, Daniel, who a friend of Adam's, visits Catherine and discovers what the Baron plans for an heir, that she still loves Adam and that she has a baby. Returning to London, Daniel tells Adam what happened and Adam is determined to remove Catherine from that house to be with him. After arriving he and Catherine share their secrets and pain. The Baron and Adam have a confrontation but the Baron loses his balance and falls over a railing and dies, leaving Catherine free to marry Adam.
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