Breathless (The House of Rohan, #3) in Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group

Oct 31, 2010 Quinn rated it liked it

Shelves: series, historical-romance, library-book

I love that feeling you get when you finish a good book – especially a satisfying romance. You might give a contented little sigh. A peaceful smile or a cheek-splitting grin. You might sit quietly and reflect on the wonderful journey you undertook courtesy of a talented author, the characters you cheered for and the moments you can secret away for a time when your spirits need uplifting. The feeling that all is well, at least within the pages between the cover.

Well, I didn’t get any of that when ...more

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Oct 21, 2010 Keri rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-historical, 2010s-read

It is painful to have to give a series that you have enjoyed up until now such a low grade. But because I didn't get enough of an ending I ultimately couldn't believe in Lucien's redemption. What he had done to Miranda was beyond the pale. In the end Miranda turned out to be a better woman than I would have been.

Miranda is a woman that has been ruined and is now cut off from the ton. She is ok with that. She has her little house and a family that loves her. But when she catches the notice of Lu ...more

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Oct 17, 2011 Nisha rated it it was amazing

Shelves: dangerous-or-bad-boys, revenge, bluestocking-independent-spinster, historicalromance, frenemies, erotica, disabled, kickass-heroine

Ms. Stuart delivers another one of her classically nefarious heroes in Breathless. Unlike the mostly reformed Rohans, Lucien de Malheur (the Scorpion) is a real baddie. In fact, his entire purpose in life is to get his revenge on the Rohans by ruining the heroine, Miranda Rohan. For those who aren't clear about who this is, Miranda is the daughter of rakehell Adrian Rohan from Reckless.

So the story begins with 21 year old Miranda, who unlike most young women, is gifted with a mix of randy Rohan Ms. Stuart delivers another one of her classically nefarious heroes in Breathless. Unlike the mostly reformed Rohans, Lucien de Malheur (the Scorpion) is a real baddie. In fact, his entire purpose in life is to get his revenge on the Rohans by ruining the heroine, Miranda Rohan. For those who aren't clear about who this is, Miranda is the daughter of rakehell Adrian Rohan from Reckless.

So the story begins with 21 year old Miranda, who unlike most young women, is gifted with a mix of randy Rohan blood, adventurous Charlotte Spenser blood, and a tad of gutsy, unselfish Elinor Harriman blood - all which make her pretty bloody amazing. Unfortunately, the adventurous part lands her in trouble with a suitor who whisks her off to Gretna Green to marry and deflower her. Refusing to marry the fortunehunter, she lives away from scandal in a social isolation for 2 long years, until she meets the scarred and notoriously diabolical hero, Lucien. Their meeting is no coincidence. In fact, Miranda's disastrous elopement is a product of Lucien's scheme for revenge. And here he is, waiting for his chance to ruin the girl once again - this time, by marrying her himself. What he doesn't count for, is facing a young woman who can handle everything he dishes out while simultaneously making him fall in love with her.

Miranda's one of those kick-ass heroine who can survive anything. She can deal with all the crazy shit Lucien decides to torture her with and still come our pretty shiny. Her fatal flaw is how easily Lucien can seduce her. Seriously, Lucien looks at her and her clothes come flying off - even while she pissed of and trying to cockblock him. I loved the very end when she (view spoiler). Lucien is a piece of work. He has a scarred face and body, and a damaged leg - but really, Miranda doesn't see his physical imperfections. Most of the time, he's trying to provoke Miranda and is surprised (every time) that she doesn't crumple and cry her heart out. But let us not make him too much of nice guy; he was ready to sacrifice his new bride to the Heavenly Host and (view spoiler) so... bad guy, remember. Still, he's a sweetie when he's not trying to sabotage everything that could have been amazing in his life.

There's a secondary romance, as always, with Miranda's timid, nice-girl friend, Jane and Lucien's criminal underworld friend, Jacob Donnelly (King Donnelly, to some). Honestly, I felt like it was really underdeveloped - as in, they didn't interact all that much to fall in love or fall in bed.

My biggest pet peeve about this book (and most of Ms. Stuart's work) is how the hero knows exactly when the heroine falls in love with him. Alright, from my knowledge of men, men are never THIS smart or intuitive about a woman's brain. I mean, Lucien wasn't a mind reader, at the slightest, but he knew that Miranda was a goner even before she did. It was crazy, because at the same time, he was surprised that she accepted him so whole-heartedly. Am I missing something? How does he know that she loves him, but thinks it's insane that she would want to care for him and doesn't really see his scars.

Overall, Miranda and Lucien's story was pretty amazing. I would highly recommend it, but it does have its flaws. I think there could have been more background on Lucien's past and the household rivalry between Miranda and the housekeeper could have been resolved - though I know who would win. Anyway, it's a great addition to the Rohan series and I think that most would enjoy it.
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Sep 01, 2011 Duchess Nicole rated it really liked it

Shelves: genre-historical-romance, e-pcs, read-in-2012

This one was MUCH darker than the previous two books. Though I must say that I did not consider the first scene rape. Possibly a forced seduction. The heroine actually states that it wasn't rape. And lets be real...since this is fiction, if the people involved state their case, I tend to side with them.

I was consumed with this book all night last night. I stayed up until three in the morning, aching to get to the end, wanting so badly to have an HEA. The hero is most definitely the epitome of a ...more

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Jul 03, 2011 Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~* marked it as trilogys-sagas-series

Hey..50 cents each at a library sale...how could I resist?

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Jul 06, 2011 Kelli rated it really liked it

Shelves: gothic-hero, hero-revenge

I LOVED this book.... The hero ( Lucien yum... yum. yummmmmmm ) was beyond dark - Gothic as you like - With his scarred face and back ( from a whip )and painful limp - hes a sinister figure who you guessed it ... dresses only in black....Queue evil laugh....Sounds extremely cheesy -But Oh my he is sooo.... did I mention yum lol?

Out to seek his revenge on the Rohan family because his sister was jilted by her fiance (The eldest Rohan Son )and went on to kill herself -He decides the best and most p ...more

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Jan 02, 2012 Darcy rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, audio-book, 2012

The fun of this book was watching Miranda battle Lucien. For every trick he thought up she came back with one of her own throwing off Lucien. She was even sneaky with her actions, loved her painting his rooms pink! I also loved the end where her brothers raced to save her and she laid into them. She clearly let them know she was more than able to take care of herself and dole out her own punishments and if needed killings. The secondary romance was funny too. I like how these families think they ...more

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Aug 04, 2011 Sarah Dizon rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, library, read-in-2011, 3-stars

I have to say I didn't enjoy this book nearly as much as the first two. I enjoyed Miranda and her attitude but I found I didn't like Lucien at all. I don't really know what I don't like about him just that he didn't grow on me during the course of the book. I still didn't like him after the HEA.

I found myself more drawn to the side romance of Jane's than to the main storyline of Miranda's. It was still fun to read and I enjoyed learning about Adrian and Charlotte's children. I am going to conti ...more

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