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Group Reads and Challenges
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December Group Read: Devils Desire by Laurie McBain
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Woohoo! Yes yes yes! Persistence paid off! :D
I'm loving the blurb - have just ordered a copy...now to finish 'Desperate Duchesses' (yawn, not one of Ms James' best) and get started on a proper read....Grace x
Mod
Started it last night (Kindle version.) Would be interested to know what year it was published since the 'tell rather than show' of the the first couple of chapters is quite old fashionned. An awful lot of back story in the first chapters - having said that, it's got me hooked. Cant wait to see where the story goes and its building nicely and havent even met the hero yet....
OhMyGosh!! A good friends mother is forever giving me large boxes (usually 4 at a time) of books; most of them are old issue romances. I will look through them a pick out a few (most just don't catch my interest). When I seen this post I starting laughing because I just knew this book was in one of the boxes that was given to me a few months ago(now I am telling myself: 'Please don't let me have given it away!').
I had to smile when I went to my bookshelf and less than 5 minutes later pulled it off a shelf :) The best part was that there is a price tag on it for $.89 with an original Avon book price of $1.95 and I got it for FREE!!!!
Now, I have a book to read for my 'D'ecember challenge--I love it when things fall into place like this :D
I'm in, ladies! I picked this one up earlier this year and re-read it for the first time in EONS - can't wait to start chatting about it!(Especially looking forward to your comments, Karla, lol). :D
I've read this one about 4 or 5 times but once more won't hurt me :)
I just started reading this tonight.. one chapter down!
Oh it's hotting up now. Have got past the back story and really starting to enjoy the characters...cant wait to go back to it.
Just started reading it. Can't wait to get to the meat-n'-potatoes of it!
Finished today... but I will hold off on my comments until more people are done :-)
Awesome!! This is one of the first romances I read and I remember loving it. I'm really looking forward to rereading it. Great choice, ladies!
Woo hoo. Finished it last night - champing at the bit to discuss it but wont cos dont want to spoil things for those that are still reading. Now feel bereft of a good book cos this recommendation was awesome.
I keep thinking I've read this book before. It has so many similarities to a book I read a while back, yet a few differences, but not much - I'm on page 140 now. I can't think of the name of the other book...has anyone else experienced deja vu while reading Devil's Desire???Maybe I started it some time ago, but got sidetracked and stopped reading - but then no, the other similiar book had an American H in the plot.
Reading so many of these BR's they all begin to blend in together for me.
Sharon wrote: "I keep thinking I've read this book before..."Me too, Sharon -- I got to about page 150 and realized it was reminding me quite a bit of The Flame and the Flower.
Tammy wrote: "Sharon wrote: "I keep thinking I've read this book before..."Me too, Sharon -- I got to about page 150 and realized it was reminding me quite a bit of The Flame and the Flower."
I haven't read that one. I guess I'll just continue reading and see if there are any more similarities. Maybe the other title will come to me because I'm not going to hunt it down - although I do get obsessive about this kind of stuff.
i just saw this at borders today, it looks like its been re-released
Mod
Me too, Sharon -- I got to about page 150 and realized it was reminding me quite a bit of The Flame and the Flower."
I was thinking the same thing! The Flame and the Flower but the beginning also reminds me a bit of the beginning of Lady Vixen that we read as a group a couple months ago. These Golden Pleasures also had a similar beginning... you know parents die, evil aunt/uncle/family member treats girl like Cinderella, family member arranges to marry girl off to old nasty pervert, girl runs away. Ive run into this exact set up a few times here recently.
Mod
Yes! This was just re released in November by Sourcebook. Looks like they are re releasing some or maybe all of Laurie McBains books, Moonstruck Madness is set to come out in February. All About Romance recently reviewed Devils Desire when the reissue came out last month, check it out here.
i nearly got it...but I was on a very specific mission for a book, so I might have to go back and get it next time!
Mod
OK, I bailed on my doorstopper HF because I've been missing the BRs.....badly and excruciatingly! So I'm starting this tonight. So far, so good! Heroine fleeing for her virtue on the first page!
One thing I've noticed/been surprised by is the lack of epic scope. I kinda want some globetrotting to happen, but the H/h stuff is pretty good and making up for it.
Well, I finished reading this book.Throughout, I kept sensing I have read it before. The plot continued to conjure shadows of familiarity so there really wasn't many surprises for me. That was a bit disappointing because I wasn't certain if scenes where duplicates of past BR's I've read and that was irritating. But, finally while reading the last chapters I knew, yep, I've read this very good book before.
Well, I also thought I'd read this book before when I got to the end, mainly because Kathleen Woodiwiss appears to have ripped off the smugglers' cave/madwoman mastermind climax for her own Ashes in the Wind. O__o Didn't like that scene and didn't much care for the one in Devil's Desire, either.
Overall I liked it, though. It was pretty simple and basic, obviously a first book. Too much backstory and expository dialogue, which brought it down IMO. Alex was undeveloped. The plot was nuts and bolts, but didn't seem like it was full-bodied. I could see the potential, and wished the author had delivered. But that's what her future books are for. Can't be faboo right out of the gate.
Overall I liked it, though. It was pretty simple and basic, obviously a first book. Too much backstory and expository dialogue, which brought it down IMO. Alex was undeveloped. The plot was nuts and bolts, but didn't seem like it was full-bodied. I could see the potential, and wished the author had delivered. But that's what her future books are for. Can't be faboo right out of the gate.
Oh I'm glad Karla wrote what she did cos I wondered if I'd get blackballed for not thinking it anything other than wonderful. I must say it was a hugely enjoyable read and I would like to read more of Laurie's work, but the back story at the beginning would have knocked it on the head for me had it not been a BR recommended read.
Glad I read it.
I read Devil's Desire the first time probably in early 80s. I loved it. If I had read it today I probably wouldn't have enjoyed it quite so much but I still love it and will read again and again.
I have to agree it wasn't full-bodied. I don't want to rate it because this time around I was just a bit too irritated that everything sounded so familiar. I must have thought it was pretty good first time around because I kept it to read again sometime. Summing it up, thought it was a good book for first time writing.
@Karla: Glad to see (read) that it wasn't just me not feeling the love. :P
I haven't read many gothics, but someone told me that the smugglers' cave trope was a biggie in the genre. So it looks like it was used as a reliable standby by both McBain and Woodiwiss. Still, I had raging deja vu as I was reading the end of this one.
At least the heroine was FAR more likable than Alana in AitW. I was so relieved when Elysia sees all the new clothes that Alex has bought for her and she wears them gladly. I was having flashbacks to that BS Alana pulls. That book really scarred me, I guess. :P
At least the heroine was FAR more likable than Alana in AitW. I was so relieved when Elysia sees all the new clothes that Alex has bought for her and she wears them gladly. I was having flashbacks to that BS Alana pulls. That book really scarred me, I guess. :P
I am discovering that the whole "Mad? I'm not mad! And now let me tell you about my diabolical plan!" thing happens way too often in books. I thought it was only in the old melodramas and was used for parody only, like, for the past FIFTY YEARS.
I'm with Scott Evil on this. Just shoot 'em!
I'm with Scott Evil on this. Just shoot 'em!
I discovered you were reading this and as I have it in my collection, I decided to give it a shot. I'm about 2/3 through it, and while it's ok, it's certainly doesn't hold a candle to Moonstruck Madness, which I loved, but it's better than Chance the Winds of Fortune.I can see why Laurie McBain gets respect from modern romance reviewers, while meatier works by Rogers, Small, Sherwood and Monson aren't as widely appreciated. Her works, like Woodiwiss's, were "sweet" and almost respectable. I prefer the "savage" types myself, much more fun.
Yes, I got that impression too from Devil's Desire. Like Lindsey (less so with Woodiwiss), I would use the word "safe" to describe it.
I'm all for the savage stuff, although I think the safe things have their place. They sort of provide the means to anticipate the next real bodice ripper all the more. Otherwise, I'd start taking the savage stuff for granted. :D
I'm all for the savage stuff, although I think the safe things have their place. They sort of provide the means to anticipate the next real bodice ripper all the more. Otherwise, I'd start taking the savage stuff for granted. :D
Jeanine ♥ Cheshire Catt ♠ wrote: "All I used to read were Gothics and I never remember any smuggler's cave in any of them."Aola Vandergriff had a gothic trilogy, Wyndspelle, Wyndspelle's Child and Bell Tower of Wyndspelle, IIRC (not at home so can't check keeper shelves)where a smuggler's cave was an important location.
I think you're right, most Gothics did not have caves, though some, like the Wyndspelle books (love them and love Aola - her Daughters of... historicals are big favorites) do.
I have read all of Mcbains novels the best is wild bells to the wild sky a great story the group should try that one.
Wild Bells to the Wild Sky is in my top ten romances, easily, and I loved Moonlight Madness, so was very pleased to see Devil's Desire reissued.
Wild Bells does sound excellent - Queen Elizabeth and whatnot, lots o' pages, great cover (always a plus)... :)
Queen Elizabeth, heroine spending formative years on a tropical island, hero who makes a big impact, fabulous cover (I am always a sucker for Elaine Duillo's art) - it's all win as far as I'm concerned. Not quite as enraptured by Devil's Desire, but will withhold comment until I've read through to the end. It's still a new-to-me McBain, which is a good thing.
Liked 'Elysia's' name. Female version of Elysium as in Elysium fields - very clever.
Oh, clever on Elysia's name. I hadn't noticed that. I do miss the more creative naming of characters like that in many modern romances. I'm all for historical accuracy but a unique name can add a bit of extra insight.
Speaking of unique names...I just got a title where the heroine's name is Dallas. And it takes place in Stewart Scotland. Weird, says I! Sounds wrong, I add! However, I looked it up and Dallas & some variants is an old Scottish name for boys and girls, meaning "from the dells."
And that's your fact for the day. :)
And that's your fact for the day. :)
I know that book - title and author escaping me at the moment but I remember it was good. Dallas is indeed an accurate and individual name. I thought it fit her.
Only 1 star rating...wish people would go into detail why a book rates 1 star. Give examples, etc. :-\ 1 star ratings with no evidence makes me even more curious about them.
That's the one. If there's a one star review, I'd like to know what it was that didn't work for the reviewer. I may have to mark this one for reread soon.
Mod
Ok, I finished this a few days ago but am just now getting around to comment here :)
I am having a hard time deciding what I thought of this one. I agree with some of the other that the excessive back story in the beginning was a bit tiresome and it was a bit too much 'tell' and not enough 'show'.
McBain really seemed to focus on all the wrong things. You get the whole set up with her aunt and the back story there could have been a whole story on it's own. Then the whole thing with his mistress which kinda comes up later I guess, but there was too much set up with that for a little of a part as she played later on. Just that there was a mistress is all you really needed to know, not all the details of their relationship. But then all of a sudden her brother shows up and is involved in some plot to uncover smuggling ring? That was too big a part of the book to not have a bit more of a set up in the beginning! No back story for Elysia's relationship with her brother? No historical set up for the smuggling going on at the time? It was all wacky. Too much time setting up things that didn't matter, to little time setting up the things that did.
And speaking of things that didn't get enough of a set up... the romance just kind of came out of nowhere! We have them meet and hate each other at the inn, marry for no real reason (am I meant to assume he loved her at once? maybe), and then they are barely on page together again until they get it on. And then *poof* she loves him! Huh? Up until then I had kind of gotten the impression that they didn't spend anytime together whatsoever except at dinner (and not a single cute or funny or even awkward dinner scenes on page, just told that it happens). Unfortunately this is not all that uncommon in romance as a whole, but I really felt like I was not shown nearly enough of their time together and chemistry early on in the relationship.
Now on the other hand, I couldn't stop reading it! The plot moves along and it kept me interested enough that I really wanted to know where it was going to go. So I think as a first book it shows a lot of promise and I will be reading some of her others for sure.
So questions...
This was Laurie McBain's first romance novel which lead her to a very successful career.... what did you think? Guess I pretty much covered that one above. It was fairly obvious it was a first attempt, but I can see her skill and some of her strengths shine through.
Did you find the writing immature or is this a strong first novel in your opinion? There are some weaknesses, but really this is a pretty strong first attempt. I can see why she took off.
What did you think of the authors style? I wish there was a bit more show and less tell but overall I enjoyed her style and the story really moved along.
How did it compare to other bodice rippers you have read? Pretty tame for a BR. There is the kidnapping/forced marriage but overall pretty tame.
Other romances? This could just as easily been written this year. Pretty PC nothing that would offend the typical modern reader.
What was your favorite scene? Gosh, I don't know! Not really any memorable on page scenes or interactions with the characters! Maybe when he catches up to her when she rides her old horse. Or maybe at the end when he confesses his love to her, it was pretty good but would have been better if more had been built up between them earlier in the book
Favorite character? Elysia, she was a good heroine. But then again, you didn't really get to know any of the other characters so who else could you pick!?! Hmmm... maybe Denny (was that it? Deny? Dany? Don't have my copy near by), she was fun.
How would you rate this book on a BR scale of 1-10 (1 being very tame 10 being WTF OTT!)? Maybe a 2? Pretty tame.
Good point about the emphasis on setting up things that, in the end, didn't matter. It did seem pretty lopsided.
Jennefer - on a purely personal note I love your review/comments. You put your finger right on the money about everything! What's so interesting to me is that I'm an author and I can so understand how Laurie got swept up in telling the story, and then got such tunnel vision she couldnt critique her own work. I bet she sweated love over that book and to her every set up was essential. Also because she knew the characters so well, by the time the unspoken of brother arrived, Laurie must have assumed that you the reader knew that of course Elysia had a brother. So easily done and such a trap to fall into.
A salient lesson to all writers! Well done Jennefer!
Mod
And yes, I can see how that could happen to an author very easily, especially on a first novel.
Bodice Ripper Readers Anonymous
Books mentioned in this topic
Love's Pirate (other topics)Moonstruck Madness (other topics)
Chance The Winds of Fortune (other topics)
Lady Vixen (other topics)
The Flame and the Flower (other topics)
More...
Devil's Desire by Laurie McBain 1975
This has been in our poll and come close a few times, maybe we should just read it already!!! May I also point out that this could be used in our quarterly challenge crossword along with our last months group read!
Average GoodRead rating: 3.82
GoodReads description:
In a rousing, unforgettable saga that sweeps across the valleys and peaks of human destiny, the stormy alliance of beautiful young Lady Elysia Demarice and Lord Alex Trevegne plumbs the depths of raw human emotion -- lust, jealousy and hate -- for though Lord Alex has married Elysia, he cannot possess her in flesh or spirit. Out of the turbulence of their clashing wills comes one of the greatest love stories ever written, as their twin passions mingle at last, in a rippling tide of liquid fire!
Availability: Amazon has several copies of this one (including a Kindle version, yay!) as does AbeBooks and PaperbackSwap
Discussions: This was Laurie McBain's first romance novel which lead her to a very successful career.... what did you think? Did you find the writing immature or is this a strong first novel in your opinion? What did you think of the authors style? How did it compare to other bodice rippers you have read? Other romances? What was your favorite scene? Favorite character? How would you rate this book on a BR scale of 1-10 (1 being very tame 10 being WTF OTT!)?
Please be considerate of others and use 'spoiler spaces' when revealing key plot elements.