Book Description
Victoria Fontaine's mischievous nature and brilliant, biting wit have scandalized the ton . . . and earned her the nickname "Vixen." But her reputation pales before the infamous Lord Althorpe's, known as "Lord Sin." The years Sinclair Grafton spent on the Continent have done nothing to quell the rumors about his past. And when the stunning Vixen and the handsome rogue find themselves momentarily alone at an elegant gala, their passion gets the best of them.
Caught by Victoria's father in a shockingly sensual kiss, Sin and Vixen have no recourse except a wedding. At first the very liberal lady relishes the thought of an unfettered marriage to an indifferent, unrepentant scoundrel. But she suspects there is more to this enigmatic, remarkable man, that his rakish persona is merely a pose. And after one unforgettable night of ecstasy, Lady Vixen is determined to unmask the true Sin . . . to satisfy a passionate heart that craves far more than freedom.
Customer Reviews:
Beautiful story - great romantic read!.......2004-07-23
I have always enjoyed Enoch's books and this one was no exception! Vixen and Sin were actually a perfect couple. Both were pretending to be something they were not and both were actually bored with the lives they had been leading. Thrown together but not really against their will - they quickly found there was much to each others personalities than what others perceived. There is just enough intrigue in the plot to add to the romance. I really enjoyed this Enoch romance and would highly recommend it!!!
Pleasant, but not Enoch's best.......2004-04-04
Suspense, rather than romance, is the bigggest aspect of Meet Me at Midnight. Victoria and Sinclair seem to be well-suited, but their romance is not entirely convincing. I can't quite put my finger on the problem, but they somehow remain rather vague throughout the story. The solving of the murder is very well done, however, even though I solved it by half-way through; the resolution was well done and suspense was maintained throughout. That, however, is not the point of a romance, nor should it be the main plot. That and the fact that the romance itself was not entirely satisfying is why I give the book only 3 stars. It simply did not keep me engrossed.
Disappointing Vixen.......2003-12-10
I love Suzanne Enoch's books and am anxiously awaiting the next in March - but "Meet Me at Midnight" was not only a disappointment but an annoyance beginning and ending with the heroine. The first time I read this book it was OK, the second read I threw it across the room, my own immature reaction to the childish, idiotic and uninteresting actions of Vixen. I am all for heroines that go against type - but this one didn't go in a way that made her more interesting, independent or engaging - instead I felt that I was wading through a mess of unappealing character traits that made me question the hero's sanity in liking her and rooting for someone else to appear and steal him away. Ms. Enoch is, however, still one of my favorite authors and I gave this book 2 stars simply because dispite my hatred of Vixen it was still well written structurally. I still recommend any of Ms. Enoch's other novels.
pretty good read.......2003-02-19
pretty good read, kinda predictable, but these things mostly are. Still very enjoyable.
Great Book.......2003-01-18
I would just like to say that i am a huge Suzanne Enouch Fan. I recomend all of her books to my friends. I loved how in Meet me at Midnight continues the story with Reforming the rake.I love the way it was written and how different and lovable the characters were.
Book Description
As part of a devious wager, Raphael Giscard is planning to seduce pretty Julia Brodie. But he never planned on falling in love with her.
Praise for Jacqueline Navin's previous novels:
A touching tale of love's ability to heal wounded souls. (Romantic Times)
A beautifully written tale...Fantastic. (Bell, Book and Candle)
Customer Reviews:
Does Love Exist? A Must Read Find out! .......2005-04-02
A rake, a rogue - one of the "Bane of the Ton." Can heartless Raphael sway Julia away from her handsome caring fiancée? Sensible, perfect Julia - can she abandon all she was taught and fight convention?
This wonderful tale paints a complete picture of a tortured man and the woman who fights to make him whole. Of course he fights her the entire time. Julia hopes to gain her freedom after a stunning betrayal involving an untimely wager and some "not so nice" friends. Raphael's tormented upbringing really makes you understand him. Not that you forgive him at first, but you can understand where he comes from.
I had to force myself to put the book down and get some sleep. If I had turned two more pages, I would have been up all night. It has been a long time since I read a book that captured me from start to finish. The people, the love scenes, the settings are so well written-I truly was swept away.
Do not miss reading this!!
Captivating........2002-02-12
It's true, this book has a loathsome hero but if you can hang in there long enough, the book provides satisfying twists and a rewarding conclusion.
Disturbing "romance".......2001-08-17
The basic premise is this:
Raphael, a Marquee who had a terrible father who treated him as if he were ...(no one ever knows for sure), is so bored with life that he and his cronies decide to prove love doesn't exist by breaking up the season's pair of lovebirds, Simon and Julia.
My problems with Julia: Well, she doesn't have the backbone to tell her mother what color dress to wear but decides to sneak out to sleep with Raphael? I don't buy that at all.
Further problems with Julia...how could she forgive Raphael? He treats her like DIRT...I mean, it's awful. He's a jerk and still, she just goes on being the loving wife. He shuts her out of his life over and over again and still, she acts as if he's so wonderful and pines away for him.
Raphael is just the worst kind of man....when he finally realizes how he's treated Julia, he reverts back to his actions when he was deceiving her to "prove" he's changed. To me, that just shows he has no imagination where romance is concerned. The actions, such as the white rose in her seat, when he was trying to seduce her for the wager's sake, are the same things he does when he tries to reconcile.
And his friends...Ugh, don't even get me started. The only redeemable one is Martindale. The rest are practically rapists. Ugh. In particular, the fiend that Raphael assigns to Laura, Julia's sister. He nearly rapes her in his carriage!
This book really made me sick.
A Definate Keeper!.......2001-08-13
This is a great book, very well written characters, particularly a strong heroine. I have already re-read it 3 times in the two months I have owned it. The story itself is extremely well written and believable. The conflict and plot instead of seeming trite and overdone are fresh and exciting. I have never read Ms. Navins before but I can hardly wait for her next book!
Surprisingly Excellent!!!.......2001-06-25
I generally do not write reviews and will not claim to be a critic, but I was thrilled with this book. You can read the synopses above and below, but know that as a rabid reader (especially of romance) who has been discouraged by the lack of quality writing in this genre, Ms. Navin truly made my weekend!! I couldn't put this book down. She has a great talent for drawing you into the story, and I was not in the least bored like I have been so frequently as of late. if you like historical romance, give this one a try, although then you will be upset she doesn't have many titles to her name.
Amazon.com
Setting: York, Britain, 999
Sensuality Rating: 4
In Shana Abé's A Kiss at Midnight, the end of the first millennium looms eminent and a generations-old prophecy dictates that the wealthy estate of Alderich--held for many years by Jozua Rune--must be relinquished to the Leonhart clan. But Rafael of Leonhart cannot rely on Jozua to act honorably, so he kidnaps Jozua's granddaughter, Serath Rune, from the convent where she has lived unhappily for 12 years. In doing so Rafe is forced into close quarters with the feisty beauty, who is rumored to have inherited her mother's dark magic skills. Rafe and Serath make an unlikely couple, to say the least. Neither can allow themselves to trust the other; Rafe uses Serath's reputation as a witch to control Alderich's peasants, but he is Serath's only protection from the superstitious villagers. Together, however, Rafe and Serath defend themselves and each other from the malice of a madman and fulfill the prophecy that returns happiness to Alderich and its tenants, all while falling in love. An altogether terrific read! --Alison Trinkle
Book Description
Who will you be with when the clock strikes twelve?
Ancient law proclaims that, as the year 999 draws to a close and the new millennium begins, the land of Alderich will be wrested from the Rune family by the clan of Leonhart. But when Rafael of Leonhart takes Serath Rune hostage, intending to force her grandfather, the Lord of Alderich, to surrender his land, the old man refuses. Before long, Rafael is falling under the spell of his fiercely beautiful captive--and the conquest he desires most is her defiant heart.
Look for the other sensational romances in the
Meet Me at Midnight series:
Midnight Mistress by Ruth Owen
Just Before Midnight by Suzanne Robinson
Customer Reviews:
too dark for a romance..........2006-02-07
first off, I could not finish the book.
In the first fifty pages- After seeing the heroine belittled by nuns and priests, running away from them to escape her abuse, getting "saved" (kidnapped) by the hero, who only wants her as a pawn against her grandfather, then finally returning "home" after many years away only to have the villagers literally scream and run away from her.
At this point I was actually too depressed to go on and needed a lie down:) I read romances to be entertained so this type of book is not for me.
I'm sure the book gets better but my motto is "too many books too little time". Life is too short to waste it on a mediocre book.
I've heard this author is talented so I'll try another of her book's but this one, in my opinion, is skipworthy.
3 stars for a good try.
ok not great.......2003-03-16
I wasn't real excited about this book after I got into it. It was good but nothing special.
The story takes place in 999 just before the turn of the millennium. In other words Y1k. There are all the doomsday believers who think that the world will end with the coming year. There are also those who believe that the new century is a time for new beginnings. Rafael Leonhart is one of those people. He is apart of a leggend that states that the land of Alderich will change hands and no longer belong to the Rune. So to help insure that this does happen Rafael takes Serath Rune hostage. She is the granddaughter of the Ruling Rune. The only problem is that Serath's grandfather has no love for her at all. This puts a crimp in Rafael's plans but what effects those plans even more is his growing attraction and feelings for his hostage. She is feared by many but he knows that she is not what she appears to be.
It was a good book not a great one but a good one.
Wonderful and powerful romance.......2002-06-12
It is fast approaching the end of the first millennium and an -old prophecy dictates that the wealthy estate of Alderich held by the Rune clan - must be relinquished to the Leonhart clan. Rafael of Leonhart does not trust Jozua Rune to honor the dictates of the prophecy, so he kidnaps Jozua's granddaughter, Serath Rune, from the convent where she has lived for 12 years. Serath just happened to make the kidnapping easy as she was trying to escape the convent, after years of abuse, the very same night the kidnapping was to take place. Talk about having a bad day!
Rafael is not at all what Serath expected having preconceived ideas after growing up with the rumors of the Leonhart's being the devil incarnates. And Rafe is not immune to the dark and mysterious beauty rumored to be a witch either. Quite an unlikely couple, to say the least. Neither one of them trust the other.
Rafe thinks Serath's grandfather will relinquish the castle easily for the safe return of his granddaughter. Serath knows that this will never happen, because her grandfather has never cared for her. Not only that, but Rafe thinks that having the granddaughter of Jozua Rune will help control the peasants - then finds that they are terrified of her - wow, is he ever having a bad day!
What follows is a very rich and satisfying tale of the panic, and superstitions that were rampant at the turn of the first millennium, couple this with very well fleshed out characters of the two main people of the novel and you have another hit by this very able new author. It is a wonderfully romantic story of two people learning to trust and respect one another as they fell in love. Shana Abe is getting better and better for every new novel she writes.
A most intriguing story!.......2000-03-22
I was fascinated by the premise of this book: the hero and heroine fighting for both land and acceptance at the turn of the millennium. Ms. Abe did not disappoint! Serath and Rafe were wonderfully rich characters. I had no trouble at all believing in their underlying motivations. I thought it was very clever how she cast both the hero and the heroine as the "outsider".Ms. Abe has a smoothly lyrical style of prose I always enjoy reading. A warning: this is no comedic, light romance novel, but instead one that is darkly stylish and almost mesmerizing. The interaction between all of the characters was excellent. The sexual tension between Rafe and Serath was handled skillfully and yet not coyly. I think one of Ms. Abe's great strengths is how she fleshes out her characters. It is refreshing to read about people who seem real, whose thoughts and actions make good sense without contrived plot twists. Ms. Abe is excellent at handling this. Serath was strong yet wounded, a woman wary of her world yet still thriving in it. Rafael was all that a hero should be, strong and compassionate, drawn to Serath despite all the reasons he knew he should not be.I very much recommend this book to any reader who enjoys true romance.
I like Ms. Abe's previous books better........2000-03-20
In the past, I liked Ms. Abe's books for their touch of the mystical and the dash of the unknown. Serath and Raphael's story revolves around an ancient legend, but doesn't let for much development. I felt that once I knew what the legend was (told in the first chapter), there were no surprises left in the reading of the tale. Everything happened just as you think it should. Although this tale takes place in England at the turn of the millennium (999/1000, and yes Ms. Abe heads off any disputes by placing a qualifier in her afterward about the millennium starting 1001), one must use their imagination for this setting. The happenings and hysteria surrounding the dawning of the new millennium are well described and probably very accurate. I like this attention to detail and learning that the New Year and Christmas used to be celebrated on the same day. It is the feud and the setting of the two families that are questionable and don't really fit into any realistic historical time period. Which is this story to be, set in a real time and place or fantasyland?
Out of all of the characters, crazy grandfather Jozua is the only one I found to be credible. Serath is feared as a witch, like her mother before her, and no one likes or trusts her. After a long absence she returns to her homeland where she gradually (over a few months) turns over the fear of the peasants. It seems to me that the fright and distrust instilled in them after 30-40 years (starting with Serath's mother) would not so easily or quickly be banished (especially after Serath "casts" spells and curses upon the village). Rafael also has his flaws. The big, bad, mercenary, who has seen and done so much that is cruel and savage, is really a tenderhearted guy who believes in Serath and pats children on the head for running him over. It is very hard to reconcile these two figures. Jozua is the only one who consistently and believably plays his role. Everything he does is justified in his refusal to give up his castle/land to someone he sees as his mortal enemy. (Well, almost everything, I won't give away all the details to the plot.)
Although not a bad book, I would recommend any of Ms. Abe's previous books, before recommending reading this one.
Book Description
It's 1899, and American heiress Mattie Bright is too modern for her own good. Mattie would love to spend her days racing through town in her motorcar. Instead she's in London looking for a husband whose lineage will make her fortune respectable. The only interesting man Mattie has encountered is the handsome Lord Cheyne Tennant--and they've been at war from the moment they met!
No one knows that Cheyne is working with Scotland Yard to catch a blackmailer plaguing London's wealthiest aristocrats. He'll need a daring young woman to help capture the culprit--but no gilded English lily will do. Mattie, with hair black as midnight and a fearless soul to match, is just perfect. But Cheyne doesn't know just how far Mattie will go to find the adventure she craves. And when he finally realizes how much she means to him, it may be too late to protect her....
Look for the other sensational romances in the Meet Me at Midnight series:
Midnight Mistress
by Ruth Owen
A Kiss At Midnight
by Shana Abé
Customer Reviews:
Don't be misled.......2004-02-03
I've spent the afternoon reading reviews of Suzanne Robinson's books around the net and Just Before Midnight is averaging a 'D' or 3/5 or 61/100. It's just not as good as her eralier books.
Robinson writes great romances.......2000-03-01
In 1899 London, Texan Mattie Bright wonders why she ever made that deathbed promise to her father that she would marry an English aristocrat. She knows how much he wanted to break into high society, but the doors remained shut to him. Still, Marriage is the last thing on her mind as she seeks reform such as women's suffrage and would rather enjoy the new inventions that have modernized life (at least for males).
While driving through the city, Mattie almost hits Cheyne Tennant while he is out riding a horse. He thinks she is one of those "New Women" and should take her horrid accent home. She believes he is a stuffy Regency-type aristocrat who would never soil his shirt. However, he turns out to be more than just a nobleman. Cheyne is also a private investigator trying to uncover the identity of the person blackmailing the folks of the upper class. They soon start working together on his case, putting in motion a plan that places Mattie in peril from a dangerous scoundrel.
JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT is a wonderful historical romantic intrigue that brings the end of the nineteenth century resplendently alive. The story line is fast-paced, filled with action, while providing insight into the waning influence of the English aristocracy to the growing nouveau riche, including expatriate Americans. The lead charcaters are an intrepid couple who seems at first to be opposites, but soon learn they share more than just a deep attraction to one another. Suzanne Robinson rescues readers from the recent wintry weather with this engaging treasure.
Harriet Klausner
Average customer rating:
- Historical Romance at its Best
- Pretty Great Book!
- One of the best historicals I've read!
- A great story by one of the romance genre's best authors'
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Midnight Mistress (Meet Me at Midnight)
Ruth Owen
Manufacturer: Fanfare
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
 Owen, Ruth | ( O ) | Authors, A-Z | Romance | Subjects | Books
General | Romance | Subjects | Books
Regency | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books
General | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:
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Just Before Midnight (Meet Me at Midnight)
ASIN: 0553577468
Release Date: 2000-01-04 |
Book Description
Who will you be with when the clock strikes twelve?
At a dazzling New Year's Eve ball, Lady Juliana Dare is thrilled to finally meet the mysterious privateer known only as the Archangel. For months his breathtaking escapades against Napoléon's fleet have been the talk of London. So Juliana is utterly shocked when she recognizes his pale blue eyes and the touch that sets her on fire. Now she plans to expose the truth: that England's hero is no better than a despicable fraud.
Yet Connor Reed cannot allow the past or any lingering tender feelings for Juliana to interfere with his carefully orchestrated mission. He will stop her from revealing his identity, even if it means silencing her with kisses...and risking the temptation to revive their long-ago passion.
Customer Reviews:
Historical Romance at its Best.......2000-03-26
Rarely does a romance combine all the necessary elements for a satisfying read as successfully as MIDNIGHT MISTRESS does. Our capable heroine, Juliana Dare, drives the story, evolving from the pampered toast of the ton to savvy business woman. Her intelligence and determination urges the reader to follow her on one adventure after another. Some are emotional, some professional and some, physically hazardous. Connor Reed, a complex mix of danger, mystery and tenderness challenges Juliana to face their past and ponder their present. From page to page, the reader's opinion of him shifts: is he a traitor or a hero?
Author Ruth Owen paints a rich tapestry of Regency England, with the sea merchanting business and the war with Napoleon as set pieces. To the fore, however, is the romance between Juliana and Connor. Their love for each other is never in doubt by the reader, but the journey they make finding their way back to each other is a real pleasure to watch. The sex is loving and warm.
Unlike many romances, which begin with a premise, end with a climax, and are filled in the middle with non-events, each chapter in MIDNIGHT MISTRESS brings exciting twists. Never has the hook at the end of each chapter been used to such great effect. All loose ends are tied up very nicely and logically, with unexpected happy endings for even secondary characters.
A highly recommended read, MIDNIGHT MISTRESS will not disappoint.
Pretty Great Book!.......2000-01-25
I'm always wary of stories that drag out the Big Misunderstanding premise. I mean, honey, if one can't talk over lil' matters even before the honeymoon, what will happen when the brats pop out along with the bills?
Hence, I'm very delighted to say that "Midnight Mistress" is one jolly fun read with plenty of exciting adventures and yes, the romance's great too! The two main characters are perfect for each other despite her tendency to see every woman as his mistress and his tendency to pull an "I'm Not Worthy" act - indeed they have great chemistry and wonderful passion.
Great plot, great characters, and a wonderful read all through the night. Now, if only the silly Big Misunderstanding is cleared earlier...
One of the best historicals I've read!.......2000-01-12
Everything a reader could ask for in an historical romance--page-turning adventure, a to-die-for hero, and a smart, independent heroine. Ruth Owen is a terrific writer.
A great story by one of the romance genre's best authors'.......1999-12-25
The clock has just struck midnight symbolizing the beginning of the new century when Connor Evans rescues Julianna Dare after she accidentally fell into the Thames. Her appreciative father, Lord Albany, brings the orphaned ruffian into his home. Over the next eight years, Julianna's hero worship turns into love, but Connor fails his adopted family when he steals money from them.
Four years later, though Albany is missing, a sad Julianna looks forward to meeting the renowned privateer Archangel, who has driven Napoleon crazy. To her shock the hero of England is none other than her betrayer Connor. She loathes the man and plans to expose him as the villain she believes he is. He has always loved her, but cannot allow his feelings to interfere with his mission of exposing a murderer who would not mind eliminating Julianna from running the family business.
The latest "Meet Me at Midnight" tale is a wonderful Regency romance that will excite readers with its action-packed plot. Though the story line follows the boundaries of the sub-genre, MIDNIGHT MISTRESS shows how talented a spin teller is Ruth Owen as she provides non-stop action and engaging characters. This novel is electrifying because of Connor and Julianna. That, along with the exhilarating plot, will send the audience scampering for other works by Ms. Owen (see the award winning TAMING THE PIRATE) as well as other works in the sub-series (see A KISS AT MIDNIGHT by Shana Abe and JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT by Suzanne Robinson).
Harriet Klausner
Book Description
Elizabeth Wakefield hates Nicole Banes. And from the moment she arrived at Camp Echo Mountain, Nicole has hated Elizabeth too. It doesn't help that Elizabeth is dating Joey Mason, the guy Nicole loves. Now Nicole wants revenge--and a surprise visit from Elizabeth's boyfriend Todd Wilkins gives Nicole the perfect opportunity to ruin Elizabeth's life!
As usual, Jessica Wakefield has fallen for the one guy she can't have: Paul Mathis, a gorgeous local. Camp rules forbid sneaking off the grounds. Will Jessica's plans for a moonlit meeting end in disaster...or true love?
Customer Reviews:
One of the best books Francine Pascal has come up with........1999-01-03
This book had a lot of exciting things in it, not just the firey war between Elizabeth and Nicole, the love between Paul and Jessica, the love between Joey and Elizabeth, or when Todd makes a surprise visit to the camp, but how each of them cope with what is happening and how they handle their differences.
Book Description
Secret Service agent Ty Jones had only one lead left to the madman who'd plunged Boston into a blackout, ambushed his teammates and kidnapped the vice president. Gabriella Solaro—the woman who'd hacked into the kidnapper's Web site. The woman he'd kept tabs on with a fake online romance. He was convinced she was the key—till he met her. Gabby was blind.
But when the madman upped the ante, vowing to detonate a bomb at dawn, Ty needed her. She knew the city, the trail he had to follow. Drawn to her, he promised to keep her safe. But when the time came, would he follow his heart—or his duty? He had only six hours to find out….
Product Description
Victoria Fontaine's mischievous nature and brilliant, biting wit have scandalized the ton . . . and earned her the nickname "Vixen." But her reputation pales before the infamous Lord Althorpe's, known as "Lord Sin." The years Sinclair Grafton spent on the Continent have done nothing to quell the rumors about his past. And when the stunning Vixen and the handsome rogue find themselves momentarily alone at an elegant gala, their passion gets the best of them. Caught by Victoria's father in a shockingly sensual kiss, Sin and Vixen have no recourse except a wedding. At first the very liberal lady relishes the thought of an unfettered marriage to an indifferent, unrepentant scoundrel. But she suspects there is more to this enigmatic, remarkable man, that his rakish persona is merely a pose. And after one unforgettable night of ecstasy, Lady Vixen is determined to unmask the true Sin . . . to satisfy a passionate heart that craves far more than freedom.
Books:
- Midnight Angel (Midnight Series, Book 3)
- Midnight (Warriors: The New Prophecy, Book 1)
- Minion (Vampire Huntress Legends)
- Night Whispers
- No Retreat, No Surrender: One American's Fight
- Once a Princess
- Paradise Lost (Penguin Classics)
- Party of One: The Loners' Manifesto
- Physik (Septimus Heap, Book 3)
- Prince of Dreams (Avon Romance)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- History: Fiction or Science
- Up Close and Dangerous: A Novel
- Nerve Cells and Insect Behavior, Rev. ed: With an Appreciation by John G. Hildebrand
- Rhetorical Visions: Reading and Writing in a Visual Culture
- The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band
- West Federal Taxation: Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and Treasury Regulations, 2007 Edition
- TMNT: Turtles Together
- The Art of the Fillmore: The Poster Series 1966-1971
- Picturing Architecture: Graphic Presentation Techniques in Australian Architectural Practice
- The diatom flora of the Provo River, Utah, U.S.A
Reforming a Rake: With This Ring (With This Ring, 1)
A Matter of Scandal (With This Ring)
The Rake: Lessons in Love
Taming Rafe
England's Perfect Hero
