Book Description
Welcome to a world of reckless sensuality and glittering sophistication . . . of dangerously handsome gentlemen and young ladies longing to gain a title . . . of games played for high stakes, including—on occasion—a lady's virtue.
A marquess's sheltered only daughter, Lady Roberta St. Giles falls in love with a man she glimpses across a crowded ballroom: a duke, a game player of consummate skill, a notorious rakehell who shows no interest in marriage—until he lays eyes on Roberta.
Yet the Earl of Gryffyn knows too well that the price required to gain a coronet is often too high. Damon Reeve, the earl, is determined to protect the exquisite Roberta from chasing after the wrong destiny.
Can Damon entice her into a high-stakes game of his own, even if his heart is likely to be lost in the venture?
Customer Reviews:
Desperately silly.......2007-09-24
This book is an embarrassment to women. If you take all the female characters and combine them into one you still don't come up with an average-sized brain (never mind character, maturity, or simple common sense).
From the first few unlikely and irrational pages this seemed like a bad Junior High School play in which too many characters with little to contribute had been written in so the whole class could have a speaking part. (By high school, you'd expect more mature characters!) Under these circumstances, while everybody spoke, no one had anything of any importance to say. It was a completely chaotic one-dimensional farce. We are, apparently, supposed to find the antics and dialogues humorous and entertaining but "ridiculous", "spoiled", and "downright stupid" are much closer to the mark.
I can't remember a more irritating book, more exagerated stereotypes and characterizations, sillier dialogue, or more frantic pacing (every scene was short, choppy, and sloppily transitioned). Did anybody proofread this?
You never got into anyone's mind (assuming they had one) or into their hearts (presumably, the function of romantic fiction). You were too distracted by all the confusion caused by whatever nonsensical scene was exploding at the time. I have never come across a group of people with less charm, or warmth, or sense of purpose than this crew, about whom further books will, apparently, be written.
The author's biographical blurb states that she writes in her sleep because she is so overwhelmed by her children and pets. I thought she was joking but, apparently, that was the one serious comment in the whole book.
Nicely Complicated Characters.......2007-09-14
I loved this story and it did not bother me that some plot lines were left hanging. For me, that added to the complexity and appeal of the overall novel. The multiple characters, their conflicts and the odd way they were involved in each others' lives, all this was quite interesting and cleverly protrayed I thought. There was some surprise, tension, eroticism, and the ending was delightful as the hero's mask comes off for us. Her writing is very well done and I especially appreciate flawed characters who are also consistent, but maybe, learning a thing or two.
I was more into Jemma and Elijah than the main two characters.......2007-09-06
I honestly can say that I really didn't really care for Damon and Roberta. They barely got that many scenes in the book because there were so many characters that they were really over looked. I also was way more interest at what was happening between Jemma and her husband Elijah. I really can't wait for those two to have their own book and see how they get back together. I'm really going to get mad if Jemma and Elijah don't end up together.I hope that the author really doesn't kill Elijah off because I really want him and his wife to work things out.
Controlled Chaos...A Light, Frothy Read.......2007-08-21
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Yes, it was a bit chaotic and confusing with all the minor character plots. And yes, I agree there was not a lot of substance to the two main characters, especially the hero (truth be told, from the way the book started out, I had no idea he was going to turn out to be the hero of the story). But it was extremely well written in terms of how she handled the dialogue, especially during the chess and domino games. I found the non-Regency setting a refreshing change of pace (this coming from a huge Regency fan like myself!) and loved the fact that many of the characters were messy, imperfect people with loose ends that weren't tied up by the end of the book. And boy can this lady write some great sex scenes!
I suspect James was mimicking the pace and tone of famous 18th century novels, plays, and operas (Tom Jones comes to mind as do some of Sheridan's plays and Mozart's operas)--all of which are known for featuring bawdy interludes and frequent secondary character side trips before circling back to the main plotline. I think she succeeded nicely in capturing the essence of that particular period in all its energy, earthiness, and color.
My only complaint is I think James is almost too creative for the formulaic historical romance genre. I'd love to see her break out into something meatier--a historical novel with good doses of romance a la Diana Gabaldon, perhaps?--and really let herself go. In the mean time, I look forward to reading her other books and seeing how this series evolves.
Too many characters? .......2007-08-01
I loved this book! I love that she has wee side stories going on, as with Jenna and Elijah. Following Esme and Sabastian was the main reason I bought the last series; although I enjoyed the stories for themselves as well. As for Roberta and Damon, I liked them both very much. Damon, especially, had endearing and um...other qualities I enjoyed.I found the end not rushed,but with a twist I didn't expect. I do hope the next story, who seems to be about characters BRIEFLY mentioned, will be as good as this one.And not to throw off on other reveiwers, but come on ladies! If remembering characters is too much for you, perhaps other romance writers would be a better choice. I like some substance along with the romance.
Book Description
A Duke in Retreat
Gina was forced into marriage with the Duke of Girton at an age when she'd have been better off in a schoolroom than a ballroom. Directly after the ceremony her handsome spouse promptly fled to the continent, leaving the marriage unconsummated and Gina quite indignant.
A Lady In the Middle
Now, she is one of the most well-known ladies in London ... living on the edge of scandal—desired by many men, but resisting giving herself to any one.
A Duchess in Love
Finally, Camden, the Duke of Girton, has returned home, to discover that his naïve bride has blossomed into the toast of the ton. Which leaves Cam in the most uncomfortable position of discovering that he has the bad manners to be falling in love—with his own wife!
Download Description
"
A Duke in Retreat
Gina was forced into marriage with the Duke of Girton at an age when she'd have been better off in a schoolroom than a ballroom. Directly after the ceremony her handsome spouse promptly fled to the continent, leaving the marriage unconsummated and Gina quite indignant.
A Lady In the Middle
Now, she is one of the most well-known ladies in London ... living on the edge of scandal -- desired by many men, but resisting giving herself to any one.
A Duchess in Love
Finally, Camden, the Duke of Girton, has returned home, to discover that his naïve bride has blossomed into the toast of the ton. Which leaves Cam in the most uncomfortable position of discovering that he has the bad manners to be falling in love -- with his own wife!
"
Customer Reviews:
Way too many characters.......................2007-07-25
As others have said, the plot has already been written in great detail, so I will focus on what I did or didnt like about the book.
To start out with I was not happy with the way the book started. Three women, unhappy in their marriages, taking on lovers, wanting a divorce, and an annulment, and flirting with other men, gave me a shallow perception of them from the very start. The men were just as bad, with their mistresses and lovers. Maybe I am just expecting too much, but I enjoy when characters are honorable and trustworty rather than deceitful and loose.
First let me say that I enjoy a book with multiple characters and subplots, but this just went way too far. A book needs to have a heroine and hero and Cam and Gina, just didn't do it for me. With so many other characters and plots going on, you never really got a true sense of who Cam and Gina were. It wasn't realistic for me that you were not sure who Gina was going to pick until the very end. I obviously knew they were going to be together, because it's a romance novel and that's just the way it goes, but for me, if you truly loved someone with all your heart, you would not be considering another man as your husband, just a few days before she ends up with Cam, which is just what Gina did. Their final reunion was severely lacking on many levels. I must admit I enjoyed Cam as a character, but did not feel any chemistry between him and Gina whatsoever in the story.
As an author, if you do decide to load a book with many storylines, at least finish them off. There wasn't enough information about any of the characters, to really get to know them. You were thrown bits of pieces about each of their characters and their situations. Was Sebastion truly the uptight stiff that he seemed. Does Esme feel a growing attraction to Sebastion, like we are led to believe, and if so why was she trying to have a baby with her husband, who was in love with another woman? It could have been so much more excting between them, but she takes another route, and I will not even go into how that one turns out, you definitely don't want to know!! James threw in a half brother, that was her tutor, that I am still trying to figure out for what purpose???? Then there is Carola and Neville, who were not only boring, but given way too much time in this book. And then Helene that just appears once in a while as you try to figure out just what is going on with her. I can only assume, James put her in there, to give us a glimpe of her, for an upcoming book. I am hoping you get my point, too many characters, going too many ways. And then to top it all off, James left us hanging on how they turn out.
In my opinion, a good book has you laughing, crying, hoping, and cheering but this had me doing none of that. It never drew me in and captivated me, the way a good book should. I just wanted the book to be over and done with, so I could move onto something more exciting. Reading nearly 400 pages of scattered plots and boring characters was just not fun for me.
As with most of my reviews, I won't tell you not to read it because you may enjoy reading something that I didn't. I just wanted to give you an honest review, where you can then make up your own mind.
Two stars for Esme and Sebastian!.......2007-05-20
I found this to be the worst of Ms. Jame's books. The only reason I would recommend it is to get to know Gina's friends, who have books that center more on them later. I found Gina and Cam to be unrealistic; or maybe just that I didn't care for them. However, Esme and Sebastian were what spurred me on to read more in this series.
Plot needs more focus........2006-04-04
As the plot has been reviewed, I will not got into unnecessary details in this review. First, I think that James excels in developing a novel plot idea, and creating content-rich characters. I liked Cam, Gina, and Esme. The one character that could have been more fleshed out was Sebastian.
The downside of this novel is that it appears that clarity in the plot got lost in all of the characters she was creating and trying to carry throughout a 350 page book. I like the presence of subplots, truly, but in 350 pages, creating a tight story for the the main characters is difficult enough. In trying to save space, James cuts details from the main plot to focus on the sub-plots. That takes away from all of the characters and plot quite a bit. For example, details about the relationship between Carola, Tuppy and Neville were never explained enough for me to truly understand the nature of their triangle. Further, the half-brother of Gina and tutor of Gina are repeatedly throughout the novel, but it never seems clear why they are important.
Basic plot development is sometimes totally absent, and I was forced to reread (which rarely happens in romance novels for me) sections as I couldn't figure out how the situation the characters found themselves in arose.
Finally, the end of the novel becomes a blur. The ending is a major let down, and is never developed (even if the story is continued to subsequent books). Yes, the hero and heroine do end up together in the end, but it is very fuzzy as to what ultimately led to Gina's decision to be with Cam over Sebastian.
Lost Focus.......2005-07-06
I'm an avid romance reader. Therefore, I know a good romance novel when I come across it. Unfortunately, The Duchess In Love, was quite disappointing. Eloisa James's work is not as refined as other writers of this genre. However, I could overlook this if her romances were a little better developed. This story seemed to focus almost equally on too many other romances (at least three). It was a bit difficult to follow the character development (which was not very strong) and story line between the primary characters Cam and Gina with so much else going on. I can understand, having supporting characters and storylines. However, this was ridiculous and amatuer in nature. To add insult to injury, the reunion between Cam & Gena is what the reader desires most. However, this aspect of the story occurs in a way that is most unsatisfying and extremely rushed. I'm still wondering what happened. This book had great potential, the premise was great. However, Ms. James simply did not deliver a powerful or well-written romance.
Eloisa's Duchess series is one of my favorites.......2005-01-14
I really did enjoy this book. James has been criticized more than once for having too much going on in her novels, but I find her refreshing and innovative. Duchess does have a lot of set up, and I admit that the following three books of the series are better, but this particular novel was the hook. And I couldn't help it; when I finished the book I was dying to know what happened to all my favorite characters. James succeeds in writing flawed characters who are also endearing and interesting. The best suggestion I can make to potential consumers is to go ahead and give the book a try. Tastes vary so much that you won't be able to tell whether or not you like the story unless you give it a try. You don't even have to purchase it; check it out of the library first. And I promise that the series does get better and better right through the last novel.
Book Description
Set against the stunning backdrop of Renaissance France and peopled by the titans of European history, The Serpent and the Moon is a true story of love, war, intrigue, betrayal, and persecution. At its heart is one of the world's great love stories: the life-long devotion of King Henri II of France to Diane de Poitiers, a beautiful aristocrat who was nineteen years older than her lover.
Diane was present at Henri's birth. It was Diane who lovingly embraced six-year-old Henri when he was sent as a hostage to a Spanish prison in exchange for his father. On his release four years later, it was Diane who eased the adolescent Henri out of his bitterness. As Henri matured, he modeled his life on the chivalric code, wore Diane's famous colors of black and white, and vowed to protect the lady whose image had sustained him throughout his childhood imprisonment.
In the sixteenth century, scions of royal houses were political pawns to be exchanged in marriage by rulers of Europe seeking to meet their own ambitions. At age fourteen, Henri was married to fourteen-year-old Catherine de' Medici, an unattractive but extremely wealthy heiress who was to bring half of Italy to France as her dowry. When Catherine met Henri on their wedding day, she fell instantly in love, but Henri could see no one but the beautiful Diane de Poitiers. Henri became dauphin and then king, all the while becoming more devoted to Diane, granting her exalted titles, magnificent castles, and the crown jewels and increasing the jealous fury of his wife. Diane and Henri ruled France as one. While their love was sincere and discreet, many at court were not sure of their true relationship. Catherine, however, was in no doubt. She took as her secret motto the words "Hate and Wait" and lived for the day Diane would die and she could win Henri's love and rule by his side. Fate had another plan.
Her Royal Highness Princess Michael of Kent, herself a descendant of both Catherine and Diane, imbues this seldom-told story with an insider's grasp of royal life and exquisite details gleaned from extensive research in the libraries, palaces, and private collections in Europe. Set in a time of unprecedented cultural and religious revolution, constant war, and the building of France's most famous chateaux and the creation of its Renaissance art, The Serpent and the Moon is a fascinating love story as well as a richly woven history of an extraordinary time.
Customer Reviews:
Lackluster depiction of a menage a trois.......2007-04-22
Every now and then, I get to find out something new in history, and a story that had not made sense before falls into place. Such was the case when I read this biography about one of the most unusual ménage a trois in history.
This biography by the wife of the British Prince Michael of Kent focuses mostly on the passion between one couple of this three-way relationship. Set in 16th century France, it's a story that can be taken several different ways -- as a scandal, a story of a great love, a scheming older woman and a much younger man, or that of a spurned wife.
The story opens with a marriage, that of two fourteen year olds, Henri of France, the second son of King Francois I, and Catherine di Medici, the 'niece' of the Pope, and potential heiress of several wealthy Italian duchies. He was a sullen, quiet boy, still traumatized by several years imprisonment in Spain as a hostage for his father. Catherine, having been deprived of her parents in infancy, had been passed around an assortment of relatives and convents, unsure of where she would be from day to day. It was a magnificent wedding, and both young people performed their parts, including Henri consummating the marriage.
The surprise came after the wedding -- when Henri promptly returned to the company of his Lady. She was Diane de Portiers, a highly placed lady of his father's court. She was also eighteen years older than Henri, very beautiful, educated and possessed of a dignified courtesy. In short, she was everything that Catherine was not. She also had the confidence of both of Henri's parents, and ever since her husband's death, she had worn nothing but black and white, and young Henri had adopted those colours as his own, playing the part of a chivalrous young knight to his lady.
It was Catherine who suffered for ten years, enduring rejection by her husband and having to treat his mistress with grace and courtesy. But on the inside, it appeared that she was seething. She adopted a secret motto for herself --- "Hate and Wait" -- and had a peephole placed in the floor of her bedchamber so that she could spy on the amourous couplings of her husband and her lover. It must have been humiliating to know that Diane and Henri eventually gave into King Francois' demands that Henri get his wife with child, and Diane sending her husband upstairs to get his wife, suggesting that he make love to her like a greyhound, and then as soon as the deed was done, return to Diane's arms. Evidently the suggestion worked -- Catherine would have nine children by Henri. Despite this horrible behavior, Catherine would love her husband, still as besotted as when she was a new bride.
When Henri finally became King, Diane remained at his side, recieving properties and becoming his closest confidant and advisor. Henri in turn, championed her, placing their intertwined intials throughout the royal palaces, and having her continually at his side. Diane played her part, creating herself as the goddess of the hunt and the moon, and clearly delighting in the role of uncrowned queen of France. But there was one problem in the relationship -- she was much older than her lover, and what would happen when the years finally caught up with her?
The biggest problem that I had with this was that the author is more than smitten with her leading lady. Continually, she refers to how beautiful, how talented, how good, how noble, how beloved Diane de Poitiers was by everyone. This adulation leaves little room for faults, and the story is certainly one sided -- very little is mentioned if she had any enemies, or if she did anything at all that was wrong. After a while, it does get a bit nauseating to read about. No one likes a perfect person.
Unfortunately, the luckless Catherine de Medici is reduced to the stereotypes of a jealous, bitter wife in this. Little is mentioned of her life after Henri II's death, her elegance and polish, and her love of art and fine living. Instead, Princess Michael doesn't miss an opportunity to refer to Catherine as a dumpy, fat, wife, and how ugly and unattractive she is. Very little is mentioned about Catherine's talents in the arts, or that she was extremely graceful with a sharp wit.
And then, what about the third person in this marriage? Henri II comes across as one of those men who is certainly attractive and charming, but also extremely selfish. His callous treatment of Catherine is certainly dispicable, ignoring her while he went chasing after a woman who was old enough to be his mother.
As far as historical writing goes, this is a very average book. Princess Michael's style is pendantic and repetitious, going over the same track again and again. By the end of the book, I was bored, and very glad to see it end. While there are black and white illustrations throughout the text, and an insert of colour photos, along with the usual notes and bibliography, there's not much that can really save this work.
Instead, I would suggest Leonie Frieda's excellent biography of Catherine di Medici which is much more even handed and sympathetic to read.
Over all, despite some good information and insights, this one gets an average, three star rating for the banality and dullness in this work. Somewhat recommended.
Biased, superfitial, hardly a true Historic account........2006-11-26
This book is a waste of time and a major disapointment . After the recently discovered documents of the period by accredited Historians like Ivan Cloulas you'd expect Kent would deliver a renovated and accurate account of this strange "love" triangle.Nevertheless, Kent gives a biased vision of the story, proving her mediocrity as a Historian.
First of all, I don't understand why the author gets out of her way to prove she is related (very distantly and indirectly if I may add) to Diane and Catherine.How is that relevant to the book? Does that make her a good writer? evidently not.From the beginning she seems to be fascinated by Diane.She even decorates her aparment with black and white colors (the colors of the concubine).The fact that her mother told her about Diane and other "ancestors" instead of using the traditional fairytales is preposterous and out of place.
Long story short, Kent's portrayal of the so called love story is as black and white as her london apartment:Henri II was devoted to Diane because she was a gorgeous woman, inside and out, and Catherine and a fat ugly bitter Italian social climber. First,most sources describe Catherine as a slender princess, pretty much an athlete and a gracious dancer.She was loved by the Valois family upon her arrival in France.It was her close relationship with king Francis I that antagonized her with the future Henri II.It was no secret that Henri hated his father.
Furthermore, Diane's "love" for Henri was a very convenient one: she took countless benefits from him, such as jewels, land and titles.In order words, Diane was a real social climber, very interested in money and improving her political influence.
Finally, Henri was NOT entirely devoted to Diane.He took many other lovers during his life notbaly Filipa Ducci and Lady Fleming.
Catherine belonged to one of the most aristocratic French families on her mother's side; she had land and many titles in France.She didn't need to prove anything to anyone.Diane had a great influence on Henri, but I would hardly call theirs one of the greatest love stories like Kent intends to call it.Diane de Poitiers was no different than other royal mistresses such as Agnes Sorel, Anne d'Etampes, Pompadour and Du Barry, whose "love" for their king was very much conditioned by their love of money and power.
Kent doesn't seem willing to explore such considerations, and that's precisely what makes her book a falsification of History.
A Splendid Review Of An Historial Love Triangle.......2006-10-31
After reading the novel "Courtesean" by Diane Haeger, I was thrilled to discover The Serpent And The Moon. Princess Michael of Kent did an extraordinary job of researching and writing her book, and presented her facts in a nice and easy-to-read manner. Although most feel that she was biased against Catherine de Medici, I found this, in my opinion, to be the opposite. I think Princess Michael was able to present the facts, and she pointed out many attributes of Catherine, such as her ability to become a "quick study" when circumstances called for it. She was noted as being highly fashionable, cultured, and a woman of brains, overall. The proof that she was able to run a country for many years shows Catherine's skills and brilliance. Princess Michael pointed out that Catherine knew balance and how to maintain this when needed, as well as how to be resourcesful. For such a time as Renaissance France, Catherine was no more evil or viscious than anyone else at that time. The author also indicates that she did not exonerate or uphold Diane de Poitiers' behavior or choices in her relationship with King Henri, but wished to present the facts, which she nicely did. I loved this book, and after reading "Courtesan", found that it wrapped up this time in history with an informative overview of how events occurred and the people that influenced them. A "Well Done!!" to Princess Michael.
Even my teacher thought this summer reading was boring........2006-09-11
This book was very boring.
As is obvious from the very start, Princess Michael does nothing but glorify Diane and denounce Catherine on everything from intellect to fashion sense to appearance. It is tremendously biased and one pities Catherine for putting up with her husband's love affair and then, in a book about her own life, being reduced to three words: "Hate and Wait." Henri doesn't even play a large role: he is reduced to the smitten prince of a goddess, his own personality succumbing to the exemplified virtues of his mistress.
HRH has obviously done her research and knows an immense amount of detail on the time period, but that doesn't mean all of it (or any of it) is relevant. Fashion, architecture, and religion are interesting details, but the author wastes whole chapters discussing Henri's grandparents and his father's favorite chateaus. More annoying than the intense prejudice against Catherine is the excruciating detail and redundancy of the beginning and middle chapters. The result is a supernaturally boring account of noble life in the 1500s, not specifically the lives of Henri, Catherine, and Diane. There are so many other minor characters that the reader must constantly flip back to the family tree to get all the players straight--and if you're not familiar with French, forget about it. I think this is Princess Michael's first book, so she hasn't learned how to be concise yet.
Overall, the book is really not worth buying. If you borrow it from the library, read the jacket, the first chapter, and the last chapter and you will get the best part of a supernaturally tedious read.
History at its most entertaining.......2006-07-17
This is one of the few books in English about the intriguing life of Diane de Poiters, mistress of Henri II. Princess Michael handles her material very deftly, giving the reader background of the childhoods of Henri II including his 4-year imprisonment in Spain, Catherine de' Medici his future wife and Diane de Poitiers. The stage is thus set for Henri's strong attraction to Diane and his almost complete lack of interest in Catherine, who, tragically, fell hopelessly in love with Henri at 14 when they were wed. The rivalry between the two women was intense and Princess Michael's treatment of it makes for a page-turning read. A real plus are pages of beautiful color photos of the main figures and places, as well as many black and white pictures of other key persons interspersed throughout. This is an exceedingly well-researched, and as importantly, well-written and engaging book. It rivals popular historical novels for pure entertainment value.
Average customer rating:
- Awful Romance Story
- I enjoyed it very much
- horribly boring and unbelievable
- Run of the mill...
- Bland, boring
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The Duchess
Bertrice Small
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Small, Bertrice | ( S ) | Authors, A-Z | Romance | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0345434358
Release Date: 2001-07-03 |
Book Description
In this lush new novel, Bertrice Small has created a moving story of consuming passion and undeniable love set against the noble splendor of Georgian England. . . .
As the daughter of the richest man in England, Allegra Morgan attracts a number of fortune hunters willing to overlook her flawed pedigree to gain her enormous wealth. Her most ardent suitor is the arrogant but impoverished Quinton Hunter, duke of Sedgwick, who has little to offer a prospective wife except his grand title. Allegra decides that if she must marry, she might as well be a duchess. So she agrees to the match with one condition: her husband must never ask for her love. She has seen the misery love can cause and has vowed to give her heart to no man--especially a dangerously alluring duke.
Quinton is dazzled by his new wife's grace and fortitude, as well as the fierce desire that rages between them. Despite his best intentions, he finds himself falling in love with her. Then the terrors of the French Revolution hit close to home, and the two of them set off on a treacherous adventure that could cost them everything . . . including their final chance at happiness.
Customer Reviews:
Awful Romance Story.......2007-08-31
I echo the others who have rated this book poorly. Other writers have posted the storyline, so I won't bother.
I borrowed the book from the library, and am glad I did not spend the $8 on this book if I had bought it new. I hated Allegra, who was the heroine in this book. She was a spoiled, rich, pampered brat. She didn't have any characteristics of the perfect romance heroine. Grace, beauty, spirit, and some kind of human compassion, etc. in a main character is always a must. She was just completely and utterly shallow, with no other kind of real humanity in her bones. The duke wasn't much better, and the romance between the two was almost nil. I also agree with others, and wondered what the facination was with discribing the food in this book? I had to keep skipping pages to get over all the mundane food discriptions.
I have read other novels by other authors where the main character starts out as Allegra did. I kept reading this book, hoping, as in the other books, Allegra would somehow transform from a rich, spoiled brat into someone who is more of a human being. It never happened. She only got worse as the book progressed and the end of the book left me feeling empty. It made me feel mad that I wasted 8 hours of my life reading this book. I have read only one other book by Ms. Small, and it was The Kadin. I did enjoy that book, and can only hope this book was the only bad one in her works.
I enjoyed it very much.......2007-05-03
I loved this book. I wasn't going to read it after seeing all the bad reviews, but I'm glad I changed my mind. I liked Allegra and Quinton. I thought they made a great couple. I enjoyed their scenes together. Allegra was strong and likeable (yes she was a bit snooty but I like characters that aren't perfect) and Quinton is one of my favorite Bertrice Small male characters. I loved the way Ms. Small developed their relationship and the last chapter made me smile.
I didn't find the book boring at all. I loved every chapter. I love Bertrice Small. I've read almost all of her books. This book (along with The Innocent and Love, Remember Me) was different from a lot of her other books - the heroine slept with only one man throughout the entire book and she was not kidnapped and sent to a harem. I'm really surprised
this book got such bad reviews. It was not lacking in love scenes. There were about five love scenes that were hotter than a lot of the love scenes I've read in books by other authors. This book was not as great as `Beloved' or `Blaze Whyndam' but I still thought it was very good.
horribly boring and unbelievable.......2007-01-30
Most of the book is SO boring, I kept skipping ahead but it never got better. There were a lot of uninteresting descriptions of food and other details of daily life. In the middle of the story the main characters go to France to rescue a relative, and they go undercover as lower class citizens but make no mention of speaking lower class french and the whole rescue goes too unbelievably smoothly. Also I found the use of the 'f' word a bit incongruous.
The cover art is beautiful, though.
Run of the mill..........2006-02-17
I am fairly new to the traditional romance genre. I have read romance since I was young, but I never went into a hardcore romance phase until now. So, I decided not to fight the urge to read romances anymore and decided to combine them with my other new fascination: historical novels. It is a treat when you can mix history and romance together (that is, of course, when they are well written). I always said I'd pick up romance novels written by quality authors only. Well, I have no idea if Bertrice Small is a "quality author," and I'm none the wiser after reading this novel. I had a difficult time getting into this book. The Duchess has some rather good love scenes and I do like the late eighteenth century setting and the backdrop of the French Revolution, but the overall story is very bland and run-of-the-mill. And the "twist" during the middle is just confusing. More on that later. The year is 1795. The Duchess tells the story of Allegra Morgan, a young and beautiful society darling and daughter of a wealthy Englishman. Her life would be perfect if her mother hadn't committed an indiscretion and therefore tarnished the family's reputation. But all of that may change when she meets Quinton Hunter, Duke of Sedgwick. Quinton's fortune is non-existent and agrees to enter a marriage of convenience. But when passion ensues between them, they might realize that they are perfect for one another...
Does the plot seem cliche and bland to you? I thought so too. But I'm a firm believer in that the way the story is written is what makes it special, not the plot or genre. However, there is little imagination in the writing process of this novel. It was just boring and run-of-the-mill. The "twist" toward the middle, which centered on a troubled French countess, confused me. It is almost as though the author realized she needed meatier material to make this novel seem a little less... stale. This plot device seemed out of place and abrupt, very different from the tone the author had set in the beginning. As for other things, I liked the descriptions of the era and, as said earlier, the backdrop of the French Revolution was also nice. Quinton is an interesting and passionate hero, but the heroine is a little too perfect and adorable for my taste. I like heroines with spirit as well as beauty and grace. I hate it when authors make the heroine too good to be true. Anyway, Bertrice Small's The Duchess is quite a lackluster read. Aside from a few good things, I had to force myself to finish this book, which is never a good thing. Jude Deveraux's The Duchess, which I read along with this one, was a far more enjoyable reading experience. However, I have heard good things about Small and so I will give her a second try.
Bland, boring.......2005-09-26
Bertrice Small usually dishes up thrilling, exciting erotica but unfortunately this book is none of the above. Although well-researched, the couple isn't that interesting and the subplot with the French Revolution seemed more like filler than a genuine attempt at writing real adventure, and the scenes of rape/sexual abuse of prisoners was a major turnoff. Brutality stuff simply doesn't belong in a romance novel. Can't recommend this one.
Book Description
It’s curious how one woman can haunt a man…
Ten years as a high-stakes jewel thief should have helped me forget Sophie Huntington Ramsey. But no matter how far I traveled, she was never far from my thoughts. Her earthy sensuality. Her wild passion. For ten long years, my memory of our one forbidden night together burned as hot as the encounter itself. The thought of her betrayal with my oldest, dearest friend blazed even hotter.
Imagine my surprise when I heard of Sophie’s widowhood—and that her husband the Duke of Mulford, named me guardian of her young son! Imagine my shock when I learned that Sophie might have had a hand in her husband’s untimely death.
It seems that fate has brought Sophie and me together once again. When I return to England to claim my role as guardian, I also vow to win back Sophie’s heart. I will slowly seduce her until she is weak with wanting. And when I’ve had my fill of her, I will expose her as a murderess.
Sophie Huntington Ramsey, the Duchess of Mulford, is about to get something she never bargained for…
—From the Memoirs of Grant Chandler
Customer Reviews:
This review contains spoilers!.......2006-09-28
A murder mystery and a love affair with an old flame--sounds promising, right? Until you learn the Duke was murdered after eating a piece of a prune tart, and the butler did it!!! I was disappointed in the mystery side of it. Grant and Sophie made a nice couple, but when was she going to tell him Lucien was his son???? I wish she had wrapped that up.
Uninteresting life.......2006-06-25
I'm sorry. I looked forward to this book because...well, I like dukes and I thought this duchess would be interesting. But I couldn't get through the first chapter and immediately put it in the books to go to Goodwill. If you liked it, more power to you, just not my cup of high tea.
Spicy Regency Read.......2006-06-11
Grant Chandler, after an absence of ten years, has returned home to England having been summoned back by a secret death bed missive from Robert, the Duke of Mulford -- a man who was once his best friend and who had married the only woman Grant had ever loved. Grant found himself too late; Robert was now dead having named Grant guardian of his nine-year-old son Lucien. The only thing Grant could do for his old friend now was to prove that Robert had been murdered and find the evidence that the murderer was none other than Roberts young widow, Sophie.
Sophie Huntington Ramsey had always loved Grant Chandler, but after one night passion, knew that to force him into a marriage would be wrong. Young, foolish and prideful she sent him on his way then turned to his best friend whom she married. Now,
to have him involved in Lucien's life simply would not do - she couldn't risk Grant finding out that Lucien was his son.
As Grant sought to discover the evidence that Sophie poisoned Robert, she was delving into her own quest of discovering the 3rd Duchess of Mulford's diary. Neither denied themselves the physical passion that still existed between them as they embarked upon a sensual love affair. As each sought the truth, they would surprisingly both discover that the clues to solving the crime of Robert's death would be found in unearthing the century old secret diaries.
*** Grant, though a jewel thief was likeable in that his thefts were only against people who gained their jewels through ill-gotten means - not that that it made it any less reprehensible, but it did lessen any ill feeling against him. When his childhood is revealed, and his brother enters the picture (wish that had been developed more) I found myself really falling for our hero. Sophie was not the most likeable heroine. Young and foolish, she made a grave error in not telling Grant of his impending fatherhood (sin #1); but in lying when he asked if their were repercussions she compounded the error (sin #2). In at least telling the Duke of her condition BEFORE the marriage she does get some absolution. Still she was not one of my favorite or memorable heroines.
Not only does Barbara Dawson Smith give the reader a well-written story but she provides a wonderful conflict between the protagonists, a thoroughly engrossing mystery of who murdered the Duke, and a truly inspired surprise ending of who-done-it! All the elements were masterfully blended in giving you a fast-paced non-stop page turner that had some terrific sensuality for those who like their regency reads peppered up and spicy!
This reviewer found THE DUCHESS DIARIES to be a most enjoyable read and can most assuredly recommend it.
Marilyn Rondeau,RIO - Reviewers International Org., for The Best Reviews
She makes it look so easy--enjoy!.......2006-03-24
As an experienced, successful author Barbara Dawson Smith provides us with another well-crafted novel. She takes the typical pieces--England, Nobility, "Upstairs/Downstairs" style class tensions, appealing male/female lead characters and gives
us a break from our own stress filled 21st century lives. Everything works intelligently. So just relax, put up your feet, take the phone off the hook for a little while--got a nice cuppa' tea or maybe a glass of wine?--read and feel well cared for--then come back to the fight later, refreshed.
What a Great read!!.......2006-03-07
I loved this book. I ordered several books and this was the only one that kept my interest. Very passionate and good mystery!! This one will go on my read and read again list!
Customer Reviews:
Camilla & Charles: A Selfish Love Affair.......2002-11-17
While I felt that this was an interesting read I felt the author painted an unfair portrait of Diana. She portrayed Diana as a crazy, unstable shrew and yet it was Charles refusal to end his relationship with Camilla that caused Diana to be so unhappy and angry. I don't think there are very few women on this planet that would be happy and accept the fact that their husband has a mistress for 20 years that he refuses to give up after marriage. It proved to me at least, that Diana was justified in her ending her marriage and giving up the throne. The author paints Charles and Camilla as 2 poor lovers who go through hell just to be together. I felt no sympathy for either of them. But it is an engrossing book none the less.
Think of England.......2002-04-17
An even and informative tale about Camilla Parker-Bowles, a poor little rich girl who may someday get her prince.
What we learn is that the upper class in the UK is alive and sick with its own moral code. Do what you want, just don't talk about it.
I like the author's style of writing, but don't really care for Camilla.
Customer Reviews:
Dull .......2005-12-30
Here we go again. The so called 'great love story' of an imperious, immature man who has an outstanding sense of entitlement and his future Subjects better like it or lump it. And his immoral companion who wears the title of Mistress like a badge-it seems to run in her family. Adultery for some I suppose is something to be proud of and trumpeted before all the world. C & C deserve each other. I hope they are sent off into Royal exile if Her Majesty should pre-decease these two boring, old sinners. Bring on King William V!
This book is a waste of time and money. No stars even if I was obliged by the template to give it at least one.
Book Description
To save her best friend and her child from a wretched husband, New York City maid Lana Dunleavy must transform herself into a lady. But she never imagines her heart will be transformed by the confidence man whose help she enlists.
Customer Reviews:
Extra sweet.......2006-05-05
Conflict is the biggest problem with this book. At first we see two girls struggling to survive and reach the USA. Then there is Siobhan's abusive husband but he is dead early on. The main conflict seems to be Lana's battle to win custody of Colin. This is important but really just the catalyst for Lana's attempt to become a lady. The only real conflict between the protagonists is whether to marry or not and there was never any doubt. A quick read but one that leaves your teeth aching from the sweetness.
Another Pretty Woman ýý.......2006-04-21
I found myself sitting with this book for over 9 1/2 hours trying to finish it. What a Book.. AWESOME story line and a MUST have for the historical reader. Must say that I found Lana to be an exciting character and just Wonderful.... I felt like she was Real and Jesse was amazing. Almost like I could see it before my eyes in real life. I thought the author wrote a wonderful story and only hope she will continue. If you want a great book this is it. The charachers feel so real and alive that you can't help but to just enjoy a fine read. There is just so much hope, desire, and love and other emotional aspects to this book it will having you turning and turning pages until you are done. Look forward to the authors next book....
Enchanting!.......2006-04-06
I could not put this book down. The fact that it doesn't focus solely on the romance aspect, but different relationships of love is great. You will fall in love with Lana and little Colin's storyline as well as Jesse and Lana's storyline. First book in a while that I read in a day, because I didn't want to stop reading.
Duchess of Fifth Avenue.......2006-03-09
After the tragic murder of her best friend, Lana Dunleavy promises to raise the other woman's son, Colin, as her own. However, Lana is an unmarried woman of low station alone in turn of the century America, and a wealthy couple wants to adopt the boy. Unable to fight alone, she turns to actor/gambler, Jesse Jordan, to help her. Under his schooling, she becomes a lady, but she is still not fit in the court's eyes without a husband. Can Jesse solve that problem as well?
**** Tried and true plot devices come together to make a sweet story. All the truly offensive characters stay offstage while the protagonists fight nobly. There is nothing really new here, but the abundant niceness is refreshing. ****
terrific "Gay Nineties" New York romance .......2006-03-08
In 1882 at the Founders Home Convent in Ireland, the orphan thirteen years old Lana Dunleavy protects her sickly twelve years old best friend Siobhan Riley as best she can until they finally escape. Three years later, they are heading to New York with Siobhan pregnant along with her husband Billy O'Malley, who prefers to gamble and drink than be with his wife.
In 1890 Lana works at the Blue Goose Tavern where she watches the expert card playing of Stone. When Siobhan tells her she is pregnant, Lana vows to help her as Billy is too busy gambling and obtains work as a Cook's assistant at a fine mansion where to her shock she sees Stone as a guest. She assumes he is going to con her employer, but has no idea how to inform them without losing her job. However, not long after telling Billy, Siobhan and the unborn die when a carriage hits her, but crashes also killing the driver too, her husband who deliberately murdered her. Lana adopts her godson Colin while Stone "adopts" her with a plan to make her not just part of the upper crust, but his DUCHESS OF FIFTH AVENUE while she thinks the mans she loves is a con artist.
This terrific "Gay Nineties" New York romance brings to life in the city at a time when immigrants struggled to obtain work while high society enjoyed the good life with parties and galas. The story line is character driven especially by the intrepid loyal Lana. Stone will remind the audience of Sky Masterson from Guys and Dolls while the extended cast augments the deep look at the era. Ruth Ryan Langan provides her fans with a powerfully descriptive historical romance.
Harriet Klausner
Book Description
The first—and most revealing—book to be published covering the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles.
Customer Reviews:
A new look at Camilla........2007-09-05
It was refreshing to me to read the good things about Camilla.To me she is a thoughtful woman who is trying to do the right thing for her Husband and The Royal Family.
Cam & Chuck: The Lust Story.......2006-09-20
This is not a "good read." Unless you like to read about the shennanigans of the bored and wealthy. Poor Camilla. The woman whose one ambition in life was to emulate her adulterous grandmother from the time she was little. Having gained the position of potential top-dog lady in the monarchy of the UK, she is pleased to have succeeded in following her lifetime adage of, "curtsy first, then jump into bed." Only it has been curtsy first and jump into many beds, whether married or not. Hmm. She is definately not a malefactor, but one wonders if it was good of author Caroline Graham to beatify a woman whose one sole purpose in life was to be the mistress of a king in order to have "the ear of the King." Poor Charles. She has his ear alright-among other things! This book left me nauseated by the first third of the book. Simple answer. Put it down and the feelings of nausea go away! Reading the dirty-laundry stories of these Royals--one is left with a lingering question. Where are the marriage counsellors that could tend to these poor people? Doctor Phil, could you make a Buckingham/Balmoral House call?? What if we taught our sons (and daughters) to "sow their wild oats" as Lord Mountbatten counselled Charles? Just think, we could all look forward to the same tacky open marriages torn apart by adultery, betrayals and death. Fun. Not! What have I learned from this book? That it is depressing. You would do much better to not buy this book. Better yet, buy the book "Franklin and Winston-An Intimate Portrait of an Epic Friendship" by Jon Meacham and stay healthy! Read what makes a book a true, wonderful read--which deserved every bit of being on the New York Time's bestseller list. Read about ordinary people who become extraordinary when they aspire to bettering their countries and end up bettering history! C. Graham's book deserves a -1 but it wasn't in the ratings menu. As the previous reviewer said, "C. Graham is perhaps Camilla's best supporter." History will always remember her Machevellian manipulations and the weakness of Britain's future king. This is not a love story that lifts the reader to heights of virtuous, selfless love. But, instead, plummets one into the chasm of what happens when people pursue reckless and lustful ambitions that make mockery of marriage, drive princesses to their deaths in car accidents and promote their children into the same kind of death-spiral lifestyles of careless sex, cocaine use and messy divorces. I wonder how history would have been different if Prince Charles had truly listened to Major Bruce Shand's words and taken the elderly father of Camilla's advice when he ordered him to leave his daughter alone. Pages 203-205 depicts at least one person who had the courage to stand up to the future king of England and tell him the truth. What is sad-Prince Charles listened, but didn't listen. Things might have been better in history today, if just one person in that crazy group had just done the right thing. Caroline Graham was desperately trying to win sympathies for Camilla and Charles, but only succeeded in showing readers why the British monarchy is dangerously teetering on the brink of collapsing. After Elizabeth's II's magnificent reign, perhaps that would be the best thing.
Love wins out.......2005-08-22
Easy book to read. If you follow the Royals this may have a lot you already know. This book addresses why Charles and Camilla ultimately ended up with each other. It also shows her in a good light. Their relationship mirrors the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Co-dependent.......
Not worth the money if you have other Graham Camilla books.......2005-07-23
In her acknowledgements Graham mentions that she was introduced to Camilla Parker Bowles more than 10 years ago, her friends asked her (Graham)to set the record straight. This is by my count her 3rd (4th?) Camilla book.
The book starts out, and ends, with a little bit about the recent marriage between Mrs. P.B. and the Prince of Wales but most of the bulk of the book is material you'll have already seen in another of Ms. Graham's books on Camilla. The cover photos are recent of course as is one B/W picture inside the book, but I do think I've read all the rest before.
Ms. Graham must be Camilla's greatest fan, seems to think more highly of her than perhaps even what she thinks of Prince Charles. The late Princess Diana, or Paul Burrell?- virtually nothing good about them here.
Even if you are yourself a Camilla fan I think your money could be better spent elsewhere if you have the earlier books. What little new information is probably already in something like Majesty Magazine, not much point in buying it twice. I was disappointed in how little new material there was here, didn't expect "I love Diana" but I did hope to actually learn something new.
Average customer rating:
- A page-turner!
- No book this terrible has or ever will be written
- Very entertaining
- Entertaining and a quick read
- This whole book makes no sense
|
The Duchess
Jude Deveraux
Manufacturer: Pocket Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
United States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books | 18th Century | 19th Century | 20th Century | African American | Asian American | Classics | Collections & Readers | Drama | General | Hispanic | History & Criticism | Humor | Jewish American | Letters & Correspondence | Native American | Poetry | Short Stories | Women Writers
Deveraux, Jude | ( D ) | Authors, A-Z | Romance | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0671689711 |
Book Description
Jude Deveraux
captures the thrill of an American beauty's Highlands wedding, where a royal title is at stake -- and where love wins the day.
The Duchess
Claire Willoughby risked losing millions in her inheritance if, as decreed by her grandfather, she did not wed an "acceptable" man. Harry Montgomery, the eleventh Duke of MacArran, seemed perfect. He owned a historic castle, he looked manly in a kilt, and he was as much a titled Scotsman as Bonnie Prince Charlie himself.
Their engagement announced, Claire's future as a duchess was assured -- and she set off with her family to meet the Montgomery clan in Scotland. Bramley Castle was a damp, chill place, over?owing with eccentric relatives. But there was also Trevelyan, a secretive, brooding man who lived in Bramley's ancient halls. Whoever he was, he wasn't at all like Harry: Trevelyan was the most exasperating, arrogant, know-it-all of a man Claire had ever met. And the most fascinating...
Download Description
"Jude Deveraux captures the thrill of an American beauty's Highlands wedding, where a royal title is at stake -- and where love wins the day. The Duchess Claire Willoughby risked losing millions in her inheritance if, as decreed by her grandfather, she did not wed an ""acceptable"" man. Harry Montgomery, the eleventh Duke of MacArran, seemed perfect. He owned a historic castle, he looked manly in a kilt, and he was as much a titled Scotsman as Bonnie Prince Charlie himself. Their engagement announced, Claire's future as a duchess was assured -- and she set off with her family to meet the Montgomery clan in Scotland. Bramley Castle was a damp, chill place, over?owing with eccentric relatives. But there was also Trevelyan, a secretive, brooding man who lived in Bramley's ancient halls. Whoever he was, he wasn't at all like Harry: Trevelyan was the most exasperating, arrogant, know-it-all of a man Claire had ever met. And the most fascinating... "
Customer Reviews:
A page-turner!.......2007-09-30
I liked this book because while the reader knows everyone's secrets, the characters don't. There are a few surprises, and Jude's usual top-class romance and mystery. The lead female is eager, but not obnoxious, and the lead male is elusive but not arrogant. I read this for the first time many years ago and I liked it just as well this time. There was no "villian," only the characters' own mental obstacles. The book ends with an epilogue-type situation so you know what happened to everyone, which I like.
No book this terrible has or ever will be written.......2007-01-10
This is the worst book I have ever read. It makes no sense, and should be infuriating to anyone who stands in close proximity to the text, let alone anyone who is stupid enough to read it. The heroine is a weak, pathetic loser, and the "hero" is an egotistical, self-centered prig. I read it years and years ago, and I'm still upset over the time I wasted readed this total piece of garbage. Jude Deveraux should be shot.
Very entertaining.......2006-09-01
I couldn't put this book down. This book had a good plot in which all loose ends came together. Refreshing change from Deveraux's newest books. You know it's a good book when you don't want it to end!
Entertaining and a quick read.......2006-07-30
Claire is an American heiress with a bit of a problem. Her grandfather left her family thirty million dollars. Her status-hungry parents have squandered twenty of it and the last ten is in trust for Claire. The only problem is that there is a stipulation in the will that says Claire has to marry a man her parents will approve in order to get the money. If not, the inheritance goes to her parents.
Her parents want Claire to marry a titled gentleman so the whole family travels to England where Claire meets Harry Montgomery, Duke of MacArran and promptly gets engaged to him. In reality, Harry needs Claire's money to prop up his estate and Claire sees it as her obligation to marry in order to free the money from her grandfather's estate so she can help support her parents and her younger sister. Claire and her family travel to Bramley, Harry's ancestral home, where the wedding will be held, and also where she meets Harry's overbearing mother and Trevelyan, Harry's older brother whom everyone thought was dead. It's here where the story gets interesting.
Trevelyan secretly lives in an old part of Bramley because, with the exception of Harry, he doesn't want his family to know he's alive. He's there to recuperate from a bout with malaria and also to write. Trevelyan is perfectly happy to let everyone believe the story of his demise because all he cares about is exploring. He strikes a deal with Harry: As long as Harry finances his travels, Trevelyan will be happy to remain dead. But then Claire comes into his life and all his plans go awry.
Once Claire and her family are settled at Bramley, Harry spends a majority of his time ignoring her so Claire is stuck with the only person who is interested in her company: Trevelyan. Claire, however, has no idea who Trevelyan is and why he's at Bramley but is perfectly happy to keep his presence a secret. Their unlikely friendship grows into love, but both know the great cost they'll have to pay should Claire decide to marry Trevelyan instead of Harry.
Trevelyan is truly an enigmatic hero who struggles to overcome an abusive past and his hatred of his parents (especially his mother). As the eldest son, he is due to inherit the title of Duke but wants nothing to do with it. For years, he has explored the known world, written countless books on his cold and clinical observations of all the cultures he's visited and that detachment has been his shield against the pain he endured as a child. In other words, he won't allow anyone close to him, not even the sister who was his only childhood companion.
Claire, in contrast, is a different sort. Claire is book smart, kindhearted and passionate, but really stupid in the ways of life. Her views are very black and white. She is determined to do the proper thing, which is whatever is expected of her. For example, in Claire's mind, she is supposed to marry Harry so therefore she will decide to love him and consider him the most perfect of men.
Claire, however, has a strong attraction for Trevelyan, but refuses to acknowledge it. It gets to the point where she becomes really infuriating because whatever Trevelyan does to please her, in her eyes, he is damned either way. She rages at him, for example, for allowing Nyssa to sacrifice herself for her religion but then is ready to walk out of his life when she finds out that he actually prevented Nyssa from performing the act. The latter pages of the book are hard to get through because of Claire. It seems through most of her dialogue, she does nothing but yell and scream at Trevelyan or about him.
I couldn't bring myself to fully enjoy this book, but I can't fault Jude Deveraux for that. As usual, the writing was great, storyline is impressive and the characters literally jump out of the pages. Claire, as much as I dislike her, is a memorable character as is Trevelyan. My only complaint about the flow of the book is that the ending was a bit abrupt. After pages and pages of Claire spewing her hatred for Trevelyan, only the very last two pages cover their making amends and subsequent marriage. To me, it was a lackluster ending and it left me unsatisfied.
This whole book makes no sense.......2006-03-22
I am a Deveraux fan from "Knight in Shining Armor" and "Rememberance" and have been slowly going through Ms. Deveraux's library of books. I just finished this one and was highly unimpressed. *SPOILER ALERT* It would have been a tolerable book had the "hero", Vellie, declared his fidelity to Claire, the heroine. He is quick to tell her of his "love", but tells her that it will be extremely challenging for him to keep faithful to her if they were to get married. (Of course, this is the same man who boasts of being with over 20 women in one night. I cannot begin to imagine what STD's he has...) I think it is fair for men to look (they aren't dead), but to actually make excuse that they CANNOT give up other women is unacceptable in a marriage. Claire is only 19 years old and believes herself to be in love with Vellie's brother for 3/4 of the book. She is a weak woman who only does what others tell her to do (Her greedy parents want her to marry a man with a title so she does. She does not tell Vellie that she loves him and just waits around for him to come get her. She doesn't marry Harry not because she discovers that she's not in love with him, but because he does not want to marry the woman that his older brother loves.) Claire is suppose to be so well read, but is very close minded (only believing that there is one "correct" religion so she does not support Leticia's and James' marriage or Nyssa's sacrificial duties.) The ending is so abrupt. It isn't clear when Harry marries Brat, but in this book, she is only 14 years old. The ending wasn't clear, but I assumed that they married pretty soon after Claire and Vellie got married. Also, how is it in the end that Harry's mom (who was so powerful for the entire book), resigned quietly and moved out of the castle without a fuss? Harry had been her faithful little boy for all of his life and all that was needed for him to turn against his dear mom was a note from someone that she tried to kill Vellie? He has always defended his mom in the past, why didn't he do that this time? In the beginning of the book, it clearly states that Harry didn't know his brother very well and his brother had left when he was 2 years old. Then in the end of the book, they talk of his great love for his brother and would die for him? This makes no sense.
In my opinion, this is just a poorly written book by a authoress who was possibly rushed or burnt out.
Books:
- Devil's Daughter
- Don't Talk Back To Your Vampire (Signet Eclipse)
- FE Review Manual: Rapid Preparation for the General Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (F E Review Manual), 2nd ed.
- First Impressions: Creating Wow Experiences In Your Church
- Flesh and Bone: A Body Farm Novel (Body Farm Novels)
- For Women Only: What You Need to Know about the Inner Lives of Men
- From Sacrament to Contract: Marriage, Religion, and Law in the Western Tradition (Family, Religion, and Culture)
- Frontier Woman
- Halfway To Heaven
- Heaven
Books Index
Books Home
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Sins of a Duke
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