Genre: Historical Romance
Published: March 2009
Pages: 384
Thalia Langley spied him in the shadows and in an instant, knew the man before her was no pious saint. He might claim to be the Duke of Hollindrake’s unassuming country cousin, Milo Ryder, but no man that handsome, so arresting could be anything but... well, he simply must be an unrepentant rogue. His cat-like grace and power leaves Tally shivering in her slippers at the notion of all the wicked, forbidden things he might be capable of doing to her, or the secrets he could uncover.
Indeed, Lord Larken is no bumbling vicar, but a master spy there in His Majesty’s service to find—and murder—a notorious pirate freed in a daring prison escape. Devoted to the Crown, Larken’s not about to let an interfering (and not entirely innocent) Mayfair miss disrupt his ruthless plans. He cannot be tempted not even by the little black gown she dons to tantalize him a dress revealing enough to lead even Larken astray.
(author's site)
I enjoyed this book a lot, I even giggled from time to time. And it was sure hard to keep a straight face while reading if there were others having lunch at the same time. I do love a good historical romance, there is just something sweet, and sometimes oh so wicked about them. Not to mention that I love the time and the manners.
I liked Thalia, she was strong, and she knew what she wanted, a wicked rake, pirate or perhaps a spy. So when the man she spies in the shadows actually is a vicar she is truly disappointed. But still there is something strange about him and she is very curious. How can one man seem to be one thing one moment and something else the next? And after she puts on the little black dress she found, well no one can resist that.
Lord Larken, is all man with a troubled past and a ruined reputation. He comes to the Hollingdrake estate posing as a country vicar, a bumbling fool. But after he has meet Tally he is lost, and he needs to focus on his true quest. To kill the pirate they are believing to be hiding somewhere in the house. Larken is a wicked hero that then is really sweet and torn between what to do. I like them both, cos they fit each other so well.
There is one thing that I didn't like though, the rest was great but I honestly did not care for the sex scene. It felt wrong and weird, it did nothing for me, and I read fast past it since it killed the mood for me. But of course others will love it perhaps.
But except for that this was a great book. Romance, spies and assassins, what was there not to like. I really want to read about Tally's sister Felicity now and see how she met her man because she seemed a bit caught up in her matchmaking and a bit hard at time. Would like to have seen her melt away. Still I liked her a lot too, just as I did their friend Pippin, and yes I want to read her story too, pirates ;) Ok I just want to read all her books in the end, lol. They all sound great.
And it did set the mood for more historical romance, too bad I don't have many, if you don't count all those old harlequin ones I still haven't read.
This sounds quite good and I love the cover. I just love gowns although I'm pretty sure I would have hated wearing one.
ReplyDeleteI love the title. I'm putting this on the list!
ReplyDeleteThat stinks that the sex scene killed the mood!!! But overall it still sounds like a fun read!!
ReplyDeleteI am hoping to get me balance back among my genres, I have read so much good to great historical romance's lately that I'm hunkering for my other genres; erotica/suspense and PNR/UF/Fantasy. Elizabeth Boyle sounds like good HR reading Blodeuedd :D
ReplyDeleteI love historical romances that make me laugh! I'm glad I have this one on my stack, I'll remember that about the sex scene though.
ReplyDeleteThe cover does it for me lol, shame the sex scene doesn't rate but it still sounds like a good read (was it only one sex scene?)
ReplyDeleteDarm,
ReplyDeleteI know, the gowns were lovely, but I am sure I too would have just hated wearing them. Still, pretty.
Linda,
Oh the other one with her friend Pippin has such a cool title too.
Staci,
It was good, and I soon forgot about the sex scene. Just wasn't something for me. But the other scene was better.
Leontine,
Boyle is a very good read, I do love historical romances. There is just soemthing special about them. Too bad I have like one more, the others are more historical.
Meghan,
There was sure soemthing to grin about in it ;)
As for the sex scene, well perhaps it was just me.
Teddyree,
There were 2 sex scenes, and i liked the other one. The first, it's hard to explain, it was just a bit strange. But I am sure others will like it
I don't normally read these types of romances, but this one sounds good...other than those sex scenes. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDelete--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
Anna,
ReplyDeleteIt was good, sweet with a little bit of suspense there too
Nice review- the book sounds really good. Like you though, I don't particularly care for racy scenes...The gown is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThanks:)
Sounds like a good book, hard to believe that the sex scene was a loss. Romance novels should have great sex scenes!
ReplyDeleteDottie :)
Dottie,
ReplyDeletePerhaps it was just me, but it was not romantic or sexy for me. Just weird and wrong. Others will surely enjoy it
This is a book I'm tempted to buy just for the beautiful cover, it's a bonus that you recommend it. Great review, another one to add to the list!
ReplyDeleteI do love a great cover, I wish all books could be as pretty, lol
ReplyDeleteGreat review as you have completely intrigued me this book. I am going to add to my goodreads to-read list.
ReplyDeleteGotta say, the cover is beautiful. That only draws me in.
Ibeeg,
ReplyDeleteI always love a great cover too :)
it can draw you in to pick up the book. And this was a nice one