Pages: 384
Published: February 1st 2011 Sourcebooks Casablanca
She's one thing by day, something else altogether by night...
After escaping the slaughter of her clan at a young age, Scottish noblewoman Sabrina Verrick provides for her siblings by living a double life, until the night she encounters the Duke, and her secret and all she holds dear is threatened...
He's so disillusioned, he's completely vulnerable...
He's so disillusioned, he's completely vulnerable...
With his inheritance at stake, Lucien, Duke of Camareigh, sets a trap for the Scottish beauty with the piercing violet eyes, never imagining what will happen when the trap is sprung...
As their lives become irreversibly entangled, Lucien and Sabrina become each other's biggest threat, as well as their only salvation...
As their lives become irreversibly entangled, Lucien and Sabrina become each other's biggest threat, as well as their only salvation...
My thoughts:
This book was first published in the 70s and it shows, it was a different time for romance.
I will go back to the beginning first. Sabrina is living in England and to support her family she is a highwayman. She is a hellcat with claws. One night she steals from Lucien, the Duke of Camareigh and he wants "him, the highwayman" dead. Well we all know that is not gonna happen.
I do wonder what it is about old romance and all the drama. Oh these people hate each other, and say so too, and then the passion takes over. They just can't decide. One time she slaps him, and he slaps her back. Now I winched but decided to blame it on the old school romance thing, still, so uncool, you do not hit a woman.
The other thing is that she is 17, and he is in his 30s. Truth be told I do not have a problem with that, the book takes place 250 years ago and there was nothing strange about it then.
But the thing I did not like was the drama. These two should just have sat down and talked, instead of yelling, running away, doing stupid things and being so angry all the time *looking at you Sabrina*.
Still it was an amusing tale, she had guts being a highwayman, and then there was the sidestory that stole my attention. The Colonel sent to find the wicked highwayman, and her sister Mary who has the sight.
Recommendation and final thoughts:
The story is sure not like they write them now, it's fun to see how things have changed. And the title does fit, they go mad, that's for sure.
Reason for reading:
Sounded good
Cover:
Ok
It is interesting to find a book republished from the 70's. Don't normally hear about that decade much.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking I would've been wanting to smack characters in this book. :)
ReplyDeleteThe premise caught my attention, but I'm a little worried about the characters behaviors, lol. I hadn't really thought about how romance would be portrayed differently based on when it was written (1970's vs 2000's) but that's quite interesting.
ReplyDeleteGood review!
♥Isalys
B,
ReplyDeleteOh the drama.
I saw this one at Wal-Mart yesterday, but I'll pass. :)
M
Wow, written in the 70's huh? Those can definitely be hit or miss for us modern ladies.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...it irks me too when things can easily be resolved between the Hero and Heroine if they just simply stoppped and had a conversation.
I'm likely to stay away from this one. Thanks for the great review Blodeuedd!
Oh gosh, I am reading this one later this month, not i'm scared, lol. Thanks for the honest review. I read one from the 60s "My love, my enemy" and was pleasantly surprised at how non-dated it was. It must have been written before all the drama and everything was in style.
ReplyDeleteI don't know. I kind of like the premise. Maybe.
ReplyDeleteWait a moment - a Scottish lass and her name is Sabrina??? When I read the blurb I thought it must have been a mistake. She is not from Italy?
ReplyDeleteApart from that I admit I avoid 70s romances. They are sometimes so harsh and stupid.
♥ I loved your review and stole a heart to prove it! Just don't call me a highwayman. A highwaywoman would do.
Might crack into this one just to see what 70's HR was like. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it!!
ReplyDeleteVivienne
ReplyDeleteI do not think even the romances I sneaked to my room when 10 were that old :)
Chris
Lol, I do think you are right, While they slapped each other I would have gone in and slapped them both
Isalys
It is, I noticed it when I read this contemporary romance from the 80s. I was rather shocked at their behaviour. it seems there was more anger in old school romances
Michelle
ReplyDeleteLol, I do know a book needs drama but this one screams out drama. And it doesn't have to cos the premise is good as it is :) A woman masquerading as a highwayman and the Duke that falls for her
VFG
It was still ok, not like the 80s romance I read, horrified there. I can deal with drama, and of course they did not want to sit down. These two were so stubborn. Thank the gods for the one sane voice in that household
Carrie
ReplyDeleteI have heard that more violent ones were all the rage, and then I mean violence between the couple, ugh. At least he did just slap her here, and she had it coming. I am curious to see what you will think
Carol
Then have a look :)
Ana
I do not think they were so up to date about names then ;) Scottish mum, English mum, that's it.
Awww thanks! That heart is really nice, and I will call you highwaywoman if you ever become one
Sounds like there might be some great banter and misunderstandings between the two so maybe I'll like it too.
ReplyDelete70s huh, interesting! Great review hon =D
ReplyDeleteOh it would be fun to compare and contrast this genre, I agree! And I love a book set in Scotland!
ReplyDeleteMy mom has mentioned how the romance novel have changed. It's definitely interesting. I'd like to read it to see for myself!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm...I loved the one I just reviewed for Sourcebooks which was written around the same time period. I may read this one.
ReplyDeleteJenny
ReplyDeleteOh yes what would romance be without that, and I totally forgot to mention the whole other plot going on. Where the Duke's cousins wants his estate
Larissa
There is the old cover to prove it ;) I should have showed that one too
Amused
ReplyDeleteSadly, they only begin and end the book in Scotland, still :)
Hihi I did like to compare
Alyssa
Lol, I am speaking like some kind of expert, I only started reading them in the 90s. But I did read oldies then too, cos I wanted it all
Staci
It is an interesting time for sure, and the perfect time for highwaymen
I don't think I've ever read a romance that was published before the 90's.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's a 70s thing... I always thought it was never cool to hit a woman unless she is hysterical and is about to bring hell down on you because of it... or some such thing like that. :P Don't think it's for me. I might have to reach in and slap the guy back in the book. :D
ReplyDeleteHowever... that isn't quite what went through my mind when you said 70s romance. *blushes*
It's funny, but my Saturday blog topic is going to be changes in reading from the 70's to now. It's interesting how writing styles have changed and even reading interests have changed.
ReplyDeleteI totally admire you for finding a book from the 70s to read! Sheesh! I don't have the nerve to try and read the difference in romance haha
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
*chuckles* occasionally I wonder where you find your books. XD
ReplyDeleteI'd like to read it just for seeing how much different it is :D
ReplyDeleteIt seems that some books hold up better over time than others. Still it is nice to see what romances were like back in the day.
ReplyDeleteLoved your review but don't think I have the patience for reading this one :)
ReplyDeleteladytink
ReplyDeleteNever? Oh you gotta remedy that ;) So interesting to see how things change
Melissa
Now what did you think, lol.
Anyway, she was pretty out of control, still not cool, but it seemed to be more of a reflex. They were both crazy. Thing is I think there was some hitting in the 80s one I read too...weird
Yvonne
ReplyDeleteI am really looking forward to that :) Cos in the end I know nothing, except that Barbara Cartland's heroines were always just out of the schoolroom
Melissa
I wonder how romance was written in the 40s---I wonder.
Redd
I can be found wherever I am needed ;)
Elysium
ReplyDeleteThat is always fun to do :)
DC
It was different, oh and less sex.
Teddyree
There is sure plenty of drama to go around
first off, what a pretty cover. The story sounds good, even though its a bit dated.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read historical romance novels I try to keep that whole 250+ years thing in mind...like you said with the age difference they were use to it back then. I think they were also use to hitting women. Now I don't agree with this AT ALL! It does make me mad as well...I might have to pass this one up as well. Sounds interesting but not as interesting as other books I've but on my list to read. Thanks for the wonderful and honest review! :-)
ReplyDeleteOMG hitting a female is so not done! I do think that this is a interesting story to read, just because its written so many years ago. :)
ReplyDeleteNaida
ReplyDeleteThe boat looks kind of new though, lol, oh my mind drifted again
Deanna
Some are always troubled by the age difference, of course it's so wrong in some cases but that was life. Women or more like children were just given away in marriage so early way back.
And the hitting, well a man had the right, but still so wrong. But at least it is truthful
Nina
I know, but he did feel sorry for it..still booo on him
"looking at you Sabrina"
ReplyDeleteLOVE it! great review girl. I adore your style.
Lol, thanks Jenny :D You know where to find me :=)
ReplyDeleteI'm behind on my blog hopping!
ReplyDeleteWell, it's interesting that Sorcebooks is publishing these "old school" romances again. That's cool. I'd like to read it just to see how things have changes.
Yeah, there was more drama and slapping the ladies back then (and not in the fun, kinky way that I love. LOL.) Great review!
Diana
ReplyDeleteLol, certainly not in the fun kinky way. Honestly what was up with slapping a woman for being hysterical? But still, they are amusing.