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Ryland Brothers #1
Pasión esquiva
La intriga ha sido una parte fundamental en la vida de Miles Christian, ¡pero nunca antes ha sido secuestrado a punta de pistola por una mujer! Y lo que es todavía más desconcertante es que ella le acusa de haber asesinado a la que fue su amante.
Varya Ulyanova lleva muchos años ocultándose de la sociedad, pero se arriesgará a ser descubierta para buscar al hombre responsable de la muerte de su amiga. Aunque la suave seducción de Miles puede muy bien significar perder su corazón.
¿Quién es la misteriosa Varya? En apariencia es una mujer que tienta a los hombres hasta hacerles perder la razón, pero nadie ha llegado al corazón de esta escurridiza criatura... hasta ahora, claro está.
Miles Christian, marqués de Wynter, jamás esperó que le secuestraran a punta de pistola y le acusaran de asesinato... ¡Y mucho menos que lo hiciera una mujer! Cuando descubre que su posible secuestradora es la escurridiza Varya, una belleza cortejada y deseada por la mayor parte de los hombres de Londres, se queda doblemente sorprendido... y cautivado. Obsesionado con esta seductora mujer, Miles está decidido a mantenerla a su lado mientras dan caza al verdadero culpable, aunque eso signifique poner en peligro la vida de ambos.
Varya Ulyanova lleva muchos años ocultándose de la sociedad, pero se arriesgará a ser descubierta para buscar al hombre responsable de la muerte de su amiga. Aunque la suave seducción de Miles puede muy bien significar perder su corazón.
¿Quién es la misteriosa Varya? En apariencia es una mujer que tienta a los hombres hasta hacerles perder la razón, pero nadie ha llegado al corazón de esta escurridiza criatura... hasta ahora, claro está.
Miles Christian, marqués de Wynter, jamás esperó que le secuestraran a punta de pistola y le acusaran de asesinato... ¡Y mucho menos que lo hiciera una mujer! Cuando descubre que su posible secuestradora es la escurridiza Varya, una belleza cortejada y deseada por la mayor parte de los hombres de Londres, se queda doblemente sorprendido... y cautivado. Obsesionado con esta seductora mujer, Miles está decidido a mantenerla a su lado mientras dan caza al verdadero culpable, aunque eso signifique poner en peligro la vida de ambos.
384 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 7, 2025
Reread: 2016
Read: 2013
Old review:
I was surprisingly shocked at how much I enjoyed this little mystery!
Read: 2013
Old review:
I was surprisingly shocked at how much I enjoyed this little mystery!
May 22, 2019
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
Elusive Passion is the first book in the Ryland series and I had completely forgotten about this book until a blogger friend joined up with me in the read for it. (watch out for another post and our discussion because it's going to be awesome) and I realize that I hadn't finished this series, I have read three of the five books in the series though. And once I started reading, I had forgotten what these old style Avon style romances were like and the charm that drew me into them when I first got hooked into romance. You can read these books out of it, readers won't be lost by reading them out of order....definitely can be read as stand alone if needed.
Elusive Passion begins with our delicious hero, Miles Christian, the Marquess of Wynter, who also served for the military and is currently on a secret mission but in the middle of his operation, he is taken captive by a young woman who believes that he murdered her closest friend, who also seems to be an ex-mistress of Miles. Miles is shocked to learn the sweet woman whom he had to let go of is dead. Miles is a compassionate man, and despite the spite that this stranger has towards him, he knows something foul is going on and he wants to get to the bottom of it. And he finds himself drawn to the woman who threatened him and even attacked him. But now he has learned her identity and convinces her to work with him despite the fact that she despises him.
Varya fled her home country and came to England to start a new, and has been living there for five years. She is hiding a big secret and she fears the truth coming out. She poses as a famous singer and entertains on a regular basis. She has a talent which she discovered and loves sharing it but now her best friend is dead and she is on the hunt for her murderer. She doesn't know if she believes that Miles is innocent, but she can't deny the genuine grief he feels for her friend. But as Miles and Varya work together to hunt down the murderer, the attraction between them builds and they can't deny the chemistry that is going to explode. While Varya has her trust issues with men and will need to face up to her past before her relationship with Miles can flourish in the ways that she desires...
Elusive Passion is a delightful story and I first want to mention how much I adore Kathryn Smith. She no longer writes traditional romance novels anymore, however, I can never seem to get enough of her writing style. There is such charm, hilarious banter and I couldn't stop the laughs the erupted out of every single page. I love the wit that is displayed in the dialogue. And boy these two just can't get a break. And quite frankly the tension is so fiery hot it could steam up the windows in winter. They go back and forth in their tension/bantering that it was like watching a ping pong ball game but at the same time fully entertaining and I honestly didn't want it to end because WOW they really have a lust/hate relationship going on. Now it's pretty understand for some of what happens, but there were some instances that I didn't understand at times the rise in anger so much.
As much as I wanted to really love the heroine, I liked her but it wasn't quite at the point that I was wanting. I think she came off too abrasive and strong for me and even though I respected what she went through and what she had to overcome, I do think she could have been a bit less hard-headed and stubborn. The hero *sigh* he was yummy in every way. But what was most attractive in his character is how sincere this man is. I really was his cheerleader from beginning to end. I felt like he got the short of the stick where Varya is concerned. Now even though I do understand why she treats him the way she does (to a point) I never really supported it because I felt like he was so compassionate and full of empathy and her treatment got a bit toxic in some moments that I didn't care for.
Overall I found Elusive Passion to be a story packed with adventure, laugh out loud moments, lively bantering, and a sensual journey to capture your heart! STUNNING!
Elusive Passion is the first book in the Ryland series and I had completely forgotten about this book until a blogger friend joined up with me in the read for it. (watch out for another post and our discussion because it's going to be awesome) and I realize that I hadn't finished this series, I have read three of the five books in the series though. And once I started reading, I had forgotten what these old style Avon style romances were like and the charm that drew me into them when I first got hooked into romance. You can read these books out of it, readers won't be lost by reading them out of order....definitely can be read as stand alone if needed.
Elusive Passion begins with our delicious hero, Miles Christian, the Marquess of Wynter, who also served for the military and is currently on a secret mission but in the middle of his operation, he is taken captive by a young woman who believes that he murdered her closest friend, who also seems to be an ex-mistress of Miles. Miles is shocked to learn the sweet woman whom he had to let go of is dead. Miles is a compassionate man, and despite the spite that this stranger has towards him, he knows something foul is going on and he wants to get to the bottom of it. And he finds himself drawn to the woman who threatened him and even attacked him. But now he has learned her identity and convinces her to work with him despite the fact that she despises him.
Varya fled her home country and came to England to start a new, and has been living there for five years. She is hiding a big secret and she fears the truth coming out. She poses as a famous singer and entertains on a regular basis. She has a talent which she discovered and loves sharing it but now her best friend is dead and she is on the hunt for her murderer. She doesn't know if she believes that Miles is innocent, but she can't deny the genuine grief he feels for her friend. But as Miles and Varya work together to hunt down the murderer, the attraction between them builds and they can't deny the chemistry that is going to explode. While Varya has her trust issues with men and will need to face up to her past before her relationship with Miles can flourish in the ways that she desires...
Elusive Passion is a delightful story and I first want to mention how much I adore Kathryn Smith. She no longer writes traditional romance novels anymore, however, I can never seem to get enough of her writing style. There is such charm, hilarious banter and I couldn't stop the laughs the erupted out of every single page. I love the wit that is displayed in the dialogue. And boy these two just can't get a break. And quite frankly the tension is so fiery hot it could steam up the windows in winter. They go back and forth in their tension/bantering that it was like watching a ping pong ball game but at the same time fully entertaining and I honestly didn't want it to end because WOW they really have a lust/hate relationship going on. Now it's pretty understand for some of what happens, but there were some instances that I didn't understand at times the rise in anger so much.
As much as I wanted to really love the heroine, I liked her but it wasn't quite at the point that I was wanting. I think she came off too abrasive and strong for me and even though I respected what she went through and what she had to overcome, I do think she could have been a bit less hard-headed and stubborn. The hero *sigh* he was yummy in every way. But what was most attractive in his character is how sincere this man is. I really was his cheerleader from beginning to end. I felt like he got the short of the stick where Varya is concerned. Now even though I do understand why she treats him the way she does (to a point) I never really supported it because I felt like he was so compassionate and full of empathy and her treatment got a bit toxic in some moments that I didn't care for.
Overall I found Elusive Passion to be a story packed with adventure, laugh out loud moments, lively bantering, and a sensual journey to capture your heart! STUNNING!
January 4, 2018
3'5 Estrellas. Me ha gustado mucho y me ha reencontrado con la novela de regencia tan buena y tan bien escrita que se publicaba hace unos cuántos años. Que no os engañe la puntuación, me ha gustado mucho, pero eso no quiere decir que no mire el libro objetivamente, pues ha tenido cosas que me han chocado bastante y es lo que me ha impedido darle más nota, pero en general es un libro muy correcto.
Varya y Miles se conocen de una manera, no voy a decir original, pero sí un tanto extraña. Varya le culpa de la muerte de su mejor amiga, Bella, que fue amante de Miles, y quiere vengarse de él. Pronto verá las consecuencias de sus actos cuando le secuestra, más cuando va con pensamientos infundados y prejuicios. La forma de conocerse no me ha gustado, porque no me parece creíble en ningún sentido. Entiendo que los protagonistas de una historia deban conocerse, y quizás los métodos tradicionales como el paseo al parque o el baile están muy vistos, pero no me imagino a muchas señoritas de la Regencia raptando a hombres a punta de pistola en medio de la noche londinense.
Como sea, tras este primer encuentro, se sucederán otros en los que a pesar de que no se toleran, si quieren encontrar al verdadero asesino de Bella deberán unirse para ver cuál de los amantes de ella pudo ser. Una serie de infortunios hará que nuestros protagonistas deban pasar más tiempo juntos y hasta fingir una relación que vendrá bien para sus intereses, y como ocurre en la mayoría de casos, el roce hace el cariño, y la historia romántica ha sido bonita y muy correcta.
Los personajes han estado bien construidos, sobre todo Miles. Miles es un atractivo marqués que sirvió como soldado contra Napoleón. Es un hombre de su tiempo, con sus actividades pertinentes, sus amantes etc., lo que se espera de un hombre como él. Años atrás perdió a su esposa y a su hijo en el parto, y siempre se culpó de su muerte por no haber sabido amar, él está convencido de que no es capaz, y por eso mismo no quiere volver a casarse y ser el causante de la muerte de otra inocente.
Varya, ha sido el gran misterio de la novela. Una hermosa mujer rusa de la que nadie conoce su pasado, pero que a mí como personaje me ha resultado bastante incoherente. Ya me pareció incoherente el modo en que conoce a Miles, pero en el libro se sucederán otra serie de situaciones con ella que serán inverosímiles. Varya huye de su pasado en Rusia, un pasado que la aterra y oculta a todo el mundo. Su amiga Bella consiguió que se trasladara a Londres, y allí vive dando recitales de piano para las clases altas. Podría decir que quizás trabajar para este tipo de gente no es lo más sensato del mundo si quiere permanecer en el anonimato y que nadie la reconozca ¿Veis por ahí la incoherencia? Y como esa, unas cuántas más.
Aun así no es mal libro, lo he disfrutado mucho en conjunto como lo que es, aunque la investigación para descubrir al asesino me ha sabido a poco y no me ha resultado muy clara. Por lo menos he disfrutado de la prosa de Kathryn Smith, que me gusta mucho cómo escribe, y me ha dejado con ganas de leer el resto de la serie.
Varya y Miles se conocen de una manera, no voy a decir original, pero sí un tanto extraña. Varya le culpa de la muerte de su mejor amiga, Bella, que fue amante de Miles, y quiere vengarse de él. Pronto verá las consecuencias de sus actos cuando le secuestra, más cuando va con pensamientos infundados y prejuicios. La forma de conocerse no me ha gustado, porque no me parece creíble en ningún sentido. Entiendo que los protagonistas de una historia deban conocerse, y quizás los métodos tradicionales como el paseo al parque o el baile están muy vistos, pero no me imagino a muchas señoritas de la Regencia raptando a hombres a punta de pistola en medio de la noche londinense.
Como sea, tras este primer encuentro, se sucederán otros en los que a pesar de que no se toleran, si quieren encontrar al verdadero asesino de Bella deberán unirse para ver cuál de los amantes de ella pudo ser. Una serie de infortunios hará que nuestros protagonistas deban pasar más tiempo juntos y hasta fingir una relación que vendrá bien para sus intereses, y como ocurre en la mayoría de casos, el roce hace el cariño, y la historia romántica ha sido bonita y muy correcta.
Los personajes han estado bien construidos, sobre todo Miles. Miles es un atractivo marqués que sirvió como soldado contra Napoleón. Es un hombre de su tiempo, con sus actividades pertinentes, sus amantes etc., lo que se espera de un hombre como él. Años atrás perdió a su esposa y a su hijo en el parto, y siempre se culpó de su muerte por no haber sabido amar, él está convencido de que no es capaz, y por eso mismo no quiere volver a casarse y ser el causante de la muerte de otra inocente.
Varya, ha sido el gran misterio de la novela. Una hermosa mujer rusa de la que nadie conoce su pasado, pero que a mí como personaje me ha resultado bastante incoherente. Ya me pareció incoherente el modo en que conoce a Miles, pero en el libro se sucederán otra serie de situaciones con ella que serán inverosímiles. Varya huye de su pasado en Rusia, un pasado que la aterra y oculta a todo el mundo. Su amiga Bella consiguió que se trasladara a Londres, y allí vive dando recitales de piano para las clases altas. Podría decir que quizás trabajar para este tipo de gente no es lo más sensato del mundo si quiere permanecer en el anonimato y que nadie la reconozca ¿Veis por ahí la incoherencia? Y como esa, unas cuántas más.
Aun así no es mal libro, lo he disfrutado mucho en conjunto como lo que es, aunque la investigación para descubrir al asesino me ha sabido a poco y no me ha resultado muy clara. Por lo menos he disfrutado de la prosa de Kathryn Smith, que me gusta mucho cómo escribe, y me ha dejado con ganas de leer el resto de la serie.
January 9, 2018
2,5 estrellitas.
Una historia que me ha gustado en cuanto a esencia, pero que me la ha estropeado totalmente la protagonista.
Miles Christian es un hombre con una culpa muy grande. Se cree el responsable de la muerte de su mujer y su hijo y está decidido a no entregar su corazón a nadie. Y lo cumple a rajatabla hasta que conoce a Varya.
Su encuentro no puede ser más original (bueno, es un recurso que he leido en alguna ocasión más, pero no quita que sea diferente) y a la vez inverosímil, sobre todo cuando NO tiene pruebas que demuestren lo que dice.
Tras ese encuentro, suceden otros que demuestran que Varya no es la protagonista con más cerebro de la historia y que les meten en un situaciones muy sospechosas que de milagro salen bien parados.
Y ahí no acaba la cosa, sino que encima Varya esconde un secreto bien gordo que no cuenta a la persona que más le ha ayudado por egoismo y miedos infundados....en definitiva, una protagonista de las que a mí no me gustan por ser tan poco constantes y casi con un carácter medio infantil en algunas ocasiones. Doy todo mi apoyo al pobre de Miles, aunque también ha tenido momentos guantazo, pero con una protagonista así...lo raro es que no les hubiera tenido y a sus padres, que han sufrido lo que no está escrito de nuevo por que Varya hace lo que quiere...
Sobre los secundarios y el misterioso asesino de Bella, la amiga de Varya, creo que está bastante bien llevado, sobre todo porque no sospechas del verdadero hasta bien entrada la trama.
Con un final bastante bonito, este libro para mí es ideal para pasar el rato, pero que no va a dejarme huella a largo plazo...excepto la protagonista...
Ahora voy a por el siguiente de la serie, que es el primero original, ya que éste es una precuela.
Una historia que me ha gustado en cuanto a esencia, pero que me la ha estropeado totalmente la protagonista.
Miles Christian es un hombre con una culpa muy grande. Se cree el responsable de la muerte de su mujer y su hijo y está decidido a no entregar su corazón a nadie. Y lo cumple a rajatabla hasta que conoce a Varya.
Su encuentro no puede ser más original (bueno, es un recurso que he leido en alguna ocasión más, pero no quita que sea diferente) y a la vez inverosímil, sobre todo cuando NO tiene pruebas que demuestren lo que dice.
Tras ese encuentro, suceden otros que demuestran que Varya no es la protagonista con más cerebro de la historia y que les meten en un situaciones muy sospechosas que de milagro salen bien parados.
Y ahí no acaba la cosa, sino que encima Varya esconde un secreto bien gordo que no cuenta a la persona que más le ha ayudado por egoismo y miedos infundados....en definitiva, una protagonista de las que a mí no me gustan por ser tan poco constantes y casi con un carácter medio infantil en algunas ocasiones. Doy todo mi apoyo al pobre de Miles, aunque también ha tenido momentos guantazo, pero con una protagonista así...lo raro es que no les hubiera tenido y a sus padres, que han sufrido lo que no está escrito de nuevo por que Varya hace lo que quiere...
Sobre los secundarios y el misterioso asesino de Bella, la amiga de Varya, creo que está bastante bien llevado, sobre todo porque no sospechas del verdadero hasta bien entrada la trama.
Con un final bastante bonito, este libro para mí es ideal para pasar el rato, pero que no va a dejarme huella a largo plazo...excepto la protagonista...
Ahora voy a por el siguiente de la serie, que es el primero original, ya que éste es una precuela.
January 4, 2018
Me ha gustado pero pensé que me iba a gustar más.
Valoro que el libro me atrapó y no lo pude dejar hasta el final pero...
Después de un comienzo original (en función de mi historia lectora), el desenlace me pareció medio traído de los pelos, demasiado sorpresivo o simple.
No solo que la investigación de la muerte de Bella queda por momentos estancada, sino que lo que realmente pasó aparece en un pif paf. Sin demasiadas pistas previas.
Pero bueno, me entretuvo bastante. Varias escenas hot.
Valoro que el libro me atrapó y no lo pude dejar hasta el final pero...
Después de un comienzo original (en función de mi historia lectora), el desenlace me pareció medio traído de los pelos, demasiado sorpresivo o simple.
No solo que la investigación de la muerte de Bella queda por momentos estancada, sino que lo que realmente pasó aparece en un pif paf. Sin demasiadas pistas previas.
Pero bueno, me entretuvo bastante. Varias escenas hot.
January 10, 2018
Es más bien un 2,5, pero creo que le voy a dar las tres. 2,5 la pareja. 3 otros personajes que me han gustado.
October 31, 2012
Hay bastantes novelas, dentro del género romántico histórico, que utilizan la intriga y el suspense para hilar la historia de amor de sus protagonistas. Hay muchas que empiezan con los dos odiándose o, como mínimo, repeliéndose. Lo que nunca había leído hasta ahora es que se conocieran cuando uno (ella) intenta matar al otro (él).
Ella es Varya, una concertista de piano que ha ganado fama en Londres. Una mujer enigmática con un pasado secreto que si se supiera podría ponerla en peligro. Fiera, indómita, apasionada y, sobre todo, capaz de defenderse a sí misma.
Él es Miles Christian, marqués de Wynter. Bribón, ex soldado, hombre de acción y, como no, libertino. Ha tenido una larga lista de amantes, la última de las cuales fue Isabella Mancini, una cantante que aparece asesinada en su propia casa, estrangulada.
Varya, la mejor y casi única verdadera amiga de Isabella, cree que Miles es el asesino y quiere venganza. Con esa intención, lo asalta una noche y se lo lleva a punta de pistola. ¿Es o no es original el comienzo?
A partir de este punto, nos encontramos en un vaivén de sentimientos encontrados, de quiero amar pero no puedo, de desconfianzas y malentendidos que los separan y acrecientan su mutuo odio, de momentos de pasión a pesar de sí mismos. Pero sobre todo, nos encontramos de lleno en una investigación buscando desenmascarar al asesino de Bella.
Ambos personajes me han gustado mucho. Las interacciones entre ellos pueden calificarse de cualquier cosa menos de aburridas. Se desean y se odian. Desconfían y se insultan. Ninguno de los dos tiene pelos en la lengua. Cometen errores graves que causan dolor en el otro. Pero no pueden separarse, unidos por la misión autoimpuesta de encontrar a un asesino.
Una novela que no te aburre en ningún momento, ya sea con los diálogos o con la acción, y que te sorprende a cada paso hasta llegar al final y descubrir quién es Varya en realidad y quién es el asesino.
Ella es Varya, una concertista de piano que ha ganado fama en Londres. Una mujer enigmática con un pasado secreto que si se supiera podría ponerla en peligro. Fiera, indómita, apasionada y, sobre todo, capaz de defenderse a sí misma.
Él es Miles Christian, marqués de Wynter. Bribón, ex soldado, hombre de acción y, como no, libertino. Ha tenido una larga lista de amantes, la última de las cuales fue Isabella Mancini, una cantante que aparece asesinada en su propia casa, estrangulada.
Varya, la mejor y casi única verdadera amiga de Isabella, cree que Miles es el asesino y quiere venganza. Con esa intención, lo asalta una noche y se lo lleva a punta de pistola. ¿Es o no es original el comienzo?
A partir de este punto, nos encontramos en un vaivén de sentimientos encontrados, de quiero amar pero no puedo, de desconfianzas y malentendidos que los separan y acrecientan su mutuo odio, de momentos de pasión a pesar de sí mismos. Pero sobre todo, nos encontramos de lleno en una investigación buscando desenmascarar al asesino de Bella.
Ambos personajes me han gustado mucho. Las interacciones entre ellos pueden calificarse de cualquier cosa menos de aburridas. Se desean y se odian. Desconfían y se insultan. Ninguno de los dos tiene pelos en la lengua. Cometen errores graves que causan dolor en el otro. Pero no pueden separarse, unidos por la misión autoimpuesta de encontrar a un asesino.
Una novela que no te aburre en ningún momento, ya sea con los diálogos o con la acción, y que te sorprende a cada paso hasta llegar al final y descubrir quién es Varya en realidad y quién es el asesino.
November 7, 2017
leído en Sep 2011
January 5, 2018
I liked the writing style, the mystery, and the heroine--the ho-hum rating is solely for the massive jerk of a hero! He's a gallivanting womanizer who mistakes the h as the kind of woman he usually has a dalliance with with, which she isn't having. So of course, he feels within his rights to give her attitude about that.
Then when he finds out she's far more "respectable" than first assumed, he's turned off by her inexperience, and she feels humiliated. Can't win with this 'gentleman'. He was let off the hook far too easily by the h. Bleh!
Then when he finds out she's far more "respectable" than first assumed, he's turned off by her inexperience, and she feels humiliated. Can't win with this 'gentleman'. He was let off the hook far too easily by the h. Bleh!
October 8, 2019
Elusive Varya is an amazing Russian pianist living in London. When she kidnaps Miles Christian, Marquess of Wynter and accuses him of murdering her best friend and his ex-mistress, the two begin a stormy relationship to discover the real murderer. Along the way they fall in love, but have reasons to be wary of marriage, so deny their attraction. They finally solve the murder, work out past hang-ups, reveal their love for each other, marry and have HEA.
Fairly graphic, reasonable story.
Fairly graphic, reasonable story.
July 11, 2018
Fun historical, enjoyed the protagonists, but never felt completely invested in the novel, so just ok overall.
December 26, 2021
Lo he abandonado al 2o o 3r capítulo, me estaba dando vergüenza ajena, el estilo tampoco ayuda a mantener el interés.
January 3, 2022
Lo he abandonado al 2o o 3r capítulo, me estaba dando vergüenza ajena, el estilo tampoco ayuda a mantener el interés.
June 21, 2012
First book of Kathryn Smith's Ryland Brothers Series and so far i enjoyed it. I simply adored the heroine in this story, the elusive Varya Ulyanova. I was deeply impressed by the backbone of this girl and her resourcefulness when the need arises. I can't help but admire her strong will and how she doesn't easily give up without a fight. She was strong enough to leave everything she was used to and braved the world on her own. Her sense of loyalty towards her friend Bella and how Varya sought justice for her friend's death was also worthy of admiration.
I've also come to like the hero Miles Christian. It pained me how he blamed himself for the death of his wife and son. That was surely out of his control but he still couldn't let go of the guilt that he was ultimately responsible for it. (His past actually reminds me of the book Lady Sophia's Lover by Lisa Kleypas.) Although I would have liked for Miles to be more alpha in the story, how the author developed his character was acceptable enough. There were some scenes during the investigation wherein Miles, being an ex-agent or spy should have taken over the situation but the author didn't really gave him the chance to do so although he has the potential and was very capable of doing the job. Which is sad because the story opens up with Miles being under cover and was really giving the "alpha aura". Too bad the author didn't make good on it as the story progressed.
So yes, I admit i found the author more biased to her heroine. She gave more opportunity for Varya to outshine Miles. Some scenes that should have obviously been made for Miles were given over to Varya, even to the last minute i thought it was finally Miles' time to shine, still the author only gave him little chance to do so. Which really disappoints me because Miles is very much capable and have so much to offer if only Smith gave him the chance.
Although i did like the overall of the story, i felt the plot was disorganized. At the first half of the book, we were given the mystery surrounding Bella's death and then Miles and Varya's succeeding investigation about it. But at the second half of the book, the mystery abruptly stops and the author plunges us to Miles and Varya's love story. I didn't mind it though, but Smith should have blended the mystery with the romance as well. Instead she gave us the mystery. STOPS. Then shoves the romance at us. STOPS. Then abruptly brings back the mystery again only at the end of the book.
So there. I still gave this book 3.5 stars and added it to my "worth-rereading" shelf for the sake of Varya but mostly because of the injustice the author did to our dear Miles.
I've also come to like the hero Miles Christian. It pained me how he blamed himself for the death of his wife and son. That was surely out of his control but he still couldn't let go of the guilt that he was ultimately responsible for it. (His past actually reminds me of the book Lady Sophia's Lover by Lisa Kleypas.) Although I would have liked for Miles to be more alpha in the story, how the author developed his character was acceptable enough. There were some scenes during the investigation wherein Miles, being an ex-agent or spy should have taken over the situation but the author didn't really gave him the chance to do so although he has the potential and was very capable of doing the job. Which is sad because the story opens up with Miles being under cover and was really giving the "alpha aura". Too bad the author didn't make good on it as the story progressed.
So yes, I admit i found the author more biased to her heroine. She gave more opportunity for Varya to outshine Miles. Some scenes that should have obviously been made for Miles were given over to Varya, even to the last minute i thought it was finally Miles' time to shine, still the author only gave him little chance to do so. Which really disappoints me because Miles is very much capable and have so much to offer if only Smith gave him the chance.
Although i did like the overall of the story, i felt the plot was disorganized. At the first half of the book, we were given the mystery surrounding Bella's death and then Miles and Varya's succeeding investigation about it. But at the second half of the book, the mystery abruptly stops and the author plunges us to Miles and Varya's love story. I didn't mind it though, but Smith should have blended the mystery with the romance as well. Instead she gave us the mystery. STOPS. Then shoves the romance at us. STOPS. Then abruptly brings back the mystery again only at the end of the book.
So there. I still gave this book 3.5 stars and added it to my "worth-rereading" shelf for the sake of Varya but mostly because of the injustice the author did to our dear Miles.
August 21, 2015
After reading the second book in the series before this one (and loving it!), I was interested in Miles and Varya's story. He is a Marquess who's currently working for the government after years of war and she is trying to find her best friend's killer. I shan't outline the plot to avoid revealing too much but the two end up investigating the murder of Varya's best friend who also happened to be Miles' ex-mistress. The fact that Varya's friend was in love with Miles when she was alive put me off Varya's and Miles' romance because she was being disloyal to her friend's memory and for me that isn't cool. But that was a very minor reason why I was underwhelmed by this story. It promised to be an entertaining read because both characters are so strong and stubborn and were constantly arguing but this got tiresome. The romance wasn't flowing very nicely and it just seemed like "lust at first sight" to me. Miles seemed snobby and arrogant and Varya just didn't seem to value herself as much as I would have liked. Like she kept instantly forgiving him every time he insulted her and was adamant on being his mistress rather than his wife. Like really? You prefer being shunned in society and having men disrespect your honour because they think you're a whore!? Sorry I just struggled to believe that. And the whole background with her family just wasn't convincing enough to make her abandon her family for five years and go from being a Russian princess to being a common musician! Really. The redeeming quality was her realising she had been a fool at the end. The ending was sweet enough and I finally believed their love but the whole kidnapping needn't have taken three whole chapters (yawn). So because of all these little things... 3 stars is the best I can give. (2.5 really but I guess I had to round up)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2017
Varya is a pianist whose best friend was murdered and she believes that the murderer was Lord Miles Christian, her friend's former protector who left her brokenhearted. She kidnaps him, but he's surprised by his former lover's death, and so eventually they team up together to solve the murder. But circumstances dictate that Varya must pretend to be Miles's mistress. But Varya is much more than she seems, carrying quite a few secrets of her own.
This was an okay book. The mystery of who killed Bella was pretty good until the reveal, when the evidence of who it is, rather than being subtly revealed (which is how it was supposed to be done), is very clumsily done. Really, it had all the subtly of a brick through a window. But I never would have guessed at the motive, that's for sure. Miles was a pretty decent hero, but I wanted him to be a bit less of a doormat. I liked him overall.
I didn't like Varya. The whole relationship between Varya and Miles felt a bit toxic; not very loving. A lot of passion, lots of distrust, but not much love IMHO. Varya piles on the betrayals. She lies to Miles, lets him believe she is something she isn't and then blames him for thinking it (although he wasn't faultless either), keeps important information from him, kidnaps him (and gets some abuse in there at the same time) and is completely unappreciative of some of the nice things he does do. And Miles just takes it. There were moments when I thought he'd be better off just walking away, but he can't, because we wouldn't have a story. I enjoyed reading the book, but I don't think I'd re-read it.
This was an okay book. The mystery of who killed Bella was pretty good until the reveal, when the evidence of who it is, rather than being subtly revealed (which is how it was supposed to be done), is very clumsily done. Really, it had all the subtly of a brick through a window. But I never would have guessed at the motive, that's for sure. Miles was a pretty decent hero, but I wanted him to be a bit less of a doormat. I liked him overall.
I didn't like Varya. The whole relationship between Varya and Miles felt a bit toxic; not very loving. A lot of passion, lots of distrust, but not much love IMHO. Varya piles on the betrayals. She lies to Miles, lets him believe she is something she isn't and then blames him for thinking it (although he wasn't faultless either), keeps important information from him, kidnaps him (and gets some abuse in there at the same time) and is completely unappreciative of some of the nice things he does do. And Miles just takes it. There were moments when I thought he'd be better off just walking away, but he can't, because we wouldn't have a story. I enjoyed reading the book, but I don't think I'd re-read it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2007
Elusive Passion - G
Smith, Kathryn - 1st in Ryland Brothers series
Who is the mysterious Varya? On the surface she's a woman who tempts men beyond reason, but no one has touched the heart of the elusive creature...that is, until now
Miles Christian, the Marquess of Wynter, never expected to be abducted at gunpoint and accused of murder — and certainly not by a woman! When he discovers his would-be kidnapper is the elusive Varya, a beauty courted — and desired — by most of the men in London society, he is doubly shocked ... and enthralled. Obsessed with this seductress, Miles is determined to keep her by his side as they hunt for the true culprit, even if it means putting them both in danger.
For Varya the danger lies in Miles's very touch, and though she's far from ready to trust the dashing rogue, she cannot deny the attraction that flares between them. But when they are caught in a compromising position, Varya reluctantly agrees to pose as Miles's mistress, even as she resists his potent efforts to woo her into his bed. For none could guess that her bloodlines are as pure as any English aristocrat's or that behind her public mask lies a woman determined not to relinquish her hard-won independence to a man's desire — unless she ensnares his heart as well.
Enjoyable
Smith, Kathryn - 1st in Ryland Brothers series
Who is the mysterious Varya? On the surface she's a woman who tempts men beyond reason, but no one has touched the heart of the elusive creature...that is, until now
Miles Christian, the Marquess of Wynter, never expected to be abducted at gunpoint and accused of murder — and certainly not by a woman! When he discovers his would-be kidnapper is the elusive Varya, a beauty courted — and desired — by most of the men in London society, he is doubly shocked ... and enthralled. Obsessed with this seductress, Miles is determined to keep her by his side as they hunt for the true culprit, even if it means putting them both in danger.
For Varya the danger lies in Miles's very touch, and though she's far from ready to trust the dashing rogue, she cannot deny the attraction that flares between them. But when they are caught in a compromising position, Varya reluctantly agrees to pose as Miles's mistress, even as she resists his potent efforts to woo her into his bed. For none could guess that her bloodlines are as pure as any English aristocrat's or that behind her public mask lies a woman determined not to relinquish her hard-won independence to a man's desire — unless she ensnares his heart as well.
Enjoyable
January 27, 2014
Esta autora me encanta sus libros tiene un poco de todo pero si pasarse, con este libro quede encanta.
Esta una historia que comienza de un modo muy peculiar que no tiene otras novelas que he leído, como que la protagonista lo intente matar por sospechar que es el asesino de su mejor amiga, quede encanta con esa parte. Nos lleva a buscar quien es el asesino de bella. Y en el progreso de esa búsqueda la bellisima Varya logra enamorar al Miles el marqués que juro no enamorarse y no volverse a casar.
Esta una historia que comienza de un modo muy peculiar que no tiene otras novelas que he leído, como que la protagonista lo intente matar por sospechar que es el asesino de su mejor amiga, quede encanta con esa parte. Nos lleva a buscar quien es el asesino de bella. Y en el progreso de esa búsqueda la bellisima Varya logra enamorar al Miles el marqués que juro no enamorarse y no volverse a casar.
June 14, 2016
Reading this again - I am still of the opinion that it's an excellent story. Imo, this is Kathryn Smith's best historical romance series. Love the storyline and the characters. Although this is not my favourite of the Ryland Brothers series (I do love Blythe's story best), it is still a wonderful novel.
It's such a shame this author has moved on from her fab historical romances, and like many authors now only write comtemp, vampyre or some other genre - such a loss!
It's such a shame this author has moved on from her fab historical romances, and like many authors now only write comtemp, vampyre or some other genre - such a loss!
August 11, 2016
Enjoyable read but with flaws. Not a bad start of a series, just could have been better.
March 8, 2010
A delightful Regency historical with a delicious marquess who's accused of murder by a Russian beauty. But the beauty has her own secrets, and he has great fun uncovering them!
July 28, 2013
it was ok
July 2, 2015
This is a story that I never get tired to read it again. Will I get tired of reading it any day? I don't think so, I love it!!!
April 12, 2016
I really liked the story and the characters. It wasn't exactly a favorite, but close. 4.5 stars is what I would give it.
October 15, 2013
Really enjoyed this, had all the elements of a good historical romance.
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