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The Lost Lords of Pembrook #1
She Tempts the Duke
From New York Times bestselling author Lorraine Heath comes a richly passionate series about three dark and dangerous men determined to reclaim their birthright.Three young heirs, imprisoned by an unscrupulous uncle, escaped--to the sea, to the streets, to a faraway battle--awaiting the day when they would return to reclaim their birthright.Sebastian Easton always vowed he would avenge his stolen youth and title. Now back in London, the rightful Duke of Keswick--returning from battle a wounded, hardened, changed man--cannot forget the brave girl who once rescued him and his brothers from certain death.Lady Mary Wynne-Jones paid dearly for helping the imprisoned young Lords of Pembrook, and she remembers well the promise she made to Sebastian all those years ago: to meet him once more in the abbey ruins where they shared a bold, forbidden kiss. While Mary is now betrothed to another, a friendship forged with dark secrets cannot be ignored. Unexpected passion soon burns dangerously between them, tempting Sebastian to abandon his quest for retribution and fight for a love that could once again set him free.
355 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 31, 2012
236 people are currently reading
4968 people want to read
About the author
Lorraine Heath
90 books4,377 followersAlso writes Young Adult under Rachel Hawthorne, Jade Parker, and with her son as J.A. London.
Lorraine Heath has always had a soft spot for emotional love stories. No doubt because growing up, watching movies with her mom, she was taught that the best movies "won't half make you cry."
She is the daughter of a British beauty (her mom won second place in a beauty contest sponsored by Max Factor® during which she received a kiss from Caesar Romero, (the Joker on the original Batman TV series) and a Texan who was stationed at Bovingdon while serving in the air force. Lorraine was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, but soon after moved to Texas. Her "dual" nationality has given her a love for all things British and Texan, and she enjoys weaving both heritages through her stories.
When she received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.” She began her career writing training manuals and computer code for the IRS, but something was always missing. When she read a romance novel, she became not only hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing lacked: rebels, scoundrels, and rogues. She's been writing about them ever since.
Her work has been recognized with numerous industry awards including RWA's RITA®. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA TODAY and the New York Times.
The author of more than 60 novels, she writes historical and contemporary romance for adults and historical romance for teen readers.
Under the names Rachel Hawthorne and Jade Parker, she writes popular contemporary, historical, and paranormal romance for teens readers. She also writes young adult novels with her son under the name J. A. London.
Lorraine Heath has always had a soft spot for emotional love stories. No doubt because growing up, watching movies with her mom, she was taught that the best movies "won't half make you cry."
She is the daughter of a British beauty (her mom won second place in a beauty contest sponsored by Max Factor® during which she received a kiss from Caesar Romero, (the Joker on the original Batman TV series) and a Texan who was stationed at Bovingdon while serving in the air force. Lorraine was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, but soon after moved to Texas. Her "dual" nationality has given her a love for all things British and Texan, and she enjoys weaving both heritages through her stories.
When she received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.” She began her career writing training manuals and computer code for the IRS, but something was always missing. When she read a romance novel, she became not only hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing lacked: rebels, scoundrels, and rogues. She's been writing about them ever since.
Her work has been recognized with numerous industry awards including RWA's RITA®. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA TODAY and the New York Times.
The author of more than 60 novels, she writes historical and contemporary romance for adults and historical romance for teen readers.
Under the names Rachel Hawthorne and Jade Parker, she writes popular contemporary, historical, and paranormal romance for teens readers. She also writes young adult novels with her son under the name J. A. London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 560 reviews
February 4, 2012
This is a solid Lorraine Heath story. Angsty, romantic, poignant, and funny in some places. A great hero and a very likable heroine are hallmarks of my favorite Heath books and they're definitely here.
A couple of things keep this from being a five star. First, the villain is a crazy ass mofo. I get a little tired of the crazy greedy guy villain in historicals. Kind of two-dimensional and really overdone. I don't know what else could have been the motivation, but I'm definitely open to other possibilities. And the other thing that bugged me was a seriously TSTL moment for the heroine that was completely unnecessary. I can't even believe Heath wrote something so incredibly unbelievable. It's just a short moment, but what it leads to could have been accomplished without creating such a ridiculous premise. I'm sorry, but the Mary we met in this book would not do that. It's too moronic. Okay, enough belaboring because it really is pretty much a blip, but it bugged me because it's so outside of what I expect from Heath that it stuck in my craw.
Sebastian is a damaged war veteran whose life has been unbelievably tragic. My heart absolutely broke for him so many times. Mary was so perfect for him and I loved her loyalty to the brothers and especially to Sebastian.
I look forward to the next books in the series, although they promise to be very angsty and difficult. Especially Rafe's. Kinda scared about that one even as I can't wait to read it.
I'm a Lorraine Heath fan. She's got a few duds in her backlist (as most authors with this many books to their credit do) but, for the most part, she's a good, reliable story teller.
ETA: Hahaha! I'm an idiot! I ended up spoiler tagging half of my review. Fixed now.
A couple of things keep this from being a five star. First, the villain is a crazy ass mofo. I get a little tired of the crazy greedy guy villain in historicals. Kind of two-dimensional and really overdone. I don't know what else could have been the motivation, but I'm definitely open to other possibilities. And the other thing that bugged me was a seriously TSTL moment for the heroine that was completely unnecessary. I can't even believe Heath wrote something so incredibly unbelievable. It's just a short moment, but what it leads to could have been accomplished without creating such a ridiculous premise. I'm sorry, but the Mary we met in this book would not do that. It's too moronic. Okay, enough belaboring because it really is pretty much a blip, but it bugged me because it's so outside of what I expect from Heath that it stuck in my craw.
Sebastian is a damaged war veteran whose life has been unbelievably tragic. My heart absolutely broke for him so many times. Mary was so perfect for him and I loved her loyalty to the brothers and especially to Sebastian.
I look forward to the next books in the series, although they promise to be very angsty and difficult. Especially Rafe's. Kinda scared about that one even as I can't wait to read it.
I'm a Lorraine Heath fan. She's got a few duds in her backlist (as most authors with this many books to their credit do) but, for the most part, she's a good, reliable story teller.
ETA: Hahaha! I'm an idiot! I ended up spoiler tagging half of my review. Fixed now.
February 1, 2022
I love a good damaged hero and a childhood friends romance, so I really enjoyed this one! Sebastian and his brothers ran away from their uncle after learning he wanted to kill them to gain the dukedom for himself. Mary helped them escape and hasn't forgotten them since. Now, Mary is engaged when Sebastian and his brothers reenter society and create quite a stir. I really enjoyed the angst this story had because Sebastian felt like he could never be good enough for Mary and she was already engaged to another man. Sebastian was trying to get back into society as the Duke and take everything back from his uncle. He still had feelings for Mary, but he feels like she deserves better and not someone with his dark past. He's still trying to deal with what happened with his brothers. But I loved how much time Mary and Sebastian spent together and how adamant Mary was about taking care of Sebastian when he was in need. This book did have some slower parts, but it was a solid start to another Lorraine Heath series!
July 17, 2018
"Știuse că îi va fi greu să-și țină emoțiile sub control, să se comporte ca un domn și nu ca un barbar, dar ajungea rapid la capătul răbdării. Ar fi trebuit să ducă o viață cu puține griji, să meargă la școli și să fie educat ca un viitor duce."
"Era doar un copil pe atunci, așa că își putuse găsi justificări pentru acțiunile sale. Dar în acel moment era bărbat, și nu avea de gând să abandoneze un camarad de arme pe câmpul de luptă. Nu avea să mai abandoneze niciodată pe nimeni."
"Era doar un copil pe atunci, așa că își putuse găsi justificări pentru acțiunile sale. Dar în acel moment era bărbat, și nu avea de gând să abandoneze un camarad de arme pe câmpul de luptă. Nu avea să mai abandoneze niciodată pe nimeni."
November 3, 2019
(Tropes: Unstarched (him), Wallflower / Spinster, Childhood Friends, Unrequited Love, Forbidden Love, Scars (him), Marriage of Convenience)
*****
This was a forbidden moment between them. She was betrothed. She deserved better than he could provide. He could give her all the comforts of life, but he lacked the ability to comfort her heart and soul.
*****
I really enjoyed this one. A hero who is not too full of himself, a kiss that couldn’t be helped, vulnerability concerning scars and some bedside vigilance - all delicious ingredients for a good book.
- She’d always been someone with whom he’d enjoyed exploring the world. Only now he thought of exploring her.
- They would forever be connected. But a connection did not ensure a snug fit. At that moment, she wasn’t even certain that she liked the man he had become. He was irascible and harsh. She had yet to see a smile, and the laughter he released was more bark than joy.
- (Sebastian’s brother) “Based on your swollen lips, I would say he kissed you.”
She began rubbing her hand over her mouth. “Oh, dear God, you can tell?”
He hitched up a corner of his mouth. “No. It was a guess. Your lips aren’t swollen.”
She slapped at him. “You cad!”
- She stopped so near, her orchid scent wafted around him. Reaching up, she adjusted the patch before skimming her hand lightly over his cheek, his jaw, his shoulder, bringing it to rest where his heart thudded so hard that it was in danger of cracking a rib.
“They hurt you so badly,” she whispered.
I am also going for book 2 & 3, as I was massively intrigued by his brothers.
4 solid stars
*****
This was a forbidden moment between them. She was betrothed. She deserved better than he could provide. He could give her all the comforts of life, but he lacked the ability to comfort her heart and soul.
*****
I really enjoyed this one. A hero who is not too full of himself, a kiss that couldn’t be helped, vulnerability concerning scars and some bedside vigilance - all delicious ingredients for a good book.
- She’d always been someone with whom he’d enjoyed exploring the world. Only now he thought of exploring her.
- They would forever be connected. But a connection did not ensure a snug fit. At that moment, she wasn’t even certain that she liked the man he had become. He was irascible and harsh. She had yet to see a smile, and the laughter he released was more bark than joy.
- (Sebastian’s brother) “Based on your swollen lips, I would say he kissed you.”
She began rubbing her hand over her mouth. “Oh, dear God, you can tell?”
He hitched up a corner of his mouth. “No. It was a guess. Your lips aren’t swollen.”
She slapped at him. “You cad!”
- She stopped so near, her orchid scent wafted around him. Reaching up, she adjusted the patch before skimming her hand lightly over his cheek, his jaw, his shoulder, bringing it to rest where his heart thudded so hard that it was in danger of cracking a rib.
“They hurt you so badly,” she whispered.
I am also going for book 2 & 3, as I was massively intrigued by his brothers.
4 solid stars
February 11, 2016
Quizás sea más de 3.75 pero me ha gustado mucho así que le doy las 4.
No tiene nada especial. Un protagonista atormentado, huraño y un poco amargado al que la culpa lo devora que encuentra la luz al reencontrarse la amiga de su infancia.
Esta autora gusta de personajes que les cuesta encajar en la sociedad y a mí me encantan
Una chica que perdió su rebeldía y que ahora la reencuentra.
La parte romántica queda un poco apagada frente al tormentoso carácter del protagonista marcado por la usurpación de su título, sus bienes y su propia dignidad. Como muchas, tiene un final un tanto precipitado.
Pensaba que el tema de la venganza (eje principal) continuaría a lo largo de toda la serie...
Me gusta el estilo de Lorraine Heath fresco y ágil, con una historia con ciertos giros interesantes, nada forzada y con un amor pausado... aunque al final resulte su solución demasiado fácil.
Con muchas ganas de leer la historia de Tristán y Rafe
No tiene nada especial. Un protagonista atormentado, huraño y un poco amargado al que la culpa lo devora que encuentra la luz al reencontrarse la amiga de su infancia.
Esta autora gusta de personajes que les cuesta encajar en la sociedad y a mí me encantan
Una chica que perdió su rebeldía y que ahora la reencuentra.
La parte romántica queda un poco apagada frente al tormentoso carácter del protagonista marcado por la usurpación de su título, sus bienes y su propia dignidad. Como muchas, tiene un final un tanto precipitado.
Pensaba que el tema de la venganza (eje principal) continuaría a lo largo de toda la serie...
Me gusta el estilo de Lorraine Heath fresco y ágil, con una historia con ciertos giros interesantes, nada forzada y con un amor pausado... aunque al final resulte su solución demasiado fácil.
Con muchas ganas de leer la historia de Tristán y Rafe
August 28, 2016
Iba a darle 2.5 y ponerle 3 estrellas pero es que en realidad me quede pensando en que no me gustó nada del libro.
NO a los protagonistas
NO a su humor
NO a sus actitudes
NO a su historia
NO a la narrativa
y sobre todo NO a lo que la autora desaprovechó.
Y es que AMO, Malditamente AMO como escribe Lorraine, pero este libro no me ha gustado nada.
Debo aceptar que lo primero que llamó mi atención fue el argumento, y es que pintaba para ser de esos libros que me gustan, con unos protagonistas profundos, con personajes huraños, amargados y con miles de demonios con los cuales lidiar. Me pareció la historia más floja que he leído de esta autora, me ha quedado mucho a deber y no se si me anime a leer los siguientes libros. Admito que el que más me interesa es Rafe pero para llegar a el tengo que leer a Tristan, y aunque también amo a los personajes como creo que es él, no se si pueda soportar otra decepción.
Para ser más clara, el libro no me gustó porque Mary fue una niñata que quería ser rebelde y en su lugar fue insoportable, no me gustó porque Sebastian opacó su historia de amor con sus inseguridades, su carácter amargado y su muy mala actitud.
Me pasó con los dos, y es que no podía dejar de rodar los ojos internamente y preguntarme ¿en serio hizo eso? pero PORFAVORRRRRRRRRRRRRRR diossss, sus actitudes eran tan simplonas, tan lloricas, tan AAAAGGG, no lo aguanto. Y en serio lamento hacerlo porque amo a los protagonistas así. Los. AMO.
Pero con Sebastian no pude, no toleraba su obsesión ni sus objeciones.
La narración desde el principio me pareció muy rara, como si no fuera la Lorraine que conocía. Pero supongo que quizás es uno de sus primeros libros o yo que sé. El punto es que no encontré nada de lo que caracteriza a esta autora y lo único que me gustó de todo el libro fue el prólogo.
Igual no era el momento adecuado para el libro, no era la historia que buscaba o miles de factores que pudieron influir pero vuelvo a decir que NO ME GUSTÓ. Ya está, lo he dicho por ultima vez.
Ahora voy a rezar por que no me de resaca y a buscar un libro que pueda borrar este sabor a decepción que me ha quedado.
PD: Le he dejado las 2 estrellas porque al menos lo terminé. Ufffff
NO a los protagonistas
NO a su humor
NO a sus actitudes
NO a su historia
NO a la narrativa
y sobre todo NO a lo que la autora desaprovechó.
Y es que AMO, Malditamente AMO como escribe Lorraine, pero este libro no me ha gustado nada.
Debo aceptar que lo primero que llamó mi atención fue el argumento, y es que pintaba para ser de esos libros que me gustan, con unos protagonistas profundos, con personajes huraños, amargados y con miles de demonios con los cuales lidiar. Me pareció la historia más floja que he leído de esta autora, me ha quedado mucho a deber y no se si me anime a leer los siguientes libros. Admito que el que más me interesa es Rafe pero para llegar a el tengo que leer a Tristan, y aunque también amo a los personajes como creo que es él, no se si pueda soportar otra decepción.
Para ser más clara, el libro no me gustó porque Mary fue una niñata que quería ser rebelde y en su lugar fue insoportable, no me gustó porque Sebastian opacó su historia de amor con sus inseguridades, su carácter amargado y su muy mala actitud.
Me pasó con los dos, y es que no podía dejar de rodar los ojos internamente y preguntarme ¿en serio hizo eso? pero PORFAVORRRRRRRRRRRRRRR diossss, sus actitudes eran tan simplonas, tan lloricas, tan AAAAGGG, no lo aguanto. Y en serio lamento hacerlo porque amo a los protagonistas así. Los. AMO.
Pero con Sebastian no pude, no toleraba su obsesión ni sus objeciones.
La narración desde el principio me pareció muy rara, como si no fuera la Lorraine que conocía. Pero supongo que quizás es uno de sus primeros libros o yo que sé. El punto es que no encontré nada de lo que caracteriza a esta autora y lo único que me gustó de todo el libro fue el prólogo.
Igual no era el momento adecuado para el libro, no era la historia que buscaba o miles de factores que pudieron influir pero vuelvo a decir que NO ME GUSTÓ. Ya está, lo he dicho por ultima vez.
Ahora voy a rezar por que no me de resaca y a buscar un libro que pueda borrar este sabor a decepción que me ha quedado.
PD: Le he dejado las 2 estrellas porque al menos lo terminé. Ufffff
May 14, 2021
I am a fan of Heath. Her tortured/scarred/tormented heroes have been unsurpassed by any other book I have read. Until this one.
I purchased this with high expectations, curious and hopeful that Heath would be different, like in her western romances. Sadly, I was disappointed. This could have been written by anyone. There was no signature "Heath" at all.
The story was at best meh. I didn't love any of the characters.
Things that put me off:
-The repetition! I don't recall Heath doing this in her other books. But here it was exasperating. I felt like she was hitting me over the head with repeating everything so much.
-Antagonist evil and cartoonish. Ex: the evil uncle spouts a huge monologue of reasons why he did what he did while holding the h in a tower, with a storm and lightening in the background, held with a gun to her head.
-ending rushed.
-The hero is a bit of a jerk.
-Lust driven romance with low believability.
-I never felt sorry for the H, never felt his pain or pity for him.
-The h was flat, unlikeable.
There were so many things during the course of this read that cheapened what the H & h had as children, which was suppose to be special.
I found nothing special about their relationship. It seemed Heath realized this and tried to resolve it with a few sentences of declaration of love from the hero at the very end. Like this is suppose to redeem his character to the reader. It also seemed she realized he was not a likable or lovable hero too late and tried to fix it without going back to do a full rewrite.
I would not recommend this. It dragged in parts and I actually skimmed some and was glad it was over.
I will read more of her work, but am hesitant towards anything other than her westerns.
I purchased this with high expectations, curious and hopeful that Heath would be different, like in her western romances. Sadly, I was disappointed. This could have been written by anyone. There was no signature "Heath" at all.
The story was at best meh. I didn't love any of the characters.
Things that put me off:
-The repetition! I don't recall Heath doing this in her other books. But here it was exasperating. I felt like she was hitting me over the head with repeating everything so much.
-Antagonist evil and cartoonish. Ex: the evil uncle spouts a huge monologue of reasons why he did what he did while holding the h in a tower, with a storm and lightening in the background, held with a gun to her head.
-ending rushed.
-The hero is a bit of a jerk.
-Lust driven romance with low believability.
-I never felt sorry for the H, never felt his pain or pity for him.
-The h was flat, unlikeable.
There were so many things during the course of this read that cheapened what the H & h had as children, which was suppose to be special.
I found nothing special about their relationship. It seemed Heath realized this and tried to resolve it with a few sentences of declaration of love from the hero at the very end. Like this is suppose to redeem his character to the reader. It also seemed she realized he was not a likable or lovable hero too late and tried to fix it without going back to do a full rewrite.
I would not recommend this. It dragged in parts and I actually skimmed some and was glad it was over.
I will read more of her work, but am hesitant towards anything other than her westerns.
January 20, 2018
Fue una tremenda decepción el libro, esperaba más por tremenda sinopsis Un Friends to lovers y lo mejor desde que eran niños, un duque atormentado con cicatrices de guerra, pero al parecer me vendieron humo.
- La historia en sí es aburrida, que tiene chispazos aquí y allá pero no fueron suficientes
- Un protagonista que pudo ser de los que a mi me gustan huraños atormentados y sobre todo un DUQUE!!, pero es el primero que no me provocó NADA, era tan gris y sin chiste y lo peor de todo amargado uff no.
- Cero romance en la historia, la primera parte en serio no ocurrió nada de nada, tuvo cero profundidad
- Un villano desperdiciado, intentos de asesinatos fallidos y su final patético.
Este libro es un NO para mí, pero a pesar de todo la protagonista no se me hizo tan mal, ella si me gustó y sobre todo los hermanos Tristán tiene esa personalidad que me gusta alegre, pícara y un total libertino pero el que me intriga es Rafe y como me han recomendado mucho su libro voy a seguir con la serie.
- La historia en sí es aburrida, que tiene chispazos aquí y allá pero no fueron suficientes
- Un protagonista que pudo ser de los que a mi me gustan huraños atormentados y sobre todo un DUQUE!!, pero es el primero que no me provocó NADA, era tan gris y sin chiste y lo peor de todo amargado uff no.
- Cero romance en la historia, la primera parte en serio no ocurrió nada de nada, tuvo cero profundidad
- Un villano desperdiciado, intentos de asesinatos fallidos y su final patético.
Este libro es un NO para mí, pero a pesar de todo la protagonista no se me hizo tan mal, ella si me gustó y sobre todo los hermanos Tristán tiene esa personalidad que me gusta alegre, pícara y un total libertino pero el que me intriga es Rafe y como me han recomendado mucho su libro voy a seguir con la serie.
February 18, 2012
4 stars – Historical/Victorian Romance
Not my favorite Lorraine Heath read...her terrific Scoundrels of St. James series still has the bar raised rather high for me...but a solid 4 star historical romance nonetheless. I’m looking forward to Tristan’s and Rafe’s stories.
Not my favorite Lorraine Heath read...her terrific Scoundrels of St. James series still has the bar raised rather high for me...but a solid 4 star historical romance nonetheless. I’m looking forward to Tristan’s and Rafe’s stories.
December 30, 2024
First time listening to a narration by Faye Adele and she did a decent job. :)
If I wasn't in need of an audiobook to listen to while I watered the grass in the backyard, I probably wouldn't have checked this audiobook out from my library. The blurb didn't truly appeal to me. The other two books in the series appealed me to more, but they were already checked out. So I decided to give it a listen and if I didn't like it, I can always add it to my DNF shelf.
Well, the plot and romance was, unfortunately, underwhelming. See, after the prologue I thought that the H/h were in love with each other when they were kids (or that the heroine was in love with the hero when she was a kid). I do think it's cute that they were each other's childhood best friends. The hero (now scarred and missing an eye due to a battle) was confused by his attraction and growing lust for his childhood best friend (the heroine) when he returned to claim his rightful place as the Duke of Keswik. The heroine is engaged to Lord Fitzwilliam and so we didn't really get to see her have any feelings for the hero other than loyalty and wanting to help her former best friend in society, but she does feel a pull toward him. However, there was no sexual tension. The hero held on to his retribution (his words; he didn't like "revenge") for too long. The villain was cartoonish and easily dealt with at the end. He even had this whole monologue explaining why he did what he did.
If I had sat down and read the ebook, I'm positive I would have picked up on the parts that dragged or the teeny tiny bit of chemistry between the H/h. However, I must have really enjoyed the narration because I didn't noticed how some parts dragged at all. Normally, I would have DNF a book that was too slow and getting boring. I may not have enjoyed this book, but I am looking forward to the hero's brothers' stories. His twin is a ship captain and their younger brother owns a gaming hell/den of iniquity.
If I wasn't in need of an audiobook to listen to while I watered the grass in the backyard, I probably wouldn't have checked this audiobook out from my library. The blurb didn't truly appeal to me. The other two books in the series appealed me to more, but they were already checked out. So I decided to give it a listen and if I didn't like it, I can always add it to my DNF shelf.
Well, the plot and romance was, unfortunately, underwhelming. See, after the prologue I thought that the H/h were in love with each other when they were kids (or that the heroine was in love with the hero when she was a kid). I do think it's cute that they were each other's childhood best friends. The hero (now scarred and missing an eye due to a battle) was confused by his attraction and growing lust for his childhood best friend (the heroine) when he returned to claim his rightful place as the Duke of Keswik. The heroine is engaged to Lord Fitzwilliam and so we didn't really get to see her have any feelings for the hero other than loyalty and wanting to help her former best friend in society, but she does feel a pull toward him. However, there was no sexual tension. The hero held on to his retribution (his words; he didn't like "revenge") for too long. The villain was cartoonish and easily dealt with at the end. He even had this whole monologue explaining why he did what he did.
If I had sat down and read the ebook, I'm positive I would have picked up on the parts that dragged or the teeny tiny bit of chemistry between the H/h. However, I must have really enjoyed the narration because I didn't noticed how some parts dragged at all. Normally, I would have DNF a book that was too slow and getting boring. I may not have enjoyed this book, but I am looking forward to the hero's brothers' stories. His twin is a ship captain and their younger brother owns a gaming hell/den of iniquity.
September 25, 2024
2.5⭐️
Bad Haiku on the Fly
Tale as old as time
Boring, icky, cringey, dumb
Beauty and the Beast
Notes
An overall disappointment, but since it was Heath, there were delightfully thunderous announcements and sensuous steamy scenes.
Bad Haiku on the Fly
Tale as old as time
Boring, icky, cringey, dumb
Beauty and the Beast
Notes
An overall disappointment, but since it was Heath, there were delightfully thunderous announcements and sensuous steamy scenes.
November 3, 2019
Heath phoned this in and the connection was bad. Not only that, I think she was multi-tasking at the same time, perhaps with the simultaneous writing of the sequels so she wouldn't have to write them later. Or perhaps it's just the jinx of those words "Lost Lords". Remember M.J. Putney's recent "Lost Lords" series? (I'm trying not to.)
So here we have a new series featuring the 3 orphaned sons of the Duke of Keswick. When their father dies, Sebastian (the older by 22 minutes) and his twin Tristan are 14 years old and their brother Rafe is 10. Evil uncle Lord David Easton wants to be duke and plots to kill the boys. Intrepid 12-year-old neighbor Lady Mary Wynne-Jones, daughter of the Earl of Winslow, rescues the boys from the Tower (Richard III, anyone?) where they are being held prisoners and the boys run away, never to be heard from until 12 years later.
OK, starting here I have some issues with this story. Point 1: Is it really possible to do away with 3 heirs to a dukedom and come out looking good? Point 2: These boys are the sons of a duke. The eldest is now the duke. Instead of running away and disappearing, couldn't they have found some allies to help them? A magistrate? A friend of their deceased father? Relatives of the mother? There was nobody to turn to?
But no. They're on their own. Sebastian drops Rafe off at a workhouse for the poor, sells Tristan to a ship's captain and he himself joins the army. I am struck dumb by the dumbness of all this.
But wait. There's more. After helping the boys to escape, Mary tells her father about Lord David's evil plans. What does her father do? Sends Mary off to a convent for years and isolates her from society. Ridiculous.
Like the Three Little Pigs, each Easton boy goes on to make his way in the world. Tristan becomes a successful ship's captain, Rafe makes it big in the underworld as owner of a gaming hell/brothel and Sebastian is a brave soldier who is wounded in battle and left one-eyed and disfigured. But they all get back together 12 years later and show up at a ton party ready to avenge evil uncle David and have Sebastian take over the title. And wonder of wonders, who's there but Mary, rather recently rescued from the convent by her caring aunt and being introduced to society. (How caring is this aunt, anyway, to wait a decade before rescuing her?)
That's how the story begins. Along the way, we'll have brooding, guilt-ridden, disfigured Sebastian and lovely, caring Mary find out they're meant for each other. There's a bunch of predictable, slow-moving story with little chemistry between H and h until the last quarter of the book and it's not as well written as I've found previous Heath books to be. I was underwhelmed by plot and romance.
So here we have a new series featuring the 3 orphaned sons of the Duke of Keswick. When their father dies, Sebastian (the older by 22 minutes) and his twin Tristan are 14 years old and their brother Rafe is 10. Evil uncle Lord David Easton wants to be duke and plots to kill the boys. Intrepid 12-year-old neighbor Lady Mary Wynne-Jones, daughter of the Earl of Winslow, rescues the boys from the Tower (Richard III, anyone?) where they are being held prisoners and the boys run away, never to be heard from until 12 years later.
OK, starting here I have some issues with this story. Point 1: Is it really possible to do away with 3 heirs to a dukedom and come out looking good? Point 2: These boys are the sons of a duke. The eldest is now the duke. Instead of running away and disappearing, couldn't they have found some allies to help them? A magistrate? A friend of their deceased father? Relatives of the mother? There was nobody to turn to?
But no. They're on their own. Sebastian drops Rafe off at a workhouse for the poor, sells Tristan to a ship's captain and he himself joins the army. I am struck dumb by the dumbness of all this.
But wait. There's more. After helping the boys to escape, Mary tells her father about Lord David's evil plans. What does her father do? Sends Mary off to a convent for years and isolates her from society. Ridiculous.
Like the Three Little Pigs, each Easton boy goes on to make his way in the world. Tristan becomes a successful ship's captain, Rafe makes it big in the underworld as owner of a gaming hell/brothel and Sebastian is a brave soldier who is wounded in battle and left one-eyed and disfigured. But they all get back together 12 years later and show up at a ton party ready to avenge evil uncle David and have Sebastian take over the title. And wonder of wonders, who's there but Mary, rather recently rescued from the convent by her caring aunt and being introduced to society. (How caring is this aunt, anyway, to wait a decade before rescuing her?)
That's how the story begins. Along the way, we'll have brooding, guilt-ridden, disfigured Sebastian and lovely, caring Mary find out they're meant for each other. There's a bunch of predictable, slow-moving story with little chemistry between H and h until the last quarter of the book and it's not as well written as I've found previous Heath books to be. I was underwhelmed by plot and romance.
August 7, 2020
Honestly, I thought it would be more dramatic since our heroine was engaged to a man and she kept sneaking out to see our hero but the man just gave her up too easily and i just oh ok. Everything else moved a little slower than expected so I didn't care. Also, I didn't buy their love.
April 8, 2018
Esperaba mucho más de está historia pero se quedó en normalita y no me han convencido ninguno de los personajes. Sin más.
November 10, 2021
“Their time apart had truly separated them. Now they seemed to be little more than strangers fumbling into an acquaintanceship. They traversed separate paths, the distance between them ever widening. It saddened her to consider they might never truly converge.” Sebastian had been living on nothing but the need for retribution ever since his birthright was stolen from him years ago. Now a hardened and scarred man, he finally came back for what is rightfully his. Lady Mary Wynne-Jones was shocked to discover that her childhood best friend was alive. There had been many rumors surrounding the lost Lords of Pembrook, speculations whether they were alive or not. Lady Mary had suffered greatly when she helped the said the Lords escape. Now that Sebastian is back, he was nothing like the boy she loved dearly as a friend in her younger years. Many things have changed. He is a scarred man and she is betrothed to another man but she can't help the need to help her old friend. But this need to help might just lead to many problems...one that could be solved by marriage to each other!
She Tempts the Duke is the first book from Lorraine Heath's historical romance series, The Lost Lords of Pembrook. Well, Who am I if not reading a series out of order? I've already read Rafe's story, the third and last book from this series which I've enjoyed better than this one. I had a hard time thinking of a synopsis because there was so much going on in the book yet it felt dry. I do not know if I am getting harder to please or if this book was just not satisfying at all.
Meet Lady Mary Wynne-Jones. She is the daughter of an earl. She was sent to a convent by her father when she helped Sebastian and his two younger brothers escape the tower which they were locked in by his uncle. She had her first season in London at age four and twenty, way past the marrying age (by society's standards back then). She was quickly betrothed to a viscount, heir to a marquessate. Her betrothed loved her dowry more than her. She fancied the said viscount. She was like a door mat at first, allowing her father and betrothed to tell her how to act. But she eventually grew a backbone and was back to being the girl who was courageous enough to help the young Lords escape their uncle's scheming.
Meet Sebastian Easton, Duke of Keswick. At age 14, he and his brothers escaped from their mad uncle who planned to kill them off in order to gain the title. He had no choice but to go separate ways with his brothers, ensuring that at least one of them survives to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. He spent years serving in the military. He is now a scarred man, literally. But he finally came back to reclaim his title as the rightful Duke and his beloved lands, most especially Pembrook.
Lady Mary and Sebastian were childhood bestfriends. They were very close. But of course, with the circumstances, Sebastian had to escape. They met again at a ball hosted by his uncle. He made a very grand entrance with his brothers. Mary was shocked but very happy to know that Sebastian and his brothers were still alive. Years being away from London and its glittering world, The Duke has a hard time adjusting. Mary sees that she's fit to help Sebastian. Many years had passed since the night she last saw him but her care for him is just the same. This need to help Sebastian eventually led to many scandals, ruining Mary's reputation and causing her betrothed to call off the engagement. Sebastian then offered marriage which she accepted. But Sebastian has many things he needs to over come, the marriage is not smooth-sailing. Things happen and he realizes that Mary is much more important than any of his lands and title. The end.
Oh wow this book was disappointing. I love Lorraine Heath's writing— especially the way she writes angsty books, she nails it most of the time. But she failed this time. Sadly, I felt nothing. The chemistry was not there. It felt so dry. I liked them enough to keep reading. It flowed well and I finished this book in one sitting but there was something lacking. I just did not believe in their love. The ending felt so rushed. There were so many things happening at once but at the same time it felt like there was nothing happening?
I loved the trope served here, could've been better if executed well. I am a sucker for Childhood BFFS to strangers to lovers. It sure is a recipe for an angsty read but this one just did not hit the right spot. I am not even sure I loved either of the heroine or hero. I did not dislike them, but I did not love them. They were just okay. The uncle was stupid and the reasons for his actions were cringy. Did he die in the end? I could not tell. The climax was so dramatic, I can't. Also, I am not the biggest fan of the sudden realization of undying love. I could be if it was done right but sadly, it did not work in this book. It felt very contrived. Anyway, I loved Lord Tristan and of course, Rafe. Their back story saddened me. But the romantic aspect of the book felt lacking.
Sebastian was an okay hero. I felt quite sad for him regarding his relationship with his brothers. I totally understand his motivations but well...“I could not take you with me. Not twelve years ago. I can take you with me now.” “It’s too late.” this made me sad. He was trying to be a good brother but at his young age, he could not be. Ahh! I loved whenever Lord Tristan and Lord Rafe appeared in this book. There were redeeming parts. It was not all that bad. It could have been better maybe if there was more chemistry? Then maybe I would've felt the angst.
Mary was an okay-ish heroine. Her time in the convent felt so random and was not discussed properly. It felt like the author just threw it there for the sake of it. She was so annoying at first, trying to please her fiancé who was obnoxious and later on married her cousin, Alicia. I liked her aunt, Lady Ivers and how she was the number one Sebastian and Mary shipper. I liked Mary enough to keep the story going but she isn't going on my list of favorite book heroines.
Over all, I am rating this book a 3 because it's not so bad that it should be given a two. However, it is not the most satisfying. Pretty forgettable and did not stand out. I wanted to love this so bad but I just didn't and it's sad. I hope my next Lorraine Heath read is more satisfying!
Some quotes:
"It was a public acknowledgment that regardless of how tattered her reputation, he would stand proudly beside her."
“How in God’s name do you think I would suffer if you were my wife?” “I bring with me scandal.” “You are no more notorious than I.” She bit her lip, gave a curt laugh. “I suppose our notoriety is tied together, isn’t it?” “Very much so.”
“For a moment it was almost as though they were there, as though the pain and separation of the intervening years had never happened.”
She clutched his arms. “Don’t leave me, Sebastian. Take me with you.” “I’m Keswick now. And I can’t take you with me, but I promise you that I shall return. Ten years, on this night, at the abbey ruins.” Bending down he gave her a kiss, brushing his lips so quickly and lightly over hers that it resembled little more than touching a butterfly’s wings as it took flight. “Thank you, Mary. I’ll never forget what you did for my brothers and me.”
She Tempts the Duke is the first book from Lorraine Heath's historical romance series, The Lost Lords of Pembrook. Well, Who am I if not reading a series out of order? I've already read Rafe's story, the third and last book from this series which I've enjoyed better than this one. I had a hard time thinking of a synopsis because there was so much going on in the book yet it felt dry. I do not know if I am getting harder to please or if this book was just not satisfying at all.
Meet Lady Mary Wynne-Jones. She is the daughter of an earl. She was sent to a convent by her father when she helped Sebastian and his two younger brothers escape the tower which they were locked in by his uncle. She had her first season in London at age four and twenty, way past the marrying age (by society's standards back then). She was quickly betrothed to a viscount, heir to a marquessate. Her betrothed loved her dowry more than her. She fancied the said viscount. She was like a door mat at first, allowing her father and betrothed to tell her how to act. But she eventually grew a backbone and was back to being the girl who was courageous enough to help the young Lords escape their uncle's scheming.
Meet Sebastian Easton, Duke of Keswick. At age 14, he and his brothers escaped from their mad uncle who planned to kill them off in order to gain the title. He had no choice but to go separate ways with his brothers, ensuring that at least one of them survives to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. He spent years serving in the military. He is now a scarred man, literally. But he finally came back to reclaim his title as the rightful Duke and his beloved lands, most especially Pembrook.
Lady Mary and Sebastian were childhood bestfriends. They were very close. But of course, with the circumstances, Sebastian had to escape. They met again at a ball hosted by his uncle. He made a very grand entrance with his brothers. Mary was shocked but very happy to know that Sebastian and his brothers were still alive. Years being away from London and its glittering world, The Duke has a hard time adjusting. Mary sees that she's fit to help Sebastian. Many years had passed since the night she last saw him but her care for him is just the same. This need to help Sebastian eventually led to many scandals, ruining Mary's reputation and causing her betrothed to call off the engagement. Sebastian then offered marriage which she accepted. But Sebastian has many things he needs to over come, the marriage is not smooth-sailing. Things happen and he realizes that Mary is much more important than any of his lands and title. The end.
Oh wow this book was disappointing. I love Lorraine Heath's writing— especially the way she writes angsty books, she nails it most of the time. But she failed this time. Sadly, I felt nothing. The chemistry was not there. It felt so dry. I liked them enough to keep reading. It flowed well and I finished this book in one sitting but there was something lacking. I just did not believe in their love. The ending felt so rushed. There were so many things happening at once but at the same time it felt like there was nothing happening?
I loved the trope served here, could've been better if executed well. I am a sucker for Childhood BFFS to strangers to lovers. It sure is a recipe for an angsty read but this one just did not hit the right spot. I am not even sure I loved either of the heroine or hero. I did not dislike them, but I did not love them. They were just okay. The uncle was stupid and the reasons for his actions were cringy. Did he die in the end? I could not tell. The climax was so dramatic, I can't. Also, I am not the biggest fan of the sudden realization of undying love. I could be if it was done right but sadly, it did not work in this book. It felt very contrived. Anyway, I loved Lord Tristan and of course, Rafe. Their back story saddened me. But the romantic aspect of the book felt lacking.
Sebastian was an okay hero. I felt quite sad for him regarding his relationship with his brothers. I totally understand his motivations but well...“I could not take you with me. Not twelve years ago. I can take you with me now.” “It’s too late.” this made me sad. He was trying to be a good brother but at his young age, he could not be. Ahh! I loved whenever Lord Tristan and Lord Rafe appeared in this book. There were redeeming parts. It was not all that bad. It could have been better maybe if there was more chemistry? Then maybe I would've felt the angst.
Mary was an okay-ish heroine. Her time in the convent felt so random and was not discussed properly. It felt like the author just threw it there for the sake of it. She was so annoying at first, trying to please her fiancé who was obnoxious and later on married her cousin, Alicia. I liked her aunt, Lady Ivers and how she was the number one Sebastian and Mary shipper. I liked Mary enough to keep the story going but she isn't going on my list of favorite book heroines.
Over all, I am rating this book a 3 because it's not so bad that it should be given a two. However, it is not the most satisfying. Pretty forgettable and did not stand out. I wanted to love this so bad but I just didn't and it's sad. I hope my next Lorraine Heath read is more satisfying!
Some quotes:
"It was a public acknowledgment that regardless of how tattered her reputation, he would stand proudly beside her."
“How in God’s name do you think I would suffer if you were my wife?” “I bring with me scandal.” “You are no more notorious than I.” She bit her lip, gave a curt laugh. “I suppose our notoriety is tied together, isn’t it?” “Very much so.”
“For a moment it was almost as though they were there, as though the pain and separation of the intervening years had never happened.”
She clutched his arms. “Don’t leave me, Sebastian. Take me with you.” “I’m Keswick now. And I can’t take you with me, but I promise you that I shall return. Ten years, on this night, at the abbey ruins.” Bending down he gave her a kiss, brushing his lips so quickly and lightly over hers that it resembled little more than touching a butterfly’s wings as it took flight. “Thank you, Mary. I’ll never forget what you did for my brothers and me.”
February 1, 2012
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: 4.5/5
They had become the stuff of legends – the lost lords of Pembrook.
Three brothers are all being held prisoner by their Uncle following their father’s mysterious death. The fourteen year old twins, Sebastian and Tristan, and ten year old Rafe are scared, hungry, cold and Sebastian is convinced that they’ll be killed if they don’t find a way to escape. When they hear a key in the door, he and Tristan are ready to attack, but Sebastian’s closest friend, young Mary, has come to help the boys escape. She overheard their Uncle talk of killing the boys and found a way to get them out. Sebastian makes the hard to decision to split everyone up, the boys taking off for parts unknown and Mary going back to her father, but makes a vow that everyone reunite in exactly ten years so they can reclaim what their Uncle has taken from them. Their father’s title, the land and most of all - they want vengeance.
Twelve years later, the young Lords of Pembrook have returned and Sebastian is ready to take the title of Duke of Keswick back, ensuring his Uncle gets nothing. They make a grand entrance back into London society, to say the least, by crashing a ball and Mary sees her friends for the first time in years. While all three brothers have lived rough lives, her closest friend Sebastian, has changed the most physically. He lost an eye in the war, has scarring on his face and body and gets many gasps and grimaces from people when they see him, but not from Mary. Once she moves past the hurt of not seeing her friend for years, she never pities Sebastian, but rather sees past the scars and eye patch that he hates and just sees him. As much as they both might want to reconnect after so many years apart, Mary is engaged to another man and being around Sebastian, even in the most innocent sense (which isn’t much considering it’s wicked Sebastian we’re talking about!) isn’t something her reputation or her future husband would take kindly to.
The story follows Sebastian trying to reconnect with the brothers he had to split with years ago, and living with the guilt of his decision to send them all away in a desperate attempt to save their lives. He still suffers nightmares, hearing Rafe cry for him as he left him an orphan, and hearing Tristan’s silence when he sold him. My heart went out to this guy who not only suffered having to make horrible choices as a young boy himself, but then suffered so much pain fighting in a war. The brothers are still dealing with threats on their lives from their Uncle, and won’t be completely safe until he’s dealt with.
Mary has also struggled in the years since the brothers left. She told her father the truth of what happened and in fearing for her life should word ever get out about what she heard from the boy’s Uncle, she’s sent away to a nunnery and left there. Her Aunt finally gets her out years later and gives her a season where she promptly meets Lord Fitzwilliam, who proposes. It’s no secret that he wants a large dowry, which will come with marrying Mary, and their match is not one of love, but her father wants to see her settled as he has no other heirs to take care of her once he’s gone. She’s content with Fitzwilliam, but one look at Sebastian and she’s drawn back to her friend and has a need to talk to him, be with him and ease some of the pain she sees in him.
I loved Mary from the start. She was a little tomboy and she and Sebastian were always off together on adventures when they were growing up. They told each other everything and she’s desperate to get her friend back in her life. While it never came across that they loved each other as young kids, not even puppy love, there’s a definite chemistry between them as adults and Mary gets closer to Sebastian and refuses to let him hide himself from her, scars and all.
“You’re going to douse the light, aren’t you?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“I wish you wouldn’t.”
Sadness touched his features. “For tonight. A woman’s first time…ugliness should not be a part of it.”
Tears clogged her throat, tears she refused to allow to rise to the surface. She could argue that he was not ugly, that she found everything about him beautiful, but she knew he was not of a mind to listen. It would build a strain between them, would dampen the joy they should find at this moment.
Lifting her hand, she cupped his unmarred side. “I’ll leave tonight to your superior experience, but rest assured I’m a fast learner and some night you will have to leave it to mine.”
Their relationship was so well written, the darkness in Sebastian slowly lifted the more he let himself get drawn into Mary’s life and she became, again, the person Sebastian could be most open with. It takes a lot of time, and Mary’s not even certain he’ll be able to love her. His sole focus is on getting his father’s land back and she thinks she may always come second to him. Of course love comes into play, it just takes them both a lot of time to get there and it makes it all the sweeter, once they both realize what they’re feeling. And when they’re together, Sebastian is so wicked in the best sense, and Mary is able to express exactly how she feels and starts to work her way around all the walls Sebastian has built up around his heart. Their scenes ranged from sweet and tender, to hot and naughty – my favorite combos!
“I might have to teach you a lesson about spying on me and withhold my favors.”
“I won’t allow it.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “And how, Your Grace, do you expect to carry out that threat?”
“I will kiss every inch of your skin until you are as close to falling to your knees with aching need as I am now.”
She grinned wickedly, and he thought he might burst. “I can see your aching need even with your trousers on. Hand me the towel that I might dry off and see to that need.”
“I want to dry you and then I intend to make you wet again.”
She gasped. “Such bawdy talk!”
“Bedchamber poetry.”
For fans of tortured heroes, this is starting out to be the series for you. All three brothers lived through tragic, hard times when they split up. We get details about what Sebastian went through and we know what Tristan and Rafe are currently up to, but we don’t know what they’ve endured. I, for one, can’t wait to get to know them better, understand what they lived through and how they ended up becoming the men they are today.
This was my first time reading Lorraine Heath and I’m kicking myself for not trying her books sooner. The characters she created in this story and set up for the series are so full of emotion and it was simply easy to connect in some way with each of the brothers and Mary. I completely enjoyed this story and will be eagerly waiting for book 2.
Blog rating: 4.5/5
They had become the stuff of legends – the lost lords of Pembrook.
Three brothers are all being held prisoner by their Uncle following their father’s mysterious death. The fourteen year old twins, Sebastian and Tristan, and ten year old Rafe are scared, hungry, cold and Sebastian is convinced that they’ll be killed if they don’t find a way to escape. When they hear a key in the door, he and Tristan are ready to attack, but Sebastian’s closest friend, young Mary, has come to help the boys escape. She overheard their Uncle talk of killing the boys and found a way to get them out. Sebastian makes the hard to decision to split everyone up, the boys taking off for parts unknown and Mary going back to her father, but makes a vow that everyone reunite in exactly ten years so they can reclaim what their Uncle has taken from them. Their father’s title, the land and most of all - they want vengeance.
Twelve years later, the young Lords of Pembrook have returned and Sebastian is ready to take the title of Duke of Keswick back, ensuring his Uncle gets nothing. They make a grand entrance back into London society, to say the least, by crashing a ball and Mary sees her friends for the first time in years. While all three brothers have lived rough lives, her closest friend Sebastian, has changed the most physically. He lost an eye in the war, has scarring on his face and body and gets many gasps and grimaces from people when they see him, but not from Mary. Once she moves past the hurt of not seeing her friend for years, she never pities Sebastian, but rather sees past the scars and eye patch that he hates and just sees him. As much as they both might want to reconnect after so many years apart, Mary is engaged to another man and being around Sebastian, even in the most innocent sense (which isn’t much considering it’s wicked Sebastian we’re talking about!) isn’t something her reputation or her future husband would take kindly to.
The story follows Sebastian trying to reconnect with the brothers he had to split with years ago, and living with the guilt of his decision to send them all away in a desperate attempt to save their lives. He still suffers nightmares, hearing Rafe cry for him as he left him an orphan, and hearing Tristan’s silence when he sold him. My heart went out to this guy who not only suffered having to make horrible choices as a young boy himself, but then suffered so much pain fighting in a war. The brothers are still dealing with threats on their lives from their Uncle, and won’t be completely safe until he’s dealt with.
Mary has also struggled in the years since the brothers left. She told her father the truth of what happened and in fearing for her life should word ever get out about what she heard from the boy’s Uncle, she’s sent away to a nunnery and left there. Her Aunt finally gets her out years later and gives her a season where she promptly meets Lord Fitzwilliam, who proposes. It’s no secret that he wants a large dowry, which will come with marrying Mary, and their match is not one of love, but her father wants to see her settled as he has no other heirs to take care of her once he’s gone. She’s content with Fitzwilliam, but one look at Sebastian and she’s drawn back to her friend and has a need to talk to him, be with him and ease some of the pain she sees in him.
I loved Mary from the start. She was a little tomboy and she and Sebastian were always off together on adventures when they were growing up. They told each other everything and she’s desperate to get her friend back in her life. While it never came across that they loved each other as young kids, not even puppy love, there’s a definite chemistry between them as adults and Mary gets closer to Sebastian and refuses to let him hide himself from her, scars and all.
“You’re going to douse the light, aren’t you?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“I wish you wouldn’t.”
Sadness touched his features. “For tonight. A woman’s first time…ugliness should not be a part of it.”
Tears clogged her throat, tears she refused to allow to rise to the surface. She could argue that he was not ugly, that she found everything about him beautiful, but she knew he was not of a mind to listen. It would build a strain between them, would dampen the joy they should find at this moment.
Lifting her hand, she cupped his unmarred side. “I’ll leave tonight to your superior experience, but rest assured I’m a fast learner and some night you will have to leave it to mine.”
Their relationship was so well written, the darkness in Sebastian slowly lifted the more he let himself get drawn into Mary’s life and she became, again, the person Sebastian could be most open with. It takes a lot of time, and Mary’s not even certain he’ll be able to love her. His sole focus is on getting his father’s land back and she thinks she may always come second to him. Of course love comes into play, it just takes them both a lot of time to get there and it makes it all the sweeter, once they both realize what they’re feeling. And when they’re together, Sebastian is so wicked in the best sense, and Mary is able to express exactly how she feels and starts to work her way around all the walls Sebastian has built up around his heart. Their scenes ranged from sweet and tender, to hot and naughty – my favorite combos!
“I might have to teach you a lesson about spying on me and withhold my favors.”
“I won’t allow it.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “And how, Your Grace, do you expect to carry out that threat?”
“I will kiss every inch of your skin until you are as close to falling to your knees with aching need as I am now.”
She grinned wickedly, and he thought he might burst. “I can see your aching need even with your trousers on. Hand me the towel that I might dry off and see to that need.”
“I want to dry you and then I intend to make you wet again.”
She gasped. “Such bawdy talk!”
“Bedchamber poetry.”
For fans of tortured heroes, this is starting out to be the series for you. All three brothers lived through tragic, hard times when they split up. We get details about what Sebastian went through and we know what Tristan and Rafe are currently up to, but we don’t know what they’ve endured. I, for one, can’t wait to get to know them better, understand what they lived through and how they ended up becoming the men they are today.
This was my first time reading Lorraine Heath and I’m kicking myself for not trying her books sooner. The characters she created in this story and set up for the series are so full of emotion and it was simply easy to connect in some way with each of the brothers and Mary. I completely enjoyed this story and will be eagerly waiting for book 2.
December 12, 2016
4 Estrellitas para ésta preciosa historia que me ha hecho reencontrarme con la histórica. Llevaba mucho tiempo apeteciéndome una historia "clásica" dentro del romance, y de una buena escritora. Aunque el libro no es la gran maravilla, ha cumplido su propósito y me ha entretenido.
En ésta nueva trilogía de Lorraine Heath, no encontramos una trama novedosa, de hecho, todas sus series de un modo u otro, tratan de herederos o nobles perdidos. En éste caso, los lores de Pembrook eran los hijos de un duque. La muerte de su padre, cuando tenían 14 (los gemelos) y 10 (el pequeño) años, les cambió su vida, encerrados en una torre, y probablemente amenazados de muerte por su tío, los jóvenes lograron escapar gracias a la ayuda de su amiga y vecina Mary.
Doce años después, los lores de Pembrook han vuelto para reclamar su herencia. Al escapar, cada uno vivió separado de sus hermanos por dispares circunstancias. En éste caso, el libro se centra en Sebastian, el gemelo mayor, y el heredero, el duque. Sebastian es un hombre totalmente diferente del muchacho que conoció Mary, es un hombre que ha conocido el horror y el sufrimiento, sus heridas son tanto externas como internas, y Mary tratará de traspasar todas ellas para llegar al corazón del héroe.
Realmente me ha gustado mucho el planteamiento de la novela. No tiene muchos sobresaltos, y no es una historia de amores imposibles. Aunque a ojos de la aristocracia puede que Sebastian y sus hermanos sean unos advenedizos y unos salvajes, en el fondo son nobles, y Mary es la hija de un conde, pero en su caso, está prometida con otra persona, cosa que hará que un romance entre ella y Sebastian sea imposible. Pero los acontecimientos que ocurren en la novela le hará traspasar todas las barreras.
Admito que como personaje me ha gustado más Mary que Sebastian. Es una mujer valiente y leal, por encima de todo, es buena persona, y en ningún momento dudas del amor y la devoción que siente por Sebastian y sus hermanos. Sebastian es un personaje más complicado, despectivo y huraño durante la mayor parte de la novela. A su vuelta tras doce años, se ganó la vida como soldado luchando en la Guerra de Crimea, y vuelve con heridas físicas importantes. Eso y su obsesión por recuperar su herencia, harán de él un personaje como digo más distante y malhumorado.
La pega se la pongo tanto al carácter de Sebastian, como al desenlace de la novela. Me ha sabido a poco, demasiado rápido y profundiza poco. Quizás con un mejor desarrollo, y una actitud más enternecedora por parte del protagonista, le habría valido un hueco en mi top ten personal de novela romántica. Aún así me ha parecido una muy buena novela, y ha hecho que me replantee que Lorraine Heath es realmente muy buena escritora, muy lejos de los allá mediocres "Lores Perdidos".
Mientras tanto, intentaré hacerle un hueco en otro momento a Tristan, el gemelo de Sebastian. Pero sin duda, quién más ganas me ha dejado de conocer su historia es Rafe, el pequeño.
En ésta nueva trilogía de Lorraine Heath, no encontramos una trama novedosa, de hecho, todas sus series de un modo u otro, tratan de herederos o nobles perdidos. En éste caso, los lores de Pembrook eran los hijos de un duque. La muerte de su padre, cuando tenían 14 (los gemelos) y 10 (el pequeño) años, les cambió su vida, encerrados en una torre, y probablemente amenazados de muerte por su tío, los jóvenes lograron escapar gracias a la ayuda de su amiga y vecina Mary.
Doce años después, los lores de Pembrook han vuelto para reclamar su herencia. Al escapar, cada uno vivió separado de sus hermanos por dispares circunstancias. En éste caso, el libro se centra en Sebastian, el gemelo mayor, y el heredero, el duque. Sebastian es un hombre totalmente diferente del muchacho que conoció Mary, es un hombre que ha conocido el horror y el sufrimiento, sus heridas son tanto externas como internas, y Mary tratará de traspasar todas ellas para llegar al corazón del héroe.
Realmente me ha gustado mucho el planteamiento de la novela. No tiene muchos sobresaltos, y no es una historia de amores imposibles. Aunque a ojos de la aristocracia puede que Sebastian y sus hermanos sean unos advenedizos y unos salvajes, en el fondo son nobles, y Mary es la hija de un conde, pero en su caso, está prometida con otra persona, cosa que hará que un romance entre ella y Sebastian sea imposible. Pero los acontecimientos que ocurren en la novela le hará traspasar todas las barreras.
Admito que como personaje me ha gustado más Mary que Sebastian. Es una mujer valiente y leal, por encima de todo, es buena persona, y en ningún momento dudas del amor y la devoción que siente por Sebastian y sus hermanos. Sebastian es un personaje más complicado, despectivo y huraño durante la mayor parte de la novela. A su vuelta tras doce años, se ganó la vida como soldado luchando en la Guerra de Crimea, y vuelve con heridas físicas importantes. Eso y su obsesión por recuperar su herencia, harán de él un personaje como digo más distante y malhumorado.
La pega se la pongo tanto al carácter de Sebastian, como al desenlace de la novela. Me ha sabido a poco, demasiado rápido y profundiza poco. Quizás con un mejor desarrollo, y una actitud más enternecedora por parte del protagonista, le habría valido un hueco en mi top ten personal de novela romántica. Aún así me ha parecido una muy buena novela, y ha hecho que me replantee que Lorraine Heath es realmente muy buena escritora, muy lejos de los allá mediocres "Lores Perdidos".
Mientras tanto, intentaré hacerle un hueco en otro momento a Tristan, el gemelo de Sebastian. Pero sin duda, quién más ganas me ha dejado de conocer su historia es Rafe, el pequeño.
July 19, 2022
almost a five-star read!!
January 30, 2012
When his father died, 14 year-old Sebastian was next in line to become the Duke of Keswick. But his power-hungry uncle locked him and his brothers away in the tower, with plans to kill them. He would have succeeded, if young Mary had not overheard his plans and set her young friends free. The boys ran for their lives. Now, more than a decade later, they are back --and ready to reclaim the birthright their uncle thought to steal.
Sebastian spent much of his time away as a soldier and is now horribly scarred. But when they meet again, Mary sees past that. Unfortunately, she is now betrothed to another man, which becomes problematic as she and Sebastian become drawn to each other. It's not the only problem, though. Sebastian's issues extend beyond physical scars. He believes himself a monster and has a hard time letting anyone in. Beyond that, he is so single-mindedly focused on reclaiming his estate, that he is blinded to the other things in life that could give him happiness.
I always enjoy a scarred/ tortured hero. Sebastian's physical and emotional damage makes him so vulnerable, while he presents such a detached and powerful exterior. Mary is loyal and true, fiery and brave. She is a worthy heroine to help him heal and to find joy again. I really enjoyed the love scenes and the way the author dealt with the scars. But I wish that it had not taken Sebastian quite so long to see his own feelings for Mary... feelings obvious to the reader from the very beginning of the story.
It was a little predictable. But between the love story and the danger brought on by the threat of Sebastian's displaced uncle... I still enjoyed the ride. Lorraine Heath also does a great job teasing us with the backstories on Sebastian's brothers, who will have books of their own as she continues the trilogy. Mmmm. More tortured heroes to come. 4 stars.
*ARC Provided by NetGalley
Sebastian spent much of his time away as a soldier and is now horribly scarred. But when they meet again, Mary sees past that. Unfortunately, she is now betrothed to another man, which becomes problematic as she and Sebastian become drawn to each other. It's not the only problem, though. Sebastian's issues extend beyond physical scars. He believes himself a monster and has a hard time letting anyone in. Beyond that, he is so single-mindedly focused on reclaiming his estate, that he is blinded to the other things in life that could give him happiness.
I always enjoy a scarred/ tortured hero. Sebastian's physical and emotional damage makes him so vulnerable, while he presents such a detached and powerful exterior. Mary is loyal and true, fiery and brave. She is a worthy heroine to help him heal and to find joy again. I really enjoyed the love scenes and the way the author dealt with the scars. But I wish that it had not taken Sebastian quite so long to see his own feelings for Mary... feelings obvious to the reader from the very beginning of the story.
It was a little predictable. But between the love story and the danger brought on by the threat of Sebastian's displaced uncle... I still enjoyed the ride. Lorraine Heath also does a great job teasing us with the backstories on Sebastian's brothers, who will have books of their own as she continues the trilogy. Mmmm. More tortured heroes to come. 4 stars.
*ARC Provided by NetGalley
September 26, 2014
BR with Aly!!
5 Beauty and the Beast Stars
I love reunion stories in Historicals, I absolutely adore them. This one did not disappoint. I didn't want it to end.
Sebastian, Tristan and Rafe Easton are forced to run after their father is murdered by their uncle and it becomes obvious that the same fate awaits them if they stay at their home. With the help of 12 year old Mary, the run and promise to be back in 10 years to claim what their uncle wishes to steal from them.
12 years later the lost lords of Pembrook return, each with his own secrets and scars, some obvious, some not so much. Sebastian Easton is now the Duke of Pembrook and his obsession with revenge is finally coming to pass. What he doesn't expect is seeing Mary after all these years and the feelings she inspires in him. Especially when you consider that she is betrothed to another man and that Sebastian doesn't think he can love anyone other than Pembrook anymore.
To be completely honest this book wasn't exactly fun. There was a seriousness that didn't allow much room for laughter. Especially the scenes that Sebastian tried to hide his badly damaged face from the world were heartbreaking. I loved seeing his progress though, although let me say that it took him a long time to get his head out of his ass.
Mary was the perfect heroine. Brave, loyal, trustworthy. I honestly don't have much to say about her except that I loved her. She was the best person to help Sebastian heal.
My favourite person in the book was Rafe. His mysterious, wounded persona was a magnet to my interest!
5 Beauty and the Beast Stars
I love reunion stories in Historicals, I absolutely adore them. This one did not disappoint. I didn't want it to end.
Sebastian, Tristan and Rafe Easton are forced to run after their father is murdered by their uncle and it becomes obvious that the same fate awaits them if they stay at their home. With the help of 12 year old Mary, the run and promise to be back in 10 years to claim what their uncle wishes to steal from them.
12 years later the lost lords of Pembrook return, each with his own secrets and scars, some obvious, some not so much. Sebastian Easton is now the Duke of Pembrook and his obsession with revenge is finally coming to pass. What he doesn't expect is seeing Mary after all these years and the feelings she inspires in him. Especially when you consider that she is betrothed to another man and that Sebastian doesn't think he can love anyone other than Pembrook anymore.
To be completely honest this book wasn't exactly fun. There was a seriousness that didn't allow much room for laughter. Especially the scenes that Sebastian tried to hide his badly damaged face from the world were heartbreaking. I loved seeing his progress though, although let me say that it took him a long time to get his head out of his ass.
Mary was the perfect heroine. Brave, loyal, trustworthy. I honestly don't have much to say about her except that I loved her. She was the best person to help Sebastian heal.
My favourite person in the book was Rafe. His mysterious, wounded persona was a magnet to my interest!
July 15, 2018
2.5 stars
I’ve heard a lot about this author albeit not this particular book and imagine my disappointment on the story that unfolded. Basically I was bored at many junctures with a storyline that was unengaging. The hero was annoying, cold and arrogant but not in a rake-ish, chemistry-laden way. He was just bland and irritating. The heroine was okay but not overly lovable. These two together were mundane.
I’ll not continue with this series because I’m not drawn in by the brothers set-up but I will try a book by this author that friends have loved and see if this was just a bad pick.
Narration was very good which is probably why I made it to the end.
I’ve heard a lot about this author albeit not this particular book and imagine my disappointment on the story that unfolded. Basically I was bored at many junctures with a storyline that was unengaging. The hero was annoying, cold and arrogant but not in a rake-ish, chemistry-laden way. He was just bland and irritating. The heroine was okay but not overly lovable. These two together were mundane.
I’ll not continue with this series because I’m not drawn in by the brothers set-up but I will try a book by this author that friends have loved and see if this was just a bad pick.
Narration was very good which is probably why I made it to the end.
May 26, 2013
She Tempts the Duke is the first book in Lorraine Heath's new
Lost Lords of Pembrook
series. An intriguing storyline, a scarred, tormented hero and a spirited heroine - this book had all the elements for being another winner from one of my favourite authors but it didn't quite live up to my expectations.
"Comparisons are odious" I know, but I couldn't help comparing Sebastian with Houston, the hero from another of Ms Heath's books, Texas Destiny . Both are scarred from their wartime experiences and share feelings of guilt, although for very different reasons, but I never felt drawn to Sebastian with the same emotional intensity as I did to Houston. Perhaps it was the way Sebastian's character developed. I just wanted to shake him until his teeth rattled for his obsession with Pembrook and his desire for revenge which totally blinds him to everything else including Mary. It takes a somewhat predictable life-threatening situation to finally bring him to his senses and make him realise what is truly important to him.
I like Mary. She is loyal, brave, kind and determined; everything a true heroine should be. She never pities Sebastian and, whilst he tries to hide his scars away in the shadows, Mary is never repulsed by them and sees them as a mark of his courage. I love the way she looks beyond his outward appearance to see the man he can be. She does have one TSTL moment towards the end of the book but I was willing to forgive that because of how fearlessly she helped the brothers escape and her continued championship of them throughout the story.
I like the interesting relationship between the three brothers who all carry their own scars both visible and invisible. Sebastian is tormented by terrible feelings of guilt for having abandoned Tristan and Rafe. When they all meet again, it's very much as strangers; strangers who have suffered greatly but refuse to confide in each other. I look forward to seeing how their relationship evolves during the course of next two books and I admit to being really intrigued by the enigmatic Rafe.
The villainous Uncle David seems rather a shadowy background figure who doesn't feature prominently until the dramatic climax. For me he lacked any real substance and I never felt that a very clear picture of him emerged.
Despite my criticisms, I did enjoy this book but just not as much as some of her earlier ones. Overall, it is a good, solid 4 star read.
VERDICT: A VERY GOOD READ
RATING: 4/5 Stars
SENSUALITY RATING: HOT
You can also find this review on my blog:
http://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com/...
The Lost Lords of Pembroke Series (Click on the cover for details):
"Comparisons are odious" I know, but I couldn't help comparing Sebastian with Houston, the hero from another of Ms Heath's books, Texas Destiny . Both are scarred from their wartime experiences and share feelings of guilt, although for very different reasons, but I never felt drawn to Sebastian with the same emotional intensity as I did to Houston. Perhaps it was the way Sebastian's character developed. I just wanted to shake him until his teeth rattled for his obsession with Pembrook and his desire for revenge which totally blinds him to everything else including Mary. It takes a somewhat predictable life-threatening situation to finally bring him to his senses and make him realise what is truly important to him.
I like Mary. She is loyal, brave, kind and determined; everything a true heroine should be. She never pities Sebastian and, whilst he tries to hide his scars away in the shadows, Mary is never repulsed by them and sees them as a mark of his courage. I love the way she looks beyond his outward appearance to see the man he can be. She does have one TSTL moment towards the end of the book but I was willing to forgive that because of how fearlessly she helped the brothers escape and her continued championship of them throughout the story.
I like the interesting relationship between the three brothers who all carry their own scars both visible and invisible. Sebastian is tormented by terrible feelings of guilt for having abandoned Tristan and Rafe. When they all meet again, it's very much as strangers; strangers who have suffered greatly but refuse to confide in each other. I look forward to seeing how their relationship evolves during the course of next two books and I admit to being really intrigued by the enigmatic Rafe.
The villainous Uncle David seems rather a shadowy background figure who doesn't feature prominently until the dramatic climax. For me he lacked any real substance and I never felt that a very clear picture of him emerged.
Despite my criticisms, I did enjoy this book but just not as much as some of her earlier ones. Overall, it is a good, solid 4 star read.
VERDICT: A VERY GOOD READ
RATING: 4/5 Stars
SENSUALITY RATING: HOT
You can also find this review on my blog:
http://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com/...
The Lost Lords of Pembroke Series (Click on the cover for details):
February 19, 2023
Tres jóvenes herederos huyen de su tío que los quiere muertos. Tras años alejados deciden regresar y reclamar lo que les pertenece por derecho.
Sebastian Easton, el legítimo duque de Keswick quiere recuperar su título, pero no es el mismo joven que se marchó, ahora es un hombre endurecido y con heridas de guerra tras su paso por el ejército.
Lady Mary Wynne-Jones es la joven que ayudó a escapar a los lores de Pembrook, prometida a otro, sigue queriendo mantener la amistad con ellos, aunque la sociedad no lo vea correcto.
Entre Sebastian y ella surgirán múltiples sentimientos y su relación parece tambalearse.
“Una tentación para el duque” es la primera novela de la serie. Sebastian, Tristan y Rafe Easton, los jóvenes lores de Pembrook huyen de su tío que los quiere muertos para hacerse con el título de duque de Keswick. Su amiga Mary los ayuda a escapar y se prometen reencontrar diez años después, cuando sean lo bastante mayores y puedan reclamar lo que les pertenece. Así es como los hermanos se separan y regresan siendo unos hombres muy distintos. Sebastian ha forjado su vida en el ejército, casi a punto de morir sufre secuelas que lo hacen ser todavía más determinante en su búsqueda de venganza; Tristan es ahora un pícaro capitán con su propio navío y Rafe es el hermético dueño de un casino.
Sebastian es el protagonista del primero de los libros, es el hermano mayor (gemelo de Tristan) y el que ostenta el título de duque de Keswick. Como hermano mayor se siente responsable de sus hermanos y a veces siente que ha cometido fallos, que las decisiones que tomó en el pasado quizá no fueron las correctas. Endurecido por la guerra, sus ansias por recuperar lo que es suyo lo mantienen con vida. Le mueve la venganza, pero volver a encontrarse con Mary está empezando a romper sus esquemas y su frío corazón... https://oceanodelibros.blogspot.com/2...
Sebastian Easton, el legítimo duque de Keswick quiere recuperar su título, pero no es el mismo joven que se marchó, ahora es un hombre endurecido y con heridas de guerra tras su paso por el ejército.
Lady Mary Wynne-Jones es la joven que ayudó a escapar a los lores de Pembrook, prometida a otro, sigue queriendo mantener la amistad con ellos, aunque la sociedad no lo vea correcto.
Entre Sebastian y ella surgirán múltiples sentimientos y su relación parece tambalearse.
“Una tentación para el duque” es la primera novela de la serie. Sebastian, Tristan y Rafe Easton, los jóvenes lores de Pembrook huyen de su tío que los quiere muertos para hacerse con el título de duque de Keswick. Su amiga Mary los ayuda a escapar y se prometen reencontrar diez años después, cuando sean lo bastante mayores y puedan reclamar lo que les pertenece. Así es como los hermanos se separan y regresan siendo unos hombres muy distintos. Sebastian ha forjado su vida en el ejército, casi a punto de morir sufre secuelas que lo hacen ser todavía más determinante en su búsqueda de venganza; Tristan es ahora un pícaro capitán con su propio navío y Rafe es el hermético dueño de un casino.
Sebastian es el protagonista del primero de los libros, es el hermano mayor (gemelo de Tristan) y el que ostenta el título de duque de Keswick. Como hermano mayor se siente responsable de sus hermanos y a veces siente que ha cometido fallos, que las decisiones que tomó en el pasado quizá no fueron las correctas. Endurecido por la guerra, sus ansias por recuperar lo que es suyo lo mantienen con vida. Le mueve la venganza, pero volver a encontrarse con Mary está empezando a romper sus esquemas y su frío corazón... https://oceanodelibros.blogspot.com/2...
May 13, 2021
Let me say first that hands down, Ms. Heath can write very well. Unfortunately, like in this story, she turns a character she first introduced as a feisty woman with a mind of her own, into a ninny when the battle is at its fiercest – when it matters.
In ‘She Tempts The Duke’, the story started great that I cannot put the book down. Imagine three ghosts crashing a usurper’s party. Man the work that would give those waggling tongues. I love my first glimpse of the hero – he did have great entrance worthy of any hero. Unfortunately, aside from the heroine’s heroic act on the story’s prologue, she came out lacking on the main story since no matter how much the author TOLD us how strong willed she is, she still has to conform to society. When she finally stood up it was too late to be heroic – to me - because by then she is already ruined and has nothing else to lose.
When the story got into the middle it became stale. (Was glad too since it’s about two in the morning) Suddenly the spirited heroine became a lamb lead here and there by her father and her betrothed – totally out of character! What’s more, the uncharacteristic actions made the story so drawn out that I finally sighed in relief when the story ended in a very predictable fashion.
The hero is another of Ms. Heath’s signature of tortured soul. I think Sebastian is a very flesh out character with his own fault and strength. Secondary characters are just as memorable.
Overall, this book will be a great read to first time reader for this author and die hard fans who loved the author’s style. But to me who read over five books from this author, the repetitive pattern of her plot development made the reading a bit, well tedious and predictable.
Why do I keep picking her up, you asked? The author can write and most of the time some twists in her story can still surprise me AND because my first pick authors do not write as fast as I wish. (Ahem…Ms. Singh, Ms. Laurenston/Aiken, Ilona Andrews and Ms. Victoria Alexander)
In ‘She Tempts The Duke’, the story started great that I cannot put the book down. Imagine three ghosts crashing a usurper’s party. Man the work that would give those waggling tongues. I love my first glimpse of the hero – he did have great entrance worthy of any hero. Unfortunately, aside from the heroine’s heroic act on the story’s prologue, she came out lacking on the main story since no matter how much the author TOLD us how strong willed she is, she still has to conform to society. When she finally stood up it was too late to be heroic – to me - because by then she is already ruined and has nothing else to lose.
When the story got into the middle it became stale. (Was glad too since it’s about two in the morning) Suddenly the spirited heroine became a lamb lead here and there by her father and her betrothed – totally out of character! What’s more, the uncharacteristic actions made the story so drawn out that I finally sighed in relief when the story ended in a very predictable fashion.
The hero is another of Ms. Heath’s signature of tortured soul. I think Sebastian is a very flesh out character with his own fault and strength. Secondary characters are just as memorable.
Overall, this book will be a great read to first time reader for this author and die hard fans who loved the author’s style. But to me who read over five books from this author, the repetitive pattern of her plot development made the reading a bit, well tedious and predictable.
Why do I keep picking her up, you asked? The author can write and most of the time some twists in her story can still surprise me AND because my first pick authors do not write as fast as I wish. (Ahem…Ms. Singh, Ms. Laurenston/Aiken, Ilona Andrews and Ms. Victoria Alexander)
February 2, 2012
It looks like it's going to be another great series by Lorraine Heath.
The story was a bit dark and also a bit predictable, but still a great read, bonus points if you love scarred and tormented hero's. Of the 3 brothers that this series will revolve around, Sebastian, the hero for this book, is scarred by far the worst.
The heroine in this story, Mary, was his childhood friend and she had saved the 3 brothers from certain death by their uncles hands. They felt they had no choice but to separate and run away for 10 years. When they do make their way back after 12 years, it is obvious they have had a horrible time of it. They crash the uncles ball by force and announce who they are. Mary is there with her fiance' and is the one who stands up and states that they ARE who they say they are. Of course there is a strong attraction between Sebastian and Mary, but of course he feels he looks like a monster and even though he is a rich Duke, she deserves more. ... yadda yadda, you know the rest :)
I am very interested to read the next two stories, just to see the details of how the other brothers lived while they were separated.
The story was a bit dark and also a bit predictable, but still a great read, bonus points if you love scarred and tormented hero's. Of the 3 brothers that this series will revolve around, Sebastian, the hero for this book, is scarred by far the worst.
The heroine in this story, Mary, was his childhood friend and she had saved the 3 brothers from certain death by their uncles hands. They felt they had no choice but to separate and run away for 10 years. When they do make their way back after 12 years, it is obvious they have had a horrible time of it. They crash the uncles ball by force and announce who they are. Mary is there with her fiance' and is the one who stands up and states that they ARE who they say they are. Of course there is a strong attraction between Sebastian and Mary, but of course he feels he looks like a monster and even though he is a rich Duke, she deserves more. ... yadda yadda, you know the rest :)
I am very interested to read the next two stories, just to see the details of how the other brothers lived while they were separated.
November 23, 2017
Es un muy buen libro para dar comienzo a una trilogía. La autora te muestra un poco de los personajes de los siguientes libros dejándote con las ganas de leer sus historias, pero si nos centramos en la trama principal, a mi me ha dejado fría...
Esta novela lo tenía todo para conquistarme... Un protagonista torturado, con cicatrices tanto físicas como psicológicas, que cree que ninguna mujer lo va amar nunca, ni cree que merece se lo merezca. Por otra parte tenemos a una protagonista valiente y leal, que no tiene miedo a enfrentarse a lo que sea para defender lo que cree que es justo.
Un amor infantil pero que al estar separados tantos años se tienen que volver a conocer de adultos.
Como digo una historia que lo tenía todo pero que no llegó a emocionarme como yo esperaba. Aún así tengo que decir que es entretenido y agradable de leer. Me han quedado ganas de leer los dos siguientes libros.
Esta novela lo tenía todo para conquistarme... Un protagonista torturado, con cicatrices tanto físicas como psicológicas, que cree que ninguna mujer lo va amar nunca, ni cree que merece se lo merezca. Por otra parte tenemos a una protagonista valiente y leal, que no tiene miedo a enfrentarse a lo que sea para defender lo que cree que es justo.
Un amor infantil pero que al estar separados tantos años se tienen que volver a conocer de adultos.
Como digo una historia que lo tenía todo pero que no llegó a emocionarme como yo esperaba. Aún así tengo que decir que es entretenido y agradable de leer. Me han quedado ganas de leer los dos siguientes libros.
July 19, 2018
La reseña en el blog http://alacamaconunlibro.blogspot.com...
January 14, 2012
Well, this book grabbed my attention from the very first page and never let go!
Sebastian Easton, Duke of Keswick, has had a very hard life. Nearly killed alongwith his two brothers as a young lad, he escapes unharmed to only have to split up from his brothers to protect them. Sebastian takes off to the war and in the process, he becomes quite scarred inside and out but the one thing that keeps him going is that he must seek revenge against his vile uncle. Life finally allows the three brothers to gather together in London and they find a quite dramatic way to announce their arrival back in society and Sebastian's proper place as the duke. And no one is more shocked by their arrival than Lady Mary Wynne-Jones....the young girl who freed the brothers and has been waiting twelve long years for any word of them.
Mary is overjoyed to see her best friend from childhood is back but is a bit shaken by her grown up attraction to Sebastian. After all, she is engaged to another, perfectly acceptable man. But that quiet, proper man is not quite the right fit for Mary who is strong, bold and cares deeply for those she cares about. And it is that deep, abiding caring that keeps her coming back to Sebastian and helping him try to find his new place in society. This causes a few burned bridges for Mary but allows this destined-to-be couple to find happiness together.
I adored this book! It is a wonderful, heart pleasing romance of childhood friends to lovers but mixed with enough danger that you will breeze through it and end with a happy smile on your face. I was not expecting the slight 'Beauty and the Beast' theme but it played out very well. Mary never saw Sebastians scars as anything to pity and her way of expressing this to Sebastian was a key turning point in their relationship. I also was very happy with the fact there is no cheating on Mary's fiance, besides one kiss. I'm always nervous about cheating while engaged to another but that is not the case here. In fact, it takes almost three quarters of the book for the major heat factor to kick in and I'm not really complaining. The storyline just moved along so well that when it finally happened, it was right. There is a strong sense of family between the brothers despite being apart for so long but with that comes many doubts on Sebastian's end but Mary is the perfect balm to help him heal. I am so eager for the next two books as there is so much history of the brothers to discover! Overall, this is a perfect romance that blends true love and danger in a way that will keep you up late finishing the book! 4 very solid stars
I received this eARC from Avon via netgalley.com
Sebastian Easton, Duke of Keswick, has had a very hard life. Nearly killed alongwith his two brothers as a young lad, he escapes unharmed to only have to split up from his brothers to protect them. Sebastian takes off to the war and in the process, he becomes quite scarred inside and out but the one thing that keeps him going is that he must seek revenge against his vile uncle. Life finally allows the three brothers to gather together in London and they find a quite dramatic way to announce their arrival back in society and Sebastian's proper place as the duke. And no one is more shocked by their arrival than Lady Mary Wynne-Jones....the young girl who freed the brothers and has been waiting twelve long years for any word of them.
Mary is overjoyed to see her best friend from childhood is back but is a bit shaken by her grown up attraction to Sebastian. After all, she is engaged to another, perfectly acceptable man. But that quiet, proper man is not quite the right fit for Mary who is strong, bold and cares deeply for those she cares about. And it is that deep, abiding caring that keeps her coming back to Sebastian and helping him try to find his new place in society. This causes a few burned bridges for Mary but allows this destined-to-be couple to find happiness together.
I adored this book! It is a wonderful, heart pleasing romance of childhood friends to lovers but mixed with enough danger that you will breeze through it and end with a happy smile on your face. I was not expecting the slight 'Beauty and the Beast' theme but it played out very well. Mary never saw Sebastians scars as anything to pity and her way of expressing this to Sebastian was a key turning point in their relationship. I also was very happy with the fact there is no cheating on Mary's fiance, besides one kiss. I'm always nervous about cheating while engaged to another but that is not the case here. In fact, it takes almost three quarters of the book for the major heat factor to kick in and I'm not really complaining. The storyline just moved along so well that when it finally happened, it was right. There is a strong sense of family between the brothers despite being apart for so long but with that comes many doubts on Sebastian's end but Mary is the perfect balm to help him heal. I am so eager for the next two books as there is so much history of the brothers to discover! Overall, this is a perfect romance that blends true love and danger in a way that will keep you up late finishing the book! 4 very solid stars
I received this eARC from Avon via netgalley.com
November 3, 2021
She Tempts the Duke is book 1 in Lorraine Heath’s The Lost Lords of Pembrook series. I have been making my way through LH backlist and this is my 7th series of hers. I have loved all the books I’ve read from her so I just go into them knowing nothing and this series grabbed my attention from the start…three young heirs are imprisoned in a tower by their unscrupulous uncle who plans to kill them. The young heirs get help escaping and are not seen or heard from for over a decade, until 12 years later the Lords of Pembrook show back up.
At just 14-years-old Sebastian finds himself, his twin brother Tristan, and their younger brother Rafe imprisoned in a tower by their uncle, whom they’re pretty sure plan to kill them as they fear he did the same to their father. Their greedy uncle wants the dukedom, titles and estates for himself and apparently will stop at nothing. Lady Mary, just 12-years-old, has been Sebastian’s best mate since childhood as they live on neighboring lands. Mary sneaks up to the tower and is able to release the 3 brothers.
The story cuts to 12 years later, much has changed since the lost lords of Pembrook disappeared. Mary, now 24, was sent to a convent by her father after getting involved. Thankfully her aunt got her out so Mary could have a season and now Mary is betrothed to a viscount. The lost lords show up at a ball, back to claim what is theirs, and find their uncle has petitioned for the Dukedom. Sebastian served in battles and has come back very scarred and wearing an eye patch after losing an eye. Tristan spent time at sea as a pirate and Rafe took to the London streets. Sebastian came to reclaim his titles and the Pembrook estate, but has never forgotten Mary, his first friend/crush/kiss.
I loved this story, no surprise since I love LH stories so much. The premise of this was done so well. I love a reunited childhood friends to lovers romance. I loved how all the brothers want to protect and care for Mary for saving them all those years ago and refer to her as “their Mary”. We have some caretaking in this where Mary ends up caring for Sebastian for 3 days, putting her betrothal in a sticky situation. Sebastian is a scarred, slightly broody hero that becomes obsessed with the Pembrook estate and the past and Mary definitely brings him back to the present. I liked Mary’s aunt and how she pushed for Mary to wed for love (her aunt eloped to Gretna Green for her own marriage). I’m very excited to read the rest of the series and find out more of what haunts the other brothers.
At just 14-years-old Sebastian finds himself, his twin brother Tristan, and their younger brother Rafe imprisoned in a tower by their uncle, whom they’re pretty sure plan to kill them as they fear he did the same to their father. Their greedy uncle wants the dukedom, titles and estates for himself and apparently will stop at nothing. Lady Mary, just 12-years-old, has been Sebastian’s best mate since childhood as they live on neighboring lands. Mary sneaks up to the tower and is able to release the 3 brothers.
The story cuts to 12 years later, much has changed since the lost lords of Pembrook disappeared. Mary, now 24, was sent to a convent by her father after getting involved. Thankfully her aunt got her out so Mary could have a season and now Mary is betrothed to a viscount. The lost lords show up at a ball, back to claim what is theirs, and find their uncle has petitioned for the Dukedom. Sebastian served in battles and has come back very scarred and wearing an eye patch after losing an eye. Tristan spent time at sea as a pirate and Rafe took to the London streets. Sebastian came to reclaim his titles and the Pembrook estate, but has never forgotten Mary, his first friend/crush/kiss.
I loved this story, no surprise since I love LH stories so much. The premise of this was done so well. I love a reunited childhood friends to lovers romance. I loved how all the brothers want to protect and care for Mary for saving them all those years ago and refer to her as “their Mary”. We have some caretaking in this where Mary ends up caring for Sebastian for 3 days, putting her betrothal in a sticky situation. Sebastian is a scarred, slightly broody hero that becomes obsessed with the Pembrook estate and the past and Mary definitely brings him back to the present. I liked Mary’s aunt and how she pushed for Mary to wed for love (her aunt eloped to Gretna Green for her own marriage). I’m very excited to read the rest of the series and find out more of what haunts the other brothers.
April 27, 2015
Lorraine Heath is a good writer. I will not fault her stories. What annoys the ever loving crap out of me is how authors like her (and there are others) have perfected the art of R-E-P-I-T-I-T-I-O-N. Ms. Heath always has interesting characters BUT she manages to drag out one or two plot points to interminable ends until I end up wishing she'd hurry the fuck up already. This affectation in her writing has become so tedious that after some re-thinking I see that all the books in the series she has written have the same style but she has not changed the formula.
STTD is the first book in a trilogy about the lost lords of Pembrook. Three brothers who are heirs to a Dukedom but who's father is killed and who's uncle them proceeds to plot to kill the heirs when they are children. A good friend from a neighboring estate literally rescues them by breaking them out of the tower and they leave their home only to return a dozen years later to exact revenge on the uncle. Now given a plot like that you would think there would be a lot more stuff to do other than to CONTINUOUSLY REHASH HOW scarred the resurrected Duke is. Or how unsure of himself as a result of his scars the resurrected Duke is. Or how he fights his life-long attraction to his childhood rescuer because he is too flawed to deserve her. Or how in spite of having an uncle out to kill them that he and his brothers blithely stroll through the Ton as if they've not a care in the world. Tedious. Boring. Dull. Whatever adjective that can describe this stupidity by the characters and the writer can be applied here. Now for the kicker... I will (as I always do) stick with this book. Why? well because Ms. Heath as perfected this kind of monotony to the point that the book is not horrible it's just too formulaic. So my final vote is that STTD is a quick way to pass a day or two in totally mindless reading if one is between books. I hope she really ups her game though because her talent like my mind is such a terrible thing to waste.
STTD is the first book in a trilogy about the lost lords of Pembrook. Three brothers who are heirs to a Dukedom but who's father is killed and who's uncle them proceeds to plot to kill the heirs when they are children. A good friend from a neighboring estate literally rescues them by breaking them out of the tower and they leave their home only to return a dozen years later to exact revenge on the uncle. Now given a plot like that you would think there would be a lot more stuff to do other than to CONTINUOUSLY REHASH HOW scarred the resurrected Duke is. Or how unsure of himself as a result of his scars the resurrected Duke is. Or how he fights his life-long attraction to his childhood rescuer because he is too flawed to deserve her. Or how in spite of having an uncle out to kill them that he and his brothers blithely stroll through the Ton as if they've not a care in the world. Tedious. Boring. Dull. Whatever adjective that can describe this stupidity by the characters and the writer can be applied here. Now for the kicker... I will (as I always do) stick with this book. Why? well because Ms. Heath as perfected this kind of monotony to the point that the book is not horrible it's just too formulaic. So my final vote is that STTD is a quick way to pass a day or two in totally mindless reading if one is between books. I hope she really ups her game though because her talent like my mind is such a terrible thing to waste.
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