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Touched by Fire
The DragonSlayer – The hero from his childhood stories personifies the man Colin Wescott, Earl of Haverwood wants to be. As a spy for England, he believes that if he chases Napoleon’s dragons, the evil blood of his father will remain at bay. Afraid he is wrong, he won’t let anyone get close enough to find out. When Colin is forced to find a wife, he searches for the perfect candidate, a mild-mannered woman, not too fetching. A woman completely unlike the notorious Miss Sarah Banks, who has awakened the dragon inside him.
When the twittering gossips pounce upon the rumors of the eligible Earl and the most notorious Miss Banks, he enters into a marriage of convince, a high-stakes battle of wills between the two. Sarah has thrown the dice, gambling that she can overcome the walls that Colin maintains around his heart, but can she? Or will the secret of Colin's heritage destroy them both?
When the twittering gossips pounce upon the rumors of the eligible Earl and the most notorious Miss Banks, he enters into a marriage of convince, a high-stakes battle of wills between the two. Sarah has thrown the dice, gambling that she can overcome the walls that Colin maintains around his heart, but can she? Or will the secret of Colin's heritage destroy them both?
294 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 31, 2001
462 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen O'Reilly
109 books65 followersKathleen O'Reilly wrote her first romance at the age of eleven, which to her undying embarrassment was read aloud to her class. After taking over twenty years to recover from the profound distress, she is now proud to announce her new career - a romance author. Kathleen lives in New York with her husband and their two children who outwit her daily.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 31, 2011
What a lovely story! Colin was adorable (even though I wanted to shake some sense into him a couple of times), Sarah was wonderful, Giles (Colin's butler) and Iris (Sarah's maid) were charming and funny, and Ms. O'Reilly's writing had a fairy tale vibe that made reading this book a very pleasant experience. Julie(Mom2lnb) and Rane have already written wonderful reviews, which you can read here and here, and I have nothing new to add. So I'm just going to share a small passage from one of my favorite scenes in the book:
"I won't make you stay with me."
"This is difficult for you to understand, isn't it?" Sarah walked toward him and pulled his head down to whisper quite loudly in his ear. "You are the most wonderful man I've ever known. I told you that several times and I'm tired of repeating myself because you're too stubborn to believe it. I love you, Colin. Why should I turn my back on the very best part of my life?"
Colin should get down on his knees and be forever thankful for having a woman like Sarah in his life. She had the patience of a saint. :)
"I won't make you stay with me."
"This is difficult for you to understand, isn't it?" Sarah walked toward him and pulled his head down to whisper quite loudly in his ear. "You are the most wonderful man I've ever known. I told you that several times and I'm tired of repeating myself because you're too stubborn to believe it. I love you, Colin. Why should I turn my back on the very best part of my life?"
Colin should get down on his knees and be forever thankful for having a woman like Sarah in his life. She had the patience of a saint. :)
November 16, 2009
Reviewed for THC Reviews
"4.5 stars" I love fairly tales, and Touched by Fire was a novel with a sweet fairy tale quality to it. The hero, Colin, has dreamed of being a DragonSlayer since he was a mere boy, and the heroine, Sarah, has been dreaming of a “gallant knight” with sherry-colored eyes who would come whisk her away from her loneliness and love her for who she is. Colin and Sarah had a magical first meeting and an instant attraction, which is something I usually don't care for much, but it really worked for me here. I think my liking of it was partially due to the enchanted atmosphere, but mainly because although they may have been instantly in lust with one another, they took the time to build a relationship instead of heading straight for the bedroom. I love the way that Colin and Sarah were always looking deeply into each other's eyes. I thought it was very romantic and helped to build that magical attraction even more. It also became a primary mode of communication between them. Sometimes it was difficult for them to communicate verbally, especially Colin, but their eyes always spoke volumes to each other. Both Colin and Sarah tend to hold back quite a bit, especially early on, because neither one really feels worthy of the other. I usually prefer for one character to be a bit more overt and persistent, and Sarah finally started actively pursuing Colin about a third of the way into the book but still doubted herself at times. It was definitely a difficult, uphill battle for her, but one that was well worth the fight.
Colin's biological father was a notorious and violent highwayman who had raped his mother. The old earl had claimed Colin as his son to preserve some dignity for his wife and spare her further disgrace, but he despised Colin and made sure that he knew his real parentage by constantly telling him that he carried the same evil that was in his father. Having had these lies drilled into him from the time he was just a boy and seeing the fear and grief that his mother suffered, left Colin fearful of himself and determined that he should never marry or have children. In fact, he had spent the better part of the last ten years as a soldier and spy in the Peninsular War, in hopes that he might die a hero's death and end his bloodlines. Now he is back in England and being forced to marry to save the beloved orphanage of which he is the patron, and that he felt was the only way to redeem himself. I really liked Colin's hobby of studying dragon lore, and how the dragons became a metaphor not only for the physical dangers in his life, but also for his emotional demons. Initially, I thought that Colin was a beta, because he is such a sensitive and wounded individual who truly believes that he will hurt the woman that he marries. As I read further though, I could definitely see alpha tendencies as well in his extreme protectiveness of Sarah and others. He was willing to sacrifice himself to save the orphanage, and didn't hesitate to rescue a young girl who had been sold into prostitution. He also has the heart of a lion and the courage of a warrior to have put himself on the line as a soldier. It takes Colin a long time to realize the truth and understand that his fears of propagating evil are unfounded, but when he finally does it's a beautiful thing.
Sarah is the daughter of a gambling hell owner who has her own share of demons to battle. She is a wealthy woman, but has lived with the censure of society all her life because of who she is. All she has ever wanted is be a part of the glittering social set, but girls like her don't get invited to balls and parties. After her father died, Sarah became very lonely, but the only men who come to call on her are nothing but fortune hunters. She dreams of a man who will simply love her for herself. When Sarah meets Colin she is convinced that she has found that man, but when Colin seemingly rejects her at every turn or sends her mixed messages, Sarah doesn't know what to think. She spends quite a bit of time going back and forth between thinking she isn't good enough for him but not being able to stop dreaming about him. Sarah sees something in Colin's eyes and actions that tell her there is more to him than he lets others see and that he truly does care for her. The one thing that Sarah's father, the consummate gambler, had taught her was that a Banks never looses, so she finally sets out on a determined quest to win his heart.
I loved that Colin and Sarah were both virginal characters, a rarity in romance. Their first love scene was far from idealistic, but it was realistic considering that both of them were very inexperienced. Colin also allowed his fear of himself to get in the way, causing him to make a highly unusual and unromantic request of Sarah which made the scene all the more uncommon. However, the experience changed Colin's whole outlook on life, and made him absolutely determined to pleasure Sarah the next time, and him taking the time to learn what he needed to know was quite romantic as were their remaining love scenes together. Another thing I thoroughly enjoyed about the story was Colin's butler, Giles, who was more of a father to him than a mere servant. It was hilarious how he was trying to covertly play matchmaker, and then coerced Sarah's funny little maid, Iris, to get into the act as well. Giles was probably the most well-rendered secondary servant character I've read since George Kemball from Liz Carlyle's books.
I honestly didn't realize until about halfway through the book that Touched by Fire was essentially Kathleen O'Reilly's debut novel (she had previously authored only one short story in a Harlequin Duet that was released one month earlier), and in my opinion, it was a very worthy early effort. There were a few minor things here and there such as wording and transitions that showed a bit of greenness but nothing that really detracted from my overall enjoyment. Ms O'Reilly has a very subtly emotional writing style that seems to speak volumes. It moves a little slowly in places, and I can see how it might not be for everyone, but her writing really pulled me into the story and wouldn't let go. It was rather like watching a richly drawn dramatic indie movie, punctuated with moments of humor and levity. Touched by Fire was my first read by Kathleen O'Reilly, but I enjoyed it so much, it earned a spot on my keeper shelf. I'm a little disappointed to say that it is her only historical romance to date, but in spite of that, I'm eagerly looking forward to diving into her contemporary backlist soon.
"4.5 stars" I love fairly tales, and Touched by Fire was a novel with a sweet fairy tale quality to it. The hero, Colin, has dreamed of being a DragonSlayer since he was a mere boy, and the heroine, Sarah, has been dreaming of a “gallant knight” with sherry-colored eyes who would come whisk her away from her loneliness and love her for who she is. Colin and Sarah had a magical first meeting and an instant attraction, which is something I usually don't care for much, but it really worked for me here. I think my liking of it was partially due to the enchanted atmosphere, but mainly because although they may have been instantly in lust with one another, they took the time to build a relationship instead of heading straight for the bedroom. I love the way that Colin and Sarah were always looking deeply into each other's eyes. I thought it was very romantic and helped to build that magical attraction even more. It also became a primary mode of communication between them. Sometimes it was difficult for them to communicate verbally, especially Colin, but their eyes always spoke volumes to each other. Both Colin and Sarah tend to hold back quite a bit, especially early on, because neither one really feels worthy of the other. I usually prefer for one character to be a bit more overt and persistent, and Sarah finally started actively pursuing Colin about a third of the way into the book but still doubted herself at times. It was definitely a difficult, uphill battle for her, but one that was well worth the fight.
Colin's biological father was a notorious and violent highwayman who had raped his mother. The old earl had claimed Colin as his son to preserve some dignity for his wife and spare her further disgrace, but he despised Colin and made sure that he knew his real parentage by constantly telling him that he carried the same evil that was in his father. Having had these lies drilled into him from the time he was just a boy and seeing the fear and grief that his mother suffered, left Colin fearful of himself and determined that he should never marry or have children. In fact, he had spent the better part of the last ten years as a soldier and spy in the Peninsular War, in hopes that he might die a hero's death and end his bloodlines. Now he is back in England and being forced to marry to save the beloved orphanage of which he is the patron, and that he felt was the only way to redeem himself. I really liked Colin's hobby of studying dragon lore, and how the dragons became a metaphor not only for the physical dangers in his life, but also for his emotional demons. Initially, I thought that Colin was a beta, because he is such a sensitive and wounded individual who truly believes that he will hurt the woman that he marries. As I read further though, I could definitely see alpha tendencies as well in his extreme protectiveness of Sarah and others. He was willing to sacrifice himself to save the orphanage, and didn't hesitate to rescue a young girl who had been sold into prostitution. He also has the heart of a lion and the courage of a warrior to have put himself on the line as a soldier. It takes Colin a long time to realize the truth and understand that his fears of propagating evil are unfounded, but when he finally does it's a beautiful thing.
Sarah is the daughter of a gambling hell owner who has her own share of demons to battle. She is a wealthy woman, but has lived with the censure of society all her life because of who she is. All she has ever wanted is be a part of the glittering social set, but girls like her don't get invited to balls and parties. After her father died, Sarah became very lonely, but the only men who come to call on her are nothing but fortune hunters. She dreams of a man who will simply love her for herself. When Sarah meets Colin she is convinced that she has found that man, but when Colin seemingly rejects her at every turn or sends her mixed messages, Sarah doesn't know what to think. She spends quite a bit of time going back and forth between thinking she isn't good enough for him but not being able to stop dreaming about him. Sarah sees something in Colin's eyes and actions that tell her there is more to him than he lets others see and that he truly does care for her. The one thing that Sarah's father, the consummate gambler, had taught her was that a Banks never looses, so she finally sets out on a determined quest to win his heart.
I loved that Colin and Sarah were both virginal characters, a rarity in romance. Their first love scene was far from idealistic, but it was realistic considering that both of them were very inexperienced. Colin also allowed his fear of himself to get in the way, causing him to make a highly unusual and unromantic request of Sarah which made the scene all the more uncommon. However, the experience changed Colin's whole outlook on life, and made him absolutely determined to pleasure Sarah the next time, and him taking the time to learn what he needed to know was quite romantic as were their remaining love scenes together. Another thing I thoroughly enjoyed about the story was Colin's butler, Giles, who was more of a father to him than a mere servant. It was hilarious how he was trying to covertly play matchmaker, and then coerced Sarah's funny little maid, Iris, to get into the act as well. Giles was probably the most well-rendered secondary servant character I've read since George Kemball from Liz Carlyle's books.
I honestly didn't realize until about halfway through the book that Touched by Fire was essentially Kathleen O'Reilly's debut novel (she had previously authored only one short story in a Harlequin Duet that was released one month earlier), and in my opinion, it was a very worthy early effort. There were a few minor things here and there such as wording and transitions that showed a bit of greenness but nothing that really detracted from my overall enjoyment. Ms O'Reilly has a very subtly emotional writing style that seems to speak volumes. It moves a little slowly in places, and I can see how it might not be for everyone, but her writing really pulled me into the story and wouldn't let go. It was rather like watching a richly drawn dramatic indie movie, punctuated with moments of humor and levity. Touched by Fire was my first read by Kathleen O'Reilly, but I enjoyed it so much, it earned a spot on my keeper shelf. I'm a little disappointed to say that it is her only historical romance to date, but in spite of that, I'm eagerly looking forward to diving into her contemporary backlist soon.
May 29, 2024
3 Dissatisfied- 'Didn't love it,didn't hate it' .stars
I didn't really feel for the characters at all, which is too bad because I ruined any chance of me enjoying the plot.I couldn't care less about what happen to both of them story-wise,overall the whole read just felt like a total time waste.
Also the ending came across a bit incomplete with a much need epilogue,missing.
Wouldn't really recommend this to anyone.
I didn't really feel for the characters at all, which is too bad because I ruined any chance of me enjoying the plot.I couldn't care less about what happen to both of them story-wise,overall the whole read just felt like a total time waste.
Also the ending came across a bit incomplete with a much need epilogue,missing.
Wouldn't really recommend this to anyone.
December 22, 2009
Colin Westcott had an unfortunate beginning. Though acknowledged as the legitimate child of the Earl of Haverwood, in truth he was the product of his mother's rape by a highwayman. The book opens with a nine year old Colin on the hill with the old earl to see his highwayman father's hanging, while the earl told Colin how blood would tell, and that he has that monster inside him.
Colin is now nearly 28, is the current Earl of Haverwood, and has until his birthday in a few months to marry, or his pet project - an orphans' home - will leave his control. How? Plot hole, my friends, plot hole. But continuing on, Colin has completely abstained from women his whole life, fearing he was a latent violent rapist like his father. Consequently he's determined to marry a woman who will not test his resolve to remain celibate. He'll certainly not think of marrying the beauty he literally bumps into at the opera. He wanted to kiss her more than a little bit.
It took some time for the characters to grow on me. Sarah Banks' character perplexed me. I know she was the daughter of a gambler who ran a gaming hall, but I had no idea why she was of any consequence at all to the bon ton, for good or for ill. There were a number of straight-up altercations between her and aristocratic ladies, when it seemed indifference would have been the more natural snub. I got the feeling that it was only because indifference wouldn't have been as much fun for Colin to avenge. Neither could I make much of her dogged persistence in pursuing him. So she dreamed of "sherry colored eyes" for six years, and his eyes are that shade, is that a good reason to go throwing yourself at someone?
For his part, Colin's determination to not marry Sarah grew wearying. Yes his overly-familiar butler did much of the matchmaking, but come on man! Her name's been dragged through the mud, everyone thinks she's his mistress, he enjoys her company - man up and marry her. That it took an abduction, a (near?)rape and a coaching accident to bring him up to scratch irked me.
His constant reference to dragons and being the "DragonSlayer" was exasperating. Every time I saw "DragonSlayer" I swear I heard someone holler "METAPHOR! COMING THROUGH!" I mean, beat me over the head with it much?
So now you're wondering how this book I obviously hate gets 4 stars. Well, reading this book was a lot like watching a play in a theater but constantly seeing stage hands, strings and bits of backstage. The plot was just sort of there, staring at me, being conspicuous, preventing me from buying into the fantasy completely. Didn't mean the play sucked.
I think the issue may have been that O'Reilly is an author of contemporaries, because it felt like she was uncomfortable with the setting, and so the atmosphere of Regency London was complicated and distracting. Though I point the above flaws out, I see where she was going with them, the execution just sorta spun me around a bit.
When she focuses on Colin and Sarah, the book is a joy. Colin's pain and worry wars with his feelings and desires. He's so desperate to do the right thing, to atone, to avoid being his sire that he can't see when he's doing more harm than good. Watching him gradually come to an understanding with himself is satisfying.
Sarah gives as good as she gets. She has all the self-confidence that Colin doesn't. She's the voice of reason for Colin. She won't let him get away once she realizes he wants her as much as she wants him. She won't let him doubt himself. After all, she thinks the world of him, and she's never wrong.
The sex was as awkward as it should have been for two virgins. Had there been mutual, simultaneous orgasms first go, my Sony reader would be in pieces right now. All of the love scenes, from the touchless one in the theater hallway through the bedroom scenes after their wedding are sensual, organic and blessedly free of turgid tumescences.
The emotions are right in this book, somehow, despite the awkward delivery. I couldn't help but enjoy it.
Colin is now nearly 28, is the current Earl of Haverwood, and has until his birthday in a few months to marry, or his pet project - an orphans' home - will leave his control. How? Plot hole, my friends, plot hole. But continuing on, Colin has completely abstained from women his whole life, fearing he was a latent violent rapist like his father. Consequently he's determined to marry a woman who will not test his resolve to remain celibate. He'll certainly not think of marrying the beauty he literally bumps into at the opera. He wanted to kiss her more than a little bit.
It took some time for the characters to grow on me. Sarah Banks' character perplexed me. I know she was the daughter of a gambler who ran a gaming hall, but I had no idea why she was of any consequence at all to the bon ton, for good or for ill. There were a number of straight-up altercations between her and aristocratic ladies, when it seemed indifference would have been the more natural snub. I got the feeling that it was only because indifference wouldn't have been as much fun for Colin to avenge. Neither could I make much of her dogged persistence in pursuing him. So she dreamed of "sherry colored eyes" for six years, and his eyes are that shade, is that a good reason to go throwing yourself at someone?
For his part, Colin's determination to not marry Sarah grew wearying. Yes his overly-familiar butler did much of the matchmaking, but come on man! Her name's been dragged through the mud, everyone thinks she's his mistress, he enjoys her company - man up and marry her. That it took an abduction, a (near?)rape and a coaching accident to bring him up to scratch irked me.
His constant reference to dragons and being the "DragonSlayer" was exasperating. Every time I saw "DragonSlayer" I swear I heard someone holler "METAPHOR! COMING THROUGH!" I mean, beat me over the head with it much?
So now you're wondering how this book I obviously hate gets 4 stars. Well, reading this book was a lot like watching a play in a theater but constantly seeing stage hands, strings and bits of backstage. The plot was just sort of there, staring at me, being conspicuous, preventing me from buying into the fantasy completely. Didn't mean the play sucked.
I think the issue may have been that O'Reilly is an author of contemporaries, because it felt like she was uncomfortable with the setting, and so the atmosphere of Regency London was complicated and distracting. Though I point the above flaws out, I see where she was going with them, the execution just sorta spun me around a bit.
When she focuses on Colin and Sarah, the book is a joy. Colin's pain and worry wars with his feelings and desires. He's so desperate to do the right thing, to atone, to avoid being his sire that he can't see when he's doing more harm than good. Watching him gradually come to an understanding with himself is satisfying.
Sarah gives as good as she gets. She has all the self-confidence that Colin doesn't. She's the voice of reason for Colin. She won't let him get away once she realizes he wants her as much as she wants him. She won't let him doubt himself. After all, she thinks the world of him, and she's never wrong.
The sex was as awkward as it should have been for two virgins. Had there been mutual, simultaneous orgasms first go, my Sony reader would be in pieces right now. All of the love scenes, from the touchless one in the theater hallway through the bedroom scenes after their wedding are sensual, organic and blessedly free of turgid tumescences.
The emotions are right in this book, somehow, despite the awkward delivery. I couldn't help but enjoy it.
August 10, 2010
I am amazed at the complexity and depth that this book embodies. It is very different and unique in it's plot and characters. I need to read it again just to "soak in it" some more. Here is my brief synopsis and critique:
Colin Wescott, the Earl of Haverwood, was conceived during the violent rape of his mother, while her husband was forced to watch. His father was an evil highwayman that sexually assaulted and terrorized many different women. After Colin is brought to his father's hanging and told of his parentage, the old Earl of Haverwood never lets Colin forget where he came from and the evil blood that must flow in his veins.
Colin's response is to flee from all hints of sensuality or lust. This man is a virgin in every sense of the word. He also believes that he is his "father's son" and goes on a vendetta to stop the chain of violence in his genes. He almost develops a fantasy world where their are "dragons", people who will do others harm, and vows to be a "dragon slayer", a person who will stop at nothing to make sure the vulnerable are safe. He protects orphans, is a war hero, and is a man of deep integrity. Ultimately he believes that all these traits are simply a "disguise" for who he truly is....an evil, untrustworthy criminal.
Sarah Banks is the wealthy heiress to a gaming house fortune. She, in society's eyes is ruined, for she spent her entire life in the company of the gaming house and it's patrons. She is constantly being pursued by men who want her fortune. She is holding out for her one true love...a man with sherry colored eyes. I know it is a little hooky, but guess what color Colin's eyes are? I guess if you believe in fate, or if you want to...this plot works.
This is a painful, complex, and difficult book to read at times. Colin is very tortured over his origin's and the verbal assaults that come from his step-father. He was an innocent victim of his father's crime as was his mother, but he has payed for it every day of his life. So heart breaking. Sarah sees him (or really his eyes) and knows that he is THE ONE. This book tells the story of Colin coming to terms with his past and learning how to trust himself and separate himself from his evil father. Sarah is the catalyst that forces his awakening. It is just a beautiful love story.
Colin Wescott, the Earl of Haverwood, was conceived during the violent rape of his mother, while her husband was forced to watch. His father was an evil highwayman that sexually assaulted and terrorized many different women. After Colin is brought to his father's hanging and told of his parentage, the old Earl of Haverwood never lets Colin forget where he came from and the evil blood that must flow in his veins.
Colin's response is to flee from all hints of sensuality or lust. This man is a virgin in every sense of the word. He also believes that he is his "father's son" and goes on a vendetta to stop the chain of violence in his genes. He almost develops a fantasy world where their are "dragons", people who will do others harm, and vows to be a "dragon slayer", a person who will stop at nothing to make sure the vulnerable are safe. He protects orphans, is a war hero, and is a man of deep integrity. Ultimately he believes that all these traits are simply a "disguise" for who he truly is....an evil, untrustworthy criminal.
Sarah Banks is the wealthy heiress to a gaming house fortune. She, in society's eyes is ruined, for she spent her entire life in the company of the gaming house and it's patrons. She is constantly being pursued by men who want her fortune. She is holding out for her one true love...a man with sherry colored eyes. I know it is a little hooky, but guess what color Colin's eyes are? I guess if you believe in fate, or if you want to...this plot works.
This is a painful, complex, and difficult book to read at times. Colin is very tortured over his origin's and the verbal assaults that come from his step-father. He was an innocent victim of his father's crime as was his mother, but he has payed for it every day of his life. So heart breaking. Sarah sees him (or really his eyes) and knows that he is THE ONE. This book tells the story of Colin coming to terms with his past and learning how to trust himself and separate himself from his evil father. Sarah is the catalyst that forces his awakening. It is just a beautiful love story.
April 2, 2016
Meh
The story started out pretty good then took a nose dive, becoming repettitive, and drawn out. The believability and logical sense of this book was almost nil. I'm not a stickler for historical accuracy, but this clearly, even to me had me rolling my eyes.
The characters were also meh. Giles was the best developed IMHO who was the hero's butler.
To list all of my problems with this book would be tedious. Aside from historical inaccuracies and lack of believablility, there were loose ends. The romance was bordering pathetic and the hero's reason for being tormented was weak. The pace was haphazard sometimes steady sometimes painfully slow and rushed at the end. Characters dropped in and then were soon forgotten. There were too many plotlines that were just scattered about and the character's thought processess were at most times bi-polar.
Overall, it wasn't terrible but it wasn't good. Just meh.
I would skip it unless you can get it for free.
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March 25, 2012
My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book...
I had real mixed feeling while reading Touched by Fire. This was my 1st Kathleen O’Reilly book. Whatever I at first thought about the story, the writing, in the end I couldn’t help the big loopy grin and a wistful sigh for Colin and Sarah. I must say, a variety of emotions those were. Let’s just get into the review first.
Colin is an Earl but he’s not the old, deceased earl’s son. His lifestory is kind of sad, to say the least, when I think of the circumstances of his birth. His mother was raped by a notorious highwayman, who was hanged later for his many crimes, and the end result was Colin. His mother suffered all her short life because of this, with mental instability and so on. We don’t really get a lot of narratives on this but I guess it was for the best. Most of it comes out of Colin’s many musings on his life and his own insecurities- because he was the son of a nasty criminal and what would happen if his identity is revealed to his peers. Colin’s mother died, leaving him young but the old earl never, not once, let him forget where he came from as if it was Colin’s fault. My god but the guy tortured him with his words and insinuations from a very young age (and I had this urge to bring the nasty man from his grave to kill him again!). Colin went on the war with the French, came back, and inherited as the old earl died. I think the only person who knows about his real parentage apart from his mother and the old earl was his trustworthy, middle-aged butler, Giles. Giles was more of a father-figure to Colin than any of the man who should’ve been and I’ll talk about Giles later in the review since he plays his big role throughout the story. Anyway, I already talked about Colin’s vulnerabilities. He is always in a conflict with himself, I can totally believe the kind of psychological pressure it was for a young man to have learn such nasty things about his parentage and then hear about it all the freakin’ time! Because of what his highwayman father did to people, especially women, Colin has always kept his passion in check. Yes, he’s still a virgin because the idea of bedding a woman brings back some scary thoughts, like what if he’s like his father and abuses the woman at the height of his passion. It came over and over again in the story, at times frustrating me because he kept pushing Sarah away. Colin coped with his stronger inner emotions with his metaphors of dragons and Dragon Slayer. I was, at first, a bit baffled because it seemed childish for a grown up like him. But, as I got deep into the story, I begin to see the points and sympathize with him. Dragons are always bad, as far as the story goes while Dragon Slayers solve the problems by killing them. But to Colin, he is the dragon in his mind, though he tries to convince himself that he’s the Dragon Slayer who kills dragons and saves the world. See this conflict he has with himself? It was really heart tugging at times, when he wasn’t being frustrating to me.
He and Sarah meet in an opera for the 1st time after Colin returns from the war. This 1st meeting, somehow, didn’t make the strong impression on me, as it apparently did to them. So when Sarah began her tenacious campaign of having Colin no matter what, I was a bit baffled, again. I mean why? They don’t know each-other, at all. It wasn’t really a ‘love at first sight’ kind of meeting... why? Now I have to talk about Sarah. Sarah is a bit notorious on her own, but again, it’s about where she was born and not what she did... well maybe, a little of what she did. Lol Sarah’s late father used to be an infamous gambling club owner. His wife left him because of this and Sarah was his only child. Sarah has always been in a gambling club from a very young age, and now is the owner of this gambling club, with the assistance of a French Viscount, whose wife cooks for the club. Because of her lifestyle and her birth, Sarah was never welcomed in the elites of the society but has always been maligned and spurned by them. In reality, Sarah doesn’t deserve this. She’s smart and strong, even though a spinster now, she’s not even promiscuous. Yes, she’s beautiful, which is why a lot of those elite men made dirty propositions to her. Some would want to marry her for sure but that’s all because they are fortune hunters. But Sarah wants her own family, wants a man to call her own; someone who would love and care for her. By now Sarah thought she’s inured to those insults. Her father somehow convinced her that a man with sherry colored eyes is the strongest and most honorable. So when she meets Colin in the opera and looks into his eyes (which were sherry colored, duh!), she instantly thinks he is THE ONE. Can you tell I was wee bit, er, not happy about this? I mean doesn’t it sound just... childish? Yes, for the 1st few chapters of the book I was confused as hell because the writing felt a bit choppy too. I was confused about Sarah and Colin’s intentions. I was confused about Colin’s numerous dragon metaphors... and was wee bit on the bored side.
Sarah was pretty sure she’s going to have Colin, if only he didn’t back away from her the moment she thought he was going to kiss her in the opera. What she didn’t know was about Colin’s troubles about women. She interpreted it wrong and was seriously unhappy about it. But her middle aged maid Iris, who was a fun character along with Colin’s butler Giles, understood her dilemma. Iris was Sarah’s friend, well, sort of. As the stories of Sarah and Colin’s meeting goes viral on gossip pages, both Giles and Iris knew they have work on their hands and they plan. But the first plan comes from Giles, who is quite secured about his position and knows no matter what, Colin would never fire him. Even though I should’ve been really pissed about the kind of mischief Giles and Iris did together, I wasn’t really. I felt that both of these servants have only one goal in common, and it was a good cause- to bring two lonely and unhappy souls together. They saw that Colin and Sarah needed each-other, even though their’s was a bad start. Trouble was, after seeing the gossip pages, Colin is determined to marry some insipid miss, the sole goal of which is that this miss would never inspire any kind of passion in him the way Sarah does. It scares him to hell; just relate this with his thoughts on what he might do to a woman and you’ll understand. He just doesn’t want to hurt Sarah and see hatred in her eyes. We all know it’s all in his mind so I couldn’t really blame him for this. Giles, outwardly, shows that he would help Colin in his endeavor to find a wife but on the inside, he’s planning. His plans, needless to say, go wrong most of the times. One time he goes to Sarah with an apology from Colin about something, Sarah knew he’s lying. He tries more of this and then, finally he decides to seek out Iris’s help. I really liked these two together, how Iris was kinda waspish towards Giles at first but came together eagerly as long as it means happiness for Sarah.
Sarah attends a ball, only to find Colin. She just wanted to show him that she can be as good as any other Ton woman. But this outing doesn’t go well. Colin keeps his back on her (just think about the dragons that dwells inside of him because honestly, the only thing he wanted was to make love to Sarah... sadly, of course, Sarah didn’t know) and Sarah is hurt. The French Viscountess accompanies her but she cautions Sarah against Colin. Then the mother of Colin’s almost intended makes insinuations about her and Colin’s relationship. So, yes, this outing was a disaster! Then Giles and Iris finally make plans of inviting Sarah in a dinner. There was a dinner at Colin’s where his intended was also invited with her family. Giles brings flowers and such with Colin’s name and lies again about Colin inviting her. Sarah’s fool heart is dancing and she believes in it. This meeting goes kinda awkward. The insipid miss’s mother again makes insinuations towards her. And, Colin? He inadvertently ends up hurting Sarah again by showing his reluctance. It almost ends in a disaster when an angry Sarah was trying to find her carriage and someone tries to kill her with another. Colin, who was chasing after, saves her.
In the meantime, a Frenchman, Etienne was meeting with Colin. Etienne is a friend of Colin’s from the wartime. He brings news for Colin of another possibility of war. Colin decides he would go to war once again when the call comes. In his subconscious mind, it’s really important for him to prove himself anything other than a brutal highwayman’s son. Colin is essentially a good man, although he didn’t believe in it. He runs this orphanage which is named after St. George. He loves this orphanage and to properly obtain it he must marry soon. After the carriage incident Colin is very worried about Sarah. It was plain to see he cares for her, now if only he’d listen to his heart rather than his head! He meets Sarah again, in her house this time. He couldn’t help but kiss her. After this meeting, Colin takes Sarah to an amphitheater show. No matter what he’s feeling at the moment for Sarah, Colin is still strong about marrying that insipid miss he’s chosen. While going home from the amphitheater, Colin and Sarah’s carriage is accosted by a highwayman. Not that the man could do any real harm as Colin kills him. But after two incidents, Colin keeps thinking, is the person after him or Sarah? Then Colin meets up with Etienne again, asking for his help about this situation. He asks Etienne to keep an eye on Sarah for her safety. On the trail of his investigation, Colin goes to this rundown inn in the shady area of London, where he saves a young girl who was being used in prostitution by the greedy innkeeper. Colin feels sick seeing this but he also gets some information from the girl. Apparently, she was sold from another orphanage by the manager. Colin takes note of ‘taking care’ of the man and moving the children to St. George (he does both later) but he takes the girl, Nancy, to Sarah hoping she’d give her some tasks and keep her. Sarah does of course. Now, Colin knows Sarah wants him as much as he does. In this meeting, even after they kiss and such, because of his vulnerabilities where Sarah was concerned, Colin again pushes her away and hunts her. Honestly, I was getting really pissed at Colin for hurting Sarah so. I wanted to shake him, pinch him... do something so that he makes up his mind!
Meanwhile, their confrontation with the highwayman comes out and the insipid miss comes to visit Sarah. She’s not actually bad or rude and it’s apparent that she’s in love with someone else. She tries to convince Sarah to do something so that Colin takes off his attentions from her. This ticks Sarah’s mind, as in why not? She wants him and she’s determined to have him (I salute her for being so willful where he was concerned cause if paid off big time in the end!) and so, she plans to attend another ball, even though she hates those. We also get to see St. George and what’s Colin’s generosity is doing to the house. It was really nice and it gave Colin a sense of well-being, that he’s doing something good for these children. Anyway, Colin of course attends the ball and things don’t go very well. Sarah is kinda desperate at the moment. If Colin doesn’t make her his, she knows she’ll spend her life mourning her loss. In the garden, when Colin follows her outside, Sarah finally makes a proposition; something I didn’t like but I could see where it was coming from- to make her his mistress. Why not, the society already thinks she’s his mistress. Why not, as long as she gets to be with him. Oh, it really made me sad. When some drunkard makes slurring comments about them, Colin asks Sarah to go inside. Once inside, Sarah give a thought to this whole mess and decides she can’t really do this. Sarah goes out again to find Colin and let him know her decision. In the meantime, Colin took care of the drunkard and meets up with Etienne and one Colonel Scovell, who was his officer in the war. But Sarah didn’t know it and sadly, she’s kidnapped by someone else. The dirty guy knocks her senseless and takes her in a carriage. Coming from the meeting, Colin sees her being taken in the carriage and he follows like a mad man. The kidnapper tries to abuse Sarah in the carriage but isn’t quite successful. Colin and Etienne, who’s acting as his coachman for sometimes now, find them soon enough (thanks god for that!). The kidnapper flees and Colin takes an unconscious Sarah to a nearest house. After this, Colin kinda gave in to the fact that he has to marry Sarah, if only for her safety.
Sarah is ecstatic about this news. They travel to Colin’s country estate and marry soon. But trouble begins as Colin won’t make love to her...... yes, ugh, I know. It’s not that he doesn’t really want to, it’s not that Sarah doesn’t want to... and yet he won’t. He keeps saying that she needs to recover from her ordeal with the kidnapping. Sarah gets frustrated and damn well she should! But Colin does some really great gestures for her. After the kidnapping, Sarah couldn’t stand the smell of roses since before the kidnapping, she was given a bouquet of roses in Colin’s name. When Sarah wakes up in the country house before their marriage, she became sick with the sight and smell of the roses in her room. Colin comes in to soothe her fears away. One day, Sarah makes the discovery that Colin has ditched all the roses in the estate and buried them! This makes Sarah melt more for him (me too). I mean this is the kind of small but sweet gestures Colin continues throughout the story, which is why even though I should’ve kicked him for being so frustrating, I just couldn’t. Sarah, in the meantime, gets to learn about Colin, the man and his fascinations about dragons and other kinds of mythical serpents. Colin takes pride in discussing his knowledge about those. BTW: did I tell you that Giles was immensely happy with the turn of the events? Soon Iris and Nancy join them all here. Back to their marital trouble of not making love. This time, Sarah takes the bull by the horn. She does something and makes Colin lose his control. Even though, by no means, their first time together was perfect, it was great for me nonetheless. I knew Colin just needed to learn that he won’t hurt Sarah. Sarah, by now, sensed a little of his vulnerabilities and keeps saying to him that he won’t hurt her.
Soon enough, letter from the war office comes and Colin knows he has to go away soon. So he decides to finalize everything about St. George now that he’s married and all. He and Sarah, with Nancy, visit the place. This meeting doesn’t go well, to say the least because we finally come face to face about the scoundrel who was trying all these kidnapping and so on. I did love the way the whole thing was handled by Colin on Sarah’s insistence. I loved how he talked to her about his true parentage. He was scared that she’d run from him but why would Sarah? The fear of scandal doesn’t matter to her in any way! Then Colin goes away to war but promising Sarah that he’d return to her no matter what. Oh, the final chapters were just sooo good! I kept sighing all over them!! Whatever I felt about the book in the beginning just melted away in the end. I loved it. I finally saw why Colin was as he was and his complex thought process. I saw that dragons can be as bad, as they can be sad... Dragon Slayers can have their tough times too. It was actually great that Sarah never gave up on Colin, because no matter how exasperating he was for the better part of the book, he was a man worth having. He was adorable... I’m happily giving this book a 4 star.
PS: I told you I hated the old Earl. Almost at the end of the story, Colin reads a letter from the vile and pathetic old SOB, in hopes that maybe, just maybe his parentage wasn’t as the earl made it to be. Maybe in death, the man confessed or something. But alas, no. This letter full of hateful words hurts Colin, again, if I might add. Even dead the man couldn’t leave the poor babe be! He made Colin cry!!!! Lord, I was mad, soooo MAD on his behalf! :@
Can’t finish off my review without something like this, can I? BTW: I just adore the cover. That man, YUM! ;)
I had real mixed feeling while reading Touched by Fire. This was my 1st Kathleen O’Reilly book. Whatever I at first thought about the story, the writing, in the end I couldn’t help the big loopy grin and a wistful sigh for Colin and Sarah. I must say, a variety of emotions those were. Let’s just get into the review first.
Colin is an Earl but he’s not the old, deceased earl’s son. His lifestory is kind of sad, to say the least, when I think of the circumstances of his birth. His mother was raped by a notorious highwayman, who was hanged later for his many crimes, and the end result was Colin. His mother suffered all her short life because of this, with mental instability and so on. We don’t really get a lot of narratives on this but I guess it was for the best. Most of it comes out of Colin’s many musings on his life and his own insecurities- because he was the son of a nasty criminal and what would happen if his identity is revealed to his peers. Colin’s mother died, leaving him young but the old earl never, not once, let him forget where he came from as if it was Colin’s fault. My god but the guy tortured him with his words and insinuations from a very young age (and I had this urge to bring the nasty man from his grave to kill him again!). Colin went on the war with the French, came back, and inherited as the old earl died. I think the only person who knows about his real parentage apart from his mother and the old earl was his trustworthy, middle-aged butler, Giles. Giles was more of a father-figure to Colin than any of the man who should’ve been and I’ll talk about Giles later in the review since he plays his big role throughout the story. Anyway, I already talked about Colin’s vulnerabilities. He is always in a conflict with himself, I can totally believe the kind of psychological pressure it was for a young man to have learn such nasty things about his parentage and then hear about it all the freakin’ time! Because of what his highwayman father did to people, especially women, Colin has always kept his passion in check. Yes, he’s still a virgin because the idea of bedding a woman brings back some scary thoughts, like what if he’s like his father and abuses the woman at the height of his passion. It came over and over again in the story, at times frustrating me because he kept pushing Sarah away. Colin coped with his stronger inner emotions with his metaphors of dragons and Dragon Slayer. I was, at first, a bit baffled because it seemed childish for a grown up like him. But, as I got deep into the story, I begin to see the points and sympathize with him. Dragons are always bad, as far as the story goes while Dragon Slayers solve the problems by killing them. But to Colin, he is the dragon in his mind, though he tries to convince himself that he’s the Dragon Slayer who kills dragons and saves the world. See this conflict he has with himself? It was really heart tugging at times, when he wasn’t being frustrating to me.
He and Sarah meet in an opera for the 1st time after Colin returns from the war. This 1st meeting, somehow, didn’t make the strong impression on me, as it apparently did to them. So when Sarah began her tenacious campaign of having Colin no matter what, I was a bit baffled, again. I mean why? They don’t know each-other, at all. It wasn’t really a ‘love at first sight’ kind of meeting... why? Now I have to talk about Sarah. Sarah is a bit notorious on her own, but again, it’s about where she was born and not what she did... well maybe, a little of what she did. Lol Sarah’s late father used to be an infamous gambling club owner. His wife left him because of this and Sarah was his only child. Sarah has always been in a gambling club from a very young age, and now is the owner of this gambling club, with the assistance of a French Viscount, whose wife cooks for the club. Because of her lifestyle and her birth, Sarah was never welcomed in the elites of the society but has always been maligned and spurned by them. In reality, Sarah doesn’t deserve this. She’s smart and strong, even though a spinster now, she’s not even promiscuous. Yes, she’s beautiful, which is why a lot of those elite men made dirty propositions to her. Some would want to marry her for sure but that’s all because they are fortune hunters. But Sarah wants her own family, wants a man to call her own; someone who would love and care for her. By now Sarah thought she’s inured to those insults. Her father somehow convinced her that a man with sherry colored eyes is the strongest and most honorable. So when she meets Colin in the opera and looks into his eyes (which were sherry colored, duh!), she instantly thinks he is THE ONE. Can you tell I was wee bit, er, not happy about this? I mean doesn’t it sound just... childish? Yes, for the 1st few chapters of the book I was confused as hell because the writing felt a bit choppy too. I was confused about Sarah and Colin’s intentions. I was confused about Colin’s numerous dragon metaphors... and was wee bit on the bored side.
Sarah was pretty sure she’s going to have Colin, if only he didn’t back away from her the moment she thought he was going to kiss her in the opera. What she didn’t know was about Colin’s troubles about women. She interpreted it wrong and was seriously unhappy about it. But her middle aged maid Iris, who was a fun character along with Colin’s butler Giles, understood her dilemma. Iris was Sarah’s friend, well, sort of. As the stories of Sarah and Colin’s meeting goes viral on gossip pages, both Giles and Iris knew they have work on their hands and they plan. But the first plan comes from Giles, who is quite secured about his position and knows no matter what, Colin would never fire him. Even though I should’ve been really pissed about the kind of mischief Giles and Iris did together, I wasn’t really. I felt that both of these servants have only one goal in common, and it was a good cause- to bring two lonely and unhappy souls together. They saw that Colin and Sarah needed each-other, even though their’s was a bad start. Trouble was, after seeing the gossip pages, Colin is determined to marry some insipid miss, the sole goal of which is that this miss would never inspire any kind of passion in him the way Sarah does. It scares him to hell; just relate this with his thoughts on what he might do to a woman and you’ll understand. He just doesn’t want to hurt Sarah and see hatred in her eyes. We all know it’s all in his mind so I couldn’t really blame him for this. Giles, outwardly, shows that he would help Colin in his endeavor to find a wife but on the inside, he’s planning. His plans, needless to say, go wrong most of the times. One time he goes to Sarah with an apology from Colin about something, Sarah knew he’s lying. He tries more of this and then, finally he decides to seek out Iris’s help. I really liked these two together, how Iris was kinda waspish towards Giles at first but came together eagerly as long as it means happiness for Sarah.
Sarah attends a ball, only to find Colin. She just wanted to show him that she can be as good as any other Ton woman. But this outing doesn’t go well. Colin keeps his back on her (just think about the dragons that dwells inside of him because honestly, the only thing he wanted was to make love to Sarah... sadly, of course, Sarah didn’t know) and Sarah is hurt. The French Viscountess accompanies her but she cautions Sarah against Colin. Then the mother of Colin’s almost intended makes insinuations about her and Colin’s relationship. So, yes, this outing was a disaster! Then Giles and Iris finally make plans of inviting Sarah in a dinner. There was a dinner at Colin’s where his intended was also invited with her family. Giles brings flowers and such with Colin’s name and lies again about Colin inviting her. Sarah’s fool heart is dancing and she believes in it. This meeting goes kinda awkward. The insipid miss’s mother again makes insinuations towards her. And, Colin? He inadvertently ends up hurting Sarah again by showing his reluctance. It almost ends in a disaster when an angry Sarah was trying to find her carriage and someone tries to kill her with another. Colin, who was chasing after, saves her.
In the meantime, a Frenchman, Etienne was meeting with Colin. Etienne is a friend of Colin’s from the wartime. He brings news for Colin of another possibility of war. Colin decides he would go to war once again when the call comes. In his subconscious mind, it’s really important for him to prove himself anything other than a brutal highwayman’s son. Colin is essentially a good man, although he didn’t believe in it. He runs this orphanage which is named after St. George. He loves this orphanage and to properly obtain it he must marry soon. After the carriage incident Colin is very worried about Sarah. It was plain to see he cares for her, now if only he’d listen to his heart rather than his head! He meets Sarah again, in her house this time. He couldn’t help but kiss her. After this meeting, Colin takes Sarah to an amphitheater show. No matter what he’s feeling at the moment for Sarah, Colin is still strong about marrying that insipid miss he’s chosen. While going home from the amphitheater, Colin and Sarah’s carriage is accosted by a highwayman. Not that the man could do any real harm as Colin kills him. But after two incidents, Colin keeps thinking, is the person after him or Sarah? Then Colin meets up with Etienne again, asking for his help about this situation. He asks Etienne to keep an eye on Sarah for her safety. On the trail of his investigation, Colin goes to this rundown inn in the shady area of London, where he saves a young girl who was being used in prostitution by the greedy innkeeper. Colin feels sick seeing this but he also gets some information from the girl. Apparently, she was sold from another orphanage by the manager. Colin takes note of ‘taking care’ of the man and moving the children to St. George (he does both later) but he takes the girl, Nancy, to Sarah hoping she’d give her some tasks and keep her. Sarah does of course. Now, Colin knows Sarah wants him as much as he does. In this meeting, even after they kiss and such, because of his vulnerabilities where Sarah was concerned, Colin again pushes her away and hunts her. Honestly, I was getting really pissed at Colin for hurting Sarah so. I wanted to shake him, pinch him... do something so that he makes up his mind!
Meanwhile, their confrontation with the highwayman comes out and the insipid miss comes to visit Sarah. She’s not actually bad or rude and it’s apparent that she’s in love with someone else. She tries to convince Sarah to do something so that Colin takes off his attentions from her. This ticks Sarah’s mind, as in why not? She wants him and she’s determined to have him (I salute her for being so willful where he was concerned cause if paid off big time in the end!) and so, she plans to attend another ball, even though she hates those. We also get to see St. George and what’s Colin’s generosity is doing to the house. It was really nice and it gave Colin a sense of well-being, that he’s doing something good for these children. Anyway, Colin of course attends the ball and things don’t go very well. Sarah is kinda desperate at the moment. If Colin doesn’t make her his, she knows she’ll spend her life mourning her loss. In the garden, when Colin follows her outside, Sarah finally makes a proposition; something I didn’t like but I could see where it was coming from- to make her his mistress. Why not, the society already thinks she’s his mistress. Why not, as long as she gets to be with him. Oh, it really made me sad. When some drunkard makes slurring comments about them, Colin asks Sarah to go inside. Once inside, Sarah give a thought to this whole mess and decides she can’t really do this. Sarah goes out again to find Colin and let him know her decision. In the meantime, Colin took care of the drunkard and meets up with Etienne and one Colonel Scovell, who was his officer in the war. But Sarah didn’t know it and sadly, she’s kidnapped by someone else. The dirty guy knocks her senseless and takes her in a carriage. Coming from the meeting, Colin sees her being taken in the carriage and he follows like a mad man. The kidnapper tries to abuse Sarah in the carriage but isn’t quite successful. Colin and Etienne, who’s acting as his coachman for sometimes now, find them soon enough (thanks god for that!). The kidnapper flees and Colin takes an unconscious Sarah to a nearest house. After this, Colin kinda gave in to the fact that he has to marry Sarah, if only for her safety.
Sarah is ecstatic about this news. They travel to Colin’s country estate and marry soon. But trouble begins as Colin won’t make love to her...... yes, ugh, I know. It’s not that he doesn’t really want to, it’s not that Sarah doesn’t want to... and yet he won’t. He keeps saying that she needs to recover from her ordeal with the kidnapping. Sarah gets frustrated and damn well she should! But Colin does some really great gestures for her. After the kidnapping, Sarah couldn’t stand the smell of roses since before the kidnapping, she was given a bouquet of roses in Colin’s name. When Sarah wakes up in the country house before their marriage, she became sick with the sight and smell of the roses in her room. Colin comes in to soothe her fears away. One day, Sarah makes the discovery that Colin has ditched all the roses in the estate and buried them! This makes Sarah melt more for him (me too). I mean this is the kind of small but sweet gestures Colin continues throughout the story, which is why even though I should’ve kicked him for being so frustrating, I just couldn’t. Sarah, in the meantime, gets to learn about Colin, the man and his fascinations about dragons and other kinds of mythical serpents. Colin takes pride in discussing his knowledge about those. BTW: did I tell you that Giles was immensely happy with the turn of the events? Soon Iris and Nancy join them all here. Back to their marital trouble of not making love. This time, Sarah takes the bull by the horn. She does something and makes Colin lose his control. Even though, by no means, their first time together was perfect, it was great for me nonetheless. I knew Colin just needed to learn that he won’t hurt Sarah. Sarah, by now, sensed a little of his vulnerabilities and keeps saying to him that he won’t hurt her.
Soon enough, letter from the war office comes and Colin knows he has to go away soon. So he decides to finalize everything about St. George now that he’s married and all. He and Sarah, with Nancy, visit the place. This meeting doesn’t go well, to say the least because we finally come face to face about the scoundrel who was trying all these kidnapping and so on. I did love the way the whole thing was handled by Colin on Sarah’s insistence. I loved how he talked to her about his true parentage. He was scared that she’d run from him but why would Sarah? The fear of scandal doesn’t matter to her in any way! Then Colin goes away to war but promising Sarah that he’d return to her no matter what. Oh, the final chapters were just sooo good! I kept sighing all over them!! Whatever I felt about the book in the beginning just melted away in the end. I loved it. I finally saw why Colin was as he was and his complex thought process. I saw that dragons can be as bad, as they can be sad... Dragon Slayers can have their tough times too. It was actually great that Sarah never gave up on Colin, because no matter how exasperating he was for the better part of the book, he was a man worth having. He was adorable... I’m happily giving this book a 4 star.
PS: I told you I hated the old Earl. Almost at the end of the story, Colin reads a letter from the vile and pathetic old SOB, in hopes that maybe, just maybe his parentage wasn’t as the earl made it to be. Maybe in death, the man confessed or something. But alas, no. This letter full of hateful words hurts Colin, again, if I might add. Even dead the man couldn’t leave the poor babe be! He made Colin cry!!!! Lord, I was mad, soooo MAD on his behalf! :@
Can’t finish off my review without something like this, can I? BTW: I just adore the cover. That man, YUM! ;)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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May 24, 2012An attention-grabbing prologue, with a young boy being forced to witness the public hanging of his flamboyant highwayman father.
Sadly, that's about the high point of this book. From here on it's all downhill, with cardboard cutout characters going through the predictable motions of hundreds of other substandard historical romances. Like so many pulp romance heroes, Colin suffers from serious emotional traumas brought on, not by the hanging of his father, but by being the illegitimate issue of his father's brutal rape of the wife of the Earl of Haverwood, who brings up the boy as his heir, crippling him for life with humiliating verbal and physical abuse.
What does it take to release poor Colin from his emotional hell? Why, the love of a good woman, of course. That would be Sarah, daughter of a card-sharping commoner who has left her an exclusive and very profitable gaming establishment.
Colin seeks comfort in fantasies of being a 'Dragon Slayer'. This theme is revisited so often that he begins to seem more a modern comic-book nerd than a cold-blooded Regency spy. His conviction that he's an evil man, tainted by the blood of his natural father, is also revisited again and again, soon becoming very tedious indeed. Neither Colin nor Sarah have a clear idea of what they want, and no idea how to achieve it. They stumble from one confrontation to another whilst being pursued by mysterious hired killers.
About two-thirds through the book the author reveals the identity of the person behind the murder attempts. This is where I decided that enough was enough and stopped reading. With a hundred pages left to go, it's possible that there were a few unexpected twists and turns still left, but I'd lost what little interest I had in the leading characters.
Wooden prose littered with modern idioms (sheesh, it's the beginning of the 19th century, already) didn't help.
Didn't finish; didn't rate.
Sadly, that's about the high point of this book. From here on it's all downhill, with cardboard cutout characters going through the predictable motions of hundreds of other substandard historical romances. Like so many pulp romance heroes, Colin suffers from serious emotional traumas brought on, not by the hanging of his father, but by being the illegitimate issue of his father's brutal rape of the wife of the Earl of Haverwood, who brings up the boy as his heir, crippling him for life with humiliating verbal and physical abuse.
What does it take to release poor Colin from his emotional hell? Why, the love of a good woman, of course. That would be Sarah, daughter of a card-sharping commoner who has left her an exclusive and very profitable gaming establishment.
Colin seeks comfort in fantasies of being a 'Dragon Slayer'. This theme is revisited so often that he begins to seem more a modern comic-book nerd than a cold-blooded Regency spy. His conviction that he's an evil man, tainted by the blood of his natural father, is also revisited again and again, soon becoming very tedious indeed. Neither Colin nor Sarah have a clear idea of what they want, and no idea how to achieve it. They stumble from one confrontation to another whilst being pursued by mysterious hired killers.
About two-thirds through the book the author reveals the identity of the person behind the murder attempts. This is where I decided that enough was enough and stopped reading. With a hundred pages left to go, it's possible that there were a few unexpected twists and turns still left, but I'd lost what little interest I had in the leading characters.
Wooden prose littered with modern idioms (sheesh, it's the beginning of the 19th century, already) didn't help.
Didn't finish; didn't rate.
February 28, 2010
3.5/5 stars. This book really should have been titled: Colin the Dragonslayer. Or maybe the Earl of Dragon Slaying. I don't know. I'm not sure how it got the title Touched By Fire, but I didn't feel like it really fit.
A haiku for Mr. Twizzlerot (a character in this novel):
Twizzlerot appeared.
He had the best name by far.
Too bad he was dull.
A lot of potential in this novel, but I wasn't crazy about it in the end. Needed more fisticuffs. When historical romances get a bit slow, I always feel they need more fisticuffs. That and dogs in masks... like in the The Raven Prince.
I did like Sarah. Probably because that's my name in real life. I would cheat at cards like her if I could get away with it. I wasn't crazy about the hero though. I think he was a bit namby-pamby for my tastes.
If the book was trimmed by about 75 pages, I might have been tempted to give it 4/5 stars. However, it seemed to continue past where a logical stopping point would have been. Superfluous plotlines. Fun. More padding than Paddington Bear.
A haiku for Mr. Twizzlerot (a character in this novel):
Twizzlerot appeared.
He had the best name by far.
Too bad he was dull.
A lot of potential in this novel, but I wasn't crazy about it in the end. Needed more fisticuffs. When historical romances get a bit slow, I always feel they need more fisticuffs. That and dogs in masks... like in the The Raven Prince.
I did like Sarah. Probably because that's my name in real life. I would cheat at cards like her if I could get away with it. I wasn't crazy about the hero though. I think he was a bit namby-pamby for my tastes.
If the book was trimmed by about 75 pages, I might have been tempted to give it 4/5 stars. However, it seemed to continue past where a logical stopping point would have been. Superfluous plotlines. Fun. More padding than Paddington Bear.
September 11, 2012
Pages Survived: 75
Nope. Couldn't do it. The second an author goes for the "insta-love" deal, I'm done.
Aside from the above fact, I truly abhor when authors take a character, establish them to be of one mindset, and in less than two chapters completely changes their drives, motivations, and actions from the original! While I was SO intrigued, and still am, by the hero, who obviously has an interesting psyche and mental framework to delve into, the heroine just killed me. The novel literally establishes her to be a no nonsense woman, not fickle with her heart. There's some bit about "sherry eyes," a random spotting of That Guy From Her Dreams, and WHAM-O...she's googly-eyed and hot in pursuit.
Normally this in-pursuit reality wouldn't bug me, because I'm okay with the female protagonist being on the chase. I am NOT okay with it, however, when said chase is a total antithesis from the character's initial makeup from two friggin' chapters ago.
So, alas, no go for this book. On to better and brighter books.
Nope. Couldn't do it. The second an author goes for the "insta-love" deal, I'm done.
Aside from the above fact, I truly abhor when authors take a character, establish them to be of one mindset, and in less than two chapters completely changes their drives, motivations, and actions from the original! While I was SO intrigued, and still am, by the hero, who obviously has an interesting psyche and mental framework to delve into, the heroine just killed me. The novel literally establishes her to be a no nonsense woman, not fickle with her heart. There's some bit about "sherry eyes," a random spotting of That Guy From Her Dreams, and WHAM-O...she's googly-eyed and hot in pursuit.
Normally this in-pursuit reality wouldn't bug me, because I'm okay with the female protagonist being on the chase. I am NOT okay with it, however, when said chase is a total antithesis from the character's initial makeup from two friggin' chapters ago.
So, alas, no go for this book. On to better and brighter books.
August 1, 2014
What a delightful cast of characters in this book. They were all a little quirky, but not over the top. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
March 11, 2010
4 stars – Historical Romance
Read
July 31, 2011Wonderful historical romance!
Read
April 14, 2022DNF
January 16, 2025
แม็กซ์ไม่ได้อ่านหนังสือแล้วร้องไห้หนักขนาดนี้มานานมากแล้วล่ะค่ะ ส่วนใหญ่ ก็ร้องแค่ฉากใดฉากหนึ่ง แต่ไม่ใช่ว่าเกือบจะทั้งเรื่องอย่างนี้ แต่ไม่ใช่เพราะเรื่องมันรันทด ชีวิตบัดซบหรอกนะคะ เพียงแต่ประเด็นในเรื่องมันโดนใจแม็กซ์เข้าไปเต็ม ๆ เลยน่ะค่ะ
อย่างที่โฆษณากันไว้เมื่อวาน หนังสือเล่มนี้ดีจริง ๆ (และแม็กซ์เชื่อว่าคงมีคนหลงเข้ามาอ่านบลอกนี้กันหลายคน เพราะเห็นชื่อหัวข้อบลอกแล้วมันดูปลุกใจดี แต่ก็ขอบอกว่าเซ็กส์มันไม่ได้แรงอย่างชื่อเรื่องหรอกนะคะ)
Sex, Straight up ของแคธลีน โอไรลี่ย์
สำหรับคนอ่านโรแมนซ์ แม็กซ์เชื่อว่า พวกเราเชื่อในคำกล่าวอันนี้ "Love was forever. A promise was forever." (แม็กซ์โค้ดมาจากเรื่องนี้นะคะ เป็นฉากที่พระเอกตื่นนอนขึ้นมาแล้วขึ้นถึงเมียของเขา)
สำหรับเดเนียลแล้ว เขาเองก็เชื่อเช่นนั้น เขาเป็นลูกคนกลางในบรรดาพี่น้องสามคน เป็นคนที่เงียบที่สุด ไม่มีเสน่ห์เท่ากับฌอน พี่ชายคนโต ไม่ได้เป็นคนไนซ์เหมือนเกบ น้องคนเล็ก เดเนียลเป็นนักบัญชี เขาวางแผน และคิดอย่างเป็นระบบ เขายังแตกต่างจากพี่น้องตรงที่เขาพบรักแท้ของเขาแล้ว เธอชื่อมิเชลล์ พวกเขาแต่งงานกันได้ห้าเดือน หลังจากคบหาดูใจกันมาปีนึง เธอเองก็เป็นนักบัญชี ทำงานที่เดียวกับเขา ชีวิตของพวกเขายาวไกล และสดใส จนกระทั่ง...
วันอังคาร์ในเช้าทีสดใสของเดือนกันยายน ปี 2001 และอย่างที่บรรยายไว้ในเรื่อง ชีวิตของเขาก็พังทลายลง
"But then one September morning seven years ago, bright sunlight mocking in the sky, that all exploded, along with two airliners, two buildings and two thousand, severn hundred and forty people -- one of whom was his wife.
Gone."
มิเชลล์เป็นหนึ่งในผู้เสียชีวิตจากเหตุการณ์ 9/11 และเดเนียลซึ่งออกไปซื้อกาแฟขณะที่เกิดเหตุรอดตาย
ปกติแม็กซ์ไม่ใช่คนที่ชอบอ่านเรื่องที่พระเอกเคยมีรักแท้กับผู้หญิงคนอื่นมา ก่อนนางเอกนะคะ แม็กซ์ไม่ชอบความรู้สึกของการเป็นเป็นที่สอง หรือมาทีหลัง แต่เล่มนี้แคธลีนเขียนได้ดีมาก ๆ จนประเด็นนี้ไม่รบกวนจิตใจแม็กซ์เลย ทั้งที่มันเป็นส่วนสำคัญที่สุดของเรื่อง
มันเป็นไปได้ไหมสำหรับคนที่เหลืออยู่ที่จะมีชีวิตต่อ มีความรักครั้งใหม่ และมีความสุขอีกครั้ง
เจ็ดปีผ่านไปแล้ว ความเศร้าเสียใจเริ่มเลือนหายไป และนั่นยิ่งเพิ่มความรู้สึกผิดให้เดเนียล เขาสัญญาที่จะรักมิเชลล์ตลอดไป ความรักมันควรจะอยู่ตลอดไป แต่เขารู้สึกโดดเดี่ยวขึ้นเรื่อย ๆ การอยู่ตามลำพังในเมืองใหญ่ การจมอยู่กับความรู้สึกผิดตลอดเวลาไม่ใช่เรื่องง่าย หรือดีต่อสุขภาพจิตเลย แต่เดเนียลก็ปฏิเสธที่จะเดินหน้าต่อไปในชีวิต
จนกระทั่งเขาได้พบกับแคทเทอลีน ขณะที่ไปพักร้อนช่วงสุดสัปดาห์ ความเศร้าในดวงตาของเดเนียลเรียกหาเธอ ในฐานะของศิลปิน เธอรู้สึกได้ถึงความเจ็บปวดในวิญญาณ ทั้งสองคนถูกดึงดูดเข้าหากัน และได้ใช้เวลาชั่วสั้น ๆ นั้นกับกันและกัน โดยไม่หวังจะมีอะไรที่มากไปกว่านั้น
สุดสัปดาห์นั้นจบลง พร้อมกับการเข้าใจผิด เพราะแคทเทอลีนพบแหวนแต่งงานของเขาเข้า และคิดว่าเขาแต่งงานแล้ว ส่วนเดเนียลเองก็ไม่รู้ว่าจะอธิบายได้อย่างไรว่า ทำไมเขายังสวมแหวนแต่งงานอยู่ ทั้งที่เมียก็ตายไปตั้งเจ็ดปีแล้ว เขาจะอธิบายเรื่องเศร้าที่เกิดกับเขาได้อย่างไร
ทั้งคู่กลับมาพบกันอีกครั้ง เมื่อเดเนียลเป็นหนึ่งในทีมงานที่ถูกส่งเข้ามาตรวจสอบบัญชีในบริษัทที่แคทเท อลีนทำงานอยู่ (และปู่ของเธอเป็นหนึ่งในผู้ต้องสงสัย) และความสัมพันธ์ที่ทั้งคู่พยายามบอกว่า ไม่อาจเป็นได้มากกว่าเซ็กส์ก็เริ่มขึ้น
ฟังพล็อตเรื่องนี้ก็รู้สึกเหมือนพระเอกเห็นแก่ตัวมาก ๆ นะคะ เพราะเขาเป็นคนที่ไม่อาจเปิดใจยอมรับนางเอกเข้ามา เป็นคนที่หมกหมุ่นอยู่กับความรักในอดีต และพยายามที่จะกันแคทเทอลีนออกไปจากชีวิต แต่แม็กซ์ก็พบว่าตัวเองเกลียดเขาไม่ลง ไม่ใช่ว่าเดเนียลไม่รู้ตัวว่ากำลังทำอะไรลงไปกับแคทเทอลีน แต่เขาไม่รู้ว่า "ควร" จะต้องทำยังไง เขาควรจะมีรักแท้เพียงครั้งเดียว เขาควรจะซื่อสัตย์ต่อความรักจนวันตาย แม้มิเชลล์จะจากไปก่อนที่เขาจะทันตั้งตัว เขาต้องต่อสู้กับความรู้สึกผิดที่ว่าตัวเองเป็นคนทรยศต่อความรัก นี่เป็นฉากหนึ่งที่เขาพูดคุยกับแม่ของมิเชลล์ แม็กซ์ชอบแม่ของมิเชลล์นะคะ เพราะเป็นเธอที่ให้เหตุผลกับเดเนียล "
"Loving someone isn't something you put behind you... it's forever"
She's not coming back, Daniel. What? You're going to be alone for the rest of your life? Another fifty years? Is that really that you want?"
"I made a promise to your daughter. Ihad our life so completely and carefully planned. It wasn't supposed to be fucked. She didn't deserve it.
"She didn't deserve it, and neither did you. You can't live like this forever, Daniel. She wouldn't want you to"
"Michelle's gone now and I can't change that, and you can't change that. I wasn't supposed to bury a daughter, you weren't supposed to bury a wife, but we did. and you're too young for this."
เห็นอย่างนี้เดเนียลไม่ใช่พระเอกทมทุกข์นะคะ แต่เขามีหลักการ มีแผนการ และมีแผลในใจที่ใหญ่มาก เขารู้ตัวว่ารักแคทเทอลีน แต่ไม่กล้าสานความสัมพันธ์ให้มากไปกว่านี้ เพราะเขาไม่แน่ใจว่า ตัวเองจะมีวันทำใจให้รักเธอโดยไม่รู้สึกผิดต่อมิเชลล์ได้ไหม
และแม็กซ์ชอบการที่เขาคิดได้ โดยไม่จำเป็นต้องให้มีเหตุการณ์เปลี่ยนแปลงชีวิต หรือมีคนมาพร่ำสอนชี้ทางสว่างให้ เพราะเรื่องอย่างนี้มันต้องคิดตกด้วยตัวเองค่ะ
พูดตามตรงนะคะ แม็กซ์ก็ไม่รู้เหมือนกันว่า ถ้าเป็นเราเอง เกิดตายก่อนคนที่เรารัก (และเขารักเรา) เราจะคาดหวังให้เขาไว้ทุกข์ให้เราไปตลอดชีวิตเลยเหรอ (แต่ที่แน่ ๆ แม็กซ์ไม่ต้องการให้ใครฆ่าตัวตายตามแม็กซ์ไปหรอกนะคะ ไม่บ้าหนังเกาหลีขนาดนั้น)
หนังสือเล่มนี้ท้าทายความเชื่อของแม็กซ์เรื่อง พระเอกโรแมนซ์มีรักแท้ได้แค่ครั้งเดียวมาก อย่างที่บอก ปกติไม่ชอบพล็อตแนวนี้อย่างแรง แต่เล่มนี้สอบผ่านค่ะ ผ่านแบบได้เอเสียด้วย
คะแนนที่ 83
อย่างที่โฆษณากันไว้เมื่อวาน หนังสือเล่มนี้ดีจริง ๆ (และแม็กซ์เชื่อว่าคงมีคนหลงเข้ามาอ่านบลอกนี้กันหลายคน เพราะเห็นชื่อหัวข้อบลอกแล้วมันดูปลุกใจดี แต่ก็ขอบอกว่าเซ็กส์มันไม่ได้แรงอย่างชื่อเรื่องหรอกนะคะ)
Sex, Straight up ของแคธลีน โอไรลี่ย์
สำหรับคนอ่านโรแมนซ์ แม็กซ์เชื่อว่า พวกเราเชื่อในคำกล่าวอันนี้ "Love was forever. A promise was forever." (แม็กซ์โค้ดมาจากเรื่องนี้นะคะ เป็นฉากที่พระเอกตื่นนอนขึ้นมาแล้วขึ้นถึงเมียของเขา)
สำหรับเดเนียลแล้ว เขาเองก็เชื่อเช่นนั้น เขาเป็นลูกคนกลางในบรรดาพี่น้องสามคน เป็นคนที่เงียบที่สุด ไม่มีเสน่ห์เท่ากับฌอน พี่ชายคนโต ไม่ได้เป็นคนไนซ์เหมือนเกบ น้องคนเล็ก เดเนียลเป็นนักบัญชี เขาวางแผน และคิดอย่างเป็นระบบ เขายังแตกต่างจากพี่น้องตรงที่เขาพบรักแท้ของเขาแล้ว เธอชื่อมิเชลล์ พวกเขาแต่งงานกันได้ห้าเดือน หลังจากคบหาดูใจกันมาปีนึง เธอเองก็เป็นนักบัญชี ทำงานที่เดียวกับเขา ชีวิตของพวกเขายาวไกล และสดใส จนกระทั่ง...
วันอังคาร์ในเช้าทีสดใสของเดือนกันยายน ปี 2001 และอย่างที่บรรยายไว้ในเรื่อง ชีวิตของเขาก็พังทลายลง
"But then one September morning seven years ago, bright sunlight mocking in the sky, that all exploded, along with two airliners, two buildings and two thousand, severn hundred and forty people -- one of whom was his wife.
Gone."
มิเชลล์เป็นหนึ่งในผู้เสียชีวิตจากเหตุการณ์ 9/11 และเดเนียลซึ่งออกไปซื้อกาแฟขณะที่เกิดเหตุรอดตาย
ปกติแม็กซ์ไม่ใช่คนที่ชอบอ่านเรื่องที่พระเอกเคยมีรักแท้กับผู้หญิงคนอื่นมา ก่อนนางเอกนะคะ แม็กซ์ไม่ชอบความรู้สึกของการเป็นเป็นที่สอง หรือมาทีหลัง แต่เล่มนี้แคธลีนเขียนได้ดีมาก ๆ จนประเด็นนี้ไม่รบกวนจิตใจแม็กซ์เลย ทั้งที่มันเป็นส่วนสำคัญที่สุดของเรื่อง
มันเป็นไปได้ไหมสำหรับคนที่เหลืออยู่ที่จะมีชีวิตต่อ มีความรักครั้งใหม่ และมีความสุขอีกครั้ง
เจ็ดปีผ่านไปแล้ว ความเศร้าเสียใจเริ่มเลือนหายไป และนั่นยิ่งเพิ่มความรู้สึกผิดให้เดเนียล เขาสัญญาที่จะรักมิเชลล์ตลอดไป ความรักมันควรจะอยู่ตลอดไป แต่เขารู้สึกโดดเดี่ยวขึ้นเรื่อย ๆ การอยู่ตามลำพังในเมืองใหญ่ การจมอยู่กับความรู้สึกผิดตลอดเวลาไม่ใช่เรื่องง่าย หรือดีต่อสุขภาพจิตเลย แต่เดเนียลก็ปฏิเสธที่จะเดินหน้าต่อไปในชีวิต
จนกระทั่งเขาได้พบกับแคทเทอลีน ขณะที่ไปพักร้อนช่วงสุดสัปดาห์ ความเศร้าในดวงตาของเดเนียลเรียกหาเธอ ในฐานะของศิลปิน เธอรู้สึกได้ถึงความเจ็บปวดในวิญญาณ ทั้งสองคนถูกดึงดูดเข้าหากัน และได้ใช้เวลาชั่วสั้น ๆ นั้นกับกันและกัน โดยไม่หวังจะมีอะไรที่มากไปกว่านั้น
สุดสัปดาห์นั้นจบลง พร้อมกับการเข้าใจผิด เพราะแคทเทอลีนพบแหวนแต่งงานของเขาเข้า และคิดว่าเขาแต่งงานแล้ว ส่วนเดเนียลเองก็ไม่รู้ว่าจะอธิบายได้อย่างไรว่า ทำไมเขายังสวมแหวนแต่งงานอยู่ ทั้งที่เมียก็ตายไปตั้งเจ็ดปีแล้ว เขาจะอธิบายเรื่องเศร้าที่เกิดกับเขาได้อย่างไร
ทั้งคู่กลับมาพบกันอีกครั้ง เมื่อเดเนียลเป็นหนึ่งในทีมงานที่ถูกส่งเข้ามาตรวจสอบบัญชีในบริษัทที่แคทเท อลีนทำงานอยู่ (และปู่ของเธอเป็นหนึ่งในผู้ต้องสงสัย) และความสัมพันธ์ที่ทั้งคู่พยายามบอกว่า ไม่อาจเป็นได้มากกว่าเซ็กส์ก็เริ่มขึ้น
ฟังพล็อตเรื่องนี้ก็รู้สึกเหมือนพระเอกเห็นแก่ตัวมาก ๆ นะคะ เพราะเขาเป็นคนที่ไม่อาจเปิดใจยอมรับนางเอกเข้ามา เป็นคนที่หมกหมุ่นอยู่กับความรักในอดีต และพยายามที่จะกันแคทเทอลีนออกไปจากชีวิต แต่แม็กซ์ก็พบว่าตัวเองเกลียดเขาไม่ลง ไม่ใช่ว่าเดเนียลไม่รู้ตัวว่ากำลังทำอะไรลงไปกับแคทเทอลีน แต่เขาไม่รู้ว่า "ควร" จะต้องทำยังไง เขาควรจะมีรักแท้เพียงครั้งเดียว เขาควรจะซื่อสัตย์ต่อความรักจนวันตาย แม้มิเชลล์จะจากไปก่อนที่เขาจะทันตั้งตัว เขาต้องต่อสู้กับความรู้สึกผิดที่ว่าตัวเองเป็นคนทรยศต่อความรัก นี่เป็นฉากหนึ่งที่เขาพูดคุยกับแม่ของมิเชลล์ แม็กซ์ชอบแม่ของมิเชลล์นะคะ เพราะเป็นเธอที่ให้เหตุผลกับเดเนียล "
"Loving someone isn't something you put behind you... it's forever"
She's not coming back, Daniel. What? You're going to be alone for the rest of your life? Another fifty years? Is that really that you want?"
"I made a promise to your daughter. Ihad our life so completely and carefully planned. It wasn't supposed to be fucked. She didn't deserve it.
"She didn't deserve it, and neither did you. You can't live like this forever, Daniel. She wouldn't want you to"
"Michelle's gone now and I can't change that, and you can't change that. I wasn't supposed to bury a daughter, you weren't supposed to bury a wife, but we did. and you're too young for this."
เห็นอย่างนี้เดเนียลไม่ใช่พระเอกทมทุกข์นะคะ แต่เขามีหลักการ มีแผนการ และมีแผลในใจที่ใหญ่มาก เขารู้ตัวว่ารักแคทเทอลีน แต่ไม่กล้าสานความสัมพันธ์ให้มากไปกว่านี้ เพราะเขาไม่แน่ใจว่า ตัวเองจะมีวันทำใจให้รักเธอโดยไม่รู้สึกผิดต่อมิเชลล์ได้ไหม
และแม็กซ์ชอบการที่เขาคิดได้ โดยไม่จำเป็นต้องให้มีเหตุการณ์เปลี่ยนแปลงชีวิต หรือมีคนมาพร่ำสอนชี้ทางสว่างให้ เพราะเรื่องอย่างนี้มันต้องคิดตกด้วยตัวเองค่ะ
พูดตามตรงนะคะ แม็กซ์ก็ไม่รู้เหมือนกันว่า ถ้าเป็นเราเอง เกิดตายก่อนคนที่เรารัก (และเขารักเรา) เราจะคาดหวังให้เขาไว้ทุกข์ให้เราไปตลอดชีวิตเลยเหรอ (แต่ที่แน่ ๆ แม็กซ์ไม่ต้องการให้ใครฆ่าตัวตายตามแม็กซ์ไปหรอกนะคะ ไม่บ้าหนังเกาหลีขนาดนั้น)
หนังสือเล่มนี้ท้าทายความเชื่อของแม็กซ์เรื่อง พระเอกโรแมนซ์มีรักแท้ได้แค่ครั้งเดียวมาก อย่างที่บอก ปกติไม่ชอบพล็อตแนวนี้อย่างแรง แต่เล่มนี้สอบผ่านค่ะ ผ่านแบบได้เอเสียด้วย
คะแนนที่ 83
May 9, 2017
A believable and relatable fairy tale. Although I sometimes feel impatient with Colin's constant self~doubts and soul~searchings. The characters are quite lovable and endearing like Giles and Iris. Colin is who and what he is, both irksome and dear, but Sarah is the Strong one whose Faith in him never wavered albeit sometimes becomes dented. Sarah's Faith in Colin does not have rhyme or reason... IT just IS. Within the pages of this book, I have found a quote on Faith that I totally agree with, and there's this one ~ Rudeness comes easier than Grace. Referring to the sanctimonious hypocrites of the ton.
September 7, 2015
Colin finds out at a very early age that he is in fact the child of a rape, that his biological father was a serial killer and his adopted father, the Earl of Haverwood despises him, believing that he will turn out to be like his real father. So Colin grows up denying his baser natures, suppressing anything that would make him like his father. Which is why he's a virgin. He sets out to marry according the Earl's will and desperately wants a quiet, plain woman who will not tempt him to become a beast. But he keeps encountering Sarah, who tempts him beyond his control. And so, despite their growing feelings and her increasing desperation, he keeps trying to turn her away and keep away from her (essentially breaking her heart in the process). Added to this, someone is trying to kill Sarah, and the only way to protect her is to keep her close.
This was a really good story and a really well executed concept. I LOVED Colin and his love for dragons...and how the theme of it keeps popping up throughout the story. It is applied literally, in his love for the study of dragons and figuratively in the way he thinks about a dragon/beast residing within him and trying to break free, how enemies are considered dragons and how standing up for those who are weaker makes him a DragonSlayer. It's really quite well done. And of course I love a virgin hero. I just kind of wish he'd fessed up to it to the heroine - that's always better for me. But his innocence and loss of sexual control was so hot! The other side of the coin is Sarah, who I liked and I didn't. I loved how she refused to lose, how she stood up to him and for him and refused to let him believe the worst of himself. I also respect her for sticking with what she wants, but I reached a point where I honestly had to wonder if it was in fact love or simply desperation not to be alone. I felt sorry for her, but I was with her friend Juliette in thinking that it was time to move on. I did not want to see the pride of such a strong heroine in absolute shatters over a guy who simply wouldn't have her. I lost a lot of respect for her. The mystery was a bit bland and very quickly wrapped up (almost too easily). And the added angst of Colin going off to war was completely unnecessary and their reunion also way too short. I didn't like that too much. But Colin made this whole story completely worthwhile and he is one of my all time favorite heroes!
This was a really good story and a really well executed concept. I LOVED Colin and his love for dragons...and how the theme of it keeps popping up throughout the story. It is applied literally, in his love for the study of dragons and figuratively in the way he thinks about a dragon/beast residing within him and trying to break free, how enemies are considered dragons and how standing up for those who are weaker makes him a DragonSlayer. It's really quite well done. And of course I love a virgin hero. I just kind of wish he'd fessed up to it to the heroine - that's always better for me. But his innocence and loss of sexual control was so hot! The other side of the coin is Sarah, who I liked and I didn't. I loved how she refused to lose, how she stood up to him and for him and refused to let him believe the worst of himself. I also respect her for sticking with what she wants, but I reached a point where I honestly had to wonder if it was in fact love or simply desperation not to be alone. I felt sorry for her, but I was with her friend Juliette in thinking that it was time to move on. I did not want to see the pride of such a strong heroine in absolute shatters over a guy who simply wouldn't have her. I lost a lot of respect for her. The mystery was a bit bland and very quickly wrapped up (almost too easily). And the added angst of Colin going off to war was completely unnecessary and their reunion also way too short. I didn't like that too much. But Colin made this whole story completely worthwhile and he is one of my all time favorite heroes!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2012
Nature or nurture.
Will the parents sins by paid by the child?
I get in our 'enlightened' day and age we know that it is a mixture of genetics and environment that makes a person's character, but in the 18th and 18th centuries in historical English society, it was the nature that prevailed as common belief which would form a child's personality. So what does a nobleman do when his wife is horribly raped and finds herself with child by that violent act? Well, I think most people of that time would have thoughts of infanticide, but in an unusual act of generosity, the Earl of Haverwood keeps the child and gives it a name and his inheritance. What frustrates me in all this, is that the wife was a noble so there is still half a chance of something good coming of this child, but the Earl has to only be negative and pessimistic.
Colin does has passions and feelings, like anyone else, but because he knows his biological father was a rapist and murderer, he over controls and hides all trace of feelings to keep appearances as the new Earl of Haverwood, once his 'father' dies.
I liked the sassy Sarah Banks, she has self confidence because she has a job that makes money and true independence during a time when women were usually completely dependent on their fathers, or brothers and then their husbands and sons. I loved that she never let anything get her down in her hunt to capture her dream man, Colin. She sacrifices her social standing (not that she had much before the story begins). I do love when couples defend their partners (even when they are wrong) because that is what a couple is supposed to do, protect and defend each other from the world.
I was on a damaged goods H/h reading spree so this was on my to-read list for a while. I liked that there was little sexy scenes and lots of great build-up. Two virgins waiting until marriage was sweet and believable.
294 pages
2 and a half stars
Will the parents sins by paid by the child?
I get in our 'enlightened' day and age we know that it is a mixture of genetics and environment that makes a person's character, but in the 18th and 18th centuries in historical English society, it was the nature that prevailed as common belief which would form a child's personality. So what does a nobleman do when his wife is horribly raped and finds herself with child by that violent act? Well, I think most people of that time would have thoughts of infanticide, but in an unusual act of generosity, the Earl of Haverwood keeps the child and gives it a name and his inheritance. What frustrates me in all this, is that the wife was a noble so there is still half a chance of something good coming of this child, but the Earl has to only be negative and pessimistic.
Colin does has passions and feelings, like anyone else, but because he knows his biological father was a rapist and murderer, he over controls and hides all trace of feelings to keep appearances as the new Earl of Haverwood, once his 'father' dies.
I liked the sassy Sarah Banks, she has self confidence because she has a job that makes money and true independence during a time when women were usually completely dependent on their fathers, or brothers and then their husbands and sons. I loved that she never let anything get her down in her hunt to capture her dream man, Colin. She sacrifices her social standing (not that she had much before the story begins). I do love when couples defend their partners (even when they are wrong) because that is what a couple is supposed to do, protect and defend each other from the world.
I was on a damaged goods H/h reading spree so this was on my to-read list for a while. I liked that there was little sexy scenes and lots of great build-up. Two virgins waiting until marriage was sweet and believable.
294 pages
2 and a half stars
September 14, 2010
It was cute. I didn't LOVE it, but I enjoyed it. I felt bad for Colin and his struggle with being the son of a rapist. His father the Earl really brain washed him into believing he was just like his real father. I am not sure if the old Earl wanted to punish Colin for his birth because he was the result of his wife's torment or he was just a miserable old man. He never had a child of his own, so he kept Colin to raise as his heir, but he wasn't happy about it. There was a lot of pain going around in that family. I thought the Dragon thing was "cute" when he was a boy, but he seemed a little too obsessed with dragons for a soldier and man who could kill so easily. I loved the butler! Giles rocked! I actually got all teary when Giles said how Colin was his only family. He acted like a father to Colin even though I don't think Colin realized it. OH, one last thing, the epilogue was just a paragraph? Outrageous!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2010
An enjoyable novel if you’re not fussed about Regency heroines with modern sensibilities. I don’t think it’s nearly as polished as my favourite O’Reilly books. Despite this, the novel does show glimpses of what I love about O’Reilly’s writing. I enjoyed the humour and the sexual tension between Colin and Sarah--O’Reilly knows how to write angst without wallowing in it.
You can read my full review at Book Thingo.
You can read my full review at Book Thingo.
March 20, 2016
A bit too angsty for my liking.
The hero's fixation with dragons is a bit overdone.
The heroine isn't particularly likable. She waited far too long for hime to come to her. And her saying is very annoying.
I don't like heroes that are virgins - unless the heroine is a courtesan or a widow or something. But he redeemed himself somewhat by actually making the effort to learn how to please his wife.
I did like Giles, the butler, though.
The hero's fixation with dragons is a bit overdone.
The heroine isn't particularly likable. She waited far too long for hime to come to her. And her saying is very annoying.
I don't like heroes that are virgins - unless the heroine is a courtesan or a widow or something. But he redeemed himself somewhat by actually making the effort to learn how to please his wife.
I did like Giles, the butler, though.
May 14, 2015
Good read!
This was a loaner and absolutely wonderful! A page turner that I could not put down. I enjoyed it very much!!
This was a loaner and absolutely wonderful! A page turner that I could not put down. I enjoyed it very much!!
July 26, 2015
You could drive a truck through the plotholes in this one. The premise is good though.
December 31, 2015
Closer to 3 stars for me, but a virgin hero gets me every time.
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