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Rothwell Brothers #4
Segredos de um Pecador
Leona Montgomery foi criada na China. Com pai inglês e mãe portuguesa, aprendeu desde cedo a se adaptar aos costumes de outras terras e adquiriu uma cultura e uma sofisticação incomuns às mulheres de seu tempo. Por isso, quando o pai, já viúvo, morreu, deixando os dois filhos em uma situação financeira difícil, Leona assumiu os cuidados do irmão caçula e os negócios da família. Trabalhando pela recuperação da Montgomery & Tavares, ela viajou por diversos países, negociou com homens rudes e enfrentou piratas. Recém-chegada a Londres, agora espera fechar parcerias comerciais e dar sequência a uma investigação que o pai não pôde concluir. Mas estar em Londres significa algo mais.
Sete anos atrás, Edmund, um naturalista inglês, deixou Macau à noite, depois de um beijo de despedida que Leona nunca esqueceu, e retornou à Inglaterra. O que Leona não poderia imaginar era que Edmund na verdade é Christian Rothwell, o marquês de Easterbrook, um homem poderoso envolto em mistérios – e que talvez se beneficiasse com o fim das investigações de seu pai. Dividida entre o dever e a tentação, é na cama do marquês que ela fará suas maiores descobertas.
Sete anos atrás, Edmund, um naturalista inglês, deixou Macau à noite, depois de um beijo de despedida que Leona nunca esqueceu, e retornou à Inglaterra. O que Leona não poderia imaginar era que Edmund na verdade é Christian Rothwell, o marquês de Easterbrook, um homem poderoso envolto em mistérios – e que talvez se beneficiasse com o fim das investigações de seu pai. Dividida entre o dever e a tentação, é na cama do marquês que ela fará suas maiores descobertas.
239 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
133 people are currently reading
963 people want to read
About the author
Madeline Hunter
101 books2,105 followersMadeline Hunter is a nationally bestselling author of historical romances who lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons. Her books have won two RITA awards and seven nominations, and have had three starred reviews in Publishers Weekly. In a parallel existence to the one she enjoys as a novelist, Madeline has a Ph.D. in art history and teaches at an East Coast university.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
September 6, 2024
On rereading I enjoyed this book much more than the first time around. This time, I didn't mind the aspects of the story related to Easterbrook's unusual empathetic abilities, whereas on first read I was surprised by this aspect and I think got a little hung up on it.
I liked the characters, the romance, the storyline, and the way it was all resolved. The tie-in to the horrid reality of opium smuggling was interesting, and the plot felt believable, red herrings and all.
Having read the rest of the series, I also liked the occasional little revisits with characters from the other books. This book had a different focus and a different feel, but I liked it. The epilogue was lovely, and it also had a nice little surprise in store for one of the minor characters from the earlier books. Overall I have really enjoyed this whole series.
I liked the characters, the romance, the storyline, and the way it was all resolved. The tie-in to the horrid reality of opium smuggling was interesting, and the plot felt believable, red herrings and all.
Having read the rest of the series, I also liked the occasional little revisits with characters from the other books. This book had a different focus and a different feel, but I liked it. The epilogue was lovely, and it also had a nice little surprise in store for one of the minor characters from the earlier books. Overall I have really enjoyed this whole series.
May 3, 2022
The eccentric Lord Easterwood, finds his true love once again. After 7 years Leona enter’s his life once again.
Bringing with her problems from the far East. Which has Easterwood keeping her close, so he can keep her safe.
This has a opium, smuggling ring story line.
Bringing with her problems from the far East. Which has Easterwood keeping her close, so he can keep her safe.
This has a opium, smuggling ring story line.
February 19, 2009
"The Sins of Lord Easterbrook" is book four in Madeline Hunter's 'Rothwell' family series and in some ways, I think it might be the most interesting. The story is one of the clash of cultures, traditions, classes, and genders.
Leona is the daughter of an English father and a Portuguese mother who was raised in the Far East. She's never forgotten the Englishman, Edmund, who was the object of her affections, her first kiss, and possibly her first betrayal. She's come to England to assist her younger brother's business by forging shipping and trading connections. But she's also come to quietly investigate the possibility of some high-ranking Lords' involvement in the smuggling of opium and a plot which ultimately resulted in her father's death. When she finally meets her mysterious Edmund, she discovers she never really knew him at all and he may be involved in her investigations...as a suspect.
Christian is the Marquess of Easterbrook. He's also a sensitive empath, able to feel the emotions of those near him. As a youth, he ran away to the Far East trying to escape the feelings and almost died. It was the meditative teachings of a Chinaman in Leona's father's household that saved him...along with the peace and quiet he found in Leona's presence. That peace and their friendship led to feelings of desire, but Leona was much too young and Christian was forced to flee for his life. But as soon as Christian catches sight of her in London, he knows his wait is over...she WILL be his.
This isn't a paranormal romance, yet the issue of Christian's empathic abilities is ever present in the plot. His purposeful withdrawal from attachments to preserve his peace is echoed in the author's hadnling of his character and dialogue. That made this story a bit different from Hunter's normal works and I actually found it more interesting because of that. Leona is another strong character who is certainly different from the normal historical heroine. The information on the opium issue and addiction wasn't pushed on the reader, but was nicely inserted as part of the plot. The passion is electric, the story flowed smoothly and I learned a few things I didn't know regarding the history of that time period. Time well spent!
Leona is the daughter of an English father and a Portuguese mother who was raised in the Far East. She's never forgotten the Englishman, Edmund, who was the object of her affections, her first kiss, and possibly her first betrayal. She's come to England to assist her younger brother's business by forging shipping and trading connections. But she's also come to quietly investigate the possibility of some high-ranking Lords' involvement in the smuggling of opium and a plot which ultimately resulted in her father's death. When she finally meets her mysterious Edmund, she discovers she never really knew him at all and he may be involved in her investigations...as a suspect.
Christian is the Marquess of Easterbrook. He's also a sensitive empath, able to feel the emotions of those near him. As a youth, he ran away to the Far East trying to escape the feelings and almost died. It was the meditative teachings of a Chinaman in Leona's father's household that saved him...along with the peace and quiet he found in Leona's presence. That peace and their friendship led to feelings of desire, but Leona was much too young and Christian was forced to flee for his life. But as soon as Christian catches sight of her in London, he knows his wait is over...she WILL be his.
This isn't a paranormal romance, yet the issue of Christian's empathic abilities is ever present in the plot. His purposeful withdrawal from attachments to preserve his peace is echoed in the author's hadnling of his character and dialogue. That made this story a bit different from Hunter's normal works and I actually found it more interesting because of that. Leona is another strong character who is certainly different from the normal historical heroine. The information on the opium issue and addiction wasn't pushed on the reader, but was nicely inserted as part of the plot. The passion is electric, the story flowed smoothly and I learned a few things I didn't know regarding the history of that time period. Time well spent!
December 20, 2020
Christian, Marquess of Easterbrook, is surprised when an old flame, Leona Montgomery, shows up in London after leaving her in China. Leona is surprised to discover her old crush, Edmund, is actually a goddamned MARQUESS. Christian makes imperious statements about the uses of his boner and Leona demurs, unsuccessfully. Sex, "exotic" sex, and more sex before a sloppy wrap-up of both of Leona's reasons for being in London and Christian's confession of (GASP) overwhelming empathy for everyone in the world except Leona. ROLL CREDITS.
1. So, um, I HAD ISSUES WITH THIS BOOK.
2. To begin with: the whole premise that Christian has overwhelming empathic abilities that make moving in society difficult is...a choice. Then there's the question of why and/or how Leona is exempted from these "powers", which is never truly explained.
3. SO HERE'S THE THING: CHRISTIAN'S A FUCKHEAD!!!
Honestly: there's a lot of that shit in this book. Christian is overbearing and demanding. The first time he and Leona have sex, they are in the middle of a fight about opium smuggling and her late father's attempts to curtail it. So Christian ends it with sex. And then routinely goes about ending all disagreements by using desire ("He caressed her thigh, trusting his hand's path would distract her."). Regularly and routinely, Leona calls out the "power" of the desire and how it overrides all her sense and objections and concerns (QUOTE, from LEONA'S POV: "He should have seduced her to remain indifferent to her duty.").
UMM. THE FUCK???
4. The epilogue is just COATED with children. FOUR THOUSAND CHILDREN. NINE MILLION CHILDREN. A TRILLION CHILDREN.
1. So, um, I HAD ISSUES WITH THIS BOOK.
2. To begin with: the whole premise that Christian has overwhelming empathic abilities that make moving in society difficult is...a choice. Then there's the question of why and/or how Leona is exempted from these "powers", which is never truly explained.
a. The first issue I have with this is that I have documented issues with heroes who disregard boundaries with their heroines because of their "special powers". The fact that it's the inverse here—that Leona is the only one he can't read—doesn't make the plot any less shitty. It's coercion, plain and simple, and therefore NOT ROMANTIC.2. Also I don't give that much of a shit about whether severe sensitive empaths are really a thing or not because the book didn't bother to sell it so much as use it as an excuse for a broody, asshole hero.
b. Apparently because he can't read Leona he feels this gives him a pass to just assign feelings to her? Or presume her decisions and thoughts on things, even when she VERBALLY SAYS OTHERWISE? I have SO MUCH MORE to say on this issue, but it really highlights a major flaw in the central tenant of this book: Christian isn't really an empathic hero; he can sense feelings but he doesn't give a shit about anyone except himself (for the most part).
3. SO HERE'S THE THING: CHRISTIAN'S A FUCKHEAD!!!
He accompanied her to her door when they arrived at her house. As was his growing habit, he entered with her as if he had a right to. [...] He would be impossible now. He had presumed much before, and it would be worse. Her disadvantage had increased enormously. Even if she tried to limit his rights, he would most likely ignore her efforts.Now you tell me: how romantic is that? He'd ignore her efforts to limit his "rights"! SWOON, RIGHT?
"I will be leaving tomorrow," she said. "If you will not send me in your coach, I will hire one for Isabella and myself."DON'T YOU JUST FEEL THE LOVE, READERS.
She braced herself for lightning. None flashed. No heat. No turmoil. He calmly considered what she had said.
"You must know that you are not going to go anywhere, Leona, in my coach or any other, unless I permit it."
She swallowed hard. "I am trusting that you will permit it."
"You have more faith in me than I do."
Honestly: there's a lot of that shit in this book. Christian is overbearing and demanding. The first time he and Leona have sex, they are in the middle of a fight about opium smuggling and her late father's attempts to curtail it. So Christian ends it with sex. And then routinely goes about ending all disagreements by using desire ("He caressed her thigh, trusting his hand's path would distract her."). Regularly and routinely, Leona calls out the "power" of the desire and how it overrides all her sense and objections and concerns (QUOTE, from LEONA'S POV: "He should have seduced her to remain indifferent to her duty.").
UMM. THE FUCK???
4. The epilogue is just COATED with children. FOUR THOUSAND CHILDREN. NINE MILLION CHILDREN. A TRILLION CHILDREN.
July 11, 2023
Their romance from 6 or 7 years ago wasn't fleshed out, so I felt no reason to believe that these two characters should get a HEA together. I couldn't connect with the main characters either. I wasn't interested in the plot outside of their romance--something to do with the heroine's dad's/brother's business in China. For a good part of the book, I had no idea what the plot was. There were quite a few love scenes, but since I couldn't connect with either character, I didn't care for those scenes. I'm confident that this author is not for me. *goes to remove her books from my TBR*
October 10, 2022
2.5 stars. This last book in this series is full of wishy-washy details and partially unanswered questions. I am disappointed in this story overall, and I’m honestly not sure why I didn’t DNF it.
I was especially frustrated by how many sex scenes this book had - the series went from a couple scenes that ended in fade to black (which was too tame for me personally) - to this book having sex scene after sex scene. I enjoy a good spicy scene, but it really felt like all these two had in common was sex.
In this story the hero and heroine met 6 years prior while abroad - where the heroine was living with her father and brother - and the hero was traveling. There’s some hazy details on their one encounter in the garden where the hero kissed her, but she stopped his advances from progressing further. He left the country soon after and returned to England. The heroine comes to England in order to further some business interests. The hero happens to see the heroine, and immediately starts his pursuit of her. He drops his mistress by sending over jewels (what else would do?) and kidnaps the heroine off the street to force their first meeting. He is ruthless in his pursuit until he finally got what he wanted.
I really dislike second chance romance - but decided to give this one a chance because I had been looking forward to this hero’s story throughout the series. Sadly, this is yet another book where the hero had mistress after mistress and the heroine remained a virgin. She was engaged to be married and that fell through soon after her and the hero parted ways. She‘s supposedly a very progressive woman - running a business for her younger brother after their father passed - so I don’t understand why she would have held on to her virginity for so many years. The careless way that the author had her give it up to the hero in this book was also infuriating. He had no intensions towards marriage, just a determination to install her as his mistress. He used her betraying body syndrome against her and took her virginity before she seemed to even know what was happening. 😒😠 Then he tried to get her to move into his house so she would be readily available to him whenever he wanted more. Thankfully she did refuse that, but it still seemed that he got what he wanted most of the time, and the hero and heroine decided to continue their sexual relationship until she was to return home.
Thankfully, the heroine gets kidnapped, or else the hero probably would never have proposed. Thank goodness for those nearly-fatal endings! 🤪🤪
Anyways, I don’t recommend this one or book 2. Books 1 and 3 were decent though.
Safe w/ exceptions; 6 year separation, heroine rejected the hero because she was engaged to OM in past, he threw her over using her time spent with the hero as the excuse, heroine remained a virgin, hero was a manwhore in her absence and says that he thought about her often and never forgot her, HOW ROMANTIC! No scenes with OM/OW, no OM/OW drama, no cheating. Hero does throw over his current mistress when he first sees the heroine, he and heroine then see her and another of his past mistresses with the jewels he gifted upon separation at the park. This doesn’t cause any real drama, but I’m sure the heroine will be running into all his past lovers for a long time to come.
I was especially frustrated by how many sex scenes this book had - the series went from a couple scenes that ended in fade to black (which was too tame for me personally) - to this book having sex scene after sex scene. I enjoy a good spicy scene, but it really felt like all these two had in common was sex.
In this story the hero and heroine met 6 years prior while abroad - where the heroine was living with her father and brother - and the hero was traveling. There’s some hazy details on their one encounter in the garden where the hero kissed her, but she stopped his advances from progressing further. He left the country soon after and returned to England. The heroine comes to England in order to further some business interests. The hero happens to see the heroine, and immediately starts his pursuit of her. He drops his mistress by sending over jewels (what else would do?) and kidnaps the heroine off the street to force their first meeting. He is ruthless in his pursuit until he finally got what he wanted.
I really dislike second chance romance - but decided to give this one a chance because I had been looking forward to this hero’s story throughout the series. Sadly, this is yet another book where the hero had mistress after mistress and the heroine remained a virgin. She was engaged to be married and that fell through soon after her and the hero parted ways. She‘s supposedly a very progressive woman - running a business for her younger brother after their father passed - so I don’t understand why she would have held on to her virginity for so many years. The careless way that the author had her give it up to the hero in this book was also infuriating. He had no intensions towards marriage, just a determination to install her as his mistress. He used her betraying body syndrome against her and took her virginity before she seemed to even know what was happening. 😒😠 Then he tried to get her to move into his house so she would be readily available to him whenever he wanted more. Thankfully she did refuse that, but it still seemed that he got what he wanted most of the time, and the hero and heroine decided to continue their sexual relationship until she was to return home.
Thankfully, the heroine gets kidnapped, or else the hero probably would never have proposed. Thank goodness for those nearly-fatal endings! 🤪🤪
Anyways, I don’t recommend this one or book 2. Books 1 and 3 were decent though.
Safe w/ exceptions; 6 year separation, heroine rejected the hero because she was engaged to OM in past, he threw her over using her time spent with the hero as the excuse, heroine remained a virgin, hero was a manwhore in her absence and says that he thought about her often and never forgot her, HOW ROMANTIC! No scenes with OM/OW, no OM/OW drama, no cheating. Hero does throw over his current mistress when he first sees the heroine, he and heroine then see her and another of his past mistresses with the jewels he gifted upon separation at the park. This doesn’t cause any real drama, but I’m sure the heroine will be running into all his past lovers for a long time to come.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2010
I have just recently discovered Madeline Hunter, after experiencing a rather, drawn out, and annoying bout of 'reader's block'
I picked this book up at my local bookstore, thinking it would be an easy read, to help me out of my slump. Let me tell you what I have discovered, about Ms Hunter...
In my opinion, her writing is amazingly clever, devastatingly sexy, and with just the right amount of mystery to keep the pages turning.
In short, I have definatly found myself another favorite author.
Do not make the same mistake I did, however, and start with this book. After starting it I realized it was book four, in a series. (Hate it when that happens), but this book had me so enthralled by its opening paragraph, I simply could not put it down. Causing me, to go against my golden rule of, 'Never read a series out of order'.
Oh well, it was worth it.
March 9, 2010
I have been looking forward to this book for what seems like forever. Throughout this series I have been intrigued by Lord Easterbrook. He was so different from all the other characters and I couldn't wait to see what made him tick. Unfortunately it didn't meet my expectations.
I think the statement that Easterbrook makes to Leona, "I am Easterbrook" really defines the entirety of his character. He's troubled yes, but the issues he has are overshadowed by his arrogance and belief in his own superiority. On one hand I think this is a refreshing attitude. It's hard sometimes to suspend belief when nobility act like they don't have a sense of entitlement. I think it's more realistic to show a nobleman secure in his belief that people should do what he says just because of who he is. On the other hand it makes him aggravating. His arrogance starts to grate and you have to wonder why Leona is letting him walk all over her.
When I learned the reason for Easterbrook's reclusive habits I was intrigued. I was eager to see how the author would handle this disability. I never felt like that was explored though. There was no need to get a handle on it because it seemed like it surfaced in fits and starts. We're told that it's a constant battle for him to deal with it, but it wasn't an issue when it would be inconvenient to the story and only appeared when the author wanted to show Easterbrook's angst. I wanted consistency and a real look at what a struggle life must be for him. We got vague memories of a hard childhood and the bitter realities of being able to see into an unhappy home, but it wasn't enough. I couldn't help but feel that everything skimmed the surface and nothing really had any depth.
Leona was a flat character for me. I think she was supposed to be multifaceted with being torn between her longing for Easterbrook and her belief that her brother needed her, but it didn't work for me. When she decides she wants to be with Easterbrook forever she easily dismisses the earlier difficulties she had with leaving her brother to manage things on his own. The opium plot had the potential to be interesting, but it didn't work out. There were too many plots going on that there was no depth to any of them. I don't have many good things or bad things to say about Leona. She was just... there. Like furniture. There was nothing interesting about her.
I had a problem with Leona's character consistency. When Easterbrook makes the big reveal to her about his disability she's surprised. I find that very odd when multiple times before she gave the impression that she sensed him trying to probe her mind so she hid her thoughts. If she has felt that before and comments to herself on it, then why would it be shocking to find out the truth? Wouldn't it be more of an "aha!" moment to her? It seemed inconsistent.
The ending went out with a whimper instead of a bang. When the characters find out whom the villain is it's kind of disappointing. Instead of, "Wow, really?" it was, "Oh... really?" I think my problem with the book was the fact that so much was told, not shown. I wanted to be able to see the characters develop and fall in love. Instead I was told they were developing and that they were falling in love. Also, if there were fewer plots I believe I would have been able to focus on them more and become invested in the outcome.
Madeline Hunter is definitely a hit or miss author for me. I keep buying her because when her work is on for me I absolutely love her writing. I fall into the story and read for hours. Even though this book was meh for me I still admire the way Madeline Hunter turns a phrase. I think that she is a very skilled writer even when I am unable to become engaged by the characters and storyline. If this is your first book by Hunter and you weren't into it you might want to try another. She's very skilled; unfortunately it's only hit or miss.
I think the statement that Easterbrook makes to Leona, "I am Easterbrook" really defines the entirety of his character. He's troubled yes, but the issues he has are overshadowed by his arrogance and belief in his own superiority. On one hand I think this is a refreshing attitude. It's hard sometimes to suspend belief when nobility act like they don't have a sense of entitlement. I think it's more realistic to show a nobleman secure in his belief that people should do what he says just because of who he is. On the other hand it makes him aggravating. His arrogance starts to grate and you have to wonder why Leona is letting him walk all over her.
When I learned the reason for Easterbrook's reclusive habits I was intrigued. I was eager to see how the author would handle this disability. I never felt like that was explored though. There was no need to get a handle on it because it seemed like it surfaced in fits and starts. We're told that it's a constant battle for him to deal with it, but it wasn't an issue when it would be inconvenient to the story and only appeared when the author wanted to show Easterbrook's angst. I wanted consistency and a real look at what a struggle life must be for him. We got vague memories of a hard childhood and the bitter realities of being able to see into an unhappy home, but it wasn't enough. I couldn't help but feel that everything skimmed the surface and nothing really had any depth.
Leona was a flat character for me. I think she was supposed to be multifaceted with being torn between her longing for Easterbrook and her belief that her brother needed her, but it didn't work for me. When she decides she wants to be with Easterbrook forever she easily dismisses the earlier difficulties she had with leaving her brother to manage things on his own. The opium plot had the potential to be interesting, but it didn't work out. There were too many plots going on that there was no depth to any of them. I don't have many good things or bad things to say about Leona. She was just... there. Like furniture. There was nothing interesting about her.
I had a problem with Leona's character consistency. When Easterbrook makes the big reveal to her about his disability she's surprised. I find that very odd when multiple times before she gave the impression that she sensed him trying to probe her mind so she hid her thoughts. If she has felt that before and comments to herself on it, then why would it be shocking to find out the truth? Wouldn't it be more of an "aha!" moment to her? It seemed inconsistent.
The ending went out with a whimper instead of a bang. When the characters find out whom the villain is it's kind of disappointing. Instead of, "Wow, really?" it was, "Oh... really?" I think my problem with the book was the fact that so much was told, not shown. I wanted to be able to see the characters develop and fall in love. Instead I was told they were developing and that they were falling in love. Also, if there were fewer plots I believe I would have been able to focus on them more and become invested in the outcome.
Madeline Hunter is definitely a hit or miss author for me. I keep buying her because when her work is on for me I absolutely love her writing. I fall into the story and read for hours. Even though this book was meh for me I still admire the way Madeline Hunter turns a phrase. I think that she is a very skilled writer even when I am unable to become engaged by the characters and storyline. If this is your first book by Hunter and you weren't into it you might want to try another. She's very skilled; unfortunately it's only hit or miss.
June 25, 2020
Waiting for Christian's story but did not find it all that interesting as the others. However, this was a good series.
October 4, 2019
Bu yazarın okuduğum ikinci kitabı.
Sanırım yıldızımız pek barışmadı kendisiyle. :)
Beni en çok rahatsız eden akıştaki, bir paragraf erkek karaktere bir paragraf kadın karaktere ait olmasıydı.
Okurken ilk başta kimi, neyi okuduğunuzu hemen anlamanıza yardımcı olmuyor maalesef bu durum. :/
Sanırım yıldızımız pek barışmadı kendisiyle. :)
Beni en çok rahatsız eden akıştaki, bir paragraf erkek karaktere bir paragraf kadın karaktere ait olmasıydı.
Okurken ilk başta kimi, neyi okuduğunuzu hemen anlamanıza yardımcı olmuyor maalesef bu durum. :/
February 18, 2021
Skipped the middle two books in the series -
Book 2 - Because of mixed reviews about Elliot.
Book 3 - Because it’s a trope that I don’t like to read much about - Auctioned, sold or gambled Heroines / Heroes.
Hero Christian alias Edmund has “empathic abilities” bordering on the paranormal.
Cataloguing the Sins of Lord Easterbrook.
Hero met Heroine 7 years ago under an assumed name.
Hero would have seduced her but for her chaperone.
Hero left things unsettled came back to assume the duties of his title.
Hero stole Heroine’s father’s notebook which would have implicated his father.
Hero “knows” that their paths will cross again one day.
Hero has a “dark center” and frequently escapes into himself.
Hero spies upon the Heroine getting into a carriage one day and immediately recognises her.
Hero sends current mistress packing.
Hero pursues the Heroine.
Hero determined to have Heroine.
Hero uses seduction to overcome Heroine’s good sense.
Hero doesn’t have a care for Heroine’s good reputation.
Heroine succumbs to the Hero’s seduction.
Hero knows that he is Honour-bound to offer marriage...but lists reasons why a match would be ill-advised.
Hero wants Heroine to become his mistress.
Hero tries to dissuade the Heroine from her mission. (To find out if her father’s theory about the sabotage of his business was true)
Hero deliberately delays in helping to pave the way for the Heroine in her bid to secure her family business.
....and
......so
........on.
I really shouldn’t be reviewing books given the state of Book-reading-ennui that I’m in. *shrugs*
Call me jaded, but I’m so tired of reading about
- Heroes who have gained all the experience in the world (Rakes or otherwise)
- Heroes who maintain mistresses (discrete or otherwise)
- Heroes who are enamoured / fascinated / infatuated / attracted to the Heroine ( regardless of whether they lurve it up or otherwise) when they first meet, but go on to have physical relations with other women during their separation.
- Heroes who think that the Heroines are fair game to bed but not good enough to wed.
- Heroes who then make the move on the Chaste / Untouched / Virgin Heroine and indulge in forceful seduction.
And... the poor Heroine with her melting body parts, doesn’t stand a chance against the Hero’s lurving.
Book 2 - Because of mixed reviews about Elliot.
Book 3 - Because it’s a trope that I don’t like to read much about - Auctioned, sold or gambled Heroines / Heroes.
Hero Christian alias Edmund has “empathic abilities” bordering on the paranormal.
Cataloguing the Sins of Lord Easterbrook.
Hero met Heroine 7 years ago under an assumed name.
Hero would have seduced her but for her chaperone.
Hero left things unsettled came back to assume the duties of his title.
Hero stole Heroine’s father’s notebook which would have implicated his father.
Hero “knows” that their paths will cross again one day.
Hero has a “dark center” and frequently escapes into himself.
Hero spies upon the Heroine getting into a carriage one day and immediately recognises her.
Hero sends current mistress packing.
Hero pursues the Heroine.
Hero determined to have Heroine.
Hero uses seduction to overcome Heroine’s good sense.
Hero doesn’t have a care for Heroine’s good reputation.
Heroine succumbs to the Hero’s seduction.
Hero knows that he is Honour-bound to offer marriage...but lists reasons why a match would be ill-advised.
Hero wants Heroine to become his mistress.
Hero tries to dissuade the Heroine from her mission. (To find out if her father’s theory about the sabotage of his business was true)
Hero deliberately delays in helping to pave the way for the Heroine in her bid to secure her family business.
....and
......so
........on.
I really shouldn’t be reviewing books given the state of Book-reading-ennui that I’m in. *shrugs*
Call me jaded, but I’m so tired of reading about
- Heroes who have gained all the experience in the world (Rakes or otherwise)
- Heroes who maintain mistresses (discrete or otherwise)
- Heroes who are enamoured / fascinated / infatuated / attracted to the Heroine ( regardless of whether they lurve it up or otherwise) when they first meet, but go on to have physical relations with other women during their separation.
- Heroes who think that the Heroines are fair game to bed but not good enough to wed.
- Heroes who then make the move on the Chaste / Untouched / Virgin Heroine and indulge in forceful seduction.
And... the poor Heroine with her melting body parts, doesn’t stand a chance against the Hero’s lurving.
December 9, 2011
Os Pecados de Lord Easterbrook é sem dúvida o livro mais exótico que já li de Madeline Hunter. Este prima principalmente pela diferença, apesar de ser a conclusão da "trilogia" Easterbrook.
A capa e a sinopse não me desiludiram nem um bocadinho.
Não sei se foi pela introdução da personagem Leona, estrangeira apesar das suas raízes, se foi pela personalidade estranha, que mais tarde se revela ser outra coisa, do excêntrico Lord, só sei que este livro nos faz sair um pouco do romance confortável do As Regras de Sedução e Jogos de Sedução. Confesso, que nenhum superou estes últimos, mas Madeline Hunter tem uma maneira de nos encantar com todos aqueles pormenores ducais e reais, polvilhados de sedução e inocência, tal como de garra e subtileza feminina.
Mas Leona não me convenceu muito, nem Christian me conquistou. Apenas os jogos de sedução entre eles me mantiveram interessada, já para não falar das referencias aos casais anteriores. Gosto sempre quando podemos acompanhar, mesmo com pouco, o que aconteceu às nossas personagens mais queridas.
Continuo a aconselhar os livros da Madeline, principalmente para as românticas literárias.
A capa e a sinopse não me desiludiram nem um bocadinho.
Não sei se foi pela introdução da personagem Leona, estrangeira apesar das suas raízes, se foi pela personalidade estranha, que mais tarde se revela ser outra coisa, do excêntrico Lord, só sei que este livro nos faz sair um pouco do romance confortável do As Regras de Sedução e Jogos de Sedução. Confesso, que nenhum superou estes últimos, mas Madeline Hunter tem uma maneira de nos encantar com todos aqueles pormenores ducais e reais, polvilhados de sedução e inocência, tal como de garra e subtileza feminina.
Mas Leona não me convenceu muito, nem Christian me conquistou. Apenas os jogos de sedução entre eles me mantiveram interessada, já para não falar das referencias aos casais anteriores. Gosto sempre quando podemos acompanhar, mesmo com pouco, o que aconteceu às nossas personagens mais queridas.
Continuo a aconselhar os livros da Madeline, principalmente para as românticas literárias.
July 20, 2009
I have been a fan of Madeline Hunter ever since she wrote medievals. While those still remain in my keeper’s shelf her latest offerings haven’t been granted the same status. Entertaining yes but not as fulfilling. I do still read them all and the latest one was this.
We’ve been following Easterbrook since book 1 of the Rothwell series (this is book nº4) and while he hasn’t been a very sympathetic character there’s always been an aura of mystery about him that I felt could be a good omen for his story.
Unfortunately I can’t say I liked this one very much. Easterbrook was never really likeable, he was very full of himself and one truly feels that if he hadn’t been faced with Leona by chance she would never have been more than a footnote in his life’s history and as it is it was more a case of lust that brought them together than any true love. Hunter even seems to exemplify just that by having more love scenes than usual in their story.
What I liked the most was the information on the Opium trade. Leona comes to London to investigate how her father may have been involved in the illegal trade and that brings her in contact with some nasty people. Easterbrook keeps trying to protect her and ends up discovering his father may have been involved in it. What Easterbrook discovers will make him get to know himself better and eventually accept what he is.
Although we finally know why Easterbrook was almost a recluse, the truth is that I never felt any of his pain and sorrow and so the justification was a disappointment to me. I wanted more character development and I’m afraid there was none. Overall I thought the story had much potential but ended up not corresponding to my expectations.
Grade: 3.5/5
We’ve been following Easterbrook since book 1 of the Rothwell series (this is book nº4) and while he hasn’t been a very sympathetic character there’s always been an aura of mystery about him that I felt could be a good omen for his story.
Unfortunately I can’t say I liked this one very much. Easterbrook was never really likeable, he was very full of himself and one truly feels that if he hadn’t been faced with Leona by chance she would never have been more than a footnote in his life’s history and as it is it was more a case of lust that brought them together than any true love. Hunter even seems to exemplify just that by having more love scenes than usual in their story.
What I liked the most was the information on the Opium trade. Leona comes to London to investigate how her father may have been involved in the illegal trade and that brings her in contact with some nasty people. Easterbrook keeps trying to protect her and ends up discovering his father may have been involved in it. What Easterbrook discovers will make him get to know himself better and eventually accept what he is.
Although we finally know why Easterbrook was almost a recluse, the truth is that I never felt any of his pain and sorrow and so the justification was a disappointment to me. I wanted more character development and I’m afraid there was none. Overall I thought the story had much potential but ended up not corresponding to my expectations.
Grade: 3.5/5
June 20, 2021
The H has been a strong, looming presence in other books in the series. Finally we learn about his needs and why he avoids society. I loved finding out his angsty story. But the h was not quite what I had hoped for him. She's passionate and loved him but I thought she loved her brother more. She was quick to use the H and ready to abandon him. He adored her yet she wasn't willing to fight for him.
July 2, 2016
Já não é mistério nenhum que eu gosto desta autora. Sempre que a Asa edita algum livro desta senhora é ver-me a ir direitinha a uma FNAC, BERTRAND ou livraria da esquina.
Parte do fascínio que esta autora provoca deve-sa sobretudo à fluidez na escrita dela que permita que, por muito complicada que seja a trama, os leitores devorem os seus livros sem dar conta do passar de páginas.
Quanto a este livro, os principais pontos já estão escarrapachados na sinopse e daí eu não avançar mais.
A personagem principal masculina Christian, ou Edmund, já tinha aparecido nos livros anteriores como alguém afastado da sociedade por sua escolha, um autêntico eremita excêntrico com muito poder social e político, mas a verdadeira razão do seu afastamento apenas neste volume é desvendado. Por acaso é algo que não me passava pela cabeça, cuja surpresa fez-me gostar ainda mais deste livro.
Christian é um homem que já está habituada a que os outros se vergam perante a sua vontade e ímpetos e não admite um não, respondendo com ferocidade quanto tal acontece. Com Leona ele irá enfrentar uma mulher forte, determinada e que está habituada a lutar no perigoso mundo dos homens (piratas, muçulmanos,...) e que não age contra os seus princípios ou determinações. Perante tal mulher Christian terá de refrear muito o seu ego gigantesco.
Gostei da luta entre as duas personagens, embora a personagem principal masculina não tenha sempre lutado de forma honesta. O único GRANDE senão neste livro é a sua enorme carga erótica. Tantas referências sexuais entre estas duas personagens! Demasiadas, na minha opinião. Tirando isto, este é mais um excelente livro que nos ensina (pelo menos a mim ensinou, porque desconhecia por absoluto) a enorme culpa que Inglaterra teve no tráfico e disseminação do ópio pelo mundo.
Parte do fascínio que esta autora provoca deve-sa sobretudo à fluidez na escrita dela que permita que, por muito complicada que seja a trama, os leitores devorem os seus livros sem dar conta do passar de páginas.
Quanto a este livro, os principais pontos já estão escarrapachados na sinopse e daí eu não avançar mais.
A personagem principal masculina Christian, ou Edmund, já tinha aparecido nos livros anteriores como alguém afastado da sociedade por sua escolha, um autêntico eremita excêntrico com muito poder social e político, mas a verdadeira razão do seu afastamento apenas neste volume é desvendado. Por acaso é algo que não me passava pela cabeça, cuja surpresa fez-me gostar ainda mais deste livro.
Christian é um homem que já está habituada a que os outros se vergam perante a sua vontade e ímpetos e não admite um não, respondendo com ferocidade quanto tal acontece. Com Leona ele irá enfrentar uma mulher forte, determinada e que está habituada a lutar no perigoso mundo dos homens (piratas, muçulmanos,...) e que não age contra os seus princípios ou determinações. Perante tal mulher Christian terá de refrear muito o seu ego gigantesco.
Gostei da luta entre as duas personagens, embora a personagem principal masculina não tenha sempre lutado de forma honesta. O único GRANDE senão neste livro é a sua enorme carga erótica. Tantas referências sexuais entre estas duas personagens! Demasiadas, na minha opinião. Tirando isto, este é mais um excelente livro que nos ensina (pelo menos a mim ensinou, porque desconhecia por absoluto) a enorme culpa que Inglaterra teve no tráfico e disseminação do ópio pelo mundo.
December 18, 2010
Leona and Christian met seven years ago in a land faraway from England. When Leona ends up in England looking for "Edmund", Christian knows that his past is about to come back and finish taking out the rest of his heart. He never forgot the dark-haired, dark-eyed beauty and she never forgot the kisses of a wild, dark souled young man.
Leona has come to try and form some shipping alliances for her brother's shipping company. She has also come to find the men whom destroyed her father and ultimately were responsible for his death. She will also discover what part if any her Edmund played, for when he dissappeared, so did an important journal of her father's.
But once Leona and Christian again discover the magic that they become when they let their bodies and hearts start doing the talking, then the past doesn' seem as important as the future. Christian realizes that Leona has the key to his peace and sanity. He now is thinkihg that the only thing that can save him is her love.
The first 1/2 of the book I didn't connect as well as I wanted to with the characters. Sometimes, when reading MH, I am not sure of what it is she is trying to get accross to me. If I can't visualize it very well, then I don't enjoy it as much. But the 2nd 1/2 of the book I enjoyed the book much more and liked Christian and Leona as a couple.
Leona has come to try and form some shipping alliances for her brother's shipping company. She has also come to find the men whom destroyed her father and ultimately were responsible for his death. She will also discover what part if any her Edmund played, for when he dissappeared, so did an important journal of her father's.
But once Leona and Christian again discover the magic that they become when they let their bodies and hearts start doing the talking, then the past doesn' seem as important as the future. Christian realizes that Leona has the key to his peace and sanity. He now is thinkihg that the only thing that can save him is her love.
The first 1/2 of the book I didn't connect as well as I wanted to with the characters. Sometimes, when reading MH, I am not sure of what it is she is trying to get accross to me. If I can't visualize it very well, then I don't enjoy it as much. But the 2nd 1/2 of the book I enjoyed the book much more and liked Christian and Leona as a couple.
February 17, 2009
Rainy three day week-ends demand mindless trash. Mindless this was and marginally entertaining. It could have been better had Hunter actually fleshed out the initial interlude between Leona and Christian or perhaps made his "affliction" more concrete. Mirror, shadows and illusion simply make a lack-luster story. Still, everyone was screwing, avoiding scandal, getting married and cranking out the kids with the blessing of "society." A true bourgeois ending that preserves the status quo. Natch.
November 18, 2012
Depois de Casamento de Conveniênia pensei que a autora tinha perdido a imaginação e admito que comprei este livro com baixas expectativas e apenas para terminar a colecção. E ainda bem que o fiz.
Gostei bastante deste romance que, apesar de ser semelhante aos dois primeiros (As Regras da Sedução e Jogos de Sedução), nos apresenta a misteriosa China dos inícios do século XIX com as suas tradições mas também com a maldição do tráfico do ópio.
Trata-se de um romance histórico mas também muito exótico e sensual que não nos deixa parar de ler até à última página e a ansiar pelo próximo livro.
Gostei bastante deste romance que, apesar de ser semelhante aos dois primeiros (As Regras da Sedução e Jogos de Sedução), nos apresenta a misteriosa China dos inícios do século XIX com as suas tradições mas também com a maldição do tráfico do ópio.
Trata-se de um romance histórico mas também muito exótico e sensual que não nos deixa parar de ler até à última página e a ansiar pelo próximo livro.
December 4, 2010
I really, really, loved Christian/Edmund. He was an interesting mix ruthless/decisive and vulnerable and overall a very unusual/odd hero due to his afflction. (There was something about him that reminded me of hero in The Madness of Ian Mackenzie.) Anywho I thought Leona, the heroine, was fairly strong and and likeable heroine and liked the secondary characters as well. The begining was a little slow I think because the writing felt a little formal. But Christian sealed the deal for me.
October 23, 2016
Detestei este livro...
Depois de tantas expectativas, de tanto dar a entender que o Christian era tão misterioso... ficou muito aquém dos irmãos Hayden e Elliot. O Hayden será sempre o meu favorito - e o Elliot e a Phaedra andei a enrolar até mais não.
Agora este Christian e a Leona? Não me senti nada apegada à história, a Madeline não conseguiu cumprir aquilo para o que se propôs com todas as expectativas que nos passou através dos volumes anteriores...
Depois de tantas expectativas, de tanto dar a entender que o Christian era tão misterioso... ficou muito aquém dos irmãos Hayden e Elliot. O Hayden será sempre o meu favorito - e o Elliot e a Phaedra andei a enrolar até mais não.
Agora este Christian e a Leona? Não me senti nada apegada à história, a Madeline não conseguiu cumprir aquilo para o que se propôs com todas as expectativas que nos passou através dos volumes anteriores...
May 6, 2024
Interesting story, bringing in meditation, oriental drug trade and intuitive empathy. This author brings it in this genre. Never boring.
July 3, 2020
I put off reading this book for a while partly because I liked the first and third books, but disliked the second. When there are three brothers, you like one, dislike the other, you put off reading about the third because it might disappoint you about the whole series. At least that’s what I thought.
This book turned out much better than expected even with its quirks. The “hero” is marquess of Easterbrook, who is an empath. He senses people’s emotions. It’s a challenge that leads him to self isolation and led him long ago to flee abroad to travel for years before returning to claim his position.
The heroine, Leona, was someone he met during those travels. She was the daughter of a shipping magnate in Macau, whose business was destroyed due to his role in trying to expose the opium trade.
The two split up when Easterbrook flees Macau to avoid getting caught in political turmoil. They are reunited when she visits London to rebuild her father’s business.
At first I found Easterbrook off putting. I enjoy a bit of masterfulness in heroes but when it goes from alpha to a-hole, I tune out. Luckily the plot picks up and Leona has enough focus on her family and goals even if she lacks a backbone for most of the book. Still, she makes him a better, more dutiful person through her observations.
Details around opium trade, Easterbrook’s family history are all really interesting and this is overall a superb plot.
I should flag- there’s a lot of sex in this book. In many cases it overshadows what is a legitimate evolution of their relationship and the growth in his character. Leona is really an appendage for the most plot and not a very distinctive character. She wants revenge on her father’s enemies and she likes sleeping with Easterbrook. There might be more there but I didn’t see it.
Still, well written book, good plot. Really good details about the relationships within the Rothwell family. I call him the second best brother after Hayden. Make sure to read preceding books to get the most value out of this one.
3.75 stars.
This book turned out much better than expected even with its quirks. The “hero” is marquess of Easterbrook, who is an empath. He senses people’s emotions. It’s a challenge that leads him to self isolation and led him long ago to flee abroad to travel for years before returning to claim his position.
The heroine, Leona, was someone he met during those travels. She was the daughter of a shipping magnate in Macau, whose business was destroyed due to his role in trying to expose the opium trade.
The two split up when Easterbrook flees Macau to avoid getting caught in political turmoil. They are reunited when she visits London to rebuild her father’s business.
At first I found Easterbrook off putting. I enjoy a bit of masterfulness in heroes but when it goes from alpha to a-hole, I tune out. Luckily the plot picks up and Leona has enough focus on her family and goals even if she lacks a backbone for most of the book. Still, she makes him a better, more dutiful person through her observations.
Details around opium trade, Easterbrook’s family history are all really interesting and this is overall a superb plot.
I should flag- there’s a lot of sex in this book. In many cases it overshadows what is a legitimate evolution of their relationship and the growth in his character. Leona is really an appendage for the most plot and not a very distinctive character. She wants revenge on her father’s enemies and she likes sleeping with Easterbrook. There might be more there but I didn’t see it.
Still, well written book, good plot. Really good details about the relationships within the Rothwell family. I call him the second best brother after Hayden. Make sure to read preceding books to get the most value out of this one.
3.75 stars.
May 30, 2023
DNF. I need to put this aside for another day. I didn’t like it at all. Maybe a re read in the future will change my mind.
November 16, 2011
gw suka banget novel ini...why ? co nya sangat kompleks tapi cinta mati sama ce nya...apa aja dilakukan buat ce nya padahal udah 7 taun gak ketemu...
begini nih cerita nya....
leona montgomerry datang ke inggris buat mewakilkan adiknya dan mencari partnership buat perusahaan pelayarannya...
tapi selain itu leona juga mau meyelidiki kematian ayahnya 7 tahun lalu...
leona curiga ayahnya di bunuh karena ayahnya sangat vokal menentang penyelundupan opium dari china ke inggris dan sebaliknya...
leona dan keluarga dulu tinggal di china..walau perempuan, leona terkenal sangat berani dan pintar dalam berbisnis...
tapi karena ada smuggling ini, perusahaannya terancam...jadi terpaksa dia datang ke inggris....
leona mau mencari siapa 'orang penting' di inggris yang ada di balik penyelundupan opoum yang menghancurkan ayahnya...
di inggris leona gak berharap bertemu dengan "edmund'...
edmund ini seperti cinta terlarang bagi leona..7 tahun lalu pas usia nya sekitar 17 atau 18, edmund yang misterius datang ke china buat bertemu dengan ayah leona....
leona dan edmund saling tertarik...mereka sempat bertukar ciuman....
tapi edmund dipaksa harus kembali ke inggris karena dia menjadi saksi mata pihak berkuasa di china membakar kapal ayah leona terkait dengan bisnis opium..
kalo stay disana edmund akan di bunuh...
akhirnya layu sebelum berkembang deh cinta nya....
7 tahun kemudian...diketahui bahwa edmund ini asli nya adalah christian, marquess of easterbrooks....salah satu orang paling berpengaruh di inggris tapi terkenal dengan sifat aneh dan eksentrik nya...
edmund aka christian ini punya 'emphaty'...dia bisa merasakan perasaan orang2 di dekat nya (kayak baca pikiran orang)...
so begitu suatu hari dia merasakan 'keberadaan' leona yang datang ke gosvenoor square tempat kediaman marquess of easterbrooks buat bertemu bibi nya...christian langsung mengejar leona...
christian ini sehak 7 tahun yang lalu udah menunggu leona...dia tau bahwa suatu hari leona akan datang ke dia dan jadi miliknya....
leona juga baru tau kalo edmund itu adalah lord easterbrooks...
dengan kekuasaan nya christian bilang dia bisa membantu leona...
tapi biasa deh..bantuan ada mau nya :p
setiap saat dan kesempatan, christian selalu berusaha merayu leona...
sebenernya gak perlu berusaha banget sih secara leona nya juga suka sama christian....
akhirnya leona setuju selama dia di inggris dia akan menjalin affair dengan christian..tapibdia menolak untuk di jadikan mistress...dia mau christian berjanji kalo saat nya leona harus pergi, christian haerus membebaskan keona pergi...
so begitulah..sambil nyelidikin penjahat sambil mereka mencari waktu buat menjalin kasih (baca :uhuk2 :p)
leona nya walo udah berumur 24 atau 26 an gitu, dia masih virgin...
adegan uhuk2 nya lumayan banyak....
kalo buku hr lain adegan itu nya ada di sekitar halaman 200, di buku ini udah mulai steamy dari halaman 100 :p
trus lumayan detil juga penjelasannya....apalagi adegan di dalam 'drawing room' christian....
christian tau leona datang, dia mengurung bibi dan sepupu nya di library biar dia dan leona gak di ganggu bibi nya yang bawel ;p
so di drawing room asik deh begini-begitu berbagai macam gaya, depan-belakang ( hmmmph...tidak di anjurkan buat yang 21 tahun ke bawah :p)
salah satu adegan yang memorable juga...pas leona ngaku ke christian kalo dia pernah intip gambar2 di 'pillow book' pelayannya ....(kurang lebih isi nya gambar kamasutra versi china)...dan christian minta leona ngikutin seperti yang ada di buku itu :p
kira2 begitulah...selanjut nya terserah aja gimana bayanginnya :p
my opinion :
------------
awalnya buku ini terasa berat krn di bahas ttg smugling dan company...tapi setelah halaman 5o an mulai berasa bagus nya...apalagi bagian christian yang posesif banget...gak terima kata 'no' dari leona...
ada adegan leona di culik juga....dan christian berduel dengan penculik leona...
dan ending nya very happy....leona yang berhasil mengembalikan nama baik bapaknya dan mau kembali ke china, di halangi oleh christian...christian ini bener2 cinta mati banget sama leona....
akhirnya leona menerima juga lamaran christian...
diceritain sampe mereka punya anak laki2 berusia 3 thn....^^
July 23, 2012
Este livro foi uma excelente aquisição para as minhas estantes, e gostei imenso de o ler.
Foi a minha segunda leitura de Madeline Hunter, e não desiludiu. Uma vez mais, calhou-me um livro ao acaso, e talvez isso tenha contribuído para não só gostar imenso da história, como para me despertar a atenção para os outros títulos da mesma série, tal como aconteceu com o "Mil Noites de Paixão".
Além do romance e do erotismo que esperava de um título de Madeline Hunter, "Os Pecados de Lord Easterbrook" dão-nos mistério, uma espécie de dom para uns, para outros, uma maldição, e dois personagens principais que tem conflitos interiores a resolver antes de conseguirem entender-se.
Achei interessante o enredo histórico em que Madeline pegou, uma vez que todos sabemos como a Inglaterra esteve envolvida com o tráfico de ópio na China. Pessoalmente, agradou-me que tenha referido a presença portuguesa em Macau, embora esta não seja relevante para a história em questão, e gostei da forma como revelou o que todos sabemos mas tentamos sempre negar, que nunca conhecemos verdadeiramente aqueles que nos rodeiam, há sempre segredos em todos nós, uns mais tenebrosos que outros, e, neste caso, Madeline leva-nos com mestria pelos dilemas pessoais dos personagens, garantindo que o certo prevalece sobre o errado, mesmo que isso prejudique quem não merece, de certa forma, ser prejudicado.
Dar a entender ao leitor como se resolviam certo tipo de problemas naquela época, na Londres dos Lordes e Bispos influentes, foi outro traço que me agradou na história de Madeline, uma vez que mostrou claramente que, por vezes, a melhor forma de parar um mal, é terminando com ele.
Considero as histórias de Madeline Hunter uma leitura leve, envolvente (li ambos os livros em menos de 24 horas cada), que nos transportará rapidamente para outra época e outra sociedade que não aquela que conhecemos hoje, e nos fará sonhar um pouco acordadas com homens como Ian de Guilford e Christian Easterbrook :)
Madeline Hunter, com as suas histórias simples, talvez previsíveis mas nem sempre da forma que pensamos que o serão, escreve para lermos de uma assentada e adorarmos, deixando um desejo de mais quando chegamos ao fim :)
Foi a minha segunda leitura de Madeline Hunter, e não desiludiu. Uma vez mais, calhou-me um livro ao acaso, e talvez isso tenha contribuído para não só gostar imenso da história, como para me despertar a atenção para os outros títulos da mesma série, tal como aconteceu com o "Mil Noites de Paixão".
Além do romance e do erotismo que esperava de um título de Madeline Hunter, "Os Pecados de Lord Easterbrook" dão-nos mistério, uma espécie de dom para uns, para outros, uma maldição, e dois personagens principais que tem conflitos interiores a resolver antes de conseguirem entender-se.
Achei interessante o enredo histórico em que Madeline pegou, uma vez que todos sabemos como a Inglaterra esteve envolvida com o tráfico de ópio na China. Pessoalmente, agradou-me que tenha referido a presença portuguesa em Macau, embora esta não seja relevante para a história em questão, e gostei da forma como revelou o que todos sabemos mas tentamos sempre negar, que nunca conhecemos verdadeiramente aqueles que nos rodeiam, há sempre segredos em todos nós, uns mais tenebrosos que outros, e, neste caso, Madeline leva-nos com mestria pelos dilemas pessoais dos personagens, garantindo que o certo prevalece sobre o errado, mesmo que isso prejudique quem não merece, de certa forma, ser prejudicado.
Dar a entender ao leitor como se resolviam certo tipo de problemas naquela época, na Londres dos Lordes e Bispos influentes, foi outro traço que me agradou na história de Madeline, uma vez que mostrou claramente que, por vezes, a melhor forma de parar um mal, é terminando com ele.
Considero as histórias de Madeline Hunter uma leitura leve, envolvente (li ambos os livros em menos de 24 horas cada), que nos transportará rapidamente para outra época e outra sociedade que não aquela que conhecemos hoje, e nos fará sonhar um pouco acordadas com homens como Ian de Guilford e Christian Easterbrook :)
Madeline Hunter, com as suas histórias simples, talvez previsíveis mas nem sempre da forma que pensamos que o serão, escreve para lermos de uma assentada e adorarmos, deixando um desejo de mais quando chegamos ao fim :)
June 6, 2013
The Sins of Lord Easterbrook, Madeline Hunter - The Rothwell series as a whole has been a strong one and I've enjoyed all of them, particularly the stories with the first two brothers, Elliot and Hayden. Christian's story, while enjoyable, just wasn't as strong for me. I liked very much his unconventional behavior and views of the world. In fact, unconventional attitudes about social customs is a recurring theme in the series. I didn't though find Christian to be as compelling as the lead-up for him in the previous books. He's still mysterious and reclusive here, and with some good reasons, but he's also imperious and arrogant and his domination of Leona is too complete, rendering her somewhat weak and ineffectual for much of the book. By the end of the book I didn't really have a sense of why they couldn't be together except that she would half-heartedly claim it as such. To be honest, I didn't really understand why they were forced to stay apart for seven years and that too seemed contrived. Christian had to flee Leona's homeland of Macao and made a quick get-away, but there didn't seem a reason that these two lovers couldn't have met up much sooner. Therefore, the star-crossed lovers theme seemed weak. I enjoyed still though the culture clash and even class tensions of this book as well as the historical events of the opium trade. Hunter does a nice job with her research and creates a strong setting for the entire series. The failing of the banks and the rumblings of mass dissatisfaction with the antiquated peerage system is interesting and historically accurate. And I thought Hunter did a fine job of wrapping up the series and bringing all characters back in a satisfactory manner. Just a smidge disappointed that Christian's story didn't live up to expectations.
April 10, 2013
Com uma linguagem acessível e um enredo que qualquer pessoa gosta, este livro tal como todos anteriores a estes conseguiram-me conquistar, adorei a série.
Desde o primeiro livro que tive curiosidade em saber o porquê de Christian Easterbrook ter um comportamento diferente do habitual para alguém da posição dele e nesta obra tive a oportunidade de o conhecer melhor tal como o seu passado na pele de Edmund.
Toda a história se desenvolve através de um grande problema que ainda é bastante atual nos dias que correm : o contrabando de ópio.
(após a leitura decidi fazer uma pequenina pesquisa sobre isso. )
Leona, uma mulher diferente do convencional, chega a Londres e consegue fazer com que a paixão que outrora existiu , em Macau, entre esta e o marquês renasça mas agora com proporções incríveis.
É Leona quem consegue abrir a mente e o coração de Easterbook e opera nele coisas extraordinárias.
Em suma, quando terminei este livro tive uma enorme pena em deixar estas personagens que acompanharam os meus últimos meses. :)
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Este é o 5º livro que leio de Madeline Hunter e sinceramente gosto muito, tanto que tenho uma enorme curiosidade em ler as suas outras obras :)
Desde o primeiro livro que tive curiosidade em saber o porquê de Christian Easterbrook ter um comportamento diferente do habitual para alguém da posição dele e nesta obra tive a oportunidade de o conhecer melhor tal como o seu passado na pele de Edmund.
Toda a história se desenvolve através de um grande problema que ainda é bastante atual nos dias que correm : o contrabando de ópio.
(após a leitura decidi fazer uma pequenina pesquisa sobre isso. )
Leona, uma mulher diferente do convencional, chega a Londres e consegue fazer com que a paixão que outrora existiu , em Macau, entre esta e o marquês renasça mas agora com proporções incríveis.
É Leona quem consegue abrir a mente e o coração de Easterbook e opera nele coisas extraordinárias.
Em suma, quando terminei este livro tive uma enorme pena em deixar estas personagens que acompanharam os meus últimos meses. :)
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Este é o 5º livro que leio de Madeline Hunter e sinceramente gosto muito, tanto que tenho uma enorme curiosidade em ler as suas outras obras :)
August 18, 2014
Enfim conheci Lord Easterbrook, um personagem cheios de segredos, conhecido como estranho, enigmático, insociável e recluso pela sociedade. Sua rotina é alterada com a chegada de Leona Montgomery que ele conhecera sete anos atrás, um mulher exótica e sensual por quem sempre se sentira atraído. A atração continua lá, mas Leona acha-o diferente do homem que conhecera anteriormente. Não confia muito nele, visto que ele usava outro nome. Easterbrook a deseja com todo seu ser, mas, os segredos que mantém impedem que se entregue a essa paixão. No entanto, não consegue ficar distante dela, pois sabe que as respostas que ela procura sobre o tráfico de opium, o envolvimento do pai dela e a empresa de transporte de carga, cujo irmão agora é responsável, podem levá-la a morte. Easterbrook é como um furação, invadindo e tomando e cuidando do que é seu. Um homem que impõe respeito, um homem a quem o inimigo não pode subestimar...
Em busca de respostas, eles conhecerão o verdadeiro sentido do amor, e que não há nada que possa impedi-los de viver este amor, mesmo o que no inicio os afastava, a maldição dos Rothwell.
Em busca de respostas, eles conhecerão o verdadeiro sentido do amor, e que não há nada que possa impedi-los de viver este amor, mesmo o que no inicio os afastava, a maldição dos Rothwell.
March 13, 2013
I am sorry to see this series end. The Rothwell family is fascinating and the women feisty and fun. The Lord and eldest brother, Christian, is a mystery to most, even his own brothers Elliott and Hayden. He spent several years gone from England when he was not yet the Marques, with no explanation, only to return with no answers. He is uncaring of the rumors swirling around him - after all he is now the Marques and above common gossip - but a family member puts it well - he seems to be waiting for something. That something is Leona Montgomery, recently arrived in London to make trade connections for her family's business in Macao, along with other unfinished business. And so it goes. Not a huge surprise for Hunter's fans, but deliciously written and clever bits of humor dropped in here and there.
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