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Rodesson's Daughters #3
Hot Silk
Absolute Surrender
Two years ago, with her reputation already in jeopardy, Miss Grace Hamilton gave herself to a powerful, compelling stranger in one night of delicious, quivering ecstasy. Wild, bold, and wickedly sensual, Devlin Sharpe is a highwayman and pirate - a scoundrel whose world is ruled solely by pleasure. And now he has returned to claim Grace again, vowing to make up for the time they've lost, to take her to the heights of carnal abandon and show her the exquisite bliss of exploring her darkest, most decadent fantasies...
304 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2008
28 people are currently reading
428 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Page
54 books432 followersSharon Page is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of numerous novels of historical and erotic romance. She is a two-time, consecutive winner of the National Readers’ Choice Award, winner of the Golden Quill and the Colorado Award of Excellence, and a multiple finalist for the Daphne Du Maurier Award. She has twice received the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, and is a four-time finalist.
Married with two children, Sharon Page holds an industrial design degree and has worked for many years for a structural engineering firm. When not writing, she enjoys reading with her children, downhill skiing, and mountain biking. Writing romance has long been her dream and she is thrilled to share her stories.
Married with two children, Sharon Page holds an industrial design degree and has worked for many years for a structural engineering firm. When not writing, she enjoys reading with her children, downhill skiing, and mountain biking. Writing romance has long been her dream and she is thrilled to share her stories.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 16, 2008
I sat here and debated for a little bit over what to say about this book. I'm still kind of undecided. Because I liked this book, enjoyed reading it, but there was something...missing. Something just wasn't quite...there. I'll try to explain after writing the obligatory extended summary.
Hot Silk is the third and last book in the Hamilton sisters trilogy - a series about the 3 illegitimate daughters of an erotic artist in early 1800's England. The remaining single sister is Grace, the great beauty of the family. Since she was old enough to understand, Grace decided she would marry well and save her family from financial ruin. At 18, she thought she'd met her prince. But he toyed with her heart, stole her innocence and tossed her away. And on that same night, she met Devlin Sharpe, a dashing, seductive pirate and highwayman. She spends the night in his arms...and the next two years unable to forget about him. Now, he has hijacked her coach and taken her captive. For Devlin had been unable to forget her either. But how could they ever be together, given that she is a Lady, and he is a criminal?
I think that last line of my overview sums up the overriding theme of this book: the star-crossed lovers thing. Because that's what most of this story is about. Grace is always thinking she shouldn't be doing what she's doing and trying to find ways to fit in with the ton. And Devlin is always telling himself he couldn't ever really have her...he's a criminal, etc etc. I won't say it bored me, but it was a little too typical. It didn't have the seductive magic that the relationships in the first two books had.
But I can't really figure out what to say about why this book was a little off for me. It just didn't have that air of mystery or sexual excess that the first two books had. Sexually, this book was very toned down, especially compared to book 1. It's still very much erotic because of the explicit language and acts, but aside from some voyeuristic viewing of what others are doing, the sex is rather basic. In book 1, there was a lot of experimentation, a lot of over the top sexuality. Book 2 lost a lot of that, and book 3 pretty much just had a few token scenes performed by others. It was a bit disappointing because part of what made book 1 so much fun to read was the sexual excess paired with a solid story. But in this book, the star-crossed lovers theme, and the H/H's individual insecurities take over the story and make it more typical of a contemporary romance instead of an erotic romance. The sexuality of this series just decreases with each book, and it took something away from them.
Mystery-wise, this book had the weakest plot, in my opinion. There really wasn't much mystery, compared to books 1 and 2, just some bad guys causing trouble. The book lacked the air of suspense that the others had, and so didn't completely capture my attention. And like I said earlier, the story is kind of dominated by the star-crossed lovers thing.
Lastly, I didn't really care for the resolution of Grace and Devlin's relationship. Personally, I think it came off a little silly (the jail break especially). And I just couldn't see Grace deciding to sail the seas with Dev. It didn't work for me. So I was disappointed in that.
And now that I've done all that complaining, lol...I still liked this book plenty. Which is why I gave it four-stars (though maybe 3.5 would have been more fitting). It wasn't a bad book, it just didn't live up to my expectations and it was the weakest of the three books in the series. Would I still recommend it? If you've read the other three books in the series, then definitely yes. And if you haven't, well, the series as a whole is one I'd definitely recommend.
Hot Silk is the third and last book in the Hamilton sisters trilogy - a series about the 3 illegitimate daughters of an erotic artist in early 1800's England. The remaining single sister is Grace, the great beauty of the family. Since she was old enough to understand, Grace decided she would marry well and save her family from financial ruin. At 18, she thought she'd met her prince. But he toyed with her heart, stole her innocence and tossed her away. And on that same night, she met Devlin Sharpe, a dashing, seductive pirate and highwayman. She spends the night in his arms...and the next two years unable to forget about him. Now, he has hijacked her coach and taken her captive. For Devlin had been unable to forget her either. But how could they ever be together, given that she is a Lady, and he is a criminal?
I think that last line of my overview sums up the overriding theme of this book: the star-crossed lovers thing. Because that's what most of this story is about. Grace is always thinking she shouldn't be doing what she's doing and trying to find ways to fit in with the ton. And Devlin is always telling himself he couldn't ever really have her...he's a criminal, etc etc. I won't say it bored me, but it was a little too typical. It didn't have the seductive magic that the relationships in the first two books had.
But I can't really figure out what to say about why this book was a little off for me. It just didn't have that air of mystery or sexual excess that the first two books had. Sexually, this book was very toned down, especially compared to book 1. It's still very much erotic because of the explicit language and acts, but aside from some voyeuristic viewing of what others are doing, the sex is rather basic. In book 1, there was a lot of experimentation, a lot of over the top sexuality. Book 2 lost a lot of that, and book 3 pretty much just had a few token scenes performed by others. It was a bit disappointing because part of what made book 1 so much fun to read was the sexual excess paired with a solid story. But in this book, the star-crossed lovers theme, and the H/H's individual insecurities take over the story and make it more typical of a contemporary romance instead of an erotic romance. The sexuality of this series just decreases with each book, and it took something away from them.
Mystery-wise, this book had the weakest plot, in my opinion. There really wasn't much mystery, compared to books 1 and 2, just some bad guys causing trouble. The book lacked the air of suspense that the others had, and so didn't completely capture my attention. And like I said earlier, the story is kind of dominated by the star-crossed lovers thing.
Lastly, I didn't really care for the resolution of Grace and Devlin's relationship. Personally, I think it came off a little silly (the jail break especially). And I just couldn't see Grace deciding to sail the seas with Dev. It didn't work for me. So I was disappointed in that.
And now that I've done all that complaining, lol...I still liked this book plenty. Which is why I gave it four-stars (though maybe 3.5 would have been more fitting). It wasn't a bad book, it just didn't live up to my expectations and it was the weakest of the three books in the series. Would I still recommend it? If you've read the other three books in the series, then definitely yes. And if you haven't, well, the series as a whole is one I'd definitely recommend.
July 23, 2009
The final story in Sharon Page's historical erotic romance trilogy, this is youngest Hamilton sister Grace's book. After she gives herself to a man offering false promises of marriage, a humiliated Grace stumbles upon devastating highwayman Devlin and experiences a night of real sexual pleasure. But then Grace and Devlin go their separate ways, though neither forgets what they shared. Years later Devlin is intent upon finding Grace and beginning again what he's sure never should've ended. Soon they're experiencing unbelievable passion once more while ducking family and the law. This was an adventuresome tale with a captivating hero and heroine who can't fight the fierce love they've found. I hated to see this trilogy end because historical erotic romance is my favorite, and it's so tough to find good reads in this genre.
September 4, 2013
What's not to love in a Sharon Page book! Great book!
July 11, 2012
2.5 stars, maaaaybe 3
Eh... This is the 3rd and final book in this series, and it just isn't as good a read as the other two books. We've seen Venetia's story in book 1, where she ends up married to an earl. We've seen Maryanne's story, where she ends up married to a viscount. Both men were notorious rakes into more than just "a little sex" - both were known to frequent house parties and the like where anything goes, literally. Both of those books were a bit over-the-top at times, almost gorging on the sex. This book is over-the-top in a totally different way.
Grace Hamilton is the youngest sister. She's the pretty one. She's the one determined to make the good marriage match to a titled gentleman to save her family from poverty. Of course, Grace's ambition and this book begin before book 1, where Venetia solves the problem by marrying an earl.
Grace is at a country house party - the house of her friend, Prudence. The Season hasn't yet begun, and Grace is looking forward to it. She knows that she hasn't a dowry, but she's hoping that her stellar looks and gentle manners will win her a good ton husband. Except that Grace is so very naive... Prudence warns her that her brother, Lord Wesley, is a rake and after Grace; Prudence tells her not to be alone with him. But what does Grace do? She allows the devilish Lord Wesley to get her in a room alone, where he plays the "I'll kill myself if you don't marry me card". Whereupon, Grace, thinking she's snagged a husband of worth says yes, and Lord Wesley wants to consummate the engagement right then and there.
For all her naivete, Grace's father is the notorious erotic painter. She's seen the paintings and read some naughty novels. She's a virgin, but not a complete novice. And she's curious. So she allows herself to be taken right then and there. Except that when "the act" is completed (where Wesley doesn't even bother to satisfy her sexually), Lord Wesley sits up and laughs at her; tells her she was a good lay, but it's over now, and he's done with her. And as she runs out, she overhears Wesley tell her cousin on her mother's side that he notched another virgin on his plan to bed 100 virgins by Christmas. It's all a bet that a particular "club" has going... and she's every bit as good as they all conjectured. Nothing was private - it was all an elaborate plan from the start.
Except now that he's done with her, Wesley makes sure that his sister, Prudence, knows. And makes it all Grace's fault for throwing herself at him, naturally. So as she's trying to sneak out the next morning, Grace encounters Prudence, who makes it clear that she'll having nothing more to do with Grace, nor will anyone else in the ton.
Which is one of my biggest issues with this book: double standards have been in place forever, no doubt. But even in the Regency age, men like Wesley were well-known. Titled they might be, but their reputations would be known. It wouldn't stop the ruining of Grace's reputation, but how Wesley can remain a "saint" in the eyes of the ton is beyond me. Even Prudence should have a clue, what with her brother's lofty 100 virgin goal. And in a way, that's the overall message of this book - that the poor girl is ruined in "good" society and is now a pariah.
While running away from the room that Lord Wesley was in, however, Grace literally ran into Devlin Sharpe, Wesley's and Prudence's half-brother, a bastard son, and one that their father has acknowledged and seems to favor over them. Devlin tried to woo a gentlewoman of the ton, but she was a married gentlewoman, and she broke his heart, throwing him over for a new model with a cruel note that he'd been replaced, and even giving the new lover's name.
So Devlin ran away and joined the Royal Navy, ending up on a pirate ship and becoming a pirate, himself. He's amassed quite a fortune, even if he isn't admitted to good society. Devlin sneaked into his father's country home to see what was up with his half-siblings. When he sees Grace, he knows what she's done and Wesley's part in it. He's so handsome and irresistible, and she's so frightened, in need of comfort, they end up in each other's arms and bed. Grace wants to replace the memory of sex with Wesley with a good memory; Devlin is taken with Grace - her beauty, her resilience to what's just happened to her, and her courage. He shows her how good sex can be. And promises to avenge what his half-brother did.
Fast forward a couple of years, and we still see Grace trying to be part of high society. Which is the saddest and most irritating part of the book. Because Grace is running away from Venetia's Brighton house to see her mother's mother, who wrote to Grace that her grandfather wouldn't allow her to meet her granddaughters, but that she wants to meet Grace now. She's seen Grace at society events and is intrigued. Yes, Grace has attended balls and the like, but she's rejected all offers and suitors, thinking that she's forever ruined, because she's no longer a virgin. And this is Grace's biggest problem: she's so full of guilt and blame and so convinced that no one in good society will have her once they learn she's not a true maiden, that she works herself into all kinds of mental prisons. C'mon! Girls in that day knew there were ways to convince a husband that they were still a virgin; it was commonly done. Except Grace just can't get past her own sexuality.
Devlin has been looking for Grace for the past 2 years. And now that he knows she's in a coach on the highway, he and his band of highwaymen stop her coach and kidnap both her and the coachmen. But Devlin doesn't quite know what he wants to do with her now that he's got her - he hasn't thought that far ahead. WHAT? Yes, he knows he wants to bed her... but beyond that, he hasn't a clue. Except that the "harem" of women who regularly keep his men serviced aren't happy Grace is there - they know that Devlin has a thing for her. And his men aren't happy, because they think Grace is there for ransom, not just to bed Devlin; they want a profit. Grace has longed for Devlin, but even she's smart enough to realize that he can't just take her and not know what comes next. And Grace is determined to see her grandmother.
So after a day and night of constant sex and seeing what's going on in his house, Grace convinces Devlin she needs to leave to see her grandmother. Devlin insists on accompanying her, not trusting her grandmother's motives or whether it's truly her grandmother writing to her. One of Devlin's men decides to take a stand, demanding that Devlin ransom the girl. Which causes a fight that Grace ends up in the middle of - mostly because there's a gun pointed at Devlin, and Grace knows her sisters both were instrumental in keeping their now husbands from being killed in similar skirmishes in the past. So Grace throws her reticule at the man, keeping him off-balance enough to allow Devlin to overcome him and get the gun. Instead of killing him, as he should, Devlin allows his man to get away, telling him to run and never come back. Um, yeah. We all know what the future holds.
The whole trip to see her grandmother and the entire house party event is strange. I doubted whether her grandmother was even really there, since the house guests included not only Lord Wesley and Prudence, but her cousin who knew of her debauchery, and several titled ton women known for being "loose". What the heck is her prim, prude grandmother doing in that company? And how convenient! Plus the fact that the house is on the Isle of Wight, forcing a boat trip from the mainland.
Of course, her sneaky cousin has made sure that her grandmother knows about Grace's incident with Lord Wesley. It seemed as if he waited until he saw Grace at this house party to tell her; why isn't clear, except I can only think it's jealousy at being replaced in his grandmother's affections? Grace's mother was thrown out of the house and disowned for ruining herself with Grace's disgraceful painter father. But Grace has convinced herself that her grandmother will love and accept her. Devlin knows better. And we have to witness a most horrific scene where her grandmother throws every nasty thing in the book at Grace. And Grace takes it, without defending herself. Wow.
Grace just doesn't see herself as a person of worth. She's so caught up in guilt and blame and shame, she can't even be herself. Why disgrace is such a big deal to her or why she thinks that she'll still ruin her family - her sisters and their children - is beyond me. EVERYONE KNOWS THEIR HUSBANDS' REPUTATIONS. And no one seems to care, since both men are well enough titled to be beyond reproach. So WHY is Grace so completely hung up on reputation and disgrace?
The only person she can truly be herself with is Devlin. But how in the world are the two of them to be together HEA, when he's a pirate and a highwayman with a price on his head?
Of course, on the return trip, Devlin decides that there really isn't a future for them - not one that Grace with her ambitions of being accepted by Society can be part of with him. So he tries to take her home. Except WHO should thwart that plan by shooting Devlin and taking her hostage? Hmmmm... let's see, could it be... the guy he let get away who wanted to ransom Grace? And of course, he's set it all up so that Devlin will take the fall, because this bad guy intends to kill both Devlin and Grace after getting the money.
When Grace is safely back with her family and Devlin is in chains in Newgate (not for kidnapping, but for his piracy and highway robbery), Grace finally confesses all to her sisters. The whole sordid story, going back 2 years, her visit to their grandmother, and the scene where her brothers-in-law got her away from the real bad guy.
And here, once again, the story falls apart. Grace is determined to break Devlin out of Newgate and run away; she uses her dowry to buy a ship, so they can sail away from England and roam the high seas. Her sisters and their spouses decide to humor her by making it reality, except that her BIL obtain a pardon for Devlin, because, of course, he's really a hero who did a lot of secret missions for the Royal Navy when he was supposedly a pirate. They allow Grace to go through all the motions of breaking out Devlin, only to find it all too easy. And so Grace and Devlin sail away, with her family's blessing.
I can't tell you HOW TIRED I was of Grace's constant whining about her being ruined and still wanting to be part of good Society. It was as constant as water torture, and just as appealing.
The thing is, I like Grace and Devlin together. I like who she is with him, and I like who he is with her. For all his bad boy ways (piracy and robbery), he's a fierce protector and he's got a decency about him, even when pulling off his crimes. He keeps trying to warn Grace and tries to keep her from being hurt, which, of course, he can't. And he's there to comfort her and take care of her when she is - going so far as to fight off his stupid half-brother, who ends up leaving England when her brothers-in-law bring his shameful deeds (including his goal of bedding 100 virgins and the club) to light.
The rigid morals of a Society that demands perfection and purity from its maidens and allows its so-called gentlemen to get away with debauchery and the like is the clear message. As well as owning one's sexuality - not being afraid to explore it and relish it when with one's true love. But compared to the other 2 books in this series, this book seems like a hit-you-over-the-head with this message, which means that the romance takes a back seat. The "eroticism" in the book is mostly limited to scenes between Devlin and Grace, which are good, but not all that hot. And the other scenes of orgies and other 'play' aren't enticing either, IMO. (Not that they need to be; I'm not one who reads books only for these types of scenes. In fact, I prefer the story and the scenes to be well-integrated, not just titillating.)
For the last book in a series that was imaginative and compelling, this book just falls short.
Eh... This is the 3rd and final book in this series, and it just isn't as good a read as the other two books. We've seen Venetia's story in book 1, where she ends up married to an earl. We've seen Maryanne's story, where she ends up married to a viscount. Both men were notorious rakes into more than just "a little sex" - both were known to frequent house parties and the like where anything goes, literally. Both of those books were a bit over-the-top at times, almost gorging on the sex. This book is over-the-top in a totally different way.
Grace Hamilton is the youngest sister. She's the pretty one. She's the one determined to make the good marriage match to a titled gentleman to save her family from poverty. Of course, Grace's ambition and this book begin before book 1, where Venetia solves the problem by marrying an earl.
Grace is at a country house party - the house of her friend, Prudence. The Season hasn't yet begun, and Grace is looking forward to it. She knows that she hasn't a dowry, but she's hoping that her stellar looks and gentle manners will win her a good ton husband. Except that Grace is so very naive... Prudence warns her that her brother, Lord Wesley, is a rake and after Grace; Prudence tells her not to be alone with him. But what does Grace do? She allows the devilish Lord Wesley to get her in a room alone, where he plays the "I'll kill myself if you don't marry me card". Whereupon, Grace, thinking she's snagged a husband of worth says yes, and Lord Wesley wants to consummate the engagement right then and there.
For all her naivete, Grace's father is the notorious erotic painter. She's seen the paintings and read some naughty novels. She's a virgin, but not a complete novice. And she's curious. So she allows herself to be taken right then and there. Except that when "the act" is completed (where Wesley doesn't even bother to satisfy her sexually), Lord Wesley sits up and laughs at her; tells her she was a good lay, but it's over now, and he's done with her. And as she runs out, she overhears Wesley tell her cousin on her mother's side that he notched another virgin on his plan to bed 100 virgins by Christmas. It's all a bet that a particular "club" has going... and she's every bit as good as they all conjectured. Nothing was private - it was all an elaborate plan from the start.
Except now that he's done with her, Wesley makes sure that his sister, Prudence, knows. And makes it all Grace's fault for throwing herself at him, naturally. So as she's trying to sneak out the next morning, Grace encounters Prudence, who makes it clear that she'll having nothing more to do with Grace, nor will anyone else in the ton.
Which is one of my biggest issues with this book: double standards have been in place forever, no doubt. But even in the Regency age, men like Wesley were well-known. Titled they might be, but their reputations would be known. It wouldn't stop the ruining of Grace's reputation, but how Wesley can remain a "saint" in the eyes of the ton is beyond me. Even Prudence should have a clue, what with her brother's lofty 100 virgin goal. And in a way, that's the overall message of this book - that the poor girl is ruined in "good" society and is now a pariah.
While running away from the room that Lord Wesley was in, however, Grace literally ran into Devlin Sharpe, Wesley's and Prudence's half-brother, a bastard son, and one that their father has acknowledged and seems to favor over them. Devlin tried to woo a gentlewoman of the ton, but she was a married gentlewoman, and she broke his heart, throwing him over for a new model with a cruel note that he'd been replaced, and even giving the new lover's name.
So Devlin ran away and joined the Royal Navy, ending up on a pirate ship and becoming a pirate, himself. He's amassed quite a fortune, even if he isn't admitted to good society. Devlin sneaked into his father's country home to see what was up with his half-siblings. When he sees Grace, he knows what she's done and Wesley's part in it. He's so handsome and irresistible, and she's so frightened, in need of comfort, they end up in each other's arms and bed. Grace wants to replace the memory of sex with Wesley with a good memory; Devlin is taken with Grace - her beauty, her resilience to what's just happened to her, and her courage. He shows her how good sex can be. And promises to avenge what his half-brother did.
Fast forward a couple of years, and we still see Grace trying to be part of high society. Which is the saddest and most irritating part of the book. Because Grace is running away from Venetia's Brighton house to see her mother's mother, who wrote to Grace that her grandfather wouldn't allow her to meet her granddaughters, but that she wants to meet Grace now. She's seen Grace at society events and is intrigued. Yes, Grace has attended balls and the like, but she's rejected all offers and suitors, thinking that she's forever ruined, because she's no longer a virgin. And this is Grace's biggest problem: she's so full of guilt and blame and so convinced that no one in good society will have her once they learn she's not a true maiden, that she works herself into all kinds of mental prisons. C'mon! Girls in that day knew there were ways to convince a husband that they were still a virgin; it was commonly done. Except Grace just can't get past her own sexuality.
Devlin has been looking for Grace for the past 2 years. And now that he knows she's in a coach on the highway, he and his band of highwaymen stop her coach and kidnap both her and the coachmen. But Devlin doesn't quite know what he wants to do with her now that he's got her - he hasn't thought that far ahead. WHAT? Yes, he knows he wants to bed her... but beyond that, he hasn't a clue. Except that the "harem" of women who regularly keep his men serviced aren't happy Grace is there - they know that Devlin has a thing for her. And his men aren't happy, because they think Grace is there for ransom, not just to bed Devlin; they want a profit. Grace has longed for Devlin, but even she's smart enough to realize that he can't just take her and not know what comes next. And Grace is determined to see her grandmother.
So after a day and night of constant sex and seeing what's going on in his house, Grace convinces Devlin she needs to leave to see her grandmother. Devlin insists on accompanying her, not trusting her grandmother's motives or whether it's truly her grandmother writing to her. One of Devlin's men decides to take a stand, demanding that Devlin ransom the girl. Which causes a fight that Grace ends up in the middle of - mostly because there's a gun pointed at Devlin, and Grace knows her sisters both were instrumental in keeping their now husbands from being killed in similar skirmishes in the past. So Grace throws her reticule at the man, keeping him off-balance enough to allow Devlin to overcome him and get the gun. Instead of killing him, as he should, Devlin allows his man to get away, telling him to run and never come back. Um, yeah. We all know what the future holds.
The whole trip to see her grandmother and the entire house party event is strange. I doubted whether her grandmother was even really there, since the house guests included not only Lord Wesley and Prudence, but her cousin who knew of her debauchery, and several titled ton women known for being "loose". What the heck is her prim, prude grandmother doing in that company? And how convenient! Plus the fact that the house is on the Isle of Wight, forcing a boat trip from the mainland.
Of course, her sneaky cousin has made sure that her grandmother knows about Grace's incident with Lord Wesley. It seemed as if he waited until he saw Grace at this house party to tell her; why isn't clear, except I can only think it's jealousy at being replaced in his grandmother's affections? Grace's mother was thrown out of the house and disowned for ruining herself with Grace's disgraceful painter father. But Grace has convinced herself that her grandmother will love and accept her. Devlin knows better. And we have to witness a most horrific scene where her grandmother throws every nasty thing in the book at Grace. And Grace takes it, without defending herself. Wow.
Grace just doesn't see herself as a person of worth. She's so caught up in guilt and blame and shame, she can't even be herself. Why disgrace is such a big deal to her or why she thinks that she'll still ruin her family - her sisters and their children - is beyond me. EVERYONE KNOWS THEIR HUSBANDS' REPUTATIONS. And no one seems to care, since both men are well enough titled to be beyond reproach. So WHY is Grace so completely hung up on reputation and disgrace?
The only person she can truly be herself with is Devlin. But how in the world are the two of them to be together HEA, when he's a pirate and a highwayman with a price on his head?
Of course, on the return trip, Devlin decides that there really isn't a future for them - not one that Grace with her ambitions of being accepted by Society can be part of with him. So he tries to take her home. Except WHO should thwart that plan by shooting Devlin and taking her hostage? Hmmmm... let's see, could it be... the guy he let get away who wanted to ransom Grace? And of course, he's set it all up so that Devlin will take the fall, because this bad guy intends to kill both Devlin and Grace after getting the money.
When Grace is safely back with her family and Devlin is in chains in Newgate (not for kidnapping, but for his piracy and highway robbery), Grace finally confesses all to her sisters. The whole sordid story, going back 2 years, her visit to their grandmother, and the scene where her brothers-in-law got her away from the real bad guy.
And here, once again, the story falls apart. Grace is determined to break Devlin out of Newgate and run away; she uses her dowry to buy a ship, so they can sail away from England and roam the high seas. Her sisters and their spouses decide to humor her by making it reality, except that her BIL obtain a pardon for Devlin, because, of course, he's really a hero who did a lot of secret missions for the Royal Navy when he was supposedly a pirate. They allow Grace to go through all the motions of breaking out Devlin, only to find it all too easy. And so Grace and Devlin sail away, with her family's blessing.
I can't tell you HOW TIRED I was of Grace's constant whining about her being ruined and still wanting to be part of good Society. It was as constant as water torture, and just as appealing.
The thing is, I like Grace and Devlin together. I like who she is with him, and I like who he is with her. For all his bad boy ways (piracy and robbery), he's a fierce protector and he's got a decency about him, even when pulling off his crimes. He keeps trying to warn Grace and tries to keep her from being hurt, which, of course, he can't. And he's there to comfort her and take care of her when she is - going so far as to fight off his stupid half-brother, who ends up leaving England when her brothers-in-law bring his shameful deeds (including his goal of bedding 100 virgins and the club) to light.
The rigid morals of a Society that demands perfection and purity from its maidens and allows its so-called gentlemen to get away with debauchery and the like is the clear message. As well as owning one's sexuality - not being afraid to explore it and relish it when with one's true love. But compared to the other 2 books in this series, this book seems like a hit-you-over-the-head with this message, which means that the romance takes a back seat. The "eroticism" in the book is mostly limited to scenes between Devlin and Grace, which are good, but not all that hot. And the other scenes of orgies and other 'play' aren't enticing either, IMO. (Not that they need to be; I'm not one who reads books only for these types of scenes. In fact, I prefer the story and the scenes to be well-integrated, not just titillating.)
For the last book in a series that was imaginative and compelling, this book just falls short.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2015
This was the stupidest book I have EVER read! If I could give it negative stars I would. I am so friggin annoyed that an amazing plot opportunity was wasted on this bundle of crap. I want Sharon Page to take it back and re-write it the way it should have been done!!!!
AHHHHHHHH!!! I'm pulling my hair out with disappointment because I loved the first 2 books and so wanted this book to complete the trilogy with something worthy. I mean, come on! she had a pirate to work with and a carriage robbery... how could she so thoroughly mess that up when she is so talented??
It was like the book was written by another author. The dialogue was pathetic, the prose did not blend together and the plot decisions were beyond stupid, especially when their were blatantly several other wonderful directions she could have taken the scene. It was like she wrote an anti-novel.. a complete deconstruction of potential coolness.
I hated the heroine. She must have borderline personality disorder or multiple personalities. He was a pit of inconsistency, emotional instability and selfishness. And his crew. you know what. I'm not even going to go there because it just pisses me off. Why? Why did this book have to be so HORRIBLE!?
AHHHHHHHH!!! I'm pulling my hair out with disappointment because I loved the first 2 books and so wanted this book to complete the trilogy with something worthy. I mean, come on! she had a pirate to work with and a carriage robbery... how could she so thoroughly mess that up when she is so talented??
It was like the book was written by another author. The dialogue was pathetic, the prose did not blend together and the plot decisions were beyond stupid, especially when their were blatantly several other wonderful directions she could have taken the scene. It was like she wrote an anti-novel.. a complete deconstruction of potential coolness.
I hated the heroine. She must have borderline personality disorder or multiple personalities. He was a pit of inconsistency, emotional instability and selfishness. And his crew. you know what. I'm not even going to go there because it just pisses me off. Why? Why did this book have to be so HORRIBLE!?
November 7, 2008
I LOVE ALL OF HER BOOKS.
March 21, 2009
Erotic!!
February 8, 2019
I really liked this book! It was an enjoyable adventure to read, the characters were memorable and the story flowed beautifully. I loved it! The scenes were also well written and well placed throughout the book. A Lovely way to pass an afternoon.
May 2, 2019
Very hit sex scenes but the heroine drive me nuts.
July 4, 2017
2,5 Rate!!!
Per alcuni libri dargli un voto è veramente superfluo....
lo si fa per puro spirito caritatevole.
Non c'è nulla che fa più inalberare questa lettrice di un libro scritto quasi con i piedini.
Si inizia male è si prosegue ancora più male.
Noioso, sciapo, con i soliti escamotage che "dovrebbero" ,ma non riescono, ad attirare il lettore nella rete della voglia di saperne di più.
Stanca delle soliti vergini che da protagoniste sante si trasformano, dopo 3 pagine, in esperte cortigiane dedite ai piaceri più peccaminosi )per loro).
La svenevole protagonista passa da una condizione di candore iniziale a farsene due nel giro di 2 pagine.
fratello e fratellastro...
Champagne.
Col primo addirittura saltella tra le lenzuola , nonostante sia la sua prima volta.
Col secondo ancora peggio...e parliamo della stessa giornata.
( autrici mettetevi d'accordo: o agonizzano per un giorno intero, dopo la prima volta, o diventano "esperte cavallerizze)
Passano due anni nel libro ma la situazione , per me da lettrice, non cambia.
Amplessi come se piovessero dal cielo, gemiti, miagolii, urla e imprecazionj, qualche tafferuglio ed ecco spiegato un libro per me inutile....
Per alcuni libri dargli un voto è veramente superfluo....
lo si fa per puro spirito caritatevole.
Non c'è nulla che fa più inalberare questa lettrice di un libro scritto quasi con i piedini.
Si inizia male è si prosegue ancora più male.
Noioso, sciapo, con i soliti escamotage che "dovrebbero" ,ma non riescono, ad attirare il lettore nella rete della voglia di saperne di più.
Stanca delle soliti vergini che da protagoniste sante si trasformano, dopo 3 pagine, in esperte cortigiane dedite ai piaceri più peccaminosi )per loro).
La svenevole protagonista passa da una condizione di candore iniziale a farsene due nel giro di 2 pagine.
fratello e fratellastro...
Champagne.
Col primo addirittura saltella tra le lenzuola , nonostante sia la sua prima volta.
Col secondo ancora peggio...e parliamo della stessa giornata.
( autrici mettetevi d'accordo: o agonizzano per un giorno intero, dopo la prima volta, o diventano "esperte cavallerizze)
Passano due anni nel libro ma la situazione , per me da lettrice, non cambia.
Amplessi come se piovessero dal cielo, gemiti, miagolii, urla e imprecazionj, qualche tafferuglio ed ecco spiegato un libro per me inutile....
December 2, 2016
Oh wow.
So when a book starts with the h having sex with another man she's in love with, I grow super wary. Then at the same night, when she sleeps with the H...Im like whaaa..
SP still kept me intrigued and happy enough to finish this whole book.
Grace wants acceptance. She searches for it in Wesley, who through false promises seduces and discards her. Later the same night, when she meets and falls for the hero Devlin, the story begins.
Fast forward two years, when Grace's sisters are happily married with kids, and she once again searches for approval in her estranged grandmother. On the way, she's kidnapped by the highwayman Devlin, who has been obsessed with her.
After that we are encountered with cruel relatives, lecherous villains, orgies and a h/H in love with each other yet filled with insecurities.
But what a wonderful, wonderful epilogue! Absolutely adored it.
Unsafe
4/5 (half extra for epilogue)
So when a book starts with the h having sex with another man she's in love with, I grow super wary. Then at the same night, when she sleeps with the H...Im like whaaa..
SP still kept me intrigued and happy enough to finish this whole book.
Grace wants acceptance. She searches for it in Wesley, who through false promises seduces and discards her. Later the same night, when she meets and falls for the hero Devlin, the story begins.
Fast forward two years, when Grace's sisters are happily married with kids, and she once again searches for approval in her estranged grandmother. On the way, she's kidnapped by the highwayman Devlin, who has been obsessed with her.
After that we are encountered with cruel relatives, lecherous villains, orgies and a h/H in love with each other yet filled with insecurities.
But what a wonderful, wonderful epilogue! Absolutely adored it.
Unsafe
4/5 (half extra for epilogue)
December 11, 2010
This book was enjoyable but not quite as good as the last two which were about Grace’s older sisters Venetia and Maryanne.
Grace Hamilton is looking for a rich husband to help save her family and give them some badly needed funds but she goes around it the wrong way and give herself to Lord Wesley Collins who has been wooing her recently – he said he would marry her but she found out afterwards that he had a wager going. After their tryst she meets his half brother Devlin Sharpe and goes off with him. Feeling guilty about what she done she flees. Devlin is a former pirate and now a highwayman – quite a rogue
Two years later, neither she nor Devlin have forgotten their coupling, Devlin kidnaps her to keep her with him for a few days for an affair – things roll on from there.
Their intimacy is as good as Sharon’s earlier books with lots of description but the story lacks.
Grace Hamilton is looking for a rich husband to help save her family and give them some badly needed funds but she goes around it the wrong way and give herself to Lord Wesley Collins who has been wooing her recently – he said he would marry her but she found out afterwards that he had a wager going. After their tryst she meets his half brother Devlin Sharpe and goes off with him. Feeling guilty about what she done she flees. Devlin is a former pirate and now a highwayman – quite a rogue
Two years later, neither she nor Devlin have forgotten their coupling, Devlin kidnaps her to keep her with him for a few days for an affair – things roll on from there.
Their intimacy is as good as Sharon’s earlier books with lots of description but the story lacks.
September 23, 2013
4 stars to 'Devlin'!! He was the unselfish hero whom I liked from the very first scene(well I'm not counting his abducting her for his lusty reasons there ;) and it really does get interesting when the whole family comes together. Would have given it 4 stars but felt certain elements were missing!
February 2, 2009
Pretty good. Bk 3 in series.
August 3, 2017
Ho dato 3 stelline al primo, tre al secondo è così dai, do tre pure al terzo.
Ma non le merita. Iniziamo con il dare della grandissima "zoccola" alla protagonista. Nel prologo si fa il bamboccio della situazione e lei era vergine...
Ma lo ama e lui le dice che lo vuole sposare... seeeee bella!!
Quindi per ripulirsi dall'atto orribile subito (ha goduto come una vacca in calore) corre tra le braccia del fratellastro del bamboccio e voilà. Da vergine a due in una sera, forse a un'ora di distanza. Bravissima!!!
Passano poi due anni, in questo lasso di tempo, che sono stati raccontati nei primi due libri della serie, non cambia nulla di eclatante per la nostra zoccoletta qui. Poi ritorna il pirata/bandito e via, trombiamo come se non ci fosse un domani ma... attenzione che non vuole creare scandali!!
Vabbè, ci rido sopra. Ultimamente sto leggendo porno travestiti da storici e giuro, ci provo a non ridere, eppure non ci riesco.
Il libro conclude la serie delle tre sorelle morigerate (ahahahahaahahahahahaahah) e finiamo in bellezza con il matrimonio della mamma. Così c'è le siamo tolte di mezzo tutte.
Potete leggere molto di meglio, però se cercate sesso con rossori e quasi svenimenti ma dopo una palpatina, si fanno pure fare del sesso anale senza problemi... allora andate in pace e leggeteli.
Io personalmente tornassi indietro non lo farei, ma fare voi!
Ma non le merita. Iniziamo con il dare della grandissima "zoccola" alla protagonista. Nel prologo si fa il bamboccio della situazione e lei era vergine...
Ma lo ama e lui le dice che lo vuole sposare... seeeee bella!!
Quindi per ripulirsi dall'atto orribile subito (ha goduto come una vacca in calore) corre tra le braccia del fratellastro del bamboccio e voilà. Da vergine a due in una sera, forse a un'ora di distanza. Bravissima!!!
Passano poi due anni, in questo lasso di tempo, che sono stati raccontati nei primi due libri della serie, non cambia nulla di eclatante per la nostra zoccoletta qui. Poi ritorna il pirata/bandito e via, trombiamo come se non ci fosse un domani ma... attenzione che non vuole creare scandali!!
Vabbè, ci rido sopra. Ultimamente sto leggendo porno travestiti da storici e giuro, ci provo a non ridere, eppure non ci riesco.
Il libro conclude la serie delle tre sorelle morigerate (ahahahahaahahahahahaahah) e finiamo in bellezza con il matrimonio della mamma. Così c'è le siamo tolte di mezzo tutte.
Potete leggere molto di meglio, però se cercate sesso con rossori e quasi svenimenti ma dopo una palpatina, si fanno pure fare del sesso anale senza problemi... allora andate in pace e leggeteli.
Io personalmente tornassi indietro non lo farei, ma fare voi!
September 11, 2018
I really enjoyed this one
October 31, 2023
Wow, I am not normally very harsh while reviewing a book. I'm pretty easy to please and as long as you can make me believe whatever your story is about, I'm usually happy. It doesn't have to be a great literary work with some deep meanings or anything. Especially if you throw in some good smut and I am entertained.
It's been a while since I read the first two in this series, but I remember really liking them (back before I wrote reviews). But this one was a hot mess. Even my low standards couldn't take the completely unbelievable (and lackluster) plot, inconsistencies with the characters, and ridiculous way people behaved in this book.
I get trying to engineer some creative situations to fit in the sexy times, especially in these erotic books. But I just couldn't suspend my belief enough for this book. And the sexy times were kind of lackluster, as well. Especially compared to the other two books in the series.
The FMC was ridiculous and kind of whiny. And I found it hard to believe that she was continually in these situations where she was constantly mauled and groped by men. Especially after her sisters married and she was under the protection of the two guys from the other books: and earl and a viscount. No way anyone was going to disrespect her, knowing they would have to answer to those two. She whined constantly about wanting to be accepted by the ton, but she refused countless marriage proposals (I am assuming by respectable gentlemen) once her circumstances improved after her sisters' marriages (to an EARL and a VISCOUNT).
The MMC was kind of hot, I guess. But, in his obsession with the FMC, he seemed to think he could just randomly kidnap her off the road and take her back to his lair for some fun sex for days, with no repercussions. Hello! See above about the EARL and the VISCOUNT.
The book was just a mess, kind of felt like it was thrown together to finish the series and give the third sister a 'story'. It tries to give the MMC some growth as he leaves his lawless, orgy filled life behind. And the FMC finally realizes she doesn't need the acceptance of the ton to live a happy, lusty life with her pirate/highwayman. But the ending is so unbelievably ridiculous, I couldn't believe I stayed up to finish it. There were so many more interesting paths this book could have taken, especially with the initial premise. The contrived 'villain' and resolution were totally unnecessary. I wish the author would have just focused on the relationship of the two main characters. Sigh.
I have a couple more Sharon Page books on my shelf to read, but it'll be a while before I am willing to take the risk again.
It's been a while since I read the first two in this series, but I remember really liking them (back before I wrote reviews). But this one was a hot mess. Even my low standards couldn't take the completely unbelievable (and lackluster) plot, inconsistencies with the characters, and ridiculous way people behaved in this book.
I get trying to engineer some creative situations to fit in the sexy times, especially in these erotic books. But I just couldn't suspend my belief enough for this book. And the sexy times were kind of lackluster, as well. Especially compared to the other two books in the series.
The FMC was ridiculous and kind of whiny. And I found it hard to believe that she was continually in these situations where she was constantly mauled and groped by men. Especially after her sisters married and she was under the protection of the two guys from the other books: and earl and a viscount. No way anyone was going to disrespect her, knowing they would have to answer to those two. She whined constantly about wanting to be accepted by the ton, but she refused countless marriage proposals (I am assuming by respectable gentlemen) once her circumstances improved after her sisters' marriages (to an EARL and a VISCOUNT).
The MMC was kind of hot, I guess. But, in his obsession with the FMC, he seemed to think he could just randomly kidnap her off the road and take her back to his lair for some fun sex for days, with no repercussions. Hello! See above about the EARL and the VISCOUNT.
The book was just a mess, kind of felt like it was thrown together to finish the series and give the third sister a 'story'. It tries to give the MMC some growth as he leaves his lawless, orgy filled life behind. And the FMC finally realizes she doesn't need the acceptance of the ton to live a happy, lusty life with her pirate/highwayman. But the ending is so unbelievably ridiculous, I couldn't believe I stayed up to finish it. There were so many more interesting paths this book could have taken, especially with the initial premise. The contrived 'villain' and resolution were totally unnecessary. I wish the author would have just focused on the relationship of the two main characters. Sigh.
I have a couple more Sharon Page books on my shelf to read, but it'll be a while before I am willing to take the risk again.
Read
November 1, 2016First, I love the heroine because she shares my name. I like reading about her lusty adventures; I like it when the hero calls out our name. Hee hee. It makes me smile. The hero is a dastardly highway robber/pirate. In my mind, I can see Devlin with his blond hair flowing and heaving sails in the high winds. Grace just wants to find acceptance with her estranged grandmother who disowned Grace and her sisters. Devlin shows Grace what it means to rely on one's self. He also shows her that just because someone is of noble blood, that does not mean they are better people. In fact, in this book, the nobles are jackasses except for her brothers-in-laws who are heroes from Books 1 and 2. Grace has spunk. Devlin is a great match for her.
December 29, 2015
I don't think this was the best of the Rodesson's daughters series. The plot was pretty boring and the characters were all over the place...a pirate/highwayman who secretly did favors for the king and saved women in need but wanted a bad reputation and a proper lady who wants acceptance of the ton but also wouldn't mind running off with the pirate/highwayman. I didn't understand why the super proper grandmother was at that weird house on the Isle of Wight with all those rakes. It seemed to meander. I get that these books are mostly about the sex, but they ran away from the orgy house to have monogamous sex? Whatever. I won't worry myself about it too much.
June 16, 2012
I was really excited for this book I loved the first two in this series SIN and BLACK SILK and was crazy happy I found it on amazon kindle version, now I'm mad that I cant delete it from my kindle. Far from my favorite of Sharon Page's works. while i was reading this book my sister even commented that I couldn't look more bored and reading should never be like that.
June 23, 2015
Loved it!
January 24, 2015
It was hot, I really liked all the characters. It just got a bit silly towards the end.
April 2, 2016
I thought the hero and the heroine were very sympathetic.........but the story.........not my cup of tea.......sorry!
May 29, 2016
Leseeindruck
Man kann es mögen, wenn man dazu in der Stimmung ist, aber wenn man es nicht ist, ist es fürchterlich schlecht.
Man kann es mögen, wenn man dazu in der Stimmung ist, aber wenn man es nicht ist, ist es fürchterlich schlecht.
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