Aksamit

V #4

by Jane Feather, Agata Kowalczyk (Translator)

Hrabina Gabrielle de Beaucaire przybywa do Anglii, by wykonać tajną misję powierzoną jej przez napoleońskiego ministra, a zarazem zemścić się. Jej celem jest znienawidzony Nathaniel Praed, angielski szpieg doskonały, mistrz fortelu, przebiegły i podejrzliwy. W mgnieniu oka przejrzał podstęp Gabrielle i chce wykorzystać ją we własnej grze. Ktoś jednak krzyżuje plany obojga...

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Regency, Historical Fiction, Adult, Erotic Romance

327 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Jane Feather (born Jane Robotham) is a popular British–American writer of historical romance novels. In 1984 she wrote five contemporary romances under the pseudonym Claudia Bishop. She is a New York Times-bestselling, award–winning writer, and has more than ten million romance novels in print.

Reviews

[Frances · Rating 2 out of 5]

Take away the sex and the book is only 100 pages long.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to rate it more, but I was left feeling disappointed. It was anti-climactic in some ways and super dramatic in others. I'm just not sure how I feel, but it's not satisfied.

[p · Rating 1 out of 5]

prefiero no hablar del tema

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too overly dramatic for me.

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is set during England's conflict with Napoleon, and it's full of nice historical snippets, like Napoleon's affair with Marie Walewska, and the machinations of Talleyrand, who was notorious for playing his own game even as he served a series of masters.

Gabrielle de Beauclaire is Talleyrand's goddaughter, and one of his spies. When an English assassin kills her lover, Guillaume, she swears revenge against the man who ordered the murder.

Years later, she is brought to the attention of Nathaniel Praed, English spymaster. She means to be one of his recruits, and also his lover, so she can use him for the interests of France (not necessarily Napoleon, since neither she or Talleyrand believe the emperor is good for France). And she will have her own revenge as well.

Nathaniel is a hard, embittered man after his beloved wife died in childbirth. He's convinced that women are weak and incapable, so he resists Gabby's offer to use her connections in France to help him. He finds it harder to resist her seduction, though, and as she slips inside his defenses she meets his shy little son who has never experienced a parent's affection, since his father holds him at army's length.

Some good emotional conflicts keep the romance fresh and interesting, and the betrayals and subterfuge of the spy story make for terrific adventure. Another great addition to the series.

[Koki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pútavé, miestami veselé čítanie, no na môj vkus priveľa erotiky. Písala to vôbec Jane Feather? :-) Veď tí dvaja boli "na kope" každých desať stránok. Neuveriteľné. Všetka tá špionáž okolo toho bola iba podmazom pre ich milostné hrádky.

Tristo strán popísaných drobnými písmenkami sa mihali iba sexom, živočíšnou túžbou a rozkročnôžkami. Normálne som tieto pasáže preskakovala, čo ma nebavilo čakať ako sa dej ohľadom vyzvedačstva posunie ďalej - ale iba posledných sto strán ;-)

Popri tom všetkom ma akurát iritoval hlavný hrdina a jeho postoj k výchove malých detí. Istým spôsobom ho chápem, autorka mu vymyslela krutú minulosť, z ktorej čerpal svoje skúsenosti, ibaže vo väčšine kníh je to tak, že keď sa k hrdinovi zle chovali za mlada, on sa počas svojho života snažil o opak. V tomto prípade však Nathaniel išiel rovnakou cestou ako jeho otec, a naivne? si myslel, že nerobí to, čo on. Ani keby mu chcela spisovateľka priradiť povahu zloducha...

Vôbec neviem čo si mám o tomto diele myslieť.

[LadyAileen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nonostante abbia letto molti romanzi di quest'autrice questo è uno di quelli che ho fatto una grande fatica (in tutti i sensi) a terminare (considerato che erano anche 378 pagine).
Una narrazione a dir poco lenta e una trama assolutamente semplice senza alcun colpo di scena rilevante.
Siamo nel 1806 anni in cui tra la Francia e l'Inghilterra non correva buon sangue a causa della sete di potere di Napoleone Bonaparte. I due protagonisti sono entrambi delle spie per cui vi lascio immaginare il mondo nel quale si dipanano le vicende che fanno da sfondo alla loro storia d'amore. L'avventura, la dovizia di particolari, la cura nel tratteggiare lo sfondo storico sono ineccepibili ma per quanto riguarda il lato romantico della vicenda sono assolutamente basita. I due protagonisti non fanno altro che infrattarsi ovunque e più che l'amore a legarli mi è sembrato solo ed esclusivamente attrazione reciproca. A me sono sembrati freddi al contrario di Simon e Georgie amici dei due protagonisti felicemente sposati che compaiono come personaggi secondari nel romanzo. Anche la presenza di Jake, il figlioletto tenuto a distanza di Nathaniel (il protagonista), addolcisce un po' il romanzo.
Interessante invece vedere la protagonista dibattuta tra la vendetta e l'amore per l'uomo che ha causato la morte del suo amante (di solito il protagonista non è mai il colpevole).
Ho letto decisamente libri più coinvolgenti.

[Maria · Rating 1 out of 5]

All'inizio del 1800 i rapporti tra Francia e Inghilterra sono molto tesi e il mondo è pieno di spie, anche tra i nobili.
La contessa Gabrielle de Beaucaire è in lutto per la morte del suo amante e decide di scoprire cosa è successo e soprattutto vendicarsi. Quindi si arruola nei servizi segreti per stanare Nathaniel, il responsabile della morte dell'amato e di fargliela pagare.
Ma naturalmente l'attrazione tra i due è molto forte e i progetti iniziali di Gabrielle devono essere rivisti.

Che noia.
Ho fatto molto fatica a finire questo libro.
Ho trovato la parte storica molto accurata e forse anche per questo il libro si è appesantito molto.
Gabrielle e Nathaniel sembrano due guidati dalla passione più che dai sentimenti e ogni momento è buono per lasciarsi andare a un po' di sana lussuria.
Lento, mi sono annoiata parecchio, ho trovato tutto poco coinvolgente ed emozionante.
Bocciato.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a Jane Feather fan due to her character development and plots set in historical settings. This one is in the time of Napoleon's conquest of Russia and impending war with England. The main characters are both spies: Nathaniel an English spymaster and Gabrielle, for the French who oppose Napoleon. Both are injured from past experiences: Nathaniel's wife died in childbirth and Gabrielle's parents were killed in the French Revolution. It is one of Feather's older books. I like the newer ones better as this one had the two characters hitting each other....not something you find in current works.

[Cath · Rating 2 out of 5]

Para mí gusto un lectura un poco fome y agotadora.
El romance de los personajes fue muy rápido lo que hace que no se sientan verdaderos los sentimientos, además de que se suponía que ella buscaba venganza y luego de unos capítulos está enamorada y olvida por lo que trabajaba.

El contenido de espionaje hubiese mejorado la historia dándole quizás más prioridad pero la autora llevo más de la mitad del libro con escenas sexuales.
Además el final es apresurado y no se sabe que pasa luego del ataque cuando descubrieron a los espías.

[Monasterio Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buena

[Kennwynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me. I didn't feel any of the characters were likable.

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the chemistry between these characters. There is not only the dangerous attraction between two intelligent and confident people challenging each other but also a sense of play. That is rare in books, particularly Regencies.

The writer also came up with a great plot and complex characters. Danger seems to leap off the pages and leave the reader with a pounding heart as the heroine and hero go into the heart of Paris and the center of the French Revolution. Not only do they have to survive a city where riots could break out at any minute and turn the city into a seething mob where no one is safe, but also detection and betrayal are just around the corner.

There is great historical detail and mad passion that might only be possible during such an intense period of time. She also delivers in complex characters. N is a good man but somehow just can't seem to connect with his son. He doesn't mean to be harsh but there is no understanding between the two of them. Gabrielle is torn between two countries, two loyalties and society's expectations that she just doesn't fit.

I do have a few issues. I don't think it is realistic that Gabrielle could go back and forth so easily between two countries that are at war. Also, I'm not sure that Gabrielle could just settle down into a life of society woman after all the drama, intrigue and life of meaning she has had. While they are having a great sex life, they can't have sex all the time and N is very busy running the spy network. She would need some purpose other than hanging around his house.

Romance and adventure, spies and war. Also, great writing and great chemistry. There is a lot to love here.

[Giselda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reading for my wedding week...or any other stressful, busy time.

[Mary Lauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the relationship, especially Gabby helping Nathaniel get closer to his son. I could do withouat all they spying stuff, but I guess that is what drove the conflict.

[Shelley Cramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical romance novel. Went exactly as expected, but written well enough that it was still a pleasant read.

[Seema · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two spies against each other..a bit far fetched