What do you think?
Rate this book
Neville Family & Friends #4
Tempted All Night
Lady Phaedra Northampton is a proper English miss -- but burdened by a dark secret. She's buried her shame in running her wealthy brother Lord Nash's household while hiding behind a sharp wit and dull wardrobe ... until a reckless village maid's disappearance pulls her into London's seedy underworld.
A former mercenary and jaded spy-for-hire, Tristan Talbot, Lord Avoncliffe, does little and manages to do it scandalously. Though Tristan's an out-and-out rogue, when his dying father begs him to delve into the secrets behind a notorious brothel -- a perfect task for his talents! -- Tristan can't refuse. Is the brothel a front for a notorious Russian spy ring? Tristan is on the hunt -- until his path collides with the oh-so-tempting Lady Phae.
Soon what should be a simple assignment becomes deliciously complicated ... when deception and desire lead to an explosive passion.
A former mercenary and jaded spy-for-hire, Tristan Talbot, Lord Avoncliffe, does little and manages to do it scandalously. Though Tristan's an out-and-out rogue, when his dying father begs him to delve into the secrets behind a notorious brothel -- a perfect task for his talents! -- Tristan can't refuse. Is the brothel a front for a notorious Russian spy ring? Tristan is on the hunt -- until his path collides with the oh-so-tempting Lady Phae.
Soon what should be a simple assignment becomes deliciously complicated ... when deception and desire lead to an explosive passion.
438 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 17, 2009
34 people are currently reading
1022 people want to read
About the author
Liz Carlyle
46 books848 followersDear Readers,
The awful truth about novelists is that we are mostly dull, introverted homebodies who only write in order to live our fantasies vicariously. I came to writing rather late in life, and I’m still amazed I can get paid for doing something I love, and that I get to stay home while I do it.
My favorite comedian Steve Martin once said, "I believe entertainment can aspire to be art, and can become art. But if you set out to make art, you’re an idiot." I have never tried to create art, but I do try to tell one heck of a good story. Yes, I try to write with a hot iron, while the heat of the story is in me. And I try, always, to entertain my readers.
Regards,
Liz
The awful truth about novelists is that we are mostly dull, introverted homebodies who only write in order to live our fantasies vicariously. I came to writing rather late in life, and I’m still amazed I can get paid for doing something I love, and that I get to stay home while I do it.
My favorite comedian Steve Martin once said, "I believe entertainment can aspire to be art, and can become art. But if you set out to make art, you’re an idiot." I have never tried to create art, but I do try to tell one heck of a good story. Yes, I try to write with a hot iron, while the heat of the story is in me. And I try, always, to entertain my readers.
Regards,
Liz
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
February 19, 2009
Liz Carlyle is one my must-buy historical authors. She writes strong characters and interesting plots and her brand new release "Tempted All Night" is another good read for me.
Phaedra should be married. She's pretty, she's got a great dowry, and her brother is a Lord. But Phaedra also suffered an almost unspeakable loss when she was very young. That experience, and its repercussions, have resulted in her determination to never marry. She spends her time trying to be unobtrusive and unnoticed. Until the younger sister of her maid disappears, leaving behind a young child. Phaedra reluctantly journeys to London with her family, but not for ton entertainments. Her mission is to find the missing mother...but what Phaedra finds isn't just a missing woman, but a case of murder and espionage. And the man who's trying to help her may be the one to change her mind about marriage.
Tristan's father is the Earl of Talbot and his mother was a beautiful Mediterranean peasant his father fell in love with, giving up his chances for high office with the marriage. The result was Tristan, too dark to look entirely English, but undoubtedly the Earl's heir. With little acceptance from his family and his mother gone, Tristan went off to serve as a mercenary and spy-for-hire...something that (intentionally) irritates his father who runs the Foreign Office at Whitehall. But his father is on his deathbed and Tristan can't refuse what may be his last request...to investigate the death of a Russian who may be mixed up with a spy. It doesn't take Tristan long to meet Phaedra, and he is drawn to her almost in spite of himself. Events around Tristan and Phaedra become more and more dangerous, and so does their desire.
Two complex and intriguing characters, with messy pasts and dubious futures struggle to understand and recognize love. Each is afraid to care but can't seem to resist the traits of the other. The mystery wasn't too bad either, even though we're told right off who the bad guys are, it still plays out well. The real focus is always the growing closeness and caring between the hero and heroine. There are brief appearances by characters from previous books, but this novel stands on its own. "Tempted All Night" is another solid historical from Liz Carlyle.
Phaedra should be married. She's pretty, she's got a great dowry, and her brother is a Lord. But Phaedra also suffered an almost unspeakable loss when she was very young. That experience, and its repercussions, have resulted in her determination to never marry. She spends her time trying to be unobtrusive and unnoticed. Until the younger sister of her maid disappears, leaving behind a young child. Phaedra reluctantly journeys to London with her family, but not for ton entertainments. Her mission is to find the missing mother...but what Phaedra finds isn't just a missing woman, but a case of murder and espionage. And the man who's trying to help her may be the one to change her mind about marriage.
Tristan's father is the Earl of Talbot and his mother was a beautiful Mediterranean peasant his father fell in love with, giving up his chances for high office with the marriage. The result was Tristan, too dark to look entirely English, but undoubtedly the Earl's heir. With little acceptance from his family and his mother gone, Tristan went off to serve as a mercenary and spy-for-hire...something that (intentionally) irritates his father who runs the Foreign Office at Whitehall. But his father is on his deathbed and Tristan can't refuse what may be his last request...to investigate the death of a Russian who may be mixed up with a spy. It doesn't take Tristan long to meet Phaedra, and he is drawn to her almost in spite of himself. Events around Tristan and Phaedra become more and more dangerous, and so does their desire.
Two complex and intriguing characters, with messy pasts and dubious futures struggle to understand and recognize love. Each is afraid to care but can't seem to resist the traits of the other. The mystery wasn't too bad either, even though we're told right off who the bad guys are, it still plays out well. The real focus is always the growing closeness and caring between the hero and heroine. There are brief appearances by characters from previous books, but this novel stands on its own. "Tempted All Night" is another solid historical from Liz Carlyle.
August 4, 2025
A solid 4 stars for a long, meaty, very enjoyable HR, set in the 1830s, from the ever reliable Liz Carlyle. I'd never gotten around to reading this one before, because it's not available on kindle Australia, so I had to hunt down an old secondhand paperback. Finally got hold of it, and it was well worth the read.
The two leads, Tristan and Phaedra, are both interesting and appealing characters. Tristan, half gypsy (legitimate) son of a now dying earl. Known as a bit of a scoundrel and womaniser, Tristan has been a disappointment to his father, and only now as the old lord lies dying are they beginning to make amends. Tristan had also spent time as a mercenary in Greece, fighting for what some Englishmen had considered to be a romantic cause, but coming away somewhat jaded and cynical after seeing some of the atrocities committed in war.
Phaedra is in her early twenties, and by her own choice, leads a fairly isolated and withdrawn life, dressing in simple, plain clothes and keeping a low profile in the world. But she becomes unwillingly drawn into London's nasty underworld when she tries to find Millie, the sister of her maid servant, who has disappeared into London's stews. As the story builds, and more background becomes apparent, readers begin to see the deeper reasons why Phaedra is so desperate to find Millie.
Tristan and Phaedra are attracted from the beginning, and as the plot develops, their relationship grows too. Some familiar characters from previous Carlyle books make welcome appearances, including Max De Vendenheim and the ubiquitous Kemble. The book could stand alone, but for those who have read other books in this and related series, it's lovely to see a range of familiar characters pop in and out of the story.
The storyline is quite involving, and is cleverly unfolded. It involves a Russian spy ring, and some nasty goings-on in a London brothel that specialises in some pretty dark and unsavoury practices. There is plenty of drama, but through it all is threaded the lovely and growing romance of Tristan and Phaedra. There are some very poignant moments, especially when Phaedra's past is revealed.
Of course there was always going to be a HEA, but the exact nature of the outcomes for our MCs isn't made known till the very end of the book. For me, it was a lovely and satisfying ending. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A classic Liz Carlyle in her best form.
The two leads, Tristan and Phaedra, are both interesting and appealing characters. Tristan, half gypsy (legitimate) son of a now dying earl. Known as a bit of a scoundrel and womaniser, Tristan has been a disappointment to his father, and only now as the old lord lies dying are they beginning to make amends. Tristan had also spent time as a mercenary in Greece, fighting for what some Englishmen had considered to be a romantic cause, but coming away somewhat jaded and cynical after seeing some of the atrocities committed in war.
Phaedra is in her early twenties, and by her own choice, leads a fairly isolated and withdrawn life, dressing in simple, plain clothes and keeping a low profile in the world. But she becomes unwillingly drawn into London's nasty underworld when she tries to find Millie, the sister of her maid servant, who has disappeared into London's stews. As the story builds, and more background becomes apparent, readers begin to see the deeper reasons why Phaedra is so desperate to find Millie.
Tristan and Phaedra are attracted from the beginning, and as the plot develops, their relationship grows too. Some familiar characters from previous Carlyle books make welcome appearances, including Max De Vendenheim and the ubiquitous Kemble. The book could stand alone, but for those who have read other books in this and related series, it's lovely to see a range of familiar characters pop in and out of the story.
The storyline is quite involving, and is cleverly unfolded. It involves a Russian spy ring, and some nasty goings-on in a London brothel that specialises in some pretty dark and unsavoury practices. There is plenty of drama, but through it all is threaded the lovely and growing romance of Tristan and Phaedra. There are some very poignant moments, especially when Phaedra's past is revealed.
Of course there was always going to be a HEA, but the exact nature of the outcomes for our MCs isn't made known till the very end of the book. For me, it was a lovely and satisfying ending. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A classic Liz Carlyle in her best form.
February 20, 2018
Stars, hide your fires,
Let not light see my black and deep desires.
March 14, 2009
Of all LC books I've read, never thought I'd say it's become my # 2 fav after 'A woman scorned'. Hunky scoundrel Tristan enslaved me for life =^2 Worth every penny even tho' I had to smuggle it in my coat pocket as I strolled leisurely to my hut, to avoid being ripped to pieces by irate family, for buying another book (a big no-no during the current econ downturn LOL...). 6 months is a helluva long time to wait for 'Wicked all day' (Sept 22), Zoe's - Phae's BFF - luv story. Tristan is 1 of the all-time best, multi-layered & vividly-drawn heroes I've ever read, he's the epitome of 'looks can be deceiving'. He can tie me up anytime. What I liked <~ SPOILERS GALORE ~>:
- Sparkling zingers not just between H/H, but also between w/ 2ndary characters
- Tristan's messed up relationship w/ his dad & believable resolution, not sugar-coated even when he's about to expire
- Tristan's genuine grief over his dad's death. His sensitivity is endearing (I luv H/H who shed tears).
- Phae's tragic loss of innocence, self-imposed anti-marriage attitude, non-descript appearance. A boatload of baggage to carry.
- Phae acting mature beyond her young age (v. hard to believe she's only 21 y/o)
- The dark tone 'bout shady sex slave rings (Phae's mission accomplished w/out the expected happy outcome) & sadistic villainess
- Surprisingly borderline erotic S&M-flavored luv scenes
- Tristan's jealousies & high appreciation of Phae's voluptuousness
- Phae's shying away from long-term relationship w/ Tristan
- Phae's long-dormant sexuality & kinky desire to be dominated
- Tristan's 2nd romantic proposal @ the end & the fairy-tale HEA
Engrossing from start to finish. LC's wondrous world of romance & intrigue once again left me clamoring for her next installment. Stefan & Xanthia (Never lie to a lady) pop up & we get a glimpse of their continuing HEA. After the disappointing Madeline Hunter's latest, I keep my expectations non-existent when reading my beloved auto-buy authors ;^P. I really hadn't expected to luv it & was utterly stunned by how fantabulous it's turned out to be. 438 pages made me wish it were longer. It's not flawless & has questionable consistencies, but overall it's worthy of future re-reads. DIK keeper.
- Sparkling zingers not just between H/H, but also between w/ 2ndary characters
- Tristan's messed up relationship w/ his dad & believable resolution, not sugar-coated even when he's about to expire
- Tristan's genuine grief over his dad's death. His sensitivity is endearing (I luv H/H who shed tears).
- Phae's tragic loss of innocence, self-imposed anti-marriage attitude, non-descript appearance. A boatload of baggage to carry.
- Phae acting mature beyond her young age (v. hard to believe she's only 21 y/o)
- The dark tone 'bout shady sex slave rings (Phae's mission accomplished w/out the expected happy outcome) & sadistic villainess
- Surprisingly borderline erotic S&M-flavored luv scenes
- Tristan's jealousies & high appreciation of Phae's voluptuousness
- Phae's shying away from long-term relationship w/ Tristan
- Phae's long-dormant sexuality & kinky desire to be dominated
- Tristan's 2nd romantic proposal @ the end & the fairy-tale HEA
Engrossing from start to finish. LC's wondrous world of romance & intrigue once again left me clamoring for her next installment. Stefan & Xanthia (Never lie to a lady) pop up & we get a glimpse of their continuing HEA. After the disappointing Madeline Hunter's latest, I keep my expectations non-existent when reading my beloved auto-buy authors ;^P. I really hadn't expected to luv it & was utterly stunned by how fantabulous it's turned out to be. 438 pages made me wish it were longer. It's not flawless & has questionable consistencies, but overall it's worthy of future re-reads. DIK keeper.
September 29, 2021
A pleasurable read with wonderful leading characters - though darker and more risque than I had expected! (3.5 stars)
(spoilers at the end are marked)
Tempted All Night is a very enjoyable read, though I was a little surprised by certain aspects of the book. There are some very dark undertones (sexual slavery) and some surprises that I wasn't quite expecting (bondage-domination ... which led to inconsistencies IMO - see spoilers for detail), however I have no compunction in recommending this book as a great historical romance read. (Note: I haven't read Carlyle's latest books that involve overlapping characters but this was not an obstacle).
There are a lot of things that could be included in the following descriptions but that I would have to term spoilers, so for people who want to avoid those, I have only detailed them at the very end (with a proper warning!!) for those readers who like to know some things beforehand (like me, lol).
CHARACTERS, Tristan and Phaedra ("Phae"):
Tristan Talbot (30) is a rake of the first order - he's a shameless flirt who literally beds every willing woman he meets. This wastrel devil-may-care facade, however, does hide a more serious side (still waters run deep type of thing) and Carlyle does a good job of writing this believably and making his feelings for and reaction to Phaedra read authentically. He's intelligent, witty, honorable, tender, passionate, sometimes deliciously possessive and jealous (his reaction at the card-game will have you grinning), and all in all completely sigh-inspiring - give me a Tristan any day!
Tristan is technically Lord Avoncliffe, since he's the son of the Earl of Hauxton, but he does not have a good relationship with his father and doesn't like to go by his title. His mother was of Mediterranean peasantry and though Hauxton married her, their marriage was not a happy one and ended in Tristan's youth. Though he's legitimate, one would almost think he wasn't by how he's treated by his extended family, his father, and society.
Lady Phaedra Northampton (21) is a great heroine - somewhat reserved but caring, intelligent, witty, likeable, and very easy to root for - all you want is for her to finally be happy. (I did find parts of her story/character very puzzling, but that's covered in the spoiler section at the end.) She's 21, though I found that I often had to remind myself that, since I felt she was written much older. I always love unusual heroines or the quiet-wallflowers, and Phaedra is this type - although 21 is hardly firmly on-the-shelf (even then!), she is the farthest thing from a social-butterfly, considers herself a bluestocking and unfashionable, hides behind plain gray gowns and spectacles, and is often wonderfully forthright and tart.
I felt that she was a good counterbalance to Tristan's wildness and their relationship was very believable; they have an intellectual and emotional/physical connection, are both wildly passionate and heartbreakingly tender with one another - it's really quite sweet (and I'm not the maudlin/corny type).
COMMENTS:
~ This book involves a mystery subplot - though action subplot would be more accurate, since there's not really the unknown-villain factor. On the whole it's written well, is interesting, and definitely moves the plot forward, but at the beginning of the book it takes too long for Carlyle to give us a picture of what is going on (that Missie is missing, Phaedra is looking for her, their connection to the first dead man, etc.).
~ The secondary characters are three-dimensional and well-written; not every relationship is tied up with a pretty bow at the end, and this gives a further feeling of authenticity to Carlyle's story and her hero and heroine's relationship.
~ A better proofreader was needed: there were typos, words missing or out of order, and consistency mistakes (at one point Tristan's title is raised to that of Earl Avoncliffe, before returning once more to Viscount).
~ I think that Tristan's proposal could have done with just the ring - leave the diamond and purple velvet handcuffs behind! That was too much for me, frankly ...
~ We don't know Phaedra's deep, dark secret for so long and maybe I'm just impatient, but I was annoyed by this; I kept on having to stop myself from skimming forward to find out what it was. Then, what the secret actually was didn't fit with other things in the story ... (see spoiler).
**BIG SPOILER STARTS**:
Phaedra's secret: Right after she turned 15, one of her brother's friends seduced her (ie. raped her, though that word is not used). She was so young that she didn't really understand what they were doing or that they were having sex (or what sex was). She gets pregnant as a result, though again she doesn't realize it or recognize what it means, and then is given an abortion (again, not really understanding what is happening). Something goes wrong, she gets a bad fever, and as a result is told she will likely never be able to conceive. She pretty much withdraws from society, thinking that since she's barren she will never marry.
Second issue: Now, I like the hot and heavy scenes as much as the next historical romance reader and am disappointed when there isn't enough chemistry or passion, but I guess I'm somewhat prudish in that I do prefer my heroines to not initially be too bold or sexually aggressive at the beginning of their relationship with the hero. Here, however, I was completely unprepared for the bondage/domination aspect of Tristan and Phaedra's relationship and haven't read this in any of Carlyle's books before. It was well-written, though, and I think it mostly just caught me off guard.
Having said that, if you're somewhat turned off by this, don't be - as I said, I'm not the really raunchy x-rated type of reader, but I was not disturbed by it - only pleasantly scandalized, lol. The thing that I did find somewhat disconcerting/odd was that both of these things (Phaedra's secret and this aspect of their sexual relationship) were taking place in the same book/relationship. After what she experienced, would Phae really so soon in her sexual relationship with Tristan (and in her first sexual experience since her rape) be comfortable with or desire/need to be bound/dominated? I found it hard to reconcile these two things, as I would find it more probable that Phaedra would be hesitant about sex because of what happened to her.
**BIG SPOILER ENDS**
(spoilers at the end are marked)
Tempted All Night is a very enjoyable read, though I was a little surprised by certain aspects of the book. There are some very dark undertones (sexual slavery) and some surprises that I wasn't quite expecting (bondage-domination ... which led to inconsistencies IMO - see spoilers for detail), however I have no compunction in recommending this book as a great historical romance read. (Note: I haven't read Carlyle's latest books that involve overlapping characters but this was not an obstacle).
There are a lot of things that could be included in the following descriptions but that I would have to term spoilers, so for people who want to avoid those, I have only detailed them at the very end (with a proper warning!!) for those readers who like to know some things beforehand (like me, lol).
CHARACTERS, Tristan and Phaedra ("Phae"):
Tristan Talbot (30) is a rake of the first order - he's a shameless flirt who literally beds every willing woman he meets. This wastrel devil-may-care facade, however, does hide a more serious side (still waters run deep type of thing) and Carlyle does a good job of writing this believably and making his feelings for and reaction to Phaedra read authentically. He's intelligent, witty, honorable, tender, passionate, sometimes deliciously possessive and jealous (his reaction at the card-game will have you grinning), and all in all completely sigh-inspiring - give me a Tristan any day!
Tristan is technically Lord Avoncliffe, since he's the son of the Earl of Hauxton, but he does not have a good relationship with his father and doesn't like to go by his title. His mother was of Mediterranean peasantry and though Hauxton married her, their marriage was not a happy one and ended in Tristan's youth. Though he's legitimate, one would almost think he wasn't by how he's treated by his extended family, his father, and society.
Lady Phaedra Northampton (21) is a great heroine - somewhat reserved but caring, intelligent, witty, likeable, and very easy to root for - all you want is for her to finally be happy. (I did find parts of her story/character very puzzling, but that's covered in the spoiler section at the end.) She's 21, though I found that I often had to remind myself that, since I felt she was written much older. I always love unusual heroines or the quiet-wallflowers, and Phaedra is this type - although 21 is hardly firmly on-the-shelf (even then!), she is the farthest thing from a social-butterfly, considers herself a bluestocking and unfashionable, hides behind plain gray gowns and spectacles, and is often wonderfully forthright and tart.
I felt that she was a good counterbalance to Tristan's wildness and their relationship was very believable; they have an intellectual and emotional/physical connection, are both wildly passionate and heartbreakingly tender with one another - it's really quite sweet (and I'm not the maudlin/corny type).
COMMENTS:
~ This book involves a mystery subplot - though action subplot would be more accurate, since there's not really the unknown-villain factor. On the whole it's written well, is interesting, and definitely moves the plot forward, but at the beginning of the book it takes too long for Carlyle to give us a picture of what is going on (that Missie is missing, Phaedra is looking for her, their connection to the first dead man, etc.).
~ The secondary characters are three-dimensional and well-written; not every relationship is tied up with a pretty bow at the end, and this gives a further feeling of authenticity to Carlyle's story and her hero and heroine's relationship.
~ A better proofreader was needed: there were typos, words missing or out of order, and consistency mistakes (at one point Tristan's title is raised to that of Earl Avoncliffe, before returning once more to Viscount).
~ I think that Tristan's proposal could have done with just the ring - leave the diamond and purple velvet handcuffs behind! That was too much for me, frankly ...
~ We don't know Phaedra's deep, dark secret for so long and maybe I'm just impatient, but I was annoyed by this; I kept on having to stop myself from skimming forward to find out what it was. Then, what the secret actually was didn't fit with other things in the story ... (see spoiler).
**BIG SPOILER STARTS**:
Phaedra's secret: Right after she turned 15, one of her brother's friends seduced her (ie. raped her, though that word is not used). She was so young that she didn't really understand what they were doing or that they were having sex (or what sex was). She gets pregnant as a result, though again she doesn't realize it or recognize what it means, and then is given an abortion (again, not really understanding what is happening). Something goes wrong, she gets a bad fever, and as a result is told she will likely never be able to conceive. She pretty much withdraws from society, thinking that since she's barren she will never marry.
Second issue: Now, I like the hot and heavy scenes as much as the next historical romance reader and am disappointed when there isn't enough chemistry or passion, but I guess I'm somewhat prudish in that I do prefer my heroines to not initially be too bold or sexually aggressive at the beginning of their relationship with the hero. Here, however, I was completely unprepared for the bondage/domination aspect of Tristan and Phaedra's relationship and haven't read this in any of Carlyle's books before. It was well-written, though, and I think it mostly just caught me off guard.
Having said that, if you're somewhat turned off by this, don't be - as I said, I'm not the really raunchy x-rated type of reader, but I was not disturbed by it - only pleasantly scandalized, lol. The thing that I did find somewhat disconcerting/odd was that both of these things (Phaedra's secret and this aspect of their sexual relationship) were taking place in the same book/relationship. After what she experienced, would Phae really so soon in her sexual relationship with Tristan (and in her first sexual experience since her rape) be comfortable with or desire/need to be bound/dominated? I found it hard to reconcile these two things, as I would find it more probable that Phaedra would be hesitant about sex because of what happened to her.
**BIG SPOILER ENDS**
March 9, 2010
I really ended up enjoying this book. It was by no means perfect, or even a favorite Carlyle, but I was pleased. I liked how I didn't really know what was going on at first. We (the reader) found out what Phaedra's involvement in the murdered Russian was at the same time as Tristan did. It was a definite change of pace from the more introspective characters.
Phaedra was a well written character. I liked how she was mature and not as needy as a lot of other romance heroines. I enjoyed watching Tristan have to be the one to ask when he'll get to see her again. Her `let's keep it casual' attitude toward Tristan was a nice change of pace. I didn't have a problem with the kinks Tristan found out she had, but I thought it got a little too clinical at times. I wish it would have been a bit more engaging and a little less dry. I was also surprised by her aggressiveness toward Tristan when I found out about her past tragedy. The tragedy was unexpected. Usually I can predict what so-called past tragedy an author is going to assign to a character, but this one was different. I can honestly say I don't think I've ever seen it used before.
I did have a minor nitpick about Phaedra's characterization though. She makes a comment about not being sure that Tristan was the drunken gentleman she met in the beginning of the book. It says that she couldn't be sure because she didn't have her glasses on. Later Phoebe mocks her to Zoe (Phaedra's friend) and says Phaedra only wears her glasses to look smarter than everyone else and only needs them to read. Throughout later parts of the story she goes without her glasses and doesn't have any problems seeing. I found it odd that she would comment to herself on her need for her glasses but then never really need them.
Tristan was an interesting character. I have to say, I have a weakness for characters that are thought to be empty-headed but are really very clever. It always makes me feel as though I'm in on the joke. I thought Tristan was a lot of fun. He was up for whatever anyone wanted to throw at him. If you wanted to fight, he'd fight. If you wanted to make out, he was ready. If you wanted to think he was an idiot, he was more than happy to let you. He just seemed so casual and willing to go with the flow. It made him fun to read about. I wasn't really impressed with his willingness to make out with every set of lips that crossed his path (even if most of them ended up being Phaedra in one form or another) but it was in the beginning of the story and it's just a personal dislike. It was easy to get past.
I liked that Tristan never resolved things with his father. I thought that was more realistic than a sudden father-son bonding moment where they forget all their past troubles. I would have thought less of Tristan if he would have made up with his father when his father was never sorry about how he treated his mother.
I found it odd that Phaedra had so much freedom. I know that her mother focused on Phoebe mostly, but it really seemed a little unbelievable. I kept forgetting that Phaedra was 21 and was startled whenever it was brought up. On one hand it was nice that she acted so mature. I can't even remember how many books I have given up on because the characters acted too immature and irritated the life out of me. On the other hand I really don't think that she acted 21. Maybe her past made her grow up in a hurry. I don't know... It was just a jarring note whenever it was mentioned.
Overall it was a good book. I had some minor nitpicks, but they were easily ignored. I would say it was a good representation of Liz Carlyle's work. The world building isn't too detailed, but the characters caught my attention enough that it didn't matter to me. The prose isn't nuanced and doesn't really give a flavor of the time period, but there's something to be said for to the point prose. I'll be on the lookout for the next one in the series.
Phaedra was a well written character. I liked how she was mature and not as needy as a lot of other romance heroines. I enjoyed watching Tristan have to be the one to ask when he'll get to see her again. Her `let's keep it casual' attitude toward Tristan was a nice change of pace. I didn't have a problem with the kinks Tristan found out she had, but I thought it got a little too clinical at times. I wish it would have been a bit more engaging and a little less dry. I was also surprised by her aggressiveness toward Tristan when I found out about her past tragedy. The tragedy was unexpected. Usually I can predict what so-called past tragedy an author is going to assign to a character, but this one was different. I can honestly say I don't think I've ever seen it used before.
I did have a minor nitpick about Phaedra's characterization though. She makes a comment about not being sure that Tristan was the drunken gentleman she met in the beginning of the book. It says that she couldn't be sure because she didn't have her glasses on. Later Phoebe mocks her to Zoe (Phaedra's friend) and says Phaedra only wears her glasses to look smarter than everyone else and only needs them to read. Throughout later parts of the story she goes without her glasses and doesn't have any problems seeing. I found it odd that she would comment to herself on her need for her glasses but then never really need them.
Tristan was an interesting character. I have to say, I have a weakness for characters that are thought to be empty-headed but are really very clever. It always makes me feel as though I'm in on the joke. I thought Tristan was a lot of fun. He was up for whatever anyone wanted to throw at him. If you wanted to fight, he'd fight. If you wanted to make out, he was ready. If you wanted to think he was an idiot, he was more than happy to let you. He just seemed so casual and willing to go with the flow. It made him fun to read about. I wasn't really impressed with his willingness to make out with every set of lips that crossed his path (even if most of them ended up being Phaedra in one form or another) but it was in the beginning of the story and it's just a personal dislike. It was easy to get past.
I liked that Tristan never resolved things with his father. I thought that was more realistic than a sudden father-son bonding moment where they forget all their past troubles. I would have thought less of Tristan if he would have made up with his father when his father was never sorry about how he treated his mother.
I found it odd that Phaedra had so much freedom. I know that her mother focused on Phoebe mostly, but it really seemed a little unbelievable. I kept forgetting that Phaedra was 21 and was startled whenever it was brought up. On one hand it was nice that she acted so mature. I can't even remember how many books I have given up on because the characters acted too immature and irritated the life out of me. On the other hand I really don't think that she acted 21. Maybe her past made her grow up in a hurry. I don't know... It was just a jarring note whenever it was mentioned.
Overall it was a good book. I had some minor nitpicks, but they were easily ignored. I would say it was a good representation of Liz Carlyle's work. The world building isn't too detailed, but the characters caught my attention enough that it didn't matter to me. The prose isn't nuanced and doesn't really give a flavor of the time period, but there's something to be said for to the point prose. I'll be on the lookout for the next one in the series.
July 2, 2009
Liz Carlyle's latest book includes some characters previously seen (or read about) in other books she wrote. Such is the case with both Lady Phaedra Northampton and Miss Zoe Armstrong. I must confess that I was a bit confused at first and had some trouble locating them in the genealogical tree of Carlyle's characters but after spending sometime looking at this page on Carlyle's site I eventually remembered where I had found them last. People who haven't been reading previous books should have no such problem btw.
Phaedra and Zoe strike a friendship in the beginning of the book and it’s immediately clear that this is Phaedra's story and the next book will be about Zoe, this is good because I really enjoyed Zoe, I'm sure she is going to be a very independent and determined heroine and I really want to read her story.
Phaedra is a proper society young lady, she has shun society for the past few years and only comes to town to keep an eye on her mother and sister who spend too much time going to parties and shopping. She is the sister of ... and while he would prefer that Phaedra would also attend some social events she really isn't in the mood. She also came to town to find one of her maids who decided to leave work in the country and find some easier way to make money.
Tristan has long been the family's black sheep. His mother wasn't well accepted in his father's family and they eventually separated leaving him, a child still, alone and ignored. This lead him to grow up more interesting in having a good time and flirting with every woman in sight than accepting his responsibilities as an Earl's son and heir. But now his father is dying and he can't find it in him to refuse one last request to uncover a plot that threatens England's security.
One of the interesting things about Tempted All Night is that there are several mysteries to solve, where is the maid that Phaedra is looking for? What happened in Phaedra’s past? What is Tristan involved in? Another is that it is very action packed, right in the beginning a man is murdered at Phaedra's feet and the fact that he is involved in the plot that Tristan is investigating is what brings them together.
So Tristan is wild and reckless while Phaedra is more controlled and less sociable. But they were both interesting characters (I liked Tristan better) and the attraction between them develops quickly. My main problem with the story is that Carlyle used their physical relationship almost as a healing process for Phaedra and while I, in theory, have no problem with that it did annoy me here and I felt there was too much sex (and the type of sex) where it could have been more story and character development. That did bring the book lower in my grading scale.
The book also deals with some darker subjects - like brothels and sexual slavery, the violence of the spy's plot, women abuse, S&M - which contributes to make me conclude that while this is better than most books out there it's still not as good as her previous books. I am very interested in Zoe's story, by the way, and find it odd that there's almost no information on the internet about it.
Grade: 3.5/5
Phaedra and Zoe strike a friendship in the beginning of the book and it’s immediately clear that this is Phaedra's story and the next book will be about Zoe, this is good because I really enjoyed Zoe, I'm sure she is going to be a very independent and determined heroine and I really want to read her story.
Phaedra is a proper society young lady, she has shun society for the past few years and only comes to town to keep an eye on her mother and sister who spend too much time going to parties and shopping. She is the sister of ... and while he would prefer that Phaedra would also attend some social events she really isn't in the mood. She also came to town to find one of her maids who decided to leave work in the country and find some easier way to make money.
Tristan has long been the family's black sheep. His mother wasn't well accepted in his father's family and they eventually separated leaving him, a child still, alone and ignored. This lead him to grow up more interesting in having a good time and flirting with every woman in sight than accepting his responsibilities as an Earl's son and heir. But now his father is dying and he can't find it in him to refuse one last request to uncover a plot that threatens England's security.
One of the interesting things about Tempted All Night is that there are several mysteries to solve, where is the maid that Phaedra is looking for? What happened in Phaedra’s past? What is Tristan involved in? Another is that it is very action packed, right in the beginning a man is murdered at Phaedra's feet and the fact that he is involved in the plot that Tristan is investigating is what brings them together.
So Tristan is wild and reckless while Phaedra is more controlled and less sociable. But they were both interesting characters (I liked Tristan better) and the attraction between them develops quickly. My main problem with the story is that Carlyle used their physical relationship almost as a healing process for Phaedra and while I, in theory, have no problem with that it did annoy me here and I felt there was too much sex (and the type of sex) where it could have been more story and character development. That did bring the book lower in my grading scale.
The book also deals with some darker subjects - like brothels and sexual slavery, the violence of the spy's plot, women abuse, S&M - which contributes to make me conclude that while this is better than most books out there it's still not as good as her previous books. I am very interested in Zoe's story, by the way, and find it odd that there's almost no information on the internet about it.
Grade: 3.5/5
September 8, 2014
Author: Liz Carlyle
First published: 2009
Length: 438 pages
Setting: London, 1830 (early Victorian).
Sex: Very explicit. Quite frequent. Light consensual bondage but references to darker acts by others.
Hero: Scoundrel with a heart of gold. Murky birth.
Heroine: Bespectacled "spinster" (she's 22) with a secret in her past. Believes herself barren.
Almost Cheating: We meet Hero as he leaves his mistress' bed. He also needs to play the rake to gain information.
Trigger:
Long and slow.
A good, very erotic story with interesting characters and a solid plot but I didn't feel the chemistry. The story dragged and I failed to care for their HEA.
It was missing that mysterious something that makes me smile.
The Neville Family and Friends:
The School for Heiresses:After Midnight - Martinique Neville and Justin, Lord St. Vrain
Never Lie to a Lady - Xanthia Neville and Stefan Northampton, Lord Nash
Never Deceive a Duke - Antonia, Duchess of Warneham and Gareth, Duke of Warneham
Never Romance a Rake - Camille Marchand and Kieran Neville, Lord Rothewell
Tempted All Night - Lady Phaedra Northampton and Tristan Talbot, Lord Avoncliffe
Books with George Kemble:
My False Heart - Elliot Armstrong, Lord Rannoch & Evangeline Stone
A Woman of Virtue - Cecilia Lorimer & David, Lord Delacourt
No True Gentleman - Catherine & Max de Rohan (aka de Vendeheim)
The Devil You Know - Cam’s brother Bentley & Frederica d’Avillez
A Deal With the Devil - Giles, Lord Walrafen & Aubrey Montford
The Devil to Pay - Aleric, Lord Devellyn & Sidonie Saint-Godard (Kemble's sister)
Never Lie to a Lady - Xanthia Neville and Stefan Northampton, Lord Nash
Never Deceive a Duke - Antonia, Duchess of Warneham and Gareth, Duke of Warneham
Never Romance a Rake - Camille Marchand and Kieran Neville, Lord Rothewell
Tempted All Night - Lady Phaedra Northampton and Tristan Talbot, Lord Avoncliffe
The Bride Wore Pearls - Lady Anisha Stafford & Rance Welham
References:
Author's website: http://www.lizcarlyle.com/books_tempt...
(ISBN 978-1-4165-9313-3)
-CR-
First published: 2009
Length: 438 pages
Setting: London, 1830 (early Victorian).
Sex: Very explicit. Quite frequent. Light consensual bondage but references to darker acts by others.
Hero: Scoundrel with a heart of gold. Murky birth.
Heroine: Bespectacled "spinster" (she's 22) with a secret in her past. Believes herself barren.
Almost Cheating: We meet Hero as he leaves his mistress' bed. He also needs to play the rake to gain information.
Trigger:
Long and slow.
A good, very erotic story with interesting characters and a solid plot but I didn't feel the chemistry. The story dragged and I failed to care for their HEA.
It was missing that mysterious something that makes me smile.
The Neville Family and Friends:
The School for Heiresses:After Midnight - Martinique Neville and Justin, Lord St. Vrain
Never Lie to a Lady - Xanthia Neville and Stefan Northampton, Lord Nash
Never Deceive a Duke - Antonia, Duchess of Warneham and Gareth, Duke of Warneham
Never Romance a Rake - Camille Marchand and Kieran Neville, Lord Rothewell
Tempted All Night - Lady Phaedra Northampton and Tristan Talbot, Lord Avoncliffe
Books with George Kemble:
My False Heart - Elliot Armstrong, Lord Rannoch & Evangeline Stone
A Woman of Virtue - Cecilia Lorimer & David, Lord Delacourt
No True Gentleman - Catherine & Max de Rohan (aka de Vendeheim)
The Devil You Know - Cam’s brother Bentley & Frederica d’Avillez
A Deal With the Devil - Giles, Lord Walrafen & Aubrey Montford
The Devil to Pay - Aleric, Lord Devellyn & Sidonie Saint-Godard (Kemble's sister)
Never Lie to a Lady - Xanthia Neville and Stefan Northampton, Lord Nash
Never Deceive a Duke - Antonia, Duchess of Warneham and Gareth, Duke of Warneham
Never Romance a Rake - Camille Marchand and Kieran Neville, Lord Rothewell
Tempted All Night - Lady Phaedra Northampton and Tristan Talbot, Lord Avoncliffe
The Bride Wore Pearls - Lady Anisha Stafford & Rance Welham
References:
Author's website: http://www.lizcarlyle.com/books_tempt...
(ISBN 978-1-4165-9313-3)
-CR-
July 1, 2015
Hmph. Or should I say "Ummmm," which is what the characters moan in particularly amorous moments?
You know how sometimes little tiny, seemingly inconsequential, things can be extremely irritating? That's what "Ummmm..." did for me. And being that this is the second Liz Carlyle book I've read recently, and both have had it, well...
Something like that -- um is a speech filler, not a moaning noise -- could be overlooked if it were the only minor complaint. But Tempted All Night, like the last Liz Carlyle book I read, also had characters who held their secrets until hundreds of pages into the book. I complain about this because we know there are secrets from nearly the beginning, and yet they're held and teased for nothing more (at least that I could tell) than ratcheting up the tension. If there's a secret, fine, but having it referred to multiple times, then glossed over until the "right moment" for the reveal is... annoying. Considering that happened in the other book I read, well, two doesn't quite make it a pattern, but close.
Then there was Tristan, who I didn't much like at the beginning. He's a scoundrel -- a man who's spent a good portion of his years earning a reputation as a highly sought after ladies' man, and who's caught out pleasuring a woman -- not the heroine -- early on in the book. Nope. I will allow that a character like that offers the opportunity for a lot of character growth, but I've exhausted my tolerance for them, at least at Tristan's level.
As for Phae, I liked her until she started being obstinate about Tristan. Not just ABOUT him, but sticking to her beliefs about what he wants even as he tells her the opposite. All it did was serve to draw out the book longer. And although Tristan managed to prove himself eventually, I spent the last few pages of the book wanting to smack Phae...
Okay.
But.
Now that I've said all that, there's something addicting about Liz Carlyle's books. It's difficult to stop reading them, even when they're pushing my buttons and making me ranty. So I'll probably read another one, just to see if the pattern holds true.
You know how sometimes little tiny, seemingly inconsequential, things can be extremely irritating? That's what "Ummmm..." did for me. And being that this is the second Liz Carlyle book I've read recently, and both have had it, well...
Something like that -- um is a speech filler, not a moaning noise -- could be overlooked if it were the only minor complaint. But Tempted All Night, like the last Liz Carlyle book I read, also had characters who held their secrets until hundreds of pages into the book. I complain about this because we know there are secrets from nearly the beginning, and yet they're held and teased for nothing more (at least that I could tell) than ratcheting up the tension. If there's a secret, fine, but having it referred to multiple times, then glossed over until the "right moment" for the reveal is... annoying. Considering that happened in the other book I read, well, two doesn't quite make it a pattern, but close.
Then there was Tristan, who I didn't much like at the beginning. He's a scoundrel -- a man who's spent a good portion of his years earning a reputation as a highly sought after ladies' man, and who's caught out pleasuring a woman -- not the heroine -- early on in the book. Nope. I will allow that a character like that offers the opportunity for a lot of character growth, but I've exhausted my tolerance for them, at least at Tristan's level.
As for Phae, I liked her until she started being obstinate about Tristan. Not just ABOUT him, but sticking to her beliefs about what he wants even as he tells her the opposite. All it did was serve to draw out the book longer. And although Tristan managed to prove himself eventually, I spent the last few pages of the book wanting to smack Phae...
Okay.
But.
Now that I've said all that, there's something addicting about Liz Carlyle's books. It's difficult to stop reading them, even when they're pushing my buttons and making me ranty. So I'll probably read another one, just to see if the pattern holds true.
September 17, 2010
Tempted All Night
09/17/10
London, 1830
Tristan Talbot is a man who has spent most of his life trying to earn his father's approval. Now as his father lies on this death bed, Tristan has promised to get to the bottom of a stabbing death that has possible political ties to an infamous brothel.
Lady Phaedra Northampton is on a mission to find Millie, who is the sister of her beloved maid, Agnes. Millie abandoned her child, ran off to London, and has since disappeared from the same infamous brothel. Millie's child is also the illegitimate daughter of Lady Phaedra's brother, Anthony Hayden-Worth.
Tristan and Lady Phaedra decide to work together - Tristan to fulfill the promise made to his father, and Lady Phaedra to find and return Millie to the daughter she abandoned.
Let me start by saying I am an emotional reader, and tend to rate on how well the story sticks with me. To some that may seem unfair. I started this book on September 12, finished it on September 17. Today is September 20, and I can remember very little about it. Was it an unpleasant book? No. Nor do I feel it was a waste of time. I liked the book, but I don't remember much about it.
It had intrigue, and I enjoyed that to a certain extent. It wasn't hard to figure out who did what, where, when, or how. To that end, it was a little disappointing.
There was slight humor between hero/heroine , and it was somewhat steamy. It was also interesting to me that Tristan found himself in a rare situation. Normally being the one to walk away from a woman, he found himself unable to do the same with Lady Phaedra. Lady Phaedra was the one doing the walking. I liked that. I thought it very interesting.
For me, it was hard to like Tristan. He was the worst kind of rake - the kind that has no problem bedding another man's wife. Did he redeem himself? Yes, but it was nothing astounding. As a personal preference - if I'm going to read about a man who cheats with a married woman, when his redemption comes, I want the earth to move. It did not.
3 Stars
09/17/10
London, 1830
Tristan Talbot is a man who has spent most of his life trying to earn his father's approval. Now as his father lies on this death bed, Tristan has promised to get to the bottom of a stabbing death that has possible political ties to an infamous brothel.
Lady Phaedra Northampton is on a mission to find Millie, who is the sister of her beloved maid, Agnes. Millie abandoned her child, ran off to London, and has since disappeared from the same infamous brothel. Millie's child is also the illegitimate daughter of Lady Phaedra's brother, Anthony Hayden-Worth.
Tristan and Lady Phaedra decide to work together - Tristan to fulfill the promise made to his father, and Lady Phaedra to find and return Millie to the daughter she abandoned.
Let me start by saying I am an emotional reader, and tend to rate on how well the story sticks with me. To some that may seem unfair. I started this book on September 12, finished it on September 17. Today is September 20, and I can remember very little about it. Was it an unpleasant book? No. Nor do I feel it was a waste of time. I liked the book, but I don't remember much about it.
It had intrigue, and I enjoyed that to a certain extent. It wasn't hard to figure out who did what, where, when, or how. To that end, it was a little disappointing.
There was slight humor between hero/heroine , and it was somewhat steamy. It was also interesting to me that Tristan found himself in a rare situation. Normally being the one to walk away from a woman, he found himself unable to do the same with Lady Phaedra. Lady Phaedra was the one doing the walking. I liked that. I thought it very interesting.
For me, it was hard to like Tristan. He was the worst kind of rake - the kind that has no problem bedding another man's wife. Did he redeem himself? Yes, but it was nothing astounding. As a personal preference - if I'm going to read about a man who cheats with a married woman, when his redemption comes, I want the earth to move. It did not.
3 Stars
January 14, 2025
สำหรับคนที่ยังไม่รู้นะคะ แม็กซ์รักงานเขียนของลิซ คาร์ไลล์ และถ้าอ่านไม่ชัดก็โปรดอ่านอีกครั้งหนึง
แม็กซ์รักงานเขียนของลิซ คาร์ไลล์
ลิซ คาร์ไลล์เป็นนักเขียนที่อาจจะไม่ได้มีพล็อตเรื่องที่ลึกล้ำ หรือสร้างสรรสุดคำบรรยาย แต่วิธีการในการดำเนินเรื่อง จังหวะของการเล่าเรื่องราว และตัวละครของเธอมีชีวิตเสมือนจริงสำหรับเรา แม็กซ์รักโลกที่ตัวละครของลิซอาศัยอยู่ซึ่งทั้งหมดรู้จักกัน (นั่นหมายความว่า หนังสือทุกเล่มของเธอเกี่ยวข้องไม่ทางใดก็ทางหนึ่ง) ดังนั้นแม้กระทั่งตัวละครรองที่มีบทออกมาเพียงไม่กี่ฉาก ก็ทำให้แม็กซ์มีความสุขที่เห็นเธอกล่าวถึงพวกเขา แต่ก็ไม่ใช่ว่า ลิซจะเอาตัวละครมาเดินโชว์อย่างไร้ความหมายหรอกนะ เธอเลือกเอาตัวละครที่เกี่ยวข้องกับเนื้อเรื่อง และใช้อย่างมีประโยชน์สูงสุด
Tempted All Night ของลิซ คาร์ไลล์
หนังสือเล่มนี้ไม่โฆษณาว่าเกี่ยวข้องหรืออยู่ในชุดของเล่ม ไหนเป็นพิเศษ แต่ก็เช่นเดียวกับหนังสือทุกเล่มของลิซ ที่มันมีความเกี่ยวข้องกันทั้งหมด โดยเฉพาะเล่มนี้ที่เป็นเรื่องราวของเลดี้ฟีดร้า นอร์ธติ้งแฮม น้องสาวของท่านมาร์ควิส แห่งแนช ซึ่งเป็นพระเอกในเรื่อง Never Lie to a Lady แต่ไม่จำเป็นหรอกนะคะที่จะต้องอ่านเรื่องนั้นก่อน เพราะบอกตามตรง แม็กซ์อ่านเล่มนั้นแล้ว และฟรีด้าก็ไม่ได้มีบทบาทอะไรโดดเด่นเป็นพิเศษเลย
เลดี้ฟีดร้าเป็นสาวแก่วัยยี่สิบสองปีที่ดูเหมือนจะพอใจกับ สถานภาพของตัวเอง เธอรับหน้าที่ดูแลแม่และน้องสาวที่ไม่ค่อยจะได้เรื่องนัก ดูเหมือนเธอจะเป็นคนเดียวในครอบครัวที่มีสมองเพียงพอที่จะรับรู้ความจริง แห่งโลก ในขณะที่แม่และน้องสาวก็เป็นเหมือนหญิงสาวในยุครีเจนซี่ตอนปลายทั่วไปที่วัน ทั้งวันคิดถึงแต่เรื่องงานเลี้ยง คู่ครองและความเหมาะสม
แต่เป็นเพราะความผิดพลาดร้ายแรงในวัยเยาว์ ฟรีด้าได้รับบทเรียนสำคัญของชีวิต และนั่นเตือนเธอให้ระมัดระวังในการใช้ชีวิต ในเรื่องความรักที่เธอคิดว่า ตัวเองไม่มีสิทธิที่จะคิดถึงมันอีกต่อไป และก็เหมือนทุกอย่างในโลกที่เมื่อคุณเลิกคิดถึง มันก็จะเดินเข้ามาในชีวิตของคุณเอง
และความยั่วยวนก็มาในรูปของลอร์ดเอวอนคริฟท์ หรือที่เขาไม่ชอบให้ใครเรียกเขาด้วยบรรดาศักดิ์ แม้จะเป็นถึงทายาทท่านเอิร์ลผู้ทรงอำนาจที่สุดคนนึงในอังกฤษ ทริสแทน ทาลบอตคือด้านตรงกันข้ามจากบิดาผู้เคร่งเครียด มันอาจจะเป็นเลือดต่างชาติที่เขาได้รับจากมารดา แต่ทริสแทนก็ไม่ใช่ขุนนางหนุ่มแบบที่คนในตระกูลทาลบอตต้องการ และทริสแทนก็ทำทุกอย่างเพื่อทำให้ความเชื่อนั้นเป็นจริง เขาเป็นชายเสเพลที่อาศัยอยู่บนขอบแห่งความเหมาะสม เป็นที่ต้องการของสาว ๆ ในลอนดอน และถูกคิดว่าภายใต้หน้าตาอันแสนหล่อเหลาไม่มีอะไรอยู่ตรงกลางใบหูของเขาเลย
แต่นั่นเป็นเพียงฉากหน้า และเช่นเดียวกับฟีดร้าที่ความเยือกเย็นและเหมาะสมของเธอก็เป็นฉากหน้าเช่นกัน
เหตุการณ์ฆาตกรรมที่ฟีดร้าโชคร้ายพอที่จะเป็นพยานเป็น เหตุผลที่ทำให้ทั้งสองได้รู้จัก แต่โชคชะตาของทั้งคู่เริ่มต้นนานกว่านั้นมาก เมื่อทริสแทนช่วยฟีดร้าไว้ระหว่างที่เธอเอาตัวเองเข้าไปเสี่ยงในการตามหาสาว ใช้ที่หนีหายไป ในมุมลึกสุดแห่งความดีงาม ฟีดร้าถูกช่วยเหลือเอาไว้จากชายขี้เมาแต่ยังมีศีลธรรมมากพอจะรู้ว่าเธอต้อง การความช่วยเหลือ
ทริสแทนซึ่งได้รับการขอร้องจากบิดาผู้ใกล้เสียชีวิตให้สืบ สวนความจริงที่เกิดขึ้น นั่นเพราะชายผู้เสียชีวิตต่อหน้าฟีดร้านั้นเป็นชาวรัสเซีย และทำงานให้กับแม่เล้าชื่อดัง ผู้ซึ่งเป็นอดีตสายลับรัสเซีย ซึ่งในสถานการณ์ที่ไม่ค่อยสงบระหว่างรัสเซียกับโปแลนด์ นี่เป็นสิ่งที่ควรจับตาดู ทริสแทนตอบรับคำขอจากบิดาอย่างเสียไม่ได้ และไม่คิดว่าตัวเองจะได้ข้อมูลอะไรมากนักจากการสัมภาษณ์หนึ่งในพยาน
แต่นั่นเป็นก่อนที่เขาจะได้พบกับฟี สำหรับชายที่ได้ผู้หญิงทุกคนที่ต้องการ ฟีคือความท้าทาย และเธอคือความไร้เดียงสาที่เขารู้ตัวว่าไม่ควรแตะต้อง แต่มันยากที่จะห้ามใจตัวเอง
ในขณะเดียวกัน ฟีก็รู้เรื่องชาวรัสเซียผู้ตายคนนั้นมากกว่าที่เธอบอกกับทุกคน ในการตามหาสาวใช้ที่เธอแน่ใจว่าทำงานให้กับซ่องแห่งเดียวกัน ฟีเข้าไปพัวพันกับเรื่องที่อาจจะใหญ่เกินตัว แต่อย่างน้อยเธอก็ยังฉลาดพอจะรู้ว่า ควรจะต้องพูดความจริงกับทริสแทน
เช่นเดียวกับหนังสือทุกเรื่องของลิซนะคะ ที่พล็อตไม่ใช่องค์ประกอบใหญ่ หากแต่เป็นการดำเนินเรื่องมากกว่า แม็กซ์พบว่าตัวเองหลงเข้าไปกับความเป็นทริสแทน และฟี เรารู้จักพวกเขาเหมือนเป็นคนสนิท ล่วงรู้สิ่งที่พวกเขาคิด รู้ว่าอะไรคือแรงผลักดัน ความเศร้าโศก และแรงบันดาลใจ
ทริสแทนต้องต่อสู้กับความแตกต่างมาตลอดชีวิต เพราะแม่ที่เป็นชาวต่างชาติ เขาจึงไม่ใช่ขุนนางอังกฤษผู้เหมาะสม ด้วยหน้าตาที่หล่อเหลาเกินกว่าที่จะมีปัญญา เขาถูกมองเป็นเพียงหนุ่ีมหน้าสวยที่ไร้สมอง แต่เขาก็พิสูจน์ให้ทุกคนเห็นว่า ความเข้าใจผิดอันนี้แหละที่เป็นความผิดพลาดร้ายแรง ทริสแทนเป็นคาแร็คเตอร์ชนิดที่ลิซไม่ค่อยเขียนถึงบ่อย เราคิดว่าเขามีลักษณะใกล้เคียงกับเดวิลลิน (จาก The Devil to Pay) ในแง่ของทัศนคติที่เขามองโลก ที่แม้จะรู้ว่ามันไม่สมบูรณ์แบบ แต่ก็ไม่ได้แสดงอาการว่าหน่ายโลก เหมือนพระเอกโรแมนซ์ที่เป็นชายเสเพลทั่วไปเป็นกัน ในอีกแง่นึงเขามีลักษณะเบนท์ลี่ย์ควรจะเป็น (แต่ในเรื่อง The Devil you know ที่เบนท์ลี่ย์เป็นพระเอกเองกลับมีความมืดมากกว่ามาก) ชายที่รู้จักตัวเองเป็นอย่างดี และยอมรับความเป็นตัวเองได้ แม้ว่ามันจะไม่ใช่ความดีพร้อมก็ตาม
ฟีดร้าคือด้านตรงกันข้าม เธอหมกหมุ่นกับความผิดพลาดในอดีต และปล่อยให้มันครอบงำชีวิต หลังจากอ่านเล่มนี้ แม็กซ์เชื่อในการจับคู่ทริสแทนกับเธอ เพราะเราคิดว่า เขาอาจจะเป็นคนเด���ยวที่ทำให้ฟีปลดปล่อยความเป็นตัวเองออกมาได้ ตัวตนที่เราเชื่อว่า คนอ่านเองก็อาจจะคิดไม่ถึง (และแม็กซ์บอกรึยังว่าเซ็กส์ซีนในเล่มนี้ฮ็อตมาก)
ในตอนต้นเรื่องแม็กซ์มีปัญหานิดหน่อยในส่วนของมิตรภาพระหว่างฟีและโซอี้ อาร์มสตรองค์ (ซึ่งจะเป็นนางเอกในเล่มหน้า Wicked All Day) เพราะทั้งคู่เพิ่งรู้จักกันในวันที่เกิดการฆาตกรรม แต่ดูเหมือนทั้งสองจะกลายเป็นเพื่อนสนิท ซึ่งสำหรับคนที่เก็บตัวอย่างฟี เรารู้สึกว่ามันไม่สมจริง แต่พอได้อ่านมากขึ้น และรู้จักฟีมากขึ้น เราก็เข้าใจว่าอะไรคือแรงผลักดันให้ฟีคบหากับโซอี้ (และลิซก็อธิบายในส่วนนี้ผ่านทางคำพูดของโซอี้เช่นกัน) นั่นเพราะโซอี้คือด้านตรงกันข้ามทุกอย่างของฟี เธอคือผู้หญิงที่ฟีอยากจะเป็น แต่ไม่อาจเ็ป็นได้ ความแตกต่างดึงดูดทั้งสองสาวให้เป็นเพื่อนกัน และมิตรภาพที่เกิดขึ้นดูน่าเชื่อสำหรับเรา (และแน่นอนว่าทำให้โซอี้เป็นตัวละครทีน่าสนใจมาก เธอเป็นผู้หญิงที่มีชีวิตชีวามาก และแม็กซ์อยากรู้ทีุ่สุดว่าใครจะเป็นพระเอกของเธอ --- นอกเรื่องนะคะ เราคิดว่าจะเป็นลอร์ดเมอร์เซอร์)
กลับมาในเรื่องความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างทริสแทนและฟีดร้า อย่างที่บอกค่ะ แม็กซ์ชอบการจับคู่ตัวละครสองตัวนี้ ทริสแทนคือผลไม้ต้องห้ามของฟี ทำให้เธอกลับมามีความรู้สึกอีกครั้ง ในขณะเดียวกันเธอก็ยังไม่อาจให้อภัยตัวเองต่อความผิดพลาดในอดีตได้ ทำให้เธอไม่กล้าที่จะคว้าความรักที่ถูกเสนอ แต่ในขณะเดียวกันเธอก็ไม่อาจวางมือจากเขาได้ แม้ในช่วงเวลาที่เธอคิดว่าเขาไม่สนใจเธออีกต่อไปแล้ว (แม็กซ์ชอบฉากที่ฟีไปยังบ้านทริสแทน แม้จะคิดว่าเขาไม่ใยดีเธอแล้วก็ตาม)
ในขณะที่ทริสแทน แม็กซ์ไม่รู้จะพูดยังไงนอกจาก เฟอร์เฟ็ค ไม่ใช่ว่าเขาเป็นชายผู้สมบูรณ์แบบหรอกนะคะ เพราะเขาห่างไกลจากคำนั้น แต่เขาเฟอร์เฟ็คกับเรื่อง ไม่มากไม่น้อยจนเกินไป เราชอบทัศนคติของเขา เข้าใจว่าอะไรทำให้เขากลายเป็นชายเสเพล (ในเมื่อความพยายามเดียวที่จะเป็นคนมีอุดมคติผลักดันให้เขาเข้าไปมีส่วนใน การสังหารหมู่) เข้าใจว่าทำไมเขาถึงยอมทำตามคำขอของผู้เป็นบิดา ทั้งที่ตลอดชีวิตไม่เคยถูกมองจากชายคนนั้นว่าคู่ควรกับการเป็นทายาืท
อ่านมาขนาดนี้รู้รึยังคะว่า แม็กซ์รักงานเขียนของลิซ คาร์ไลล์ แต่อยากจะบอกทุกคนว่า การอ่านหนังสือของเธอไม่ใช่สิ่งที่เร่งรีบ เพราะการเดินทางไปพร้อมกับถ้อยคำในหน้าหนังสือของเธอสำคัญมากพอ ๆ กับการได้เรื่องราวของตัวละคร แม็กซ์ชอบความคิด ความรู้สึกของตัวละคร มากพอ ๆ กับที่อยากรู้ว่าจะเกิดอะไรขึ้นต่อไป
นี่ไม่ใช่หนังสือของลิซที่แม็กซ์รักมากที่สุด แต่ก็เป็นเล่มที่เราไม่ผิดหวัง
คะแนนที่ 83 (มีการแก้คะแนนนะคะ เพราะพอคิดดูให้ดีแล้ว แม็กซ์ยังรู้สึกว่าตัวเองชอบงานเรื่องอื่นของเธอมากกว่าเรื่องนี้ แต่ดันให้คะแนนน้อยกว่า ก็เลยมาปรับคะแนนเรื่องนี้ใหม่
แม็กซ์รักงานเขียนของลิซ คาร์ไลล์
ลิซ คาร์ไลล์เป็นนักเขียนที่อาจจะไม่ได้มีพล็อตเรื่องที่ลึกล้ำ หรือสร้างสรรสุดคำบรรยาย แต่วิธีการในการดำเนินเรื่อง จังหวะของการเล่าเรื่องราว และตัวละครของเธอมีชีวิตเสมือนจริงสำหรับเรา แม็กซ์รักโลกที่ตัวละครของลิซอาศัยอยู่ซึ่งทั้งหมดรู้จักกัน (นั่นหมายความว่า หนังสือทุกเล่มของเธอเกี่ยวข้องไม่ทางใดก็ทางหนึ่ง) ดังนั้นแม้กระทั่งตัวละครรองที่มีบทออกมาเพียงไม่กี่ฉาก ก็ทำให้แม็กซ์มีความสุขที่เห็นเธอกล่าวถึงพวกเขา แต่ก็ไม่ใช่ว่า ลิซจะเอาตัวละครมาเดินโชว์อย่างไร้ความหมายหรอกนะ เธอเลือกเอาตัวละครที่เกี่ยวข้องกับเนื้อเรื่อง และใช้อย่างมีประโยชน์สูงสุด
Tempted All Night ของลิซ คาร์ไลล์
หนังสือเล่มนี้ไม่โฆษณาว่าเกี่ยวข้องหรืออยู่ในชุดของเล่ม ไหนเป็นพิเศษ แต่ก็เช่นเดียวกับหนังสือทุกเล่มของลิซ ที่มันมีความเกี่ยวข้องกันทั้งหมด โดยเฉพาะเล่มนี้ที่เป็นเรื่องราวของเลดี้ฟีดร้า นอร์ธติ้งแฮม น้องสาวของท่านมาร์ควิส แห่งแนช ซึ่งเป็นพระเอกในเรื่อง Never Lie to a Lady แต่ไม่จำเป็นหรอกนะคะที่จะต้องอ่านเรื่องนั้นก่อน เพราะบอกตามตรง แม็กซ์อ่านเล่มนั้นแล้ว และฟรีด้าก็ไม่ได้มีบทบาทอะไรโดดเด่นเป็นพิเศษเลย
เลดี้ฟีดร้าเป็นสาวแก่วัยยี่สิบสองปีที่ดูเหมือนจะพอใจกับ สถานภาพของตัวเอง เธอรับหน้าที่ดูแลแม่และน้องสาวที่ไม่ค่อยจะได้เรื่องนัก ดูเหมือนเธอจะเป็นคนเดียวในครอบครัวที่มีสมองเพียงพอที่จะรับรู้ความจริง แห่งโลก ในขณะที่แม่และน้องสาวก็เป็นเหมือนหญิงสาวในยุครีเจนซี่ตอนปลายทั่วไปที่วัน ทั้งวันคิดถึงแต่เรื่องงานเลี้ยง คู่ครองและความเหมาะสม
แต่เป็นเพราะความผิดพลาดร้ายแรงในวัยเยาว์ ฟรีด้าได้รับบทเรียนสำคัญของชีวิต และนั่นเตือนเธอให้ระมัดระวังในการใช้ชีวิต ในเรื่องความรักที่เธอคิดว่า ตัวเองไม่มีสิทธิที่จะคิดถึงมันอีกต่อไป และก็เหมือนทุกอย่างในโลกที่เมื่อคุณเลิกคิดถึง มันก็จะเดินเข้ามาในชีวิตของคุณเอง
และความยั่วยวนก็มาในรูปของลอร์ดเอวอนคริฟท์ หรือที่เขาไม่ชอบให้ใครเรียกเขาด้วยบรรดาศักดิ์ แม้จะเป็นถึงทายาทท่านเอิร์ลผู้ทรงอำนาจที่สุดคนนึงในอังกฤษ ทริสแทน ทาลบอตคือด้านตรงกันข้ามจากบิดาผู้เคร่งเครียด มันอาจจะเป็นเลือดต่างชาติที่เขาได้รับจากมารดา แต่ทริสแทนก็ไม่ใช่ขุนนางหนุ่มแบบที่คนในตระกูลทาลบอตต้องการ และทริสแทนก็ทำทุกอย่างเพื่อทำให้ความเชื่อนั้นเป็นจริง เขาเป็นชายเสเพลที่อาศัยอยู่บนขอบแห่งความเหมาะสม เป็นที่ต้องการของสาว ๆ ในลอนดอน และถูกคิดว่าภายใต้หน้าตาอันแสนหล่อเหลาไม่มีอะไรอยู่ตรงกลางใบหูของเขาเลย
แต่นั่นเป็นเพียงฉากหน้า และเช่นเดียวกับฟีดร้าที่ความเยือกเย็นและเหมาะสมของเธอก็เป็นฉากหน้าเช่นกัน
เหตุการณ์ฆาตกรรมที่ฟีดร้าโชคร้ายพอที่จะเป็นพยานเป็น เหตุผลที่ทำให้ทั้งสองได้รู้จัก แต่โชคชะตาของทั้งคู่เริ่มต้นนานกว่านั้นมาก เมื่อทริสแทนช่วยฟีดร้าไว้ระหว่างที่เธอเอาตัวเองเข้าไปเสี่ยงในการตามหาสาว ใช้ที่หนีหายไป ในมุมลึกสุดแห่งความดีงาม ฟีดร้าถูกช่วยเหลือเอาไว้จากชายขี้เมาแต่ยังมีศีลธรรมมากพอจะรู้ว่าเธอต้อง การความช่วยเหลือ
ทริสแทนซึ่งได้รับการขอร้องจากบิดาผู้ใกล้เสียชีวิตให้สืบ สวนความจริงที่เกิดขึ้น นั่นเพราะชายผู้เสียชีวิตต่อหน้าฟีดร้านั้นเป็นชาวรัสเซีย และทำงานให้กับแม่เล้าชื่อดัง ผู้ซึ่งเป็นอดีตสายลับรัสเซีย ซึ่งในสถานการณ์ที่ไม่ค่อยสงบระหว่างรัสเซียกับโปแลนด์ นี่เป็นสิ่งที่ควรจับตาดู ทริสแทนตอบรับคำขอจากบิดาอย่างเสียไม่ได้ และไม่คิดว่าตัวเองจะได้ข้อมูลอะไรมากนักจากการสัมภาษณ์หนึ่งในพยาน
แต่นั่นเป็นก่อนที่เขาจะได้พบกับฟี สำหรับชายที่ได้ผู้หญิงทุกคนที่ต้องการ ฟีคือความท้าทาย และเธอคือความไร้เดียงสาที่เขารู้ตัวว่าไม่ควรแตะต้อง แต่มันยากที่จะห้ามใจตัวเอง
ในขณะเดียวกัน ฟีก็รู้เรื่องชาวรัสเซียผู้ตายคนนั้นมากกว่าที่เธอบอกกับทุกคน ในการตามหาสาวใช้ที่เธอแน่ใจว่าทำงานให้กับซ่องแห่งเดียวกัน ฟีเข้าไปพัวพันกับเรื่องที่อาจจะใหญ่เกินตัว แต่อย่างน้อยเธอก็ยังฉลาดพอจะรู้ว่า ควรจะต้องพูดความจริงกับทริสแทน
เช่นเดียวกับหนังสือทุกเรื่องของลิซนะคะ ที่พล็อตไม่ใช่องค์ประกอบใหญ่ หากแต่เป็นการดำเนินเรื่องมากกว่า แม็กซ์พบว่าตัวเองหลงเข้าไปกับความเป็นทริสแทน และฟี เรารู้จักพวกเขาเหมือนเป็นคนสนิท ล่วงรู้สิ่งที่พวกเขาคิด รู้ว่าอะไรคือแรงผลักดัน ความเศร้าโศก และแรงบันดาลใจ
ทริสแทนต้องต่อสู้กับความแตกต่างมาตลอดชีวิต เพราะแม่ที่เป็นชาวต่างชาติ เขาจึงไม่ใช่ขุนนางอังกฤษผู้เหมาะสม ด้วยหน้าตาที่หล่อเหลาเกินกว่าที่จะมีปัญญา เขาถูกมองเป็นเพียงหนุ่ีมหน้าสวยที่ไร้สมอง แต่เขาก็พิสูจน์ให้ทุกคนเห็นว่า ความเข้าใจผิดอันนี้แหละที่เป็นความผิดพลาดร้ายแรง ทริสแทนเป็นคาแร็คเตอร์ชนิดที่ลิซไม่ค่อยเขียนถึงบ่อย เราคิดว่าเขามีลักษณะใกล้เคียงกับเดวิลลิน (จาก The Devil to Pay) ในแง่ของทัศนคติที่เขามองโลก ที่แม้จะรู้ว่ามันไม่สมบูรณ์แบบ แต่ก็ไม่ได้แสดงอาการว่าหน่ายโลก เหมือนพระเอกโรแมนซ์ที่เป็นชายเสเพลทั่วไปเป็นกัน ในอีกแง่นึงเขามีลักษณะเบนท์ลี่ย์ควรจะเป็น (แต่ในเรื่อง The Devil you know ที่เบนท์ลี่ย์เป็นพระเอกเองกลับมีความมืดมากกว่ามาก) ชายที่รู้จักตัวเองเป็นอย่างดี และยอมรับความเป็นตัวเองได้ แม้ว่ามันจะไม่ใช่ความดีพร้อมก็ตาม
ฟีดร้าคือด้านตรงกันข้าม เธอหมกหมุ่นกับความผิดพลาดในอดีต และปล่อยให้มันครอบงำชีวิต หลังจากอ่านเล่มนี้ แม็กซ์เชื่อในการจับคู่ทริสแทนกับเธอ เพราะเราคิดว่า เขาอาจจะเป็นคนเด���ยวที่ทำให้ฟีปลดปล่อยความเป็นตัวเองออกมาได้ ตัวตนที่เราเชื่อว่า คนอ่านเองก็อาจจะคิดไม่ถึง (และแม็กซ์บอกรึยังว่าเซ็กส์ซีนในเล่มนี้ฮ็อตมาก)
ในตอนต้นเรื่องแม็กซ์มีปัญหานิดหน่อยในส่วนของมิตรภาพระหว่างฟีและโซอี้ อาร์มสตรองค์ (ซึ่งจะเป็นนางเอกในเล่มหน้า Wicked All Day) เพราะทั้งคู่เพิ่งรู้จักกันในวันที่เกิดการฆาตกรรม แต่ดูเหมือนทั้งสองจะกลายเป็นเพื่อนสนิท ซึ่งสำหรับคนที่เก็บตัวอย่างฟี เรารู้สึกว่ามันไม่สมจริง แต่พอได้อ่านมากขึ้น และรู้จักฟีมากขึ้น เราก็เข้าใจว่าอะไรคือแรงผลักดันให้ฟีคบหากับโซอี้ (และลิซก็อธิบายในส่วนนี้ผ่านทางคำพูดของโซอี้เช่นกัน) นั่นเพราะโซอี้คือด้านตรงกันข้ามทุกอย่างของฟี เธอคือผู้หญิงที่ฟีอยากจะเป็น แต่ไม่อาจเ็ป็นได้ ความแตกต่างดึงดูดทั้งสองสาวให้เป็นเพื่อนกัน และมิตรภาพที่เกิดขึ้นดูน่าเชื่อสำหรับเรา (และแน่นอนว่าทำให้โซอี้เป็นตัวละครทีน่าสนใจมาก เธอเป็นผู้หญิงที่มีชีวิตชีวามาก และแม็กซ์อยากรู้ทีุ่สุดว่าใครจะเป็นพระเอกของเธอ --- นอกเรื่องนะคะ เราคิดว่าจะเป็นลอร์ดเมอร์เซอร์)
กลับมาในเรื่องความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างทริสแทนและฟีดร้า อย่างที่บอกค่ะ แม็กซ์ชอบการจับคู่ตัวละครสองตัวนี้ ทริสแทนคือผลไม้ต้องห้ามของฟี ทำให้เธอกลับมามีความรู้สึกอีกครั้ง ในขณะเดียวกันเธอก็ยังไม่อาจให้อภัยตัวเองต่อความผิดพลาดในอดีตได้ ทำให้เธอไม่กล้าที่จะคว้าความรักที่ถูกเสนอ แต่ในขณะเดียวกันเธอก็ไม่อาจวางมือจากเขาได้ แม้ในช่วงเวลาที่เธอคิดว่าเขาไม่สนใจเธออีกต่อไปแล้ว (แม็กซ์ชอบฉากที่ฟีไปยังบ้านทริสแทน แม้จะคิดว่าเขาไม่ใยดีเธอแล้วก็ตาม)
ในขณะที่ทริสแทน แม็กซ์ไม่รู้จะพูดยังไงนอกจาก เฟอร์เฟ็ค ไม่ใช่ว่าเขาเป็นชายผู้สมบูรณ์แบบหรอกนะคะ เพราะเขาห่างไกลจากคำนั้น แต่เขาเฟอร์เฟ็คกับเรื่อง ไม่มากไม่น้อยจนเกินไป เราชอบทัศนคติของเขา เข้าใจว่าอะไรทำให้เขากลายเป็นชายเสเพล (ในเมื่อความพยายามเดียวที่จะเป็นคนมีอุดมคติผลักดันให้เขาเข้าไปมีส่วนใน การสังหารหมู่) เข้าใจว่าทำไมเขาถึงยอมทำตามคำขอของผู้เป็นบิดา ทั้งที่ตลอดชีวิตไม่เคยถูกมองจากชายคนนั้นว่าคู่ควรกับการเป็นทายาืท
อ่านมาขนาดนี้รู้รึยังคะว่า แม็กซ์รักงานเขียนของลิซ คาร์ไลล์ แต่อยากจะบอกทุกคนว่า การอ่านหนังสือของเธอไม่ใช่สิ่งที่เร่งรีบ เพราะการเดินทางไปพร้อมกับถ้อยคำในหน้าหนังสือของเธอสำคัญมากพอ ๆ กับการได้เรื่องราวของตัวละคร แม็กซ์ชอบความคิด ความรู้สึกของตัวละคร มากพอ ๆ กับที่อยากรู้ว่าจะเกิดอะไรขึ้นต่อไป
นี่ไม่ใช่หนังสือของลิซที่แม็กซ์รักมากที่สุด แต่ก็เป็นเล่มที่เราไม่ผิดหวัง
คะแนนที่ 83 (มีการแก้คะแนนนะคะ เพราะพอคิดดูให้ดีแล้ว แม็กซ์ยังรู้สึกว่าตัวเองชอบงานเรื่องอื่นของเธอมากกว่าเรื่องนี้ แต่ดันให้คะแนนน้อยกว่า ก็เลยมาปรับคะแนนเรื่องนี้ใหม่
June 22, 2009
I wasn't expecting much from this one, that's why I put off reading it for so long. I loved the previous book so I was in no hurry to be disappointed but man was I wrong! Tristan Talbot is absolutely yummy, right up there with Bentley Rutledge and sad to say even though I do adore him, much more of a rake than Kieran in Never Romance a Rake.
The novel's heroine, Phaedra is surprising and the love scenes between these two are scorching! Her background story is heartbreaking and the plot to bring Millie back with her daughter Pris makes more sense when the reader is told that Phae had given birth to a stillborn baby girl at the age of 15 having been taken advantage of vy a much older man (at 23).
Carlyle has done a marvelous job and this one is easily one of her best :)
The novel's heroine, Phaedra is surprising and the love scenes between these two are scorching! Her background story is heartbreaking and the plot to bring Millie back with her daughter Pris makes more sense when the reader is told that Phae had given birth to a stillborn baby girl at the age of 15 having been taken advantage of vy a much older man (at 23).
Carlyle has done a marvelous job and this one is easily one of her best :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2023
Did Not Finish
I normally love Liz Carlyle. I'm so disappointed.
Possibly this has to do with the current societal changes, the #metoo movement, awareness of sexual assault, and my changing taste in romance.
Here we have Liz Carlyle's very own Harvey Weinstein. This hero takes ridiculous liberties with the heroine. He's thought to be a frivolous "ne'er do well" but apparently we are expected to believe he has unknown depths. This was portrayed by what I viewed as dickish behavior.
I finally gave up at 50%
I normally love Liz Carlyle. I'm so disappointed.
Possibly this has to do with the current societal changes, the #metoo movement, awareness of sexual assault, and my changing taste in romance.
Here we have Liz Carlyle's very own Harvey Weinstein. This hero takes ridiculous liberties with the heroine. He's thought to be a frivolous "ne'er do well" but apparently we are expected to believe he has unknown depths. This was portrayed by what I viewed as dickish behavior.
I finally gave up at 50%
July 9, 2010
I gotta admit, I wasn't really sucked into the story immediately. In fact, after the first chapter, I put this down and forgot about it. If it hadn't been due back at the library, I wouldn't have made an attempt to try and finish it anytime soon.
Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be a really good read. I'm not really into 'spy' stories, but this one was interesting.
Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be a really good read. I'm not really into 'spy' stories, but this one was interesting.
December 27, 2016
Nedenini bilmiyorum ama kitabın baş karakteri Leydi Phaedra'yı hiç sevemedim. İnanılmaz soğuk ve itici geldi bana. Biraz gizem , entrika olmasa pek çekilmez yani. Roman'da en sevdiğim karakter Zoe oldu kesinlikle! O kadar hayat dolu , eğlenceliydi ki kitabı onun için bitirdim diyebilirim.
Zoe'nin hatırına 3 puan. :)
Zoe'nin hatırına 3 puan. :)
October 8, 2023
Yorum için: https://illekitap.blogspot.com/2023/1...
"Tutku, güzel bir şey olabilir, Phae. Kadınlardan zevk alıyorum. Onlar da benden zevk alıyorlar. Eğlence için kalp kırmıyorum ya da masumiyet bozmuyorum."
Phaedra birden bire ayaklarının üzerinde sallandığını hissetti. "Tasasız kelimeler, efendim. Yine de sizde bir esrarengizlik var; diğerlerinin görmesini istediğinizden emin olmadığım bir acılık. Öyleyse tam bir hedonist değilsiniz, sanırım."
Ağzı kıvrıldı ve gözleri birden parladı. "Canlı bir hayal gücünüz var, Leydim. Flörtümüzde çok ciddi olmayalım, hmm?"
"Ben flört etmem."
"Bende ruhumu açmam," diye karşılık verdi.
*****
"Lütfen..." Sesi utanç verici bir şekilde takılmıştı ve Nash, başını çevirmek zorunda kaldı.
"Lütfen, ne?"diye sordu Tristan yumuşak bir biçimde.
Nash güçlükle yutkundu, boğazını temizledi ve bakışını beklenmedik misafirine çevirdi. "Tanrı aşkına, kardeşimi incitmeyin, Bay Talbot. Daha önce çok fazla incindi. Sadece hoş bir kadınla oyalanmak istiyorsanız, size yalvarırım gidin ve bir başkasını bulun. Phaedra bunu hak etmiyor."
Talbot ona sabit bir şekilde baktı. "Bence, bayım, kız kardeşiniz çok güçlü bir kadın," dedi sonunda. "Sizin inandığınızdan daha güçlü, sanırım."
Ama Nash kafasını salladı. "Şimdi, Talbot bu anca senin onu ne kadar az tanıdığını kanıtlıyor. Dikkatle kurulmuş ön cephesinin ardında hakikaten cam kadar kırılgan bir kadın var."
Talbot, Nash'in sözlerini düşünüp taşınıyormuş gibi odanın uzak köşesine baktı. "İtiraf etmeliyim, Nash, en onu bu şekilde görmüyorum."
"Çok az insan görür," dedi Nash. "Ve bu, bayım, benim onu başka bir erkeğe teslim etmekte aceleci olmayışımın sebebi."
"Tutku, güzel bir şey olabilir, Phae. Kadınlardan zevk alıyorum. Onlar da benden zevk alıyorlar. Eğlence için kalp kırmıyorum ya da masumiyet bozmuyorum."
Phaedra birden bire ayaklarının üzerinde sallandığını hissetti. "Tasasız kelimeler, efendim. Yine de sizde bir esrarengizlik var; diğerlerinin görmesini istediğinizden emin olmadığım bir acılık. Öyleyse tam bir hedonist değilsiniz, sanırım."
Ağzı kıvrıldı ve gözleri birden parladı. "Canlı bir hayal gücünüz var, Leydim. Flörtümüzde çok ciddi olmayalım, hmm?"
"Ben flört etmem."
"Bende ruhumu açmam," diye karşılık verdi.
*****
"Lütfen..." Sesi utanç verici bir şekilde takılmıştı ve Nash, başını çevirmek zorunda kaldı.
"Lütfen, ne?"diye sordu Tristan yumuşak bir biçimde.
Nash güçlükle yutkundu, boğazını temizledi ve bakışını beklenmedik misafirine çevirdi. "Tanrı aşkına, kardeşimi incitmeyin, Bay Talbot. Daha önce çok fazla incindi. Sadece hoş bir kadınla oyalanmak istiyorsanız, size yalvarırım gidin ve bir başkasını bulun. Phaedra bunu hak etmiyor."
Talbot ona sabit bir şekilde baktı. "Bence, bayım, kız kardeşiniz çok güçlü bir kadın," dedi sonunda. "Sizin inandığınızdan daha güçlü, sanırım."
Ama Nash kafasını salladı. "Şimdi, Talbot bu anca senin onu ne kadar az tanıdığını kanıtlıyor. Dikkatle kurulmuş ön cephesinin ardında hakikaten cam kadar kırılgan bir kadın var."
Talbot, Nash'in sözlerini düşünüp taşınıyormuş gibi odanın uzak köşesine baktı. "İtiraf etmeliyim, Nash, en onu bu şekilde görmüyorum."
"Çok az insan görür," dedi Nash. "Ve bu, bayım, benim onu başka bir erkeğe teslim etmekte aceleci olmayışımın sebebi."
December 24, 2024
Interesting characters, outside the normal, copybook HR mold.
Tristan is a black-sheep, a bit of a rogue, and a pretty-boy who is much more clever than he lets on. His father is on his deathbed, and Tristan, trying to mend fences, agrees to help him investigate the murder of a Russian with links to a brothel owned by a notorious madam who is likely a spy.
He meets Lady Phaedra in the course of the investigation and is intrigued. The two are undoubtedly attracted from the get-go, and Phae is caught up in an investigation of her own. Her maid's sister has gone missing. She was last seen at the brothel Tristan is investigating, and so the MCs cross paths again and again.
The writing style is different from the HRs I commonly read, and the change is refreshing, albeit a little disconcerting to not have the plot and character motivations clearly telegraphed to the reader from the beginning.
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
Tristan is a black-sheep, a bit of a rogue, and a pretty-boy who is much more clever than he lets on. His father is on his deathbed, and Tristan, trying to mend fences, agrees to help him investigate the murder of a Russian with links to a brothel owned by a notorious madam who is likely a spy.
He meets Lady Phaedra in the course of the investigation and is intrigued. The two are undoubtedly attracted from the get-go, and Phae is caught up in an investigation of her own. Her maid's sister has gone missing. She was last seen at the brothel Tristan is investigating, and so the MCs cross paths again and again.
The writing style is different from the HRs I commonly read, and the change is refreshing, albeit a little disconcerting to not have the plot and character motivations clearly telegraphed to the reader from the beginning.
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
July 23, 2017
Tristan Talbot is a good-looking rogue who fascinates Lady Phaedra Northampton. She wants to turn her nose up at him but she is just like other women and is drawn to Tristan. Phae is trying to find a woman who was last seen at a house of ill repute. This is the sister of her maid and the mother of a daughter she had by Phae's brother. She asks Tristan for his help and he gives it in return for a night of pleasure with Phae. Their one night together turns into many and mutual attraction turns serious. He asks her to marry him and she refuses. He is stunned not only at her refusal but also at his own feelings for Phae. He has never had these feelings for any woman before. He is determined to get her to change her mind and has a plan. Hopefully it will work.
September 18, 2019
OMG! Another good book. I loved this book from beginning to end. 438 pages was not enough for me. I wanted the story to continue. Liz Carlyle is a wonderful story teller.
Her writing is magnificent. I was glued to each page. It had drama. It had suspense. It had action.
It had humor. And it had romance. All that in this little book. Who knew! My heart bleed for Tristan and his father.
I think that part was the most heartfelt in the book. The love between Tristan and Phaedra was above and beyond. Uglow, I loved it when Phaedra was caught with Tristan. I fell out laughing. All in all good book.
I will be reading more by Liz Carlyle. I strongly recommend this book for you to read.
Her writing is magnificent. I was glued to each page. It had drama. It had suspense. It had action.
It had humor. And it had romance. All that in this little book. Who knew! My heart bleed for Tristan and his father.
I think that part was the most heartfelt in the book. The love between Tristan and Phaedra was above and beyond. Uglow, I loved it when Phaedra was caught with Tristan. I fell out laughing. All in all good book.
I will be reading more by Liz Carlyle. I strongly recommend this book for you to read.
June 21, 2018
This is 4rth in the series, but the author does a good job of keeping you in the loop without being repetitive. Copyright 2009. A reread for me.
This is what all romance novels should be. There's the man whore bad boy, with a heart of gold. The prim, upright, intelligent heroine who is on a mission. Drama, but not too much angst. The heroine is not TSTL. A good storyline that doesn't rely on stupidity to further it along.
I really appreciate that although the heroine wears glasses, she's not legally blind without them. So many authors do that & it's annoying.
This is what all romance novels should be. There's the man whore bad boy, with a heart of gold. The prim, upright, intelligent heroine who is on a mission. Drama, but not too much angst. The heroine is not TSTL. A good storyline that doesn't rely on stupidity to further it along.
I really appreciate that although the heroine wears glasses, she's not legally blind without them. So many authors do that & it's annoying.
December 25, 2017
Yalnız Benim Ol
Liz Carlyle
Biraz zaman aldı bitirmek ama güzel bir romandı
özellikle oğlumuz 😄
Kızımızı hiç anlamadım başta ama ortalarda çözdüm olayı
Garip ki olayın sonucunu tahmin etmek kolay ve özelikle pris o güzel çocuk
Annelik duygusu ile kendini o kadar tehlikeye atan kızımız daha ilk karşılaşma da birbirinden etkilenir fakat karşısına çıkan kişi hiç beklemediği kişidir
Bir Cinayet ve birbirine bağlanan iki insan
Farklı çerezlik bir roman
Liz Carlyle
Biraz zaman aldı bitirmek ama güzel bir romandı
özellikle oğlumuz 😄
Kızımızı hiç anlamadım başta ama ortalarda çözdüm olayı
Garip ki olayın sonucunu tahmin etmek kolay ve özelikle pris o güzel çocuk
Annelik duygusu ile kendini o kadar tehlikeye atan kızımız daha ilk karşılaşma da birbirinden etkilenir fakat karşısına çıkan kişi hiç beklemediği kişidir
Bir Cinayet ve birbirine bağlanan iki insan
Farklı çerezlik bir roman
May 2, 2023
⛔️(in notes)
March 14, 2013
Fourth in the Neville Family historical romance series set in 1830 London. The couple focus is on Tristan Talbot and Lady Phaedra Northampton.
My Take
This was very good. A nice subtle build up with intelligent characters. What a treat! Carlyle has built a story with great depth and emotion in a fluffy romance with an unexpected level of flirtation between two characters who want nothing to do with the other. The manner in which Carlyle reveals Phae's own concerns about her particular desires is amazingly well done. Very natural. In fact, this is a light and fluffy BDSM on the protagonists' side.
It's not all that historically accurate, but I find I can forgive quite a bit when the author provides such a good story.
I just adore Nash. He's so kind and considerate for a man of that time period. I do like how he blackmails Phaedra. Tristan's thoughts about his father and their past is a sad endorsement on the importance of communication.
The Story
Lady Phaedra and Miss Armstrong almost witness a murder when someone falls into Mr. Kemble's shop with a knife in his back. A murder with political ramifications and the earl requests that Tristan investigate the why of the man's murder, for it could have dire consequences for Britain.
Phaedra has her own investigation to accomplish: finding Priss' mother before something terrible happens. She is determined that Priss shall have her mother. Protecting Nash from whatever she's fallen into...
It's fate that throws these two together and not always the one you want.
The Characters
Lady Phaedra Northampton has a soft heart, partially influenced by a traumatic event when she was younger. Agnes is her maid, and she has a sister, Millie Dales, who's in trouble. Priscilla is Millie's daughter. Phoebe is Phaedra's younger sister; she and their mother, the Dowager Marchioness [Edwina], are a matched pair---both dimwits. Stefan, the Marquess of Nash, is Phaedra's stepbrother. Xanthia is his pregnant wife, and they have one son, Luke. Tony Hayden-Worth is the messy younger brother with the even messier wife, Jenny. Aunt Henslow is Edwina's more intelligent sister.
Tristan Talbot, Lord Avoncliffe, is a rake of the worst sort. It's not so much the married women as the consorting with the lower class. Uglow is his valet and bodyguard. His father, the Earl of Hauxton, is very important at Whitehall. And he's dying. He's never approved of Tristan. And Tristan has done his best to deserve that. Pemberton is his father's butler. Nebbett is one of Hauxton's assistants. Cousin Harold, Tristan's heir, will come in very handy, although he won't know it.
George Kemble is a shopkeeper of "Elegant Oddities and Fine Folderol". Mr. Gorsky, a Russian, owns a brothel and is hopeful of Lady Phaedra's aid. Hmmm, whatever has Phae been up to?? Flora is one of the girls. Mrs. Wooten manages the house across the street.
Miss Zoë Armstrong is a bastard daughter accepted by society. Yeah, right. Lady [Eliza] Blaine is a friend from their home village who is married to a minor baronet. Lord Robert Rowland is a distant relation to Zoë and provider of illicit cheroots.
Lord [Max] de Vendenheim is one of Peel's people at the Home Office.
Madame Lilya Vostrikova has set herself up quite nicely in her retirement. Lavrin appears to be one of her lieutenants.
The Cover
The cover is all sweetness and innocence with Phaedra in a virginal empire dress (?), nightdress (?) trimmed with lace and green ribbon.
The title is certainly suitable, as Phaedra is Tempted All Night.
My Take
This was very good. A nice subtle build up with intelligent characters. What a treat! Carlyle has built a story with great depth and emotion in a fluffy romance with an unexpected level of flirtation between two characters who want nothing to do with the other. The manner in which Carlyle reveals Phae's own concerns about her particular desires is amazingly well done. Very natural. In fact, this is a light and fluffy BDSM on the protagonists' side.
It's not all that historically accurate, but I find I can forgive quite a bit when the author provides such a good story.
I just adore Nash. He's so kind and considerate for a man of that time period. I do like how he blackmails Phaedra. Tristan's thoughts about his father and their past is a sad endorsement on the importance of communication.
The Story
Lady Phaedra and Miss Armstrong almost witness a murder when someone falls into Mr. Kemble's shop with a knife in his back. A murder with political ramifications and the earl requests that Tristan investigate the why of the man's murder, for it could have dire consequences for Britain.
Phaedra has her own investigation to accomplish: finding Priss' mother before something terrible happens. She is determined that Priss shall have her mother. Protecting Nash from whatever she's fallen into...
It's fate that throws these two together and not always the one you want.
The Characters
Lady Phaedra Northampton has a soft heart, partially influenced by a traumatic event when she was younger. Agnes is her maid, and she has a sister, Millie Dales, who's in trouble. Priscilla is Millie's daughter. Phoebe is Phaedra's younger sister; she and their mother, the Dowager Marchioness [Edwina], are a matched pair---both dimwits. Stefan, the Marquess of Nash, is Phaedra's stepbrother. Xanthia is his pregnant wife, and they have one son, Luke. Tony Hayden-Worth is the messy younger brother with the even messier wife, Jenny. Aunt Henslow is Edwina's more intelligent sister.
Tristan Talbot, Lord Avoncliffe, is a rake of the worst sort. It's not so much the married women as the consorting with the lower class. Uglow is his valet and bodyguard. His father, the Earl of Hauxton, is very important at Whitehall. And he's dying. He's never approved of Tristan. And Tristan has done his best to deserve that. Pemberton is his father's butler. Nebbett is one of Hauxton's assistants. Cousin Harold, Tristan's heir, will come in very handy, although he won't know it.
George Kemble is a shopkeeper of "Elegant Oddities and Fine Folderol". Mr. Gorsky, a Russian, owns a brothel and is hopeful of Lady Phaedra's aid. Hmmm, whatever has Phae been up to?? Flora is one of the girls. Mrs. Wooten manages the house across the street.
Miss Zoë Armstrong is a bastard daughter accepted by society. Yeah, right. Lady [Eliza] Blaine is a friend from their home village who is married to a minor baronet. Lord Robert Rowland is a distant relation to Zoë and provider of illicit cheroots.
Lord [Max] de Vendenheim is one of Peel's people at the Home Office.
Madame Lilya Vostrikova has set herself up quite nicely in her retirement. Lavrin appears to be one of her lieutenants.
The Cover
The cover is all sweetness and innocence with Phaedra in a virginal empire dress (?), nightdress (?) trimmed with lace and green ribbon.
The title is certainly suitable, as Phaedra is Tempted All Night.
September 26, 2019
Stars 3/4 (Kate Pearce, Maureen Driscoll, Elisa Braden)
Hey fellow readers I don’t summarize the books (as there are always great full summaries written that I read myself).
I only give it my personal, general, summary of 5 stars to 1 star.
3 stars: This book is worth a read but didn’t really have me excited about interacting with the book where I could not put it down. It lacks the excitement and well roundness of my personal markers for a great read throughout the book.
Development and interest in main characters, secondary characters, humorous, movement of the book, writing/conversation and romantic/sexual content (1-2 scenes or too much unnecessary).
Read it once and that is enough for me.
However, if this book is part of a series, I would read the next book (pervious book) in the series as it would still peek my reading interest.
I’ll continue reading from this author. I wouldn’t cross the author out of my potential reads in the future.
Hey fellow readers I don’t summarize the books (as there are always great full summaries written that I read myself).
I only give it my personal, general, summary of 5 stars to 1 star.
3 stars: This book is worth a read but didn’t really have me excited about interacting with the book where I could not put it down. It lacks the excitement and well roundness of my personal markers for a great read throughout the book.
Development and interest in main characters, secondary characters, humorous, movement of the book, writing/conversation and romantic/sexual content (1-2 scenes or too much unnecessary).
Read it once and that is enough for me.
However, if this book is part of a series, I would read the next book (pervious book) in the series as it would still peek my reading interest.
I’ll continue reading from this author. I wouldn’t cross the author out of my potential reads in the future.
June 21, 2024
Book I own. Favorite Book Cover.
Romance /Mystery. The H Tristan Talbot, Viscount Avoncliffe 30+, h Lady Phaedra Northhampton 24 (confirmed spinster). I gave this 4 stars.
Things I liked: I loved the main characters and how complex they were. LC really brought them to life. I thought the balance between the MC's love story and the mystery were well balanced with the emphasis on the love story. The love scenes or sex scenes were racy with an introduction to BDSM which for 2009 was probably considered risque. I liked how the h was learning about who she was sexually and accepting herself with the H's help.
Review I Liked: Liz Carlyle is one my must-buy historical authors. She writes strong characters and interesting plots and her brand new release "Tempted All Night" is another good read for me.
Phaedra should be married. She's pretty, she's got a great dowry, and her brother is a Lord. But Phaedra also suffered an almost unspeakable loss when she was very young. That experience, and its repercussions, have resulted in her determination to never marry. She spends her time trying to be unobtrusive and unnoticed. Until the younger sister of her maid disappears, leaving behind a young child. Phaedra reluctantly journeys to London with her family, but not for ton entertainments. Her mission is to find the missing mother...but what Phaedra finds isn't just a missing woman, but a case of murder and espionage. And the man who's trying to help her may be the one to change her mind about marriage.
Tristan's father is the Earl of Talbot and his mother was a beautiful Mediterranean peasant his father fell in love with, giving up his chances for high office with the marriage. The result was Tristan, too dark to look entirely English, but undoubtedly the Earl's heir. With little acceptance from his family and his mother gone, Tristan went off to serve as a mercenary and spy-for-hire...something that (intentionally) irritates his father who runs the Foreign Office at Whitehall. But his father is on his deathbed and Tristan can't refuse what may be his last request...to investigate the death of a Russian who may be mixed up with a spy. It doesn't take Tristan long to meet Phaedra, and he is drawn to her almost in spite of himself. Events around Tristan and Phaedra become more and more dangerous, and so does their desire.
Two complex and intriguing characters, with messy pasts and dubious futures struggle to understand and recognize love. Each is afraid to care but can't seem to resist the traits of the other. The mystery wasn't too bad either, even though we're told right off who the bad guys are, it still plays out well. The real focus is always the growing closeness and caring between the hero and heroine. There are brief appearances by characters from previous books, but this novel stands on its own. "Tempted All Night" is another solid historical from Liz Carlyle.
Romance /Mystery. The H Tristan Talbot, Viscount Avoncliffe 30+, h Lady Phaedra Northhampton 24 (confirmed spinster). I gave this 4 stars.
Things I liked: I loved the main characters and how complex they were. LC really brought them to life. I thought the balance between the MC's love story and the mystery were well balanced with the emphasis on the love story. The love scenes or sex scenes were racy with an introduction to BDSM which for 2009 was probably considered risque. I liked how the h was learning about who she was sexually and accepting herself with the H's help.
Review I Liked: Liz Carlyle is one my must-buy historical authors. She writes strong characters and interesting plots and her brand new release "Tempted All Night" is another good read for me.
Phaedra should be married. She's pretty, she's got a great dowry, and her brother is a Lord. But Phaedra also suffered an almost unspeakable loss when she was very young. That experience, and its repercussions, have resulted in her determination to never marry. She spends her time trying to be unobtrusive and unnoticed. Until the younger sister of her maid disappears, leaving behind a young child. Phaedra reluctantly journeys to London with her family, but not for ton entertainments. Her mission is to find the missing mother...but what Phaedra finds isn't just a missing woman, but a case of murder and espionage. And the man who's trying to help her may be the one to change her mind about marriage.
Tristan's father is the Earl of Talbot and his mother was a beautiful Mediterranean peasant his father fell in love with, giving up his chances for high office with the marriage. The result was Tristan, too dark to look entirely English, but undoubtedly the Earl's heir. With little acceptance from his family and his mother gone, Tristan went off to serve as a mercenary and spy-for-hire...something that (intentionally) irritates his father who runs the Foreign Office at Whitehall. But his father is on his deathbed and Tristan can't refuse what may be his last request...to investigate the death of a Russian who may be mixed up with a spy. It doesn't take Tristan long to meet Phaedra, and he is drawn to her almost in spite of himself. Events around Tristan and Phaedra become more and more dangerous, and so does their desire.
Two complex and intriguing characters, with messy pasts and dubious futures struggle to understand and recognize love. Each is afraid to care but can't seem to resist the traits of the other. The mystery wasn't too bad either, even though we're told right off who the bad guys are, it still plays out well. The real focus is always the growing closeness and caring between the hero and heroine. There are brief appearances by characters from previous books, but this novel stands on its own. "Tempted All Night" is another solid historical from Liz Carlyle.
May 29, 2010
Lady Phaedra Northampton is in a shop trying to find information about her maid's missing sister when a Russian staggers through the door and falls at her feet with a knife buried in his back. Her family do not want the event publicised, and since Phaedra's older stepbrother is a powerful man, they keep the news out of the papers.
Tristan Talbot, Viscount Avoncliffe, is a rakish and handsome layabout, pretty much only concerned with pleasuring as many married women as possible. He has always had a strained relationship with his father and his extended family, as his mother was of Spanish peasant stock and his father's relatives never approved of her, and frequently questioned whether he was the Earl's true heir. When his father, who seems to be indispensable to the governing of the country, needs his help in getting to the bottom of the death of the mysterious Russian, and what may be a large spy plot against the British government, he is very reluctant to help - but can't refuse, as his father is on his death bed.
Sparks fly as soon as Tristan and Phaedra are in the same room. Phaedra's friend Zoë is acquainted with Tristan, and delighted that the frivolous rake seems truly interested in a woman of substance for a change. There are secrets in Phaedra's past, however, and reasons why she so desperately wants and needs to find her maid's missing sister. She is greatly attracted to Tristan, but feels that they can have no long term future, and she is determined to live a quiet, secluded life and never marry, no matter how good she feels when she's with him.
This is the third novel by Liz Carlyle that I have read, and I was delighted to discover that Phaedra was the younger sister of the hero of Never Lie to a Lady, my favourite of Carlyle's novels so far. While characters that have appeared in previous of Carlyle's novels do appear, the book can be read without any previous knowledge of the author's books. The book had a more serious tone than the other Carlyle novels I've read so far, although neither of her books are as fluffy and light hearted as some of the Julia Quinn romances I so greatly enjoy. Phaedra has a dark past and issues that are unusual for a Regency romance heroine, but Tristan is such a great hero for her, with complexities of his own, and the book is a great read.
Tristan Talbot, Viscount Avoncliffe, is a rakish and handsome layabout, pretty much only concerned with pleasuring as many married women as possible. He has always had a strained relationship with his father and his extended family, as his mother was of Spanish peasant stock and his father's relatives never approved of her, and frequently questioned whether he was the Earl's true heir. When his father, who seems to be indispensable to the governing of the country, needs his help in getting to the bottom of the death of the mysterious Russian, and what may be a large spy plot against the British government, he is very reluctant to help - but can't refuse, as his father is on his death bed.
Sparks fly as soon as Tristan and Phaedra are in the same room. Phaedra's friend Zoë is acquainted with Tristan, and delighted that the frivolous rake seems truly interested in a woman of substance for a change. There are secrets in Phaedra's past, however, and reasons why she so desperately wants and needs to find her maid's missing sister. She is greatly attracted to Tristan, but feels that they can have no long term future, and she is determined to live a quiet, secluded life and never marry, no matter how good she feels when she's with him.
This is the third novel by Liz Carlyle that I have read, and I was delighted to discover that Phaedra was the younger sister of the hero of Never Lie to a Lady, my favourite of Carlyle's novels so far. While characters that have appeared in previous of Carlyle's novels do appear, the book can be read without any previous knowledge of the author's books. The book had a more serious tone than the other Carlyle novels I've read so far, although neither of her books are as fluffy and light hearted as some of the Julia Quinn romances I so greatly enjoy. Phaedra has a dark past and issues that are unusual for a Regency romance heroine, but Tristan is such a great hero for her, with complexities of his own, and the book is a great read.
June 9, 2010
Tempted All Night is my first Liz Carlyle book. I have heard a lot of good things about her writing and I jumped at the chance to get this book when AAR classified it as a DIK (Desert Isle Keeper). In other words a great read and one worth keeping. So my expectations were fairly high from all the praise circling around Ms. Carlyle. While I did find her writing to be exceptional with fully fleshed out characters, I did think the story and the characters were a tad mundane.
The big standout for me was Lady Phaedra. She is a good woman who has had some unfortunate things happen to her. It is very easy for the reader to be moved by her past. And I loved how her past was revealed in slow pieces, foreshadowing a larger reveal halfway through the book. It keeps the pacing moving and the reader curious.
Tristan has his own set of problems to deal with as his father is dying and they haven't ever gotten along well. There is an animosity between the two that never really gets completely resolved and this saddened me for Tristan. As far as his rakehell ways... ho hum, boring. I wasn't impressed and could have done without that aspect of the story.
When it is all said and done, I really wanted Phaedra to get her happy ending and boy does she ever. There is an absolutely, lovely epilogue at the end of this story. Will I give Liz Carlyle another try? Yes, you can count on it.
The big standout for me was Lady Phaedra. She is a good woman who has had some unfortunate things happen to her. It is very easy for the reader to be moved by her past. And I loved how her past was revealed in slow pieces, foreshadowing a larger reveal halfway through the book. It keeps the pacing moving and the reader curious.
Tristan has his own set of problems to deal with as his father is dying and they haven't ever gotten along well. There is an animosity between the two that never really gets completely resolved and this saddened me for Tristan. As far as his rakehell ways... ho hum, boring. I wasn't impressed and could have done without that aspect of the story.
When it is all said and done, I really wanted Phaedra to get her happy ending and boy does she ever. There is an absolutely, lovely epilogue at the end of this story. Will I give Liz Carlyle another try? Yes, you can count on it.
October 22, 2021
my second or third read did not satisfy as much as my first, something about Phaedra's too over the top obsession about her aborted pregnancy. More highlighted was the relationship between Tristan and his father, and Tristian and his own life path. The change in Tristan meeting Phaedra became the more compelling story, of a deep passion and love. Phaedra's refusal became tiring. Zoe still stood out as a character who deserved her own book, which apparently she never got. But Tristian and Phaedra did get their HEA and their miracle after several years of trying. still a keeper
this series has been an extraordinary escape into another reality. All were startling and powerful and entangled the reader in how we wish all regency romances were written. Intelligent, articulate, the dialogue flows effortlessly as the plots either evolve or are thrown like fire bombs without warning.
All personae were orchestrated perfectly, of course Kemble never has enough page time.
Tristan was doubtless among the most memorable of rake heroes. His estrangement with his father was exceptionally executed and the lack of reconciliation was far more realistic considering what was revealed between his mother and father. I hope Zoe gets her own story. If this was Liz Carlyle's last gasp before retiring it was superb. Her writing at least in this series was nearly faultless and I thank her for many many hours of escape from events of 2019.
this series has been an extraordinary escape into another reality. All were startling and powerful and entangled the reader in how we wish all regency romances were written. Intelligent, articulate, the dialogue flows effortlessly as the plots either evolve or are thrown like fire bombs without warning.
All personae were orchestrated perfectly, of course Kemble never has enough page time.
Tristan was doubtless among the most memorable of rake heroes. His estrangement with his father was exceptionally executed and the lack of reconciliation was far more realistic considering what was revealed between his mother and father. I hope Zoe gets her own story. If this was Liz Carlyle's last gasp before retiring it was superb. Her writing at least in this series was nearly faultless and I thank her for many many hours of escape from events of 2019.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews