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Southern #1
Creole Fires
Librarian's note: An alternate cover edition can be found here
The Louisiana sun beat mercilessly on Nicole St. Claire just as fate, too, had been merciless. The once wealthy, flirtatious belle stood on the auction block to be sold as a servant. Her sensual figure disguised, her glorious titian hair disheveled, she looked like a waif, but she was all woman, trembling when she recognized the highest bidder—idol of her childhood dreams, the owner of plantation Belle Chene.
A man of blazing passion, Alex du Villier bought the girl out of pity, but her aqua eyes stirred his soul and her body ignited his blood. She would be the perfect mistress to make him forget his coming marriage to a cold, haughty heiress. Now he intended to teach this innocent beauty that although he had purchased her freedom, he could steal her heart.
An affair of burning desires. . . . Under a Creole moon their passion became a wildfire neither could control, driving them to heart-wrenching choices of silken sin . . . or freedom and love.
The Louisiana sun beat mercilessly on Nicole St. Claire just as fate, too, had been merciless. The once wealthy, flirtatious belle stood on the auction block to be sold as a servant. Her sensual figure disguised, her glorious titian hair disheveled, she looked like a waif, but she was all woman, trembling when she recognized the highest bidder—idol of her childhood dreams, the owner of plantation Belle Chene.
A man of blazing passion, Alex du Villier bought the girl out of pity, but her aqua eyes stirred his soul and her body ignited his blood. She would be the perfect mistress to make him forget his coming marriage to a cold, haughty heiress. Now he intended to teach this innocent beauty that although he had purchased her freedom, he could steal her heart.
An affair of burning desires. . . . Under a Creole moon their passion became a wildfire neither could control, driving them to heart-wrenching choices of silken sin . . . or freedom and love.
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 4, 1992
69 people are currently reading
617 people want to read
About the author
Kat Martin
188 books3,170 followersKathleen Kelly Martin (aka Kathy Lawrence, Kasey Mars)
Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.
Published since 1988, she signed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.
Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe.
"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."
"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."
Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.
Published since 1988, she signed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.
Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe.
"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."
"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
November 24, 2017
I hated this book. And I mean I fucking hated this book. I finished it because I thought there is no fuckin way it can be this terrible. Alex has to redeem himself somehow but no. Alex is literally the worst male lead I have ever read. If he were real I would plot his murder. Hell he isn't real and I am plotting his murder. And Nicki is worse. If a man forces himself on you, you do NOT give in and fall in love with him. You slit his throat when he sleeps... yeah wow I should have waited to write this review until I calmed down a little bit but I am fired up! This book was one of the worst ones I have read in a very long time.
I will not be reading any more of this series and I probably will never read anything else by the author.
I will not be reading any more of this series and I probably will never read anything else by the author.
March 17, 2011
I love the theme of the h being an indentured servent and going from riches to rags and I think that Kat Martin did a good job with it. I also loved that it was set in Louisianna and on a plantation.
Nicole St. Clair (h) had it all until her father lost everything and died shortly after, her mother died just after her father, and at 15 she couldn't think of anyother way of surviving so she sold her self into indentured servitude to a family friend and it was only for a few years. That family friend soon loses everything too and has no choice but to sell Nicole and this is the start of her down fall. The man who buys her, lusts after her and the mans wife wants her gone so she sets her up to look like she stold from her and Nicole is off to jail and her servitude is uped to 7 years. The night watchmen have been taking what ever they want from the women in the jail, Nicoles cell mate realizes that she's a virgin and so helps make Nicole look much younger by binder her breasts. After awhile the women go up for auction and the men believe that she's 12 or so.
Alex (H) just happens to be wondering by the auction and sees Nicole on the auction block. He watches as the men bid on her and when he sees her, something about her reminds him of a young girl he once rescued. As he realizes the man that will win the bid is an evil man with a bad reputation for what he does with women he decides to buy her himself.
I've only read a few of Kat Martin's books but so far I haven't been disapointed, good thing too because I have many more of her books sitting in my tbr. =)
Nicole St. Clair (h) had it all until her father lost everything and died shortly after, her mother died just after her father, and at 15 she couldn't think of anyother way of surviving so she sold her self into indentured servitude to a family friend and it was only for a few years. That family friend soon loses everything too and has no choice but to sell Nicole and this is the start of her down fall. The man who buys her, lusts after her and the mans wife wants her gone so she sets her up to look like she stold from her and Nicole is off to jail and her servitude is uped to 7 years. The night watchmen have been taking what ever they want from the women in the jail, Nicoles cell mate realizes that she's a virgin and so helps make Nicole look much younger by binder her breasts. After awhile the women go up for auction and the men believe that she's 12 or so.
Alex (H) just happens to be wondering by the auction and sees Nicole on the auction block. He watches as the men bid on her and when he sees her, something about her reminds him of a young girl he once rescued. As he realizes the man that will win the bid is an evil man with a bad reputation for what he does with women he decides to buy her himself.
I've only read a few of Kat Martin's books but so far I haven't been disapointed, good thing too because I have many more of her books sitting in my tbr. =)
September 7, 2021
4 stars. This is the first book in KM’s Southern series. It was quite good and I really liked the characters although I felt the ending lacked just a little. A little more meaty resolution of one of the stories main plot lines would have been good instead it meandered off into another direction….and we were told ‘oh this happened’ to address it. Maybe the author felt going off to THIS OTHER place would add more drama?
Savannah Heat is book 2 and I read it first and loved it! Book one and two can be read as stand alones. The Heros in books 2 & 3 are very briefly introduced to the heroine of Creole Fires once by name, a really brief description of each hero is given, and other than that there is no interaction. Book 2 SH involves the 2 brothers quite a bit more and gives you lead in for book 3 Natchez Flame, which I haven’t read yet. So far SH is my favorite of the two I’ve read.
Savannah Heat is book 2 and I read it first and loved it! Book one and two can be read as stand alones. The Heros in books 2 & 3 are very briefly introduced to the heroine of Creole Fires once by name, a really brief description of each hero is given, and other than that there is no interaction. Book 2 SH involves the 2 brothers quite a bit more and gives you lead in for book 3 Natchez Flame, which I haven’t read yet. So far SH is my favorite of the two I’ve read.
June 28, 2010
Lame. That would be this book in a nutshell. What a tease. It was so great at the beginning and i was really excited to think what might happen in the middle and end. If this book were being read aloud i probably would have starting boooooing. The main characters had as much depth as my daughters kiddy pool. The hero or rather supposed to be, was more like a pedophile. If you want a good read, go to about page 30 then create your own ending.
August 8, 2022
Read:2021
Not my favorite KM book. The H uses the h bc he can't let her go.. He"s selfish! If he doesn't marry his evil she-devil of a neighbor he could lose all his money. Soon he will have to choose.
Not my favorite KM book. The H uses the h bc he can't let her go.. He"s selfish! If he doesn't marry his evil she-devil of a neighbor he could lose all his money. Soon he will have to choose.
December 29, 2022
kind of vile yet at the same time boring. cover art is beautiful tho
June 21, 2012
I literally just finished this book and liked it very much. I picked up Kat Martin the first time with Gypsy Lord and after that went on a book hunt it was that good.I picked up Creole Fires and it sat a few weeks on my bookshelf before I could pick it up and start it, finished it in two days, I do have to work and take care of the family you know, lol.
Nicki and Alex have a tug of war relationship were one minute it's smooth the next its all out war and I have to admit I enjoyed it! I love a bull headed hero and a too stubborn for her on good heroine but at times I did say to myself how and why when it had already proved foolish with Nicki but still it was a good read.
Nicki and Alex have a tug of war relationship were one minute it's smooth the next its all out war and I have to admit I enjoyed it! I love a bull headed hero and a too stubborn for her on good heroine but at times I did say to myself how and why when it had already proved foolish with Nicki but still it was a good read.
March 4, 2020
I am a lover of historical romance and this book is one of the BEST. We get all that heat, angst, turmoil and passion that make a great HR. I highly recommend this book.
August 2, 2021
One of the better Kat Martin books I've read.
June 2, 2024
Our two main characters meet when they are younger. Our heroine, is Nicole St.Claire. While visiting a friend, she is kidnapped but manages to escape and meets the man who saves her, Alex Du Villier. Years past, but the chemistry that was between Alex and Nicole has never died. But when the worst happens to Nicole, with her parents gone and the estate in ruins, she is sold on the market but Alex buys her so he can have a mistress. Alex doesn’t realize who Nicole really is yet, but he senses something more to her than meets the eye and he knows her from somewhere he just doesn’t know where from, only that he needs to know more about this beautiful yet mysterious woman. Nicole, at first is shocked that Alex doesn’t remember her. But Nicole isn’t happy with the Villier family, since they were friends with her father and turned them away when they were in need of help. But she doesn’t blame Alex, knowing that he has been gone in France for quite some time. Alex, has worked hard to repair the damage his brother did to their home while he was away. But financially they won’t make it, unless he marries a woman that is from a wealthy family. He has no choice even if his bride to be is selfish and cocky and treats his servants horribly. But soon Nicole and Alex fall in love but will Nicole find a way for Alex to keep out of financial ruin and marry her or will she have to watch the man she loves marry another….
What a story!!!! Now I will say that Kat Martin never ceases to amaze me in her storytelling. I was expecting this book to be your typical bodice ripper type romance but it was anything but. I have lately been in the mood for a southern romance and this was just right for the mood I was in. Now I will say that this book won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, since it is older and has that old romance type feel to it but man I just couldn’t put this book down. The romance between these two was almost heartbreaking especially when you see how much they care for each other. The hero took a while to grow on me. He is pretty rough around the edges sometimes and toward the end there….yeah I wasn’t too pleases with certain actions he takes especially in the way he keeps things from Nicole when it wasn’t needed. Now Nicole I really liked, even though she could be a bit rash and too outspoken sometimes, she was spirited and fun and quite entertaining. And she was pretty easy to relate with. I loved her fighting spirit especially in the creative ways she goes about finding a way for her and Alex to be together. What was most interesting about this book is the evolvement in their relationship and seeing the growth these characters both go through before they reach their HEA. Overall Creole Fires was a DELIGHTFUL romance that left me with a smile on my face when I finished reading!!!
What a story!!!! Now I will say that Kat Martin never ceases to amaze me in her storytelling. I was expecting this book to be your typical bodice ripper type romance but it was anything but. I have lately been in the mood for a southern romance and this was just right for the mood I was in. Now I will say that this book won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, since it is older and has that old romance type feel to it but man I just couldn’t put this book down. The romance between these two was almost heartbreaking especially when you see how much they care for each other. The hero took a while to grow on me. He is pretty rough around the edges sometimes and toward the end there….yeah I wasn’t too pleases with certain actions he takes especially in the way he keeps things from Nicole when it wasn’t needed. Now Nicole I really liked, even though she could be a bit rash and too outspoken sometimes, she was spirited and fun and quite entertaining. And she was pretty easy to relate with. I loved her fighting spirit especially in the creative ways she goes about finding a way for her and Alex to be together. What was most interesting about this book is the evolvement in their relationship and seeing the growth these characters both go through before they reach their HEA. Overall Creole Fires was a DELIGHTFUL romance that left me with a smile on my face when I finished reading!!!
September 11, 2016
Got this on a whim from the library and didn't really like it. It started out promising and I thought it would be something that I enjoyed but the whole dynamic of the main characters got tiring and repetive before even getting to the halfway mark. Nothing much was happening for a while that I got bored and skimmed some pages. Also, didn't like the heroine much, she came off as a bit too manipulative and always running away.
On a positive, loved that the setting was in the south US and it was nicely written.
October 18, 2018
Not bad
This was an interesting plot set in 19th Century Louisiana when people sold themselves into indentured servitude. Women were targets for sexual abuse under this system as this story follows the life of a young girl.
The unfortunate thing about reading this book was the need for editing. That alone dampened my reading experience. Again, the plot is good as are the characters and there's plenty of action and romance.
It's more of a historical romance novel. I would recommend to readers of romance novels.
This was an interesting plot set in 19th Century Louisiana when people sold themselves into indentured servitude. Women were targets for sexual abuse under this system as this story follows the life of a young girl.
The unfortunate thing about reading this book was the need for editing. That alone dampened my reading experience. Again, the plot is good as are the characters and there's plenty of action and romance.
It's more of a historical romance novel. I would recommend to readers of romance novels.
December 12, 2018
I liked it a bit.
What I liked about it is that the plot was set in the 19th century Louisiana, where people sold themselves indentured servitude. Women were targets for sexual abuse under this system as this story follows the life of a young girl.
The unfortunate thing about reading this book was the need for editing. That alone dampened my reading experience. Again, the plot is good but it seemed to lack a pacing. The characters lacked a depth and character that I wanted to see. Their personalities are more like a kiddie pool and not a pool.
Even what annoyed me is how the author prefers the hard-ons as "Stiff Members" constantly, which there are different ways to say erection you know.
At first, I liked the female lead; Nicole and how she stood up for herself when Clarissa insulted her family name, as a servant and how she made it clear she didn't want to be Alex's mistress. But she didn’t grow on me, it was more like an annoyance how she was at first not upset that Alex didn’t remember her to being upset that Alex didn’t remember her at all. WTH?!
First, she accepted that Alex will treat her more than property but then she gets upset at him when he doesn’t remember her after they first met?! Alex does remember her but Nicole never bothered to tell him who she truly was. Nicole is a detriment, unrealistic and manipulative, she always runs away and acts like a thirteen-year-old child or just a child that doesn't get their way and not facing reality, it's like she's trapped in her own little world. Not to mention she gets instantly jealous when Lisette comes to see Alex after their little make-out session when they were riding the horses, also runs away while riding Napoleon when Alex MADE IT CLEAR that Napoleon is his horse and is a dangerous one. Even she is SO stupid that she "brilliantly" thought of escaping the house to get away from Alex, she forgets that she is a bondservant and she was arrested for a crime she did not commit, so she was setting herself up to be arrested and sent to the jail she was in before to be prepared to be sold again or probably get raped by the night-watchmen since she did hear what they do to the female inmates at the prison she was in.
Also, even when he warned her about Frontier's or whatever his name is border since they share a land even at the chance they met at the engagement ball. I was hoping Frontier's would kidnap Nicole to maybe teach her a lesson about riding off recklessly nearing his border or charm her to be with him. But that didn't happen since Alex warned her about him. But luckily she was caught by him but didn't make a slap in her face of reality.
She does 180's too. Like when Alex was telling Lisette about how dangerous Volutier is, how she refuses to listen to him, she gets confused with him being concerned and caring. Alex was concerned for Lisette's well-being because he knows how dangerous Volutier is and she didn't know. Even when Lisette comes to the house and exposes the bite marks, bruises on her. Nicole shows a little sympathy and tries to make Lisette see how bad Volutier is, but when it shows that nothing was going to change Lisette's view on him due to she is blinded by love for him. She gets all happy dance that Lisette won't be an issue at Alex's door when it is an issue.
Nicole isn't a heroine I would look up too. She is nothing more than an 18-year-old or whatever age she is, acting like a spoiled child, manipulative and unrealistic.
Not to mention the dubious consent or lack of consent, Alex forced his hands-on Nicole and do you think that Nicole being the heroine would fight back? No, she instantly gives in and falls in love with him. The romance scenes are straight up rape or at the very least sexual assault. Even after what nearly happened to Nicole at the Inn, Alex and Nicole still go at it and just ignore that Nicole was nearly raped by a stranger.
There is a lack of consent between Nicole and Alex. But it is in the guise of "love".
Alex, is no better, for being the male lead he was more like a pedophile than a hero. He always keeps lusting after Nicole, who’s around 18 or so? Anyway, he keeps lusting after her and he put his hands on her without consent. Not to mention like after what happened between the two, he was thinking that he should let her go after she escapes, but he has to go after her since he basically has papers to let people know that she is his bondservant. First off how he thinks he should "let her go" after she escapes is just STUPID. He knows she is his bondservant but he acts as he should just let her go. Then he assaults her after he found her when he saved her from a man that nearly raped her or raped her.
Even when Nicole gets away for the LAST.FRIKEN.TIME, do you think that Alex goes after her or no? To give that answer; he goes after her! Even after they confessed their "love" she runs off. If I Alex, I would be heart-broken; which he was. But I would not go after her anymore, I would stay and just marry Clarissa, even forget my love for someone who keeps running. Maybe if Nicole would come back only to see the man she "trusted and love" with Clasrissa, maybe a slap of the face of reality? No, she'll throw a fit and curse his name which she does constantly.
Well, Nicole did realize how much she did hurt Alex but she keeps lusting for him after what she had done to him. Like what? You realize that you hurt someone that you finally come to realize you love and you want him? No, just no.
What I liked about it is that the plot was set in the 19th century Louisiana, where people sold themselves indentured servitude. Women were targets for sexual abuse under this system as this story follows the life of a young girl.
The unfortunate thing about reading this book was the need for editing. That alone dampened my reading experience. Again, the plot is good but it seemed to lack a pacing. The characters lacked a depth and character that I wanted to see. Their personalities are more like a kiddie pool and not a pool.
Even what annoyed me is how the author prefers the hard-ons as "Stiff Members" constantly, which there are different ways to say erection you know.
At first, I liked the female lead; Nicole and how she stood up for herself when Clarissa insulted her family name, as a servant and how she made it clear she didn't want to be Alex's mistress. But she didn’t grow on me, it was more like an annoyance how she was at first not upset that Alex didn’t remember her to being upset that Alex didn’t remember her at all. WTH?!
First, she accepted that Alex will treat her more than property but then she gets upset at him when he doesn’t remember her after they first met?! Alex does remember her but Nicole never bothered to tell him who she truly was. Nicole is a detriment, unrealistic and manipulative, she always runs away and acts like a thirteen-year-old child or just a child that doesn't get their way and not facing reality, it's like she's trapped in her own little world. Not to mention she gets instantly jealous when Lisette comes to see Alex after their little make-out session when they were riding the horses, also runs away while riding Napoleon when Alex MADE IT CLEAR that Napoleon is his horse and is a dangerous one. Even she is SO stupid that she "brilliantly" thought of escaping the house to get away from Alex, she forgets that she is a bondservant and she was arrested for a crime she did not commit, so she was setting herself up to be arrested and sent to the jail she was in before to be prepared to be sold again or probably get raped by the night-watchmen since she did hear what they do to the female inmates at the prison she was in.
Also, even when he warned her about Frontier's or whatever his name is border since they share a land even at the chance they met at the engagement ball. I was hoping Frontier's would kidnap Nicole to maybe teach her a lesson about riding off recklessly nearing his border or charm her to be with him. But that didn't happen since Alex warned her about him. But luckily she was caught by him but didn't make a slap in her face of reality.
She does 180's too. Like when Alex was telling Lisette about how dangerous Volutier is, how she refuses to listen to him, she gets confused with him being concerned and caring. Alex was concerned for Lisette's well-being because he knows how dangerous Volutier is and she didn't know. Even when Lisette comes to the house and exposes the bite marks, bruises on her. Nicole shows a little sympathy and tries to make Lisette see how bad Volutier is, but when it shows that nothing was going to change Lisette's view on him due to she is blinded by love for him. She gets all happy dance that Lisette won't be an issue at Alex's door when it is an issue.
Nicole isn't a heroine I would look up too. She is nothing more than an 18-year-old or whatever age she is, acting like a spoiled child, manipulative and unrealistic.
Not to mention the dubious consent or lack of consent, Alex forced his hands-on Nicole and do you think that Nicole being the heroine would fight back? No, she instantly gives in and falls in love with him. The romance scenes are straight up rape or at the very least sexual assault. Even after what nearly happened to Nicole at the Inn, Alex and Nicole still go at it and just ignore that Nicole was nearly raped by a stranger.
There is a lack of consent between Nicole and Alex. But it is in the guise of "love".
Alex, is no better, for being the male lead he was more like a pedophile than a hero. He always keeps lusting after Nicole, who’s around 18 or so? Anyway, he keeps lusting after her and he put his hands on her without consent. Not to mention like after what happened between the two, he was thinking that he should let her go after she escapes, but he has to go after her since he basically has papers to let people know that she is his bondservant. First off how he thinks he should "let her go" after she escapes is just STUPID. He knows she is his bondservant but he acts as he should just let her go. Then he assaults her after he found her when he saved her from a man that nearly raped her or raped her.
Even when Nicole gets away for the LAST.FRIKEN.TIME, do you think that Alex goes after her or no? To give that answer; he goes after her! Even after they confessed their "love" she runs off. If I Alex, I would be heart-broken; which he was. But I would not go after her anymore, I would stay and just marry Clarissa, even forget my love for someone who keeps running. Maybe if Nicole would come back only to see the man she "trusted and love" with Clasrissa, maybe a slap of the face of reality? No, she'll throw a fit and curse his name which she does constantly.
Well, Nicole did realize how much she did hurt Alex but she keeps lusting for him after what she had done to him. Like what? You realize that you hurt someone that you finally come to realize you love and you want him? No, just no.
August 24, 2018
Okay, a good chunk of these romance scenes are straight up rape or at the very least sexual assault. And on top of that, the FMC victim blames herself for physically responding to being raped. Right. No, thanks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2018
I loved it. Then hated it. Then loved it again.
There’s so much to love about this book. It had passion and that sort of love be hate relationship that makes it perfect. I like that Nicole stuck to her guns and didn’t let down from not wanting to become a mistress. But then I really started to hate Alex. Couldn’t he just accept that she didn’t want to be a mistress? He seemed selfish in that he only did what he thought was good for him. Maybe he thought she needed protection. But i would think after a while it would finally sink in. I also didn’t like that he thought she didn’t love him because she wanted to leave. If he truly loved her, I would have those got he would have known her well enough to know she couldn’t stand by while he married someone else. In the end, I still loved it. It was a heart-aching, small tear-inducing surprise I would happily read again.
There’s so much to love about this book. It had passion and that sort of love be hate relationship that makes it perfect. I like that Nicole stuck to her guns and didn’t let down from not wanting to become a mistress. But then I really started to hate Alex. Couldn’t he just accept that she didn’t want to be a mistress? He seemed selfish in that he only did what he thought was good for him. Maybe he thought she needed protection. But i would think after a while it would finally sink in. I also didn’t like that he thought she didn’t love him because she wanted to leave. If he truly loved her, I would have those got he would have known her well enough to know she couldn’t stand by while he married someone else. In the end, I still loved it. It was a heart-aching, small tear-inducing surprise I would happily read again.
December 19, 2018
Nicole may have grown up in an affluent family but after the loss of the family plantation and her parents, she ended up in debtors prison. Her only chance out is being sold as a slave and luckily she was purchased by Alex. Alex doesn't realize that this is the same young woman that grew up on the property next to his, he just sees the potential for his next mistress. Nicole has no desire to be Alex's mistress but she cannot deny that she desires him. Can Alex save his plantation while still keeping Nicole in his life or will she continue to run from him? A good read but I did have some issues with Alex's personality. I think there's been a change in the way heroes have been written over the years and with this older title, I just was not drawn to him. I enjoyed the story line, though Nicole did have some TSTL moments, but a fun read.
April 13, 2020
2.5.....i can NOT believe that I didn’t skim or DNF this train wreck....
the .5 is ONLY because i didn’t skim
Honestly, the book didn’t start off that badly. The first few chapters lined up an interesting story line. Then we head into pervy grooming territory, which technically it wasn’t, but context. Also there is Zero chemistry between the two IMO.
I kept going in hopes that there would be some big grovel scene redeeming Alex. I was left swinging in the wind on that one.
She’s got spunk and she’ll not settle for less then she deserves. But then Alex pouts that she must not love him and all that spitfire goes right out with the bathwater.
Oofdah...
the .5 is ONLY because i didn’t skim
Honestly, the book didn’t start off that badly. The first few chapters lined up an interesting story line. Then we head into pervy grooming territory, which technically it wasn’t, but context. Also there is Zero chemistry between the two IMO.
I kept going in hopes that there would be some big grovel scene redeeming Alex. I was left swinging in the wind on that one.
She’s got spunk and she’ll not settle for less then she deserves. But then Alex pouts that she must not love him and all that spitfire goes right out with the bathwater.
Oofdah...
August 1, 2022
This book was awful. If a woman says stop or no, and the man doesn’t stop… it’s rape. I’m not sure if I was more horrified by Alex or disturbed by Nicki’s falling in love with him. Maybe it was just a survival technique on her part? The fact that almost all of the characters in the book accepted and normalized Alex forcing Nicki into the role of his mistress was just offensive. I guess we are to give allowances for a different time period (1840 - where everyone was super accepting of the mistress just being out and about with her benefactor [rolls eyes])… but that is some seriously flawed logic right there if we are suddenly wanting this book to be historically accurate.
December 18, 2022
I basically skim-read the book after the 30% mark. I'll give the author the compliment that she can write well, but the characters were underdeveloped and flat, and have no respect for the hero and heroine. The plot after that point went from being interesting to just plain cringe.
I've tried reading the author's modern-setting books, but I found that somehow her writing in that falls flat and boring as a textbook from the start. Now I've tried one of her historicals, which writing style is more palatable to read, but I have a feeling that all of her other stories fall in the same cringe range as this one so I'll be putting her on my never-want-to-read-again author list.
I've tried reading the author's modern-setting books, but I found that somehow her writing in that falls flat and boring as a textbook from the start. Now I've tried one of her historicals, which writing style is more palatable to read, but I have a feeling that all of her other stories fall in the same cringe range as this one so I'll be putting her on my never-want-to-read-again author list.
January 19, 2020
I HATED IT. Their relationship is horrid and Alex is horrid and Nicki (which is like the worst name ever) is a simpering idiot and also horrid. First, Alex was all predatory and honestly a pervert lusting after a girl he thought was like 13- GROSS. Then he plays with her emotions and abuses her and tries to make her his mistress after taking her virginity in a way that felt super rapey. Then she falls in love with him and forgive him and plays the hopeless romantic fool. Ugh, no thank you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2021
I really like Kat Martin style of writing, it always keeps me interested in reading the stories but this one kept me read on while in my mind I told myself the heroine had what its coming by her own doing. Yes, she wants to escape but every single time she escaped, she ran into troubles and she seemed very dumb and selfish in some way. This book is worth reading so you can laugh about it...it's pretty entertaining.
March 13, 2018
A very good story with the usual something standing in the way of the couple getting married. In this one Nicki was a very modern day woman including knowing how to balance financial records. Luckily she did or they never would have married. Though I was a little upset with the fact that when she said no to sex he did not really listen.
July 6, 2017
Creole Fires
It was a very exceptional novel. It was very hard to put down when I finished it. The primary characters Nick and Alex were well defined and actually liked them. Would
recommend this book to anyone who loves romance. Liked the location where it took place.
It was a very exceptional novel. It was very hard to put down when I finished it. The primary characters Nick and Alex were well defined and actually liked them. Would
recommend this book to anyone who loves romance. Liked the location where it took place.
February 25, 2018
Great book. I will be reading more of these books.
I gave it 5 stars.
Because the history and the story was great.
Just loved it.
I recommend the book.
I gave it 5 stars.
Because the history and the story was great.
Just loved it.
I recommend the book.
May 28, 2018
Bodice ripper, this woman has more bad luck and is saved time and again by our hero. Good read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2019
Horrible. I couldn’t get past Alex being attracted to someone he thought was 13. Even worse when I read some of the other reviews of what happens next. DNF.
August 14, 2021
Boring stupid and cringe
August 30, 2022
The ending wrapped up too conveniently. The heroine was kind of annoying. Wish she actually succeeded in running away then the plot might have gotten more exciting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2024
Oh…historical romance novels how I love thee. Classic historical novel set in antebellum Louisiana. Great fleshed out female and male protagonists as well as supporting characters. 4.0 bookworms
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March 6, 2017Okay--I really did not like Kat Martin's contemporary romances, so what do I do? Immediately launched into some, well, historical romance?
Shall I say, this is more like it? So often you are forced to deal with English Regency society, or some variance of Scottish highlanders. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy those as much as anyone else, but having a novel set with the same concept (Plantation owner = society nobleman / fallen from grace former upper class woman = perhaps a poor noblewoman or whatever) but in a richer, different setting.
Side note...is it impossible to write a romance novel without using the word "chuckle"? I don't know why this word bothers me so much. I chug along with reading, come across the word, and want to punch the dude in the face. I'm not sure what other word you'd use though, so I'll let it slide. Snorted? Throaty laughter?
Anything, one of these days I'm going to find another contemporary novel I like. I think the issue is, in historical romance, it's acceptable that the woman is dependent on the arrogant, alpha male, because society dictates that she really has no powers of her own. I accept this. What drives me crazy is the same concept being played out in exactly the same way contemporary novels. "I hate it when that other guy talked to you. You're mine!" Dude, no.
Shall I say, this is more like it? So often you are forced to deal with English Regency society, or some variance of Scottish highlanders. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy those as much as anyone else, but having a novel set with the same concept (Plantation owner = society nobleman / fallen from grace former upper class woman = perhaps a poor noblewoman or whatever) but in a richer, different setting.
Side note...is it impossible to write a romance novel without using the word "chuckle"? I don't know why this word bothers me so much. I chug along with reading, come across the word, and want to punch the dude in the face. I'm not sure what other word you'd use though, so I'll let it slide. Snorted? Throaty laughter?
Anything, one of these days I'm going to find another contemporary novel I like. I think the issue is, in historical romance, it's acceptable that the woman is dependent on the arrogant, alpha male, because society dictates that she really has no powers of her own. I accept this. What drives me crazy is the same concept being played out in exactly the same way contemporary novels. "I hate it when that other guy talked to you. You're mine!" Dude, no.
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