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Illegitimate Bachelor #2
Seducing the Viscount
Illegitimacy is no obstacle for Ian Breckford. Darkly handsome and thoroughly charming, he has bedded his way through London's most exclusive society. Yet this pleasurable existence has lately seemed a trifle dull-a fact soon remedied by a visit to his father's estate, where his aunt has acquired a delightful new companion. Mercy Simpson may be shy, but she is also sharp-witted and stubborn, especially when persuading Ian to relieve her of her innocence.
Ian's arrival presents the opportunity for Mercy to experience uninhibited sensual adventure before she returns to her spinster life. Ian's extraordinary skill is everything she dreamed a lover might offer-and everything she can never hope to keep … unless her brazen seduction can ignite a true, lasting passion.
Ian's arrival presents the opportunity for Mercy to experience uninhibited sensual adventure before she returns to her spinster life. Ian's extraordinary skill is everything she dreamed a lover might offer-and everything she can never hope to keep … unless her brazen seduction can ignite a true, lasting passion.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
43 people are currently reading
263 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Raleigh
12 books57 followersAKA Debbie Raleigh and Alexandra Ivy.
Deborah Raleigh is the author of thirty three books and novellas for Kensington Publishing. Her first regency LORD CARLTON’S COURTSHIP was nominated as Best First Regency by Romantic Times and was an Award of Excellence finalist. She has also been nominated for Career Achievement in Regency romance by Romantic Times.
She has been an avid reader since she could hold a book in her hands and always dreamed of putting her own dreams down on paper. She is married with two teenage boys who manage to keep life interesting. She loves to travel, although she is careful to call vacations research sabbaticals and considers housework optional at best.
Deborah Raleigh is the author of thirty three books and novellas for Kensington Publishing. Her first regency LORD CARLTON’S COURTSHIP was nominated as Best First Regency by Romantic Times and was an Award of Excellence finalist. She has also been nominated for Career Achievement in Regency romance by Romantic Times.
She has been an avid reader since she could hold a book in her hands and always dreamed of putting her own dreams down on paper. She is married with two teenage boys who manage to keep life interesting. She loves to travel, although she is careful to call vacations research sabbaticals and considers housework optional at best.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 15, 2009
I'm more than happy with Deborah Raleigh's latest in her current series about a group of high-born illegitimate sons who set out to uncover the secrets of their fathers and end up finding love. "Seducing the Viscount" is the story of the one with the nickname of Casanova, and watching him succumb to love was a delightful way to spend an afternoon!
Mercy has spent her left at the back and call of her aging parents. As the daughter of the vicar, she had no opportunity for girlish pleasures and instead channeled her energies into her thirst for knowledge and study of history. Now that she is a spinster, her parents are querulously determined to keep her by their side through guilt and brow-beating. So when Mercy is offered the opportunity to spend the summer as a companion to the lady of a house with a wonderful library, she considers her own wants for the first time and jumps at the chance. She never expected to find the famous Casanova there and really, who would? Of course he's handsome and probably flirts and seduces women in his sleep, but since this may be Mercy's only chance to experience passion...who will it hurt?
Ian was pleased, and a maybe just a smidgen jealous, to see his friend Fredrick so happy and in love. Although Fredrick's efforts to discover HIS father's secret led to happiness, Ian is well aware that his resistance to heading for his father's estate is based on his inner hurt at never being accepted by said father. Then, when he finally arrives, what does he find? The most beautiful woman he's ever seen! Better yet, she's naive, never-been-kissed, and ripe for passion to boot! So why does Ian, for the first time, begin to resist seducing her?
Ah Ian. What a scoundrel, what a rake, what a Casanova! He's not quite a tortured hero, at least not outwardly, but inside he's still got quite a bit of the boy who could never receive the approval of his father. This somehow makes his 'acting out' a little more acceptable. And then of course, once he meets Mercy...well, Raleigh does a fantastic job of depicting his confusion and cluelessness about what's happening to him. He's falling in love and it's just too too delicious. Mercy is a wonderful, caring heroine. Yet her late-in-life rebellion gives her that hint of fire needed to be a real heroine and her genuine caring is what ends up getting to Ian. She's definitely not the normal heroine, but neither is Ian the normal hero.
Raleigh's plot and pacing are just right as is her norm and her ability to depict passion and unspoken love via words is just one of the reasons she's one of my favorite historical authors. She writes paranormals under the name Alexandra Ivy and I'm a fan of those books too. After all, good writing is good writing, regardless of the genre! "Bedding the Baron" was the first in this series, "Seducing the Viscount" is second, and (unfortunately for fans) the last book of this trilogy will likely not come out until March of 2010 so we'll just have to wait for the final chapter and her next wonderful hero.
Mercy has spent her left at the back and call of her aging parents. As the daughter of the vicar, she had no opportunity for girlish pleasures and instead channeled her energies into her thirst for knowledge and study of history. Now that she is a spinster, her parents are querulously determined to keep her by their side through guilt and brow-beating. So when Mercy is offered the opportunity to spend the summer as a companion to the lady of a house with a wonderful library, she considers her own wants for the first time and jumps at the chance. She never expected to find the famous Casanova there and really, who would? Of course he's handsome and probably flirts and seduces women in his sleep, but since this may be Mercy's only chance to experience passion...who will it hurt?
Ian was pleased, and a maybe just a smidgen jealous, to see his friend Fredrick so happy and in love. Although Fredrick's efforts to discover HIS father's secret led to happiness, Ian is well aware that his resistance to heading for his father's estate is based on his inner hurt at never being accepted by said father. Then, when he finally arrives, what does he find? The most beautiful woman he's ever seen! Better yet, she's naive, never-been-kissed, and ripe for passion to boot! So why does Ian, for the first time, begin to resist seducing her?
Ah Ian. What a scoundrel, what a rake, what a Casanova! He's not quite a tortured hero, at least not outwardly, but inside he's still got quite a bit of the boy who could never receive the approval of his father. This somehow makes his 'acting out' a little more acceptable. And then of course, once he meets Mercy...well, Raleigh does a fantastic job of depicting his confusion and cluelessness about what's happening to him. He's falling in love and it's just too too delicious. Mercy is a wonderful, caring heroine. Yet her late-in-life rebellion gives her that hint of fire needed to be a real heroine and her genuine caring is what ends up getting to Ian. She's definitely not the normal heroine, but neither is Ian the normal hero.
Raleigh's plot and pacing are just right as is her norm and her ability to depict passion and unspoken love via words is just one of the reasons she's one of my favorite historical authors. She writes paranormals under the name Alexandra Ivy and I'm a fan of those books too. After all, good writing is good writing, regardless of the genre! "Bedding the Baron" was the first in this series, "Seducing the Viscount" is second, and (unfortunately for fans) the last book of this trilogy will likely not come out until March of 2010 so we'll just have to wait for the final chapter and her next wonderful hero.
April 26, 2020
It was alright, but I was getting sick of the amount of times aunt Ella’s hands were described as ‘plump’. Both Mercy (the female MC) and Ian (the male MC) kept mentioning Ella’s plumpness in the most unexpected of times, it was weird.
(Ian describing his ‘aunt’ in the first chapter)
(Chapter 4)
(Chapter 4 again!)
(Chapter 8)
(Chapter 10)
(Chapter 13)
(Chapter 16)
(Surprise! Chapter 16 again!)
Plump here... Plump there... Plumpiness everywhere! If I never see the word “plump” ever again it would be too soon!
(Ian describing his ‘aunt’ in the first chapter)
“And if he was not mistaken, he would say that her curves had become somewhat plumper beneath the violet silk gown.”
(Chapter 4)
“Crossing the black-and-white tiled floor, Ian grasped his aunt’s plump fingers and raised them to his lips.”
(Chapter 4 again!)
[...] “No.” Ella’s plump hands fluttered at the question. “No, of course not.”
(Chapter 8)
“Mercy patted Ella’s plump hand and offered a reassuring smile.”
(Chapter 10)
“Nonsense.” Ella waved a plump hand. “A brief stroll is just what you need, my dear.”
(Chapter 13)
“Taking the older woman’s hand in her own, Mercy gave the plump fingers a soft squeeze.”
(Chapter 16)
“Why not?” She gave a wave of her plump hand. “I know you have come to care for Mercy.”
(Surprise! Chapter 16 again!)
“Something flickered over Ella’s plump countenance before she was sternly giving a shake of her head.”
Plump here... Plump there... Plumpiness everywhere! If I never see the word “plump” ever again it would be too soon!
January 10, 2010
I really liked this one! I've run across a few duds lately, so it's nice to finally find a romance novel that's fun and sexy with just the right amount of angst and mystery to it. Ahhh.
Our hero of the story, Ian, is HOT and a super-stud with the ladies. Yes! Right off the bat I knew I was gonna like this one. This guy is the whole reason I read romance novels. I know everyone has different taste, but this guy is definitely mine! Mercy was great, too...but WHO CARES? Ian was hot!
Our hero of the story, Ian, is HOT and a super-stud with the ladies. Yes! Right off the bat I knew I was gonna like this one. This guy is the whole reason I read romance novels. I know everyone has different taste, but this guy is definitely mine! Mercy was great, too...but WHO CARES? Ian was hot!
May 9, 2016
2 1/2 stars. It wasn't bad. I liked the writing; however, the title was misleading. It would be impossible to Seduce the Viscount since he is gay! To be accurate, the title should be Seducing the Viscount's illegitimate nephew!
I also would have liked to have read book 3 which is not available anywhere so I will have scour a used bookstore to hopefully find it which will be a pain.
I also would have liked to have read book 3 which is not available anywhere so I will have scour a used bookstore to hopefully find it which will be a pain.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2018
Very good
This was a very good romance and I really enjoyed Ian and Mercy. Mercy definitely seduced Ian with her sweet and loving nature and it was fun reading how this hardened rake fell for her. Ian was not a Viscount because he was illegitimate so he could not inherit a title and I don't recall the story ever mentioning that he was one so the title had me wondering but everything else about this book I thoroughly enjoyed.
This was a very good romance and I really enjoyed Ian and Mercy. Mercy definitely seduced Ian with her sweet and loving nature and it was fun reading how this hardened rake fell for her. Ian was not a Viscount because he was illegitimate so he could not inherit a title and I don't recall the story ever mentioning that he was one so the title had me wondering but everything else about this book I thoroughly enjoyed.
July 23, 2020
4 stars (enjoy Maureen Driscoll, Elisa Braden, Sophie Jordon, Samantha Holt)
The development and interest in main characters and secondary characters was enjoyable. I really did like the H/H for this book; very well paired as a couple.
I loved the writing around the women empowerment (it wasn’t over the top for me).
writing style is easy to follow, humorous moments, the give and take dialogue enjoyable.
Romantic/sexual content (kissing, oral, love making scenes) was throughout the book. Nothing over the top; again nicely intertwined in the story. There are a few detailed written scenes and several just mentioning the act. 2.5/5 hotness and steam.
I love series around family members or a group of friends. I love the series even more when the author intertwines those characters throughout the book series (it’s a pet peeve when authors don’t do that because what’s the point of the series and introducing the characters if they are not going to interact throughout the series). This series you have little interaction of the 3 main male characters of this series...disappointing.
would recommend this book and series (you don’t have to read them in order however it wouldn’t hurt to read them in order to get the full story throughout the series).
January 25, 2020
A rake by any other name is a bastard
Ian is a gambler and a self proclaimed Rake! Mercy is an innocent never been kissed! The title is misleading Ian is not a Viscount there is an impression...in the future! I thought this story would be similar to the first! They could not be more different or intriguing! Ian seems to have slept with half of England! Mercy has been her parents slave from dawn to dusk for years! Ian has arrived home to look deeply into his past! Mercy is intrigued and strongly attracted to this rake and they share an instant connection! Ian is some blindsided by her beauty, innocence and brains he is not sure which way is up! When secrets are revealed about Ian father, mother and his future all bets are off! Ian may just realize 1 woman is enough and Mercy may force her parents to take care of their selfish selves!!
Ian is a gambler and a self proclaimed Rake! Mercy is an innocent never been kissed! The title is misleading Ian is not a Viscount there is an impression...in the future! I thought this story would be similar to the first! They could not be more different or intriguing! Ian seems to have slept with half of England! Mercy has been her parents slave from dawn to dusk for years! Ian has arrived home to look deeply into his past! Mercy is intrigued and strongly attracted to this rake and they share an instant connection! Ian is some blindsided by her beauty, innocence and brains he is not sure which way is up! When secrets are revealed about Ian father, mother and his future all bets are off! Ian may just realize 1 woman is enough and Mercy may force her parents to take care of their selfish selves!!
Want to read
December 23, 2019£1.82 on Amazon, 23rd December 2019
January 8, 2021
Enjoyed the characters- great book
Read
June 22, 2024DNF
September 13, 2025
2.5
Estuvo entretenido.
Estuvo entretenido.
February 13, 2017
A good read
The premise of the Illegitimate Bachelor series is that three 'bastard sons' seek to discover the scandalous secrets of their respective aristocratic fathers. It's a clever plot device which has made for good reading in the first two books of the series that I have read so far.
Book 2, Seducing the Viscount is well written. Character development is good and apart from the 'insta-lust' between the devastatingly beautiful hero and heroine, the author manages to avoid or lightly handle the usual Recency romance tropes.
The Ian's father's big secret as pretty easily figured out, but, as I enjoyed the two characters, it was a good read.
The premise of the Illegitimate Bachelor series is that three 'bastard sons' seek to discover the scandalous secrets of their respective aristocratic fathers. It's a clever plot device which has made for good reading in the first two books of the series that I have read so far.
Book 2, Seducing the Viscount is well written. Character development is good and apart from the 'insta-lust' between the devastatingly beautiful hero and heroine, the author manages to avoid or lightly handle the usual Recency romance tropes.
The Ian's father's big secret as pretty easily figured out, but, as I enjoyed the two characters, it was a good read.
December 31, 2023
Reread and changing to a 3 star, which for me mean fine / average.
Pros:
The overall concept of series is interesting- 3 men searching for issues in their past.
I liked that there were some complex issues to the mystery of Ians past that aren't typically written about.
I liked that there was some growth in the relationship between Ian and his "father" so there wasn't just a good guy / bad guy.
Cons:
"Love" at first sight- I really hate it, and it really didn't make sense with a notorious rake.
The H /h had all kinds of lusty thoughts, but not much of an actual relationship. No getting to know each other, no relationship development.
Book started out with the H sleeping with some maid. I hate that, and it just makes him seem like an asshole horndog.
Heroine had nothing of interest about her. She was bland and uninteresting, and a bit inconsistent. She's supposed to be a scholar, but also supposed to be isolated naive and practically her parents slave....
Pros:
The overall concept of series is interesting- 3 men searching for issues in their past.
I liked that there were some complex issues to the mystery of Ians past that aren't typically written about.
I liked that there was some growth in the relationship between Ian and his "father" so there wasn't just a good guy / bad guy.
Cons:
"Love" at first sight- I really hate it, and it really didn't make sense with a notorious rake.
The H /h had all kinds of lusty thoughts, but not much of an actual relationship. No getting to know each other, no relationship development.
Book started out with the H sleeping with some maid. I hate that, and it just makes him seem like an asshole horndog.
Heroine had nothing of interest about her. She was bland and uninteresting, and a bit inconsistent. She's supposed to be a scholar, but also supposed to be isolated naive and practically her parents slave....
September 18, 2014
3.5 stars. Had a nice blend of steamy romance and mystery. I really liked Ian, I wish Mercy would have stood up for herself more. I don't care for female leads that are too strong, but I don't want them too weak, either. This was a love at first sight romance, but I thought the author did a good job explaining how a Casanova could be so easily tamed by a virginal miss. There were just a few things lacking in the story that made me stop it from giving a 4 star. The most important one being that I didn't feel emotions. However, I did like this book, I liked the characters, and I am curious about Raouls story.
March 3, 2011
What I liked: The chemistry between the H/H was intense and fantastic. They were very likeable and intelligent.
My only criticisms: The "secret" was completely obvious very early in the book. Mercy was a doormat to the point that I wanted to slug her.
My only criticisms: The "secret" was completely obvious very early in the book. Mercy was a doormat to the point that I wanted to slug her.
Read
January 9, 2010Amazon preorder
December 27, 2013
another excellent read!
December 30, 2014
I have to admit that I really enjoyed Mercy and Ian, although I could have told you everything was not as it seemed.
on-kindle-to-read
December 25, 201612/25/16 on sale for .99.
April 18, 2023
A fun, easy historical romance. Lightly feminist FMC is a bonus.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews