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School For Heiresses #5
Don't Bargain with the Devil
When Diego Montalvo, a dashing Spanish magician, moves next door to Charlotte Harris’s School for Young Ladies, the beautiful and determined Lucy Seton sets out to save the threatened school. Diego has come to England to find the long-lost granddaughter of a Spanish Marques and return her to Spain, and he is convinced that Lucy is the woman he’s been looking for. Now, he just has to steal a look at her thigh to confirm a birthmark before whisking her away to Spain to collect his reward. But Diego never suspected his mission would include falling in love...
372 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 26, 2009
123 people are currently reading
1627 people want to read
About the author
Sabrina Jeffries
83 books4,791 followersSabrina Jeffries is the NYT bestselling author of over 50 novels and works of short fiction (some written under the pseudonyms Deborah Martin and Deborah Nicholas). Whatever time not spent writing in a coffee-fueled haze of dreams and madness is spent traveling with her husband and adult autistic son or indulging in one of her passions—jigsaw puzzles, chocolate, and music. With over 11 million books published in print and electronically in 25 different languages, the North Carolina author never regrets tossing aside a budding career in academics for the sheer joy of writing fun fiction, and hopes that one day a book of hers will end up saving the world.
She always dreams big.
She always dreams big.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
May 14, 2023
The Diego in Dora the Explorer is sexier than this guy
Even though this book had drugging, kidnapping, manipulation, many rape threats and some dubcon, this was mostly boring and had very little spice. I didn’t find either main characters to be fully developed and the story was just blah. I think Jeffries tried to do an old school bodice ripper but because her strength lies in fluffy fairytale regencies, she couldn’t pull it off.
Justine Eyre has done a good job narrating the rest of this series but her Spanish accent in this just felt cartoonish. Also Lady Kerr was done with a Scottish accent in previous books but here she had an English one, who’s monitoring these for continuity? No one!
Skip this one, it’s got no bearing on the rest of the series anyway.
Even though this book had drugging, kidnapping, manipulation, many rape threats and some dubcon, this was mostly boring and had very little spice. I didn’t find either main characters to be fully developed and the story was just blah. I think Jeffries tried to do an old school bodice ripper but because her strength lies in fluffy fairytale regencies, she couldn’t pull it off.
Justine Eyre has done a good job narrating the rest of this series but her Spanish accent in this just felt cartoonish. Also Lady Kerr was done with a Scottish accent in previous books but here she had an English one, who’s monitoring these for continuity? No one!
Skip this one, it’s got no bearing on the rest of the series anyway.
January 7, 2011
I'm going to say 2.5* on this one for me... which says a lot because I'm a notorious easy 4* review. I don't know, I found myself at page 326 of 384 and still didn't feel terribly invested in this H/h. The author may not have employed the dreaded BIG MISUNDERSTANDING, but the book seemed rife with a lot of little misunderstandings and/or miscommunication/lack of good communication regarding feelings... At 95% complete (yep, a kindle read), the H/h were STILL trying to determine if there was to be a full-on HEA, despite being in love. So where does that leave the last 5%, you ask? Why, with a diatribe of "here, let's have one character just explain everything to another character in order to tie things up"... Maybe I'm just feeling harsh today, but I was disappointed in this one. It was definitely not my style of H/h relationship. I think I just enjoy seeing the H/h get established earlier in the story... being on the same side in their relationship, perhaps having the strife or turmoil come from other avenues in the plot. *shrugs* I'll say this though... I'm STILL gonna read the next book in the series to see Mrs. Harris and Cousin Michael's story... just maybe not as the next book that I read.
January 13, 2018
Not one of the author's best book but still enjoyable. I found it hard to get into and it took me a while to stay focused on the story. It was actually rather boring in the beginning but picked up momentum towards the end. If nothing else, it left you anticipating the final book and wondering who "Cousin Michael" is. Overall the romance was good and the mystery behind Lucy's parentage was intriguing enough. The hero makes some mistakes that may have been forgiven a little to easily and quickly in my opinion, but if you get past that it keeps you entertained.
November 20, 2016
Diego Montalvo is searching for the long lost granddaughter of a Spanish Marques. He knows she was kidnapped by her nanny at the age of four, she is twenty years old, and she has a birthmark on her thigh. Diego's search leads him to Lucinda Seton, a teacher at Mrs. Harris' Finishing School. To get close to the school, Diego moves in next door and tells everyone he will be opening a pleasure garden. Lucy is incensed when she learns this information. The business will hurt the school. This gives the outspoken woman a cause to fight against. But when Diego and Lucy meet, there is a strong attraction. Diego doesn't plan on falling for the heiress he is supposed to take to Spain. And Lucy knows she must keep her distance from her handsome neighbor and not fall for his charms.
The fifth book in Sabrina Jeffries' School for Heiresses series is a pleasant book. The hero and heroine are both very likeable. I thought the fact that Diego worked as a magician was very unique. It's nice to have a historical hero that is not a rich Duke. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
The fifth book in Sabrina Jeffries' School for Heiresses series is a pleasant book. The hero and heroine are both very likeable. I thought the fact that Diego worked as a magician was very unique. It's nice to have a historical hero that is not a rich Duke. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
July 9, 2022
I have no emotion towards this book. It was merely a stepping stone to Charlotte’s book and finding out who Cousin Michael is. I was so tempted to just read those letters and skip the rest of the book.
Did I care for Diego and Lucy? No. Not really. I knew pretty much immediately that there was something amiss with the grandfather’s story and felt really bogged down with Diego’s inner dialogue. Sabrina Jeffries writing is a lot of inner dialogue explaining motivations and I am screaming OKAY I GET IT ALREADY multiple times throughout her books. This one felt very explanationy to me and slowed the story down for me.
Meh.
Did I care for Diego and Lucy? No. Not really. I knew pretty much immediately that there was something amiss with the grandfather’s story and felt really bogged down with Diego’s inner dialogue. Sabrina Jeffries writing is a lot of inner dialogue explaining motivations and I am screaming OKAY I GET IT ALREADY multiple times throughout her books. This one felt very explanationy to me and slowed the story down for me.
Meh.
January 15, 2020
Ik heb de Nederlands talige uitgave gelezen : Spannende illusie - Candlelight Historische roman 868 .
Verhaallijn overgenomen van achterkant boek : De toekomst van de plaatselijke etiquetteschool loopt gevaar als een charmante Spanjaard - de wereldberoemde goochelaar Diego Montalvo - van het aangrenzende landgoed een lusthof wil maken . De openhartige lerares Lucinda Seton neemt zich heilig voor zijn plannen te dwarsbomen .
Terwijl ze dapper probeert zijn schandelijke geflirt te negeren , heeft ze geen idee van Diego's ware bedoelingen . Die zijn , in meerdere opzichten , nog minder eerbaar dan Lucinda vermoedt . Toch blijkt zij niet ongevoelig voor de manipulaties van de illusionist .
Ik heb dit verhaal toch nog 3 sterren gegeven omdat het origineel is maar de romantiek schiet behoorlijk te kort . Wanneer een man een vrouw verleid en haar daarna blijft manipuleren voor zijn eigen doeleinden dan kan ik dat niet erg romantisch vinden .
Verhaallijn overgenomen van achterkant boek : De toekomst van de plaatselijke etiquetteschool loopt gevaar als een charmante Spanjaard - de wereldberoemde goochelaar Diego Montalvo - van het aangrenzende landgoed een lusthof wil maken . De openhartige lerares Lucinda Seton neemt zich heilig voor zijn plannen te dwarsbomen .
Terwijl ze dapper probeert zijn schandelijke geflirt te negeren , heeft ze geen idee van Diego's ware bedoelingen . Die zijn , in meerdere opzichten , nog minder eerbaar dan Lucinda vermoedt . Toch blijkt zij niet ongevoelig voor de manipulaties van de illusionist .
Ik heb dit verhaal toch nog 3 sterren gegeven omdat het origineel is maar de romantiek schiet behoorlijk te kort . Wanneer een man een vrouw verleid en haar daarna blijft manipuleren voor zijn eigen doeleinden dan kan ik dat niet erg romantisch vinden .
August 10, 2023
I would of given this book a solid 3 for the first half of the book... but the second half has it at a resounding 2 stars. So this book was a 2.5 star read.
For the most part I really enjoyed Lucy and Diego. Diego was just over the top caring and pretty much insta fell in love even if he denied it. He did so many things that he shouldn't of for his scheme to be a success because he just wanted Lucy to be happy. Then they started their journey to Spain and he became unsufferable. Lucy, on the other hand, was bland and boring in the beginning but than blossomed into a better character once they were on their way to Spain. She made me start to root for and love her at that point.
Basically, the book felt split in two, and there were parts in each that I liked and disliked. I really hated that the men all thought they knew what was best for Lucy and never let her have a choice. Even Diego. That's mostly what I was mad about and what caused my drop in rating.
For the most part I really enjoyed Lucy and Diego. Diego was just over the top caring and pretty much insta fell in love even if he denied it. He did so many things that he shouldn't of for his scheme to be a success because he just wanted Lucy to be happy. Then they started their journey to Spain and he became unsufferable. Lucy, on the other hand, was bland and boring in the beginning but than blossomed into a better character once they were on their way to Spain. She made me start to root for and love her at that point.
Basically, the book felt split in two, and there were parts in each that I liked and disliked. I really hated that the men all thought they knew what was best for Lucy and never let her have a choice. Even Diego. That's mostly what I was mad about and what caused my drop in rating.
December 19, 2017
Excellent!
July 4, 2017
I love this series so much!!! I can't get enough of it, I'm ready to start over again after I finish the last one! This is by far one of my favorite series ever!
Lucinda Seton is the adopted daughter of a Scottish colonel who has always wondered about the parents who died when she was four, leaving her feeling out of place due to her Spanish blood in proper English society. Quick tempered and even quicker to speak before thinking, Lucy constantly feels she doesn't belong, but nevertheless tries to fit in, especially since the man she thought loved her left her high and dry when he inherited and earldom, telling her she's too much of a hoyden and her Spanish blood is undesirable now that he has a legacy.
Diego Montalvo is a world renowned conjuror, out to find the elusive Dona Lucinda, the only grandchild to a wealthy Marquess who was stolen as a child. Agreeing to find her to earn his family's estate back that has eluded him for 15 years, he is tired of traveling the world and yearns to go home and keep his promise to his dying father. Having never performed in England, he moves in next to the School of Heiresses under the ruse of wanting to open a pleasure garden, throwing the whole town of Richmond into a tizzy. Meanwhile he is searching for Lucy, who may or may not be the Spanish heiress.
When Diego finds Lucy with her hair down, shoes off and relaxing under the cherry trees, enjoying the fresh air, he is instantly enthralled. He finds her seductive and is irresistably drawn to her, but the more he learns of her, the more he despairs of her being 'the' Dona Lucinda. Kidnapping Lucy to take her to Spain, Lucy seduces Diego, not wanting to be married off to some stranger, hoping Diego will want her instead. When she learns what it means he will be giving up, she changes her mind, refusing to marry him, especially with his crappy proposal. Ultimately he grovels enough to beg for her hand and they live happily ever after!
These two are so cute together, and I think they are perfect for each other. They are not the most memorable couple to me, but the fit together so perfectly, it seems like they were made for each other or have always belonged together. Lucy fills some empty places in Diego's heart, and Diego treats Lucy as though she can do no wrong. It's an adorable love story, and the side story of Lucy's background is interesting and sad and heartbreaking when the secrets are all told and everything is unraveled. Also, the letters between Charlotte and 'Cousin' Michael get more and more interesting and heated, ultimately leaving Charlotte in silence after a quarrel between them has Michael ending their correspondence. The next book, Wed Him Before You Bed Him deals with Charlotte and the mysterious 'Cousin' Michael, and even though I've read it before, I can't wait to read it again!!!
Lucinda Seton is the adopted daughter of a Scottish colonel who has always wondered about the parents who died when she was four, leaving her feeling out of place due to her Spanish blood in proper English society. Quick tempered and even quicker to speak before thinking, Lucy constantly feels she doesn't belong, but nevertheless tries to fit in, especially since the man she thought loved her left her high and dry when he inherited and earldom, telling her she's too much of a hoyden and her Spanish blood is undesirable now that he has a legacy.
Diego Montalvo is a world renowned conjuror, out to find the elusive Dona Lucinda, the only grandchild to a wealthy Marquess who was stolen as a child. Agreeing to find her to earn his family's estate back that has eluded him for 15 years, he is tired of traveling the world and yearns to go home and keep his promise to his dying father. Having never performed in England, he moves in next to the School of Heiresses under the ruse of wanting to open a pleasure garden, throwing the whole town of Richmond into a tizzy. Meanwhile he is searching for Lucy, who may or may not be the Spanish heiress.
When Diego finds Lucy with her hair down, shoes off and relaxing under the cherry trees, enjoying the fresh air, he is instantly enthralled. He finds her seductive and is irresistably drawn to her, but the more he learns of her, the more he despairs of her being 'the' Dona Lucinda. Kidnapping Lucy to take her to Spain, Lucy seduces Diego, not wanting to be married off to some stranger, hoping Diego will want her instead. When she learns what it means he will be giving up, she changes her mind, refusing to marry him, especially with his crappy proposal. Ultimately he grovels enough to beg for her hand and they live happily ever after!
These two are so cute together, and I think they are perfect for each other. They are not the most memorable couple to me, but the fit together so perfectly, it seems like they were made for each other or have always belonged together. Lucy fills some empty places in Diego's heart, and Diego treats Lucy as though she can do no wrong. It's an adorable love story, and the side story of Lucy's background is interesting and sad and heartbreaking when the secrets are all told and everything is unraveled. Also, the letters between Charlotte and 'Cousin' Michael get more and more interesting and heated, ultimately leaving Charlotte in silence after a quarrel between them has Michael ending their correspondence. The next book, Wed Him Before You Bed Him deals with Charlotte and the mysterious 'Cousin' Michael, and even though I've read it before, I can't wait to read it again!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2015
The unhappy truth is that Georgette Heyer has completely ruined my ability to read other regencies. In the past, I would have read this book and I wouldn't have thought it was good, exactly, but I would have thought it was fun and finished it. And now I just can't. My little finger has more historical accuracy that DBwtD -- although I would like to point out that it does feature a headless heroine on the cover, so at the very least I can add it to my collection.
In short: a girl is orphaned in Spain during the Pennisular campaign, adopted by the colonel of the regiment, brought back to England where, inevitably, she chafes against Rigid English Propriety because her Hot Spanish Blood is urging her to Run Free. She grows up, is working as the watercolor instructor at a girls school as a favor to a friend, when the famous magician Diego rents the neighboring estate. He has a mustache which is the first point against him. The second point against him is that he is not really Diego the Magician but a Spanish nobleman who lost his estate during the war and is now doing a job for another Spanish nobleman who will reward him with money to pay off the mortgage when he is done. The job? To find the elderly nobleman's kidnapped granddaughter and bring her back to Spain! And how will he know said granddaughter? By the birthmark on her thigh, of course! That will prove she is the lost heir to the throne of Ruritania! Her elderly nurse smuggled her out of the castle and prevented her from being killed by the evil wizard and she has grown up in a simple peasant cottage dancing in the forest with the woodland creatures and singing sweet songs to them... sorry, wrong book. Although I'm not kidding about the birthmark part.
But course, Lucy and Diego fall in love. I will not provide the details about how he confirms the existance of said birthmark -- use your imagination -- but, of course, she puts up a fuss because she is Spunky and Uncoventional and then there's also the afore mentioned Hot Spanish Blood. So he drugs her and abducts her and she swears she will never, ever, ever forgive him. But of course, she does and divers alarums and excursions occur and they have sex and their parents threaten to come between them and then they all conclude that Love is the Most Important Thing. And probably Diego will discover, as well, The Healing Power of Love which will cure whatever trauma he expenienced as An Innocent Young Boy during the war which led him to make A Sacred Vow To His Father to recover the estate. And they all live happily ever after.
And I actually stopped reading after the never, ever, ever forgive him part, but if it doesn't end the way I predict then I'M the lost heir to the throne of Ruritania.
And Georgette, writing 80 years ago, would have NEVER come up with a story that retrograde. There's nothing else for it -- I'm going to have to start reading contemporaries. Hello, my name is Heather and I'm addicted to Georgette Heyer.
In short: a girl is orphaned in Spain during the Pennisular campaign, adopted by the colonel of the regiment, brought back to England where, inevitably, she chafes against Rigid English Propriety because her Hot Spanish Blood is urging her to Run Free. She grows up, is working as the watercolor instructor at a girls school as a favor to a friend, when the famous magician Diego rents the neighboring estate. He has a mustache which is the first point against him. The second point against him is that he is not really Diego the Magician but a Spanish nobleman who lost his estate during the war and is now doing a job for another Spanish nobleman who will reward him with money to pay off the mortgage when he is done. The job? To find the elderly nobleman's kidnapped granddaughter and bring her back to Spain! And how will he know said granddaughter? By the birthmark on her thigh, of course! That will prove she is the lost heir to the throne of Ruritania! Her elderly nurse smuggled her out of the castle and prevented her from being killed by the evil wizard and she has grown up in a simple peasant cottage dancing in the forest with the woodland creatures and singing sweet songs to them... sorry, wrong book. Although I'm not kidding about the birthmark part.
But course, Lucy and Diego fall in love. I will not provide the details about how he confirms the existance of said birthmark -- use your imagination -- but, of course, she puts up a fuss because she is Spunky and Uncoventional and then there's also the afore mentioned Hot Spanish Blood. So he drugs her and abducts her and she swears she will never, ever, ever forgive him. But of course, she does and divers alarums and excursions occur and they have sex and their parents threaten to come between them and then they all conclude that Love is the Most Important Thing. And probably Diego will discover, as well, The Healing Power of Love which will cure whatever trauma he expenienced as An Innocent Young Boy during the war which led him to make A Sacred Vow To His Father to recover the estate. And they all live happily ever after.
And I actually stopped reading after the never, ever, ever forgive him part, but if it doesn't end the way I predict then I'M the lost heir to the throne of Ruritania.
And Georgette, writing 80 years ago, would have NEVER come up with a story that retrograde. There's nothing else for it -- I'm going to have to start reading contemporaries. Hello, my name is Heather and I'm addicted to Georgette Heyer.
July 27, 2009
"Don't Bargain With the Devil" is the sixth book in Sabrina Jeffries 'School for Heiresses' series. This time we get the story of Lucinda, one of the former students but now stepping in as a teacher to help out the owner. This is a tale filled with Jeffries' humor, sensuality, and the search for a missing heiress.
Lucinda Seton is furious, hurt and furious. The man she thought was going to propose DID come up with a proposal...but not for marriage! Well, she'll show him! Her Spanish blood doesn't mean she can't behave like a proper society miss and as soon as she finds a husband, she'll make sure the ex knows just what he passed up! Of course, the husband will need to be a proper British lord, not that Spanish magician...even though he is very handsome, and flirtatious, and WHAT! trying to build a pleasure garden next to the school? NEVER!
Diego's lost everything during the war. His father to maurading British soldiers, his family's estate to try and care for his mother afterwards, his mother who never recovered from her treatment by the same soldiers that killed his father, and his pride when he was caught stealing. But instead of turning him in, the man taught him his trade...that of the magician, and now Diego is one of the most famous in Europe. Yet when the wealthy and influential Spanish Marques de Parama offers to return his family's estates, Diego is determined to get them back. All he has to do is track down the Marques' granddaughter, stolen by her nurse during the war and taken back to England. Which will be stronger? Love or land?
I laughed through most of this one. Reading about Lucinda, with her fiery temper and quick retorts, trying so hard to be proper...it was almost impossible not to laugh! And Diego, ahhh Diego. I think we should all get a shot at a Diego once in our lives, don't you? Although at times I did keep picturing Gomez from the Adams family show when he would start kissing Morticia's arm...well, maybe that was just me.
So a bit of a mystery with the whole missing heiress and who are the real parents bit, lots of steamy seduction, scintillating battles of wit, and even a kidnapping. "Don't Bargain with the Devil" is a delight for regency lovers and historical lovers both. And Sabrina Jeffries' final book of series "Wed Him Before You Bed Him" is already out (Jun09) so I can mark these off my list.
Lucinda Seton is furious, hurt and furious. The man she thought was going to propose DID come up with a proposal...but not for marriage! Well, she'll show him! Her Spanish blood doesn't mean she can't behave like a proper society miss and as soon as she finds a husband, she'll make sure the ex knows just what he passed up! Of course, the husband will need to be a proper British lord, not that Spanish magician...even though he is very handsome, and flirtatious, and WHAT! trying to build a pleasure garden next to the school? NEVER!
Diego's lost everything during the war. His father to maurading British soldiers, his family's estate to try and care for his mother afterwards, his mother who never recovered from her treatment by the same soldiers that killed his father, and his pride when he was caught stealing. But instead of turning him in, the man taught him his trade...that of the magician, and now Diego is one of the most famous in Europe. Yet when the wealthy and influential Spanish Marques de Parama offers to return his family's estates, Diego is determined to get them back. All he has to do is track down the Marques' granddaughter, stolen by her nurse during the war and taken back to England. Which will be stronger? Love or land?
I laughed through most of this one. Reading about Lucinda, with her fiery temper and quick retorts, trying so hard to be proper...it was almost impossible not to laugh! And Diego, ahhh Diego. I think we should all get a shot at a Diego once in our lives, don't you? Although at times I did keep picturing Gomez from the Adams family show when he would start kissing Morticia's arm...well, maybe that was just me.
So a bit of a mystery with the whole missing heiress and who are the real parents bit, lots of steamy seduction, scintillating battles of wit, and even a kidnapping. "Don't Bargain with the Devil" is a delight for regency lovers and historical lovers both. And Sabrina Jeffries' final book of series "Wed Him Before You Bed Him" is already out (Jun09) so I can mark these off my list.
May 28, 2018
Don't Bargain with the Devil is a wonderful read - I rushed out to buy it this afternoon and didn't put it down until I had finished! If you haven't read all (or any) of the other "School for Heiresses" books don't worry because this book can be read alone - though many of the characters from previous ones do reappear, so that's something to look forward to if you have. I myself only read the first book, Never Seduce a Scoundrel, yesterday and am looking forward to catching up on the other ones before the final one, Wed Him Before You Bed Him), which comes out June 23 and in which "Cousin" Michael is *finally* revealed. I've only read two books and I'm already dying to know, though personally I'm rooting for Mrs. Harris's anonymous benefactor to be the Marquess of Stoneville (Jeffries teases you at the end of this book with the possibilities - so cruel!).
SUMMARY:
Lucinda Seton has recently had her heart broken by a man whom she had hoped to - and been led to believed that she would - marry. As a graduate of Mrs. Harris's finishing school, she offers to help the headmistress when her drawing teacher quits without warning, thinking that the opportunity to put her drawing skills to use will be the perfect distraction from her pain. The post will only be temporary, after which she'll return to London for the Season with her father, Colonel Seton, and her stepmother, Lady Kerr. However, once rumors spread that a certain Man of Mystery magician, Diego Montalvo, has rented the property next to the school and is planning on buying it to convert it into a pleasure garden, Lucy finds herself with a cause to take up - and a school to defend! She's just that day met the sinfully handsome Spaniard in the orchards and she knows that he cannot be up to any good ...
Diego Montalvo is an illusionist, but this time his goal of building a pleasure garden is the illusion - Diego is actually there searching for the long-lost granddaughter of a wealthy Spanish marqués. Don Carlos has promised Diego the return of his family's property, Arboleda, in exchange for the return of his grand-daughter and it is an offer that Diego cannot refuse. For many years he has been seeking to regain possession of the family estate that was lost due to debts, for as a young boy he promised his dying father that he would protect and restore the family lands that had been ravaged by war. Diego has no love for the English, but traveling around their country is what he's had to do to search for the don's long-lost heir and he thinks he finally may have found the young woman, but his success is bittersweet ...
The attraction between Lucy and Diego is immediate, but they are both suspicious. Lucy has already had her heart broken and doesn't know if she should trust the mysterious foreigner who seems intent on ruining her precious school by building a pleasure garden, while at the same time focusing his attention on her and even acting in ways that go against his supposed business interests. For his part, Diego knows that he dare not get involved with Lucy; he has promised the don to return the man's granddaughter untouched and he knows the old man's future plans for her do not include a penniless count with no estates or family. How can he threaten his dream of regaining Arboleda by letting his feelings for this young English chit get out of control?
Sabrina Jeffries combines an honorable and mysterious hero, an energetic and outspoken heroine, great sexual tension, several laugh-out-loud moments, wonderful secondary characters, some *very* confusing genealogy, family secrets, a kidnapping, and the backdrops of the English countryside, a ship, and the Spanish coast for a delightful historical romance.
MAIN CHARACTERS, Diego and Lucy:
Diego (28) is mysterious, charming, seductive, clever, and caring. He's the type of hero who is haunted by his past; he's basically homeless and family-less and his memories of what the war did to his family have driven him to become what he is now: all with the goal of restoring his family name and honor. He's extremely successful as an illusionist and has traveled the world, entertaining royalty and aristocrats, however he doesn't see this as something his father would want for him and dislikes that often people - especially women - seem to only want him or like him for his fame.
Diego is very honorable and this is a really strong part of his personality that runs throughout the book. There was one incident in the book that for me in which he was just *way* too high-handed, but he makes up for it in the end when he defends Lucy's right to decide her own future regardless of what others - including him - want. He's sweet, tender, and possessive towards Lucy and though he keeps telling himself he cannot have anything to do with her personally because it would risk the don's wrath (and therefore jeopardize him regaining Arboleda) he can't help himself and is drawn to her. Watching him stand-up for her to Peter (guy who broke her heart) and get jealous when his friend Rafael shows interest is just priceless! :-)
Lucy (20) is outspoken, energetic, trusting, loyal, smart, and friendly. She's very caring and we see that through all of her interactions and exchanges with people. Although she's sweet and innocent, there is still the "hoyden" in her and I really enjoyed Lucy's spitfire side. Despite the fact that she's grown up in a wonderful home with a loving father, she still feels somewhat out of place in the world. Her (adopted) father is a military man and so she started attending Mrs. Harris's boarding school when she was only 12; she doesn't remember her real parents and although she's asked her father about them, he's never told her much.
COMMENTS:
Overall I thought this was a great book; the two main characters are easy to root for and Diego had me practically sighing out loud with some of the things he says to Lucy (and the Spanish endearments that he always uses - give me a Diego anytime!). There was no mystery or villain subplot thrown in, which was a nice change - one does start to wonder why it seems true love *always* has to happen amid some serial killing spree or old family murder scandal. Jeffries does still provide us with some unlikable and/or nasty characters, so all you readers out there who love them, don't despair.
One tool that is often employed in the genre is the "I'm going to lie to you and say ___ for your own good so that you go away or don't fall in love with me or whatever" and this was definitely used by BOTH main characters several times. It got to be kind of annoying, *however* I do have to say as someone who absolutely cannot stand those books that are dominated by big misunderstandings, this was NOT one of those and Don't Bargain with the Devil will definitely be put on my reread shelf.
The mystery about Lucy's past - who were her real parents and how did she get to be the Colonel's adopted daughter? - was very interesting and definitely kept me hooked. You don't really know who to believe and Jeffries does a very good job with this in that the players in that whole mystery are not either evil or pure-as-the-driven-snow - instead she gives us three-dimensional characters full of regret, doubt, love, and the feeling that they thought they were doing what was right.
"THE SCHOOL OF HEIRESSES SERIES":
(1) Never Seduce a Scoundrel - Lady Amelia Plume and Major Lucas Winter
(2) Only a Duke Will Do - Louisa North and Simon Tremaine, Duke of Foxmoor
(3) Beware a Scot's Revenge - Lady Venetia Campbell and Sir Lachlan Ross
(4) Let Sleeping Rogues Lie - Madeline Prescott and Anthony Dalton, Viscount Norcourt
(5) Don't Bargain with the Devil - Lucinda Seton and Diego Javier Montalvo, Conde de León
(6) Wed Him Before You Bed Him - Mrs. Charlotte Harris and _________ (alias: Cousin Michael)
SUMMARY:
Lucinda Seton has recently had her heart broken by a man whom she had hoped to - and been led to believed that she would - marry. As a graduate of Mrs. Harris's finishing school, she offers to help the headmistress when her drawing teacher quits without warning, thinking that the opportunity to put her drawing skills to use will be the perfect distraction from her pain. The post will only be temporary, after which she'll return to London for the Season with her father, Colonel Seton, and her stepmother, Lady Kerr. However, once rumors spread that a certain Man of Mystery magician, Diego Montalvo, has rented the property next to the school and is planning on buying it to convert it into a pleasure garden, Lucy finds herself with a cause to take up - and a school to defend! She's just that day met the sinfully handsome Spaniard in the orchards and she knows that he cannot be up to any good ...
Diego Montalvo is an illusionist, but this time his goal of building a pleasure garden is the illusion - Diego is actually there searching for the long-lost granddaughter of a wealthy Spanish marqués. Don Carlos has promised Diego the return of his family's property, Arboleda, in exchange for the return of his grand-daughter and it is an offer that Diego cannot refuse. For many years he has been seeking to regain possession of the family estate that was lost due to debts, for as a young boy he promised his dying father that he would protect and restore the family lands that had been ravaged by war. Diego has no love for the English, but traveling around their country is what he's had to do to search for the don's long-lost heir and he thinks he finally may have found the young woman, but his success is bittersweet ...
The attraction between Lucy and Diego is immediate, but they are both suspicious. Lucy has already had her heart broken and doesn't know if she should trust the mysterious foreigner who seems intent on ruining her precious school by building a pleasure garden, while at the same time focusing his attention on her and even acting in ways that go against his supposed business interests. For his part, Diego knows that he dare not get involved with Lucy; he has promised the don to return the man's granddaughter untouched and he knows the old man's future plans for her do not include a penniless count with no estates or family. How can he threaten his dream of regaining Arboleda by letting his feelings for this young English chit get out of control?
Sabrina Jeffries combines an honorable and mysterious hero, an energetic and outspoken heroine, great sexual tension, several laugh-out-loud moments, wonderful secondary characters, some *very* confusing genealogy, family secrets, a kidnapping, and the backdrops of the English countryside, a ship, and the Spanish coast for a delightful historical romance.
MAIN CHARACTERS, Diego and Lucy:
Diego (28) is mysterious, charming, seductive, clever, and caring. He's the type of hero who is haunted by his past; he's basically homeless and family-less and his memories of what the war did to his family have driven him to become what he is now: all with the goal of restoring his family name and honor. He's extremely successful as an illusionist and has traveled the world, entertaining royalty and aristocrats, however he doesn't see this as something his father would want for him and dislikes that often people - especially women - seem to only want him or like him for his fame.
Diego is very honorable and this is a really strong part of his personality that runs throughout the book. There was one incident in the book that for me in which he was just *way* too high-handed, but he makes up for it in the end when he defends Lucy's right to decide her own future regardless of what others - including him - want. He's sweet, tender, and possessive towards Lucy and though he keeps telling himself he cannot have anything to do with her personally because it would risk the don's wrath (and therefore jeopardize him regaining Arboleda) he can't help himself and is drawn to her. Watching him stand-up for her to Peter (guy who broke her heart) and get jealous when his friend Rafael shows interest is just priceless! :-)
Lucy (20) is outspoken, energetic, trusting, loyal, smart, and friendly. She's very caring and we see that through all of her interactions and exchanges with people. Although she's sweet and innocent, there is still the "hoyden" in her and I really enjoyed Lucy's spitfire side. Despite the fact that she's grown up in a wonderful home with a loving father, she still feels somewhat out of place in the world. Her (adopted) father is a military man and so she started attending Mrs. Harris's boarding school when she was only 12; she doesn't remember her real parents and although she's asked her father about them, he's never told her much.
COMMENTS:
Overall I thought this was a great book; the two main characters are easy to root for and Diego had me practically sighing out loud with some of the things he says to Lucy (and the Spanish endearments that he always uses - give me a Diego anytime!). There was no mystery or villain subplot thrown in, which was a nice change - one does start to wonder why it seems true love *always* has to happen amid some serial killing spree or old family murder scandal. Jeffries does still provide us with some unlikable and/or nasty characters, so all you readers out there who love them, don't despair.
One tool that is often employed in the genre is the "I'm going to lie to you and say ___ for your own good so that you go away or don't fall in love with me or whatever" and this was definitely used by BOTH main characters several times. It got to be kind of annoying, *however* I do have to say as someone who absolutely cannot stand those books that are dominated by big misunderstandings, this was NOT one of those and Don't Bargain with the Devil will definitely be put on my reread shelf.
The mystery about Lucy's past - who were her real parents and how did she get to be the Colonel's adopted daughter? - was very interesting and definitely kept me hooked. You don't really know who to believe and Jeffries does a very good job with this in that the players in that whole mystery are not either evil or pure-as-the-driven-snow - instead she gives us three-dimensional characters full of regret, doubt, love, and the feeling that they thought they were doing what was right.
"THE SCHOOL OF HEIRESSES SERIES":
(1) Never Seduce a Scoundrel - Lady Amelia Plume and Major Lucas Winter
(2) Only a Duke Will Do - Louisa North and Simon Tremaine, Duke of Foxmoor
(3) Beware a Scot's Revenge - Lady Venetia Campbell and Sir Lachlan Ross
(4) Let Sleeping Rogues Lie - Madeline Prescott and Anthony Dalton, Viscount Norcourt
(5) Don't Bargain with the Devil - Lucinda Seton and Diego Javier Montalvo, Conde de León
(6) Wed Him Before You Bed Him - Mrs. Charlotte Harris and _________ (alias: Cousin Michael)
March 29, 2016
When I originally began this I wasn't so certain I'd like Lucy. She seemed too impulsive and reckless in her feelings. Then also her 'love' was such a jerk I worried for her common sense. It's one thing if the man is a jerk to the heroine, but is secretly doing so for her own good, or out of a twisted sense of revenge or because he was hurt in the past--pretty much any reason would assauge my irritation, but for money? Really? I was ready to thwap him upside the head!
Luckily the jerk wasn't the man 'destined' for Lucy anyhow. Oh Diego! Its not too often that I read a regency romance with a Spanish hero--read plenty with them as secondary characters, but not too often as heroes. I kind of see why if they are all as charming as he is! Forget the French--I would have fallen head over heels in love with a Spaniard back in the day. I also wonder that he shouldn't have given the 'rake' lessons that Madeline convinced Anthony to give in Let Sleeping Rogues Lie, or the two of them together because between them I think they could have covered almost every pick up line, seduction technique, charming grace and wicked words that any rakehell would try on the girls.
Lucy was spirited, but as I said I worried for her common sense at first. Well I worried for it as the book wore on, but less so when I realized she had lost her common sense for love with an honorable man. She was clever though, resourceful and surprisingly open-minded honestly. Without revealing too much there is a scene a little more then halfway through that Lucy proves just how dangerous a woman on a mission can be. Her technique to make Diego bend to her will worked and one can only hope she doesn't pass it on to her friends looking to snag a husband.
The 'letters' between Mrs. Harris and 'cousin' Michael grow decidedly more tense as the book goes on as well, reflecting the dire straits that Mrs. Harris finds herself in, but also reflecting on her growing concern and suspicion over her supposed relation. By the end their relationship has hit an appropriate plateau to make the next book, Wed Him Before You Bed him, eagerly anticipated. I have thoughts, and hopes, for the next book in regards to who 'cousin' Michael turns out to be and have been avoiding spoilers as much as possible.
A lot of familiar faces re-appear all throughout the novel. Most of the heiresses husbands appear and everyone else is at least mentioned. There is a scandal, a true sad scandal, that happens as a sub-plot (that has been built upon throughout all the novels), regarding a heiress dubbed 'Silly Sarah' by her peers, who married Kirkwood, but the matter isn't given a lot of time as it happens around the time of a scandal involving Lucy. Just as well, since the heiress in question did not have a book of her own and was a vain, silly creature.
As I said Wed Him Before You Bed Him is the next, and last, installment of the School For Heiresses book series. We finally get to know all of the secrets teased throughout the book about Mrs. Harris and her mysterious relation!
Luckily the jerk wasn't the man 'destined' for Lucy anyhow. Oh Diego! Its not too often that I read a regency romance with a Spanish hero--read plenty with them as secondary characters, but not too often as heroes. I kind of see why if they are all as charming as he is! Forget the French--I would have fallen head over heels in love with a Spaniard back in the day. I also wonder that he shouldn't have given the 'rake' lessons that Madeline convinced Anthony to give in Let Sleeping Rogues Lie, or the two of them together because between them I think they could have covered almost every pick up line, seduction technique, charming grace and wicked words that any rakehell would try on the girls.
Lucy was spirited, but as I said I worried for her common sense at first. Well I worried for it as the book wore on, but less so when I realized she had lost her common sense for love with an honorable man. She was clever though, resourceful and surprisingly open-minded honestly. Without revealing too much there is a scene a little more then halfway through that Lucy proves just how dangerous a woman on a mission can be. Her technique to make Diego bend to her will worked and one can only hope she doesn't pass it on to her friends looking to snag a husband.
The 'letters' between Mrs. Harris and 'cousin' Michael grow decidedly more tense as the book goes on as well, reflecting the dire straits that Mrs. Harris finds herself in, but also reflecting on her growing concern and suspicion over her supposed relation. By the end their relationship has hit an appropriate plateau to make the next book, Wed Him Before You Bed him, eagerly anticipated. I have thoughts, and hopes, for the next book in regards to who 'cousin' Michael turns out to be and have been avoiding spoilers as much as possible.
A lot of familiar faces re-appear all throughout the novel. Most of the heiresses husbands appear and everyone else is at least mentioned. There is a scandal, a true sad scandal, that happens as a sub-plot (that has been built upon throughout all the novels), regarding a heiress dubbed 'Silly Sarah' by her peers, who married Kirkwood, but the matter isn't given a lot of time as it happens around the time of a scandal involving Lucy. Just as well, since the heiress in question did not have a book of her own and was a vain, silly creature.
As I said Wed Him Before You Bed Him is the next, and last, installment of the School For Heiresses book series. We finally get to know all of the secrets teased throughout the book about Mrs. Harris and her mysterious relation!
February 27, 2010
I love the author's note. It made me reimagine Diego as Rodrigo Santoro. yummy.
Anyway, I was a bit skeptical about starting book 5, mostly because it had an atypical cast (foreigners, I can't believe I could have been that prejudiced) with the typical SJ rogue-takes-virgin-under-misconception story. Well, thank god I was willing to read this so I can finally read Mrs. Harris' story.
Lucy Seton, is half-Spanish - which is a nice change to have some new flavor into HR. Usually, it's only limited to the French. I ended up liking her, since while she was a little to curious to explore her sexuality (like all SJ heroines), she was one of the more intelligent heroines. Despite her passions, she remained someone rational in her situations with the devilish Diego. Diego isn't my favorite hero. Like many of SJ's heroes, he suffered stupidity in solving personal and business problems at the same time. As a Spaniard, he was honorable to a fault, but he was also a showman, a magician. It was different to see a SJ hero work an 'odd' job for a living.
Contrary to most HR, the H/H aren't as intriguing when they begin courting as they are near the end. Usually the tension is what drives me to read about the characters, but in this case, I liked both Lucy and Diego more near the to end when they became seriously enamored with each other.
The intriguing past was not all too intriguing, but i was happy that there were no bad guys. I really liked the 'lady's maid', Nettie, since a female friend (especially one of a lower class) is also not common in HR. She was really amusing and gave very interesting advice. Gaspar and Rafael cracked me up too.
Worth a read. Not my favorite, merely because the characters were not spectacular, though they were above average. The best thing about SJ's books is that the HEA is tailored to fit the couple, and often in surprisingly endearing ways.
Anyway, I was a bit skeptical about starting book 5, mostly because it had an atypical cast (foreigners, I can't believe I could have been that prejudiced) with the typical SJ rogue-takes-virgin-under-misconception story. Well, thank god I was willing to read this so I can finally read Mrs. Harris' story.
Lucy Seton, is half-Spanish - which is a nice change to have some new flavor into HR. Usually, it's only limited to the French. I ended up liking her, since while she was a little to curious to explore her sexuality (like all SJ heroines), she was one of the more intelligent heroines. Despite her passions, she remained someone rational in her situations with the devilish Diego. Diego isn't my favorite hero. Like many of SJ's heroes, he suffered stupidity in solving personal and business problems at the same time. As a Spaniard, he was honorable to a fault, but he was also a showman, a magician. It was different to see a SJ hero work an 'odd' job for a living.
Contrary to most HR, the H/H aren't as intriguing when they begin courting as they are near the end. Usually the tension is what drives me to read about the characters, but in this case, I liked both Lucy and Diego more near the to end when they became seriously enamored with each other.
The intriguing past was not all too intriguing, but i was happy that there were no bad guys. I really liked the 'lady's maid', Nettie, since a female friend (especially one of a lower class) is also not common in HR. She was really amusing and gave very interesting advice. Gaspar and Rafael cracked me up too.
Worth a read. Not my favorite, merely because the characters were not spectacular, though they were above average. The best thing about SJ's books is that the HEA is tailored to fit the couple, and often in surprisingly endearing ways.
April 2, 2017
First Spanish HR hero I've had the pleasure to read about!
Unfortunately, I found the beginning of the story boring. Things only started picking up at the Venetian breakfast.
In the beginning, Lucy set out to find an impressive suitor to show that Peter didn't still affect her. But then she suddenly started worrying about propriety and forgot about her initial plan. A little confusing, but the latter made more sense.
Anyway, the story obviously got more interesting. Diego's actions were a little extreme, but Lucy was his perfect match in every way. I liked that part of the story took place in Spain. I especially really enjoyed the last chapter.
There were two plot twists:
Now....OMG Cousin Michael made an appearance....in the dark!!! Ugh!!! I love that Diego alluded that Cousin Michael had feelings for Charlotte. I'm having such a hard time trying to make a list of potential Cousin Michaels. Godwin is on the list, though he's too much of an obvious choice. Lord Stoneville would have been a good candidate if I hadn't known about his own series. Now, I'm getting strange vibes from Kirkwood. I thought it was strange that whatever happens to Lady Kirkwood happened smack dab in the middle of this story, which is obviously leading to Charlotte and Cousin Michael's story. I'm not exactly sure why the author decided to bring this in the story.
I was going to wait until next weekend to read Charlotte's book, but the last letter from Cousin Michael broke my heart so I'm gonna have to stick to reading it during the week nights.
Unfortunately, I found the beginning of the story boring. Things only started picking up at the Venetian breakfast.
In the beginning, Lucy set out to find an impressive suitor to show that Peter didn't still affect her. But then she suddenly started worrying about propriety and forgot about her initial plan. A little confusing, but the latter made more sense.
Anyway, the story obviously got more interesting. Diego's actions were a little extreme, but Lucy was his perfect match in every way. I liked that part of the story took place in Spain. I especially really enjoyed the last chapter.
There were two plot twists:
Now....OMG Cousin Michael made an appearance....in the dark!!! Ugh!!! I love that Diego alluded that Cousin Michael had feelings for Charlotte. I'm having such a hard time trying to make a list of potential Cousin Michaels. Godwin is on the list, though he's too much of an obvious choice. Lord Stoneville would have been a good candidate if I hadn't known about his own series. Now, I'm getting strange vibes from Kirkwood. I thought it was strange that whatever happens to Lady Kirkwood happened smack dab in the middle of this story, which is obviously leading to Charlotte and Cousin Michael's story. I'm not exactly sure why the author decided to bring this in the story.
I was going to wait until next weekend to read Charlotte's book, but the last letter from Cousin Michael broke my heart so I'm gonna have to stick to reading it during the week nights.
November 26, 2011
Although I occasionally felt as if I'd read this book before (as well as wanted to throttle Lucy Seton), I did enjoy the story. I think the reason the story felt so familiar is because I've read so many books from this series. Good read!
April 7, 2017
I remembered this was my least favorite book in the series, and that is still true.
Lucy Seaton has grown up knowing she was half Spanish, feeling as though she was somehow inherently different. She knows that Colonel Hugh Seaton (whom we met in the book 3, the Scottish one) adopted her when her mother and her father, a soldier in his regiment, died. Now, after being a student there for years, Lucy is now a teacher for Mrs. Harris.
Diego Montalvo lost everything when he was 12, when English soldiers overran his home, destroyed his family's ancient vineyard, raped his mother and killed his father. Now he has an opportunity to regain his family estate; he only has to deny himself Lucy.
There is far too much deception and lying in this story. I don't really like that. Everyone has lied to Lucy and she is left with a choice to either cut them out of her life or forgive them.
Lucy Seaton has grown up knowing she was half Spanish, feeling as though she was somehow inherently different. She knows that Colonel Hugh Seaton (whom we met in the book 3, the Scottish one) adopted her when her mother and her father, a soldier in his regiment, died. Now, after being a student there for years, Lucy is now a teacher for Mrs. Harris.
Diego Montalvo lost everything when he was 12, when English soldiers overran his home, destroyed his family's ancient vineyard, raped his mother and killed his father. Now he has an opportunity to regain his family estate; he only has to deny himself Lucy.
There is far too much deception and lying in this story. I don't really like that. Everyone has lied to Lucy and she is left with a choice to either cut them out of her life or forgive them.
October 25, 2021
This book took be over 3 months to read so safe to say I didn't particularly love this one. I truly believe that right place, wrong time exists for books. This book features things that I should've enjoyed, a spanish scoundrel, a out-spoken heroine and a kidnapping with plot twists. However it just didn't work. I really liked the simple writing style and the subtle humor sprinkled thorughout. I also found the plot twists to be truly good plot twists but the book was just a bit bland. I was bored 20 pages in and that remained till the end. The first half dragged on too much which meant I never got connected to any of the characters. I really wished I enjoyed this book because I loved the spanish representation. Maybe someday soon I will try out another Sabrina Jeffries book that is a better fit for me, but in this case this will have to be a 2.5 star read.
January 29, 2018
Top credits for good, old fashioned sexual tension and believable passion, not to mention a plot worthy of some of the most cringe worthy 1980s era romance novels. There was one sub plot too many and I feel like the characters and the author alike were confused by this, at the end of the day a secret marriage, false tales of kidnapping, a Spanish magician who is also a count, multiple men plotting sneak attack rapes, and a drug induced abduction are a bit much for any one novel, pick any three and stick to that rule, don't try to fit 'em all.
January 16, 2020
Tema ceritanya menarik.alur jg baik.ngalir aja.cm diego ama lucy tu kaya kurang usaha.diego ngakunya cemburu tapi g ngelakuin apa2.
Lucy yg jd guru di skolah Mrs.harris br aja ditolak ma gebetannya slama bertahun2.bilangnya sih lucy tu tipe cwe yg g utk dinikahi krn asal usulnya g jelas.
Lalu datanglah diego"pesulap spanyol"yg diberi tugas kakek lucy utk mencari cucunya yg telah diculik.spy ga mnimbulkan kecurigaan pura2 diego mo bangun taman hiburan disebelah skolah lucy.
Bagus aja ceritanya.
Lucy yg jd guru di skolah Mrs.harris br aja ditolak ma gebetannya slama bertahun2.bilangnya sih lucy tu tipe cwe yg g utk dinikahi krn asal usulnya g jelas.
Lalu datanglah diego"pesulap spanyol"yg diberi tugas kakek lucy utk mencari cucunya yg telah diculik.spy ga mnimbulkan kecurigaan pura2 diego mo bangun taman hiburan disebelah skolah lucy.
Bagus aja ceritanya.
January 1, 2024
As histórias de Sabrina Jeffries continuam a encantar-me. Este é o quinto livro da série "School For Heiresses" e a sua leitura revelou-se fluida e agradável. Lucy e Diego são o típico par de um romance de época, mas o facto de Diego ser um mágico, para além de um conde espanhol, tornou o enredo ainda mais interessante, fora do comum. Devo, sem dúvida, continuar a acompanhar as histórias românticas desta autora.
Want to read
February 1, 2022
$1.99 RN 2/1/22 on Amazon
(Normally $8.99)
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July 3, 2017
"miracles only last until the source of their illusion is revealed?"
Read
July 24, 2020good! i was expecting not to like it as much as I did. but it was good, and I’m still anticipating Charlotte and “Cousin Michael”
September 17, 2021
Love this series and its sassy heroines.
May 27, 2011
School for Heiresses, book 5
salah 1 daya tarik membaca series ini adl ceritanya yg tidak berputar2, bahasa yg mudah dimengerti, emosi yg selalu dapat, chemistry yg bagus diantara tokoh utama juga tak lupa korespondensi diantara Charlotte Harris, owner & Headmistress School & her late husbands cousin, michael, orang yg memberikannya dana untuk mendirikan skul.
juga tak lupa "adegan" nya yg hehehhehee menyegarkan tp bukan berarti sepanjang novel ceritanya begitu lhoooo
ga kok.........
ini memang series tp ceritanya berdiri sendiri walo enaknya memang membaca dari buku 1 karna disela2 buku ini akan tetap muncul tokoh2 di buku2 sebelumnya walo hanya muncul sepintas.
& menurutku yg menyambung series ini adl surat menyurat charlotte & michael (asli penasaran banget aq sapa itu sepupu michael yg kayaknya kok serba tau sekali).
buku kali ini bercerita ttg Lucy Seton, yg selama ini taunya ke 2 or tu kandungnya sudah meninggal & mayor seton adl ayah tirinya.
setelah lulus dr school for heiress Lucy diterima sbg guru disana, hal yg membuatnya sedikit terhibur dari penghianatan sahabat masa kecilnya yg dikiranya akan menikahinya (jangan tanya nama kagak ingat daku kalo ga salah sih peter).
si peter ini lebih memilih menikahi lady juliana, yg punya kedudukan di masyarakat duhhh pliss deh.
Diego Montalvo; mysterious, charming, seductive, clever, and tender. bagi orang lain dia adl seorang magician tp dia sebenarnya seorang count spain yg diutus oleh marquese......untuk mencari cucunya, lucinda, yg katanya diculik oleh pengasuhnya sejak bayi.
diego curiga lucy adl cucu yg dimaksud apalagi segala yg diceritakan lucy sesuai dengan penjelasan sang marques tp gimana caranya membuat lucy dengan suka rela menemui kakek yg tidak pernah diketahuinya itu???
satu2nya jalan well ya culik menculik duh jaman dulu doyan amat culik2an anak orang begitu ya????!!!!!!!
Lucy dipaksa menemui sang kakek. lucy bersedia asal diego pun bersedia me "ruin" lucy (hasil pengajaran dari her maid nih)
wakakakkakakaka diego speechless.
speechless begitu tp tetep tangan & mulut maju gerak cepat :D
Lucy ingin diego menikahinya karna dia tidak mau nantinya bisa dipaksa menikah dengan orang asing.
eh sekali2nya diego udah mau giliran lucy menolak lamaran diego.
lucy menolak diego karna dia tidak ingin properti diego yg ditahan kakek lucy tidak dikembalikan karna kakek lucy mengancam diego tidak boleh menikah dengan lucy kalo ingin arbuleda kembali ke tangannya.
wakakakakaka si kakek udah tau kali ya kecepatannya si diego.
sementara itu mayor seton mengetahui putrinya dibawa ke spain menemui sang kakek langsung menyusul bersama istri barunya, lady kerr.
kedatangan sang mayor & lady kerr membuka segala rahasia2 masa lalu & cerita sebenarnya kelahiran lucy.
lucy baru tau ternyata mayor seton yg selama ini dikira ayah tirinya sebenarnya adl ayah kandungnya, sedang catalina sang ibu bukannya meninggal di spain tp diusir oleh sang kakek karna menolak menikah dengan pria pilihan sang kakek & karna mengandung anak mayor seton.
& ternyata diego juga tau hal itu (yahhh diego tau dari rumpian temen2nya tadinya malem itu si diego nyari lucy mo cerita yg sebenarnya tp eh ketemu lucy bukannya cerita malah asik bercumbu rayuuu duhhh cape deh).
jadilah 3 orang pria dalam hidup lucy pecah perang mulut sendiri.
tinggal lucy mengusir mereka & hanya mau ditemani lady kerr.
duhhhhh kalo aq jadi lucy juga bakal pusing ngadepin 3 pria yg mengganggap diri mereka lebih tau apa yg terbak bagi lucy.
emang semua perlu di getok satu2!!!
lucy memang marah tp dia juga menyayangi ke 3 pria tersebut terlepas dari sikap alpa male mereka...hhhhhh....untung ada lady kerr yg menengahi ya
salah 1 daya tarik membaca series ini adl ceritanya yg tidak berputar2, bahasa yg mudah dimengerti, emosi yg selalu dapat, chemistry yg bagus diantara tokoh utama juga tak lupa korespondensi diantara Charlotte Harris, owner & Headmistress School & her late husbands cousin, michael, orang yg memberikannya dana untuk mendirikan skul.
juga tak lupa "adegan" nya yg hehehhehee menyegarkan tp bukan berarti sepanjang novel ceritanya begitu lhoooo
ga kok.........
ini memang series tp ceritanya berdiri sendiri walo enaknya memang membaca dari buku 1 karna disela2 buku ini akan tetap muncul tokoh2 di buku2 sebelumnya walo hanya muncul sepintas.
& menurutku yg menyambung series ini adl surat menyurat charlotte & michael (asli penasaran banget aq sapa itu sepupu michael yg kayaknya kok serba tau sekali).
buku kali ini bercerita ttg Lucy Seton, yg selama ini taunya ke 2 or tu kandungnya sudah meninggal & mayor seton adl ayah tirinya.
setelah lulus dr school for heiress Lucy diterima sbg guru disana, hal yg membuatnya sedikit terhibur dari penghianatan sahabat masa kecilnya yg dikiranya akan menikahinya (jangan tanya nama kagak ingat daku kalo ga salah sih peter).
si peter ini lebih memilih menikahi lady juliana, yg punya kedudukan di masyarakat duhhh pliss deh.
Diego Montalvo; mysterious, charming, seductive, clever, and tender. bagi orang lain dia adl seorang magician tp dia sebenarnya seorang count spain yg diutus oleh marquese......untuk mencari cucunya, lucinda, yg katanya diculik oleh pengasuhnya sejak bayi.
diego curiga lucy adl cucu yg dimaksud apalagi segala yg diceritakan lucy sesuai dengan penjelasan sang marques tp gimana caranya membuat lucy dengan suka rela menemui kakek yg tidak pernah diketahuinya itu???
satu2nya jalan well ya culik menculik duh jaman dulu doyan amat culik2an anak orang begitu ya????!!!!!!!
Lucy dipaksa menemui sang kakek. lucy bersedia asal diego pun bersedia me "ruin" lucy (hasil pengajaran dari her maid nih)
wakakakkakakaka diego speechless.
speechless begitu tp tetep tangan & mulut maju gerak cepat :D
Lucy ingin diego menikahinya karna dia tidak mau nantinya bisa dipaksa menikah dengan orang asing.
eh sekali2nya diego udah mau giliran lucy menolak lamaran diego.
lucy menolak diego karna dia tidak ingin properti diego yg ditahan kakek lucy tidak dikembalikan karna kakek lucy mengancam diego tidak boleh menikah dengan lucy kalo ingin arbuleda kembali ke tangannya.
wakakakakaka si kakek udah tau kali ya kecepatannya si diego.
sementara itu mayor seton mengetahui putrinya dibawa ke spain menemui sang kakek langsung menyusul bersama istri barunya, lady kerr.
kedatangan sang mayor & lady kerr membuka segala rahasia2 masa lalu & cerita sebenarnya kelahiran lucy.
lucy baru tau ternyata mayor seton yg selama ini dikira ayah tirinya sebenarnya adl ayah kandungnya, sedang catalina sang ibu bukannya meninggal di spain tp diusir oleh sang kakek karna menolak menikah dengan pria pilihan sang kakek & karna mengandung anak mayor seton.
& ternyata diego juga tau hal itu (yahhh diego tau dari rumpian temen2nya tadinya malem itu si diego nyari lucy mo cerita yg sebenarnya tp eh ketemu lucy bukannya cerita malah asik bercumbu rayuuu duhhh cape deh).
jadilah 3 orang pria dalam hidup lucy pecah perang mulut sendiri.
tinggal lucy mengusir mereka & hanya mau ditemani lady kerr.
duhhhhh kalo aq jadi lucy juga bakal pusing ngadepin 3 pria yg mengganggap diri mereka lebih tau apa yg terbak bagi lucy.
emang semua perlu di getok satu2!!!
lucy memang marah tp dia juga menyayangi ke 3 pria tersebut terlepas dari sikap alpa male mereka...hhhhhh....untung ada lady kerr yg menengahi ya
September 8, 2013
Almost last book in the School for Heiresses series which I am forcing myself to read so that I can get to Mrs. Harris's love story and find out who 'cousin Micheal' is in Wed Him Before You Bed Him.
Historical English romance with a mysterious Spaniard who moves next to the school in order to find a missing Spanish heiress who he thinks is a recent graduate, Lucy Setton. We meet her father in the third book set in Scotland so I assume that he is also Scottish which would make for a really good looking mix if Lucy is half Scottish and half Spanish. This is a story about half truths and lies with everyone having fairly good reasons for secrecy but in the end it just hurts the young Lucy because the truth only comes out in that very end with the men in her life come together to the same place to hash out the truth. Lucy is lucky to have good strong women in her life when the men betray her (for her own good, but damn people for never just asking the person what might be the best for them). I really liked the lady characters in this road trip romance (on a boat) like Lady Kerr, Mrs. Harris and even the 'maid' Nettie who each in their own way are tough smart survivors and guide the outspoken and passionate Lucy to making the right choices for herself without the crazy pressures of the men in her family.
Don Diego Montalvo is a great hero for passionate Lucy. He understands right away why no one has offered marriage to Lucy so far because as a poor yet pretty outspoken girl she doesn't have the birthright of the noble classes (well not yet anyway). I did like this different type of hero who has a job as a Spanish magician which would have been very exciting for any young miss. But I did think that the romance came on way too quickly for Lucy to be allowing such liberties to a stranger even if she was heartbroken at the time.
I really enjoyed this story it might be my second favorite in the series, even though I had very little expectations other it being just before the long awaited Wed Him Before You Bed Him conclusion where we get to meet 'cousin Micheal'. Maybe we haven't even met him yet? Because I really hope it isn't the journalist radical Mr. Charls Godwin! Yuck, I prefer Viscount Kirkwood (although he is too poor to have helped financially with the school) or even the drunk ladies' man Lord Stoneville.
384 pages and bought used for 3.99$
3 stars
Historical English romance with a mysterious Spaniard who moves next to the school in order to find a missing Spanish heiress who he thinks is a recent graduate, Lucy Setton. We meet her father in the third book set in Scotland so I assume that he is also Scottish which would make for a really good looking mix if Lucy is half Scottish and half Spanish. This is a story about half truths and lies with everyone having fairly good reasons for secrecy but in the end it just hurts the young Lucy because the truth only comes out in that very end with the men in her life come together to the same place to hash out the truth. Lucy is lucky to have good strong women in her life when the men betray her (for her own good, but damn people for never just asking the person what might be the best for them). I really liked the lady characters in this road trip romance (on a boat) like Lady Kerr, Mrs. Harris and even the 'maid' Nettie who each in their own way are tough smart survivors and guide the outspoken and passionate Lucy to making the right choices for herself without the crazy pressures of the men in her family.
Don Diego Montalvo is a great hero for passionate Lucy. He understands right away why no one has offered marriage to Lucy so far because as a poor yet pretty outspoken girl she doesn't have the birthright of the noble classes (well not yet anyway). I did like this different type of hero who has a job as a Spanish magician which would have been very exciting for any young miss. But I did think that the romance came on way too quickly for Lucy to be allowing such liberties to a stranger even if she was heartbroken at the time.
I really enjoyed this story it might be my second favorite in the series, even though I had very little expectations other it being just before the long awaited Wed Him Before You Bed Him conclusion where we get to meet 'cousin Micheal'. Maybe we haven't even met him yet? Because I really hope it isn't the journalist radical Mr. Charls Godwin! Yuck, I prefer Viscount Kirkwood (although he is too poor to have helped financially with the school) or even the drunk ladies' man Lord Stoneville.
384 pages and bought used for 3.99$
3 stars
December 2, 2015
I usually like Sabrina Jeffries' stories, but this one was difficult. Yes, it had banter that made me laugh, however part of the action was a problem for me.
While I almost never spoil parts of a story for readers, I don't have much of a choice this time if I am to be clear why I am not a fan of this story.
Here it goes: if a man I trusted lied to me, drugged me, kidnapped me, and put me on a boat to a foreign country against my wishes, I'd want to kill him not sleep with him.
I just couldn't believe that part of the storyline. I don't care what possible reason the man had, I would want nothing to do with him again whatsoever!
The other part I had trouble believing is that a high ranking soldier afraid of the possible abduction of his daughter wouldn't hire someone to watch over her 24/7! The entire time I read this story, I couldn't help but think that the Colonel would hire a former soldier or two (even secretly) to keep an eye on her especially when he couldn't do it himself. It just makes more sense to me...
Why did I give it 3 stars? Because I thought it entertaining enough to finish. Any story I read cover-to-cover that has all the requisite parts deserves an average score, and as far as I'm concerned 3 stars is average...
While I almost never spoil parts of a story for readers, I don't have much of a choice this time if I am to be clear why I am not a fan of this story.
Here it goes: if a man I trusted lied to me, drugged me, kidnapped me, and put me on a boat to a foreign country against my wishes, I'd want to kill him not sleep with him.
I just couldn't believe that part of the storyline. I don't care what possible reason the man had, I would want nothing to do with him again whatsoever!
The other part I had trouble believing is that a high ranking soldier afraid of the possible abduction of his daughter wouldn't hire someone to watch over her 24/7! The entire time I read this story, I couldn't help but think that the Colonel would hire a former soldier or two (even secretly) to keep an eye on her especially when he couldn't do it himself. It just makes more sense to me...
Why did I give it 3 stars? Because I thought it entertaining enough to finish. Any story I read cover-to-cover that has all the requisite parts deserves an average score, and as far as I'm concerned 3 stars is average...
January 7, 2010
I place Sabrina Jeffries on the second tier of my favorite authors list: her books may not be my top picks, but I can always rely on them to give me a fluffy but satisfying read. Don’t Bargain with the Devil was both fluffy, satisfying, and a good set up for the next book in the series involving Charlotte Harris and cousin Michael.
Initially, I enjoyed the passionate sparring between Diego and Lucinda. They have an instant, fiery connection that made me root for them from the beginning. However, somewhere toward the middle of the novel, Diego and Lucy begin to go back and forth between love, lust, betray, angst and anger so much that it becomes dizzying. It’s not the big misunderstanding- it’s the misunderstanding that never ends (until the last five pages).
The book is mainly set in England and is a fairly traditional historical, but still has an enjoyable exotic element from Diego and Lucy’s Spanish heritage, the use of the language, and the few scenes set in Spain. Though Don’t Bargain with the Devil was not my favorite, I’ve still enjoyed the School for Heiress series and plan on finishing it shortly.
Initially, I enjoyed the passionate sparring between Diego and Lucinda. They have an instant, fiery connection that made me root for them from the beginning. However, somewhere toward the middle of the novel, Diego and Lucy begin to go back and forth between love, lust, betray, angst and anger so much that it becomes dizzying. It’s not the big misunderstanding- it’s the misunderstanding that never ends (until the last five pages).
The book is mainly set in England and is a fairly traditional historical, but still has an enjoyable exotic element from Diego and Lucy’s Spanish heritage, the use of the language, and the few scenes set in Spain. Though Don’t Bargain with the Devil was not my favorite, I’ve still enjoyed the School for Heiress series and plan on finishing it shortly.
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