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By Love Beguiled
Widowed after seven years of celibate marriage to a man old enough to be her father, Lysette Ravaisson is still young, lovely and free at last to seek the love she longs for. But the burden of her lat husband's debts forces her to a fateful decision-she must abandon Saint-Cloud, her beloved plantation home and her loyal servants, or marry a wealthy Nicholas Callaway, the man with whom she had once shared a brief moment of passion, but who now seems cynical and cold.
479 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
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About the author
Sandra Dubay
29 books20 followersAlso publishes under the pseudonym Carolyn Chase and J.K.Crane.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 23, 2016
A bicker fest between an old school alphhole and a virgin widow.
It had a promising premise. The hero saw and wanted the heroine and waits until her elderly husband dies to swoop in and demand repayment of a huge debt including the loss of her home unless the heroine marries him. He is cynical, demanding a contract where she provides a son and he deeds over the Louisiana plantation at that time and they then have a MOC. He thinks she'll be an experienced woman of the world who is just fine with this sort of business arrangement and if he has to take a wife to please his elderly parents, why not one who is a celebrated beauty 15 years his junior? Of course, he never expects to be instantly smitten by her virginal lady parts and flashing amber eyes.
Mostly it was one big misunderstanding. He loved her but thought she hated him and vice versa.
I hated that he cheated after their wedding night when he felt rejected and she refused to join him in New Orleans, but he did drop the mistress once the h returned from her plantation in the country.
The h didn't believe him about dropping the mistress though and can't say I blamed her. The mistress did make sure to flaunt herself in front of the heroine, to the point of sending a letter which arrives the morning after their wedding. The hero is always far to arrogant to just explain things. Plus, the night of the big breakup he gives her a farewell kiss for old times' sake AT THE MARRIAGE RECEPTION his parents throw for the couple after she joins him in New Orleans. Of course the heroine just happens to walk in.
After she's dumped, the mistress goes nuts and starts plotting the couple's demise.... although they aren't really a couple. All they do is bicker and secretly pine after one another.
The ex mistress finds out her artist cousin has used his imagination to paint a nude portrait of the h as part of his stalkerish obsession with the h's fabulous beauty. She arranges for the painting to be publicly displayed, knowing Nicholas will believe he's been cheated and hopefully forget his wife and come back to her.
It all backfires when Nicholas goes psycho and hits Lysette and then tries to strangle her, causing a huge scandal in New Orleans society. Literally he tried to kill her until he's told the h is innocent. But she loses her baby and almost dies. Wow! That's a bit much for me (understatement). I was hoping for a big grovel, at least, but the hero keeps his guilt to himself and continues to act arrogant to Lysette, because his pride won't allow him to appear vulnerable.
This all comes out and causes a huge scandal in New Orleans society which results in the ex-mistress becoming a pariah and NOT Nicholas. Sadly, that's probably fairly historically accurate. At that time, many felt it was understandable for a husband to want to kill an unfaithful wife. What wasn't understandable was for the mistress to meddle in her protector's life and contribute to the death of his heir. Poor Nicholas was obviously the victim here.
Lysette is thankfully not a doormat. She demands a divorce and tries to make his life miserable when he refuses. She won't let him shift blame either. When he rages against the ex-mistress for killing his son, the heroine tells him it was HE who is responsible. He whines and calls her a spiteful bitch and then tries to win her back with punishing kisses and her traitorous body.
The mistress and her creep cousin strike again and once Nicholas swoops in to save the day, Lysette and Nicholas put aside their misunderstanding, admit they love one another and HEA. VERY abruptly.
A lot was left unresolved and there were also some rather random, pointless caracters and interactions. What was the purpose of the perv killed by the random Creole gentleman at the end? Lysette was running from him (because all pervs must have her) and conveniently, in the middle of nowhere, she runs right smack into a man who has been looking for perv for years ever since perv raped his wife. So the perv is killed and the raped wife avenged.... and ... wait... who are these people?
The content begs a Domestic violence warning. However, the characters never evoked much deep feeling on my end
It had a promising premise. The hero saw and wanted the heroine and waits until her elderly husband dies to swoop in and demand repayment of a huge debt including the loss of her home unless the heroine marries him. He is cynical, demanding a contract where she provides a son and he deeds over the Louisiana plantation at that time and they then have a MOC. He thinks she'll be an experienced woman of the world who is just fine with this sort of business arrangement and if he has to take a wife to please his elderly parents, why not one who is a celebrated beauty 15 years his junior? Of course, he never expects to be instantly smitten by her virginal lady parts and flashing amber eyes.
Mostly it was one big misunderstanding. He loved her but thought she hated him and vice versa.
I hated that he cheated after their wedding night when he felt rejected and she refused to join him in New Orleans, but he did drop the mistress once the h returned from her plantation in the country.
The h didn't believe him about dropping the mistress though and can't say I blamed her. The mistress did make sure to flaunt herself in front of the heroine, to the point of sending a letter which arrives the morning after their wedding. The hero is always far to arrogant to just explain things. Plus, the night of the big breakup he gives her a farewell kiss for old times' sake AT THE MARRIAGE RECEPTION his parents throw for the couple after she joins him in New Orleans. Of course the heroine just happens to walk in.
After she's dumped, the mistress goes nuts and starts plotting the couple's demise.... although they aren't really a couple. All they do is bicker and secretly pine after one another.
The ex mistress finds out her artist cousin has used his imagination to paint a nude portrait of the h as part of his stalkerish obsession with the h's fabulous beauty. She arranges for the painting to be publicly displayed, knowing Nicholas will believe he's been cheated and hopefully forget his wife and come back to her.
It all backfires when Nicholas goes psycho and hits Lysette and then tries to strangle her, causing a huge scandal in New Orleans society. Literally he tried to kill her until he's told the h is innocent. But she loses her baby and almost dies. Wow! That's a bit much for me (understatement). I was hoping for a big grovel, at least, but the hero keeps his guilt to himself and continues to act arrogant to Lysette, because his pride won't allow him to appear vulnerable.
This all comes out and causes a huge scandal in New Orleans society which results in the ex-mistress becoming a pariah and NOT Nicholas. Sadly, that's probably fairly historically accurate. At that time, many felt it was understandable for a husband to want to kill an unfaithful wife. What wasn't understandable was for the mistress to meddle in her protector's life and contribute to the death of his heir. Poor Nicholas was obviously the victim here.
Lysette is thankfully not a doormat. She demands a divorce and tries to make his life miserable when he refuses. She won't let him shift blame either. When he rages against the ex-mistress for killing his son, the heroine tells him it was HE who is responsible. He whines and calls her a spiteful bitch and then tries to win her back with punishing kisses and her traitorous body.
The mistress and her creep cousin strike again and once Nicholas swoops in to save the day, Lysette and Nicholas put aside their misunderstanding, admit they love one another and HEA. VERY abruptly.
A lot was left unresolved and there were also some rather random, pointless caracters and interactions. What was the purpose of the perv killed by the random Creole gentleman at the end? Lysette was running from him (because all pervs must have her) and conveniently, in the middle of nowhere, she runs right smack into a man who has been looking for perv for years ever since perv raped his wife. So the perv is killed and the raped wife avenged.... and ... wait... who are these people?
The content begs a Domestic violence warning. However, the characters never evoked much deep feeling on my end
October 19, 2025
Read: 10/19/25
Setting: 1844 New Orleans
Trope: MOC
This book was exhausting! Too many misunderstandings ruin a lot of the story.
plot: Newly widowed Lysette has learned that her husband was in severe debt when he died and now she's going to lose her home. Worse, the man who she owes this debt to is the same stranger who accosted her at a party 3 years ago. Nicholas offers a solution/blackmail. If Lysette marries him and gives him an heir, then he will return her home to her free and clear. They would have a MOC and he lets her know he has a mistress. Lysette agrees because she and her servants have nowhere to go.
The couple share a wonderful wedding night only for it be ruined the next day because of a letter from his mistress. After that this pair have one misunderstandings after the other. But beneath the coldness of their marriage they still burn for one another. Can these two put their pride away and admit their feelings? Will others continue to conspire against them?
liked:
1. Nicholas was an arrogant, overbearing, a**hole for most of the book. This is a BR so I expect nothing less 😉. I didn't like how he didn't reprimanded his mistress in the beginning though. Luckily, he ends that relationship early in the book.What won me over was his internal monologue. He's was hilarious!. I'm still laughing at some of his comments.
2. The author's writing style. I was frustrated and annoyed through most of the book. Still, I couldn't put the book down.
dislike:
1. I wanted out of Lysette's depressing head! I really liked her character in the beginning. Then the morning after her wedding she turns into a bitter and jealous woman. It was like a 180°. Her jealousy soon becomes an obsession. She thinks everytime he leaves the house it's to go to that woman. The man does have to go earn a living. 🙄. Lysette would create scenarios in her head and get furious at him for his imaginary crimes. I can put up with a screw h but this was too much.
2. Romance? I wish they had more tender moments before the next misunderstandings rouse up.
3. This story didn't need a villain let alone 3! This couple did enough damage on their own.
4. Editing was the biggest problem! 479 pages of misunderstandings and fighting was exhausting! It would have been better with half that.
Conclusion:
I couldn't figure out how to rate this book. I guess I'd give 2.5 stars for plot and 1 extra star for the writing. Though, don't let my rating discourage anyone from trying out this story. Bodice-rippers are subjective and in a different mood I might have felt different about this book.🤔... Nay!
Setting: 1844 New Orleans
Trope: MOC
This book was exhausting! Too many misunderstandings ruin a lot of the story.
plot: Newly widowed Lysette has learned that her husband was in severe debt when he died and now she's going to lose her home. Worse, the man who she owes this debt to is the same stranger who accosted her at a party 3 years ago. Nicholas offers a solution/blackmail. If Lysette marries him and gives him an heir, then he will return her home to her free and clear. They would have a MOC and he lets her know he has a mistress. Lysette agrees because she and her servants have nowhere to go.
The couple share a wonderful wedding night only for it be ruined the next day because of a letter from his mistress. After that this pair have one misunderstandings after the other. But beneath the coldness of their marriage they still burn for one another. Can these two put their pride away and admit their feelings? Will others continue to conspire against them?
liked:
1. Nicholas was an arrogant, overbearing, a**hole for most of the book. This is a BR so I expect nothing less 😉. I didn't like how he didn't reprimanded his mistress in the beginning though. Luckily, he ends that relationship early in the book.What won me over was his internal monologue. He's was hilarious!. I'm still laughing at some of his comments.
2. The author's writing style. I was frustrated and annoyed through most of the book. Still, I couldn't put the book down.
dislike:
1. I wanted out of Lysette's depressing head! I really liked her character in the beginning. Then the morning after her wedding she turns into a bitter and jealous woman. It was like a 180°. Her jealousy soon becomes an obsession. She thinks everytime he leaves the house it's to go to that woman. The man does have to go earn a living. 🙄. Lysette would create scenarios in her head and get furious at him for his imaginary crimes. I can put up with a screw h but this was too much.
2. Romance? I wish they had more tender moments before the next misunderstandings rouse up.
3. This story didn't need a villain let alone 3! This couple did enough damage on their own.
4. Editing was the biggest problem! 479 pages of misunderstandings and fighting was exhausting! It would have been better with half that.
Conclusion:
I couldn't figure out how to rate this book. I guess I'd give 2.5 stars for plot and 1 extra star for the writing. Though, don't let my rating discourage anyone from trying out this story. Bodice-rippers are subjective and in a different mood I might have felt different about this book.🤔... Nay!
November 22, 2017
3 1/2 ***
September 12, 2021
Actually, I'd rather give this three and a half stars, but can't seem to work out how to do that. I'll give my reason for the half a star less shortly.
The story takes place in 19thc New Orleans, and begins with Lysette, a young woman married in name only to a much older man, (her late father's best friend, as a means of assuring she'd be cared for) being caught up in a romantic moment at a social function with the handsome and charming Nicholas. They both feel an instant connection, but nothing comes of this, and Lysette would never betray her husband, despite her being more daughter than wife.
Three years later, widowed and in danger of losing her beloved Saint-Cloud home (on the Natchez) to none other than Nicholas, he offers to let her keep it, in exchange for becoming his wife. He thinks it's time he married and produced an heir, and Lysette seems to be the sort of woman who'd suit his purposes, as she's been married and will know her duties and responsibilities. He's no interested in love or romance, and tells her that once she's given him a son, she can have Saint-Cloud and also a divorce, if she chooses. He also makes it clear he won't be changing his lifestyle, and will continue to see his mistress. Feeling trapped, Lysette agrees. They get married and live in his New Orleans home, leaving Tess, Lysette's maid and substitute mother (who detests Nicholas) at Saint-Cloud.
Their outwardly cold relationship heats up, as Nicholas was surprised to discover Lysette was a virgin, Lysette was surprised at the passion she feels for him, and Roslyn, Nicholas's mistress, was surprised that he no longer wants to sleep with her. Soon, however, there are problems and misunderstandings, Lysdette discovers she's pregnant, they both are too stubborn to admit their feelings for each other, they stop sleeping together for a time, (she says she's done her duty now he can leave her alone) and Nicholas has a quickie with Roslyn that he afterward regrets. Roslyn, meanwhile, discovers her feelings for Nicholas are stronger than she thought, and makes her determined to get Lysette out of his life once and for all.
Unfortunately for Lysette, she has help in this. Her cousin, Kit, a portrait artist famous among New Orleans high society, has fallen for Lysette, and Nicholas reluctantly allows him to paint her, as a favor to his mother. At this point in time (not knowing that Roslyn blackmailed him into helping arrange a horseback riding accident that was a close call for Lysette), with their marriage so precarious, Lysette welcomes Kit's attention (but only on a friendship basis) which only serves to make Nicholas jealous and give Kit false hope. This gives Roslyn ammunition. After Nicholas insults Kit during one of their sessions, Lysette goes to see him to apologize, Roslyn shows up and immediately tells Nicholas. Things get worse, then better, but it's the calm before the storm.
Kit's love for Lysette makes him idealize her, and he uses sketches he drew of her (fully clothed) to paint a nude portrait, intending to keep it for himself. roslyn discovers it, and comes up with a wicked plan. She's helped by Leigh, the wife of Nicholas's best friend, Michael. Unbeknownst to Nicholas, she's been in love with him since they were kids (her and Michael's marriage was arranged) and is jealous and frustrated when she sees him with Lysette, all the while appearing a loyal friend to them both. Roslyn takes the portrait to a gallery, where the owner will arrange for it to be displayed at a society charity event. She gives Leigh one of Kit's sketches to hide in Lysette's room, the idea being that, when Nicholas accuses her of posing for the portrait and she denies it, the sketch will be found and convince him she's lied.
On that fateful night, Nicholas goes completely berserk, calls Lysette all kinds of names, hits her and sends her flying against a settee, then while she's on the floor he starts choking her! Here's where I take off the half star. He all ready did enough damage by hitting her, that choking part was way over the top, especially considering she was almost six months pregnant. Not for long, as the fall brings on premature labor and their son dies.
(I would have worked the scene differently. Since his mother was there, as was Leigh - who got so frightened she confessed the whole thing - I would have had her stand in front of Lysette before he got his hands on her neck, and told him he's have to hurt her first, and make him calm down. He was so angry it was inevitable he's get violent but that slap was enough. Better still, he could have come at her like he was going to hit her, and then have her back away and fall over the settee, that would have been better.)
I won't give all the details, but then wicked all get punished. Leigh is banished from their house, both Roslyn and Kit meet sorry ends, but not before their obsessive "loves" (if you can call it that) cause more damage. Nicholas and Lysette start finding their way back to each other but there are more obstacles to overcome.
There's also a tale of love, rape, suicide and vengeance that ties in with the story, though it really wasn't necessary. And what of the infamous portrait? Read and find out.
The story takes place in 19thc New Orleans, and begins with Lysette, a young woman married in name only to a much older man, (her late father's best friend, as a means of assuring she'd be cared for) being caught up in a romantic moment at a social function with the handsome and charming Nicholas. They both feel an instant connection, but nothing comes of this, and Lysette would never betray her husband, despite her being more daughter than wife.
Three years later, widowed and in danger of losing her beloved Saint-Cloud home (on the Natchez) to none other than Nicholas, he offers to let her keep it, in exchange for becoming his wife. He thinks it's time he married and produced an heir, and Lysette seems to be the sort of woman who'd suit his purposes, as she's been married and will know her duties and responsibilities. He's no interested in love or romance, and tells her that once she's given him a son, she can have Saint-Cloud and also a divorce, if she chooses. He also makes it clear he won't be changing his lifestyle, and will continue to see his mistress. Feeling trapped, Lysette agrees. They get married and live in his New Orleans home, leaving Tess, Lysette's maid and substitute mother (who detests Nicholas) at Saint-Cloud.
Their outwardly cold relationship heats up, as Nicholas was surprised to discover Lysette was a virgin, Lysette was surprised at the passion she feels for him, and Roslyn, Nicholas's mistress, was surprised that he no longer wants to sleep with her. Soon, however, there are problems and misunderstandings, Lysdette discovers she's pregnant, they both are too stubborn to admit their feelings for each other, they stop sleeping together for a time, (she says she's done her duty now he can leave her alone) and Nicholas has a quickie with Roslyn that he afterward regrets. Roslyn, meanwhile, discovers her feelings for Nicholas are stronger than she thought, and makes her determined to get Lysette out of his life once and for all.
Unfortunately for Lysette, she has help in this. Her cousin, Kit, a portrait artist famous among New Orleans high society, has fallen for Lysette, and Nicholas reluctantly allows him to paint her, as a favor to his mother. At this point in time (not knowing that Roslyn blackmailed him into helping arrange a horseback riding accident that was a close call for Lysette), with their marriage so precarious, Lysette welcomes Kit's attention (but only on a friendship basis) which only serves to make Nicholas jealous and give Kit false hope. This gives Roslyn ammunition. After Nicholas insults Kit during one of their sessions, Lysette goes to see him to apologize, Roslyn shows up and immediately tells Nicholas. Things get worse, then better, but it's the calm before the storm.
Kit's love for Lysette makes him idealize her, and he uses sketches he drew of her (fully clothed) to paint a nude portrait, intending to keep it for himself. roslyn discovers it, and comes up with a wicked plan. She's helped by Leigh, the wife of Nicholas's best friend, Michael. Unbeknownst to Nicholas, she's been in love with him since they were kids (her and Michael's marriage was arranged) and is jealous and frustrated when she sees him with Lysette, all the while appearing a loyal friend to them both. Roslyn takes the portrait to a gallery, where the owner will arrange for it to be displayed at a society charity event. She gives Leigh one of Kit's sketches to hide in Lysette's room, the idea being that, when Nicholas accuses her of posing for the portrait and she denies it, the sketch will be found and convince him she's lied.
On that fateful night, Nicholas goes completely berserk, calls Lysette all kinds of names, hits her and sends her flying against a settee, then while she's on the floor he starts choking her! Here's where I take off the half star. He all ready did enough damage by hitting her, that choking part was way over the top, especially considering she was almost six months pregnant. Not for long, as the fall brings on premature labor and their son dies.
(I would have worked the scene differently. Since his mother was there, as was Leigh - who got so frightened she confessed the whole thing - I would have had her stand in front of Lysette before he got his hands on her neck, and told him he's have to hurt her first, and make him calm down. He was so angry it was inevitable he's get violent but that slap was enough. Better still, he could have come at her like he was going to hit her, and then have her back away and fall over the settee, that would have been better.)
I won't give all the details, but then wicked all get punished. Leigh is banished from their house, both Roslyn and Kit meet sorry ends, but not before their obsessive "loves" (if you can call it that) cause more damage. Nicholas and Lysette start finding their way back to each other but there are more obstacles to overcome.
There's also a tale of love, rape, suicide and vengeance that ties in with the story, though it really wasn't necessary. And what of the infamous portrait? Read and find out.
November 25, 2024
Readers who like dark contemporary romance may find Nicholas, the hero of By Love Beguiled, right up their alley. The New Orleans setting isn't my usual choice, but as always, Ms. DuBay uses the setting to enhance story and characters. Heroine Lysette begins this tale platonically married to her much older first husband, later becoming a virgin widow who soon finds herself in dire straits. (not the band) Nicholas, taking the place of his ailing father, who holds her late husband's debts, proposes a way Lysette can keep her beloved home: marry him, and when she gives him a child, the house will be hers. They are strongly attracted to each other, but still nearly strangers when they wed.
Lysette finds herself quite pleased with the physical side of marriage, but I'm not sure the romance aspect between Lysette and Nicholas clicked with me. Again, fans of a super dominant hero may find Nicholas much to their liking. He wasn't my favorite DuBay hero, and Lysette had a lot of potential I would have liked to have seen explored, but the plotting is strong, the setting immersive, and the secondary characters do their jobs admirably. Throw in a supporting character teetering on the edge of villainy, and an antagonist who kind of has a point once in a while and readers will definitely be kept on their toes, turning pages to see what's going to happen next.
Lysette finds herself quite pleased with the physical side of marriage, but I'm not sure the romance aspect between Lysette and Nicholas clicked with me. Again, fans of a super dominant hero may find Nicholas much to their liking. He wasn't my favorite DuBay hero, and Lysette had a lot of potential I would have liked to have seen explored, but the plotting is strong, the setting immersive, and the secondary characters do their jobs admirably. Throw in a supporting character teetering on the edge of villainy, and an antagonist who kind of has a point once in a while and readers will definitely be kept on their toes, turning pages to see what's going to happen next.
avoid
August 5, 2022Self note avoid
Cheating H.
He abused h and she lost her baby.
"I hated that he cheated after their wedding night when he felt rejected and she refused to join him in New Orleans, but he did drop the mistress once the h returned from her plantation in the country."
Cheating H.
He abused h and she lost her baby.
"I hated that he cheated after their wedding night when he felt rejected and she refused to join him in New Orleans, but he did drop the mistress once the h returned from her plantation in the country."
February 14, 2012
Rated 3.5
March 27, 2017
Very good storyline, could have done so much with it! But, alas, I found it dull.
However, the hero lost me when he ... spoiler ... and I never recovered from that and I can't understand how the heroine could forgive.
I like these books, I like a little roughness out of the heroes even, which is weird cuz I would never tolerate it in real life. But I guess it makes the books more interesting to have the heroine jerked around and such. Haha. Anyway, I just can't like this book with what happened. Too far over the line for me.
However, the hero lost me when he ... spoiler ... and I never recovered from that and I can't understand how the heroine could forgive.
I like these books, I like a little roughness out of the heroes even, which is weird cuz I would never tolerate it in real life. But I guess it makes the books more interesting to have the heroine jerked around and such. Haha. Anyway, I just can't like this book with what happened. Too far over the line for me.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews