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Regency Quartet #2
The Devil Earl
Out Of A Midnight Coach Stepped Ravenscar The Perfect Gothic Mystery Man
Dark and brooding and rumoured to have done murder, the Devil Earl was everything Prudence Lancaster's imagination could conjure. But he was also flesh and blood, and infinitely more seductive than anything she had ever created. In his presence, the dreamy authoress became a sultry sleuth, hungry to solve the mystery of Ravenscar's missing brother and to save her beloved Devil Earl from his own wicked legacy.
"Deborah Simmons guarantees a page-turner "
Romantic Times
Dark and brooding and rumoured to have done murder, the Devil Earl was everything Prudence Lancaster's imagination could conjure. But he was also flesh and blood, and infinitely more seductive than anything she had ever created. In his presence, the dreamy authoress became a sultry sleuth, hungry to solve the mystery of Ravenscar's missing brother and to save her beloved Devil Earl from his own wicked legacy.
"Deborah Simmons guarantees a page-turner "
Romantic Times
298 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 1996
85 people are currently reading
388 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Simmons
157 books204 followersDeborah Simmons is the author of twenty-five historical romances and novellas, published by Avon, Berkley, and Harlequin.
A native midwesterner, Simmons graduated cum laude from Wittenberg University and was a journalist before turning to fiction. Her first book, Heart's Masquerade, was published by Avon in 1989 and was followed by a number of Harlequin Historicals, including a USA Today Bestselling anthology. Her 2003 release, A Man of Many Talents, was a launch title for Berkley's Sensation imprint.
Two of her books have been finalists in the Romance Writers of America's annual RITA competition for excellence: The Gentleman Thief in 2001 and A Lady of Distinction in 2005.
Simmons has sold two million books in North America, and her work has been translated and published in twenty-four foreign countries, including illustrated editions in Japan. She is a member of RWA, Novelists Inc., and the Author's Guild.
"I like to think of my stories as adventures," Simmons says. Most take place in Regency or Medieval England, such as her popular series on the thirteen century de Burgh family. But no matter what the setting, you'll find interesting characters, romance, humor, and mystery.
A native midwesterner, Simmons graduated cum laude from Wittenberg University and was a journalist before turning to fiction. Her first book, Heart's Masquerade, was published by Avon in 1989 and was followed by a number of Harlequin Historicals, including a USA Today Bestselling anthology. Her 2003 release, A Man of Many Talents, was a launch title for Berkley's Sensation imprint.
Two of her books have been finalists in the Romance Writers of America's annual RITA competition for excellence: The Gentleman Thief in 2001 and A Lady of Distinction in 2005.
Simmons has sold two million books in North America, and her work has been translated and published in twenty-four foreign countries, including illustrated editions in Japan. She is a member of RWA, Novelists Inc., and the Author's Guild.
"I like to think of my stories as adventures," Simmons says. Most take place in Regency or Medieval England, such as her popular series on the thirteen century de Burgh family. But no matter what the setting, you'll find interesting characters, romance, humor, and mystery.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
May 2, 2019
"The Devil Earl" is the story of Prudence and Sebastian.
Our h is Prudence, an authoress to gothic novels that are wildly popular. At 24, she thinks of herself on the shelf, and tries to focus her energy on sponsoring her younger, more beautiful and flighty sister Phoebe. She is also had an intense fascination with the legacy of the "Devil Earl", infamous name give to Sebastian Ravenscar, owner of Wolfinger Abbey, and has based her characters on him.
When Sebastian's brother goes missing after a familial spat, and the ton thinks of him as a murderer, Prudence takes his side, refusing to believe the rumors, and together they solve the mystery of his brother's disappearance, while falling in love and having wild sex.
Honestly, this was a let down after reading book 1. The heroine was likable in parts- headstrong, independent and well read. The hero just did not shine through, and I didn't get any mysterious feels about him. Their home was filled with secret doorways and passages, but it wasn't dark or spooky enough. The siblings were annoying and second half was very rushed. It felt like many plots were started and then abandoned midway.
It was an average read. The epilogue was adorable though!
Safe
2.5/5
Our h is Prudence, an authoress to gothic novels that are wildly popular. At 24, she thinks of herself on the shelf, and tries to focus her energy on sponsoring her younger, more beautiful and flighty sister Phoebe. She is also had an intense fascination with the legacy of the "Devil Earl", infamous name give to Sebastian Ravenscar, owner of Wolfinger Abbey, and has based her characters on him.
When Sebastian's brother goes missing after a familial spat, and the ton thinks of him as a murderer, Prudence takes his side, refusing to believe the rumors, and together they solve the mystery of his brother's disappearance, while falling in love and having wild sex.
Honestly, this was a let down after reading book 1. The heroine was likable in parts- headstrong, independent and well read. The hero just did not shine through, and I didn't get any mysterious feels about him. Their home was filled with secret doorways and passages, but it wasn't dark or spooky enough. The siblings were annoying and second half was very rushed. It felt like many plots were started and then abandoned midway.
It was an average read. The epilogue was adorable though!
Safe
2.5/5
February 24, 2010
Prudence Lancaster is a published gothic writer, but she's been lacking inspiration for her next work. She takes a break to ponder her favorite muse Wolfinger Abbey from her window. She has adored the structure, the history, the legends of it; since childhood. Pru is interrupted from mooning over the creepy abbey next door by her chirpy younger sister, who gifts us with a dramatic account of the sparkly dandy she met in town; blah blah blah, he's one of the heirs of the Abbey, blah blah, and isn't it all grand *yawn*. Some too boring to rehash courting, visits, conversations, and attempts to finagle a visit to the abbey follow.
Then the clouds part and Earl Ravenscar bursts into the story, he's intense, tortured, and impertinent; and I tittered like any bookslut worth her salt lol. Sebastian's grandfather, The Devil Earl, was oh so evil. He was mean, violent, and handsy. There was also a little to do about locking his wife in a tower until she went mad. The combination of this bleak family history and some of Sebastien's own doings in youth, have all of proper society convinced that he's is cut from the same cloth. The fact that he often plays into the part society has assigned him, doesn't help matters. Before you can say "Holy complications, Batman" the yummy Sebastian is suspected of doing away with his brother and a meddlesome authoress is determined to clear his name.
Five minutes into this book I wanted to beat Pru's sister Phoebe to death with a mallet. Phoebe's the quintessential one dimensional "the world revolves around me" empty headed sister; which makes her the perfect match for Sebastien's Bro the silly "ne'er can do right" spare heir. There is no explanation or hints to the cause of their character, this vagueness of character motivation and plot seem to be a running theme in this novel. Prudence and Phoebe's background gist seems to be that the sisters' parents are deceased and they were then raised by their elderly grandmother who is also now deceased. But that's just a guess, all I know for sure is that the 2 young females live alone save for a servant or 2, with reputations in tact. Highly unlikely and though I'm not a hardass regarding historical accuracy, some insight to the situation would have been welcome.
The scenes between Prudence and Sebastien, chock full of tension and mirth, are where the book really shines. As a couple they're just the right blend of entertaining, adorable,and sensual. Pru's refreshingly sensible and perceptive. She doesn't temporarily spurn Sebastian for the heck of it, lose who she is, or resist the pull she feels towards the earl. From very early on she knows he's the man she's been dreaming of and trusts that he's a better man then he believes. Not even I can bring myself not to like her, despite her tendency to utter "Oh my" (13 times, and yes I'm anal enough to count lmao). After his initial combination of aloof maneuvers and insults, Sebastien shapes up into a right nice reformed rogue. He falls for Pru; spectacles, ink stained hands, eccentricities and all. So in conclusion I adored this book when it focused on the the hero and heroine and was bored to tears during the rest,when the bleh cast of characters and many unconvincing coincidences passing for plot interrupted my fun.
Then the clouds part and Earl Ravenscar bursts into the story, he's intense, tortured, and impertinent; and I tittered like any bookslut worth her salt lol. Sebastian's grandfather, The Devil Earl, was oh so evil. He was mean, violent, and handsy. There was also a little to do about locking his wife in a tower until she went mad. The combination of this bleak family history and some of Sebastien's own doings in youth, have all of proper society convinced that he's is cut from the same cloth. The fact that he often plays into the part society has assigned him, doesn't help matters. Before you can say "Holy complications, Batman" the yummy Sebastian is suspected of doing away with his brother and a meddlesome authoress is determined to clear his name.
Five minutes into this book I wanted to beat Pru's sister Phoebe to death with a mallet. Phoebe's the quintessential one dimensional "the world revolves around me" empty headed sister; which makes her the perfect match for Sebastien's Bro the silly "ne'er can do right" spare heir. There is no explanation or hints to the cause of their character, this vagueness of character motivation and plot seem to be a running theme in this novel. Prudence and Phoebe's background gist seems to be that the sisters' parents are deceased and they were then raised by their elderly grandmother who is also now deceased. But that's just a guess, all I know for sure is that the 2 young females live alone save for a servant or 2, with reputations in tact. Highly unlikely and though I'm not a hardass regarding historical accuracy, some insight to the situation would have been welcome.
The scenes between Prudence and Sebastien, chock full of tension and mirth, are where the book really shines. As a couple they're just the right blend of entertaining, adorable,and sensual. Pru's refreshingly sensible and perceptive. She doesn't temporarily spurn Sebastian for the heck of it, lose who she is, or resist the pull she feels towards the earl. From very early on she knows he's the man she's been dreaming of and trusts that he's a better man then he believes. Not even I can bring myself not to like her, despite her tendency to utter "Oh my" (13 times, and yes I'm anal enough to count lmao). After his initial combination of aloof maneuvers and insults, Sebastien shapes up into a right nice reformed rogue. He falls for Pru; spectacles, ink stained hands, eccentricities and all. So in conclusion I adored this book when it focused on the the hero and heroine and was bored to tears during the rest,when the bleh cast of characters and many unconvincing coincidences passing for plot interrupted my fun.
July 17, 2012
I read this book quite a while ago, but never did a review. I absolutely adored it. You know how sometimes a book isn't so popular, but it doesn't matter that others didn't like it, it just captivates you ... this one did me. I've read a few of Deborah Simmons' books since this one, and I think I just really like her writing style.
Okay, of course I'm going to love this as the H is tortured and a rake (a real unconscionable rake) and is past caring about anything. And the h is a spinster that no-one would look at twice with her big glasses and oblivious-to-everything nature, her only care being her work as a gothic writer.
But when these two meet, well, fireworks for both of them. She's the first thing he's cared about in a long time and brings him back to life, most unwillingly, and he pulls her out of her storybook oblivious world to go totally gah. She will defend him to all oncomers. Just loved them together. I found the heat between them explosive and the love scenes were hot, hot, hot. I still remember the steam in the library when he was touching her and when they finally came together and well, I'd have given anything to be in her shoes. Phew!
There is a bit of a mystery in this book as well, and it did lose a bit of steam overall towards the end, however, the H and h were one of the hottest couples I've read about, even about three years later after I'd read it. This book is in my top 20 books still even after having read a lot of books since.
Okay, of course I'm going to love this as the H is tortured and a rake (a real unconscionable rake) and is past caring about anything. And the h is a spinster that no-one would look at twice with her big glasses and oblivious-to-everything nature, her only care being her work as a gothic writer.
But when these two meet, well, fireworks for both of them. She's the first thing he's cared about in a long time and brings him back to life, most unwillingly, and he pulls her out of her storybook oblivious world to go totally gah. She will defend him to all oncomers. Just loved them together. I found the heat between them explosive and the love scenes were hot, hot, hot. I still remember the steam in the library when he was touching her and when they finally came together and well, I'd have given anything to be in her shoes. Phew!
There is a bit of a mystery in this book as well, and it did lose a bit of steam overall towards the end, however, the H and h were one of the hottest couples I've read about, even about three years later after I'd read it. This book is in my top 20 books still even after having read a lot of books since.
May 20, 2010
Wow! It takes quite a bit to "blow me away", and this book does it from page 1!
This was my first taste of Deborah Simmons, and believe you me, I want more! This is a wonderful "reformed rake" type of story (which is my favorite story line)!
The best part of this book is the heroine. She is a self proclaimed "spinster" who is a talented gothic authoress. She is wonderful. Honest, curious, loyal, and trustworthy...she believes in Sebastian and is his champion when everyone else believes the worst about the Devil Earl. Her belief in him and his goodness begins to soften him and opens him up to love and acceptance. There is also a minor secondary romance that is also enjoyable, along with a nice mystery plot.
Sebastian is memorable (to say the least). Once he sets his eyes on Prudence, he is absolutely captivated and to be honest, he never looks back. He never looses sight of his desire to be with her at any cost. I loved his determination to be with Prudence.
This is romance....tender, erotic, mysterious, and absolutely memorable. Find this book.
This was my first taste of Deborah Simmons, and believe you me, I want more! This is a wonderful "reformed rake" type of story (which is my favorite story line)!
The best part of this book is the heroine. She is a self proclaimed "spinster" who is a talented gothic authoress. She is wonderful. Honest, curious, loyal, and trustworthy...she believes in Sebastian and is his champion when everyone else believes the worst about the Devil Earl. Her belief in him and his goodness begins to soften him and opens him up to love and acceptance. There is also a minor secondary romance that is also enjoyable, along with a nice mystery plot.
Sebastian is memorable (to say the least). Once he sets his eyes on Prudence, he is absolutely captivated and to be honest, he never looks back. He never looses sight of his desire to be with her at any cost. I loved his determination to be with Prudence.
This is romance....tender, erotic, mysterious, and absolutely memorable. Find this book.
May 3, 2018
This was a cute, light read that didn't annoy me. Go figure. *shrug*
True, I could've done without that barfy epilogue. It's a lame closure that reeks of editorial interference. My recommendation: physically remove the final 3 pages & close with the last image of them in the library. It's a much better ending.
...But otherwise, good. I liked Pru's determination to write gothic novels & become the Earl's mistress, nevermind what anyone thinks. To hell with society! And she actually means it, which is so nice. The only person whose judgment gives pause is her sister, but that qualm doesn't last, since the sister ends up marrying a pirate. (Dandy heroes of the Regency, take note: you too can be a sniveling, overdressed coward, spend 6 months a captive-turned-mutineer pirate, & return looking like Thor.)
I also liked how the author plays with gothic cliches throughout. The huge, creaky abbey with its secret tunnels, the incompetent smuggler villain & wannabe rapist, the "I disappeared for several months & came back unrecognizable!" trope, the villainous ancestor, the two aging servants in a giant abode, the fainting chaperone, etc etc. If you've read Ann Radcliffe or other novels from that period, you'll see many homages to those wonderfully silly Minerva Press potboilers.
Bonus: the sex scenes were decent & done with creative settings.
True, I could've done without that barfy epilogue. It's a lame closure that reeks of editorial interference. My recommendation: physically remove the final 3 pages & close with the last image of them in the library. It's a much better ending.
...But otherwise, good. I liked Pru's determination to write gothic novels & become the Earl's mistress, nevermind what anyone thinks. To hell with society! And she actually means it, which is so nice. The only person whose judgment gives pause is her sister, but that qualm doesn't last, since the sister ends up marrying a pirate. (Dandy heroes of the Regency, take note: you too can be a sniveling, overdressed coward, spend 6 months a captive-turned-mutineer pirate, & return looking like Thor.)
I also liked how the author plays with gothic cliches throughout. The huge, creaky abbey with its secret tunnels, the incompetent smuggler villain & wannabe rapist, the "I disappeared for several months & came back unrecognizable!" trope, the villainous ancestor, the two aging servants in a giant abode, the fainting chaperone, etc etc. If you've read Ann Radcliffe or other novels from that period, you'll see many homages to those wonderfully silly Minerva Press potboilers.
Bonus: the sex scenes were decent & done with creative settings.
May 8, 2016
So this book, for nearly ten years, was my absolute favorite romance novel. Seriously. Nothing else could hold a candle to it.
It's been knocked off the pedestal, but not very far. I still read it at least once a year.
Clever heroine? CHECK.
Clever hero? CHECK.
Wishing I were the heroine? CHECK.
Witty repartee? CHECK.
Actually I'm about due to read it again.
It's been knocked off the pedestal, but not very far. I still read it at least once a year.
Clever heroine? CHECK.
Clever hero? CHECK.
Wishing I were the heroine? CHECK.
Witty repartee? CHECK.
Actually I'm about due to read it again.
March 19, 2015
A spectacle wearing writer of gothic novels adores the neighboring gothic abbey owned by a descendant of the "Devil Earl".
This is a lot of fun, if you don't take it too serious that is. Its a bit silly and over the top, but very entertaining. There are caves and smugglers, pirates and dark and stormy nights.
What I liked the most about it was how the Hero adores the heroines quirks. And she has a few of those :).
There were a few scanning errors in the Kindle book which annoyed, but weren't overwhelming thankfully. I wish they'd check their stuff better at harlequin before they release these backlists.
This is a lot of fun, if you don't take it too serious that is. Its a bit silly and over the top, but very entertaining. There are caves and smugglers, pirates and dark and stormy nights.
What I liked the most about it was how the Hero adores the heroines quirks. And she has a few of those :).
There were a few scanning errors in the Kindle book which annoyed, but weren't overwhelming thankfully. I wish they'd check their stuff better at harlequin before they release these backlists.
May 11, 2014
I thought this was a fun book - definitely a fluff read but my kind of fluff, which is why I gave it 4 stars :)
I love it when the hero and heroine don't waiver back and forth between whether to get together or not; I prefer my drama to come from outside the relationship and the couple to work through whatever happens together. Although I agree with the reviews that the supporting characters were either annoying, ridiculous, or slap-worthy I wasn't reading this for them so I'm ok with that...
I love it when the hero and heroine don't waiver back and forth between whether to get together or not; I prefer my drama to come from outside the relationship and the couple to work through whatever happens together. Although I agree with the reviews that the supporting characters were either annoying, ridiculous, or slap-worthy I wasn't reading this for them so I'm ok with that...
April 12, 2015
I read this book for the first time when I was only 16!!! I accidentally left it when I moved and have been looking for it everywhere ever since, but I could not remember the name!! I just remember the plots and have been looking and looking. I'm not really one for mushy romance novels, but I LOVED this book! So glad I finally found it! :)
March 14, 2019
This one was just plain dull and having food without salt. The hero with his oh I am so evil and heroine with her rosy glasses just annoyed me.
June 7, 2012
Prudence is not interested in being ordered around. She knows what she wants to do, and she does it! A wonderful heroine. And the Earl adores her for her mind just as much as her body. They enjoy each other's company in bed and out of it. One of my favorite reformed-rake stories.
"She realized, belatedly, that she ought to feel ruined and disgraced and doomed. If one of her heroines had been so compromised, the poor creature would probably have thrown herself from the high window onto the rocks below. After due consideration, Prudence decided she really did not feel like doing that."
"She realized, belatedly, that she ought to feel ruined and disgraced and doomed. If one of her heroines had been so compromised, the poor creature would probably have thrown herself from the high window onto the rocks below. After due consideration, Prudence decided she really did not feel like doing that."
July 25, 2012
Enjoyed the simplicity of the H/h and the no angst between the. With the suspense surrounding the H, I am glad he had the sense to not put off his feeling for the h. I liked that they had some chemistry and the love scenes were good. Overall a nice, simple, sweet romance book. Kept me turning the pages for what was to happen next. The h was good and a strong character. She stood her ground and had enough sense to know what she was feeling as well. Will keep for future rereads. I have yet to be disappointed by Deborah Simmons. Love her as an author!
October 29, 2011
I didn't finish it. Mind you I'm a fan of the old time romances! The Wolf & The Dove was the first romance I ever read. This one was SLOW. The characters took a long time to develop and even once I'd spent a great deal of time with them I didn't like either one very much. Prudence because she was dotty and the hero because he was conflicted. I read some good reviews of it but all I can say is it wasn't to my taste. I read Loretta Chase, Madeline Hunter, Lisa Kleypas.
February 20, 2015
This book captivated me from start to end. Though i do kind of wish she would have had added Sebastien in the Epilogue of the book. It definitely a fun read and recommend to anyone over 16.
June 10, 2025
I really enjoyed this one. Its not a 5 star for me only because it didnt have an epilogue and no babies, but it was a good story about a dissolute, cold, heartless hero who finds redemption in the love of a good woman. He was a manwhore, but it wasnt admired or treated as noble—he experiences shame and regret over his scumbag lifestyle and he actually sheds tears over the corruption of his innocence. After, he makes concerted efforts to change and become a better man.
The heroine was plucky, serious but sweet, inquisitive and saw the best in the hero. She was a woman who knee her own mind and forged her own path, often leaving the hero in her wake!
There was a very slight mystery and the feel of the book was GOthic-lite. I found it to be more humorous than grim.
And there were some spicy scenes, but they were pretty tame with lots of effusive flowery language. I found the first time they’re together to be the most emotionally charged and intense.
Safe-ish. Heros past is mentioned, although no explicit details are given. He has been a manwhore since his teens when his uncle corrupted him. The heroine is a virgin and belongs only to her hero, giving him the primal gifts of claiming all of her firsts. No cheating or sharing. Brief separation and faithfulness of hero unknown during that time. No ow/om drama. Hea but no epilogue
The heroine was plucky, serious but sweet, inquisitive and saw the best in the hero. She was a woman who knee her own mind and forged her own path, often leaving the hero in her wake!
There was a very slight mystery and the feel of the book was GOthic-lite. I found it to be more humorous than grim.
And there were some spicy scenes, but they were pretty tame with lots of effusive flowery language. I found the first time they’re together to be the most emotionally charged and intense.
Safe-ish. Heros past is mentioned, although no explicit details are given. He has been a manwhore since his teens when his uncle corrupted him. The heroine is a virgin and belongs only to her hero, giving him the primal gifts of claiming all of her firsts. No cheating or sharing. Brief separation and faithfulness of hero unknown during that time. No ow/om drama. Hea but no epilogue
August 11, 2019
Complete drivel
I can't respect a historical romance that bears no resemblance to history. The characters, Prudence and Phoebe would have been ostracized immediately for their many indiscretions. The Earl would have been given the cut direct as soon as his brother went missing. The "heroine" and "hero" are beyond selfish. How do you offer your sister a Season and proceed to ignore her the entire time when you are supposed to be squiring her about, and then on a whim, want her to return without notice and conclude that she is selfish? How do you agree to return to a man's establishment with no chaperon and have no one bat an eyelid? How are you labeled perceptive when you have no idea that your sister was going off for private walks or that your cousin was in love with you and was increasingly jealous of your new attachment? How are you intelligent and you cannot detect subtleties in speech despite the fact that you are a "writer?" Women were rarely acknowledged writers in this period and wouldn't abandon caution to declare their authorship for risk of censures without sufficient backing and the support of those with societal standing. I could continue listing the many irritants in this novel, but then I would be spending an inordinate amount of time critiquing that which should never have been read in the first place. Given how poorly this novel is written, it should have at least been shorter so that I could at find one redeeming characteristic; unfortunately it's awful and unnecessarily long.
I can't respect a historical romance that bears no resemblance to history. The characters, Prudence and Phoebe would have been ostracized immediately for their many indiscretions. The Earl would have been given the cut direct as soon as his brother went missing. The "heroine" and "hero" are beyond selfish. How do you offer your sister a Season and proceed to ignore her the entire time when you are supposed to be squiring her about, and then on a whim, want her to return without notice and conclude that she is selfish? How do you agree to return to a man's establishment with no chaperon and have no one bat an eyelid? How are you labeled perceptive when you have no idea that your sister was going off for private walks or that your cousin was in love with you and was increasingly jealous of your new attachment? How are you intelligent and you cannot detect subtleties in speech despite the fact that you are a "writer?" Women were rarely acknowledged writers in this period and wouldn't abandon caution to declare their authorship for risk of censures without sufficient backing and the support of those with societal standing. I could continue listing the many irritants in this novel, but then I would be spending an inordinate amount of time critiquing that which should never have been read in the first place. Given how poorly this novel is written, it should have at least been shorter so that I could at find one redeeming characteristic; unfortunately it's awful and unnecessarily long.
November 12, 2022
1.5 stars
The premise: Prudence Lancaster, a Gothic novelist, gets her chance to not only see up-close the towering abbey that has long inspired her, but also its devishly handsome owner, Sebastian Penhurst, Lord Ravenscar.
Miscellaneous notes: I can think of only one word to describe this book: 'insipid'. I don't dare waste any more time on it by writing a thorough review. Let's just say that Pru was a Mary Sue and leave it at that.
I finished reading this book only because of the supposed redemption plot. I guess Ms. Simmons' idea of redemption is a man ceasing to *uck anything that moves due to his lust for a bespectacled woman with ink stains on her hands.
If I ever hear or read the phrase 'grey gaze' again, I will throw myself off the roof of the nearest building.
The premise: Prudence Lancaster, a Gothic novelist, gets her chance to not only see up-close the towering abbey that has long inspired her, but also its devishly handsome owner, Sebastian Penhurst, Lord Ravenscar.
Miscellaneous notes: I can think of only one word to describe this book: 'insipid'. I don't dare waste any more time on it by writing a thorough review. Let's just say that Pru was a Mary Sue and leave it at that.
I finished reading this book only because of the supposed redemption plot. I guess Ms. Simmons' idea of redemption is a man ceasing to *uck anything that moves due to his lust for a bespectacled woman with ink stains on her hands.
If I ever hear or read the phrase 'grey gaze' again, I will throw myself off the roof of the nearest building.
March 29, 2011
Old but great if you like your regency drenched with gothick. Great brooding hero & heroine who goes from naive innocent to sensuous woman.
December 16, 2011
a good read, a little slow to start.
June 8, 2014
YES GOOD.
YES. GOOD.
YES. GOOD.
April 1, 2023
Le sorelle Lancaster vivono da sole in un cottage in Cornovaglia: Phoebe, la minore, vorrebbe andare a Londra per avere una stagione e trovare marito, invece Prudence vorrebbe solo avere la possibilità di visitare Wolfinger Abbey, la dimora dei conti di Ravenscar, per trarre spunto per i suoi romanzi gotici.
Sebastian è l'attuale conte e ora è alle prese con i debiti contratti dal fratello minore, James.
Phoebe incontra James, e i due si innamorano, peccato che il conte in persona si presenti nella loro casa per scoraggiare l'unione.
Le due sorelle partono per Londra, ospitate da un cugino per la stagione mondana, visto che nel frattempo James è sparito e Phoebe è intenzionata a trovare un marito.
Sebastian, rimasto molto colpito da Prudence, inizia a frequentarla. Lei è così diversa dalle altre donne! Peccato che Phoebe si faccia abbindolare da un uomo e scappi con lui e Pru e Sebastian sono costretti ad inseguirla. Facendo anche scoperte e ritrovamenti molto interessanti.
Erano secoli che non leggevo un libro della Simmons e devo dire che questo mi è piaciuto particolarmente. I due protagonisti sono atipici, con Sebastian che se ne frega altamente dell'opinione pubblica, anzi ci cavalca sopra per tenere tutti lontani, e Prudence che addirittura scrive libri e se ne vanta.
Insieme la coppia funziona, vanno contro corrente e seguono i loro desideri. Sanno quello che vogliono e lo ottengono.
La sorella Phoebe è davvero odiosa e compatisco il povero James. Sarà anche bella ma è egoista ed antipatica.
Libro scritto bene che scorre molto velocemente.
Approvato.
Sebastian è l'attuale conte e ora è alle prese con i debiti contratti dal fratello minore, James.
Phoebe incontra James, e i due si innamorano, peccato che il conte in persona si presenti nella loro casa per scoraggiare l'unione.
Le due sorelle partono per Londra, ospitate da un cugino per la stagione mondana, visto che nel frattempo James è sparito e Phoebe è intenzionata a trovare un marito.
Sebastian, rimasto molto colpito da Prudence, inizia a frequentarla. Lei è così diversa dalle altre donne! Peccato che Phoebe si faccia abbindolare da un uomo e scappi con lui e Pru e Sebastian sono costretti ad inseguirla. Facendo anche scoperte e ritrovamenti molto interessanti.
Erano secoli che non leggevo un libro della Simmons e devo dire che questo mi è piaciuto particolarmente. I due protagonisti sono atipici, con Sebastian che se ne frega altamente dell'opinione pubblica, anzi ci cavalca sopra per tenere tutti lontani, e Prudence che addirittura scrive libri e se ne vanta.
Insieme la coppia funziona, vanno contro corrente e seguono i loro desideri. Sanno quello che vogliono e lo ottengono.
La sorella Phoebe è davvero odiosa e compatisco il povero James. Sarà anche bella ma è egoista ed antipatica.
Libro scritto bene che scorre molto velocemente.
Approvato.
November 2, 2023
Segundo livro do Regency Quartet e um dos mais engraçados.
Vivian é uma escritora de romances góticos que tem o personagem do seu último livro identicado com o Conde de Ravenscar, Sebastian. Numa tentativa de limpar a reputação dele, ambos começam a se encontrar em vistas da sociedade.
Sebastian, por sua vez, não está muito interessado na opinião da sociedade, mas se irrita enormemente com as tentativas de sua parceira, então, porque é uma solução óbvia, resolve seduzí-la.
Ri horrores. Recomendo.
Vivian é uma escritora de romances góticos que tem o personagem do seu último livro identicado com o Conde de Ravenscar, Sebastian. Numa tentativa de limpar a reputação dele, ambos começam a se encontrar em vistas da sociedade.
Sebastian, por sua vez, não está muito interessado na opinião da sociedade, mas se irrita enormemente com as tentativas de sua parceira, então, porque é uma solução óbvia, resolve seduzí-la.
Ri horrores. Recomendo.
July 6, 2024
Luci e tenebre è un bel romanzo storico godibile e originale.
Prudence, la protagonista, è una giovane donna un po' sopra le righe, ma assolutamente credibile dal mio punto di vista. Sebastian, il Conte Maledetto, è un uomo dal passato difficile e dall'animo buono che le malelingue dipingo molto peggio di quello che è realmente.
Belli anche Phoebe, la sorella minore di Pru e James, fratello minore di Sebastian. Quest'ultimo affascinante tanto quanto il fratello.
La trama mi è piaciuta, c'è anche quel pizzico di mistero che rende la lettura più interessante.
Prudence, la protagonista, è una giovane donna un po' sopra le righe, ma assolutamente credibile dal mio punto di vista. Sebastian, il Conte Maledetto, è un uomo dal passato difficile e dall'animo buono che le malelingue dipingo molto peggio di quello che è realmente.
Belli anche Phoebe, la sorella minore di Pru e James, fratello minore di Sebastian. Quest'ultimo affascinante tanto quanto il fratello.
La trama mi è piaciuta, c'è anche quel pizzico di mistero che rende la lettura più interessante.
February 5, 2022
Pretty standard 90's harlequin romance. I liked the hero and heroine well enough, and their interactions were the best part of the story until it went off the rails at the end.
I get frustrated when authors imply about scandal and ruination, but never back it up when the heroine flagrantly disregards social mores with no consequences.
I could not stand the sister.
I get frustrated when authors imply about scandal and ruination, but never back it up when the heroine flagrantly disregards social mores with no consequences.
I could not stand the sister.
May 20, 2017
one of my favorites read it many times.
September 24, 2017
Si può leggere. Si può dimenticare. Parte bene, ma poi è un calando...
January 31, 2019
Yes this is romance! Yes it has a few sentences that wouldn’t have been missed, or could have been written differently but I would read it again. This was a romance with mystery!
October 17, 2019
Cure story, one adventure too many near the end . . .
Read
May 12, 2021Nice book
November 30, 2021
The ending was a bit rushed, but I loved this one! Heroine is a writer, hero lives in a creepy Gothic mansion. Mysteries, secret passages, pirates, a missing brother. Super fun read.
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