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Grantham #2
One Forbidden Evening
Every woman wants one night to be sinful...
As a masked ball reaches its fever pitch, Cybelline Caldwell surrenders to the embrace of a midnight lover, a stranger who seals her fate. By morning the wanton seductress has been replaced by a determinedly sensible woman preparing to leave London...and its memories. Yet temptation follows. For Christopher Hollins, Earl of Ferrin, the notorious rake she so brazenly challenged, vows to show her that one night was not enough.
It took some clever detective work, but Ferrin uncovered the identity of his mystery lover, surprised and intrigued to come face to face with Cybelline. Soon he discovers she is a woman of mystery—and a woman in danger, stalked by a ruthless enemy. Unable to erase the searing memory of Cybelline in his arms, Ferrin knows he must discover the secrets that shadow her days...for only then can he claim all of her nights.
As a masked ball reaches its fever pitch, Cybelline Caldwell surrenders to the embrace of a midnight lover, a stranger who seals her fate. By morning the wanton seductress has been replaced by a determinedly sensible woman preparing to leave London...and its memories. Yet temptation follows. For Christopher Hollins, Earl of Ferrin, the notorious rake she so brazenly challenged, vows to show her that one night was not enough.
It took some clever detective work, but Ferrin uncovered the identity of his mystery lover, surprised and intrigued to come face to face with Cybelline. Soon he discovers she is a woman of mystery—and a woman in danger, stalked by a ruthless enemy. Unable to erase the searing memory of Cybelline in his arms, Ferrin knows he must discover the secrets that shadow her days...for only then can he claim all of her nights.
444 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
65 people are currently reading
384 people want to read
About the author
Jo Goodman
60 books479 followersTo find characters to illustrate my first family saga, I cut out models from the Sears catalogue. I was in fourth grade, but it was a start. In seventh grade I wrote a melodrama about two orphan sisters, one of whom was pregnant. There was also a story about a runaway girl with the unlikely name of Strawberry and one about mistaken identities and an evil blind date. My supportive, but vaguely concerned parents, sighed with relief when I announced I was going to write children's books. They bought me an electric typewriter and crossed their fingers, but somehow PASSION'S BRIDE came out. No one was really surprised.
I graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry and some notion that I would do marine research. Years of competitive swimming didn't help me anticipate seasickness. A career change seemed in order. I began working with adolescents and families, first as a childcare worker and later, after graduating from West Virginia University with a master's degree in counseling, as a therapist. I am currently the executive director of a child caring/mental health agency and find my work and my writing often compliment each other. One grounds me in reality and the other offers a break from it.
I graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry and some notion that I would do marine research. Years of competitive swimming didn't help me anticipate seasickness. A career change seemed in order. I began working with adolescents and families, first as a childcare worker and later, after graduating from West Virginia University with a master's degree in counseling, as a therapist. I am currently the executive director of a child caring/mental health agency and find my work and my writing often compliment each other. One grounds me in reality and the other offers a break from it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
September 21, 2009
Cybelline is a widowed mother whose husband commited suicide some time ago. She's still not over it and plagued with grief. However, "she's a woman with woman's needs" by her own words, and soon realizes she misses the physical intimacies she used to share with her husband. In a masquerade ball, she's given the chance to finally indulge her need, while keeping her identity hidden. The man she chooses is the Earl of Ferrin, a handsome man with the reputation of a rake, which suits her just fine, as there is little chance of him caring for the identity of his masqued lover afterwards. But Ferrin is much more than he seems and he will soon set out to find her. When they meet again, it's obvious there is still fire between them, but Cybelline is not likely to surrender her heart to another man only to have it crashed once again. She's also been receiving threatening letters since her husband's death, that prove to her how little she knew of him after all: that has made her believe she can't trust her own judgement anymore. Ferrin though, is not a man to give up easily, and will slowly but steadily try to make her change her mind and thaw the ice around her heart. But first, they have to clear the threat that's been hanging over her, while finding out the reason behind her husband's suicide.
I really could not enjoy this book and found myself skimming pages in the end, so that it would end sooner. I guessed early on who the villain was, as well as her husband's secret, so there was little interest for me in that way. Goodman's writing style is unusual to say the least, and it took me several chapters to get used to it in the beginning. She writes extremely witty dialogues, the likes of which I've only read by Julia Quinn, but in Goodman's case, the language is so structured that it's inconcievable to think a real person talking like that. In fact, it's my opinion, that Goodman engages in more dialogues that are actually necessary, in order to show her -admitedly- cutting wit, which results in a very slow pace.
Also, the lack of authenticity in the dialogues, made me think of the hero and heroine as actors reciting their pre-made speeches on stage, and thus I couldn't come to see them as real persons or care for either of them. They were more like empty puppets, especially the heroine who remained a black box to me, since little of her personality outside her grief and strength was ever revealed. We don't learn anything about her likes and dislikes, her interests, her relationship with her late husband outside the bedchamber, or the woman she used to be before his death. Despite her tangible feeling of betrayal and sorrow, she seemed a very reserved and self-reliant person to me, who actually missed more the physical rather than the emotional relationship with her husbdand. The hero was certainly better sketched, since we do get a background on his family and interests, but he was more beta than I usually like. There was also the matter of his posing to the villagers and servants as his friend, a simple mister instead of an Earl -though the heroine knew who he was all along and he knew she knew- that had no real reason for excistance and merely added confusion.
A very mediocre and boring read, where only the heroine's brother shined and showed promise for being a really interesting hero in his own book, which obviously preceeded this one. But, I find myself too disappointed to give Goodman another try at this point.
I really could not enjoy this book and found myself skimming pages in the end, so that it would end sooner. I guessed early on who the villain was, as well as her husband's secret, so there was little interest for me in that way. Goodman's writing style is unusual to say the least, and it took me several chapters to get used to it in the beginning. She writes extremely witty dialogues, the likes of which I've only read by Julia Quinn, but in Goodman's case, the language is so structured that it's inconcievable to think a real person talking like that. In fact, it's my opinion, that Goodman engages in more dialogues that are actually necessary, in order to show her -admitedly- cutting wit, which results in a very slow pace.
Also, the lack of authenticity in the dialogues, made me think of the hero and heroine as actors reciting their pre-made speeches on stage, and thus I couldn't come to see them as real persons or care for either of them. They were more like empty puppets, especially the heroine who remained a black box to me, since little of her personality outside her grief and strength was ever revealed. We don't learn anything about her likes and dislikes, her interests, her relationship with her late husband outside the bedchamber, or the woman she used to be before his death. Despite her tangible feeling of betrayal and sorrow, she seemed a very reserved and self-reliant person to me, who actually missed more the physical rather than the emotional relationship with her husbdand. The hero was certainly better sketched, since we do get a background on his family and interests, but he was more beta than I usually like. There was also the matter of his posing to the villagers and servants as his friend, a simple mister instead of an Earl -though the heroine knew who he was all along and he knew she knew- that had no real reason for excistance and merely added confusion.
A very mediocre and boring read, where only the heroine's brother shined and showed promise for being a really interesting hero in his own book, which obviously preceeded this one. But, I find myself too disappointed to give Goodman another try at this point.
January 9, 2018
You just can't help liking Jo Goodman's characters. The plot fades to the background and you just enjoy living in her characters' world.
February 16, 2021
Después de leer esta novela, me enteré que es el segundo libro de la serie Grantham, sin embargo no representó un impedimento, ya que pueden pueden leerse de forma independiente… el hilo conductor es que nuestra protagonista aparece en la primera entrega.
“Una noche prohibida” comienza con un tórrido encuentro entre Cybelline y Christopher, en un baile de máscara en Londres de 1817. Él se deja seducir por la desconocida y le promete no buscarla cuando termine esa noche; sin embargo es incapaz de cumplir su promesa.
La narrativa es sencilla y grácil, como nos tiene acostumbrada la autora, los diálogos me han gustado bastante. Es una novela con varios elementos entremezclados: chispa entre los protagonistas, sensualidad, y algo de intriga aunque sabemos que casi siempre en estos libros los finales son predecibles. Sin embargo, es imposible no pasar un buen tiempo.
Los protagonistas están muy bien definidos y caracterizados, ella una joven viuda con una hija de dos años, con un pasado que la agobia y una culpa a cuestas. Él es un Conde libertino (cuando no) que intenta por todos sus medios encontrar a la misteriosa mujer del baile, y termina convertido en el personaje demasiado perfecto.
Las descripciones de la Inglaterra de la Regencia son detalladas y armoniosas, un punto siempre a favor de esta autora, quien logra elevarnos de las páginas para transportarnos a los lugares que nos describe con suma facilidad.
En definitiva, es una novela entretenida de esas para pasar un fin de semana agradable, con una lectura ágil y simpática.
100% recomendado.
“No confío en mi propio corazón. No puede esperar que confíe en el suyo.”
“Una noche prohibida” comienza con un tórrido encuentro entre Cybelline y Christopher, en un baile de máscara en Londres de 1817. Él se deja seducir por la desconocida y le promete no buscarla cuando termine esa noche; sin embargo es incapaz de cumplir su promesa.
La narrativa es sencilla y grácil, como nos tiene acostumbrada la autora, los diálogos me han gustado bastante. Es una novela con varios elementos entremezclados: chispa entre los protagonistas, sensualidad, y algo de intriga aunque sabemos que casi siempre en estos libros los finales son predecibles. Sin embargo, es imposible no pasar un buen tiempo.
Los protagonistas están muy bien definidos y caracterizados, ella una joven viuda con una hija de dos años, con un pasado que la agobia y una culpa a cuestas. Él es un Conde libertino (cuando no) que intenta por todos sus medios encontrar a la misteriosa mujer del baile, y termina convertido en el personaje demasiado perfecto.
Las descripciones de la Inglaterra de la Regencia son detalladas y armoniosas, un punto siempre a favor de esta autora, quien logra elevarnos de las páginas para transportarnos a los lugares que nos describe con suma facilidad.
En definitiva, es una novela entretenida de esas para pasar un fin de semana agradable, con una lectura ágil y simpática.
100% recomendado.
“No confío en mi propio corazón. No puede esperar que confíe en el suyo.”
April 4, 2016
Libraries! What would we do without a convenient library in our romance?
Yes, in One Forbidden Evening we have a heroine who must go to the library. Of course our hero is there slouched in a chair. All heroes slouch in the library chairs which have been placed in the dark corner of a library. How they can read a book in the dark baffles me. When Cybelline meandered into the library I found my mind wandering. You know heroines wander into dark secluded libraries a lot! In fact I bet libraries might be at the very top of the list of trysting places in romance books, (if there were such a list). I wonder just how many books have a library scene in them. A gazillion? I'm thinking that would make some meticulous person (not me) a wonderful project in their spare time. All one needs do is start going through romance books and record all the library scenes. Once the number is tabulated one could even make a list (we all love lists) of their favorite library scene, their most romantic library scene, their most erotic library scene, etc. I'm not saying the use of a library is a bad thing; actually I think it's one of the better plot devices used to maneuver our couple into each other’s arms. I vaguely remember a library scene in which the heroine was angry with the hero and she rearranged all of his books by subject matter. I don't remember what book it was from, but I remember thinking it was funny. I’m done wandering now.
On to One Forbidden Evening, 2006. This is the second in Jo Goodman's Grantham series and yes it was published in 2006. I loved the first book so much I decided to check out the others in this series and I may take a look at her other historicals. Another author to read in between waiting for new books!
There was a lot to like about One Forbidden Evening. First of all, the witty dialogue between almost all of the characters in this book made me smile. Ms. Goodman seems to know her way around a word or two. She has also managed to take a plot device I don't particularly care for and make it into something that didn't irritate me. That would be the disguise plot line, in fact this book has two people pretending to be someone else. Our heroine pretends to be someone else in the very beginning of the book and our hero pretends to be his best friend in the rest of the book. But that's ok, because the people who really count know the truth of the identities – those people would be Cybelline (heroine) and Ferrin (hero).
When the story begins, a recently widowed Cybelline is having a pretty hot dream about a man (we assume it's her husband). This dream is too much for her and she decides she must scratch that itch, with a little encouragement from her aunt and maid she does. She shows up at a costume party dressed as Boudicca – dyed red hair, spear and everything. She also has someone in mind to scratch that itch. Unknown to our hero Christopher Hollins, the Earl of Ferrin, Cybelline has been watching him for a while. She's heard of his reputation and believes he would be easy to seduce, plus she believes he wouldn't be interested in pursuing her once they've had their encounter. Oh silly girl, this is a romance. But even if it weren’t taking place in Romanceland, I would think that most men would not easily forget a woman who is the aggressor - at least not for a while. So after some really hot whankee-roo on the stairs (ouchy) she departs leaving Ferrin determined to find her. But, Cybelline has left more than just the party, she's fled into the countryside with her daughter.
It does not take our hero long to figure out who she is and where she has raced off to. He follows her. Now here is where the book took a nose dive for me. There is another reason he's off to the country - helping his friend Wellsley improve his reputation. You see, Wellsley's grandmother is concerned about Wellsley's reputation. She thinks the only way to improve that reputation is for him to marry. But Wellsley doesn’t want to be forced into a marriage of his grandmother’s choosing. Thrown into this is the fact that Wellsley is in love with Ferrin's sister, but Wellsley thinks Ferrin's parents don't like him because of his reputation - so for some reason the solution to all of this is for Ferrin to pretend to be Wellsley and go off to the country and do good things - I guess. This whole Wellsley/Ferrin pretend disguise thing was very silly, didn't make too much sense and was distracting to the rest of the story. I didn't get it.
Anyway, Ferrin is in the countryside pretending to be Wellsley. Cybelline is there and of course she knows he’s not Wellsley and he knows she’s Boudicca. But before they confess to each other that they know who is who, they do some circling and baiting. There is also a little bit of a mystery plot going on. After Cybelline’s husband committed suicide, she started receiving threatening letters from his lover. A lover she had no idea existed and one who blames her for her husband’s death. Also included with these threatening letters are correspondence which her husband (Nicholas) sent his lover. Not only is she frightened, she is also hurt by Nicholas’ betrayal. As the story progresses, the threats start to include Cybelline’s daughter. Phewwww, there's a lot going on in this book. The mystery surrounding Cybelline's marriage/husband was a nice bit of discovery. There are clues all over the place but you have to read carefully to catch them because Ms. Goodman tries to lead you down the wrong path. Don’t follow the Red Herrings. And, that's all the hint I am going to provide.
This book also contained a rather silly villain resolution, but I wasn't as irritated with that as I was with Ferrin’s strong-arm techniques in the bedroom. I found myself becoming rather annoyed with Ferrin's compulsion to have Cybelline plead for her pleasure. I'm not sure why he felt the need to do that over and over again. Cybelline has let Ferrin read some of the letters, so he knows what a jerk-face Nicholas was, how Nicholas used her but still Ferrin insists upon Cybelline’s begging. I found Ferrin's demands of Cybelline not only disturbing but degrading - especially since he was supposedly falling in love with her.
Overall, I found most of the book a pleasant read. I was enchanted with Ms. Goodman's use of "the Word". The dialogue was fun, the characters were well-rounded. I would have given this a much higher rating but for a few things: I didn't buy into the Wellsley/Ferrin switch reasoning and Ferrin's bedroom antics were unsettling.
KaysBlog
Yes, in One Forbidden Evening we have a heroine who must go to the library. Of course our hero is there slouched in a chair. All heroes slouch in the library chairs which have been placed in the dark corner of a library. How they can read a book in the dark baffles me. When Cybelline meandered into the library I found my mind wandering. You know heroines wander into dark secluded libraries a lot! In fact I bet libraries might be at the very top of the list of trysting places in romance books, (if there were such a list). I wonder just how many books have a library scene in them. A gazillion? I'm thinking that would make some meticulous person (not me) a wonderful project in their spare time. All one needs do is start going through romance books and record all the library scenes. Once the number is tabulated one could even make a list (we all love lists) of their favorite library scene, their most romantic library scene, their most erotic library scene, etc. I'm not saying the use of a library is a bad thing; actually I think it's one of the better plot devices used to maneuver our couple into each other’s arms. I vaguely remember a library scene in which the heroine was angry with the hero and she rearranged all of his books by subject matter. I don't remember what book it was from, but I remember thinking it was funny. I’m done wandering now.
On to One Forbidden Evening, 2006. This is the second in Jo Goodman's Grantham series and yes it was published in 2006. I loved the first book so much I decided to check out the others in this series and I may take a look at her other historicals. Another author to read in between waiting for new books!
There was a lot to like about One Forbidden Evening. First of all, the witty dialogue between almost all of the characters in this book made me smile. Ms. Goodman seems to know her way around a word or two. She has also managed to take a plot device I don't particularly care for and make it into something that didn't irritate me. That would be the disguise plot line, in fact this book has two people pretending to be someone else. Our heroine pretends to be someone else in the very beginning of the book and our hero pretends to be his best friend in the rest of the book. But that's ok, because the people who really count know the truth of the identities – those people would be Cybelline (heroine) and Ferrin (hero).
When the story begins, a recently widowed Cybelline is having a pretty hot dream about a man (we assume it's her husband). This dream is too much for her and she decides she must scratch that itch, with a little encouragement from her aunt and maid she does. She shows up at a costume party dressed as Boudicca – dyed red hair, spear and everything. She also has someone in mind to scratch that itch. Unknown to our hero Christopher Hollins, the Earl of Ferrin, Cybelline has been watching him for a while. She's heard of his reputation and believes he would be easy to seduce, plus she believes he wouldn't be interested in pursuing her once they've had their encounter. Oh silly girl, this is a romance. But even if it weren’t taking place in Romanceland, I would think that most men would not easily forget a woman who is the aggressor - at least not for a while. So after some really hot whankee-roo on the stairs (ouchy) she departs leaving Ferrin determined to find her. But, Cybelline has left more than just the party, she's fled into the countryside with her daughter.
It does not take our hero long to figure out who she is and where she has raced off to. He follows her. Now here is where the book took a nose dive for me. There is another reason he's off to the country - helping his friend Wellsley improve his reputation. You see, Wellsley's grandmother is concerned about Wellsley's reputation. She thinks the only way to improve that reputation is for him to marry. But Wellsley doesn’t want to be forced into a marriage of his grandmother’s choosing. Thrown into this is the fact that Wellsley is in love with Ferrin's sister, but Wellsley thinks Ferrin's parents don't like him because of his reputation - so for some reason the solution to all of this is for Ferrin to pretend to be Wellsley and go off to the country and do good things - I guess. This whole Wellsley/Ferrin pretend disguise thing was very silly, didn't make too much sense and was distracting to the rest of the story. I didn't get it.
Anyway, Ferrin is in the countryside pretending to be Wellsley. Cybelline is there and of course she knows he’s not Wellsley and he knows she’s Boudicca. But before they confess to each other that they know who is who, they do some circling and baiting. There is also a little bit of a mystery plot going on. After Cybelline’s husband committed suicide, she started receiving threatening letters from his lover. A lover she had no idea existed and one who blames her for her husband’s death. Also included with these threatening letters are correspondence which her husband (Nicholas) sent his lover. Not only is she frightened, she is also hurt by Nicholas’ betrayal. As the story progresses, the threats start to include Cybelline’s daughter. Phewwww, there's a lot going on in this book. The mystery surrounding Cybelline's marriage/husband was a nice bit of discovery. There are clues all over the place but you have to read carefully to catch them because Ms. Goodman tries to lead you down the wrong path. Don’t follow the Red Herrings. And, that's all the hint I am going to provide.
This book also contained a rather silly villain resolution, but I wasn't as irritated with that as I was with Ferrin’s strong-arm techniques in the bedroom. I found myself becoming rather annoyed with Ferrin's compulsion to have Cybelline plead for her pleasure. I'm not sure why he felt the need to do that over and over again. Cybelline has let Ferrin read some of the letters, so he knows what a jerk-face Nicholas was, how Nicholas used her but still Ferrin insists upon Cybelline’s begging. I found Ferrin's demands of Cybelline not only disturbing but degrading - especially since he was supposedly falling in love with her.
Overall, I found most of the book a pleasant read. I was enchanted with Ms. Goodman's use of "the Word". The dialogue was fun, the characters were well-rounded. I would have given this a much higher rating but for a few things: I didn't buy into the Wellsley/Ferrin switch reasoning and Ferrin's bedroom antics were unsettling.
KaysBlog
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2020
I had a good time reading The Price of Desire earlier this year that I thought I'd get back to reading Jo Goodman. The Grantham series has turned out to be a mediocre series, which was unfortunate for me since I bought both Kindle titles at the same time.
It was off to a good start - I love a randy heroine who seduces the hero. However, not much else to recommend to the reader. I did not have any feelings towards Cybelline and Ferrin - they were not interesting or amusing. I found both books in the series stilted and boring to read. There was no laughter, no tension. No lightness or darkness here.
It was an interesting premise but I ultimately I enjoyed the idea of the plot more than the execution of it.
I also found it problematic that the villain was Nicholas Caldwell's .
Going to take a break from Goodman now.
It was off to a good start - I love a randy heroine who seduces the hero. However, not much else to recommend to the reader. I did not have any feelings towards Cybelline and Ferrin - they were not interesting or amusing. I found both books in the series stilted and boring to read. There was no laughter, no tension. No lightness or darkness here.
It was an interesting premise but I ultimately I enjoyed the idea of the plot more than the execution of it.
I also found it problematic that the villain was Nicholas Caldwell's .
Going to take a break from Goodman now.
September 30, 2023
I love it!
Ms. Goodman was not a known author to me and I bought this book by accident, but I definitely a fan now.
The romance was not over the top but I love the banter between Cybelline and Ferrin and I adore the way they cling to, need and trust each other. I absolutely love Ferrin, his intelligence, warmth and quiet demeanor. Cybelline was not a wilted flower herself and I liked it that she stood up to the villain at the end.
The mystery was quite good too, I applauded Ms. Goodman for the twist for I didn't see it coming. Other characters like Lady Rivendale and Porter Wellsley were entertaining as well
I enjoyed this book and I thank Ms. Goodman for the adventure and great story.
Ms. Goodman was not a known author to me and I bought this book by accident, but I definitely a fan now.
The romance was not over the top but I love the banter between Cybelline and Ferrin and I adore the way they cling to, need and trust each other. I absolutely love Ferrin, his intelligence, warmth and quiet demeanor. Cybelline was not a wilted flower herself and I liked it that she stood up to the villain at the end.
The mystery was quite good too, I applauded Ms. Goodman for the twist for I didn't see it coming. Other characters like Lady Rivendale and Porter Wellsley were entertaining as well
I enjoyed this book and I thank Ms. Goodman for the adventure and great story.
April 18, 2010
well we had a heroine tstl for half the book, but she settled down nicely after all. The hero was lovely if too perfect (beta disguised as alpha) and knowing a lot of recent historical villain plots the villain was known by the half of the book, although I didn't suspect his accomplice. She's done much better in Never Love a Lawman (5 stars) and The Price of Desire (4 stars).
April 7, 2012
a diferencia del primer libro creo que este paso mas rapido, cada escena tuvo su tiempo y momento y no alargo mucho la cuestion (en quedarse en una misma escena pagina por pagina)
al principio no entendi muy bien ya que en el libro anterior habiamos conocido a este personaje pense que volveriamos al principio pero me equivoque la autora nos planteo otras circunstancias que hicieron que todo cambiara.
Cybelline, es una viuda que es fuerte pero despues de lo que paso su caracter su personalidad ha ido marchitandose, el por que de lo que sucedio sigue rondandole y se menosprecia o no cree que merece sentir lo que siente pero las cosas cambian con un baile de disfraz y lo que pasa en el, a pesar de que trata de alejarse las cosas no le salen como quiere y luego estan las cartas las cuales hacen que su punto de vista flaquee.
Luego entra en cuestion Ferrin pensamos una cosa de el mejor dicho la autora nos lo plantea pero despues nos enteramos que no es asi, es inteligente, amante de descubrir, mejorar y crear cosas para el mejoramiento de ellas pero sobre dulce, protector, sabelotodo, arrogante y mas.
la relacion de ellos empieza un poco confusa por parte de los dos por no querer descubrir o hablar de lo que el otro sabe o mejor dicho se dio cuenta, es un poco dificil pero a la vez inevitable.
al principio nos preguntamos quien puede ser la amante pero despues de plantearse las teorias y como vamos conociendo a los personajes cada uno aporta algo para que nos vayamos dando cuenta o dirigiendonos hacia el sospecho y al final si pegue quien era, jajajaja
al principio no entendi muy bien ya que en el libro anterior habiamos conocido a este personaje pense que volveriamos al principio pero me equivoque la autora nos planteo otras circunstancias que hicieron que todo cambiara.
Cybelline, es una viuda que es fuerte pero despues de lo que paso su caracter su personalidad ha ido marchitandose, el por que de lo que sucedio sigue rondandole y se menosprecia o no cree que merece sentir lo que siente pero las cosas cambian con un baile de disfraz y lo que pasa en el, a pesar de que trata de alejarse las cosas no le salen como quiere y luego estan las cartas las cuales hacen que su punto de vista flaquee.
Luego entra en cuestion Ferrin pensamos una cosa de el mejor dicho la autora nos lo plantea pero despues nos enteramos que no es asi, es inteligente, amante de descubrir, mejorar y crear cosas para el mejoramiento de ellas pero sobre dulce, protector, sabelotodo, arrogante y mas.
la relacion de ellos empieza un poco confusa por parte de los dos por no querer descubrir o hablar de lo que el otro sabe o mejor dicho se dio cuenta, es un poco dificil pero a la vez inevitable.
al principio nos preguntamos quien puede ser la amante pero despues de plantearse las teorias y como vamos conociendo a los personajes cada uno aporta algo para que nos vayamos dando cuenta o dirigiendonos hacia el sospecho y al final si pegue quien era, jajajaja
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July 14, 2024Note: this book was originally published in 2006. Goodreads is aboveboard about this, but the OG date is advertised nowhere currently in the blurb on Amazon. A big pet peeve of mine.
Not for me. Although the dialog is witty in places, the characters don't have much depth and are overly talky. I found myself skimming chapters just to get to the next plot point. Nothing is really established motivation-wise; I wasn't sure why MFC risked pregnancy at the beginning just for a quickie with a virtual stranger (she knows there are safer ways to go about finding pleasure; it's not as if she doesn't already have a kiddo) and don't know why MMC chose to hide his identity later when MFC already knew who he was. Plus when the MC's got together in the 2nd half of the book the love scenes were repetitive & I didn't find them sexy. MFC didn't have much sexual agency (fairly typical of HR's written around 20 years ago). I bailed on this one kind of late but better late than never.
Not for me. Although the dialog is witty in places, the characters don't have much depth and are overly talky. I found myself skimming chapters just to get to the next plot point. Nothing is really established motivation-wise; I wasn't sure why MFC risked pregnancy at the beginning just for a quickie with a virtual stranger (she knows there are safer ways to go about finding pleasure; it's not as if she doesn't already have a kiddo) and don't know why MMC chose to hide his identity later when MFC already knew who he was. Plus when the MC's got together in the 2nd half of the book the love scenes were repetitive & I didn't find them sexy. MFC didn't have much sexual agency (fairly typical of HR's written around 20 years ago). I bailed on this one kind of late but better late than never.
April 6, 2024
Absolutely amazing!
I read a lot. I'm often bored and just want to get to the end. This book had some of the best dialogue I've ever read, and not just at the beginning, but throughout the entire book. The plot was excellent and well executed. Even though it was a longer book than I normally read, there were no parts that dragged, no parts I wanted to skip over. Adored the H, loved that it didn't take the whole book for the h to come to her senses. Just an all around wonderful read. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
I read a lot. I'm often bored and just want to get to the end. This book had some of the best dialogue I've ever read, and not just at the beginning, but throughout the entire book. The plot was excellent and well executed. Even though it was a longer book than I normally read, there were no parts that dragged, no parts I wanted to skip over. Adored the H, loved that it didn't take the whole book for the h to come to her senses. Just an all around wonderful read. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
June 15, 2019
This is the 2nd in the series, but can be read as a stand alone. I never did read the first, but the characters appear & are part of the story in this one.
This is a re read for me & I remember a lot about this story. I liked the H/h, though Cybelline can be really annoying. The story moved very slowly in parts, but I did enjoy the re read.
This is a re read for me & I remember a lot about this story. I liked the H/h, though Cybelline can be really annoying. The story moved very slowly in parts, but I did enjoy the re read.
April 9, 2024
A fabulous writer!
Jo Goodman is a master of her craft. It was such a pleasure to follow her characters through their adventures, as their repartee was wonderful.
A warning--much of the book is explicit sex. I prefer "sweet" romances, but Jo writes so well that i enjoyed every word.
Jo Goodman is a master of her craft. It was such a pleasure to follow her characters through their adventures, as their repartee was wonderful.
A warning--much of the book is explicit sex. I prefer "sweet" romances, but Jo writes so well that i enjoyed every word.
May 1, 2024
Tension and romance
What a powerful story and couple who certainly deserved each other. Read the first book about Sheridan and Lily that dealt with very serious issues but they as a couple were lovely. This story has social issues and repercussions too but the love between Ferrin and Cymbeline is beautiful.
What a powerful story and couple who certainly deserved each other. Read the first book about Sheridan and Lily that dealt with very serious issues but they as a couple were lovely. This story has social issues and repercussions too but the love between Ferrin and Cymbeline is beautiful.
March 10, 2020
I love mistaken identities or just unidentified at a masked ball stories. I also liked that it didn’t take Christopher too long to figure out who the lady was that captivated him.
This was a little sad because Cybelline’s husband committed suicide, and after meats she found out he had a mistress that he was in love with.
This was a little sad because Cybelline’s husband committed suicide, and after meats she found out he had a mistress that he was in love with.
April 15, 2024
Very good
This is better than the average Regency Romance. The characters are interesting and complex after a pretty dramatic beginning at a masquerade ball. This was very entertsining.
This is better than the average Regency Romance. The characters are interesting and complex after a pretty dramatic beginning at a masquerade ball. This was very entertsining.
December 16, 2024
The protagonists are both highly likable, and their characterization and conversations are well done. They have great chemistry. But the plot is all over the place, and the ending in particular feels rushed and thrown together.
September 15, 2018
It was like going back to the classics. At the same time it was equally gripping. The cover aptly says “Every woman wants one night to be sinful..” and the book certainly justifies it.
April 4, 2019
I liked the hero very much and his dynamic with his family and friends was amusing. I didn't know if I would enjoy this in the beginning, but it turned out to be a very fine romance.
August 23, 2019
3.5 stars. This started out strong, but early on I guessed the mystery and it then became predictable.
October 3, 2020
Ferrin & Cyberlline's story was magnificent! The twist that finally revealed the truth blew me away. Highly recommended this story. Happy Reading.
May 12, 2025
He pursued her. He nursed her when she was sick. Her first husband killed himself and she still grieves him.
April 28, 2025
One Forbidden Evening (2006) continues this terrific series with high tension throughout the story, a mystery, danger and shocking twists near the end.
The heroine Cybelline, a widow decides to attend a masked ball hosted by the Earl of Ferrin… she’s been in mourning and it’s time to get out in society. She attends the ball and meets Ferrin … thus begins this story with an exciting sexy beginning. I’m reluctant to write any more about the story as the surprises along the way are so integral to the plot.
Goodman’s writing is incredibly rich, the dialogue is sharp and witty, and the characters are so realistic. The sex scenes are detailed, sizzling hot and ever so swoony… the romance is hard won by the hero. There are a few dark aspects to the story.
Overall, I absolutely loved this second book in the series … it has everything I desire in a HR: outstanding writing, story, romance, sex scenes and characters. Now on to the next book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The heroine Cybelline, a widow decides to attend a masked ball hosted by the Earl of Ferrin… she’s been in mourning and it’s time to get out in society. She attends the ball and meets Ferrin … thus begins this story with an exciting sexy beginning. I’m reluctant to write any more about the story as the surprises along the way are so integral to the plot.
Goodman’s writing is incredibly rich, the dialogue is sharp and witty, and the characters are so realistic. The sex scenes are detailed, sizzling hot and ever so swoony… the romance is hard won by the hero. There are a few dark aspects to the story.
Overall, I absolutely loved this second book in the series … it has everything I desire in a HR: outstanding writing, story, romance, sex scenes and characters. Now on to the next book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 29, 2023
A suspenseful and well-written novel brings two people together at a masquerade ball. Cybelline chooses to don a persona that brings out an aspect of her character that she normally does not put on display, but her desperation, sorrow, and deep fear are forcing her to make decisions that will take her life in a new direction. The Earl of Ferrin espies the beauty when she enters the ballroom, and he is drawn to her in a way he could never have envisaged. Apart from their steamy encounter, she entices him and drawns him to search for her, with little to no trail left behind. A drunken suggestion posed to him by his closest friend, results in Ferrin finding himself in a small, snowy village where he does indeed find the lady who has haunted his dreams. Cybelline has escaped to a dilapidated house in the wilds where she immediately sets to work to put the house in order and ensure that the staff are properly cared for. Discovering Ferrin in the village under a pseudonym sets her back on her heels, and she would like to avoid him at all costs. However, when she needs help, it is the Earl who steps in to nurse her and bring her back to life. In the process, Ferrin discovers that Cybelline is experiencing threats from an unknown enemy, but with few clues to work with, he eventually has to persuade her to return to her family home for help from her brother. The passion that Ferrin and Cybelline experienced at the masked ball simmers throughout the novel, with him biding his time and working patiently at meeting every need, until Cybelline eventually comes to her own realization that he is putting all the power in her hands and that she is free to love him. When the perpetrator is lured into the open, the Scoundrels as they are fondly known, once again play their part but it is Ferrin and Cybelline that bring their foe down and justice is finally served. This novel is well-written, suspenseful, and romantic and I found I was held in thrall throughout to the closing chapters. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
January 20, 2014
Author: Jo Goodman
First published: 2006
Length: 5996 locations, 436 pages
Setting: London and rural England, 1817
Sex: Frequent and explicit - approx once per chapter.
Hero: Puts out that he's a rake .
Heroine: Widow with child. Her husband committed suicide. Has withdrawn from society since his death.
A good story of working to make an HEA. Cybelline does everything she can to keep Ferrin at arms length. But he doesn't let her. He is all that is patience - although occasionally there is a lack of respect in how he deals with her. Lack of communication leads to pain.
Lots of interaction with characters from A Season to Be Sinful - particularly The Scoundrels.
A good mystery within a nice romance and a reasonable amount of erotica.
Grantham Series:
A Season to Be Sinful - Alexander Grantham and Lily Rose
One Forbidden Evening - Cybelline Caldwell (Alexander's sister) and Christopher Hollins (Ferrin)
If His Kiss Is Wicked - Emma Hathaway and Restell Gardner (Christopher's brother)
References:
Author's website: http://www.jogoodman.com/
(ISBN 1420100645)
-CR-
First published: 2006
Length: 5996 locations, 436 pages
Setting: London and rural England, 1817
Sex: Frequent and explicit - approx once per chapter.
Hero: Puts out that he's a rake .
Heroine: Widow with child. Her husband committed suicide. Has withdrawn from society since his death.
A good story of working to make an HEA. Cybelline does everything she can to keep Ferrin at arms length. But he doesn't let her. He is all that is patience - although occasionally there is a lack of respect in how he deals with her. Lack of communication leads to pain.
Lots of interaction with characters from A Season to Be Sinful - particularly The Scoundrels.
A good mystery within a nice romance and a reasonable amount of erotica.
Grantham Series:
A Season to Be Sinful - Alexander Grantham and Lily Rose
One Forbidden Evening - Cybelline Caldwell (Alexander's sister) and Christopher Hollins (Ferrin)
If His Kiss Is Wicked - Emma Hathaway and Restell Gardner (Christopher's brother)
References:
Author's website: http://www.jogoodman.com/
(ISBN 1420100645)
-CR-
December 13, 2013
One Forbidden Evening , Jo Goodman - This novel is a follow-up or second book in the Grantham series after A Season to Be Sinful and right before the excellent If His Kiss Is Wicked. Characters from the entire series play significant roles in this story as well. I enjoyed reading this one very much, as it offers both a very romantic story as well as an interesting mystery. As with other Goodman's heroes, the hero, Ferrin, is what many would call a "beta" hero. He is very smitten with Cybelline, the heroine, after their first mysterious (and largely sexual) encounter at a masked ball, and he makes up his mind to track her down, despite her pleas that he not ever seek her out again. He perseveres in winning her over eventually, despite some pretty harsh rejections that had me feeling a bit sorry for him. Much of the novel focuses on how Ferrin can break down Cybelline's walls. And even though she rejects him repeatedly, she too is a very sympathetic character with good reasons for being reserved and distrustful of men. Her distrust is rooted in the mystery of why her deceased husband married her, why their marriage was a loveless one, and why her husband succumbed to suicide. One of the most appealing features of Goodman's novels is the way in which the hero and heroine work together to resolve their personal obstacles and at the same time solve the mystery that plays such a big part in keeping them at odds with each other. This book is similar to her others but different enough that I was pretty intrigued in the resolutions right up until the end. The ending, I have to admit, is one of the strangest I've encountered in any book, but still enjoyable and somewhat believable. Overall, nice addition to the Grantham series.
March 4, 2017
Lady Cybelline, a widow, seeks out a notorious rake at a masque ball so she can have an incredible night of passion. She chooses the Earl of Ferrin and takes her encounter. She then does her best to disappear, taking herself and her daughter off to a country estate where they can re-establish their lives. Ferrin is intrigued and using clues left behind, tracks down Cybelline, hoping she will lead him to the mystery woman, but instead realizes that Cybelline is the woman he's looking for. Ferrin does his best to make himself indispensable, offering Cybelline help with the strange letters and threats she's been receiving. Letters which reveal that her dearly departed husband wasn't quite who she thought he was.
This was a pretty good story. It seemed, at times, unnecessarily long, with many repetitive monologues, but it was still enjoyable. Ferrin was great. I love a man masquerading as a rake who turns out to be a geek. Be still my heart. I love geeky heroes. Cybelline was a sort of blah for me. She didn't irritate, but I didn't love her. I was intrigued by the strange little, slightly predictable twistiness there at the end. I kind of saw the husband's secret, although I didn't expect all the detail that came with it. .
This was a pretty good story. It seemed, at times, unnecessarily long, with many repetitive monologues, but it was still enjoyable. Ferrin was great. I love a man masquerading as a rake who turns out to be a geek. Be still my heart. I love geeky heroes. Cybelline was a sort of blah for me. She didn't irritate, but I didn't love her. I was intrigued by the strange little, slightly predictable twistiness there at the end. I kind of saw the husband's secret, although I didn't expect all the detail that came with it. .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2013
A tender and touching story of a widow, lonely and grieving, who propositions a rake for one night of sex. As it turns out, the rake is not so much - a rake, that is. He accepts her offer then does his best to track her down ( she was disguised as Boudicca at a masquerade, so he doesn't know her name.) He finds her and gets to know her, and then discovers her painful secret - she's receiving love letters her dead husband wrote his lover while he was still alive, along with nasty threatening letters from the mistress.... I enjoyed how the two main characters developed their relationship, along with the mystery, which honestly intrigued me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2016
I'm not sure when I last read a book by this author, but it may well have been ten years. I do know it was before I started registering books here at goodreads, and I've added a few here now. From doing that, I know I enjoyed them very much, and this one was no exception. The first in the series long since forgotten, but this one is quite the winner, especially thanks to the hero who appeals for so very many reasons. So intelligent and caring, inventive and creative.... The heroine is fairly shell-shocked by the suicide of her much loved husband, but she too has an outspokenness which is winning. The dialogues are cleverly snappy. An enjoyable meet up with an author I'd long neglected.
October 9, 2016
Widowed Cybelline Caldwell is looking for a little excited in the arms of a stranger for one night of fun. She found her excitement with Christopher Hollings, the Earl of Ferrin. Ferrin did not want to let his elusive lover escape, after one night of passion he wants more and he will do everything in his power to find her.
With as much as I absolutely loved the first book in the series, I was expecting a lot more out of this one. I was sadly disappointed, I found the plot to be boring and slow to get through. I really did not like Cybelline, she was quite annoying and I found her to be lacking in being a strong heroine.
With as much as I absolutely loved the first book in the series, I was expecting a lot more out of this one. I was sadly disappointed, I found the plot to be boring and slow to get through. I really did not like Cybelline, she was quite annoying and I found her to be lacking in being a strong heroine.
January 11, 2013
literate buddies, if you need a bodice ripper, this one is surprisingly good. its plot and devices are nothing new to bodice rippers, but it paints that well-known scene with so much more art and subtlety than is usually the case. there are plenty of quivering members and heaving bosoms, and through it all jo goodman mostly does not make me feel like an idiot for having paid money for this.
BY THE BY: i admit i'd never heard of boudica before reading this. now i think of her every october when puzzling over what to wear for halloween. (<-- unintentionally offensive? am philistine?)
BY THE BY: i admit i'd never heard of boudica before reading this. now i think of her every october when puzzling over what to wear for halloween. (<-- unintentionally offensive? am philistine?)
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