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My Wicked Enchantress
A PROUD, BEAUTIFUL HEIRESS
Torn from her ancestral home by her cousin's treachery, the bewitching Scottish beauty Kayleigh Kerr found a new life in New Orleans as the notoriously proud pickpocket whom every man wanted but no man could touch. Keeping alive the dream of reclaiming her birthright, she was forced to flee once again...this time into the arms of St. Bride Ferringer, a handsome stranger who wouldn't let her go.
A MYSTERIOUS ROGUE
St. Bride was a man who knew what he wanted. He came to New Orleans for revenge but soon he wanted more - he wanted Kayleigh, body and soul. Bewitched by the beautiful street urchin who some of highland castles, St. Bride vowed to tame her and maker her his own. But as the battle raged between them, he found himself succumbing to the charms of the woman he called...
Torn from her ancestral home by her cousin's treachery, the bewitching Scottish beauty Kayleigh Kerr found a new life in New Orleans as the notoriously proud pickpocket whom every man wanted but no man could touch. Keeping alive the dream of reclaiming her birthright, she was forced to flee once again...this time into the arms of St. Bride Ferringer, a handsome stranger who wouldn't let her go.
A MYSTERIOUS ROGUE
St. Bride was a man who knew what he wanted. He came to New Orleans for revenge but soon he wanted more - he wanted Kayleigh, body and soul. Bewitched by the beautiful street urchin who some of highland castles, St. Bride vowed to tame her and maker her his own. But as the battle raged between them, he found himself succumbing to the charms of the woman he called...
404 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
4 people are currently reading
733 people want to read
About the author
Meagan McKinney
72 books213 followersRuth Leslie Goodman Roberson (1961), well-known as Meagan McKinney gave up a thriving career as a biologist to become a full-time romance writer. She is author of over 20 critically acclaimed novels. Divorced, she lives with her two children in in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
August 10, 2016
3.5 stars
If I'd read this book when I was a teen, it would likely be up there in the list of my old time, sentimental favorites along with the older Kathleen Woodwiss' novels. Today it was still enjoyable.
My Wicked Enchantress is one of the "lighter" bodice rippers from back in the day. By today's standards it is horribly un-pc, but it does not have many of the elements of the more "down-n-dirty" bodice rippers of the '80s. There is no cheating, beating, or vicious gang rape here. The hero is overbearing and alpha, but he's very obviously smitten at first glance. But, be warned, there are definitely consent issues going on with the sex. There is at least one scene that is classic, old school forced seduction where the h says "NO" but her traitorous body says "YES. OH, YES!" Plus the very imbalance of power between the two makes consent an issue.
The heroine meets the hero when she tries to pick his pocket as he gets off a riverboat in French Colonial New Orleans. He is instantly obsessed with the beautiful street girl and determined to make her his mistress. Of course, in grand old school tradition, she's not really a street girl at all, but a virginal Scottish lady hiding out from the scheming relative who killed her sister in revenge after the heroine refused his marriage proposal. The villain - like all men - is obsessed with the heroine. He plans to murder her so no one else can have her.
The hero, St. Bride is actually an English Duke posing as a colonial plantation owner. He also just so happens to be out to get the heroine's evil cousin for his role in his own sister's death. Dude was death on people's sisters.
The villain does not know who the hero is and thinks they are partners in a scheme to grow and sell opium. The hero, of course, plans to double cross and ruin him. *evil laugh*
What follows is one long misunderstanding. St. Bride thinks Kayleigh is a street urchin who has been around the block more than once. He doesn't see anything wrong with keeping her for his own. In fact, he sees it as doing her a favor. Kayleigh doesn't tell him the truth because she thinks that he and her evil cousin are friends.
There's definitely some captor/captive kink going on here. The hero holds her attempted theft over her head to force her to stay with him. He even alludes to the fact that as a man of means and power he can make her his bond slave (presumably by paying to have fake papers drawn up). He actually has a jeweler make a choker holding a heirloom sapphire that she can not take off. It has a hidden catch that only he and the jeweler know how to operate. So, yep, a slave collar. Kinky :)
Then there's the older man/younger woman trope. Kayleigh is 19 and the hero... I'm not sure. I can't remember his age being listed, but it is noted that he's graying at the temples. There's definitely a patronizing, paternal dynamic at times that may drive some reader's crazy. However, Kayleigh most definitely plays the part ofchild old school spitfire (running off into danger, foot stomping, name calling, etc).
St. Bride wants Kayleigh as his willing mistress, but she refuses and insists on being a servant on his LA plantation. The hero keeps trying though. He attempts to buy her with pretty dresses and gifts until he realizes that she will just sell those things and sail back to Scotland. She makes him crazy :) It is quite a while before they actually consummate their union and we get the big "oops, she's a virgin" moment.
Although Kayleigh eventually falls in love with St. Bride, she thinks he only wants her body. It's obvious to the reader that he is completely and hopelessly lost for her. This results in misunderstanding attempted runaway, runaway, secrets, etc..... It can be maddening, but if you take it for what it is and like those tropes, it is fun if a bit drawn out at times.
If I'd read this book when I was a teen, it would likely be up there in the list of my old time, sentimental favorites along with the older Kathleen Woodwiss' novels. Today it was still enjoyable.
My Wicked Enchantress is one of the "lighter" bodice rippers from back in the day. By today's standards it is horribly un-pc, but it does not have many of the elements of the more "down-n-dirty" bodice rippers of the '80s. There is no cheating, beating, or vicious gang rape here. The hero is overbearing and alpha, but he's very obviously smitten at first glance. But, be warned, there are definitely consent issues going on with the sex. There is at least one scene that is classic, old school forced seduction where the h says "NO" but her traitorous body says "YES. OH, YES!" Plus the very imbalance of power between the two makes consent an issue.
The heroine meets the hero when she tries to pick his pocket as he gets off a riverboat in French Colonial New Orleans. He is instantly obsessed with the beautiful street girl and determined to make her his mistress. Of course, in grand old school tradition, she's not really a street girl at all, but a virginal Scottish lady hiding out from the scheming relative who killed her sister in revenge after the heroine refused his marriage proposal. The villain - like all men - is obsessed with the heroine. He plans to murder her so no one else can have her.
The hero, St. Bride is actually an English Duke posing as a colonial plantation owner. He also just so happens to be out to get the heroine's evil cousin for his role in his own sister's death. Dude was death on people's sisters.
The villain does not know who the hero is and thinks they are partners in a scheme to grow and sell opium. The hero, of course, plans to double cross and ruin him. *evil laugh*
What follows is one long misunderstanding. St. Bride thinks Kayleigh is a street urchin who has been around the block more than once. He doesn't see anything wrong with keeping her for his own. In fact, he sees it as doing her a favor. Kayleigh doesn't tell him the truth because she thinks that he and her evil cousin are friends.
There's definitely some captor/captive kink going on here. The hero holds her attempted theft over her head to force her to stay with him. He even alludes to the fact that as a man of means and power he can make her his bond slave (presumably by paying to have fake papers drawn up). He actually has a jeweler make a choker holding a heirloom sapphire that she can not take off. It has a hidden catch that only he and the jeweler know how to operate. So, yep, a slave collar. Kinky :)
Then there's the older man/younger woman trope. Kayleigh is 19 and the hero... I'm not sure. I can't remember his age being listed, but it is noted that he's graying at the temples. There's definitely a patronizing, paternal dynamic at times that may drive some reader's crazy. However, Kayleigh most definitely plays the part of
St. Bride wants Kayleigh as his willing mistress, but she refuses and insists on being a servant on his LA plantation. The hero keeps trying though. He attempts to buy her with pretty dresses and gifts until he realizes that she will just sell those things and sail back to Scotland. She makes him crazy :) It is quite a while before they actually consummate their union and we get the big "oops, she's a virgin" moment.
Although Kayleigh eventually falls in love with St. Bride, she thinks he only wants her body. It's obvious to the reader that he is completely and hopelessly lost for her. This results in misunderstanding attempted runaway, runaway, secrets, etc..... It can be maddening, but if you take it for what it is and like those tropes, it is fun if a bit drawn out at times.
March 30, 2025
Reread: 3/30/25
I still like this book, just not as much as I originally did. It's definitely a tamer book from MM. The H never forces the h. He is patient. That's a change from most Bodice-rippers. I just wish the h trusted the H more, but I understand why she didn't.
Read: 12/17/20 5 stars
******** orginal review ******,,
Wow! I couldn't put it down. I think I've found a new favorite author to read.
Did have trouble finding this book. Luckily, I got to read on openlibary first free.
I still like this book, just not as much as I originally did. It's definitely a tamer book from MM. The H never forces the h. He is patient. That's a change from most Bodice-rippers. I just wish the h trusted the H more, but I understand why she didn't.
Read: 12/17/20 5 stars
******** orginal review ******,,
Wow! I couldn't put it down. I think I've found a new favorite author to read.
Did have trouble finding this book. Luckily, I got to read on openlibary first free.
March 6, 2016
If you don't like historical don't read! He does rape her and she does have to be a slave to him. So if those are things you hate don't read this.
However if you can get beyond that you will love this tragic story about an innocent girl who had to watch her sister be killed and her evil cousins plotting her demise. He was seriously messed up and so was she. She wanted to trust and love but was so scared to be the loser again that she closed herself off. The whole growing poppies was a great angle.
My fav scene was when he told the evil cousin he was going to kill him because of the pain he placed in the heroines eyes. Omg I loved it.
However if you can get beyond that you will love this tragic story about an innocent girl who had to watch her sister be killed and her evil cousins plotting her demise. He was seriously messed up and so was she. She wanted to trust and love but was so scared to be the loser again that she closed herself off. The whole growing poppies was a great angle.
My fav scene was when he told the evil cousin he was going to kill him because of the pain he placed in the heroines eyes. Omg I loved it.
December 18, 2014
Scottish Heroine, Alpha Male Hero and Another Superb Love Story from McKinney!
Another great page-turner from McKinney, this was her second book, first published in 1988. It was a finalist for the Romance Writers of America’s Gold Medallion award (now called the RITA).
Set in 18th century Scotland, New Orleans and Georgia, it tells the story of Kayleigh Kerr, who was raised in Mhor Castle near Inverness until the day tragedy struck and her life of affluent nobility was ripped from her. Escaping to America and the slums of New Orleans, she dresses in rags and, to survive becomes a cutpurse named “Kestral.” Her only dream is of returning to Scotland and having revenge on the evil cousin Straught who took her life from her. But when she tries to steal from the darkly handsome St. Bride Ferringer, who has just arrived on a ship from France, she finds a man to be reckoned with. St. Bride is really the Duke of Lansdowne in disguise, secretly plotting his own revenge, not coincidentally against the same cousin who has followed Kayleigh to America.
I love a heroine who is beaten down by life but never gives in and holds her head high as she sticks to her principles and her virtue, even if the whole world assumes she’s a whore. And who doesn’t love a hero who recognizes a diamond in the rough…or rather, a diamond sullied by misfortune? The wild and beautiful Kayleigh becomes St. Bride’s obsession and his constant distraction.
This is suspenseful storytelling at its best; and I recommend it.
Another great page-turner from McKinney, this was her second book, first published in 1988. It was a finalist for the Romance Writers of America’s Gold Medallion award (now called the RITA).
Set in 18th century Scotland, New Orleans and Georgia, it tells the story of Kayleigh Kerr, who was raised in Mhor Castle near Inverness until the day tragedy struck and her life of affluent nobility was ripped from her. Escaping to America and the slums of New Orleans, she dresses in rags and, to survive becomes a cutpurse named “Kestral.” Her only dream is of returning to Scotland and having revenge on the evil cousin Straught who took her life from her. But when she tries to steal from the darkly handsome St. Bride Ferringer, who has just arrived on a ship from France, she finds a man to be reckoned with. St. Bride is really the Duke of Lansdowne in disguise, secretly plotting his own revenge, not coincidentally against the same cousin who has followed Kayleigh to America.
I love a heroine who is beaten down by life but never gives in and holds her head high as she sticks to her principles and her virtue, even if the whole world assumes she’s a whore. And who doesn’t love a hero who recognizes a diamond in the rough…or rather, a diamond sullied by misfortune? The wild and beautiful Kayleigh becomes St. Bride’s obsession and his constant distraction.
This is suspenseful storytelling at its best; and I recommend it.
April 30, 2024
Me ha gustado bastante. Esta autora me suele gustar mucho aunque sus libros tienen muchas relaciónes amor- odio y a veces los protagonistas son irracionales y pelean por tonterías porque no hablan las cosas, hay mucha falta de comunicación. Pero este me parece uno de los más ligeros en ese aspecto. El protagonista aunque típico de la época que está escrito (es de 1988) macho alfa dominante y posesivo no se pasa de la raya es decir no hay violación ni nada de eso. Si se pasa de autoritario como todos los de esta autora. Pero es de los más amables de la autora.
A veces me exasperaba que ella no hablara por miedo, pero luego se enfrentaba a peores cosas justo por no hablar. A veces me parece que los personajes son tontos porque no se comunicaban las cosas. Y me daban ganas de decir tonta habla!.
Pero en fin si hubieran hablado no habría novela.
El malo es malo malísimo como de costumbre en esta autora.
Me gusta mucho esta autora y como crea la tensión sexual, en sus libros suelen tardar mucho en irse a la cama, pero hay una tensión sexual constante. En algunos mejor conseguido que en otros. Aquí tarda tanto en pasar y cuando pasa para mí no es para tanto. En otros libros lo ha conseguido mejor.
Lo que no me gusta de esta autora es que casi nunca se ve el punto de vista del protagonista, no sabes lo que piensa, lo que siente, solo lo puedes intuir por sus acciones. Y eso es el defecto que le veo a esta autora. Por lo demás una historia con muchos malentendidos, de la vieja usanza. Pero que por lo menos a mí me ha enganchado mucho. Y el final después de tantas desconfianzas es muy dulce. Le pongo un 3.5 redondeando a 4.
A veces me exasperaba que ella no hablara por miedo, pero luego se enfrentaba a peores cosas justo por no hablar. A veces me parece que los personajes son tontos porque no se comunicaban las cosas. Y me daban ganas de decir tonta habla!.
Pero en fin si hubieran hablado no habría novela.
El malo es malo malísimo como de costumbre en esta autora.
Me gusta mucho esta autora y como crea la tensión sexual, en sus libros suelen tardar mucho en irse a la cama, pero hay una tensión sexual constante. En algunos mejor conseguido que en otros. Aquí tarda tanto en pasar y cuando pasa para mí no es para tanto. En otros libros lo ha conseguido mejor.
Lo que no me gusta de esta autora es que casi nunca se ve el punto de vista del protagonista, no sabes lo que piensa, lo que siente, solo lo puedes intuir por sus acciones. Y eso es el defecto que le veo a esta autora. Por lo demás una historia con muchos malentendidos, de la vieja usanza. Pero que por lo menos a mí me ha enganchado mucho. Y el final después de tantas desconfianzas es muy dulce. Le pongo un 3.5 redondeando a 4.
August 31, 2025
I admit, I am completely biased when it comes to rating Meagan McKinney's books. I've now read four of her novels and I think I've only given one of those books five stars and the others were more like 3ish stars (and arguably could have been lower). While I haven't loved all of them I have truly loved the ideas behind them and the passion within them -- if that makes any sense at all.
McKinney writes good angst, albeit, her angst tends to drive on WAY too long, but it's good nonetheless. The heroines always have secrets and the heroes always have that dark and tortured thing going on and there is always hot, hot passion between the two.
This book pretty much follows along with that pattern. Kayleigh is a Scottish lady of something -- her nobility was kinda murky but she did live in some fancy castle with her fraternal twin sister. Kayleigh's parents are deceased and her father's cousin wants to marry her, but Kayleigh finds him old, mean and greedy. The cousin doesn't handle rejection well and kills Kayleigh's twin and plans to murder Kayleigh as well. Kayleigh escapes and ends up in New Orleans, where she has turned to stealing to survive for a year. Drama ensues when Kayleigh's cousin finds her and attempts to murder her. She escapes, but lands in the arms of the hero, St. Bride (yes, that's his first name), an older plantation owner with secrets of his own. St. Bride finds Kayleigh to be a thief and a total liar, but because she is the most beautiful woman he has ever seen, he can put aside her crimes in order to bed her and actively pursues her to be his mistress. Kayleigh wants nothing to do with St. Bride's offer to be his mistress, but and has a whole - love/hate thing going on for him. Lots of drama ensues between these two before the HEA.
For the most part, I really liked this story, but there are a few things that kept me from rating this book higher. First off, the whole 'secret identity' Kayleigh is keeping from St. Bride seemed a bit drawn out for no real reason, as is his. Second, Kayleigh's terrible at running away. She repeatedly makes attempts to flee and fails EVERY SINGLE TIME. Third, there's a lot of hot and heavy moments between these two that which is great except they are CONSTANTLY interrupted. I have a small paperback version and I had to read over 300 pages (which is like 500 pages in normal size print 😆) of almost sex to get to actual sex, which is ridiculous. Their circling of one another was way too drawn out.
Despite those issues, I enjoyed the story over all. If you read this, I recommend not over analyzing any character's actions or analyzing the plot -- it's a very much "just go with it" type read.
McKinney writes good angst, albeit, her angst tends to drive on WAY too long, but it's good nonetheless. The heroines always have secrets and the heroes always have that dark and tortured thing going on and there is always hot, hot passion between the two.
This book pretty much follows along with that pattern. Kayleigh is a Scottish lady of something -- her nobility was kinda murky but she did live in some fancy castle with her fraternal twin sister. Kayleigh's parents are deceased and her father's cousin wants to marry her, but Kayleigh finds him old, mean and greedy. The cousin doesn't handle rejection well and kills Kayleigh's twin and plans to murder Kayleigh as well. Kayleigh escapes and ends up in New Orleans, where she has turned to stealing to survive for a year. Drama ensues when Kayleigh's cousin finds her and attempts to murder her. She escapes, but lands in the arms of the hero, St. Bride (yes, that's his first name), an older plantation owner with secrets of his own. St. Bride finds Kayleigh to be a thief and a total liar, but because she is the most beautiful woman he has ever seen, he can put aside her crimes in order to bed her and actively pursues her to be his mistress. Kayleigh wants nothing to do with St. Bride's offer to be his mistress, but and has a whole - love/hate thing going on for him. Lots of drama ensues between these two before the HEA.
For the most part, I really liked this story, but there are a few things that kept me from rating this book higher. First off, the whole 'secret identity' Kayleigh is keeping from St. Bride seemed a bit drawn out for no real reason, as is his. Second, Kayleigh's terrible at running away. She repeatedly makes attempts to flee and fails EVERY SINGLE TIME. Third, there's a lot of hot and heavy moments between these two that which is great except they are CONSTANTLY interrupted. I have a small paperback version and I had to read over 300 pages (which is like 500 pages in normal size print 😆) of almost sex to get to actual sex, which is ridiculous. Their circling of one another was way too drawn out.
Despite those issues, I enjoyed the story over all. If you read this, I recommend not over analyzing any character's actions or analyzing the plot -- it's a very much "just go with it" type read.
May 10, 2022
4.75 - 5 stars. Read this for Regan Walker’s monthly blog May is Scottish historicals month. I really enjoyed this great book and it’s my 4th by McKinney. That’s not to say there aren’t small flaws in some of the stories because there are, but over all really great reads. Loved the time period and the American South locations. This book has good secondary characters and a great Hero & heroine. She is Scottish and forced to flee her beloved home in order to stay alive. Loved the Hero, an Alpha, who is totally intrigued and smitten with the heroine, but both have their flaws. Great story with some action and a satisfying ending!
October 1, 2011
This book managed an odd combination of being slightly annoying and yet fairly enjoyable at the same time.
Kayleigh Kerr comes from the Scottish aristocracy before Culloden. She and her twin sister are the heirs to her family castle. Her rotten cousin Erath Straught has other ideas and after Kayleigh refuses to marry him, he has her sister murdered and tries to have her killed too. The minion ( bardolph) who goes after her, finds that he can not go through with it and escapes with her to the new world and new Orleans. There she is reduced to living on the streets and thieving and is known as the kestrel. She tries to rob St Bride Ferringer but he stops her and they have an alteration whereby she escapes, but not before his companion, Straught sees her. Straught then kills Bardoph and again tries to kill her but she escapes into the swamp knowing that Straught plans to have her accused of Bardolph's death.
The reader then discovers that St Bride is trying to entice Straught into doing business with him, apparently in the anticipation that he will bankrupt him as revenge for his actions towards St Bride's sister. On his way to the plantation, he finds Kayleigh unconscious due to a snake bite and takes her home with him. From the outset he thinks Kayleigh is a whore and wants her to try and seduce Straught. Due to the fact that Kayleigh believes that he and Straught are friends and she is unaware of his ulterior motives, Kayleigh does not feel able to trust St Bride and hides her identity and relationship to Straught as she is afraid that he will hand her over or else that Straught will find out where she is and kill her.
Therein we have the premise for the multiple misunderstandings that follow.
Soon St Bride finds himself increasingly attracted to Kayleigh and propositions her. She rejects him telling him that she is a virgin but he doesn't really believe her. There is a period at his plantation when she tries to run away and is caught, where St Bride starts to notice that Kayleigh is educated as a lady, but he finds it hard to balance this with the fact that she continues to steal from him and he traps her but putting a jewelled collar on her, that she can not get off and which would put her at risk if she tried to run away again. In fact she is blackmailed by one Of Straught's cohorts and eventually when he tries to dispose of her, St Bride intervenes and has to kill the man. Kayleigh still refuses to tell him what was going on.
On a trip into New Orleans St Bride discovers that Kayleigh is wanted for Bardolph's murder. He challenges her when he gets back, humiliating her and almost raping her. He then forces her to go to a masked ball in new Orleans as she won't tell him the truth, despite the risk this puts her at.
He leaves her by herself at the ball and she is accosted by Straught and also is recognised as the Kestrel by others and she flees in panic. St Bride catches up with her and takes her to refuge at his plantation in georgia. She maintains her honour throughout, making it clear that she will not be bought but expected to marry the man to whom she gave herself. However, following an incident on the beach, St Bride beds her. He is shocked to find her a virgin and initially makes a mess of things but later that night does a better job of the thing.
However, Kayleigh finds this new situation hard to bear. Although she desires St Bride and cares for him, she is humiliated to be his mistress and is losing her self respect. Kayleigh tells St Bride about her family and her cousins actions but he refuses to marry her unless she tells him her cousin's name which she is afraid to do.
He decides to return to new Orleans despite the risk go kayleigh and her protests. She admits that she loves him but he does not similarly declare and makes no mention of marriage, although he says he was going to ask her the next day. She runs away but is then captured by Straught.
The situation between Straught and St Bride comes to a head with a confrontation but Straught then informs the hero that he has Kayleigh as his prisoner. big denouement with the heroine rescued. They all live happily ever after....
I suppose I found it hard to understand how the heroine had ended up in the new world with her drunken would be murderer - why hadn't she sought help in scotland at the time? , why was she content to become a thief? Why had she not tried to obtain more gainful employment? Etc etc etc
There were many unlikely aspects to the story and the heroine bordered on the annoying as she had a determined tendency to make things worse for herself. However the hero came across as extremely attractive and despite his alleged ruthlessness he repeatedly goes out of his way to help Kayleigh and to protect her, although that said on two separate occasions he does put her at risk by his actions, all be it this is under frustration of her lack of honesty with him.
I am not sure why I liked this but after a slow start, I finished it in a couple of hours, and was smiling by the end.
Kayleigh Kerr comes from the Scottish aristocracy before Culloden. She and her twin sister are the heirs to her family castle. Her rotten cousin Erath Straught has other ideas and after Kayleigh refuses to marry him, he has her sister murdered and tries to have her killed too. The minion ( bardolph) who goes after her, finds that he can not go through with it and escapes with her to the new world and new Orleans. There she is reduced to living on the streets and thieving and is known as the kestrel. She tries to rob St Bride Ferringer but he stops her and they have an alteration whereby she escapes, but not before his companion, Straught sees her. Straught then kills Bardoph and again tries to kill her but she escapes into the swamp knowing that Straught plans to have her accused of Bardolph's death.
The reader then discovers that St Bride is trying to entice Straught into doing business with him, apparently in the anticipation that he will bankrupt him as revenge for his actions towards St Bride's sister. On his way to the plantation, he finds Kayleigh unconscious due to a snake bite and takes her home with him. From the outset he thinks Kayleigh is a whore and wants her to try and seduce Straught. Due to the fact that Kayleigh believes that he and Straught are friends and she is unaware of his ulterior motives, Kayleigh does not feel able to trust St Bride and hides her identity and relationship to Straught as she is afraid that he will hand her over or else that Straught will find out where she is and kill her.
Therein we have the premise for the multiple misunderstandings that follow.
Soon St Bride finds himself increasingly attracted to Kayleigh and propositions her. She rejects him telling him that she is a virgin but he doesn't really believe her. There is a period at his plantation when she tries to run away and is caught, where St Bride starts to notice that Kayleigh is educated as a lady, but he finds it hard to balance this with the fact that she continues to steal from him and he traps her but putting a jewelled collar on her, that she can not get off and which would put her at risk if she tried to run away again. In fact she is blackmailed by one Of Straught's cohorts and eventually when he tries to dispose of her, St Bride intervenes and has to kill the man. Kayleigh still refuses to tell him what was going on.
On a trip into New Orleans St Bride discovers that Kayleigh is wanted for Bardolph's murder. He challenges her when he gets back, humiliating her and almost raping her. He then forces her to go to a masked ball in new Orleans as she won't tell him the truth, despite the risk this puts her at.
He leaves her by herself at the ball and she is accosted by Straught and also is recognised as the Kestrel by others and she flees in panic. St Bride catches up with her and takes her to refuge at his plantation in georgia. She maintains her honour throughout, making it clear that she will not be bought but expected to marry the man to whom she gave herself. However, following an incident on the beach, St Bride beds her. He is shocked to find her a virgin and initially makes a mess of things but later that night does a better job of the thing.
However, Kayleigh finds this new situation hard to bear. Although she desires St Bride and cares for him, she is humiliated to be his mistress and is losing her self respect. Kayleigh tells St Bride about her family and her cousins actions but he refuses to marry her unless she tells him her cousin's name which she is afraid to do.
He decides to return to new Orleans despite the risk go kayleigh and her protests. She admits that she loves him but he does not similarly declare and makes no mention of marriage, although he says he was going to ask her the next day. She runs away but is then captured by Straught.
The situation between Straught and St Bride comes to a head with a confrontation but Straught then informs the hero that he has Kayleigh as his prisoner. big denouement with the heroine rescued. They all live happily ever after....
I suppose I found it hard to understand how the heroine had ended up in the new world with her drunken would be murderer - why hadn't she sought help in scotland at the time? , why was she content to become a thief? Why had she not tried to obtain more gainful employment? Etc etc etc
There were many unlikely aspects to the story and the heroine bordered on the annoying as she had a determined tendency to make things worse for herself. However the hero came across as extremely attractive and despite his alleged ruthlessness he repeatedly goes out of his way to help Kayleigh and to protect her, although that said on two separate occasions he does put her at risk by his actions, all be it this is under frustration of her lack of honesty with him.
I am not sure why I liked this but after a slow start, I finished it in a couple of hours, and was smiling by the end.
May 5, 2021
DNF around pg. 170
Why am I such a bad buddy-reader? This is the second McKinney Nenia and I have attempted, and my fifth McKinney altogether. And it didn't work for me so I'm bowing out.
McKinney is quickly becoming a hit or miss for me, much like Anne Stuart. I loved Lions and Lace and When Angels Fall, so much that I bought a copy of the former, but this gets thrown in with the ones I really, really don't like. I actually found it in the free bin outside a 2nd & Charles bookstore, so I had nothing to lose by giving it a shot.
I had some of the same problems with this as I had with Till Dawn Tames the Night. Mainly I felt that the relationship between the leads moved too quickly for the interactions that had happened between them at the point I stopped. Like, the stakes in their impending physical relationship were too high and they seemed too close, when they barely know each other. In TDTtN, they had mainly talked about a fabled gemstone by the time they were were professing desire and whatnot and getting cozy in a governor's bed in the middle of a shootout. Here, they've argued a lot about nothing of substance and the hero believes the heroine is a liar and a thief. He also believes she's slept with other men, so when the time finally comes for them to consummate their lust, I predict the "whoops, I didn't know she was a virgin" trope despite her telling him so. HATE.
Anyway, this won't be the last McKinney I read, but this one is getting passed on to some other romance lover.
Why am I such a bad buddy-reader? This is the second McKinney Nenia and I have attempted, and my fifth McKinney altogether. And it didn't work for me so I'm bowing out.
McKinney is quickly becoming a hit or miss for me, much like Anne Stuart. I loved Lions and Lace and When Angels Fall, so much that I bought a copy of the former, but this gets thrown in with the ones I really, really don't like. I actually found it in the free bin outside a 2nd & Charles bookstore, so I had nothing to lose by giving it a shot.
I had some of the same problems with this as I had with Till Dawn Tames the Night. Mainly I felt that the relationship between the leads moved too quickly for the interactions that had happened between them at the point I stopped. Like, the stakes in their impending physical relationship were too high and they seemed too close, when they barely know each other. In TDTtN, they had mainly talked about a fabled gemstone by the time they were were professing desire and whatnot and getting cozy in a governor's bed in the middle of a shootout. Here, they've argued a lot about nothing of substance and the hero believes the heroine is a liar and a thief. He also believes she's slept with other men, so when the time finally comes for them to consummate their lust, I predict the "whoops, I didn't know she was a virgin" trope despite her telling him so. HATE.
Anyway, this won't be the last McKinney I read, but this one is getting passed on to some other romance lover.
September 22, 2021
Reread 3.5
March 22, 2022
Meagan McKinney doesn’t disappoint, it was a great read.
March 26, 2018
3.5 Stars
It wasn't really a bodice ripper, but I enjoyed the storytelling and capability, despite that. I may be a simpleton, but I was really Lolzing a few times, and the hero was realllly funny, at times, too. Lots of yessss...and please noooo...but all in all, it was mildly amusing.
It wasn't really a bodice ripper, but I enjoyed the storytelling and capability, despite that. I may be a simpleton, but I was really Lolzing a few times, and the hero was realllly funny, at times, too. Lots of yessss...and please noooo...but all in all, it was mildly amusing.
June 8, 2017
New author and I liked this one.
“I can handle Kayleigh. She’s wild, but I’ve always been drawn to wild things. Look how much time I’ve spent in these colonies when I should have been at Scion house doing my duty.” He grimaced.
“But then, look at how much time I spent doing my duty after my father died when I should have been looking out for Mary.” At this thought, he abruptly put down his glass. “Good night, Laban. I don’t see the point in debating this issue further.”
“No, there’s no point when you’re in love with her”
The plot is good. I loved the heroine. Well, the hero is the asshole one, but I liked him also. Judging by the circumstances I can’t really blame him. The book is seriously messed up.
“He’d saved her life, clothed her, fed her and sheltered her. Now he was taking her away, and if luck were kind, perhaps she would find her way back to Mhor. But still, her heart was heavy. In a nervous gesture she fingered the heavy silver collar.
He had every right to take her now, She know”
Well, there are lots of unsuccessful forced seduction which is common in historical but these incidents will give you the indication that St. Bride hopelessly lost for her from the first moment he saw Kayleigh.
So overall a good read.
“He had given her a home and soon a family. He had given her all her heart had ever desired. And more than that, he had given her back herself. She released a joyous sigh.
She was Kayleigh again.”
P.S. - Avoid this book If you don't like historical and forced seduction.
“I can handle Kayleigh. She’s wild, but I’ve always been drawn to wild things. Look how much time I’ve spent in these colonies when I should have been at Scion house doing my duty.” He grimaced.
“But then, look at how much time I spent doing my duty after my father died when I should have been looking out for Mary.” At this thought, he abruptly put down his glass. “Good night, Laban. I don’t see the point in debating this issue further.”
“No, there’s no point when you’re in love with her”
The plot is good. I loved the heroine. Well, the hero is the asshole one, but I liked him also. Judging by the circumstances I can’t really blame him. The book is seriously messed up.
“He’d saved her life, clothed her, fed her and sheltered her. Now he was taking her away, and if luck were kind, perhaps she would find her way back to Mhor. But still, her heart was heavy. In a nervous gesture she fingered the heavy silver collar.
He had every right to take her now, She know”
Well, there are lots of unsuccessful forced seduction which is common in historical but these incidents will give you the indication that St. Bride hopelessly lost for her from the first moment he saw Kayleigh.
So overall a good read.
“He had given her a home and soon a family. He had given her all her heart had ever desired. And more than that, he had given her back herself. She released a joyous sigh.
She was Kayleigh again.”
P.S. - Avoid this book If you don't like historical and forced seduction.
February 18, 2025
Okay, so this book had a plot that totally grabbed me. Intriguing, twisty, the whole shebang. But… the execution? Meh. Let's talk about the hero, shall we? Yes, he's all alpha and possessive, blah blah blah. But then he pulls this stunt with a necklace? Seriously? He gifts her this gorgeous necklace that, once it's on, only he can remove it. Which, of course, leads to everyone trying to rob her because they know she can't take it off. Talk about manipulative. From that moment on, I was done with him.
And the chemistry? Nonexistent. Sure, there was a lot of kissing. Like, a lot. But it felt… hollow. Like two actors going through the motions. The spark just wasn't there. It's like the author forgot to add the secret ingredient.
Now, the heroine? She was magnificent. A total badass. She deserved so much better than Mr. Manipulative Necklace. So, yeah. Great plot, terrible execution, especially when it came to the hero. Heroine? Total queen. I'm giving this book a solid 'meh' with a side-eye.
And the chemistry? Nonexistent. Sure, there was a lot of kissing. Like, a lot. But it felt… hollow. Like two actors going through the motions. The spark just wasn't there. It's like the author forgot to add the secret ingredient.
Now, the heroine? She was magnificent. A total badass. She deserved so much better than Mr. Manipulative Necklace. So, yeah. Great plot, terrible execution, especially when it came to the hero. Heroine? Total queen. I'm giving this book a solid 'meh' with a side-eye.
January 12, 2015
To be honest, I didn't read the epilogue.
My friend gave me five, FIVE of these books. She will probably want a feedback. I wanna kill myself rather than read another one, to be honest.
*a cry of rage*
GOD I hated this book, so much. I keep going through them, hoping for a change, but it's the same bullshit. Heroine is an infantile nitwit who I would just probably throw overboard on her journey to Louisiana and TA-DA, save everyone the trouble.
The book has some real big issues with consent (again). The hero professes he is against rape, but sure has some really blurred lines here (pun intended). Stockholm-syndrome love. The only sane character was the help.
Plotholes. "Oh, Straught's not gonna recognize me, it's been one long year since he saw my face." Hero professes to have done a background check on Straught, but didn't uncover him getting to a huge sum of money because of his cousins? Straught is Kerr, but didn't realise it when Kayleigh signed the boat ticket with her true Kerr surname?
The characters and stories are inconsistent. The main conflict of this book is dragged over almost the entire book (the hero realises shit 10 pages before the epilogue) and is artificially stretched. There is a way to introduce a new conflict while the hero knows who the heroine is instead of punishing her because she's being a nitwit. It soon becomes tiring and, frankly, annoying. I don't know, it's just slobby writing to me. The author would rather piss off her readers to no end than incorporate something new and fresh.
My friend gave me five, FIVE of these books. She will probably want a feedback. I wanna kill myself rather than read another one, to be honest.
*a cry of rage*
GOD I hated this book, so much. I keep going through them, hoping for a change, but it's the same bullshit. Heroine is an infantile nitwit who I would just probably throw overboard on her journey to Louisiana and TA-DA, save everyone the trouble.
The book has some real big issues with consent (again). The hero professes he is against rape, but sure has some really blurred lines here (pun intended). Stockholm-syndrome love. The only sane character was the help.
Plotholes. "Oh, Straught's not gonna recognize me, it's been one long year since he saw my face." Hero professes to have done a background check on Straught, but didn't uncover him getting to a huge sum of money because of his cousins? Straught is Kerr, but didn't realise it when Kayleigh signed the boat ticket with her true Kerr surname?
The characters and stories are inconsistent. The main conflict of this book is dragged over almost the entire book (the hero realises shit 10 pages before the epilogue) and is artificially stretched. There is a way to introduce a new conflict while the hero knows who the heroine is instead of punishing her because she's being a nitwit. It soon becomes tiring and, frankly, annoying. I don't know, it's just slobby writing to me. The author would rather piss off her readers to no end than incorporate something new and fresh.
January 29, 2016
Leí esta novela hace ufff!! Pero como la encontre y no la tenía como leída, decidí hacerlo de nuevo ^-^ Casi me he acordado de todo y eso quiere decir que me gusto en ese tiempo, lo cual es verdad porque he disfrutado releyendola.
Rendición es una novela principalmente romántica. Tiene intrigas, suspenso, peleas, momentos llenos de tensión y un villano al que odias desde lo profundo de tu corazón.
Trama: La novela cuenta las peripecias que tiene que ha sufrido nuestra protagonista, Kayleigh. Ella ha tenido un pasado tormentoso y un presente tampoco muy prometedor. Son embargo, todo se vuelve más complicado cuando conoce a Ferringer, el héroe, y juntos viven situaciones tensas, divertidas, inesperadas y adorables. La trama es buena, rápida de leer y te engancha. Creo que esto se debe a que nunca te aburres con los protas. Siempre esta sucediendo algo entorno a ellos y hubieron partes en que casi me comía las uñas de lo que me desesperaba.
Personajes: Kayleigh es una buena heroína. Fuerte, decidida y valiente. Además es inocente y super dulce. Simpatize con ella por todas sus cualidades y debido a las cosas malas que le habían sucedido. Ferr, por otro lado, es un héroe que me ha gustado mucho también. En realidad, es un hombre de buen corazón aunque luce imponente y un poco peligroso. Es cierto, que ocasiones, me dan ganas de golpearlo fuerte en la cabeza por que era tan terco, autoritario e idiota que me molestaba. Sin embargo, al final pudo enmendar parte de sus malas actitudes. A pesar de todos hacen muy buena pareja.
Romance: La relación sentimental en este libro es poco convencional. Desde el inicio, ambos estan envueltos en circunstancias que crean un vinculo entre ellos. Ellos tuvieron momento díficiles, tristes y otros adorables. En general, es un romance bonito aunque en partes lo sentía un poco forzado. Sobretodo, por parte de Ferr, pero más al inicio, aunque creo que se debía a que Ferr no podía comprender bien a Kayleigh. Como dije antes, son una buena pareja. Tienen chispas y la tensión los persigue a todos partes. Las partes que más me gustaron eran cuando se comportaban como ellos mismos.
En general, es una novela muy buena. Es entretenida, con momentos tiernos y tristes, y el final es hermosísimo *-*
Rendición es una novela principalmente romántica. Tiene intrigas, suspenso, peleas, momentos llenos de tensión y un villano al que odias desde lo profundo de tu corazón.
Trama: La novela cuenta las peripecias que tiene que ha sufrido nuestra protagonista, Kayleigh. Ella ha tenido un pasado tormentoso y un presente tampoco muy prometedor. Son embargo, todo se vuelve más complicado cuando conoce a Ferringer, el héroe, y juntos viven situaciones tensas, divertidas, inesperadas y adorables. La trama es buena, rápida de leer y te engancha. Creo que esto se debe a que nunca te aburres con los protas. Siempre esta sucediendo algo entorno a ellos y hubieron partes en que casi me comía las uñas de lo que me desesperaba.
Personajes: Kayleigh es una buena heroína. Fuerte, decidida y valiente. Además es inocente y super dulce. Simpatize con ella por todas sus cualidades y debido a las cosas malas que le habían sucedido. Ferr, por otro lado, es un héroe que me ha gustado mucho también. En realidad, es un hombre de buen corazón aunque luce imponente y un poco peligroso. Es cierto, que ocasiones, me dan ganas de golpearlo fuerte en la cabeza por que era tan terco, autoritario e idiota que me molestaba. Sin embargo, al final pudo enmendar parte de sus malas actitudes. A pesar de todos hacen muy buena pareja.
Romance: La relación sentimental en este libro es poco convencional. Desde el inicio, ambos estan envueltos en circunstancias que crean un vinculo entre ellos. Ellos tuvieron momento díficiles, tristes y otros adorables. En general, es un romance bonito aunque en partes lo sentía un poco forzado. Sobretodo, por parte de Ferr, pero más al inicio, aunque creo que se debía a que Ferr no podía comprender bien a Kayleigh. Como dije antes, son una buena pareja. Tienen chispas y la tensión los persigue a todos partes. Las partes que más me gustaron eran cuando se comportaban como ellos mismos.
En general, es una novela muy buena. Es entretenida, con momentos tiernos y tristes, y el final es hermosísimo *-*
November 5, 2014
At first i found this book quite interesting, but the more i read the more it became annoying. Why?
First, our heroine Kayleigh ran away from her evil cousin who had murdered her twin sister and intended to kill her too. She spent a year in New Orlean quay doing pickpocketing until stumbling upon our hero St. Bride and her cousin, then everything began to change. And yes during the whole book i hardly found any good qualities from her, all Kayleigh had done was lying, stealing, and doing all those stupid things, she did not even think to revenge for her dead sister. The things annoyed me most were when K stayed at St. Bride's home as a servant she acted as a spoiled child ( i wont do this, i wont do that bla bla bla) and worse she rather be a pickpocket than working to earn a living, such a gentle lady.
The hero is St. Bride, the duke of Lansdowne pretending to be a merchant to take revenge of Straught ( Kayleigh's evil cousin). He accidentally saved Kayleigh's life and sine then he tried to seduce her into his bed. I think he kinda obsessed with her due to her beauty and the fact that she said no to him and didn't anything from him ( and yes most of the book she tried to seal things from him and scoffed at his gifts). These things make me wonder is this guy had any problems with his mind?
But still, i gave it 3 stars. Because it kinda entertained me ; i did enjoy all the arguments between H and h which was funny and happened a lot. And i do like the idea that St. Bride didn't force Kayleigh even though he though she was just a worthless thief.
First, our heroine Kayleigh ran away from her evil cousin who had murdered her twin sister and intended to kill her too. She spent a year in New Orlean quay doing pickpocketing until stumbling upon our hero St. Bride and her cousin, then everything began to change. And yes during the whole book i hardly found any good qualities from her, all Kayleigh had done was lying, stealing, and doing all those stupid things, she did not even think to revenge for her dead sister. The things annoyed me most were when K stayed at St. Bride's home as a servant she acted as a spoiled child ( i wont do this, i wont do that bla bla bla) and worse she rather be a pickpocket than working to earn a living, such a gentle lady.
The hero is St. Bride, the duke of Lansdowne pretending to be a merchant to take revenge of Straught ( Kayleigh's evil cousin). He accidentally saved Kayleigh's life and sine then he tried to seduce her into his bed. I think he kinda obsessed with her due to her beauty and the fact that she said no to him and didn't anything from him ( and yes most of the book she tried to seal things from him and scoffed at his gifts). These things make me wonder is this guy had any problems with his mind?
But still, i gave it 3 stars. Because it kinda entertained me ; i did enjoy all the arguments between H and h which was funny and happened a lot. And i do like the idea that St. Bride didn't force Kayleigh even though he though she was just a worthless thief.
August 24, 2014
Read this one when I was about 14/15 years old and maybe it was how young and impressionable I was but I fell in love instantly! It's one of my all time favorites so I had to review! I loved McKinney's ability to balance every aspect of the writing (well atleast in this story it was spot on!)- the setting, the dialogue, the drama, the secondary characters and their own stories- everything was well developed and brought together so well that had you riveted from start to finish.I loved McKinney's creation and description of the Scottish and French Louisiana settings, for me that was one of the strengths of the book since it lent to the whole air of mystery and intrigue.
Character wise... gosh... to this day I still gush about St. Bride Ferringer and Kayleigh Kerr. Their inability to trust one another but having that oh-so palpable heat between them just hooked me! Reading how their minds worked and the different attempts to outsmart one another while feeling that insistent attraction...people the tingle was real. Still revisit the book from time to time and it never gets old.
Character wise... gosh... to this day I still gush about St. Bride Ferringer and Kayleigh Kerr. Their inability to trust one another but having that oh-so palpable heat between them just hooked me! Reading how their minds worked and the different attempts to outsmart one another while feeling that insistent attraction...people the tingle was real. Still revisit the book from time to time and it never gets old.
July 7, 2008
This is my romance pick of all time. I read this when I was just starting in on my downward slope towards my torrid affairs with harlequins and Avon Romance, I was about 11 years old. But this book was the most wonderful thing I had ever read up until then. It's older than me, and written in that old classic romancy style that I love. I lost my copy which was crimson red, but I would read it over and over and over again all the time.
January 13, 2010
This was a FABULOUS book! I loved it, every single page! What was great about this book is that there were interactions/dialogue between the hero and heroine on almost every single page. There were other things going on in the plot in the background, but their journey was foremost. It was awesome! I loved the ending too.
September 9, 2021
Kayleigh’s evil cousin has killed her twin sister and is after Kayleigh. She escapes her privileged life in Scotland and ends up in New Orleans, surviving by being a pickpocket. Her cousin tracks her down.
Meanwhile our hero, St. Bride, is on the cousin’s trail, out for revenge. When Kayleigh tries to steal from him, their paths cross repeatedly until Kayleigh ends up under his control. He is enamoured with her beauty and no matter that she is a thief, liar, and he believes she may even be a murderer, he covets her.
This story could have been four stars except that Kayleigh is one of the stupidest heroines ever and St. Bride is ridiculously patient about bedding a woman he believes is a prostitute.
Kayleigh refuses to tell St. Bride the truth about her background. I can understand her initial reluctance since she believes St. Bride to be a friend of her cousin. But then it gets ridiculous when she’s accused of murder. She’d rather have St. Bride think she’s a murderer than insult his “friend”? That made no sense and from that point on the book was very irritating.
******************************SPOILER******************************************
More really irritating points:
*Her cousin’s underling is blackmailing her into stealing from St. Bride after she starts to care for him. But instead of telling St. Bride she steals from him.
*She’s given a necklace she can’t take off to trap her. She won’t be safe alone if she’s wearing expensive jewellery. Near the end of the story, St. Bride removes it and lets her keep it. I’m sure the clasp was closed but still she’s able to open it and put it on again. Hmmm. But perhaps I’m wrong.
*She steals St. Bride’s horse and takes off to go back to New Orleans where she’s wanted for theft and murder. Good plan.
There’s more, but you get the idea.
Meanwhile our hero, St. Bride, is on the cousin’s trail, out for revenge. When Kayleigh tries to steal from him, their paths cross repeatedly until Kayleigh ends up under his control. He is enamoured with her beauty and no matter that she is a thief, liar, and he believes she may even be a murderer, he covets her.
This story could have been four stars except that Kayleigh is one of the stupidest heroines ever and St. Bride is ridiculously patient about bedding a woman he believes is a prostitute.
Kayleigh refuses to tell St. Bride the truth about her background. I can understand her initial reluctance since she believes St. Bride to be a friend of her cousin. But then it gets ridiculous when she’s accused of murder. She’d rather have St. Bride think she’s a murderer than insult his “friend”? That made no sense and from that point on the book was very irritating.
******************************SPOILER******************************************
More really irritating points:
*Her cousin’s underling is blackmailing her into stealing from St. Bride after she starts to care for him. But instead of telling St. Bride she steals from him.
*She’s given a necklace she can’t take off to trap her. She won’t be safe alone if she’s wearing expensive jewellery. Near the end of the story, St. Bride removes it and lets her keep it. I’m sure the clasp was closed but still she’s able to open it and put it on again. Hmmm. But perhaps I’m wrong.
*She steals St. Bride’s horse and takes off to go back to New Orleans where she’s wanted for theft and murder. Good plan.
There’s more, but you get the idea.
July 31, 2021
I first read this as a kid (yes someone should have been paying better attention) and it taught me things that I definitely didn't need to know.
Nonetheless, once I remembered the title I had to read it again as an adult.
It was.. fine. Definitely a knight in shining armor kind of romance. You know those books where they hype the female lead up to be smart and special, but she never shows it? One of those. Because golly, her man is just so clever. /eyeroll
Trigger warning for some rapey vibes for sure.
Nonetheless, once I remembered the title I had to read it again as an adult.
It was.. fine. Definitely a knight in shining armor kind of romance. You know those books where they hype the female lead up to be smart and special, but she never shows it? One of those. Because golly, her man is just so clever. /eyeroll
Trigger warning for some rapey vibes for sure.
July 2, 2010
Well....this was an older book. Dates 1988 so it had the typical strong masculine hero (which I love) but OMG the heroine was way to .."should I, or shouldn't I?" It bugged the tar out of me.
I did like the story, and I did enjoy reading it. Hence the 3 star rating instead of a 2 :-).
I did like the story, and I did enjoy reading it. Hence the 3 star rating instead of a 2 :-).
September 9, 2011
this is without a doubt my all time favorite book. i've read it like 5 times and everytime i fall more and more in love. the story, the deception, the love, everything is just so captivating!
November 17, 2021
Un lecture qui m'a fait tiqué dès les premières pages...
Le roman recèle tout ce que j'apprécie d'ordinaire en matière de romances historiques...
Une jeune ingénue qui est pourchassée par un méchant très méchant, un bel âtre qui arrive en quête de vengeance. La dite ingénue qui va servir d’instrument à la dite vengeance...Oui mais l'amour s'en mêle et redistribue toutes les cartes.
J'aimais beaucoup le postulat de départ sauf que le style de l'auteure et certaines phrases malheureuses m'ont heurtés. A un moment que je n'ai pas noté, St Bride, le héros dit de façon complètement décomplexé que son bras droit préfère les femmes qui sont de sa race...Derrière ce mot se cache bien sure une personne afro américaine et donc noire. Sauf que remis dans le contexte du livre cela apparaît comme un formule raciste décomplexée. Après je ne suis pas le chantre du politiquement correcte dans le sens où il s'agit d'une œuvre de fiction...Oui mais quand même, la belle image du héros était sacrément écorné.
Certes le roman date de 1988 mais ça m'a gênée. D'autant que son comportement avec la demoiselle est juste odieux. Alors là vous me direz qu'en romance, c'est le but. Oui, vous aurez raison. Sauf qu'une grande partie du roman, il cherche à lui sauter dessus même si elle dit non...ça fait rêver ?! Le laïus qui consiste à penser que si l'héroïne est attirante alors ça légitime le fait que le héros est envie de la culbuter toutes les deux pages sans son consentement...A ce moment là du récit, je me suis prise d'une réelle antipathie pour St Bride et je n'ai pas réussi à la dépasser. J'ai même plaint l'héroïne de développer des sentiments pour ce butor.
Bref, je pense que ce livre à 25 ans et que beaucoup de choses ont évolué – heureusement – dans les mentalités et certains ouvrages souffrent trop du passage du temps. C'est le cas de celui-ci à mon sens.
https://www.lachroniquedespassions.com/
Le roman recèle tout ce que j'apprécie d'ordinaire en matière de romances historiques...
Une jeune ingénue qui est pourchassée par un méchant très méchant, un bel âtre qui arrive en quête de vengeance. La dite ingénue qui va servir d’instrument à la dite vengeance...Oui mais l'amour s'en mêle et redistribue toutes les cartes.
J'aimais beaucoup le postulat de départ sauf que le style de l'auteure et certaines phrases malheureuses m'ont heurtés. A un moment que je n'ai pas noté, St Bride, le héros dit de façon complètement décomplexé que son bras droit préfère les femmes qui sont de sa race...Derrière ce mot se cache bien sure une personne afro américaine et donc noire. Sauf que remis dans le contexte du livre cela apparaît comme un formule raciste décomplexée. Après je ne suis pas le chantre du politiquement correcte dans le sens où il s'agit d'une œuvre de fiction...Oui mais quand même, la belle image du héros était sacrément écorné.
Certes le roman date de 1988 mais ça m'a gênée. D'autant que son comportement avec la demoiselle est juste odieux. Alors là vous me direz qu'en romance, c'est le but. Oui, vous aurez raison. Sauf qu'une grande partie du roman, il cherche à lui sauter dessus même si elle dit non...ça fait rêver ?! Le laïus qui consiste à penser que si l'héroïne est attirante alors ça légitime le fait que le héros est envie de la culbuter toutes les deux pages sans son consentement...A ce moment là du récit, je me suis prise d'une réelle antipathie pour St Bride et je n'ai pas réussi à la dépasser. J'ai même plaint l'héroïne de développer des sentiments pour ce butor.
Bref, je pense que ce livre à 25 ans et que beaucoup de choses ont évolué – heureusement – dans les mentalités et certains ouvrages souffrent trop du passage du temps. C'est le cas de celui-ci à mon sens.
https://www.lachroniquedespassions.com/
March 15, 2018
THIS WASN'T THE BEST BUT IT STILL MADE ME SIGH LIKE A LOVESICK PUP.
OUR HERO is a little bit different than the usual McKinney cardboard. Why? Because he wasn't actually an asshole or a jerk. On the contrary, he was extremely caring and possessive of our heroine, I was glad to not hold my breath waiting for ill treatment to be expected in bodice rippers. Not that this was one. Anyways, our hero was robbed by Kayleigh and thats how they first met. He caught her, they scuffled and she fled. Fate intervenes again and she comes into his protection albeit unwillingly and he coaxes her to be his mistress. He tries to unravel her secrets, wants to make her smile but is a little wary of her past. Despite his short temper, this Grand Duke isn't a bad guy and he is out for revenge against the man who drove his sister to commit suicide. The passion between the characters while was slow, it was definitely slow burning and felt good.
OUR HEROINE is running for her life, after her cousin killed her twin and tries to marry her, she ranaway. Now she's fending for herself as a pickpocket and good lord, she had to choose St.Bride's. Throughout the story, Kayleigh is much like an animal who needed coaxing and to be loved in order for her to feel safe. St.Bride is her safe haven even if she doesn't want to admit it, and the man hasn't harmed her so far, instead he's treating her like a beloved jewel. But she wants his love, and she wants to marry...not be someone's doxy. But can she trust him, especially when he's working with her enemy?
OVERALL this was sweet and delightfully passionate in a way. I'm just glad it was void of the bodice rippers drama where all the drama centers on alpha dominants and misunderstandings.
OUR HERO is a little bit different than the usual McKinney cardboard. Why? Because he wasn't actually an asshole or a jerk. On the contrary, he was extremely caring and possessive of our heroine, I was glad to not hold my breath waiting for ill treatment to be expected in bodice rippers. Not that this was one. Anyways, our hero was robbed by Kayleigh and thats how they first met. He caught her, they scuffled and she fled. Fate intervenes again and she comes into his protection albeit unwillingly and he coaxes her to be his mistress. He tries to unravel her secrets, wants to make her smile but is a little wary of her past. Despite his short temper, this Grand Duke isn't a bad guy and he is out for revenge against the man who drove his sister to commit suicide. The passion between the characters while was slow, it was definitely slow burning and felt good.
OUR HEROINE is running for her life, after her cousin killed her twin and tries to marry her, she ranaway. Now she's fending for herself as a pickpocket and good lord, she had to choose St.Bride's. Throughout the story, Kayleigh is much like an animal who needed coaxing and to be loved in order for her to feel safe. St.Bride is her safe haven even if she doesn't want to admit it, and the man hasn't harmed her so far, instead he's treating her like a beloved jewel. But she wants his love, and she wants to marry...not be someone's doxy. But can she trust him, especially when he's working with her enemy?
OVERALL this was sweet and delightfully passionate in a way. I'm just glad it was void of the bodice rippers drama where all the drama centers on alpha dominants and misunderstandings.
June 27, 2017
Está bien para pasar el rato. Una historia de una chica escocesa que por la ambición de su primo tiene que salir huyendo de su hogar, y llegar a América con un viejo borracho "protector" aunque no le servía de mucho.
Ferringer es un hombre que llega a América a cobrar venganza de un hombre que le hizo daño a su hermana. Él conoce a Kayleigh y por circunstancias terminan bajo el mismo techo.
En todo el libro se ve el tire y afloje de los protagonistas, que no quieren ceder a sus instintos, la terquedad de los dos carácteres que compiten entre sí por tener la razón.
Se hubieran podido ahorrar muchos problemas los protagonistas si hubieran confiado uno en el otro y se hubieran contado tantos secretos sin importancia. Desde mi punto de vista se extiende demasiado el secreto y creo que Kayleigh hubiera podido contárselo a Ferringer más rápido, aunque se entiende que sin esto, el libro se hubiera acabado antes y carecería de piso la historia.
Ferringer es un hombre que llega a América a cobrar venganza de un hombre que le hizo daño a su hermana. Él conoce a Kayleigh y por circunstancias terminan bajo el mismo techo.
En todo el libro se ve el tire y afloje de los protagonistas, que no quieren ceder a sus instintos, la terquedad de los dos carácteres que compiten entre sí por tener la razón.
Se hubieran podido ahorrar muchos problemas los protagonistas si hubieran confiado uno en el otro y se hubieran contado tantos secretos sin importancia. Desde mi punto de vista se extiende demasiado el secreto y creo que Kayleigh hubiera podido contárselo a Ferringer más rápido, aunque se entiende que sin esto, el libro se hubiera acabado antes y carecería de piso la historia.
February 19, 2022
Me ha gustado. La trama es muy adictiva. Una heredera escocesa se ve obligada a huir de sus tierras escapando de su primo que la quiere matar. Llega a Nueva Orleans donde vive en la calle robando para sobrevivir. Así conoce al protagonista, un noble inglés que está en América buscando venganza. Cuando sus caminos se cruzan él se siente atraído por la rebeldía y el atrevimiento que tiene, pero cree que es una ladrona de la calle, hasta que poco a poco se van encontrando y la va conociendo más. Su relación es un tira y afloja, hay odio pero también atracción, se tienen mucha desconfianza porque no se dicen la verdad. Quizás me ha faltado que ella, después de todas las veces que él la salva y la demuestra que le importa, hubiese confiado más en él. Es una historia de aventuras, muy dinámica, ella se rebela continuamente porque quiere ser libre y demostrar su inocencia, él no la deja escapar porque la quiere junto a él. Esta escritora siempre me atrapa con sus historias.
April 28, 2019
Meagan McKinney is a very interesting author. This is the fifth book I've read by this author and I'm looking for more. Her plots are complex, unique and satisfying. However, I got tired of Kayleigh's stubbornness (about accepting St. Bride Ferringer's help).
Kayleigh Kerr was raised in Mhor Castle near Inverness, Scotland until her twin sister was senselessly murdered. We next see Kayleigh as a cutpurse in the seamy underbelly of New Orleans. When her wicked cousin follows Kayleigh to the New World, things look dim for the young woman. When Kayleigh tries to steal from St. Bride Ferringer, he captures her and takes her to his plantation near New Orleans.
This is a gripping, interesting tale that seemed a bit long and overdone (Kayleigh's stubbornness). Otherwise, it was well worth a reader's time.
Kayleigh Kerr was raised in Mhor Castle near Inverness, Scotland until her twin sister was senselessly murdered. We next see Kayleigh as a cutpurse in the seamy underbelly of New Orleans. When her wicked cousin follows Kayleigh to the New World, things look dim for the young woman. When Kayleigh tries to steal from St. Bride Ferringer, he captures her and takes her to his plantation near New Orleans.
This is a gripping, interesting tale that seemed a bit long and overdone (Kayleigh's stubbornness). Otherwise, it was well worth a reader's time.
March 22, 2025
Giving it a 3.5
Kayleigh ran away from her calculating cousin in Scotland, who also happens to be St. Bride's adversary as well without her knowing it. She takes WAY TOO LONG to try to open up to him. The story dragged on with her succumbing physically to St. Bride but not daring to trust him completely.
Kayleigh ran away from her calculating cousin in Scotland, who also happens to be St. Bride's adversary as well without her knowing it. She takes WAY TOO LONG to try to open up to him. The story dragged on with her succumbing physically to St. Bride but not daring to trust him completely.
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