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Night Trilogy #2
Night Shadow
The classic New York Times bestselling tale of romance and intrigue in Regency England
Dear Reader:
You met Knight Winthrop, Viscount Castlerosse, in Night Fire. He's the quintessential Regency bachelor, very happy with his life just the way it is. Then Lily shows up on his doorstep claiming she was betrothed to his murdered cousin. With her are his cousin's three children. She has no money, nowhere to go. What's even worse—Ugly Arnold is hard on her heels.
So what's Knight supposed to do now? He takes them in and kisses his former life goodbye.
I hope you'll laugh your socks off at the antics of Laura Beth, Sam, and Theo—and at how the very clever, creative Lord Castlerosse deals with this new species.
How does he deal with Lily? Read on, you'll love it.
Catherine Coulter
Dear Reader:
You met Knight Winthrop, Viscount Castlerosse, in Night Fire. He's the quintessential Regency bachelor, very happy with his life just the way it is. Then Lily shows up on his doorstep claiming she was betrothed to his murdered cousin. With her are his cousin's three children. She has no money, nowhere to go. What's even worse—Ugly Arnold is hard on her heels.
So what's Knight supposed to do now? He takes them in and kisses his former life goodbye.
I hope you'll laugh your socks off at the antics of Laura Beth, Sam, and Theo—and at how the very clever, creative Lord Castlerosse deals with this new species.
How does he deal with Lily? Read on, you'll love it.
Catherine Coulter
390 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 1989
442 people are currently reading
1090 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
March 10, 2022
Reread: 3/10/22
I still love this book. It's the children I love!
Reread 4xs
My favourite CC book! No rape. The children saved this book. They are great and realistic.
More RTC ! My old review was erased.
I still love this book. It's the children I love!
Reread 4xs
My favourite CC book! No rape. The children saved this book. They are great and realistic.
More RTC ! My old review was erased.
October 1, 2021
Disappointing!
I’m in a minority but..
Begins promisingly enough, with flashes of that same promise throughout but loses by way of trying too hard. For me, what drowned this book is the forced and farcical love, as also the humor.
Story’s as per the blurb. Only the h presents herself as his dead cousin’s widow (and mother of the youngest child) instead of just the nanny-governess turned fiancé. The children and the h have a sweet but symbiotic type of attachment.
The kids are cute, overly so.
And acted and spoke like someone way older. A 9 y.o and a 6 y.o. asking every man they meet about his intentions towards their mother, the h. That was cringe-worthy. The girl, Lucy Beth is adorable-cute but her attraction also wanes as she wears one out with her tireless cuteness.
And kids who label other people as ugly and fat and the mcs encourage it? I wasn’t happy about this. Well, if the h herself thinks a person to be monkey-faced then there isn’t much hope she'll censure, admonish the kids.
A h who’s so beautiful she makes grown men weep and she’s completely unaware of this effect? She comes across as this vacuous one dimensional martyr-saint who loves someone else’s kids so much that she lets her life revolve around them. But then she didn’t have much of a life herself.
But she's still tolerable ....till she discovers lust!
The H is worse.
He's the staple regency H -a manhoeing rake with short attention span who just wants to have a good time of it. This one too has plans to party till he’s forty before he settles down and even think of the little people. Enter Lily the luscious ‘widow’ with three kids in tow. Okay so he’s benevolent enough to provide solace and shelter and adjusts happily enough at the takeover of his bachelor haven. But he lost me by regularly carrying on with his mistresses even as he lusts after the h who's living in close quarters. A personal trigger for sure!
It was quite icky when he's shown to leave the h after dinner and then walk back in later reeking of roses, his evening activities quite apparent to the h. And it happens often. Okay, so ostensibly/overtly the h/H have a platonic equation but still it did not sit well with me that he has sex with two ow till half of the book while living 'together' with the h.
Then, his constant good humor and merriment at everything and nothing is highly annoying and distracting. I hate Hs who are constantly amused when I can’t quite see the humor in the said situation. (I think the ho-ho-we-are-merry started at the blurb.)
All hell breaks loose when it's 'revealed' that the widow is actually is his cousin’s ‘fancy piece’ and he at last (happily for me) loses his humor and turns awfully mean and nasty. That is the high point of the book. Not his vengeful sexual humiliation of the h but her socking the living daylights out of him. I clapped the loudest.
Second half is spent happily sitting on the rafters, anticipating the I-will-show-him virginity revelation.
He becomes a better man, a better husband if not a better comedian. She discovers sex and finds it and marriage more than agreeable. All said and done, then h/H chemistry and love lacks naturalness and the depth of conviction.
Villains creep out of the woodwork, kidnap, shoot, get shot and help advance the course of true love. Bit bland, bit forced but love, yes.
Its my disappointment that’s led to this rant but it’s not a complete loss.
Still a 3*.
I’m in a minority but..
Begins promisingly enough, with flashes of that same promise throughout but loses by way of trying too hard. For me, what drowned this book is the forced and farcical love, as also the humor.
Story’s as per the blurb. Only the h presents herself as his dead cousin’s widow (and mother of the youngest child) instead of just the nanny-governess turned fiancé. The children and the h have a sweet but symbiotic type of attachment.
The kids are cute, overly so.
And acted and spoke like someone way older. A 9 y.o and a 6 y.o. asking every man they meet about his intentions towards their mother, the h. That was cringe-worthy. The girl, Lucy Beth is adorable-cute but her attraction also wanes as she wears one out with her tireless cuteness.
And kids who label other people as ugly and fat and the mcs encourage it? I wasn’t happy about this. Well, if the h herself thinks a person to be monkey-faced then there isn’t much hope she'll censure, admonish the kids.
A h who’s so beautiful she makes grown men weep and she’s completely unaware of this effect? She comes across as this vacuous one dimensional martyr-saint who loves someone else’s kids so much that she lets her life revolve around them. But then she didn’t have much of a life herself.
But she's still tolerable ....till she discovers lust!
The H is worse.
He's the staple regency H -a manhoeing rake with short attention span who just wants to have a good time of it. This one too has plans to party till he’s forty before he settles down and even think of the little people. Enter Lily the luscious ‘widow’ with three kids in tow. Okay so he’s benevolent enough to provide solace and shelter and adjusts happily enough at the takeover of his bachelor haven. But he lost me by regularly carrying on with his mistresses even as he lusts after the h who's living in close quarters. A personal trigger for sure!
It was quite icky when he's shown to leave the h after dinner and then walk back in later reeking of roses, his evening activities quite apparent to the h. And it happens often. Okay, so ostensibly/overtly the h/H have a platonic equation but still it did not sit well with me that he has sex with two ow till half of the book while living 'together' with the h.
Then, his constant good humor and merriment at everything and nothing is highly annoying and distracting. I hate Hs who are constantly amused when I can’t quite see the humor in the said situation. (I think the ho-ho-we-are-merry started at the blurb.)
All hell breaks loose when it's 'revealed' that the widow is actually is his cousin’s ‘fancy piece’ and he at last (happily for me) loses his humor and turns awfully mean and nasty. That is the high point of the book. Not his vengeful sexual humiliation of the h but her socking the living daylights out of him. I clapped the loudest.
Second half is spent happily sitting on the rafters, anticipating the I-will-show-him virginity revelation.
He becomes a better man, a better husband if not a better comedian. She discovers sex and finds it and marriage more than agreeable. All said and done, then h/H chemistry and love lacks naturalness and the depth of conviction.
Villains creep out of the woodwork, kidnap, shoot, get shot and help advance the course of true love. Bit bland, bit forced but love, yes.
Its my disappointment that’s led to this rant but it’s not a complete loss.
Still a 3*.
August 13, 2024
2.5 ⭐️
Bad Haiku on the Fly
Light bodice ripper.
Decent MCs. Cute children.
Tiresome villains.
Notes:
📚As a burned out escapee from the bodice ripper era, the story’s beats still don’t work for me. Also, I had forgotten (and would have preferred never to be reminded) that villains were literally described as ugly.
📖Can anyone enlighten me as to what the title means?
Bad Haiku on the Fly
Light bodice ripper.
Decent MCs. Cute children.
Tiresome villains.
Notes:
📚As a burned out escapee from the bodice ripper era, the story’s beats still don’t work for me. Also, I had forgotten (and would have preferred never to be reminded) that villains were literally described as ugly.
📖Can anyone enlighten me as to what the title means?
November 6, 2021
The audiobook is currently on sale for $2.99 on https://www.chirpbooks.com/.
The first book in the series, Night Fire is currently on sale for $1.99.
Not as much romance as I would have liked.
The first book in the series, Night Fire is currently on sale for $1.99.
Not as much romance as I would have liked.
August 23, 2015
Nothing better than a reformed rake especially when the heroine beats the bad boy out if him literally. One of my favorite scenes.
September 20, 2018
Knight y Lily forman una dupla explosiva y muy agradable de leer, incluso hasta cuando aparecen los niños de la historia. Sigue más o menos la consigna de esta trilogía, hasta repitiendo algunos moldes que ya habían aparecido con Arielle y Burke, del libro anterior.
Creo que esta es mi octava relectura de la saga y aunque en cada nueva oportunidad le encuentro más peros, la sigo disfrutando y la recomiendo para pasar un buen rato.
Creo que esta es mi octava relectura de la saga y aunque en cada nueva oportunidad le encuentro más peros, la sigo disfrutando y la recomiendo para pasar un buen rato.
February 17, 2016
I absolutely loved this book!!! I haven't read a book I enjoyed this much in quite a while. This series was an okay series -- the first book was pretty good, but a bit dark, the third book I just didn't like the characters in, but this one is funny, light-hearted, sweet and surprising because I expected more angst than was there.
The children were so captivating. Each was so different, yet each was very endearing and faced up to the uncertainty of their lives with such bravery and heart. They were so bright and funny you could read the book just to see what those hand-fulls would be up to next.
Knight Winthrop, Viscount Castlerosse is twenty-seven years old and doesn't plan to marry until he's forty and then quickly beget an heir and have nothing to do with his heirs raising in order to NOT imprint any of his failings on the child. This was the viewpoint of Knights father as well. One has to wonder how knight could have grown up to be such a loving, caring young man when his father had that viewpoint and his mother died when he was 10. He's funny when one of the children does something and he enjoys it rather than being annoyed -- he's so surprised at himself. My only small complaint is when it seems that he will rape Lily -- he wasn't going to, but you sure thought he was going to.
Lily Tremaine was engaged to Knights cousin Tristan Winthrop. When Tristan is murdered, Lily takes his three children and flees to the home of Tristan's sister. There she tells the truth -- that she was engaged to Tristan and that she and the children are penniless. The sister's husband (called Ugly Arnold by the children) accosts and tries to rape Lily, but the children see and stop it. They all flea to the home of Tristan's cousin Knight, but they decide NOT to tell the truth to Knight. They tell Knight that Lily was married to his cousin and that the youngest child is hers. Lily is a bright, very loving, caring young woman and you'll like her.
I think you'll actually like all of the people in this book. I sure did. I hope you read it and enjoy it as much as I did.
The children were so captivating. Each was so different, yet each was very endearing and faced up to the uncertainty of their lives with such bravery and heart. They were so bright and funny you could read the book just to see what those hand-fulls would be up to next.
Knight Winthrop, Viscount Castlerosse is twenty-seven years old and doesn't plan to marry until he's forty and then quickly beget an heir and have nothing to do with his heirs raising in order to NOT imprint any of his failings on the child. This was the viewpoint of Knights father as well. One has to wonder how knight could have grown up to be such a loving, caring young man when his father had that viewpoint and his mother died when he was 10. He's funny when one of the children does something and he enjoys it rather than being annoyed -- he's so surprised at himself. My only small complaint is when it seems that he will rape Lily -- he wasn't going to, but you sure thought he was going to.
Lily Tremaine was engaged to Knights cousin Tristan Winthrop. When Tristan is murdered, Lily takes his three children and flees to the home of Tristan's sister. There she tells the truth -- that she was engaged to Tristan and that she and the children are penniless. The sister's husband (called Ugly Arnold by the children) accosts and tries to rape Lily, but the children see and stop it. They all flea to the home of Tristan's cousin Knight, but they decide NOT to tell the truth to Knight. They tell Knight that Lily was married to his cousin and that the youngest child is hers. Lily is a bright, very loving, caring young woman and you'll like her.
I think you'll actually like all of the people in this book. I sure did. I hope you read it and enjoy it as much as I did.
July 18, 2009
With her betrothed Tristan murdered, Lily will do anything to stay with his three children. She flees to Tristan's cousin, Knight, posing as Tristan's widow. Knight is thrown by the sudden chaos that his orderly house falls into, as the chaos begins to invade his heart as well.
It starts out so fun and promising, then takes a sharp dive into domineering and accusations of being a whore. Thankfully it never really goes too far, and it comes back up. I used to love this book, and now re-reading it, I can see that is really is one of the better Coulter books.
It starts out so fun and promising, then takes a sharp dive into domineering and accusations of being a whore. Thankfully it never really goes too far, and it comes back up. I used to love this book, and now re-reading it, I can see that is really is one of the better Coulter books.
June 9, 2010
A wise and sane man married at no earlier than the age of forty and picked a girl no more than eighteen who was healthy as a stoat, a good breeder and malleable as sheep.
This is Knight Winthrop's motto. He's having the time of his life. Well, that was before Mrs. Winthrop, widow of his uncle Tristan came barging on their door, with three children in tow. Suddenly everything is topsy-turvy.
Lily Tremaine, fiancee of Tristan Winthrop, together with Theo, Sam and Laura Beth, devised a plot, so the four of them would never be apart. Lily, being deeply in love with the children, couldn't quite leave them. She pretends to be the mother of the youngest of Tristan's children, Laura Beth, and knocks at Knight Winthrop's door to seek for refuge, because Tristan has left no belongings or money for her to bring up the children.
Lily, also being unaware of her beauty manages to catch Knight's elusive attention.
Will Knight could have something more than three children? Perhaps, even a wife?
_____
This book for me was a really fast and entertaining read. It's romantic and it's extremely funny. I couldn't help myself from laughing at the kids' crazy antics! And I bet you would too. Imagine Knight eating everything he said! It's crazy! :)
This is Knight Winthrop's motto. He's having the time of his life. Well, that was before Mrs. Winthrop, widow of his uncle Tristan came barging on their door, with three children in tow. Suddenly everything is topsy-turvy.
Lily Tremaine, fiancee of Tristan Winthrop, together with Theo, Sam and Laura Beth, devised a plot, so the four of them would never be apart. Lily, being deeply in love with the children, couldn't quite leave them. She pretends to be the mother of the youngest of Tristan's children, Laura Beth, and knocks at Knight Winthrop's door to seek for refuge, because Tristan has left no belongings or money for her to bring up the children.
Lily, also being unaware of her beauty manages to catch Knight's elusive attention.
Will Knight could have something more than three children? Perhaps, even a wife?
_____
This book for me was a really fast and entertaining read. It's romantic and it's extremely funny. I couldn't help myself from laughing at the kids' crazy antics! And I bet you would too. Imagine Knight eating everything he said! It's crazy! :)
February 5, 2020
The amazing continuation of the NIGHT TRILOGY! Going to my favorites as the previous part, Night Fire. But telling honestly, NIGHT FIRE will be the best among the all books of this trilogy since Mr. Burke Drummond behaved better than Mr. Knight Winthrop and Mr. Alec Carrick. ;)
But remembering the whole book NIGHT SHADOW, I can say that I really enjoyed reading about Lily and Knight's building relationships and their growing passion. However, some scenes made me to get into the book and beat the shit out of Knight. He behaved like an ass mostly time and denied his attraction and love towards Lily. But Lily's kids made his heart melting and kinder. They got some sense into his stupid head. Lol. They made him to realize that their not a blooded mom, Lily, needed his support and care and he still was a jerk. That's why I was happy reading some scenes, for example, like Lily kicked his jaw hard with her little fist and he fell, hitting the fireplace with his head. I know it sounds cruel from my side, but he got what he deserved. He needed to treat his lady nicely and not making her pissing off and telling her rude and insulting words.
This story made me thinking how love can be complicated and men can hide their true feelings behind their horrible behavior. And I can understand why, they just scared of such feelings and run away from them. But a true love always finds a way. Wink. ;)
But remembering the whole book NIGHT SHADOW, I can say that I really enjoyed reading about Lily and Knight's building relationships and their growing passion. However, some scenes made me to get into the book and beat the shit out of Knight. He behaved like an ass mostly time and denied his attraction and love towards Lily. But Lily's kids made his heart melting and kinder. They got some sense into his stupid head. Lol. They made him to realize that their not a blooded mom, Lily, needed his support and care and he still was a jerk. That's why I was happy reading some scenes, for example, like Lily kicked his jaw hard with her little fist and he fell, hitting the fireplace with his head. I know it sounds cruel from my side, but he got what he deserved. He needed to treat his lady nicely and not making her pissing off and telling her rude and insulting words.
This story made me thinking how love can be complicated and men can hide their true feelings behind their horrible behavior. And I can understand why, they just scared of such feelings and run away from them. But a true love always finds a way. Wink. ;)
February 28, 2015
este es el primer libro que leo de la autora y lo cierto es que le di una oportunidad porque, a parte de haberme propuesto "descubrir nuevas" autoras, lo compré por menos de 3€ (y por ese precio ni me lo pensé). pues bien, os puedo resumir mi relación con este libro con una sola palabra: pésima.
desde el comienzo de la historia he sentido que todo ocurría de una forma caótica (tanto era así que había partes en la que me perdía). también debo decir que culpa de esto la tiene la traducción, la cual necesitaría más de un retoque.
dejando esto a un lado, y centrándome en la historia, diría que uno de los mayores problemas que he tenido con el libro ha sido la forma en que nos presenta la autora a Lily. ella es una mujer de una belleza incomparable, una que consigue que todos los hombres caigan rendidos a sus pies y que ardan en deseos de poseerla. pero, por supuesto, ella no es una persona a la que le da importancia estas cosas. no, ella no se siente bella y camina por el mundo con indiferencia (y una no tan velada sumisión).
si esto no fuera suficiente para hacerme poner los ojos en blanco (sobre todo por las veces que se repite lo hermosa que es. que, os aseguro, con menos yo ya me había enterado), tenemos a Knight, el "caballero de blanca armadura" que, por supuesto, antes era un libertino que no se planteaba el casarse hasta que tuviera 40 años. no me molestan las historias en las que el libertino es "reformado y cae rendido a los pies del amor" (si lo hicieran no podría leer romántica histórica), pero lo que me ha molestado ha sido la actitud de Knight. es cierto que con los niños ha sido un hombre amable, y cariñoso, pero con Lily ha hecho alarde de una posesividad que he detestado y que ha hecho que "su historia de amor" me sonara a "un calentón prolongado".
sé que he empezado la trilogía por la mitad, pero después de la mala experiencia que he tenido con este libro, dudo mucho que decida continuarla (o darle una oportunidad a otra novela de la autora... por lo menos en un futuro cercano).
desde el comienzo de la historia he sentido que todo ocurría de una forma caótica (tanto era así que había partes en la que me perdía). también debo decir que culpa de esto la tiene la traducción, la cual necesitaría más de un retoque.
dejando esto a un lado, y centrándome en la historia, diría que uno de los mayores problemas que he tenido con el libro ha sido la forma en que nos presenta la autora a Lily. ella es una mujer de una belleza incomparable, una que consigue que todos los hombres caigan rendidos a sus pies y que ardan en deseos de poseerla. pero, por supuesto, ella no es una persona a la que le da importancia estas cosas. no, ella no se siente bella y camina por el mundo con indiferencia (y una no tan velada sumisión).
si esto no fuera suficiente para hacerme poner los ojos en blanco (sobre todo por las veces que se repite lo hermosa que es. que, os aseguro, con menos yo ya me había enterado), tenemos a Knight, el "caballero de blanca armadura" que, por supuesto, antes era un libertino que no se planteaba el casarse hasta que tuviera 40 años. no me molestan las historias en las que el libertino es "reformado y cae rendido a los pies del amor" (si lo hicieran no podría leer romántica histórica), pero lo que me ha molestado ha sido la actitud de Knight. es cierto que con los niños ha sido un hombre amable, y cariñoso, pero con Lily ha hecho alarde de una posesividad que he detestado y que ha hecho que "su historia de amor" me sonara a "un calentón prolongado".
sé que he empezado la trilogía por la mitad, pero después de la mala experiencia que he tenido con este libro, dudo mucho que decida continuarla (o darle una oportunidad a otra novela de la autora... por lo menos en un futuro cercano).
December 9, 2019
Catherine Coulter does it again!
An enjoyable read. I enjoyed the antics of the children and the witty dialogue of Lilly and Knight. It was good to see Burke and
Arielle again. The mystery of the sparklers and the villains added a sense of menace and excitement to the romance. I am looking forward to the third part of the Night Fire Trilogy.
An enjoyable read. I enjoyed the antics of the children and the witty dialogue of Lilly and Knight. It was good to see Burke and
Arielle again. The mystery of the sparklers and the villains added a sense of menace and excitement to the romance. I am looking forward to the third part of the Night Fire Trilogy.
April 16, 2020
Like this book so much. But the first in this series is better. 😜
February 6, 2021
This is a schizophrenic novel. I can't believe the editor didn't throw it across the room.
Half the time it is a nice romance with great dialogue and sympathetic characters who genuinely like each other. The family scenes, particularly with the children are charming.
The other half of the time the hero can't decide if he's a nice guy who surprises himself by enjoying family life, or an almost rapist who feels justified forcing himself on a woman because he believes she has slept with other men.
And the heroine, she either knows this man doesn't love her and is going to chase her around and is resisting one minute.
The next, he's taken over and forced her into marriage and she magically falls in love with him.
Basically because he says, "I wish I could cut you out of my heart." Oh! She's IN his heart! Magic words. Blech.
And then he's the nice guy again and all is well.
Is this a - wannabe rapists are fine as long as you go along with them and then they turn out to be nice guys after all book. (perpetuating myths that have gotten women in trouble for years!)
Or is it about a man who realizes that family life really is all it's cracked up to be?
It feel like it WAS a nice romance and then the editor said - we need more graphic sex and tension so the rest got shoved in, but it didn't really make sense with the rest of the story.
If this is what all her romances are like - I'll throw it across the room for the editor next time.
Or - GET THIS WOMAN A BETTER EDITOR. This was a rush job to sell books and add graphic content to a nice story. Won't read another one in this series.
It's a shame because I've enjoyed her thrillers.
Half the time it is a nice romance with great dialogue and sympathetic characters who genuinely like each other. The family scenes, particularly with the children are charming.
The other half of the time the hero can't decide if he's a nice guy who surprises himself by enjoying family life, or an almost rapist who feels justified forcing himself on a woman because he believes she has slept with other men.
And the heroine, she either knows this man doesn't love her and is going to chase her around and is resisting one minute.
The next, he's taken over and forced her into marriage and she magically falls in love with him.
Basically because he says, "I wish I could cut you out of my heart." Oh! She's IN his heart! Magic words. Blech.
And then he's the nice guy again and all is well.
Is this a - wannabe rapists are fine as long as you go along with them and then they turn out to be nice guys after all book. (perpetuating myths that have gotten women in trouble for years!)
Or is it about a man who realizes that family life really is all it's cracked up to be?
It feel like it WAS a nice romance and then the editor said - we need more graphic sex and tension so the rest got shoved in, but it didn't really make sense with the rest of the story.
If this is what all her romances are like - I'll throw it across the room for the editor next time.
Or - GET THIS WOMAN A BETTER EDITOR. This was a rush job to sell books and add graphic content to a nice story. Won't read another one in this series.
It's a shame because I've enjoyed her thrillers.
March 23, 2020
2/5
1 star plus 1 because there really wasn't anything wrong with the heroine. It's not her fault that men literally turn stupid when they encounter her beauty. Every man she meets either loses the ability to function or wants to sexual assault her, including the "hero." He originally thinks his cousin took her as his wife when she was 15 and he is insulted his cousin would do such a thing. He vows to treat her with respect, but then the murderers stalking her imply that she was his cousin's lover and he treats her like she's fair game as a mistress. And calls her a harlot because she kisses him back. Charming.
In the synopsis it says "Knight kisses his old life goodbye," but he goes through three mistresses while her and the kids are living with him, including a "fiery Italian" one who accosts Lily and the kids in the park. The kids were just okay, but really anytime they're more than props and act their actual age I'm fine with them being there.
My Notes:
Suddenly without warning, he ripped the front of her gown from her throat to her waist. -Ohhhh, this is one of those.
“You expect me to come out, to say, ‘Why, certainly, my lord, please rape me’?” -Lily, you might be the only saving grace in this schlock.
“Men act stupid around her and we have to protect her.” - Oh that's sweet, her 8 and 10 year-old stepsons are going to protect her from rapists.
1 star plus 1 because there really wasn't anything wrong with the heroine. It's not her fault that men literally turn stupid when they encounter her beauty. Every man she meets either loses the ability to function or wants to sexual assault her, including the "hero." He originally thinks his cousin took her as his wife when she was 15 and he is insulted his cousin would do such a thing. He vows to treat her with respect, but then the murderers stalking her imply that she was his cousin's lover and he treats her like she's fair game as a mistress. And calls her a harlot because she kisses him back. Charming.
In the synopsis it says "Knight kisses his old life goodbye," but he goes through three mistresses while her and the kids are living with him, including a "fiery Italian" one who accosts Lily and the kids in the park. The kids were just okay, but really anytime they're more than props and act their actual age I'm fine with them being there.
My Notes:
Suddenly without warning, he ripped the front of her gown from her throat to her waist. -Ohhhh, this is one of those.
“You expect me to come out, to say, ‘Why, certainly, my lord, please rape me’?” -Lily, you might be the only saving grace in this schlock.
“Men act stupid around her and we have to protect her.” - Oh that's sweet, her 8 and 10 year-old stepsons are going to protect her from rapists.
January 8, 2018
Ug. I think I need to stick to contemporary romance or rather historical romance written by contemporary authors. This book had a lot of promise. A strong, sassy, if a bit naive heroine. A rogue of a hero. Funny children as comic relief. Jewels to find. It had all the elements for a great novel. But, as is par for the course for romance novels written in the 80s and earlier, you completely lose it for me when rape is involved. It just ruins anything that could have been there. I like historical romance. I like it a lot better when the hero of the story can control himself and/or the heroine willingly gives herself over to her desires. Once the so-called hero forces the heroine, I'm done. Had the author made Knight the actual honorable man she was developing, this wouldn't have been such a disappointment for me.
March 15, 2018
Knight Winthrop is exactly what you expect a Regency bachelor to be and happy with the way his life is going. He swears not to marry before reaching 40 as was his father's edict. When a young and beautiful woman whom he thinks is the widow of his cousin shows up on his doorstep with three children in tow, his whole life changes.
The antics of the children will keep you laughing as will watching Knight transform into someone he never thought he would be. His friends are astonished at the changes. There is the mystery of jewels that seem to only be imaginary but indeed are real and nearly cost more lives than that of his cousin.
Very well done and a quick read too.
The antics of the children will keep you laughing as will watching Knight transform into someone he never thought he would be. His friends are astonished at the changes. There is the mystery of jewels that seem to only be imaginary but indeed are real and nearly cost more lives than that of his cousin.
Very well done and a quick read too.
January 8, 2009
I really enjoyed this 2nd book to the trilogy.
January 1, 2021
By and1515
Their father's death left them in a precarious position that Lily was having a hard time trying to figure out how to save them all.
She was tired, scared and most of all sick of that pathetic man who tried to hurt her.
They had only one choice to beg for protection from Tristan's cousin and hope beyond hope he'd help them.
Knight could understand why they were all so weary and suspension of him after he was a man and they didn't know him.
Lily couldn't believe the language being hurled at them by such vulgar people.
Knight would be a better guardian for the children then her; Lily knew she should leave.
Knight was in time to rescue her from that horrible man with an ugly name and even uglier face.
Life started to resemble something one might have considered almost normal.
Until several dangerous men appeared on Knight's doorsteps searching for her then they very nearly kidnapped Sam and now Knight had been hurt.
Lily knew they'd been Tristan's so called partners but she honestly didn't have a clue.
However once he had her full attention he began to explain just what the two thieves were really after and of course there was also the very interesting story about her and how she wasn't his late cousin's widow just his side piece.
Madness that was it madness she drove him quite mad and he truly wanted her and by gosh he was going to have her.
Yeah knew he'd totally screwed up last night and now he was paying for it especially with his head ached something fierce.
Married Knight spoke of marriage and her all in the same sentence.
However their honeymoon was cut considerbly short by two blunderheads still searching for those lost jewels.
Knight and his new wife were both hurt as they desperately tried to flee and finally he found them a safe place to hide.
He finally understood one thing very clear was the fact Lily was now his life and he would trade places with her.
Their father's death left them in a precarious position that Lily was having a hard time trying to figure out how to save them all.
She was tired, scared and most of all sick of that pathetic man who tried to hurt her.
They had only one choice to beg for protection from Tristan's cousin and hope beyond hope he'd help them.
Knight could understand why they were all so weary and suspension of him after he was a man and they didn't know him.
Lily couldn't believe the language being hurled at them by such vulgar people.
Knight would be a better guardian for the children then her; Lily knew she should leave.
Knight was in time to rescue her from that horrible man with an ugly name and even uglier face.
Life started to resemble something one might have considered almost normal.
Until several dangerous men appeared on Knight's doorsteps searching for her then they very nearly kidnapped Sam and now Knight had been hurt.
Lily knew they'd been Tristan's so called partners but she honestly didn't have a clue.
However once he had her full attention he began to explain just what the two thieves were really after and of course there was also the very interesting story about her and how she wasn't his late cousin's widow just his side piece.
Madness that was it madness she drove him quite mad and he truly wanted her and by gosh he was going to have her.
Yeah knew he'd totally screwed up last night and now he was paying for it especially with his head ached something fierce.
Married Knight spoke of marriage and her all in the same sentence.
However their honeymoon was cut considerbly short by two blunderheads still searching for those lost jewels.
Knight and his new wife were both hurt as they desperately tried to flee and finally he found them a safe place to hide.
He finally understood one thing very clear was the fact Lily was now his life and he would trade places with her.
January 11, 2023
First published in 1989, this book is now fit for the $1 bin in second hand shops. I enjoyed reading most of it, but gosh, it's so outdated.
The mixed genre offers everything I usually like in my Historical Romance: beautiful girl, rich lord, sexual tension, a mystery with bad guys about, some very unrealistic but cute children and their scrapes. This book even added a few action scenes with both blades and bullets, kidnapping, chasing, hiding, a few bullet holes to be patched up. The whole lot! Maybe a bit too much! But yet it still drags on in the Romance department.
Now, the Romance is the outdated part. I tried, but I couldn't bring myself to ship this couple, to reconcile the hero's kindness to the children against his contempt for their Mama, even after he admitted that he was wrong and acted so heroically at the end. I thought and thought and here's what I think why I don't like this Romance: There is no Respect. The Knight lusted after Lily because she's too beautiful. Full stop. He seduced, bullied, and coerced her into marrying him even when he thought she's a whore, which she wasn't and he wouldn't believe her when she said she wasn't, which means he had no respect for her characters, all he wanted was her body.
And I know, I usually whine about the Reformed Rake trope where the Rake never acted like a Rake, but here it is, when I was presented with a Rake that acted like a Rake, it's just not nice to read. I don't think it's morally wrong of Knight to find release of his lust for Lily on mistresses and courtesans in the days when he's not committed to her and even tried to forget her. It's just not very cozy a romance to read.
The mixed genre offers everything I usually like in my Historical Romance: beautiful girl, rich lord, sexual tension, a mystery with bad guys about, some very unrealistic but cute children and their scrapes. This book even added a few action scenes with both blades and bullets, kidnapping, chasing, hiding, a few bullet holes to be patched up. The whole lot! Maybe a bit too much! But yet it still drags on in the Romance department.
Now, the Romance is the outdated part. I tried, but I couldn't bring myself to ship this couple, to reconcile the hero's kindness to the children against his contempt for their Mama, even after he admitted that he was wrong and acted so heroically at the end. I thought and thought and here's what I think why I don't like this Romance: There is no Respect. The Knight lusted after Lily because she's too beautiful. Full stop. He seduced, bullied, and coerced her into marrying him even when he thought she's a whore, which she wasn't and he wouldn't believe her when she said she wasn't, which means he had no respect for her characters, all he wanted was her body.
And I know, I usually whine about the Reformed Rake trope where the Rake never acted like a Rake, but here it is, when I was presented with a Rake that acted like a Rake, it's just not nice to read. I don't think it's morally wrong of Knight to find release of his lust for Lily on mistresses and courtesans in the days when he's not committed to her and even tried to forget her. It's just not very cozy a romance to read.
July 29, 2024
My favorite Catherine Coulter so far. This one started with a murder, then flipped to charm and warmth as Lily and her three children ranging in ages from 9 to 4 crash into Knight’s perfectly planned existence and wreck his home, his peace, and his heart.
Yes, we did veer off into Catherine Coulter Crazy Town half way through, but fortunately Knight’s scorched earth policy kept getting sabotaged by his feelings and ugliness kept turning to passion and there were a couple of killers just to keep things interesting.
I think Catherine Coulter might be my guilty little pleasure. Even when it’s bad it’s interesting, and this book wasn’t bad at all.
Yes, we did veer off into Catherine Coulter Crazy Town half way through, but fortunately Knight’s scorched earth policy kept getting sabotaged by his feelings and ugliness kept turning to passion and there were a couple of killers just to keep things interesting.
I think Catherine Coulter might be my guilty little pleasure. Even when it’s bad it’s interesting, and this book wasn’t bad at all.
March 28, 2018
Night Shadow, book 2 of the Night trilogy. Did not like this one as much but again putting into the times that this was set in I understand that women vs. man roles and what can and can not be done. (Needles to say I would not fit in that time period because of that)
There are a few scenes that I do not agree with as and older adult but when I was Lilly's age I would of been okay with those moments do to the naivety of youth and who I was seeing at the time.
There are a few scenes that I do not agree with as and older adult but when I was Lilly's age I would of been okay with those moments do to the naivety of youth and who I was seeing at the time.
April 2, 2021
Children, murder, Desperate Decisions, Love, Pain
This is a delightful story, of mystery, three children who were orphan (their father was murdered). Lily was the father’s fiancé and she loved these children. She needed to find a safe place to keep them. She new of her fiancée’s cousin,and she turns to him to help her. Games were played until trust was established and for me, the story dragged, until a resolution was achieved.
This is a delightful story, of mystery, three children who were orphan (their father was murdered). Lily was the father’s fiancé and she loved these children. She needed to find a safe place to keep them. She new of her fiancée’s cousin,and she turns to him to help her. Games were played until trust was established and for me, the story dragged, until a resolution was achieved.
January 9, 2022
Very nice switchover from the prior book in the series
I was admittedly quite perturbed when the hero incorrectly labeled the heroine as a “kept woman” and decided that it was acceptable to rape her!!
While I’m not sure I’ll ever come to terms with the male domination of the time, I truly enjoyed this one.
It was better than the reviews. Humorous, engaging and painted a hilarious picture of the uncontrollable ready made, instantaneously made, loving family.
I was admittedly quite perturbed when the hero incorrectly labeled the heroine as a “kept woman” and decided that it was acceptable to rape her!!
While I’m not sure I’ll ever come to terms with the male domination of the time, I truly enjoyed this one.
It was better than the reviews. Humorous, engaging and painted a hilarious picture of the uncontrollable ready made, instantaneously made, loving family.
August 8, 2023
5 stars
Delightful, adorable, the children added so much charm to the story instead of being an unnecessary distraction. The dialogue and banter is paced so well, a distinctive feature of this Coulter series. The other supporting characters also added to the fun, light setting of the story and even the villains were quirky. We got a substantial epilogue which topped off the story and left me with awwww
I look forward to the next in the series and hope it is as good as the first 2.
Delightful, adorable, the children added so much charm to the story instead of being an unnecessary distraction. The dialogue and banter is paced so well, a distinctive feature of this Coulter series. The other supporting characters also added to the fun, light setting of the story and even the villains were quirky. We got a substantial epilogue which topped off the story and left me with awwww
I look forward to the next in the series and hope it is as good as the first 2.
February 11, 2024
I really liked this book until about halfway through when Knight decided Lily was a fallen woman based on what two villains said and basically treated her like garbage. He even sexually assaulted her while she was saying no. Then was shocked on their wedding night when she was a virgin. He apologized in one line and she instantly forgave him because he gave her such pleasure. I think this says more about the 1980s than it does about the historic time it was set in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2023
This was kind of a let down from the previous romance in the series, but it was still good enough. I liked Knight and how he took charge and his heart was easily melted by his nephews and niece. However, I could have done without them constantly in the story. Plus, I got to see Burke and Arielle from he previous book!
September 10, 2025
This book was better than I expected. I haven't read a historical romance - regency era book before but I was glad I did. This was a beautiful enemies-to-lovers, suspenseful book. I recommend it for a beach read or maybe for someone who is trying to read more books that are set in the Bridgerton, Victorian era.
August 26, 2017
Catherine Coulter, Night Fire Triology
The second book in this series, Night Shadow, was a great read. I enjoyed it immensely like I do all of Catherine Coulter books. It was packed with romance and action and kept me interested in same all the time
The second book in this series, Night Shadow, was a great read. I enjoyed it immensely like I do all of Catherine Coulter books. It was packed with romance and action and kept me interested in same all the time
September 23, 2018
Truly enjoyable!!
The characters are great! I enjoyed the twists and turns the plot took. The humor is sly and considerable! I read, page after page with true enjoyment! Highly recommend!!
The characters are great! I enjoyed the twists and turns the plot took. The humor is sly and considerable! I read, page after page with true enjoyment! Highly recommend!!
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