Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Discussion thread for the second BOTM for March 2025. Please remember to use the spoiler tags when necessary! (Please see 'some HTML is ok' for instructions.)

Join us in reading this HR that features the theme Overlooked Heroine!


Seduction, by Amanda Quick

Synopsis:

Townsfolk called him Devil. For dark and enigmatic Julian, Earl of Ravenwood, was a man with a legendary temper and a first wife whose mysterious death would not be forgotten. Some said the beautiful Lady Ravenwood had drowned herself in the black, murky waters of Ravenwood Pond. Others whispered of foul play and the devil’s wrath.

Now country-bred Sophy Dorring is about to become Ravenwood’s new bride. Drawn to his masculine strength and the glitter of desire that burned in his emerald eyes, the tawny-haired lass had her own reasons for agreeing to a marriage of convenience. One was vengeance, and in its pursuit she would entangle Julian in a blackmail plot, a duel at dawn, and a dangerous masquerade. The other reason was dearer to her heart, but just as wild a quest: Sophy Dorring intended to teach the devil to love again.

Happy reading!

I plan to read this one as I am a fan of Quick and havne't read this one yet.

I would like to read this one. Unfortunately it's not available on kindle Australia, or at my library. I will have to miss this one.

There don't seem to be many of Amanda Quick's books available on kindle Australia, just a random few.

Jan do you have Hoopla? That is where I found it.

Merry wrote: "Jan do you have Hoopla? That is where I found it."

Thanks Merry. I will have a look at that.

I have already read this book. Gave it 4stars.
I do like Amanda Quick historical books.
Happy reading everyone.

I have started the Audio version on Hoopla today.

I started this book today. Sophy is adorable, but I can't figure out her game plan with three months. This poor man is trying to seduce her after his 2 weeks of marriage, and she is not making it easy.

Lauren, I am still at the beginning (I have another library book due sooner) but don't quite understand the Earls desire to marry Sophy. I mean it sounds like she has always had her eye on him. From his point of view why not just move on? Other than it's a book and this is the plot. Let me say I am a BIG fan of Quick.

Merry, I think it's mostly ego and the fact that she is the opposite of his late wife. He also didn't want to put the effort into court anyone.

Thanks Lauren, I am up to chapter 2 and that is what the characters are saying, lol

Just finished chapter 3, (view spoiler)[ I am irritated with Julian, he agreed to the bargain. If he romanced Sophy and she agreed to sex, then I could understand. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4 spilling the tea is has a dual meaning here

I finished this book a couple of days ago. It was a fun, entertaining book! It had some hilarious moments. I wish the romance had been stronger, but I still enjoyed the story. I need to remember to read more of AQ's books.

Merry, it's a hilarious scene. I don't think she thought that trick all the way through

Lauren, I really enjoy AQ and agree with you about the romance in this one.

Started it today and read chapter 1. Amusing so far.

If anyone is doing BINGO the hero's eyes are green.

Merry, I'm irritated with Julian in chapter 3, too. 😡 (view spoiler)[His 'I have indulged you long enough, from now on, you will be a proper wife' speech — while insisting on his irreproachable honorability — is outrageous. Good thing she drugged him. (hide spoiler)]

Irina, I know right.....Chapter 7 (view spoiler)[ Sophy has said that she has loved Julian since she was 18. There nothing that she does that would point that out to the reader. There is absolutely no romance that I have noticed. She just lost her virginity in this chapter, and I have felt more passion grocery shopping than I did in this bedroom scene. (hide spoiler)]

Let me see if I have this right in chapter 9 first half (view spoiler)[ a courtesan is blackmailing Sophy that she will publish letters written by her husband BEFORE they were married. So the best way to deal with this is to write a letter offering a duel with the blackmailer of letters. (hide spoiler)]

Merry, "felt me passion grocery shopping" 🤣🤣🤣.

😁 Chapter 13 (view spoiler)[ I feel that Julian is kinda trying here with Sophy. Nothing about her behavior says love or even a crush to me. The mystery which has been weak so far is being moved along. (hide spoiler)]

Merry wrote: "Let me see if I have this right in chapter 9 first half [spoilers removed]"

Seems totally reasonable to me, Merry!;)

(I'm enjoying these spoilers and disappointed that I don't have time this week to join in the reading.)

Olivia I hope that you get some time freed up soon to join the next one.
Halfway through chapter 18 (view spoiler)[ if you have ever watched Scooby Doo and they tear off the mask of the "bad guy" and no one was surprised...that's my look right now. For a quick minute I thought it was going to be the old herb woman and I was going WOW I missed that one by a mile. But nooooo it is the weird guy that was stalking our heroine at the party. So of course he kidnaps her and also has the emeralds (which Julian never told his wife were even stolen-them being so close and all-that was sarcasm) (hide spoiler)]

Last half of chapter 18 (view spoiler)[ OK I don't think I could have shot someone in cold blood but I sure would have tied them up! I have been thinking why would 2 lovers both go crazy.... my diagnosis is tertiary syphilis (really just a wild guess). The main couple have nothing in common. I mean why even lie about being kidnapped. The kidnapper is NUTS plus there is her husband's family emeralds. (hide spoiler)]

I finished the book and here is my review. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I just finished this one, and I did enjoy the writing. I've mentioned before that I've been getting into older novels and appreciating them for their lack of politics and modern agendas - and this one was nice for that. There were a few moments that I had a real giggle through out the novel, and overall the story was a nice read. It needed more romance and a bit less lecturing, I found Julian a bit overbearing at times and Sophy a bit naive. It's a first Amanda Quick for me, and I'll definitely look out for some more from her.

Clarissa, totally agree with your notes. I do hope that read more AQ as she has several that are 5* for me.

I finished it yesterday and I'm not impressed. TBH, I was pretty bored and didn't like it. Here's my review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Irina, it was not my favorite by her and I agree with your review.

I think we're all on the same page this time, right?

I pretty much like/love most of Amanda Quick's books (the later ones lean too much towards suspense thriller and not enough towards romance so there my interest tapers).
This book is amongst those I tend to reread over the years at various intervals. This is more old school JudithMcnaught-ish and that can get a bit much sometimes.
Julian was an ass(when was he not) and Sophie was as naive as I remember. But sometimes It's just plain fun to read about people who are not necessarily enlightened for my sensibilities.

I enjoyed it, is what i mean to say.