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Midnight's Wild Passion
London's most notorious seducer, Nicholas Challoner lives solely for revenge...
The dashing, licentious Marquess of Ranelaw can never forgive Godfrey Demarest for ruining his sister—now the time has come to repay the villain in the same coin. But one formidably intriguing impediment stands in the way of Nicholas's vengeance: Miss Antonia Smith, companion to his foe's unsuspecting daughter.
Having herself been deceived and disgraced by a rogue—banished by her privileged family as a result and forced to live a lie—Antonia vows to protect her charge from the same cruel fate. She recognizes Ranelaw for the shameless blackguard he is and will devote every ounce of her intelligence and resolve to thwarting him.
Yet Antonia has always had a fatal weakness for rakes . . .
The dashing, licentious Marquess of Ranelaw can never forgive Godfrey Demarest for ruining his sister—now the time has come to repay the villain in the same coin. But one formidably intriguing impediment stands in the way of Nicholas's vengeance: Miss Antonia Smith, companion to his foe's unsuspecting daughter.
Having herself been deceived and disgraced by a rogue—banished by her privileged family as a result and forced to live a lie—Antonia vows to protect her charge from the same cruel fate. She recognizes Ranelaw for the shameless blackguard he is and will devote every ounce of her intelligence and resolve to thwarting him.
Yet Antonia has always had a fatal weakness for rakes . . .
369 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 26, 2011
About the author
Anna Campbell
93 books1,546 followersI've written 11 multi award-winning historical romances for Hachette Grand Central Publishing and Avon HarperCollins and more than 30 bestselling indie romances. I'm currently working on a series called Scoundrels of Mayfair set amidst the glamour and sensuality of Regency London. The Worst Lord in London and The Trouble with Earls are currently available with The Last Duke She'd Marry and The Duke Says I Do out in 2023.
When I'm not touring the world seeking inspiration for my passionate stories, I live on the beautiful east coast of Australia.
I've always been a voracious reader and I delve into many different genres, as you'll see if you check out my books list. Favorite authors include Dorothy Dunnett, Elly Griffiths, Michael Lewis, and Loretta Chase.
My website is http://www.annacampbell.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annacampbell...
Twitter: AnnaCampbellOz
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Anna-Campbell/...
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/anna-...
I love to hear from readers and you can contact me on [email protected]
When I'm not touring the world seeking inspiration for my passionate stories, I live on the beautiful east coast of Australia.
I've always been a voracious reader and I delve into many different genres, as you'll see if you check out my books list. Favorite authors include Dorothy Dunnett, Elly Griffiths, Michael Lewis, and Loretta Chase.
My website is http://www.annacampbell.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annacampbell...
Twitter: AnnaCampbellOz
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Anna-Campbell/...
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/anna-...
I love to hear from readers and you can contact me on [email protected]
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 218 reviews
September 19, 2011
**2.5 Stars**
This book was very difficult for me to rate…on the one hand, it’s not horrible and I didn’t hate it but there were just too many plot holes for the story to be other than prosaic, implausible and predictable with a pretentious style and a stalkerish hero that doesn’t know the meaning of the word no.
If I can say one good thing about the book is that once the hero and heroine were together, there was emotion up the wazoo. You could feel a connection between them like they really were made for each other. How they got there was the problem.
The beginning is very pedestrian: they meet, she’s rude to him (but secretly awed by his body’s magnificence) and he’s enchanted. What follows is on the disturbing side: he turns stalker and tries to seduce her. Forcibly. In one encounter, she tells him no or a variation of the word at least 14 times (yes, I counted) and the guy still keeps going. I’m sorry but this is not sexy. The excuse is that (of course) ‘her body wants him’ which is no excuse at all. Sex is too important to leave it to the body and when a woman says no, it’s NO, even if she wants to sleep with the guy. In the end, the heroine consents before they go to bed, but those first few encounters left a sour taste in my mouth.
Ms. Campbell is also fond of implausible plot points that could have had easy explanations but that she either leaves in the air or solves in the most convoluted of ways:
- The hero makes it seem as if he can’t have peace until his sister is avenged but he waits 8 years after inheriting the title to go after his enemy. Or was his plan all along to wait for his enemy’s daughter to grow up so he could ruin her? Because it’s not as if she could have died or marry another before he could get to her, you know.
- In his stalker phase, the hero bribes 4 servants from different households to give him info about the heroine but not a peep of his interest in her comes out. Aren’t servants in historical romance supposed to live for gossip?
- People show up in places they shouldn’t be. A character is described as a slugabed but surprises the heroine at the crack of dawn in a compromising situation.
- What did the heroine’s father give her for her 16th birthday?
A. a pianoforte
B. a horse
C. a ring
D. a set of dueling pistols
(I’ll leave it to you to figure it out and tell me if that makes any sense in a historical.)
One of the few original points in this book was the bad use of language. This author has a very affected style, full of flowery prose and obscure words that just pull you out of the story. Some notable examples:
He made every other gentleman in that ballroom look callow or superannuated.
He didn't resist oblivion. It seemed a gift. Just as the coruscating rapture seemed a gift.
All Antonia heard, repeated over and over like a tocsin, was…
Is there any question why I kept rolling my eyes as I was reading this book?
So this is it for me and Ms. Campbell. These were almost the same problems I had when I read my first book by her and at this point, I’d have expected her to grow as an author. It’s clearly to me that she hasn’t.
This book was very difficult for me to rate…on the one hand, it’s not horrible and I didn’t hate it but there were just too many plot holes for the story to be other than prosaic, implausible and predictable with a pretentious style and a stalkerish hero that doesn’t know the meaning of the word no.
If I can say one good thing about the book is that once the hero and heroine were together, there was emotion up the wazoo. You could feel a connection between them like they really were made for each other. How they got there was the problem.
The beginning is very pedestrian: they meet, she’s rude to him (but secretly awed by his body’s magnificence) and he’s enchanted. What follows is on the disturbing side: he turns stalker and tries to seduce her. Forcibly. In one encounter, she tells him no or a variation of the word at least 14 times (yes, I counted) and the guy still keeps going. I’m sorry but this is not sexy. The excuse is that (of course) ‘her body wants him’ which is no excuse at all. Sex is too important to leave it to the body and when a woman says no, it’s NO, even if she wants to sleep with the guy. In the end, the heroine consents before they go to bed, but those first few encounters left a sour taste in my mouth.
Ms. Campbell is also fond of implausible plot points that could have had easy explanations but that she either leaves in the air or solves in the most convoluted of ways:
- The hero makes it seem as if he can’t have peace until his sister is avenged but he waits 8 years after inheriting the title to go after his enemy. Or was his plan all along to wait for his enemy’s daughter to grow up so he could ruin her? Because it’s not as if she could have died or marry another before he could get to her, you know.
- In his stalker phase, the hero bribes 4 servants from different households to give him info about the heroine but not a peep of his interest in her comes out. Aren’t servants in historical romance supposed to live for gossip?
- People show up in places they shouldn’t be. A character is described as a slugabed but surprises the heroine at the crack of dawn in a compromising situation.
- What did the heroine’s father give her for her 16th birthday?
A. a pianoforte
B. a horse
C. a ring
D. a set of dueling pistols
(I’ll leave it to you to figure it out and tell me if that makes any sense in a historical.)
One of the few original points in this book was the bad use of language. This author has a very affected style, full of flowery prose and obscure words that just pull you out of the story. Some notable examples:
He made every other gentleman in that ballroom look callow or superannuated.
He didn't resist oblivion. It seemed a gift. Just as the coruscating rapture seemed a gift.
All Antonia heard, repeated over and over like a tocsin, was…
Is there any question why I kept rolling my eyes as I was reading this book?
So this is it for me and Ms. Campbell. These were almost the same problems I had when I read my first book by her and at this point, I’d have expected her to grow as an author. It’s clearly to me that she hasn’t.
February 6, 2011
Wow. Wow. Wow. This was an excellent historical romance novel.
The basics-
The Marquess of Ranelaw wants revenge. Years ago, Godfrey Demarest allegedly ruined his sister and he plans to return the favor by ruining his one and only daughter.
Miss Antonia Smith is hiding. She was ruined years ago, cast from her family, and fled to her cousin’s home to become her cousin’s companion. Antonia hides her looks so that no one will identify her for fear that she will now disgrace her cousin’s family.
Miss Antonia Smith’s cousin happens to be Godfrey Demarest’s daughter. Antonia will do whatever it takes to make sure her cousin does not experience the shame and embarrassment that she felt 10 years earlier.
Doing whatever it takes, includes keeping her cousin away from Ranelaw, a man she does not trust.
Antonia might be able to keep her cousin away from Ranelaw but she is having a hard time squashing her own desire and attraction to the man.
Ranelaw, intent on destroying Demarest’s daughter, is quickly sidetracked by Antonia. Not because of Antonia’s actions but because he knows there is something about Antonia that makes him forget everything about revenge and only about his desire for Antonia.
What I LOVED-
The characters. The descriptions, the history, and the personalities of the characters made the characters come alive. The interactions between Antonia and Ranelaw were heartbreaking, tender, tough, and humorous. It was fun to watch Ranelaw transform from a heartless man bent on revenge to a caring, confused man in love. Antonia goes from a discreet, walled off, heartbroken, lonely woman to a woman full of passion and life.
Overall-
I really do not have any complaints about the book. I enjoyed in its entirety and thus, gave it 5 stars!
The basics-
The Marquess of Ranelaw wants revenge. Years ago, Godfrey Demarest allegedly ruined his sister and he plans to return the favor by ruining his one and only daughter.
Miss Antonia Smith is hiding. She was ruined years ago, cast from her family, and fled to her cousin’s home to become her cousin’s companion. Antonia hides her looks so that no one will identify her for fear that she will now disgrace her cousin’s family.
Miss Antonia Smith’s cousin happens to be Godfrey Demarest’s daughter. Antonia will do whatever it takes to make sure her cousin does not experience the shame and embarrassment that she felt 10 years earlier.
Doing whatever it takes, includes keeping her cousin away from Ranelaw, a man she does not trust.
Antonia might be able to keep her cousin away from Ranelaw but she is having a hard time squashing her own desire and attraction to the man.
Ranelaw, intent on destroying Demarest’s daughter, is quickly sidetracked by Antonia. Not because of Antonia’s actions but because he knows there is something about Antonia that makes him forget everything about revenge and only about his desire for Antonia.
What I LOVED-
The characters. The descriptions, the history, and the personalities of the characters made the characters come alive. The interactions between Antonia and Ranelaw were heartbreaking, tender, tough, and humorous. It was fun to watch Ranelaw transform from a heartless man bent on revenge to a caring, confused man in love. Antonia goes from a discreet, walled off, heartbroken, lonely woman to a woman full of passion and life.
Overall-
I really do not have any complaints about the book. I enjoyed in its entirety and thus, gave it 5 stars!
February 11, 2017
One of my HR friends disliked this book and having never read Anna Campbell before, I decided to skip it. It was getting so many great ratings however, that I thought I might as well check it out from the library and see what all the fuss was about. Well let me tell you, it got off to a
very
rocky start with me and I almost put the book down and didn't finish it - in the end, I'm so glad I didn't!
The first ~90-100 pages drove me crazy and felt so, SO cliché. We have the oh-so-bad rake, out for revenge, going to take it out on an innocent society darling, sees past the ugly disguise of her chaperone (after first remarking 500 times how ugly she is), decides he'll do them both, is selfish and only thinking with his ::clears throat:: - well, not his head. And then we have the prim reformed heroine who let her passions get her into a scandal years ago, resulted in family estrangement and her having to make her way, now she's determined to be proper and never again controlled by her emotions, she hates all rakes and charmers, considers herself totally able to spot them and fend them off ... and then melts into a puddle every single freaking time the hero is around, saying 'Oh, I shouldn't, I know better, but look at that hot bod and that smile, he makes me tingle - oh no, what am I thinking? - okay just one kiss - oh no! how could I? - well he is so sexy and the hottest guy on earth' on and on and on (this drove me NUTS , in case you couldn't tell).
So yes, I was really, really not feeling the beginning of the book and wish it could be rewritten, because the hero comes off as a superficial and selfish man-whore, while the heroine seems spineless, self-righteous, and wholly hypocritical.
However, it got much, much better and I ended up really enjoying the romance and the leading characters - the banter between them was delightful right from the beginning and was probably the only thing that kept me reading at first. The secondary characters were for the most part surprisingly three-dimensional, which made the book that much more interesting.
While I did end up liking Antonia and rooting for her, Nicholas completely stole the show for me! As I said, he really does come off like a bastard at the beginning, but one feels that he does undergo a change and that that change is authentic. The scene between him and Antonia when he's in her room, she's tired from having nursed Cassie, and he's sweet and for once taking a break from pursuing her, was so lovely (see quotes below pgs111-115). That is when he started to completely win me over and my opinion about the story firmly did a 180.
So bottom line: Great read, get it! I will be buying my own copy so I can reread in the future.
Favorite Quotes
Most (ummm ... all?) of them have to do with Nicholas, whom I absolutely 100% adore (post pg~90).
The first ~90-100 pages drove me crazy and felt so, SO cliché. We have the oh-so-bad rake, out for revenge, going to take it out on an innocent society darling, sees past the ugly disguise of her chaperone (after first remarking 500 times how ugly she is), decides he'll do them both, is selfish and only thinking with his ::clears throat:: - well, not his head. And then we have the prim reformed heroine who let her passions get her into a scandal years ago, resulted in family estrangement and her having to make her way, now she's determined to be proper and never again controlled by her emotions, she hates all rakes and charmers, considers herself totally able to spot them and fend them off ... and then melts into a puddle every single freaking time the hero is around, saying 'Oh, I shouldn't, I know better, but look at that hot bod and that smile, he makes me tingle - oh no, what am I thinking? - okay just one kiss - oh no! how could I? - well he is so sexy and the hottest guy on earth' on and on and on (this drove me NUTS , in case you couldn't tell).
So yes, I was really, really not feeling the beginning of the book and wish it could be rewritten, because the hero comes off as a superficial and selfish man-whore, while the heroine seems spineless, self-righteous, and wholly hypocritical.
However, it got much, much better and I ended up really enjoying the romance and the leading characters - the banter between them was delightful right from the beginning and was probably the only thing that kept me reading at first. The secondary characters were for the most part surprisingly three-dimensional, which made the book that much more interesting.
While I did end up liking Antonia and rooting for her, Nicholas completely stole the show for me! As I said, he really does come off like a bastard at the beginning, but one feels that he does undergo a change and that that change is authentic. The scene between him and Antonia when he's in her room, she's tired from having nursed Cassie, and he's sweet and for once taking a break from pursuing her, was so lovely (see quotes below pgs111-115). That is when he started to completely win me over and my opinion about the story firmly did a 180.
So bottom line: Great read, get it! I will be buying my own copy so I can reread in the future.
Favorite Quotes
Most (ummm ... all?) of them have to do with Nicholas, whom I absolutely 100% adore (post pg~90).
He’d stared into her eyes, dark with confusion and unwilling passion, and for one stark, horrible instant, he’d wished to be that different man. He’d wished to be worthy of her.
(p98-99)
“Miss Smith, your suspicions wound me,” he said with a smile. He drew her, stiff and unwilling, against his side. Immediately her warmth seeped into his veins. He’d known he’d missed her, but only now did he realize how much. “I mean no harm.”
“You lie.”
“Often,” he agreed amiably, feeling the resistance leaching from her. “Not this time.”
“I’m in no fit state to fight you,” she muttered, curving into him as if created to fit his body.
“I know,” he acknowledged ruefully, wondering why of all the women in the world, she was the only one who ignited any glimmer of chivalry in his soul. “But it’s no fun when you just give in. I’ll wait until you’re up for another bout.”
She hid her face in his shoulder. She inhaled on a shudder, as if she hadn’t taken a full breath in days. “You’re an evil devil, Ranelaw.”
“Absolutely,” he said softly, firming his hold as she shifted, not away as she should, but closer.
(p111)
He’d been right about her determination to save the people she loved. He wondered with a sudden pang he couldn’t identify how it would feel having someone like Antonia on his side.
(p113)
He’d always loved how she fought him. He loved the crackle and spark of her wit. Now he discovered he also loved the way she lay against him in what felt like perfect trust. …
Antonia was a tall, vital woman, no shrinking miss. Now she felt brittle and vulnerable. He tightened his hold and told himself the surge of protectiveness meant nothing. Again he couldn’t quite believe it.
(p115)
He swallowed and told himself he couldn't steal her like so much contraband and rush of somewhere they'd never be disturbed. Such places only existed in fairy tales. "I'll wait for you."
(p144)
He'd been unhappy, restless, irritable since leaving Surrey. He'd lived on memories of her. Her absence slowly strangled him. The instant he took Antonia in his arms, he breathed again.
(p169)
"I want you to myself." Much as he strove to sound the assured man of the world, ragged emotion edged the words.
(p172)
December 10, 2011
Anotha AC, anotha rather pathetic hero. Forget the flimsy, logic-defying premise which U can find in a gazillion HP. The revenge plot skates on thin ice but I went along for the ride. In this case, he means to get a freebie too, the non-descript chaperone, as he goes on his half-assed mission to deflower the daughter of his nemesis. As a bespectacled chick, I'm resigned to the rehashed fact that anytime a boinkable heroine masquerades as an unappealing debutante screener, tinted glasses are a must, along w/ a dull cap to cover up the crowning glory. Did heroines go buy these gadgets @ dime-a-dozen camouflage kiosks ? For once I woulda loved to read a vision-impaired heroine w/ a porcelain face full of unpopped zits, nicotine-stained teeth, dragon breath, frizzy hair decorated w/ split ends & the whole enchilada. Now that's wot I'd call a mighty challenge to make hero see beyond the imperfections. Say, wouldn't it be sweet if he had bought her a hair extension as a token of his appreciation for her problematic hair ? But oh no, we just gotta be satisfied w/ the mountains & valleys of emo between a stalkerazzi hero who can't take no for an answer & a non-virginal heroine living w/ the constant fear of having her past caught up w/ her. For a seasoned Rake of McSluts, his flirting skills seemed to be unpolished. So unpolished that his targeted young victim could see thru' his transparent ruse that the object of his affection was to her left, the dragon-like heroine. She even gave him some pep talk in the midst of his limp kidnapping attempt, that he's shooting himself in the foot by taking her away. But it's not even the worst part. We're told that hero has a permanent scar from his previous duel. Gee I wonder why. Could it be cuz he got major dueling ADD ? Imagine that, when he's supposed to be concentrating on his duel against the heroine's former suitor, his eyes just happen to wander off to the sky, lo & behold, the shade is similar to the purrfectly pale blue of Antonia's eyes. The memory cuts like a knife & he briefly closes his eyes in pain. Holy shit ! I got shot ! WTF ! Earth paging Nicholas, U've been shot by a nincompoop ! Oh yeah I can totally see why he hatches up this 20 y/o elaborate plan to ruin the offspring of the dude who left a bun in his sista's toaster, it's as obvious as the 500 ton lavender unicorn that he's not a crack shot. Mayhap I've been ruined by my dreamboat Simon, the bloodthirsty hero in The Serpent prince. I want my hero to be single-minded & relentlessly slash away @ all the baddies w/ no 2nd thoughts. Wot do we get here instead ? An unfocused hero who daydreams & wavers w/ his belated conscience, shoots to empty air after his lapse in concentration landed a bullet in his hawt bod, then lures heroine back cuz he's on his deathbed. I'm getting flashback to previous AC book where hero got his ass kicked & escaped by the skin of his teeth, only popped up again to prevent heroine's holy matrimony in the nick of time. See a formulaic pattern here ? Our current heroine is also considering a marriage proposal thrown down on the last steps before HEA. So anti-climactic. The epilogue again shows that hero really can't grasp the concept that his sista is truly devoted to her convent life. Oh no, despite numerous serene reassuring letters from her, he's still not convinced & wanna whisk her away from her penance.
I don't mind obsessive-possessive hero in fiction, it's kinda hawt, I'm just weird that way... but in reality it ain't cool, I'd get a lifelong restraining order. So I just wish the heroine woulda given him a run for his money, instead of melting by chapter one. Eh where's the challenge when she already itches to spread her wheels so soon after he lasers in on her ? The weirdest things also coincidentally occur in the course of the story. The heroine's former suitor just happens to be in the same random inn hero is in. He again shows up @ the right place @ the right time, not long after H/h exchange bodily fluids. Oh and the heroine's bro just happens to barge in when heroine almost blurts out her response, the morning after the villain popped the question. Oh and the villain's offspring just happens to sprint to the heroine when she's about to embark on her 1st journey to home sweet home w/ bro, telling her that hero is about to expire & boom ! It just dawms on heroine that she's in luv w/ hero. Just like annoying pop-up ads that play peek-a-boo when web-surfing but there's no blocker.
I'm accustomed to AC's penchant for repetitive overwrought prose, but here are some honorable mentions :
~ Succulent tug of her muscles (I luv oh-so-meaty tug-of-war, the more friction, the bettah !)
~ Voluptuous enjoyment (I must be slow on the uptake cuz I really dunno wot this means !)
~ Voluptuous pleasure (seriously, how voluptuous are we talking about here ?)
~ Plump delta (yeah who would get a boner seeing a skinny bony whiskery delta of Venus ?)
~ Vermillion darkness (I thought darkness only had one shade ?!? I must be color blind ! No wonder I failed my aviator test !)
~ Raging forest fire (is there such a thing as forest anger management ?)
~ He was as hot as a big open fire (hawt enuff to roast some marshmallows on his succulent ass)
~ His touch trailed fire (look, mommie, a trailblazer !)
~ You'd go up like fire ( quick ! Call the fire dept. ! Oh BTW, wot's the # for 911 circa Dark Ages ?)
~ The woman who turned his nights to fire (prime the fire extinguisher when she's in the vicinity !)
~ He should smell like fire & brimstone (I dunno wot it smells like cuz I have no sense of smell !)
~ Unaccountably disconcerted by that wordless exchange of fire (silent rapid rat-tat-tat-tat ?)
~ Before the kiss took fire (Nuffink shmexier than ashes-laden, throbbing lips ! Muah !)
~ He sensed a woman of fire on the inside (I was born w/ failed olfactory nerve, dammit !)
~ Eloise had her share of pride & fire (Dow Jones was up by a whopping 2 cents ?)
~ Banked fire lit his eyes (should Antonia spray him w/ Visine eye drops ?)
~ Hunger blasted like cannon fire (1st-degree burn is such a turn-on !)
~ Everywhere he glanced, her skin took fire (get the ice pack outta reticule, pronto !)
~ No wonder she looked furious enough to release a blast of dragon fire upon her tormenter (try some mint !)
If U want a book that really showcases all the reasons why it's imperative to live next door to a fire dept, look no further. A cheap ass fire alarm won't do it for ya.
I don't mind obsessive-possessive hero in fiction, it's kinda hawt, I'm just weird that way... but in reality it ain't cool, I'd get a lifelong restraining order. So I just wish the heroine woulda given him a run for his money, instead of melting by chapter one. Eh where's the challenge when she already itches to spread her wheels so soon after he lasers in on her ? The weirdest things also coincidentally occur in the course of the story. The heroine's former suitor just happens to be in the same random inn hero is in. He again shows up @ the right place @ the right time, not long after H/h exchange bodily fluids. Oh and the heroine's bro just happens to barge in when heroine almost blurts out her response, the morning after the villain popped the question. Oh and the villain's offspring just happens to sprint to the heroine when she's about to embark on her 1st journey to home sweet home w/ bro, telling her that hero is about to expire & boom ! It just dawms on heroine that she's in luv w/ hero. Just like annoying pop-up ads that play peek-a-boo when web-surfing but there's no blocker.
I'm accustomed to AC's penchant for repetitive overwrought prose, but here are some honorable mentions :
~ Succulent tug of her muscles (I luv oh-so-meaty tug-of-war, the more friction, the bettah !)
~ Voluptuous enjoyment (I must be slow on the uptake cuz I really dunno wot this means !)
~ Voluptuous pleasure (seriously, how voluptuous are we talking about here ?)
~ Plump delta (yeah who would get a boner seeing a skinny bony whiskery delta of Venus ?)
~ Vermillion darkness (I thought darkness only had one shade ?!? I must be color blind ! No wonder I failed my aviator test !)
~ Raging forest fire (is there such a thing as forest anger management ?)
~ He was as hot as a big open fire (hawt enuff to roast some marshmallows on his succulent ass)
~ His touch trailed fire (look, mommie, a trailblazer !)
~ You'd go up like fire ( quick ! Call the fire dept. ! Oh BTW, wot's the # for 911 circa Dark Ages ?)
~ The woman who turned his nights to fire (prime the fire extinguisher when she's in the vicinity !)
~ He should smell like fire & brimstone (I dunno wot it smells like cuz I have no sense of smell !)
~ Unaccountably disconcerted by that wordless exchange of fire (silent rapid rat-tat-tat-tat ?)
~ Before the kiss took fire (Nuffink shmexier than ashes-laden, throbbing lips ! Muah !)
~ He sensed a woman of fire on the inside (I was born w/ failed olfactory nerve, dammit !)
~ Eloise had her share of pride & fire (Dow Jones was up by a whopping 2 cents ?)
~ Banked fire lit his eyes (should Antonia spray him w/ Visine eye drops ?)
~ Hunger blasted like cannon fire (1st-degree burn is such a turn-on !)
~ Everywhere he glanced, her skin took fire (get the ice pack outta reticule, pronto !)
~ No wonder she looked furious enough to release a blast of dragon fire upon her tormenter (try some mint !)
If U want a book that really showcases all the reasons why it's imperative to live next door to a fire dept, look no further. A cheap ass fire alarm won't do it for ya.
April 6, 2019
Yes, there are a bunch of plot holes and problems with this story. If you can set that aside this one was great fun. There were also some scenes that felt like they were bordering on rapey but I think I'm uber uptight about consent and the older novels in this genre really flirt with that line. Tons of angst and longing and I don't know what. Usually Campbell's characters inner musings drive me up the wall but I loved these characters. Pretty much all of them!
May 7, 2011
This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic.
Expected Release Date: Available Now!
Publisher: Harper Collins
Imprint: Avon
Author’s Website: http://www.annacampbell.info/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: No
Steam Level: Hot
The Marquess of Renelaw has never forgiven Godfrey Demarest for ruining his sister twenty years ago, and yet his plans for revenge never came to fruition because of Demarest's elevated position in society. The time has come, however, to take his revenge on Demarest's beautiful daughter -- now that she's out in society, he plans to ruin her so that Godfrey will understand what it's like to see someone you love ruined beyond repair while being powerless to help them.
Antionia once had hopes for a wonderful life. She was beautiful, rich, and titled, and seemed to have the future in the palm of her hand. That is, until she was deceived by a handsome poet and well and truly ruined. Cast out from her family in disgrace, she was taken in by her cousin, Godfrey Demarest, to be the companion of his daughter, Cassie. So as not to risk being recognized, Antonia hides her beauty behind ugly, shapeless dresses, dark glasses, and some hideous spinster caps, and is so viciously protective of Cassie's reputation that's she's become known as the Dragon.
I'll be honest, I think this is my favorite historical novel that I've read this year, and that includes several that I'd been anticipating for several months. While it's not completely without problems, the characters were multifaceted, the emotions felt real, and the romance was incredibly satisfying. A very enthusiastic 5/5 Stars
Expected Release Date: Available Now!
Publisher: Harper Collins
Imprint: Avon
Author’s Website: http://www.annacampbell.info/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: No
Steam Level: Hot
The Marquess of Renelaw has never forgiven Godfrey Demarest for ruining his sister twenty years ago, and yet his plans for revenge never came to fruition because of Demarest's elevated position in society. The time has come, however, to take his revenge on Demarest's beautiful daughter -- now that she's out in society, he plans to ruin her so that Godfrey will understand what it's like to see someone you love ruined beyond repair while being powerless to help them.
Antionia once had hopes for a wonderful life. She was beautiful, rich, and titled, and seemed to have the future in the palm of her hand. That is, until she was deceived by a handsome poet and well and truly ruined. Cast out from her family in disgrace, she was taken in by her cousin, Godfrey Demarest, to be the companion of his daughter, Cassie. So as not to risk being recognized, Antonia hides her beauty behind ugly, shapeless dresses, dark glasses, and some hideous spinster caps, and is so viciously protective of Cassie's reputation that's she's become known as the Dragon.
I'll be honest, I think this is my favorite historical novel that I've read this year, and that includes several that I'd been anticipating for several months. While it's not completely without problems, the characters were multifaceted, the emotions felt real, and the romance was incredibly satisfying. A very enthusiastic 5/5 Stars
April 13, 2011
I LOVED Ranelaw and Antonia. Just….loved them. Separately. Together. They were great characters, and had unexpected depth. Ranelaw has a great capacity to love, but he’d never admit to it. He’s bent on revenging his sister, and is blind to all else. Antonia is bound by loyalty and family to the man he hopes to ruin, and she will do anything to keep Ranelaw from harming the people who sheltered her when the rest of her family walked away. But this isn’t the real story. The real story is two people who find someone to respect, who challenges them intellectually and sexually, and keeps them wanting more. Their banter was witty and wicked, and it kept me turning the pages. This could have been the more traditional “I want to ruin your charge, and I fall in love with chaperone instead” story, but the characters’ depth just gave it that something special. Ranelaw is willing to open himself to the happiness he could have with Antonia, but Antonia is not so sure she is up to the challenge. And the secondary characters were not cardboard characters; her charge was beautiful, confident, and comfortable with herself – she wasn’t a character to dislike and, to be honest, I wasn’t sure how to feel about her father either. But that’s Anna Campbell’s skill. There was laughter, there were a few “fans self” moments, and there were a few tears. I can’t wait for her next novel.
March 8, 2018
I've been on the outs with Campbell since her Dashing Widows novellas so I went to check some old reviews I'd written on Amazon and discovered there were a lot of older ones I didn't like either.
This one, for example, which I read in 2011. With apologies to those who disagree with me, I have to say that this purple-prose story of a rake's redemption may very well be one of my least favorite of Campbell's HRs.
27-year-old heroine Lady Antonia Hilliard was ruined at 17 by a callous but handsome and charming rake, disowned by her father and is now believed to be dead. She is employed by cousin Godfrey Demerest as chaperone to his daughter Cassandra, who is making her comeout in London. Antonia has disguised herself as a drab and dowdy woman, goes by the name Antonia Smith and is intent on leading a straight and narrow, respectable life.
Hero/Antihero Nicholas Challoner, Marquess of Ranelaw, is a cold, self-absorbed, uncaring, hedonistic rake with no apparent redeeming qualities. Son of a rake, half brother to many bastard children of his father's, he has loved only one person in his life: his older half sister Eloise, who was ruined 20 years earlier by Godfrey Demerest. This happened when Nicholas was 11, but he has never gotten over it and intends to avenge his sister's ruination by ruining Demerest's daughter Cassandra.
Now, starting here I have a problem. Nicholas has seen the emotional devastation caused in his family by the rakish ways of his father and the ruination of his sister by another rake, yet he decides to grow up to be the rake to end all rakes? Wouldn't it be just the opposite? He should want to be the kind of man that does no harm. But then I'm not a psychologist. Perhaps there's something I'm missing here.
To get to Cassandra, Nicholas has to go through Antonia. In his give and take with her, he sees through her disguise to the young and lovely woman she really is, so he decides to seduce her first and then go on to the seduction of Cassandra. Antonia knows what rakes are like, the devastation one had on her life and yet she is drawn to Nicholas. Go figure. I can't. Just one whiff (I'm convinced he has some mighty pheromones) and one look (he's tall, gorgeous, with "guinea-gold" hair, swarthy skin and dark eyes) and she's feeling an overwhelming attraction she knows can be the second ruin of her, so she must fight the feelings.
Here's my next problem with the book. I have an aversion to love scenes with non-voluntary participation on the part of the female. Antonia fights Nicholas's advances (perhaps a bit weakly, but still...)for the first 100 or so pages but he's having none of it. How many no's, "leave-me-alone"s, "please-let-me-go"s must she say and yet be countered by him with a "come-on-you-know-you-want-it"? Yes, we are privy to her thoughts and she is really attracted (that pheromone thing) but she does NOT say yes. I object to his uncaring persistence and her wet-noodle, bubble-brain character and self-control.
Naturally, our heroine gives in, in spite of herself, and for the next hundred or so pages we have true consensual sex between the two. The H becomes nicer now because he's getting what he wants, until the h decides the affair must end. He then reverts to his selfish, immature self. (Oh, please don't tell me he's a wounded soul.)
Last section of the book has H's transformation/redemption. It's nicely done by Campbell, but too little too late for me to really like the guy or the heroine who reforms him with her sexual healing.
This one, for example, which I read in 2011. With apologies to those who disagree with me, I have to say that this purple-prose story of a rake's redemption may very well be one of my least favorite of Campbell's HRs.
27-year-old heroine Lady Antonia Hilliard was ruined at 17 by a callous but handsome and charming rake, disowned by her father and is now believed to be dead. She is employed by cousin Godfrey Demerest as chaperone to his daughter Cassandra, who is making her comeout in London. Antonia has disguised herself as a drab and dowdy woman, goes by the name Antonia Smith and is intent on leading a straight and narrow, respectable life.
Hero/Antihero Nicholas Challoner, Marquess of Ranelaw, is a cold, self-absorbed, uncaring, hedonistic rake with no apparent redeeming qualities. Son of a rake, half brother to many bastard children of his father's, he has loved only one person in his life: his older half sister Eloise, who was ruined 20 years earlier by Godfrey Demerest. This happened when Nicholas was 11, but he has never gotten over it and intends to avenge his sister's ruination by ruining Demerest's daughter Cassandra.
Now, starting here I have a problem. Nicholas has seen the emotional devastation caused in his family by the rakish ways of his father and the ruination of his sister by another rake, yet he decides to grow up to be the rake to end all rakes? Wouldn't it be just the opposite? He should want to be the kind of man that does no harm. But then I'm not a psychologist. Perhaps there's something I'm missing here.
To get to Cassandra, Nicholas has to go through Antonia. In his give and take with her, he sees through her disguise to the young and lovely woman she really is, so he decides to seduce her first and then go on to the seduction of Cassandra. Antonia knows what rakes are like, the devastation one had on her life and yet she is drawn to Nicholas. Go figure. I can't. Just one whiff (I'm convinced he has some mighty pheromones) and one look (he's tall, gorgeous, with "guinea-gold" hair, swarthy skin and dark eyes) and she's feeling an overwhelming attraction she knows can be the second ruin of her, so she must fight the feelings.
Here's my next problem with the book. I have an aversion to love scenes with non-voluntary participation on the part of the female. Antonia fights Nicholas's advances (perhaps a bit weakly, but still...)for the first 100 or so pages but he's having none of it. How many no's, "leave-me-alone"s, "please-let-me-go"s must she say and yet be countered by him with a "come-on-you-know-you-want-it"? Yes, we are privy to her thoughts and she is really attracted (that pheromone thing) but she does NOT say yes. I object to his uncaring persistence and her wet-noodle, bubble-brain character and self-control.
Naturally, our heroine gives in, in spite of herself, and for the next hundred or so pages we have true consensual sex between the two. The H becomes nicer now because he's getting what he wants, until the h decides the affair must end. He then reverts to his selfish, immature self. (Oh, please don't tell me he's a wounded soul.)
Last section of the book has H's transformation/redemption. It's nicely done by Campbell, but too little too late for me to really like the guy or the heroine who reforms him with her sexual healing.
March 31, 2011
Sigh...what a beautiful story of a man bent on revenge falling so thoroughly in love with a passionate woman who is trying to hide her past failings all while, of course, not realizing it. Miss Antonia Smith is the fiercest companion of the ton to Miss Cassandra Demarest, protecting her from all the rakes, and for a good reason as Antonia had her own falling out with a rake that ruined her reputation and forced her to become a companion. When the notorious rake, Nicholas Challoner, Marquess of Ranelow, shows interest in Cassie, Antonia tells him to leave her alone. Oh, when these two lock eyes, you can just feel the attraction and passion they instantly have for each other. Nicholas immediately seems through Antonia attempts to disguise herself, her cap can not conceal her silvery blond hair, the tinted spectacles can't hide those ice blue eyes and the frumpy clothes can not hide the young pretty woman beneath them. As they talk, he knows that she must be from a proper family but can't understand why she is trying to hide herself.
Nicholas is set upon ruining Cassie, just as her father ruined his beloved sister twenty years ago. He did not have a great childhood but his sister was his one bright spot and when she was sent away for being ruined, he hardened his heart and decided to become a rake. But when he meets the lovely tigress Antonia, he just can't shake her from his mind. He knows he must have her and surely that will get her out of his system. When he finally gets Antonia to follow through on their mutual desires, smokin, but the desire is stronger than ever.
Anna Campbell wove a beautiful story and her writing of these two falling in love and snapping with each other was a pleasure to read. I loved watching this hard man slowly meld into a caring, loving man that loves and protects with everything inside of him. And Antonia, the poor woman had been forced to shove her passionate nature down because of a young foolish mistake and she paid for it dearly losing her family and bits of herself but Nicholas put her heart back together and breathed life back into her. I really loved this book, I can not really think of anything that I wished was different. The cover is gorgeous as well! This was my first Anna Campbell book and I am really looking forward to savoring her backlist, her writing was just beautiful to me. 5 lovely stars for this one!
Thanks to www.netgalley.com for providing me with the ebook arc.
Nicholas is set upon ruining Cassie, just as her father ruined his beloved sister twenty years ago. He did not have a great childhood but his sister was his one bright spot and when she was sent away for being ruined, he hardened his heart and decided to become a rake. But when he meets the lovely tigress Antonia, he just can't shake her from his mind. He knows he must have her and surely that will get her out of his system. When he finally gets Antonia to follow through on their mutual desires, smokin, but the desire is stronger than ever.
Anna Campbell wove a beautiful story and her writing of these two falling in love and snapping with each other was a pleasure to read. I loved watching this hard man slowly meld into a caring, loving man that loves and protects with everything inside of him. And Antonia, the poor woman had been forced to shove her passionate nature down because of a young foolish mistake and she paid for it dearly losing her family and bits of herself but Nicholas put her heart back together and breathed life back into her. I really loved this book, I can not really think of anything that I wished was different. The cover is gorgeous as well! This was my first Anna Campbell book and I am really looking forward to savoring her backlist, her writing was just beautiful to me. 5 lovely stars for this one!
Thanks to www.netgalley.com for providing me with the ebook arc.
March 20, 2021
I've read other Anna Campbell books that I've like and when I saw a review on this one by a friend, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to read it. Luckily I found a copy at my public library and was able to check it out.
What can I say about this historical romance...only that it was a one that I totally enjoyed the story. On the one hand you have Miss Antonia Smith aka Hilliard who is in fact a Lady in hiding because she was ruined years ago and her consequences now having her staying with her despicable cousin Godfrey Demarest who cares very little for his own daughter. In order to keep from being exposed by the ton, she disguises herself and is tasked to be the companion to her cousin’s daughter...Her biggest role as the dragon companion is to keep her cousin away from the Marquess of Ranelaw at any cost.
On the other hand, we have Marquess of Ranelaw, a very well known rake and seducer who wants revenge against Godfrey Demarest. He can never forget opening up his home to the man he thought as friend but in fact turned out to be dishonorable...skipping town after ruining his sister and leaving her with child. His plan of course is to court and ruin Demarest's only daughter. Sometimes the best laid plans don't always turn out the way you want because the hero...rather than ruining his target, he is now swept away by the alluring Antonia Smith.
This was such a delightful, entertaining and wonderfully written story. I started and could not wait to finish. I loved the pursuit by the hero and the heroine's conviction to avoid him at all cost. The romance, relationship and intimacy was nicely written. Recommend the read.
What can I say about this historical romance...only that it was a one that I totally enjoyed the story. On the one hand you have Miss Antonia Smith aka Hilliard who is in fact a Lady in hiding because she was ruined years ago and her consequences now having her staying with her despicable cousin Godfrey Demarest who cares very little for his own daughter. In order to keep from being exposed by the ton, she disguises herself and is tasked to be the companion to her cousin’s daughter...Her biggest role as the dragon companion is to keep her cousin away from the Marquess of Ranelaw at any cost.
On the other hand, we have Marquess of Ranelaw, a very well known rake and seducer who wants revenge against Godfrey Demarest. He can never forget opening up his home to the man he thought as friend but in fact turned out to be dishonorable...skipping town after ruining his sister and leaving her with child. His plan of course is to court and ruin Demarest's only daughter. Sometimes the best laid plans don't always turn out the way you want because the hero...rather than ruining his target, he is now swept away by the alluring Antonia Smith.
This was such a delightful, entertaining and wonderfully written story. I started and could not wait to finish. I loved the pursuit by the hero and the heroine's conviction to avoid him at all cost. The romance, relationship and intimacy was nicely written. Recommend the read.
July 26, 2011
I’ve been having no luck with Anna Campbell’s latest books and this one was no exception :( It’s a story that tries way too hard making every emotion and action so extreme and over the top that nothing seems plausible and it gets irritating. The characters are pretty good at the beginning and show some originality, but then the heroine turns into every other heroine I’ve ever read and the hero is just plain unlikable reminding me more of Anne Stuart’s mean/unfeeling/uncaring sob historical heroes which I don’t like. The steam scenes are smoking hot for a historical and a little different which was good to see, but with the non-stop "emotional highs" it missed out on the feeling sometimes. The author did do a good job of tension building so that when the two finally came together you could certainly appreciate the sizzle, I just would've liked more variety in the emotions which tends to make the reader connect more with the characters.
Some of the writing skirts the edge of purple prose with the crazy adjectives one after another. The revenge story is well-done for the most part as the hero sets out to destroy the charge of the woman he really loves. He goes pretty far too but then the story veers into the stupid and stereotypical romance . The way he handles the duel doesn’t coincide with his character so the story went downhill from there.
There are a few too many "coincidences" from the . It was just too much. Campbell can create an amazing story (just read Claiming the Courtesan and Tempt the Devil) but here it’s as if she ran out of ideas and fell back on the same ol’ cookie cutter regarding writing and just tried desperately to make it all work. It’s disappointing knowing how well she can craft a story and you can see that in this story but it gets bogged down in the stereotypes unfortunately. That said, maybe if you don’t read a lot of historical romances you may think it’s great because you won’t have seen this all before. As for me, I’m still hoping and praying for another CtC from her.
Some of the writing skirts the edge of purple prose with the crazy adjectives one after another. The revenge story is well-done for the most part as the hero sets out to destroy the charge of the woman he really loves. He goes pretty far too but then the story veers into the stupid and stereotypical romance . The way he handles the duel doesn’t coincide with his character so the story went downhill from there.
There are a few too many "coincidences" from the . It was just too much. Campbell can create an amazing story (just read Claiming the Courtesan and Tempt the Devil) but here it’s as if she ran out of ideas and fell back on the same ol’ cookie cutter regarding writing and just tried desperately to make it all work. It’s disappointing knowing how well she can craft a story and you can see that in this story but it gets bogged down in the stereotypes unfortunately. That said, maybe if you don’t read a lot of historical romances you may think it’s great because you won’t have seen this all before. As for me, I’m still hoping and praying for another CtC from her.
July 22, 2019
fena değildi ama favorim hala Mahrem.
June 12, 2011
Midnight's Wild Passion was something of a slow-burner for me. As I've said ad nauseum, Anna Campbell is one of my favourite authors, but I wasn't feeling her magic at the start of this one. Don't get me wrong, it was still a better than average read, but it was lacking that little extra something that I've come to expect from her, and looked at times in danger of succumbing to cliché.
Well, I should have known better than to doubt. Somewhere around the one-third mark, this book really hit its stride and never looked back, leaving any doubts about the beginning a distant memory. And though for me it didn't quite hit the heights of Claiming the Courtesan or Untouched, this was still an excellent read.
Nicholas Challoner, Marquess of Ranelaw, has been single-mindedly plotting revenge against Godfrey Demarest for years. He will allow nothing to stand in the way of avenging his sister, willing to do whatever it takes, including sacrificing an innocent. But he doesn't bargain for the innocent Lady Demarest's dour companion, Miss Smith.
Out of necessity, Lady Antonia Hilliard has been hiding behind the guise of the unappealing Miss Smith for a decade, following her own spectacular fall from grace. Having had her entire world destroyed by a rake, Toni is not going to make the same mistake again - nor is she going to allow him to get near her charge.
What follows is a battle of wills and self control, with both Nicholas and Antonia fighting to not allow their undeniable attraction get in the way of their agendas. It seems like there can be no winner, with neither prepared to compromise their position - but neither Antonia or Nicholas are what they seem, and this sort of love comes along once in a lifetime.
I love the way Anna Campbell can write a hero who comes completely undone, fixated on the heroine with uncompromising determination. I can't think of another author who does it quite so well. There were some very memorable scenes and even a surprise or two to add to this study of two people whose better judgement isn't enough to keep them apart.
With each read, Anna Campbell cements her place as one of my favourite authors. How unbelievably sad that I've only got one more to go.
Well, I should have known better than to doubt. Somewhere around the one-third mark, this book really hit its stride and never looked back, leaving any doubts about the beginning a distant memory. And though for me it didn't quite hit the heights of Claiming the Courtesan or Untouched, this was still an excellent read.
Nicholas Challoner, Marquess of Ranelaw, has been single-mindedly plotting revenge against Godfrey Demarest for years. He will allow nothing to stand in the way of avenging his sister, willing to do whatever it takes, including sacrificing an innocent. But he doesn't bargain for the innocent Lady Demarest's dour companion, Miss Smith.
Out of necessity, Lady Antonia Hilliard has been hiding behind the guise of the unappealing Miss Smith for a decade, following her own spectacular fall from grace. Having had her entire world destroyed by a rake, Toni is not going to make the same mistake again - nor is she going to allow him to get near her charge.
What follows is a battle of wills and self control, with both Nicholas and Antonia fighting to not allow their undeniable attraction get in the way of their agendas. It seems like there can be no winner, with neither prepared to compromise their position - but neither Antonia or Nicholas are what they seem, and this sort of love comes along once in a lifetime.
I love the way Anna Campbell can write a hero who comes completely undone, fixated on the heroine with uncompromising determination. I can't think of another author who does it quite so well. There were some very memorable scenes and even a surprise or two to add to this study of two people whose better judgement isn't enough to keep them apart.
With each read, Anna Campbell cements her place as one of my favourite authors. How unbelievably sad that I've only got one more to go.
April 29, 2014
Rating: 1.5 out of 2.
This book was about a hero who was out for vengeance for a wrong done to his beloved sister. Except it's this same wrong he has been doing onto other young innocent women himself... Ruination...
See where I am going with this?
One word.
Hypocrite.
It's highly amusing how this entire book plays out without anyone expressly shaming Raneclaw for his hypocrisy in a satisfying manner.
Marquess of Ranelaw is cut from the same cloth as Godfrey Demarest, the man who ruined his sister and Johnny the poet who ruined the heroine, Miss Antonia Smith...
So yes, it was unbelievably amusing that the author tried to depict the hero as having some higher ground to stand on. But alas it didn't work for me..
As well as the reason why this novel has an extra .5 star... It's because I really appreciated Antoina's anger at Raneclaw near the end of the novel. As short-lived as it was, it was enjoyable while it lasted.
This book was about a hero who was out for vengeance for a wrong done to his beloved sister. Except it's this same wrong he has been doing onto other young innocent women himself... Ruination...
See where I am going with this?
One word.
Hypocrite.
It's highly amusing how this entire book plays out without anyone expressly shaming Raneclaw for his hypocrisy in a satisfying manner.
Marquess of Ranelaw is cut from the same cloth as Godfrey Demarest, the man who ruined his sister and Johnny the poet who ruined the heroine, Miss Antonia Smith...
So yes, it was unbelievably amusing that the author tried to depict the hero as having some higher ground to stand on. But alas it didn't work for me..
As well as the reason why this novel has an extra .5 star... It's because I really appreciated Antoina's anger at Raneclaw near the end of the novel. As short-lived as it was, it was enjoyable while it lasted.
July 28, 2011
I must say that I really loved this book. It kept me interested from beginning to end. This story is about a very handsome rake and a feisty heroine. I don't go into plots much because I don't want to give the story away. As usual when a story involves a rake, there are many HOT love scenes. This book held true to that and they were done very well. I absolutely LOVE the ending as a matter of fact it brought the 4.5 rating it would have gotten up to a 5 star.
I must say that I really have enjoyed all of Anna Campbell's book's to date and I am now waiting for the next book to be released.
I must say that I really have enjoyed all of Anna Campbell's book's to date and I am now waiting for the next book to be released.
January 3, 2016
I won't lie: for the first quarter of the book, I really disliked the hero, but I pushed through because of the heroine. Antonia was great and, compared to the other books I've read by Campbell, this book was a little lighter. The writing style and pacing were great, I wish there was a little more Antonia and a little more suspense, but this was still a one-day, no-regrets read for me.
October 10, 2021
Anna Campbell'den ilk defa bir kitap sevdiğim için hüngür hüngür hüngür ağlamak istiyorum. Seni sonsuza kadar saklayacağım bebeğim 😍
August 5, 2011
A week after I wrote this review, I was back reading parts that meant so much to me, that touched me so much, that had tears in my eyes. I wanted to put that parts in the review and so more of the story but I so didn't want to give it away. Its one of my top reads this year! It will be one of yours too! Grab this one!
I haven’t read all of Anna Campbell historical romances, but after this read of Midnight’s Wild Passion, I so want to experience this special way she writes again. I so hope I have more of hers! Ms. Campbell has a way of bringing us back to the heroes of those historical romances from the bodice rippers time without the bodice rippers heroines! You get the feel of that intensity of the hero as a rake but with a strong heroine.
Midnight’s Wild Passion takes place in London 1827. Our hero, Nicholas Challoner, Marquess of Ranelaw is a rake and if his plans go as he predicts he will be one of the worst. As he has set out in revenge for his half sister, Eloise, who was ruined by Godfrey Demarest, one of the richest men in England. Godfrey Demarest, known as Demarest, is a womanizer and gone for most of the book in Paris pursuing women. He was one of his Nicholas’s father’s friends. Ranelaw’s hatred for Demarest is intense and has been stirring on him for years. That hate is what finally has drives Ranelaw to action.
Ranelaw sets out to attend balls and parties as a ruse, pretending to be in need of a wife. He’s not under suspicion because of his age. Ranelaw plans to seduce Demarest’s daughter, Miss Cassandra Demarest. Cassie is out for her debut. She’s a mostly smart, sensible young woman. For Ranelaw to get to Cassie, he first he has to get by her chaperone, Antonia Hilliard, aka Antonia Smith.
Antonia’s second cousin and employer, Demarest, is Cassie’s father. In exchange for a place to stay, Antonia agrees to chaperone Cassie’s debut into society while Demarest is in Paris. Antonia knows all about rakes. She was ruined 10 years ago, falling for a rake herself. She hides behind her glasses as a chaperone and no one suspects anything, but Ranelaw. She needs to remain hidden and any misstep in her identity and being discovered will bring scandal to Cassie. Ranelaw begins to see the real beauty of Antonia behind her drape-less dark dresses, glasses and her role as a chaperone. Based on how Antonio meets Ranelaw, there’s a challenge immediately between them. The banter with Antonia and Ranelaw is a delight to read! The more she confronts him and attempts to keep him away from Cassie, the more he’s up to the challenge to get her both Cassie and Antonia. He wanted his pursuit of Antonia to be private but his interest in Cassie to be the talk of the ton!
As the story unfolds, more of Ranelaw is revealed about his half-sister’s disgrace, his family, as well as his hatred for his father. There are scenes that bring out the strong emotions that Ranelaw hadn’t ever shown or revealed. He’s finding and believing he’s not the cruel rake he thought himself. This may sound like a familiar theme, but this author has a special way that really brings out the emotions of the characters and too for us readers. The characters come to life as well as the settings and scenery of the book. I fell more in love with Ranelaw after each page. So many of the characters dealing with ruination and how harsh it was during society that they had to hide for the rest of their lives. But even more so, how it affected Ranelaw as a child and into his adulthood. He had set out to get revenge for what Godfrey Demarest did to his sister by planning to ruin Demarest’s daughter Cassie. But Antonia gets in the way, in a way that was so unexpected for him that his plans don’t go as he wanted. Love gets in the way. The unique story of the heroine hiding as a chaperone was unique to this book. As Antonia feels her past is happening all over again, this time Ranelaw, she feels a love like nothing before but still a future that would be worse if she is found out. Ranelaw is melting for Antonia. His good side is coming out and he feels it too. The intensity between Antonia is a strong sexual tension but so much more, a strong emotional one that they feel for each other.
Grade: A
I haven’t read all of Anna Campbell historical romances, but after this read of Midnight’s Wild Passion, I so want to experience this special way she writes again. I so hope I have more of hers! Ms. Campbell has a way of bringing us back to the heroes of those historical romances from the bodice rippers time without the bodice rippers heroines! You get the feel of that intensity of the hero as a rake but with a strong heroine.
Midnight’s Wild Passion takes place in London 1827. Our hero, Nicholas Challoner, Marquess of Ranelaw is a rake and if his plans go as he predicts he will be one of the worst. As he has set out in revenge for his half sister, Eloise, who was ruined by Godfrey Demarest, one of the richest men in England. Godfrey Demarest, known as Demarest, is a womanizer and gone for most of the book in Paris pursuing women. He was one of his Nicholas’s father’s friends. Ranelaw’s hatred for Demarest is intense and has been stirring on him for years. That hate is what finally has drives Ranelaw to action.
Ranelaw sets out to attend balls and parties as a ruse, pretending to be in need of a wife. He’s not under suspicion because of his age. Ranelaw plans to seduce Demarest’s daughter, Miss Cassandra Demarest. Cassie is out for her debut. She’s a mostly smart, sensible young woman. For Ranelaw to get to Cassie, he first he has to get by her chaperone, Antonia Hilliard, aka Antonia Smith.
Antonia’s second cousin and employer, Demarest, is Cassie’s father. In exchange for a place to stay, Antonia agrees to chaperone Cassie’s debut into society while Demarest is in Paris. Antonia knows all about rakes. She was ruined 10 years ago, falling for a rake herself. She hides behind her glasses as a chaperone and no one suspects anything, but Ranelaw. She needs to remain hidden and any misstep in her identity and being discovered will bring scandal to Cassie. Ranelaw begins to see the real beauty of Antonia behind her drape-less dark dresses, glasses and her role as a chaperone. Based on how Antonio meets Ranelaw, there’s a challenge immediately between them. The banter with Antonia and Ranelaw is a delight to read! The more she confronts him and attempts to keep him away from Cassie, the more he’s up to the challenge to get her both Cassie and Antonia. He wanted his pursuit of Antonia to be private but his interest in Cassie to be the talk of the ton!
As the story unfolds, more of Ranelaw is revealed about his half-sister’s disgrace, his family, as well as his hatred for his father. There are scenes that bring out the strong emotions that Ranelaw hadn’t ever shown or revealed. He’s finding and believing he’s not the cruel rake he thought himself. This may sound like a familiar theme, but this author has a special way that really brings out the emotions of the characters and too for us readers. The characters come to life as well as the settings and scenery of the book. I fell more in love with Ranelaw after each page. So many of the characters dealing with ruination and how harsh it was during society that they had to hide for the rest of their lives. But even more so, how it affected Ranelaw as a child and into his adulthood. He had set out to get revenge for what Godfrey Demarest did to his sister by planning to ruin Demarest’s daughter Cassie. But Antonia gets in the way, in a way that was so unexpected for him that his plans don’t go as he wanted. Love gets in the way. The unique story of the heroine hiding as a chaperone was unique to this book. As Antonia feels her past is happening all over again, this time Ranelaw, she feels a love like nothing before but still a future that would be worse if she is found out. Ranelaw is melting for Antonia. His good side is coming out and he feels it too. The intensity between Antonia is a strong sexual tension but so much more, a strong emotional one that they feel for each other.
Grade: A
July 14, 2011
A rake is the epitome of what a bad boy is and I think most of us have an ache to possess a character such as Nicholas at least once in our lives. From the first moment they met, the anticipation and promise of passion fairly crackled from the pages as I watched Nicholas and Antonia’s dance of seduction. One of the reasons I love Midnight’s Wild Passion so much is that Ms. Campbell gives us this rake whose main agenda is to seek vengeance for his sister. But as the story progresses we see Nicholas begin to question who he is and whether his only solace is the cold dish of revenge he has planned for Cassie’s father. Add in the steamy sex scenes, a heroine whose backbone is pure steel and a stupendous tale of lust and love and you too cannot help but fall in love with this tantalizing novel.
Danielle
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
http://coffeetimeromance.com/BookRevi...
Danielle
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
http://coffeetimeromance.com/BookRevi...
May 17, 2011
Wow. What an intensely awesome book. The emotions in this book were overwhelming. Kudos to Ms Campbell for writing a gem. I started reading this book areound 7pm and didn't stop until I finished. Bad for my sleep but such good reading.
September 9, 2018
3,5
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October 13, 2019
This is my own fault. After I read Lord Garson's Bride and tried to finish the Dashing Widows series, I told myself I needed a break. Unfortunately, I forgot that memo because I picked up Midnight's Wild Passion on a whim. I will always stan Untouched and My Reckless Surrender, but Midnight's Wild Passion, while not painful to read, is forgettable. If you want to read a story about a hero, bent on revenge, seducing the heroine who has repressed her physical desires, while scheming to get to the heroine's charge, read Anne Mallory's The Bride Price. A lot less shame and a lot more fun.
In the romance universe, revenge is a dish best served cold. Nicholas is bent on ruining Cassie, the daughter of Godfrey Demarest, to avenge Eloise, his favourite half-sister. In Eloise's youth, she was seduced and abandoned by the charming but careless Godfrey. She was pregnant without marriage and banished to a convent to live out the rest of her life. Biding his time, Nicholas thinks seducing Demarest's virginal daughter is the perfect "eye for an eye" scheme when Cassie is put on the marriage market in her first season out in the Ton. All he has to do is get through Cassie's chaperone, Antonia "Smith", first.
Toni's fallen status in society is due to her ruin (EVERYONE HAS THE SAME BACK STORY, K) when she eloped to the Continent with a boyish Byron. Nicholas immediately finds himself bickering with the mysterious Toni. Intrigued by their chemistry, he quickly decides to add sleeping with Cassie's chaperone to his to-do list while he's at it. Soon, the story loses its plot, Nicholas and Toni engage in a one night stand, Toni's Byronic ex shows up etc.
Toni's shame is exhausting, because she keeps beating herself up for running away from home at a young age. She represses her physical desires because she has associated that part of her self with shame. There are heroines with tragic backstories. Toni is not one of them. She has her demons to battle, but you want her to get a grip because it's not as though she ran away with someone below her touch. She ran away with a gentleman of her ranking, a popular poet-to-be. They were not living the luxurious life when her father bursts upon them to disown her, but they were, by no means, living in squalor. Unless the shame of being found in your nightgown, mending your lover's clothes is the epitome of ruin. She wasn't even selling oranges at that point!
Nicholas too doesn't make sense. His love for his half-sister is what drives him as a character. He is literally waiting for the right time to ruin Demarest all these years, yet he never seeks her out in the convent where she is stashed away. When Nicholas eventually reunites with her, it falls flat. Nicholas doesn't know his sister anymore. He is, in fact, speaking to a stranger, but where was the poignancy? The emotion? It is an odd scene that reminds me of the same, stilted reunion in Anne Stuart's A Rose At Midnight.
I had this crazy theory that but it was a bit more prosaic than that, but oh my god that would have been fun :)
Also, I loved Cassie. Give her own story!
In the romance universe, revenge is a dish best served cold. Nicholas is bent on ruining Cassie, the daughter of Godfrey Demarest, to avenge Eloise, his favourite half-sister. In Eloise's youth, she was seduced and abandoned by the charming but careless Godfrey. She was pregnant without marriage and banished to a convent to live out the rest of her life. Biding his time, Nicholas thinks seducing Demarest's virginal daughter is the perfect "eye for an eye" scheme when Cassie is put on the marriage market in her first season out in the Ton. All he has to do is get through Cassie's chaperone, Antonia "Smith", first.
Toni's fallen status in society is due to her ruin (EVERYONE HAS THE SAME BACK STORY, K) when she eloped to the Continent with a boyish Byron. Nicholas immediately finds himself bickering with the mysterious Toni. Intrigued by their chemistry, he quickly decides to add sleeping with Cassie's chaperone to his to-do list while he's at it. Soon, the story loses its plot, Nicholas and Toni engage in a one night stand, Toni's Byronic ex shows up etc.
Toni's shame is exhausting, because she keeps beating herself up for running away from home at a young age. She represses her physical desires because she has associated that part of her self with shame. There are heroines with tragic backstories. Toni is not one of them. She has her demons to battle, but you want her to get a grip because it's not as though she ran away with someone below her touch. She ran away with a gentleman of her ranking, a popular poet-to-be. They were not living the luxurious life when her father bursts upon them to disown her, but they were, by no means, living in squalor. Unless the shame of being found in your nightgown, mending your lover's clothes is the epitome of ruin. She wasn't even selling oranges at that point!
Nicholas too doesn't make sense. His love for his half-sister is what drives him as a character. He is literally waiting for the right time to ruin Demarest all these years, yet he never seeks her out in the convent where she is stashed away. When Nicholas eventually reunites with her, it falls flat. Nicholas doesn't know his sister anymore. He is, in fact, speaking to a stranger, but where was the poignancy? The emotion? It is an odd scene that reminds me of the same, stilted reunion in Anne Stuart's A Rose At Midnight.
I had this crazy theory that but it was a bit more prosaic than that, but oh my god that would have been fun :)
Also, I loved Cassie. Give her own story!
June 15, 2011
An emotive story of revenge, desire, love and redemption, Anna Campbell's new book, MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION, is an unforgettable experience.
Nicholas Challoner, Marquess of Ranelaw, has one thing on his mind - revenge. Twenty years ago, Godfrey Demarest seduced and callously abandoned Nicholas's beloved older sister, Eloise. What could be a more perfect revenge than to seduce and ruin Demarest's daughter, Cassandra (Cassie). There is only one obstacle to his plans and that is the formidable Miss Antonia Smith, Cassie's companion!
Antonia is well acquainted with rakes like the Marquess of Ranelaw, having succumbed to one herself ten years ago with devastating consequences. To reveal her true identity as Lady Antonia Hilliard would cause a terrible scandal and so she now hides behind tinted glasses and drab clothes. She is determined to protect her charge and cousin, Cassie, against the seductive wiles of rakes like Ranelaw.
However, from their first encounter, Nicholas finds himself strangely attracted to this tart-tongued companion and soon realises that under Antonia's grim exterior there are hints of a wild, unforgettable beauty. Despite her past experience, Antonia finds herself similarly attracted to Nicholas. As their feelings for each other deepen into something far more than mere lust, will Nicholas's desire for revenge, Antonia's deep distrust of rakes and the fear of a terrible scandal bring only heartbreak?
At first I could not find anything redeeming about Nicholas at all. He is prepared to ruin an innocent life in search of revenge, which to me makes him just as cruel and callous as Demarest. He has no qualms about seducing Antonia and then blackmailing her so he can have access to Cassie. However, as he falls more and more under Antonia's spell, aspects of his character emerge indicating that a much better person lurks beneath the uncaring rakish exterior. He displays tenderness, sympathy and compassion, and I love his total bewilderment when he acts completely out of character around Antonia:
Then she'd stared at him with those radiant blue eyes and asked him to let he go.
And bugger, bugger, bugger, he'd suddenly imagined he was sodding Sir Galahad.
Antonia is an amazing heroine and I love how she verbally spars with Nicholas when they first meet:
"Do you imagine some unconvincing interest will magically dissolve my objections to your courtship? You overestimate your charms and underestimate my good sense."
Everyone should be entitled to make one mistake in their lives but, in Antonia's case, that one mistake changed her life forever. She is aware of how much she owes Godfrey Demarest for taking her in and is selfless in ensuring that those she cares for are never tarnished by any scandal, even at the expense of her own happiness. She is also a realist, having no illusions that Nicholas's interest in her is anything but fleeting.
Ms Campbell brilliantly conveys the deepening relationship between Nicholas and Antonia and brings their scenes to life:
With every encounter, she became more intriguing, with her spirit and her resistance and her secrets ...
Nicholas wasn't for her, although at moments during the night, she'd felt so close to him, it was meeting the other half of her soul.
For all she struggled to hide her reaction, he set Miss Smith quivering with excitement. The problem with Miss Smith was that she set him quivering with excitement in return.
The love scenes are beautifully crafted with a depth which many other books seem to lack. They are definitely HOT and reflect Nicolas and Antonia's passionate natures so well:
She seized his shirt and ripped it down the front. Her palms flattened against his heaving chest. She pressed her mouth across his torso in biting kisses that shot his arousal higher. Her teeth scrapped his nipple and he released a hoarse groan.
Cassie is an intriguing character because, despite being very sensible, she does initially seem dazzled by Nicholas's attention, much to Antonia's dismay. However, as the story progresses, I realized that Cassie had amazing insight and had actually been pursuing a plan of her own.
I have mixed feelings about Godfrey Demarest. On the one hand, I despise him for his behaviour towards Eloise, which had far-reaching consequences for her. On the other hand, I feel he slightly atones for those actions, having provided Antonia with a home and security when her immediate family disowned her. It does not wipe the slate completely clean but I can't truthfully regard him as an out and out villain.
Throughout the book, I sensed that, although he was only a boy at the time, Nicholas always felt guilty for not doing enough to help his sister when she needed him the most. This may have been what spurred him on in his pursuit of vengeance against Demarest; that this would somehow assuage the guilt. I am very glad this issue is resolved in the touching Epilogue.
MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION, with its passionate love story and richly drawn characters, will thrill lovers of Historical Romance everywhere.
http://www.theromancereviews.com/view...
This review was originally written for The Romance Reviews
Nicholas Challoner, Marquess of Ranelaw, has one thing on his mind - revenge. Twenty years ago, Godfrey Demarest seduced and callously abandoned Nicholas's beloved older sister, Eloise. What could be a more perfect revenge than to seduce and ruin Demarest's daughter, Cassandra (Cassie). There is only one obstacle to his plans and that is the formidable Miss Antonia Smith, Cassie's companion!
Antonia is well acquainted with rakes like the Marquess of Ranelaw, having succumbed to one herself ten years ago with devastating consequences. To reveal her true identity as Lady Antonia Hilliard would cause a terrible scandal and so she now hides behind tinted glasses and drab clothes. She is determined to protect her charge and cousin, Cassie, against the seductive wiles of rakes like Ranelaw.
However, from their first encounter, Nicholas finds himself strangely attracted to this tart-tongued companion and soon realises that under Antonia's grim exterior there are hints of a wild, unforgettable beauty. Despite her past experience, Antonia finds herself similarly attracted to Nicholas. As their feelings for each other deepen into something far more than mere lust, will Nicholas's desire for revenge, Antonia's deep distrust of rakes and the fear of a terrible scandal bring only heartbreak?
At first I could not find anything redeeming about Nicholas at all. He is prepared to ruin an innocent life in search of revenge, which to me makes him just as cruel and callous as Demarest. He has no qualms about seducing Antonia and then blackmailing her so he can have access to Cassie. However, as he falls more and more under Antonia's spell, aspects of his character emerge indicating that a much better person lurks beneath the uncaring rakish exterior. He displays tenderness, sympathy and compassion, and I love his total bewilderment when he acts completely out of character around Antonia:
Then she'd stared at him with those radiant blue eyes and asked him to let he go.
And bugger, bugger, bugger, he'd suddenly imagined he was sodding Sir Galahad.
Antonia is an amazing heroine and I love how she verbally spars with Nicholas when they first meet:
"Do you imagine some unconvincing interest will magically dissolve my objections to your courtship? You overestimate your charms and underestimate my good sense."
Everyone should be entitled to make one mistake in their lives but, in Antonia's case, that one mistake changed her life forever. She is aware of how much she owes Godfrey Demarest for taking her in and is selfless in ensuring that those she cares for are never tarnished by any scandal, even at the expense of her own happiness. She is also a realist, having no illusions that Nicholas's interest in her is anything but fleeting.
Ms Campbell brilliantly conveys the deepening relationship between Nicholas and Antonia and brings their scenes to life:
With every encounter, she became more intriguing, with her spirit and her resistance and her secrets ...
Nicholas wasn't for her, although at moments during the night, she'd felt so close to him, it was meeting the other half of her soul.
For all she struggled to hide her reaction, he set Miss Smith quivering with excitement. The problem with Miss Smith was that she set him quivering with excitement in return.
The love scenes are beautifully crafted with a depth which many other books seem to lack. They are definitely HOT and reflect Nicolas and Antonia's passionate natures so well:
She seized his shirt and ripped it down the front. Her palms flattened against his heaving chest. She pressed her mouth across his torso in biting kisses that shot his arousal higher. Her teeth scrapped his nipple and he released a hoarse groan.
Cassie is an intriguing character because, despite being very sensible, she does initially seem dazzled by Nicholas's attention, much to Antonia's dismay. However, as the story progresses, I realized that Cassie had amazing insight and had actually been pursuing a plan of her own.
I have mixed feelings about Godfrey Demarest. On the one hand, I despise him for his behaviour towards Eloise, which had far-reaching consequences for her. On the other hand, I feel he slightly atones for those actions, having provided Antonia with a home and security when her immediate family disowned her. It does not wipe the slate completely clean but I can't truthfully regard him as an out and out villain.
Throughout the book, I sensed that, although he was only a boy at the time, Nicholas always felt guilty for not doing enough to help his sister when she needed him the most. This may have been what spurred him on in his pursuit of vengeance against Demarest; that this would somehow assuage the guilt. I am very glad this issue is resolved in the touching Epilogue.
MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION, with its passionate love story and richly drawn characters, will thrill lovers of Historical Romance everywhere.
http://www.theromancereviews.com/view...
This review was originally written for The Romance Reviews
June 27, 2024
Voor een verhaal met veel erotiek moet je bij deze schrijfster zijn . Persoonlijk zou het voor mij wel wat minder mogen zodat er iets meer ruimte voor het verhaal overbleef . Het einde is wat te abrupt - komt het nog goed met Cassie ?
August 8, 2015
I read this book based on my prodigious enjoyment of the first two books that I read of the author, Anna Campbell, one of which was her first book.
This book was very hot and steamy, but the author did not establish any kind of connection between the h/H. All there was was sex. I don't object to sex, but I need a connection between the two MC's.
This author did a good job of establishing in my mind that the H was truly a rake and bad guy. Many author's I find, don't really make the H who is supposed to be a rake, seem as if they deserve their unsavory reputations. I really felt that the H was trouble where women were concerned, which was a nice change from all of these fake-rakes that abound in HR.
I needed to know why a jaded sexual libertine is drawn to and/or falls in love with the h. This book is a clear example of one of my pet peeves, "insta-lust" or "insta-love" with no connection established by an author between the MC's.
Also, the author missed an opportunity for a secondary romance for the h's young cousin, whom the h is "overseeing" for the young girl's first season. The author, AC did nothing with the cousin. I feel the cousin was a significant supporting character and the author should have "done" something with her--given her a storyline. The author's lack of a romance for the cousin indicates a weakness in her skill as a writer to handle a good meaty subplot.
This book was very hot and steamy, but the author did not establish any kind of connection between the h/H. All there was was sex. I don't object to sex, but I need a connection between the two MC's.
This author did a good job of establishing in my mind that the H was truly a rake and bad guy. Many author's I find, don't really make the H who is supposed to be a rake, seem as if they deserve their unsavory reputations. I really felt that the H was trouble where women were concerned, which was a nice change from all of these fake-rakes that abound in HR.
I needed to know why a jaded sexual libertine is drawn to and/or falls in love with the h. This book is a clear example of one of my pet peeves, "insta-lust" or "insta-love" with no connection established by an author between the MC's.
Also, the author missed an opportunity for a secondary romance for the h's young cousin, whom the h is "overseeing" for the young girl's first season. The author, AC did nothing with the cousin. I feel the cousin was a significant supporting character and the author should have "done" something with her--given her a storyline. The author's lack of a romance for the cousin indicates a weakness in her skill as a writer to handle a good meaty subplot.
August 5, 2011
WOW!, this book was so amazing. The story was so thrilling. I have never read anything so romantic before. I loved every bit of the story. The characters were so intriguing. I loved Antonia and her secret, it made me want to know more about her like Nicholas wanted to know more about her.
Reading this book got my heart racing, as well as my mind. As i continued to read I could see clearly what was happening, i could picture the scenery and the smells as they were described so well. All the descriptions throughout the book were so sexual and so beautiful.
There were so many good parts to this book. Without giving too much away the main stand out part for me is the relationship between Nicholas and Antonia. It really got me wanting more of the story plus it made me want to know why all the secrets existed and what the truth was behind those secrets.
I felt so in touch with Antonia. I could feel everything she felt and I really felt for her. The ending of the book was so beautiful, an ending I didn’t expect. It blew me away with tears of happiness.
I rate this book highly
Reading this book got my heart racing, as well as my mind. As i continued to read I could see clearly what was happening, i could picture the scenery and the smells as they were described so well. All the descriptions throughout the book were so sexual and so beautiful.
There were so many good parts to this book. Without giving too much away the main stand out part for me is the relationship between Nicholas and Antonia. It really got me wanting more of the story plus it made me want to know why all the secrets existed and what the truth was behind those secrets.
I felt so in touch with Antonia. I could feel everything she felt and I really felt for her. The ending of the book was so beautiful, an ending I didn’t expect. It blew me away with tears of happiness.
I rate this book highly
August 15, 2015
2,5/5
Il m'a fallu plus de la moitié du livre avant de rentrer dans l'histoire, et certains points ne sont pas clairs. Par exemple l'héroïne passe sa vie sous un déguisement pour ne pas être reconnue, alors qu'on apprend qu'avant ses problèmes elle n'était jamais sortie de chez elle au fin fond du Northumberland. Du coup qui pourrait bien la reconnaitre 10 ans plus tard ?
Le héros est assez désagréable et agaçant au début, il a décidé de ruiner la fille de l'homme qui a ruiné sa soeur pour la venger (oui, cherchez pas la logique), et de mettre l'héroïne dans son lit "en bonus". Du coup il tente de la séduire à tout prix et refuse d'entendre ses non répétés en disant qu'elle ne le pense pas vraiment. Heureusement il s'arrête toujours, sinon on partait pour une plus sale note.
Par contre on voit vraiment son évolution, et la façon dont il se débat avec ses changements de sentiments.
Il m'a fallu plus de la moitié du livre avant de rentrer dans l'histoire, et certains points ne sont pas clairs. Par exemple l'héroïne passe sa vie sous un déguisement pour ne pas être reconnue, alors qu'on apprend qu'avant ses problèmes elle n'était jamais sortie de chez elle au fin fond du Northumberland. Du coup qui pourrait bien la reconnaitre 10 ans plus tard ?
Le héros est assez désagréable et agaçant au début, il a décidé de ruiner la fille de l'homme qui a ruiné sa soeur pour la venger (oui, cherchez pas la logique), et de mettre l'héroïne dans son lit "en bonus". Du coup il tente de la séduire à tout prix et refuse d'entendre ses non répétés en disant qu'elle ne le pense pas vraiment. Heureusement il s'arrête toujours, sinon on partait pour une plus sale note.
Par contre on voit vraiment son évolution, et la façon dont il se débat avec ses changements de sentiments.
December 18, 2015
This was a wonderful story of love, revenge and redemption. I liked the characters and their interaction. There were humorous, tender and also heartbreaking moments that sometimes made me to tears. Ranelaw was a real rake and almost unredeemable in his actions. It was fun to watch him transform from heartless man to caring and loving man and husband. Love scenes were hot and steamy, going on pages and pages, which I don't complane. Anna Campbell is new author to me and now I want to read the rest she has written.
May 21, 2011
Very worth it. There's no trace of the perfect character syndrome which I almost always intend to avoid and even with flaws, the characters are ~relatable. Nicholas doesn't brood much and he plays the hero-hiding-in-the-mask-of-a-villain. Antonia is a headstrong female with a wild past. When they clash, you simply find yourself wanting more of their interactions. It was a perfect read for my day <3
June 11, 2011
Another awesome Anna Campbell story. Anna writes such magical stories where the characters and words just fly of the page. I savoured every word in this story about Nicholas Challoner, Marquess of Ranelaw and Lady Antonia Hillard.
Two people that had to overcome their pasts to find a HEA, the story is filled with sensual passion and a truly wonderful adventure that took me to ballrooms in The Regency
Thank you Anna for hours of reading pleasure
Two people that had to overcome their pasts to find a HEA, the story is filled with sensual passion and a truly wonderful adventure that took me to ballrooms in The Regency
Thank you Anna for hours of reading pleasure
Displaying 1 - 30 of 218 reviews