Saturday

Review: Lucien's Fall by Barbara Samuel



Book Blurb

A full length historical romance from seven-time RITA winner Barbara Samuel.

Readers of Jo Beverly, Mary Jo Putney and Mary Balogh will love award-winning Barbara Samuel’s sensual historical romances.


A SINFULLY APPEALING RAKE
Lord Lucien Escher is a renowed London rake who believes there is not a woman in the world who cannot be seduced--he is determined to prove it, come what may.

AN INTELLIGENT AND DETERMINED WOMAN
Madeline is determined to save her treasured ancestral home and has no use for love or the tricks of an unredeemable scoundrel. Against her better judgment, however, she is powerfully drawn to the elusive and dangerous Lucien, whose hard-hearted façade hides a tragedy that is slowly devouring him from within.

As Lucien and Madeline circle each other in a magnetic play of desire and denial, their passion will rise to a crescendo of longing and sacrifice that will change their fates forever.

Buy Links

Toot's Review by Stacy Sabala

Madeline just returned from the continent.  Her step-mother is throwing a house party so Madeline can meet the Marquis that she wants her to marry.  Unfortunately Lord Esher has also set his sights on Madeline.  Madeline refuses to let the known rake try and seduce her.  The battle of wills has begun.
Lucien is determined to get Madeline into his bed.  Lady Juliette, Madeline’s step mother, is determined to stop him.  Both women need Madeline’s marriage to the Marquis to happen.  Madeline refuses to be played or drawn into the game of seduction.  Lucien underestimates Madeline’s will and wit.  Both are shocked at how far they will go.
I liked this book.  Madeline is independent and has an unconventional hobby for the time.  She is smart and as a result catches Lucien’s eye.  He is a typical rake in line for a major title.  He hates his father.  He is also half-Russian which adds to his intrigue.  His internal battle over his music adds to his character and darkness.  Madeline can see his deep hurt and that draws her in.  She spends most of the story fighting her attraction to him.  The reader knows what is inevitable.  So most of the story dealing with their relationship is predictable.  Juliette’s affair is a little more shocking.  Juliette is the character that seems to be making the decisions and manipulating everyone to get things the way she wants.  She sacrifices her heart for the cause.  That surprises me.

It was a good story that kept me absorbed as it unfolded.  The dynamics of family and honor were front and present.  I give it a 4 out of 5.





No comments:

Post a Comment