Rating: 
Summary: A welcome change
Review: The novel is a welcome change from what most romance readers have come to expect. It is erotic and breathtaking in places with a very brooding and dark atmosphere.
Michael has to be the most tortured hero I have ever read about. At the begining most of his actions and thoughts did not make sense, but it all coalesced in the end.
I deducted one star for foll. reasons:
While the love scenes toward the begining were really hot and passionate, I felt that toward the latter part of the novel, thet lacked the fire, and I read on as if I was a dispassionate observer.
Secondly, I never felt that I knew everyting about Michael's past....like why he loved Diane, I guess I wanted to know more about their relationship since Michael always thought about her 'passion for love and laughter', and I wanted to know what he saw in Diane that he didn't in all the other females.
Lastly, I did not feel that everything was resolved between Anne and Michael....I would have liked to know what happened to them in the long run. The ending was way too abrupt!
Inspite of this, the book deserves 4 stars because of the main protagonists and the way Ms Schone writes.
Rating: 
Summary: Not enjoyable
Review: I read two of Schone's previous works, Awaken My Love and The Lady's Tutor, and really enjoyed them, so I was looking forward to this book. I could barely finish it. It's dark, gloomy, and negative, and the writing style is cold and choppy. The characters were not likeable, and the sex was not interesting. I read for enjoyment and passion, not to be depressed. This book went into the trash when I was done. Too bad. She started out writing good books, but I won't read another one of hers.
Rating: 
Summary: darkly erotic yet terrific story telling...
Review: This is my first book by Robin Schone and was blown away by her skill. Her ability to create the erotic/romance and lace it with the dark reality of human frailty while weaving an underlying plot that will rock you in the last three or four chapters is amazing.You read and experience the characters while always knowing there is something else going on. You turn the page again and again just to get a glimse of the next. I was enthralled and sucked in from the very beginning. Both characters are hopelessly flawed. Micheal/Michel and Anne journey together on a road not of their making but of their need for companionship and solace in their choices. I can't go into the plot too much because it will give away the surprise at the end. A warning: this is a highly erotic novel and quite graphic. I enjoyed this book greatly and will read the sequel Gabriel's Woman and some of the other books by Robin Schone
Rating: 
Summary: Not for the faint hearted
Review: First, it has to be The Lover is not for the faint-hearted. There is quite a lot of sizzle in the book, and some fairly erotic scene with a few sexual practices and discussions of sexual practices which some readers might find shocking. But it is labelled an erotic romance, and for once the book lives up to its label. The only thing is, there is SO much discussion of what he is going to do to her that by the time he ever does it, it is a bit of an anti-climax. (if you will pardon the phrase). The heroine as a person never really moves beyond victim of what men do to her and even we find it incredible that for al she is supposed to be 36 years old and untouched she does the things she does in THREE DAYS (and nights) when she forges her supposed relationship with Michael. The gruesome ending also does not take into account her very genuine trauma, and the supposition that he is a prostitute because he likes women so much is as ludicrous as saying that women do it for the same reason. Gabriel the male prostitute for men really sends it over the top. The whole money is power, sex is power issue is really fudged and the men seem as powerless as the women as they are driven by their need for revenge. The sheer repetitiveness of the book goes from effective to annoying. All of them seem one dimensional wind-up toys with a bunch of sexual hang ups or perversions which I can't imagine anyone being 'entertained' by. The book has so little plot and action apart from flashbacks which Michael keeps recalling over and over again, that could have been a short story. Full marks for erotic, negative marks for perceptiveness, entertainment and storyline.
Rating:
Summary: great read -not for the faint of heart
Review: If you are looking for a typical romance and that's all you enjoy reading, this book is not for you. If you enjoy a great plot, flawed human beings and have an understanding of human weakness and desires, you'll love this book as much as I did. This book has it all, love, deep hatred, lust, enduring frienship, betrayal and acceptance. Not your usual fluff.
Rating:
Summary: The Second Time Around Was Better
Review: I purchased "The Lover" randomly when it was released, read it, thought it was steamy, and passed it onto a few friends. It recently came back to me, and desperate for a Robin Schone novel (going on two years now), I reread it. Now this is not something I normally do; however, I am please to say this was better the second time around.
Not only does Ms. Schone create believable, realistic characters, she is sincere and honest in her delivery and exploration of man/woman relationships. It is not often that the reader is subjected to a "real" woman. Anne is a "real" women just like the rest of us - a little insecure about her thighs, unsure of how to take the next step with a brooding, moody man, and so sure of her inner self she's made of silky steel. On the flipside, Michael is not your typical hero either. Yes he's flawed, yes, he's well-endowed, and yes, he's a superb lover; nevertheless, he is way more complicated than your average raomance novel hero. Give him a chance, he's worth it!
This book is not for the faint of heart, Regency reader, or Blace Lace series fan. "The Lover" is true erotica at its finest. Although it is dark; although it is heavy, "The Lover" is one of the most refreshing, awakening novels in the romance/erotica genre.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a Typical Romance
Review: This is not your typical romance. I don't know what to say except it does have it's moments. I like erotica, but I don't know yet if particularly like Robin Schone. There is just someing about her writing style that leaves me a little cold. Unless I really hate a book. I am not a reviewer who tells one not to read. I say...read for yourself. If you like it then cool. If you don't then I understand. RS is a different kind of author. There is a lot of pain in her reading. Beware!!! It is not your typical romance, if you would actually class this in the genre of romance at all. Whatever your flavor, this is a wierd read. Don't be suprised if when the hero or heroine doesn't conform.
Rating:
Summary: Be still my beating heart! Great book!
Review: This novel took my breath away, because it was the first Schone romance I had ever read. I was not prepared for such graphic sexual scenes and kinkiness to be blended with a beautiful love story. Virginal, wealthy,spinster Anne Aimes wants to experience passion, and by an expert. She goes to a house of prostitution to secure the services of Michael, a legendary lover who has been a recluse since he was scarred years before. Neither expects to fall in love. Anne's sexual awakening is both sensual and touching, since she is in her thirties and not without flaws. It was refreshing to see a heroine who is not the beauty of the season, and a male lead who could see the beauty within. The storyline gets a bit confusing when somebody appears to be after Michael to make his life miserable. Anne now stands in this mysterious person's way, and the story takes an interesting turn. Gabriel, Michael's longtime friend makes his appearance in this book and also is involved in the intrigue. This book is not a sweet romance, nor a routine romantic suspense. It truly has some sexual scenes that are not for the faint of heart, and contains a good deal of erotica, as well as some kinky sex toys. The strength of this novel is that it blends erotica with a good storyline and strong characters. The passion and love between Anne and Michael, as they heal each others wounds is wonderful. My main complaint with this book,as with other Schone books, is that she seems to reiterate the mans's size often, and her prose is somewhat stilted. However, this does not detract from the story. If you like a hot romance with a dose of erotica, this is a good choice.
Rating:
Summary: Loved it, loved it, loved it....
Review: Robin Schone is a great author of erotic romance. She really gets it done if you want lots of great sex and a great plot. Her books are confusing while you're reading them, but it all falls together in the end, and quite nicely I might add. Michael is a truly great hero and Anne is a very coreagous woman. Definetly recommend.
Rating:
Summary: Exciting,erotic, eyeopening book.
Review: When i first discovered Robin Schone's work I was hooked. Her books are filled with excitement, love, understanding and most of all erotic passion. Lots of passion! Her books are not for the timid. Her love scenes are so hot that they can make the most experienced person blush. But even though the love scenes are very graphic they are not pornographic. they don't insult the reader but rather make the reader think about their own wants and desires. This is the first book of two. Gabriel's Woman is the second book. You really need to read them in order to get the full story. This is Michael's story. Michael is a man with a past. He is a former whore. He has made his fortune being with those who could pay for him. That is all behind him now after a terrible accident made him unattractive to the women who used to flock to him. He now is searching for revenge upon the man who did this to him. During his search a woman approaches him to bring her passion. She is willing to pay him ten thousand pounds. Anne Aimes is that woman. She is a 36 year old spinster. She has pu her life on hold to take care of her elderly parents and now that they are gone she wants to experience something of life and passion before she grows too old. Anne is not a great beauty and yet Michael is drawn to her. He accepts her proposal and soon finds himself not just fullfilling his physical needs but his emotional ones as well. Anne is caught in the same web and longs to be with Michael no matter what. There is an evil that is haunting them. They must conquer it in order to live and to find happiness in each others arms. Michael soon finds that his need for revenge is overpowered by his need to keep Anne safe. I found the characters well developed and I look forward to Gabriel's story.
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