Rating: 
Summary: An enjoyable story
Review: A bit of a change of pace from your usual English historical romance, with adultery not set up from childhood, and the betrayal not as sharp. The plot was well paced, and the characters were well written. I must say however that Malloren was a bit.. well a LOT too trusting in this situation. I found his brother's reaction much more believable and in fact much more of an interesting character. All in all, however, I enjoyed the book.
Rating: 
Summary: I love most everything Jo Beverley has written...
Review: And this new book didn't let me down. I read a lot of romance and am often annoyed at how the primary characters wring their hands and waffle. Although I am nothing like Rose or Brand, I could sympathize with them. They seemed like sensible people caught in an unreasonable situation. I was never tempted to throw the book against the wall because I could see an obvious solution to their problems to which they were oblivious. Further, I could see why the protagonists fell in love with each other (rarer in books than you would think).
Rating:
Summary: Jo Beverley strikes gold with this wonderful book
Review: As a longtime fan of Jo Beverley I look forward to her rule-bending risk-taking romance novels. Adultery is often a tough sell to fans of the genre, but in Beverley's deft hands, the adultery is not only understandable, but both hero and heroine are made to suffer for an arrangement that becomes a love match. The wonderful hero, Brand Malloren, is very different than his siblings. If this is your first Malloren novel, don't worry, you do not need to have read the others to enjoy this one. But I'm betting you'll want to know more, especially about the intriguing Marquess of Rothgar, Brand's oldest brother. One of Jo Beverley's strengths is her heroines who are reliably feisty and capable. Rosamunde is no different. Scarred from an accident during adolescence and married to a much older man, you can't help but forgive her for falling in love with Brand, the man she needs to father her child for the sake of others. Jo puts a lot of obstacles in Brand and Rosa's path, which makes their ending all the sweeter.
Rating:
Summary: The steamiest Malloren Story Yet!
Review: Book 4 of the Malloren Series by Jo Beverley is the steamiest yet!
Rosamunde Overton, married to an old gentleman unable to have children, must have an heir to rescue her state from the greedy hands of his zealot nephew. In order to do so she decides to request payment from Lord Brand Malloren who she rescues drugged on the road. He complies willingly and the pages set fire! This book is sultry and seductive and has a distinctly earthly feel to it than other Jo Beverley's novels in this series. I enjoyed this book more than all the others, due to liking the character of Brand Malloren best, who is a good-natured and kind man, but doesn't hold back on loving his lady. Rosamunde is scarred from an early childhood accident. To not show this scar and to also not reveal her identity she wears a mask throughout the seduction and Brand never knows who she is...until much later. The story is very rich and Jo Beverley hits her high in her infamous Malloren Series with Book 4. This is the one book in the Malloren series still out of print. It should be reissued soon. Until then your local library or a used bookstore should have it. Warning though, Jo Beverley's books are collectibles so buying it used you could pay a steep price.
Rating:
Summary: Could not put this one down!
Review: For me this was just one of those books that I could not stop reading. Brand had been a lessor explored character in the first three Malloren books - so I did not know what to expect. Well he just turned out to be such a sweet, wonderful, caring man. He is found unconcious on the side of the road by Rosamunde - who has her own very complicated story. She needs a baby and decides this unconscious man just might be the one to give her one. Interesting plot - well it becomes a seduction like no other, beautifully written - heart felt - they both become totally captivated by the other. As in all the other Malloren novels - it seems an impossiblity that they can actually end up together - but don't you love the Malloren motto - that all things are possible!! You also see the beginnings of what will be the next book about Rothgar and Dianna - and you just know that will be explosive! This is truly a wonderful series by Beverley!!
Rating:
Summary: loved it !!!
Review: I didn't care for Cyn and Chastity's story (My Lady Notorious)so I didn't really make the attempt to read any more Malloren stories. Then I read Bryght and Portia's story (Tempting Fortune)and liked it somewhat more. So I picked up this book. And oh am I glad I did! I think Brand was the most well-rounded hero I have come across in a long time. He is of course a typical male; when asked to provide sexual service he doesn't need his arm twisted. I appreciate the fact that Rosemunde doesn't justify her nights with Brand strictly as duty. I like the "real" human element Rosemunde brings with her acknowledging that the real part of the situation being wrong is that she liked sex with him. I think there is a real symbol of human nature there. And Beverley didn't play it off with typical "book character" conscience. I was anxious to see how it was going to work out in the end. I was glad the ending wasn't your typical perfect. When a story's framework involves adultery how can the end be perfect. I have also enjoyed the tidbits about Bey in the novels in this series. I am definitely going to read his story. I hope he is the bad boy in bed that he seems to be!
Rating:
Summary: loved it !!!
Review: I didn't care for Cyn and Chastity's story (My Lady Notorious)so I didn't really make the attempt to read any more Malloren stories. Then I read Bryght and Portia's story (Tempting Fortune)and liked it somewhat more. So I picked up this book. And oh am I glad I did! I think Brand was the most well-rounded hero I have come across in a long time. He is of course a typical male; when asked to provide sexual service he doesn't need his arm twisted. I appreciate the fact that Rosemunde doesn't justify her nights with Brand strictly as duty. I like the "real" human element Rosemunde brings with her acknowledging that the real part of the situation being wrong is that she liked sex with him. I think there is a real symbol of human nature there. And Beverley didn't play it off with typical "book character" conscience. I was anxious to see how it was going to work out in the end. I was glad the ending wasn't your typical perfect. When a story's framework involves adultery how can the end be perfect. I have also enjoyed the tidbits about Bey in the novels in this series. I am definitely going to read his story. I hope he is the bad boy in bed that he seems to be!
Rating:
Summary: A very romantic romance about two good people
Review: I don't like reading about adultery in my romances, nor do I like opening up a book only to find it's smack dab in the middle of a series. This book fits both scenarios but, much to my surprise, I couldn't tear myself away from it. Rosa is married to Digby, a sickly, older man, who has been unable to impregnate her. When Digby dies their home will pass into the hands of a nephew who belongs to a fanatical religious cult. In order to prevent this Digby encourages Rosa to find herself a handsome young man to get her with child. Sheltered Rosa loves Digby but he's always been more of a protector than a lover. When she was seventeen she was gravely injured and her face was scarred. Digby saved her life by proposing marriage. Because of her scars she has been living life as a hermit and, although she is frightened by Digby's request, it reawakens her adventurous nature and she agrees to his plan. So Rosa dons a mask and heads to a masquerade ball to find an "easy" man. But the men she meets repulse her and she decides to head back to the safety of her home. This is where she finds the hero who is laying unconscious in the middle of the street. She brings him to a friends' home and nurses him throughout the night. When he awakens he has no memory but is so grateful to the still masked Rosa that he offers her payment. She's very attracted to him and impulsively decides to ask him to make love to her and he agrees. During their time together something unexpected happens -- they fall in love. What follows is a very sensuous love story written with wry humor about two wonderful characters caught in an impossible situation. I ached for them and was not turned off at all by the adultery plot because of the way it was presented and because all of the characters involved were warm, loving and kind people. I couldn't tear myself away from this love story until the last quarter when the couple faced a necessary separation and an intrigue subplot took over center stage. I'm very glad I read this story and I can honestly say that it stands alone very nicely if you haven't read the previous "Malloren" books.
Rating:
Summary: A very romantic romance about two good people
Review: I don't like reading about adultery in my romances, nor do I like opening up a book only to find it's smack dab in the middle of a series. This book fits both scenarios but, much to my surprise, I couldn't tear myself away from it. Rosa is married to Digby, a sickly, older man, who has been unable to impregnate her. When Digby dies their home will pass into the hands of a nephew who belongs to a fanatical religious cult. In order to prevent this Digby encourages Rosa to find herself a handsome young man to get her with child. Sheltered Rosa loves Digby but he's always been more of a protector than a lover. When she was seventeen she was gravely injured and her face was scarred. Digby saved her life by proposing marriage. Because of her scars she has been living life as a hermit and, although she is frightened by Digby's request, it reawakens her adventurous nature and she agrees to his plan. So Rosa dons a mask and heads to a masquerade ball to find an "easy" man. But the men she meets repulse her and she decides to head back to the safety of her home. This is where she finds the hero who is laying unconscious in the middle of the street. She brings him to a friends' home and nurses him throughout the night. When he awakens he has no memory but is so grateful to the still masked Rosa that he offers her payment. She's very attracted to him and impulsively decides to ask him to make love to her and he agrees. During their time together something unexpected happens -- they fall in love. What follows is a very sensuous love story written with wry humor about two wonderful characters caught in an impossible situation. I ached for them and was not turned off at all by the adultery plot because of the way it was presented and because all of the characters involved were warm, loving and kind people. I couldn't tear myself away from this love story until the last quarter when the couple faced a necessary separation and an intrigue subplot took over center stage. I'm very glad I read this story and I can honestly say that it stands alone very nicely if you haven't read the previous "Malloren" books.
Rating:
Summary: Could Not Put it DowN!
Review: I mean really, who else could come up with this story? A young gently bred Lady married to an older man who seemed on his last legs and in order to save the manor and the people must have an heir which the older gent cannot seem to provide. Rosamund Overton and her cousin, Lady Diana, come up with a plan to find a likely candidate at a masquerade ball but Rosamunde chickens out and flees the event. On her way home she comes across a man along the side of the road. Playing the good samaritan she picks him up and brings him to her cousins dower house and after cleaning him up a bit, recognizes a likely candidate who could possibly 'do the deed'.
It sounds a little cold blooded, but then this is a MALLOREN and things are just bound to HEAT up!
The story is wonderful, the characters are so well fleshed out, and what more could you expect? This is another of Jo Beverley at her best - but when is she not? Definitely a keeper.
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