Say You Love Me (Malory, No. 5)

Rating:
Summary: ANOTHER SUPREMELY WONDERFUL MALORY NOVEL!!!!
Review: I have to disagree with the low rating given to this story by other readers, because Ms Lindsey ensures that the hero Dereck is quite unique - he resembles his dad Jason, but he is not like his uncles James and Tony and his cousins-in law Nicholas Eden and Warren Anderson!!! Readers must use logic, after all, Ms Lindsey is quite correct/original because she she does not typecast her Malory men!!! why do other readers expect the same old personality-type like Nicholas, Tony and that exception and BEST Malory male: James? Heroes in the same series MUST BE UNIQUE TO ENSURE VARIETY!!! Dereck is absolutely perfect in his own way!And the beautiful Kelsey is my favourite herione after Georgina...My only disappointement is the fact that a little too much information on the previous couples in the Malory series. Dereck and Kelsey did not receive the type of attention readers should have expected!!!I adore the other couples whose previous respective relationships were magical! BUT THIS IS NOT THEIR STORY!!! Other than that, the novel was perfect...

Rating:
Summary: Say You'll Write Something Better Next Time, JL!
Review: I am a huge JL fan. I love the Malory novels, especially "Tender Rebel" and "Gentle Rogue." That said, I thought that the fifth Malory novel, "Say You Love Me," while a quick read, was rather lackluster. I am actually surprised so many reviewers gave it 4 or 5 stars; it makes we wonder if we were even reading the same book, or if they were letting their love for the Malorys cloud their judgment.

In fact, I recall trying to read "Say" when it first came out in 1996. I think I read two chapters before giving up (and I LOVE Lindsey). Now, here I am, in 2004; knowing Jeremy finally has his own story, I decided to reread the entire Malory series before buying "A Loving Scoundrel." So that meant I actually had to finish "Say." Well, I did. Needless to say, I was not impressed.

"Say" revolves around Derek Malory, the illegitimate son of a Marquis, and a young rakehell, to boot. In a rather selfless act of compassion, he "saves" Kelsey Langton - a Lady in need of money to save her family from financial ruin - by buying her in a public auction at a brothel as his mistress. He deliberately outbids a sadistic lord intent on purchasing her for his own cruel sexual deviations.

An interesting start to a Malory novel. But, instead of being the usual light-hearted, witty romantic runaround that involves a lot of seduction and sensual banter (which define Malory novels), "Say" goes a different route. Derek doesn't have to seduce Kelsey - he's bought her, so she must comply. The banter is limited in this novel, probably because Kelsey is so accommodating and because the uncle that this Malory novel highlights is Jason, the dead-serious one. Worse, the novel has the darkest, most awful "bad guy" scene of any JL romance: Kelsey is kidnapped and taken to a house of horrors by the sadist, who intends to rape and torture her. This is THE most disturbing thing JL has written; in my mind, it belonged in a suspense thriller or horror story, not a romance novel. However, to top it off, this scene occurs in the middle of the novel; after Kelsey is rescued, JL spends about two sentences saying "Oh yeah, it was a pretty awful experience, so she spent a week in bed," before promptly forgetting about it. This is the type of incident that traumatizes people for life. Hello!

I also noticed that there was too much back-story to this book. Having read Malory books #1 through 4 in the last few weeks, back-to-back, I didn't appreciate the summarizations very much. I think it would have been a lot more fun if JL had written more about what Regina, Anthony, James, Warren, etc. have been up to now, rather than what had happened in novels I can reread anytime.

Finally, three other points: 1) The last half of the book revolves around why it would be scandalous if Kelsey and Derek marry (even James and Anthony, those scandalmongers, were naysaying a wedding); please, these are the Malorys - they relish scandal - so this plotline, knowing the family, seemed ridiculous. 2) What was the point to Kelsey having The Tragedy in her life? JL teased us readers with it, made it seem important, then let it flatline completely. So sad. 3) I actually finished the novel thinking it was still embarrasing for Kelsey to show her face among the Malorys, since everyone was so dead-set against her and the solution was so silly.

FYI: The Malory series includes 1) "Love Only Once" (Regina is compromised by bored rake Nicholas), 2) "Tender Rebel" (Roslynn must marry, and Anthony offers himself as groom), 3) "Gentle Rogue" (Georgina ends up as James' cabin boy aboard his ship), 4) "Magic of You" (Amy will make Warren marry her no matter what), 5) "Say You Love Me" (Derek buys Kelsey in an auction), 6) "The Present" (novella about the gypsy great-grandmother), and 7) "A Loving Scoundrel" (Jeremy lets a thief steal his heart).



Rating:
Summary: Love is a perilous and rewarding gamble . . .
Review: _Say You Love Me_, the fifth book in the beloved Malory series, is the story of Derek Malory and Kelsey Langton. Though Derek has been a minor character in the background of the series, he definitely shines in this unique Regency romance.

Derek Malory, heir to the Marquis of Haverston, is following fast in the footsteps of his two rakehell uncles. Though more gentle and kindhearted in his love affairs, he is definitely a man interested in pleasure for pleasure's sake. Unlike other reviewers, I found it exhilarating to have a hero who wasn't an alpha male. Beyond popular belief, not all women are attracted to overbearing brutes and that's usually the type of hero you find in this genre. Derek Malory is a cut above the rest.

Kelsey Langton, though gently bred, must sell herself in a house of pleasure to save her family. Ignorant in the art of love, Kelsey is forced to act as mistress to the man who buys her. I was extremely impressed with Kelsey's character. She's strong, brave and self-sacrificing. In a genre full of selfish, conceited heroines Kelsey shines.

I've read numerous Regency-era romances, but _Say You Love Me_ is far from being a cardboard copy of the rest. The premise is interesting, the mystery intriguing and the love between Derek and Kelsey is sweet without being sugary. In fact, I found the entire book uniquely pleasurable -- I could scarcely make myself put it down.

_Say You Love Me_ would be an amazing story on its own, but it's even better as an addition to the Malory family saga. All of the previous characters are involved in the plot and help move the story along. As usual, their wit and charm make for an outstanding adventure.

Over the last 10 years I've come to expect great things from Ms. Lindsey and once again she's proven why that is. She creates memorable characters, puts them in fascinating situations and ties it all together with excitement, passion, romance and humor. I highly recommend this book to all fans of the Malory family.