Ravished

Rating:
Summary: A Gem
Review: Amanda Quick does it again. Harriet is an intelligent fossil hunter but a social amatuer who is just unconcerned enough about the goings on between men and women that she completely dismisses the scandal haunting the emotionally wounded Gideon. Her faith in him is absolute and the scene where she physically defends his honor by knocking a vicar to the ground in front of the ton and proceeds to pound on him remains one of the best scenes ever written in a romance novel. The characters are a delight, and the story is fast paced and exciting. I re read this book several times over the course of a year, and once left it in a taxi. When I discovered its loss, I went immediately to the closest bookstore and bought it again because the thought of it not being on my bookshelf was impossible. Thanks for another jewel, Ms. Quick.

Rating:
Summary: A prime Amanda Quick book
Review: Another great endearingly quirky but strong heroine, another great brooding but strong hero. Good mystery plot, good romance. The best part is that the hero clearly can't help but need and love this particular woman because of who she is (I hate it when there's no particular motivation but beauty for the hero to single a woman out). One of my favorite books.

Rating:
Summary: Taming the beast...
Review: Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite fairy tale. When I was younger, I wanted to hear the story every night. There is just something magical about the tale that draws me to it like a moth to a flame. So when _Ravished_ came my way, I was once more swept away into this magical story of where a charming beauty tames a beast.

Six years ago, Gideon Westbrock, the Beast of Blackthorne Hall, had his honor questioned for life. He was engaged to a woman who was pregnant before their marriage. The night she told Gideon, she killed herself. Everyone said that the Beast drove her to her death. This was also around the time when Gideon's brother was killed, and there were whispers about his being involved in the killing so that Gideon would come into the title and the money that should have gone to his older brother. With a scarred face to match his reputation, Gideon retreted from Society to become a hermit whose only activity was to watch over his father's estates.

In Upper Biddleton, a small seaside town, lived Harriet Pomerory, a vicar's daughter. When her father died, Harriet took up responsibility of running the house. Her aunt came to live with Harriet and Felicity (Harriet's sister) becoming their gaurdian and helping Felicity prepare for a season that the three hope will be sponsered by another one of their aunts. Harriet does not care for Society and spends her time indulging in her one hobby, fossil collecting. So, when she discovers that there is a ring of theives opperating in her caves, who does she summon but Gideon. Little does Harriet know that she has just summoned the Beast of Blackthorne Hall back to Upper Biddleton.

Gideon and Harriet are instatnly attracted to one another, and Harriet looks past Gideon's scars. The two are crompromised one night in the caves, and Gideon offers for Harriet's hand in marriage. Harriet accepts, but is not willing to give up her freedom. Will the two be able to live together in harmony. Can Harriet melt Gideon's heart of stone? What about the ring of theives in the caves?

_Ravished_ was by far my favorite Amanda Quick book. I loved the Beauty and the Beast tale, the sea side villiage, the glimpse of the ton, Gideon, Harriet, basically everything in the book. I really felt awful for Gideon. He has such a gentle soul and sense of honor, but he was ruined by vicous gossip. When he meets Harriet, it is obvious that she is the only one who can heal his wounds. Harriet was wonderful. Although she was not a complete beauty, Gideon made her feel breath taking. That was one thing about the two, they complimented each other. Gideon made Harriet feel beautiful, and Harriet made Gideon feel handsom. They fit together like peanut butter and jelly, and it was nice to see Gideon be so affectionate to Harriet right from the begining. All of the characters were well fleshed out and extremly well developed and three demensional. As always, Amanda Quick made her side characters important, and I loved reading about them as much as Harriet and Gideon. The mystery was one of Amanda's best. It was very complex, and there was more then one answer... it kept me guessing until the end. So, do yourself a favor and read this wonderful tale about a beast and the woman who wins his heart. Highly recomended.

Rating:
Summary: Amanda Quick¿s most heavenly hero!
Review: Christened The Beast of Blackthorne Hall, it is said Gideon Westbrook, Viscount St. Justin, ravished and caused the suicide of a country rector's daughter. With a scarred face to match his marred reputation, all and sundry feared Gideon, all that is, except Harriet Pomeroy. Seeking aid to protect her sacred caves, Harriet turns to the most powerful land owner in the district, unaware of his insidious past. Together they form a bond that sets Society on it's ear and has the whole 'ton' talking in Amanda Quick's _Ravished_. I am a firm believer in Amanda Quick's talent to shape characters that are not only three dimensional but people you'd feel privileged to know. In _Ravished_ she creates the finest characters of her career. Gideon will touch your heart. It is difficult to put into words just what you will feel for Gideon. While he is domineering, headstrong, and arrogant on the surface, beneath his confident facade lurks a man who has endured more physical and emotional pain than anyone should be forced to experience. The instant you meet Gideon, you know, just as Harriet knows, that he is incapable of the vile things people claim he did. He is kind, giving and the very epitome of a true gentleman. Harriet is a tyrannical bluestocking who has just the right flare to tame the Beast. She is honorable, noble and you instantly love the way she guards and protects Gideon. It is charming to watch her spar with the people who would smear Gideon's name. While the romance is the main focus of this book, Ms. Quick adds just the right amount of humor and mystery to keep things interesting. There were quite a few places I found myself laughing aloud! The main thing I loved about this book though, was the fact that both the hero and the heroine *need* each other. Gideon makes Harriet feel beautiful and Harriet heals the wounds that impair Gideon's soul. As always, I was more than pleased in my selection. _Ravished_ will be a book I visit *very*, *very* often.

Rating:
Summary: Truly an enjoyable ROMANTIC novel!
Review: Excellent work by Quick. We are presented with a truly likeable character in Harriet. She's the "everywoman's" heroine. Intelligent, bright, spunky, not a fashion plate and not dazzlingly beautiful. She is a bluestocking who loves to collect fossils! Her mate is the Beast of Blackthorn Hall, Gideon. A strong man burdened with a scarred face and scarred reputation. Together they forge a strong love that really makes one laugh and cry. While learning to love one another they also foil jewel theives, stop a rapist and catch a killer. Exciting plot with many twists and fast paced. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: What a book!
Review: Excellent!! I still don't know why I bought this book (I always thought romance novels ranked up there with tabloids) but once I opened it, I couldn't put it down!

Rating:
Summary: Romance and Mystery Perfectly Blended
Review: HIGHLY recommended. This book is riveting with its delightful humor, fast-paced action and exquisite love story between the 2 main characters. Ms. Quick writes about intelligent heroines, in this case a fossil collector who prizes old bones above wealth, jewels and Society. It is a charming tale of how she recognizes the true nature of the man who becomes her husband, despite his dreadful reputation in Society. The chemistry between them is electric. Ms. Quick has an extraordinary ability to weave romance successfully with mystery. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Rating:
Summary: Funny, Romantic, and Enjoyable
Review: I absolutely love Amanda Quick. I have read about fifteen of her books and am reading more all the time. Ravished is my favorite of all her books so far. If you have read a lot of Quick's stories you probably have recognized the rather obvious storyline trend. While she basically only uses one formula, it is a very effective one. I really enjoy these stories. They are fun, fast-paced, and very romantic.

The two lead characters, Harriet and Gideon, make a very interesting team. They are complete opposites, which creates a strong chemistry between them. I think this particular story is my favorite because in addition to the romance and suspense aspects, which can be found in all Amanada Quick novels, Ravished is also really funny. I found myself laughing out loud throughout the story. Harriet's quirky eccentricities are a stark contrast to Gideon's strongly controlled actions. Even physically, they are opposite.

Ravished is a fun and easy read. One that will have you laughing continuously from the first page!

Rating:
Summary: Maybe I am being premature in my review, but...
Review: I have read A. Quick's books before, and have yet to find one I have totally loved. But for some reason I keep going back to her books. I guess because her writing is usually fast-paced and light, and an enjoyable read.

Unfortunately, I am in the middle of reading this book and it is boring me utterly. Where is the conflict? It's sweet to see Harriet's constant defense of Gideon, but the two main characters just don't seem to mesh well. I am just hoping the rest of the novel isn't as disappointing as the beginning.

Rating:
Summary: Another winner
Review: I own this book and because of constant re-readings I had to purchase another, Ravished is a great book, the hero is a man who is huge, scarred and unhappy, the heroine is past her first blush as the English would say and happy with her fosil's but someone is storing their ill gotten gains in her caves (or I should say the hero's caves as he owns the land) so she contacts him to clean up the bad guys so she can continue to explore for her beloved fosils, and in the imtrim, she falls in love (it takes him longer)they catch the bad guys and as with all her books there are many twists and turns and another very happy ending and a great story.