Rating: 
Summary: A Brilliant Story....
Review: "The Seduction" is a book that I have had for quite some time, but for one reason or another had never gotten around to reading....Im so glad that I came upon it the other day...what a treasure!! Funnily enough, the book didnt have me in its clutches until AFTER the initial successful "seduction" took place...I adored their first lovemaking scene..it wasnt the sex specifically, but all of the wonderfully intimate "pillow talk" that we were able to look in on...very different from other "sex scenes" that I have read...very romantic and tender. I was also pleasantly suprised to see that,at one point, this book took a turn in a totally unpredictable direction(Something that I think any lover of the romance genre would be hard pressed to say about the vast majority of other books.)There was also the mysterious character "Robert Dovenby" that I am hoping will have his own book!!!!This was really a wonderful story..DEFINITELY a MUST READ!!!
Rating:
Summary: Ms. Ross/Ewing is back in form!
Review: A beautifully written book with complex, sympathetic characters. The basic plot is one of the most hackneyed, overdone plots in the romance genre, but Ms. Ross has managed to bring forth a magical, unique story that does not insult the reader's intelligence and is not formulaic in the least. My only minor complaints are that the love between the two main characters does not seem as well developed as it might have been (they have known each other only for a week, of course), that the villain is a little too unredeemable, and that the characters contain shades of Nigel and Frances's characters/speech patterns from Ms. Ewing's Illusions. I thoroughly enjoyed it, nonetheless, and can't wait for her next effort!
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful Georgian era romance.
Review: A vastly enjoyable romance, which was a pleasure to read. I'm horrible at writing plot summaries, so I'll leave that to someone else. I simply wish to add one more five star rating, the book is that and more. Another reviewer classed it as a Regency era romance. I regard the setting as Georgian, an era that ended about the time of the French Revolution. Juliet wears, "stiffened panniers" at one point in the story. A pannier is one of a pair of hoops formerly used to expand women's skirts at the sides. The fashion had ended by about 1790 and Juliet's dress is "five years out of fashion". Regency England took place between 1811 and 1820.
Rating: 
Summary: An unpredictable romance
Review: Alden Granville, Viscount Gracechurch, knows that he has nothing left to lose in one last wager with Lord Edward Vane. He already lost everything he owns to the man and his friend Sir Reginald Denby. This time, though, the odds are on his side, and so he accepts the unexpected bet that Vane suggests. Alden's reputation as a rake is well-known, and no woman has ever resisted him. So how can he fail to seduce the mysterious and beautiful Mistress Juliet Seton? The seduction begins in the woman's beautiful garden, where Alden's schemes are destroyed by an unfortunate bee sting. Annoyed by the stranger's interruption of her peaceful life, but unable to miss his male attractiveness, Juliet nurses him and agrees to a game of chess to pass the time until he's fit to leave... When Alden suggests they play chess every night, she's tempted to refuse, but the weight of loneliness makes this unwelcome and yet so soothing companionship too tempting to deny. Game after game, Alden sets out to seduce Juliet, who proves herself a difficult prey in love and worthy opponent in chess. Keeping in mind that he's trying to bed her only to save his estate and fortune becomes more and more difficult as nights of sweet and witty discussions bring their hearts closer... This book had been recommended to me by friends, and so I was eager to discover Julia Ross' writing. Her style is indeed very romantic and refreshing; her characters are portrayed in a way that draws the reader's interest into what's happening to them, and her depicture of Alden and Juliet's daily game of chess is very enthralling. I could feel the proverbial noose tighten around the heart of both main characters, and I was kept on the edge of my seat throughout their mutual seduction. Unfortunately, after the games ceased, the story took a melodramatic turn that I couldn't fully believe. Thankfully, the impeccable writing and very romantic love between Alden and Juliet helped me suspend disbelief even as Ms Ross piled up new developments that looked more and more forced to this reader. The revelations about Alden's characters and his motives to save his fortune managed to keep my interest fully awake, and so despite a few niggles about the not-always-believable plots to destroy Alden and Juliet, I still recommend The Seduction as a very good and enjoyable read. Julia Ross is certainly an author I want to read more from!
Rating:
Summary: Simply Seductive
Review: Based on past reading experience with Julia Ross's books, I began reading THE SEDUCTION with very high hopes. I was not disappointed. Taking place during the Georigan period, the settings and costumes are absolutely luscious! The main characters, Alden and Juliet, seem to be as opposite as 2 people can be -- who only meet due to Alden losing a wager. Throughout the story, Juliet and Alden's interactions -- and the reasons for how they act -- flow and intermingle so smoothly it is hard to put the book down. These characters get under your skin. And the writing is so fantastic (elegant, smooth, accessible) that I immediately began a reread upon completion. I cannot recommend this book enough!
Rating:
Summary: This Book Seduced Me
Review: Having read her earlier novel - which I loved - I eagerly anticipated this latest novel and certainly have not been disappointed. The opening prologue did not endear me to the hero, Viscount Gracechurch, a rake and a gambler, who would be in total ruin if he did not win at least one final wager - bed the widow Mistriss Juliet Seton at designated place within five days and procure a locket she wore around her throat that she was never without. A nasty piece of work or positive ruin! I am amazed at the reviewers who had trouble getting through this book as I found that once started, I couldn't put it down! Not only was I enthralled with the complex depth of characters and scintillating dialog, but I couldn't wait to find out what Mistriss Julia Seton's secret was. I was virtually on pins and needles wanting to know her secrets - why such a distrust and fear for males! For that matter, what were the motives behind the seemingly innocent wager put to Viscount Gracechurch by the devious Lord Edward? Not only was 'the seduction' so beautifully worded and enacted but there was so much more! Betrayal, treachery, romance, seduction and some very dark and deep secrets to discover. Might I ask what more could you ask for? Bravo Ms. Ross - this offering is a sure fire winner! Outstanding, I highly recommend this novel.
Rating:
Summary: strong regency
Review: He has just lost everything including Gracehurch Abbey to Lord Edward Vane, but his arrogant opponent offers one last wager. Desperately willing to further hazard his already ruined reputation since he cannot pay his current debt, Viscount Alden Granville-Strachan accepts the bet on a last hand of cards. If he wins his debt is clean, but if he loses he must bed the widow Miss Juliet Seton with proof being her locket. Alden a renowned rake feels he cannot lose either way. Alden begins THE SEDUCTION of Juliet in her garden only to be stung by a bee that leaves him unconscious at her feet. Wary of males bearing romance, Juliet takes her wounded suitor into her home to recover. Soon he plays chess with her that quickly leads to other games, but Alden finds himself falling for his charming, beautiful, cautious hostess even as others play puppetry games of degradation for no apparent reason except perhaps debasing the duo. If Regency buffs read the above two paragraphs they will conclude that Julia Ross has written a typical sub-genre romance. However, that would ignore the author's incredible ability to freshen the era through her strong characters. THE SEDUCTION is no paint by the numbers tale, but instead a gripping novel starring two wonderfully tainted romantic skeptics as lead protagonists. How can readers "be sure in a world that is constantly changing, they can be sure" with Ms. Ross. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: I wish there were more stars I could give this book
Review: I have enjoyed all of Julia Ross's previous books, especially My Dark Prince. The Seduction may be her best yet. Complex, real, lushly described, powerful. This author did a fantastic job depicting the Regency era, and now she's just as great in the Georgian. She's captured the flamboyancy and cynicism of the time and turn it on its head and shown us that love - innocent, naive, simple love - still conquers all!
Rating:
Summary: Can't Quite Put My Finger On It...
Review: I liked this book...sort of. I liked the writing, a lot. I liked the premise. I even like the hero and heroine. But for some reason, I can't give it a full five stars. To sum up the story, Alden Granville-Strachan, Viscount Gracechurch, has found himself in the dubious position of certain ruin unless he is able to seduce one widowed and apparently un-seduceable Juliet Seton within a week's time. Through carefully orchestrated machinations, Alden gets Juliet to agree to a week's worth of chess games, time spent together giving him opportunity to work his magic. At first Juliet does resist the notorious rake's charms, but before long, she finds herself drawn to him and unable to fight her growing attraction. For his part, Alden is shocked when Juliet proves impossible to forget as he has managed to do with all of his other conquests. Using her so coldly to regain his fortune and estates becomes not only undesirable but downright horrifying to him. Could this be true love? Perhaps I'm a cynic, but I had a hard time with the verbal aspects of the seduction. The time Juliet and Alden spent in her garden, tossing bon mots back and forth with each other while their desires climbed seemed unrealistic to me. I may simply be too jaded to think that it would require physical involvement to invoke such responses. Or perhaps I've just never met a rake with the power to whip me into a frenzy simply by talking to me. I didn't want Juliet to desire Alden, at least not so quickly. She responded immediately to his male beauty and virility, which is very natural. But for a woman known for her ability to resist seduction, her reaction to him was like every other woman he'd ever seduced. With only flashy clothes, a dazzling smile and sweet talk, he had her nearly quivering with desire. I guess I wanted her to discover something about Alden that made him different from other men - so different that it overcame her determination not to be seduced. In the end, I didn't see that Juliet saw much to Alden beyond his pretty face and stunning body. As for Alden, I still don't quite understand how he ended up in the position he was in, having gambled away his entire estate and fortune. He seemed quite sensible, so to have gotten himself in that dire predicament was stretching believability for me. I also had a hard time getting over my image of a man draped in scads and scads of lace and other peacock finery. I know that it was the fashion of the time, but with my modern sensibilities, I found it hard to imagine a very masculine, virile man who wore face paint. This, however, is my problem, not an indication that the story isn't well written or researched. The story itself was quite interesting - the twists in the plot and the utter betrayal experienced by both of these characters is utterly heartbreaking as they are used as pawns in a game of revenge and greed. And I wanted these two to be together, so in that the book was quite satisfying. I do recommend this book. Just can't quite put my finger on why I'm not raving about it.
Rating:
Summary: Great read
Review: i loved that the hero was such a dandy, even a pretend one. I mean what man could pull of wearing pink jackets, lace and high heels and still seem so rougish and charming?
| 
