Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely horrible
Review: Don't bother! This books has no emotion. My feminist sensibilities were very offended by their whole relationships- she agrees to be his mistress, changes her mind, he forces her anyway, she forgives him, he treats her badly again later, she hates him, she forgives him, and it starts all over again. The basic story line had potential, but it was quickly tossed asside for some unknown reason. Pick another book to read.
Rating: 
Summary: Dark and Uninteresting...
Review: I AM a fan of this author, but this book was just too brooding, not a feel good type of romance. Sure the turmoil taking place in France & America was very real, and this author didn't come close to relaying it realistically - one example: a woman frets because she thinks Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr might show up at the same party but noooo, someone says, the Hamiltons were specifically not invited because Burr was; according to history, things like that did not happen, and these two men, were in fact, cordial to one another in public, (I hate to defend Burr, but it's true). Sounds trivial, sure, but so much of this book was based on actual events, it should be accurate.
Rating:
Summary: Have to agree
Review: I didn't realize until I was done that this was a reprint. From the beginning, I found the writing almost reporter-like, lacking empathy. The purported emotions didn't seem to ring true, although there was enough situational drama that it ought to have rung the heartstrings. Instead it was quite flat. Several times the story line went into past tense, which was less engaging, and sometimes put-offing. It almost seemed that Ms. Thornton couldn't figure out how to describe the scene real time. Adam had the kind of scarred past that I usually find appealing, and Claire was in theory a strong woman (who seemed to go to pieces rather frequently). Lots of secondary characters, many of whom didn't really add to the basic story line. I skimmed a good chuck of the book, just to see if it got more interesting. Which it didn't.
Rating:
Summary: Humorless, boring
Review: I didn't realize until I was done that this was a reprint. From the beginning, I found the writing almost reporter-like, lacking empathy. The purported emotions didn't seem to ring true, although there was enough situational drama that it ought to have rung the heartstrings. Instead it was quite flat. Several times the story line went into past tense, which was less engaging, and sometimes put-offing. It almost seemed that Ms. Thornton couldn't figure out how to describe the scene real time. Adam had the kind of scarred past that I usually find appealing, and Claire was in theory a strong woman (who seemed to go to pieces rather frequently). Lots of secondary characters, many of whom didn't really add to the basic story line. I skimmed a good chuck of the book, just to see if it got more interesting. Which it didn't.
Rating:
Summary: Have to agree
Review: I have to agree with the other readers who gave a low rating for this book. I have read all of Elizabeth Thornton's other books and have enjoyed them immensely. This one, I just couldn't get myself into. I read half and then just skimmed to the end. I guess every author is entitled to a bomb in their career and I think this is Ms. Thornton's.
Rating:
Summary: Are Books Like This Still Being Written?
Review: I hope not. While, with a stretch, I can accept the premise that the hero has to act like a bastard for cloak and dagger reasons, I really can't imagine any woman ever forgiving a man who could do something like this. Only in porno movies and really, really bad books do women fall in love with men who rape them (yes, the term is rape, not forced love-making, as another reviewer wrote.) After this part, any sense that the characters could be real left me-I found it a chore to read the rest.
Rating:
Summary: Awful and insulting!
Review: I was really grossed out by the suggestions of rape being okay in this book. Actually I have read the first in this series Tender the Storm and the same scenario plays out there. Her other books were really good and I hope she gets off this rape but not really theme. Come on Ms Thornton, we really dont buy the sugarcoated version of abuse and rape in this book - its just stupid. Plus the story line was boring. I lost interest in the characters and this long winded saga very early! Dont bother reading this.
Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely Fabulous!
Review: I'm a big fan of Elizabeth Thornton's and I love all her books. True, this one isn't as polished as some of her more recent releases, but at its center is a love story. And a happily ever after!
Rating:
Summary: Nobody Does It Better!
Review: The second novel of the Deveraux trilogy chronicles the life of the eldest daughter Claire Deveraux during the height of the French Revolution in 1773. She knows the look of a man, and though a maiden, is ready to sacrifice herself for the sake of her siblings, Zoe and Leon. Though the reputation of the man in question, Deputy of Rouen, Phillipe Duhet, is horrifying and the mere sight of him makes her skin crawl, she would do anything, sacrifice anything to save her family from the guillotine. Unbeknownst to Claire is that the bargain made with Phillipe Duhet, and the man who returned seemingly to her mind to collect, was not the same Phillipe but his look-alike half brother, an American spy, Adam Dillon. Adam took on the role as part of an elaborate scheme to help French citizens avoid the guillotine, and escape to America, but more than that it would be payback for the abuse Adam had suffered at the hands of his step-brother. Adam, walked in cold to assume his brother's identity and found more than he bargained for - none other than a beautiful woman that he had admired but could not approach as he waited his chance to affect the switch. Finding Claire ensconced in his brother's house and knowing of his cruel nature, he assumed she was his mistress so he acted out the way he knew his cruel brother would. To show any kind of concern would have been totally out of character and dangerous for the lives of those he proposed to save. The bigger question was, who would save him from the dangerous feelings of caring and love he felt for Claire should he slip and let go of the façade of cruelty he needed to portray.I am amazed that other people who have reviewed this novel - just don't seem to get it! Yes there are scenes of rape and violent behavior, and if you are fainthearted, then this book is not for you. The story was exciting, set in the middle of the turbulence that was France during the period when neighbor turned against neighbor at the drop of a hat. The romance was there, because in spite of the forced lovemaking, Claire knew that there was something different and good about this Phillipe. The abandonment, the cruelties, and the forgiveness are all essential parts of this wonderful `historical' romance. Without these elements the story would be flat - but this outstanding author has pulled it all together to give you a fast paced, exciting and deeply sensual novel of excitement, love, lust, and forgiveness in a style that is all her own. Bravo Ms. Thornton!
Rating:
Summary: Nobody Does It Better!
Review: The second novel of the Deveraux trilogy chronicles the life of the eldest daughter Claire Deveraux during the height of the French Revolution in 1773. She knows the look of a man, and though a maiden, is ready to sacrifice herself for the sake of her siblings, Zoe and Leon. Though the reputation of the man in question, Deputy of Rouen, Phillipe Duhet, is horrifying and the mere sight of him makes her skin crawl, she would do anything, sacrifice anything to save her family from the guillotine. Unbeknownst to Claire is that the bargain made with Phillipe Duhet, and the man who returned seemingly to her mind to collect, was not the same Phillipe but his look-alike half brother, an American spy, Adam Dillon. Adam took on the role as part of an elaborate scheme to help French citizens avoid the guillotine, and escape to America, but more than that it would be payback for the abuse Adam had suffered at the hands of his step-brother. Adam, walked in cold to assume his brother's identity and found more than he bargained for - none other than a beautiful woman that he had admired but could not approach as he waited his chance to affect the switch. Finding Claire ensconced in his brother's house and knowing of his cruel nature, he assumed she was his mistress so he acted out the way he knew his cruel brother would. To show any kind of concern would have been totally out of character and dangerous for the lives of those he proposed to save. The bigger question was, who would save him from the dangerous feelings of caring and love he felt for Claire should he slip and let go of the façade of cruelty he needed to portray. I am amazed that other people who have reviewed this novel - just don't seem to get it! Yes there are scenes of rape and violent behavior, and if you are fainthearted, then this book is not for you. The story was exciting, set in the middle of the turbulence that was France during the period when neighbor turned against neighbor at the drop of a hat. The romance was there, because in spite of the forced lovemaking, Claire knew that there was something different and good about this Phillipe. The abandonment, the cruelties, and the forgiveness are all essential parts of this wonderful 'historical' romance. Without these elements the story would be flat - but this outstanding author has pulled it all together to give you a fast paced, exciting and deeply sensual novel of excitement, love, lust, and forgiveness in a style that is all her own. Bravo Ms. Thornton!
|
