One Wicked Night (Zebra Splendor Historical Romances)

Rating:
Summary: I didn't enjoy this at all.....
Review: Am I reading too many historical romances lately? Probably. Am I getting too jaded and picky? Probably not. I read only highly rated Amazon books because I haven't got time for mediocre or poorly written ones. But my advice to you is: don't trust all of the 16 favorable reviews written here. I agree with the few that said this book was definitely flawed. Serena and Lucien, the main characters in One Wicked Night, are flat and 2-dimensional. They are in constant denial, denial, denial about their feelings toward each other. The few scenes that had a glimmer of sensitivity and compassion are immediately marred by an abrupt reversal of feelings or actions. Take this for example: Serena whispers, trembling:"I killed him." Lucien answers: "He deserved to die". Immediately it's OK, so she says: "You're right. I'm not sorry." Give. Me. A. Break. There were other scenes just as shallow. Don't waste your time on this poorly written little book - go for the gusto with books like China Bride by Mary Jo Putney or Fia, The Ravishing One by Connie Brockway. You'll enjoy them soooo much more than this. And after all, who's got time for books that aren't really great?

Rating:
Summary: Annoying heroine and time-worn plot sink this book
Review: Been there, read that. This book is so full of cliches it sinks under the weight of them. Serena Boyce is married to an aging, impotent duke who insists she take a lover to give him the heir he needs in order to prevent the dukedom from going to his slimy nephew. Pious, self-righteous Serena means to refuse, but after being rescued from Lucien, Marquess of Clayborne, she finds she can't resist him. They make love, she conceives, the duke is murdered. At this point you might expect Serena to be grateful for Lucien's insistence that they marry. He wishes to protect her, but fearful ad nauseum ad infinitum of being perceived as wanton as her mother, Serena balks. I didn't like Serena. In addition to acting "too stupid to live" on more than one occasion, her over-the-top moral stand becomes old in a hurry. I liked Lucien a little more, though his insistence on seeing Serena in the same light as his first wife, continues far too long. I never understood what Lucien saw in Serena to make him want her so much. When she isn't melting in his arms, she's cold, haughty and so self-righteous you want to throw something at her. Like this book.

Rating:
Summary: Was this a first draft?
Review: I was bored, bored, bored with this book. After seeing so many 5 stars from reviewers, I looked forward to a good read. Unfortunately, the formulic plot, inspid heroine, dashing but tortured hero made for a long, long, read. Lady Serena, who married an old geezer who can't consumate their marriage (now in its third year) asks her to take a lover to beget a heir. Serena spend practically the whole book prosing morality and that was boring. Anyway, she and Lucien meet and get together (physically) in a good scene but that is about it. Her husband is murdered by his heir, the evil Alastair. Lucien marries Serena and even though it is obvious they have more than great physical chemistry, the book is one scene after the other of mis-communication and their inability to relate as a couple. Oh, let's not forget Alastair and his never ending sting of attempts to kill Serena. Don't adle you brain with this book. It would have been a much better book had Serena and Lucien married and tried to build a marriage together, and then try to deal with Alastair. In the end, Serena is not very bright and really, quite the shrew. Also, Lucien's ex-wife was just another waste of story line. Should have left her on the continent.