The Duke of Kylemore knows her as Soraya, London's most celebrated courtesan. Men fight duels to spend an hour in her company. And only he comes close to taming her. Flying in the face of society, he decides to make her his bride; then, she vanishes, seemingly into thin air.
Dire circumstances have forced Verity Ashton to barter her innocence and change her name for the sake of her family. But Kylemore destroys her plans for a respectable life when he discovers her safe haven. He kidnaps her, sweeping her away to his hunting lodge in Scotland, where he vows to bend her to his will.
There he seduces her anew. Verity spends night after night with him in his bed . . . and though she still dreams of escape and independence, she knows she can never flee the unexpected, unwelcome love for the proud, powerful lover who claims her both body and soul.
Michelle D. (Michelle74) from ROCKLEDGE, FL wrote on 6/18/2007...
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
A very unusual plot and story line. A little more explicit than I usually read and tend to enjoy, but a happily ever after in the end.
A duke is chasing after his former mistress refusing to acknowledge her dismissal (legally) and commits all kinds of acts of madness to get her and break her. She sees through it all to eventually fall in love.
The writing is very descriptive and imaginative as it travels from London to Scotland in 1825.
I'd heard mixed reviews on this book and decided to read for myself. the story does tend to drag a bit in the middle and the heroine tended to be a bit confusing at times...she wants him..she doesn't want him. both the hero and heroine have demons in their past that have to deal with but I found them both likeable enuf to finish the book in one sitting. my verdict...I really liked this book!
Melinda F. (Lindy67) from BREWTON, AL wrote on 5/28/2007...
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book is a wonderful debut. Well written characters, a fresh storyline and a real page turner. Ms. Campbell has a winner here, if this is the beginning, I can't wait to read any future books from her.
found the h/h immature and the story to violent; really, there's no love story here.
Karen H. (warbler43) from GARNER, NC wrote on 9/7/2007...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Good but slow moving story, barely held my interest. A very dark story but finally picked up the pace in the last 5 chapters to reach the HEA. My grade 2 stars.
Aemelia M. (Aemelia) from ALGER, MI wrote on 6/15/2007...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I really enjoyed this story.
Kristin H. (hawkeye) from NORTH LIBERTY, IA wrote on 5/8/2007...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
A very entertaining read!
Judy H. from STERLING, CO wrote on 5/7/2007...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Soraya is a high paid courtesan. She is kept by the Duke of Kylemore. At the beginning of their liason a contract for her to be released in one year. However the Duke doesn't intend to release her. She flees. He finds her and kidnaps her. He takes her to his hunting lodge in Scotland, far from civilization. Now he must convince her to stay with him. Maybe even marry him. She is determined to live her life free of any commitments. Who will win the battle of wills?
Anny P. (wolfnme) from EASTPORT, NY wrote on 4/23/2007...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
About this title: Making her scintillating debut, Campbell pens a captivating romance in which the Duke of Kylemore decides to buck society and make London's most celebrated courtesan his bride. RRegency noir--different and intriguing.S--Stephanie Laurens.
Gwen G. (samsgirl) from BROOKLYN, NY wrote on 4/16/2007...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Great story, unable to put it down. Has generated much controvery among Romance readers.
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S. I. (RedHeadDread) from BRONX, NY wrote on 9/24/2008...
This is a well-written book about an ugly subject. I don't think I could have finished it, given the whole abduction of the heroine, to say nothing of the repeated non-consensual sex that is at the heart of this book if the writing were not up to the level that it is.
This book has stirred controversy. It is far from the only book in the genre to feature a hero who overpowers the heroine, sexually and otherwise, and yet ends happily. True, most of those others were written many years ago. The difference between this book and the others I've read (and been unable to finish) is the writing.
Some people are going to hate this book, some may love it. If you find non-consensual sex to be abhorrent no matter how politely described, do yourself a favor and steer clear.
I would give the story 1.5 stars and the writing 4 stars, so 2.5 overall.
Barbara F. from RUSHVILLE, NY wrote on 1/27/2008...