New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh invites us into an intoxicating world--a select academy for young ladies -- and introduces two unlikely lovers: a truly marvelous heroine, music teacher Frances Allard, and the man who seduces her with a passion no woman could possibly forget....
They meet in a ferocious snowstorm. She is a young teacher with a secret past. He is the black-caped stranger who comes to her rescue. Stranded together in a country inn, Lucius Marshall and Frances Allard share a night of glorious, unforgettable passion. But Frances knows her place. Due to begin her teaching position at Miss Martin's School in Bath, Frances must try to forget that one extraordinary night. But when fate once again throws them together, Lucius's passionate, single-minded pursuit will force Frances to give up all her secrets -- except one -- to win the heart of the man she already loves.
Catalina F. (Catalina) from N HOLLYWOOD, CA wrote on 5/3/2007...
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
Loved it. One of this author's best! The hero was exceedingly human in his absolute utter frustration with the heroine throughout the book. Frequently made me laugh out loud - the genuine-ness of his exasperation. A lot of fun to read!
Heather Y. (Heathery) from EVERTON, AR wrote on 7/28/2006...
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
Good book, although I prefered Balogh's Slightly serious better. The main female character in this book is whiney and bossy. I wasnt really endearing....
Vici G. from HARRISONBURG, VA wrote on 4/24/2008...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
First book in the "simply" series and it is simply wonderful! I have been sidetracked with paranormal books and some of the historial books have not given me the escape I like to experience when I read. THIS book did. It could have been the typical "opposite attract" story but instead it pulls you in and you want the happy ending more than the characters do. Plus it has the added fantasy of being pursued, and pursued and pursued until you have to give in...ahhhh, gotta love that!
Cynthia C. (crafttac) from TACOMA, WA wrote on 4/2/2007...
I thought the hero was too good for the heroine, but I loved the book overall. Balogh never misses!
Catherine D. (kadouds) from PEACHTREE CTY, GA wrote on 1/19/2007...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I love this author and I absolutly adored this series! I highly recommend it.
Mahealani W. from HONOLULU, HI wrote on 5/1/2007...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Mary Balogh invites us into an intoxicating world -- a select academy for young ladies -- and introduces two unlikely lovers: a truly marvelous heroine, music teacher Frances Allard, and the man who seduces her with a passion no woman could possibly forget...
They meet in a ferocious snowstorm. She is a young teacher with a ssecret past. He is the black-caped stranger who comes to her rescue. Stranded together in a country inn, Lucius Marshall and Frances Allard share a night of glorious, unforgettable passion. But Frances knows her place. Due to begin her teching position at Miss Martin's School in Bath, Frances must try to forget that one extraordinary night. But when fate once again throws them together, Lucius's passionate, single-minded pursuit will force Frances to give up all her secrets -- except one -- to win the heart of the man she already loves.
-- More brain candy. Too much gets you sick, but just enough makes you happy! --
Linda F. (BamaReader) from BREWTON, AL wrote on 1/10/2007...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Mary does it again. Cant wait for the next one of the series.
Rebecca B. (Gardenpoet) from TUCSON, AZ wrote on 1/7/2007...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Amazing
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Samantha Y. (samanthachels) from KELSEYVILLE, CA wrote on 3/17/2008...
They meet in a ferocious snowstorm. She is a young teacher with a secret past. He is the cool, black-caped stranger who unexpectedly comes to her rescue. Between these two unlikely strangers, desire is instantaneous…and utterly impossible to resist. Stranded together in a rustic country inn, Lucius Marshall, who is the Viscount Sinclair, and Frances Allard share a night of glorious, unforgettable passion. But Frances knows her placeâ€"and it is far from the privileged world of the sensual aristocrat. Due to begin her teaching position at Miss Martin's School in Bath, Frances must try to forget that one extraordinary nightâ€"and the man who touched her with such exquisite tenderness and abandon.
Samantha Y. (samanthachels) from KELSEYVILLE, CA wrote on 3/17/2008...
They meet in a ferocious snowstorm. She is a young teacher with a secret past. He is the cool, black-caped stranger who unexpectedly comes to her rescue. Between these two unlikely strangers, desire is instantaneous…and utterly impossible to resist. Stranded together in a rustic country inn, Lucius Marshall, who is the Viscount Sinclair, and Frances Allard share a night of glorious, unforgettable passion. But Frances knows her placeâ€"and it is far from the privileged world of the sensual aristocrat. Due to begin her teaching position at Miss Martin's School in Bath, Frances must try to forget that one extraordinary nightâ€"and the man who touched her with such exquisite tenderness and abandon.
This book was so disappointing. It's full of cliches and ridiculous behavior. You have the virgin schoolmarm who is beautiful but doesn't know it and the high society rake who must marry a high born lady to pacify his grandaddy. These two conveniently get stranded together (without chaperone) during a snowstorm and within what seems like hours decide to have sex because, well, you can only make so many snowmen in a day, eh? Did I mention that she was a virgin? But the worst sin of this book is the fact that the writing is so freaking boring. This author usually excels at characterization and character motivation but this time it feels like she wrote it while on auto-pilot and it makes me so very sad.
Kathy S. (1nthesun) from NARROWS, VA wrote on 7/25/2007...
simply forgettable
weak characters, bad plot
Melissa H. from PORTSMOUTH, RI wrote on 2/14/2007...
I did not read this book. book is in great condition, never read.
O'Brien M. (Romance-fan) from PASADENA, CA wrote on 1/14/2007...
...A truly marvelous heroine, music teacher Frances Allard, and the man who seduces her with a passion no woman could possibly forget....
As always with Mary Balogh's writing, this book is great reading.
Rebecca F. (Bexter) from DAVIS, CA wrote on 1/5/2007...
Historical Regency. They meet in a ferocious snowstorm. She is a young teacher witha secret past. He is the black-caped stranger who comes to her rescue. Stranded together in a country inn, Lucius Marshall and FRances Allard share a night of glorious, unforgettable passion. But Frances knows her place. Due to begin her teaching position at Miss Martin's school in Bath, she must try to forget that one, extraordinary night. But will fate once again throw them together...?
Cynthia R. from FREDERICK, MD wrote on 11/20/2006...
New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh returns to the seductive world she knows so well-Regency England-in a new novel filled with her trademark wit, sensuality, and breathtaking storytelling. With this, the first in a dazzling new quartet of novels, Balogh invites us into a special world-a select academy for young ladies-a world of innocence and temptation. Drawing us into the lives of four women, teachers at Miss Martin's School for Girls, Balogh introduces this novel's marvelous heroine: music teacher Frances Allard-and the man who seduces her with a passion no woman could possibly forget. . . .
They meet in a ferocious snowstorm. She is a young teacher with a secret past. He is the cool, black-caped stranger who unexpectedly comes to her rescue. Between these two unlikely strangers, desire is instantaneous. . . and utterly impossible to resist. Stranded together in a rustic country inn, Lucius Marshall, who is the Viscount Sinclair, and Frances Allard share a night of glorious, unforgettable passion. But Frances knows her place-and it is far from the privileged world of the sensual aristocrat. Due to begin her teaching position at Miss Martin's School in Bath, Frances must try to forget that one extraordinary night-and the man who touched her with such exquisite tenderness and abandon.
But Frances cannot hide forever. And when fate once again throws them together, Lucius refuses to take no for an answer. If Frances will not be his wife, he will make her his mistress. So begins an odyssey fraught with intrigue, one that defies propriety and shocks the straitlaced ton. For Lucius's passionate, single-minded pursuit is about to force Frances to give upall her secrets-except one-to win the heart of the man she already loves.
Samantha B. from LEDYARD, CT wrote on 11/6/2006...
They meet in a ferocious snowstorm. She is a young teacher with a secret past. He is the cool, black-caped stranger who unexpectedly comes to her rescue. Between these two unlikely strangers, desire is instantaneous…and utterly impossible to resist. Stranded together in a rustic country inn, Lucius Marshall, who is the Viscount Sinclair, and Frances Allard share a night of glorious, unforgettable passion. But Frances knows her place–and it is far from the privileged world of the sensual aristocrat. Due to begin her teaching position at Miss Martin’s School in Bath, Frances must try to forget that one extraordinary night–and the man who touched her with such exquisite tenderness and abandon.
But Frances cannot hide forever. And when fate once again throws them together, Lucius refuses to take no for an answer. If Frances will not be his wife, he will make her his mistress. So begins an odyssey fraught with intrigue, one that defies propriety and shocks the straitlaced ton. For Lucius’s passionate, single-minded pursuit is about to force Frances to give up all her secrets–except one–to win the heart of the man she already loves.
Samantha B. from LEDYARD, CT wrote on 11/6/2006...
They meet in a ferocious snowstorm. She is a young teacher with a secret past. He is the cool, black-caped stranger who unexpectedly comes to her rescue. Between these two unlikely strangers, desire is instantaneous…and utterly impossible to resist. Stranded together in a rustic country inn, Lucius Marshall, who is the Viscount Sinclair, and Frances Allard share a night of glorious, unforgettable passion. But Frances knows her place–and it is far from the privileged world of the sensual aristocrat. Due to begin her teaching position at Miss Martin’s School in Bath, Frances must try to forget that one extraordinary night–and the man who touched her with such exquisite tenderness and abandon.
But Frances cannot hide forever. And when fate once again throws them together, Lucius refuses to take no for an answer. If Frances will not be his wife, he will make her his mistress. So begins an odyssey fraught with intrigue, one that defies propriety and shocks the straitlaced ton. For Lucius’s passionate, single-minded pursuit is about to force Frances to give up all her secrets–except one–to win the heart of the man she already loves.