Seducing readers with her scorching sensuality and searing romance, bestselling author Nicole Jordan weaves her most tantalizing love story yet. . . .
DESIRE
A legendary lover and spymaster, the darkly sensual Earl of Wycliff eludes matrimony until a brush with death makes him yearn for a son to carry on his name. The moment Lucian spies the alluring Brynn Caldwell on a Cornish beach, he knows he has found the woman he wants for his bride.
Brynn believes the notorious rake’s fascination with her is driven by a centuries-old curse that dooms the women of her family to tempt men–only to lead those they love to their death. Compelled by dire circumstances to marry Lucian, Brynn surrenders her body to his caresses but dares not give him her heart.
Locked in a battle of wills with his bewitching wife, Lucian begins to suspect that Brynn is a traitor. Before long he finds himself lured into a web of danger and betrayal, where the price of winning his bride’s elusive heart may be his own life.
Lisa R. (VenusJewel) from BRANDON, FL wrote on 8/21/2006...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Lucian and Brynn's story, read The Seduction and then The Passion first.
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Suzanne R. (suzannerath) from NEW YORK, NY wrote on 11/12/2008...
Flame haired Brynn's family is cursed - if the women of her family fall in love, that man will die. She's managed to avoid any entanglements by hiding out at home and taking care of her little brother until Lucien, the Earl of Wycliff (and notorious rake, of course) sees her and immediately falls in lust with her. He's decided to settle down and set up a nursery and decides that she's just the woman to help him do it and forces her to marry him. Brynn tries not to fall in love with him but it's getting harder and harder, and things are complicated by the fact that Lucien suspects her of treason when it becomes apparent that her brother's involved in some shady, possibly treasonous, smuggling. Can love conquer all, including a powerful gypsy curse?!
*** Jordan writes an uneven if entertaining story - I love stories of rakes seducing unwilling heroines and Lucien is a rake of the first order, full of charm and hotness. The writing in general, including characterization, was a bit off but that's outweighed by the fact that you really want to find out what happens to them. My big problem plot wise was why, if you're family has been cursed down the generations so the women can never fall in love without their beloved dying... Why would you ever agree to have children???!! There's a 50% chance that you're going to have a daughter and continue the vicious cycle!!! Jordan explains it partly as Brynn hoping a child would help her feel less lonely but the selfishness of that reason just made me dislike her. It would have worked better if it was explored a bit more - even if Brynn did end up deciding to risk having a daughter it would have given her a more three dimensional character rather than simply assuming a priori, with absolutely no questioning or thought, that all women, even those with gypsy curses on their entire line, would have babies.
Conclusion: Despite some weak writing and iffy characterizations an entertaining read with some delicious sexual chemistry between the hero and heroine. Recommended for a light, throw-away read.
A legendary lover and spymaster, the darkly sensual Earl of Wycliff eludes matrimony until a brush with death makes him yearn for a son to carry on his name. The moment Lucian spies the alluring Brynn Caldwell on a Cornish beach, he knows he has found the woman he wants for his bride.
Brynn believes the notorious rake's fascination with her is driven by a centrueies-old curse that dooms the women of family to tempt men-only to lead those they love to their death. Compelled by dire circumstances to marry Lucian, Brynn surrenders her body to his caresses but dares not give him her heart.
Locked in a battle of wills with his bewitching wife, Lucian begins to suspect that Brynn is a traitor. Before long he finds himself lured into a wev of danger and betrayal, where the price of winning his bride's elusive heart may be his own life.
Karen N. (malibuhoney) from AURORA, CO wrote on 1/24/2007...
Another good sensual romance from a good author.
Rhonda G. (rhg568) from CEDARTOWN, GA wrote on 6/1/2006...
A legendary lover and spymaster, the darkly sensual Earl of Wycliff edules matrimony until a brush with death makes him yearn for a son to carry on his name. The moment Lucian spies the alluring Brynn Caldwell on a Cornish beach, he knows he has found the woman he wants for his bride.
Brynn believes the notorious rake's fascination with her is driven by a centuries-old curse that dooms the women of her family to tempt men-only to lead those they love to their death. Compelled by dire circumstances to marry Lucian, Brynn surrenders her body to his caresses but dares not give him her heart.
Locked in a battle of wills with his bewitching wife, Lucian begins to suspect that Brynn is a traitor. Before long he finds himself lured into a web of danger and betrayal, where the price of winning his bride's elusive heart may be his own life.
Carol Ann T. (ShyAnn) from OAKDALE, CA wrote on 1/29/2006...
Melissa L. from GRAFTON, WV wrote on 12/25/2005...
A legendary lover and spymaster, the darkly sensual Earl of Wycliff eludes matrimony until a brush with death makes him yearn for a son to carry on his name. The moment Lucian spies the alluring Brynn Caldwell on a Cornish beach, he knows he knows he found the woman he wants for his bride.
Tina O. (Swan) from HENDERSON, NC wrote on 6/16/2005...
I love this series. I really get into the story and feel like I there seeing and hearing it go on....