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Book Reviews of When Passion Rules

When Passion Rules
When Passion Rules
Author: Johanna Lindsey
ISBN-13: 9781451628371
ISBN-10: 1451628374
Publication Date: 6/14/2011
Pages: 384
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 41

3.8 stars, based on 41 ratings
Publisher: Gallery
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

7 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

chamber-maid avatar reviewed When Passion Rules on
Helpful Score: 8
I am disappointed to report that this was probably my last Johanna Lindsey book. Considering I have read most of her books, this is truly a sad turn of events.

I have so many complaints that I will try to be concise. My guess is that this book was probably originally written in the mid-80's when Johanna was cranking out the bodice rippers that made her famous. Long-time fans will recognize several tired cliches and themes that were so prevalent in those days. However, readers have moved on and unfortunately Johanna has not.

FIRST: we have a made-up eastern European country.
SECOND: a long-lost princess (stolen as a baby).
THIRD: the young, handsome and arrogant Captain of the Guard disbelieves her incredible story and imprisons her. (And yes, she must have called him "barbarian" at least 40 times!)
FOURTH: he carelessly takes her virginity (and strangely there was virtually no mention of that at all until the end of the book)
FIFTH: she's so darned cold and the only solution anyone can come up with is for him to strip naked and snuggle with her
SIXTH: the MOST OBVIOUS VILLAIN in the whole wide world. So obvious, in fact, that there should have been no way that person was ever in a place of trust to begin with.
SEVENTH: unsatisfying sex scenes. These can sometimes be so hot and steamy that they offset a ho-hum story. That is not the case in this book.

In my opinion, Ms. Lindsey should have left this leftover draft on the shelf.

Story: 1 star
Romance: 1 star

Edited to Add: Almost forgot the ONE redeeming quality of this book! The cover image features a masculine hottie that is bound to inspire a bit of drooling. LOL
reviewed When Passion Rules on + 1109 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Perhaps it is just that my reading tastes have changed over time, but I've been a big Lindsey fan and was disappointed in this one. Much was made of the princess' education and weapon's training but when confronted, she simply hands over her arsenal. I found her complete innocence, the made up country, the mistaken identity plot line, and her calling the hero a barbarian repeatedly irritating rather than romantic.
reviewed When Passion Rules on + 1215 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Sorry, guys; I can't agree. I have read every single one of Ms. Lindsey's books, & enjoyed them all, but this is absolutely horrible - the worst she has ever written. It reads like a middle-school storybook - just too preposterous to be true. I tried - I really did - to like it, but it too closely resembles Aesops'Fables, or fractured fairy tales, or some such nonsence. Pass on this one.
hapsgirl avatar reviewed When Passion Rules on + 3 more book reviews
I don't even read the back of a Johanna Lindsey book before I buy it anymore. I know that the book will be a real page-turner and "When Passion Rules" was no exception. I couldn't put the book down and when I had to I couldn't wait to get back to it. Loved it! Definitely a 5 star book.
reviewed When Passion Rules on + 151 more book reviews
great book
reviewed When Passion Rules on + 7 more book reviews
It was a Johanna Lindsey novel. Love her and loved the book!
jjares avatar reviewed When Passion Rules on + 3242 more book reviews
The truth is that I read this book without enthusiasm. There seemed to be one cliched plot device after another.

A paid assassin has breached the Lubinian palace and stolen the princess. Instead of killing her, he turns his life around and resettles in England with his 'niece.' At 18-years-of-age, things in Lubinia are heading to war and Poppie decides that it is time to return the princess to stop the imminent fighting.

It is a kindness to call this book average. Things progress from one outlandish scene to another. I don't plan to read any more of Johanna Lindsey's recent (or future) books. I feel that I wasted my time.