Helpful Score: 11
One of Karen Ranney's top 5 & my all-time favorite books, it has a permanent place on my keeper shelf.
Michael has very pressing and practical reasons to make a suitable, successful marriage to a wealthy heiress asap, but he simply can't force himself to give up the woman he loves - no matter the cost. He personifies everything a romance hero should be. Lots of romantic & steamy love scenes, but not the least bit overdone.
Grade: A+
Sensuality Rating: R
Michael has very pressing and practical reasons to make a suitable, successful marriage to a wealthy heiress asap, but he simply can't force himself to give up the woman he loves - no matter the cost. He personifies everything a romance hero should be. Lots of romantic & steamy love scenes, but not the least bit overdone.
Grade: A+
Sensuality Rating: R
Helpful Score: 9
A beautiful and sensual love story. What might appear as a slow and plodding storyline is actually an erotic seduction, complete with visual aids! I love all of Ranney's books, if you can, read My Beloved, My True Love and Heaven Forbids. You'll weep in sorrow and joy for days afterwards.
Helpful Score: 8
Either I'm blushing or this is just a hot flash, but who knew there could be such significance to a simple book cover?
What a story! Karen Ranney is quickly becoming one of my all-time favorite authors. Michael is the stuff of dreams: a self-possessed, perfectly composed model of cool decorum ... or so he believes himself until the facade crumbles to dust at the feet of his lady love.
The chemistry is there and it sizzles, yes, but that's not the main attraction. It's that the characters are so well written. There's depth here, and the author peels through the layers until we've unknowingly invested ourselves in the characters & their lives. The intense attraction between the couple is just buttercream icing on the cake.
I can see that I'll have to add another shelf to the library just to hold Karen Ranney's books. This was the second of her books I've read and it won't be leaving, either. ;)
What a story! Karen Ranney is quickly becoming one of my all-time favorite authors. Michael is the stuff of dreams: a self-possessed, perfectly composed model of cool decorum ... or so he believes himself until the facade crumbles to dust at the feet of his lady love.
The chemistry is there and it sizzles, yes, but that's not the main attraction. It's that the characters are so well written. There's depth here, and the author peels through the layers until we've unknowingly invested ourselves in the characters & their lives. The intense attraction between the couple is just buttercream icing on the cake.
I can see that I'll have to add another shelf to the library just to hold Karen Ranney's books. This was the second of her books I've read and it won't be leaving, either. ;)
Helpful Score: 4
I ordered this book based on an effusive PBS-reader review. It is a great book! Thanks readers who give detailed reviews!
The story features a very private, solitary gentleman, on the brink of financial ruin in search of a rich wife to prop up his family fortune. Instead he meets a poor common woman who is a widow. But oh the sweet chemistry! The book has a subplot with a mystery which is not particularly important, but the slow burn of the love story is what great romance novels are all about. This book is particularly interesting, writing-wise, because there is not a major secret between them, as you see in so many romances. What lies between them is clear to both from the start - the vast canyon of wealth and class. In a way, it makes their love story that much more bitter sweet and emotional because you can't see how it will ever work for them. What each would have to give up to stay together is too much. For her it would mean becoming a whore (mistress) and for him it means giving up family fortune.
There is a lot of sensuality and love scenes in this book. They're not very graphic but the lead up to the "deed" is smoldering and probably the main reason to read this book.
The story features a very private, solitary gentleman, on the brink of financial ruin in search of a rich wife to prop up his family fortune. Instead he meets a poor common woman who is a widow. But oh the sweet chemistry! The book has a subplot with a mystery which is not particularly important, but the slow burn of the love story is what great romance novels are all about. This book is particularly interesting, writing-wise, because there is not a major secret between them, as you see in so many romances. What lies between them is clear to both from the start - the vast canyon of wealth and class. In a way, it makes their love story that much more bitter sweet and emotional because you can't see how it will ever work for them. What each would have to give up to stay together is too much. For her it would mean becoming a whore (mistress) and for him it means giving up family fortune.
There is a lot of sensuality and love scenes in this book. They're not very graphic but the lead up to the "deed" is smoldering and probably the main reason to read this book.
Helpful Score: 3
Loved the book so much I am going out to buy my own copy to support the author and posting this second-hand book so that others can experience how wonderful this story is! :)
Excellent character development, detailing the stages of passion, lust, & finally love. Storyline could have been better developed. Even the sex scenes were restrained but beautifully detailed. recommended.
This book had too much sexual content with a lot of intimante detail of each encounter. I felt it took away from the story.
This is my first book by this author and I have to admit that I really enjoyed it. There was real chemistry between Michael and Margaret.
After a fire that consumes her husband and their livelihood, Margaret finds 3 books in the strongbox that holds the money from their business. She decides to try to sell one to one of the three men her husband had indicated would be interested in the books. While leaving the home of the buyer, she hears music and pauses in the darkened garden to listen for a few minutes. There, she meets an attractive man. When they are interrupted by one of Michael's acquaintances, Margaret slips out of the garden and back to the carriage.
Michael is so taken with her that he searches for her. Finally, his friend realizes that Michael is referring to the woman who was selling the book. Michael is going to parties to find a wealthy wife. Margaret will not suit because she is an impoverished commoner. Margaret also realizes that the interest that they have in each other can not lead to happiness. However, their interest in each other will not be tamped down by its impossibility.
After a fire that consumes her husband and their livelihood, Margaret finds 3 books in the strongbox that holds the money from their business. She decides to try to sell one to one of the three men her husband had indicated would be interested in the books. While leaving the home of the buyer, she hears music and pauses in the darkened garden to listen for a few minutes. There, she meets an attractive man. When they are interrupted by one of Michael's acquaintances, Margaret slips out of the garden and back to the carriage.
Michael is so taken with her that he searches for her. Finally, his friend realizes that Michael is referring to the woman who was selling the book. Michael is going to parties to find a wealthy wife. Margaret will not suit because she is an impoverished commoner. Margaret also realizes that the interest that they have in each other can not lead to happiness. However, their interest in each other will not be tamped down by its impossibility.
Good! Plot with some twists and turns with mystery and honor for country winning the day.
Book Description
No longer the proper English wife she always was, Margaret kissed a handsome stranger. Now the dashing earl will not rest until the beautiful widow he held in his arms so briefly is his forever.
No longer the proper English wife she always was, Margaret kissed a handsome stranger. Now the dashing earl will not rest until the beautiful widow he held in his arms so briefly is his forever.
