ARC Book Review-The Scoundrel’s Seduction

The Scoundrel’s Seduction
House of Trent (3)
Jennifer Haymore
Grand Central Publishing
E Book
Published May 2014
368 Pages
Regency Espionage Historical Romance
ISBN:  9787654321
Authors Website

Synopsis
Temptation Knows No Bounds…

Undercover agent Sam Hawkins has devoted his life to protecting king and country. So when he receives orders to assassinate a ruthless traitor, he doesn’t question his mission. But Sam didn’t know his deed had a witness—the beautiful and mysterious betrayer’s wife. Now he has no choice but to take her as his prisoner—one he can neither trust…nor resist.

Élise, Lady Dunthorpe, will do anything to escape her powerful captor—including seducing him senseless. She didn’t know of her miserable husband’s crimes, but she has secrets of her own—secrets that threaten everything she holds dear. With his piercing dark eyes and gentle touch, Sam inflames Élise’s deepest desires, but how could she ever trust a man who won’t let her go? Caught between the crown he’s sworn to serve and the woman he’s come to love, Sam will risk his heart—and his very life—to keep her safe.

My Review 

I received a ARC copy through Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing in exchange of a honest review. 

Sam works for the crown as a agent, to protect it at all costs. He is ordered to kill a traitor, who has plans to murder the crown. So he does his job, and kills the traitor, but his wife he finds, having heard and seen everything. So he has no choice but to kidnap her and keep her secluded. Sam has no idea what Lady Dunthorpe knows, or she is a traitor as well. Elise, has suffered over a decade of being Lord Dunthorpe’s wife, and even though she is french, she considers herself more English than french. So when she finds her husband killed, and herself being taken prisoner, she has no idea what fate has in store for her, or Sam’s true plans for her. At first Sam questions Elise and the statement she gives, but the longer he spends time with her, he starts to feel drawn to Elise, and feels a desire that he doesn’t want to deny. Now Sam and Elise will have to stick together, when a danger surfaces, one that will put them both on the run trying to survive.

The Scoundrels Seduction is the third book from the House of Trent Series.  Ever since I discovered this author last year, I have been in love with her. The House of Trent series so far has been stimulating and full of adventures. The Scoundrel’s Seduction is just what I was looking for in a book. Lately I have been wanting a story I can really dig my hands into, and The Scoundrel’s Seduction was perfect for what I needed. There is quite a bit of a espionage element, which is always a treat with regency era romances, but Jennifer Haymore definitely put a delightful twist into the plot, that pulls you in.

The Character were exciting, and intense, and full of conflict and variety of dilemma’s that ended up becoming more fascinating to the reader. Samson, is illegitimate, but has never felt the lack of affection from his mother or siblings. He has had to work hard for the position he is in, and is dedicated to his country. He is also desperate to find his lost mother. I found Sam a wonderful hero, dashing, courageous, and protective. I love how he treats Elise, and he is one of my favorite characters from the Trent family so far. I really enjoyed his character and how deeply entrenched he is in the story and the series as well. There are many startling secrets revealed in this story that really shocked me, and I had had the most difficult time putting this one down. Now Elise, well at first she seemed weak and didn’t have much backbone, but she really came through for me by the end. You see a heroine, that has suffered much and like any normal human being has put herself in a shell to protect herself, but the longer she is with Sam, the more she spreads her wings, and you see her flourish. I really loved seeing her transition from being shy and reserved, to a woman that is willing to go after what she wants and let nothing stand in her way.

Overall a outstanding installment, and a story that sizzles from beginning to end. There is quite a bit of steamy interaction in this one, enough to feed a forest fire. The characters are charming, the story is enchanting, and worth every moment. Charmed until the very end!!! LOVED IT!!

Favorite Quote 
“I will protect you with everything I have. My weapons, my strength. My family ties. My heart, my soul. My life is yours, if that’s what it takes”

My Grade 
5 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Steamy

Other Books In Series 
The Duchess Hunt
The Rogue’s Proposal

ARC Book Review-The Rogue’s Proposal

The Rogues Proposal
House Of Trent (2)
Jennifer Haymore
Forever
E Book
Published November 2013
368 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN: 9781455523375
Authors Website

Synopsis
Lord Lukas Hawkins, the rakish second son of the House of Trent, has never found a wager he couldn’t win or a woman he couldn’t seduce—until his search for his missing mother leads him to a mysterious encounter with a beautiful stranger.

Luke’s mother has been missing for months, and while his honorable older brother Simon, Duke of Trent, leads the official investigation from London, Luke sets out on a somewhat seedier path. Sources have told him his mother was last seen with a scoundrel named Roger Morton, but their association isn’t clear. Was she kidnapped or did she go willingly?

While searching for Morton, Luke meets Emma Anderson, a secretive beauty with her own reasons for hunting Morton. At first Luke laughs at the idea of allowing a woman to join him in his search, but soon Emma’s insights into Morton—like the woman herself—prove impossible to resist.

My Review 

 
I was able to receive this ARC through Netgalley and Forever publishing. Ever since I first read Season of Seduction I have been addicted to this author’s storytelling. The Rogue’s Proposal is the second in the series, and I was thrilled to be able to have a chance to read this one, especially after seeing all of the fantastic rating, and having now read it, I can see why so many have enjoyed it so much. The Rogue’s proposal took me a bit longer to get read, since with the holiday, I have been busy with family, but I finally was able to finish it. The story begins with our hero Luke and our heroine, Emma meeting in a less than respectable inn both searching for the same man. A heated desire flares between them instantly. Emma is after revenge for a man who murdered her husband and took her fathers money, and she needs it returned to save her family from destitution.  Luke is searching for his mother, who has been missing for months, and is following the latest lead. The first moment Luke sees Emma, he wants her with a desperation. Luke desires to teach her passion but believes himself to be the worst sort of man, and doesn’t want to hurt her in that way. Emma is aching to be in Luke’s arms, and before either one of them realize it, they are both swept away by a blinding passion and some dark secrets that could destroy everything.

I couldn’t help but fall in love with The Rogue’s Proposal. It definitely was a sensual read that will sweep the reader away into the passionate love story that is guaranteed to captivate you. In the beginning the story the characters are acting out a seduction of sorts with each other. They are working together, searching for the same man, but at the same time there is a powerful connection from their first meeting. The characters were fun and I enjoyed seeing Luke and a more personal side to him. From the first book, I always liked him, and he was probably one of my favorites of the siblings. But seeing him as the main character, my heart went out to him. He has had a tough time in his life, but the way Emma comes strolling into his life, and is able to teach him of love and gentleness- it ended up being a story of intrigue, adventure and a fierce passion that could heat the room. A Sensational romance that kept me on my toes, and a plot to keep you guessing, and a love story that will curl your body. The heat in the story is flaming, and I will warn you there is a bit of a Bondage element in it, but overall a fantastic read!!! This author keeps astounding me with her writing talent!! Bravo!  TOP NOTCH ROMANCE!!

First Line 
Lord Lukas Hawkins wasn’t drunk enough. Not yet.

Favorite Quote 
He captured her lips with his own in a tender, possessive kiss. “Mine,” his kiss said. “Mine. Forever.” And she was. His. Forever.

My Grade 
4 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Steamy

Other Books In Series 
The Devil’s Pearl
The Duchess Hunt
His For Christmas
One Night With An Earl
The Scoundrel’s Seduction

Book Review-The Duchess Hunt

The Duchess Hunt

House of Trent (1)
Jennifer Haymore
Forever
Published June 2013
375 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN:  9781455523399
Author Website 

Synopsis
THE DUKE’S DESIRE

Simon Hawkins, duke of Trent, is no stranger to scandal. Rumors and innuendo have darkened the House of Trent for decades, and it has fallen to Simon to restore his tattered family name. He lives by a strict code of honor, but when he is called home to investigate his mother’s disappearance, the distinguished duke will tangle with temptation. For there waits the only woman he has ever loved–and the last woman he should desire…

Sarah Osborne has spent her life dreaming of Simon’s touch. But dukes do not long for lady’s maids–or so Sarah believes, until a stolen kiss sparks a passion that could be her ultimate undoing. As the couple begins a forbidden romance, a cunning enemy plots to destroy the duke and everything he loves. Now, caught in a blackmailer’s web, Simon faces an agonizing choice: sacrifice his family’s future or break Sarah’s heart.

My Review 
Simon, is the Duke of Trent and that position comes with much responsibility. Three years previous he fell in love with Sarah, a woman who was raised along side with his siblings. Now she is a maid, having been the gardeners daughter. Sarah Osborne, has always known the wide gulf that separates herself and Simon from each other. Even though she cares for Simon more than anyone knows, she also knows that they have no future together. She is merely a maid, and Simon a Duke. When Simon’s mother disappears, all of them are frantic, trying to find  a trace of her and find none. When Sarah was young, Simon’s mother took her in and loved her and Sarah would do anything to find her. As Simon and his brothers start to investigate, they find  a variety of clues to their mother’s disappearance, and Simon and Sarah start a affair even knowing it can’t go anywhere. But then when Simon starts to come to the realization on his feelings for Sarah and willing to sacrifice everything for her, he ends up being blackmailed. Now he will have to make a choice save his family from the largest scandal known to the Ton or sacrifice everything for his love for Sarah.

The Duchess Hunt is the first in the House of Trent series, and I have always liked this author. I have never had a problem becoming engaged in her stories and her style of writing is addictive and draws in the reader from the beginning. After reading The Duchess Hunt I was impressed by this story, my favorite of her books so far. As the first in the series, The Duchess Hunt introduces us to the Trent family. It begins with a charming beginning of when Simon and Sarah first meet and finding Sarah hurt Simon brings her home to his mother, who immediately takes a liking to Sarah even though she is the gardeners daughter. So she does what any Duchess would do right? Have Sarah learn alongside with her own children. Having grown up in a loving atmosphere where despite her rank and birth, she feels accepted, but deep down she knows she will never be good enough for Simon.One of my favorite parts of this story was the way the Trent family accepts her. The relationship that forms between Simon and Sarah is tender and sweet and passionate. Both Simon and Sarah have shared intimate feelings with each other but haven’t given into them until now. With the disappearance of Simon’s mother, there is a mystery to be solved. But when Simon ends up being blackmailed into marrying a woman he barely knows and sees him as the Duke to be have at all costs, he knows he is making a mistake and hurting the one woman he loves more than life.

The Duchess Hunt is a story that engages the reader until the very end. I had the hardest time putting this one down and I would highly recommend this one to anyone that loves a stimulating historical romance. There is such a unbridled emotion portrayed in this story, the characters so vividly written it makes them come alive for the reader. I did feel like there could have been a bit more emphasis on the missing mother, but I did like the “Blackmail” theme to the story. I do love a strong conflict especially when it seems like unbeatable odds for the couple involved to stay together. The side characters were lively and fascinating and I just fell in love with the siblings of Simon. The bickering and bantering between them reminded me of my own family, and I love  a series that involves a big family, so I can hardly wait to read the next book in the series.The aspect of the unorthodox Trent family was intriguing, and I enjoyed seeing the varying degrees of originality between each member of the family.

I think that overall, The Duchess Hunt was a charming story of a couple that have loved each other but live on different sides of the tracks. The love story was well done and the plot was thick with intrigue and mystery and conflict. Richly filled characters, and a witty enough read to charm your socks off. A Sensational story with enough zest and sensuality to make you fall in love from beginning to end.

First Line 
Sarah Osborne had only lived at Ironwood Park for a few days, but she already loved it. 

Favorite Quote 
He pulled her closer until her pliant body was flush against his. He splayed his hand over the muslin covering the curve of her lower back and coaxed her lips open with his. Wanting more of that sweet taste. Wanting to insinuate himself inside her in every way. 
 
My Grade 
5 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Steamy

Other Books In Series 
His For Christmas
The Rogue’s Proposal
One Night With An Earl