I can't believe how many negative reviews that I've read that focus on the "magic" and "crazies", etc. (disgustingly likening it to a "cult"), of this book. If you think that christianity is the only religion that's acceptable to read about, then don't bother with this one! If you're like me, however, and enjoy reading about different beliefs and those who are accepting of them, then you should be able to enjoy this story. Just to clarify: this is NOT a "paranormal" story. It's a book that has a practitioner of an Earth/Goddess based religion, and isn't quiet and unassuming about it. I also must clarify the erroneous claims that she boasts about this to all and sundry people. Who has she spoken to? Her family (who are all of Scottish descent and are aware of her religion) and Scandal/Richard, whom she is trying to warn off from marrying her. Then, later, when Devil et al arrive, they are accepting of Scandal's choice in wife and the beliefs that she has. Oh the horror!! She would clearly have been burnt at the stake! Sheesh. She had used those claims to frighten off suitors in the past, but that doesn't mean they necessarily believed her or cared -- only those that knew but were trying to force her hand because of it. However it was explained that while Seamus was her guardian, he took care to protect her.
I began reading this series in order, so I didn't encounter some of the irritation that other reviewers had. Namely that I had not read Helena and Sebastian's story first (it's a prequel, not the first in the series). Even when I DID read "The Promise in a Kiss", while I felt saddened about Sebastian's infidelity, by then the story was old hat. If you're going to enjoy one with the other, then you need to just separate the two, otherwise you will be saddened by one of them, one way or another. Or you can just accept that Sebastian wasn't perfect, made a very big mistake, and that Helena forgave him (and maybe he spent the rest of his life making up for it). Whatever makes you happiest. I mean, isn't it a testament to their love that they could overcome a(n)... hiccup... without destroying their happiness over it? As is mentioned in the book, when Richard asked Sebastian if he had loved Richard's mother: "She was very lovely and very lonely -- she deserved more than she got from her marriage." He'd paused, then added: "I felt sorry for her." He'd looked at him, and his slow smile had creased his face. "But I love you. I regret her death, but I can't regret your birth." What a testament to a remorseful man and the woman who loved him. Who was also able to get the one thing from it that she desperately wanted -- another child. In fact, the one thing that bothered ME was that Richard occasionally referred to Helena as his "stepmother" -- when he'd always known her as "Maman". It somehow lessened the genuine love that Helena seemed to feel for her beloved husband's son.
I won't even address the sheer absurdity of trying to attach 20th and 21st century ideas of feminism to a 19th century book. The unique part of the story was in Scandal's willingness to accept Catriona's "dominance" in the spiritual realm. If he was the stereotypical alpha hero, he would flex his alpha muscles and try to change her. The tension, the "conflict", stemmed from Scandal's attempts to give Catriona the freedom she needed to run the Vale (as she had for YEARS on her own, people!), and Catriona's attempts to allow Scandal the freedom she believes that he needs/wants. If that's too subtle, if you like your conflict more cut and dry, then you won't like the book, either.
And really, it's not exactly a big deal if people do or do not like this particular book. For some of us it's one of our favorites by this author. For others, it's their least favorite. It's not like this author doesn't have two dozen other books to choose from. Even though all of the plots are (at the very least) similar, they are all well-written. And you will NEVER find a more in-depth sex scene outside of erotica. There is straight erotica and then there's Stephanie Laurens. No one else can make a kiss last 4 pages and a sex scene last 10 pages.
As for the "mystery"... There IS no mystery -- we know instantly who the villain is and why for Scandal's poisoning, and we know nearly instantly who is to blame for the fire. The interest is in the story itself. Again, that's not to everyone's taste. I was happy to read a book without the regular plot devices of kidnapping and routing of the villain, usually resulting in the villain's death. I enjoyed the story, didn't find it "boring" -- but it's not the type of plot that will keep you guessing. I personally prefer stories that have more "meat" to them (literally AND figuratively *raising eyebrows suggestively*), and this is one of my favorites. Mainly because these are probably the hottest sex scenes in any book. (I will only do a cursory address of the claim that there was "rape" involved -- I will say only that Scandal was MORE than willing, and being a little out of it isn't quite the same as being unconcious or unwilling. Again, if that thought is troubling, then this book is not for you.)
On a whole, I enjoyed this book more than most of Stephanie Laurens' works. They tend to be predictable and have re-hashed plots. But if you want an eloquent author, she definitely fits the bill. She's not the best by far, but when you know what to expect (and I can see, from the back-lash, why she rarely ventures out of the accepted "comfort zone"), there's little to be dissapointed in.
Edited to add a couple of things I forgot.
It may seem that I've written enough, but I really do have to address one other terribly innaccurate comment that has been made.
Okay, since this is apparently a huge deal for some people, especially those who don't really pay that much attention to what they're reading... Yes, Scandal is illegitimate. BUT... While his mother's husband may LEGALLY be his father, Seamus McEnery wasn't a peer. His estate and fortune was not bound to anyone, and could thus be left to whomever he chose to leave it to. In this case, HIS eldest son, Jamie. Only if Seamus's estate was entailed would the dispersal of his estate become the concern of anyone but the solicitors. If Scandal wanted to claim any of it, perhaps he could fight for it, but that wasn't the case, and Seamus knew that. As was mentioned, he'd made an extensive study of the Cynsters. Also in Devil's Bride it was well established that, though he was accepted due to the fact that NO ONE would dare cross the Cynsters, Scandal was NOT Devil's heir -- his illegitimacy was legallly understood. At least by the author and the characters in the book. Perhaps not so much by some readers.
Finally, as is my usual way, I must include an amusing tidbit. This author may be eloquent, but that doesn't mean that she doesn't throw some flat-out flubs in there for our consumption.
"The only thing they'll care about," he murmured, juggling her, "is that I've chosen you."
REALLY? He was JUGGLING her? I'm wondering how one juggles a person -- or at least just one person. |
The author is talented. There were interesting characters and good dialogue. The author shows not tells. I enjoyed the warm family emotions and interactions at the end. My problems with the story follow.
CAUTION SPOILERS:
One of my pet peeves is creating conflict through vague communication and inaccurate assumptions. The author should have deleted pages 226 to 276, which created the following conflicts. Catriona overheard a conversation between Richard and Worboys (Richard's valet). Worboys loved being in their new home, the vale, but for some unknown reason he was acting like he wanted to leave. Worboys was chattering on about he and Richard returning to London for the parties of the Season. Richard was reading correspondence, was not listening to Worboys, but was saying "hmmm" periodically. Catriona overheard this and believed Richard was going to leave her. She then treated Richard differently. As a result, Richard thought she wanted him to leave her, so he acted differently. They weren't telling each other the truth about their feelings. In addition, Richard had excellent suggestions for managing her cattle breeding, but he didn't say anything to her because he thought she didn't want to hear. She was worried about her cattle problems but didn't ask his advice because she thought he was going to leave her. (I would have asked even if he would be leaving later. What she did was like being in the presence of an expert or teacher but not asking them any questions because they would be leaving soon.) Since Richard thought she didn't want him do anything to help run the estate, he was bored. He also thought she wanted him to leave, so he left. Then for an unknown reason, something to do with his missing her too much, he returned to her and they admitted they loved each other and would try to communicate better in the future. I was angry at the author as I read this. I hate superficial conflict created in this manner.
My second problem was with Algaria, who was Catriona's teacher and companion who lived and worked with Catriona. Algaria hated Richard from the moment she met him. She hated seeing Catriona fall in love with him, marry him and be with him. Later she erroneously thought Richard set fire to a building, so Algaria tried to kill him with poison. Because he did not die from the poison, Algaria believed a divine spirit wanted him to live therefore she would not try to kill him again. Richard chose not to punish her. Algaria then became a happy person continuing to live with Richard and Catriona. I never understood why Algaria hated Richard for most of the book. I wish the author would have explained this. There could have been an interesting reason for the hatred.
Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: thirteen. Some of them were more than two pages long. Setting: 1819 Scotland. Copyright: 1999. Genre: historical romance with a little bit of paranormal. |
Expedited Available
"Don't bother reading if you can only accept "mainstream" religious beliefs."
"drugged"
"Great buy"
"There is some good writing here, but also some problems."
"What was Ms. Laurens thinking?"