Tuesday, July 29, 2008

"To Seduce a Bride" Wins-- Handsdown!

SYNOPIS from B&N.com:
Seduction has never been more enticing than in this third novel of Nicole Jordan's enthralling Regency trilogy, The Courtship Wars.

Spirited beauty Lilian Loring believes that love is too risky a venture and marriage is best avoided entirely -- even if her unwanted suitor comes as deliciously packaged as Heath Griffin, the Marquess of Claybourne. The charismatic rogue has never had a woman discourage his advances. But after a show of resolve, Lily melts under Heath's sensuous kisses. Indeed, perhaps that is why she decides to hide out in the last place a gentleman would look for a lady: a house of scandalous repute.

In bold pursuit, Heath discovers his enchanting spitfire cheerfully instructing the demimonde in the art of deportment and manners. Now the thrill of the chase is exceeded only by his powerful need to possess Lily as his bride. For Heath, victory in their game of passion means nothing less than winning Lily's elusive heart...

The third installment in Nicole Jordan's steamy Courtship Wars series, To Seduce a Bride, lived up to every one of my expectations: It's passionate and sexy, the characters fit together perfectly and both are well developed, the conversations are both sexy and loving, funny and serious. Add to all that the fact that the book was written by the perfect author, the one that could truly bring the story to life, Nicole Jordan and you have a perfect romantic read!

I loved Lily's character-- she was very strong willed, intelligent, daring, passionate... the perfect heroine, especially for the wickedly handsome and surprisingly tender hero, Heath. From the first book in this series, I knew that Lily and Heath would be perfect for each other, and I was very happy to see that I was right.

Much like the other two books, Lily's story involves more than just a straight forward love story. Nicole Jordan writes delicious romance books that actually have a plot, or subplot, beyond the usual 'hero and heroine meet and after a few problems fall head over heels in love', which is one of the reasons that I love her books so much-- each one is a breath of fresh air, new and wonderfully developed. Lily is deadset against marriage, but after their first kiss, both of them find themselves on the road to passion-- and love, whether or not they are willingly to admit it yet. Heath realizes much sooner than Lily that they share something very special, something that neither one of them should let pass up. Heath is willingly to do anything to get Lily to agree to be his wife, and not just for future children or money. What better way then to start a wager, a game, with her and a couple of her slightly scandalous friends *Ex-Courtesans... Well, okay, maybe they aren't all completely retired Cyprians, but still...*?

After many ups and downs, lessons in seduction and propriety *The latter for the young women boarding at Lily's friends' house*, arguments and intoxicating love scenes, Lily finally realizes that she is completely in love with Heath and the only woman that will ever marry him and satisfy his carnal desires is her--and she will do anything to make him believes it, even if it means, as she seems to think of it as, letting go of some of her much-loved freedom (Which Heath has assured her, many times before, it will not.)

4.5/5 STARS! A perfect book, with a solid beginning, middle, and end, filled with both tender and arousing moments, and two great characters that truly belong together. Just as great as the previous two in the series, along with her other novels, and I know that her next books in the series will be just as beautiful and romantic!

~TBQ~

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