Helpful Score: 3
The first time I read this book I really enjoyed it, but then I decided to read it again a couple of weeks later when I needed to kill some time. Upon reading it again, I realized that the hero is really quite a jerk in this book. He's insistent that he hurt this woman, even though she's never done any wrong to him. And he never really sees the error of his ways.
Helpful Score: 2
3rd in the series... and not quite as good as No 2. But, sill a good read. Lucien de Malheur is out for revenge upon the Rohan family, and decides to use Miranda Rohan to punish them. He hires another man to ruin her, and then plots to marry her himself. Miranda is too practical, and keeps adjusting to the unusual events that keep happening to her, which frustrates Lucien.
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book. I liked it better than the second one for sure but I know it is hard to keep the suspense and mystery up for all books in a series. Loved how this series went through the generation! Great story with lots of excitement and intrique. A really great read.
Helpful Score: 1
Here is one of those rare books that is almost impossible to definitively rate.
Emotional rating: 2.0
Analytical rating: 5.0
How does one meld the two when splitting it right down the middle just doesn't do either justice?
From the emotional perspective:
There are few things I HATE more than an emotionally exhausting journey that ends abruptly. This story takes the cake. If you take the word "emotion" - on steroids, add a hero/villain so vile as to leave one's nails chewed to stubby bits and a heroine in so much humiliating danger one hardly dares turn the next page, drag the heart through to the excruciating conclusion then shove them off a cliff, you have the gist of it. I guess it is better than hanging off that cliff - but not much. After all Miranda - and the reader goes through, at least a few pages of seeing that the redemption worked is imperative to one's peace of heart and mind, let alone one's love of the book!
From the analytical perspective:
To get a reader's emotions so invested that they even have stubby bits is an incredible feat in itself and Ms. Stuart is the genius all-powerful, undisputed queen in this area. She deftly weaves a web that catches the reader so subtly, one isn't even aware they are holding their breath and crying until they are free falling off that cliff as they close the book. WOW! Talent doesn't get any better than this, folks! It is not the lyrical prose, painted descriptions or meditative meanderings that usually garners praise. It is just down and dirty, bare bones human nature unearthed in all it's horrific or angelic glory.
That's it. That's the best I can do at pin-pointing the infuriating perfection of Breathless.
Emotional rating: 2.0
Analytical rating: 5.0
How does one meld the two when splitting it right down the middle just doesn't do either justice?
From the emotional perspective:
There are few things I HATE more than an emotionally exhausting journey that ends abruptly. This story takes the cake. If you take the word "emotion" - on steroids, add a hero/villain so vile as to leave one's nails chewed to stubby bits and a heroine in so much humiliating danger one hardly dares turn the next page, drag the heart through to the excruciating conclusion then shove them off a cliff, you have the gist of it. I guess it is better than hanging off that cliff - but not much. After all Miranda - and the reader goes through, at least a few pages of seeing that the redemption worked is imperative to one's peace of heart and mind, let alone one's love of the book!
From the analytical perspective:
To get a reader's emotions so invested that they even have stubby bits is an incredible feat in itself and Ms. Stuart is the genius all-powerful, undisputed queen in this area. She deftly weaves a web that catches the reader so subtly, one isn't even aware they are holding their breath and crying until they are free falling off that cliff as they close the book. WOW! Talent doesn't get any better than this, folks! It is not the lyrical prose, painted descriptions or meditative meanderings that usually garners praise. It is just down and dirty, bare bones human nature unearthed in all it's horrific or angelic glory.
That's it. That's the best I can do at pin-pointing the infuriating perfection of Breathless.
fun, but not really the escapism you hoped for. and while the hero does sort of redeem himself in the end, it's hard to really accept it.
Lucien de Malheur is out for revenge against the Rohan family. He blames the oldest Rohan son for the death of his step-sister and will stop at nothing to get even. His plan is to take Miranda Rohan, the only daughter in the family, and make her his wife. First he will ruin her. Then he will marry her, humiliate her, break her, and then not let her see her family. But he had never met Miranda Rohan. After learning his plan and agreeing to go with Lucien to save her family, Miranda decides to turn the tables on him by agreeing to go along with everything he wants. She knows that if she seems eager to do as he says, he may just change his mind.
I was a bit bored with the first 100 pages or so, but I thought the pace picked up after that and the story got more interesting. But this book may not be to everyone's liking. It features one of Anne Stuart's dark heroes. Lucien is a hero you either end up loving or hating. I could see the changes in him as he got to know Miranda and fell in love with her. Others didn't feel there was enough remorse for his actions at the beginning of the book.
Miranda is a wonderful heroine who makes the best of her situation. She has a quick mind and won't let anyone put her or her family down. My rating: 4 Stars.
I was a bit bored with the first 100 pages or so, but I thought the pace picked up after that and the story got more interesting. But this book may not be to everyone's liking. It features one of Anne Stuart's dark heroes. Lucien is a hero you either end up loving or hating. I could see the changes in him as he got to know Miranda and fell in love with her. Others didn't feel there was enough remorse for his actions at the beginning of the book.
Miranda is a wonderful heroine who makes the best of her situation. She has a quick mind and won't let anyone put her or her family down. My rating: 4 Stars.
Third in series.Good.
A fun read in spite of the dark undertones. The consistency of the heroine is refreshing. She does not turn from a fun loving, risk taking, go for the gusto, strong woman to a simpering miss at the turn of a threat. She is well suited to the "hero" even with his blind vengeance. Enjoyed the fun, side romance as well. A good dose of humor is applied to the story. This is to be greatly appreciated in any good romance. Recommend to all, not just lovers of historical romances.
