Helpful Score: 5
This is a very HOT historical romance about a spinster (aged 36) who pays for a male prostitute for 30 days (and nights!) to introduce her to pleasure.
Helpful Score: 5
Wonderful book----I thoroughly enjoyed it. As other reviewers have said, it has more explicit sex scenes in it. However, they weren't as graphic as some that I have read. She goes into more detail than the typical romance, but it is done very provacatively without using some words that I just prefer not to read (they take the romance out of things!). This book does not do that, it just makes you sweat (in a good way!). I found myself fanning myself a lot! Whew! And if you love your heroes tortured...this one is for you. Michael ranks up there with Lord Sin and Acheron on the tortured list! I can't wait to read the next book about Gabriel. Hopefully it'll be in the mail tomorrow.....:)
Helpful Score: 3
The sex in this book is great, and the characters are intriguing. (I picked it up one night and stayed up until it was done!) I think the plot is a needlessly complicated, though - an "old" woman and a former male prostitute having lots of erotic sex is plot enough for me!
Helpful Score: 3
Tries hard to be literary erotica, but doesn't quite pull it off. There are some very erotic moments (though nothing especially excessive like you'd find in Anne Rice's erotica), but be warned that there are plenty of gruesome scenes as well. The backstory motivating the main characters is woven in throughout the book, and I like that the author reveals pieces of it bit by bit, but there were so many passages that I had to read twice to understand exactly what was going on. In other words, parts of it were quite confusing (the whiplash POV switches alone are hard enough to deal with). And I really didn't buy a crucial factor that played into the revenge storyline (I don't want to give anything away, but it relates to the effects of a sex toy). I'm looking forward to reading the follow-up, Gabriel's Woman, to see if "The Lover" isn't this author's best work, or to see if it's me and I just don't "get" this author.
Helpful Score: 3
VERY Dark romance. Not for everyone. I loved it.
Helpful Score: 2
If you're a Robin Schone fan, then you know that she often writes in a dark, haunting and sometimes disturbing style. It is quite amazing that an author can create a sense of foreboding and fear, passion and longing--all at the same time.
From the first page, the story draws the reader in, keeps you engaged, wondering how these two tortured souls (actually, many more than just the two main characters) can possibly find peace when surrounded by (haunted by) tragedy, betrayal and injustice. It's not my favorite Schone--that is The Lady's Tutor--but, I believe it is a story that will stay with you long after the final page.
Overall score: 4.25 stars
Story: 4
Romance: 4.5
From the first page, the story draws the reader in, keeps you engaged, wondering how these two tortured souls (actually, many more than just the two main characters) can possibly find peace when surrounded by (haunted by) tragedy, betrayal and injustice. It's not my favorite Schone--that is The Lady's Tutor--but, I believe it is a story that will stay with you long after the final page.
Overall score: 4.25 stars
Story: 4
Romance: 4.5
Helpful Score: 1
4.5 stars!
Robin Schone trusts her readers to be able to follow along and connect the dots on their own. This dark story of the walking wounded finding one another and discovering a new world of passion and emotional connection is truly romantic. The physically and emotionally scarred hero is a "stallion" paid for a month's service by a spinster who is determined to experience the things that had never been offered her because she was plain. The mystery of the deadly danger lurking is intriguing and keeps the reader on their toes. The hero and his lifetime friend have a unique relationship that remains mysterious for the next book Gabriel's Woman. And never fear, Robin Schone delivers the goods with her sex scenes! Strongly recommended!
Robin Schone trusts her readers to be able to follow along and connect the dots on their own. This dark story of the walking wounded finding one another and discovering a new world of passion and emotional connection is truly romantic. The physically and emotionally scarred hero is a "stallion" paid for a month's service by a spinster who is determined to experience the things that had never been offered her because she was plain. The mystery of the deadly danger lurking is intriguing and keeps the reader on their toes. The hero and his lifetime friend have a unique relationship that remains mysterious for the next book Gabriel's Woman. And never fear, Robin Schone delivers the goods with her sex scenes! Strongly recommended!
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent, engrossing story about a tortured hero and a lonely woman. Riveting, couldn't put it down!
If you want to read a steamy story Robin Schone is a good start. She delivers stories that are romantic and steamy without the same stories that are out there. Anne is an unforgettable woman and when she meets Michael things get very interesting.
4.5 stars!
Robin Schone trusts her readers to be able to follow along and connect the dots on their own. This dark story of the walking wounded finding one another and discovering a new world of passion and emotional connection is truly romantic. The physically and emotionally scarred hero is a "stallion" paid for a month's service by a spinster who is determined to experience the things that had never been offered her because she was plain. The mystery of the deadly danger lurking is intriguing and keeps the reader on their toes. The hero and his lifetime friend have a unique relationship that remains mysterious for the next book Gabriel's Woman. And never fear, Robin Schone delivers the goods with her sex scenes! Strongly recommended!
Robin Schone trusts her readers to be able to follow along and connect the dots on their own. This dark story of the walking wounded finding one another and discovering a new world of passion and emotional connection is truly romantic. The physically and emotionally scarred hero is a "stallion" paid for a month's service by a spinster who is determined to experience the things that had never been offered her because she was plain. The mystery of the deadly danger lurking is intriguing and keeps the reader on their toes. The hero and his lifetime friend have a unique relationship that remains mysterious for the next book Gabriel's Woman. And never fear, Robin Schone delivers the goods with her sex scenes! Strongly recommended!
This is another well written erotic romance by Robin Schone although not as good as Gabriel's story. I read Gabriel's story first and so felt like some of the pieces were missing. Michael's story does explain why his uncle wanted to have him killed, but neither book really does a good job of explaining why Gabriel is targeted. All of Robin Schone's books are very well written, but in my opinion, the best one is Lady's Tutor.
I enjoyed this book. The way it is written, it implies paranormal, but instead is based on very real circumstances. Being more intrigued with Gabriel, I can't wait to read his story in the next book.
Wow, is book was so hot right from the start. could'nt put in down.
I enjoy Robin Schone's novels.
Some very erotic sex, but a very strange storyline. I was confused to the very end about the who's and why's. Still a decent read.