Helpful Score: 9
Grace Paget's husband recently passed away. Having no means to support herself, she travels to Bristol to come live with her cousin. For some reason, he does not meet Grace at the coach and she winds up kidnapped by two bruisers named Filey and Monks. These two goons are Lord John's henchmen. They were charged with the task of finding a woman for Matthew, Lord Sheene. They mistake Grace for a whore and bring her back to Matthew.
Matthew has suffered horribly at the hands of his uncle, Lord John for eleven years. Lord John has kept Matthew his prisoner so that he can control all of Matthew's wealth and estate. When Matthew was fourteen, he suffered from a horrible fever that gave him fits and, since then, has been diagnosed as being mad.. He has been kept isolated from the world. He hasn't had any contact with anyone, especially a woman, outside the estate walls for eleven long years.
This book is unlike any other romance I have ever read before. The isolation in which the romance takes place is unusual. Three quarters of the book takes place in Matthew and Grace's âprisonâ. I liked this aspect of the story though. It gave the book a cozy feel to it. Matthew is very unique. He is the first male virgin hero I have encountered in a romance. Grace and Matthew's first love scene felt very honest and I really liked that. Grace and Matthew are very likable. They have both been beaten down; he physically and she emotionally. I can't help but root for their happy ending.
The writing style of Untouched felt a little flowery to me. Campbell uses lots of descriptive, flowing words. It almost seemed a little over the top in some instances where I felt pulled out of the story. (If I was a more cynical person, I would have probably rolled my eyes at a few of the scenes). One other drawback were the eeevil villains. Lord John was quite the Drama Queen. Actually, now that I think about it, Grace was quite the Drama Queen too at the end of the story. Overall, it was an interesting, unique read.
For more reviews try http://romancerookie.blogspot.com
Matthew has suffered horribly at the hands of his uncle, Lord John for eleven years. Lord John has kept Matthew his prisoner so that he can control all of Matthew's wealth and estate. When Matthew was fourteen, he suffered from a horrible fever that gave him fits and, since then, has been diagnosed as being mad.. He has been kept isolated from the world. He hasn't had any contact with anyone, especially a woman, outside the estate walls for eleven long years.
This book is unlike any other romance I have ever read before. The isolation in which the romance takes place is unusual. Three quarters of the book takes place in Matthew and Grace's âprisonâ. I liked this aspect of the story though. It gave the book a cozy feel to it. Matthew is very unique. He is the first male virgin hero I have encountered in a romance. Grace and Matthew's first love scene felt very honest and I really liked that. Grace and Matthew are very likable. They have both been beaten down; he physically and she emotionally. I can't help but root for their happy ending.
The writing style of Untouched felt a little flowery to me. Campbell uses lots of descriptive, flowing words. It almost seemed a little over the top in some instances where I felt pulled out of the story. (If I was a more cynical person, I would have probably rolled my eyes at a few of the scenes). One other drawback were the eeevil villains. Lord John was quite the Drama Queen. Actually, now that I think about it, Grace was quite the Drama Queen too at the end of the story. Overall, it was an interesting, unique read.
For more reviews try http://romancerookie.blogspot.com
Helpful Score: 3
The second book by this author and well worth the read. Although slightly dark, it is so well written and captivating, I read it in one sitting. Great love scenes and lots of passion. I cannot wait to read her first book "Claiming the Courtesan".
Helpful Score: 3
Absolutely wonderful! So different, fresh and captivating. I was totally wrapped up in the lead characters and their plight. I loved "Claiming the Courtesan" but this one is even better! This new author is one to watch closely!! Beautiful love story...
Helpful Score: 3
I wanted so much to give this book a 5-star review. I really wanted to. In the end, I just couldn't do it.
I loved it - truly loved it! For starters, in my honest opinion the characters are immensely more likeable than the ones in "Claiming the Courtesan" or "Tempt the Devil", Anna's other books. I fell in love with Michael in spite of his tortured, troubled past or maybe even because of it. Grace is not the perfect heroine (some of her decision-making/inner dialogue left a lot to be desired) but she is a huge improvement over Soraya or Olivia (from the other two books mentioned above). Unlike the other two Anna Campbell's heroines, it is easy to relate to her humanity.
Having said that, the writing style is still way too verbose and somewhat repetitive.
I found myself having to suspend belief quite often in view of the choices made by the characters as well as the "over-the-top" villainess of the bad guys.
Still, I could probably see myself ignoring those flaws and giving it a five-star review, had it not been for the lack of a satisfactory conclusion. The final chapter felt really rushed - an epilogue of some sort would have helped.
The characters make it worth reading. The plot is original and appealing. The execution needs improvement.
I loved it - truly loved it! For starters, in my honest opinion the characters are immensely more likeable than the ones in "Claiming the Courtesan" or "Tempt the Devil", Anna's other books. I fell in love with Michael in spite of his tortured, troubled past or maybe even because of it. Grace is not the perfect heroine (some of her decision-making/inner dialogue left a lot to be desired) but she is a huge improvement over Soraya or Olivia (from the other two books mentioned above). Unlike the other two Anna Campbell's heroines, it is easy to relate to her humanity.
Having said that, the writing style is still way too verbose and somewhat repetitive.
I found myself having to suspend belief quite often in view of the choices made by the characters as well as the "over-the-top" villainess of the bad guys.
Still, I could probably see myself ignoring those flaws and giving it a five-star review, had it not been for the lack of a satisfactory conclusion. The final chapter felt really rushed - an epilogue of some sort would have helped.
The characters make it worth reading. The plot is original and appealing. The execution needs improvement.
Helpful Score: 2
Absolutely wonderful! Such emotion and passion. This is a book not to be missed. I will have to read her first book now, and all others to follow.
A widow is kidnapped, drugged and taken to a compound where she can't escape. Inside the compound she finds Lord Sheene, locked away and called "mad" by the world, he will do anything to reclaim his life.
Very emotional romance with unusual plot. I highly recommend.
Very emotional romance with unusual plot. I highly recommend.
A very sensual story about a virginal hero, Matthew, who has been held prisoner by his greedy uncle, and a young widow, Grace, who is accidentally ensnared in the uncle's plans for Matthew.
Most of the book takes place with the couple somewhat isolated (imprisoned) on a small gated estate from which they are unable to escape. Fitting with the intimacy of the setting, there is a great deal of internal dialogue but not so much as to stifle the story.
The characters' chemistry is clear from the start and the romance is fairly convincing. They are passionate about each other and Anna Campbell writes some pretty steamy and romantic love scenes.
On the downside, I think their isolation lasted too long. Campbell had it right when she wrote Grace as having reservations about her relationship with Matthew since Matthew had basically never seen, much less known, another woman in his adult life. Grace's concerns were spot on and very believable. However instead of showing us how their relationship evolves and how Matthew continues to love Grace outside the confines of his prison, we really only ever know him as a prisoner, and all his experiences and growth outside that situation is skipped with a giant leap forward in time.
I also found the constant and ever worsening maltreatment of Matthew, Grace, and even a dog to be excessive. It was almost as if Anna Campbell was afraid we wouldn't think the villains evil enough so she kept adding more and more heinous crimes.
Complaints aside, it was still quite a good book and far better than many of its ilk. Anna Campbell is an author to read more for certain.
Most of the book takes place with the couple somewhat isolated (imprisoned) on a small gated estate from which they are unable to escape. Fitting with the intimacy of the setting, there is a great deal of internal dialogue but not so much as to stifle the story.
The characters' chemistry is clear from the start and the romance is fairly convincing. They are passionate about each other and Anna Campbell writes some pretty steamy and romantic love scenes.
On the downside, I think their isolation lasted too long. Campbell had it right when she wrote Grace as having reservations about her relationship with Matthew since Matthew had basically never seen, much less known, another woman in his adult life. Grace's concerns were spot on and very believable. However instead of showing us how their relationship evolves and how Matthew continues to love Grace outside the confines of his prison, we really only ever know him as a prisoner, and all his experiences and growth outside that situation is skipped with a giant leap forward in time.
I also found the constant and ever worsening maltreatment of Matthew, Grace, and even a dog to be excessive. It was almost as if Anna Campbell was afraid we wouldn't think the villains evil enough so she kept adding more and more heinous crimes.
Complaints aside, it was still quite a good book and far better than many of its ilk. Anna Campbell is an author to read more for certain.
Great book, read it in one day!!
Terrible! I ended up skimming 2/3 of the book and just read the ending. Don't waste your credit.
