Review: Sensationally described settings, wonderful lovable characters, and a passionate love story that will keep your heart a-flutter
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 17, 2011
I adored Mary Campisi's earlier historical work, and was thrilled to find that all the elements I loved from A Taste of Seduction could be found in this book in spades: sensationally described settings, wonderfully lovable characters, and a passionate love story that will keep your heart a-flutter until the final paragraph. Best off, it's the first of a promised series, so there is more to come from this delightful opening.Eighteen years ago, the frail, bookish Holt Langford, future Earl of Westover, was shipped off to the West Indies where it was hoped he would `learn to be a man'. When the dangerous, angry man who calls himself Gregory Thurston storms back into his family's home, nearly no one recognizes the young and frightened Hoyt inside the broad-shouldered, brooding Thurston. Holt has returned for one reason only--to destroy the company that is threatening his family's shipping business before returning to his life on the sea.When Holt hears that the head of Seacrest Shipping, who is also the owner of the neighboring estate, has a stunning and unmarried daughter, he realizes the quickest way to his revenge is to destroy the girl's happiness in the same way his own was destroyed so long ago.What Holt never counted on was his own reaction to Miss Sophie Seacrest, how her fiery spirit will warm a part of his heart he thought long dead, or how her nearness will scramble any previous intentions he might have had toward her family. As Hoyt--still known as Thurston--gets drawn even further into Sophie's world, he learns more about the dark secrets that unite the Seacrest and Langford families and their feud that has raged for a generation.But though the passion between them is nearly incendiary, Holt knows that Sophie dreams of more--she wants his love and trust--something that can never be until she knows his true name. But as a shadowy figure draws ever closer to Hoyt, bent on a darker kind of vengeance, will he and Sophie be able to escape the sins of the past and the lies that darken their present?Even though I wanted to slap him silly a few times, I was still glad in a way that his love for Sophie didn't change Holt's character completely. It feels disingenuous to me when a supposed rouge suddenly mends all his ways the minute he realizes his feelings, but for Holt, love isn't that simple. After the life he has led--or been forced to lead--love has no place in his life. He is terrified by his deeper feelings and reacts in a manner that seems very natural for his character. I wish we could have seen more of the story from Hoyt's point of view, and understand first-hand how he how he managed to come to terms with his love and his need for Sophie--and how he managed to outwit one of her more aggressive suitors. More than anything else, I want honesty out of my characters, and, as infuriating as he can occasionally be, Holt may hide his name, but never his true nature, and I really appreciated that.Sophie is a wonderfully loveable mix of vulnerability and iron-edged determination. She is steadfastly loyalty to her family, especially her sister, and has a very sensible head on her shoulders, while still believing in love and its remarkable potential. Hers is the optimism that Holt's life has so far been lacking, without being unrealistic or overly nave. I genuinely liked Sophie, and I loved that, even at his most intimidating, she was able to put Holt squarely in his place with a few words.The Langford family is full of the most charming misfits you could hope to meet, from Jason, the steadfast and sympathetic brother, whose stoic faade hides the secret of a broken heart, to Julia, the headstrong and charming younger sister who refuses to let the necessity of marriage spoil any of her fun. I was impressed by the fact that Sophie's alcoholic father, as well as her most odious suitors are treated sympathetically enough that I could see them as three-dimensional people.I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and the fiery, almost irrational passion that sparked between Holt and Sophie was marvelously described. I also enjoyed the menacing shadow that dogged Hoyt's footsteps, though I'm not sure the foundation that was laid was strong enough to support the final climax of the story, or that the explanation we were given in the end lightens all the dark secrets of these two families. I'm sure that, as the series progresses, the complicated pieces of the story will fall into place, but I was left with a few more questions than I would have liked, and I think a few more pages might have fleshed out some aspects of the plot that seemed somewhat lacking.There is, however, no doubt that the characters and their interactions make every page of this book a treat to read. Holt was a worthy hero and Sophie an admirable partner for him, and their love story is something that lingers even after the final page is turned. Even better is the promise of further books to come, and a chance to return to the loves and lives of the Langford family soon!Reviewed by Bridgetfor The Romance Reviews