TOO DANGEROUS TO DESIRE by Alexandra Benedict

Too Series
Avon
October 6^th, 2009
978-0-06-117047-8
Historical Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)
Obtained by Publisher

3 Hearts


Adam Westmore is a broken man and lives away from society as he walks along the ocean’s edge, enjoying the solitude around him. Until that solitude is broken by Evelyn Waye who is determined to not marry a depraved prince. She is desperate to escape the marriage and sees no choice except death. When Adam sees Evelyn, he offers his protection, hiding his real identity. But Evelyn knows the prince will find her and cause her more harm than she ever knows. She wants to trust Adam but as secrets swirl around them, can these two find a way to bridge their wariness as danger streaks towards them?

This was an okay book after I read The Infamous Rogue. The author keeps the pace up and quickly captures my attention with complex characters, intriguing storyline and a setting that gives the story lushness about it. There were two things I had an issue with in TOO DANGEROUS TO DESIRE. One was the main characters. The author does a great job in capturing James’ anguish, his determination and more amid the pages that Evelyn is basically lost besides him. She felt colorless to me to the point where she fades from view as Adam comes on the page. Adam has depth and more while it felt like the author forgot about Evelyn who needed that depth and maturity as the story moved along. The best part in my opinion was the scenes between Adam and his brother. Their history plays within the story as anger, guilt, love and more wind their way through them, leaving me on the edge of my seat. I wanted more with these two characters over the scenes with Adam and Evelyn.

The other thing I had an issue was the ending was both rushed as well as entertaining. I felt it could have been drawn out more rather than the whole, ‘this happened to cause this and boom! Voila, the end’. The author doesn’t let the characters see where their hearts lead them and it felt like she was pushing it onto the readers to the point that we never appreciated their self-discovery of their feelings for one another. That dropped the rating a bit in my opinion as I felt we needed those scenes to appreciate Adam and Evelyn’s happy ever after.

TOO DANGEROUS TO DESIRE is an okay read that will fill a lazy afternoon with though I am hoping the author goes back to her swashbuckling heroes who spar with strong willed women before admitting they fell in love with said woman. That said, this is one series I think I might not go back to read though I am eager to see what else this author has in store for the readers in the future.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

 

THE INFAMOUS ROGUE by Alexandra Benedict

The Hawkins Brothers Series, Book One

Avon
July 16^th, 2009

978-0-06-168931-4

Historical Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)
Obtained by Publisher

3 hearts

Sophia Dawson remembers when she fell for the infamous Black Hawk. But now as she prepares to enter society, she is determined to put her past behind her and become the bride of a nobleman who knows nothing of her youthful indiscretions. Until her ex-lover comes back into the picture, a respectable sea captain but just as sinfully handsome as ever. He tempts her from her path as desire spins its web around them but for James Hawkins, Sophia is a means to revenge. She left him, abandoning their affair and he wants revenge. So as the battle of wills begins, can the strong willed beauty and sexy sea captain find a way to listen to their hearts before their battles cause them ruin?

THE INFAMOUS ROGUE begins the Hawkins brothers’ series with a delightful tale of second chance at love theme that weaves its way through the story. I haven’t really read this author before so I was eager to see where this author would take me in THE INFAMOUS ROGUE. I can happily say, she delivered a story that left me spellbound till the end. The writing was tight, story moved quickly and thou there were times where I wanted to smack the main characters a few times, overall, they were quite enjoyable.

. Ms. Benedict delivers an action packed ride from start to finish in her first book and as we meet Sophia, James and all the rest of the characters, you can’t help but wonder just what makes these wicked Hawkins brothers so tempting to women. I loved the battle of wills between Sophia and James. Both are outraged over the other’s attitude years before and the author does a great job in keeping their animosity on high as even the sparks that flare between them gets hotter. Each has an agenda and as they try to implement it, they can not help but find their lust for one another is just as hot as ever. With captivating characters, a lush setting and more, Ms. Benedict delivers a wild introduction to the Hawkins Brothers series that you can not put down. Add in some secondary characters that made me wonder if they would pop up in future books, you got a real winner here in THE INFAMOUS ROGUE.

If you enjoy a rollicking good time then I recommend this introduction to the Hawkins Brothers series. This author now has a new fan and one who is eager to plunder the backlist to see if I find anything else to enjoy.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement