I'm not sure I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This typical storyline has been done over and over again that I've grown a bit tired of it. You know what I mean: the consummate bad boy, whom all the mothers warned their daughters about and all the wives, widows and spinsters dream of, meets a raving beauty who tames his wild heart. He fights a losing battle against his overwhelming attraction to her but eventually succumbs to the fate destiny has wrought for him.

Of course, I was well aware of this going in to the book. I picked up it up only because I'm currently reading all of Madeline Hunter's books and I'd have to say that this one is her weakest. The characters were okay, albeit a bit unconvincing in their roles. The storyline was very predictable and the supposed attraction between Bride and Ewan seemed too contrived.

Overall, I'd say you'd probably end up skimming through most of the story if you decide to read this book.

This is a smart, well written, and satisfying story with interesting leads, a good romance and a compelling mystery. Ewan McLean, carefree lover and man-about-town, promises his uncle the earl, on his deathbed, that he will help the family of a man whom the uncle ruined years before. This takes Ewan, now the new earl, to a remote part of Scotland where he learns that the man has died and left behind four daughters. Ewan and the eldest daughter Bride, a passionate and self-reliant Scottish beauty, are immediately and intensely attracted to one another. They have several intimate encounters, but Ewan does not allow things to go too far because he feels responsible for Bride - responsibility being a rather new concept for Ewan. The sisters are barely making ends meet, so Ewan offers to move them to a comfortable home in Glasgow, but they stubbornly refuse. They insist they can get by on the money they earn from engraving prints from templates, a trade learned from their father. Ewan nonetheless arranges for generous trusts for the three younger sisters (Bride refuses one for herself), and reluctantly returns to London, afraid that he will compromise Bride if he stays.

Weeks pass and Ewan cannot get Bride out of his mind. Then suddenly she appears on his doorstep, sisters in tow, having been evicted from their home. What Ewan does not know is that Bride has another reason for coming to London. She is trying to find out who stole her late father's templates for forged banknotes, before she and her sisters can be implicated. What Bride does not know is that Ewan, an expert on engravings, is investigating reports of forged banknotes on behalf of the government. With deception and intrigue swirling around them, can true love prevail for this passionate pair?

This appealing story is well-paced and held my interest from start to finish. Ewan and Bride are an unusual and refreshing couple, for each has a background that is somewhat imperfect, and yet they are clearly perfect for one another. Ewan is a collector of erotic art and has a liking for all things sensual; Bride does not reject out of hand his rather unconventional hobby, but instead has a healthy curiosity about it. Both have great appreciation for the other's qualities, and they truly connect as soul mates on a physical, emotional and intellectual level. The story has many funny moments as Ewan tries to hide his irregular activities from the prying eyes of Bride's sisters and chaperone, all while they are living under his roof. The dialogue is thoughtful and intelligent, and the romance sensual and satisfying. Highly recommended.

Courtesy of Love Romances Reviews

Ewan McLean is a grand seducer of women. All he cares about is enjoying the pleasures of the flesh and adding to his collection of erotic art. Until he grants the death bed wish of his uncle to right an old wrong, that is. Now Ewan is off to Scotland to grant this request and his life changes abruptly as a result.

Bride Cameron is the sole support of her family that consists of herself and three younger sisters. They make their living by doing engravings using their father's old equipment, and by a secret mission that could get them into big trouble if ever discovered. The last thing she needs is an overbearing man coming into their home with the strange idea that he should support them.

Sparks fly between Ewan and Bride from their first meeting, and those sparks grow into a burning desire as they journey back to London to try and track down the person who is forging money and priceless works of art. As Bride works her way in to Ewan's heart, he begins to wonder if his life would be better with her in his bed... as his wife.

Madeline Hunter has written another lush historical to delight her many fans. In this story she even gets to demonstrate her remarkable knowledge of art, which is the focal point of her career outside of her books. It is more than evident that she knows her stuff where the history of the art of printing is concerned. Readers will love to see the results of the compilation of both of her careers in this book.

Readers who have read previous books in the Seducer series will remember the carefree Ewan. It is delightful to see how he grows and changes throughout this story. Bride is a force to be reckoned with as well, with a fiery temperament to match her flame-colored hair. Ewan has met his match in Bride and watching the dance of desire between them is fascinating.

The plot of the forged art and money is brilliantly woven throughout the story, adding to the romance found in this tale and showcasing both Ewan and Bride's considerable knowledge of art. There are also enough sub plots to intrigue readers on many different levels. Readers will also relish the opportunity to visit some old friends from previous books in the series.

As always, Ms. Hunter has penned a passionate love story, rich in historical detail, that is bound to leave fans, be they new or old, longing for the next book by this talented author.

ý Kelley A. Hartsell, August 2005. All rights reserved.

As I said, this is one of the best of Hunter's latest books. Her first 3 are the best I have ever read. Back to this one: I loved Ewan's sensual nature, and how both were very passionate. I enjoyed the story surrounding their love affair. Many men could learn how to make love by reading Hunter's books. She is the best I have read at describing the intimacy. She writes a good story surrounding the intimacy. You can count on her to write at a mature level. I did find that "Ewan" was not an attractive name, and did not fit this smoldering, sensual, man.

I don't recall the author's other books being quite as bad as this one. I almost didn't make it to the end, but I did--and save yourself the trouble--it wasn't worth it. The hero and heroine were amoral, "do as I say and not as I do" characters who saw nothing wrong with orgies, pornography, or forgery.
And what was with the heroine's other family members? An aunt/servant(?) who looked the other way no matter what her nieces did, including sexual misconduct and forgery. One sister who lived in la-la land except when she chose to come out of it and make perfect sense. One sister who was a cross-dresser. And the youngest sister who was constantly being pulled out of trouble if the others cared enough to check on her. I could go on with the problems in the book, but I think you get the gist.