Friday, February 12, 2010

Review - Ravishing in Red



Title: Ravishing in Red
Author: Madeline Hunter
Publishing Date: February 2010
Genre: Historical
Rating: B+
Sensuality: Hot
Book Disclosure: I purchased this one new.

Ravishing in Red is the first book in Madeline Hunter’s new Rarest Blooms quartet. Audrianna's father committed suicide after being accused of approving a bad batch of gunpowder the resulted in the deaths of man soldiers. Audrianna is positive that her father was unjustly accused and vows to clear his name. When she sees an advertisement in the paper that is meant for her father, she plans to attend the meeting herself. Lord Sebastian Summerhays, one of her father's persecutors also sees the advertisement. He plans to attend the meeting too. Unfortunately, things to go as planned and Sebastian and Audrianna are caught in a scandal. Sebastian offers a marriage of convenience in which they will mutually benefit.

First off, I should let it be known that I love the marriage of convenience theme. I love it when two people are forced into intimacy and learn to adjust to each other and eventually fall in love. That's exactly what happens in Ravishing in Red. I read this book in one day and had a difficult time putting it down. I enjoy Hunter's writing style. Her characters feel true to the time period and are solidly developed. Also, for a mainstream romance this book had a surprising number of love scenes. It seemed more sensual than most, although they weren't quite graphic enough to quality as erotic.

Besides Audrianna and Sebastian learning to adjust to each other, Adrianna has to learn to deal with Sebastian's mother and also Morgan, Sebastian's crippled brother. Audrianna develops a very close friendship with Morgan. When Sebastian realizes this it sparks jealousy over Audrianna and Morgan's relationship. Sebastian comes to the realization that his feelings for Audrianna run deeper than just lust. The conclusion to their marital woes is very satisfying indeed. There are illusions to future books, but they never overshadow the main romance. I am very much looking forward to Provocative in Pearls which releases at the end of this month.

Here is what others had to say:

Dear Author
Errant Dreams Reviews
Musings of a Bibliophile
Ramblings on Romance, etc.

This book can be purchased in print or kindle format from Amazon.

9 comments:

Lori said...

Hmmm... I've never been able to finish a Hunter book before, so I wrote this one off, too. But it does sound good. Hmmm...

Christine said...

I'm glad you enjoyed this one! It's on my 'To-Buy soon' list!

Hilcia said...

Sounds like a good read, Jill. This one is on my TBB list. :)

Jill D. said...

Lori - What!? You haven't been able to finish her books? Hmmm... mayber her writing style just isn't for you then. I would only recommend it if you like marriage of convenience then.

Christine and Hilcia - Great! I hope you enjoy it.

Patti (@TheLoveJunkee) said...

I love the marriage of convenience theme too! I've never read anything by this authur but this one looks good and I've just added it to my TBB list. Thanks!

Jill D. said...

Patti - Well, I hope you enjoy her and good thing about this book is that it is the first in a series. Enjoy!

nath said...

LOL, well you know what I think of the book :D Great review :D

Lori - I'm surprised since you enjoy historicals so much!

Marg said...

I have really enjoyed the Madeline Hunter books I have read so far so I have been keeping an eye out for this one!

Jill D. said...

Marg - I love her books too. I hope you get a chance to read this one. I think you will enjoy it!