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wintergirl94's review
4.0
The only reason this isn’t 5*? TWO FIRES?! Come on now, it totally pulled me out of the drama because it was a bit silly.
HOWEVER: one of the best heroines I have read in a loooooong time.
HOWEVER: one of the best heroines I have read in a loooooong time.
youactlikeicare's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
gypsybaby75's review
2.0
Nicole Jordan’s latest book, Secrets of Seduction is out today. Secrets of Seduction is book 3 in her latest series entitled Legendary Lovers. I received an ARC of book 3 from Edelweiss because I fell in love with Nicole Jordan’s last series of book entitled The Courtship Wars. And although I just hate reading a series out of order, I thought I’d give Secrets of Seduction a try.
I really wasn’t into it.
To start with, the plot is stupid. In my opinion. The heroine, Lady Skye has been in love with the hero, the Earl of Hawkhurst for a while; but ever since his wife’s death he has been closed off and hides away in his gloomy mansion.
And that was another reason why I wanted to read this, because Beauty and the Beast is my all-time favorite tale.
Lady Skye concocts a plan that will let her stay in his house with him. Alone. The plan? Finding her Uncle’s long lost lover.
And that’s where I have to roll my eyes.
Really??
I mean, I know this is fiction, but can you actually believe that an elite member of the Guardian of the Sword would actually take time out of his mourning of his wife and son to locate someone else’s lover?
But besides the plot, I have to say I really enjoyed the rest of the book….even though I didn’t finish it; the chemistry and interaction between Lady Skye and Hawkhurst was what ultimately kept me reading.
This is only one book though, so it definitely did not put me off Nicole Jordan. She is still on my list of authors to look out for, but Secrets of Seduction fell flat for me.
I really wasn’t into it.
To start with, the plot is stupid. In my opinion. The heroine, Lady Skye has been in love with the hero, the Earl of Hawkhurst for a while; but ever since his wife’s death he has been closed off and hides away in his gloomy mansion.
And that was another reason why I wanted to read this, because Beauty and the Beast is my all-time favorite tale.
Lady Skye concocts a plan that will let her stay in his house with him. Alone. The plan? Finding her Uncle’s long lost lover.
And that’s where I have to roll my eyes.
Really??
I mean, I know this is fiction, but can you actually believe that an elite member of the Guardian of the Sword would actually take time out of his mourning of his wife and son to locate someone else’s lover?
But besides the plot, I have to say I really enjoyed the rest of the book….even though I didn’t finish it; the chemistry and interaction between Lady Skye and Hawkhurst was what ultimately kept me reading.
This is only one book though, so it definitely did not put me off Nicole Jordan. She is still on my list of authors to look out for, but Secrets of Seduction fell flat for me.
scoutmomskf's review
4.0
Good book. The Wilde family finds their love lives mirroring those of legendary lovers. Skye's cousins Ashton and Jack followed the stories of Cinderella and Romeo and Juliet. Skye firmly believes that her story is that of Beauty and the Beast.
Skye fell for Hawk when she was thirteen but put those dreams aside because he was already married. She followed his life after the tragic loss of his wife and child as he fled England to serve his country with the Guardians of the Sword. His return to England and plan for a marriage of convenience goes against her belief that she is his destined bride. Skye devises a plan to show him the truth.
Since Hawk's return, he has shut himself up in his ruined home, haunted by the memories of his lost family and his failure to save them. His planned marriage to his mentor's niece meshes with his vow never to risk the pain of loving and losing again. He doesn't expect the persistent and enchanting Skye, who shows up on his doorstep in a storm with a challenging mystery for him to solve.
I thoroughly enjoyed the development of the relationship between Skye and Hawk. Skye starts her mission knowing that it will be a challenge. She times her arrival to coincide with a storm, counting on Hawk's honor not to toss her back out in the storm. Hawk flatly refuses her plea for his help finding her uncle's long-lost love, but Skye doesn't lose heart. In an amusing scene, she counters all of his objections, wangles an overnight stay, and refuses to accept his decision. Matters become more complicated when a vicious nightmare leads to a night of passion. Skye offers to stay and help Hawk renovate his home while they wait to see if there are "consequences" to their night together.
I liked watching Skye's patience as she teases and torments Hawk out of his brooding ways. Hawk fights hard to resist her effect on him, but it is a losing battle. Skye's light slowly breaks through the darkness that haunts him. The back-and-forth banter between them is fun as Hawk's initial frustration gives way first to unwilling amusement and later to outright laughter. When Hawk finally agrees to find her uncle's long-lost love, Skye insists on going along. The attraction between them continues to grow, and Skye begins to hope that her dream will come true.
Meanwhile, Hawk is caught in a dilemma. He accepts that he loves Skye and wants a future with her, but he made a commitment elsewhere. To fulfill his promise to take over the leadership of the Guardians, he must marry the other woman. I ached for Skye as she set him free rather than make him choose between her and his honor. I also hurt for Hawk, who, now that he had opened himself up to love, faces a loveless marriage. I hoped for a reprieve and cheered as Hawk discovered an alternative that freed him from his obligation. I felt his terror as he arrived home to see his nightmares come to life. The intensity of the ending kept me glued to the pages as Hawk faced those fears and overcame them. I loved the ending and seeing Beauty win her Beast. The epilogue was good and a nice lead-in to the next story.
I liked the secondary story of the search for Uncle Cornelius's lost love. The background of his story was heartbreaking. I loved how Skye stumbled on information that Rachel wasn't really dead and wanted to find out the truth. Her belief that Hawk was the best person to help her proved to be true. I liked following their investigation and kept my fingers crossed for their success. The results of their search were heartwarming, and I loved the reunion. Some circumstances affect the future of the reunited couple, and I liked seeing how each played out.
#netgalley
Skye fell for Hawk when she was thirteen but put those dreams aside because he was already married. She followed his life after the tragic loss of his wife and child as he fled England to serve his country with the Guardians of the Sword. His return to England and plan for a marriage of convenience goes against her belief that she is his destined bride. Skye devises a plan to show him the truth.
Since Hawk's return, he has shut himself up in his ruined home, haunted by the memories of his lost family and his failure to save them. His planned marriage to his mentor's niece meshes with his vow never to risk the pain of loving and losing again. He doesn't expect the persistent and enchanting Skye, who shows up on his doorstep in a storm with a challenging mystery for him to solve.
I thoroughly enjoyed the development of the relationship between Skye and Hawk. Skye starts her mission knowing that it will be a challenge. She times her arrival to coincide with a storm, counting on Hawk's honor not to toss her back out in the storm. Hawk flatly refuses her plea for his help finding her uncle's long-lost love, but Skye doesn't lose heart. In an amusing scene, she counters all of his objections, wangles an overnight stay, and refuses to accept his decision. Matters become more complicated when a vicious nightmare leads to a night of passion. Skye offers to stay and help Hawk renovate his home while they wait to see if there are "consequences" to their night together.
I liked watching Skye's patience as she teases and torments Hawk out of his brooding ways. Hawk fights hard to resist her effect on him, but it is a losing battle. Skye's light slowly breaks through the darkness that haunts him. The back-and-forth banter between them is fun as Hawk's initial frustration gives way first to unwilling amusement and later to outright laughter. When Hawk finally agrees to find her uncle's long-lost love, Skye insists on going along. The attraction between them continues to grow, and Skye begins to hope that her dream will come true.
Meanwhile, Hawk is caught in a dilemma. He accepts that he loves Skye and wants a future with her, but he made a commitment elsewhere. To fulfill his promise to take over the leadership of the Guardians, he must marry the other woman. I ached for Skye as she set him free rather than make him choose between her and his honor. I also hurt for Hawk, who, now that he had opened himself up to love, faces a loveless marriage. I hoped for a reprieve and cheered as Hawk discovered an alternative that freed him from his obligation. I felt his terror as he arrived home to see his nightmares come to life. The intensity of the ending kept me glued to the pages as Hawk faced those fears and overcame them. I loved the ending and seeing Beauty win her Beast. The epilogue was good and a nice lead-in to the next story.
I liked the secondary story of the search for Uncle Cornelius's lost love. The background of his story was heartbreaking. I loved how Skye stumbled on information that Rachel wasn't really dead and wanted to find out the truth. Her belief that Hawk was the best person to help her proved to be true. I liked following their investigation and kept my fingers crossed for their success. The results of their search were heartwarming, and I loved the reunion. Some circumstances affect the future of the reunited couple, and I liked seeing how each played out.
#netgalley
lucy_qhuay's review
2.0
I'm disappointed. I love books with the beauty and the beast theme, but this came up short of all my expectations.
Where are the deep, gutting emotions? Where is the love connection between Skye and Hawk? Where is the exciting plot?
Trying to seduce a man by making him agree to pursue your uncle's long lost lover is just extremely far fetched and a bit ridiculous.
Plus, can I just say how I hate the word 'loins'? It just sounds bad and dirty. I hate it as much as I hate the word 'pussy' in erotica/erotic fiction.
Bah. Not for me.
katleap's review
2.0
So out of all the books in this series I knew right away that this would be my favorite. I love beauty and the beast tales and the synopsis seemed spot on. Then I read this book and it just didn't work for me. They ended up in bed together 4 chapters in. I found Skye to be pushy and annoying and stick her nose in everything. The pretense of finding her uncle's lost love seem contrived and ridiculously easy. Hawk was the only person who I actually liked in the book. I liked the first book a lot but the next one was so so and this one did nothing for me. Sorry.
jenfriddo's review
5.0
Another fantastic read by Nicole Jordan!! Excellent book. Great characters and storyline. Ms. Jordan really draws you in and makes you love the characters. Couldn't put it down.
witandsin's review against another edition
3.0
My review cross-posted from Wit and Sin: http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2014/04/review-secrets-of-seduction-by-nicole.html
Beauty and the Beast lands in Regency England in the latest Wilde family adventure. Secrets of Seduction is a sensual, fast-paced story that blends author Nicole Jordan’s Legendary Lovers and Paradise series. Liking both series as much as I do, I had high hopes for Skye and Hawk’s story. Yet while I did enjoy Secrets of Seduction, the story was missing Ms. Jordan’s usual spark.
Skye Wilde has always been the least brazen member of her family, but in Secrets of Seduction she sets out to seduce the man she’s had a crush on since she was thirteen. Hawk is a widower, scarred inside and out thanks to the fire that claimed the life of his wife and child. After years of being an agent for the Guardians of the Sword, he has returned to England in order to marry the niece of the Guardians’ leader so that he may become the head of the league. What he doesn’t count on is Skye bursting into his home in the middle of a storm and turning his life upside down. Sparks fly between Skye and Hawk almost immediately, but he’s determined to do his duty and pushes her away, even though he desires her. Skye is equally determined to make him fall in love with her, and urges Hawk to help her find her uncle’s lost true love as a way for them to spend time together (while helping her uncle, of course). Ms. Jordan’s signature heat is well at play in this story, and on one level, Skye and Hawk work. Their explosive desire for one another and developing romance kept me engaged in Secrets of Seduction. Still, I couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed in the story. I never connected with either Skye or Hawk and the Skye Wilde of this story isn’t the same Skye Wilde I had adored in the first two Legendary Lovers books. She was a bit selfish and even slightly calculating, and neither of those traits appealed to me. There could be an argument that her actions and planning were for the greater good, but ultimately Skye simply wasn’t my favorite kind of heroine.
Secrets of Seduction is the third book in the Legendary Lovers series and the fifth book in her Paradise series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. That being said, I loved getting closure on the Paradise series, and my favorite moments of the book were when Skye’s family members showed up. I truly adore the Legendary Lovers series – Princess Charming and Lover Be Mine charmed the heck out of me – so even though I was a bit let down by Secrets of Seduction, I’m still incredibly eager to read the next Legendary Lovers book!
Note: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Beauty and the Beast lands in Regency England in the latest Wilde family adventure. Secrets of Seduction is a sensual, fast-paced story that blends author Nicole Jordan’s Legendary Lovers and Paradise series. Liking both series as much as I do, I had high hopes for Skye and Hawk’s story. Yet while I did enjoy Secrets of Seduction, the story was missing Ms. Jordan’s usual spark.
Skye Wilde has always been the least brazen member of her family, but in Secrets of Seduction she sets out to seduce the man she’s had a crush on since she was thirteen. Hawk is a widower, scarred inside and out thanks to the fire that claimed the life of his wife and child. After years of being an agent for the Guardians of the Sword, he has returned to England in order to marry the niece of the Guardians’ leader so that he may become the head of the league. What he doesn’t count on is Skye bursting into his home in the middle of a storm and turning his life upside down. Sparks fly between Skye and Hawk almost immediately, but he’s determined to do his duty and pushes her away, even though he desires her. Skye is equally determined to make him fall in love with her, and urges Hawk to help her find her uncle’s lost true love as a way for them to spend time together (while helping her uncle, of course). Ms. Jordan’s signature heat is well at play in this story, and on one level, Skye and Hawk work. Their explosive desire for one another and developing romance kept me engaged in Secrets of Seduction. Still, I couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed in the story. I never connected with either Skye or Hawk and the Skye Wilde of this story isn’t the same Skye Wilde I had adored in the first two Legendary Lovers books. She was a bit selfish and even slightly calculating, and neither of those traits appealed to me. There could be an argument that her actions and planning were for the greater good, but ultimately Skye simply wasn’t my favorite kind of heroine.
Secrets of Seduction is the third book in the Legendary Lovers series and the fifth book in her Paradise series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. That being said, I loved getting closure on the Paradise series, and my favorite moments of the book were when Skye’s family members showed up. I truly adore the Legendary Lovers series – Princess Charming and Lover Be Mine charmed the heck out of me – so even though I was a bit let down by Secrets of Seduction, I’m still incredibly eager to read the next Legendary Lovers book!
Note: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
tmdavis's review
3.0
Not a huge fan of the I'm going to make you love me theme where one person sets their sights on another as it can read as manipulative. I also found the legendary lovers / fairy tale thing hard to take seriously. Would give 3.5 stars.
loverofromance's review
5.0
Lady Skye has always believed in the "Legendary Lovers" for her family, and she knows her legend will be Beauty and the Beast. Skye has always been fascinated with the earl of Hawkhurst ever since she was young. Now he is back in England, and she is determined to win his love no matter what she has to do to get it done. Hawk lost his wife and infant son to a house fire years ago, and has immersed himself in danger among the continent in order to keep the pain at bay. Hawk still blames himself, and even though he himself got burned himself, he still lost his family. Now he is back in England, and made a promise to take over the Guardians of the Sword and in order to do that he will need to marry a young lady he has never met and will only be a marriage of convenience, and then his world goes haywire when a bewitching siren shows up on his doorstep in need of his help. At first Hawk would rather just kick her back to London, but she is tenacious and he can't help but find himself drawn to her. Before he realizes it, they share a passionate night of sensuality and desire. And when he reluctantly agrees to help her with her problem finding her uncles long lost love, which begins a fierce battle of these two hearts but who will win and will their romance be legendary?
Secrets of Seduction was a phenomenal story, that had me tingling all the way through. There was so much that I enjoyed from this story. I doubt I will be able to express everything I felt about it. Ever since I first started reading this series, I have found it fun and engaging and sweet. Secrets of Seduction is as heartwarming as the previous two books in the series. I think from the first page I liked this heroine. Sometimes I have a difficult time getting into their character, but Skye was practically addicting and I almost wished I could be just like her. She is stubborn and tenacious with a bit of playfulness and boy does she know how to go about a seduction despite the fact that she is a virgin. We see the multiple tricks up her sleeve to get Hawk to step out of his shell and take a chance on the love she offers. Hawk is the perfect "Beast" character, he is scarred inside and out, has a temper and growls (but boy was that sexy). I did enjoy the theme of this book, and I also loved the little sub plot we have going on with Skye's uncle and his long lost love.
The characters in this story were engaging and fun loving and I felt my heartstrings being constantly pulled with variety of emotions. Nicole Jordan knows how to weave a beautiful romance that gets the reader fully involved in the story. There was quite a bit happening in the plot, not too much, but enough to keep your mind thinking and imaging. From beginning to end you are captivated by this tender relationship that forms between Hawk and Skye. Overall a stunning romance that shot a arrow straight to the core of my romantic heart. I couldn't help but fall in love with this story and these charming characters that pulled me in from the start. A TREASURE OF A FAIRY TALE ROMANCE!!
Secrets of Seduction was a phenomenal story, that had me tingling all the way through. There was so much that I enjoyed from this story. I doubt I will be able to express everything I felt about it. Ever since I first started reading this series, I have found it fun and engaging and sweet. Secrets of Seduction is as heartwarming as the previous two books in the series. I think from the first page I liked this heroine. Sometimes I have a difficult time getting into their character, but Skye was practically addicting and I almost wished I could be just like her. She is stubborn and tenacious with a bit of playfulness and boy does she know how to go about a seduction despite the fact that she is a virgin. We see the multiple tricks up her sleeve to get Hawk to step out of his shell and take a chance on the love she offers. Hawk is the perfect "Beast" character, he is scarred inside and out, has a temper and growls (but boy was that sexy). I did enjoy the theme of this book, and I also loved the little sub plot we have going on with Skye's uncle and his long lost love.
The characters in this story were engaging and fun loving and I felt my heartstrings being constantly pulled with variety of emotions. Nicole Jordan knows how to weave a beautiful romance that gets the reader fully involved in the story. There was quite a bit happening in the plot, not too much, but enough to keep your mind thinking and imaging. From beginning to end you are captivated by this tender relationship that forms between Hawk and Skye. Overall a stunning romance that shot a arrow straight to the core of my romantic heart. I couldn't help but fall in love with this story and these charming characters that pulled me in from the start. A TREASURE OF A FAIRY TALE ROMANCE!!