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Sinful Surrender (2010)

by Beverley Kendall(Favorite Author)

3.91 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

1420108697 (ISBN13: 9781420108699)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Zebra

series

The Elusive Lords

review 1: I’m in love with the historical romance genre, and I’m always on the lookout for a new series to dive into. When I saw a twitter friend tweeting about Sinful Surrender, I was immediately intrigued. While there are elements of the “childhood crush/unrequited love” story line, there are definitely twists and departures that the reader hooked. In fact, when I started reading, I couldn’t stop...I was literally up all night reading even though I had an early morning lecture. And then I came home and delved right back into reading. Kendall’s characters are really compelling and really generate interest in the remaining books of the series. I’m happy to give this 4.5 stars.Years ago on Missy Armstrong's 18th birthday, she steals a kiss from James Rutherford, her bro... morether's best friend, as he's escorting her home. She's always had a crush on him, but James has avoided her, as his friendship with her brother would dictate. However:"worst of his discoveries was what sprang to rigid attention beneath the front flap of his riding breeches... Armstrong would skewer him through if he knew the sorts of thoughts James currently entertained about his sister."He’s attracted to Missy, but Thomas Armstrong has made it clear that she is off limits. Thomas would rather that Missy marry an earl to launch the family into upper levels of society... So James lies to her:"... I have no interest in you like that... In a romantic sense."And then he darts, using travel associated with his business endeavors as an excuse to avoid Missy.We fast-forward to three years later... Missy is about to start her fourth season and she’s turned down 20 marriage proposals! She still loves James, but he's still avoiding her. However, Missy has learned new methods of flirting and she's patient...Will Missy finally be able to convince James to see past his fears of upsetting Thomas and find love with her? I really like Missy...what I like most about her is her persistent. She knows her own mind. Missy knows what/who she wants, and will stop at nothing to get it. With that said, Missy also knows her own self-worth. And there comes a time when, despite her love for James, she’s not willing to tolerate his snide rejection.And even though James continues to turn Missy away, it’s not necessarily done with malice. He wants to honor his best friend’s request to keep away from Missy...and more than that, he views himself as unsuitable and unworthy of Missy.But this doesn’t stop James’ attraction. Even though he keeps bringing other women around Missy, trying to ward Missy away, James is quick to frighten off Missy's other suitors! It’s quite an interesting dance to watch...but after awhile, these two definitely collide...A few fave parts:1. “Then the tip of her tongue pierced the set line of his mouth. Once she gained entry, her tongue boldly sought his out. James’ control shattered. He forgot his promise to his friend. The risk. The consequences. Everything. Rocked by the fiercest passion he had yet to experience, his hands clutched the firm softness of her rounded bottom and pulled her taut against his heated flesh...” *UNF*OR“He tuggesd the bodice from her shoulders, released the front fastenings of her stays and then smoothed the cotton chemise from her torso...with the flat of his thumb, he circled one berry-tipped nipple. Her breath hitched and her hips undulated helplessly...” AND THESE AREN’T EVEN SEXY TIMES YET!!!!!2. This might be bad, but I *love* seeing jealous James!M: “...Perhaps then I, too, should discover if any man with a handsome face would affect me similarly.”“The rage in him came to a frantic boil. He swiftly closed the distance between them...” *giggles*3. And Missy gets pretty jealous too...When she snaps at Sophia Laurel during dinner...M: “I pray you are not trying to draw some sort of comparison between us, as it’s obvious we are nothing alike.”AND“You would have me apologizing to one of your women?” *gassssssssp* 4. James and Missy’s first time together...“Drugged with spent passion, she turned a heavy-lidded gaze to him and watched as he guided his straining erection to her entrance...” BUT when they finish, James is horrid. And I really think that it’s at this point that Missy realizes that, despite loving him, she can’t bear James’ derision any longer...There’s an incredibly interesting twist that happens soon after their first sexy times. Just as James comes to his senses and is prepared to pursue Missy, he finds himself in an incredibly awkward situation with serious consequences. I should also say that Kendall does a great job of using secondary characters to keep the reader engaged in the plot.Missy soon finds herself in the unfamiliar position of trying to fend off the attentions of the man of her dreams:M: “I have no desire to create an intolerable situation for us that would be difficult for us to extricate ourselves from if we married in haste and then discovered there was no reason for such a sacrifice. I for one, still hope to marry for love.”J: “His blue eyes turned stormy, the pupils the black of oblivious, and his fram fairly bristled at her words. He came to his feet and advanced toward her, his movements stalking and dangerous. ‘How faulty your memory must be. You are getting a love match or have you forgotten so quickly how much you love me?...When, not if, we are married, there will be very few nights when I’ll leave you be. Before too long I will know your body even better than I know my own.’” *UNF*UNF*UNF*The epilogue is GLORIOUS! The happily ever after is very sweet, and it sets things up nicely for the next books. I, for one, am eager to see what happens to Thomas when love hits him!I reccomend this for those who love historical romance, especially since this plot (though familiar) takes some departures that keep the reader excited and invested.
review 2: When James Rutherford’s best friend’s sister Missy has a crush on him, and Thomas orders James to discourage her because he knows what a rake his best friend is, what else can he do but try to convince her to give up on him. Even though he has a hard time keeping his hands off of her, he knows his friend Thomas will beat him senseless if he touches her. Missy Armstrong is in her fourth Season, and she knows what she wants, and that’s James. What follows is a delightful story of frustrated attraction as James tries to resist the irresistible Missy with little success, and she keeps trying to make him admit that it’s more than just physical, that they are meant for each other. Throw in a scheming young lady who tries to trap James into marriage, and things get even more complicated. It was a lot of fun to see how it all got sorted out and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series, A Taste of Desire, which is the story of Missy’s brother Thomas. less

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