Series: Garrick #3
Published by St. Martin's Paperbacks on June 15th 1995
Genres: Historical Romance, Regency Era
Pages: 388
Format: Paperback
Source: Library
ISBN: 0312954786
The Played For High Stakes--Passion, Honor, And Revenge...
Damien, Lord Falon, made his ruthless proposal to Alexa Garrick at a gaming table where he'd cheated the exquisite young heiress out of a fortune--one night with him would discharge her debt. Yet, as claimed his prize, the handsome earl fought a craving for more than Alexa's body..and when a twist of fate turned seduction into matrimony, rapture and rage warred within him. How could he love the woman whose flirtation had destroyed his brother?
Alexa knew of Damien's French blood, scandalous liaisons, and the whispers that branded his a smuggler. Though she was playing with fire, the dark, devilish earl's hungry embrace plucked at her heartstrings with a haunting song of desire. But was Damien spinning a web of deceit and treason, as he brought her to his surfswept castle?
From London's glitter to the dangerous decadence of Napoleon's Paris, Kat Martin will dazzle you with her riches, most sensuous romance ever!
Summary
Damien, Lord Falon, is after a young woman of the Ton, Lady Alexa Garrick. Damien has been on the hunt for Alexa, for personal reason and will do anything to get her. Alexa, is daring and bold, but conservative when she needs to be. But she has a weakness for being reckless at the worst times. When Lord Falon, dares her at the gaming table, she takes him up on it, but she loses her hand and must either pay up a fortune which will only raise questions from her brother or spend a night in Damien’s bed. Alexa is cunning and crafty at certain times, so she leads Damien along. But Damien is no fool and gives her an ultimatum. When her brother finds the truth, and a duel is about to happen, Alexa reluctantly agrees to a marriage of convenience. She knows she has little choice, if she wants both men to live. She feels desire with Darien, so she hopes her marriage won’t be terrible. But soon she is drawn into a game of spies between the English and the French and she may have to choose who she trusts more….the British or her husband because their lives may depend on her future actions.
The Hero
Damien, Lord Falon, has been away from home for quite a while. Damien having traveled and battled, he has come home but not for the most noble of reasons. His brother was killed and he blames Alexa Garrick. He believes she is the reason behind his brothers death, and has come back for revenge. But little does Damien realize, that not everything is as it seems. Alexa is a far cry from the conceited girl he was expecting to find. Alexa is bold, reckless, and gorgeous. His plan is to seduce her and drop her and destroy her reputation. But his emotions are coming close to the surface for this unique woman he can’t seem to get out of his mind. Damien is a alpha male that is for sure. And boy do I love heroes like Damien. Brooding, arrogant and commanding. What was most unique about his character was seeing the way he changes throughout the story. From a man out for revenge to a man with a heart and willing to protect those he loves the most.
The Heroine
Alexa Garrick, is quite a spoiled by her brother and tends to get away with many things. At first, I liked her…she is spontaneous, has a spirit for adventure but is way too reckless for her own good. She never thinks before acting and quite frankly it got a bit old. There were many likable traits about this heroine, but in all honesty, I couldn’t really love her character because she tended to have this mindset that nothing would go wrong with the decisions she made. There were some actions that she takes that I didn’t agree with at all, and I couldn’t see why she would do them. And she makes the same mistakes over and over again. However, there were some unqiue qualties to her character that I couldn’t help but find endearing in the end. Even when she makes mistakes, she owns up to them. Deep down, she has a heart of gold, and feels emotion in its barest of forms.
Plot and Story Line
Devil’s Prize was quite a unique story and one that I just couldn’t gobble up fast enough to my liking. Kat Martin has always been a fun author to read, and I can’t believe I haven’t read her more especially after reading Devil’s Prize. I always love the set of a gambling game gone wrong, especially when the heroine has to pay up. It adds delicious complexities you don’t see coming at first but I always have fun with the after effects of certain choices that are made.
In Devil’s Prize we have a story that have certain twists that blew me away. I mean honestly, I really tried to make sure I didn’t reveal much as far as the actual plot because I want my readers to be surprised when and/if they pick this one up. Because WOW…..did Kat Martin really shock me to the core of a twist of events and plot lines. I didn’t expect to see what happens…but does and this story really rocked my world. We also see quite a bit of challenge that these two characters end up facing. Because quite frankly, their relationship is quite unsteady in the beginning. There is hardly an trust (no surprise really) but then they are both tested of their loyalties…..and if they don’t prove themselves in the right way they might end up dead. So there is tension, suspense and quite a bit of drama from beginning to end. But the type of story I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I was warmed by the secondary characters….characters that have a story in this trilogy that I HAVE to get a hold of as soon as possbile, because if its as good as this one turned out to be, I am in for a wild ride of adventure and mystery.
The romance starts off with powerful chemistry, these two know how to connect on a primal level and Kat Martin displays this side of their relationship in a way that gives you goosebumps. Then we see a turn of events, that challenges them in a almost brutal way. My heart just about broke apart with these two. And despite some misgivings I had about the heroine at times, I really loved this story and every twist and turn the authors gives us. What was most intriguing was having two settings in the story equally. I didn’t expect that and I just soaked it all up because I found the flow to be gentle and smooth and the transitions to be well written that I found no off kilter discrepancies.
What a wonderful story Kat Martin has given us, and I would highly recommend to any historical romance lover.
The Cover
What a gorgeous cover. There are two covers, this one is the most latest and was the actual cover of the book I obtained. I love the vibrant reds in this, it adds that sense of passion and danger that the story is full of.
Overall View
Devil’s Prize is a magnificent story that takes us from the streets of london, to the countryside of England and to the beautiful city of Paris. Vibrant, sizzling, and dramatic….romance lovers won’t be able to get enough of Devil’s Prize.
Every time I read a gambling themed book, I remember that old Angelina JOlie movie. Was it Obsessed?
Anyway, I vow to read more histroms this year, I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed the romantic tension in histroms
twists and a revenge plot sounds good. The heroine does sound like a drawback, but as long as she meant well and the rest of the story was good I could probably tolerate her. I don’t think I’ve read any Kat Martin books. Nice review!
I have never read her, but it seems I should
Ot’s great to have a story like that ùainly when it’s a bit different from what we usually have
I do love this trope, and I have dozens of her books on my shelves as well, all unread. One day …
I have read oodles of her contemporary romantic suspense but have’t read a historical by her…this sounds delightful and I love when you cannot read it fast enough.
Oh I love the oldie historicals – and I haven’t read this author. But the covers are beautiful. I’m gonna try to work one in this year – maybe for a throwback thursday read.
Oh wow! What a storyline. The covers are AMAZING for this series.