Seduce Me By Christmas by Deborah Raleigh Series: Illegitimate Bachelor, #3
Published by Zebra on October 1st 2009
Genres: Historical Romance, Regency Era, Holiday Romance
Pages: 329
ISBN: 0821780468
Even a rogue can believe in miracles...
Raoul Charlebois is nothing if not notorious. He's abandoned his wild life to search out answers to his dark past, but that doesn't stop his reputation as a rake from following him wherever he goes. In this case, it follows him to the door of a gamekeeper's cottage, where beautiful, optimistic, innocent Sarah Jefferson resides. In all his exploits, he's never met a woman like her...and that makes her all the more tempting...
At first, Sarah will have no part in whatever the devastatingly handsome visitor wants at the estate...until she realizes what he wants is her. For as the snow falls down around them, she finds that the intoxicating scent of evergreen boughs can prove incredibly seductive. And maybe there is some glimmer of good in Raoul hiding deep within. After all, Christmas has a way of bringing lost souls together...
Seduce Me By Christmas is a story by Alexandra Ivy who uses a pseudonym, for her historical works. For quite a while I only thought Ivy had books leaning toward the paranormal genre, but when I learned she had done some historical romances…I just couldn’t resist, and this book just caught my eye as I was browsing and couldn’t help but to get it, a perfect read to get me in the mood for the holidays. This story wasn’t what I expected it to be, it was quite a splendid experience and I can tell you I definitely need to read this author more.
The story begins with a rake and scoundrel, Raoul, who is known as a bastard son of a lord of the Ton. He has made a success in being on the stage, but needs a change, and desires something more from his life. So he goes back to his roots, and meets a woman that attracts his interest. A woman that wants nothing to do with him, normally Raoul is the one that picks his women out, but he isn’t used to being rejected or challenged. Sarah, is a painter and considers herself a spinster, and has taken in two orphaned boys. She has heard the numerous rumors concerning Raoul and knows that he isn’t to be trusted. But when he sets out to seduce her she knows that she is in danger, of falling in love with the scoundrel, even though she knows he will only end up breaking her heart.
This story was packed with enough passion and entertainment to keep me satisfied for quite some time. I just loved everything about this book, in fact I couldn’t put this one down once I really got into it. The characters were quite developed and really added some depth to the story. Raoul is the type of hero you just ache to read about. He is alpha male, loves a challenge and loves his women and sex, he is a animal in bed, but his character goes deeper than that. He is protective, intelligent, connects well with children, and has a hidden caring nature. What more do you need right? Sara is quite a unique heroine, there were many times I honestly didn’t know what to think of her. I liked her but then I didn’t know if I liked her. She is very willful and independent and doesn’t let anyone let her guard down, and can be quite stubborn. I liked how she stands up for herself no matter what, but I do felt that she was a bit too stubborn, especially when it comes to Raoul. I know that she is just protecting herself, but Raoul really puts himself out there, and it takes quite some time before she lets him in.
Once they were together, they were just phenomenal. They definitely connect on the physical level, and boy do they have some sexy chemistry,….I felt the need to turn on the A/C in winter time….this story does know how to heat up the room. Even though on the surface the story seems like a simple enough one, it was very dynamic, and had unexpected turns in the plot I didn’t expect to find, and what a mystery…I kept guessing the end result…and I was off the mark. The author sure knows how to write a story to keep you guessing and still surprise you in many different ways. The story also has a charming note to it with Christmas and I loved seeing that theme being mixed in well with the other aspects that tended to flow together quite well in this story.
Overall a sensational romance that won my heart over, heartwarming characters, a thrilling mystery, and a passionate and poignant love story! ASTOUNDING!!
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