World Famous Comics: The Charmer (Get Connected Romances)
The Charmer (Get Connected Romances)
By: Madeline Hunter Publisher: Bantam Average Rating: Binding: Mass Market Paperback Label: Bantam Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 400 Publication Date: December 02, 2003 Release Date: December 02, 2003
Product Description: Filled with suspense, seduction, mystery, and passionate love, the unforgettable romance novels of Madeline Hunter have earned critical accolades and captivated readers. Now, in The Charmer, the nationally bestselling author weaves a spellbinding tale of an exiled duchess, a charismatic aristocrat, and a once-in-a-lifetime seduction worth risking everything for... The Charmer
He’d found her in another man’s arms, the very picture of sophisticated debauchery. But Sophia Raughley knew very well that the truth was much different from appearances. What should she make, however, of this commandingly handsome man who’d burst into her Parisian salon demanding that she return with him to England by authority of the king himself? Adrian Burchard had no idea of the painful memories that had driven the beautiful duchess into a self-imposed exile across the sea, but he was clearly not going to take no for an answer. Yet this devastatingly seductive man had a tormenting secret past of his own—and powerful enemies in England that they both shared. As Sophia falls under the spell of his erotic charms, and Adrian finds himself unable to resist her passionate response, they embark together on an irresistibly dangerous affair that will either destroy them both—or prove the one thing that can save them.
The best of Dueling Society series I was charmed by Hunter's 3rd installment in this Dueling Society series entitled THE CHARMER; finally a story in this series I can get behind! Although the inspiration for this novel lies with Adrian Burchard, THE CHARMER soundly belongs to his heroine Sophia Raughley, the new Duchess of Everdon. Remarkably, provisional laws granted by British royalty allows a daughter to inherit the Dukedom of Everdon after sons. Following the death of Sophia's cruel father, Sophia now comes into Everdon's title and vast estates. Only Sophia doesn't want any of it. THE CHARMER contains by far the strongest historical backdrop in this series and I always appreciate a story which offers more than the run-of-the-mill romance. Reform over aristocracy's power in the English Parliament entangles the new Duchess as each side of the Reform movement vies for Everdon's power over its 12 elected M.P.'s in the House of Commons. Everdon also holds a vital seat in the House of Lords and although the Duchess cannot sit in the House of Lords, the one she marries can.
Like most of Hunter's novels, the book is emotionally charged. Sophia's demons and tortured history take center stage and Adrian mitigates Sophia's journey from the frightened girl constantly running away to a woman who finally assumes responsibility and gives in love. Since THE CHARMER gradually reveals Sophia's demons, at first I found myself disliking Sophia who just seemed like a spoiled brat. But I found myself doing a 180 on her by the end of the novel as I grew to empathize her after learning of the treatment she receives from her father and her struggle with her tremendous guilt (over her brother and betraying reform activist Captain Brutus). It's a tribute to Hunter's writing and plotting that compels the evolution of the reader's opinion of a character along with the character. As for Adrian, I truly treasure Hunter's heroes like Adrian Burchard because even though he isn't the notorious rake of every other romance novel, he makes a substantial impact and the story wouldn't work if he didn't push Sophia at every step. He's dark, and unlike heroes who command a room when they walk in it, Adrian's power lies in the background since he's an accomplished spy. I always enjoy Hunter's heroes who aren't born into title and wealth. The prose is excellent, the characters poignant (especially Sophia), the h/h chemistry evident and I found the plotting and pacing equal parts political, witty, engaging, comical and suspenseful. THE CHARMER is the first book in this series from which the meticulous setup from the previous two novels finally hits home.
There's truly some hilarious moments in the novel like Jacques' accusation that English men don't measure up to the lovemaking of Frenchmen and Adrian's funny rescue of Sophia and her menagerie from a burning house. There's really some witty banter between Sophia and Adrian that only Madeline Hunter can deliver on. There's always a danger in this type of novel focusing on a heroine's plight that the hero disappears and blends into the background but that's not the case here. Adrian Burchard makes a substantial impact from beginning to end.
Worth a re-read? No doubt.
Throughly enjoyable ..... A man on a mission, a woman determined to have things her own way and a country in turmoil combine to make The Charmer an enthralling and scintillating read. Two very strong lead characters, each bound by their past come together in a steamy battle of wills that kept me rivited until the last page had been turned. This series just keeps getting better and better.
A breathtaking and suspenseful tale It's hard to live in a world where you don't know, at first, who your friends are, and learning to discern your true friends from fair-weathered ones starts at a very early age. It's also hard to live in a world of privilege where there are heavy expectations on your shoulders, that as a woman, it is your duty to marry a gentleman of your father's choosing for his own purposes and not yours.
Sophia Raughley, heir and daughter of the Duke of Everdon, lived in such a life. Instead of succumbing to her father's obstinate will to marry his choice for her, she fled to France. Eight years later, her father is dead and the King of England has summoned her home. England is in turmoil and Sophia has in her power as Duchess of Everdon enough votes to swing the political pendulum toward the Tories. King William and his influential men plan to forcibly bring Sophia back to England, marry her to the man her father chose for her, and thus subduing Sophia to her husband's will.
Adrian, third son of an Earl and also the Duke of Wellington's man, is sent to France to retrieve Sophia. He successfully does his task but becomes increasingly disillusioned as he discovers the plans laid out for Sophia's future. Sophia, for her part, sees herself surrounded by enemies, but despite her reservations, she finds an unlikely ally in Adrian.
There is a lot of backstory to this tale but it makes the ending that much more exciting. Sophia's father is evil, calculating and morally repugnant. It seems he somewhat redeems himself in the end but, for him, it comes too late.
This was an exciting tale with intricate storylines and a plot that, upon its full unveiling, was both shocking and scandalous. You won't be disappointed. Madeline Hunter never ceases to amaze me. She comes up with such great storylines and supported with beautiful prose, wonderfully endearing and heroic characters and vile antagonists.
Thoroughly Disappointing As an avid romance genre reader I don't have high expectations for the books I read. However, even this one failed in my book. In fact, I did something I never do, I failed to finish the book. The plot dragged, the characters were dull and no one was charming. Skip this one.
ITS ALL DOWN-HILL AFTER MARRIAGE This is the first book I have read by Madeline Hunter and I enjoyed it, up until towards the end.
The story is about Sophia, a duchess who ran away to France nine years ago, both to escape her callous father and her title. Now that her brother and father have died, the King has requested her presence, both for the subject of marriage and also for political reasons, since she now possesses 12 votes for the house of commons.
Sophia neither wants the title or wants to leave her new home, a haven where she sorrounds herself with artists and free-thinkers. But, Burchard, the third son of an earl and outcast in his family because of his mother's infidelity, has been sent to deliver her back to England.
Both characters were very fun and intriguing. I especially liked Burchard's character because I think he is very unique in the historical fiction genre. He's actually a nice guy, very mature and knowledgable. He does not possess egotistical views of women, and though he might be a tad bit arrogant, he is genuinely a good guy. Even though he has been led to believe that Sophia led a very "colorful" life, that of a "worldly woman" he does not hold that against her. He doesn't think less of her as a person. That was a very different stand-point in historical romance coming from the guy's point of view.
I also liked how Hunter did not make Burchard an earl or a duke, someone with a high position in the realm. He wasn't born with power and was treated almost exactly like a commoner. Yet, he made his way up in the world, trying to get a seat on the House of Commons. Nobody made it easier for him to be wealthy or successful. It made the story so much more real.
It was also nice that Sophia, 29, and Burchard, 34, were close in age. I know girls married young back then, but I'm not comfortable reading books about 16-year-old debutantes getting involved with 32-year-old rakes. It grosses me out. Burchard actually liked that she was closer to him in age. He didn't want a young girl with an immature mind. It made his character even more intriguing.
What bothered me about the story, the reason I gave it only 3 stars, was because after the Burchard and Sophia are married, the tale starts getting really boring. I hate to say it, but everything went down-hill in the novel after the marriage. The author could not keep my attention afterwards, it was like she ran out material to keep it exciting.
All in all, though, it was very funny and that's a good enough reason to read anyting.
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