Loretta Chase, Knave's Wager
Mon, Mar. 22nd, 2004 06:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
oyceterThe knave's wager of the title is one in which the reputable rake, Lord Julian Brandon, takes on a wager that he cannot seduce the proper widow Lilith Davenport. Make a wild guess what happens...
Widow is seduced, rake loses his heart, widow finds out about the bet at the worst possible moment, reformation of the rake, etc. I didn't spoil it, did I? ;)
Loretta Chase, however, manages to make the formula work instead of having it be stupid -- either that, or I have a secret fondness for this formula, which is also possible. Julian's a rake in the sort of good-willed woman-chaser, not so much one of the alpha bastard type rakes. Plus, I enjoy how the seduction goes on on the mental level, not just a whole bunch of scandalous kisses that weaken Lilith's knees and morality.
I thought Lilith was a much more interesting character (although Julian was quite likable as well), but then I tend to be fascinated with highly moral people and what they do about their morals in the real world.
Lilith's niece Cecily and Julian's cousin Robert, I felt, were much less interesting, particularly Cecily, who just seems a wee bit too nice and perfect yet wonderfully tomboyish. And I feel sorry for Robert's mistress Elise.
Widow is seduced, rake loses his heart, widow finds out about the bet at the worst possible moment, reformation of the rake, etc. I didn't spoil it, did I? ;)
Loretta Chase, however, manages to make the formula work instead of having it be stupid -- either that, or I have a secret fondness for this formula, which is also possible. Julian's a rake in the sort of good-willed woman-chaser, not so much one of the alpha bastard type rakes. Plus, I enjoy how the seduction goes on on the mental level, not just a whole bunch of scandalous kisses that weaken Lilith's knees and morality.
I thought Lilith was a much more interesting character (although Julian was quite likable as well), but then I tend to be fascinated with highly moral people and what they do about their morals in the real world.
Lilith's niece Cecily and Julian's cousin Robert, I felt, were much less interesting, particularly Cecily, who just seems a wee bit too nice and perfect yet wonderfully tomboyish. And I feel sorry for Robert's mistress Elise.
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Fri, Mar. 26th, 2004 05:54 am (UTC)She does that a lot. [ponders how, wishing I could do it]