Devilish

Rating:
Summary: I wanted so to like it!
Review: Let me just say I am not an avowed fan of romance novels, and this one reinforced my prejudice against them. I discovered the first chapter available online at the author's website. It has the male lead, Rothgar, killing a man in a duel and then transforming into a glittering courtly creature. He's supposed to be deadly agility and massive political power swathed in silk and a beautiful face-- delicious, right?

Well, no. When I finally got the book and continued the story, Rothgar's characterization falls apart with the introduction of the female lead, Diana. Rothgar is supposed to be mysterious and dangerous but he seems a nonentity. Diana is an anachronistic independent, feminist type, holding a title and running her own estate. For such a got-it-together woman she engages in pretty irrational "jealous woman" behavior over Rothgar, whom she has known for approx. two days.

I almost gave up on it halfway through, but kept on, and was somewhat rewarded. The adventure plot of political intrigue, french spies etc finally takes off with a quarter of the book left. This section was actually pretty entertaining.

Too bad the lack of sexual spark, despite Diana's constant mulling over her lust-object. This is disapointing if you're looking for [something more]

Rating:
Summary: Rothgar Worth the Wait, but JB's story too PRETENTIOUS
Review: Rothgar and Diana were a good match, the chemistry between them just fine. It was a well-written plot for two intelligent people.
I really do hate how uppity JB makes these characters, though. Good lord, were they, the noble, really like that? For example, Rothgar "enters his painted and gilded sedan chair for a short trip to St. Jame's Palace. The liveried chairmen picked up the poles and set off." Couldn't he just ride in a carriage?
I realize JB knows her stuff and writes true to the era, but don't turn masculine, handsome, intelligent men like Rothgar into fops.
JB did the same with Diana. Rothgar's long-time servant dies and is placed on the carriage seat beside Diana. "She didn't mind," is what JB writes about Diana. The very idea that that had to be explained (or even contemplated) meant Diana thought him a lowly person. Rothgar, however, handled that situation splendidly, man to man, not Marquess to servant.
So there were different classes of people, but please, JB, don't blatantly point it out by using terminology like: she decided to walk in the garden among people of quality, rather than among mere tenants, I suppose.

Rating:
Summary: A little bland
Review: Rothogar's book was not quite what I expected. In the other books he's very dark, compelling, and mysterious. In this book it felt like something was missing.

I couldn't understand how he fell in love with the heroine. Yes, the book kept repeated telling the reader he liked intelligence and admired the Countess for her skills. But there never seemed to be a spark between them. Perhaps I'm just biased because I didn't care for the heroine whom I thought was just a spoiled aristocrat brat.

With the Countess and the Marquess you really feel the time period. Unfortunately, its a case of too much and too little of something. Everything including the jewels and costumes is detailed, but there is an emotional detachement to the story. You hear about the wants of the Countess, but thats about it.

Unlike the other Mallorean books, this book lacked the depth of sexual tension and a sort of naughtiness in the male lead. Which is odd, because the title is "Devilish." But he doesn't seem very rakish or devilish at all.

A very dry read. I would recommend trying to find this book second hand or in a library. The only reason I bought this book despite the mixed reviews was to continue the series. If you've not read the other books in this series, I would not recommend this book at all. Well written, but not something that keeps the reader eyes glued to the book for the next couple of hours. I found my self pretty much skimming the entire book. It was a waste of about (Money). I don't think I will ever re-read this book in my life time, so it'll probably go to the back of the shelf in the closet.

Rating:
Summary: Very moving and thoughtful
Review: I waited until I had obtained all of the Malloren books before starting the series. Each member of this family (particularly the men) had my heart beating so fast and I just couldn't wait for Rothgar's story.

As good as what it was, and anything written by Jo Beverley is excellent, it just didn't capture my heart the way the others did. In fact, it seemed more Diana, Countess of Arradale's story than Rothgar's. I think that is what bothered me the most.

I didn't see Rothgar portrayed as much of the 'take charge' dark, dangerous, person depicted in the other Malloren books. He was in love, thoughtful, and very much afraid of showing his feelings because of his tortured soul. There was not enough of the witty, 'devilish' repartee he seemed famous for in the other Malloren novels.

He just took his time (too much) in proving that "With a Malloren, all things are possible". I could have cried for the frustration Diana was going through.

Definitely a good read, but not the best of the series.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent romance
Review: The heroine actually has some power in this Georgian novel, and she wants to keep it -- but if she does, her responsibilities will keep her from the hero. The hero has a problem of his own that keeps him from the heroine, and it was not obvious how his problem could be resolved. Enter King George III, whose views on what the heroine should do with her life are distinctly different than her own -- yet, she has no choice but to follow his orders.

All in all, this was one of the better romances I've read. The plot was reasonably creative, the historical setting worked, and the characters were appealing and well-matched.

Rating:
Summary: BEAUTIFUL!
Review: Wow this is one great book! Ont that will keep you up all night trying to finish it! Great! One of Beverly's best works! A must read, if you liked her other books you'll LOVE this one!

Rating:
Summary: You Have to Read Previous Books
Review: I started to read this book and thought, wait a minute, I'm out of the loop here. One really has to read the previous books in this series to pick up and enjoy this book.

Rating:
Summary: Everything you've been waiting for!!
Review: She may have made us wait, but Jo Beverley didn't disappoint! Rothgar's story is everything you could hope for and more. Very intense, very passionate, a match of equally strong characters. The interaction between Rothgar and Diana is perfect, outside story lines enhance rather than detract from them. Definately something to read again and again and ...

Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL, AS ALWAYS
Review: I have read all of the Malloren series and loved every one of them. This is a fantastic ending to a series. So many times the last book is a let down or anticlimactic but not this one. I have not read a Jo Beverley book that wasn't great. I found her first in this series "My Lady Notorious" and was really thrilled to have the winning bid. It was well worth the extra cost and I am enthralled with Cyn and the entire Malloren family. I can easily recommend any or all of her books.

Rating:
Summary: What happened to the romance
Review: I found this story to lack emotion and passion. Bey and Diana are so very dull. What ever attracted them to one another is beyond me. Neither displayed much passionate emotion. What a disappointment after having read other Jo Beverly novels. I haven't read the Malloren's series, but I am almost afraid to. If the other members of the family display the characteristics of their eldest brother, I think I'll look else where for exciting romance.