Devilish

Rating:
Summary: Unforgettable: a perfect end to the Malloren series
Review: .... I was looking forward to Rothgar's story too, and Beverley definitely did not disappoint: in fact, she saved the best until last. Neither Something Wicked nor Secrets of the Night, the other Malloren books I've read, came anywhere close to this. Bey's story still haunts me; it's incredibly memorable, and far exceeded my expectations.

First, the story does *not* 'start on page 166', as one reviewer claims; does she believe a romance novel only begins at the first love scene? Second, the early part isn't merely 'synopses of the previous novels' - we get about three separate short paragraphs summarising Elf and Brand's romances. This is in no way distracting, and it's a useful reminder of important elements of previous plot. If the complaint refers to Rothgar's memories of his mother strangling his baby sister, I would point out that this is Rothgar's story. His refusal to contemplate marriage and reproduction lies entirely in his conviction that his mother was insane; he will not perpetuate insanity in his family. Of *course* we need his own thoughts on that! And Bey's friend and occasional lover, Sappho, introduced in previous books, plays a very minor role, so I have no idea what this complaint relates to. And Diana whiney? Now I *know* I read a different book from the reviewer who said that!

I knew, from Secrets of the Night, that Diana would be Bey's love; that book set up some intriguing sexual tension between them, and this was magnified in the early stages of Devilish. Both Bey and Diana dread their meeting, knowing how they react to one another. But the king's desire that Bey bring Diana to court means they will be thrown into one another's company far more frequently, and he warns her (bringing the subject of their mutual attraction into the open) that they must avoid each other. Even his offer of a marriage in name only, should she need help, is clearly only to be considered as a last resort.

And this leads me to the complaints that there were insufficient love scenes. Are these reviewers forgetting that this is Georgian England? Unmarried ladies *did not* conduct sexual relationships outside marriage, and a reputation could be ruined by gossip, so when exactly were Diana and Bey to conduct this mad, passionate affair? Secondly, Bey refused to risk procreation because of his family history, so it would be totally out of character for him to jump into bed at every opportunity. He slept with Sappho in the past, true; but she was infertile.

The plot is excellently summarised by L.N.Tramposch's review of 19 May. I was delighted with the development of Bey's character in this book. It's not possible for him to have remained the distant, although caring, Dark Marquess for ever; he fell in love, and we see him softened by that. One reviewer comments that Bey seemed out of character, but I find that absurd. It's one of Bey's strengths that he can be strong and in control while yielding control to others: genuine love means allowing people freedom to make mistakes, while being around to pick up the pieces. It also means not wanting to control the loved ones; as Diana says during one of Bey's very protective phases, she doesn't want to be weakened by his protectiveness (in fact, she goes out of her way to ensure that he *won't* have to rescue her, which is why she decided that, if she did become pregnant, she wouldn't burden him with the knowledge, knowing his history). And this is why he gives her some leeway where he is concerned: he loves her. He still sets the limitations, which the reviewer who complained that Diana made all the decisions failed to understand. Bey allowed Diana to kiss him at the Queen's House; Diana even notes that if he hadn't wanted to be kissed, he wouldn't have permitted it. She initiated the kiss, but he controlled it. Likewise, in the scene at the cottage, Bey *wanted* to exact revenge himself, but he knew that Diana needed to do it for her own self-respect. In the same way, in Something Wicked, Bey allowed Elf to insist that Fort *not* be killed for taking her virtue and boasting about it.

The first love scene in this story is one of the very best I have read in romantic fiction. It haunted me so much that I couldn't stop thinking about it the following day, and had to go and re-read it before finishing the book. For very convincing reasons, Bey let down his guard and showed Diana just what lovemaking between them could be like, in response to her plea, and it was all the more poignant given they both knew it couldn't be repeated. (When they did make love for a second time, it was beautiful and poignant in a different way, and showed that Bey's trust in Diana was winning against his own battle with his conscience).

The love between Diana and Bey was obvious right from the start. It was there even when they barely spoke, and it was clear in the scenes where they were together in public but had to watch every word they said, for fear of damage to her reputation. Sexual tension crackled between them in every scene; and it was very much mutual. Diana is absolutely a worthy match for Bey; she's strong, independent and intelligent, and he would never be satisfied with less. He would be bored rigid by an undemanding or naïve heroine: a woman like that could never have persuaded him to marry. The historical setting and the political plot added to the story; given Rothgar's intriguing, the absence of a dramatic plot would have been a mistake.

This is a keeper, and I can see myself re-reading it very soon. *Now* I understand where Beverley's high reputation comes from!

Rating:
Summary: Oh Bey, what happened?
Review: Another of those family series where the head of the clan is the most intriguing. Bey was the perfect romantic hero and his story took so long to come out. I waited through several family members as well as other unrelated books for Jo Beverly to write this story. Unfortunately, it was a big let down for me. I liked the heroine - Diane, and figured she was the girl for Bey when they first came out in Secrets of the Night. Bey and Diana's interaction is great, but Bey's character could have been developed more. He sounded better in the former books than in his own story. I also found the story to be too slow-paced and lacking in dialogue. It wasn't a "can't put down book". In fact, it took me days to finish it (unusual since I usually don't let anything get in my way once I start reading). After the build-up of Bey's character, I expected a better story. For the Malloren series, I liked the earlier ones best.

Rating:
Summary: A Jo Beverley Fan
Review: I was waiting for Routhgar. the story has great promise but Ms.Beverley does not quite pull it off. The scenes between Diana and Bey are rather tame. I did not recognize Bey. He was not at all himself. We recieved an excellent history lesson. I left this book hungry for the Bey we know and love. Bey and Diana's story could have been explored in much more detail. I loved Fort and Elf by the way. And I guess thats all I have to say

Rating:
Summary: Boring sequel!
Review: Supposedly a good story but it took JB forever to lead the 2 main characters into the plot.

Rating:
Summary: devilish; a slight disappointment
Review: after waiting for years for rothgar what a disappointment! the deeper we get into his family the less meat there is to the story. way to much coverage of previous events. i had hoped for a more detailed story of rothgar and his lady finally meeting their match. instead what i got was a lengthy rehash of the rest of his family. each succeding story of the mallorens has gotten less and less of the individual being written of and more and more rehashing. i was quite disappointed

Rating:
Summary: I couldn't see what all the excitement was about!
Review: I'd never read a Jo Beverly book before but the book got a 5 Heart rating on a romance review site that I frequent, so I bought it. I didn't see what all the excitement was about. I didn't feel any sexual chemistry between Diana and Rothgar at all. Even when they finally did geet together it seemed that Rothgar was too detached and I didn't feel any passion. It seemed to be ladened with too many references to the intriques of the British and French courts which really left no time for Rothgar and Diana to explore a relationship. There weren't all that many sceens between Diana and Rothgar to build sexual tension. She seemed to realize she was in love with him very early in the book and I didn't find any foundation. This could have been because I hadn't read the previous books in the series, however I think that even in a series type situation, each book should be able to be a stand alone read. I think what I found more annoying were the constant references to the other characters in the Malloran series which seemed to detract from the story at hand, and the names just seemed to irritate me...Bryght, Elf, Ford, Verity...

Rating:
Summary: Bey and Diana's story is NOT to be missed...
Review: This was my first Jo Beverley book, and it certainly won't be the last. What a GREAT read!

Bey and Diana are wonderful leading characters. They are of course, attractive (perhaps Bey more so than Diana), but what really makes them stand out is their intelligence, wit, and their strength. Both are important members of the peerage, and both wield considerable power in their respective spheres of influence. I cannot imagine a better match! Diana is the kind of woman that you cannot help but like. And Bey is, quite simply, the kind of hero ones dreams about. I can only hope - perhaps there will be a son to read about sometime in the future!

Bey and Diana come together in a wonderful tale of adventure and 18th century court intrigue in England. I really appreciate a book that not only entertains me but educates me! The romance between these two is so well written - I loved the dialog and the tenderness (and the passion) that they share. This is one book not to be missed.

Rating:
Summary: You must read this book.
Review: Devilish perfectly caps off the excellent Malloren books. Most of the book is written from Diana's perspective, with occasional peeks into Rothgar's mind. But by reading each of the books that precedes this one, the reader has great insight into Rothgar, so seeing the story from Diana's perspective doesn't limit your understanding of Rothgar.

Devilish is the story of the Marquess of Rothgar and Diana, Countess of Arradale. Rothgar is the oldest sibling to his younger half-siblings (who people the four other Malloren series books). Throughout each of the four preceding books, Rothgar has been the one the siblings turn to when they can turn to no one else. Even the King of England turns to him for help.

And yet, as Diana states in the book, who will comfort the comforter? Rothgar, who when he was a child witnessed his mad mother murder his baby sister, fears that his blood is tainted with insanity. When he was 19, his father and stepmother died and he took over the care of his five younger siblings. When Devilish begins, each of Rothgar's siblings has been happily married off, with extensive maneuvering on his part. He has made them happy, but built his own prison of isolation in the process.

Diana, a peer in her own right, inherited her title and status without marrying into it. However, if she marries, her husband will be in control, so she has resigned herself to being like Queen Elizabeth and not marrying in order to keep her power and status.

Because of Rothgar's tainted blood and Diana's position, a marriage and especially children are not possible. And yet these two characters are equals in every way - they are each other's mates, and they know it. The tension that arises from this situation is thick. Every time Diana and Rothgar meet their relationship grows. But the obstacles that Beverley creates to their happiness are enormous. The suffering they endure and the longing they feel is palpable as you read the book. Words mean more than they should, and every gesture has a purpose. Each moment Diana and Rothgar spend together is precious and yet painful. It is positively toe-curling!

If you have a special place in your heart for tortured heroes, and strong-willed heroines, this is the romance novel for you. I recommend reading the whole Malloren series in the correct order (no matter how hard some are to find - they are worth it!). By reading the earlier books, you have a better understanding of Rothgar, the fierce love he has for his family, and the desperate isolation he is building for himself. This last installment in the Malloren series is different from those that precede it - it doesn't have the lightheartedness of My Lady Notorious, the wickedness of Something Wicked, or the warmth of Secrets of the Night. The best words to describe the mood of this book are: desperate longing. It's deeper, darker, and more intense than the books that precede it, but it also deserves to be because Rothgar is like no other. And neither is Devilish.

Rating:
Summary: boring
Review: I just couldn't finish it. I've read the other books that I counld find in the series and liked them. Not this one!

Rating:
Summary: Scrumptious - I didn't want the story to end!
Review: I was thrilled with this continuation/conclusion to the Malloren family saga. This was my favorite of all five books and I was soooo sorry when I got to the last page. Rothgar has stolen my heart. Very satisfying and entertaining, as usual from Jo Beverley, one of my favorite romance writers. Author, author! I'm applauding on-line! Please write more romances soon.