IMPRESSIONS:
This story had SUCH potential and I was really looking forward to reading it after having read the second Wallflower story, IT HAPPENED ONE AUTUMN. I mean what more could you want: the horrible Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent, who is unashamedly sensual and unremorseful, Evie Jenner, a sweet, stammering wallflower who you just KNOW is going to get him whipped, and Lisa Kleypas writing the story! I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat. But so many times I felt that the story fell a little short; when she could have made a scene a real killer it just didn't have that usual hit quality that she normally always delivers. One example is the ring that is put on the necklace, it could have been discovered in a much better way by Evie or the delivery could have been better. Another thing which bothered me was that Sebastian seemed to transform so quickly, if he did transform that quickly I would have liked him to maybe be more in denial about it or just to have him be a little meaner for a little longer (as horrible as that sounds). Nonetheless, it must be said, that the story is still fun to read and I still have to say: You can't go wrong with a Kleypas.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
If you like Kleypas (and really, how can you NOT?) then read and enjoy, but don't expect it to be as good as some of her best ones, such as DREAMING OF YOU (one of my favorites), WHERE DREAMS BEGIN (so great!), WORTH ANY PRICE (amazing!), and I could go on and on. However, if this is your first time reading Kleypas, know that she has even better ones out there, so keep on reading!

UPDATE (1/13/2008):
I've read this book a few times again - I reread a lot of my historical romances and all of my Lisa Kleypas ones - and when compared with many of the new authors and books I've read recently, I wish I could change this to a four star review. Although it wasn't Kleypas's best, compared to other authors in the genre she really is an amazing writer and storyteller. I still agree with the criticisms I made above, but THE DEVIL IN WINTER definitely doesn't deserve only three stars.

(Written March 26, 2006 on Amazon.com) ( )

Despite being unimpressed with the other books in this series, I was looking forward to reading Devil in Winter, partly because it seemed the most popular, and partly because Evie Jenner was my favorite out of the four Wallflowers. I was also intrigued by the seemingly incongruous pairing of shy Evie with a the purportedly ruthless villain. Unfortunately, Evie's character isn't much dealt with in this story. The Devil in Winter is mostly about St. Vincent and his path to redemption. It's a bright, fun read that is alternately hot and heart warming. St. Vincent isn't nearly the evil cad he pretends to be, (there's not much in the way of his so called redemption), and Evie is the gentle, ministering angel that brings him into the light. I guess some concessions are made to anguished remorse on his part, and reservations regarding his capacity for fidelity on hers, but really those are incidental, no more than the smallest of hiccups on this smooth, easy ride to true love and happiness - if you don't go into this book expecting more than that, then you will have a good time reading it. Besides that, I don't see what's so special about this book. ( )

All in all, this was a really good reformed rake's tale with a different plotline as well. The shy and stuttering Evangeline finds her unlikely match. St. Vincent is virile, great in bed, blonde and oh so attractive - lucky Evangeline! If she's going to propose to someone for a marriage of convenience - at least she picked someone like St. Vincent!

http://ktleyed.blogspot.com/2008/11/d... ( )

Living as a notorious rake, the Viscount Lord Sebastian St. Vincent thought he was as happy as he could be. He knew he needed a wealthy bride to help keep him in the way of life he had become accustomed to. Taking Lillian Bowman against her will and trying to force the American heiress to marry him had not been one of his best moves. It had cost him his best friend and his position was no better. When Lillian’s shy ‘wallflower’ friend Evangeline Jenner, showed up on his doorstep in the middle of the night with a similar opportunity for him, he was very skeptical. Evie had to get away from her mothers family, they had been abusive most of her life, but she drew the line at them stopping her from seeing her dying father. Evie wanted to trade her soon to be wealth for a marriage of convenience. She was willing for the infamous rake to continue his life style of women and drinking, in fact she insisted on it. Tenderhearted Evie knew she would be risking her heart if she allowed him to get to close. Accepting each others conditions, they start off on a journey that leaves them both more aware of the other than they ever thought they would become.

This is part of a series and this particular book continues the previous (It Happened One Autumn) by seconds. I recommend that you read ‘It Happened One Autumn first‘. To see the change start so simple and become so drastic in Sebastian was amazing, the living cliché about reformed rakes. I was not so sure it could be done as smoothly as it was. After seeing his arrogance in the previous book, then to see him as this book continued, was very nicely done. Poor Evie never stood a chance with this kind of seduction on his mind. The quick wit of both characters was great and the reunion of the ‘Wallflowers’ was also nice. I enjoyed the addition of Cam Rohan and the reminder that there is still one wallflower left. Next up is Daisy Bowman and this book doesn’t seem to give any hints (unlike the previous books) as to that match. As much as I liked the two previous books, I think this one just jumped ahead as my favorite so far. ( )

This is a great book. Evie, the heroine and St. Vincent, the hero, were great together. I liked their interaction and the chemistry of these characters.

Evie is an incredibly shy person, but is quite stubborn and forceful. St. Vincent is a notorious rake. This story revolves around the fact that Evie needs to marry somenone otherwise her family will force her to marry her cousin. Evie runs to St.Vincent, whom she knows needs money, which she has. They elope, and then take over a gambling hell. The rest of the story deals with the characters falling in love and saving Evie from the person who wants her dead. ( )