To Seduce a Sinner

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To Seduce a Sinner as an okay story with a likable enough couple. It just wasn’t very memorable. A few weeks after reading this book, I hardly remembered all that much about it, so had to check my notes. It’s your typical marriage of convenience story in which the hero and the heroine grow to love each other. Added into the mix is the ongoing mystery of who betrayed the hero’s group of soldiers in the American colonies during the war. Vale is also scarred physically and mentally from the trauma of being captured and tortured, so his character is a mildly interesting; he’s so affable and cheerful on the outside, but very tortured inside.

I had mentioned before, when reviewing another Elizabeth Hoyt book, that I was bothered by some tortured logic. In this book, again, I felt like mental contortions were required to understand why Melisande married Lord Vale. Melisande has loved Vale for a long time, but past experiences have made her wary of falling in love, so she’s intent on never letting Vale know that she loves him, so she keeps herself at a distance to her husband. But then why did she marry a man that she’s loved, if there’s a danger of, uh, falling in love? What??
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Melisande, has always had a fascination for Jasper, Lord Vale. She has been watching him from afar for years, knowing that he doesn't even remember who she is or even her name, despite the fact that she was the closest friend to his former fiancee and childhood friend. However, when she hears that he has been jilted from another engagement, she knows that now is the time for her to act upon her feelings, before its too late. Jasper, when Melisande comes to him with a marriage proposal is somewhat shocked, but accepts, hoping that he won't have a fourth jilted engagement. Jasper, desires to know Melisande, for who she really is, and goes about in a effort to woo her, even though they have already married. Although there is danger lurking around the corner, Jasper knows giving himself up to this woman he has married will be his only hope to heal his battered soul...To Seduce A Sinner is the second in the Legend of Four Soldiers series. In the previous book we were able to see Jasper, and I was excited to read his story... I loved all of the elements that were portrayed in this story. I think I just fell in love with the hero, although he has suffered much inner pain, he still manages to find a bit of joy in life. And even though we see his focus on trying to locate the identity of the traitor, we all see how attentive he is toward Melisande. There were some aspects I liked about Melisande, but throughout the book I felt like there was something missing about her, but one aspect I loved about her was that when she believed in something she didn't back down. I enjoyed the little side story involving the heroine in the next books as well. Overall a very beautifully crafted story with a touch of mystery and mix of romance, wit, and deep characters, to keep you enchanted.... ( )

I really, really enjoyed this book. The only reason I didn't rate it with 5 stars, is that it took me a while to like the heroine, but after I did, I simply loved it. To seduce a sinner, is the story of Jasper, Viscount Vale and Melisande. Vale, has been left in the altar for the second time and Melisande, who has secretly watched him for years, feels he may be desperate enough to marry her instead. Jasper agrees and their marriage of convenience begins. Both Jasper and Melisande have secrets hidden in their past that they try to keep from each other. But as their nights become more and more interesting, Jasper wants to know better this passionate woman that appears only at night and becomes serious, shy and proper during daytime. However, in trying to know her better, he runs the risk of exposing his secrets as well. And between all these, is his search to find the man who betrayed their regiment to the French while in the Colonies, resulting in the death and torture of many of his friends. This book focuses much more in the romance between Jasper and Melisande than in the search of the traitor as the first one did, something I much appreciated. I really liked Jasper from the begining; he's a decent, honorable, good man, outgoing and social. He hides his inner demons, but he's not the usual cold, brooding hero with the tortured past. Melisande however, took me a while to like. She starts cold, abrupt and almost mean towards Vale who she loves, in her effort to guard her heart from him, and then ends up wondering why he keeps his distance from her. When she stopped being a harpy and decided to seduce him, that was when the book really took off. And from that moment on, I surely have no other complaint. A great book with some very nice, hot scenes and a lovely hero. Fans of marriage-of-convenience theme will surely appreciate this one. ( )

RATING: 3.5 stars.After reading "The Agency" by Y.S. Lee, I felt like reading something historical... and romantic. So I picked up "To Seduce a Sinner" by Elizabeth Hoyt, one of my favorite authors within the genre.And as always, Hoyt didn't disappoint.Jasper Renshaw, Viscount Vale is left at the altar by his fianceé, Miss Templeton. As he sits pondering on how he had managed to alienate her, a woman enters the room. She is Melisande Fleming a shy, plain girl who is often overlooked by men. Melisande offers her hand in marriage and Jasper thinks, why not? He has to marry after all. It is only after the wedding that he begins to see that his wife is much more than she first appearedMelisande has been in love with Lord Vale for years. A secret, silent love for he doesn't notice her. So when the chance to marry him comes she doesn't hesitate. Now she finds herself married to the man of her dreams... and discovering he is different from what she first thought.I really like the arranged marriage theme in historical romance so this book was right up my alley. Melisande and Vale were both very charismatic and interesting, with their suitably tortured pasts. The pace was great, they got to know each other in a somewhat realistic manner and I really liked how the author explored the problem of PTSD which, of course, was not something that was recognized in those times.Of course the book was incredibly formulaic, but it was still an engrossing read.Overall, an entertaining historical romance. Well written, interesting and with captivating characters, it will appeal to fans of the genre. ( )