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Fans and reviewers alike praise Lauren Willig's bestselling Pink Carnation series for its passion, adventure, and tantalizing stories of flower-named spies during the Napoleonic wars. Lauren Willig continues the exciting Pink Carnation series with her fourth novel, The seduction of the Crimson Rose, featuring Lord Vaughn, the delightfully devilish spy from The masque of the Black Tulip, and Mary Alsworthy, the raven-haired beauty whose sister accidentally stole her suitor in The deception of show more the Emerald Ring. Determined to secure another London season without assistance from her new brother-in-law, Mary accepts a secret assignment from Lord Vaughn on behalf of the Pink Carnation: to infiltrate the ranks of the dreaded French spy, the Black Tulip, before he and his master can stage their planned invasion of England. Every spy has a weakness, and for the Black Tulip that weakness is black-haired women--his "petals" of the Tulip. A natural at the art of seduction, Mary easily catches the attention of the French spy, but Lord Vaughn never anticipates that his own heart will be caught as well. Fighting their growing attraction, impediments from their past, and, of course, the French, Mary and Vaughn find themselves lost in the shadows of a treacherous garden of lies. As our modern-day heroine, Eloise Kelly, digs deeper into England's Napoleonic-era espionage, she becomes even more entwined with Colin Selwick, the descendant of her spy subjects. show lessTags
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I am continuing to enjoy Willig’s historical fiction/espionage/romance series. For me, a lot of the charm is that in each book Willig focuses attention on a different romantic couple, while continuing to bring earlier characters into the story line, where appropriate. I have to say that Lord Vaughn and Mary Alsworthy have been my favorite “couple” in the series so far. Lord Vaughn is the epitome of a wealthy sardonic rake of the time period, one who lives for verbal sparring and mental game-play with the individuals he encounters. Mary is the epitome of an icy goddess capable of matching Vaughn’s remarks with sharp, witty rejoiners of her own. The espionage case plays second fiddle, IMO, to the sparks flying between Vaughn and show more Mary, while the “complication” in Vaughn’s life works exceptionally well to spice up the plot. The developing romance between the present day characters of Eloise and Colin continues to move along at a nice pace but for me, it is the historical fiction part of the story that really captured my attention.
Overall, I am loving this series and looking forward to reading the next installment. show less
Overall, I am loving this series and looking forward to reading the next installment. show less
#4 in the Pink Carnation series and it is by no means the best. I loved how the book started off -- Mary Allsworthy, Letty's conniving sister from book 3, is staying with her newly married sister and hates life since she lost the man she tried to snare. I was intrigued to find out how Willig would make her a likable character since in the previous book Mary had been controlling and fake. And like her I did! Well, at least at first. She is 'recruited' by Vaughn to help flush out the Black Tulip (sinister French spy) and begins to learn more about him - Vaughn - as a person and *gasp* likes him! Vaughn is witty and is constantly throwing out references to literature that I am quite sure Mary should not have understood, but they were still show more enjoyable nonetheless. I loved their unorthodox 'courtship' but as soon as they decided to both declare their undying love for each other, it all went downhill from there. I did not feel like either of these cynical, proud characters should have all the sudden found themselves blissfully happy about their new-found relationship. I half-enjoyed it but felt like the last 1/3 of the book should have been rewritten. Oh well. show less
I skipped this entry in the series originally because I wasn't as interested in Mary and Vaughn. I have revised my opinion. True, their initial attraction isn't as intense or exciting to me, but that's because I'm a fan of star-crossed lovers. Two people that dislike each other, but only to hide their true feelings. Or when one person is madly in love but thinks the other person couldn't care less, except, of course, they do. Mary and Vaughn exhibit none of these behaviors, as is true to their characters. They are cynical and bitter, they have seen love stripped of illusions, and they are all too familiar with lust. When they realize that they are attracted to each other, they don't engage in much subterfuge.
Although their initial show more courtship was different from others in the series, it was exactly as it should have been. Mary and Vaughn are almost the complete opposite of other heroes and heroines in the Pink Carnation series, and they would naturally act in a contrary manner. In fact, the whole tone of this novel is much darker and more sarcastic in humor than others. Also, after their first kiss, the author rewards us with romantic tension of the sort I crave, as Vaughn pretends complete disinterest in Mary, and Mary decides to catch Mr. St. George as her husband. Despite their intentions, the two are inescapably drawn together, and life contrives to provide a happy ending for the pair.
Oh yes, there is a plot besides the romance, of course. The Black Tulip is still on the loose, and the Pink Carnation has asked Vaughn to use Mary as a decoy, a new tulip in his collection. The plan succeeds, but the spy is not so trustful, sensing a plot, and asks Mary to prove her loyalty by killing Vaughn. She attempts to stop him, showing the Black Tulip that her involvement is just a ruse, and risks her own life to help Vaughn after the Tulip successfully shoots him through the shoulder. The action is as fast-paced and fun as I've come to expect from the Carnation series, and blends with the romance to create a tidy little package of reading escapism. In spite of my first impressions, I very much enjoyed this novel. It is not one of my favorites, but it is still a delightful read. show less
Although their initial show more courtship was different from others in the series, it was exactly as it should have been. Mary and Vaughn are almost the complete opposite of other heroes and heroines in the Pink Carnation series, and they would naturally act in a contrary manner. In fact, the whole tone of this novel is much darker and more sarcastic in humor than others. Also, after their first kiss, the author rewards us with romantic tension of the sort I crave, as Vaughn pretends complete disinterest in Mary, and Mary decides to catch Mr. St. George as her husband. Despite their intentions, the two are inescapably drawn together, and life contrives to provide a happy ending for the pair.
Oh yes, there is a plot besides the romance, of course. The Black Tulip is still on the loose, and the Pink Carnation has asked Vaughn to use Mary as a decoy, a new tulip in his collection. The plan succeeds, but the spy is not so trustful, sensing a plot, and asks Mary to prove her loyalty by killing Vaughn. She attempts to stop him, showing the Black Tulip that her involvement is just a ruse, and risks her own life to help Vaughn after the Tulip successfully shoots him through the shoulder. The action is as fast-paced and fun as I've come to expect from the Carnation series, and blends with the romance to create a tidy little package of reading escapism. In spite of my first impressions, I very much enjoyed this novel. It is not one of my favorites, but it is still a delightful read. show less
This series is great fun, and this book is the best so far. You start with the basis of the series, that the Scarlet Pimpernel kept spying for England after the execution of Robespierre (instead of retiring at the end of the Terror as Orczy had it in the original series) until he was unmasked, when he was replaced by another flowery-named amatuer spy, who was eventually unmasked and replaced by the Pink Carnation, whose identity was never revealed until two hundred years later when grad. student Eloise is allowed access to the Selwick family papers which contain documentary proof that the Pink Carnation was a woman. This is an adventure-romance series in the vein of the Scarlet Pimpernel for a modern era, in which the clever women show more actually are clever and don't stand around waiting to be rescued.
Mary Alsworthy and Lord Vaughn are older than the protagonists of the previous volumes in the series, and consequently have a wonderfully more cynical, world-weary perspective. Even if this were not to my taste, I would be impressed by Willig's ability to depict the characters that we have seen in earlier books through the eyes of a very different narrator. I am looking forward to the next book, even if I am slightly concerned that I will find it a let-down after this one. show less
Mary Alsworthy and Lord Vaughn are older than the protagonists of the previous volumes in the series, and consequently have a wonderfully more cynical, world-weary perspective. Even if this were not to my taste, I would be impressed by Willig's ability to depict the characters that we have seen in earlier books through the eyes of a very different narrator. I am looking forward to the next book, even if I am slightly concerned that I will find it a let-down after this one. show less
In this fourth adventure in the Pink Carnation series, Willig tells the story of almost spinster Mary Alsworthy and cryptic Lord Vaughn. If you've read any of her other novels, you know from the get-go that they are going to get together. It's in the "how" that Willig really shines this time. Using complex dialog and mostly believable situations, Willig tells the story of their romance and how they uncover the deadly spy, the Black Tulip.
This is a highly enjoyable historical fiction novel that is less on the physical romance than her other books, while being heavy on the "intellectual" romance.
This is a highly enjoyable historical fiction novel that is less on the physical romance than her other books, while being heavy on the "intellectual" romance.
The Seduction of the Crimson Rose continues the adventure that started four books ago with The History of the Pink Carnation. Lauren Willig has developed this series with a mixture of history, wit, humour and romance.
I think this book may be my favourite of the series. Mary Alsworthy has more personality in her little finger than her sister, who was the heroine of the last book. Lord Vaughn has long been one of my favourite characters, and now he has found a worthy companion. I found their self-interest and less-than-heroic motives refreshing. And it was nice to see Eloise and Colin finally move their attraction along.
These books are part historical romance, part chick-lit and all fun. The Seduction of the Crimson Rose is a lively and show more enjoyable addition to the series. show less
I think this book may be my favourite of the series. Mary Alsworthy has more personality in her little finger than her sister, who was the heroine of the last book. Lord Vaughn has long been one of my favourite characters, and now he has found a worthy companion. I found their self-interest and less-than-heroic motives refreshing. And it was nice to see Eloise and Colin finally move their attraction along.
These books are part historical romance, part chick-lit and all fun. The Seduction of the Crimson Rose is a lively and show more enjoyable addition to the series. show less
Eloise has finally scored a date with Colin, but more importantly, she’s found the Vaughn archives and is digging into Lord Sebastian Vaughn’s life. Miss Mary Alsworthy, essentially jilted by Lord Geoffrey Pinchingdale and her sister Letty, is at a loss. She’s older now and has no reliable husband prospects on the horizon. In a bid to gain more independence, she agrees to help Lord Vaughn by becoming one of the petals of the Black Tulip. After all, she has just the right coloring and she definitely needs more excitement in her life. Needless to say, she gets much more excitement than she bargained for.
This is my favorite Pink Carnation book so far. I found both characters to be stiff at first, but watching them soften - if only to show more each other - was possibly the best moment of the series. Mary went, believably, from self-serving to really caring about this man, and I could see how it happened. Best of all, this book is very much a meeting of the minds. Mary and Vaughn have the best snarky conversations of any characters and it seems as though their personalities just fit together perfectly. They are the cynics among a flock of impressionable romantics and it’s hard not to love them for it. As for the plot, I figured out who the Black Tulip was maybe halfway through the book, so the big reveal wasn’t all that much of a surprise, but that was okay with me; there were other exciting events going on. I also, contrary to popular opinion it seems, enjoyed that Willig left out the customary love scene in this one. It isn’t necessary and never really has been. There’s a spark between these two, but no need to follow it through when we all know how that goes. I think it works much better this way because it’s more about who they are as people.
Again, I think this is the best in the series. I have begun to accept that the series isn’t actually going to end any time soon, though, so if that bothers you, it may be worth staying away. Personally, I love these books, they’re perfect candy fare and I very much enjoy the history worked in and even the frame story of Colin and Eloise.
http://chikune.com/blog/?p=392 show less
This is my favorite Pink Carnation book so far. I found both characters to be stiff at first, but watching them soften - if only to show more each other - was possibly the best moment of the series. Mary went, believably, from self-serving to really caring about this man, and I could see how it happened. Best of all, this book is very much a meeting of the minds. Mary and Vaughn have the best snarky conversations of any characters and it seems as though their personalities just fit together perfectly. They are the cynics among a flock of impressionable romantics and it’s hard not to love them for it. As for the plot, I figured out who the Black Tulip was maybe halfway through the book, so the big reveal wasn’t all that much of a surprise, but that was okay with me; there were other exciting events going on. I also, contrary to popular opinion it seems, enjoyed that Willig left out the customary love scene in this one. It isn’t necessary and never really has been. There’s a spark between these two, but no need to follow it through when we all know how that goes. I think it works much better this way because it’s more about who they are as people.
Again, I think this is the best in the series. I have begun to accept that the series isn’t actually going to end any time soon, though, so if that bothers you, it may be worth staying away. Personally, I love these books, they’re perfect candy fare and I very much enjoy the history worked in and even the frame story of Colin and Eloise.
http://chikune.com/blog/?p=392 show less
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Author Information
36+ Works 14,890 Members
Lauren Willig majored in renaissance studies and political science at Yale University, studied English history at Harvard University, and received a J.D. magna cum laude from Harvard Law School. She started writing the Pink Carnation series during law school. She practiced as a litigation associate at a large New York law firm for a year and a show more half before deciding to become a full-time writer. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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- Canonical title
- The Seduction of the Crimson Rose
- Original publication date
- 2008-01-31
- People/Characters
- Mary Alsworthy; Lord Sebastian Vaughn; Letty Alsworthy; Lord Geoffery Pinchingdale-Snipe; Jane Wooliston; Eloise Kelly (show all 8); Colin Selwick; St. George
- Important places
- London, England, UK
- First words
- "Four pounds,” demanded the fourteen-foot-high statute of Hercules.
- Quotations
- Plots and counterplots, alliances and betrayals had all left their mark on his form. They were written on the thin, flexible line of his lips, designed to laugh or sneer as the occasion required; the hooded lids that shielded... (show all) his eyes from scrutiny more effectively than any number of hats; the lean swordsman's body disguised beneath an incongruous armor of lace and jewels. Vaughn, Mary thought, would have made an excellent Caeser, raw power clothed in deadly pomp.
There was nothing like a bit of the Bard to add depth and grandeur to one's petty peccadilloes. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)In a contented silence, hand in hand, we strolled off into the stinging December rain.
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