Seduction

Browsing the discount corner of the nearest bookstore, I came across Seduction for $1. I figured that's not too big a gamble, so I picked it up along with several other books.

Anyway, it is my second Amanda Quick novel after Affair last year, so the sample size is still quite small. I did like Seduction better, since the prose wasn't quite so overdone, particularly in terms of metaphors on a theme whipped out at every descriptive opportunity. This one had something more of an overt feminist subtext, but that worked against it, I think, because the serious questions raised about gender roles and the oppression of women and the female intellectual community portrayed in the story were ultimately shabby window dressing for another show more preposterous, melodramatic plotline involving an unknown villain.

Yes, I like a certain amount of escapist entertainment, and it can be plenty fluffy, but I also like a little bit of fiber in my diet--popcorn, not spun sugar, drama not melodrama. The Seventh Suitor by Laura Matthews touches on many of the same feminist themes and similarly references the relevant writings of the era, such as Mary Wollstonecraft's A Vindication of the Rights of Women, but without trying to shoehorn it into the classic gothic romance tropes.

Let us count the gothic ways. First wife dead under mysterious circumstances? Check. Hero is rude, arrogant, and privileged in so many ways at the beginning? Check--actually carried to an extreme to show what a sexist ass he is. Family member dead under secret, tragic circumstances? Check. Possible secret society of evildoers? Check. Possibly insane person(s)? Check. Faintly menacing ruins in an isolated location? Check. Blackmail, kidnapping, even possible rape? Check. Missing family jewels? Check. Heroine is strong yet naive, and eventually makes the hero become a loving, sensitive, devoted guy? Check.

Amanda Quick has clearly done her homework. She draws upon actual events and adapts them for her story. Harriette Wilson's sensational memoir (available today as The Game of Hearts) is one example. This most famous of Regency-era courtesans published this tell-all account in installments later in life when she'd fallen on hard times, and apparently gave her aristocratic lovers from the past the chance to opt-out for a small fee, leading to Duke Wellington's famous quote, "Publish, and be damned!" I suspect that she also drew inspiration from the Hell-Fire Club and its ilk.

But once again, these historical details feel inappropriately applied to characters with modern sensibilities and attitudes. The fact that all of the female characters are essentially feminists (and there's even a lesbian couple!) just makes the over-the-top melodramatic plot all the more ridiculous. And the portrayal of upper-crust society doesn't feel very realistic. The heroine is clumsy, always inadvertently has a sloppy appearance, is very direct in conversation that leans toward the prosaic, is amazingly naive about men and flirting, and yet she sets fashion, enthralls everyone with her discussion of herbal remedies and sheep farming, and becomes the belle of the ball while developing strong friendships with women without ever confronting scandal, gossip, and general mean-spiritedness. I'm dubious.

Sorry, I'm still in the Heyer camp. Yes, some of her characters are ridiculous, and some of the stories are very campy, but the dialogue is fun, and it never quite feels contrived. show less

An insomnia driven re-read. Julian's been burnt by his fist marriage to the bewitching Elizabeth. As his second wife he chooses Sophy, a mousey country lady who should be leaping at the chance to be a countess, but she has ideas of her own. She has intentions to retaining certain freedom of thought and wishes to delay the marital bed. This is triggered by her sister's experience of being seduced by on of Elizabeth's lovers, then cast aside when she fell pregnant. Sophy has plans to denounce her sister's lover and ruin him in the eyes of society. It has some interesting characters and interactions, but you know from pretty early on that it's all going to end neatly - and it does.

Loved this book. I was not expecting such great interaction between the characters. I love AQ's quirky characterisation - neither H or H are perfect but they have such strong and redeeming features that you can't help but love them. A great read - especially if you can curl up in a chair by the fire - undisturbed. (Unfortunately, this was not my fate on this occassion...)

Seduction by Amanda Quick
4 Stars

My Synopsis: The enigmatic Earl of Ravenwood and his new bride, Sophie Dorring, each of their own reasons for marrying. Julian seeks a woman who is the exact opposite of his promiscuous first wife, whom he is suspected of murdering. Sophie desires the freedom to seek vengeance against the man who defiled her sister and believes marriage to Julian will give her this opportunity. Little do they know that this marriage of convenience will ultimately set them on a collision path with a dangerous mad man.

My Review: The story is fast moving and has some amusing moments including a visit to a popular courtesan and an early morning duel. The heroine is intelligent and independent, and the conversations are witty show more and entertaining. The mystery, however, is where the book encounters difficulties as it is somewhat lackluster and formulaic. In addition, the excessive foreshadowing regarding the villain gives his identity away quite early.
Recommendation: A solid romance well worth the read. show less

Julian, Earl of Ravenwood has decided to marry, this time he will marry a less worldly woman, a woman who won't betray him. He's been living under the suspicion that he killed his former wife since she died.

Sophy Dorring has loved Julian from afar for years but she wants love back from him so she contracts a marriage, one that will challenge him, one that will make him forget his former wife and not reflect all her behaviour on her. Not an easy task.

This was a fun read, there was scandal, amusement, fun characters and a nod at some "special friendships" that surely would have existed.

Lady Wombat says:

My first Amanda Quick read. Her earliest historical. Strong writing style, convincing historical period detail, great dialogue. Rather distancing in feel, as we don't get inside the characters' heads as much as more recent books in the genre tend to. Annoying ending. Worth trying a few others before deciding whether or not to keep reading her.

Julian is my least favourite Quick hero. What an arse. Sophy likewise didn't have the snap and joy of previous Quick heroines I've read.