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Bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries pens the sizzling story of one of three half-noble half brothers, who makes a most unwelcome entrance into society... and a most unexpected match. Beautiful Lady Regina Tremaine has turned down so many suitors that she's called La Belle Dame Sans Merci. The truth: she won't marry because she carries a dark secret. She sees no good reason, however, why her brother shouldn't court the lovely Louisa North -- even if the girl's brother, the notorious "Dragon Viscount," objects. Marcus North, Viscount Draker -- bastard son of the Prince of Wales -- is rumored to be a monster who holds women captive in his dark castle to have his way with them. He has been exiled from polite society for years. But when Lady Regina makes a plea on her brother's behalf, Marcus proposes an outrageous deal: her brother can court Louisa so long as Marcus can court Regina. Can the beauty and the beast survive a proper courtship when the devastatingly improper passion between them threatens to cause the scandal of the century?… (more)
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My Thoughts: I was a few chapters from the end when I realized the book was pissing me off. Jeffries writes well, and it's a very good idea, and Regina is a decent enough character... but Marcus... Lord Marcus will annoy you to no end. Oh, it'll catch you unawares. You'll be sympathetic at first. Poor little pariah. Then it'll dawn on you--this man is a pigheaded, prideful, self-centered ass.
Granted, the whole premise of the book was this guy's 'dragon' temperament, but this was poor execution. I've read several excellent, angst-ridden, heart-wrenching stories where the heroes are not only mean and rough but downright evil. Yet those authors manage to give them subtle vulnerabilities, unexpected kindness, hesitant reform, and genuine affection. Marcus Draker, unfortunately, has a bad case of foot-in-mouth disease and a wealth of self-pity. At one point, our heroine states it perfectly when she says, 'Is this what you've been doing all this time, when you should have been apologizing? Drinking down here in this dungeon, working yourself into a fine brooding?'
Now being a proud, card-carrying member of the Spike Rules, Angel Drools Club, we know I can't endorse any brooding. Therefore...
Recommendation: While being deceptively interesting at first, this book is a pass. And the title's misleading, too. So there.
4 Stars
Marcus North, Viscount Draker aka "the Dragon Viscount" is an outcast in society; yet, when Lady Regina Tremaine arrives on his doorstep to request permission for her brother to court his sister, Marcus finds himself agreeing, against his better judgement, to a courtship
As this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, it is to be expected that the hero is, to be frank, an overbearing jackass. That said, he improves upon better acquaintance and redeems himself by the end. The heroine has her moments as well. She is quite charming, but can be overly preoccupied with appearances, and is too trusting, especially when it comes to her brother's machinations.
The main problem with the first book in this series was the use of the keeping secrets trope. Thankfully, this does not reoccur here as the hero and heroine are excellent at confronting one another and revealing any secrets or annoying miscommunications. In fact, they are reminiscent of Elizabeth and Darcy in this regard.
All in all, an entertaining read and I look forward to reading the Gavin Byrne's story next.
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Beautiful Lady Regina Tremaine has turned down so many suitors that she's called La Belle Dame Sans Merci. The truth: she won't marry because she carries a dark secret. She sees no good reason, however, why her brother shouldn't court the lovely Louisa North—even if Louisa's half-brother, the notorious "Dragon Viscount," objects.
Marcus North, Viscount Draker—bastard son of the Prince of Wales—is rumored to be a monster who holds women captive and has his way with them. He has been exiled from polite society for years. But when Lady Regina makes a plea on her brother's behalf, Marcus strikes a deal. Her brother can court Louisa so long as Marcus can court Regina. But can the beauty and the beast survive a proper courtship when the chemistry between them threatens to cause the scandal of the century?