Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Love's Revenge by Monica Burns

Quentin Blackwell, the Devil of Devlyn, has returned home five years after a bitter betrayal by the woman he loved. He'd like nothing better than to extract his pound of flesh and when the opportunity presents itself, he's more than eager to accept the challenge. Especially when it means exploring Sophie Hamilton's delicious curves. He's determined not to give his heart away, but there's something about Sophie he can't resist. 

At forty-one, Sophie Hamilton is beyond just sitting on the shelf. Hopes of love and family are a lost dream at this stage of her life. But her inexperience in the ways of the flesh can easily be remedied, and the Devil of Devlyn, despite his tender age of thirty-two, is just the man to accomplish the task. As she finds passion and pleasure in the arms of a younger man, she struggles with the notion of a love that can bridge the age difference between them. 

Type: Historical Romance
Heat: 3 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5
"Exaggeration is for the timid, my dear Miss Hamilton, and I'm far from timid. But be assured of one thing. When I take a bite out of you--and I will take a bite, my sweet," he murmured in a voice that was like sinful velvet against her skin. "I promise you'll never forget my doing so."
I picked up my first book by Burns a couple years back and have loved every one I've tried so far and Love's Revenge definitely lived up to all of my expectations when it comes to her writing. The characters tugged at my heart, the drama was interesting and the romance sexy and unique right down to the age of the hero and heroine with Sophie being in her forties and older than her love interest, Quentin, by a good 9 years! You really just don't find that every day especially not in a historical and I loved it!


One of the things that makes Quentin and Sophie a bit different is that they get together purely for revenge on her horrid excuse of a sister and father. And I mean they are vile! I did love the marriage of convenience plot. She wants to escape her family's hold and explore the delights of being a married woman and he wants to bring her father down! It really brought some interesting drama into the mix.

In some ways Sophie's very cool and collected but in other ways after decades of emotional and physical abuse at the hands of her family she really struggles with her image and self worth. She's such a strong and wonderful woman and it was hard watching her failing to see that in herself or believe Quentin. It was lovely watching her grow as a woman though and finally overcome all of the damage her family inflicted.

Quentin struggled just as much as Sophie over the loss of pretty much everything because of the lies her family told. He's got some major trust issues because of it. Who boy. The two could get into some pretty infuriating fights but man you could so understand where they were both coming from so it was hard to hold it against them.

The two were pretty great together when they could put everything from the past aside. They play off each other well and you just want them to work it all out and go off blissfully into the sunset. And the steamy bits? Oh they are good! Quentin is so one of those heroes that, yeah, wouldn't mind him pressing you up against the wall and kissing the hell out of ya.

Overall, Love's Revenge was an excellent historical that grabbed my heart, made me laugh and had me falling for these two characters before I realized what was happening. Definitely one to add to your library :)


So, what say you? 

Have you read Monica Burns? What did you think?
Do you like relationships that start out like Quentin and Sophia? 
What about couples where the heroine is the older of the two?

16 comments:

  1. I have never read this author, but your review sure makes me want to change that! I can't think of a stand alone historical romance with a heroine of this age.

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    1. Ahhh you should so try her. This was the second one of hers where the heroine was a good deal older than the hero. The first one I ever read of hers was Pleasure Me. It was fantastic and I was hooked :D I can't remember the heroines exact age, it's been a while, but I want to say she was in her 40s as well.


      One of hers is free at the moment. I haven't read it yet so not sure if it's as good as the others but I'm sure it is. Here's the link if you'd like to try it :)

      http://www.amazon.com/Portrait-Historical-Erotic-Romance-ebook/dp/B005O54AOI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1362465572&sr=8-4&keywords=monica+burns

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    2. According to Amazon, I "bought" that one in October. I keep adding freebies, but hate my kindle reader app, so never get to reading them. Perhaps time for a new challenge for myself, to read one a month.

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    3. LOL Aurian I do that exact same thing! I joined in a challenge (it's up on that challenge page at the top) called Why By the Cow? which is for all those freebies you collect like that. Those are the only ones that count for the challenge. I've managed to knock a handful out so far this year between that and the TBR Pile Knockout one :)

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  2. You're really making it hard for me to just read what I have and try to get some old favorites read this year. So many you review end up on my to look for list. :)

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    1. Bwaha. Sorry :D I have that problem with the blogs I follow to. I finish one book and by the time I've gotten to the end of it I've managed to add 4 more to the shopping list. It's just terrible ;)

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  3. My iPad is about to explode with books! I have never read Ms. Burns, but have lately been reading more historical. To me, for some reason, the fact that the heroine is "more mature" doesn't bother me in a historical. I like to read stories about middle aged couples, but am uncomfortable with mature women and very young men ( like 20's or younger) . I have no idea why?!
    Anyway, looks like a very interesting story. thanks for the review Anna!

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    1. LOL Mine too Pat! I just can't read them fast enough for how quickly I add them!

      I've been reading more historicals lately too. I get ya on the age difference sometimes. One of the things about them that kinda squicks me out is the much older men with very, very young women. Not talking about the hero/heroine usually since they tend not to be the extremes but the background of old men shopping for 16-18 year old wives. Bleck! Same would go with a woman doing that though.

      Monica really makes the older heroine work though. Never really feel that age difference too much. Her book Pleasure Me was excellent if you see that one about. The heroine in this one could feel a bit younger than her age because of how she was raised and what she went through I think. But really an excellent read :)

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  4. I've read a couple of Monica Burns books & I very much enjoyed them. I'm adding this one to my list. I don't mind the heroine being a few years older than the heroine but I don't like a huge age difference. In Lisa Kleypas's SUDDENLY YOU, the heroine is just a few years older than the hero and she is not happy about it when she finds out. SUDDENLY YOU is one of my favorite LK books and it's a stand alone. A good one to start with if you want to try her out.

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    1. I don't know that I'd like it in real life for me personally. I don't know why though. LOL I still haven't tried Lisa Kleypas but I'm guessing me and the heroine would definitely get along in that regard. ;)

      I'm usually okay with a 9-12 year age difference. Just depends on the author I guess and the actual characters. It's worked for me with Monica's so far. Which have you read? I've still got a couple to read through once I get my hands on them.

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  5. I've never read Monica Burns and know I've never read a historical romance with a heroine in her 40's. They're usually barely out of their teens. Just added it to my wishlist, as if I need more books :)

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    1. Right? Two of the ones I've read of hers now have had older heroines. I really like that. Adds such an interesting element to it. I really enjoyed this one but Pleasure Me was my favorite so far. Older heroine who is a courtesan and a younger man who has a deformity he's hiding and dealing with. Was a great read that really got me hooked :)

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  6. LOVE Monica Burns -
    I've read Pleasure Me - FANTASTIC twist to romance
    the younger guy is virgin - with an older more Experienced woman
    just noticed above comment :)

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    1. Yay! Someone else who has read Pleasure Me!! Wasn't that an amazing book? I'm going to have to read it again soon I think. It's been a couple years now. What a great combo that was :D

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  7. I havent read anything by Monica Burns but I love the idea of an older woman...you are so right, we dont see that at all in any genre really. I think its refreshing ;) im adding this one to my tbr list Anna..I really like it

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  8. I've not read any of Monica's books. I like the idea of an older heroine, and I'm fine with the hero being younger (hey, even Jamie is younger than Claire!). I like all kinds of situations in my romances, as it makes for variety.

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I always enjoy hearing what YOU think so come on and leave a comment. Everyone's welcome :) And feel free to leave comments on old posts. I'll check in on you there too :)

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~Anna

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