Lawson’s review of Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas
Contemporary romance released by St. Martin’s 25 Mar 08

Kleypas’ second contemporary romance picks up where the first one left off. It’s still in first person, it’s set in Houston, and it’s got a great Texas good ol’ boy. I’ve got to say too, the cover is fabulous. That blue sky, the red earth (though just so everyone knows the picture looks more like West Texas than Houston, and yes, that is a 700 mile difference between the two places), and those low slung jeans on a swaggering male. It just makes the heart go pitter patter. . .

Haven Travis has been trying all her life to live down her own ideas of being the daughter of a rich man. Though she’s got liberal ideas, she ends up engaged to a man her father doesn’t approve of. At her brother Gage’s wedding she meets Hardy Cates and there’s an (very sexy) incident. She goes on though to marry the man her father doesn’t approve of and ends up disowned. She’s happy with her husband though, and doesn’t mind. But her marriage soon turns sour and she ends up on the wrong end of her husband’s fist.

She comes back to Houston to the protective arms of her brothers and starts her life over. Hardy is still around though, and through her trials to overcome her abuse as well as come to copes with herself, she falls hard for Hardy (and who wouldn’t?) and has to deal with some other issues.

Through it all Haven does come across as a strong woman who put her trust in the wrong man. She’s very loving and has always been criticized by her father and mother for not living up to their expectations for her. When her ex-husband comes along she gives everything to him, not realizing his faults until too late. Which is probably the most realistic way to describe what happens to Haven. There are some things that aren’t pretty, especially some very graphic descriptions of the abuse, but it shows her strength of character more than anything.

The first person isn’t distracting, and her scenes with Hardy are very hot and sexy. He’s an upright, though very ambitious Texan man through and through. By the end, however, there are some aspects of plot devices put in for no other purpose than to throw some kinks into Haven’s life. But it doesn’t go all the way to throw in the kitchen sink as well. There’s not a lot with Gage and Liberty from Sugar Daddy, but there are some wonderful moments between Haven and Jack, her second oldest brother. Hopefully his story will be next. 😉

A very enjoyable read, even for the first person and the small aspects of having way too much happen to Haven, but it all works in the end and there’s a great, sexy love story at the heart that shines through.

Grade: B+

     The New York Times bestselling author of Sugar Daddy is back with her most breathtaking, hot-and-bothered novel yet!

     MEET THE BLUE-EYED DEVIL     His name is Hardy Cates. He’s a self-made millionaire who comes from the wrong side of the tracks. He’s made enemies in the rough-and-tumble ride to the top of Houston’s oil industry. He’s got hot blood in his veins. And vengeance on his mind.

     MEET THE HEIRESS     She’s Haven Travis. Despite her family’s money, she refuses to set out on the path they’ve chosen for her. But when Haven marries a man her family disapproves of, her life is set on a new and dangerous course. Two years later, Haven comes home, determined to guard her heart. And Hardy Cates, a family enemy, is the last person she needs darkening her door or setting her soul on fire.

     WATCH THE SPARKS FLY. . . .     Filled with Lisa Kleypas’s trademark sensuality, filled with characters you love to hate and men you love to love, Blue-Eyed Devil will hold you captive in its storytelling power as the destiny of two people unfolds with every magical word.

     Read an excerpt.