Shannon C.’s review of To Seduce a Sinner (Legend of the Four Soldiers, Book 2) by Elizabeth Hoyt
Historical romance released 01 Nov 08 by Forever

I’ve been feeling a bit guilty lately. I have a ton of historicals on my TBR, none of which I’ve read although they all look so good. But when Elizabeth Hoyt’s second book in the Legend of the Four Soldiers series came out, I knew I had to drop what I was doing and pick it up. This despite my reservations. I mean, come on. How many times do we have to read the fake rake meets bluestocking romance? Thankfully, what I got was so much more than that. 

This book picks up where the prequel, To Taste Temptation left off. Jasper Renshaw, Viscount Vale, is left at the alter when he is approached by Melisande Fleming. Melisande proposes that Jasper marry her instead, since he does need a wife to beget an heir. Both Melisande and Jasper have secrets, and painful parts of their pasts, and each begins to slowly whittle away at the other.

Melisande really impressed me. So often, I feel that heroines in romances could just be there as placeholders. Not so Melisande. She really was perfect for Jasper, and she was a strong woman in her own right. I loved that she knew exactly what she wanted and went for it. She was also a woman of her time, not simply a 21st century woman in costume. And it was refreshing to see that Melisande remained a bit of a brown sparrow throughout the story. There was no makeover, no moment in which Jasper’s eyes widened at her sheer and suddenly stunning beauty.

As for Jasper, I liked him and found him refreshing in his own right. He hides his pain behind joviality and good cheer, which I think is a much more interesting response than writing proverbial emo poetry. I love that it is Melisande’s personality that he is drawn to, and I love that he always tries to do the right thing by her. He is definitely a man I could understand pining after for many years, and I loved the evolving love between these two. The scene at the end when Jasper presents Melisande with a tin snuffbox, the inside of which is encrusted with jewels is possibly one of the sweetest things I’ve ever read.

I liked the secondary characters. The secondary romance between Melisande’s maid, Sally Suchlike (which is not my favorite name ever in the history of the world, to put it mildly) and Jasper’s valet, Mr. Pynch, was sweet. I also liked the hero and heroine of the third book and think they are going to be interesting together, though I did think their introduction was a bit random and awkward, as was the plot thread involving a book of German fairy tales, which seems to go from heroine to heroine.

The mystery of what exactly happened at Spinner’s Falls which permeates the series as well was interesting, but not nearly as compelling for me as the romances. I also really loved the twist at the end of the book, though to give that away would be a spoiler.

This is a great series, and I am sad that I have to wait all the way until next May for the third book. I particularly think those looking for strong historical heroines will want to give this series a go. I think To Seduce a Sinner could be read as a standalone without missing much, though reading the first book certainly will enrich the experience.

Grade: B+

Read other takes on this series by following the Legend of the Four Soldiers series tag.

Summary:
THE ONE THING HE CANNOT REVEAL
For years, Melisande Fleming has loved Lord Vale from afar . . . watching him seduce a succession of lovers, and once, catching a glimpse of heartbreaking depths beneath his roguish veneer. When he’s jilted on his wedding day, she boldly offers to be his.

TO THE ONE WOMAN HE MOST DESIRES
Vale gladly weds Melisande, if only to produce an heir. But he’s pleasantly surprised: A shy and proper Lady by day, she’s a wanton at night, giving him her body-though not her heart.

IS HIS DEEPEST NEED . . .
Determined to learn her secrets, this sinner starts to woo his seductive new wife-while hiding the nightmares from his soldiering days in the Colonies that still haunt him. Yet when a deadly betrayal from the past threatens to tear them apart, Lord Vale must bare his soul to the woman he married…or risk losing her forever.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

To Desire A Devil, Book 4, Nov 2009