Sandy M’s review of Patience (Passion, Book 2) by Lisa Valdez
Historical Romance published by Berkley 6 Apr 10

Wow, this book has me all wound up every which way, thrown for a loop all the way to next Sunday, and then boomeranged back right to where I started. Some of it good, some of it I could have done without, and then some it simply wonderfully terrific.

First of all, I never read Passion by Ms. Valdez. I, of course, heard the buzz when it released and wanted to read it, but I just never got to it. I know fans of that book have waited on pins and needles for this second one. So I’m assuming that because I haven’t kept up with that buzz from the beginning, I was not prepared for the erotic nature of Patience. When I got to that first scene making it clear a D/s theme was imminent, especially after the opening of the book, which is emotional as all get-out, I had one huge moment of doubt.

I began so enamored of the hero in the gut-wrenching opening scenes. The latest gossip to scuttle through society is that Matthew Morgan Hawkmore is a gardener’s bastard, thus he’s shunned by everyone except those few close friends and family. We even get to read the letter his fiance sent to him breaking off their engagement. Everything that had been within his grasp is now gone.

In the midst of Matthew’s emotional struggle, Patience walks in and his senses flare double time, an intense smoldering cauldron of disbelief, despair, and then desire. This is all within a few pages, and I’m loving every darned minute of it, thinking what a read this is going to be. That thought does go on for a bit, but too soon all those emotions came crashing down around me.

I do read erotica now and again. There’s been very few I’ve cared for, however. While I did like parts of this book’s sex scenes, there were others concerning Matthew’s determination to master Patience that I just didn’t like. Humiliation is neither sexy nor erotic to me. Patience humping Matthew’s leg after a lengthy session of him denying her orgasm is humiliating, even though he loved every minute of it. The idea that Matthew just knows Patience is a submissive and he’s going to prove it read more like browbeating her into believing she is.

Of course, Patience has her own issues. She’s vowed not to let another man hurt her, so has given herself totally over to her music and is planning to leave soon to study with a renowned master of the cello, Patience’s adored instrument. Matthew doesn’t want her to go, manipulates the situation to keep her close, and systematically tears down her walls, mostly through mastering her. He plays the cello too, and there are a couple of scenes between them centering around the instrument that show a Matthew I like.

On that point, the man ran hot and cold for me. I would like him for a while and then his domination would send me in the other direction. He does, however, win me over in the end. And there’s plenty of other happenings in the book that kept me interested enough to keep reading. If this had been a straight erotic novel, I would have given up. There’s no doubt that Ms. Valdez is a powerful writer. She definitely moved me from one extreme to the other.

Once finished with this book, I wondered if Passion had been written in the same vein, but I’ve been informed it’s not. When I can finally locate it in the TBR pile, I’m starting on it right then. If this author can move me so while reading a theme that isn’t my favorite, my imagination runs wild  with the idea of what she can do with something I usually enjoy reading.

Grade: B-

Summary:

A WOMAN CALLED PATIENCE. A DESIRE THAT WOULD PUT HER NAME—AND HER LOVE—TO THE TEST.

Known for her exceptional beauty, Patience Emmalina Dare has been pursued by admirers ever since coming of age. But suitor after suitor fails to inspire her love – or her desire. Certain she will never find a man who touches her deeply, she decides to forgo marriage in favor of pursuing her music. But just when Patience thinks she has her life well in hand, a passionate kiss with her enigmatic brother-in-law awakens a powerful need in her. How will she reconcile her desire for him and her desire for a life that’s her own – and what will she do when he shows her a deep and hidden part of herself that she never knew existed?

When the secret of his illegitimate birth pushes Matthew Morgan Hawkmore from his place in society, the darkly handsome half-brother of the Earl of Langley plots his resurrection and his revenge. Betrayed and abandoned by the women he believed loved him, he swears to never again be controlled by love. But despite his vow, he is unable to resist the beautiful Patience, whose strength and self-reliance hide a need that he is perfectly suited to fulfill. Can he have her without loving her? What will he give up to keep her? And will her passionate surrender be the one thing that can stop him from making a tragic mistake that could destroy them both…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: