The Scoundrel’s Seduction (House of Trent, #3) by Jennifer Haymore
Historical Romance
E book, 368 pages
May 27, 2014
Forever/Avon
Reviewed by Tori
Favorite Quote: “My Sam…”
Undercover agent Sam Hawkins has devoted his life to protecting king and country. So when he receives orders to assassinate a ruthless traitor, he doesn’t question his mission. But Sam didn’t know his deed had a witness—the beautiful and mysterious betrayer’s wife. Now he has no choice but to take her as his prisoner—one he can neither trust…nor resist.
Élise, Lady Dunthorpe, will do anything to escape her powerful captor—including seducing him senseless. She didn’t know of her miserable husband’s crimes, but she has secrets of her own—secrets that threaten everything she holds dear. With his piercing dark eyes and gentle touch, Sam inflames Élise’s deepest desires, but how could she ever trust a man who won’t let her go? Caught between the crown he’s sworn to serve and the woman he’s come to love, Sam will risk his heart—and his very life—to keep her safe. (Goodreads)
I’ve always enjoyed Jennifer Haymore’s lush and emotionally plump historical romances. The House of Trent series has been particularly enjoyable as it builds upon the trope of impossible connections forming between unlikely candidates. A seductive and somewhat somber series that divulges into the scandals and secrets of an aristocratic family.
The Scoundrel’s Seduction is the third book in Haymore’s historical romance suspense series-The House Of Trent. Focusing on the first born, Samuel Hawkins, we finally learn the reasons behind his quiet deadly nature and frequent disappearances. Though the first born, his illegitimacy forbid him from inheriting the title when the former Duke passed away. Employed as a spy for the Crown, Sam lives his life where he feels the most comfortable- in the shadows.
Our heroine, Lady Elisa Dunthrope, escaped to England as a child when her family fell victim to the guillotine’s kiss during the French Revolution. Pushed into marriage at a young age by her uncle, she has suffered for her French heritage and her husband’s dreams of grandeur. Dreams that lead him to betray his country. After seeing her husband murdered before her eyes, Elisa is dragged into a deadly game of cat and mouse where everyone wants her dead. Her only hope is a man whose very nature demands he never trust her.
The story starts out with a heavy hand towards action and intrigue when our hero, Samuel Hawkins, is forced to take prisoner the wife of the man he just assassinated. A spy for the Crown, Samuel learned that Lord Dunthrope was selling secrets to the French. The verdict for this treason? Death. However, no one expected Lady Dunthrope to be in residence. As a witness to the murder, Samuel can’t let her go. Now Samuel has to figure out how how involved she is in this conspiracy and what to do with her once he gets his answers.
While I liked it overall, I found it didn’t engage me. The storyline moves extremely slow and the majority is filled with Sam and Elisa getting to know one another and pontificating on the benefits and drawbacks of their growing attraction to one another. Samuel wants her from the beginning but unable to prove or disprove her loyalties leaves him unsure if he should act on it. He’s also put out a little that Elisa doesn’t seem to be grieving for her late husband or even particularly upset that Samuel murdered him. The plotlines are predictable with very little tension or apprehension. I expected more action and conflict because of the spy storyline.
The characters are well developed but I felt like I they were missing something. Both were extremely even natured people. Their back stories are revealed in a matter of fact way; interjected at the appropriate times to ensure the reader understands the reasons behind their actions. It’s acceptable but not inspiring. Even the conflicts between them are low key and easily overcome. The “insta love” aspect is prevalent and while the chemistry between them is believable, I wanted more emotional involvement. I wanted Elisa to rage at being held captive and once more not in control of her life. I want Sam to get angry about his childhood and the seemingly intractable situation he now finds himself in. It was all very ce la vie.
The romance itself is delicious with plenty of whispered promises, steamy touches, and passionate love making. I liked that as both had been married before so no games are played and they are very honest with one another. Elisa isn’t forced to play the blushing virgin and Samuel doesn’t have to hold back his desires. Elisa has no issues with telling Samuel how much she wants him and boldly initiates their love making at times.
Haymore intertwines the main storyline with the ongoing arc concerning the disappearance of Sam’s mother-Duchess of Trent. Fortunately, this is resolved and in all honesty, was the most interesting part of the story. We learn the reasons about why she left and it makes sense though I’m at a loss to understand why certain things were done the way they were. We spend a fair amount of time with the Trent siblings but again, something was missing. I didn’t get the same connection with them as in her previous installments.
For me, the story really picked up in the last 25%. The story moves fast and furious once the Duchess is reintroduced and the villains behind spy ring reveal themselves and make their move. The ending is justifiable though anti climatic as we knew what would happen from the beginning and nothing was really left to the imagination or chance.
Though I will continue to read Ms. Haymore’s romances and am looking forward to Esme’s story, this was not my favorite installment in this series.
RATING: C-
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