Lord of Danger by Anne Stuart

Genres: Adult, Historical Fiction, Romance
Publication Date: July 1st 1997
POV: Alternating - Third-Person, Past tense
Smut-O-Meter: 7 out of 10
My Rating: 4 out of 5

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Half-sister to Richard the Fair, Alys has been schooled in the sheltered ways of the convent, far from the treachery and intrigue of castle life. Until she is taken from the cloister and brought to a place filled with secrets. Here she is to meet her future husband, a man some call a monster. His name is Simon of Navarre, a powerful and mysterious lord practiced in the black arts. This sensual stranger both terrifies her and fascinates her...and sets her heart burning with an unfamiliar fire.

Jaded by war, no longer able to believe in human goodness, Simon has turned toward the realm of darkness. But the master magician finds himself bewitched by the innocent Alys, who fears his very touch could damn her forever. Yet even as Simon begins to work his seductive magic, Alys senses the wounded soul beneath the cooly elegant facade. Now, as the two become pawns in Richard's treacherous scheme to become England's king, only one power can save them: the unstoppable force of love.

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I enjoyed this more than Reckless, and would have enjoyed it more than Ruthless if it weren't for the imprisonment business. I was completely pulled in by the story in this one, and by Simon and Alys. They were amazing and Simon is by far my favourite Anne Stuart hero so far. He was absolutely wicked and irresistible. I was told this was one of her best books, and I can see why someone would think so.

But it is just my personal preference that I didn't like how Alys was imprisoned. After finally admitting their feelings and have some beautiful moments in the rain, they were torn apart, leaving Alys doubting Simon. I really did not enjoy that. I wanted to see more of them enjoying each other. Plus, at the end, Alys didn't even leave a note so her sister would know she was ok. Likely everyone would worry about her. It wasn't an entirely happy ending when you think about the people they left behind.

And that brings me to another issue. I could not stand Claire! OMG what a spoiled brat. Even after everything I still could not stand her. She drove me crazy to the end and I think Thomas deserved better. This book had another secondary romance, like the previous two Anne Stuart books I have read. It must be standard for her. Another standard must be that the villain is a relative. Next time I read one of her books I wont trust anyone's family.

Although I seemed to have a lot of issues with this, Simon and Alys made this book and I want to love it more because of them. Especially Simon. Gosh I love him! Alys was awesome too. Definitely better than Charlotte. Maybe not Elinor though. Elinor kicked some ass.

“She tilted her head to one side, considering him. "Do you love me?" 

"Love is a trick and a sham. A foolish plague and a lie and a torment." 

"Do you love me?" she repeated, quite calmly. Knowing the answer. 

"Yes, may it curse my soul."

Ruthless by Anne Stuart (The House of Rohan #1)

Genres: Adult, Historical Fiction, Romance
Publication Date: July 20th 2010
POV: Alternating - Third-person, Past tense
Smut-O-Meter: 7 out of 10
My Rating: 5 out of 5

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Few outsiders will ever witness the dark misdeeds of the Heavenly Host. And among this secret society, where exiled Georgian aristocrats gather to indulge their carnal desires, fewer still can match the insatiable appetite of their chief provocateur, the mysterious Viscount Rohan.

Pursuit of physical pleasure is both his preferred pastime and his most pressing urge, until he encounters the fascination of a woman who won't be swayed. And while his dark seduction appalls the pure and impoverished Elinor Harriman, she finds herself intrigued...and secretly drawn to the man behind the desire.

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This book blew me away! I was not prepared for this. I asked for recommendations in a romance group for books with really dark heroes, and Anne Stuart was recommended to me. I was told that the Rohan series was not her best, but it was one of two available at my library so I picked it up immediately. They downplayed it a bit and I wasn't prepared to love it so much.

I loved the battle of wits, for there was one, as much as Rohan thought he always had the upper hand. His and Elinor's back and forth was the center of the story and it was immensely entertaining. I also found it interesting how it all took place in front of a sexual backdrop. There was only one actual sex scene, at about 80% into the book, but the whole book was surrounded by it, and every move Rohan made was motivated by it. As it says on the back of the book, "Pursuit of physical pleasure is both his preferred pastime and his most pressing urge."

It was all so very enticing, while never really crossing the line until the end. The entire book was foreplay. As was Rohan's forceful behaviour. I was in the mood for a dark hero and I definitely got one. Rohan had practically no conscience. He never forced Elinor, but he played horrible games, blackmailed her, locked her in his house, used any means necessary for her to bend to his will. And it worked. On me as well. He was utterly delicious.

There was also a secondary romance that was more light and innocent and was perhaps used to balance the dark of the book. It was extremely sweet and I enjoyed it as well. I have been warned that some of the later books in the series are even darker and that I may not enjoy them with my standards. But I am still really looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

“You know as well as I do, damn you. Like it or not I seem to have grown a heart. I have absolutely no use for the damned thing, but there it sits, demanding Elinor. I can't live without her.”