Seduced at Midnight (Berkley Sensation) [Mass Market Paperback]

Lady Julianne Bradley's parents could easily be called cold-hearted and uncaring. In fact, those are the nicer terms one could use to describe Lord and Lady Gatesbourne. Being the daughter of titled parents, Julianne always knew her marriage would be arranged by her father to the one with the highest title and wealth. Now that time has arrived. Instead of going through the motions of posting the bans and a long engagement to prepare for a lavish Society wedding (and help her to mentally prepare for a long, loveless life) Julianne learns that she is due to wed the Duke of Eastling within two weeks and immediately be stashed away in Cornwall. Though resigned to her fate, Julianne longs for love and passion. She wants what two of her friends were lucky enough to find in their marriages. When thinking of her imaginary love, Julianne always conjures up the image of Bow Street Runner Gideon Mayne. She met Gideon two months ago when he was investigating a series of murders plaguing Mayfair. His image is what Julianne sees whenever she devours the latest novel her bookclub is reading. You see, the Ladies Literary Society of London did not read boring, but acceptable, books. Instead, the books they chose to read are very sexually explicit.

The topic on everybody's tongues these days is about a murdering ghost robber. All the victims are wealthy ladies, found dead with their valuables missing. And it seems Julianne is next on the killer's list. Gideon is hired by Lord Gatesbourne to guard Julianne until she is safely wed and Eastling's responsibility. Gideon accepts, though he finds himself strongly attracted to Lady Julianne. While Gideon protects her from a murderer, who will protect him from Julianne?

***** A story by Jacquie D'Alessandro is to be slowly savored like fine wine. This author excels in making readers feel the same emotions her characters do. These emotions are so strong at times that they may punch you harder than brandy. And this latest installment of the Mayhem in Mayfair series is no exception. From beginning to end, this tale over flows with romance, passion, humor, and danger. I came to care deeply for the main couple (even the huge guard dog and the tiny ankle biter). I dreaded seeing the number of pages left to read dwindling and found myself reading slower and slower. Now if only I can make it until this author's next release. Astounding! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Lady Julianne Bradley's dream is to marry a man who loves her madly and embark on wild adventures together. Unfortunately the man she wants to share her adventures with is someone that can never be hers. When a spate of murders start in Mayfair and it seems that Julianne is the next target, her father hires the man of her dreams to protect her.

Bow Street Runner Gideon Mayne's most difficult task is to catch the killer - while also managing to keep his hands off Julianne. Convinced she is a pampered princess he is stunned to find himself utterly wrong which only makes the passion burn hotter between the pair. But with Julianne set to submit to an arranged marriage - she is determined to taste passion at least once in her life and is determined that Gideon will be the man to help her.

Despite being the third book in the Mayhem in Mayfair series (after Sleepless at Midnight and Confessions at Midnight) this was the first book of the series I have read and found it stands alone quite nicely although it does whet your appetite to read the other books.

This book was a delight from start to finish. I loved the characters and the emotions really packed a punch as both Gideon and Julianne struggled to cope with their feelings and the restrictions placed on them. The book was nicely sensual and I really felt the chemistry between the main pair.

There was a light mystery element to the story that did keep me guessing right to the end but didn't scare me at all (and I'm a complete scaredy cat!). The writing was excellent and I felt drawn into a rich picture of Regency London.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, couldn't put it down and found myself constantly thinking of it when I wasn't reading. I'm definitely going to buy and read the first two books in the series and can't wait for Logan and Emily's story in Tempted at Midnight. Definitely worth 5 stars.

Can this be the same book already reviewed by two previous correspondents?This is the third book of the Mayhem in Mayfair series and the first two, particularly the second, were infinitely better. I found this book extremely annoying - why oh why does Ms. D'Alessandro have to keep writing 'Bloody Hell' just about every other page. Does this writer, who I would have thought was an intelligent woman, really think Englishmen - even Bow Street Runners - speak like this? And - yes, it was sensual but I felt almost bordering on soft porn and it did not, in my opinion, require this - the romance between Carolyn and Daniel in Book Two was beautiful and very sexy - without minute details of masculine arousal! I am seriously wondering if I will be bothered to buy the fourth book in this series.