A Seduction at Christmas [Mass Market Paperback]

After the ending of the last book, in which this book's heroine was introduced, many complained of the not so typical, yet more realistic ending. Because of that I had hoped that Ms Maxwell would give this heroine a complex hero with a comparable conflict and she didn't disappoint. This hero is yummy and deserving of Fiona's love. The sexual tension was wonderfully delicious but it fell a bit short in one element. The consumation was bit too cliche and anti climactic for me . For those who read the preivious book, they know Fiona was brutally raped because of the actions of her brother, however in this one, Ms Maxwell didn't develop Finoa's fear of intimacy very realistically. As yummy as this hero is, Fiona was too willing to accept his intimacy after only a small minor hesitation, this seems to negate her character development in the last book, To me if one had been raped by a group of soldiers her fear of intimacy should have been a stronger conflict even with this understanding hero, but Maxwell seemed to gleen over it only in passing.

Though not her best book in this series it should be read by those who like the period but aren't caught up in the typical setting and romance of this period. She provides the reader with an interesting plot, and a hero/heroine who the reader will care about until the final page is turned. This one reads like a "love story" not just the typical romance of the period. Ms Maxwell's writing is clear and unclutterd despite the need for a stronger developement of imtimacy conflict given Fiona's past. Though this might have been at the behest of her editor, as this seems to be a growing trend in romance, a dumbing down of any conflicts raped heroines have. To fully enjoy this book, I would suggest one should read the preivious book...IN THE HIGHLANDER'S BED to fully understand the character of this heroine.

In 1809 an angry Hester Bowen tells the woman she is two minutes late before realizing that the person she hired Annie Jenkins did not arrive. Fiona Lachlan explains Annie could not make it as she ran off with a soldier so she came instead. Hester wants Fiona to slip a potion into the drink of Lord Belkin. However, instead of meeting Belkin at the inn, she is escorted to the room occupied by Duke Dominic Lynsted who is expecting Andres Ramigio. His first reaction at seeing the beautiful woman who entered his room is that of a vision he had almost a decade ago that warned him to "beware innocence".

However all hell breaks out soon after she entered his room when assassins arrive to kill him. Fiona and Dominic escape through the window heading to his family estate. Pretending to be his ward, Fiona assists Dominic on his quest to find a stolen ring and locate a Spaniard expatriate who vanished without a trace while eluding paid killers. As they fall in love, she wonders how an innocent like her became embroiled in "Scandals and Seductions".

A SEDUCTION AT CHRISTMAS is an excellent Regency romantic amateur sleuth thriller that never slows down from the moment half of England enters Dominic's room at the inn. The story line is fast-paced and filled with plenty of action especially when the guardian and the ward investigate. Cathy Maxwell provides a great historical romantic mystery that will keep her fans up late with a one sitting read.

Harriet Klausner

Dominic Lynsted has vowed revenge. On a Grand Tour of the continent financed by his uncles, Dominic, the Duke of Holburn has been robbed of his money and his signet ring while unconscious from drinking too much. Waking up and coming face to face with an Oracle, Dominic is warned to "beware innocence". He takes this advice to heart and vows he will find his missing ring if it is the last thing he does. Dominic has no idea the forces out of his control that are dead set against him being a worthy duke.

Dominic finally has a lead on his ring and agrees to meet at an out of the way tavern. When he comes face to face with the woman that is supposed to be his contact, Dominic instead finds Fiona Lachlan, a woman who has been paid by a vengeful mistress to poison her boyfriend. The fact that Dominic is not the man in question proves to Fiona that something is amiss and when three armed gunman rush into the room with orders to kill, Fiona and Dominic barely escape with their lives. The possibility of their survival is slim at best but they refuse to give up. Their lives began intertwining and just when each thought they would never trust another, they begin falling in love. Never to far from Dominic's mind is the Oracle's warning so each other is all they have to depend on.

A SEDUCTION AT CHRISTMAS has just the right amount of suspense and sensuality. Focused on trying to find out what the Oracle meant and his blossoming feelings for Fiona, Dominic oftentimes did not know if he was coming or going. With a touch of paranormal added in by the presence of the Oracle, A SEDUCTION AT CHRISTMAS is a delightful take on magic with a historical setting.

Fiona was a female character that was strong but delicate at the same time. Former life altering experiences changed the way she felt about men and it took a very brave woman to follow through with some of the things Fiona had to do. Scared of Dominic at first, then dependent upon him a bit for her safety, I loved watching Fiona falling in love with him. Dominic's life had revolved around his plans for revenge for so long that he almost didn't see the woman that Fiona was; he desired her - that much was plain. His desire quickly turned to smoldering passion that in turn became love.

A SEDUCTION AT CHRISTMAS was well written and included the right amount of intrigue as well. I never suspected the force behind the bad things that continued to happen to Dominic and usually I can guess rationally who the bad person(s) are. This time Cathy Maxwell stumped me and I love when that happens.

Passionate, unpredictable, and particularly addictive, A SEDUCTION AT CHRISTMAS is a must read for any lover of historical romance.

***Natalie S. for Wild on Books***