Review: To Seduce A Sinner (Elizabeth Hoyt)

To Seduce A Sinner by Elizabeth Hoyt

Publisher:  Forever (2008)
Format: Mass Market Paperback | 359 pages
Genre(s): Historical Romance

Description (GR): "THE ONE THING HE CANNOT REVEAL ... For years, Melisande Fleming has loved Lord Vale from afar ... watching him seduce a succession of lovers, and once catching a glimpse of heartbreaking depths beneath his roguish veneer. When he's jilted on his wedding day, she boldly offers to be his.

TO THE ONE WOMAN HE MOST DESIRES ... Vale gladly weds Melisande, if only to produce an heir. But he's pleasantly surprised: A shy and proper Lady by day, she's a wanton at night, giving him her body --- though not her heart.

IS HIS DEEPEST NEED ... Determined to learn her secrets, this sinner starts to woo his seductive new wife --- while hiding the nightmares from his soldiering days in the Colonies that still haunt him. Yet when a deadly betrayal from the past threatens to tear them apart, Lord Vale must bare his soul to the woman he married ... or risk losing her forever."

After reading "The Agency" by Y.S. Lee, I felt like reading something historical... and romantic. So I picked up "To Seduce a Sinner" by Elizabeth Hoyt, one of my favorite authors within the genre.

And as always, Hoyt didn't disappoint.

Jasper Renshaw, Viscount Vale is left at the altar by his fianceé, Miss Templeton. As he sits pondering on how he had managed to alienate her, a woman enters the room. She is Melisande Fleming a shy, plain girl who is often overlooked by men. Melisande offers her hand in marriage and Jasper thinks, why not? He has to marry after all. It is only after the wedding that he begins to see that his wife is much more than she first appeared

Melisande has been in love with Lord Vale for years. A secret, silent love for he doesn't notice her. So when the chance to marry him comes she doesn't hesitate. Now she finds herself married to the man of her dreams... and discovering he is different from what she first thought.

I really like the arranged marriage theme in historical romance so this book was right up my alley. Melisande and Vale were both very charismatic and interesting, with their suitably tortured pasts. The pace was great, they got to know each other in a somewhat realistic manner and I really liked how the author explored the problem of PTSD which, of course, was not something that was recognized in those times.

Of course the book was incredibly formulaic, but it was still an engrossing read.

Overall, an entertaining historical romance. Well written, interesting and with captivating characters, it will appeal to fans of the genre.

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