Desire (Notorious Book 3)

I have been reading Jordan's books for over a decade, and I keep coming back despite troubling problems with each book. WHY? Because she creates such strong, intriguing characters. Often, they are infuriating, but I figure she is pushing the right buttons in me to provoke such a response. Even when they are infuriating, I long remember them after I put them down.This book - the third installment in Jordan's Regency era Notorious series - has another of the arrogant alpha males, Lucian Tremayne, Earl of Wycliff. He is a spy for the English government. He comes upon comes across Brynn Caldwell as she is gets out of the water after swimming. He immediately proposes (o-kay) but Brynn says no, that she - and all the women of her family are curse. The curse is a they lure men to love them to their death - sort of like the Leannan Si of Ireland.Well, a wee curse is nothing to a master spy, so Lucian does not let this stop his pursuit. He finally convinces Brynn to marry him. This creates troubles as Brynn and her family have been smuggling to make ends meet,and Lucian has been sent their to stop the flow of gold going to France. Despite a rocky start to their marriage bed, Lucian and Brynn share desire, though both keep their emotions locked away.Where I got a wee ticked was his wanting the child and she saying she would give him a son for her freedom. Women just don't carry a child for 9 months and then turn their back, and this is a little trite to boot. Then he says if she wants a child she will have to pursue the conception? Shakes head? I felt like Jordan changed characters on me.She is a strong writer that keeps me coming back time and again.Just one of these days she is going to get it perfect and WOW!

While the plot was a good one, the story became too repetitive as the lead characters would fight their mutual attraction. What rescued the story was the intrigue with her brother's support of the French and its impact on the main characters which helped rescue their relationship.

Another sensual, sexy tale by Nicole Jordan. I must admit though, I found the whole curse thing a little dumb. Seducing men and being unbelievably beautiful is a curse? And it's a problem? I don't really get it... But beyond that, the story was quite hard to put down. Extremely addictive series this is. I'm reading them all out of order, of course, but oh well. I'd already read Raven's tale, and it was nice to see her in this book.

Book had no margin in center of book

Awesome

Favorite scene with Brynn-Going to the fair to see the Gypsy.Favorite scene with Lucian-Getting a confession out of his employee.Together-Brynn's confession of what has been going on with her brother and the conflict in the cave.

I've reviewed several of this author's novels. And I've come to the conclusion that all of her characters are the same. They have some emotional trauma. They don't want to fall in love. They've been wronged in some way. Whatever. I wish this could have been different. It's difficult to like an author who refuses to think outside the box. With that being said, this story is downright silly. Some pretty girl with a Gypsy curse is terrified she'll kill the man she falls in love with. That could have made for an interesting plot if the curse had come true in some way or form. But alas, Brynn is content to hide in seclusion along the Cornish coast and bide her time until she is too ugly to marry. Enter the heavily cliched hero. You know the type: Rich, handsome, seductive, and horrifically experienced in the bedroom. The Earl of Wycliffe sees our dear Brynn one day on the beach and decides she'll be perfect as mama to his future babies. Doesn't matter if she's willing. He always gets what he wants. Heck, he even accosts her on their first meeting, knowing somehow that he's so irresistibly handsome and rich, that the fair maiden couldn't possibly refuse his passionate caresses. So begins the battle of a witless duo. Brynn's family is poor. She wants her little brother to have an education. Wycliffe offers marriage. What could go wrong?A silly Gypsy curse that's what. I can understand if it was played for laughs. But EVERYONE takes it seriously. Brynn is annoyingly tragic. Her older brother is a dunce and practically shoves his sister into Wycliffe's bed so they can have money to pay off their debts. Wycliffe is understandably skeptical about the whole thing. I mean, he's a spymaster and all that. Even with the numerous sex scenes, the story is off. Buried beneath a silly curse and a prologue that gives away the story before it even begins.All in all, it's a silly, convoluted plot about a Gypsy curse that hangs over everyone's head, including the readers. You won't be able to enjoy what story there is without being constantly reminded by Brynn about how she's cursed to have legions of dandified idiots salivating over her every move. Any man who comes in contact with her is destined to fall instantly in love until they die a hideous death. Kind of like my patience when slogging through this thing. Then to add insult to injury, we get the "I don't want to fall in love, 'cause I'll kill him" rationalization. The marriage and plot are poisoned by this and further alienates the hero and heroine. While the husband wants an emotional connection, the wife is too scared by this so-called curse to allow herself to feel anything for the guy.There are various explicit scenes that have no emotional impact and leave the reader wondering if it was written during a sojourn in Siberia. There is doubt, resentment, and too many plot holes to enjoy what could have been an interesting story. The conclusion will leave the reader longing for the days of Kathleen E. Woodiwiss and characters full of life and passion.One star for lackluster characters and a plot mired in a Gypsy curse better suited to a funhouse attraction.

Both characters are strong and lovely at the same time although her brother’s perception of Lucian could be better and could have saved all this trouble.

I got this book for my Granny as she good lot for Nicole Jordan she tells me the story is very good and she a good writer.