To Desire a Devil (The Legend of the Four Soldiers)
by Elizabeth Hoyt
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Book Summary Information
Author: Elizabeth HoytEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-11-01
ISBN: 0446406945
Number of pages: 384
Publisher: Vision
Book Reviews of To Desire a Devil (The Legend of the Four Soldiers)
Book Review: Somewhat Lacking Historical Romance (C+ Grade)
Summary: 2 Stars
To Desire a Devil is the final book in Elizabeth Hoyt's Legend of the Four Soldiers Series. I've really enjoyed the series as a whole and I really recommend her books for readers who are looking for wonderfully romantic historical romances. I was anticipating this final book because it's about a character who has been mentioned since the very beginning of the series. Reynaud St. Aubyn has had a big presence and now his own story has been told in To Desire a Devil.
Beatrice Corning is an orphan spinster who lives with her loving Uncle Reggie, the Earl of Blanchard. Uncle Reggie took over the Earldom because the heir, Reynaud, Viscount Hope, is believed to be dead. Seven years ago Reynaud went to fight in the Colonies and at the well known battle of Spinners Falls is where he and his fellow soldier's were attacked and left for dead. He was taken captive by Indians, tortured and set on fire seven years ago. Now years later, at a boring tea party, Beatrice and Reggie are in for a surprise because a man who looks like something the cat dragged in, rushes in speaking French. He looks like a savage and passes out in front of Beatrice. The savage is St. Aubyn! Beatrice is shocked, not only because St. Aubyn is alive but she never thought she would meet him face to face. It is very awkward because she and her uncle have taken over Aubyn's home. She has also mooned over his portrait one times to many since she has arrived. The younger version of St. Aubyn that Beatrice enjoys staring at in his portrait is a dashing fellow who Beatrice has had many fantasies about.
St. Aubyn has a fever from his long travels from American to England. He is put to bed and Beatrice helps him recover. Reggie thinks this man is an imposter. He is worried, and rightly so, because if this is the real St. Aubyn, then he and Beatrice will be thrown out. Aubyn does get better but he is a raving jerk. The way he acts towards Beatrice is not all as a gentleman would, but then again he has been a captive of Indians, so his manners are lacking. Now Aubyn has to regain his title, interact with polite society again and along with some of his former Spinners Falls brothers in arms, he must find out who betrayed them and why. Who was responsible for causing the slaughter at the Falls that took seven years of Aubyn's life away?
Aubyn tries to regain his life back and not fall into dark despair (Aubyn has some PTSD- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Beatrice at first thinks Aubyn's a rude boar, but she excuses his behavior because of his emotional and physical scars. Beatrice has some deep feelings for Aubyn, mainly because of the seductive power of his portrait. Aubyn sees something special in Beatrice and his possessive side comes out towards her. She allows Aubyn to ruin her, he claims her as his and the next logical step is marriage. Aubyn feels the need to protect Beatrice. Someone is targeting Aubyn because they know that he is getting closer to finding out who the traitor is and with that they won't stop until they either kill Aubyn or hurt those who he cares about the most, and that means Beatrice.
To Desire a Devil has everything a historical romance should have: Tortured hero, check. Smart, independent heroine, check. A smoldering passion that cannot be denied with hot love scenes, check.
But, I felt as if To Desire a Devil was missing something. I was more interested in finding out the horrible person who practically destroy St. Aubyn's life more so then the logistics of Aubyn's relationship with Beatrice. I just couldn't see these two so head over heel in love or lust for one another. Perhaps more on Aubyn's end because he is looking for someone who is pure and light; a woman to take him away from all the dark days of his past. The only reason I could see Beatrice falling for Aubyn is because she had a crush on him because of this magical portrait. Can we say this is much like a thirteen year old falling for celebrity in one of those teen magazines? Why yes, I think I will! I saw Beatrice's feelings as only an immature crush and not a woman's deep love for a man she comes to understand and love. The only reason she seemed to accept Aubyn and the way he acted because she could heal him knew him so well. And why does she feel this way? Again look towards the Aubyn portrait..
Aubyn has those wonderful traits I love reading about in my heroes. He is an alpha who can also be tender, sweet and very giving in bed. Yet again the reader is made aware that the reason the hero is experienced is because of all those brothels he visited, where he sampled the favors of those accomplished courtesans because it was leaving up to this very moment where he would show Beatrice how much pleasure he can give her. Because for some reason, the way Beatrice makes him feel is the most erotic thing he has ever felt.
Beatrice is so thrilled by the passion Aubyn has for her because as he compliments how soft she is, and everything he's not, Beatrice can't help but think, "Wow Aubyn you look like a demon incubus as you are about to invade my very being. That is so hot!" No joke, Aubyn was described as a demon incubus by Beatrice. Not sure what to think of that.
I would say that To Desire a Devil is an adequate finale book in this series even though I couldn't help but compare Aubyn and Beatrice's feelings to that of a teenager's. The maturity level seemed to be lacking in regards those both of these characters.If you're a fan of Elizabeth Hoyt I have no doubt you will enjoy To Desire a Devil. I found it a bit lacking but there were some moments I enjoyed, even with the demon incubus in Beatrice's bed.
Katiebabs
To Taste Temptation (The Legend of the Four Soldiers)
To Seduce A Sinner (The Legend of the Four Soldiers)
To Beguile A Beast (The Legend of the Four Soldiers)
Summary of To Desire a Devil (The Legend of the Four Soldiers)
NOTHING IS MORE INTOXICATING-Reynaud St. Aubyn has spent the last seven years in hellish captivity. Now half mad with fever he bursts into his ancestral home and demands his due. Can this wild-looking man truly be the last earl's heir, thought murdered by Indians years ago?
OR DANGEROUS-
Beatrice Corning, the niece of the present earl, is a proper English miss. But she has a secret: No real man has ever excited her more than the handsome youth in the portrait in her uncle's home. Suddenly, that very man is here, in the flesh-and luring her into his bed.
THAN SURRENDERING TO A DEVIL.
Only Beatrice can see past Reynaud's savagery to the noble man inside. For his part, Reynaud is drawn to this lovely lady, even as he is suspicious of her loyalty to her uncle. But can Beatrice's love tame a man who will stop at nothing to regain his title-even if it means sacrificing her innocence?
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