A Passion for Him

I recently bought my first Sylvia Day book, and I loved her writing. This was my second book, and it was just as great as the first one I read, the prequel to this book, Passion For The Game. You don't need to read the first one to enjoy this book. They each stand on their own. Can't wait until the next book with Simon Quinn comes out.

I LOVED this book!! I have been furiously trying to catch up since I've discovered Sylvia Day and this one did not dissappoint. The chemistry between Amelia and Montoya/Colin was HOT! This is a great "series" that can still stand on its own. I cannot wait to read Simon's story! I wonder if Ware will get his own, I felt SO sorry for him!

Amelia Benbridge seems to have everything a woman could desire. Her upcoming marriage to the Earl of Ware ensures her a place amongst the creme de la creme of society despite her father's shameful captivity. It's not a love match, but Amelia and Ware are good friends. He fully understands that she's never stopped loving Colin, her childhood sweetheart, and still mourns his death but he also believes that they're perfect for each other - after all, many marriages have started with far less than friendship. Colin Mitchell has loved Amelia for as long as he can remember but the simple fact that he was a stable boy makes any relationship between them futile. Amelia's misguided belief that Colin died presents him with the opportunity to slip away and `make something' of himself and then return to her as a new man - one worthy of her love and hopefully the title of her husband. There's just a few glitches in this plan. Amelia's about to marry another man and she has no idea of his true identity. Amelia's content with her engagement to the Earl of Ware. They may not be in love but they're comfortable with each other. She's just never felt that special spark with him that she'd had with Colin and doesn't believe any man will ever inspire her to lust again. That is until she notices a masked man watching her at a ball - all of a sudden long dead feelings are roused and she can't understand why that would be. Colin's very careful to keep his true identity a secret. He'd found himself in a bit of trouble while in France just before he departed for England. He has a price on his head and he fears what may happen to Amelia if she's caught in the middle of his problems. He struggles with his desire to remain near her and the necessity to ensure her safety by leaving the area, but that decision is taken out of his hands when Amelia spots him as he tries leaving town and follows him. What follows is a sizzling affair with her mystery lover. How will she react when she learns that her phantom lover is none other than her childhood sweetheart Collin? And can the lovers share a life together free of worry about Collin's past? Once again Sylvia Day gives readers a book that encompasses all the passion, intrigue and endearing characters that we've come to expect in her storylines. I couldn't help but feel an immediate attachment to Collin and Amelia and had my fingers crossed for a happily-ever-after for them. At the same time I really felt bad for the Earl of Ware. I loved getting the chance to revisit characters from ASK FOR IT and PASSION FOR THE GAME. Now I'll be on the lookout for DON'T TEMPT ME which is due out in March 2008. Sylvia Day never fails to write stories that can transport me to into the characters lives for the extent of the tale and they often live on long after I've finished reading. If you haven't picked up a Sylvia Day book yet then you're missing out. Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)

**This book is my Recommended Read for November 2007!** Six long, mournful years ago, Amelia's life was turned upside down. Her father was exposed as the criminal he was, she was reunited with her long-lost sister, and she lost the love of her life. Resigned to the fact that her one chance at true romantic love was lost with her childhood sweetheart's murder, she faces a promising future as wife of the Earl of Ware, her long-time friend and trusted confidante. But having once tasted abiding love and unbridled passion, albeit unconsummated, she yearns for more. Colin came very close to losing his life that fateful night when he helped Amelia escape her father's evil clutches. But he survived. Indeed, he did more than survive, using their separation to build his status from that of a gypsy stable boy with no future to that of a mysterious and obscenely wealthy nobleman. Now, when Colin has retired from his short stint as a secret agent, ready to return to Amelia and claim her for his own, the enemies he made along the way endanger everything he has sacrificed for all these years. Worse, Colin's own decisions threaten to destroy Amelia's trust in him forever. I only just read the previous story to this one, Passion for the Game, a few months ago, but it knocked my socks off to the point where I was left panting for its sequel! Between Sylvia Day being firmly ensconced on my list of very favorite authors and the previous book in this passionate (pun intended) series, my expectations for 'A Passion For Him' were extremely high. As usual, Ms. Day does not disappoint her fans. This book lives up to every hope and dream this reviewer had for Colin and Amelia, making the interminable moments of anticipation waiting for its release more than worthwhile. Raised in virtual solitude with only servants for companions, closely guarded by her father, the unpretentious Lady Amelia has no notion of the social mores of the real world. She never realized the difference in station between herself and the few friends she made in her childhood. But Colin was never allowed to forget his place in her life, no matter that the love he harbored for her was requited. Knowing he can never give her the life she deserves as a stable boy, he resolves to grab the chance he is given to make something more of himself, with a plan to return to her once he is firmly established. But to take that opportunity, he lets everyone who loves him most believe him dead for six years. Poor, virtuous Colin is a typical headstrong male - once he decides he knows the best way to proceed, he doesn't always consider the emotional impact of his actions on this around him. Although he had the very best of motivations, and admirable intentions, Colin's methods leave something to be desired. Will those actions cost him the one thing he desires above all else? Amidst it all, our fair couple, along with their family and friends, is embroiled in an intrigue that keeps them on the e

A+++!!! I honestly wasn't sure if Day could surpass the previous novel in the series, "Passion for the Game," but this book was just as incredible as the last! I am a HUGE sucker for the "childhood friends turning to romance" plot, especially when it involves huge social class and racial barriers (hero is a half-Gypsy former stable boy). Although this book is a strong stand-alone read, I would recommend reading "A Passion for the Game" beforehand just because almost all of the characters introduced from that novel re-appear in this one. Day also has a wonderful way of writing from every character's perspective, fleshing out realistic multi-dimensional personalities for everyone. Why I consider this a 5-star read: - Colin and Amelia's story was as heart-wrenching as expected, I was already anticipating their tale from "Passion for the Game," and was not disappointed! - Lots of hero jealousy here, and yes, there is a "misunderstanding," but the author does not heavily rely on this plot device to tell her story. - The love scenes were top quality, realistic and VERY sensual (without being offensive). - Secondary characters were very well-written, and I especially liked how Lord Ware's character was represented... won't give anything away, but if you liked him in the previous novel, you will like him even more in this one. The heroine's choice of the "right" guy isn't as easy and straight-forward in this book as it is in most other romance novels, which is what makes this story (and its conclusion) much more meaningful and memorable =) - The plot was very well-paced and nicely balanced with the proper blend of romance, secondary characters, suspense, and of course, the extremely sensual love scenes ;) - Now, I am absolutely dying to read Simon's story,(does anyone else think the Simon on that cover looks absolutely *divine*? ^_^) I believe he may end up with Lysette Roussou (maybe, maybe not?), another fascinating character that was introduced in this story, and I can't wait to read her story, too! Just don't want to wait all the way 'til April... grr. Honestly haven't read a "great" romance in months, so this one was a very refreshing and wonderful experience. Other reads I would recommend with similar plots are Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas, When Angels Fall by Meagan McKinney, Paradise by Judith McNaught (contemporary), All Things Beautiful by Cathy Maxwell, and of course, Passion for the Game by Sylvia Day (which introduces all the main characters from this story). Happy reading!