Indiscreet

This book started out with two interesting characters, but went downhill from there. Just something missing. No humor, a plot that should have been good but fell short, poor dialogue, rather dull narrative style. I rarely like the Egypt backdrop but other authors have surmounted what is, for me, a problem. Do not recommend this book.

I really am not enjoying this book. I am a little disappointed.

Really enjoyed this book. The hero was not the drop dead gorgeous Greek god look alike that most historical romances portray and the heroine was not the typical bluestocking leading lady that runs roughshod over the hero and causes all her troubles with too stupid to live moments.

i dont know what i could add to all of the other great reviews of this book but to say that i too loved foye. at 6 foot 6 inches and unattractive and beastly looking he becomes very attractive and beautiful in character when you get to know him. he is one of my favorite heroes of "all-time". i too fell in love with him. i have everyone of carolyn jewel's books. i thought LORD RUIN was my favorite book, until i read scandal and now indiscreet. i am anxiously looking forward to her next release. hurry carolyn.

I was eagerly awaiting Indiscreet (Berkley Sensation) because every historical that Carolyn Jewel has written is a must-read. This is no exception. Jewel writes smart, well-researched, fascinating stories. Her dialogue is always spot-on and remains steeped in the historical time frame, unlike so many other historical romance writers today. Her characterization is always well-done, as is the case with Indiscreet (Berkley Sensation). Sabine and Foye are interesting, well-fleshed out characters who are wholly unique. I can't think of any other romances I've read in which the hero is 6'6" with such an "unattractive, beastly" face (Jewel's words, not mine). I loved that. She made Foye thoroughly attractive even though he wasn't a run-of-the-mill handsome hero. Sabine, while attractive, is not flirtatious, or really even aware of her attractions. Because of her upbringing, she is "different" and slightly strange. That helped me to appreciate her as a heroine. I'm finding it harder and harder to enjoy reading about the perfectly formed, beautiful heroines these days. Yawn. Sabine is short, curvy, and spends half the novel looking like an unattractive boy even though Foye still finds her sexually appealing. Jewel's grasp of early 19th century Middle Eastern history, cultures, and customs is remarkable. This story is not to be missed. Carolyn Jewel is just getting better and better as a writer.

I expected to like this book, as I have enjoyed all of Carolyn Jewel's previous historical romances. I like her writing voice, she writes intricate, intelligent characters, and I knew that this book was set mostly in the Ottoman Empire -- I LOVE exploring the British Empire in romance. So I was on board to enjoy this book, and I was excited to get my hands on it two days before its official release date. So yes, it's a WIN, no surprise there. But what a huge WIN it was!! Sabine and Foye are amazing characters -- intelligent and then some. Jewel takes standard romance character tropes (a "ruined" virgin heroine and a jilted hero who is convinced he's unlovable) and gives them a life and uniqueness that makes them absolutely believable and sympathetic. She details the setting beautifully, and makes it integral to the plot. To top it off, she uses one of my favorite (but often poorly done) devices, the heroine-disguised-as-a-boy. She more than makes it work, she makes it into an exploration of gender that truly enriches the story. My only complaint about this book is the cover -- the hero is just plain wrong, and I hate it when the cover and the story don't match. I don't think it's a spoiler to say that the hero in this book is 6'6" tall, and thus more than a foot taller than the heroine. Jewel makes it work, but it is an important dimension of the book that is belied by the cover illustration.

In 1811 Miss Sabine Godard accompanies her elderly uncle as he journeys to the Far East to research information on a book he is writing. At a gala, Sabine meets the Marquis of Foye; whose friend ruined her reputation; which led to her vow to never marry. On the other hand he must marry now that his brother died without an heir. They both feel a major surge of desire, but neither wants to pursue their feelings out of fear where it will lead. Still Sabine and Foye become friends as their attraction intensifies. He becomes frightened for her when a pasha invites the uncle and his niece to the palace; Foye fears the pasha's agenda is to temporarily add her to his harem before selling her. The fun in this entertaining historical is the British expatriates with a recent history meeting and falling in love in the early nineteenth century Ottoman Empire. Thus, the Regency romance is transported to Turkey. The story line is fast-paced from the moment the scandalized spinster Sabine and foolishly Foye meet as he knows what happened to her back home. INDISCREET is a jewel of a historical as the background enhances the shaky but loving relationship between the lead couple. Harriet Klausner