Lessons of Desire (Rothwell)

Most new romances I read these days leave me cold. I bought this book because I enjoyed the first in the series, but had low expectations for it because I do not enjoy the current trend in romances that portray women as all-powerful, all-independant, not needing a healthy, loving relationship with a man. At the same time these romances tend to portray men as weak, useless or unnecessary to women; fit only to cater to a woman's every silly whim. It's a trend that smacks of reverse chauvinism, and one I find almost as disturbing as the sex-before-emotional intensity trend in romances. No wonder most of the romances I (re)read these days are the "golden oldies" of pre-2000! However, this book surprised me. It is deep, well-written and deals with a modern woman's dilemma: how does one who has been brought up on "feminist" ideals actually find a healthy balance between an innate, and perfectly natural, need for a serious, loving relationship with a strong, decent man and still retain one's independence of being? Phaedra is not your usual romance heroine and there were times when she took her struggle for independence too far. But she evolved from her experiences, and at times her inner struggle was poignant and profound. I came to care for her, and could feel sympathy for her fears. Elliot was simply a 5 star hero. Ms Hunter's skill at keeping Elliot an alpha-hero, and yet also having him grow as a man, overcoming his own personal fears of dominance and control, without losing the essence of his masculinity, was a marvel to read. His characterisation is impeccable. My one complaint about the book is not unique to Ms Hunter's books, but one I have for many romances these days: the unfortunate use of gynaecological descriptions during the erotic scenes. Why, oh, why, in the middle of a steaming scene, do we have to have a bucket of cold water thrown in our faces with the use of highly unromantic words describing female genitalia, no matter how medically or technically or politically correct they are??? Ultimately, though, this book is well-plotted, with all loose ends neatly tied up; it has a satisfying and believable ending and it has kept me thinking days after I finished reading it: no mean feat for a romance these days! I look forward to Rosalind's story (Book 3, excerpt at back of this book) and can hardly wait for the mystery of Christian to be unveiled - I wonder if he falls for Irene (Rosalind's sister, and also Alexia from Book 1's cousin)? Well done, Ms Hunter!

Lord Elliot Rothwell is a young titled scholar on a mission to save the family name. He is intelligent, handsome, and brooding while also the dapper gentleman. Phaedra finds herself irresistibly attracted to this man who challenges her world of ideals. While abroad in Italy they are brought together and even though neither one forgets the reality that awaits them back home in England and the impossibility of their relationship lasting in that world, they indulge in a passion they are helpless to resist. It is a passion made all the more desperate and raw by eventual separation they know must come. Phaedra inspires in Elliot the need to possess and Elliot inspires in Phaedra the desire to succumb. This novel is one of Ms. Hunter's best novels yet. The characters are convincing as they evolve, making compromises with themselves and each other as they grow in their relationship. What drew me so completely into this story was the bittersweet ardor and agony the characters experience and how well Hunter portrayes this. I read many many novels and books, too many romance novels, and most of Ms. Hunter's. While some of her books fall a little flat, this is not one of them. This book keeps the reader hooked until the very end with her mix of all the emotions that love and desire teach us. This is what a romance should be. Don't be swayed by the reviews of those who just want the same cookie cutter romance over and over gain. Read this book for what it is meant to be; a vicarious experience of impossible love and incredible longing. Excerpt: "And sometimes when they lay like this, slowly kissing, while she waited for the erotic lessons that had occupied their recent nights, she would, as she did now, unaccountably want to weep. She embraced him closely so his caresses would pause. She did not understand this emotion, this drenching nostalgia. Nor did it make sense that she wanted to savor something so piercingly painful."

Madeline Hunter, in my book, tops the list of "must read" romance writers. I put Mary Balogh a close second, this based strictly on writing ability and creativity. They both possess the ability to put me into the worlds they create and never, absolutely never, toss me back out abruptly because of a wrong note. The edge goes to Hunter, I have to admit to my chagrin, only because her writing has more, well, more....eroticism. There, I said it. Balogh does eroticism in a more restrained manner and certainly less frequently. And I guess it comes down to admitting what brings us to romance novels in the first place. Anyway, that aside, this book has been a great follow-up to Rules of Attraction, which I found to be one of her best. The story of Phaedra and Elliott blew me away. Another very different story, with very different and interesting characters. I read it straight through, in one evening session, the day it came. But as with all Hunter's books, I will undoubtedly read it again and again. Her characters are true, her research spot-on, her descriptions of the times and scenery pulled me there as truly as if I'd been standing in Phaedra's shoes. With so much romance "junk" out there, poorly conceived and written yet garnering 5 star reviews, when something like this comes along, I have to put my two cents in. If you want intelligent writing, characters who leap off the page, great dialogue and anything but a cookie-cutter plot line, this is the book (along with the first in the series, The Rules of Seduction". My one complaint: The next book, previewed at the back of this one, doesn't come out until next summer. I could be dead by then! If so, I'll go to my grave cursing. I don't want to miss Christian's story, although after reading the chapter, I'm not so sure the story involves Christian and Rose as I thought it might. Guess I'll check Ms. Hunter's website for more tidbits. Happy reading.

Confident Phaedra Blair finds herself in deep water--both in her relationship with Lord Elliot, and with mystery and danger as she seeks the man who blighted the last year of her mother's life. Her journey takes her to areas of Italy that resent female independence even more than England. Once again, Hunter manages to intrigue with both suspense and romantic tension. Objects d'art form a central theme, and the authenticity of the research here lend substance and credibility to the story without making it heavy or detracting from the pace. I love this book!