Lord of Seduction: A Novel (Paradise)

Viscount Thorne wants nothing to do with the potential brides his ducal father keeps throwing in his path, or the young ladies who keep chasing him bent on matrimony. He does, however, want to return to London to search for the villain who murdered his best friend. So he convinces Diana Sheridan to pose as his fiancee. Because of a scandal in her past, Diana isn't interested in love or marriage, but wants to pursue her art career and to protect her flighty cousin Amy from a fortune hunter. But when Thorne and Diana go to London to oversee Amy's Season, their pretend betrothal really heats up since they can't help falling for each other. This book is filled with wonderful characters, delightful subplots, sizzling red-hot chemistry, and exciting danger as Thorne and Diana negotiate scandal and London society in search of a murderer. Highly recommended for readers who love sensual Regency historicals.

This has been a long awaited read. As the second book in the new series, it is good. And leads the way for more books in the series. Diana was a wonderful heroine. Strong and funny and able to hold her own against Thorne. Thorne is a strong male character. But he does not run over Diana. They build up a touching love story and I like how Thorne decides to get Diana. I found it interesting that in this book it was the woman who did not want marriage. I like the twist. It was fun to see how Thorne was going to work with that and how he was going to prove himself. There is tension from the plot to uncover the Guardians and Nate's murder. Guesing who is behind the spying and watching it all come together. It was not a huge mystery. But it fit in well. There was enough to keep you guessing while you got to watch the two sets of characters fall in love. I thought it was worth it. It was sweet, sensual and well worth the wait. Cant wait for the next book in the set. Looking foreward to it.

Christopher, Viscount Thorne, is one of England's most elusive bachelors, willing to do most anything to thwart his father's efforts to marry him off for the sake of providing an heir - including a fake betrothal. Diana Sheridan, a beautiful and talented, but undiscovered, artist, burned by betrayal in love and shunned by society because of it, seeks Christopher Thorne's aid to avert a similar scandal for her young cousin, and Thorne's ward, Amy, whose mistaken infatuation with a fortune hunter could prove disastrous. If this all sounds too familiar, think again - it's not. This story will spark your interest from page one and will not let you go until it's done. It is Nicole Jordan at her finest, and those who have been reading the divine Ms. J since forever KNOW what happens when she lets go and writes from her heart - fireworks, intrigue, humor, and excellent secondary characters. An honest-to-goodness "hero to die for" (one of her BEST ever) who is innately, scorchingly sensual. A heroine who, while innocent to the ways of sex, is not a bit of fluff or a simpering "Miss", but a strong, independent woman with her own goals in a world not ready or willing to accept her for what she is. One of the things (among many!) that I loved about this book was the great humor in Christopher's total denial of his love for Diana - carrying out the "charade" of their betrothal is a chuckle to the reader for sure. There is intrigue, HOT SEX that you will not wait three-quarters of the way through the book to get to, and charming characters - main and secondary. But best of all, I adore that this book is ROMANCE driven, as all books in this genre should be but sometimes lose track of. This is romance at its BEST, and if you're a purest and your heart lies in the "roots" of what it's all about, I say if you haven't bought this book yet - do it NOW. I put it at the top of my "Best of the Year" list.

In 1815, the Ton enjoys betting on the ongoing "contest" between Viscount Thorne and his father. Dad, the duke, wants his son married with the heir; so the Duke of Redcliff consistently buys off his son's lovers and tosses eligible women in his path. Christopher finds his sire's actions amusing, but frustrating as he is not ready to wed anyone especially since he has become a member of the Guardians of the Sword sworn to stamp out evil and tyranny. Someone murders fellow Guardian Nate Lunsford, who named Chris as his sister's guardian. Chris is on the Isle of Cyrene, when artist Diana Sheridan arrives with Nate's sister Amy in hand. Diana is worried that a fortune hunter has captured Amy's affection and thinks only her guardian can keep disaster from happening. Chris agrees to return to London, but insists that Diana, a victim of scandal several years ago, pretend to be his fiancée. That would keep dad in check, enable him to guide Amy, and uncover the identity of the killer. He never anticipated that he wants to marry Diana as Chris has fallen in love while she tries to elude this master of temptation. The second "Guardian" tale ("Paradise" as Ballantine calls the miniseries seems off) is an engaging Regency romantic suspense that hook readers from the moment that Nate is murdered until the final two confrontations (with the killer and between the lead duet). The story line moves fast, but also insures key secondary cast members seem genuine especially Amy and the Duke. Though the killer seems too odd of a twist, sub-genre fans will feel that Nicole Jordan has entertained them again. Harriet Klausner

Wheeeeeeeew! I have just visited a sun-kissed Mediterranean paradise, sailed the high seas, waltzed in the ballrooms of glitz and glitter that is Regency England, blushed on the sin-stage of a brothel, and experienced a sensuality with the intensity of a need to embrace life after a near-death experience... All I can say is: WOW, what a ride!!! Viscount Thorne is a rakish lord who embraces his bachelorhood. Sinfully handsome, oozing irresistible charm, and drawn to danger like a bee to honey. There is one gauntlet he refuses to cross though, and that is Matrimony. And if his insatiable lust for life on the wild side is any indication, he intends to continue living with almost reckless abandon. But like a true hero he has a heart, which is his redemption. Thorne is a Guardian of the Sword, sworn to fight for a noble cause; he is a loyal friend, determined to seek justice for the murder of a friend or die trying; and when he meets his Lady "Match," he is a determined and vulnerable lover. Diana Sheridan is a woman scorned by upper ranks of London society for a mistake she made in her past. She is also a budding artist forced to endure the obstacles of gender restrictions in her chosen career. However, before she can focus on her hopes and dreams for the said career, she is determined to do everything in her power to see her young and naïve cousin Amy properly presented to Society and settled. She will even go as far as pretend a betrothal to Lord Thorne for improving her image and various other reasons. Hold on to your book, when this charade is infused with dangerous and suspenseful interruptions! While Thorne is busy battling both as a Guardian and a lover, and Diana is discovering her own wild side and feelings, you will find yourself arriving at one breathless happy-ever-after... This is an incredible book, one I couldn't put down to be sure. The elegant, yet searing, sensuality, and the lively romantic suspense were further enhanced by well-developed secondary characters and a bonus story of romance.