My Lady Notorious

This is actually the last book that I read in the Malloren series, and find that it did not disappoint me. I didn't like Chastity Ware at first but later on I came to realize that she is a very brave woman for going through what she did. I didn't like the parts where she confronted her father, not because it was badly-written, but because it was so well-written I was fearing so much for what was going to happen to Chastity half the time and the other half I was getting soo angry at the father and so frustrated that Chastity can do nothing about it but take it. It was really REALLY horrible what he did to her, I can't imagine anyone treating his daughter this way, and this was much more shocking than the whole orgy thing. This is what Jo Beverley's writing can do to you...it makes you totally put yourself in the character's shoes and emphasize, and I did a lot of that throughout the novel.There are many moments of laughter and lightness, and I loved Cyn's outrageousness, and I can't imagine he can end up with anyone else other than Chastity, who can be just as outrageous as he is. The only problem (if you can call it that) is the overshadowing of Cyn by his big brother Rothgar and also a little by Chastity's big brother Fort. Maybe I was a little biased since I have read Fort and Rothgar's stories already, but even if I hadn't I would have had my attention diverted to these two. Rothgar is definitely intriguing, sometimes even a little supernatural, and you can just wait to get into his mind and see what makes him tick 'cause it's like he's always under control!!I loved the scenes with him and Chastity (that scene on the stairway!!) and I've even felt a twinge of regret that she is head-over-heels for Cyn already...because it seems that Rothgar and her have a good connection. The ending was pulled off a little too well...everything just fell into place like that. I would have liked more complications/surprises. Of course, you have Rothgar to thank for that. Overall I give this book 5 stars because there are so many wonderful characters with vibrant personalities in here and it made me cry and laugh and not want to put the book down. Cyn wasn't my favorite hero, but him and Chastity made a perfect couple.

Pick up this new edition of the first book in the Malloren series and you'll realize that the series is good from the very beginning.Cyn Malloren is back from the wars, fed up with recuperating from a fever and so impatient to stay out of his family's solicitous hands that he plays along with a young highwayman rather than shoot him where he stands. He soon realizes that the young man is a woman but hides his realization for a good part of the book - finding it more enjoyable to tease her in various ways as the story goes on.Lady Chastity Ware is desperate to help her widowed sister and baby travel to a safe haven and irritated to put up with the advice of the aristocratic prisoner, soon turned conspirator and mastermind. But his advice and presence is so helpful, when they are fleeing not only Verity's brother-in-law (the man who destroyed Chastity's reputation) but also their own father, who has incomprehensible plans for Verity and whose attempt to force Chastity into marriage is slowly revealed to be more and more horrific.The sensual interaction between Cyn and Chastity starts of at a sparkling intensity, as Cyn plays games with the young woman pretending to be a man (though he wonders exactly how innocent Verity's sister might be) and breaks into raging fire when Cyn realizes that he is dealing with the Notorious Chastity Ware of disrepute and bawdy cartoon fame. The chapters covering their stay at a shocking party at Rood House practically melt off the page. But the story is not even half over.Beyond the problem of the attraction between Cyn and Chastity and their ultimate fate as a couple, we still have Chastity's ruined reputation, Cyn's overbearing brother the Marquess of Rothgar and the opinion of his family, Verity's wedding, Chastity's one-time suitor and Chastity's father and brother all remaining to be dealt with. The book comes to a huge finale involving scenes played out in front of royalty in a display of mania, arrogance, and manipulation beyond description. A truly fitting opening to the series. If you haven't read them, this is the place to start - and if you have, it's time to snatch up a replacement for your worn out copy and begin again.

Lady Chastity takes on the role of a highwayman and kidnaps a coach and its aristocratic occupant in order to rescue her widowed sister and baby nephew from their crazed father. But Cyn Malloren doesn't remain a captive for long. A soldier recovering from a life-threatening illness, Cyn impulsively offers to help the young "Charles" and his widowed sister escape their pursuers. When the handsome reward offered for their capture tightens the web around them, Cyn dons feminine apparel to throw off the scent. The scene where Cyn (dressed as a lady) avoids detection by engaging in a passionate liplock with Chastity (dressed as a man) is real jewel!The sexual tension between Chastity and Cyn is explosive, even though Chastity doesn't know that Cyn is not fooled by her male apparel. Cyn falls deeper and deeper in love as he tries to ferret out the truth of Chastity's reputation and family secrets. Chastity knows that her unsavory reputation makes her unsuitable to become the wife of a Malloren, so she clings all the more closely to her bitter secrets. Originally published in 1993, this book is the first of a series of five (so far) dealing with the Malloren family and its dictatorial head, Rothgar. Before reading the highly-acclaimed fifth book, "Devilish," I decided to acquire the first four and read them in order. (I do love books with recurring characters!) If the other four books turn out to be as engrossing as this one, I may not be able to get any sleep this week!

Lady Chastity takes on the role of a highwayman and kidnaps a coach and its aristocratic occupant in order to rescue her widowed sister and baby nephew from their crazed father. But Cyn Malloren doesn't remain a captive for long. A soldier recovering from a life-threatening illness, Cyn impulsively offers to help the young "Charles" and his widowed sister escape their pursuers. When the handsome reward offered for their capture tightens the web around them, Cyn dons feminine apparel to throw off the scent. The scene where Cyn (dressed as a lady) avoids detection by engaging in a passionate liplock with Chastity (dressed as a man) is real jewel!The sexual tension between Chastity and Cyn is explosive, even though Chastity doesn't know that Cyn is not fooled by her male apparel. Cyn falls deeper and deeper in love as he tries to ferret out the truth of Chastity's reputation and family secrets. Chastity knows that her unsavory reputation makes her unsuitable to become the wife of a Malloren, so she clings all the more closely to her bitter secrets.Although the book is full of erotic images to seduce the senses, I would definitely NOT place it in the Bertrice Small-Susan Johnson category, primarily because the heroine is virtuous and does not have multiple sex partners. Although the orgy scene is...well...very HOT, to say the least!Originally published in 1993, this book is the first of a series of five (so far) dealing with the Malloren family and its dictatorial head, Rothgar. Before reading the highly-acclaimed fifth book, "Devilish," I decided to acquire the first four and read them in order. (I do love books with recurring characters!) If the other four books turn out to be as engrossing as this one, I may not be able to get any sleep this week!

This first book is an auspicious start to the Malloren series! Heroine Chastity Ware holds up a coach disguised as a highwayman to raise funds to help her sister escape her husband's family. Unfortunately for her, this is just the kind of adventure, the man in the coach, Cyn Malloren, is looking for. He coerces Chastity into taking him along on her & her sister's flight from their pursuers and, of course, all sorts of hilarious obstacles rise to meet them. A wonderful and clever scene is when Cyn Malloren masquerades as a woman to outsmart the villains. Moreover, one of the great sources of humor in this story is that while Chastity continues to masquerade as a boy, Cyn deduced in their first dealings together that she is a girl. They continue for half the book with him knowing Chastity is a girl, unbeknownst to her, & playing tricks on her. This book is too clever not to get five stars! This is the first Jo Beverley romance I have read; it was more erotic & darker than I expected. However, those elements only lend themselves to the strength and motivation of the storyline. Rothgar Malloren is a particularly well-conceived character as the intimidating, omnipresent figurehead of the Malloren family. He is one to watch in subsequent books on the Malloren family. Check out Robin Schone and Susan Johnson for similar erotic and dark-toned romances.