Patience

PATIENCE is the story of two strong-willed, independent creatures that have each been betrayed by those whom they trustingly gave their hearts only to be found lacking. Now, having brutally learned their lesson, neither is interested in repeating their previous pain but thankfully there's an undeniable pull that draws these two fated beings together. And once in each others arms, their well fortified walls begin crumble as if so much dust. An incomparable beauty, Patience Emmalina Dare is coveted by all the male members of the ton. As they preen, peck and squawk their candidacy as potential suitors, they know not that their efforts fall upon deaf ears for Patience has no desire to belong to any man. Instead, her heart - her everything - belongs to her cello and the music she persuades from its strings for you see, her instrument could never forsake her, can never ever leave her thus providing the perfect guard against any who contrive to poach upon her love. However, despite Patience's instrumental guard, she also recognizes a deep-seeded yearning for one man that has the very real potential to obliterate all that she is but the secrets he dangles before her are utter temptation and they have her leaping for a glimpse of the freedom he offers. Matthew Morgan Hawkmore, formally the second son of an earl but now a known bastard and recent social pariah of the ton, is grasping with white knuckles to the remaining pieces of his former life that he can still call his own. But there are those that would glory at seeing his financial demise and none is more hungry for that than Archibald Benchley - the Earl of Benchley and Matthew's would be father-in-law if news of his bastard birth had never made light. Accused of withholding his bastardy from "good society", Matthew has been snubbed by those he had once called friends and now to have his name and his honor slandered atop of the fierce financial crush that Benchley has heaped upon him, the desire for revenge has him swirling in an all encompassing darkness of anger and hatred. There is only one light capable of piercing through the black that is now Matthew's tarnished soul and that is Patience. Her goodness and her light calls to him, beckoning with sensual promise as well as soothing acceptance. It's really no surprise that from an early age, Matthew recognized and cultivated a burning need and desire to sexually dominate. With evidence of his already controlling nature, his role as a sexual dominant is no coincidence for he's a man that inherently seeks control - needs control - and in his current uncontrollable and crumbling world this unequivocal need to dominate gravitates him on a very primal level towards Patience. As if viewing a mirror image of himself, Matthew recognizes a deep-seeded and complicated pain within her and his reaction to it is fierce. Ultimately, Matthew desperately craves Patience's absolute surrender; to strip her of all her fortified walls, crumble her resistance, and t

I almost didn't purchase the book because of the reviews, but I am glad I did. Yes, it is explicit (so too was Passion) and yes slightly uncomfortable (at least for me.) But Lisa Valdez is a great writer and it comes across in the book. I wouldn't actually give it five stars, closer to 4 but I think the reviews unfairly drag it down. I agree with one reviewer that wrote it isn't something to read in public though!

Like Mrs. Valdez's first book, Passion, this story is unlike any other romance I've ever read. I found it incredibly moving, powerfully sexy and very daring indeed. If male dominance/female submission disturbs you, this is perhaps not the book for you. If explicit sex disturbs you, this is DEFINITELY not the book for you. If, however, raw erotism is not inconsistent with romantic love in your world but rather part and parcel of it, then I highly recommend this book. It will take your breath away and move you to tears. It did me. Both Matthew and Patience are strong and vulnerable, interesting and very likeable, with an intense sexuality and a moral core that anyone could admire. I am entirely satisfied with their happy-ever-after. They earned it. Bravo, Mrs. Valdez, and thank you so much for another great love story. Now for Primrose! *laugh*

Patience by Lisa Valdez Historical Romance -April 6th, 2010 5 stars I have been awaiting the release of Lisa Valdez's second novel, "Patience" for so long! Ironically, I became a little impatient because I loved her debut novel, "Passion" so much. It contained all the elements of romance that I look for: strong/lovable characters, dialog that flows naturally, and sexy romantic elements. "Patience" delivers on all these elements and deserves all 5 stars. Both these books are among my all time favorite romance novels. This story takes place immediately after Matthew's illegitimacy is revealed to society and his fiancee leaves him for another man. This was revealed at the very end of "Passion". It has been sometime now that society has shunned him and the people who were supposed to be there to support him have left him. He only has his brother Mark and his sister-in-law. Matthew was always intrigued by the second Dare sister, Patience, but now he has the opportunity to explore those feelings. Every chapter reveals a new dimension of how Matthew's past has made him into a honorable man, despite his very dishonorable mother and disloyal fiancee whose father is on a mission to destroy him. Matthew stays strong and fights for his company, and now, for the love of a truly strong woman who unquestioningly stands by him. I loved how perfectly suited for each other Matt and Patience are. I especially loved how they both played the cello and enjoyed the scene when they play together. This story was not what I expected when I ran into the 'submission' element. Normally, I am incredibly turned off by submission themes because I just don't get it. I can't describe what it is exactly that made this story different and made it work for me, but I actually found it kind of hot. I think it's because the submission is actually about learning to trust each other. Both Patience and Matthew have reason to be untrusting of people in general, but learn to trust each other. There is a lot of sexual tension throughout the book, but it isn't until 200+ pages into the story that Patience trusts him enough to gift him with her virginity. I just love Valdez's writing. "Patience" is incredibly well written, believable, and romantic. I cannot wait till the next book about the last Dare sister, Primrose!!! Reviewed by Sophia from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club