Author: Johanna Lindsey
First Published in 2000 by HarperCollins (audiobook by Brilliance Audio)
Left to handle the
rumors other family's bankruptcy and impending eviction, Larissa Ascots
wishes for a merry Christmas seem to be in peril for the first time in
her sheltered life. A charming would-be "benefactor,"Vincent Everett,
the Baron of Windsmoor, has offered to shelter Larissa and her young
brother. But more than Yuletide spirit seems to have inspired the
baron's generosity.From the moment he first set eyes on Larissa, the
highborn rogue was bewitched. And now that she has taken up residence in
his home, he aches with wanting her-a most unfortunate state of
affairs, since the proud beauty obviously despises him ... and since
Vincent has sworn to seek a righteous vengeance on the Ascot family.
But
Christmas is a time of miracles, after all. And even two rival souls
can be touched by the spirit of forgiveness in these magical days and
showered with precious gifts of tenderness, love, and ecstasy unbound.
It has been a long time since I read a Johanna Lindsay novel. I used to read them secretly in my senior year in high school as a secret indulgence. I know I used to think that she was really racy, but this one was pretty mild. Vincent Everett is bent on revenge against a man who he thinks caused his brother to kill himself. He evicts the man's family and upon seeing the daughter, Larissa, he decides to give them a place in his home and seduce her. At this point, Vincent wasn't scoring high marks with me.
Overall, I'm not sure I liked this story all that much. I'm not sure Vincent ever really redeemed himself in the end. He was supposed
to be a smart man, but instead of fully investigating his brother's
death and his business, he let emotion get in the way. Even though he
knows his brother had always been a screw up. I thought that Larissa was just a bit naive. I felt no compassion for her after she basically gives up her virginity to a man she barely knows and then is upset to discover he has no intention of marrying her. I did feel she was justified in hating him once she finds out his real motives for taking her in. I can't say that it was something I would have easily forgiven.
I listened to the audio version of the book. I did enjoy the narrator,
Laural Merlington, and it was a very quick "listen". If you missed this one,try it out. You might like it more than me.
--Kari
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