Sinful Surrender (The Elusive Lords Book 1)

Editorial Reviews. From the Author. Excerpt © All Rights Reserved. In the dimly lit study, where Sinful Surrender (The Elusive Lords Book 1) Kindle Edition. by.
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Thomas Armstrong and Alex Cartwright James's best friends who each get their own story are wonderful, humorous, and I can't wait to read their stories. They consistently amuse us and entertain us as we watch the protagonists struggle with their feelings and relationship. The plot was also well-developed, again nothing too overwhelming to distract us from the romance. It could have used a little more excitement, but overall it was a pretty decent story. Excellent read - this book has a sexy hero, a sweet, strong heroine and an explosion of passion when their worlds collide.

May 13, Lorka rated it it was amazing. I really loved this book! It was a perfect version of the heroine being in love with her big brothers BFF and the hero trying to resist her out of respect for his friend. The hero did come across as a jerk at times, but it fit so well as he was actually supposed to be a rake of the worst kind. So often, books I try to read describe the hero as a devil-may-care rake hell, but then the hero in the story ends up reading as just a big softy. Not here, this hero is the real deal bad boy. He was full I really loved this book!

He was full of angry kisses, angry words to try to dissuade the heroine , angry sex The heroine was fun, although she did kind of go into borderline stalking mode a time or two: I think the only thing preventing this book from being a Keeper for me, was maybe a bit too much arguing back and forth right at the end. My first book by this author, and I look forward to tracking down the next book: Jan 18, Samantha rated it liked it Shelves: This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.

To view it, click here. A debut novel with the promise of a good series. I love how I got a feel for the author's knowledge of the time frame without boring me with useless details.

The plot was one that we have seen before. Millicent "Missy" Armstrong has been infatuated with her brother's close friend James Rutherford. Through the years the yearning has turn into love and Missy plans to get James to notice her. James does start to see Missy as a desirable woman but she is off limits to him but one night when she push A debut novel with the promise of a good series.

James does start to see Missy as a desirable woman but she is off limits to him but one night when she pushes herself on him and kisses him changes everything. After three years of hiding from Missy, James has returned and Missy is even more determined to get her man. Now I like the woman chasing a man them but for some reason Missy didn't click for me. After reflecting on my reaction to her, I realized that my reason was that I couldn't see James through her eyes.

I really wanted to know why Missy was so in love with James. What was their relationship like when he first started to hang with her brother? I wanted her to spend time getting to know the man because loving from a far is not good enough for me. She also was very immature. Her public outcries and her forceful tactics made her unlikeable to me. I wanted her to plan a little better. Sure, he was cold but he had to be in order to push Missy away. He liked her and it was clear but he valued his friendship with Thomas and he had issues with his father's infidelites throughout the years.

He had no positive role models for a loving relationship. At the end when he found out about his sisters, I completely thought he was going to revert back into his cold ways. I was rather surprised when he still wanted Missy. The secondary characters actually lured me into the book more than the main characters. I became enthralled with Lady Victoria and her secrets. I liked Thomas and Alex. I see a potential story for them both and I highly anticipate it especially Thomas: I also want to know more about Claire.

Though her role is minor, I want to know what secrets she hold back. There is so many ways this series can go. I will definitely look out for further books. A good read from a debut author. Dec 06, Mitzi added it Shelves: I just couldn't get past the Unemotional Virginal Love Scene The word 'Dry' comes to mind Maybe he did in the end? I'll try another book from this author and hope the love scenes are 'wet' and the Hero has balls if not made of steel, at least aluminum. Jan 11, Katie babs rated it liked it.

Missy will do whatever she can to claim him as her own. James has always treated Missy like a younger sister, but as she finally makes her debut into Society, he can no longer deny that she has grown into a very beautiful woman. Why would Thomas him married to his innocent sister, especially when he has a great deal of sexual experience?

James will keep his distance from Missy even if he has to go as far as being cold and rude to her so she will get over her infatuation. Things are not going as well as they should for Missy. She has engaged in some wonderful kissing with James and expects him to have his wicked way with her. But rather than going too far, he lashes out, saying there is no way he would marry her.

Another woman would walk away and find a more suitable man elsewhere, but not Missy. She has wanted James forever, and not even the man himself will ruin her dreams of happiness. Missy expects James to be her husband because she has already rejected twenty marriage proposals. James tries his best to stay away from the minx, but she is there at every turn, trying to seduce him. Missy is so confused because James continually sends off mixed signals from acting jealous around Granville, to sharing secret kisses and caresses between them.

Even if he went as far as to marry Missy, their marriage would probably end up like the sham of a marriage his parents had. Now he has no choice but to marry, but not to the woman he wants with every fiber of his being. Missy confronts James and the end result of that interaction may ruin her reputation forever.

The fountain of feelings James and Missy have for one another is so unbelievably strong, lush and tense, where you can taste it as you turn each page. Sinful Surrender is one romance where the two main characters are in such pain, physically and emotionally, because they want each other so badly. I found his reasons to be very weak. I understand his concerns with his so-called scandalous reputation and a possible marriage with Missy that could turn out to be horrendous, but all these issues could have been fixed through communication.

Not that Missy would have minded because she her main goal is for James to ravish her. Missy does a few things that makes this situation change from bad to worse because of her somewhat selfish actions. I have to hand it to Beverly Kendall for writing an angst filled romance between two lovers who are so overcome with such incredible need for one another.


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Her love scenes simmer and crackle and her writing is pretty solid. I look forward to seeing what else Beverly Kendall has to offer the historical romance world. Dec 21, Mandi Schreiner rated it really liked it. Millicent Armstrong has gone about her seduction of James Rutherford all wrong. Three years ago, fresh on the marriage market, she literally threw herself on top of him, showing him quite well what she intended for him. Now, three years later, Missy is getting ready Millicent Armstrong has gone about her seduction of James Rutherford all wrong.

James has been noticeably absent these past years, and Missy is ready to put her plans in motion. But his plan of staying far away from Missy goes crumbling down when Armstrong comes in with a new idea. He needs his sister married by the season end, and knows Missy has romanticized and idealized James in her head, due to him not being around. Missy has never witnessed James as the rake, only the charming polite gentlemen. Missy refuses to accept another man as her suitor, and her one track mind is making her desperate to land James as a husband.

Sinful Surrender is a strong debut novel by Beverley Kendall full of a very brooding hero and a young, over-eager heroine. This pair has the most lust and romantic intensity I have read about in a while. Every glance, every touch, is so emotionally draining for them. They throw themselves at each other many times, only for James to push Missy away, knowing much is at stake should their relations get out of control.

James and Armstrong are such good friends — why would he not? James is offended when Armstrong tells him he is not good enough for his sister, and being best friends, I would think James would be able to tell Armstrong his true feelings for Missy.


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However, with James skewed outlook on marriage, he believes he is not good enough for her as well. She definitely has womanly advances, and knows what her body wants. But she is very jealous and almost pouts every time James pushes her away or shows up to an event with a beautiful woman on his arm. I think this behavior fits, for her being so young and so entranced by James.

She also acts out, in public, and that reinforces her immaturity, and in a way brings her character around full circle. James is very brooding and cranky throughout the book, which is a trait I always find appealing in a historical romance. He never cracks a joke, nor has any lighthearted moments. Where is his charm? Where is his good natured side? I do have to say though, his character stays true to form. From beginning to end, he is James — and you can take him or leave him I for one, would take him…many times.

Sinful Surrender is very sexy and there are many twists and turns that keep this story quite entertaining to the very end. It is an exceptional debut and one I highly recommend. Jan 23, Danielle rated it it was ok Shelves: Don't get me wrong, I love historical romance but the plot of this novel has been done before. I found it hard to enjoy this novel because I have read several books with the same storyline. In summary, this book is about a naive young woman who falls in love with one of her brother's friends when she was younger at some obscenely young age decides that she is going to marry him one day.

Unfortunately, this female protagonists never grows out of her obsession with her brother's best friend and th Don't get me wrong, I love historical romance but the plot of this novel has been done before. Unfortunately, this female protagonists never grows out of her obsession with her brother's best friend and throws herself at him continually. She only comes to her scenses after she has been ruined or deflowered.

It is only then does she really get to know the true man behind the mask, and she realizes that she does not even "LIKE" him or what he stands for. But as fate should have it, it is at that same time that the object of her obsession realizes that he, really, really with cherries on top, loves her.

She in turn refuses to marry him and he has to woo her, which he does and then they live happily ever after. If you liked this story then you will love the two books listed above, but I myself knew exactly what was going to happen next and therefore I could not really enjoy it. Jan 11, Danette Steward rated it it was ok Shelves: Premise should have been intriguing Sister falls in love with brother's best friend. Brother doesn't think friend is good enough for sister. Instead got a torturous boring plot. Plot is slow and not all that exciting.

Even thought the hero was somewhat spineless for not fighting for our heroine. This story could have been told in 10 pages easily.

Sinful Surrender (Elusive Lords, book 1) by Beverley Kendall

Disappointed and probably won't pick up another by this author. Jan 17, Char rated it it was amazing Shelves: I love stories where the heroine chases the hero and Missy did chase James--relentlessly. Was she "obssessed" with him? Nah, just madly in love. Beautiful epilogue which shows there are potential stories coming--just hate the waiting!

The Elusive Lords

I wanted to make this review as fair as I could so for the first time ever I took notes while I read. I was irritated to the point where taking notes didn't distract me and that never happens, I couldn't do it for assigned reading at school. I like to think of myself as a very forgiving reader, whether by design or accident I rarely dislike a book I read. Missy is the reason I disliked this book, in fact if it weren't in a series and I hadn't wanted to read the next one, it'd be a dnf because of h I wanted to make this review as fair as I could so for the first time ever I took notes while I read.

Missy is the reason I disliked this book, in fact if it weren't in a series and I hadn't wanted to read the next one, it'd be a dnf because of her. Missy's loved James since she was a child. This trope can be forgiven if the characters are compelling or the conflict is interesting. Missy bored me, James runs from her, insults her and flaunts gorgeous women in her face and still she doesn't even consider any other men. You were determined to have what you wanted and damn everyone else. To her shame, they weathered the storm of his disparagement and scorn. And after arguing tooth and nail for most of the book she says this: And begins resisting James' proposal for some indefinable reason, despite the fact she's always thought herself in love and she's possibly knocked up.

And then when she's not preggers: No baby meant no life with James. Would undoubtedly always love. And even though she's beautiful that's not why James loves her, no she's intelligent and well-read despite her actions indicating otherwise, and her first time with James is "the best sexual experience of his life". James on the other hand was torn, his friend or his lust for Missy. He was a character I could like if only he weren't all over Missy. Thomas, Missy sister is a jerk. He continues degrades James - to his face!

Thomas knew about Missy's infatuation and is a rake himself and yet had no empathy for one of his longstanding friends. I hope this has nothing to do with Missy. Seriously that's the only thing even close to conflict between them.

ONCE A RAKE: A Romance Novel of Regency England

Except for my complaint about characters as plot devices. Known as ice-cold, infinitely more interesting, with a sister locked in an asylum and an overbearing snobbish mother. I wish she'd been the heroine, she would've had so much conflict fodder.

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But alas she is used midway through the story by the author as an excuse for James not to propose to Missy after ruining her. She knocked out James with Laudanum one night, almost killing him on account of his sensitivity to opium and lies about him getting her pregnant and I still liked her more than Missy. But lucky for James and not us he discovers who the baby's real father is and arranges for them to elope, leaving him free to propose endlessly to Missy so she can say no for no real reason.

Lady Windmere, James' mother appears near the end when his father dies for no real plot reason, except to make James earl. Turns out when James saw his father begging his mother for the sexytimes as a kid, his mother wasn't frigid, his dad was a philanderer and he left behind twin daughters. And to stop Missy from accepting James yet again by making her think that the twins are James' daughters not sisters as she bitterly says that James will be just like his father at the late Earl's funeral.

The second half of the book is better. But it doesn't redeem the story enough.

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Sep 25, Ange rated it really liked it Shelves: I really liked this book. It was so funny and heartbreaking at the same time. I rarely find books that can make me laugh my ass off and cry at the same time. This is the story of Missy and James. James has known Missy since she was a small child, who having recently lost her beloved father, needed the comfort of someone who had the time and patience for her.

James was there for Missy, becoming her playmate even though he was several years older and caring for I really liked this book. James was there for Missy, becoming her playmate even though he was several years older and caring for her in a way that made her put him on a pedestal. James became the center of Missy's world since she was like 10 years old, and as she grew her adoration turned into love. James, being best friend's with Missy's older brother,was careful not to encourage Missy's affections.

However, the older she grew, the more beautiful and enchanting she became, and the idea of resisting her became almost an impossibility for James. One thing I loved in this book was how determined Missy was. She wanted James and she was going to get him no matter what. The first part of the book was hilarious and lovely to read as James tried his hardest to stay away from Missy and discourage her romantic illusions, while she did her best to attack him and catch him unawares so that he would finally succumb to her charms.

Then came the angst though. As it happens in this type of book, angst is inevitable.


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One does not play with fire long and doesn't end up getting burnt at some point. She took a brief inventory of him, from his boots right up to his neckcloth. Millicent "Missy" Armstrong is entering her third London Season, but not for lack of suitors. Since her debut three years ago, Missy has received twenty marriage proposals. But she is interested in only one man--her brother's best friend, James Rutherford. As a child, Missy looked up to James. As a grown up, her admiration has blossomed into the longings of a beautiful, sensuous woman--and she won't rest until James admits his love--and desire--for her.

James Rutherford rues the day he let his physical weaknesses get the better of him by kissing Missy. His best friend has made it clear that Missy is off limits, and though he's avoided her for three years, he hasn't forgotten the feel of her soft lips pressed against his--and it seems neither has she. For no matter how much James tries to discourage Missy, he keeps winding up in her arms, sharing heated caresses that promise the most delirious pleasure.

Beverley Kendall writes with wit and passion! All I could think was, I want James. I want two of him. Love by Secrets Book 1, Age of Innocence. To Enchant an Icy Earl. A Lot Like A Lady. Seducing the Single Lady. The Portrait of Lady Wycliff. Rachel and the Hired Gun. The Devil to Pay. An Invitation to Sin. You, and Only You. My Wicked Little Lies.

At the Duke's Wedding. A Season for Love. A Christmas Regency Novella. The Lady and the Earl. On the Way to the Wedding with 2nd Epilogue. The Grace of a Duke. The Marquis At Midnight. Face of the Maiden. The Maiden At Midnight. A Dance with the Devil.

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Touch of a Lady. The Mistress At Midnight. Sinful Hot Regency Romance Novella. The Importance of Being Wicked. Portrait of a Gentleman Historical Regency Romance. A Misguided Lord Tenacious Trents - 2. Something Like A Lady. When Only a Rake Will Do.