"a perfect combination of wit, romance and intrigue"
In the second book of Jeffries "School for Heiresses" the
reader is re-introduced (TO PLEASURE A PRINCE part of
Jeffries' "Royal Brotherhood" series) to Louisa North,
illegitimate daughter of King George IV, as well as the
man who'd broken her heart 7 years ago, Simon Tremaine,
the new Duke of Foxmoor. It's seven years later and Simon has returned from India
where the king had banished him after Louisa discovered
his affections towards her masked his aspirations for
political gain. He's back and still politically ambitious
but after his first sight of Louisa his passions are
aroused even more so for the woman she's become. Summoned
to an audience with the king, Simon is offered a deal he
cannot refuse. If Simon can court and marry Louisa, who's
been stirring up trouble as a member and founder of the
London Ladies Society, the king would make it possible for
Simon to achieve his greatest political desire -- Prime
Minister of England. Louisa for all her new independence and charitable work
for female prisoners; courting reformists to her cause;
and secretly backing a candidate for the House of Commons;
she was not totally immune to the attentions of the Duke
of Foxmoor. Yes, Simon was a scoundrel for breaking her
heart while using her for his ambitious political
maneuvers, but his kiss still left her weak in the knees.
While Simon knew it would only be a matter of time for him
to bring her to the marriage bed, Louisa would be the one
to finally bring him to his knees. A long time fan of Sabrina Jeffries, I confess, I have not
read a single book of hers I did not love! Bringing
together a couple with bad history from an earlier story
has been done before, but Jeffries brings them back with
style incorporating sparkling dialogs and some very
sensual trysts as they battle over both domestic and
political issues. Simon is a complex hero who isn't at all likeable when
first introduced as he is shown bargaining with the king
once again in an effort to reap political gain and
rewards. If it weren't for having Raji, his pet monkey on
his shoulder, I wouldn't have liked him at all. Little by
little, he does become the hero when he starts to bend a
bit while trying to worm his way into Louisa's good
graces. As the author starts to weave in bits and pieces
of Simon's tragic early youth of 'training', beaten into
him by his grandfather one starts see how he was molded
into his attitude of political ambitions while making him
stifle any and all feelings of passion. In some of his
kind acts, used to break through Louisa's lack of trust,
the reader begins to see bits and pieces of the man he
could become if someone was brave enough to break through
his defensive outer shell. Having spent most of the last seven years in the royal
court, Louisa had grown into an independent, accomplished
woman after having her heart broken by Simon. She is
intelligent and savvy, points very well defined by the
author's excellent portrayal, and as such even though she
knows Simon is not to be trusted, her heart is drawn as a
moth to a flame. Willing to give him enough rope to hang
himself, this more mature Louisa sees glimpses of the man
she's always dreamed of and hopes he's become and gets
caught in Simon's net, but was wise enough to demand
concessions. Consequently she was devastated to discover
once again his betrayal. Hurt beyond measure, Louisa would
uncover truth's that motivated Simon, truth's that would
set him free to live and love. This truly was an engrossing story of redemption and
sensual passion for Louisa and Simon - both wonderfully
crafted and finally able to find the happiness they
deserved. Not only does Jeffries titillate the reader with
a passion filled romantic love story but she couples it
with intricately woven human frailties making the
characters leap off the pages into your hearts. I've said
it before and I'll say it again, Ms. Jeffries holds you
from first page to the last with a perfect combination of
wit, romance and intrigue. For PNR Reviews and Bookisle
Reviewed by Marilyn Rondeau
Posted July 20, 2007
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