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London's most notorious seducer, Nicholas Challoner lives solely for revenge . . .
The dashing, licentious Marquess of Ranelaw can never forgive Godfrey Demarest for ruining his sister—now the time has come to repay the villain in the same coin. But one formidably intriguing impediment stands in the way of Nicholas's vengeance: Miss Antonia Smith, companion to his foe's unsuspecting daughter.
Having herself been deceived and disgraced by a rogue—banished by her privileged family as a result and forced to live a lie—Antonia vows to protect her charge from the same cruel fate. She recognizes Ranelaw for the shameless blackguard he is and will devote every ounce of her intelligence and resolve to thwarting him.
Yet Antonia has always had a fatal weakness for rakes . . .
Nicholas Challoner, Marquess of Ranelaw is a man with a mission and nothing is going to stop him from ruining the daughter of the man who destroyed his sister's life and tore his family apart. Granted his family was utter chaos but ruinous situations will be corrected regardless of how many years it takes and who gets hurt. He has been plotting this well calculated revenge for years and he was mere steps away from executing his plan when what should happen to stop Renelaw in his tracks but fate. Now this fate that stepped in looked nothing like what he could have imagined would slow him down as Miss Antonio Smith the young woman's companion and chaperone is not at all appealing. She is dressed in a dowdy and shapeless fashion to keep attention away from herself but she is taking his breath away and Ranelaw cannot explain the reason why. She is not the woman in any of his dreams but the stirring in his heart and thoughts in his head about her are saying otherwise and diverting him from his target. Toni also has a mission and that is to keep rogues like Ranelaw away from charge at any cost but can she keep him away from herself.
Ranelaw may be hiding secrets but they are nothing compared to the ones that Toni has walked around with and secreting behind. She lost her family because of her poor decisions banned to a life of servitude. She has accepted her fate in life, will not let it happen to any other girl, and has her own tricks to keep it from happening to another. A man may sweet talk his way into a young woman's favor but a smart companion can stand between them and halt any further discussion. However, the talk toward her from Ranelaw is what has her heart aflutter again and she knows better and can stop herself, but does she want to. Having been at this cross roads before and knowing one road leads to ruin and one to safety which one will she take. Ranelaw seems to speak true and can take a hit and still come back for more yet is that what she wants, another man who says he loves her but does not have the backbone to see it through to marriage.
The challenge becomes not what Toni and Ranelaw are doing now but everything that Toni has ever done or known in her past showing up to reclaim her. Does she want the present and a future with Ranelaw or repeat prior mistakes. She has to separate right from wrong and know in fact that the decisions she makes again affect everything she ever will do with every imperfection that makes up her character out for public consumption, again.
Anna Campbell put her unique mark of excellence on each historical romance book she writes. This one in particular stands out with its fresh storyline, remarkable characters and never ending surprises the reader does not see coming. The mark of a good book is you are so saddened to have it end and this one brought tears to my eyes!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 21, 2011
I'm in the midst of reading this book. It started with great promise but her writing style is almost tedious at times. She goes into great detail of the mental anguish and thoughts of the character to the point that it's repetitive and unnecessary. You can go a whole page without dialogue between the characters. I have found myself skimming the paragraphs just to get to the dialogue. I loved her first two books and I would recommend them. I would skip this one. Antonia and Nicholas are good characters but the writing style takes away from their story.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.In 1827 Marquess Nicholas Challoner has waited two decades to avenge the affront Godfrey Demarest did to his sister Eloise, ruining her. He feels he has the perfect an eye for an eye scenario with Demarest's daughter Cassandra making her debut.
However, before he begins his seduction, Nicholas has to get passed his target's iron maiden chaperone Antonia Smith. Lady Antonia loathes rakes like Nicholas, who caused her a scandal that destroyed her life. Knowing the Ton cannot see beyond their polite veneer, she wears dull clothing and glasses while insuring her charge does not land in the same trap that left her life devastated. . However Nicholas finds the best laid plans of mice and avenging men often go astray when he wants Lady Antonia. Although she knows a relationship with the philanderer will go nowhere and will cost her reputation as well as her friendship with Cassandra, she accepts his offer of a tryst.
Late Regency readers will enjoy Anna Campbell's delightful historical romance, but especially a great late twist. Antonia returns his soul to Nicholas, which he lost when his sister was exiled by their father for her "sin". The rest of the strong cast turns Midnight's Wild Passion into a powerful nineteenth century romance.
Harriet Klausner
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 30, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. Every once in a while I thought the author was a little long winded on the character's thoughts and I found myself trying to speed read thru the paragraph to see what happened next so I guess in a sense, that's a good thing.
This book focuses on a woman who feels her "season" days are over and she's destined to be alone the rest of her life even though she's in her 20's. But she has more inner power than she realizes when she tames a rake and they fall in love.
Great book right to the end. I didn't like the Epilogue and found it almost demoralizing with what happened in the carriage ride home. Hmmm, after leaving a convent... really?
Other than that, great story.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 27, 2011
A story as gorgeous as it's cover. Once again Ms. Campbell weaves a powerful tale of passion, redemption and love. Strong characters and blazing hot love scenes keep this story moving at the perfect pace. Clever twists keep it exciting all the way to the emotionally charged happy ever after.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 25, 2012
Well paced, fun read.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.LadyScarlet
Posted December 16, 2012
The title doesn't lie. This book is a wild passion full of drama, tension, secrets and engaging characters. Loved every page.
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Posted November 24, 2012
ANNA CAMPBELL CAN TELL A STORY SO LUSH AND SENSUAL THAT YOU CANNOT PUT IT DOWN. VERY FEW WRITERS ARE SO THOROUGH IN THIER WORK THAT YOU ACTUALLY FEEL THE CHARACTER'S PAIN AND JOY. READ IT! YOU'LL LOVE IT!
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Posted November 20, 2012
Great book. Really enjoyed getting caught up in the story.
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Posted November 1, 2012
I love this author, will read all of her books.
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Posted October 21, 2012
Hate the ending
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.London's most notorious seducer, Nicholas Challoner lives solely for revenge…
The dashing, licentious Marquess of Ranelaw can never forgive Godfrey Demarest for ruining his sister - now the time has come to repay the villain in the same coin. But one formidably intriguing impediment stands in the way of Nicholas's vengeance: Miss Antonia Smith, companion to his foe's unsuspecting daughter.
Having herself been deceived and disgraced by a rogue - banished by her privileged family as a result and forced to live a lie - Antonia vows to protect her charge from the same cruel fate. She recognizes Ranelaw for the shameless blackguard he is, and will devote every ounce of her intelligence and resolve to thwarting him.
Yet Antonia has always had a fatal weakness for rakes…
Lady Antonia (aka "Toni") made some unfortunate mistakes in her youth and has since suffered alone in the world. Luckily she was able to attain the job of chaperon to her younger cousin's release into London society. Having had (personal !) previous experience in what rakes can do to a young girls life, Toni is determined to find a decent husband for Cassandra and aid her in avoiding the good-for-nothing advances from dangerous scoundrels -- like Lord Ranelaw. Yet, sometimes it's hard to practice what you preach and before Toni knows it, she's under Ranelaw's seductive spell. Hoping to have had learn from past mistakes, Toni decides to let her untamed spirit free and have some wicked fun with this incorrigible man but is more surprised than anyone when the cad falls for her and proposes marriage. How can Toni trust Ranelaw (whom she seriously questions having feelings for as well) when all she's ever known is deception and isolation?
This was an okay read. I never really warmed up to Nicholas, Lord Ranelaw, since he came off as very pushy and overpowering, especially toward Antonia (and not always in a good way!) He wasn't the type of male lead I prefer to read about and his mannerism were just too intense for my taste (and I don't mind a man with power, but this was almost too much!!!). Antonia, on the other hand, was a very enjoyable character...direct, knows what she wants, well grounded, etc. She's insanely brave and yet sincere in accepting her current standing in society, plus her actions have rubbed off well on her younger cousin and together there interactions throughout the book were sweet and entertaining. The ending really made the book for me and I'm happy I got that far, but don't expect great literary awesomeness with Midnight's Wild Passion.
Likes: Cassie, the younger cousin, was truly the most down-to-earth and sensible character of them all, odd that she's so young! I'd really like to read more about her!
Dislikes: The book just didn't have that overall pizazz that I look in a story and really left a "lacking" feeling when I finished. It just needed something more to feel complete!
Anonymous
Posted December 16, 2011
Great romantic read with hott love scenes anna campbell doesn't disappoint
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Posted May 21, 2011
This is my first book by Campbell and I'm so glad I read this! This book is fabulous. It was a little slow at first but hold on to your seats cause it gets faster. I fell in love with the hero Nicholas, Lord Ranelaw, I love how developed he was. I was sorry when it ended. If you love historical novels you'll love this book!
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Posted October 25, 2012
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Overview
London's most notorious seducer, Nicholas Challoner lives solely for revenge . . .
The dashing, licentious Marquess of Ranelaw can never forgive Godfrey Demarest for ruining his sister—now the time has come to repay the villain in the same coin. But one formidably intriguing impediment stands in the way of Nicholas's vengeance: Miss Antonia Smith, companion to his foe's unsuspecting daughter.
Having herself been deceived and disgraced by a ...