Too Wicked to Love

by Olivia Drake and Barbara Dawson Smith

Book Overview

Too Wicked to Love He is Ethan Sinclair, the Earle of Chasebourne, the most notorious rogue in all of England. She is Miss Jane Mayhew, the keen-witted spinster Ethan had never even noticed. But when... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312968930
• ISBN13: 9780312968939
• Release Date: April 1999
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 334 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

It is WONDERFUL!!!!!!

It has been a long time since a book has captured my attention--but this one definitely did! The plot is wonderful. The characters are wonderful. Buy this book!!!!!

Highly recommended historical

All her twenty-six years Miss Jane Mayhew has been in love with Ethan Sinclair, the Earl of Chasebourne. Unfortunately, the rakish Ethan saw her only as a sour old spinster. Everything changes when a baby is dropped off on Jane's doorstep with Ethan's pin attached to the baby. Immediately Jane knows that the baby is Ethans. Angry, she confronts the earl in his bedchamber, where he is entertaining one of his many "ladies". Determined to find the mother (and protect Marianne from Ethan's wild ways), Jane goes to London with Ethan and his beautiful mother, Lady Rosalind. Together Jane and Ethan search for the mother, amont a long list of women.Under Lady Rosalind's care, Jane blossoms into a beautiful young woman, eventually catching Ethan's eye. One thing leads to another and the two are caught together in a very compromising position and the two are forced to marry. Angry for being forced into marriage, Ethan and Jane's marriage does not start out on a good note. Eventually after many fights, lots of making up, the baby being kidnapped and the parentage eventually being revealed, Ethan finally realizes his love for Jane.I liked this book. I found it to be very entertaining, although Jane could be a little annoying at times!

Too Wonderful To Resist!

I have a confession to make: I picked this book not out of interest of the blurb, but the divine packaging. The cover is so beautiful, and the naked guy in the stepback art... pass me the iced lemonade please. The back blurb screams "Big Misunderstanding Galore" and I'm prepared for a bumpy ride, but I am pleasantly surprised at this book. It's funny, witty, very readable, and is probably one of the best historicals (for me) this year. I particularly enjoy the transformation of the heroine from ahy wallflower to glorious beauty. What I appreciate is how the hero Ethan slowly changes his perception her from shrill annoying shrew to a passionate lovable woman. And the dear girl, she is level-headed, intelligent, and fun to read. The hero may be a rake, but I never could resist a poet with glasses. Not if he looks like the guy in the stepback art. But really, Ethan is a guy who grows on yo, that loveable scoundrel. Even better, there's no "I hate you, you cheating scum" bickering even when there's a lot of opportunity for a Big Misunderstanding to arise. These two lovely people really do communicate, and it is a pleasure to see them fall in love. And the love scenes are incredible. Pass me the iced lemonade please.I close this book with a big smile on my face. It's been a pleasure to read this book. Yes, sometimes the book can be judged by the cover! :)

Regency at its wicked best

In 1816 Wessex, England, an irate Jane Mayhew confronts the rake, Lord Chasebourne, Ethan Sinclair, in his bed lying naked with a woman. She accuses him of abandoning his baby Marianne, something he laughingly denies. He still denies the infant is his, but he agrees to turn the child over to Jane. However, to his chagrin, his mother Lady Rosalinde learns that she has a granddaughter that she insists on visiting. Ethan wants nothing to do with the meddlesome and bossy Jane. However, he seems to have little choice in the matter as his mother drags him along to see his child. He continues to deny the child is, but wonders who deserted the kid on Janes doorstep? Lady Rosalinde pushes the two of them into each others arms and soon passion occurs. Still, he has doubts about marrying a spinster and she has concerns over his denying siring Marianne. Thus, any permanent relationship seems remote even though they now love one another. Whoever said Regency romance is dying has failed to read Barbara Dawson Smith. One taste of the best-selling author's works would put to rout the so-called demise of the sub-genre. Her latest historical romance, TOO WICKED TO LOVE, is an entertaining tale that will elate more than just sub-genre fans with its wit and intelligence. The lead characters are charming opposites who are simply overwhelmed by his mother and love. Ms. Smith is heading back to the familiar grounds of best seller-dom with this riveting Regency romance.Harriet Klausner

Barbara Dawson Smith NEVER disappoints!

I've been a fan of Barbara Dawson Smith's for a long time. She just keeps getting better and better, and TOO WICKED TO LOVE is a prime example of why. Her characters are real, complex people who are confronted with challenges and aren't sure which way to turn--just like the rest of us. They take the high road. It's often tougher, but it's right. I think that's what I like most about her books. She writes about people you feel comfortable admiring. People you want things to work out for and to see win. This is one of her best. A really good read.