The Abduction and Seduction Series / Rogues Series by Karen Hawkins

Dearest Readers,

The Abduction and Seduction Series, also known as Rogues Series is written by Karen Hawkins in 2000-2001. It's actually about abduction and seduction, living up to it's series name and it's sensual cover book. But, in my opinion, despite it's sensual cover books, the story leans more to the romantic side. So don't let the cover fool you, or giving you ideas. Really. But you won't be disappointed I promise.

It's been a long time since I read this series, so pardon me if I don't remember the tidbit. I'll just share my experience about reading these novels from what I remember about it, and reading it is pretty fun if you ask me. I give these novels 4 stars in goodreads after all. You can find the novel in the link below, but if you like it, please buy it. Thank you.

1. The Abduction of Julia (2000)

The Abduction of Julia (2000)

Synopsis

What can a respectable Regency miss do when kidnapped by a nobleman intent on marriage? Why, marry him, of course.

Julia Frant has secretly loved Alec MacLean, the wild Viscount Hunterston from afar. So when he accidentally snatches her instead of her lovely, scheming cousin for an elopement to Gretna Green, Julia leaps at the chance to make her passionate dreams come true.

Alec's in no position to quibble: if he doesn't marry by midnight and live scandal-free for a year, he loses his inheritance. At least marriage with do-gooder Julia will guarantee his fortune. But as his plain brown wren transforms herself into an elegant swan, Alec suddenly can't stay away from his last-minute wife--and when he kisses her, the inheritance is the last thing on his mind. Unfortunately, scandal can occur from the best of intentions...and Julia is never short of good intentions!

Review

Dramatic.

That's the only way I can describe this story. It's about an unattractive Julia and very attractive rakish Alec getting tangled up in Alec's grandfather will for Alec to inherit a fortune. Originally, Alec thought of kidnapping Julia's beautiful cousin, Therese Frant. Alas, he almost brought the wrong girl to the altar. But, there is no time to lose, so they married anyway.

The drama begin after they married, they have so many misunderstanding I almost pull all of my hair from my head. Suffice it to say, after their wedding they lust and love each other, but they somehow can't tell that to each other so they try to get annulment (seriously). But readers, you should excuse their idiocy to actually enjoy this book. It's full of thrilling moments, witty conversation, and also many romantic moments. I especially like the banter between Alec and Julia, and their struggle to maintain their marriage while keeping their heart at bay.

What I really love about this novel is the amazing amazing (Yes, I said amazing two times) side character. They are seriously amazing and supporting.

Mind you, Lady Burlington is amazing. Period. And she keep bullying poor Edmund throughout the story. Which is sweet and funny and nice. I always like badass woman with quirk and wit enough to bully whichever human dare to cross their path. And thank god Lady B is not our villain.

Our villain Nicholas, who we can find in the 3rd book, is actually a villain with depth. There is something alluring about bad, wounded, very flawed, clever, handsome man. In my opinion, Therese is actually the true villain. She is selfish, bad, egoistic, and manipulative. She is just annoying.

Suffice it to say, this book is entertaining. Albeit it's flaws.

[SPOILER]

What I really can't tolerate about this book is the ending. It's too rushed. And our clever villain just suddenly lose their villain way. I don't understand why Nicholas kidnaps Julia. He is like a desperate villain in the ending. Which is weird. He is surely more clever than that.

2. A Belated Bride (2001)

A Belated Bride (2001)

Synopsis

She'd Never Marry Him!

The last man Arabella Hadley ever wishes to see again is Lucien Deveraux, the handsome, dissolute Duke of Wexford -- who broke her innocent heart years ago and disappeared to London. So when she finds an unconscious man on her deserted country road and sees that it's Lucien, she's tempted to leave him there. But even more appalling than his presence is the brazen kiss he plants on her shocked lips and her response! So it would be totally insane to take him home to recover -- wouldn't it?

Except For One Small Thing...

Lucien dares not reveal why he's returned to his country estate -- or why he abandoned the strong-willed beauty years ago. Especially since Arabella clearly has secrets of her own. But when her scheming, marriage-minded aunts successfully compromise them, the two are forced to become man and wife. Which makes it ever harder for both to battle the passion that never disappeared...

Review

It's very entertaining.

When you suddenly find the perfect prince charming who broke your heart years ago unconscious in the road, what would you do? Why! Take him to the house of course.

This is a story full of secrets. The hero and heroine have their share of secret, that will unfold throughout the story. And make it more mysterious and thrilling. Making me more curious as to what will happen, and why.

Despite their secret, our hero and heroine will slowly find their way to the romantic relationship they once had. I can't stop laughing when the dashing Lucien Deveraux realize again his passion for Arabella is undying, and started to follow her around like a puppy. It's so sweet and dear. But Arabella rejection is understandable, after all who wants their heart broken again, by the same man nonetheless.

What so good in this novel is the character of our hero and heroine. Arabella is fierce and independent. She is not likely to swoon and wait for her prince charming to come help her. She is likely to help herself and be done with it. Lucien is an intelligent, sweet and dashing man. He respect Arabella, but at the same time helping her with his own little ways.

The side character is so funny and dear, What so funny in this story is Arabella's aunts, that shine throughout the story with their matchmaking ways. And Arabella's brother is so dear that I want to pat him on the shoulder.

Suffice it to say, this book is very entertaining indeed.

3. The Seduction of Sara (2001)

The Seduction of Sara (2001)

Synopsis

The Seduction of Sara is the lively conclusion to Karen Hawkins's trilogy of passionate Regency historical romances. Saraphina Lawrence is a willful young woman, as magnificent as the Lawrence sapphires she proudly wears. She wed once for passion and was widowed scandalously when her bridegroom fell from a carriage while coupling with his mistress. 

Now, faced with an ultimatum from her brothers -- remarry and live quietly and respectably, or lose the income that supports the independent life she loves -- Sara is quick to plan her strategy. Exiled to the dull town of Bath for the Season, she must find a gentleman who is socially acceptable, tolerable in looks and manners and, most important, willing to let Sara have her way in all matters. 

Her search is going poorly when she hits upon a splendid plan involving Nicholas Montrose, the notorious Earl of Bridgeton (the irresistible villain in need of redemption who was introduced in Hawkins's first book, The Abduction of Julia). Nick wants Sara for his mistress, and she thinks it would be splendid to have such a masterful lover teach her the art of seduction, hoping to use those new skills to lure a suitably compliant man to the altar. It would be hard to say whether Nick or Sara is more surprised when Sara practices the wiles Nick taught her on Nick himself -- and the man who swore he'd never marry is tempted to propose to the one woman who has promised she will never be his bride.

Review

How do I say this one..

It's romantic I suppose.

I always love the story about flawed wounded man. A story about a man who have a dark past. After that the woman try to wiggle her life to the man's and heal him.

And that exactly what happens in this story.

If you read The Abduction of Julia you will know about Nicholas Montrose, our dashing villain. In this book he change position to hero of the story. I already said that Nicholas is bad, wounded, flawed, clever, handsome, charming, all bad and good in one package. But actually in the first book he is an ass. Really, despite his roguish rakish way.

The Seduction of Sara take places three years after the end of the first book. Our hero, Nick, after being banished by Alec from England, finally decides to return home (home that he gets from a card game), lead a proper life and become accepted in the society. Our heroine, Sara, becomes wild after her husband death (Why, he died when he fell out of the carriage naked while making love to another woman) and being banished from England by her brothers (which we can find in another series, as The St. John Talisman Ring Series) to calm down and find herself another husband to love.

Sparks fly when Nick and Sara met. Nick wants Sara as mistress, Sara wants Nick as husband who won't intervene with her life (at first, later she just want Nick as her husband). But Nick doesn't want to become anyone husband and have a child. So they find themselves at an odds.

[SPOILER]
But fate says another thing, so they find themselves in a compromising situation by Anthony, Sara's brother, and become man and wife. Sara wants a children, but Nick doesn't. They certainly love one another though.

I assure you all is well though. Sara is persistent (in a good way), and throughout this story she will certainly find a way to crash Nick's defense.

Untuk download seriesnya silahkan klik link di bawah. Enjoy!

The Abduction and Seduction Series