Passion by Lisa Valdez Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Passion
Book Review: Excuse me while I recover from being scorched...
Summary: 5 Stars
This was the first romance story that literally made me go, "Hot DAMN!" on the first words of the very first chapter. And then all tingly the rest of the way.
I know a lot of romance buffs are either indifferent to, or even disdainful of, erotica. And they can be justified sometimes--most of the stories in this genre are simply mindless sex, with most bordering on "perverted" liaisons. (Well, what "may" pass as perversions to some, in any case.) Another reason is that the plot can be more improbable than anything else--circumstances were conceived just a little bit too conveniently for any "romantic" element to exist.
However, for some reason I don't know what, "Passion" really hooked me in.
And, in the risk of being called randy, I confess to not being fed up with Mark and Passion's sex bouts. They really do sizzle without that "icky" or tiring feel. Though I admit the risqué language and the viciousness of the emotion between Mark and his mother kinda surprised me in the first few instances...somehow these paled in comparison to the love story itself between the hero and the heroine.
And I really like the "episode"-like vibe that Valdez churned out in every heading of a new chapter--I was in tenterhooks as to what will happen once the clandestine world of Mark and Passion collides with that of Charlotte's. And I was most especially thrilled with the growing fervor that Mark had for Passion. I mean, what woman wouldn't want to be needed like that?
All-in-all, a feel good novel--this lustful story actually has "heart" and real conflict (damn near made me cry, too). Very satisfying read for me...
Book Review: Experience it for yourself...
Summary: 5 Stars
If you haven't been able to figure it out from the reviews, Passion is a genre changing romance! It's the first truly well written historical romance with seriously graphic sex scenes! Kudos to Lisa Valdez for giving us what we want. Valdez writes beautifully-the writing is far beyond the scope of the typical romance novel. Won't cover the plot details here as other reviewers have. Just want to mention the book opens with the most graphic of the sex scenes. As the plot develops, the romance builds. There's basically no sex in the second half of the book and by then I was just bawling. I encourage all readers with an open mind just to try it and see if you like it.Book Review: Explicit, but a decent story too
Summary: 5 Stars
I won't sum up the plot of this book, as several others have already done so succinctly. However, I will say that this book made me alternately want to blush, squirm, and light a cigarette. The writing is quite decent for the genre and the characters well-developed. I particularly enjoyed Passion, as she was not one of the usual independent/childish/too stupid to live heroines that many romance authors seem to think we enjoy. She is caring, intelligent, and overall someone we can like. Mark, our handsome, well-endowed hero, is rude and rakish but undergoes believable change throughout.
These two characters take talking dirty to a new level, so you if you are easily offended by explicit sex scenes, undiluted descriptions of genitalia, and/or liberal use of the F-bomb, this may not be the book for you. And explicit means EXPLICIT, as there are three or four heavy lovin' scenes in the first few chapters.
Don't let the cheesy cover deter you--it's a good love story with enough raunchy passion to keep even the most die-hard erotica lover satisfied.
Book Review: Exquisite
Summary: 5 Stars
Passion Elizabeth Dare was widowed at a young age, and with her widowhood came freedom. Freedom from a loveless marriage and her husband's indifference, and freedom from the cruel irony of her name. . . But Passion's mourning-period is soon over, and her Aunt Matty insists she venture to London for her debut as a widower out of mourning. While in London Passion wants to explore the grand Crystal Palace exhibit and spend time with her dear cousin Charlotte. But Aunt Matty is determined to see Passion betrothed (again).
Meanwhile, Mark Randolph Hawkmore is in a waking nightmare. He has just discovered that his beloved younger brother, Matthew, is in fact his half-brother. . . and a lady from his mother's past is threatening blackmail if Mark doesn't wed her daughter and give the family a title. Between breaking the news to his brother that he is a gardener's bastard and succumbing to his mother's scandal, Mark is between a rock and a hard place.
The story opens at the Crystal Palace in London's Hyde Park, 1851. The Crystal Palace was a great exhibition of the industrial revolution and modernization. It is also where Passion Dare and Mark Hawkmore share their first steamy encounter. They literally bump into one another while wandering the Crystal Palace. . . and then share a delicious romp behind a Gothic screen in an act of pure erotic voyeurism. With Mark, Passion discovers all that was missing from her marriage. . . and though Mark is a notorious rake and womanizer, he cannot bear the thought of having just one encounter with this mysterious woman in black.
What unfolds between these two is a delicious and scandalous affair that plays out in plain sight and then behind closed doors. . . an affair that will be their undoing, as Mark is caught amidst his own blackmail scandal that will eventually impact Passion. . .
I kept hearing about Lisa Valdez's debut book, the first of what will be four books in the `Passion Quartet' historical romance series. This book came out in 2005 and has remained a rite-of-passage for lovers of historical romance. And now I can understand why. . .
Valdez's book is the dark chocolate and forbidden fruit of the historical romance genre. . . The sex scenes are graphic. I don't mean they're blush-worthy for the Victoria-era ton setting. . . I mean that Valdez writes intense erotica that is so explicit it's educational! Her sex scenes could quite comfortably be transported into a modern-day erotica novel and fit right in. Wow. Just `wow'. I kept reading Amazon reviews in which the reviewer commented (whether gratefully or negatively) on the graphic nature of the sex. . . but I wasn't prepared.
That's not to say that the sex scenes are enjoyable purely for their thrilling titillation. . . Valdez has expertly and beautifully crafted sensuous scenes of intense eroticism. The first, voyeuristic, coupling of Passion and Mark is wonderful for its originality. A sex scene amidst the hubbub of a Hyde Park exhibit - wonderful! But what I loved about the sex scenes was how Valdez marked the couple's growing affection and infatuation through them. . . from their scandalous public pairing to when they decided to move their rendezvous' to their private apartments and embark on a slower and more carnal affair. Brilliant.
Lisa Valdez's debut may be notorious for the blush-worthy sex scenes. . . but it'd be a crime to suggest that it is only the sex scenes that hold any value in the novel. The romance itself is glorious. Mark and Passion have one of the best romance's I have ever read - and part of the brilliance lies in the foreboding.
Mark's blackmail plot coincides to his affair with Passion. . . and as their blossoming love unfolds, so too does the darker sub-plot that will eventually unravel their affair. There's a fair amount of tragedy to Mark and Passion's romance as it coincides with Mark's forced engagement. . . but any sadness just heightens the `will-they-or-won't-they?' to grand proportions, so that by book's end I was crying and blubbering because I honestly didn't know if these two would get a happy ending.
I have been warned that Ms Valdez's second book in the series wasn't very well-received (at all!). There was a very big gap between first book, `Passion', and the second book, `Patience'. `Passion' came out in 2005, and `Patience' came out in April 2010. That's a very long wait for fans - and I do wonder if some of the animosity towards the second book was simply fans disgruntled at having to wait so very long? Regardless, Valdez has me hooked on her writing and I will venture into the second book, but perhaps with lowered expectation?
Regardless, Lisa Valdez's debut book is exquisite. It stands as an incredible feat of fancy in the historical romance genre, but also serves up blushing brilliance for the `hardcore' sex scenes. . . Superb, and a must-read for lovers of historical romance.
Book Review: Fantastic book
Summary: 5 Stars
I really loved this book. It was very hot, but very well written with an interesting story and great characters. I'm eagerly awaiting Patience's story.