Product Description

Seduction has never been more enticing than in this third novel of Nicole Jordan's enthralling Regency trilogy, The Courtship Wars.

Spirited beauty Lilian Loring believes that love is too risky a venture and marriage is best avoided entirely -- even if her unwanted suitor comes as deliciously packaged as Heath Griffin, the Marquess of Claybourne. The charismatic rogue has never had a woman discourage his advances. But after a show of resolve, Lily melts under Heath's sensuous kisses. Indeed, perhaps that is why she decides to hide out in the last place a gentleman would look for a lady: a house of scandalous repute.

In bold pursuit, Heath discovers his enchanting spitfire cheerfully instructing the demimonde in the art of deportment and manners. Now the thrill of the chase is exceeded only by his powerful need to possess Lily as his bride. For Heath, victory in their game of passion means nothing less than winning Lily's elusive heart...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #342773 in Books
• Published on: 2008-03-25
• Released on: 2008-03-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 416 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780345494610
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Review
"A wildly sexy romp... a passionate battle of the sexes to see if a stubborn man can get a reluctant woman to the altar. Nicole Jordan at her sizzling best!" -- New York Times bestselling author Mary Jo Putney

About the Author
New York Times best-selling author Nicole Jordan spins delightful tales that simmer with passion and sensuality. She lives with her real-life hero in the Rocky Mountains of Utah, where she is at work on her next enthralling tale in The Courtship Wars series, about the sparks that fly when Regency lovers play the matrimonial mating game.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

TO SEDUCE A BRIDE - EXCERPT

"There," Heath said softly when he at last raised his head. "I wanted to see if my attraction to you was merely a passing fancy, and I know now it wasn't. You felt it, too, don't deny it."

Lily stared back at him, looking dazed, and wet her lips before finally finding her voice. "I felt something, but it was not at all pleasant."

Heath arched an eyebrow. "I never would have thought you were given to falsehoods, darling."

"I am being quite truthful, my lord. I did not enjoy kissing you. It made me too... disconcerted. Too flustered."

"You felt out of control, and you didn't like it."

"Yes, exactly! I am gratified you understand."

"But I don't understand. I am offering you pleasure beyond your wildest dreams, and you turn me down out of hand."

Her chin rose. "I am not the least interested in pleasure."

"I expect I can change your mind."

Lily locked her jaw mutinously. "Your arrogance is astounding, my lord."

The amusement leaving his expression, Heath regarded her with all seriousness. "There is nothing arrogant about it, Lily. It is merely simple logic. I want you, but I cannot have you without the benefit of marriage. I'm not interested in an affair that would only result in scandal. So I intend to court you honorably."

"Without my consent?" she asked, her eyes flashing.

"I hope to gain your consent. And I mean to start by kissing you again."

Looking alarmed, Lily pressed her palms against his chest. "I am not about to let you ravish me, Lord Claybourne!"

His gaze dropped from her face to her breasts. He would like nothing more than to draw Lily down to her chaste bed and ravish her, but he was bound by the rules of honor.

Heath smiled. "It is broad daylight and you are surrounded by a houseful of people. I believe you are safe from ravishment for the time being. But that doesn't mean I won't use all the powers of persuasion at my disposal."

His hands covered her shoulders, lightly massaging them as he locked gazes with her. Then bending, he covered her mouth with his in another slow, devastating, spellbinding kiss that sent searing heat arcing between them again.

His sensual assault stunned Lily. She felt light-headed and dizzy; she couldn't breathe.

He was right, she thought with a feeling akin to desperation. The attraction between them was not a passing fancy. Nor could she blame her intoxication on champagne this time. His lordship's kisses still overwhelmed her senses even when she wasn't foxed.

It was some time before she realized that he had left off kissing her.

"Don't you see?" he asked, his voice husky and low. "Whatever this is between us, it deserves exploring."

Dazed, Lily opened her eyes. Yes, she saw. She was aching with nameless longing... aching for him. She couldn't deny it, couldn't hide it.

Giving a frustrated groan, she slid out from his embrace and backed away from him. When he took a step toward her, she held up her hands defensively and retreated further across the small bedchamber, putting as much space as possible between them.

Lord Claybourne stopped then, regarding her intently.

With shaking fingers, Lily tucked a loose tendril of hair behind her ear and swallowed hard. Yet her voice was still a hoarse rasp when she finally spoke. "You are mistaken if you think I will meekly surrender just because you are a marvelous kisser."

"I think nothing of the kind," he said, his tone wry. "You haven't a meek bone in your lovely body, I'll warrant."

"No, and I will never accept your proposal of marriage, either," Lily said firmly.

The smile he gave her was utterly beautiful and utterly maddening. "We shall see."

Excerpt from To Seduce a Bride by Nicole Jordan; Copyright © 2007 by Nicole Jordan; All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

Not sure
I'm not really sure how I feel about this book. I've read the other two and liked them well enough, although the 2nd book was my favorite of the two. My problem is that I love the heros, but don't care much for the heroines, and Lily is the worse of them all. I'm sorry, but I don't like her at all. In fact, I don't think I can finish the book. She is so out of character for the Regency period that it isn't even funny. No woman in her right mind would agree to become the mistress of a nobleman when he is begging her to be his wife. I'm sorry, but the life of a mistress in the 19th century was very bleak...it still is in the 21st century. Men always have and still do use women and throw them away like Christmas trash.

Also, I felt this book was a rehash of the last two books. It's the same plot re-written for the third time. I suppose that's what I am having the most difficulty with. All three noblemen speak the same, calling their ladies the same endearments such as sweeting. Now I like the term, but it's good only one time. Each of the three male characters should have been developed to be distinct.

Also, when reading this trilogy I had the feeling I was reading a mix of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. Even some of Jane's famous phrases were used, and that's ok. They were common terms for that time period, but the rest of the book seems more like a modern piece set in the early 19th century.

All in all, the trilogy is a quick read, has good love scenes, except they resemble each other from book to book, especially the taking of the heroine's virginity, and you will like the hero very much. It is because of the hero that this book gets 3 stars. I really liked them. If my review were based on the heroine, it would have been only one.

More like the Never Ending Pursuit of an Unwilling Bride
Well after an exhaustive pursuit, Heath, Marquess of Clayborne, did capture his bride in the end, but I think he should have thrown her back!

The third book in the courtship war series pairs up the youngest Loring sister Lily (an anti-marriage minded & free spirited independent) with the charming & lovable Heath.

Although well written, I had several problems with this book. First the unbelievable; I can ALMOST accept the fact that Lily is so dead set against marriage due to her parents disastrous union. Obviously she has some deep seeded scars. So what would it take to convince her (or any woman skeptical for that matter) to wed? Seeing her two sisters find true love and happiness? CHECK. Have a handsome & rich man pursue you with honorable intentions? CHECK. Being extremely attracted to said man? CHECK. Have said man declare he loves you and finds you extremely attractive? CHECK. Be in love with or as close as you have been to said man? CHECK. Have said man declare that he would be faithful? CHECK. And, AND have said man declare that you wants you just the way you are? CHECK. Oh, and he has a title to boot! CHECK. Well, thats just not good enough for Lily! Because the crazy woman still says no.

I really loved Heath and admired him for his unrelenting pursuit and putting up with Lily. And its only because of him that I gave the book three stars. Lily, on the other hand, rather quickly becomes annoying and childish. Frankly, if I were Heath, I would have thrown in the towel long ago. If for anything, then for pride's sake. The man had to practically grovel. And while its nice to see an hard/aggressive hero grovel after some heinous treatment of the heroine, its depressing to see a NICE hero do the same for no apparent reason.

And once *AGAIN* another author seems to take historical conventions and throw them out the window! I'm sorry but if your family is trying to REBUILD their reputation then you DO NOT go to stay at courtesan's house. You DO NOT give etiquette lessons to prostitutes. You DO NOT attend a masked ball designed for these women to find protectors. And if you were found out? You would be ruined and your family tainted. The end!

So, though I really loved Heath and the writing is pretty good, I can't recommend this book. The heroine is too irritating and the believability is beyond what I can accept for this time period. I would recommend the second book in the series instead. Both the H/H are lovable and plot is more plausible.

A disappointing end to the Courtship Wars series
Lily Loring is the youngest of the three Loring sisters, a trio whose family was on the brink of ruin before the girls saved themselves by opening a school to teach young women etiquette. Lily is the most decidedly tomboyish of the three sisters. She prefers riding horses and dreaming of world travel to tea parties and balls. She is also the sister who is the most against marriage. Lily remembers her parents' union as an unhappy one, and has vowed that she will not be shackled to any man. So when she is pursued by the best friend of her former guardian, Lily determinedly puts him off--even going so far as to take up residence with her good friend Fanny Irwin, a notorious Cyprian.

Heath Griffin, Marquess of Claybourne, is known as a rake and a seducer among the ladies of the ton. Heath's reputation as a lover of women precedes him, and he never thought that he would voluntarily sit down before he met Lily. He finds himself captivated by her independent nature, sharp tongue, and quick wit. Heath quickly decides he'd like to court Lily, only to learn that she's gone into hiding to avoid his attention. When he finds her, Heath decides to court the lady--willing or no--and make her his bride.

To Seduce a Bride is the third book in Nicole Jordan's Courtship Wars series, following To Pleasure a Lady (Courtship Wars, Book 1) and To Bed a Beauty (Courtship Wars, Book 2). It is also by far the worst book in the series. Lily is an exasperating heroine, and while I wouldn't go as far as labeling her too stupid to live, she was most definitely too exasperating to enjoy. From the very beginning she was against marriage. I can understand that. In the Regency era, marriage was the equivalent to signing your life away for a woman, and I can understand her wanting the choice to be her own. But after Heath proved himself countless times, risked his neck for her, helped her friends, and did anything she asked of him, and she still refused to believe that he could be in love with her I almost wished that she were real so that I could slap some sense into her. From the beginning of this series Lily has been set up as the most independent Loring sister, the one who lamented the loss of her sisters and vowed never to marry herself. So I can respect the fact that she remained consistent. But I can't respect the fact that she wanted to have her cake and eat it too while leaving this gallant, chivalrous suitor with what amounted to a few crumbs of her leftovers. I didn't like her and because of that it was like pulling teeth to make myself finish this book.

The Courtship Wars series was, until this point, okay. The other two books were good, not great, but they were satisfying enough as a whole. This book put me in a bad mood with its infuriating heroine and I think I might have to read some old school Julie Garwood or Johanna Lindsey to pull myself out of the funk that I'm in. Take my advice and steer clear of this last book in the series, which does more to hurt the trilogy than to help it.