My Seduction: The Rose Hunters Trilogy Paperback – Bargain Price, September 1, 2010

This is the story of Christian "Kit" MacNeill, a Scottish soldier, and the woman he's sworn to protect, Kate Blackburn. These characters were very well written, and the romance between them was very moving. It's been a while since I've read a book by Connie Brockway, and I'd forgotten how good she is at spinning a story and pulling you into the strong emotions and dramatic events of her books - My Seduction is no exception. I can't say this is one of my favorites by her, simply because the plot is a bit out there - I don't want to give anything away but the revelation of the bad guy and the dastardly deeds he's wrought throughout the book could have come out of the wildest of melodramas, complete with buried treasure. It seemed a bit disjointed to me, as if maybe she was trying to pack in too much at the end of the book, and wrapped it up too quickly. But then again, if you just go with it, such intrigues can make for an exciting story.I far preferred the first half, during which Kit and Kate have to journey across the Scottish moors. The unfolding of their relationship during this episode was very compelling and tender, each coming to know the other but resisting because, of course, there has to be something holding them apart. Even though that's common enough in romances, here, fortunately, there are reasons, and they make sense.A big aspect of the book and Kit's character is his desire for revenge - he and his three friends were betrayed during the French Revolution, at the cost of the life of one of their number, and he is tortured and driven by the need to find out who betrayed them and exact vengeance. Kit is a great character - kind of intimidating, definitely violent, but completely at Kate's command because he's in debt to her departed father. You'll have to read the book to find out the particulars of the circumstances that bind these two together.I didn't find Kate as interesting or sympathetic as Kit - she's not mean or anything, but she is used to living a certain lifestyle, one of luxury and wealth, and with the death of her father she's been taken over by the desperation bred of poverty. Her actions are all very understandable, and she's fully three-dimensional - so I don't know why I wasn't really drawn to her. Oh well. Like I said, loved the first half, not so much the second. Despite the deus ex machina conclusion, it was overall a great book, romantic in every sense of the word.

Connie Brockway has great books. As a stand alone book, this one is good but not great. However, as I read the entire Rose Hunters Trilogy before writing this review, the 3 books taken together are great.The story is unique, the backdrop is breathtaking, and the mystery/suspenseful plot is riveting. I just didn't find the hero, Kit, super swoon-worthy, although there are definitely sexy moments. In the book, Kate, the heroine, was frighteningly persistent in her quest for a comfortable life that I found materialistic.I've mentioned in my other reviews that I don't really like lots of traveling and over half this book is travel.

I liked this first of the Rose Hunters trilogy to read the other two books, but Connie Brockway has written better. I liked the hero much more than the heroine, in part because I couldn't figure out why the heroine went to such great lengths for a silly couple of would-be star-crossed lovers.

In 1801 the Nash family mourns the death of their patriarch who died in Paris a few months ago but also worries about their impoverished state. Three men arrive offering to do anything for the four Nash females. Christian "Kit" MacNeill explains to one of the daughters Kate that he and his companions were betrayed while spying in France. Their father sacrificed his life for their freedom. Kate whose husband was a soldier who died while on duty rejects his offer of help as she remains angry with her father and leaders who send the young to die. She refuses to provide atonement for Christian, who feels guilty that someone else died in his place. Not long afterward her mom passes away.Kate journeys to see a distant relative by marriage, who she hopes will support her and her sisters. On the trek she loses her driver, but Kit arrives insisting on taking her to her destination. As they travel together through wintry Scotland, they fall in love, but she rejects the notion of another military man and he knows the aristocrat she goes to visit is more suited for her station in life.The first of three Regency romances starring honorable males who believe they have a debt to pay, MY SEDUCTION is a strong Regency romance that will thrill readers of the sub-genre. Fans will feel the frozen conditions warmed by the growing love between the two protagonists. Kate is almost shrewish in her vehement rejection of Kit who initially needs her absolution, but soon wants her love. These two make the opening gamut of Connie Brockway's Rose Hunters series a triumph for readers.Harriet Klausner

this is the first Connie Brockway that I've read. Ms Brockway is certainly talented, and brings a lot on fun, wit and maturity to her characters. Overall, the book was quite enjoyable and I'd recommend it. My only fault with the book would be the "fear" that the heroine harbors for the hero-who was a lot less scary than the strangers she met on her way through Scotland, and that the story lags a bit towards the end, but luckily picks up enough to end on a high note. Also,while I applaud the author for the "love or money" storyline, I would have enjoyed the ending more without the quickly thrown in tidbit at the end where money no longer becomes an issue. Realistically, not everyone can be wealthy, and this ending was just a bit to convenient for my tastes.Even with these faults, I still enjoyed this book enough to recommend and to read the other two books in the series as well.3.5 stars.