Pride and Pleasure

I know that the principal objective of the book is the romance but there must still be a story. I thought the plot was weak and unbelievable even for a tale set in the olden days. The characters are also too tame, they are sketched as individuals set in their own ways, yet they succumb to each far too quickly.

Loved the story line and got wrapped up in the characters. Even though is seemed similar to the Fifty Shades of Gray books, the characters and their issues were different. You were easly "taken away" and I couldn't put it down! I've pre-ordered the next installment; it's that good!

I had heard that Sylvia Day mixed decent story-telling with steamy sex scenes, but this must not be one of her better efforts. This book is a regency romance/mystery with attempts to use period English, but current terminology slips in repeatedly, which I found jarring. Also, the pacing is horribly slow--the story gets bogged with excessive description and pointless dialogue. I skipped ahead to see who the mystery villain was. Finally, the Kindle formatting omitted spaces between scene breaks--all the paragraphs ran into each other without warning.

The reason I'm only giving 3 stars is because I'm having a difficult time getting into the story. I'm half way through and still can't decide what is happening and where it is going. Part of this is because I'm not "into" the time frame of the story .... personally need something more current where I can relate to references, places, people, etc. She writes well, but this book is just not for me.

This book is a keeper! I just read this book for a 2nd time. Thankfully, I read so many books, I can enjoy them more than once because I often will have a recollection of a few details but not remember most of the book. Sylvia Day at this point is a seasoned professional and one of my favorite authors whether it is historical or contemporary I love them all.

This book was another great read by Sylvia Day! It has her usual romance and sexuality but also has mystery. It takes place in a great English era as well. Can't say anything more then that I loved it!!!!

I usually don't like period pieces, but this story wad a winner. Realistic, charming and sensual without being raunchy. I am definitely more inclined to read another story from Sylvia Day in this genre.

It was set back in the 1700's. That alone was disappointing but the story just wasn't as good as I had hoped. Its the first book by Syliva Day that I just didn't enjoy. I forced myself to finish it because I paid money of it.

I really loved reading this book. The characters were strong and so sure of their feelings. They did not play games like in some romance novels. Bravo Sylvia Day. I hope to read many more books by you.

There was nothing spectacular about this book. The hero and heroine were dull to me. It seemed like all they did was lust off of each other from the moment they met, but yet there was still no chemistry between them. The story line was boring and I just couldn't bring myself to finish it. I was expecting so much more from this author, because she usually writes interesting books.

This was an excellent book. The chemistry between Eliza & Jasper was electric and oh so hot!!! If you're looking for an engaging story with sensual, erotic love between the Hero and heroine, this is the book for you!

3.5 STARS ACTUALLY! Althought I enjoyed Pride and Pleasure, I do not consider it one of Slyvia Day's best, The stranger I married, was in my opinion better. It IS set in England, my fav place for romance novels, has a good mystery, humor, steamy sexy and a hunk of a leading man Jasper, OMG, AND I like Eliza the herion so I THINK the biggest problem I have with the book is the Price, $9.50 I came away feeling that I DIDN'T GET MY MONEY'S WORTH. I just feel when you pay more than $9 bucks for a book it should be at least truly memorable or one shoud be able to add it to one's list of favorites, for example the way I fell about "A lady'S PLEASURE" by Renee Bernard.

REVIEWER'S OPINION:
I felt like I was reading a boring textbook. My mind kept wandering. It was hard to concentrate and pay attention. I did not want to keep reading, but I forced myself in order to give a complete review. There was too much description about uninteresting things. Many conversations felt like filler. Too many events were "told" and not shown. See Spoilers below for examples. Some parts of the story weren't developed enough.

The personalities were generic - like many others. There was no interesting relationship development. They meet, interact a bit, he quickly takes her to bed, and she likes it. The first sex scene had too much conversation and pondering. The rest of them didn't engage me. I felt the desire to skim.

Jasper doesn't do anything interesting to uncover who the bad guy is. At the end of the book, someone "tells" Jasper and Eliza who was doing what and why.

I really enjoyed some of this author's other work for example: Snaring The Huntress, The Stranger I Married, Ask For It, and Bad Boys Ahoy. But sadly this book was "off."

SEMI-SPOILER EXAMPLES OF TELLING - NOT SHOWING (I don't give away names):
Jasper has a lifelong desire for revenge against his biological father and half-brother. The things that caused his hatred and his planning and actions to get revenge were "told," not shown. I also had unanswered questions about this.

Accidents occur which cause Eliza to hire Jasper. There were no details about those accidents. We don't experience them. They aren't even "told." I don't even know what they were, unless my mind was wandering and I just can't remember.

Someone sets fire to a building. That person interacts with another at the time. The main characters arrive as the fire is being put out, and someone "tells" them who set it and why. We did not experience the conversation and actions around the person setting the fire.

Someone plans an ambush for Jasper. A friend discovers this and has that person taken for questioning. We don't see the conversations and actions as the friend discovers this. The friend "tells" Jasper what happened after the fact.

A bow street runner "tells" the main characters that someone was murdered and by whom. We didn't see the murder happen, with conversation and actions before and after. It could have been interesting to see earlier actions and conversations between the killer and victim which led to the motive for murder.

STORY BRIEF:
Eliza is attractive, wealthy, and makes accounting entries in her ledger books. She has a group of suitors, most of whom want to marry her for her money. She is not in love with any of them. Some accidents occur putting Eliza at risk. She hires Jasper to discover who is causing the accidents and why. Jasper suggests he become one of her suitors in order to investigate.

Jasper's mother was of noble birth. She was kicked out of her family when she got pregnant with Jasper. The father wouldn't marry her and caused her to become a prostitute to support herself and her son. Jasper now supports himself as a thief-taker (similar to a private investigator).

DATA:
Story length: 269 pages. Swearing language: mild, including religious swear words. Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: 6. Estimated number of sex scene pages: 31. Setting: 1818 England. Copyright: 2011. Genre: regency mystery romance

As some of you might know I'm a huge Sylvia Day fan so when I saw my library had this one I knew I had to give it a try. I have read another one of her historical romances last year and it turned out to be one of my favourite reads of last year so I went into reading Pride & Pleasure with high expectations that unfortunately were not met.

While I liked the plot of Pride and Pleasure quite a bit the way that the story was told, as well as the characters just didn't jive with me well at all. I was happy to see that Sylvia Day created a smart, and strong willed heroine that was unwilling to be pushed around by anyone I just couldn't connect to Eliza's character. She was far too hard and aloof so I was completely unable to connect with her. She just seemed so harsh and didn't endear me at all because of the aloofness. Even when it came to the love she had for Jasper she wasn't sweet or tender at all. She was like Ice through out the whole novel and I didn't think she nor any of the other characters were very well developed.

Jasper, despite being a handsome and charming fellow who makes his money doing some underhanded things and being rich wasn't all that likable of a hero either. I will admit that I did like the role he played in investigating the circumstances behind the attempts on Eliza's life I didn't feel anything for him. He was rather bland and didn't seem as smart as he appeared to be and I thought he was cliché.

As I said I did like the plot of the story for the most part. I liked that there was a mystery to solve because certain unscrupulous people were making attempts on Eliza's life to pressure her into marrying someone for safety so they would have access to her wealth. There were times when I thought I figured out who the bad guy was but when the people responsible were finally revealed near the end of the book I was taken by surprise. However, when it came to the pace of the story I thought the whole book kind of dragged for me and there seemed to be a few plot holes that never made sense to me and I didn't really get why they were added in.

The romance between Eliza and Jasper was probably the biggest disappointment for me. I'm used to Sylvia Day offering up a tension filled spicy romance and I felt as though the romance between the two main characters in this one just lacked all of that. I was hoping that there would be a lot of passion between the pages of Pride and Pleasure but it seemed as though the romance was very bland and lackluster.

Despite not believing in the romance and wishing the characters had more substance I did like certain aspects of the story enough for Pride & Pleasure that in the end I didn't end up loving it but I did end up liking it. I'm glad I gave it a try and I think that this is just a book that didn't meet all my expectations.

I would recommend this to other fans of Sylvia Day and fans of historical romance because it was a very quick read and it was fun enough that I spent an afternoon immersed in the book. I think it would be a good introduction to the authors writing for people who haven't read her books before.

Passion and love undermine the best laid plans. Eliza Martin, a self-sufficient heiress, who is avoiding forfeiting her freedom and fortune to a husband, plans to retire to the country after her sixth London season is over. Suspicious incidents make Eliza wary of her suitors, thinking someone is trying to force her into a marriage for protection. She hires a runner (London pioneering police) who doesn't take her seriously, but recommends Jasper Bond's thief-taker associate, Thomas Lynd, who cannot stand Eliza, and ends up asking Jasper to look after her security and to continue with the investigation.

Jasper is an honest thief-taker in a time most aren't. He finds what is lost and protects those in need of security. He also follows an ethical code in his trade. Jasper has worked hard to execute revenge on the family who wronged his mother, and he is closer than ever to achieve his life's goal. He doesn't want a wife, there is no place in his life for one, and he plans to move overseas once his vengeance is consummated. In spite of his traumatic childhood, Jasper is a caring human being, a decent man, and a loyal friend. Protecting Eliza and caring for her is a natural thing for him.

Eliza, being a strong woman in charge of her own life and money, is affected by Jasper's raw masculinity and handsomeness. She is mortified by memories of her mother's risque behavior that she tries to avoid repeating, and which she never understands, until she meets Jasper. Eliza rejects the notion of Jasper working for her, and finds excuses to justify why he isn't the right man for the job. Jasper, who has a penchant for mysteries is more intrigued for Eliza herself than the mysterious circumstances that compel her to ask for his services. Using his wit Jasper convinces Eliza of giving him the opportunity to prove he is worthy of the position. Jasper decides he wants her for himself, and since Eliza has made clear that she will never marry, he doesn't have any qualms in seducing her. Indeed, his resolve increases when Jasper realizes that he might lose her to the opposition, who includes his nemesis, and later in the game, even his own best friend and collaborator.

Pride and Pleasure is a satisfying reading, the characters are of the most sympathetic ones I'd ever encountered, and the love scenes are fervid. The first one between Jasper and Eliza is one of the most original and passionate, seducing the virgin scene, I'd ever read. The more they learn about one another, the more their mutual admiration and love spring up. The suspenseful subplot makes one distrusts nearly all the secondary characters until the discovery of the wrongdoer. The book is written in a prose that belongs to the period is set, and there are plenty of witty exchanges amongst the characters. That has always been my favorite part of historicals, so I fully enjoyed the beautiful and diverse usage of the English language by the author for our reading pleasure.

I read "The Stranger I Married" first from this author and loved it. Still do and I read it twice. I loved "Seven Years to Sin" equally so or even more. I liked "Ask for It" very much as well and "Passion for the Game" was also very good. However, I found this book very boring. I actually stopped reading it twice, put it down and read something else an then went back to it. I constantly found myself distracted and drifting and I can't recall if I ever really finished it.
I really did not like the heroine. I really am shocked by all the positive reviews. I guess if you are a huge fan of this author and just love everything she touches maybe you will just love it but I have to be honest. I am a huge romance reader and this was very boring for me. I was recently a little disappointed with "A Passion for Him" as well, her newest. I think Maria's story was much better. Skip this one and "A Passion."

I really liked Jasper and Eliza's story. Eliza was a stubborn, independent, take charge woman and Jasper was a determined, arrogant man. From the first time they met he knew that he wanted her. The mystery of who was behind all the freak accidents that Eliza was victim to was a nice back drop. But what I really enjoyed was the bold bantering between the two of them and Jasper's seduction of Eliza was perfect.

"God. Am I hurting you?" "No...Too full." Stretched to the point of aching, but she was not pained.
"You can take me." His fingers rubbed between her legs, starting a hot, sweet trickle of sensation in her core. "Let me in Eliza. Don't fight it." pg.134

Oh and the sex scenes weren't bad either. ;-)
Great historical romance.

There is something so lush and rich to the way Sylvia Day writes. As you read one of her novels, the words are constructed in such a way that you feel as if you can just about inhabit the same world in which her characters live.

Jasper Bond - wow! Ms Day sure knows how to write a sexy man! The book blurb describes him as devilish and dangerous, which he is, however he is not dangerous in the physical sense of the word. His sheer power and masculinity leaps off the page. Eliza Martin is exactly the type of historical heroine I really enjoy reading - she is strong without being pigheaded, intelligent, determined to be her own person and live her life as she sees fit.

As a pair, they were wonderful. Both had things motivating them outside the relationship - Jasper's need to see the wrongs against his mother made right and Eliza's thirst for an independent life. However their desire and hunger for one another was a much more powerful motivation for them both. Love scenes that run over more than a few pages can often tend to be overly wordy and lose the tension, but not with Sylvia Day. The tension and heat builds slowly, then breaks in just the right place before building right back up to the ultimate moment.

I often thought I'd guessed who was making trouble for Eliza. However it was only just prior to the reveal that I had it worked out, which I liked. I also appreciated that the suspense thread didn't try to take over the romance, but existed neatly alongside it.

This is the first Sylvia Day historical I've read, and I must say "Please keep writing them!". This book was wonderful, definitely worth savouring.

My rating: 4.5 out of 5

Release Date: 27 February 2013

Note: I was provided with an advanced reader copy of this book by Penguin Books Australia via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Eliza is an heiress in her sixth season. She has money, manages her own finances and affairs, and has never been denied anything. She has happily decided not to marry, but to live out the rest of her days quietly reading and spending time in the country. Marriage would only cost her her freedom to do as she pleases, and would allow her husband to take over her finances. And that is just unacceptable. Eliza has no concept of carnal lust until she lays eyes on Jasper.

Jasper is a thief-taker, which is dangerous job. He is also the bastard son of the Earl of Montague. His only desire in life is to cause the destruction of the Montagues for the part they played in his mother's demise. He finds his resolve tested and his focus on revenge impeded by desire for his new employer; a headstrong, strawberry blond, blue eyed heiress that is wreaking havoc on his once peaceful existence.

I usually love books by Sylvia Day, and find it a chore to put them down. I am a huge fan of her historical romances because of their intensity. This book however, read in such a slow manner. Every conversation that didn't involve the hero and heroine seamed to drag along at a snails pace. There were quite a few secondary characters, but none of them had enough depth to allow me to care about their welfare. The love scenes between Jasper and Eliza were hot and no less than I have come to expect from Day. Her love scenes are hot because both parties are not just expressing lust/desire for one another, but something stronger that runs much deeper. Day writes with so much passion, that it feels as if the characters need each other in order to survive. This book would have been a 4 or 5 star if more time had been spent with the couple or if the secondary characters and plot had been more interesting.(

This is the first Sylvia Day novel I have read. I stuck with it until the end , as I thought the plot was interesting. I wish the author had not released this book until it was reworked . The author introduced characters at the end to solve the mystery. I would have preferred to get to know the characters and their motivation. Spoiler: the step sister was a red herring.
The novel could have been more tightly edited. When the hero and his friend are talking about heroine, the hero states he would like to "shag" heroine. Really??? Would folks in 1818 have any clue as to what he meant? Sylvia Day is obviously a good writer. She needs to remember that 1818 people don't use 21st century language.
This could be a really good book if it had good objective editing before publication.

I LOVE all of Sylvia Day's books and this one Pride and Pleasure was no different, it was great as well! However, it didn't grab me as much as her other historical romances The Stranger I Married or Seven Years to Sin both of which I LOVED! (Not to mention all of her other books and the amazing Crossfire and Renegade Angels series!).

The main characters grew on me and I could picture what Jasper Bond the thief-taker and Eliza Martin the female lead look like. I am not sure if it's because this book took me longer to read than the others or there were too many characters with similar names, but it was about half-way through before I really started to enjoy this book. I had to flip back and re-read sections to figure out who was who, I prefer when I can get into the story straight away and understand who everyone is. I am rating this book 4 of 5 stars because even though I liked it, I didn't absolutely love it. If you love Sylvia Day's books it's worth a read though.

You can see my full entry at Bec's Book Blog.

Pride and Pleasure BY Sylvia Day is another exciting Erotic Regency Historical Romance set in 1818 London. Re-issue edition from Kensington. Follow Jasper Bond,and Eliza Martin on a sexual journey that includes passion,mystery,seduction,danger,and client satisfaction. A compelling story where sex isn't everything. An erotic tale of a romp through England,but a very sweet tale as well. With charming characters who are intellectual,stubborn,realistic,sexy and lovable. The plot is intriguing as well as mysterious. A must read for anyone who enjoys erotic romance with lots of twists and turns.I love this author's historical tales,they are engaging and thought-provoking and yes, erotic. What's not to love? Received for an honest review from the publisher.

RATING: 4.5

HEAT RATING: HOT

REVIEWED BY: AprilR, Review courtesy of My Book Addiction and More

Eliza Martin is in her sixth season in London's ton and she is determined it will be her last. She is not as eager to marry as the people surrounding her. Frankly, if she was anything other than an heiress she would have been sent away by now; unmarried at her age just isn't right. There are plenty of gentlemen hoping to gain the position of Eliza Martin's husband but she is unwilling to surrender her independence to anyone. Unfortunately, her lack of interest has provoked someone to become overzealous. Eliza has become the victim of attacks that can no longer be deemed random. She is the target. Eliza fears that someone hopes to incite her to seek the protection of man therefore forcing her to marry. Never one to submit to another's decree, Eliza comes up with her own plan to find the culprit.

Jasper Bond is a thief-taker by trade. Currently, his only goal is revenge, that is, until Miss Eliza Martin comes to him with quite an intriguing proposition. She would like him to pose as a suitor to fend off the cadre of men currently courting her. She would also like for him to discover the real villain. Jasper is perplexed by the oddity of Eliza. She is unlike any female he has ever known. She values intelligence before beauty, says exactly what she is thinking, and constantly shuts the door on societal norms. Miss Eliza Martin may be the woman that captures his lonely heart.

As Jasper delves into the lives of Eliza's suitors he finds plenty of suspects. Jasper must find the person taunting Eliza before she gets hurt. The more Jasper is around Eliza the more enamored he becomes. Can this thief-taker fit into an heiress' life on a long term basis? Can Jasper and Eliza unravel this mystery before it's too late?

Pride and Pleasure is a tantalizing sensuous love affair. Jasper and Eliza sparkle, the chemistry between them is smoldering. Sylvia Day weaves a spellbinding historical tale that will capture you with its charming characters and take you on a thrilling journey. Eliza is smart as a whip with an attitude to match. She is very much the proper lady with an independent streak that is never ending and she intends to keep it that way. Jasper is that alluring bad boy with a heart of gold. Jasper's looks absolutely get your heart racing, but you fall in love with the man who takes such care with the lady he adores. These two share some of the most exciting conversations. As soon as they are in the room together it's as if they are under a huge spotlight. I became absorbed I wanted them to keep talking forever. In this story Eliza has enough Pride for an army and Jasper has all the Pleasure she can handle. Pride and Pleasure is a truly delightful novel, Ms. Day has outdone herself!

Miranda
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

It's my first book from this author and I simply loved it! It has humor, the characters are very clever and have witty conversations( I love this). The relationship between the heroes are well developed, the way they change for love and try hard to be honest and trust one another is engaging. The background story and plot could have been a little more detailed but, even so, for me, it was a book that kept me thinking of it and wishing I finish all my tasks to read more and more of it. And the love scenes are great too, but very explicit, be aware.

Pride and Pleasure is sexy and intriguing, chockfull of mystery and secrets, but lots of honesty too. I'm one of the two people who before today had never read any of Ms. Sylvia Day's works. A grave error indeed. Thankfully, this has been rectified. Now I'm a fan and will continue to be henceforth and forever more.

Eliza Martin prefers staying on the shelf rather than marrying some bonehead only interested in her money. In fact the heiress prefers rusticating alone than partying with the Ton. However, her guardian uncle keeps introducing Eliza to suitable suitors who want to control her fortune. She keeps rejecting these fortune hunters.

Recently Eliza has been a victim of a series of accidents that the intelligent woman suspects is not coincidental. She hires thief-taker Jasper Bond to go undercover as another suitor in order to protect her and to expose who she is trying to harm her and why. She is attracted to her bodyguard, but believes he is too big and handsome for her. Jasper conceals he is another member of the Ton wanting her though he wants to steal her heart not her money.

This is an exciting Regency romantic suspense as the lead couple falls in love as they investigate the incidents. Fast-paced, Jasper tries to never ignore his client's safety while also hoping to win her love. Although the motive for the accidents seems preposterous, readers will enjoy Pride and Pleasure as the hero not only vows to keep his beloved safe, but overcome her prejudice towards him.

Harriet Klausner

Enjoyable read. Both main characters were interesting and had forged an independent future with no expectations of love or marriage. Naturally, they both found it. Brought together by a mystery which was happily resolved.

Eliza is a wealthy heiress who is a fortune hunter magnet. But lately she also has had some puzzling accidents. Obviously somebody is out to harm her.

Thief taker Jasper is hired to figure out who wants to harm Eliza. He is handsome, tenacious and immediately wants Eliza for himself. He also has a personal vendetta against one of her more persistent suitors.

I have read several other Sylvia Day historical romances and have always found them quite good. She was my first introduction to Historical-romantica. Her heroines that I am familiar with were always of the very sophisticated, experienced variety. So Eliza was a bit of a departure from that.

Although the suspense story formed both the reason for Jasper and Eliza to get together and to act as forward plot momentum, the main story really is how the two of them become attracted and then fall in love with each other.

There is nothing about this book that is overly new or fabulous, but it is a good, quick afternoon read and has a satisfying romance at its core. I did love the fact that when confronted with information about Jasper that could have made Eliza question his motives for being with her, the author didn't go the non-communication, grand misunderstanding route. Instead Eliza decided to trust her instincts and Jasper. With good result.

Good book

Another excellent read by Sylvia Day. Wonderful time piece. Not my favorite of Sylvia's, but still highly recommend. I just love how Sylvia explains things in such incredible depth that I can smell, and see in my mind the entire scene as it is unfolding.

Noteworthy quotes from book:

He groaned, feeling ravenous but wanting no more than this for now. It wasn't enough and yet it was too much, the act of kissing both erotic and sweet. The feel of her slight weight stretched across him was one he adored, and the sudden smattering of tiny kisses she pressed all over his lips made him laugh with delight.

When I purchased this book I was expecting it to be more like the Crossfire series (due to the cover). When I opened it I was very surprised to see a historical romance, and assumed I wouldn't like it. I decided to read some of it anyway, since I already had it. It didn't take long for me to become very interested in the characters and I read through to the end.

I think I'll look into some additional historical romance books, since I liked this one so much. And the best part was that I could tap on the words I'm not familiar with and get definitions.

This book was so good I couldn't put it down! Kept me up reading until the wee hours of the morning.

From the beginning, Eliza and Jasper had a very strong sexual attraction to each other. She tries to avoid him and he is up for the challenge she presents. Jasper takes every opportunity to be around her, and in the end she can't resist him. Once they decided to be together, I loved that Eliza didn't ever let what was said about Jasper keep her away from him. She believed in her decision to marry him and stuck with it. I also loved how Jasper realized what he had with Eliza, and didn't let his revenge get in the way of their being together.

I thought Sylvia Day did a great job of building their relationship, and as usual, adding well-written, very hot scenes. I was surprised who the 'bad-guy' was, which was nice that it wasn't predictable.

Read this book ... you won't be disappointed!

Since I read some of her other books I was expecting a little more action in the bedroom. There was some and it was hot.
but different than in her other books.

I did like the storyline in this book.
I didn't see this ending coming and I like it when that happens and it still feels real.
I also like the chemistry between the two main characters.

good read, I enjoyed reading it.

I loved this book. I especially liked the characters. The woman wasn't all weepy and needy and the man wasn't an arrogant rich idiot. I really liked the author's use of words. She used stimulating words likened to the time period. It's a good romance with hot butter lovemaking. What more can you ask for.

The dialogue in this book was extremely amusing and kept the pace of the book fast and interesting. I appreciated that Pride and Pleasure was entirely unpredictable and included many characters and opportunities of "what ifs" to keep me guessing. I did not anticipate the end and found it to offer complete closure on many different issues without being too drawn out.

Overall, a perfectly enjoyable read.

I liked it well enough. There was just something missing, I just can't put my finger on. I just had problems connecting to the characters I think. They just left me cold.
Although I liked both of them, so I just don't know what it was.
Just one of those things I can't describe when it comes to books.

** read in September 2012

In 1818 London, a man by the name of Jasper Bond works as a thief-taker; a man who offers security to people who need it and does everything within his power to find what is lost, as well as uncover the secrets that are hidden by others.

As we begin our story, the amazingly handsome Mr. Bond goes to meet a local person who desperately needs his help. As this amazingly sexy man wraps his gloved hand around the eagle's head on top of his cane and walks into St. George's cathedral, he runs directly into a woman by the name of Eliza Martin and her uncle. Jasper is completely intrigued as he sits with Eliza who tells him immediately that he is far too good looking for what she needs. This beautiful redhead who is a very wealthy woman wants suitors to leave her be so that she can get through this, the sixth and last season that she has to date and look for a significant other, and then be left alone.

Eliza has had a horrific time as of late. She knows she needs protection from someone who is a predator who seems to want to scare her silly. Setting her up with a snake in her bedroom, a broken saddle that almost made her fall during a ride, and other small "accidents" that could harm Eliza, have happened to her all Season. A suitor that could walk around with her and investigate who the culprit is that's trying to harm Eliza is someone she needs, yet Jasper is indeed a man with the looks and heat that make the normally steady Eliza forget everything except him.

Jasper makes Eliza a deal and convinces her that he's the thief-taker she needs who will find the culprit and stop the "accidents" from happening. There are fortune hunters aplenty after the woman's money - including Montague who is a young man that Jasper is trying desperately to destroy because of their past. As they each unveil each other's history, Eliza and Jasper find themselves falling deeper and deeper into a love that neither can understand.

The passion is amazing in this fantastically written novel. Eliza is an extremely strong character with an intelligence that holds her far above the rest of society; and, Jasper is a strong, handsome man who has come from nothing to become one of the most eligible bachelors in town. The romance between the two will keep all readers glued to the page, and the mystery involving who, exactly, is out there dying to hurt Ms. Eliza for reasons that the reader will never guess makes for an imaginative, fun-filled mystery that will keep readers completely engaged.

Ms. Day has done an extremely remarkable job with this romance. From the costumes to the dead-on language, to characters that are not easily forgotten, this wonderful, creative author has produced a romance that all readers will want to delve into and not put down until the very last page. Enjoy!

Until Next Time,
Amy

I love Day, don't get me wrong, but this book was just a little lacking. The characters were there as was the plot, but I just couldn't get into it. The writing was still fantastic as we're the intimate parts, but everything else just fell a little flat for me.

But in the case , it doesn't as this erotic, historical romance between a young heiress and a tradesman (thief-taker) whom she hires brings about changes in them both. This is a spicy romance between two strong willed, intelligent people who discover pride and pleasure can be intertwined.

I have seen Sylvia Day books out there, but I had not read any until this book -- and I definitely was not disappointed! The great thing about this was that it reminded me the Amanda Quick regencies, where the heroine is mostly lost in her own world, maybe a little too logical at times, but needs the help of someone, the person becoming the hero of the story. And of course, within the events in the book, the other person wreaks havoc on each other's ordered existences. And have a rather hot time doing it too. This was a fun and easy read -- and, I did not figure out who was the culprit; but then, I'm usually bad at sort of thing, even if others say it was obvious. The ending, I did think was a tiny bit rushed, but definitely was not something that took away from the totally enjoyment of the book. Definitely will be watching for more from this author!

I love everything that Sylvia Day writes....can't wait for the next book! But getting tired of having to buy these books in three's...it's costing too much that way. Good for the writer, but bad for the reader.

I am a big fan of Sylvia Day and was pretty excited when I found out she was going to have a book out. But I found that the story seemed a bit to long. It would have probably been better as a short story in a collection.

There seems to be a discrepancy with this book's description (there seem to be two separate ones). Is "Pride and Pleasure" Amelia's story, and is it being released by the store May 28th, 2013--or is this Eliza and Jasper's story that was released in January 2013. the store, please clarify.