The Devil's Match, the Devil DeVere Series #4 (by Victoria Vane)

Amazon - Breathless Press

The Devil's Match rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Release Date:  August 24, 2012

The Devil DeVere series rating: 4 out of 5 stars

"The Devil's Match" is novella #4 in this novella series and
can be read as a stand-alone novel.

How are the sex scenes?

A twist for Georgian romance.

The East's Harem has an influence in this novella as the heroine learns there are many benefits to a...erm, massage.

How are the story lines?

Wonderful, if a bit rushed.  There's a strict word count
and sometimes the scenes would read better with more transition.

Would you read it again?

Probably not.  This story was anticipated for so long I'm sure I got all the details the first time.

Setting

The Devil's Match is a Georgian historical romance based mostly in Woodcote Park, Epson, Surrey, England.  It prologues in 1778 with a scene from The Devil You Know (novella #3), then jumps to 1783, just days after The Virgin Huntress (novella #2) ends.

Remember, novella #3 is a prequel to the entire series.

The Epilogue starts in 1794, and to tell you the location would be a spoiler.

Back of the Book

When burned once … Arriving in London as her goddaughter’s chaperone, Baroness Diana Palmerston-Wriothesley wants to avoid her erstwhile lover at all costs. Once nearly consumed by passion, four years has reduced the former inferno to bitterness and ashes. 

By an old flame… A world-weary master of seduction, Ludovic ”The Devil” DeVere is bored with his chosen life of debauchery. When Diana’s charge disappears, she is forced to seek help from the devil’s lair, and their mutual desire reignites with undeniable ferocity. 

Fire is best fought with fire… While DeVere is hell-bent to have her back in his bed, Diana is equally determined to bring him to his knees…by acquiring some sensual secrets of her own.

Review

The Virgin Huntress's couple, Captain Hugh and Lady Vesta, are being wedded and everyone's attending Woodcote Park for the big celebration.  Diana is making plans to leave Hugh's estate since her place as Vesta's caretaker is no longer needed.  The Devil is determined to have Diana back in his bed after five (or four?) years.

A wager forces our love birds to confront their still-burning attraction and the novella takes a turn for the exotic, erotic and unpredictable.  (Sorry - more detail would spoil the story.)

Diana is still graceful and poised (traits that went unnoticed until the last novella), yet The Devil refuses to take her disinterest to heart.  He's pushy and arrogant, and is supposedly doing what Diana really "wants" by helping her succumb to temptation.

But our Devil has a juicy, juicy secret and it's revealed quickly - hidden during a conversation between him and Diana.  It tempts me to reread the series and confirm if he's telling truth.  Given his preference for receiving oral sex, I think he might be.

Vesta is still the immature child she was during The Virgin Huntress, but given this novella takes place just days after her story - sudden wisdom would ring false.  Hugh balances her character and she's much more likeable in her small supporting role instead of as the heroine.

Vane's strength lies in creating lifelike, complex characters who are not always heroes or villians.  Vesta is irritatingly spoiled, yet finds understanding for Phoebe.  DeVere shows random acts of kindness, but is still The Devil at heart.  Like real people.

Remember to stay tuned for the Epilogue, because it's not the blissful cherry on top of the story you'd imagine. 

There are two errors.  This novella Prologues a scene from The Devil You Know (which is set in 1779).  However the Prologue in this novella says the year is 1778.

Then depending upon which year that scene is set in, it's either been four or five years since Diana and DeVere slept together.  Pg. 7 of this novella talks about Diana's appeal to DeVere four years ago.

Anyone care about this but me?  I didn't think so.

Comment About It
Who's your favorite "finally together" couple?  Please share!


Learn more about Victoria Vane and her upcoming titles on her webpage, Facebook and romance review site Romantic Historical Lovers.



Read The Devil DeVere series:
A Wild Night's Bride (released April 27, 2012);
The Virgin Huntress (released June 29, 2012, read Sallie's review);
The Devil You Know (released July 27, 2012, read Sallie's review);
The Devil's Match (released August 24, 2012).

Originally, there were only 4 novellas to this series, but author Victoria Vane is now writing at least another two novellas, probably more.  Contact her for details!

Published by: Breathless Press

Disclaimer: No compensation was received for this review. eARC courtesy of Victoria Vane.

The Devil You Know, The Devil DeVere Series #3 (by Victoria Vane)

Amazon - Breathless Press

The Devil You Know rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Release Date:  July 27, 2012

The Devil DeVere series rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars

"The Devil You Know" is novella #3 in this novella series and
its events take place prior to the events of novellas #1 and #2.
(Technically this novella can be read first.)
This can be read as a stand-alone novel.

Novella #1, A Wild Night's Bride, is being sold for .99 cents at Amazon

How are the sex scenes?

Full of angst and very, very lustful.

How are the story lines?

They read like a full length novel, with one main plot and several smaller ones.

Would you read it again?

Yes and I can't wait for the next installment, The Devil's Match.

Summary

The Devil You Know is a Georgian historical romance based in Surrey, England.  It prologues in 1768 then jumps to 1779, telling the unvarnished story of Ludovic "The Devil" Lord DeVere.

The Devil's to-be fiance tosses him aside for a man of higher rank and after she marries he decides to take her as his mistress.  There is no greater revenge.

Baroness Diana, accompanying her cousin Annalee and her husband Sir Edward Chambers, expects to meet her husband at The Devil's residence after journeying apart for some time.

To Diana's dismay, her husband has gambled away all their assets and is now relying on a horse race to set their finances right.  The Devil steps in to assist matters and pursues Diana earnestly, claiming he wants to "make amends for [her] husband's disgrace and fuck [her] senseless."

Review

Ms. Vane has transformed one of my least favorite characters into my favorite heroine of the entire series.

Diana is steadfast and strong, accepting her fate with quiet dignity and doing everything possible to save herself from ruin.  Except for selling her body to DeVere.

"There is something you clearly do not yet understand, my lord.  My virtue is neither for sale, nor for barter - under any circumstances."

This historical heroine has brains, backbone and doesn't resort to snarkiness in hopes of gaining the upper hand (which never works).  Finally.  Historical is a favorite genre for many, but the whiny, needy and over-the-top sassy heroines are used too often.

Women can be subtly strong and firmly polite.  Thank you, Ms. Vane, for proving it.

We also get to meet the lovely Annalee, Sir Edward's deceased wife in the first two novellas.  It was sad to read her - and to like her - because I knew she would be dead before the year was out.  But I enjoyed getting to know her.  May she rest in peace.

Confession: I never liked The Devil DeVere before this novel.  He seemed too self-centered and destructive to everyone around him - completely irredeemable.  While he still may be those things, now we know why.  Which, surprisingly, makes him entirely redeemable.  I almost sympathize with him.

Almost.

Vane warns readers that The Devil You Know is darker than the first two stories.  She is right, it's darker.  Not so dark that you should pass it up, however.  The "darkness" can be found in references to painful sodomy experiences and a description of cold blooded murder.

The Devil You Know is a bit disturbing, offering up the right amount of sinister to make it my favorite novel of the series.

You liked it.  Why didn't it get 5 stars?

I felt the carriage ride in the beginning was too drawn out.  The information unveiled was already used in earlier novels so the reader learned nothing new.  Yes the characters had to learn it, but the scene could have been shorter.  Also, I would have preferred for the murder scene to be longer.  Grotesque?  Maybe.  But it makes one hell of a story.

Comment About It

Do you prefer your Georgian romances dark and dirty or light and happy?  Please share!


Learn more about Victoria Vane and her upcoming titles on her webpage, Facebook and romance review site Romantic Historical Lovers.



Read The Devil DeVere series:
A Wild Night's Bride (released April 27, 2012);
The Virgin Huntress (released June 29, 2012, read Sallie's review);
The Devil You Know (released July 27, 2012); and
The Devil's Match (released August 24, 2012).

Published by: Breathless Press

Disclaimer: No compensation was received for this review. eARC courtesy of Victoria Vane.

Character Interview: Lady Vesta from "The Virgin Huntress" (by Victoria Vane)

*Victoria Vane is up for The Romance Review's 5 Heart Sweetheart.  Vote here.

Lady Vesta and Victoria Vane will answer your questions!  Submit them in the comment section below.

In April 2012, author Victoria Vane released her first book in The Devil DeVere series, A Wild Night’s Bride, depicting the story of Sir Edward Chambers and his beloved Phoebe.  Excited to introduce his new bride, Sir Edward rushes Phoebe to meet his daughter Lady Vesta and her godmother Baroness Diana Palmerston-Wriothesley.

Ms. Vane has now released her second book, The Virgin Huntress.  The virgin and huntress is Lady Vesta - and she hates her father's wife.  Jealous, both Lady Vesta and Baroness Diana travel to London where they meet Captain Hewett DeVere.   Despite Captain Hewett's attraction to her godmother, Vesta has decided she wants him for herself.

This is her interview.

Q:        Lady Vesta thank you for seeing me this afternoon.  I know you are probably eager to ride your horse.

Oh yes, I do love to ride! It's my favorite pastime, you know. Indeed, Papa sent my two favorite horses to London with me. No doubt it was just an effort to get back into my good graces, but I really don't know if I can ever forgive him for what he did!  Have you ever heard such a daft thing as marrying someone you've only known for three days? And Phoebe is barely five years older than I am!

I'm sorry! I seem to have digressed.  I never ride in the afternoons you see, not in Hyde Park anyway because the fashionable world does not approve of real riding. No, I  prefer the mornings before anyone is about. It's the only time a girl can take a proper gallop. It's also the time that the Dragoons exercise! I promise you have never seen such a magnificent sight as the 17^th Light Dragoons on parade! Their uniforms alone are swoon-worthy. Can I tell you a secret, Lady Sallie? It was on one of these early morning rides that I first espied Captain Hewett DeVere, the man I intend to marry.

Q:        Three days is short.  How long have you known Captain DeVere and when did he voice his intention to marry you?

Three days is ludicrous for my Papa to take a wife! As for Captain DeVere, I met him the day before yesterday and although he hasn't exactly proposed, I'm certain I can make him love me…if only I could just get him away from my godmother Diana. After all, how can he even notice my existence when she is stealing his attention all the time? It's not fair at all! She's already been wed once. Don't you think she should give other girls a chance?

Q:     Captain DeVere recently escorted you and Baroness Diana on a horseback ride through the park and you had an accident.  You fainted - and in Captain DeVere’s arms no less.

Oh yes! It was quite terrifying! I lost my reins when my horse spooked for no apparent reason and bolted through the park. I don't know what I should have done had not the gallant Captain Hew rescued me. It was just in the nick of time too as Artemis (that's my favorite mare) had taken it into her head to jump the hedgerow into Kensington Gardens! The entire ordeal was such a shock that I took a faint and didn't recover for over an hour!

Q:        Terrifying and surprising, especially since you’re an accomplished rider.  Did your accident have anything to do with Captain DeVere’s interests in the Baroness? 

Well… um…er…I'm not certain how I can really answer that question… suffice to say Aunt Di has been completely monopolizing Captain Hew since we came to London.

Q:      Tell me about your maid, Polly.  She seems to be a handful offering her opinions on how you should act to become a lady.

Polly? Why on earth would you ask about Polly? And she's not really my maid anyway. She's my godmother's maid and thinks she knows everything! She shows me no respect at all and she's too saucy by half! My godfather said it's because she's borrowed and borrowed maids are always an inferior lot. I would have to agree with him, but he and I seem to be of one accord on many things. I'm so very fortunate to have such an understanding godfather as Lord DeVere. He seems to be the only one who ever takes my side.

Q:        Does Lord DeVere take your side regarding your pursuit of Captain DeVere?  Do you think he has ulterior motives, like perhaps wanting Baroness Diana for himself?

Uncle Vic and Aunt Di? (laughs) They are like chalk and cheese! I can't imagine them together at all! But then again Uncle Vic would certainly be a better match for Aunt Di than  Hew. No, Aunt Di and Captain Hew would not suit at all! Besides, I just know he will be mad for me… if I can only just get him alone…

Q:      I’m certain he will.  So how are you going to get him alone? Won't that force his hand?

Force? (makes a face)  I'm sure I don't know what you mean by that!

A real lady is NEVER forceful. No, a lady must always be complaisant and demure, at least that's the peal Polly is always ringing over my head!

But then again, perhaps under the right… conditions… Captain Hew might be persuaded.

Curious how Vesta "makes an utter fool of herself over a man that's far beyond her reach?"  Get your copy of The Virgin Huntress today.  Want more TVH?  Read Sallie's review! 

Watch A Wild Night's Bride's book trailer.

A lover of history and deeply romantic stories, Victoria combines these elements to craft romantic historical novels and novellas for a mature reading audience. Her writing influences are Georgette Heyer for fabulous witty dialogue and over the top characters, Robin Schone , Sylvia Day, and Charlotte Featherstone for beautifully crafted prose in stories with deep sensuality, and Lila DiPasqua for creative vision in melding history with eroticism. Ms. Vane also writes critically acclaimed romantic historical fiction as Emery Lee.