Between the Devil and Desire

Scoundrels of St. James, Book 2

By: Lorraine Heath

Narrated by: Susan Ericksen, Antony Ferguson

Length: 11 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

London's most notorious rogue - decadent, depraved, forbidden:

The ladies of the town won't stop whispering about deliciously wicked Jack Dodger - once a thieving street urchin, now the wealthy owner of London's most exclusive gentleman's club. There's no pleasure he hasn't enjoyed, no debauchery the handsome scoundrel won't provide for the lords who flock to his house of carnal intrigue.

London's most virtuous lady - honorable, uncorrupted, and all too human:

Olivia, Duchess of Lovingdon, would never associate with such a rogue. So when Jack is named sole heir to the duke's personal possessions, the beautiful, well-bred lady is outraged. Now, Olivia is forced to share her beloved home with this despicable man.

But Olivia's icy disdain is no match for Jack's dangerous charm. His touch awakens desire. His kiss demands surrender. She will struggle to bar Jack from her heart....but her body, coveting divine release, will not let her bar him from her bed.

©2009 Jan Nowasky (P)2012 HarperCollinsPublishers

Don't Forbid Me

After I had finished “In Bed with the Devil” I immediately purchased this book. Although I had loved the first, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this story which focuses on Jack, the character I probably identified with the least because of his fixation on money. With these two books, Lorraine Heath is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, as she has such a talent for writing dynamic, adorable characters who have such chemistry. When things went awry, I felt the same dismay and hurt the characters were feeling, and when they were happy, I felt like I was right there with them. As the little family was coming together, the relationship that Jack and Henry had was so precious, I couldn’t help but beam and found myself saying “awww” on more than one occasion. As much as I like children, sometimes when they make appearances in romance novels they can be sort of irritating or overlooked, but in this instance I think the inclusion of Henry’s character added a deeper level and parental love that perhaps give this book a slight edge over the first. The passion and tension between the two main characters made for some steamy and wonderfully intense scenes. The journey and growth that the characters progressed through was truly an entertaining and heart-warming experience. In the beginning, Jack was a bit (a lot) of a jerk, but as his more genuine and endearing qualities slowly shone through more and more, it was a very satisfying evolution. In the first book I sort of looked up to Catherine for being so confident and outspoken, and here I felt less of an attachment for Olivia, although I felt a great deal of sympathy for her situation/lack of power even in parenting and providing for her own child because of the will’s provisions. But I did like Olivia, even if I didn’t agree much with her value on propriety, she did care for her son and was able to see the good qualities in Jack. Again, Susan Ericksen did a great job as narrator in bringing personality to the characters, even if some voices weren’t that varied – her voice for Henry was child-like and adorable. I hate that this book is over, but it was an addicting 11 hours well-spent!

It's sick how good this series is

If you could sum up Between the Devil and Desire in three words, what would they be?

Oliver Twist on Steroids ( ok that's 4 words)

What did you like best about this story?

The relationship between Jack Dodger an the Duchess' son Henry. ( it's so sweet)

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Consider Yourself one of the Family!!

Any additional comments?

Listening to book 3 can't wait to get to book 4.

The first historical romance I've really enjoyed

STORY (historical romance) - I like contemporary romances much better than historical ones, but this one is actually pretty good. It has the usual issue -- someone from the upper class falls for someone from the lower -- but this book has a lot of other stuff going on that makes it much better. Olivia is an English Dutchess whose husband has just died, and Jack is a scoundrel. They've been thrown together in a most unusual way, and they end up living in the same house and Jack is appointed to be guardian for Olivia's son.

Needless to say, they end up having the hots for each other. I subtracted a star from this book primarily because I got sick and tired of them constantly thinking about each other and trying to analyze their feelings and what they should do about them. Enough!!!! But nevertheless, the story is good and their feelings for each other become genuine. The author has a talent for writing very hot scenes in a unique way that has great tenderness and also maintains an element of class.

PERFORMANCE - I love Susan Ericksen from the In Death series, and she continues to deliver. Her voice lends itself to portray men and women nicely, and her natural English accent is lovely. She doesn't distinguish much between characters but does some pretty good cockney accents and the voice of a young boy.

OVERALL - This is Book 2 in the series, but it's the first I've listened to. I can't comment on its relation to the rest of the series, but it can stand completely on its own. There's no profanity, but there is lots of thinking about sex and also some pretty explicit sexual acts. Recommended for mature females only. Definitely not for guys.

Great book, great readers.

Really enjoyed this series, and loved the narrators. I had never heard them before this series, and they were excellent. Worth your credits for this series...

Easy listening

Not my favorite of the series but enjoyable nonetheless. A bit slow in places but good for relaxing to cooking or in the car

Just OK

The book was mostly bickering as foreplay. The writer had some unique ideas, but the story didn't put them to good use. I just don't get the bickering part - what a turn off. The characters did change, and that part got better, but not enough to make it really good. It was OK, but nothing I will remember later. Romantic fluff.

Story was ok but not the narration

I enjoy these historical romance books except for the narration. I do not enjoy Susan Ericksen, I wish this would have been a true dual narration. Antiony Ferguson who I enjoy listening to only read the male chapter. I was hoping for all male dialogue. I would have enjoyed the book so much better than. I have stopped buying audible like I use to for this soul purpose. I do not like females trying to sound male.

A good character gets BETTER

Jack is the character I couldn't decide if I liked or disliked in book one of this series. I started out thinking Heath will never make me love Jack Dodger......and then....she did!

I LOVED LOVED LOVED Jack! I was glad to see Heath bring in previous characters (which she does in all the books of the series). I enjoyed the relationship Jack and Olivia shared.

Every book has a dark theme to it....this one may be the darkest. Heath doesn't make you dwell on the horrid things that took place, but somehow makes it work with the story.

The TWIST and SHOCKER in this book was GREAT!

This is probably my favorite in the series. Don't miss Scoundrels of St. James!!!!

Avid Reader

What can I say? I have enjoyed this series so far and look forward to the rest of the series. I will not give away the plot, but only this, the homage to Charles Dickens is appreciated! I especially enjoyed the narrations of Susan Erickson and Antony Ferguson

I'll take me a Jack...

If you have listened to Heath's first book of this series, "In Bed with the Devil" then you know of Jack, but you really don't know Jack! This book made me fall head over heels for Jack and I really felt for him. After listening to this book, I am beginning to understand that the Scoundrel's are better men than most of the aristocrats will ever be! Looking foward to book three!