Kensington Zebra
Featuring: Lord Simon Ascot; Celia St. Lys
352 pages ISBN: 1420123912 EAN: 9781420123913 Kindle: B009NIWYM2 Paperback / e-Book Add to Wish List
Celia St. Lys is the toast of Drury Lane, but she knows her
stardom won't last forever. She'll get older, and a younger
woman will take her place. That knowledge drives Celia to
prepare for her future and to shun any man who might try to
control her.
Lord Simon Ascot loved Celia once, but she rejected him for
another man. Now on a mission for the Prince Regent, he's
forced to deal with her. He doesn't count on learning that
his past and his future are tangled with hers.
WHEN YOU'RE DESIRED has a terrific plot. Author Tamara
Lejeune has woven an intricate story of abandonment, love,
and betrayal. Unfortunately, we don't get into the main
characters' heads enough. For example, near the beginning of
the book, Celia encounters Simon's brother, the Duke of
Berkshire, and their mother. Without giving too much away,
we never get any sense that she's concerned about meeting
them, that they might recognize who she is, that she might
be stirring up trouble for herself. Simon seems to despise
her for most of the book, at least outwardly. The first time
he confronts her, we think his only knowledge of her is what
he thinks she did to some of the soldiers in his command;
later we find out they have a past together. To me, it makes
the story seem disjointed and detracts from an otherwise
nicely plotted story.
I haven't read much fiction that was written in the early
19th century, when this book is set. I have the impression
that perhaps Ms. Lejeune is writing in that style. The
dialogue seems a bit stilted but is probably appropriate to
the period. Perhaps the choice to give us little insight
into what the characters are thinking comes from the style
of novels written during the Regency period.
WHEN YOU'RE DESIRED called to me because of its setting in
the theatre, and I enjoyed the plot and the glimpses into
stage life in the 1800s, but I found it lacking in
characterization. I'm sure it will appeal to some readers
for the very reasons I found it disappointing. I hope those
readers find it.
Celia St. Lys has risen
above the secrets of her past and transformed herself into
the most beautiful and gifted actress on the London stage.
Her glamorous career is the love of her life, and she deftly
eludes the clutches of her many suitors. But even she can’t
deny the lure of one roguish theatre patron. In her game of
feigned seduction, she may have finally met her match…
Except In The Bedroom
In order to claim
his inheritance, Lord Simon Ascot must find a proper bride.
And there’s certainly nothing proper about the fiery actress
who’s turning the head of every well-born man in London. As
Simon and Celia resist both decorum and lust, they’ll find
there’s pleasure to be had in wanting what they cannot have…
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