Lydia Kellaway's world is defined by numbers and she is happy that way. There are no variables or surprises and there is always a solution to any problem. To retrieve a locket from Alexander Hall, Lord Northwood, she approachs her latest problem with the same mathematical strategy that has worked well her life so far: armed with her calculations and research, she approaches Alexander, confident in her methodology -- but she doesn't count on Alexander Hall to complicate matters for her.
Alexander's life's mission is to restore his family's good name and standing in society, after his mother selfishly ruined it by running off with her lover. He has done everything considered proper: chair a committee, help charities, etc. Now he is trying to marry off his siblings to improve their family's connections. Meeting the unconventional Lydia has made Alexander realize that he needs a break from his life. Lydia and her math problems are a breath of fresh air for him: when he is immersed in answering them, the world melts away and he is doing something that is purely for his own pleasure and not anyone else's.
Being with Alexander has also allowed Lydia to discover that there is life outside of mathematics -- but, each day and pleasure she experiences with Alexander, brings up unwanted memories from her past that threaten to come between her and Alexander.
Lydia and Alexander were wonderful characters -- very dynamic and sympathetic, with very complex baggage. Both of them are trying to protect their families, but at the expense of their own personal lives. I thought it was ironic that one man's refuge is another man's prison: Alexander found escape and enjoyment in doing the math problems that Lydia creates -- and Lydia has cloistered herself in the world of mathematics.
Every encounter, every conversation chipped away at their armors, leaving them vulnerable to one another -- but, they learn that, being thus exposed makes them stronger and not weaker.
"Tell me what you want and you can have the locket back."
She spun around, her skin reddening with anger. "How dare you manipulate me!"
"It's a fair trade."
"It is not. No trade is fair when the winner also loses."
"What does that mean?"
"It means you haven't a care for either of the things being exchanged," Lydia said. "The locket means nothing to you and everything to me. My wishes mean nothing to you and everything to me. So I tell you what you want to hear and win the locket back, but I've still lost, haven't I? You've still gotten what you want."
- pp. 59
There is also another layer in the story -- the mysterious "C" and his correspondences with Lydia's sister Jane. He peers into the domestic lives of Lydia, Jane and their grandmother with seeming omniscience and adds an edge of suspense and danger to the story. I kept wondering who he was and what he wanted with Lydia and her family.
Lydia's pursuit of the locket, the mystery man, and interesting supporting characters (Jane and Alexander's father are my favorites) make this a fascinating read that I couldn't put down.
I love Math and this book rekindled a bit of my puzzle-solving self. And this is why readers of historical romances should give this a try: Nina Rowan blends the unlikely combination of mathematics and romance and came up with a winner of a book.
A Study in Seduction is the debut novel of Nina Rowan and the first book in her Daring Hearts series. The second book, A Passion for Pleasure
I read this book as part of the Reading Romances 2013 Challenge for March as well as the Romance Reading Challenge 2013 hosted by Nadia@The Bookworm.
Interesting! I love an intellectual heroine and particularly love the idea that she's a mathematician. And thanks for the heads-up about a debut author - always great to find a new voice! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I need to grab a copy of this one. :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Sarah! Hi Melissa!
ReplyDeleteThank you both for your comments! I was also attracted to the heroine and her talent in Math.
I hope you will enjoy this book as much as I did. ^_^
Have a great day!
I'm not sure how I feel about characters with "complex" baggage, but the mathematics angle definitely sounds intriguing. Great review :).
ReplyDelete- Chris
Lydia and Alexander sound like great characters. Math and romance? You've peaked my interest. Great review.
ReplyDeleteqihang1010,uggs boots on sale
ReplyDeletemulberry handbags
hermes belt
football shoes
fake oakleys
longchamp handbags
ed hardy uk
ralph lauren outlet
air max 90
michael kors outlet online
air max
coach factory outlet
rolex watches
ralph lauren polos shirts
replica watches
tod's shoes
louboutin
christian louboutin
http://www.uggbootsdirect.com
ugg outlet
snapbacks wholesale
christian louboutin uk
longchamp
louis vuitton borse
oakley sunglases cheap
kate spade uk
cheap jordans
nike store uk
ed hardy clothing
ray ban sunglasses outlet
toms shoes
true religion outlet
sac longchamp
canada goose outlet
tommy hilfiger outlet
q
crx123
ReplyDeletenike store,nike outlet store not christian louboutin shoes,red bottoms nike,zapatillas nike giuseppe shoes,giuseppe shoes only katespade,kate spade outlet online swarovski crystal,swarovski jewelry lululemon,lululemon australia have roshe run,roshe run ray ban wayfarer,ray bans ralph lauren,ralph lauren released nike free run,free run vans,vans shoes ray bans,ray ban sunglasses outlet 2 ray ban sunglasses outlet,ray ban outlet converse,converse chucks michael kors outlet online,michael kors bags quality handbags outlet,designer handbags barbour jackets,barbour outlet mcm handbags,mcm bags studio ugg boots clearance,ugg australia tommy hilfiger,www.tommyhilfiger.nl true religion outlet,true religion jeans women albums retro jordans,jordan release dates cheap oakley,oakley sunglasses mac cosmetics,maccosmetics.com with ray ban,rayban oakley,oakley gucci mens shoes,gucci outlet a ralph lauren polo,polo ralph lauren nike,nike store prada shoes,prada outlet third wedding dresses,wedding dresses moncler jackets,moncler outlet online vans shoes,vans outlet in hilfiger outlet,tommy hilfiger outlet stores burberry uk,burberry uk polo ralph lauren,ralph lauren outlet online its oakley sunglasses,cheap oakleynike free,nike free 5.0mont blanc pens,mont blanc pens
replica watches
ReplyDeletetory burch outlet online
coach outlet online
replica handbags
cheap ugg boots
true religion outlet
mulberry outlet
true religion outlet
swarovski outlet
mulberry sale
toms outlet
burberry outlet
nike outlet
oakley sunglasses
louis vuitton outlet
hermes birkin
nike huarache
montblanc pens
coach outlet
louis vuitton outlet
hermes outlet
polo ralph lauren
cheap oakley sunglasses
kobe bryant shoes
kate spade handbags
asics
michael kors outlet
chanel handbags
football shirts
kate spade handbags
michael kors wholesale
cheap nfl jerseys
ralph lauren polo
prada shoes
swarovski jewelry
ray ban sunglasses
swarovski crystal
michael kors outlet
burberry outlet
beats by dre
cai20160126
jianbin0222
ReplyDeleteinstyler ionic styler
michael kors uk outlet
michael kors uk
cheap nfl jerseys
cheap mlb jerseys
michael kors online outlet
adidas wings
adidas outlet store
michael kors outlet
michael kors outlet online
longchamp handbags
michael kors factory outlet
louis vuitton outlet store
cheap nba jerseys
cheap nfl jersey
michael kors outlet online
nike trainers
michael kors outlet
jordan shoes
adidas outlet
nike air max
prada outlet online
mac cosmetics
coach outlet canada
links of london
chicago blackhawks
michael kors handbags
mulberry outlet
air max 90
louis vuitton outlet
rolex watches
michael kors handbags outlet
michael kors outlet
0504wangjuan
ReplyDeletebabyliss flat iron
air max 90
mulberry uk
jordan shoes 2015
louis vuitton bags
nike air force 1
polo ralph lauren
rolex watches
true religion canada
ralph lauren outlet
toms shoes
fitflops clearance
mulberry handbags
hollister uk
christian louboutin outlet
juicy couture tracksuit
kate spade uk
timberland shoes
adidas wings shoes
prada outlet
ferragamo outlet
michael kors factory outlet
tory burch shoes
mulberry handbags
true religion outlet uk
gucci outlet
bottega veneta outlet online
oakley sunglasses
ralph lauren outlet
air jordan shoes
ralph lauren polo shirts
ReplyDeletemichael kors outlet
oakley sunglasses outlet
burberry outlet online
vans outlet
coach outlet store online
adidas trainers men
nike outlet
hermes belt
adidas yeezy
chenyingying20170318
Thank you for joining us. his article is very helpful
ReplyDeletePengobatan Alami Penyakit vertigo
Obat Maag Alami
Obat Penambah Berat Badan
Cara Mengobati Penyakit Kista
Cara Mengobati Sesak Napas Alami
Tips Obat Tradisional Gagal Jantung