Irresistible by Mary Balogh

[romantical]

This was the last of the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" series, although I haven't read the other two.

I believe I have only read one other Mary Balogh novel. It seems that both have several scenes of explicit sex and they are so central to the story. In fact, it seems to occupy the minds of the hero and heroine exceedingly (in both books). In this one, it seems it might have occupied the author's mind as well, for another character, who happens to be the hero's cousin, becomes his niece for a while, before reverting back to being his cousin.

Not that I have anything against sex in these books, but I prefer the sweeter ones - more in line with Georgette Heyer. What I have noticed about the sex scenes in these novels are that they do not involve "innocents". This is not the case for some other writers. To be consistent with the Regency era's polite rules, "innocents" should remain "innocents" - though we know some broke the rules and many of them were ostracised for it.

I enjoyed the book, apart from the distractions above. Our hero, Nathaniel Gascoigne, and heroine, Sophia Armitage, were both likable and sympathetic characters. However, I liked Lavinia Bergland and Eden, Lord Pelham, the hero and heroine of the secondary romance much more.

Synopsis: Nathaniel brings his sister, Georgina, and cousin, Lavinia, to London for their first season. He is joined by his friends, named "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" during their war days. They meet up with Sophie, the widow of one of their fellow officers and their very good friend. Unbeknownst to them, Sophie is being blackmailed by another former, but inferior, officer. It takes Lavinia to put the guys onto the right track.

[shanerm09]

My teacher in High School also read that story with us during our discussion on our subject Coursework literature. That was already 4 years ago but i did not forgot the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are described in the Book of Revelation. They will ride during the Apocalypse when the seven seals are opened, resulting death and destruction on a vast scale.