THE ULTIMATE SEDUCTION Paperback

I loved this book because it deviated from the cookie cutter Harlequin Presents in several ways while packing in more than the usual sizzle and emotion.This book starts out at an an anonymous gentleman's club where everyone wears masks.The heroine, who has much scarring over her face and body,is able to shed her inhibitions and get carried away with a handsome masked stranger because she can hide her scars with her mask and evening gown.There are plenty of repercussions the next day however, when the two inadvertently meet again, discover each other's true identities, and the masks come off. I also love the ending (not your typical Harlequin ending).

The Ultimate Seduction by Dani Collins is the second book in her The 21st Century Gentleman's Club series. This is a very sexy romance of two people, hardened by a tragic past and both very different, that are drawn to each other sexually, but with no chance of a future.We meet our heroine, Tiffany Davis in the beginning. Tiffany has spent the last few years recovering from a tragic accident that killed her husband on her wedding day, leaving her with horrendous scars, both physically and emotionally. She has had much surgery to fix some of her disfigurement, and now she knows she must begin to go out in public again, especially now that she is charge of a conglomerate her husband left her. Tiffany is very conscious of her scars, and tries to cover some of it with makeup. Her family is also wealthy, and well known, as her father is pushing his own political career. With the President of a small country visiting, her family insists she attend a private masquerade party to meet the president and convince him to allow her company to help him make his mark in the United States. Tiffany does not want to go out to a public event, but is pushed to do so. The fact that it is a masquerade ball, makes it easier.Ryzard Vrbancic is our hero, and is the President of Bregnovia. When he visits America, he often attends these events to meet privately with those who could help his country. When Ryzard sees this masked woman enter the ball, he is immediately mesmerized. What follows is a night of wild hot scorching sex between two people who had much to hide in the darkness of their room. Tiffany allowed herself to be succumbed by this stranger (not knowing he was the man she was to meet), as it built her confidence that someone was attracted to her. Ryzard was enamored by Tiffany and was determined to find out who she was. He could not get her out of her mind.In a short time, Ryzard finds Tiffany and doesn’t allow her to cover up her face. To him she is beautiful with some battle scars. Of course, living life in a small country driven by war and revolution, Ryzard has seen much destruction. His heart though is frozen, by a memory of lost love, and this prevents him from ever falling in love again.What we have are two people emotionally damaged, both deeply attracted to each other, as the sexual chemistry between them extremely volatile. Ryzard takes Tiffany with him, at first just to spend time on his boat, but then he brings her to the countries he is visiting, not letting her go. Tiffany finds herself falling in love with Ryzard, the man she originally felt contempt as she thought of him as a dictator. She learns differently that he is good man, who wants best for his country and his people. But Tiffany fears that Ryzard is using her to get her father to help him become accepted in the United States.This is a very emotional romance of two people who come from different backgrounds, yet both need to rise above their emotional scars. The romance was very nice, and I did root for Tiffany and Ryzard to find a way to get past their deep issues. I sympathized with Tiffany throughout, as she was in a horrible position to overcome. Ryzard, though he was so good to Tiffany, helping her, his determination to not take their relationship to the next level was a bit annoying. Will Ryzard open his heart permanently to Tiffany?Dani Collins has written a very nice and emotional storyline that was very real. The romance between Tiffany and Ryzard was extremely sexual, with a lot of sex scenes throughout. Overall, this was a very good story.

♡♡♡♡♡

I just have to add my 2 cents worth..........This is a must read. The author does not follow a typical HP format, which is refreshing. It has a nice pace and keeps the reader wanting to "read just one more page" before going to bed. I ended up reading it at one sitting.The only down side to me (and this is why I gave it 4 stars) is that the H had "one true love" and he promised to remain faithful to her (it is unknown if he said that to her at her funeral or when she was alive). He wouldn't be celibate, but no other woman would have a place in his heart. He repeats these words several times throughout the book. In fact, he has her name (there were other words with her name, but I don't recall if he ever said what??) tattoed on his chest, his catamaran is named after her, there is a huge bronze statute of her in the courtyard at the presidential palace that he salutes to every morning by kissing his fingers then pointing his hand (palm towards, fingers up) to the statue, there is a huge picture of her in the sitting room at the presidential palace, AND he keeps a picture of the two of them on horses by his bed. He truly adored/loved/worshipped this woman. Why would any woman want a man like this? I wouldn't. I want a man to be like he is with Luiza to me, not another woman. The way the author wrapped it up at the end is he tells the h that he is a different man now then what he was when Luiza was alive and that's how he can love her along with loving Luiza. That's it, nothing more. He's just a different man now. WHAT????? Really? He told the h he loved her, but it seemed so luke warm to me. Very disappointing. I wondered how the author was going to get him to confess his love after all the times he went on and on and on about Luiza.The h was in a bad car crash due to her husband (and her) being plastered. He crashes, dies, she burns and has horrendous scars over half her face/body. While at Q Virtus, she has 2 rums and is a little drunk, then ends up sleeping with the H. One would think she would avoid alcohol after losing her husband and being burned so severely. Go figure!One last comment, the Q Virtus sounds like a den of iniquity - a very expensive whorehouse, except the sex is free! Yuck!

I love and adore all of her books but this story so touched my heart. Exquisitely written....a very special book! Bravo Dani!

Possible Spoilers aheadTiffany has spent years healing from the crash that killed her husband and left her horribly scared. She has all but become a recluse to hide from the looks she receives in public. Ryzard Vrbancic lead his country in an uprising against their ruling and is now president. He will do anything to get global recognition of his country.The only reason Tiffany gives in to her brother and fathers insistence that she meet with Ryzard at the ultra private club Q Virtus is because everyone will be masked. No one will see her scares. At the club Tiffany allows herself to relax for the first time in her life, hidden behind her mask.As a relationship blooms between the two she must learn to face life, not hide from her appearance. Ryzard has to battle his own demons and decide if he can let go of is first love and move on.

Good

Enjoyable - a good story to read on a rainy day with chocolates and a good fire

i

I had brought this hoping that it would be about a strong career woman dealing with finding love after a disfigurement but it was not like that. The female character was another M&B character was tough inside but her interactions with all the male (and only male) characters made her over emotional. Books like this are what sassy best friends are for! The revolutionary back story is well drawn and recognisable. Ok but I would loved to see this with more sparing.