Holly‘s review of Song of Seduction
Tormented by guilt. Haunted by scandal. Freed by love.
Austria, 1804
Eight years ago, composer Arie De Voss claimed his late mentor’s final symphony as his own and became an icon. But fame has a price: fear of discovery now poisons his attempts to compose a redemptive masterpiece. Until a new muse appears, intoxicating and inspiring him…
Mathilda Heidel renounced her own musical gift to marry, seeking a quiet life to escape the shame surrounding her birth. Sudden widowhood finds her tempted by song once more. An unexpected introduction to her idol, Arie De Voss, renews Mathilda’s passion for the violin–and ignites a passion for the man himself.
But when lust and lies reach a crescendo, Arie will be forced to choose: love or truth?
I’ve always been fascinated by musicians – true musicians, who live and breath musical notes. My brother is the type to always have some kind of music running through his body – his hands always moving in some strange, unconscious rhythm. Having grown up with that kind of unending musical energy – that can be both fascinating and frustrating – I think Lofty perfectly captured it.
Arie De Voss is a troubled, guilt-ridden musician struggling to shed the burdens of his past. The symphony he’s become famous for is not his own. His guilt overwhelms him, threatening his sanity. He is conflicted – he craves public acceptance, yet scorns fame and fortune. He wants only to be redeemed, something he can never be without revealing to all his shameful secret. When he meets Mathilda, he knows the first moments of peace in almost a decade. But they are overshadowed by his fear of discovery and – as his feelings for her grow – his fear of losing Mathilda.
Matilda has been shunning her gift for four long years. She is a prodigy, a virtuoso with an amazing gift for playing the violin. But she represses her gift, because she fears the passion her parents succumbed to. Once she meets Arie she has no choice but to resume. His music calls to her, and he, as a man, fascinates her. And once she picks up her violin, she can no longer deny that part of herself. She was just as conflicted and tormented as Arie, though for different reasons. She denies her musical ability because she hates the stares and whispers that accompany her gift.
Watching the two of them open up to each other was beautiful. Both characters are flawed, yet lovable. The deception Arie has been perpetuating should make us despise him, yet he’s a sympathetic character. Mathilda, too, was a sympathetic character, despite being closed off emotionally and residing just this side of martyrdom. I think their flaws are what give them such depth, and enhance the music in them to such an elevated degree.
The book encompasses everything I find fascinating about musicians and wraps them in a beautiful melody of angst, pain, betrayal, acceptance and love. I was thoroughly enchanted by everything about this novel, from the flawed characters to the flawless writing.
5 out of 5
Leave a comment on this post telling us why you’re excited to read Song of Seduction, and you’ll be entered to win a free download! Contest ends Monday, June 14, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. (Please note: Song of Seduction is available in digital format only, and all contest prizes will be in ebook format.)
This book is available from Carina Press. You can buy it here
I’ve heard such good things about this author and haven’t had a chance to try her yet. This story sounds different from the norm which is always a plus. Please count me in!
oo, oo please enter me. I love books where the main characters are artistic in some way. I teach music so absolutely love when the main characters are musicians. this book sounds really good and I would love to be entered in the contest.
@In the Hammock Blog: Today SONG OF SEDUCTION is one of ten books helping to launch Carina Press, Harlequin’s new digital-first imprint. There may be plans to release it in the future as a print edition, but for now Carina is focusing on the launch, as well as proving the feasibility of e-book publishing in romantic fiction. It’s an exciting thing to be a part of! I hope you check it out.
@Kaetrin and @Kris: Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoy my latest.
I’m excited to read this book because of the totally non-standard setting!
Having read Carrie’s other books, I’d want to read her newest, but I, too, am always drawn to romances featuring characters who are artists of any kind, not having those abilities myself. Also, flawed characters, and the different setting.
You don’t read much about musicians in HR, and am really looking forward to reading about these characters, the setting and how these two will reach their HEA
After reading What a Scoundrel Wants & Scoundral’s Kiss.. these will be auto buys. I’ve read few historicals that were such a perfect mesh.. If you haven’t read them yet get them as well. Can’t wait to read Song of Seduction .. have been waiting for a chance.. So Thank you so much for giving everyone a chance to get this book.. I have my fingers crossed tight..
good luck everyone, but I hope I win.. lol
ioki_jo at hotmail dot com
There seems to be a lot of really good reviews for this book around making me want to read it, but mainly I’m excited about the different setting.
I’m really excited about this book! All these reviews I’m reading makes me want to take off work early and just sit down and read with a nice cup of coffee. And to those who don’t own kindles, I really recommend booksonboard.com to get ebooks that DON’T make you have a certain device in order to read it.