The Lady Winter, rumored to be a Black Widow with two husbands already dead early in their marriages. Treated as a pawn by men who would use her, she has learned to exert her control and independence subtly, through seduction and subterfuge. Manipulated by her ruthless stepfather, she will do anything to rescue her young sister from her own fate. Now both her stepfather and an agent of the Crown have set her against the notorious Christopher St. John, and Maria's very life depends on her abil...

The Lady Winter, rumored to be a Black Widow with two husbands already dead early in their marriages. Treated as a pawn by men who would use her, she has learned to exert her control and independence subtly, through seduction and subterfuge. Manipulated by her ruthless stepfather, she will do anything to rescue her young sister from her own fate. Now both her stepfather and an agent of the Crown have set her against the notorious Christopher St. John, and Maria's very life depends on her ability to ferret proof of the handsome rogue's misdeeds.

But another agent of the Crown has blackmailed St. John into investigating the mysterious and beautiful Lady Maria Winter and the deaths of her two husbands - both of whom happened to be agents of the Crown themselves. If he can prove her guilt, he saves his own neck from the gallows. But all bets are off when he finally meets the dark beauty, and he finds her more dangerous than he ever anticipated - to his heart.

From the moment I read my first Sylvia Day story in the anthology Alluring Tales--Awaken the Fantasy (Avon Red) , I was a fan. Since then, I've read many of this author's books and purchased still more that I'm itching to find time to read. It is a wonderful moment for me when I receive one of her books for review, because not only do I know her books always earn a positive review, which is easier to write, but that means I get to prioritize her book in my reading pile!

Passion For the Game quickly earned its place as my favorite Sylvia Day title to date. While I have loved all of her books, something about this one just completely did it for me. The plot, the characters, all of it served to hook me from the beginning and refused to let me go until the end. Nay, I can't even say it has released me now, since I can't stop thinking about the sequels to this marvelous book I know are coming!

Both St. John and Lady Winter are people who find themselves the victim of their circumstances, but neither are the type to allow themselves to be cast as victims, and they each soon take control of the situation, butting heads in the most delightfully sexy ways. Watching these two strong-willed personalities `duke it out' both in and out of the bedroom makes for a gripping story you won't be able to put down until the end!

I have to tell you, however, that I was quite upset at the end of Chapter Four. It was my own fault, really, though. You see, I like to read during my lunch hour. I had the great misfortune to reach the end of Chapter Four as my lunch ended one day, and there I was, stuck at work for another five hours with the heroine standing near-naked in the hallway with the hero completely naked in his doorway. I seriously considered whether or not I could go home for the rest of the day so I could read the rest of the book - and I don't ever play hooky! Alas, I stuck out the rest of the day, although my mind kept wandering back to Passion for the Game and the heat that I could feel spilling from those pages when I left our intrepid couple. I headed straight home from work that evening, and immediately devoured the rest of the book. I even forgot to eat dinner that night, I was so consumed with this story.

I don't care if you love historicals or not, this is a fantastic story that is a must-read for Romance lovers. While set in historical time, the period is not the focus of the piece, and it is easy to imagine this pair of lovers in any era, fighting the same sexy battle. Do yourself a huge favor and run right out to get your copy of Passion for the Game. You will not be disappointed!

Series Order:
Ask For It
Passion for the Game
A Passion for Him

Listening to the twist and turns of their love affair made me wish that the book was longer ... Just so you enjoy the two of their banter and intense love. Christopher had truly met his match in Maria. I love how powerful and confident Maria is. She is such a likable character you really want her to gain control of her life. She is fearless and willing to do whatever it takes to free her sister. From the last book (Ask For It), you know that Christopher is a fierce pirate who has nothing to l...

Listening to the twist and turns of their love affair made me wish that the book was longer ... Just so you enjoy the two of their banter and intense love. Christopher had truly met his match in Maria. I love how powerful and confident Maria is. She is such a likable character you really want her to gain control of her life. She is fearless and willing to do whatever it takes to free her sister. From the last book (Ask For It), you know that Christopher is a fierce pirate who has nothing to loose, since his brother was killed. He however takes care of his people building great loyalty. The two provide such intensity, I am amazed that the pages do not catch on fire. I also enjoyed the innocent love story of Colin and Amelia, which contrast and accents Maria and Christopher's relationship. But Simon Quinn has to be one of my favorite characters. Nothing can hold that Irishman down. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Curiosity compelled me to pick up this book - - because after reading my very first S. Day novel (Bared to you) which was nothing more than a condensed, plagarized copy of "Fifty Shades of Gray", I vowed never to read another Sylvia Day novel again. Well, so much for "vows" to selective reading material. Needing something desperately to read, I gave Ms. Day another chance...and....WOW! I wish I read this book first. I wish I never picked up "Bared to You" first, because reading that book kept...

Curiosity compelled me to pick up this book - - because after reading my very first S. Day novel (Bared to you) which was nothing more than a condensed, plagarized copy of "Fifty Shades of Gray", I vowed never to read another Sylvia Day novel again. Well, so much for "vows" to selective reading material. Needing something desperately to read, I gave Ms. Day another chance...and....WOW! I wish I read this book first. I wish I never picked up "Bared to You" first, because reading that book kept me from indulging in Ms. Day's other, better and incredible romantic fiction.

This plot is so original and jump starts with a bang! Well, at least it did for me - - pulled me in, captivated and held me prisoner until the finale. Character descriptions are strong and pronounced with perfect connection. I ended up feeling like I knew these characters (Maria/Christopher), almost on a personal level. I absolutely loved these two incredibly strong, well defined characters...as well as Simon too! Whudda great supporting character Simon is.

For all Christopher St. John's strength, power and control, I loved how a wisp of a woman in the form of Lady Maria Winter, completely took Christopher by force, confusing and totally setting him off his "game".. Her mere presence arrests and freezes him time and time again - - which in turn confuses him all the more! He unravels around her....and Maria reacts the same way to Christopher no matter how hard she tries to circumvent such reactions. They are equals never before found. Gawd, whudda story...whudda ending..(fanning m'self!)

Mahvelous intrigue, blackmail, spies and kidnapping. Mahvelous interludes and delicious capitulation. This whole story was frikkin' deliciously MAHvelous.

I never miss a Sylvia Day historical. She is my favorite and has been for a long time. I usually do not reread many books but hers I most definitely do. This one about Maria and Christopher had a lot of intrigue as she was considered a murderess and he a pirate. They were on opposite sides and tasked with turning each other in to the authorities. But, they fell in love. Sylvia sure knows how to write a great love story. And Simon - goodness - what a man. Can't wait to read his story in "Don't...

I never miss a Sylvia Day historical. She is my favorite and has been for a long time. I usually do not reread many books but hers I most definitely do. This one about Maria and Christopher had a lot of intrigue as she was considered a murderess and he a pirate. They were on opposite sides and tasked with turning each other in to the authorities. But, they fell in love. Sylvia sure knows how to write a great love story. And Simon - goodness - what a man. Can't wait to read his story in "Don't Tempt Me". Never was there a hotter hero!!! Any of Ms Day's books are on my "Not to be missed!!" list.

Sylvia doesn’t disappoint. This was a well written story and very enjoyable to read. I fell in love with Lady Winter from the very beginning and kept falling more in love as the book went on. I loved her spice and sass especially in a time when neither was commonplace. Most especially for a woman.

I love the man that is outside of the “suitable suitors”. I like the underdog. How could I not love a pirate? At first I wasn’t so sure but it wasn’t long until we knew they would be together and...

Sylvia doesn’t disappoint. This was a well written story and very enjoyable to read. I fell in love with Lady Winter from the very beginning and kept falling more in love as the book went on. I loved her spice and sass especially in a time when neither was commonplace. Most especially for a woman.

I love the man that is outside of the “suitable suitors”. I like the underdog. How could I not love a pirate? At first I wasn’t so sure but it wasn’t long until we knew they would be together and to just hold on and find out where all of the pieces would fall into place.

Great read. Definitely recommend.