Publisher: Avon
Date published: January 2009
ISBN: 978-006-123493-4
Regency Romance
Paperback
Reviewed by Pam
Julian Southwood, Earl of Erith has returned to London from his diplomatic post, to help with his daughter, Lady Roma’s wedding. He’s also hoping to make amends for his neglect of her and her brother since his wife died. Old habits don’t die, and he’s used to having a woman waiting for him, so he goes in search of a mistress to keep him company until he returns overseas.
Miss Olivia Raines is experienced at servicing her patrons, her only refuge is with Lord Montjoy, a man who prefers his own sex. It has always caused gossip when she returns each time a liaison is finished. The Ton also wonders why and how, a courtesan could draw so many admirers. Olivia has few true friends, but many dark secrets.
Julian is drawn to her from across the room, he wants her far more than he’s ever wanted a woman before, so much, even he can’t understand why he’s drawn to her. He is determined to claim her as his, but all wonder is he willing to pay her price. Between her secrets and society’s rules, do they have a chance at love or will they both be destroyed?
Ms. Campbell has delved yet again into the dark side of society in the Regency era. She explores the life and rules everyone is expected to adhere to. There’s also the pain inflicted on children by thoughtless parents, a pain which moulds them into something else. The rake reformed is used in a different way from the usual tale, in this complex story of lust and desires. The characters are interesting and very different from the usual romps behind closed doors. The sex scenes are very explicit, but tastefully displayed as is the description of the statues in Montjoys’ house.
The plot is complex and compelling as what lays behind the bland exterior expressions is slowly unveiled. The world sees Olivia as wicked, but the real villain, the person who made her this way is dead, as is the male who bartered her body. She has many secrets as does Julian, a man who has punished himself for over a decade. But the question whether will he push her to the edge, deal with the devil or win his prize is what kept this reviewer reading.
Date published: January 2009
ISBN: 978-006-123493-4
Regency Romance
Paperback
Reviewed by Pam
Julian Southwood, Earl of Erith has returned to London from his diplomatic post, to help with his daughter, Lady Roma’s wedding. He’s also hoping to make amends for his neglect of her and her brother since his wife died. Old habits don’t die, and he’s used to having a woman waiting for him, so he goes in search of a mistress to keep him company until he returns overseas.
Miss Olivia Raines is experienced at servicing her patrons, her only refuge is with Lord Montjoy, a man who prefers his own sex. It has always caused gossip when she returns each time a liaison is finished. The Ton also wonders why and how, a courtesan could draw so many admirers. Olivia has few true friends, but many dark secrets.
Julian is drawn to her from across the room, he wants her far more than he’s ever wanted a woman before, so much, even he can’t understand why he’s drawn to her. He is determined to claim her as his, but all wonder is he willing to pay her price. Between her secrets and society’s rules, do they have a chance at love or will they both be destroyed?
Ms. Campbell has delved yet again into the dark side of society in the Regency era. She explores the life and rules everyone is expected to adhere to. There’s also the pain inflicted on children by thoughtless parents, a pain which moulds them into something else. The rake reformed is used in a different way from the usual tale, in this complex story of lust and desires. The characters are interesting and very different from the usual romps behind closed doors. The sex scenes are very explicit, but tastefully displayed as is the description of the statues in Montjoys’ house.
The plot is complex and compelling as what lays behind the bland exterior expressions is slowly unveiled. The world sees Olivia as wicked, but the real villain, the person who made her this way is dead, as is the male who bartered her body. She has many secrets as does Julian, a man who has punished himself for over a decade. But the question whether will he push her to the edge, deal with the devil or win his prize is what kept this reviewer reading.
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