LORDS OF PASSION by Virginia Henley, Kate Pearce, Maggie Robinson

Publisher: Brava
Date published: November 2010
ISBN: 978-0758251077
Historical romance
Paperback
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by author


This very entertaining anthology starts with Virginia Henley’s Beauty and the Brute.

Charles and Sarah are married when they are young teens. Charles’ father had arranged the marriage so as to be able to pay off his gambling debts. They are then separated for three years. Both grow and learn and when they are reunited, Charles realizes he has a real jewel and now needs to court his own wife and earn her love.

This is a sensual story, a little predictable but nevertheless a fun story. I enjoyed the characters, I enjoyed the banter between them and I certainly enjoyed seeing Charles having to woo and court his wife. This was a sweet, sensual read and a nice story to start this anthology with.

Next up is Kate Pearce with How To Seduce A Wife. Louise is married to Nicolas. He is very kind, respectful and boring in bed. She wants to feel passion but is disappointed. Nicolas doesn’t want to be like his father who paraded his mistresses and bastards before his mother. He wants to be faithful to his wife. After a year of marriage, Louise confesses her desires. Nicolas is at first a bit put off, but he is determined to give his wife satisfaction.

This is a very sensual story. Nicolas does his very best to give his wife what she needs. This story had me squirming and wanting to take my own husband into the bedroom. It is certainly more sexually entertaining than the story before. I only had one little thing about this story. We are told that Nicolas was quite a wild young man and many women would love to be in his bed, so why is he having troubles with his wife? Apart from this question, I really did enjoy this story.

Lastly, Maggie Robinson offers us Not Quite A Courtesan. A young heiress is swept away and married into a family of swindlers. When the young man’s brother, Darius returns from his travels he meets the young heiress' cousin, Pru. He needs to unpack his treasures and sell them, she wants to help her cousin. They both end up getting not only what they want, but what they need.

Oh, this is another very sensual story. I loved it. I loved the characters, the plot. The banter between Darius and Pru was delightful. The secondary characters were entertaining and I just didn’t want this story to end.

I know that lovers of historical romance, who don’t mind a bit of spice in their stories will love this anthology. Three, very talented authors have penned some very clever tales that will keep you captivated and entertained for some very pleasant hours.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of the book.

Welcome to Maggie Robinson / Margaret Rowe's guest blog

Welcome Ms. Robinson to Love Romances and More, thank you for joining us.

Thanks so much for helping me celebrate my debut releases, Maggie Robinson’s Mistress by Mistake and Margaret Rowe’s Tempting Eden.

Did you always want to become a writer?

Nope. I always wanted to be a teacher. I taught everything from preschool to GED courses for young moms.

What is the most, and the least interesting fact about writing?

Most interesting? As my husband says, I’ve got a lot of squirrels running around my head, and they come up with some crazy, unexpected ideas. Least interesting? The squirrels can’t type, and neither can I.

How do you plan to celebrate your first book?

I might drink some cheap champagne, and then fall asleep early.

How did your family react to fact that you write romance novels? Have your family read your book?

They have been super-supportive, especially my husband who has gone without matching socks and dinner. My daughters and one son-in-law have read Mistress by Mistake. The youngest thinks it’s “outrageous,” but in a good way. She’s highlighting the naughty parts to read aloud to her friends in Boston.

Most authors are also avid readers. Is this the case with you? If so, who are some of your favorites? Have any influenced your writing?

I’ve always read a lot, but have cut back some because I’m reading my own stuff now. Georgette Heyer and Loretta Chase are my Ultimate Writing Goddesses.

Do you feel each of your characters live with you as you write? Do their lives sometimes take over a part of your life? Can you name an example? Do you have living role models for your characters?

My characters are strictly fictional, and most of the time they stay on their proper pages. But I have been known to dream about my heroes.

What do you consider to be the key elements of a great story?

Strong, sympathetic characters

Could you tell us a little about how you develop your characters? Who has been your favorite character to write? The most challenging?

I don’t really “develop” anything---I’m not a planner or a plotter. My characters surprise me right up until the last page. The most challenging was definitely Eden in Margaret Rowe’s June 1 Berkley Heat debut Tempting Eden. We put each other through hell.

Do you feel your writing is character driven or plot driven? How do you balance these two elements?

I’m all about the characters, although they frequently have to battle some external force near the end of the books.


Where do you get the inspirations for your books?

Those pesky, providential squirrels.

Do you find it difficult at times to write love scenes?

My agent kept writing MORE in red on my manuscripts. I’m way better now.

Do you have a problem with deadlines and have you ever suffered a writers block?

I’m extremely punctual in real life and writing. I usually turn books in early. But that means I’m up at 4 AM writing before I go to work. When the words aren’t flowing fast, I still tinker and revise.

Do you prefer stand-alone books or series (As a reader or a writer)?

I love connected books. Mistress by Mistake is the first of a trilogy.


If you could change places with one character from your book, who would it be and why?

The heroine Frederica Wells from Margaret Rowe’s Any Wicked Thing (Berkley Heat, January 2011) is a brilliant medieval scholar who lives in a remote castle with a really, really hot duke. Just call me Freddie.

What is your favorite book from the books that you have written so far? Who are your favorite hero and heroine, and why?

I love all four of my kids and all of my books equally. I have to say that, or they’ll come after me, fictional characters included.


Would you like to give another genre a try?

I might, but I feel really comfy writing historical romance.

Which book was the hardest to write and which the easiest?

Tempting Eden is dark and edgy and really stretched me as a writer. Mistress by Mistake was pure fun.

If you could choose of your books for a movie, which one would it be and who would you as the cast?

I have a book from Kensington Brava tentatively scheduled for early 2012, tentatively call Master of Sin. It’s set on a Scottish island, so the scenery would be gorgeous, and could star Simon Baker and Keira Knightly.

What do you feel is the most important aspect a new author should remember when writing/creating their own stories? Any advice for aspiring authors?

Just keep writing, learn as much as you can, connect with other aspiring writers and be patient.

Have you ever been nervous over reader reaction when a new book come out? How much does reader response mean to you over your books? What do you hope readers get from your books after they read them?

I’m sick to my stomach right now. ;) I hope readers love my characters as much as I do and feel that with love, anything becomes possible.

What season is your favorite and why?

Fall. I’m an October baby, and I love the crunch and color of the leaves.

What would we find on your bookcase if we looked? What is one of your favorite authors?

Lots of romances and research books. Too many favorite authors to list just one!

What makes a good book to you?

I like to laugh and cry.

How does reader feedback matter to you?

Absolutely. To keep growing as a writer I need to touch the reader.

If you could travel through time to visit a special time period or famous person, what or who would it be and why?

For research purposes, I’d love to visit Regency England.


What is your favorite movie of all time? The one where you can watch it and still get affected at the same spots each and every time?

I love Love Actually, particularly the fractured Portuguese scene with Colin Firth.


What is your favorite way to relax after a hard day working and writing?

Curling up with a good book or my husband.


Do you listen to music while you are writing and if so what music is it?

I get too distracted when I write, so my room is quiet. But I sing along to country music in my car.

Big congrats to your latest release, can you please tell us something about the book?

Tempting Eden: A perfect gentleman meets the imperfect woman who makes him forget all his good intentions. It’s an erotic Regency Noir filled with secrets and seduction.

Mistress by Mistake: Straight-laced spinster meets straight-up rake. It’s a sensual romp where two people seem to share nothing in common but passion.


Are you working on anything right now, and can you tell us a teaser about these projects?

I’ve got a total of eight books coming out in the next couple of years—six novels and two novellas. I’m working on a proposal right now, but it’s too new to talk about.

Contest: One lucky commenter will win Mistress by Mistake OR Tempting Eden (winner's choice)