Archive for March 16th, 2010

Review: Lessons From a Scarlet Lady

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

Lessons From a Scarlet Lady
Author: Emma Wildes
Publisher: NAL / Signet Eclipse
Pub. Date: January 5, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0451228796
Retail Price: $6.99
336 pages

The Duke of Rolthven’s new wife, Brianna, is the perfect aristocratic bride. So what would society say if they saw her with a copy of Lady Rothburg’s Advice–a courtesan’s lessons for the boudoir? When his innocent wife suddenly becomes a vixen in the bedroom, the proper Duke is truly astounded by her seductive powers. Following a courtesan’s advice might lead to trouble-but will it lead to Brianna’s ultimate desire: winning her husband’s love?

~*~*~


Emma Wildes takes the historical romance genre and adds a touch of erotic. Lessons From a Scarlet Lady is an intriguing read that begins with one heck of a steamy sex scene!

Having never read Wildes previous novel,  An Indecent Proposition, I wasn’t quite sure what I was about to read. At the start, we’re introduced to Brianna Northfield (newly married to Colton Northfield, Duke of Rolthven) who is attempting to seduce her prim and proper husband by wearing a very revealing gown to the opera… And succeeds.  We soon learn that Brianna has acquired a book of advice on seducing a man and pleasing him sexually in all types of manners.

The storyline also introduces Colton’s brothers Robert and Damien as well as Brianna’s closest friends, married Arabella Smythe and single Rebecca Marston.   I found that as the story went on the main focus shifts to a budding love between Robert and Rebecca, and the storyline with Brianna and Colton, while still being important, fades into the background.  Wildes shift in focus still keeps Brianna and Colton in play through group interactions and very detailed, borderline erotic love scenes.  The scandalous book also changes hands, allowing the reader to follow both Brianna and Rebecca, as they explore its advice. There are also tidbits from the book at the start of each chapter, allowing the reader to gather a bit more of what the book is all about aside from what the ladies are either discussing or putting into action.

In all the other historical romances I’ve read, the author will take her time to build sexual tension between the characters, allowing the reader to start to anticipate when the main characters will unite. Not Wildes! From the very beginning there are many steamy scenes, which I am perfectly fine with, but those readers who like gentle, less descriptive love scenes, beware!

The only issue I found with Lessons is that the main focus is shifted quite abruptly, and I found myself having to stop and gather my thoughts to follow along. It was surprising, as I was expecting to only follow Brianna and her trials, not both hers and Rebecca’s.

In the end, I found myself wanting more, much more. I wanted to know more about Robert and Rebecca’s story as well as the continuation of Brianna and Colton’s.  I certainly hope that Wildes has plans of revisiting them in the future! Emma if you are reading this, remember Damien still has a story to be told! :)

Rating: 7.5 (Good +)

Heat Level: 5-6 (Bordering on Erotic)

Buy Links: Book Depository ~ $5.99 | Diesel eBook Store – $4.57


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When to cry ‘Uncle’

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

I’ve adored many writers in my time. I’ve read and loved their books as they’ve taken me from the American West to the Regency ballrooms, and the medieval times through Georgian escapades. I would buy their books without bothering to read the back cover blurb because I trusted them. Trusted they would deliver a story and characters I could immerse myself in thoroughly for hours of reading pleasure.  I preferred some books more than others, which is completely normal, for every book can’t elicit the exact emotion.

Then one day I bought and read one of their books and was left…less than satisfied. Something in the book didn’t work for me. But hey, every author can’t deliver, what I consider, stellar reads every time, right? Next book is sure not to disappoint. My instant-buy author has only failed me this one time. They won’t fail me again. I’m sure of it.

Please, say it aint so. You're killing me!

Unfortunately, I’m proven wrong because next book doesn’t work for me either. What’s going on? Have they lost their mojo? Or maybe I’ve changed–something in my tastes have shifted? I go back and read one of their older books. Perhaps, I’ll discover it’s not as good as I thought it was. Nope, I read several older books and the magic is there. I’m just as captivated as I was when I read it the first and second time before.

I decide I’m once again going to give my much loved author the benefit of the doubt. Two strikes doesn’t put you out of the game. I’m sure the next book will have all the elements that drew me to her books to begin with.

And the next book…? Sigh, another strike.  What on earth is going on? Why isn’t she writing the kind of books I love anymore? Do I continue buying her books and pray that she’ll write the stories I’ve come to expect from her? When should I throw up the white flag and cry ‘Uncle’?

Have you ever had this happen to you–your favorite author starts writing books that you just don’t like? Whatever magic captivated you before is gone? The story, the characterization is different, and not to your liking? How many ‘duds’ do you permit before you stop buying their books completely?

When to cry 'Uncle' on your favourite author?

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