Kindle Edition Expected publication: December 19th 2011 by Carina Press
As the wife of the elderly Earl of March, Olivia Covington has never known the intimacies of the bedroom. Though her curiosity is piqued by the shocking whispers of society ladies, she is too wary of causing scandal to indulge in an affair. But Tristan Knightley, Earl of Newcastle, tempts her to throw off propriety.
Tristan wants Olivia for his own, and has sworn off all others until he can rid himself of the obsession. He is sure once he has a taste, he will tire of her, and can return to his rakish existence. Unable to wait to have her in his bed, he invites her for a tryst at Lady Seductress's Ball...
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My Review:
First of all, this book includes explicit sex scenes and so it is not recommended for those under 18 years of age. So, with that out of the way...
The book starts with one of the many lascivous dreams Olivia, the Countess of March, has been having. And the main star is always the gorgeous rakehell Tristan, the Earl of Newcastle.
Olivia is suffering from what she calls 'amatory deficiency'. She yearns for a lover's hot touch and caress. All the things she's been hearing about in the ladies' retiring rooms. She craves and fantasizes for the attention and pleasure her sick, older husband hasn't been able to give her. She also regrets marrying him only to please her parents and to make their dying wish come true.
During her first dinner party, organized to celebrate her husband's recovery from a recent illness, she gets to meet Lord Tristan Newcastle. The tension becomes obvious and the sparks start to fly. After a brief rendezvous in the gardens they realize they cannot deny their desires anymore.
Olivia's husband, Henry, falls ill yet again. As he lays in bed dying, she receives a note from Tristan. It's an invitation for the Lady Seductress's Ball. The perfect place to enjoy any and all libidinous adventures, "where clothing is but a waste"...
Let me tell you something. This book made me crave quite a few things... LOL, including strawberries and honey. ;P
I really enjoyed the writing and how easily it flowed. The scenes were very hot, without being too much, and I liked the way romance blossomed from all that lust. You also get to see the couple's POVs, which is always nice.
What bothered me a bit (but not overly much, mind you), was that, given the time period the story was set in, there were a few words and expressions that didn't quite fit. If you overlook it, you'll enjoy it immensely. It doesn't get in the way, really, but I've been reading a lot of historical romances lately, so I couldn't help but notice. Yeah, I'm annoying like that.
Oh, by the way, the summary gives you the idea that the heroine was a virgin (which irks me tremendously. Why do all heroines HAVE to be virgins? Geez... talk about stereotypes! Not only in historicals, but also in contemporary romance! Do women like to think/remember about losing their virginity EVERYTIME they read a book? o.O But I digress.) Anyway, as it turns out, she was NOT! Okay, maybe she was a virgin to good sex, but not literally a virgin (she WAS married, after all). Thank goodness. LOL
I would like to thank Carina Press and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book in advance.
Kindle Edition, 100 pages Published November 16th 2011 by Bell Bridge Books
New York Times Bestselling romance author Sandra Hill offers a special Xmas treat to her readers: two sexy, romantic novellas set in the land of Moonlight, Magnolias . . . and Santa Claus. In Blue Christmas, an uptight Boston businessman arrives in Memphis, Tennessee determined to sell the oddball "Blue Suede Suites" hotel he's inherited. Instead he lands in a pile of complications when he steps in the wrong spot at the Elvis-themed live Nativity scene on his property. Recovering from a concussion, he finds himself in the care of a gorgeous good ol' girl dairy farmer. And suddenly, all his plans begin to melt. . . In Jinx Christmas, a handsome and famous NASCAR driver shows up in his ex-wife's Louisianna town determined to win her back, even if it means using the matchmaking advice of an outlandish Cajun godmother and her far-from-conservative tactics.
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My Review:
Who knew Scrooge could be so hot?
In Blue Christmas, Clayton Jessup III (described as a young version of Richard Gere, but taller) inherits a hotel named The Blue Suedes Suites. His father, a conservative Wall Street investment banker, had bought it 35 years ago and kept it a secret, until he died and his son became the owner.
Clayton hates everything Elvis and country music related. Oh, and he has no Christmas spirit whatsoever. Especially if it involves an Elvis-themed live Nativity scene in the vacant lot (which he also owns) by his 'new' hotel.
Annie Fallon (who supposedly looks like a younger, prettier version of Julia Roberts), the only girl among 5 brothers, was hoping to earn some money to save the family's farm. And what a better way to earn it than to dress like a 60's Virgin Mary, big hair and all that? Well, that was the plan, until Mr.Jessup slipped on a pile of sheep dung in her Nativity scene and twisted his ankle. LOL
The brothers were all very interesting characters, especially Chet, the handsome single father, and Roy, the veterinarian student. Clay was a bit annoying at first, with all the 'humphs' and 'harrumphs', but he was very cute with Annie, even if they were came from very different backgrounds. The few sex scenes were very tasteful.
In Jinx Christmas, the second story in the book, Lance Caslow, a famous NASCAR driver, wanted his ex-wife back after their divorce 5 years ago.
Brenda wanted nothing more to do with him, 'the cheating bastard', but, as things go with romance stories, he ended up winning her heart (and their little girl's) back.
It was annoying to read her complaining about how she thought she was fat. Size ten isn't fat, honey. Try size 18 and up.
Tante Lulu, the cajun healer, was a laugh-a-minute character. I happened to like her more than I did the main characters.
I didn't like the second story as much as the first, but the ending was different, creative, and to me it made the whole story worth it. I mean, that strip-tease... woohoo!
I was given this ebook in exchange for an honest review by Netgalley.