A Lady's Pleasure

I gave this 5 stars because it's one of the sexiest book I've read and I've read over 100 romance novels. Most romance novels never hit upon a woman's fantasies the way this book did to perfection. Did I care about the murder mystery or the historical accuracy? NO! Chapter 9 is to die for and it's a common fantasy. It's the first time I've seen it in a romance novel. It's all over the internet and yet, it never occurs in these books. It was totally delicious to read about, in addition to all the other liaisons they have. The duke's age and image could have been better described. You know she is 29, but how old is he and what does he look like? If you want a really a good fantasy read, then this is it. It had me all hot and bothered, so do not read this in public. For not staging the typical romance scenes that are written about ad nauseam, this alone earns the book 5 stars. Is it great writing and a great story? No, but who cares. It has some of the hottest love scenes I've read about!

I wanted to write a glowing review of this romance novel, because it is one of my favorites, and because Bernard's two follow-up books have not lived up to its wonderful promise. But if I was a romance writer, and if I could claim just one book to my name -- I would be proud to have written this one. The two main characters, Merriam and Drake, are about as sexy as two romantic partners get. Yes, this is an erotic book. But the sex scenes push the plot along. They never feel forced or done just because the author thought: "Well, it's been fifty pages, better put in a sex scene." Actually, I can well believe that a person would stay up all night reading this book once it's begun. The first scene grabs the reader in a steamy hot embrace of lust, righteous indignation and instant attraction. Middle-class widow Merriam Everett lives in a quiet world of lady's lectures and philanthropic endeavors. She has never been loved, not by her overbearing father or her late philandering husband. Then, one day, she accidentally overhears the wonderfully handsome Julian Clay call her a "whey-faced widow," and something snaps in Merriam's docile, scandal-free little world. She decides to do something so out-of-character that she can hardly believe she's doing it -- she decides to put on a sexy costume, attend a notorious masked ball, find Julian, seduce him, and then leave him "unfulfilled." She wants revenge for every slight she ever endured from the mean-spirited men in her life. Unfortunately, she makes one small error. She mistakes Drake Sotherton, the so-called "Deadly Duke" for Julian, and then cannot stop the erotic game before it culminates in one of the sexiest opening scenes in romance novel history. The reason I love this book is because the main characters actually do change and become better people for having known one another. The subplot, which concerns the murder of Drake's wife and Julian's possible involvement, makes for exciting subtext to a really heartfelt love story. The last chapter is just wonderful. This is a romance to be savored, placed on the keeper shelf, and re-read over the years. It is this lady's pleasure to recommend it highly to any romance reader.

Drake Sotherton, the Duke of Sussex leaves England years ago under suspicion of the murder of his wife and returns as the "Deadly Duke." His best friend, Julian Clay, the Earl of Westleigh, who seems to have been involved in some way with his ex-wife's death and also was the main accuser of pointing to Drake as her murderer, are involved again in a struggle over a woman. This time it is Merriam Everett, a plain widow, who overhears Julian make a comment about her being a "whey-faced widow." She seeks the guidance of a famous courtesan and changes herself into a luring beauty in order to attend a masquerade ball and lure Julian into a evening of unforgettable sex and then leave him wanting. A change of costumes and mistaken identity cause Merriam instead to have an evening of passion with Drake, who has no idea about Merriam's plan, and wants nothing more then to find this sexy beauty after this unforgettable evening of intense pleasure. He discovers there is some connection with her to Julian and takes the wrong meaning of the connection and decides to take her as a mistress and use her as a means for revenge. Merriam agrees only because she is drawn to Drake, not knowing what is going on around her and that danger is building. As the eroctism and danger increases, the mystery unfolds to an intense and surprise ending. Renee Bernard's story and character development and ability to create a well-developed story around well-written, passionate, erotic sex scenes is perfection. This story has the main ingredient for intense passion - vengeance. A truly pleasurable read and a book difficult to put down. I am looking forward to many more erotic historicals by Renee Bernard.

A steamy debut novel and a new voice in erotic romance, 'A Lady's Pleasure` is a breathtaking story of mistaken identity. The hero of this tale, Drake, is back in Town from a self-inflicted exile to seek revenge on his wife's supposed murderer and lover, Lord Westleigh. Once best friends, each is out to ruin the other. Merriam, the once meek little mouse is also set on revenge against Lord Westleigh for calling her a "whey-faced widow". Her plan: get him hot and bothered then leave him wanting more. Things don't go as planned when Drake is the one she inadvertantly seduces instead. What follows is some explicit and creative love scenes that will leave you breathless. Merriam and Drake were insatiable, but because the scenes were so well written and different I didn't skim a single one. There is also hero-jealousy as Drake intends to use Merriam as 'bait` to lure Julian, Lord Westleigh into his web. **The mystery gets tied up rather quickly in the last two chapters but the rest of the book was so good it is hard to mark off for that.

This novel was just scrumptious. I loved it! It was hot too. Someone hand me an Aquafina. Merriam Everett is shy and unassuming, but decides to go for one adventure and seduces the enemy of the man that once jilted her. That man is Drake Sotherton. He's returned to avenge himself and he gets distracted by an encounter with Merriam. They find each other again and strike a deal to discover and explore the passion between them. There is a mystery in this story, but I hardly paid it any attention because of the sensual and fiery relationship developing between Merriam and Drake. You just start reading and focus on them, they are so hot together and so vivid. If a spicy, erotic romance is what you are looking for then read this book, but make sure you have a cold glass of water near, you are going to need it. ;D