Black Silk

Black Silk breaks a lot of the rules of conventional romance, but it's so well written that it's a success nonetheless. The hero and heroine are amazingly vivid, fully-fleshed individuals; Ivory is able to craft unique personalities, and describe a real depth of character, through small details - like Graham's watches, or Submit's preference for taffeta fabric. The romance develops over quite a length of time, and very slowly; this book is not particularly steamy. Probably the most objectionable thing about Black Silk is that for more than three-quarters of the novel, Graham's primary sexual relationship is not with Submit. This is obviously not the usual romantic fare. Even more, the other woman is really likable and her relationship with Graham is frequently described in a positive manner. She and Submit get along just fine. The way that the plot is set up - with the love triangle surrounding Graham, then the introduction of a second triangle with Submit at the center, Graham being on one side and her dead husband Henry on the other - makes this book less of an 'escape' or a 'romp' than most romances. But because Graham and Submit have to negotiate their relationship with one another via their relationship with others, the story is natural and realistic. It approaches circumstances that plenty of people experience today. And both Graham and Submit emerge as complex, mature adults who are nonetheless imperfect. The dialogue is fabulous. The writing is top notch. I think this is a very successful romance despite the rule-breaking and I recommend it highly.

Reading this book reminded me of why I first got excited about Romance. This is the kind of book Laura Kinsale used to write--a rich, complex story that that stays with you for weeks after you finish the book.The story was refreshingly different. I could not predict what would happen throughout the rest of the story after reading a chapter or two. It unfolded with its own logic and kept me entranced the whole time I was reading.And how wonderful too to have a book that is long enough to really be a book. I spent several days with it, savoring its rich, complex language and the subtle painting of emotions. When I turned the last page, I felt as if I'd just bid goodbye to a good friend. Thank you Judy Cuevas/Judith Ivory for having the guts to write something that might make some of your readers have to look up a word or two, for writing a romance that breaks all the rules, for giving me hope for the genre!And you editors out there. How about giving us some more like this. I'd buy them in a heartbeat!

A truly adult historical romance, possibly for more mature readers, that scores high on sexual tension while also scoring big on clear, thinking, almost poetic prose. (I might mention that sexual tension here is not to be confused with a lot of sex, though, boy, is the reader ready for the staircase scene when it comes!) Fresh characters, good examples of smart people who discover how inadequate intellect is when it comes to high emotions. And a plot that revolves around the mystery of a dead man's true intentions. All fascinating stuff.If you are looking for a mindless story to skim thru for the sex, this is NOT your book. Ivory goes deep into what love and attraction can mean and do to people, then builds an erotic tension that more or less combusts when the hero and heroine least expect it. Black Silk doesn't read like a traditional romance. It is its own kind of love story and not to be missed if you long for something unique in a genre that doesn't always specialize in one-of-a kind concepts. Pass if you like to be lead by the nose through a comfortably familiar story, though this one does begin with some familiar ideas: the rake, the widow in dire straits. If you enjoy unexpected twists, however, as a book assembles itself like a well-built, complicated puzzle, you'll fall in love with this story and keep it on your shelf for rereading.This version of Black Silk is an "author-enhanced" (some romance site reviewer said this somewhere) reprint of a cult classic from the early 90's that fully deserves the attention of this versitile author's new, much larger audience. It's like none of her other books. But then which of her books are? Only the author's style seems to link her books, while each novel--each new set of characters, each new story--seem an attempt to reinvent the romance paperback again and again to the author's own liking.

This is the most luscious, engaging, sensual, brilliant romance novel I have ever read, and I have read hundreds, if not thousands. With the scandalous secret of Pandetti's Box between them, Submit and Graham have the most extraordinary relationship, utterly complex, utterly refreshing, utterly erotic - as erotic, naughty, and sensual as the box itself, with Graham providing all the erotic naughtiness. He is a master at it, seductive and dissolute in the face of Submit's unassailable honor, wry intelligence, and - the breach in her defenses - untested and therefore naive sexuality. With this book, Judith Ivory proves herself an absolute master of her craft. Read it and Enjoy!

Black Silk is a delightful book. Cuevas does a wonderful job detailing her characters giving them idiosyncracies that make them very real. Graham is an overly, indeed aggressively attractive man intent on enjoying himself and not too concerned with the dangers (One of his hobbies is fireworks). Submit, on the other hand, is the prim, slightly smug widow of Graham's former guardian. When the story opens both Graham and Submit are in legal troubles. A cousin is contesting Submit's husband's will while Graham is in a paternity suit. This context of intransigent legal troubles sets the stage for their frustrations and gives reason for this very unlikely couple's ongoing interaction. Cuevas builds the erotic tension beautifully through the book. Graham and Submit's perplexity over their attraction, their prickly friendship, and their simultaneous fascination and annoyance with the others habits is both poignant and sensuous. A tour de force