Devil's Bargain

I wasn't certain I was going to like this book after reading the first several chapters. The hero, Adrian, appeared to have no redeeming values and humiliated the heroine, Lynette, again and again. He has chosen a path to save his estate by selecting women to train not only as to how to run a household and understand finances, but also to awaken their sensuality. His goal is to find husbands for each of his students who are rich, but old enough that he expects that they will not live more than a decade. For this type of husband, he must teach them all about sex and sensuality without having sex with them. Once a contract is signed with the potential husband, he receives a sizeable portion of the money from the marriage contract. Based on that scenario, Adrian sounds terrible. But as this book progresses the true nature of Adrian slowly unfolds until the reader sees an honorable man who has been abandoned as a child and dealt many blows. He sees the path he's taken as a way not only to teach women how to take control of their lives but also to take control of his own life by amassing enough money to save his estate. He does not enjoy the indignities he puts the women through but wants them to understand that no matter what happens to them, their lives are what each woman makes of them. He cares for all the women he's taught and worries whether he did the right thing by them. With Lynette, we also see her character unfold from a seemingly priggish daughter of a clergyman to a woman who was abused by her father throughout her life but did not loose her sense of self and her spirit. We see a woman who has a sensual nature but who's father has always punished her whenever he thought she exhibited any signs of this. With Adrian and his hands on training, she acknowledges this side of herself and is able to loose her shame about it. The ending was beautiful - I new the author would have to find a way to allow Adrian and Lynette to marry but I didn't see a whole lot of options since both of them had no money. But she came up with one that left the main and secondary characters with a wonderful future.

This is not your usual erotic. It's as much about mind set as it is about the physical. In the tug of war that romance stories are often about, this is a reminder that passion is as much in the brain as the body. If you're into explict sex scenes, (put tab a in slot b type descriptions) try another book. Lynette is the very proper young miss that for finacial reasons becomes one of the Marlock brides. Adrian, our hero is known for producing brides that are not just willing but eager in the bedroom. To do this, he does everything but actually take their virginity. As Lynette warms to passion, she also warms to Adrian. While some degree of closeness is inevitable, Adrian finds himself feeling more and more for Lynette. Unfortunately, the growing attraction doesn't necessarily mean the two will be able to marry, neither one has any money. In the end, Lynette, the student, teaches Adrian the difference between sex and making love.

I enjoy reading Katherine Greyle's books. I don't particularly like erotic. But when I heard Greyle was writing under the Jade Lee name and writing erotic...I thought I would give it a chance. I truly ENJOYED the book. The characters were marvelous and so true to life. I laughed and enjoyed the whole story. WAY TO GO KATHERINE/JADE....keep those books coming!

Devil's Bargain's premise sets this delicious book up as a traditional erotic tale, but Jade Lee takes it one step farther and creates a smart, sexy read that's a pleasure from beginning to end. In true Lee fashion, the author develops characters who are multi-dimensional and appealing. Then, she delivers a truly satisfying ending that raises this book out of the realm of the steamy historical novel and into the realm of really great reads. A definite keeper!

Watch out! Another Sizzle coming your way! Very Good! And I'll look forward to reading more of this author!