Lady Marguerite Lockwood, daughter of the infamous owner of Madame Helene’s House of Pleasure, has been living in self-imposed isolation. Her brief maLady Marguerite Lockwood, daughter of the infamous owner of Madame Helene’s House of Pleasure, has been living in self-imposed isolation. Her brief marriage ended when her husband was killed in a duel against his best friend, and the whispers are that the duel was over her. Marguerite has no intentions of reentering society, until her brother introduces her to the dark and devastatingly handsome Anthony Sokorvsky. Anthony awakens desires in her she never expected to feel so strongly, but she soon finds that a simple affair may not, in fact, be so simple.
Anthony Sokorvsky knows all-too-well the darker side of pleasure. But when he wakes up one morning riddled with bruises, he’s very aware that he has gotten too deep into the realm of sexual punishment and pain and has done so for the wrong reasons. When Christian Delornay asks Anthony to squire his sister Marguerite around town, Anthony takes the opportunity to step back from his reckless nights. And when he meets Lady Marguerite Lockwood, Anthony finds that there’s something about her that calls to him. For the first time in his life, Anthony has met someone he wants to seduce. But when lust turns into something more, a dangerous figure from Anthony’s not-too-distant past threatens his newfound happiness. Can Anthony and Marguerite’s relationship survive the machinations of someone who threatens to expose their deepest secrets?
Just when I think I’ve decided on an all-time favorite book of Kate Pearce’s, she delivers another gem. Simply Wicked is an erotic tour de force about love, acceptance, understanding, and passion. With Anthony and Marguerite, Ms. Pearce has created two wonderful protagonists, and the tenderness between them grabbed my heart while their love scenes burn with intensity – a double dose of bliss to readers like myself who like both heat and heart.
Anthony is a man who has grown accustomed to letting himself be sexually used and discarded by other men. He was abused in the past by another and though he thinks he has long since recovered, what was done to him left its mark. At the beginning of the story even Anthony is forced to see he is on a dangerous downslide. I cheered for Anthony when he made the decision to take a stand, to stop allowing others to dictate his sexuality, to explore what he truly desires, and to experience passion and joy rather than using pain and humiliation to bring about sexual release. It takes a strong woman to look Anthony’s past square in the face and not let it shake her; good thing Ms. Pearce is a master at creating strong heroines. Marguerite’s past contains tragedy of its own, and for a while she lets it get the better of her. She hides herself to avoid the cutting tongues of society, living a half-life of sorts. I was thrilled to see her come out of her shell, to finally start being the woman she truly is inside. When Simply Wicked begins, there is a broken innocence about both characters that only true love and acceptance will heal into something stronger and more powerful. Both Marguerite and Anthony learn to stand on their own, but they’re even better as a pair, which is why I was up late into the night reading Simply Wicked – once I started reading I could not stop.
Simply Wicked is the fourth book in Ms. Pearce’s phenomenal House of Pleasure series, but it can be read on its own. I will admit that some of the initial anticipation I had for reading Simply Wicked came from seeing what happened to Anthony in the first book in the series, Simply Sexual, and his subsequent decline over the following books (Simply Sinful and Simply Shameless) into a craving for pain during sex that he did not actually desire. However, this anticipation is only what led me to bite my nails waiting for Anthony and Marguerite’s story. The excitement I feel now is that of a reader well and truly satisfied by a great story, so new readers need not fear they’ll miss some of the joy of reading the book. I’m sure anyone new to the series will fall in love and rush back for the previous books, as they’re all sensual delights.
In Simply Wicked Ms. Pearce continues her tradition of creating unique heroes and heroines that will stay with you long after you finish reading. I fell in love with Anthony and Marguerite and their story was amazing. I cannot wait for the next two books in this series, Simply Insatiable and Simply Forbidden. Ms. Pearce will definitely have to work to make a believer out of me with Simply Insatiable, since the hero is the villain of Simply Wicked. I’m not too concerned, though, because if anyone can write a deeply complex and fascinating hero, it’s the clever, talented Ms. Pearce. It’s her marvelous brand of realistic complexity in her heroes and heroines which made me fall in love with Simply Wicked and will keep me avidly reading her books for many years to come. Joyfully Recommended!
Recommended Read. Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed....more
Jay Turner’s life was all about the rodeo, until one final accident permanently damages his knee and takes him out of professional competition. Six moJay Turner’s life was all about the rodeo, until one final accident permanently damages his knee and takes him out of professional competition. Six months later, the former cowboy has no job, no prospects, and no plans for his future. The last thing he wants to do is have another check up with his ice queen of a doctor. Dr. Helen Kinsale is just about as thrilled to see her most irritating patient once again. Neither likes the other. Neither thinks they have anything in common. Until a heated encounter leaves both parties breathless and wanting more. A delicious deal is struck: Helen will give up sexual control to Jay and he, in turn, will show her pleasure beyond her wildest dreams.
Yet things are never as simple as they seem. Helen’s brilliant career is at risk and her past threatens to ruin her professional advancement. Jay is still at loose ends and is struggling to adapt to life outside the rodeo circuit. Their affair may provide the perfect erotic escape for the moment, but with no promises to bind them, is fleeting pleasure all there is? Or as Jay and Helen learn more about each other and their emotions begin to deepen, will love be within their grasp?
Prepare to blast those fans and turn up the A/C, because Roping the Wind is scorching! Kate Pearce delivers an erotic tale that is not only sexy, but endearing. Jay and Helen are two wonderfully developed characters whom I fell in love with from the start. On the outside, the two seem to be complete opposites. I was delighted to watch them not only fall in love, but discover that, underneath the fronts they put on for the world, they are quite similar. I was fascinated to watch the life of a San Francisco cowboy blend with the life of a surgeon burdened by the politics of career advancement. I practically devoured this tale, so engrossed in Ms. Pearce’s book that I, unfortunately, snarled at someone who had the misfortune to interrupt my reading.
Roping the Wind is unquestionably blazing-hot and filled with erotic moments. That being said, I was impressed the love scenes never felt gratuitous or repetitive. Each one was incredibly sexy and subtly provided me with insight into the growth of Jay and Helen’s relationship. I admit, I was wary when Helen agreed to give up complete sexual control to Jay. Ms. Pearce quickly assuaged my fears. Jay never abuses the trust Helen puts in him and their relationship is always equal.
Roping the Wind is loosely connected to Ms. Pearce’s Where Have all the Cowboys Gone? I enjoyed the latter and was both delighted and intrigued to read about Jay’s half-brother Grayson before he gave up his corporate suits for his Stetson. Both books, however, can be read as stand-alones.
I Joyfully Recommend Roping the Wind. It’s incredibly sexy, entertaining, and at the same time surprisingly sweet. I have never particularly had a thing for cowboy heroes, but Ms. Pearce left me wanting a Jay of my own. I sincerely hope she writes about more Turner siblings; I’ll be racing to read to read those books if she does. For now, I’ll just turn up that A/C, pick up Roping the Wind, and fall in love with Jay and Helen all over again.
Recommended Read. Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed....more
After years of dealing with her controlling father, Lauren Redstone has reason to celebrate. Having sealed the deal on her first big break for her retAfter years of dealing with her controlling father, Lauren Redstone has reason to celebrate. Having sealed the deal on her first big break for her retro prop company, Lauren’s celebration in Las Vegas with a bit too much champagne sends her tumbling into the arms of one utterly delicious cowboy. For Lauren, a night of passion with a real cowboy has always been her most secret fantasy. But fate has more in store for the beautiful businesswoman than she planned on. An impulsive decision leads to a hasty marriage between the two lovers, and sends Lauren rabbitting the next morning.
Marriage may not have been in the plans for Grayson Turner, but for the gorgeous businessman-turned-rancher, it’s love at first sight. Now he just has to convince his commitment-shy wife to feel the same, and he’ll use every sensual weapon in his arsenal to do so. Will this sexy cowboy convince his wife to take a gamble on love?
If I had to pick only one word to describe Where Have All the Cowboys Gone? it would be “fresh.” Simply fresh. From the very beginning of the book, Kate Pearce took me on a fast-moving journey of two strangers, neither of whom had been looking for love, who are swept up in a whirlwind marriage. I found Ms. Pearce’s book to be both sexy and utterly charming. Lauren and Grayson are both endearing characters and I was highly entertained watching the two try and out-maneuver one another. I felt connected to them both, and understood where both sides were coming from as they tried to figure out if their marriage could last. Even as the hero and heroine steam up the page, I never lost sight of the growing emotional bond between the two. I found myself rapidly turning the page in the wee hours of the morning, desperate to see if Lauren and Grayson would be able to make their marriage last.
Like a cool breeze in the heat of summer, Ms. Pearce has a fresh voice and a knack for creating intriguing, likeable characters. Where Have All the Cowboys Gone? is guaranteed to quicken the pulse, charm the reader, and bring a smile to your face; it sure did for me.
Peter Howard has been feeling restless of late. A former sex slave with little knowledge of his life before his imprisonment in a Turkish brothel, PetPeter Howard has been feeling restless of late. A former sex slave with little knowledge of his life before his imprisonment in a Turkish brothel, Peter finds that, despite his business success and his sexual excesses, there is still something missing in his life. After discovering the pleasures to be had at Madame Helen’s House of Pleasure no longer appeal to him, Peter finds himself startled by a most indecent proposition.
Lord James Beecham was forced into marriage at a young age. Though his wife, Abigail, is his best friend, their sex life leaves something to be desired. While he loves Abby, James prefers men to women, sexually, and he knows Peter enjoys both sexes. James proposes that Peter become a sexual tutor to the Beechams, an offer Peter finds too tempting to resist when he meets Abby. As the threesome explores the delights sexual pleasure can offer, the hole inside Peter begins to fill. And the person filling the void is Abby. But is a future possible for an ex-slave turned businessman and an aristocrat’s wife?
I’ll be completely honest – when I sat down to write this review I had no idea how to talk about this book. Simply Sinful has to be one of the most complicated, intriguing love stories I’ve ever read. Kate Pearce does not shy away from the complexity of human emotions, and her skill at bringing said emotions to life is unsurpassed. Simply Sinful was such a rich, layered read that it has stayed with me long after I finished the book.
The moment I finished the first House of Pleasure book, Simply Sexual, I wanted to read Peter’s story. His imprisonment in the brothel has left him scarred in a way that time alone could never heal. If ever a hero needed to be loved, it would be Peter and I was so happy for him to find himself capable of loving and being loved. His heroine, Abby, is a treasure. She’s honest, intelligent, and refreshingly guileless; it’s easy to see while Peter falls for her.
Though the romance is primarily between Peter and Abby, it is by no means the whole of the love story. James is every bit as important to the tale as the other two. Part of what makes this story so different is that Peter and Abby both honestly love James, and he them. The passionate adventures the three of them embark on, whether in twos or threes, are too deliciously wicked not to be mentioned. Simply Sinful is and isn’t a threesome romance in a lot of ways, but to say what happens and how would be to spoil some of the fun of the book.
If I could ask for one thing, it would be for some more clarity as to the nature of Peter and his best friend Valentin’s (of Simply Sexual) relationship as of the end of the story. I finished the book with nagging questions in my mind that have yet to go away. Still, though perhaps I curse at the struggle it is to do Ms. Pearce’s work justice in discussing it, I greatly enjoyed Simply Sinful. It’s wonderfully different and uncompromising in its refusal to see the world in black and white. Shades of gray make Simply Sinful fascinating, captivating, and, yes, a simply sinful treat!
Valentin Sokorvsky is not your typical English lord. As a child he was captured and sold to a Turkish brothel where he was kept as a sex slave. To allValentin Sokorvsky is not your typical English lord. As a child he was captured and sold to a Turkish brothel where he was kept as a sex slave. To all outward acquaintances, the intervening years since his rescue have healed him, though he possesses a rather insatiable appetite for sex. When Valentin discovers that the man who rescued him is in need of financial help, he offers to solve John Harrison’s financial problems and marry one of his daughters. Though Charlotte, the youngest, would be the perfect, biddable wife, it’s Sara, the eldest, who Valentin can’t get off his mind.
Sara is beautiful, intelligent, and, to Valentin’s delight, incredibly passionate. Their marriage brings both to unexplored levels of passion, but Valentin soon discovers someone is out to destroy his newfound happiness. An unknown enemy is determined to ruin Valentin’s marriage, business, and social standing, while spreading rumors of what transpired during his enslavement. As Valentin works to uncover his foe’s identity, he must decide if he can trust Sara, trust his own feelings enough to reveal the secrets of his past, or if he should close the door on love and keep his marriage simply sexual.
Sensuality reaches exquisite new heights in this phenomenal story by Kate Pearce. Simply Sexual raises the bar for eroticism mixed with romance in the first book of the sure-to-be-fantastic House of Pleasure series.
Valentin is an intriguing hero. He’s stunningly gorgeous, seemingly carefree, and, though titled, is also successful businessman. His easy manner covers the scars of his past. Though Valentin can trick even himself into believing his time as a pleasure slave doesn’t have an impact on who he is now, it is clear he self-medicates with avoidance and sex. I loved watching Sara break through his barriers to prove to him that he can trust her and her love for him. As for Sara herself, she immediately won me over. She’s smart, giving, honest, and a perfect fit for her husband, both in bed and out. I enjoyed watching her find the freedom to be who she truly is over the course of the story. Both Sara and Valentin grow and change over the course of the story. I delighted in this aspect of the story every bit as much as I did their heated encounters, which are hot enough to make you sweat.
I cannot write about Simply Sexual without mentioning Peter Howard, Valentin’s best friend. Having been captured and kept as a sex slave alongside Valentin, the two have an unbreakable bond which manifests itself in a variety of ways and is key to the tale. Ms. Pearce continues to amaze me with her talent for creating fascinating, complex characters and situations. I finished Simply Sexual eager for a whole host of characters to get their own stories, and Peter definitely topped the list. Luckily for me, I was able to read his story, Simply Sinful, as soon as I finished Valentin and Sara’s romance.
Captivating, tender, and divinely sensual, Simply Sexual entertains from the very first page to the very last. Simply marvelous!
Over eighteen years ago, Helene Delornay and Philip Ross met on their way to new lives. When a carriage accident left them stranded at an inn, neitherOver eighteen years ago, Helene Delornay and Philip Ross met on their way to new lives. When a carriage accident left them stranded at an inn, neither could resist the temptation the other presented. Long hours of passion connected Helene and Philip in ways they never expected. But Helene, who survived the worst horrors of the French Revolution only because she was traded to the guards at the Bastille, doesn’t believe herself a good enough match for the gentleman who so quickly captured her heart and thus she turns Philip’s marriage proposal down.
Now Helene is the owner of London’s most exclusive pleasure house and though her dreams of love died nearly two decades ago, Helene is proud of what she has accomplished. Madame Helene’s House of Pleasure offers its patrons every desire they could imagine; no limitations as long as their pleasures are between consenting adults. What Helene doesn’t expect is her greatest desire to walk through her establishment’s doors.
An unexpected turn of events has brought Philip Ross back into Helene’s life and into her business as well. The years have not quelled either’s passion for one another and soon the pair embarks on an erotic exploration of one another’s fantasies. But can Helene and Philip overcome past hurts and trust one another enough to take their second chance at love?
Brava, Kate Pearce! Simply Shameless is a book worthy of the proprietress of a pleasure house. Both the characters and the book itself are intelligent, open, understanding, and wonderfully seductive.
It’s impossible not to fall in love with Helene and Philip. Helene is a survivor through and through. She has been through some of the worst life has to offer and has come out the other side successful, strong, and deeply caring. From the very first book in the series I admired Helene, but after reading Simply Shameless my respect for her reached new heights. And nothing made me happier than discovering the hero Ms. Pearce created for such a fantastic heroine fit her to perfection. Upon first meeting Philip, it is clear he is a man full of joy and life and I was immediately charmed. It broke my heart to see that the intervening years of his separation from Helene sucked the happiness right out of him. I enjoyed watching him take control of his life and sexuality; it made his reunion with Helene all the sweeter (and spicier as well). It would be remiss of me to write about Simply Shameless without mentioning its blazingly sensual love scenes. Ms. Pearce has a knack for raising the heat of the room in the space of just a few sentences, nevermind an entire book.
Though the third book in Ms. Pearce’s exquisite House of Pleasure series, Simply Shameless can be read on its own. Readers who loved Simply Sexual and Simply Shameless will catch a brief glimpse or mention of the characters they adored from the previous House of Pleasure books. What’s more, Simply Shameless is sure to leave one aching for the next story, Simply Wicked; it sure did for me. All in all I must say that, as one of the finest works of a supremely talented writer, Simply Shameless is not to be missed!
Recommended Read. Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed....more
When Angie McCaffrey’s boss goes missing, she’s concerned, naturally, but she’s also happy to take the lead on the advertising accounts she’s2.5 stars
When Angie McCaffrey’s boss goes missing, she’s concerned, naturally, but she’s also happy to take the lead on the advertising accounts she’s worked so hard on. Angie’s most unusual client is Macabre Factor, a business that carters to people living the “vampire lifestyle.” If the account wasn’t odd enough, her clients’ friend, Eric Taylor, would tip the scales. Eric is the stuff straight out of fantasies: handsome and alluring. He also happens to have some strangely sharp teeth…
Then Angie’s boss turns up dead and exsanguinated and Angie has to figure out if the man she’s swiftly falling for is as perfect as he seems or if he’s a murderer whose next victim may be Angie.
Clare Willis takes a bite out of vampire lore with Once Bitten. It’s a fast-paced, entertaining tale with a very likeable heroine. Angie is a well-developed character whose kindness and integrity make her easy to become attached to. While I enjoyed reading her story, I was sad to find the romance a bit lacking. Eric seemed like a fascinating hero, but Ms. Willis doesn’t give readers a chance to really know him. I saw no reason for he and Angie to fall in love with one another and their declarations of love seemed to come out of nowhere. Still, I found Ms. Willis’s writing style to be charming and her obvious affection for the city of San Francisco matches my own. Once Bitten is Ms. Willis’s debut book and I look forward to seeing what her imagination conjures up next.
Calpurnia Hartwell has always followed society’s rules, as befitting a lady of her station. But even when one possesses a sizeable dowry, plain looks and proper behavior don’t lead to marriage proposals. At twenty-eight years old, Callie is firmly on the shelf, relegated to Spinster Seating at balls while her younger sister takes the ton by storm and captures the heart of a handsome young duke. One day Callie decides she has had it with being a passive observer of life. She wants to live and to do so she makes up a list of nine things proper ladies are not supposed to do. The first item on her list, namely to experience a passionate kiss, can only be completed with participation of the man she’s been in love with for over a decade: Gabriel St. John, Marquess of Ralston and undeniable rake.
Gabriel is surprised when the very plain and proper Lady Calpurnia Hartwell shows up at his home in the middle of the night seeking a kiss. Her arrival is fortuitous, however. Gabriel has just learned he has a half-sister, Juliana, whose legitimacy is questionable at best and he needs someone with a sterling reputation to help launch Juliana into society. In exchange for the kiss, Callie will teach Juliana the ins and outs she needs to know to become a social success.
But Callie and Gabriel’s simple deal turns out to be not-so-simple after all. One kiss leads to each desiring more and when Gabriel learns of Callie’s list, he’s determined she won’t go haring off on her adventures alone. Will close quarters lead to love between a wicked rake and an oft-overlooked spinster?
There are few things more entertaining than watching a heroine who has always obeyed the rules take a chance and break some of them. Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake is a lively romance novel about a heroine who spends her life on the sidelines finally taking charge of her life, which leads to adventure and romance with a sinful marquess. Callie is a heroine many women can relate to. She’s intelligent and kind, but a bit overweight and not the glamorous beauty that would capture the interest of society. I loved watching Callie not only break the rules, but to see her truly come into herself as she does so. What’s more, I had to smile as Gabriel, devilishly handsome hero and notorious rake, tried to keep up with Callie on her escapades. What I liked so much about Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake is Gabriel seeing and appreciating Callie for who she truly is; that alone could grab my heart.
Sarah MacLean is a fresh new voice in historical romance and Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake is sure to garner her many fans. I absolutely adored Callie and Gabriel’s story and I desperately hope Ms. MacLean writes books for the other two St. John siblings....more
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