In Simply Wicked, Kate Pearce once again takes us to the House of Pleasure where we meet Anthony, a young man whose history of abuse has skewed his perception of sexuality into something dark and damaging. Determined to put the violence he’s craved for so long behind him, he leaves his lover and the world of bondage and dominance behind him. When he is asked to act as social escort to Marguerite, a young widow with secrets of her own, he sees an opportunity to distance himself from the pull of submission and a much needed distraction from a lifestyle that is destroying him.

Marguerite isn’t sure what to think about the intriguing and sensual man her family has procured as escort. He brings to life desires which have laid dormant since her husband’s death and she quickly acts on them. But Anthony’s past may be more than she can handle, and when his former lover refuses to let him go, Marguerite is pulled into a bitter man’s vicious game of revenge.

Ms. Pearce has penned a story of sensual elegance so lush and appealing, I didn’t want to put it down. The two lovers battle their private demons, trying to lay the past to rest and move on with their lives. However, they discover their pasts aren’t as separate and private as they believe and must work together to set things right before they can move on.

I was drawn to Anthony early in the book because of his vulnerability, his desperation to leave behind a lifestyle which left him filled with shame and degradation. He didn’t know what he wanted besides change, and this lost quality left him floundering, searching for some elusive sense of happiness. Anthony’s attitudes were frustrating, though. He ranged from one who seemed to enjoy wallowing in victim mode to sulky bratty-ness early in the book, however as he learned to stand up for himself and make his own decisions he matured.

I was not as attracted to the character of Marguerite. While she was a very sensual character, I was never sure what drove her or why she made some choices. She was, however, very sensual and surprisingly open to new sexual experiences. Sexually, she was the perfect match for Anthony, firm and demanding, yet still the picture of soft, feminine sensuality. This fourth book in the House of Pleasure series left me wanting more. Ms. Pearce’s luxurious writing is a decadent delight and I cannot wait for book five and its unexpected hero.

Hello, Divas!  Thanks for having me today.  I don’t usually write book reviews, but I just read Jackie Barbosa’s debut novel, Behind the Red Door, and it was so wonderful that I want to tell everyone about it.

The book is made up of three novellas, each involving a house of ill repute called the Red Door.  Before I continue, I have a few confessions to make.

1.  I love sexy Regencies.

2.  I adore novellas, especially when I’m busy

3.  I’m often in the mood for erotic romance, because I really like sex scenes.  I like early, frequent sex scenes.  What can I say?  I’m naughty.

Behind the Red Door was right up my alley, because it incorporated all of the above elements without skimping on quality writing or emotional impact.  Each story was excellent, which is rare in this format, from my experience.

In the first story, the hero is a dissolute rake and secret scholar.  The heroine is a recently jilted young lady who is also a bit of a bluestocking.  She doesn’t consider the hero a good match for marriage because of his scandalous ways.  Although she desires him physically, she’s also intellectually infatuated with his “friend,” the brilliant poetry translator she’s never seen.  Oh, the calamity.

Like the next two stories, this one has familiar themes, done well.  A unique point—the hero has had male lovers in the past.  I find sexual fluidity in women very appealing, in men not so much.  This is a matter of personal taste, however, and I think the author addresses the issue in a positive way.

The sex is explicit, and the hero talks dirty (mmm!), but there is a real tenderness between the characters.  He realizes that he wants a committed relationship before she does, which is a detail I always enjoy.

The second story also worked well for me.  A war hero with PTSD enters the Red Door with an odd request—a good night’s sleep.  He can’t stave off the nightmares when he’s alone, so he hires a prostitute to lie beside him.  She fancies him, of course.  In the morning, she wakes him in the best possible way.  He returns the favor, what a gent.

Again, we have steamy erotic encounters, and a marriage-minded hero who decides what he wants in record time.  My main problem was with the heroine’s profession.  She likes sex better than scrubbing pots, and has no negative feelings about her job.  Maybe some readers would find that refreshing, but I thought it unrealistic.  The story took an unexpected turn in the second half, and continued to hold my interest.  Nicely done.

The third story is the most explicit.  I liked it the best!  Lady Jane is in love with her betrothed, a seductive scoundrel who he sees her only as a friend.  Desperate to win his heart, she visits the Red Door, intent on learning how to please him in the bedroom.  Jane’s unsuspecting fiancé is there to relieve a hankering—for Jane.  But he doesn’t go through with it.  Before he leaves, the madam invites him to give lessons to a disguised Jane.  He readily accepts.  She won’t allow him to take her virginity, so they do everything else.  And I do mean everything!

Behind the Red Door has three very sexy, very enjoyable stories.  If you like well-written erotic romance, I highly recommend it.

ABOUT JILL:

Jill Sorenson writes romantic suspense for Silhouette and Bantam Dell.  Her latest release, Set the Dark on Fire, is in stores now.