Renee Bernard
Author of A Lady's Pleasure
About the Author
Series
Works by Renee Bernard
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Gender
- female
- Short biography
- Renee Bernard is a retired Navy chaplain's daughter, who travelled all over the world during years. Today, she is a freelance writer and a contributor to Romantic Times Bookclub magazine. Her debut novel, A Lady's Pleasure, won an award from RT for "Best First Historical Romance of 2006". In 2007, she also wrote a story for the School of Heiresses anthology, which made the USA Today Bestseller List. Her novel, Madame's Deception, was nominated for "Best Sensual Historical of 2007" by RT and A Rogue's Game, the final installment in the Mistress Trilogy, received 4 ½ stars and a Top Pick from RT and is available now.
She currently lives in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Northern California. Visit her website at www.reneebernardauthor.com - Nationality
- USA
- Places of residence
- California, USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- California, USA
Members
Reviews
I read this book straight through, even though it meant losing half my sleep for the night. But I couldn't help it. I was hooked from the first scene. I loved both main characters, as much for their flaws as their strengths, and the secondary characters were just as interesting. I would have thought that with this many love scenes (ooh, la, la:-), a book would have to lack plot because how could someone fit it all in? But this book had plenty of plot. I wasn't even sure who the killer was show more until the end. No boring beginning here, no sagging middle, no convenient ending; Ms. Bernard's debut is simply fantastic with plenty of mystery, plot, characterization and (need I say it?) scorching hot sex show less
Jocelyn Tolliver was raised to be a lady. Her mother sent her to the finest boarding schools in Europe in an effort to ensure that no one ever looks down at her. But all of those plans are shattered when Jocelyn's mother dies unexpectedly, leaving her daughter to take her place as the Madame of one of London's most exclusive bordellos - The Crimson Belle.
Alex Randall has spent his entire adult life avoiding all semblance of scandal. But ever since Alex saw Jocelyn while doing a favor for a show more friend, he has been unable to get her out of his mind. To satisfy his desires, he proposes to make her his mistress for one decadent Season. But things grow complicated as trouble starts brewing around The Crimson Belle, and a serial killer has begun taking ladies of the demi-monde as his victims.
The second offering in the Mistress Trilogy by Renee Bernard has a better balance between erotic sex scenes and plotting. Jocelyn's character is complex and believably portrayed, and I loved her continued concern for 'her' girls, her strength, and her ability to continue to care for herself even as she grows to love Alex. It was nice to see Alex truly struggle with the problems of class difference and the possible ensuing scandal. I enjoyed the ending in particular. While it did gloss over some of the more difficult aspects of the problem, it also showed Alex' commitment to Jocelyn by showing him willing (and eager) to entertain scandal in order to be with her.
This was fun, and I enjoyed the plot more than the first. But it seemed like the sex had been pared down and that it had lost some of its intensity. show less
Alex Randall has spent his entire adult life avoiding all semblance of scandal. But ever since Alex saw Jocelyn while doing a favor for a show more friend, he has been unable to get her out of his mind. To satisfy his desires, he proposes to make her his mistress for one decadent Season. But things grow complicated as trouble starts brewing around The Crimson Belle, and a serial killer has begun taking ladies of the demi-monde as his victims.
The second offering in the Mistress Trilogy by Renee Bernard has a better balance between erotic sex scenes and plotting. Jocelyn's character is complex and believably portrayed, and I loved her continued concern for 'her' girls, her strength, and her ability to continue to care for herself even as she grows to love Alex. It was nice to see Alex truly struggle with the problems of class difference and the possible ensuing scandal. I enjoyed the ending in particular. While it did gloss over some of the more difficult aspects of the problem, it also showed Alex' commitment to Jocelyn by showing him willing (and eager) to entertain scandal in order to be with her.
This was fun, and I enjoyed the plot more than the first. But it seemed like the sex had been pared down and that it had lost some of its intensity. show less
From the time she was a child Merriam Everett has blended into the background. But her outward meekness hides a deep yearning for a truly passionate encounter. When an arrogant earl insults her, she vows to have her revenge by seducing him at a masquerade - but she ends up in the arms of the wrong man!
Drake Sotherton has just returned from a self-imposed exile on the Continent. His long absence has allowed his former best friend to poison the ton with rumors that Drake was responsible for show more his wife's brutal murder. So when Drake learns that his seductive Merriam is connected with his former friend, he suspects the worse, but he still cannot resist her.
I truly enjoyed this book. I just want to state that up front. There were a lot of problems I had with it, but it was a fun read and VERY steamy. In fact, I'd say this one is probably best read for the sex. The plot needs indulgence from the reader.
For starters Drake has a serious persecution complex (understandable perhaps, but irritating nonetheless), and the Great Misunderstanding underlying their love story could have been cleared up amazingly quickly had the two ever simply talked about her relationship with Julian. But that was not to be.
Unfortunately his jealousy and possessiveness seeped into some of the sex scenes. I don't do "sex with issues". I don't really do angry sex, I don't do jealousy sex, I don't do 'punishment' sex. So that bothered me some - especially since it seemed like most of the sex scenes involved characterizations like 'ruthless', 'brutal', 'merciless'. Those aren't exactly the descriptors I prefer to see in my sex scenes. That said, the sex (even those scenes where I was annoyed with the motivation/descriptors) were really, REALLY hot. I was impressed.
Sadly, I was less impressed with the solving of the mystery. The culprit was unexpected enough, and there were hints as to motivation throughout the novel, but it just didn't really seem to be fleshed out. I certainly had trouble believing it.
But I did like the theme of the meek widow coming into her own as a sensual, passionate woman. It was developed well - she had problems with leaving her comfortable, if dreary, life behind to court societal ruin. Her ambiguity was portrayed convincingly, and I truly felt for her.
On the whole - definitely worth a read through once. For the masquerade scene at the beginning if for nothing else. show less
Drake Sotherton has just returned from a self-imposed exile on the Continent. His long absence has allowed his former best friend to poison the ton with rumors that Drake was responsible for show more his wife's brutal murder. So when Drake learns that his seductive Merriam is connected with his former friend, he suspects the worse, but he still cannot resist her.
I truly enjoyed this book. I just want to state that up front. There were a lot of problems I had with it, but it was a fun read and VERY steamy. In fact, I'd say this one is probably best read for the sex. The plot needs indulgence from the reader.
For starters Drake has a serious persecution complex (understandable perhaps, but irritating nonetheless), and the Great Misunderstanding underlying their love story could have been cleared up amazingly quickly had the two ever simply talked about her relationship with Julian. But that was not to be.
Unfortunately his jealousy and possessiveness seeped into some of the sex scenes. I don't do "sex with issues". I don't really do angry sex, I don't do jealousy sex, I don't do 'punishment' sex. So that bothered me some - especially since it seemed like most of the sex scenes involved characterizations like 'ruthless', 'brutal', 'merciless'. Those aren't exactly the descriptors I prefer to see in my sex scenes. That said, the sex (even those scenes where I was annoyed with the motivation/descriptors) were really, REALLY hot. I was impressed.
Sadly, I was less impressed with the solving of the mystery. The culprit was unexpected enough, and there were hints as to motivation throughout the novel, but it just didn't really seem to be fleshed out. I certainly had trouble believing it.
But I did like the theme of the meek widow coming into her own as a sensual, passionate woman. It was developed well - she had problems with leaving her comfortable, if dreary, life behind to court societal ruin. Her ambiguity was portrayed convincingly, and I truly felt for her.
On the whole - definitely worth a read through once. For the masquerade scene at the beginning if for nothing else. show less
An interesting premise and likable characters, but the writing is awkward, a little too filled with adjectives to be enjoyable. Still, if Bernard continues to grow as an author, that should improve, and I look forward to reading her future work.
Awards
You May Also Like
Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 18
- Also by
- 1
- Members
- 663
- Popularity
- #38,037
- Rating
- 3.6
- Reviews
- 20
- ISBNs
- 53
- Languages
- 3
- Favorited
- 2