A Lady's Pleasure

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 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

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 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 show more 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.

A Lady's Pleasure
3.5 Stars

An engaging historical romance with a healthy dose of mistaken identity and a dash of mystery and intrigue.

Merriam Everett is a charming heroine who starts out as a timid mouse, but ultimately finds herself turning into a vivacious cat. Merriam's romance with the devilishly divine Duke of Sussex, Drake Sotherton is seriously steamy, and Renee Bernard certainly knows how to write an erotic sex scene.

The minor mystery is interesting although it is relatively easy to guess the culprit. Moreover, the climax and resolution are exciting despite the somewhat confusing sequencing and motivation.

The only problematic note concerns the keeping secrets trope, which is not a favorite of mine. Both the hero and heroine show more have secrets they are determined to keep. This leads to several misunderstandings that are drawn out for far too long and undermine an otherwise lovely story.

All in all, an entertaining read and I look forward to continuing with the trilogy focusing on Drake's friend Alex and the intriguing Madam DeBoucier. show less

THIS BOOK GRABS YOU WITH BURNING HOT SEX AT ABOUT PAGE 7 AND PLAYS HELL WITH YOUR LIBIDO THE REST OF THE WAY THROUGH. EXCEPT THAT THE "GREAT BIG MISUNDERSTANDING" LASTED A LITTLE TOO LONG, THE STORY WAS GREAT. DRAKE, THE DEADLY DUKE IS AS ALPHA AS THEY COME. UNLESS MS BERNARD HAS WRITTEN PREVIOUSLY UNDER A PSEUDONYM, THIS IS A FANTASTIC FIRST ATTEMPT AT WRITING AND SHE HAS GREAT POTENTIAL.

Historical erotica with a fairly decent plot. There was sex, sex, sex from the beginning to the end, however, there was also pretty good character development and a bit of a mystery.