Madame's Deception

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 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 show more 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

RATHER DISAPPOINTING. MADAME'S DECEPTION LACKED THE LUSCIOUS LOVE STORY THAT MARKED A LADY'S PLEASURE. IT WAS ALSO SOMEWHAT UNBELIEVEABLE THAT JOYCELYN HAD ACQUIRED SO MUCH KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE BIRDS AND THE BEES AND STILL RETAINED HER VIRGINITY.