"A deliciously erotic romance"

In 1812 England, though the daughter of an Earl, Lady Sarah Compton knows her family is ruined due to the bad judgment of her kind but now deceased father and the absolute idiocy of her brother Hugh believing that gambling away everything is his divine right. Needing cash to support his decadent lifestyle, Hugh demands Sarah snare a wealthy husband, but she thinks little of the idea especially when she reflects on her one disastrous season. However, Sarah does attend Lady Carrington's house party in Bedford not so much because of Hugh's orders, but as her last chance for fun before poverty becomes her life.

However, this is no rustic tea party as the aristocracy has come here for sexual games. Among the participants is Michael Stevens, the most notorious rake in the land. Her innocence unnerves him, especially when she insists that he teach her the art of pleasure. As they fall in love, an unknown enemy will do anything to insure that Michael fails to find the proof that he seeks.

This is an exciting erotic Regency romance starring two intriguing characters who in spite of the explicit scenes are typical of the sub-genre, i.e., the rake and the virgin. Still the story line grips the audience from the start until the final nude setting, as the lead characters are a dynamic couple battling for TOTAL SURRENDER. The suspense element adds tension, but the tale belongs to Sarah and Michael. Cheryl Holt turns up the heat with this enticing historical romance.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted June 15, 2002

Summary

With the last of her family's possessions gambled away by her dissolute brother, Lady Sarah Compton has traveled to a country house gala for one last moment of grace and beauty. But she is unaware that the occasion is actually a notorious trysting event, where members of the aristocracy can indulge their every sensual fantasy and erotic whim. Nor does she realize that the striking man who has stolen into her bedroom is none other than Michael Stevens-a rake who gives and takes his pleasures boldly... The bastard son of an earl, Michael Stevens relishes his reputation as London's most notorious seducer. But he has no idea what to make of the auburn-haired beauty he'd nearly mistaken for a new conquest or how such an innocent could possibly have been invited to a gathering where London's bored elite caters to each other's carnal desires. When the lady refuses to heed Michael's warning-to leave the house for her own protection-a powerful attraction grows, and soon, he longs to tutor the very proper Lady Sarah Compton in the art of passion...