Lessons From a Scarlet Lady
Author: Emma Wildes
Publisher: NAL / Signet Eclipse
Pub. Date: January 5, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0451228796
Retail Price: $6.99
336 pagesThe Duke of Rolthven’s new wife, Brianna, is the perfect aristocratic bride. So what would society say if they saw her with a copy of Lady Rothburg’s Advice–a courtesan’s lessons for the boudoir? When his innocent wife suddenly becomes a vixen in the bedroom, the proper Duke is truly astounded by her seductive powers. Following a courtesan’s advice might lead to trouble-but will it lead to Brianna’s ultimate desire: winning her husband’s love?
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Emma Wildes takes the historical romance genre and adds a touch of erotic. Lessons From a Scarlet Lady is an intriguing read that begins with one heck of a steamy sex scene!Having never read Wildes previous novel, An Indecent Proposition, I wasn’t quite sure what I was about to read. At the start, we’re introduced to Brianna Northfield (newly married to Colton Northfield, Duke of Rolthven) who is attempting to seduce her prim and proper husband by wearing a very revealing gown to the opera… And succeeds. We soon learn that Brianna has acquired a book of advice on seducing a man and pleasing him sexually in all types of manners.
The storyline also introduces Colton’s brothers Robert and Damien as well as Brianna’s closest friends, married Arabella Smythe and single Rebecca Marston. I found that as the story went on the main focus shifts to a budding love between Robert and Rebecca, and the storyline with Brianna and Colton, while still being important, fades into the background. Wildes shift in focus still keeps Brianna and Colton in play through group interactions and very detailed, borderline erotic love scenes. The scandalous book also changes hands, allowing the reader to follow both Brianna and Rebecca, as they explore its advice. There are also tidbits from the book at the start of each chapter, allowing the reader to gather a bit more of what the book is all about aside from what the ladies are either discussing or putting into action.
In all the other historical romances I’ve read, the author will take her time to build sexual tension between the characters, allowing the reader to start to anticipate when the main characters will unite. Not Wildes! From the very beginning there are many steamy scenes, which I am perfectly fine with, but those readers who like gentle, less descriptive love scenes, beware!
The only issue I found with Lessons is that the main focus is shifted quite abruptly, and I found myself having to stop and gather my thoughts to follow along. It was surprising, as I was expecting to only follow Brianna and her trials, not both hers and Rebecca’s.
In the end, I found myself wanting more, much more. I wanted to know more about Robert and Rebecca’s story as well as the continuation of Brianna and Colton’s. I certainly hope that Wildes has plans of revisiting them in the future! Emma if you are reading this, remember Damien still has a story to be told! 🙂
Rating: 7.5 (Good +)
Heat Level: 5-6 (Bordering on Erotic)
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I have to say for this book, the second story line had more tension and conflict than the main one. I thought they should have gotten their own book.
I enjoyed this book recently, but I have to agree with Beverley. I was much more invested in Rebecca and Robert’s story, and I wonder if it’s because we follow it and watch it build, far more than we do with Colton and Brianna (although I also liked their interaction).
Great review Rebecca. Very insightful.
Aislinn, That was my main issue, that I wanted all Rebecca and Robert more than Brianna and Colton. While it was interesting to see Brianna going through all the troubles of seducing Colton, I found it way more interesting to watch Rebecca and Roberts love grow. And I most certainly want to know Damiens’ story, because they way she sets it up, Emma Wildes leaves it wide open for his tale to be told.
Rebecca,
Thanks for the very informative review. Rebecca and Robert’s story does sound more interesting!
Thanks for such a thoughtful review. I’ve been looking forward to reading this book because the plot sounds so interesting and hot! Also because I read An Indecent Proposition and loved it!
I have to agree with some of the other commenters, the whole focus of the book shifts to the much more interesting secondary plot with Rebecca and Robert. I read An Indecent Proposal and the same thing happened there. The main plot wasn’t as interesting as the secondary one. I wonder why the author doesn’t switch things around and make the secondary one the main one. That would make sense to me.