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THE SECOND SEDUCTION OF A LADY
Author: Miranda Neville
Publisher: HarperCollins/Avon Impulse
Genre: Historical
Release Date: October 16, 2012
Digital Price: $1.99
Pages: 100

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Enter the thrilling, sexy world of Georgian England in this splendid Miranda Neville novella—and catch a glimpse of Caro, the heroine of the upcoming The Importance of Being Wicked, on sale December 2012.

Eleanor Hardwick and Max Quinton shared one night of incredible passion . . . that was shattered the next day, when Eleanor learned of a bet placed by Max’s friends. Now, five years later, Max still can’t get Eleanor out of his head or his heart. He has a single chance to make a second impression—one that will last forever.

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REVIEW

Eleanor Hardwick is a practical woman, not given to foolishness or the throes of passion. She believes in having a life of freedom versus a life of marriage to someone who will eventually make your life a living hell. I liked Eleanor, up until I discovered her flaw was to jump the gun and assume she knew everyone’s intentions. As they say assumptions are the mother of all screw-ups. In Eleanor’s case, she’s lost out on the love of her life because of assumptions and grown incredibly cynical.

Enter the hero, and the most forgiving sort of man. Max Quinton made a bad decision in the past. He bet he could win a kiss from a beautiful girl, except he didn’t plan on falling in love with her. That part happened unexpectedly; equally unexpected is when she spurned his love and ran away without a letter or an explanation. Lucky for him she happens to be staying with his ward’s neighbors and Eleanor won’t get away from him this time. Max is still in love with a woman who broke his heart, and that made my heart sigh in pleasure. He’s kind, enjoys laughter and in general just made me feel good. His internal thoughts are very different from the typical hero and rather than avoid his feelings, he embraces them.

Max uses his ward and Eleanor’s cousin, recently come of age Caro, to help bring them together. The only hitch is the collusion of their younger counterparts starts them down a path that could no doubt lead to ruin. This little secondary bit was intriguing and Neville portrays the youthful follies of love very well in this novella.

Of course this is a quick read, rapidly engaging, and it reminded me to always give those you care for the benefit of the doubt and the chance of explanation. While Eleanor is not my favorite heroine, I still think this is a good series prequel, with plenty of characters you love to despise and two people destined for the love of dreams. Luckily readers won’t have to wait long as the Neville’s first series installment, Caro’s story, will be available in November.

Rating: 3.5 (Good)

Heat Level: 4 (Hot)

Reviewed by Landra