The Romanceaholic

Expected Release: Date: June 28, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: HQN
Author’s Website: http://www.charlottefeatherstone.net/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 1, The Brethren Guardians
Series Best Read In Order: N/A
Steam Level: Hot

Official Blurb:

With the scandalous nature of her birth to live down, Isabella Fairmont dreams of a proper marriage—even if a passionless one. She saves her deepest desires for the novel she dares to pen, wherein a handsome lord with dark powers seduces her. But then her courtship with an appropriate suitor is threatened by the sudden attentions of the reclusive Earl of Black…whose pale blue eyes and brooding sensuality are exactly as she described in her book.

Isabella tries to resist the mysterious Earl of Black. Yet as he pursues her, with inexplicable knowledge of her past and kisses that consume her, Isabella fears she will succumb.

If only the earl could tell Isabella the truth. With very real, and treacherous, thieves endangering her life, Black will need to protect Isabella from the very people she trusts the most…

As of this moment, I’ve spent about two hours writing and re-writing this review. Why, do you ask? For the simple reason that nothing I say seems to accurately describe just how much I really enjoyed this book.

Taking it’s cue from gothic novels of old, Seduction & Scandal has everything I love in darker historicals.  Our heroine is a woman with a secret scandalous past, determined to live a virtuous and staid life, never giving in to the passions that ruined her mother’s life. She agrees to a courtship with a man who is boring, but safe, and never tells him of her secret hobby as a novelist.  Then enter the Earl of Black, a darkly handsome man who has a scandal of his own to follow him, who tempts her with the promise of secret kisses and forbidden caresses.

The secret scandal in Isabella’s past, the deadly rumors that surround Black,  the tale of secret societies with a dash of the paranormal,  a delicious sense of sensuality, and an unseen outside force attempting to ruin all chances of happiness between the lovers,  all combine to make this book an incredible read.

What worked for me:

• The cover is absolutely gorgeous. While the cover model for the hero isn’t quite what I’d pictured when I imagined Black, I absolutely adore the styling, the colors, and the overall composition.
• I completely adored the romance with Death that Isabella was writing in her journal, and how it was interwoven with the actual story. It was such a beautiful parallel, and honestly would’ve made a wonderful read in and of itself.
• I cannot tell you how happy I was that the declarations of love came from the hero before the actual consummation! Don’t get me wrong, there was plenty of UST, delicious kisses, and heavy petting before the ILY’s were said, but it was so refreshing to have the hero and heroine in love with each other before the actual act of lovemaking took place, despite the lack of words on Isabella’s side.
• I really enjoyed the subplot with the Masons, the Brethren, and the House of Orpheus.
• Having read quite a few of Charlotte Featherstone’s works, I’ve always felt as though her writing was rather like incredibly fine chocolate — rich, luscious, and best in small doses so that you can better savor the flavor. One of the things I’ve noticed with her other writings is that I personally felt I had to pace myself , which means that while I adore her writing, her reads tend to be rather heavy and slow for me.  While this book had the same beautiful gothic stylings as her other works, and there were certainly heavy themes at play, I can honestly say that I had a much easier time reading this story than I have any of her others. Please don’t misunderstand me, the lush descriptions and incredible sensuality is still present, but perhaps toned down a tiny bit from the other works of hers that I have read.

What didn’t work for me:

• I admit I was a little put off by the paranormal aspects. There is a chalice, a scroll, and a pendant — all integral parts of the secret society of The Brethren — which legend asserts have magical or supernatural properties.  For some reason I wasn’t expecting these to be more than actual legend, nor did I expect these properties to play such a large part in the actual plot.  Please don’t misunderstand me, this was a minor negative point for me and did not lessen my enjoyment of the novel. I mention it simply because it took me by surprise after having read the official blurb, and thought that perhaps other readers would appreciate the heads-up.

I literally could not put this book down. Once I read the opening lines, Ms. Featherstone’s masterful writing style had me entranced to the point that even I found myself reading this book in line at the grocery store.

I must also say how absolutely thrilled I am by the blurb of the next book in the series, Pride & Passion, and how completely devastated I am that it doesn’t come out until December.

A very solid 5/5 Stars, and highly recommended for fans of gothic historical romances.

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