Scandal Wears Satin by Loretta Chase

Setting: Late Regency 1835

Summary:

From the Journals of Sophia Noirot: A dress is a weapon. It must dazzle his eye, raise his temperature . . . and empty his purse.

A blue-eyed innocent on the outside and a shark on the inside, dressmaker Sophy Noirot could sell sand to Bedouins. Selling Maison Noirot’s beautiful designs to aristocratic ladies is a little harder, especially since a recent family scandal has made an enemy of one of society’s fashion leaders. Turning scandal to the shop’s advantage requires every iota of Sophy’s skills, leaving her little patience for a big, reckless rake like the Earl of Longmore. The gorgeous lummox can’t keep more than one idea in his head at a time, and his idea is taking off all of Sophy’s clothes.

But when Longmore’s sister, Noirot’s wealthiest, favorite customer, runs away, Sophy can’t let him bumble after her on his own. In hot pursuit with the one man who tempts her beyond reason, she finds desire has never slipped on so smoothly . . .

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Review:

This is another great addition to Loretta’s very original series about three dressmakers in London. Wit, humor and adventure awaits the reader behind the gorgeous blue cover of this beautifully written Regency romance!

The heroine Sophia Noirot was introduced in the last book as being immensely clever and persuasive when it came to marketing the sister’s dress shop. Her latest challenge comes in the form of the Earl of Longmore who can’t seem to get her out of his head! But it’s no smooth road for these two as Longmore’s mother hates the dressmakers and of course there’s the major class difference. But Sophia can’t get him out of her head either! And when his sister goes missing, putting the shop’s future at stake, Sophia and Longmore must team up to save her, which puts temptation way too close for comfort 😉

I loved Sophia’s character-she was smart, hilarious and so manipulative it was dazzling to read. Loving acting myself, I loved how Sophia could assume any character she wanted to suit her purposes. Her personality made for some really fresh and funny scenes. I wasn’t big fan of the hero though-I like my heroes more articulate and charming. Longmore struck me as more of a jock type personality. But seeing these two interact, it was clear they were right for each other. I would have liked to understood why Longmore liked Sophia though-it was never mentioned the why, except that he did, right from the start of the book. However, every scene seemed to crackle with the unspoken tension the two shared.

The rest of the characters shone too, with my favorites being Longmore’s sister (I wonder if she’ll be getting a spin off book of her own), and Longmore’s mother who reminded me of Austen’s Mrs Bennet with her over-dramatic faints and sighs. I did wish I could see more of the couple from the first book though but that was a minor point.

Plot-wise, it was simple and yet so addictive I just couldn’t put it down. The road trip trope? It’s been done before and yet this was somehow too intriguing. I think Sophia’s actress character played a big part but another part of the reason was because of all the descriptions of the different places Longmore and Sophia went to try and find his sister-you felt as if you were right there with them and could envision all the scenes. As with the first book in the series, I loved all the passages at the start of each chapter which were taken from real-life historical sources. It made the book seem like it could have actually happened!

All in all, this was a very beautifully written romance with great characters and a very entertaining plot. I can’t imagine a better way to spend an afternoon 🙂

Sensuality Rating: Hot 😉

Verdict: Another great read from the amazing Loretta Chase! Highly recommended!

Rating: 4 and a half out of 5 stars

Last Night’s Scandal by Loretta Chase

Setting: Regency 1831

*Book 5 in Carsington Brothers series*

Summary:

After surviving the perils of Egypt, Peregrine Dalmay, Earl of Lisle is back in London, facing the most dire threat of all: his irrational family….and Miss Olivia Wingate-Carsington. A descendent of notorious—but very aristocratic—swindlers, the delectable redhead has the ability to completely unhinge him, and a long history of dragging him into her scandalous schemes.

Olivia may be Society’s darling, but she’s aware a respectable future looms menacingly. And so when Lisle is forced to go on a family mission, she sees this as the perfect chance for one last adventure—even if it is with the one man in the world she can’t wrap around her finger: but really, she only wants to help…

Which is why Lisle and Olivia find themselves in a gloomy Scottish castle inhabited by spiteful ghosts and craven murderers…and a shocking secret: the greatest peril of all may be burning within their own stubborn hearts.

Review:

After loving Loretta’s Silk is For Seduction, I thought I would go back and read one of her other earlier novels. What better than Last Night’s Scandal, which had a great name, gorgeous cover and an interesting premise to boot? Two best friends embarking on a journey to solve a mystery in an ancient Scottish castle, while slowly falling in love? Yes please!

I thought this was a very well-written, hilarious fast-paced cute romance that made for a great and entertaining read.

At the start of the book, we learn that our hero and heroine have been best friends for years, and they are complete opposites. He’s stiff, proper, and logical. She’s dramatic, impulsive, and scandalous. When they meet for the first time in 5 years, both have changed. He’s been away in Egypt and has grown into a strong, tall manly man; she’s become one of the belles of the ton, surrounded by millions of admirers. Naturally they try to fight this sudden attraction but ultimately, this is a story about two people who were always meant to be together, finally realizing they were made for each other.

I didn’t like the heroine-at least not at first. She knew her own power and used/misled the men around her, breaking millions of engagements for (as far as I could understand) simply because she got ‘bored.’ Then she proceeds to tease the hero simply because she knows she can, but eventually she does grow on you and you see she isn’t some heartless minx.

I hadn’t read any of the previous books and found it slightly hard at first to understand all the relationships between the characters and the references made to prior events. I also felt that if I had, the romance would have felt more cemented. Their romance seemed to start way before this book.

However the book still managed to succeed in its own right, even if it could have done with more recap on former events to help set the scene. It would have been nice if we could have read more about the good times they had together as children, as this book is about their changing feelings.

Still, the writing was lovely, the plot was hilarious, there were some great side characters (I loved the naughty, bawdy chaperones and their great one liners!) and the hero’s parents were magnificent with all their dramatics. The ‘mystery’ of the castle was a great way to get the hero and heroine together and was very intriguing.

All in all, if you like a good opposites attract story with a bit of a mystery, lots of humor, and a fun plot, you’ll want to pick this one up.

Sensuality Rating: Hot (Love scenes are long and explicit)

Verdict: Funny, witty and sexy-what more could you want? 😉

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Silk is For Seduction by Loretta Chase

Setting: Late Regency 1835

*The first book in the Dressmakers Trilogy*

Summary:

Brilliant and ambitious dressmaker Marcelline Noirot is London’s rising star. And who better to benefit from her talent than the worst-dressed lady in London; the Duke of Clevedon’s intended bride? Winning the future duchess’s patronage means prestige and fortune for Marcelline and her family. To get to the lady, though, Marcelline must win over Clevedon, whose standards are as high as his morals are…not.

The prize seems well worth the risk. This time, though, Marcelline’s met her match.  Clevedon can design a seduction as irresistible as her dresses; and what begins as a flicker of desire between two of the most passionately stubborn charmers in London soon ignites into a delicious inferno . . .and a blazing scandal.

And now both their futures hang by a thread of silk…

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Review:

My second book from Loretta Chase, this one caught my attention because of the idea of three dressmakers running their own shop. Never read a heroine who was a dressmaker before! Pair that with a cold, arrogant duke who’s always had whatever he wanted and you have a great opposites attract story!

From the moment the book begins, it is pure magic-a beautiful, romantic, touching, witty, well-researched story that is as expertly crafted as one of Marcelline’s fine dresses! I loved everything about this book! 😀 The hero, the heroine, the secondary characters, the romance, the chemistry, the sexual tension, the plot, the historical accuracy-heck even the dresses were too delicious to be true! This has got to be one of the best romances this year-simply magnificent! 😀

Our hero Clevedon is your typical haughty and cold duke but from the moment he meets Marcelline, something magical happens. The tension and chemistry is absolutely sizzling and, no surprise here, he can’t wait to see her again. Marcelline has her own plans for seducing the duke and naturally doesn’t expect to fall in love.

I loved Marcelline! Such a great character-intelligent, independent and determined and yet with a softer side hiding underneath all that! Now this is a woman to admire! And Clevedon is perfect for her! I loved watching how Clevedon realized what an amazing woman Marcelline is and how lucky he is to be blessed with so much fortune.

The plot was so well-weaved and so well-written that at times I was quite in awe! Add in tidbits of historical facts, and you really do have the best example of a historical romance out there. I often felt in the hands of a master and was quite surprised, considering I did not love the first book I read from this author (Don’t Tempt Me). I really felt like I was there in the novel with Marcelline viewing all these gorgeous dresses and flirting with the duke 😉 Ms. Chase really hit it out of the park with this one!

All in all, a beautiful, well written, wonderful love story of two people fighting against the odds to be together! I was quite properly seduced by Marcelline and her dressmaking sisters and I guarantee you will be too! 😉

Sensuality Rating: Hot! (Love scenes are long and explicit)

Verdict: Simply perfect!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!

Don’t Tempt Me by Loretta Chase

Setting: Regency

Summary:

Spunky English girl overcomes impossible odds and outsmarts heathen villains.

That’s the headline when Zoe Lexham returns to England. After twelve years in the exotic east, she’s shockingly adept in the sensual arts. She knows everything a young lady shouldn’t and nothing she ought to know. She’s a walking scandal, with no hope of a future . . . unless someone can civilize her.

Lucien de Grey, the Duke of Marchmont, is no knight in shining armor. He’s cynical, easily bored, and dangerous to women. He charms, seduces, and leaves them—with parting gifts of expensive jewelry to dry their tears. But good looks, combined with money and rank, makes him welcome everywhere. The most popular bachelor in the Beau Monde can easily save Zoe’s risqué reputation . . . if the wayward beauty doesn’t lead him into temptation, and a passion that could ruin them both.

Click cover for more info

Review:

This is my first time reading a Loretta Chase novel and I have to say that I was looking forward to it. The blurb was promising, and when I snuck a look inside at the sexy stepback, I just knew I had to have it!

Sadly, the book did not live up to my expectations. The writing I had no complaint with as I found it easy, flowing and funny. The problem with the book was the lack of an exciting plot and as well as a lack of a tangible emotional connection between the heroine and hero.

We are told that Zoe is exotic and sensual and yet you never quite got that idea. Her English was practically perfect and she never did anything too over-the-top sexy. We are also told that the Duke of Marchmont is bored easily and never thinks about women other than in terms of pleasure. I also did not see much of this and the way he fell for Zoe was far too quickly and out of character. Most of the time though I felt like I was outside these character’s head-never really understanding them-I wasn’t part of the story much, just reading their adventures as if someone else told them to me.

Most of the time I found myself hurrying towards the end, and when the conflict came, it didn’t shock me at all.

I will mention the things I liked in the novel such as the beginning, which was funny and well written and set the story up nicely. It was a promising beginning. I’m just upset that the rest of the book did not live up to it.

I also enjoyed the historical perspective in it such as the mentioning of Princess Caraboo and the proper procedure for a making your curtsy to the Queen. This part I found interesting and unique as most romances though they are called historical romances very little of the time focus on any actual historical details of the life around them.

Overall, I have to say that I am willing to give another Loretta Chase novel  a try (as I enjoy her writing)but I won’t recommend this one.

Sensuality Level: Very Warm-Sex scenes quite long and not so detailed

Verdict-Just ok if you have nothing better to do on an afternoon but not reccommended

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars