Silk Is for Seduction by Loretta Chase

Marcelline Noirot & The Duke of Clevedon's book




Silk Is for Seduction


By Loretta Chase


Book Blurb:
From the Design Book of Marcelline Noirot:

The allure of the perfect gown should be twofold:
ladies would die to wear it . . .and gentlemen would kill to remove it!

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 the ton, the Duke of Clevedon's intended bride? Winning the future duchess's patronage means prestige and fortune for Marcelline and her sisters. 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—but this time 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 anexquisite thread of silk . . .

One of the best books with witty character banter I have read in a long time.  I could read have read Marcelline and the Duke of Clevedon talk all day long. That was one of the best things of Silk Is for Seduction. 

I also really like the story theme. I think historical shopper keepers, servants, nurse maids etc, often get the back burner to the elite Dukes, Earls and Ladies. I want to read about their lady maids too. In Silk Is for Seduction, the main character Marcelline Noirot is a seamstress managing her own dress shop. She is quite fabulous. Smart, determined, smart, loving mother, smart, loyal to her sisters and not to mention smart. In fact all her sisters are brilliant. What a wonderful series this Dressmakers series will turn out to be. These ladies know what they want and they know how to use all the tricks of their trade to get them there.

The Prologue provided an excellent set up to the entire story. The reader is treated with the perfect amount of information to understand where the Noirot sisters came from. However when the first chapter ended I was totally confused who was who. I feel way too many characters were introduced too quickly. Unfortunately once I was into the story a few chapters, I had to go back a re-read the beginning so I could have a better understanding of  who all the characters were to one another. I really dislike when too many characters get introduced to quickly.  

The poor Duke didn't really know what hit him once he was introduced to the exotic beauty at the opera.   Sowing his wild oats in Paris the last thing he expected was to become infatuated with the witty Mrs. Noirot. The two days the pair were acquainted in Paris was probably some of my favourite chapters in Silk Is for Seduction. The verbal sparring and each trying to out wit one another in cards and betting was both humourous and flirtatious. A perfect set up to launch their romance. 


As Marcelline was doing everything she could to win over the ladies of England and encourage them to order their dresses in her shop, she was completely transparent to the Duke about her intentions. And although Duke was perfectly aware of his obligations, he just couldn't resist her. I love that almost for the entire book, the Duke didn't even know her first name. He had to keep referring to her as Noirot. I found that amusing. 


As much as I loved Marcelline, I am still not sure what I make of the Duke. Oh yes, he was lovable, kind, handsome and he was well matched with Marcelline but I think he lacked a certain manly something. I can't quite put my finger on it. Regardless, the moment he sat Marcelline's adorable daughter upon his lap and let her hold the horse reigns, he had won me over. 

Fabulous writing. I can't wait for the next book.


Teasers:  diamond stick pin wager, Steam Boat ride from hell, raging fire, "But for tonight, I love you."

Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase

Jessica Trent and Sebastian Leslie Guy de Ath Ballister, Earl of Blackmoor, Marquess of Dain "Dain"


Lord of Scoundrels


By Loretta Chase


Book Blurb:

Sebastian Ballister, the notorious Marquess of Dain, is big, bad, and dangerous to know. No respectable woman would have anything to do with the "Band and Blight of the Ballisters" - and he wants nothing to do with respectable women. He's determined to continue doing what he does best - sin and sin again - and all that's going swimmingly, thank you... until the day a shop door opens and she walks in. 

She's too intelligent to fall for the worst man in the world...

Jessica Trent is a determined young woman, and she's going to drag her imbecile brother off the road to ruin, no matter what it takes. If saving him - and with him, her family and future - means taking on the devil himself, she won't back down. The trouble is, the devil in question is so shockingly irresistible, and the person who needs the most saving is - herself!

Lord of Scoundrels was one of those books that people had expected I had already read since I love historical romance. It was on my "To Be Read" list for what seemed like forever. Then a few months ago, this classic went on sale for only an amazing .99. Problem was, you had to live in the US to get that deal. Darn it! Then I really really wanted it. I visited a few used book stores to find a gently loved copy but I never did. My friend told me it was because Lord of Scoundrels is one of those "keeper" books. Eventually I just broke down and ordered it via my Kindle. I'm so glad I did!

Lord of Scoundrels has such a sad if not upsetting prologue. It certainly succeeded in providing the reader ample understanding of why "Dain" behaved in the manner he did. He is a blackguard with a black heart. He is rich, extremely intelligent and satisfies his virile sexual appetite with paid companionship. He has no interest in pursuing a lady nor does he care how he is viewed by other proper members of society. His appearance from infancy was described rather unattractively including a large Usignuolo nose. From the view point of his Earl father, Dain appears to be grotesque.  


Lady Jessica Trent in comparison is respected and beautiful. Even though she is well past the age of marriage material, she continues to decline about 6 offers of marriage a year. She is extremely smart, cunning  and very witty. She delivers some of the best lines in Lord of Scoundrels. Her only fault it seems is her brother has created a bit of a hero worship towards Dain and it is draining their trust fund. 


Jessica (Jess) has this uncanny abilty to turn the tables on Dain. He sets out to seduce her and then she flips the situation and it is he that seduced. This ability to have two views on the same situation was a frequent occurrence and allowed for wonderful scenes between the pair. This table turning eventually lead to their agreed upon marriage and awesome conversations. If you didn't already adore Jess by the time this marriage occurred, you have no choice but to madly adore her once they are actually married. Loved. Every. Minute. Of. It. 


Although Loretta Chase goes to great lengths at the beginning of the book to set up Dain as unattractive in appearance, I couldn't help but wonder if it was grossly exaggerated. I wonder if Dain grew into his looks, big nose and was actually handsome. Certainly Jess was besotted with his Roman God size, large hands,  olive skin and dark hair. I wonder if by Italian standards he was an Italian Stallion but by English gentlemen standards he was large and awkward. 


I loved that the conflict of the story was similar to a beauty and the beast theme and then a few interesting sub plots were tossed in for good measure. As Dain started to actually believe Jess was falling truly in love with him, it was wonderful to read about his heart of ice melt. The conversations were funny to read about. He held none of his opinions back and she was solid enough to take it. It was different reading a story when the male protagonists calls his wife a "nitwit" and it suited them. Truly great writing and I loved to experience it again. Lord of Scoundrels makes my re-read shelf. 


There were a few things I didn't care for in Lord of Scoundrels. I don't see how they didn't have a deeper conversation about all the tarts he had slept with and she seemed to ignore that part of his scoundrel past. 
Also, I wished Loretta Chase did a bit more to make me like his unclaimed son. Just wasn't feeling the love there for the child. Sad I know!


Teasers - portrait treasures, name calling swooning, Jess is a great shot, Italian love words