Genre: Historical RomanceCopyright: 2009
Pages: 351
Rating:
Book Blurb:
For Olivia Raines, London's most notorious courtesan, and the infamous Julian Southwood, Earl of Erith falling in love will be the greatest risk of all in this wicked and wild romance from Anna Campbell.
Any man in London would worship her. Yet Olivia is, quite frankly, bored of them all. Despite her many dalliances, she's never felt true passion, never longed for any lover's touch . . . until Julian, London's most notoriously wanton rake, decides to make her his mistress.
From the moment he first sees her, Julian knows he must possess her. And when he discovers her greatest secret, a scandal that could ruin her reputation and end her career, he knows just the way to use this damaging information to his most delightful advantage. He offers Olivia a deal with the devil: he'll keep her secret . . . if she allows him the chance to show her true ecstasy.
But Olivia must be careful, for Julian has a secret of his own: he will not rest until she is completely, shamelessly his.
Review:
Romantic Times said 'takes your breath away ... an unforgettable powerhouse romance'. That is an understatement! I absolutely loved this book and will definitely read it again. Although I feel I must warn you, I recommend reading this book in a very cold room with the air conditioner turned to the coldest setting because it is steamy hot!
Anna Campbell has an amazing ability to write a story that gets to the heart of women's sensuality. What impressed me most about this story was not only was it very hot and steamy, it was a story that involved two peoples journey through abuse and grief and the way in which these emotional events affected their everyday living.
This was my first Courtesan novel and it is quite different from the typical Virgin heroine. Firstly the intimacy/sexual activity begins much earlier in the novel and I wouldn't say it built the sexual tension as much as the sensuality/eroticism. This book is a page turner from start to finish, I loved it and would recommend it to all woman. This is feminine porn at it's absolute best!
We asked author Anna which Royal person from history she'd like to be and why. Here's her response:What a great question. And a slightly troublesome one. Because I think the royal I MOST admire is Elizabeth I and hey, who wants to be a virgin queen? Not this little black duck! I also really admire Anne Boleyn but she didn't exactly have a happy ending. Smart, beautiful, missing a head? Nah, I don't think so. Hmm... Thinking, thinking, in a very regal way. I'd almost believe I'd have to choose to be a bloke, just because they had a much easier time of things than the gals. Actually I've worked it out - I want to be the late Queen Mother. Apparently she started each day with half a bottle of French champagne. How cool is that? No wonder she was always smiling!
About Anna Campbell
Born in Brisbane, Australia Anna Campbell is the best-selling author of 4 Historical Romances. Her books have been described as 'Regency Noir' having a darker, sexier edge than your standard regency novel. She has finaled in the RITA and R*BY Awards multiple times and was voted Best New Author of 2007 in the All About Romance Annual Reader Poll.
Anna is a great advocate for the Romance genre and shares her knowledge in workshops and in some fantastic articles on her website. Tips from an author of this calibre are golden! If you'd like to meet Anna (and Christine Wells) in person, you can come along to the Brisbane Writers Festival from 9th to 13th September.
Anna's latest novel, Captive of Sin, is due to be released in November 2009 (US) and January 2010 (Australia and NZ). If you'd like to win an ARC Copy of this book, enter via the Contest page on her website (entries close 30 August 2009). You can preorder here from Amazon or here from Book Depository (free postage worldwide).
Visit Anna Campbell's website here or stop in to Romance Bandits where she regularly blogs with other fantastic authors.
Anna is a great advocate for the Romance genre and shares her knowledge in workshops and in some fantastic articles on her website. Tips from an author of this calibre are golden! If you'd like to meet Anna (and Christine Wells) in person, you can come along to the Brisbane Writers Festival from 9th to 13th September.
Anna's latest novel, Captive of Sin, is due to be released in November 2009 (US) and January 2010 (Australia and NZ). If you'd like to win an ARC Copy of this book, enter via the Contest page on her website (entries close 30 August 2009). You can preorder here from Amazon or here from Book Depository (free postage worldwide). Visit Anna Campbell's website here or stop in to Romance Bandits where she regularly blogs with other fantastic authors.
20 comments:
I read all of Anna Campbell's books -- all powerful with memorable characters. Looking forward to reading Captive of Sin! Anna is intense, love her!
etriv - glad to have another Anna Campbell fan! There are plenty of people on the countdown to Captive of Sin. What's your favourite of hers so far?
Hey, Annie, Your Royal Highness, what a fabulous wrap for my book. Well, actually for my BOOKS! Thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed Tempt the Devil. I'm really looking forward to Captive of Sin hitting the stands - I really had a huge crush on that hero ;-)
Fantastic review Annie ~ I have this on my bookshelf but I'm saving it for just before my wedding anniversary... should set the scene for a good weekend LOL
Anna, you cracked me up with your Royal choice, & I'm liking your thought process.
Anna you must know you're onto a winning hero when you have a crush on him yourself! Thanks so much for stopping by - we can't wait for Captive of Sin.
Teddyree - I'd love to take credit for the review because it is awesome but it was actually Queen of Happy Endings!
Alaine, Alaine, Alaine! Apologies! I thanked Annie and not you! I should be beaten with a wooden spoon... With appropriate crown decoration! But THANK YOU! Great review!
Thanks, Etirv! Mwah!
Teddyree, it was actually hard coming up with a royal I want to be. Honestly, I think you're happier as a peasant! ;-) But the French champagne to start the day has always tickled my fancy.
LOL it's ok Anna, I knew I'd done it! It really is my favourite Historical Romance read for this year possibly of all time. It is one I will read over and over. I was so excited when I found out you had another release coming out this year.
Teddyree and I complained to QBD for not stocking Tempt the Devil and they ended up getting it in. Doubt if it was because of us but we are going there next week and I'm going to try and pre-order Captive of Sin. Otherwise I'll be buying it at Target as that's where we bought Tempt the Devil. Is the release date still Oct 27? I remembered because it's my birthday and I thought it would be a great birthday present LOL.
oops apologies to the Queen from me to, but I'm not lining up for the wooden spoon LOL,
Alaine, where's your pretty avatar?
Wow, Alaine, that's amazing praise. Thank you so much! That story was such an amazing journey to write - partly because the characters were older, in their thirties rather than their twenties. There's such a different emotional landscape then to very young heroes and heroines.
And thanks for pushing QBD to get TTD in. Honestly, don't these bookstores know what a big seller romance is?
Captive of Sin is out in the US on 27th October. There's an Australian edition - the gorgeous trade paperback like the others here - out in January although I've got a feeling it might be around pre-Christmas. Untouched was a January book and it was everywhere in December!
Happy birthday for the 27th October!
Teddyree, don't make me face the wooden spoon alone! NOOOOOOOO!!!!! ;-)
Anna, don't worry we told them they should be supporting local authors. I will be in there on the weekend so if I start asking for it now they might take a hint.
Maybe that's why I enjoyed Tempt the Devil so much, the emotional connection and the sexual chemistry between to characters was fantastic.
I'm thinking I might have to buy the US copy as a special birthday present you understand and then buy the beautiful Aussie cover (because I love those and it will match the others LOL). Hmmm can I wait, I really don't think I can!
She is funny, and just keeping it real. Women like her know just what we need. Good review.
Adding it to my tbr.
Alaine, those big colorful Aussie covers are gorgeous, aren't they? I occasionally give them away for a US contest or charity auction and the Americans love them! They're not available over there.
Hey, thanks, Jenny Girl! It was a lovely review, wasn't it?
Absolutely Anna, I love the big paperback version of them. Sadly though I only have Claiming the Cortesan in the smaller size, beautiful cover. I like buying them when they come out in that size. The benefit is that they are easy for me to read as well, going blind as I age LOL.
LOL hey Anna, I think you've redeemed yourself, no wooden spoon necessary!
I have Claiming the Courtesan and Untouched in the small size and Tempt the Devil in large size and I don't like it, *waahh* they don't match. I know, how anal is that? But in my defence, I know I'm not alone with that oddity *wicked grin*
Teddyree just who was that *wicked grin* at I wonder?? I think I'm catching the disease because I'm kind of annoyed my Karen Marie Moning will be in hardback when the rest of them are in paperback.
Anna I love your Aussie covers but I was partial to the US TTD cover with that brooding model on the front. I voted for it at RWA...I couldn't help it...he was beckoning me with those eyes!
Jenny Girl - glad you liked the review! I can vouch that Anna's just as funny in person as she is on the web!
ok...if Alaine liked this book then I am in especially after reading this part:
{{recommend reading this book in a very cold room with the air conditioner turned to the coldest setting because it is steamy hot!}}
Onto my TBR pile Tempt the Devil goes!!
Loved Anna's answer to the royal person question! It does seem that blokes had an easier times than women.
Now off to check out the links listed.
LOL Annie, I'm just glad it's catching!!
Alaine, my eyes are deteriorating as I get older too. I do my drafts in 14 point these days!
Oh, Teddy, clearly you'll just have to buy TTD when it comes out in the local mass market size so they all match. I think that's December. Gives even bigger evil grin!
Annie, I voted for that cover too - strange, that, LOL! Thanks for the vote! Untouched won last year which was a nice moment. I think Denise's cover that won was really gorgeous, though. Seriously, you could drown in that guy's eyes, couldn't you?
Deanna, thanks for adding TTD to the TBR pile! Hope you enjoy it! I must say I had a giggle at the airconditioning comment too!
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