Customer Reviews

Lord of Pleasure

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Do not walk.... Run to buy this book. I read it all in one sitting. From the very first page when Charlotte clues us into her pecuniary predicament, I was hooked. What i really appreciate about this story is that the characters have a strong emotional journey to find that true love. They also have some very naughty sex scenes along the way. I think I might still need to fan myself.

This is the second book in the School of Gallantry series, after Mistress of Pleasure which I also read and loved. What's fantastic about this is you can read it as a stand alone, but its also wonderful seeing the simultaneous story of Mistress of Pleasure happening in this book. In no way do you feel as if you're reading something you've read before. Its like seeing a scene through completely fresh eyes.

I love the heroine, but Alexander really steals the show. I love him with all his sisters. He is a hero after my heart.

Lady Charlotte Chartwell is destitute. Her husband, a philanderer of the worst order, left her with nothing in his will. With no hope of an income save selling her body, Charlotte is resigned to her fate. Walking alone in a favorite spot for men of the ton to ride horses, Charlotte knows she will be able to catch the eye of someone. She has no idea that society's favorite, the Lord of Pleasure, is about to become more than just an acquaintance.

Alexander Baxendale, the Earl of Hawksford, listens as Charlotte boldly makes her offer. No longer as risqué as he used to be, Alexander turns her down and while she is stunned, he knows that her reputation is the only thing that she can keep her own and he doesn't want to be the man to ruin her. Feeling more than just a passing fancy for this beautiful widow, Alexander tries to make her life easier only to have her turn his charity down. When he accompanies a friend to a new "school" of gallantry in which men learn charm and seduction skills, he is in for the surprise of his life - the woman he is trying to help, Lady Charlotte Chartwell, is the new Conductor of Admissions!

LORD OF PLEASURE's plot coincides closely with the first School of Gallantry installment, MISTRESS OF PLEASURE. More than once I got tickled at the lengths Alexander went to in order find ways to be with Charlotte. Their passion and almost unspoken awareness of each other was heady and sexually intense. Charlotte was a stubborn minx, she only wanted Alexander's love - she didn't need fancy trappings or anything like that. She wanted a man to love her - and Alexander really did - he just didn't know it.

Delilah Marvelle has a written a delightful second installment to her fantastic series. LORD OF PLEASURE takes the stiffness of English society and makes a few rules of its own! Charlotte and Alexander's love is a match made in heaven and LORD OF PLEASURE is a marvelous look at their lives and what hurdles can be jumped in order to find that special someone. I can't wait to see what Ms. Marvelle comes up with next to entice historical romance lovers. I, for one, will be first in line for her next release!

Natalie S.

I'm surprised by the glowing reviews. Delilah Marvelle may have potential, but she should have spent more time perfecting her craft before she started publishing. The premise of "Lord of Pleasure" is interesting (you can read a summary of it in other reviews), but the characters' decisions and actions often don't make sense. I could overlook some lapses in logic if the writing was really good, but Marvelle's is not. The descriptions are often clichéd (as when the hero is compared to a Greek statue), and Marvelle has the odd stylistic tic of following a complete sentence with one or more fragments. For example, she writes, "Her hand stilled and her eyes widened at the tidy pile of crisp-looking banknotes. At least a dozen of them. At about ten pounds each." This can be a great technique for creating emphasis, but Marvelle does it over and over again--on just about every page.

I won't read any more of this series, but I'd be curious to visit Marvelle's work again in a few years and see if her style has matured.

Considering that her husband left her penniless, Lady Charlotte Chartwell is at the end of her rope. With creditors at her door and no money even for food, she decides that she will sell herself for some money to survive.

The sad fact is that she offers herself to none other than The Lord of Pleasure - Alexander Baxendale - Earl of Hawksford. Lamentably - as intrigued as he is with her offer - he is on the way to reform, so his days as a rake are over. He has more sisters that he can count and he has to ensure that his behavior doesn't mar their chances on the marriage mart.

The young and beautiful widow is not far from his thoughts - and he extends his help only to have his financial generosity refused time and time again by Charlotte.

A few months pass and when a friend of his requests that he accompany him to a new "school" that has opened - his interest is piqued - for this is a school that teaches men to accent their sensuality and hone their seduction skills, an area where he absolutely doesn't need any help whatsoever!

Imagine his surprise - when he is interviewed by Charlotte herself, as she is the new Director of Admissions to the school! He was going to refuse the lessons - but now he has found a reason to attend. To seduce this lovely widow that has been on his mind since their first meeting.

Delilah Marvelle does a wonderful job in creating a unique storyline that has tremendous sensuality and many humorous LOL moments. The two main protagonists are delightful, as are the revolving characters to the story - the sex is steamy and super hot, just as hot if not hotter than in Delilah's first book MISTRESS OF PLEASURE (also highly recommended). This book was lovely - funny, charming, sensual, steamy, touching.... all the aspects that a good romance should have! NOT TO BE MISSED!!!! ENJOY!!!

Mistress of Pleasure

Just when you thought Alexander was the very bad boy in the first story you find out he really isn't more the misunderstood sex good he is.. Deliah has written this story excellent and I applaud her.. Can't wait for the next story?? hint hint..

Lady Charoltte Chartwell is in direstraits to find some new income soon or she will be on the streets. So Charlotte sets out to find a husband that will support her. And she litterly stumbles upon Hawsford the bad boy in the first series he is dangerous with a capital D. But he has his own problems to add to the situation. Needless to say they find alot about each that they didn't know which in my opinion is kinda sensual and funny. She finds all sorts of sexy things about him. And lord hawksford finds more good things then he can handle.

This is a excellent book to read and is very funny but sexy..
Again can't wait for the next one. Delilah Marvelle is a excellent writer and I'd give her some ideas if she wants them..
Oh yes and on a interesting note to add. Each chapter that you read has a Lesson to learn.. Lesson One: 'Tis truly a curse to have no coins in your purse. For you lose sight of all pleasure and all means of leisure, which makes life all the more worse. -The School of Gallantry
The first series has this Lesson also.
very interesting thank you Delilah,
Jenn

Delilah Marvelle has the type of sparkle and pizzaz about her writing that will earn a lasting place in the canon of great historical romance authors. Delightful is the word, and clever is the device. Pitting the rigours of a strict society against a sizzling setting where all barriers may be ripped away, The School of Gallantry is simply a brilliant device. The rich characters from Mistress of Pleasure and Lord of Pleasure romp with colour and vivacity, each character is interesting and engaging, and their dove-tailing, concurrent stories provide immense pleasure for fans of the series but never detract from stand-alone quality. Laugh-out-loud funny, compelling and touching, and I think HOT goes without saying, this book (as well as Mistress) really has it all.

Lady Charlotte Chartwell is left destitute by her philandering husband when she meets Alexander Baxendale, the Earl of Hawksfort, or otherwise known as the Lord of Pleasure by the ton. Never would Charlotte believe that she would have to use her body to make money, but she has no choice and makes an offer to Alexander.

At one time Alexander would have been tempted, but things have changed rather quickly upon meeting Charlotte and Alexander turns Charlotte down leaving her stunned. Instead of taking her up on her offer Alexander decides to help the widow, but she turns him down, not interested in anyone's charity.

When next he sees Charlotte he finds her at place where men learn how to charm and seduce women. Charlotte has acquired the job as Conductor of Admissions. Alexander's reaction to this news is charming and laughable. He begins a quest to attract Charlotte's attention, which turn into hilarious fun. Lord of Pleasure is a charming and delightful read. I loved the hero, Alexander. His sex appeal came right through the pages.

Delilah has written a delightful romp right out of the pages of history. It will be interesting to see where she takes the rest of the series.

Description:
Once upon a time, Alexander William Baxendale, the Earl of Hawksford, was known to all of London and its besotted women as the Lord of Pleasure. Those days of frolicking, however, come to an abrupt end when he inherits not only the estate, but all of his father's responsibilities, including five, overzealous sisters and a not-so-proper mother. When Alexander meets the beautiful Lady Chartwell, he once again finds himself yearning for days of old. Left penniless by her philandering husband, Lady Chartwell survives financial ruin by turning to scandal and becoming the Conductor of Admissions to a school that educates men in the art of seduction. Alexander knows that desperate times call for desperate pleasures, but if he's lucky, it may very well lead him to a hell of a lot more.

This book started off with promise. The main characters had chemistry and I sympathized with them both. At first, I was able to put aside how modern the characters were and the implausibility of the "school." But, then it became impossible to ignore. My biggest problem: There is no way Alexander would have been so liberal as to accept his mother's relationship with his little sisters. Today her permissive and exhibitionist behavior would end in her having a visit with DCFS. So, you know there's no way a man in England in 1830 would let her ruin his sisters' marriageability and destroy the family's honor.

I didn't enjoy this book at all even though I really wanted to. It is fine if all you want to read is sex, but if you want a decent story line and thoughtful writing, then this is not the book for you.

The only thing regency about this book was the titles used. Everything else was very contemporary. Certainly a romance novel, and even an entertaining story but not true Regency.