6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pleasurably Undone has five seductive stories that are sure to please., April 1, 2010
This review is from: Pleasurably Undone!: Seducing a Stranger\The Viking's Forbidden Love-Slave\Disrobed and Dishonored\A Night for Her Pleasure\The Unlacing of Miss Leigh (Harlequin Historical) (Mass Market Paperback)
Pleasurably Undone by Christine Merrill, Michelle Willingham, Louise Allen, Diane Gaston, and Terri Brisbin
Historical Romance Anthology- April 1st, 2010
4 stars
Pleasurably Undone has five seductive stories that are sure to please.
First up is Seducing a Stranger, by Christine Merrill. Recently widowed Victoria disguises herself as a prostitute in a brothel with hopes of seducing her late husband's supposed killer into admitting his guilt. While trying to uncover his secret, he makes her feel like her husband never had.
This is one of the few stories that had a beta hero who I actually enjoyed. Although he was poor and limped with a cane, Tom was loyal and fiercely seductive. It was refreshing to read about a hero whose pride didn't lead him into angry fits.
Second is The Viking's Forbidden Love-Slave, by Michelle Willingham. Aisling is a young woman of noble Irish blood who falls into the hands of Tharand, a Viking. She is to be given to his king as a gift, but along the way, the two struggle to resist one another.
I loved where the story was going in the first chapter. After that, it went downhill for me. The hero was portrayed as a brooding, silent warrior who was feared by his own people; but in the next chapter he was a charming tease, and acted too weak-willed to be a Viking.
Next is Disrobed and Dishonored, by Louise Allen. Sarah needs to find a way out of an arranged marriage and meets Jonathan, the perfect mystery man who she thinks can help her out of her dilemma. They agree that Jonathan would very nearly deflower her and in this way, she would have the ability to describe for her husband-to-be what had happened, and he in turn would think she was indeed ruined. Their affair is short but so sweet, and when she discovers his real identity, they may have a chance of being truly happy... or it may be too late.
This had all the elements of a historical romance that I love. The hero was rakish, but gentle. The heroine was innocent, but eager. And neither of them whined on and on about propriety.
A Night for Her Pleasure, by Terri Brisbin, is about the wedding between Simon, a brawny nobleman, and Elise, his shy bride. Simon tries hard to be a respectful gentleman, and not intimidate his new bride before their wedding night. Elise has been notified of Simon's tastes, and therefore tries to be bold when seducing him before their wedding night. It all culminates when they are finally together for the first time in bed.
I loved this story! Though some may not like it because there was little to no conflict, I thoroughly enjoyed how the story was about mounting sexual tension between the two main characters. It was alluring to read how the hero was trying so hard to be restrained, while the heroine innocently drove him wild without realizing it.
Lastly, there is The Unlacing of Miss Leigh, by Diane Gaston. Graham has permanent scarring on half of his face from the war, and has become a recluse who hides behind a mask. Due to financial problems, Margaret agrees to be his mistress, but quickly falls in love with the man and helps him with his insecurities.
I would have loved to have read this as a full-length novel, but was quite happy to make do with its brevity. The hero was a great character that had depth, even in such a short story. It was well told and had an epilogue, which is always my favorite part of romance novels.
Reviewed by Ashley from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
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