The Art of Sinning by Sabrina Jeffries
Sinful Suitors #1
Release Date: July 21, 2015
Genre: Adult, Historical Romance
Source: Purchased on Nook
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #ReadAlltheBooks, #ShelfLove
Goodreads
Synopsis
American artist Jeremy Keane refuses to return home and take over his father's business. He'd much rather sample bevviews of beauties abroad, in search of a model for the provocative masterpiece he's driven to paint. When he meets lady Yvette Barlow at a London wedding, he realizes she's perfect for his work--and determines to capture the young heiress's defiant spirit and breathtaking sensuality on canvas.
No stranger to scandal, Yvette agrees to be Keane's subject--in exchange for his help gaining entry to the city's brothels he knows intimately, so she can track a missing woman and solve a family mystery. But when their practical partnership leads to lessons in the art of sinning, can they find a bold and lasting love?
So I started this series out-of-order - which was no big deal - and now in reading this installment, I realize I should have finished another series (The Duke's Men) first. But only because there are character crossovers. It didn't affect my enjoyment of The Art of Sinning at all - only ruffled my OCD in reading series in order. LOL
Anyway, Jeffries is adept at creating heroines who don't fit the mold, so to speak, and Yvette didn't let me down in any respect. She's tall and strong - not small and dainty - she speaks her mind, and, and, and...she contributes slang words to a sort of urban dictionary of the day. Words she uses occasionally in public, much to her brother's dismay. Needless to say, her marriage prospects are few.
Enter Jeremy Keane. He's an artist and when he first sets eyes upon Yvette, he knows he's found his muse. Then he meets her brother. With some finagling he manages to get what he wants...access to Yvette for painting.
These two were quite fun. Their banter was spirited and their chemistry was electric. They were both, however, harboring secrets that threatened their budding romance.
The secondary cast added much to the dept of the story, introducing the characters who inhabit this series. I quite enjoyed them all - getting to know better the few I met already, having read book 3.
My only issue was with the guilt Jeremy carried over an incident from his past. I felt he made a little more of his perceived part in it then there actually was. Overall though, The Art of Sinning was exactly what I've come to expect from Jeffries and I'm eager to finish this series as well as The Duke's Men.
Oh, I must mention the art. I'm not very knowledgeable about art, but I enjoyed it as an element in this story - especially the thought that went into a particular piece of Jeremy's.
The Danger of Desire by Sabrina Jeffries
Sinful Suitors #3
Narrated by: Beverley A. Crick
Release Date: November 22, 2016 (audio)
Genre: Adult, Historical Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Tantor Media
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: Audio Challenge, #ReadAlltheBooks, #ShelfLove
Goodreads
Synopsis
To root out the card cheat responsible for her brother's death, Miss Delia Trevor spends her evenings dancing her way through high society balls, and her late nights disguised as a young man gambling her way through London's gaming hells. Then one night, handsome Warren Corry, the Marquess of Knightford, a notorious member of St. George's Club, recognizes her. When he threatens to reveal her secret, she's determined to keep him from ruining her plans, even if it means playing a cat-and-mouse game with the enigmatic rakehell.
Warren knows the danger of her game, and he refuses to watch her lose everything while gaining justice for her late brother. But when she starts to delve beneath his carefully crafted facade, can he keep her at arm's length while still protecting her? Or will their hot desires explode into a love that transcends the secrets of their pasts?
The Danger of Desire served as my introduction to this series. I can only assume some of these characters have appeared in the previous books but I can say I was never lost. In fact, I came to adore all these characters but especially Warren and Delia.
Delia and Warren meet because Warren's cousin, Clarissa, who is know for her matchmaking, asks Warren to keep an eye on Delia. There is some concern over some of Delia's behavior but despite his reluctance, Warren agrees. He is shocked when he witnesses Delia's antics and sets about discerning the why behind her actions as well as trying to put a stop to them.
Of course this means Delia and Warren spend time together and develop a mutual attraction. They are both witty and forthright but Warren really admires that in Delia. They're also both loyal and would go to great lengths to protect those they love. One thing I greatly enjoyed was Delia's realization that she was guilty of the same offenses she lodged at Warren.
The mystery element of the story is well done and brought Warren and Delia together - Warren wanting to help Delia find her answers while protecting her. Both were keeping secrets and seeing the trust built between them, where they finally felt they could share, was heartwarming.
I quite enjoyed The Danger of Desire and am eager to read/listen to the other books in this series. I'm curious about Clarissa's story and now want Brilliana's and Lord Margrave's as well. Sabrina Jeffries delivers an engaging and entertaining story with a fun cast of characters.
Beverley A. Crick made it to my favorite narrator list with this one listen. She's incredible! Her range was perfect for this cast, both male and female. And with her chuckles and sobs, when called for, this more a dramatization than a narration. Crick made the story that much more engaging and I will certainly look for more books with her narration.
The Art of Sinning by Sabrina Jeffries
