ARC Book Review-Vixen in Velvet by Loretta Chase

Vixen In Velvet
Dressmakers (3)
Loretta Chase
Avon Books
E Book
Published June 24 2014 
Acquired: Edelweiss
384 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN: 9780062100320
Authors Website

From the Diary of Leonie Noirot: The perfect corset should invite its undoing . . .

Lethally charming Simon Fairfax, Marquess of Lisburne, has reluctantly returned to London for one reason only: a family obligation. Still, he might make time for the seduction of a certain redheaded dressmaker—but Leonie Noirot hasn't time for him. She's obsessed with transforming his cousin, the dowdy Lady Gladys, into a swan.

Leonie's skills can coax curves—and profits—from thin air, but his criminally handsome lordship is too busy trying to seduce her to appreciate her genius. He badly needs to learn a lesson, and the wager she provokes ought to teach him, once and for all.

A great plan, in theory—but Lisburne's become a serious distraction, and Leonie's usual logic is in danger of slipping away as easily as a silk chemise. Could the Season's greatest transformation be her own?

My Review 

Book Review-Scandal Wears Satin

Scandal Wears Satin
The Dressmakers (2)
Loretta Chase
Avon Romance
Paperback
Published June 2012
372 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN 9780062100313

Synopis 
From the Journals of Sophia Noirot: A dress is a weapon. It must dazzle his eye, raise his temperature . . . and empty his purse.

A blue-eyed innocent on the outside and a shark on the inside, dressmaker Sophy Noirot could sell sand to Bedouins. Selling Maison Noirot's beautiful designs to aristocratic ladies is a little harder, especially since a recent family scandal has made an enemy of one of society's fashion leaders. Turning scandal to the shop's advantage requires every iota of Sophy's skills, leaving her little patience for a big, reckless rake like the Earl of Longmore. The gorgeous lummox can't keep more than one idea in his head at a time, and his idea is taking off all of Sophy's clothes.

But when Longmore's sister, Noirot's wealthiest, favorite customer, runs away, Sophy can't let him bumble after her on his own. In hot pursuit with the one man who tempts her beyond reason, she finds desire has never slipped on so smoothly . .

My Review
Summary
For years Sophy has dedicated her life to the dressmaker business along with her two sisters. Sophy's talent lies in being able to turn herself into looking like anything and being able to convince anyone off of the street to com into their shop. Shophy has been focusing her attention lately on the recent scandal that threaten to put their shop out of business. Then Longmore's sister runs into a spot of trouble, and flees London. So she joins up with Longmore to help search for her. What Sophy doesn't expect is to find a hidden passion that surfaces between herself and Longmore. For quite a while now there has been a hidden tension that has existed between the two, but now its like a bursting flame only wanting to break free...

The Hero 
 Harry, Lord Longmore, grew up in a home with a very eccentric mother. He doesn't put much stock into feelings. When he see's his sister struggling, he is helpless. But when she gets caught in a web of scandal and ends up running away. So he along with Sophy go in search across the countryside of England for her. But with Sophy as his partner he finds himself drawn to her, and there is a certain connection between them, one he can't deny any longer.

The Heroine 
When Clara runs off, Sophy knows that it is her duty to the store and to her sisters to find her, because she is their one hope of surviving. But then she becomes partnered with Lord Longmore who at times can be intolerable but at oithers can make her want to curl her toes with each sizzling touch. All she knows is that she is torn between her responisbilites and the feelings that are beginning to stir for this one man that could break her heart and could complete her in every way.

My Thoughts 
Scandal wears satin is the second in the most recent series by this author. I really loved the first one and so I had some high standards for this one as well. Overall it was the kind of book you can relax with but not one that will be a 'unforgettable romance'. I mean there were parts here and there that were funny and exciting in ways, but I felt like something was missing out of the relationship. I felt like there was more focus on Clara than there was on Harry and Sophy. I have enjoyed seeing Clara and I hope we get to see a happy ending for her, however, its a bit frustrating wanting to see more of the relationship between Harry and Sophy. I think the side story of Clara really railroaded the love story here and it didn't really blossom into any good romance that I am used to seeing with this author. I definitely will read more from this author because I just love the stories I read from her so far. However I think she could have focused a bit more on Harry and Sophy over Clara. I just thought it was a bit too much. But overall not a bad read, it was enjoyable at moments, but it just wasn't a complete package that I was expecting.

My Grade On This Book 
3.5 Blossoms

Heat Rating
Warm

Other Books In The Series 
Silk Is For Seduction
Vixen in Velvet (Coming Out Summer 2013)

 
 

Book Review-Silk Is For Seduction

Silk Is For Seduction
The Dressmakers (1)
Loretta Chase
Avon Romance
Paperback
Published July 2011
359 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN 978-0-06-163268-6

Synopsis 
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 an exquisite thread of silk . .

My Review
Summary 
Marcelline, a very talented dressmaker, who has spent most of her life trying to make a good life for herself, her sisters and her young daughter. Out of the three sisters, Marcelline's strength is in the drawing and her wide imagination to create beautiful creations. As the oldest of the three, she has responsibilites. When she hears of Duke of Clevedon's engagement, she knows this is her chance to become the most well known dressmaker in all of London. So she confronts the Duke in Paris, and convinces him in the most uncoventional way to see things her way. Clevedon has always known his fiancee, Clara, he has loved her most of his life. He knows its time for him to marry her like he promised, so while in Paris he plans on sowing the rest of his oats before then. But when he see's Marcelline he is utterly captivated by her. And as the wedding date gets closer, the more he wants to keep Marcelline in his life, but knowing he has to put duty above love...

The Hero (Gervaise Angier, Duke of Clevedon)
Clevedon, left London to go abroad for some time, and finds himself in Paris, enjoying the freer society. When he meets Marcelline, he knows he is deep deep trouble. Having just become engaged, he plans on enjoying his freedom but he doesn't expect to meet a woman that would would disarm him in such a way that he has no clue what to do. He is determined not to betray his fiancee, whom he has been friends with all of his life. But he can't deny the feelings that are resounding within him for Marcelline.  

The Heroine (Marcelline Noirot)
Ever since she was nine years old, she has known how to sew dresses and create beautiful things for women to wear. Having been taught the trade by her aunt when she was young, she knew it was the only way for both herself and her younger sisters to survive. Now they are becoming well known, despite what the competition is trying to do to undermine their hard work. When she goes to the Duke of Clevedon she never expects to fall in love with a unattainable man who could never return that love.

My Thoughts 
Silk Is For Seduction is the first book that I have read from this author in a very long while. So I kept putting it off not knowing if I would enjoy it or not. Now I am thinking I should have read it when I first got it. I actually enjoyed it quite a bit and it was a bit different type of story that I really liked. I really loved the interaction between the two characters. I also enjoyed the mini side story as well. I found myself really liking the unique style of this story. I loved how bold and daring Marcelline could be, she definitely had my vote. Clevedon is one of those heroes that you just can't help but fall in love with. He is so sweet and attentive at times, it just made me smile. I really was charmed by his manner toward her. There were many different things I liked about this story. I really loved how dedicated Marcelline was to building a life for herself, I truly enjoyed how Clevedon treated others, and how he would always try to do the right thing. I also loved the witty humor and the tender romance that will charm you.

My Favorite Quote 
"Coward" he said softly. She stopped and turned and marched back to him. She dropped her reticule, grasped his neckcloth, cupped his face, dragged his mouth to hers, and kissed him. 

My Grade On This Book 
5 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Warm

Other Books In The Series 
Scandal Wears Satin
Vixen In Velvet (Coming out Summer 2013)