One of the Best Erotic Historicals Ever Written!

books:


	• A Gentleman's Wager (Black Lace) Madelynne Ellis Virgin Black Lace, 2008 - 304 pages average customer review:based on 10 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

One of the Best Erotic Historicals Ever Written!

*Reprinted from www.GoodBadandUnread.com* First published in the UK in May 2003, A Gentleman's Wager is being re-released with a luscious new cover and a perfect new tag line: Pride and Decadence. Set in North Yorkshire, near Richmond, England, this exquisite, lusty, Georgian period romp is, at its core, a love triangle between Viscount Marlinscar (Lucerne), and Annabella Rushdale (Bella), who finds herself at odds with a rival for his attention... Vaughan, Marquis of Pennerly.

This isn't just a review; it's also homage to a much beloved story. I re-read it at least once a year and never fail to be in awe of Madelynne Ellis' ability to create such unexpected, complex characters:

* Bella starts off the story as self-centered and slutty. While she refers to other women as trollops and whores, she dismisses her own promiscuity as merely pursuing her own needs, desires and amusements. However, through the course of the story, she begins to assess her own actions and experiences the unfamiliar emotions of guilt, insecurity, and self doubt. Although Lucerne is the object of her affections, she is confused by her reaction to Vaughan, at once vehemently hating him and obsessively fascinated by him. She is wounded by the sting of his venom and cruelty, yet still finds herself drawn to him.

* We get to know the anchor of the love triangle, Lucerne, more through his interactions with the other characters than through introspection. When he decides to take a break from the decadence of London to spend the winter at one of his long neglected country estates, Lauwine Hall, he invites a few friends, including Vaughan, to join him. He knows Vaughan wants more than friendship from him and chooses not to acknowledge it... or the wine-hazed encounter with Vaughan three years earlier. Once Lucerne shows a serious interest in his neighbor, Bella, Vaughan starts to pressure him for a closer relationship, and Lucerne realizes he wants both Vaughan AND Bella and would rather not give either of them up. But, cast in the role of peacemaker, he realizes that he cannot live with the animosity between the two rivals and dreads the time when their constant bickering might force him to choose between them.

* The third member of the triangle, Vaughan, is one of the most deliciously complex characters I've ever read. When he is "on stage" (and often when he's not) he demands- and receives- the attention of everyone in the room... man, woman, or reader. He smirks, he sulks, he lies, he seduces, he pouts. He wields feigned indifference like a sword, and bites out words laced with deadly venom. His Machiavellian manipulations and cruelty towards others, particularly Bella, should have labeled him as the villain of the story. But the glimpses we receive of his hurt, tenderness, and longing for Lucerne soon make us realize that, while he often DOES amuse himself at the expense of others, he just as often lashes out in retaliation for his own pain or to cover his own vulnerability. Accustomed to living the debauched life courtesy of aristocratic entitlement, Vaughan actually seems a bit bewildered that he is capable of emotions strong enough to keep him patiently waiting for Lucerne to return those feelings.

These three multifaceted characters, along with intertwined stories involving the small cast of engaging secondary characters, are the reason AGW is so memorable. I guarantee that you've never met them before, and you won't forget them once you have.

for more information click here

Wow, all I can say, Wow!

Bored with romance novels and the simpering fidelity and overly flowery language therein? So was I so I ventured into erotica. The price of the ticket was well worth it.

Like many heterosexual females I'm intrigued by two men, or a woman and two men. If you're not stay away for there is that aplenty.

It's probably some of the best writing I've ever seen in any category. Believable well rounded characters, really well reserached 18th century speech and clothing as well as settings, and penty of steaminess. Ms. Ellis makes you wait for every encounter and builds the anticipation. So when it comes, wow. All I can say is wow.

My only beef is that the lesbian scene in the beginning seems abrupt and nowehere near as believable as the other sex scenes. Partly because it takes place with the unlikely Louisa, a virgin with a voyeur streak a mile wide who seems much more like a typical romance heroine than Bella, the main character.

A must read for the enlightened female!

for more information click here

Hot, Sexy Fun With Plenty Of Giggles

Young eighteenth-century Lady Bella wants handsome Lucerne, but so does the handsome decadent Marquis, who has desired Lucerne for years. Finding all three of themselves at the remote Lauwine Hall for a country party on the Yorkshire Moors, a struggle ensues between Bella and Marquis for Lucerne's affections and body. That's when the fun starts and Lucerne is faced with a difficult choice.

Into the first few pages I wasn't sure if I was going to like Bella. A lot of Black Lace books have loose heroines with very little sympathy appeal, but I came away liking Bella after the first few chapters when I started to understand why the character was developed the way she was - not sluttish, but just a [...] little mischief. Bella's naughty sexual behavior only fuels Marquis in his competition for Lucerne, which he tries to use to his full advantage in more ways than one...hehe I found myself giggling more than once at Bella and Marquis's high jinx in their efforts to win Lucerne's favor. Marquis is the lovable bad boy in the story.

Not only does Gentleman's Wager have HOT juicy sex with plenty of sexual tension, and biting humor, but loads of romance between the heroine and BOTH heroes. When Lucerne, Bella & Marquis get together for a threesome, WOW! LOVED IT!!! I also found myself liking the sexual tensions and couplings between Lucerne and Marquis as much as I did with Bella and the guys. I'm a straight female who never thought I'd find male on male sex a turn-on, but it was just too darn sexy and beautiful, NOT at all gross. Only thing I didn't like was the one minor lesbian scene in the middle of the book, however it was mild and in good taste...not enough of a big deal to ruin the fun though. I have nothing against lesbian sex; it's just not a turn-on for me.

Madelynne Ellis, weaves a great tale in Gentleman's Wager and there many secondary characters who add even more sexual spice to the mix. Even without the sex, this story would be an enjoyable read. I also recommend, on the Menage a trios male/female/male theme, Menage by Emma Holly and Out Of Bounds by Mandy Dickinson.

for more information click here

One of the best, if not THE best!

This book sizzled. I did pick it (A Gentleman's Wager) up just for the [adult situations] but the plot kept me reading it all the way through!
Some people may shy away from the male-male couplings that take place, or the fact the heroin (Bella) becomes involved with multiple men during the course of the book.
Not only the [adult] scenes but the underlying emotions, pride, longing, and lust are true to life. Even if you may not like all the characters you really do end up feeling for them.
The title comes from a wager made by Vaughan that is quite [mature] in nature...
I would say this book is very much like "Menage" by Emma Holly; if you enjoyed "Menage" you must pick up this book as well!

for more information click here

reviews: page 1, 2

hot