Those looking for a little afternoon delight will find today's book just what they're looking for. As the third book in The Market series, Love Reclaimed by Sorcha Mowbry will give readers lots of naughty daydreams. So keep reading to learn more about this immensely sexy read along with your chance to win some great goodies...
Romance for Mature Adults:
Yes, this is in fact an erotic romance. (18 and up only, please) But, this story in particular will appeal to those of us non-twenty-somethings who have entered our dotage. Everyone put down your pitch forks! I was kidding!
Love Reclaimed is both a second chance romance and a story about two adults who must find the courage to shift gears in mid-life in order to discover love. My heroine, MadameMarchander, is in her very late thirties and her hero, Heart, is in his mid-forties. I know they’re not that old, but they sure aren’t fresh-faced kids just out of the schoolroom. And, no. I did not bestow on them the bodies of the young and fabulous despite all the laws of common sense and gravity.
Instead, I tried to instill what I have felt as someone heading into mid-life. A certain level of comfort and confidence tinged with the creeping doubts of growing older. In addition, they must grapple with mid-life changes that may—or may not—lead them to love.
Their story starts way before Love Reclaimed, back when they are children. As neighbors, they spend many days tramping through the genteel countryside. Just as they come of age everything goes awry as reality intrudes on their youthful idyll. Heart is sent off to the military to begin his career and Marie blossoms into womanhood.
Marie’s mother is long dead, leaving her with only her father and her younger sisters. Eventually, buckling under the weight of immense gambling debts, her father convinces her that the only solution is for her to auction off her virginity. She agrees once it becomes apparent that he would ask one of her sisters to do it if she refused.
Heart returns from campaign for a break intending to ask for Marie’s hand in marriage, only to find her gone. He is informed of her fate and told to move on. In fact, he is provided a replacement bride who he dutifully marries to save his own family from financial despair.
Fast forward twenty years and Heart is now a widower and he has resolved to right the wrongs of the past while fulfilling his own destiny. He is determined to reclaim his love and fight for a second chance.
Le sigh.
I do love a good second chance romance. How about you? Do you like second chance romances? How about more mature main characters?
My gift to everyone who stops along the way whether you post or not is a free copy of Taking Her Chance (One Night With A Cowboy). Just click that link and hop over to All Romance eBooks to pick a copy up.
Jonathan Pierce, Baron Heartfield, had waited too long to save the woman he loved. A man no longer bound by the vows taken as a boy nor under the influence of his father, he is determined to woo and win the heart of the only woman he ever loved. The fact she was forced in to prostitution is of little consequence beyond the guilt he bears for not interceding with her father.
Resolved to prove to Jonathan that she is not in need of saving, nor is she an appropriate wife, Marie agrees to take him as a lover for six months. Steadfast in his love, he launches an assault on her heart with all the strategy his years in the military afford him. His only goal, to reclaim her love.
EXCERPT:
Madame Marchander paused from the conversation to survey her packed main salon. A deep sense of satisfaction settled in her bones. Philippe had informed her most of the rooms were occupied at present, and the card room bustled as well.
Business remained excellent.
Her gaze drifted across the room and collided with the tall figure of a man who impeded her view as he stood over the small group of fawning gents arranged at her feet. Shifting directions, her gaze swept down and then up the masculine form. Arriving at his face, the blood in her head deserted her as an older but all too-familiar face swam within her vision. Jonathan Pierce, currently styled the Baron of Heartfield according to her sources, had been her first love.
One of the men noticed her distress and patted her hand. “Madame Marchander, are you not well?”
Her head swam as the room closed in on her. Why was he there? What could he want? Was it presumptuous to assume he could be looking for her? She rose and the men parted so she could pass. “Please, I fear I am a bit warm with so many of you crowded around. I think a breath of air would be best.”
“Madame, please allow me to escort you.” Baron Heartfield slipped her hand into the crook of his arm and led her toward the French doors open onto the rear gardens.
“Do I know you, sir?” Hiding behind formality and time, she opted to continue pretending Marie Doring no longer existed.
“Baron Heartfield, Madame Marchander, or may I call you Marie as I once did?” Familiar blue eyes sparkled as he swept aside her deflection.
“Madame Marchander will do.” Anger overcame her initial distress. What brought him to The Market? Why resurrect ancient history? She had not heard he was low on funds, so it was doubtful he intended blackmail. If the gentry of Coventry learned what had become of Miss Marie Doring, it might cause a ripple of scandal, but her sisters were long married and could weather the storm. They had little contact, the occasional bit of correspondence and the annual Christmas card being all she allowed.
Her skirts brushed past the doorframe as they attained the patio. The cool air, brisk and refreshing, snapped her back after the shock of seeing him for the first time in twenty years.
“I see.” He paused. “Very well, I’ll permit you to hide behind formality for now. You look beautiful as ever.” Warm, strong fingers stroked the bare skin of her hand he held captive.
“You will permit me?” Her spine stiffened in indignation while she arched one eyebrow at the infuriating man. “My Lord, you may be a peer of the realm, but I am the queen of my domain. I could easily have you removed from the premises and refuse you entrance in the future.”
“Don’t get your feathers ruffled. It is good to see you again.”
"Is it?"
Business remained excellent.
Her gaze drifted across the room and collided with the tall figure of a man who impeded her view as he stood over the small group of fawning gents arranged at her feet. Shifting directions, her gaze swept down and then up the masculine form. Arriving at his face, the blood in her head deserted her as an older but all too-familiar face swam within her vision. Jonathan Pierce, currently styled the Baron of Heartfield according to her sources, had been her first love.
One of the men noticed her distress and patted her hand. “Madame Marchander, are you not well?”
Her head swam as the room closed in on her. Why was he there? What could he want? Was it presumptuous to assume he could be looking for her? She rose and the men parted so she could pass. “Please, I fear I am a bit warm with so many of you crowded around. I think a breath of air would be best.”
“Madame, please allow me to escort you.” Baron Heartfield slipped her hand into the crook of his arm and led her toward the French doors open onto the rear gardens.
“Do I know you, sir?” Hiding behind formality and time, she opted to continue pretending Marie Doring no longer existed.
“Baron Heartfield, Madame Marchander, or may I call you Marie as I once did?” Familiar blue eyes sparkled as he swept aside her deflection.
“Madame Marchander will do.” Anger overcame her initial distress. What brought him to The Market? Why resurrect ancient history? She had not heard he was low on funds, so it was doubtful he intended blackmail. If the gentry of Coventry learned what had become of Miss Marie Doring, it might cause a ripple of scandal, but her sisters were long married and could weather the storm. They had little contact, the occasional bit of correspondence and the annual Christmas card being all she allowed.
Her skirts brushed past the doorframe as they attained the patio. The cool air, brisk and refreshing, snapped her back after the shock of seeing him for the first time in twenty years.
“I see.” He paused. “Very well, I’ll permit you to hide behind formality for now. You look beautiful as ever.” Warm, strong fingers stroked the bare skin of her hand he held captive.
“You will permit me?” Her spine stiffened in indignation while she arched one eyebrow at the infuriating man. “My Lord, you may be a peer of the realm, but I am the queen of my domain. I could easily have you removed from the premises and refuse you entrance in the future.”
“Don’t get your feathers ruffled. It is good to see you again.”
"Is it?"
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
Readers are again transported to the sexy world of women from the wrong side of the tracks finding HEA with men who see past their outer trappings to the deserving woman beneath. In Love Reclaimed former loves are torn apart by Fate who meet years later to try to salvage the love they once felt for each other only to find that they've both changed but still find much to draw them together.
Marie has been betrayed by Fate and a father who sold her to the highest bidder. She never wants to feel that way again, as if she has no control over her own life. The renewed emotions and feelings of love Jonathon expresses towards her scare Marie who's treated love as a business deal since that fateful day. Even though she too still loves him she demands that their time together be like a business deal as she swears to herself that she'll prove to him why they don't belong together. What ensues is one naughty encounter after another with each getting steamier than the last. The scenes start off rather vanilla and then move to use of toys and finally a ménage.
Jonathon adored Marie in her younger years and would've married her had not their families gotten in the way. After living a well-mannered life with a quiet wife he returns to convince Marie that the time has come for them to be together. Though he finds her changed he's intrigued by the woman she's become and jumps wholeheartedly into the sensual games she introduces him to.
Not only are the bedroom scenes sensual but so too is the dialogue between them that crackles with sexual tension. Seeing their inner demons battle for supremacy is extremely entertaining and as Marie uses sex as a weapon it's not always clear who will win. Jonathon's so desperate to have her that he's not above using sympathy as a life-altering event befalls them late in the story.
This is a fast-paced story that features two likable characters engaged in a sexy battle of wills. This decadent delight beautifully balances steamy sexual encounters will intensely emotional characterizations that has me rooting for the main couples HEA every step of the way.
My rating for this is an A.
*I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.
BUY LINKS: Decadent Publishing | Amazon | BN | Amazon.uk | ARe | Coffee Time Romance
Sorcha Mowbray is a mild mannered office worker by day...okay, so she is actually a mouthy, opinionated, take charge kind of gal who bosses everyone around; but she definitely works in an office. At night she writes romance so hot she sets the sheets on fire! Just ask her slightly singed husband.
She is a longtime lover of historical romance, having grown up reading Johanna Lindsey and Judith McNaught. Then she discovered Thea Devine and Susan Johnson. Holy cow! Heroes and heroines could do THAT? From there, things devolved into trying her hand at writing a little smexy. Needless to say, she liked it and she hopes you do too!
sorchamowbray.com | Tweet @sorchamowbray | Sorcha’s Fan Page | Sorcha’s Goodreads | Silken Sheets & Seduction
**********GIVEAWAY**********
Win a $25 GC to ARe, the 1st Two Books in The Market Series, and Your Choice of a Book from Decadent Publishings Backlist....... HERE
***ENDS AT 11:59 PM CST ON 3/29.
Thanks for having me Jody, and for the great review! I'm really glad you liked the book!
ReplyDeleteSounds very intense and sensual!
ReplyDeletevitajex(at)aol(dot)com