Temptation & Twilight (#3) By Charlotte Featherstone

Iain Sinclair, Marquis of Alynwick, is certain there is a special hell for him. An unrepentant rake, he holds nothing sacred – except for beautiful Elizabeth York. For years, Alynwick has tried to forget the woman he loved so well, and treated so badly. A woman who could hold nothing in her heart for him except hatred.

All of society believes Elizabeth, blind daughter of a duke, to be a proper young lady. But no one knows of her wanton affair with Alynwick. When Lizzy learns of her ancestor’s ancient diary – filled with exotic tales – she longs to uncover the identity of the unnamed lover within and hesitantly allows Alynwick, who claims to have knowledge of the “veiled lady,” to help her solve the mystery.

Eager to be Lizzy’s eyes, Alynwick brings the seductive text to life, and each night it takes greater effort for her to forget his betrayal. With each whispered word, her resolve gives way, without her knowing that a centuries-old secret will lead them to a present-day danger.

Holly's Review:

   I seriously feel like I have been waiting forever to know the story of Elizabeth York and Iain Sinclair, which is why I hate that I have to give it only 4 stars! Now don't get me wrong, Elizabeth and Alynwick's love story alone gets 5 stars, the emotion between the two of them was off the pages amazing. That said, I was not enthralled, like I thought I would be, by the rest of the rest of the story. I have enjoyed the mystery surrounding the Brethren Guardians, but this final installment lacked a little something for me, I didn't devour it like I did the previous books.

Since reading the first installment of this series I have been totally intrigued by Alynwick,the Mad Marquis! He is such a bad boy and oh how I love bad boys, but he has broken Elizabeth's heart and she she is way too smart to ever let him in again, right? When possibly faced with his death, Alynwick can deny no longer that Beth is his one true love and soul and he vows he will stop at nothing to have her back, he needs her. Oh, she really gives resisting him the old college try, but really, who could? I also have to mention that because Beth is blind Iain tends to describe what he is doing to her, which of course gives he awesome dirty talker status!!

We meet some intriguing new characters in this installment and finally learn the true identity of the evil Orpheus and the reason behind his hatred of the Brethren. All in all I truly enjoyed this book and series, as I have with everything Ms. Featherstone pens and I cannot pimp her books enough! They are truly amazing!

 

Addicted By Charlotte Featherstone

Friends since childhood, Anais Darnby and Lindsay Markham have long harbored a secret passion for one another. When they finally confess their love, their future together seems assured, sealed with their searing embrace.

But when a debauched Lindsay is seduced by a scheming socialite, a devastated Anais seeks refuge in another man's bed while Lindsay retreats to the exotic East. There, he is seduced again--this time by the alluring red smoke and sinister beauty of opium.

Back home, Lindsay's addiction is fed by the vogue for all things Oriental--especially its sensual pleasures--in fashionable London society. In his lucid moments, Lindsay still lusts after Anais, who can neither allow him near nor forget his smoldering touch. Tortured by two obsessions--opium and Anais--Lindsay must ultimately decide which is the one he truly cannot live without.

Elena's Review:

I have read a few historical romance novels, but I assure you this novel is quite different from many others I've read. I cried from beginning to end and wondering if I were going to be disappointed or not.So as far as my opinion this novel was a wonderful read. The surreal plot was mind blowing! The relationships between friends knowing no matter what the circumstances are ,being there for one another is the best gift they could have brought upon each other.

As for the Addiction part of this novel it's a rare case between literally a drug and a woman . Lindsay can not seem too find which of the two he wants more. As odd as it seems, everything that unravels from this novel happens for a reason.

Lindsay at the age of 15 spent his life taking full responsibilities making sure to always take care of his family & people around him that he loves so dearly. As the years go by he's never had anyone to comfort him the way he has for everyone else. Except for his childhood best friend Anais, she's the only woman in his world that he can bare to love, hold and never let go. Anais has had the exact same affection of love for him as well.Therefore it takes a lot of courage when they each have a betrayal that was done upon one another. "Forgive & Forgiven" is a wonderful quote that's said to each other throughout this novel, and it is by far one of my favorite phrases!

Whoever has this novel on their TBR shelves,I say "Read it" because you will enjoy!

 

Charlotte Featherstone Interview and Giveaway

CharlotteFeatherstone:

 I am here today to welcome you to easily one of my personal most anticipated interviews I have done! Today we welcome Charlotte Featherstone. 

Charlotte is author to some amazing books, some which include – Sinful, Addicted and The Brethren Guardians. 

Elena and I were like giggly school girls when we got to do the interview and Im still Happy Dancing around my office. 

Charlotte not only an amazing author but an amazing person and we were honoured to have her on our blog. 

If you haven’t read Featherstones books yet – then read on and enter our fabulous giveaway. We have four books to giveaway today. 

CLICK ON THE PICTURES BELOW TO SEE SOME OF SER'S REVIEWS...

Sam: Let’s start with a doosey ; Charlotte can you tell us five things about yourself that people might not know? 


Charlotte: This should be easy! Lol! There are quite a few things that people don’t know about me and I am happy share.

1. 1.      I tend to be reserved, and this can sometimes come off as being antisocial. But I think most writers have a tendency to lean that way.

1. 2.      I lack confidence at times

1. 3.      I actually can hear my characters talking in my head. (hubby sometimes gets worried over this! Lol!)

1. 4.      I get my ideas for scenes and dialogue when I am grocery shopping, cooking or doing dishes.

1. 5.      I originally wanted to be an author since the age of eight, and was accepted into my dream school, Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario, but decided at the last minute to instead follow a more certain mode of employment by becoming a Registered Nurse. I couldn’t give up the dream, however, and decided in 2000 that I needed to follow that dream—and here I am!

• 6.      And the bonus....I am a deplorable housekeeper. Seriously. If you dropped in unannounced I would most likely pretend I am not home because my house would be in complete disarray. This may change though, since I have recently gotten myself a housekeeper!!!

Sam: Your newest release, Pride and Passion, would you tell us a about what we can expect and where your wicked ideas for this novel came from? 

Charlotte: I think readers can expect an emotional read, which is kind of typical of my books. I have a great fondness for exploring the human dynamic in all its forms. Sometimes it’s not always nice, and sometimes it’s just beautiful. I really like to weave the human experience into my stories, and my characters flaws, personalities and strengths. I think readers can also expect to find a rather steamy read, too. I do love writing love scenes!

Where did the idea come from....hmmm, I can honestly say I am not sure. When I wrote Seduction and Scandal, the first book in the series, I had a very definite idea about Lord Black and Isabella, but not so much with Sussex and Lucy from Pride and Passion. I do remember sitting down and telling myself that I had to get something on the page. And once I just loosened up, their story poured onto the screen. This sometimes happen to me, and thankfully, it all comes together in the end.

I think readers are really going to love the way Sussex is devoted to Lucy! Oh, and did I mention some yummy love scenes and the fact that Sussex has a tendency to talk during them....I do love a naughty talker!LOL! 

Sam: I could sit here and drool all day at the covers of your books!  Sinful is easily my favourite. Do you get alot of input into the covers of the books? 

Charlotte: You know, my husband and I were talking about covers last night, because I was staring at the cover of Pride and Passion. I love that cover, so much. It reflects the couple so well. My husband claimed his favourite was Addicted, and I said, if pressed, I would probably pick Sinful as my favourite cover! I think that lone man, and his stance perfectly portrays Lord Wallingford, and the struggle within the book!! It’s a simple cover, really, and yet so powerful.

As to whether I get input. Yes. Some. Harlequin has you fill out quite a detailed art fact sheet. You describe your characters both physically and emotionally. The conflicts within the story, any themes, you always send them any images of things you might have used while writing the book, or that inspired you. You describe pivotal scenes, and what sort of imagery you are looking for. And that is it. The art department then takes over. I have been absolutely blessed with my covers. The art director who does my covers really gets me and my writing, and she continually captures the feel and tone of what I am going for in each book. I think the better an author can articulate the crux of her story, the more the artist has to work with. That said, designing a cover is an art unto itself, a creative aspect for the artist, and I do like to see what they come up with in their own right! It’s always so exciting to get that cover art reveal! 

One day I would absolutely love to be able to attend a shoot for one of my covers. I think that would be so, so, so exciting!!!!!!! 

Sam: Have you killed of a character and then regretted it? 

Charlotte: Not yet! Lol! But I do regret that one character never fully developed for me, and that is Garrett, Lord Broughton, from Addicted. I do not know what it is, but he has never really spoken to me. I don’t know him intimately, but would love to. There are so many readers out there who would love to have his story, but I really don’t know his story. Maybe one day I will, and will be able to write it!

Sam: Who would be your pick of the crop to co-write with be if you could pick anyone!

Charlotte: Well, an author from the past would most definitely be Charlotte Bronte! That woman could write brooding men, and I love brooding!  And present, well, it would probably be Lisa Kleypas. I admire her so much, and I love her stories.

Sam: If you had the chance to go forward or back in time, what would it be and why?

Charlotte: I would definitely go back in time. I would really love to get a sense of the era in which I write. Plus, I would not mind at all if some handsome, rakish lord swept me up into his carriage for a tumble! Lol! See, my imagination never stops!

Elena: What was your life like before becoming an author?

Charlotte: Good question. And a hard one. I was very happy in most aspects, except one aspect of it. I felt like in my career, I was missing something. I felt dissatisfied, and I knew it was because I was doing something I did not want to do. I wanted to write. I felt unfulfilled. It wasn’t until I started writing that I realized how much I missed it, how much it gave to me, and how happy it made me. One day, I hope to be able to give up the nursing gig, and just write. That’s the next dream to fulfil!!! 

Elena: Do you start with an idea and see where it leads you or do you plot out the complete book before you start?

Charlotte: Oh, I am definitely a pantser! I only jot down ideas, here and there. Most of my plotting is mental, I can spend hours, days, weeks just thinking of the characters, seeing them, hearing them. My mind wanders through scenes, and I seem to remember them, and connect with the characters in a far more intimate way then I would if I wrote everything out.

To me, plotting a book out is laborious, and I am not motivated in that vein at all. The fun for me in writing, is sitting down and watching everything pour out of me and onto the computer screen. I am learning as the characters speak. Its like watching a movie. I am afraid I would be totally bored with the book if I had to plot out everything before I even sat down to write it. I have to chalk it up to my personality, I guess, and my writing style. I know there are many authors who plot, and I do admire those authors, but I know that method isn’t for me.

Elena: "Addicted" and "Forever Yours" are my two top favorite novels you have written. These stories are heartfelt and warming. Can you tell us, when writing these stories, what your favorite parts were?

Charlotte: In Forever Yours, I just loved writing about a married couple who were still in love, but were growing apart due to life and children. I think that happens to everyone who has been in a long term relationship. I mean, marriage, and commitment is an ongoing thing. Its work, but there is such pleasure to be had in it, too. So, I really just had fun with making this couple come back to one another. I enjoyed every little thing about it! I have an idea for another story about a married couple, and would love to explore that as well. Hopefully soon!!!

Addicted....wow. Addicted and Sinful were such an experience for me to write. So draining, but rewarding. I was just so pleased to have found the right editor and the right publisher for these stories. I loved writing the whole book, but what made the experience so much better was during the edit phase. My editor and I were discussing things, and I had a scene written, that I had taken out. I was afraid what she would say, and then she shocked me by asking me how I would feel about adding a scene with Lindsay and Anais while he was using. We agreed it would have to be done in such a way as to make him sympathetic to readers. To say I was nervous, but thrilled is an understatement, because that was the scene I had deleted for fear of being too racy! Lol! That scene, and everyone seems to know THAT scene, when Lindsay believes he has lost Anais, and he himself gets lost not only in their lovemaking, but in the opium as well, was my favourite writing experience of Addicted. It stretched my skills, made me not think at all about what readers would think, and think only about the characters and their mindset, their emotions and fears. I think it really shows Lindsay, how he truly is, I love that it is raw, and open, and there are no barriers. So, yeah, I guess it would be that scene that I think of with Addicted.

 
Elena: Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

Charlotte: Definitely I would like to thank my readers for not only finding me amongst the thousands of authors out there, but for standing by me, for emailing me, for buying my books, and taking the time to type up reviews and by supporting me and promoting me through interviews, blog visits etc... I value every single one, and I keep every email—they buoy me up when I having a bad writing day! I couldn’t do what I love without them! So thankyou!!!!

Thankyou Charlotte for joining us on our blog! Im still doing  a happy dance.

Read on for our Giveaway:

Seduction and Scandal - Charlotte Featherstone

http://www.charlottefeatherstone.net/
 
With the scandalous nature of her birth to live down, Isabella Fairmont dreams of a proper marriage—even if a passionless one. She saves her deepest desires for the novel she dares to pen, wherein a handsome lord with dark powers seduces her. But then her courtship with an appropriate suitor is threatened by the sudden attentions of the reclusive Earl of Black…whose pale blue eyes and brooding sensuality are exactly as she described in her book. Isabella tries to resist the mysterious Earl of Black. Yet as he pursues her, with inexplicable knowledge of her past and kisses that consume her, Isabella fears she will succumb. If only the earl could tell Isabella the truth. With very real, and treacherous, thieves endangering her life, Black will need to protect Isabella from the very people she trusts the most….

PHENOMENAL STORY TELLING!!!

Seduction & Scandal is the first book in the Brethren Guardian Series, and if it's any indication as to what is to come I simply can't wait!! Now, the fact that the author is a dear friend in no way affects the fact that I think her writing is simply magical! It just is!! I loved this story and the concept so much, I am going to attempt a brief review, I know I won't be doing this story justice though, just please, check it out for yourself!! 

Isabella Fairmont is a woman with a passionate soul, but who wants nothing more than to bury that passion and marry a man who will provide the safety and security that has always been fleeting in her life, but she cannot seem to resist the passion that sizzles between her the enigmatic Earl of Black. Lord Black has been called many things, dark, dangerous, a recluse and scandal and death seem to follow him. There is also the fact that Isabelle, who is a budding lady novelist, is penning a story about Lord Death, who is strongly coming to resemble Lord Black himself....But none of this will deter Black from the one thing he wants most...Isabella - It is as though his soul recognizes her as his. 

All of this passion and throw in the mystery of the magical Templar artifacts that the Brethren Guardians have been sworn to protect for generation. This story has everything, love, lust, passion, mystery, deceit and lots of unanswered questions that will leave you practically salivating for the next book in the series, Pride and Passion where we can spend much more time with the delicious Duke of Sussex and Lady Lucy Ashton! 

I am grateful I was able to get an ARC copy of the book from Netgalley, but at the same time it feels a little bittersweet, for this is a story you DO NOT want to see end!! 

Lord Black:

Lust (The Sins and Virtues #1) - Charlotte Featherstone

Of old, humans and Faeries have dwelt side by side in parallel realms. Only the canniest mortals recognize the alluring creatures that often walk—and lie—among them. The righteous Fae of the Seelie Court cherish an ancient quarrel with their Dark counterparts: a curse born of anger and deceit. The Unseelie Court will perish unless one of its princes can win a woman's love—honestly, without coercion…and love her wholly in return. To halt the slow demise of his people, Prince Thane—the embodiment of Lust—infiltrates the Georgian court to seduce his mortal inverse. Noblewoman Chastity Lennox is purity incarnate—a sensual prize well worth winning. But Thane's carnal quest proves more challenging than he ever dreamed. No other has ever been able—or willing—to resist his erotic charms. Chastity's resolve is maddening…and intriguing. It makes him want her all the more. But how best to seduce one who truly seems above temptation? Discover her greatest weakness and become the intoxicating essence of her deepest, most forbidden desires…. 

**********************

I have always been intrigued and fascinated by stories about the fey, and I have to say this story and the possibility of the additional Sin & Virtues stories definitely has me anxiously wanting more!

The only hope the Unseelie Court (Dark Fey) have of survival is to have the mortal women who possess the seven virtues come willingly to the Dark Fey that possess the seven sins. I know that the Unseelie are suppose to be bad and the Seelie are supposed to be good, but I believe it is for each reader to decide....This book explores the fact that the good and bad do not necessarily coincide with light and dark. The Dark Fey are masters of seduction, sensuality and all things carnal pleasure, but is that actually all that bad?? This reader for one says HELL NO!! Where as the Seelie are all things good and proper, but things are not always as they appear.

Thane, who possesses the sin of Lust, and Chastity are the focus of this book, I enjoyed their story very much as Chastity was at war with herself as to the woman she was supposed to be and the sensual woman she actually was. I was drawn to Thane right away, not only for his seductive ways and dark gorgeousness but also because he was a bit of a dirty talker! I am anxiously awaiting the six other Sins & Virtues books, I will say again what a brilliant storyteller Charlotte Featherstone is and if you have not read her before now what exactly are you waiting for??

Sinful - Charlotte Featherstone

He must find redemption in the most unlikely bedchamber... In Victoria England vice of every kind can be purchased, and Matthew, the Earl of Wallingford, makes certain he avails himself of every possible pleasure. Bored and jaded, he is as well-known for his coldness as for his licentious affairs with beautiful women. 

While these numerous dalliances fulfill Matthew's every physical need, they secretly leave him numb and emotionally void. Until one night when he finds himself beaten, eyes bandaged and in the care of a nurse with the voice of an angel - and a gentle touch that soothes the darkness in him and makes him yearn for more. 

Yet Jane Rankin is a lowly nurse, considered shy and plain by most. There is no place for her amongst the lords and ladies of the aristocracy - despite Matthew's growing craving for the fire that burns behind her earnest facade. And then there is Matthew's secret. A secret so humiliating and scandalous is could destroy everyone he loves. A sin, he fears, not even the love of a good woman can take away..

SINFUL FIVE STARS - FANFUGGINGTASTIC!

So my first impressions when looking at this book – “ Wowza, look at the size of that’s mans back”

My husband’s first impression when look at this book – “What’s that green stuff near his ass? It looks like fart gas” -

My Dave, the charmer.

So once I get over the lovely comment Dave makes I start reading. This is my first Charlotte Featherstone book, so give me some credit when I say; I didn’t know what I was going to be reading. But when I starting realizing the pages were literally laced with a porn undertone, I couldn’t control my excitement when thinking ‘Hell yes, I’m reading not only my favourite genre, but it’s erotic too’ – HISTORICAL PORN – what a find!!

Lord Wallingford is your typical Rake, the kind with a different wench each night to fill his needs. He is mean, standoffish, critical, rude, and hurtful. But there is another side to Lord Wallingford that not many people get to see. It is this side of Mathew that is caring, honest and loving to those who mean deeply to him. Oh and described as a very yummy male specimen.

Mathew meets Jane after he is beaten to a pulp outside of a gentleman’s club. He is taken to the hospital where Jane works.

Jane is a nurse and a ladies companion. She is like a rock this woman. She is strong willed, determined, loving and compassionate. Jane is assigned to nurse Mathew back to health. But when Mathew hears her voice he is instantly attracted to her. But Matt’s eyes have been injured and he cannot see her.

There is an instant spark between them that neither can deny. They pair share a secret rendezvous after Matt is released from hospital but with Janes face covered with a veil and the night sky upon them, Mathew still cannot see Jane's face.

I can’t say to much more without spoilers so Ill just say that once Mathew finds out Jane's identity and vice versa – things hit the fan. The characters go from passionate to hate and back again.

The sex scenes were written perfectly. You could almost see their love dripping from the pages. The pair are so in awe of each other that I almost couldn’t bring myself to keep turning the pages because I knew, I just knew that the impending doom would catch up to me soon. And it did and it was heart breaking.

This book had one of the most peculiar endings I have read in a HR. And while it might not be some people’s cup of tea, I thought the ending was fitting to their turbulent romance.