An Indecent Proposition (Signet Eclipse) [Mass Market Paperback]

In a drunken moment Derek Drake, the Earl of Manderville, and Nicholas Manning, the sixth Duke of Rothay, make a wager that has the entire ton all atwitter. The wager is in regards to which of them is the superior lover and any number of women could attest to one or the others prowess but how will they possibly find one woman who would be willing to bed them both and publicly pronounce one of them as winner?

Lady Caroline Wynn has absolutely no interest in ever marrying again and her cool and standoffish reputation makes her the least likely of candidates. Her husband's cruel treatment of her has her seriously doubting that any man can truly pleasure a woman but something in her is dying to find out if maybe, just maybe either of these men can deliver on their claim.

Caroline's curiosity leads to a brash move on her part - she sends a missive to Nicholas offering her services as a judge of their prowess in the bedroom if they promise her complete discretion. She doesn't divulge her identity but once they express interest she arranges a place for them to meet - there the men are stunned to learn the identity of the woman willing to volunteer for such a hedonistic task. Her direct approach and insistence on discretion is a heady combination as are her youth and beauty. Nicholas and Derek agree to accept her offer even though both of them regret making such a reckless bet in the first place. Nicholas is taken with Caroline's wit and air of innocence and fully intends to discover all he can about her at his country estate where they'll spend a full week together. In the meantime, Derek remains in London and tries to come to grips with the fact that the woman he loves is engaged to another. Is there any possibility that a wager made when these two rakes overindulged in alcohol could prove to result in them finding their heart's desire?

Emma Wildes has thoroughly enchanted e-book readers with her emotionally charged storylines so it was only a matter of time before the print world discovered this gem of an author. In AN INDECENT PROPOSAL a shocking bet leads to extraordinary circumstances and some emotional entanglements that none of the characters anticipate. What I found particularly stunning about this storyline is Caroline's bravado in even becoming involved in such a chancy endeavor. Her husband's treatment of her was abysmal and her insecurity and fear of intimacy is very easy to imagine. Of course, Nicholas's gentleness and seductive technique helps ease her fears - and leaves readers sighing in envy. Derek's skills are equally fine tuned but he's so brokenhearted he's finding it difficult to muster any enthusiasm for bedding Caroline. Ms. Wildes tells this story with plenty of compassion, humor and even a bit of suspense to keep readers riveted to each scandalous scene - and everything in between.

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)

It took a really long time for me to warm up to some of the leads in this story, there are four of them. So long that by time I liked them the book had only a few chapters left.

Heroine Carolyn Wynn is a rather straight laced widow, or so it seems. She has heard about the juvenile bet that best friends Nicholas Manning, the Duke of Rothay and Derek Drake the Earl of Manderville have wagered. Each believes they are the better lover and since Carolyn had a terrible marriage and wants to know about passion she has decided to put herself into the role of judge between the two men. She wants to be discreet though. Here is where her logic flies out the window. Boys will be boys and furthermore there are prying eyes all about the ton but she never thinks through these small trifles, only gets their word that they won't tell.

Nicholas and Derek agree to the wager very quickly. It really had me wondering about this trio, namely what kind of friends take turns with a woman and what kind of woman wants to be passed off and talked about by two men. If Carolyn wanted to taste passion, why not approach one of them privately? She knows both are skilled lovers from ton gossip. Still she agrees to this infantile wager amongst bragging competative men and agrees to first sample Nicholas's lovemaking for a week. Then she will go to Derek's bed.

She has a marvelous time with Nicholas and opens up about her marriage and unthaws her icy reserved self. There are moments that electrify her but also she cannot forget that she has promised to engage in this same bed sport as soon as she is finished with Nicholas. She soon regrets this decision.

Derek is actually in love with someone else, a sweet girl named Annabel and I wish the author had focused a little more on their story. Annabel has loved Derek for a long time but unfortunately he was afraid of commitment. When Annabel saw Derek with another woman after they shared a steamy kiss, her heart was broken. Now she is engaged to a solid, decent nobleman and Derek is going crazy thinking that she is the only one he will ever love. Somehow he must find a way to convince her that they are meant to be together. Whereas Nicholas and Carolyn's romance is fueled by lovemaking, Derek and Annabel's is fueled by deep and long abiding feelings of love. They were a charming couple. Overall I give this novel three stars. The beginning while original never captured me because of the ridiculous bet, but the lovely story of Annabel and Derek was quite engaging.

Emma Wildes provides us with two touching romances in one. Sensual and textured this story is like eating a sinfully rich chocolate dessert while lounging on velvet sheets in a forbidden Eden.

This story of two notorious rakes wagering a wicked bet on which of them is the best lover unfolds into a touching and endearing journey of four people battling their own inner demons to find the everlasting love they each thought impossible.

Ms. Wildes brings these characters to life with thoughtful narrative and sparkling dialogue. Each scene so richly described you feel as though you are there. No matter what genre you prefer, this book is a must read for all.