Lessons from a Scarlet Lady (Signet Eclipse) [Mass Market Paperback]

3.5 stars.

Kindle Readers: Please note that this book has a prologue, but that the book opened - at least for me - at chapter 1. The prologue is also not mentioned in the table of contents. I only discovered it because I hit the back button by mistake. Without it, you'll be missing the much discussed carriage scene.

I selected this book, because ... well, I don't entirely know. I'd pre-ordered it, so I must have heard something good about the author or she must have impressed me on a message board somewhere. Besides, gorgeous cover, which - as a Kindle owner - I can only appreciate from afar. I'm sure I was also interested because the plot promised some raciness. While I appreciate trembling virgin heroines, I also like a story with more advanced sensuality.

The plot actually gives us both types of heroines. We have the newly married Brianna and her friend, the yet unmarried, Rebecca. Brianna discovered in a small shop a book from a "scarlet lady." She bought it because she wanted to seduce her husband into being more attentive and also fulfill some of her own personal needs. Her husband, Colton, is both highly aroused and confused as to where she's coming up with these ideas. He finds a confidante in his brother Robert. Rebecca, Brianna's friend, is quite smitten with Robert, who is a "rakehell." Robert gives his brother terrific advice which amounts to not looking a gift horse in the mouth. This attitude immediately made me anticipate his scenes with Rebecca.

Brianna, Robert, and Rebecca are all - in their own ways - progressive thinkers. This is both good and bad. Obviously, it's enjoyable to read characters that see the world more in easily relatable modern terms. Jane Austen would have committed seppuku before writing a book about a wife dropping to her knees, although she might have enjoyed Rebecca's interest in composing. Robert, being the more experienced brother and Colton's sounding board, is as close to a feminist as one could expect back then - at least until he takes leave of his senses AKA falls in love. However, and remember that I want the heightened erotic elements, a book like this can edge on coming across as being people playing dress-up, rather than genuinely inhabiting that time.

I didn't fully buy that Brianna, who'd apparently been a perfect "lady" up until then, bought the book and then freely shared this knowledge with her friends, following the advice without trepidation. The plot wasn't a problem, but her comfort level struck me as too modern. How much this, and similar details, are a problem for you will be based on your expectations.

The actual guide book felt authentic though, and acknowledged the different expectations for women at that time and, certainly, the outsized control wielded by the men in their lives. This was a good device for speaking to the reader and used to greater effect than the moments when the characters seemed to take on the role of providing social commentary through their thoughts, as the heroines tended to do. I certainly didn't want them to be unaware, but the execution came across a reminder that this was a book written in modern times and with a modern sensibility rather than letting the events and the interactions between the characters lead the reader to her own thoughts on the restrictions of the time.

In truth, Rebecca and Robert started out as being the more interesting couple for me. She secretly composed music and the plot allowed an opportunity for him to accompany her in the playing of one of her compositions. I quite enjoyed that - the unknowing intimacy. The revelation that she was the composer came and went too fast. A third brother was also present, and he was also an enjoyable character. I have to say that Colton was my least favorite of the men up until the last few chapters.

The lovemaking wasn't truly outrageous, only perhaps advanced for the time, and more time was spent out of the bedroom than in it. There was a lot of conversation between the characters, and the pages were divided between the couples, so there was not a lot of time to fully explore any of the main characters.

I enjoyed "Lessons" overall, but I can't say I fully clicked with this author in the same way I have with a few other books I've reviewed recently. I adored the premise, but I'm left feeling not all of the potential was achieved. There's enough here for me to anticipate that this will find an appreciative audience though. I'm guessing the remaining brother, Damien, might find his own lady in the parlor, naughty girl elsewhere soon -- hopefully she'll get a copy of a certain advice-filled book.

Brianna and Colton have been married for three months. Their marriage is built on respect and care for one another. Colton has a reputation of being cold and straight laced because of his status as the Northfield, the fifth Duke of Rolthven. He's one of the wealthiest men in England and his wife thinks of him as her dashing prince. But as a new wife to such a man, she has doubts, which leads her to wonder if she can keep Colton satisfied and happy in bed, because many men like him to turn to mistresses for more outlandish requests when it comes to lovemaking. Brianna doesn't want to lie back in bed wearing her long virginal nightgown with the lights on low as Colton makes respectable love to her as he feels he should. She comes up with a plane to seduce her husband where he'll go wild with desire for her by using a naughty book as a guide from a former courtesan, the Lady Rothburg. When Brianna dresses in a very low cut gown at the opera, Colton is shocked and aroused. Things go quite well afterwards when the Northfields enjoy a steamy encounter together in their carriage.

Colton adores Brianna, even though he wouldn't call what he feels for her exactly love. At a very young age he has been taught to be very responsible and thinks of things in very cut and dry terms. He has no room for sudden emotional outbursts and likes to stay in control. Brianna begins to break down these walls he has built, and soon all he can think about is bedding her. His regard for Brianna changes where he becomes very suspicious and comes to the conclusion that the only way she has learned these new intimacies from a man, thus he comes to the conclusion that Brianna must be cheating on him. Things will take an interesting turn because based on Colton's trust issues, he could destroy their marriage.

As Brianna and Colton's marriage begins to worsen, his well known rakish brother, Robert, starts lusts after Brianna's unmarried friend, Rebecca Marston. Rebecca has wanted Robert forever, but her father has a very low opinion of him. Robert finds her to be too innocent for an improper man like himself. With the guidance of Brianna and Lady Rothburg's advice, Rebecca will try and seduce Robert just as Brianna has with Colton and hope that it will be enough where he'll turn his back on all other women and decide she's the one woman of his heart.

Lessons from a Scarlet Lady is a refreshing Regency romance because the main couple in are already married, care for one another deeply and enjoy one another in the bedroom. Brianna is innocent when it comes to certain things, especially in regards to what she learns from the courtesan's advice book and how to use those techniques in her marriage. What she does with Colton isn't too shocking and pretty tame from dressing more scandalously to engaging in other sexual positions and acts. Colton loves being with Brianna this way, but because of her openness and these new skills, he comes to the conclusion she must have learned it elsewhere. And I can't blame him because where would a virginal English miss, who came into a marriage unaware to what occurs in the bedroom, know pleasure her husband in some shocking ways? Colton's mistrust could have been nipped in the bud if only Brianna told him about her book, but she doesn't thinking he'd frown upon her reading material. Again some open communication could have stopped a whole lot of heartache, but then again there would be no story.

I did find Emma Wildes' tale a pleasing read. I loved how she balanced these close relationships, where she shows a loving marriage with some internal problems, to that of a more innocent one with Rebecca and Colton's dastardly brother, Robert. The love scenes are nothing too eye popping, but fit the overall tone needed. Some may find themselves a bit annoyed with Colton, not because of his concern with Brianna possibly having a lover, but because his unfortunate past that makes him cold and distant. Other than that, I found Lessons from a Scarlet Lady a pretty solid historical romance.

Katiebabs

As the Duke of Rolthven's new wife, Brianna is a model of decorum and her mannerisms are without reproach. Her marriage is comfortable yet she wants more, she wants her husband's love and is finding the advice found in the forbidden book `Lady Rothburg's Advice' very helpful in her pursuit of marital bliss. Her friends are stunned at her daring. Colton would be horrified to know that his wife is in possession of such a scandalous book. Brianna's thrilled that she's suddenly got his full attention but just because he desires her doesn't mean he loves her - and it's his love that she really wants.

The sudden changes in Colton Northfield's young wife are making him decidedly uncomfortable. It's not that he finds anything she's doing particularly distasteful but how is it that the same woman who came to him as a shy virgin has suddenly turned into a vixen? Colton is a busy man who doesn't take time out just to enjoy life - after all he has many people counting on him for their wellbeing. However, with Brianna's campaign to make him love her in full force he might just discover that there's more to life than business.

Brianna's taking great delight in the sudden attention she's garnering from Colton. Their lovemaking has taken on an intensity that she'd never dreamed possible until she began reading `Lady Rothburg's Advice' and implementing the courtesan's techniques and suggestions with Colton. He's always so staid and proper and those traits have extended into the bedroom - until now. With her own success at capturing her husband's attention thanks to a courtesan's advice Brianna decides that maybe her friends Rebecca and Arabella could profit from the sage advice found in her treasured book. While the advice found in the courtesan's writing does prove helpful, it also brings about troubles that could destroy everything Brianna hoped to accomplish. Will any of them find the love and sexual gratification they desire - or will the book prove to be the downfall of their relationships?

Just when you think reading historical romance couldn't get any better - it does! Emma Wildes' LESSONS FROM A SCARLET LADY is a wickedly sinful novel that captivates the imagination and titillates readers through the antics of the unforgettable characters. I loved how at the beginning of each chapter there's a tidbit from Lady Rothburg's writing and then seeing how Brianna chooses to use her suggestions. Colton and Brianna are perfect together but obviously have a few communication issues to work out - especially now that everything is satisfactory in the lovemaking department. Of course if that's not enough to hold your attention then there's always Rebecca's scandalous pursuit of Colton's brother Robert. It's positively delightful. Ms. Wildes' is a talented author whose historical novels captivate and keep you reading until the very last page and I look forward to many more of her titles in the future.

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)