The Art of Seduction [Mass Market Paperback]

"The Art of Seduction" is my first novel by the author and I have enjoyed it very much. The story is set in England in the Victorian era but unfortunately the historical background is very bare. The author concentrates on the relationship between her characters but in such an excellent way that it makes up for the missing history.Parris Sutherland is a baron's daughter deeply in love with her childhood friend and soulmate Dominick Carlisle.Dominic is the second son of the Duke of Carlisle and he also has feelings for Parris. But he tries to keep his distance from her by leaving for Oxford. He is very attracted to her but she is only 16 years old at the time.When he leaves university they meet again. Parris's love for Dominick hasn't faded but she realises that Dominick will never love her the way she loves him and he will never marry her. In order to get some memories for the lonely furture she seduces Dominick during a masked ball in the garden. Dominick makes love to a wonderful and passionate young virgin wearing a domino and he cannot resist her. Parris disappears leaving a monogrammed handkerchief behind. Dominick assumes that the girl is Annabelle, Parris's older sister and because he is a honourable man he proposes to her. Annabelle is beautiful but full of deceit and ambition. She is Frederick's (Dominick's older brother and the future Duke)lover and she accepts Dominick's offer because Frederick doesn't want her for his Duchess.Parris is devastated and heartbroken. She feels totally betrayed by Dominick.On the night of their engagement Dominick finds out about Annabelle's affair with Frederick and they break the engagement.He tries to talk to Parris but she blames Dominick and she doesn't give him the opportunity to do so. Dominick leaves for the Army and he spends eight long years fighting in India and the Continent. After his brother's death he is summoned back home to take up the title. He has never forgotten Parris and he lived with a never disappearing pain in his heart remembering her, writing her letters which he never sent and blaming himself for his immature lust that night in the garden. He is a changed well-experienced man in the ways of the world and he is also a big price on the Marriage Mart. He meets Parris again at a ball and he opens his eyes to the realisation that she is the only woman he has ever loved and he wants her back and earn her love forever. Parris has matured into a beautiful independent woman and she has many secret agendas to pursue.She is Lady Scruples, a strong woman who is punishing those male members of Society who seduce innocent women. She still loves Dominick but she is still hurt and she can't forget his past betrayal.When Dominic finds out about her secret pursuits, it gives him more oppotunities to seduce her, make her love him and marry him.
Ms. George's writing style is very entertaining and she keeps the reader stuck to the book until the end. The story is fast-paced, full of adventure and exciting encounters of Parris and Dominick.They are both very well developed beautiful and intelligent characters with deep feelings for each other and a high level of honour.Some of the secondary characters are very funny and Annabelle is a typical spoilt and spiteful beauty. What I didn't really liked in the book were the too many and too trivial misunderstandings between Parris and Dominick. They both were a bit blind when the other's honesty was in question. They were intelligent enough to trust each other and not people who were their enemies.But I liked the story very much. The romance is touching and the love scenes are hot, sensual and tasteful.
THE ART OF SEDUCTION is a wonderful historical romance set in times when women just started to be independent and pursue their interests. I've read it in record time and I highly recommend it to all historical romance readers.