Potent Pleasures (Hardcover)

The heroine, Charlotte, is quite likable, and likes to paint, actually is a serious painter, even if only for herself. She has a misadventure with the hero, Alex at a masquerade ball right before her debut. She feels herself to be ruined, and after three years of protesting agianst marriage, she finally decides that she doesn't want to be alone, and proceeds to give herself a makeover, and takes London by storm.

During this time, Alex has been sent off to Italy, while his twin brother Patrick, is sent off to India by their irate father. When Alex returns after Charlotte has become one of the reigning beauties of London, he doesn't recognize her. However, she recognizes him. Alex was declared impotent, which he went along with happily in order to escape from his marriage in Italy, and so even though he has a little daughter, he is believed to be ineligable for marriage. And from here, we get the rest of the plot. Alex still is distrustful of women, after his wife in Italy betrayed him with the servants, and those of their social circle, and anyone else to come along. Charlotte knows that Alex is the only one she has ever slept with, even if he doesn't believe her. And society decides that she has a tendre for his twin, since Alex is supposedly incapable.

The supporting characters are well drawn out, and you hope that they will re-appear in their own book(s) - they do! I look forward to reading more by this talented author.

Just prior to her eighteenth birthday, Charlotte Daicheston innocently accompanies a friend to the "Hooker's Masquerade Ball". While there, Charlotte loses her virginity to Alex Foakes, a future duke. Alex searches for her, but fails to find her. A few weeks later, Alex and his twin brother get in trouble and their father exiles them with Alex going to Italy.

By 1801, three years have passed since Alex was sent overseas. He has returned as the Duke since his father recently passed away. He seeks a wife to help him raise his little girl, who he sired while being married in Italy. At a ball, he meets Charlotte, who recognizes him, but he fails to do likewise. He pushes her into marrying him. They make love, but he goes crazy when he realizes she is not a virgin. Though they make up, one must wonder if love dies when trust fails to anchor it. Soon, this couple will be put to a life and death test.

POTENT PLEASURES is an interesting Regency romance that centers on how gossiping scandals can ruin lives. The story line is interesting even though readers will want to pound Alex at times for his boorish, obstinate behavior. Charlotte is a warm character and little Pippa will steal the audience's hearts. Eloisa James has written a historical romance that will please sub-genre purists even as it provides a moral lesson on loose lips sink relationships.

Harriet Klausner