Jeremy Wyles believes himself sterile. He’s also a sadist and fears no lady would agree to marry him. When a woman shows up on his doorstep, pregnant and claiming to be his wife, he’ll do whatever is necessary to ensure his dukedom has an heir. A loveless marriage in name only seems the perfect solution, but his disobedient duchess stirs his desire for discipline…and something more.Irish rebel … rebel Kathleen “Katy” Brennan only seeks recompense from the husband whose cousin married her by proxy and left her with child. The bargain he offers is tempting. He’ll claim her baby as his own, and she can become the grand lady she’s always imagined. There’s just one condition she’s not sure she can live with. The delicious-looking duke refuses to touch her…ever.Can Jeremy put aside the wicked urges that rule his life, or will Katy’s rebellious spirit destroy his tenuous control?
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The last thing Jeremy Wyles expected was to fall in love with the beautiful and pregnant Irish lady Katy Brennan. She’s pregnant by another man yet he’s willing to marry her and claim the child as his own, thus securing his dukedom. He’ll give her everything she needs but will not touch her. But when she runs away, he catches up with her and punishes her the only way he knows how. When her gasps of delight reach his ears, he wonders if she’s the submissive he’s been looking for to appease the dominant man within. Can he protect his heart from her clutches or is it too late?
I had no expectations when I started reading A Matter of Manners as this is Terry Graham’s debut novel. Was it going to have a plot or will it be another 50 Shades? From the first chapter, Jeremy and Katy connected with my heart. I wanted these two to get together and I wanted George gone, possibly in shackles. The characterizations of the characters impressed me as the more I discovered about them, the more I grew attached to them. The pain, desire, confusion, jealousy, love felt by Jeremy and Katy I experienced too. The bdsm scenes were tastefully done and only added to the depth of the plot. Speaking of the plot, it moved at a steady pace without any plot holes. The ending made me cry but let me assure you, they were happy tears.
A Matter of Manners is a perfect blend of Jane Austen and 50 Shades. Highly recommend!
Note: This book is for adult reading only. 18+ due to adult situations and language.
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes I’d review it.
Favorite Character/Quote: Katy. She’s had a rough go of it, but she’s got a great spirit. I loved how she totally lets go with Jeremy and explores her own pleasures. She stands up for herself when it’s needed, even when Jeremy punishes her. She’s exactly what he needs and vice versa.
My Rating: 5 stars
This historical romance takes on a “Shade of Gray” element. It’s a nicely developed story with BDSM that is not overly done. Jeremy and Katy are so perfect for each other. The two are brought together by a baby and George but found a wonderful love. This story in an unexpected surprise. It’s an emotional roller coaster story that tragic, fun, passionate, sweet and heartfelt. I loved every bit of this story as well as Jeremy and Katy. The ending was so perfect too!!
Don’t you just love it when a book surprises you, but you cannot figure out why it does?? This book, right here!
I’m all about the sexier books, and the ones with BDSM in, and you don’t usually get *much* sexy time in historical romances, but BOY does this book deliver on that level!
It delivers on many many levels!
The story itself is well told, with well rounded characters. Each character has a strong voice, fitting to their time and station. Jeremy is well educated and privileged and Katy was bought up in Ireland. She isn’t a Lady, not in the way it means at this time, but she tries, when bought into Jeremy’s household as its head.
Jeremy makes no bones about what he wants from Katy, and Katy will give him that, but there is that undercurrent between them that bubbles along in the book, one that bursts its banks just when you don’t expect it to.
I loved that Jeremy, while he knew what he wanted to do to Katy, makes her wait; makes her understand what she is asking for. Loved that Katy takes things into her own hands, even if it tips Jeremy over into angry.
Some twists and turns I did not see coming too! Loved being kept on my toes! Absolutely loved that certain characters kept nothing from each other, and that Katy was surprised by that fact, given how she came into their lives.
This is, according to some websites, billed as book one in the Shades of Sin series. I wonder who might be next! A whole host of people here could fit under that title, and maybe some that would surprise me to be included. Would love to read it, whoever might be involved!
First I’ve read of this author, hope it’s not the last!
5 stars
**similar worded review will appear elsewhere**
A Matter of Manners by Terry Graham is the First book in the Shades of Sin Series. This is the story of
Kathleen ‘Katy’ Brennan and Jeremy Wyles, the Duke of Lexham. Jeremy is twice widowed with no children and after being told he was sterile had no hopes of any. But his cousin George who is married has several children along with possibly more. So when Katy comes to his door saying she was married to the Duke and that she was pregnant was sure due to George. But Jeremy thinks to take advantage of this situation and claim Katy as his wife and her child as his. Katy was forced to married the Duke who left her shortly after so she heads out to find him but instead learns she was not really married to the true Duke. A bargain is struck between them but their feelings and attraction makes it impossible to stay true to the original intent.
Spicy historical read!
She was the answer to his dreams and the love of his life!
by sewsummore
Katy was a wild Irish lass that had been forced to marry the Duke of Lexham by her angry father, wedded and bedded she was left in Ireland when the Duke returned to London. With no news of her husband she travelled to inform him of her pregnancy. Instead she finds the man she married is not the Duke but his cousin and is already married with a parcel of children. Moved by her plight the real Duke accepts her as his wife making the child his heir. This was was a romance that ticked all my boxes, a fiesty Irish lass, a man tormented by his desires and yearning for the heir he will never have. Gaining a wife, even if by proxy will give him an heir and a future he thought lost. This book was much more than a romance, it held mystery, treason, wicked Doms and Domme, the ending perfect in every way.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
What one plans fate has a way of screwing it all up.
Okay, you get married but do not plan on touching your wife can anyone else see a problem here? Well, that is just what Jeremy plans when he marries Kathleen. There is just one little fly in the ointment and that is the chemistry it is off the chart. With a little BDSM and a whole lot of heat, this tale delivers an entertaining read. I like the characters and even though this book may not be everyone’s cup of tea I enjoyed it a great deal. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Book one in the Shades of Sin series this is a new Author to me. Kathleen “Katy” Brennan and Jeremy Wyles’s story, these two will have so much to overcome. I enjoyed reading this book and I want to read the next one. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When Katy Brennan shows up at his estate, Jeremy doesnt know quite what to do with her. She married his cousin George and is showing up pregnant to find him. What to do? As a sadist, Jeremy knows he will probably never find a wife who will embrace his harsh love and discipline. Even though she seems to thrive under his hand, he is still unsure and besides Katy holds her secrets close. A good historical BDSM romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoyed Jeremy and Katy’s story! Jeremy’s last two marriages were not happy ones, so he had no great expectations with his marriage to Katy, unfortunately. Katy had her own secrets and had misconceptions about Jeremy’s relationship with his first wife Anna that didn’t help their relationship either. I’m no expert, but I thought the BDSM portion was well written. I have to say that piece with Emily did surprise me :). I would have liked to have had an epilogue to Jeremy and Katy’s story. Perhaps we can have an update on Jeremy and Katy when we get a story on Miles and Thomas, hint, hint ;-).
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mystery, intrigue, and suspense all wrapped in a great love story
The development of this story was really well executed. Katy was duped into marrying a duke, only to find that Jeremy was the true duke. Although surprised, Jeremy did jump at the opportunity for an heir. Mix in political intrigue and some mystery and suspense and you have a delightful read. The characters grew through heart wrenching tribulations, the deepening of their relationship feeling honest in the face of their circumstances. The S/m parts to the book was explored with sympathy to the feelings and emotions that may be part and parcel to such an interaction. The BDSM in the book did not feel gratuitous but integral to the character development. It was not overused and forced. This is an historical romance but don’t overburden the reader with facts and oddities true to the period. A personal bug bear from a reader that don’t often read historical romance was some of the period language. I understand that for some readers that love this genre it enhances the book, for me it distanced me from the more heated scenes. In all a book I would recommend to any romance reader as it can easily satisfy a wide range of reading interests.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only. Enjoyable light read, kept me interested to see how things would all play out to the very end. Thought it could use a few more steamy scenes as there was a good dynamic between the characters and it being a bdsm type of genre is what drew me to it in the first place. Would be interested in seeing more from this author and a deeper insight into her well started characters that are very likeable.
This story was gripping and intense but kept me at the edge of my seat. I really enjoyed reading this story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Tasty HOT SIN!
A great read with a flawless storyline that flowed well and quickly had me enticed and engrossed making me read it in one sitting. Hot tasty chemistry, emotionally heartfelt with plenty of angst, shocking gasps endless excitement and several chuckles that helped to lighten the mood, enjoyable twists and a HEA ending that brought the emotional struggles to rest leaving me feeling content and happy. A first by this author for me and I have to say I’m looking forward to reading more of her work.