Honoria Keyes isn’t the gawky, impressionable fifteen-year-old girl she was when she first met Simon Fairchild. Twelve years have passed, and she’s a successful artist, enjoying her independence to the fullest. Simon has changed, too. Gone is the beautiful, gentle boy of Honoria’s dreams. In his place is a dangerous, damaged man intent on avoiding human contact-and emotions. It would be … unthinkable to fall for this difficult, wounded recluse. But then again, Honoria has never been one to do things the easy way ?Simon returned from Waterloo a bitter, broken shell of the man he once was. As if his scarred body and mind aren’t bad enough, he’s also financially dependent on his brother, the duke, while he convalesces. The duke’s fondest wish is for Simon to marry and produce an heir-something Simon has no intention of doing. The one thing he never anticipated? All the unwanted feelings the lovely, talented, and infinitely intriguing Honoria would awaken in him ?Can Honoria and Simon heal the wounds of the past and build a life together? Or will their attempt at happily ever after end up a portrait of failure?Praise for The Outcasts:”Spencer’s brilliant and original tale of the high seas bursts with wonderfully real protagonists, plenty of action, and passionate romance.”?Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW”Fans of Amanda Quick’s early historicals will find much to savor.”?Booklist STARRED REVIEW”Sexy, witty, and fiercely entertaining.” ?Kirkus STARRED REVIEW”[A] suavely sophisticated hero with sex appeal to spare, and a cascade of lushly detailed love scenes give Spencer’s dazzling debut its deliciously fun retro flavor.”?Booklist STARRED REVIEW
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A PORTRAIT OF LOVE by S.M. LaVioletter (Minerva Spencer) is the 3rd book of the Academy Of Love. Honoria “Honey” Keyes last saw Simon Fairchild twelve years ago, once beautiful, and gentle young man, but now he returns from Waterloo, a bitter, broken shell of the man he once was. As if his scarred body and mind aren’t bad enough, he’s also financially dependent on his brother, the duke, while he convalesces. The Duke wishes Simon to marry and produce an heir—something Simon has no intention of doing. The one thing he never anticipated? All the unwanted feelings the lovely, talented, and infinitely intriguing Honoria would awaken in him … So, the question is can Honoria and Simon heal the wounds of the past and build a life together? Or will their attempt at happily ever after ends up a portrait of failure? A PORTRAIT OF LOVE is beautifully written about Simon and Honoria—two well-developed characters both in physical sense and in spirit. There is family drama between two brothers, the sultry heat that is so hot that it sizzles the pages, and the climax of the story which lead to a dramatic conclusion. S.M. LaViolette’s writings brings wonderful real protagonists, plenty of action, and passionate romance to life. I received this copy from the author, and this is my honest review.
The third talented teacher from the now defunct Stefani Academy for Young Ladies, Honoria Keyes. (Grab book 1 and 2 from the series, if you have not yet,they are throughly enjoyable read).
Ms. S M Laviolette does it again. No mundane formulae stories by her. She presents a well written, through story of great characters, the female protagonist has a very special talent or skill, ( Honoria is a portrait painter of considerable talent), and the male protagonist with a serious impediment either born with, or a condition that sets them apart or in the case of this book, a badly injured (formerly very handsome) younger brother of a Duke.
Honoria or Honey to her close friends meets Simon Fairchild at 15 when he is painted by her father. She falls in love with the golden handsome Simon and he is in love with his beautiful neighbor Arabella. Honoria is tall girl and is not spectacular by the normal standards, however the way The author describes the beauty and appearance of her characters, it’s more their intellect, personality and talent and not just facial features that defines them. Any how, Simon leaves abruptly as a family emergency and they meet after 15 years and Honoria has lost her father, the most beloved person in her life, and is now a painter of some reknown.
She is invited by the Duke of Plimpton, (Simon’s older brother) to paint his wife and his daughter. Although apprehensive, Honoria heads out to take the commission. Simon has returned back two years ago with severe war injuries healing both his mind and body.
The way the author weaves these strong characters and their interactions and meetings, their conversations is so spot on and no ninny hammer conversations. She builds the depth of her characters through the emotions, dialogues and actions. It’s not just balls and rides in Hyde park. There is romance, despair, deception, intrigue, and strength in overcoming adversity. All narrated with witty dialogues and neatly woven sequence of events. There is definitely a villain out to kill Simon as he is now the heir to the dukedom. But Simon is unaware of the danger. There is Honoria and their struggling relationship and the incidents leading to them getting married is nicely packaged.
The growing heated romance after marriage is lot of humor and load of heat. No fluff here, Simon has to make Honoria realize that though their marriage is not of intense love match ( although Honoria does love him and refuses to let it get in the way), but neither is it in name only. When the widowed Arabella shows up, more angst for Honoria, but the way the author does not make a fool of her readers by sorting out the issues in a mature ways leaves more room for the story rather than childish misunderstandings.
This a story so well written, I enjoy authors who realize their readers enjoy strong stories and not just romantic fluff.
Without revealing any spoilers, this is story of a family, who stand by each other, friends who care for each other and a younger generation who are taught to be sensible and skilled rather than just primp themselves for marriage mart.
Another huge winner by The author who is so talented writing different genres of story telling the only common thread being that all if the stories fall in the 18th or early 19th century British society.
Grab a copy, you will not be disappointed.
A very sensual, erotic, not easy to put down romance. Spencer sets the plot of a young girl’s infatuation with a young buck with good looks, money, position and attracting more women than you can throw a stick at.
Honey’s father is a well know artist commissioned to paint a portrait of Simon Fairchild, brother of the Duke of Plimpton. As her father paints Simon’s portrait, at fifteen she paints her own copy.
The beautiful man she adores takes her for ices, rides in the park and gives her much of his attention, until he breaks her heart. Fourteen years later, after her father’s death, Honey is establishing a career as an artist. When a commission from the Duke of Plimpton takes her to Simon’s home, she can’t seem to stop her excitement to see him. But the man she knew is now bitter, defensive and scared from his time in the war. In a cat and mouse game, Simon seduces Honey and they’re found in a compromising position. It maybe an arranged marriage, but the attraction between them definitely burns up the sheets. Jealousy and a dark villain with the shadow of death will be a constant reminder to be honest, trustworthy and believe in love.
This is a definite keeper. 5+STARS.