WHEN A PRUDISH SPINSTER… forgets even her own name when he touches her.
MEETS A SHAMELESS LIBERTINE…
Harris Darroch is no hero. Not a romantic one in any case. His libertine reputation puts his heroic prowess exclusively in the bedchamber. And he will bed any and every willing woman in sight. But when a prudish lady approaches him begging him to write off her father’s debt, he sees no reason not to enlist her buttoned-up person to his bed for the trouble. Living in close quarters with her is building up a desire, the likes of which he’s never seen before. Though wanting him, the little shrew remains aloof. Practising his ‘convincing’ skills on her will be an utter delight!
LOVE WILL LURK IN THE SHADOWS TO CATCH THEM!
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Miss Edwina Whitman has accepted her life as a spinster at the age of 26 and she is okay with that. When her father dies she is left having to pay for her father’s debt to Harris Darroch so her sister can have a normal life. Edwina was hoping to make some arrangement with Harris to slowly pay back the money over time. What she never expected was for Harris to offer her another choice, be his mistress and move in with him. At first Edwina refuses, but then relents. She didn’t realize that she would be so attracted to Harris.
As they spend more time together, Edwina starts to see a side to Harris that she didn’t realize. Slowly he starts breaking down her walls. For a while they play a cat and mouse type of game building up their chemistry until they are both ready to combust. When they finally give in to their attractions, things explode!
For two people who thought they would never be in love, they sure did fall quickly. Sometimes the best love you find is when you are not expecting it! Overall this was a fun, slow build up in their chemistry. I loved the way the wicked Harris slowly brought new thoughts and feelings into Edwina’s world. These two were made for each other!
I was unfamiliar with this author, but the summary intrigued me. So when I was offered an ARC, I thought, why not? I’m so glad I accepted! Lisa Torquay’s writing is raw and engaging. The rhythm of the words pulls the reader into the story. Combined with the language used, the overall effect is to bombard the reader with intense emotions that are undeniable. I had some difficulty adjusting to the writing because adjectives were used as nouns and occasionally verb tenses were off. Missing commas interfered with the flow, as I would need to stop to figure out what was being said. Still, I’m giving this book five stars.
This is a book that forced me to highlight the phrases that I found particularly unusual, poetic, or vivid, things that made me say wow. There were many, but these are a few of the shorter ones:
“He wished he could say it felt like a boulder hitting him flush on the chest. But it was much worse. It was more like a fire-breathing beast yawning its jaw and launching a whole river of fire over all of him.”
“The skirts flared over her tiny waist to skim her shapely hips, covering legs he would give an arm to uncover. Why the blazing hell he instructed her to wear this lethal weapon was beyond him…This trap had been of his making, and now it bit on him mercilessly.”
Harris’s reactions to everything Edwina did were intense. Everything he felt was extreme. He didn’t simply gaze at her or admire her figure. Instead, he felt that “…she bludgeoned him with her perfection.”
Her reaction to him was just as strong, though worded in a much more sophisticated manner, even in her head. “He breathed a short chuckle, his gaze telling her he recognized the exact chords to pull to play her to his tune as easily as if she came with sheet music.” Of course, when her emotions became less compliant to her control, she reacted this way: “The door opened, her heart stopped, she raised her head, lost the air in her lungs, and a rush of heat gathered in her core.”
The narration flows effortlessly from one character to the next, perfectly reflecting the emotions of each participant. The times they are together are described thusly: “He was darkness and hollowness and thirst. She was his light, his fulfillment, his oasis.”
This explained heartache in an original yet universal way: “Something blew up inside Edwina and spread through her like a cannonball dropping on a cauldron of boiling oil. The blood drained from the surface of her body and turned her stomach to a point she nearly reached.”
And I loved this metaphor: “The week dragged. Not like a carriage sloshing in the rain. But like a slug carrying Ireland on its back.”
The clever banter between Edwina and Harris is surprisingly racy for the time period. Although Edwina was initially presented as “dull” and “plain,” she is far from it. She is, in fact, brilliant. From the start, she not only comprehends the double standards that conscript her behavior and not Harris’s, but also later realizes that she need not be constrained by society’s expectations. She is self-sufficient, and once she has let go of the desire to please the ton, she feels free to please herself.
Harris thinks she is beautiful, and it doesn’t matter whether she is it not, nor does it matter whether she believes him. He will convince her of it. The development of their relationship is fascinating, as both, but especially Harris, try to deny the feelings developing between them. His reaction when she leaves the house to run errands and he nonchalantly questions his butler regarding her whereabouts is hysterical. His anxiety and sense of urgency to get to her is stymied by the necessity of appearing disinterested. His mind races as he casually checks his pocket watch, shines the face of it, makes small talk. All the while, he is anxious to leave, and the moment he is alone he grabs his things and rushes from the house.
Harris has some colorful sayings, like, “Bleeding circles of hell!” When he realizes he loves Edwina, that is his response. Meanwhile, Edwina tries to put space between them to protect herself. He, of course, is baffled by her behavior. Their nicknames for one another were unusual, yet perfect. He called her his “little shrew” while she called him her “reprobate.” There was something very sweet about it. Overall, I was impressed and I really enjoyed the story. I hope to have more opportunities to read Lisa Torquay’s work.
Her Wicked Libertine
Imperious Lords Series #2
Lisa Torquay
http://www.lisatorquay.webs.com
Release date 10/02/2019
Blurb :
WHEN A PRUDISH SPINSTER…
Miss Edwina Whitman had a repressively religious education. For her, a woman must endure a gentleman’s attentions. But when she sees herself face to face with a dark angel proposing the most wicked deal, she accepts it for her sister, who deserves a future. But the blasting libertine won’t allow her to think of king and country in his presence. In fact, she forgets even her own name when he touches her.
MEETS A SHAMELESS LIBERTINE…
Harris Darroch is no hero. Not a romantic one in any case. His libertine reputation puts his heroic prowess exclusively in the bedchamber. And he will bed any and every willing woman in sight. But when a prudish lady approaches him begging him to write off her father’s debt, he sees no reason not to enlist her buttoned-up person to his bed for the trouble. Living in close quarters with her is building up a desire, the likes of which he’s never seen before. Though wanting him, the little shrew remains aloof. Practising his ‘convincing’ skills on her will be an utter delight!
LOVE WILL LURK IN THE SHADOWS TO CATCH THEM!
My review :
When a prim and proper lady accepts the wicked bargain of a known profligate, can there be more …
I know it is a classical trope, the rake perverting the spinster, but I enjoyed this story.
Harris Darroch could have been a laird but he stepped aside as he chooses his business ventures over ruling a clan.
By the way, I learned in Scotland, a title was transferable.
He is a man who goes after what he wants.
As many busy men, he works a lot then to unwind he partakes in extreme pleasures. Which insures his reputation as a rakish debauchee. And sure after years of indulging in so many excesses, even them become boring, expected.
Until this little spinster who remains aloof even when he says the most outrageous things.
Edwina is at the end of her tightrope, she has very few option left out debtors prison if she can’t find a way to pay the debt left by her father’s demise.
So, sure she is appalled by Harris’s proposition, then after giving to it some thoughts, as a true spinster, she has few to lost outside her name’s reputation so if she is cautious, it might be the right solution to save her family.
He forced her hand, but despite everything she was told and taught, she is drawn to him, him the perfect picture of the men she was instructed to avoid.
Thus begins a game of will and resilience, each refusing to concede a step to the other.
In the main time, their scorching chemistry reaches the top of the charts. They can’t stand to not touch or be far-away. Only their pride holds them back to accept the truth about their true feelings, that and the fear to not be enough.
This steamy read is never dirty, it is sensual and voluptuous, always respecting Edwina’s feelings, the prudish woman discovering and learning her own sensuality.
4.5 stars
I was provided by the author an advance copy, but after reading it, I purchased my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/472853399970503?sfns=mo
Edwina goes to Harris to try to pay off her family debt. He cannot believe her prim and proper attitude “does something” for him. He tells her of a way to “pay off her debt”. After she agrees and moves in with him it is almost a battle of wills. I loved the push and pull of their relationship. This book had such a great story. I love that he was so attracted to her. I enjoyed that she had her own business going with the lace. This book had great characters, an awesome story that really moved along and keeps you wanting more. I loved when the “guys” had a talking to him and when he finally found her. You really need to read this.
Wow!! Her Wicked Libertine by Lisa Torquay is a wicked good read. Ms. Torquay has provided readers with a well-written book populated with outstanding characters. Edwina is a prim and proper young lady trying to find a way to pay off her father’s debt to Harris Darroch. Harris has a business to run and isn’t willing to accept small payments over years to collect what’s owed. He offers to dismiss the debt if Edwina will become his mistress. Harris and Edwina’s story is loaded with drama, humor and smokin’ hot sexy bits. I loved every page of this book and look forward to my next book by Lisa Torquay. Her Wicked Libertine is book 2 of the Imperious Lords Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Book two in the Imperious Lords series. Can be read and enjoyed as stand-alone. Steamy historical romance, novella length told in dual POV, with HEA. Edwina Whitman goes to Harris Darroch to settle her late father’s debt. I liked the amount of time they spent together slowly getting used to and getting to know one another. I didn’t like the lack of communicating between them that led to the end of their arrangement, or how fast he went back to his old ways. It took them a while to discover and admit to their feelings, I wish their dialogue would have been with each other instead of in their heads. I loved the epilogue! I can’t wait for the next one in the series!
This is not your typical historical romance read (at least to me). It’s a very steamy read. I enjoyed the plot of a naïve, prudish spinster having to settle her deceased fathers’ debt with a notorious libertine and them both finding themselves instantly attracted to each other. I would say the first half was an okay read for me. Then Edwina’s character really shined and the story really got interesting and the pages flew. If you like steamy historical romances, then this is the book for you.
5 flaming stars!!!
Just from the blurb, I was expecting a familiar trope, where a libertine makes an indecent proposal to a spinster in order to settle a debt. Well, that’s where any semblance of the familiar trope ends. “Her wicked libertine” is not just another historical romance. It’s one heck of a masterpiece!!!! The chemistry between the main characters is off the charts, palpable and obvious right from their first meeting. Their intimate relationship is slow-burn, and the tension builds gradually until they finally succumb to it. Scorchingly hot, intense, with excellent plot twists, well fleshed-out characters and witty banter, this is an absolutely must read for all those who like their historical romances with plenty of steam!
When I was approached and asked to read and write a review, for what to me was a new author, I was a bit hesitant to do so. I’m so glad I didn’t turn down the request. Initially, I didn’t feel an emotional connection to the two main characters. Miss Edwina Whitman was a prudish, religious spinster who needs to write off her father’s unpaid debt and has no option but to accept a wicked deal from the well-known libertine, Harris Darroch. I continued to read on and finally, I started to feel some emotions for the two characters, and they too began to feel emotions for one another. There were definite sparks between the two. Edwina intended to remain aloof after accepting Harris’s terms and to him, she was a challenge on whom he could practice his seductive skills. As their relationship continues, Harris doesn’t know why he is attracted to plain, prudish Edwina but he hasn’t felt that alive in years. He knows “she is what makes him whole, otherwise, he would fall into a million pieces.” He stalks, he pursues. Oh my, what a sensuous and seductive wooing. Edwina felt she needed to keep her distance, but she found out how a woman could find joy in her own body. And when he apologized, she melted and was his.
This was a quick and somewhat steamy read. I loved Edwina’s independent streak and protectiveness of her family. She went beyond societal expectations to keep her family from falling. Harris was quite a selfish man until he met Edwina. Their chemistry was instant, but he surprised me with his romantic gestures, gentleness, and protectiveness. I enjoyed this story.
I received a copy of this story as a gift, and this is my unsolicited review.
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review of her work.
Her Wicked Libertine, by Lisa Torquay, is available at booksellers on October 2, 2019. The second book in the Imperious Lords series, we pick up with the story of our last heroines best friend. Ms. Edwina Whitman is an over-the-hill, plain Jane, broke, barely accepted member of society. Her unlucky father died and left her with a debt owed to Harris Darroch’s company. Everything but the house is gone & Edwina is trying to salvage the situtation to protect her younger sister. I understand the protectiveness but how could she hide the extent of the problem from the rest of the family? She has a trade & can pay her own way but not this debt. How much is the debt? We never find out. She’s off to see Mr. Darroch to work out a compromise.
Harris Darroch works hard and plays hard. He’s not really good ton but I guess money speaks so he’s invited to some events, belongs to a club, and has titled friends. He’s just 36 but jaded, his lifestyle has become a little stale, as it should. He’s taken with the plain spinster, his little shrew, & makes her a naughty offer. Why she takes him up on the mistress plan is the belief that she’s 26 and never going to marry anyway. She’s in an awful bind and he’s hot, so what the heck. I found it hard to believe that she moved in with him and no one noticed. She leaves the house by the front door! Neither character is shy, both are witty, and find they enjoy being together even outside of the bedroom. I liked that they were both old enough to know what they were getting into.
All in all I enjoyed the story and the characters but was left with unanswered questions.
#HerWickedLibertine #Imperious Lords #LisaTorquay
Her Wicked Libertine is the second book in author Lisa Torquay’s “Imperious Lords” series. Ms. Torquay is a new author for me and I was extremely impressed with this story. I actually struggled to put the book down. I will definitely be looking into more books from this author.
Harris Darroch is thirty-six and becoming jaded. The lavish parties, the faceless women are just not doing anything for him any longer…
Edwina Whitman is twenty-six and considers herself plain and on the shelf. To pay off her deceased father’s debt and save her family and her sister’s future, she agrees to become Harris’s mistress.
I really enjoyed this couple and their story! Harris is definitely a libertine who deserves his bad reputation. So when he first meets Edwina he’s shocked at how strongly he’s attracted to her, especially since she’s nothing like his type. But he finds himself unable to stop thinking about her.
I admired Edwina. She’s been put into a horrible situation, and to protect her sister she sacrifices her virginity and risks her reputation. She is attracted to Harris from the beginning but tries to protect herself emotionally from the inevitable parting, once their contract is over.
Ms. Torquay did a wonderful job of bringing these two together and giving us a fabulous story. There was a lot of buildup with both Edwina and Harris learning about each, which I enjoyed. The attraction between them was off the charts and I loved the transformation Harris went through as his feelings for Edwina grow. They were a fabulous couple and you couldn’t help but root for them! I look forward to reading more from this series and Ms. Torquay in the future. Happy to have found a new author to follow and highly recommend!
“Her Wicked Libertine: Imperious Lords #2” by Lisa Torquay
I was gifted a copy of this story by the author with the request for an honest review. So, here we go. From reading the blurb I knew this story would contain more than its share of bedroom scenes, which it did. But I did not find them offensive. Yet you might. But the story is a wildly fun fast paced tale and Harris is Harris, what else can I say? I think you will fall in love with Edwina, the prissy prude aka shrew, with more strength of character than you will expect. If you choose to read this story… I truly believe you will have an enjoyable and ‘Happy Reading !!’ adventure.
I’ve fallen in love with Lisa Torquay’s mix of beautiful, flowing writing, racy scenes, alpha males and head-strong women set in the backdrop of the Highlands or London.
This one was no different! Set in London, we follow Edwina and Harris into a liaison that starts as a business transaction, but quickly becomes more.
There is soooo much more to this story than the hotness of it (though you’ll be fanning yourself!)!! Edwina learns how to be a woman, an independent one, free of society’s rules. Her strength is amazing, and I loved the banter between her and Harris as much as I did the love story! The slow burn killed me and I felt their separation in my bones! Read it in one night, and I guarantee you’ll love it!
ONE UNBELIEVABLE RIDE!!!
Ah snap! Lisa not only brought it, she sewed the tapestry, mended the lines and mastered the scenes. This is one jaw dropping, mind blowing, thrilling piece to grace the space and expand the genre. Wow! Ramping all the swirling emotions into play with every color on the spectrum. The characters chemistry is intense, sizzling and palpable. Witnessing the trials and tribulations that tests our characters in ways they never saw coming. This little gem lures you in with a slew of plot twists along with a throng of revelations melds this bad boy together piece by piece. The scenes are so graphically detailed and descriptive it’s easy to picture each scenario as they play off one another in perfect balance. Awesome job Lisa, thanks for sharing this bad boy with us.
Brilliantly written. Fast paced and steamy! Edwina is fiery and determined. She needs to take care of what is left of her family. Harris is a rake who enjoys hard work and pleasure. When the two meet the clash is epic. They come up with a deal and they were off to the races. The story is a smashing success of a women determined to control her destiny. She is able to stick to her guns and bring her man to his knees. The characters are amazing and fun. You will keep turning the pages just to see what they will do next. Absolutely wonderful read!
Gotta love a reformed rake. Harris doesn’t deny himself any indulgences. And he loves the ladies. When Edwina comes to his office to talk about the debt her father owed, he proposes a deal. She is a lady and he knows that she will not accept the deal. Edwina doesn’t want her family to go to debtor’s prison and there is no other way to pay the debt without taking Harris’ deal. It will ruin her, but will make it so her sister can make a good match. So, she accepts but wants it all in writing. Women usually do anything that Harris wants, but not Edwina. She challenges him at every turn and he loves it. Will they finally realize that they love each other?
Lord Harris Darroch abdicated his title of heir to Clan Darroch two years ago.
He is a libertine, who like to throw wild parties, and will bed any women he sees.
He owns the shipping company that Edwina Whitman’s late father owes a great deal of money too.
Edwina goes to see him to see if she can pay him some each month from her earnings of making lace. He laughs at this and shouts he is not going to wait a lifetime to be paid. Then he tells her of other way to pay off the debt, become his Mistress and move into his house. He is use to women falling at his feet due to his looks and what most know he can show them in bed.
Edwina on the other hand tells him just what he can do with his offer and leaves.
she has been raised to be a proper and prim young lady. But after she gets home
all she can think about is what it would be like to learn the “basic mechanics”
from someone like him. Her curiosity is so high its all she can think about.
To save the family name, and let her sister Philippa and her Grandmother live the life they are use to she take him up on his offer.
Little did either have any idea what will happen next. This is a very hot erotic
read, the characters are great, both learning so much and almost losing so much.
This is a fast paced book. If you like sexy, hot , romance, with humor, and drama
this is the book for you. Strong man, strong woman and bonds between them.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest opinion…
Grab some ice tea, be ready to sweat, and and enjoy how these two very different people find what they want most in life….
HOT, STEAMY, EROTIC Whew! it is hot in here.
Definition of LIBERTINE:
1: disparaging: a freethinker especially in religious matters
2: a person who is unrestrained by convention or morality specifically: one leading a dissolute life libertines indulging a variety of amorous impulses— Mel White
Definition of REPRESS (ED)
transitive verb
1a: to check by or as if by pressure: CURB injustice was repressed
b: to put down by force: SUBDUE repress a disturbance
2a: to hold in by self-control repressed a laugh
b: to prevent the natural or normal expression, activity, or development of repressed her anger
Lisa Torquay can write a spunky repressed female character who gets involved with a renown reprobate, libertine. This is the first book I have read by Lisa and I enjoyed it immensely. This book is not for the faint of heart. It is sorta kinda like a twisted erotic Pygmalion where our heroine gets the education of a lifetime in the world of pleasure and satisfaction. She is a fun character to read. She is “on the shelf” and grew up thinking sex as an ugly taboo subject. According to all the Sunday sermons, all she ever heard was how a woman must never sin, always be submissive to her husband blah blah blah etc., etc. When Edwina had to deal with Harris over a debt her father left, she never imagined the deal he counter proposed to her to pay off the debt. Although Edwina was not a classic beauty, she possessed a fair face and hot body that she hid under dresses that covered every possible inch of her. It was her lips that first attracted Harris to her. Harris is of noble blood. He was meant to become his clan’s laird but because his shipping business was doing so well, he passed the title to his beloved cousin’s husband. It all worked out for the best for everyone. Including the clan. Harris is a giant of a man like the warriors of ole. He is intimidating and he used that to his advantage every chance he gets. He is handsome, charming and indulged in the most decadent debauched lifestyle. He and his friends were known all over London. That is until he met Edwina. These two are on the extreme poles from each other and yet there is an attraction that defies belief. The chemistry between these two characters is so combustible one needs to take care. I love the way Lisa approached the sex scenes. They were not raunchy. The scenes take place in a tasteful unrestrained intimate natural way. Close to life-like as you can get. Of course, the emotions involved are to be expected. There is fear, wonder, desperation, exploration and pure sheer satiation. The overall story is surprising as these two opposites find what is missing in their own lives through each other and they find love. An excellent story and I highly recommend it. I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow, this book. Just as the last book Her Wicked Earl this one was spicy too! In fact, I think it was even spicier than that one!
Edwina met Harris when she went to propose to him a deal in which she will repay her family’s debt monthly. Harris looked once at her and already decided she will repay him by being his mistress! Of course at first she wanted nothing to do with that. But given no choice, she relents…and oh what a sweet surrender that was.
I love how she stood for herself, how even when they became lovers, she still stood her grounds and how she will always fight him back. Their banters were wickedly hot!
Harris couldn’t believe that he can’t sway her with his wealth or looks so he was hooked with her from the start.
Lisa Torquay is definitely an author you have to start reading. Her books are scorching hot, fast reads and page-turners! A huge thank you to the author for contacting me again on Goodreads and sending me another ARC, I loved it just like the previous one!
5 delicious, spicy stars.
Full review here: https://slovenianbookworm.wordpress.com/2019/09/21/her-wicked-libertine-by-lisa-torquay/