Scotland, 1504. Lady Janet Fraser didn’t earn her reputation as Scotland’s most notorious sinner by following the rules. A former mistress of King James IV, she’s content to live her life from pleasure to pleasure. Even if those pleasures–and people–are forbidden. People like Sir Lachlan Ross, given the moniker The Highland Beast, a man as intimidating in battle as he is in size. A beast she … he is in size. A beast she discovers secretly wishes to be tamed and submit to her dominance.
Or like her new ward, Lady Marjorie Hepburn, a convent-raised virgin with a desire to be taught all the sensual secrets of the marriage bed. Things that Janet is fully willing to teach her, again and again. There’s much for her to learn.
And forbidden pleasures like the three of them together in one bed.
But Lachlan and Marjorie both have ties to the king. As wicked lusts are indulged and affection unexpectedly grows into love, breaking the rules this time could mean all of their undoing…
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I loved the unique characters and relationship dynamics in this fun historical romp. The romance was equal parts super sexy and super sweet, while the political intrigue kept the tension at an all time high. Totally recommend for medieval romance fans.
Far more than just the female-led polyamorous romance I expected, Scandalous Passions was passionate, empowering, and thoughtful, built around a trio of lonely lovers who are eminently lovable from the moment they step on the page.
Nicola Davidson has written a period romance that incorporates the moral and religious prejudices of the time, and which acknowledges the difficult positions in which women were often forced, making her empowerment of Lady Janet and Lady Marjorie all the more significant. Lady Janet is a woman who knows herself and who is not ashamed of her passions. She is a woman who likes to be in control, and who isn’t shy about taking the lead with her men, but she’s also a woman of principles and values, selective about who she loves and how. Lady Marjorie is a virgin, raised in a convent and taught to resist temptations of the flesh, but she is passionate, curious, and determined to claim a life for herself. Their lives and their futures rest very much on the whims of King James IV, but both intend to challenge duty in the name of love.
The nature of the female-led relationship here, with Marjorie submissive to Janet, and Sir Lachlan submissive to them both, is tender and romantic. It’s a polyamorous relationship built on the principles of mutual pleasure and absolute consent, and I loved how Davidson explored that, especially as Marjorie blossomed and began to claim more of her sexuality. There are no heavy-duty whips or restraints here, no cruelty or harsh domination, just passionate leadership with playful disciple and correction – oh, and a whole lot of very intimate, very smutty, and yet very tasteful sex, with a lot of tongues involved.
As for that theme of empowerment, it applies to all three characters, and it goes far beyond gender or sexuality. Janet is empowered for her choices, her freedom, and her taboo bisexuality. Marjorie is empowered for her body, learning to appreciate her curves, and for her open sexuality, overcoming the teachings of the convent. Even Lachlan is wrapped up in themes of empowered, both for his social standing and for his speech impediment, with two women who care not a whit for his lack of lands or money.
Of course, playing against the whims of powerful Kings and Lords does have its consequences, and the story takes a surprisingly tense turn when love demands its place. A love tested is a love true, however, and it’s no spoiler to say a happily-ever-after awaits this polyamorous threesome, and their pleasures of their Scandalous Passions all the sweeter for their pains.
I absolutely adored this book! When the author first announced the story on social media, I would get excited at each subsequent update on how the characters and the story were evolving. A menage FFM romance set in early 1500’s Scotland? Yes please!
The three main characters were extremely well-developed due to the author’s ability to write such fantastic inner dialogue that I not only saw but ‘felt’ every emotion. Lady Janet is a queen in her own right and a perfect teacher to the more submissive Marjorie and Lachlan. Seeing Marjorie’s sexual awakening at the hands of her two lovers was wonderful and quite steamy! And Lachlan…well, I might be in love. It was so sweet he was happiest when he was either holding his two ladies or being petted by them. Even though he’s a beast on the battlefield, he shows such a sweet vulnerability which I think helped cement the threesome’s connection not just sexually, but eventually down the road to love.
I have the warm and fuzzies now, which is always how you want to feel after reading a great book. A truly enjoyable read that will make you smile and steam up your tablet!
It has been years since I last read a medieval romance and this one, my introduction to Ms. Davidson’s writing, reminded me of how this time period provides a rich tapestry of interwoven intrigues, lust, greed, and love, among other things.
This love story among three lonely court misfits–Janet Fraser (the scandalous royal mistress), Lachlan (the stuttering bastard knight), and Marjorie (the convent-imprisoned daughter of a traitor) –is unconventional, erotic, and totally romantic.
The storytelling is impeccable, character building is awesome, the focus on consent (“Pleasure must always be pleasure for all, not one.”) wonderful, the research outstanding, sex scenes explicit, and the sense of place superlative. Having been to St. Andrews, I’m impressed by how Ms. Davidson managed to transport me to the past version of it through her descriptions. I am also appreciative of the details on hygiene and frank discussion of contraception.
A deliciously wicked read.
Phew–this book! You might want to have a fan and icy cold drink nearby while reading…just sayin’ 😉
I haven’t really read much about this time period and place (Scotland in the early 1500s, the court of King James IV) but OMG, from this intro to them I’m absolutely going to have to do some research. To describe his court as “wild and bawdy” (as the author does in this interview almost seems an understatement. I mean, OMG.
Lady Janet had been one of James’s favorite mistresses, but now that he has a young English wife and needs to keep her family happy (happy wife = positive relations with England) he’s sending her away to live on one of his lesser properties. But he’s not sending her alone–oh, no. He’s sending her with his famed protector, Lachlan AKA the Highland Beast. And that’s not all–he’s also sending his lovely young virgin ward, Lady Marjorie (who has spent most of her life in a convent–of course! ;)–paying for the sins of her father). He needs Marjorie to be kept safe (and virginal, naturally) until he can figure out who he can marry her to that will benefit him best politically.
Ah, medieval politics. You gotta love ’em.
Honestly, though, he should have known going in that this probably wasn’t his best move politically. I mean, he knew Janet. In every sense. And he thought his virgin ward would be safe there…?
I’ll say this for Janet, Lachlan, and Marjorie. They tried to keep her technically a virgin. Sort of. Honestly, it was James himself who pushed them over the line–so it’s his fault, right? 😉
What I really liked about this book:
– Janet’s strength never depended on making others feel less-than
– The focus on consent (not purely a modern construct, surely! With a dominant female, it’s especially believable IMHO)
– I loved that the two F’s didn’t exist in this relationship merely to make the M feel good
– Lachlan’s extreme cinnamon roll-ness was delicious
– Yes, there’s a lot of sex. But there’s a story here too, with characters with complicated pasts who actually talk to each other (eventually, at least–there is a bit of just talk to them already! here but it lasts a reasonable amount of time before the talking happens. And then there’s more sex)
– All problems weren’t solved by a magic wang in the end
I’d make a list of what didn’t work for me, but honestly I can’t think what I’d put on it other than having to wait until August for the next one, and that hardly seems fair…
Overall, this was exactly the luxuriously smutty read I really needed this weekend. Scandalous Passions is the first book in Ms Davidson’s Highland Menage series–and if the other books are anything like this one, I am so here for them!
Rating: 4 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
When King James IV brought home his very young English wife, Lady Janet, the king’s favorite former mistress; Lachlan Ross, one of the kings most trusted warriors and his friend; and Lady Marjorie Hepburn, his new ward are sent away from Stirling Castle to a new estate granted to Lady Janet. Lady Janet was to be Marjorie’s temporary guardian and care for her until the king found her a husband. Sir Lachlan was to protect both ladies as they traveled and at their new home. Simple, right? Not so much. The attraction these three had for each other was overwhelming. The chemistry, red hot! Janet promises to teach Marjorie, who was raised in a convent, everything she could about how to please her husband. Lachlan and Janet are having a spirited affair of their own. Panting yet? As it turns out, each of the three of them was having trouble keeping hands off the other two. Their happily little arrangement was wonderful until a would-be kidnapper’s death and the rather powerful rejection of some would be lovers annoyed the haughty new you Queen Margaret. She, of course, feels entitled to cause trouble for the trio. What will the Queen do? How will things work out for the them?
This is quite a sexy read. The three lovers, the most notorious sinner in Scotland, the Beast of the Highlands, and a convent-raised virgin, enjoy a sizzling relationship. The story aside from their relationship was simple, but was a perfect fit. I love the characters, especially our main trio. It was interesting to watch them move from lust to love. It seems they may even be able to form a family. I enjoyed this story. If you like sexy tales that are a little unusual, I recommend this one to you.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
This is an erotic romance, set in the 1500’s in Scotland, where Sir Lachlan Ross is ordered, by King James, to protect Lady Janet and Marjorie. Along the way a sexual relationship between the three of them develops and an unexpected love is found. There is danger when they defy the Queen’s orders and tension runs high until the issue is settled. This story is well written and entertaining. This story is worth reading and I would highly recommend it.
I hardly have words for how much I loved this book. I’ve been looking forward to Scandalous Passions for over a year and loved Nicola Davidson’s update tweets about the book. I was a history major in college and discovered romance through my love of historical fiction. So a romance novel about a former mistress of James IV of Scotland was right up my alley. Anyone who has read my reviews before knows that I love triad romances, whether they are MMF or FFM. I love everyone being in a relationship with each other. It’s a complex thing to pull off, molding three different relationships and personalities into one that works well and I think Nicola Davidson does an excellent job of it. Janet especially has insecurities from her past and they need to be addressed in order for a relationship between the three to work.
Each of the characters, Marjorie, Janet, and, Lachlan have all been well-written and in a way that a relationship between the three makes sense. They each have their own agency and desires and watching them all fall in love is a thing of beauty. That paired with the lush historical surroundings that Nicola Davidson paints is in a word, breathtaking. I would be remiss if I didn’t include how absolutely steamy this book is. There was romantic scenes between all of the pairings and the sensuality leads into a deep and bonding love. Honestly, this book was everything I wanted and more.
I have never read a romance book in medieval times like this one. I must say I was a little surprised but read on. It was interesting. It was very steamy. It was easy to read because of how well it was written. The Characters were unusual but considering the tale they seemed realistic. Lady Janet was once the long time mistress of the king. He had to marry, so he gave her a manor, a ward, and a protector. The queen decided to marry off Marjorie because she was so young and lovely. The queen was only fourteen. So very insecure. Lachlan was her lover as well as her and Marjorie’s protector. To keep her from marrying a terrible man, Lachlan married her himself. It was an enjoyable read. If you like steamy you also might like it.
I received this ARC from the Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.
Lady Janet Fraser mistress to the king is told she must leave the court and travel to her new estate. The king gives her guardianship of the formerly convent bound Lady Marjorie Hepburn, his ward. He sends his champion Sir Lachlan Ross aka the Highland Beast as their body guard. From the start there are sensual looks and smoldering passions. This is my first trio story I didn’t quite know what to expect. It was tastefully written with a good story line to keep the readers interest. I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily reviewed it and the comments are my own.
Lady Janet Fraser is a former mistress of King James IV, she’s content to live her life from pleasure to pleasure & to stay at court but when the King brings his new Tudor wife home, he gives Janet an estate in St Andrews. She’s also given a ward, Lady Marjorie Hepburn, a convent-raised virgin & daughter of a traitor. Sir Lachlan Ross, known as The Highland Beast, a man as intimidating in battle as he is in size, is to accompany the ladies & is tasked with their safety. When the queen orders Marjorie to marry an English baron they devise a plan to stop it but this plan could lead to their demise.
I enjoy the author’s books & this must be one of the hottest & the first M/F/F of hers I’ve read. I read this long novella in two sittings, the characters were well fleshed & I liked all three. Their attraction certainly sizzled & they were definitely in lust & by the end I could see they were all falling in love. I would have liked a couple of trouble makers to have had their comeuppances. The pace was good & held my interest all the way through
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
A daring romance that defied the times. Lady Janet was sent from home for loving a woman. She became the King’s mistress and a trusted friend. Lachlan is on of his trusted Knights. Marjorie is his ward who had been locked in a convent for 16 years. He maneuvers all three in a situation where they are forced to live together. It is a steamy story where they each learn things about the other as they form a relationship of love and trust.
Scandalous Passions is the first book in Nicola Davidson’s Highland Menage series. This is my first story by Ms. Davidson, and it was quite an introduction to her work! If reading about 3 (yes, THREE) lusty people having sexy times isn’t your cup of tea, move along. Otherwise, come on in and enjoy their romps in the Highlands.
Lady Janet Fraser, a fiery redhead, is not known for being shy and retiring. Her, um, exploits are well known. She was formerly the mistress of King James IV; however, his young English wife does not want her living in the castle anymore, so King James sends her to reside in his estate in the Highlands. For safety, he sends his champion, Sir Lachlan Ross – also known as The Highland Beast, for his size and battle skills – with her, together with her new ward, Lady Marjorie Hepburn. So Janet (the “Mistress”), Lachlan (who’s been in love with Jane forever, and has a secret why he doesn’t speak very much) and Marjorie (a virgin newly freed from a convent who wants to learn what the marriage bed entails) set up house.
If you’re looking for a meaty plot, keep looking; you won’t find it here. However, if you’re in the mood for some steam, fun and escapism..and there’s nothing wrong with that…this novella is for you. There’s an interesting dynamic among these folks, with Janet being the dominant force who directs the action. Lachlan likes to cede control to a strong woman, and Marjorie just wants to learn pleasure and to feel close to someone. There’s some interesting background for all three, and a little suspense near the end. It’s the steam, though, that’s the draw here. I will warn you, though: If THE “c” word offends you, it’s sprinkled liberally throughout the story. But it’s a fun read; just keep a fan near you.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Scandalous Passions is a fairly short historical romance by Nicola Davidson. This is a F/F/M menage, so it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Ms. Davidson has delivered a well-written book, populated with an outstanding cast of characters. Janet was the mistress to the king until he married her off. Now she’s a widow. Sir Lachlan Ross is known as the king’s Highland Beast, he’s ferocious but rarely speaks. The king awards guardianship of Lady Marjorie to Janet and sends all three of them off to the lands he’s granted to Janet. Their story is packed with drama, humor, melt your e-reader heat, action and suspense. I enjoyed reading Scandalous Passions and look forward to reading more from Nicola Davidson in the future. Scandalous Passions is part of the Highland Menage 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 that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.