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S.M. LaViolette

Goodreads Author

Born

in Saskatoon, Canada

Website

https://www.minervaspencer.com

Genre

Romance, Historical Fiction, Mystery

Influences

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... ...more

Member Since

January 2020

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Who is S.M. LaViolette?

S.M. (that’s short for Shantal Marie) writes super spicy historical romance and historical erotic romance. S.M. likes to write about heroes and heroines who don't fit the mold--that means heroes who aren't always dukes and heroines who aren't always virgins.

People have described S.M.'s style as dark, angsty, and dryly witty.

S.M. also writes historical romance under the pen name Minerva Spencer, and historical mystery under S.M. Goodwin.

S.M. has been a criminal prosecutor, college history teacher, B&B operator, dock worker, ice cream manufacturer, reader for the blind, motel maid, and bounty hunter.

Okay, so the part about being a bounty hunter is a lie.

S.M. does, however, know how to hypnotize a Dungeness crab, sew h ...more

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Popular Answered Questions

I'm almost finished with His Valet. My heart aches for Smith! He wants love so badly and yet he's so closed off and won't let anyone in. I want his story. I need his story.. It would be such an epic love! I can't see him opening up to anyone other than someone who already knows him.. I absolutely love this series! Can I have Smith's story? Please?

S.M. LaViolette Hi Susan, thanks for your kind words!

I'm about 3/4 through with Smith's story and I had to stop.

Here is probably more information than you wanted ..…moreHi Susan, thanks for your kind words!

I'm about 3/4 through with Smith's story and I had to stop.

Here is probably more information than you wanted ....

I am, apparently, what's called a "discovery" writer. That means I learn what is going on as I write.

To me, it feels like I get to know an already fully formed character--they let me know what they want me to know. Just like people.

Smith, I'm learning, is a difficult character because he views sex and love as completely separate. To most people (well, at least Westerners, who are really the only group I can speak for) sexual fidelity is HUGE. To Smith, love is huge--and very, very rare. Sex is just sex. He will have sex whenever he wants, with whomever he wants, but he will only give his love to one person.

He is not an easy person to love. He is also not a nice person--unless he cares for you--and has done many bad things in his life. Smith's past, I've learned, is unspeakably brutal and dark. I was actually shocked to learn what he'd lived through.

I'm also shocked by what he apparently wants in his life. So shocked I had to stop writing his story for a while. Why? Because the temptation to force a character to "behave" or conform to societal norms is often strong. I want Smith to be who he is, whether I like it, or not.

Aren't writers nuts??;>)

The good news, IMO, is that I met another character in Smith's book who will get his own book: Malcolm Barton. Malcolm gives Smith a run for his money in the "fucked up in the head" department, so that is fun for me.

Thanks for reaching out. I love talking about this series because it is so "below the radar" for me and doesn't get the attention my traditionally published books do. (less)

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Ms. LaViolette, please write faster! :-) Might we see a John Fielding book in our future??? He is such an intriguing character and I loved, loved The Footman.

S.M. LaViolette Hi Keri:

Hahahaha! I'm trying!

Yes, John's book is already about 3/4 finished. It is called THE BASTARD and should be out early next year. The 2nd book…moreHi Keri:

Hahahaha! I'm trying!

Yes, John's book is already about 3/4 finished. It is called THE BASTARD and should be out early next year. The 2nd book, THE POSTILION, (featuring Doctor Venable from THE FOOTMAN) will also be out next year.

John Fielding is one of my favorite characters. He is so damaged--both physically and emotionally--and just BEGGING for a good woman ...

Thanks for your comment, happy reading!
Minerva/SM(less)

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Combine Editions
S.M. LaViolette’s books

Average rating: 4.1 · 28,072 ratings · 2,678 reviews · 37 distinct works • Similar authors

	Selina (The Bellamy Sisters #3) by S.M. LaViolette (Goodreads Author), Minerva Spencer (Goodreads Author) 4.22 avg rating — 1,911 ratings — published 2023 — 9 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Footman (The Masqueraders, #1) by S.M. LaViolette (Goodreads Author), Minerva Spencer (Goodreads Author) 4.13 avg rating — 1,585 ratings — published 2020 — 10 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Bastard (The Masqueraders, #3) by S.M. LaViolette (Goodreads Author), Minerva Spencer (Goodreads Author) 4.31 avg rating — 1,130 ratings — published 2022 — 10 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Melissa and the Vicar (The Seducers, #1) by S.M. LaViolette (Goodreads Author), Minerva Spencer (Goodreads Author) 3.95 avg rating — 1,109 ratings — published 2020 — 17 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Postilion (The Masqueraders, #2) by S.M. LaViolette (Goodreads Author), Minerva Spencer (Goodreads Author) 4.05 avg rating — 864 ratings — published 2021 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Her Beast (Victorian Decadence, #4) 4.17 avg rating — 803 ratings — published 2022 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Balthazar: The Spare (The Hale Family: Americans in London, #1) by S.M. LaViolette (Goodreads Author), Minerva Spencer (Goodreads Author) 4.05 avg rating — 818 ratings — published 2023 — 9 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Hugo and the Maiden (The Seducers, #3) by S.M. LaViolette (Goodreads Author), Minerva Spencer (Goodreads Author) 4.13 avg rating — 802 ratings — published 2021 — 16 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	His Valet (Victorian Decadence, #2) 4.09 avg rating — 726 ratings — published 2020 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	His Harlot (Victorian Decadence, #1) 3.89 avg rating — 743 ratings — published 2020 — 10 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by S.M. LaViolette…

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Series by S.M. LaViolette

Victorian Decadence (6 books)
by

S.M. LaViolette (Goodreads Author)

4.12 avg rating — 4,078 ratings

The Masqueraders (3 books)
by

S.M. LaViolette (Goodreads Author),

Minerva Spencer (Goodreads Author)

4.17 avg rating — 3,579 ratings

The Seducers (3 books)
by

S.M. LaViolette (Goodreads Author),

Minerva Spencer (Goodreads Author)

4.02 avg rating — 2,473 ratings

The Hale Family: Americans in London (3 books)
by

S.M. LaViolette (Goodreads Author),

Minerva Spencer (Goodreads Author)

4.11 avg rating — 1,429 ratings

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S.M.’s Recent Updates

S.M. LaViolette is now friends with Adrienne Lawson
Sep 07, 2025 10:25AM · like
S.M. LaViolette wants to read Keeping 13 (Boys of Tommen, #2) by Chloe Walsh (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
May 23, 2024 12:34PM · like
S.M. LaViolette answered Desdemona Dreadless's question: Will we ever get a Venetia book?!!?! She seems Soooo interesting. Hi Desdemona, Believe it or not, Venetia's book is about 2/3 finished! When it will be 100% finished... well, I'm not sure. But I'll get to it some day! Thanks so much for being a supportive reader!
Apr 22, 2024 11:24AM · 5 likes · like
S.M. LaViolette wants to read The Lady Plays with Fire (Goode's Guide to Misconduct #2) by Susanna Craig (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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Quotes by S.M. LaViolette (?)

“What do you need not to be jealous?”
― S.M. LaViolette, His Countess

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“a man of extremes; he was a man who would never do anything by halves. As a lover he’d been vigorous, stern, and demanding. But he’d also been passionate, generous, and considerate.”
― S.M. LaViolette, His Countess

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“discovered something important over the last week: lovely things were far less exciting when there was nobody to share them with.”
― S.M. LaViolette, Her Beast

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S.M.’s Quotes

“I'm sorry, Hugh. I don't know what came over me."
Hugh pulled her close and curled his body around hers. "I came over you, darling.”
― Minerva Spencer, Barbarous

tags: daphne, funny, hugh, sex

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