Audacious: A Steamy, Sensual Father's Best Friend Regency Romance

by Minerva Spencer, S.M. LaViolette

This story is part of THE OUTCASTS and THE REBELS OF THE TON world of stories. The books can be read in any order, but are best enjoyed in chronologically.

THE OUTCASTS :
1. DANGEROUS : Adam and Mia
2. BARBAROUS : Hugh and Daphne (Antonia's mom and dad)
3. SCANDALOUS : Martin and Sarah

THE REBELS OF THE TON :
4. NOTORIOUS : Gabriel and Drucilla
5. OUTRAGEOUS : Eva and Godric
6: INFAMOUS : Richard and Celia/Lucien and Phyllida (Antonia's twin brothers)

THIS NOVELLA :
7. AUDACIOUS : Antonia and Lucas

This is a melt-your-kindle steamy story!

This Ebook includes the novella plus an excerpt.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Regency, Novella, Historical, Historical Fiction

119 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 28, 2023

About the author

**I ONLY RATE BOOKS I REALLY ENJOYED**.

Before I began writing I spent time as a dock worker, a reader for the blind, a criminal prosecutor, and I taught American History on the college level for five years. My last job was running an 8-bedroom bed and breakfast, a subject I will never write about...

I like historical fiction because I enjoy escaping into the past when I relax. And I write romance because I love a happy ending and everything that happens along the way.

I came to writing late in life and I feel like I have to write fast to catch up! I work every day at a desk looking out over the Sangre de Cristo mountains, my free range birds, and my three flock protecting hounds Earl, Spot, and Rover.

When I'm not writing I'm playing with my animals, knitting, DIYing, crocheting, sewing, or watching old movies.

I also write historical romance and erotic romance under the name S.M. LaViolette and historical mystery under the name S.M. Goodwin.

Reviews

[Margo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Edited to add that apparently nipple piercings are not anachronistic. (See comments.) Unfortunately, this book still did not work for me. The nipple piercing part came in as gratuitous “ naughty, naughty.”


Why did the author even bother to make this a “historical “romance? Everything about it was anachronistic, including a reference to nipple piercings, which the H has and the heroine considers. I don’t mind anachronistic elements, but there have to be strong links to the actual time frame, and there weren’t any.

[Liv the Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but spicy Regency Romance

Dearest Reader,

I love Minerva Spencer's work, so believe me when I tell you there isn't a single novel of hers that I've read and not enjoyed. At times, her plots can go a little off the rails, but never so far that I can't gaslight myself into believing that, sure, a 19 year old girl can conceivably kidnap a duke ("Outrageous") or that her stepmama was welcomed back into Society after spending 17 years in a harem ("Dangerous").

Minerva's writing is whip-smart and full of humor, making it easy to fall in love with her characters. My only complaint with "Audacious" is that it wasn't longer (although she acknowledges this in the novella's Acknowledgements).

Lady Antonia Redvers, age 21, has fallen for her father's best friend, the piratical Captain Lucas "O Duque" Cruz, who also happens to be lusting after Daddy's Little Girl. It's a short novella, so Minerva keeps the pacing quick & the spice spicy, so it's good for a quick read. Fingers crossed for a full-length release in the future because I really liked reading about Toni. She's a woman who knows what she wants and is not afraid to grab it (especially after she almost married that loser Dowden in "Infamous").

I definitely recommend this for anyone who loves historical romances and encourage you to explore Minerva Spencer's work, including her nom de plume, SM LaViolette (who gets extra spicy & a little dark at times). Thanks for reading my review and you can follow me on Goodreads for more at Lib the Bibliophile.

Until next time,

Lib

[Min · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a looooong yawn.

[N · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. 20 year age gap, he’s known her since she was born and starts listing after her when she’s SIXTEEN. Why do authors do this

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too quick! But to the point!

3.5 stars
1.5 on the spice scale

[Mephala · Rating 2 out of 5]

(Read as a part of Duke in a Box: Twelve Steamy Historical Holiday Novellas. I swear, I will finish that anthology this year...)

I honestly didn’t know how to rate this one – on one hand it was quick, high heat novella with somewhat interesting characters, on the other… the age gap was slightly too much for me (20+ years?), as well as a weirdly structured narration, when at first the hero fondly remembered the heroine as a small child, but then in the next paragraph vividly described how much he wants to have sex with her. I’m sure the creepiness was unintentional, but still.

Of course it was not all bad as Antonia and Lucas had some chemistry together, and their families shared history (especially Antonia’s parents) kept me interested.

2,5/5 stars

[Ngarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novellas that are part of a series are enjoyable because we have an established connection to the characters and the world they inhibit.
This is a story between a 21 year-old only daughter of an ex-sea captain, and a sea captain who happens to be one of the dad's closest friends (younger than the dad, but still a 20 year age gap).
They both adore each other, and it was lovely to see them overcome the constraints of society to find joy with each other.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Apart from the icky age gap, some writers just have no idea about English titles. Her father is a lowly Baron, while her eldest brother is an Earl? Ridiculous!

[LOU71 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audacious is a historical romance set in December, 1832. A quick read novella, it is passionate and teems with raw desire and want.

I have this story in “Duke in a Box: Twelve Steamy Historical Novellas”.
This story is also part of The Outcasts and The Rebels of the Ton world of stories.

4- stars

Captain Lucas Cruz commandeered the Batavia’s Ghost. Having started as a cabin lad, and working his way up, Lucas had become an infamous privateer captain. He had been eleven years old when his entire Portuguese village was captured by corsair marauders. Kept on as a slave rower, Lucas spent two miserable years chained to an oar. Luckily, Hugh Redvers seized the corsair vessel and freed him and a dozen other captives. Hugh rescued Lucas from a brutish life of slavery, taken him under his wing, and taught him a valuable trade.

Antonia Redvers is totally in love with her father’s best friend.

Lucas and Antonia grow infatuated with each other and eventually grow to love each other from afar. Their relationship is blocked with obstacles that are easily overcome. Sexy time is spicy.

I recommend this novella.

[Lady Nilambari Reads HR · Rating 5 out of 5]

5-Delicious-Pirate-Stars

Nobody does age-gap romances like Ms Spencer. The heroines are young and spunky but not naive. The heroes are mature and sexy but never patronising. As was the case with Lucas & Toni. A totally forbidden romance and a totally adorable one. Brought to mind, My Dirty Duke by Joanna Shupe!

I read this as a part of Duke in a Box: Twelve Steamy Historical Holiday Novellas

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quickie but a goodie. This short story finally explains why Toni planned her own loveless marriage in the last book — to try and distract herself from the romantic feelings she had for her father’s best friend. Only that marriage goes tits up so now it’s Christmas, Lucas is back, and Toni’s getting naked and ambushing him in his bed. Fun, sexy little read but it doesn’t get five stars because a novella really didn’t give me the time to get over the idea that they knew each other for her entire life and were fine with their sexual attraction. I mean, different era, blah blah blah, but it’s still weird when a dude who saw you in diapers now wants you to sit on his face.

[BJK · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished it because it was short, and I really enjoyed the Bellamy Sisters series.
I truly don't mind age gap romances, but this was too cringey. He's known her since she was a baby? Watched her grow up? She called him Uncle? He spends a decent amount of time remembering her as a child. I don't believe the author meant it to come off this way, but it's too gross for me.
Hard Pass.
And they were in love? Based on what? They saw each other 2 months a year(which is fine), but no talk about their connection at all. Just the second she turned 16 and looked like a "woman," he fell in love?
Gross.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this and was so glad that Antonia got her HEA. Lucas was hot and I loved the age-gap and Dad's Best Friend trope. I wish this had been a full-length book, but the author explained why that couldn't happen... yet. Fingers crossed that we get a full novel eventually. I am so sad that the stories are over for the Redvers family I've loved each and every one of them. Spencer's writing is so witty and grabs me by the heart each and every time.

[Tones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Might be hiding it too harshly cause it was part of an anthology, but it felt rushed. We’re basically told the characters have loved each other for four years but that’s really it. There isn’t a depth to the connection. I also have ick feeling about father’s best friend as romances vs straight up smut where I oddly don’t feel the same. Can’t explain it, but it’s my reaction.

[Kea · Rating 5 out of 5]

AUDACIOUS by Minerva Spencer [writing as S.M. La Violette], novella of The Rebels Of The Ton

A passionate short story about Antonia Redvers, daughter of Huge and Daphne (BARBAROUS) has the hots for Captain Lucas “O Duque” Cruz, her father’s best friend. Love is ageless.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forbidden love/age gap. Read in the Duke in a Box anthology. After years of suppressing her feelings, a chance glance has Toni hoping that her attraction is not one-sided and she goes after what she wants!

[Dishari Sinha · Rating 1 out of 5]

How much I loved Hugh & Daphne!! & I'm utterly disappointed with their children. I liked Toni in the previous book & I hated her in this. She & Lucas make a disgusting pair. Lucas literally watch her born! She called him uncle while growing up!! Not at all happy with this one.

[Holly Ortega · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the book, wished it was longer.Also a little more buil up between the 2 characters

[Dorel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the 1st book I read by Minerva Spencer. I'm sorry I stopped reading this story 📖 at chapter 5 because I wasn't feeling the father's friend thing.

[Tarra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Big age gap (at least 20 years), father's best friend. Short and steamy. Just wasn't really feeling the connection, and an ick factor with lusting after the heroine since she was a teenager.

[Aj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Passionate, vibrant romance. Lots of raw desire and hidden want between Lucas and Antonia lead to a wonderful happy ending.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick streamy and sexy read. Loved visiting this world again!

[Sisi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Novelinhas me irritam
Antônia e Lucas
A filha de Ramsay e o capitão de seu navio, criado por Ramsay assim como Martin

[Lissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story is bland and boring. About Tori, sister who is getting married in Infamous.

[Jacqueline J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfectly fine read.

[Jeriann Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucas and Antonia

This is a quick, sexy age gap romance set in 1832. I enjoyed this a recommend it, especially to fans of romances with privateers and on sailing ships.

[between the covers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writer very fixated on the age gap part, forgot to add many steamy parts.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Antonia (Toni) has loved Lucas for four years. It seems hopeless to be together, until she sees his eyes and knows he loves her, too. But the fact remains, he is her father's best friend and the age gap between them. Spencer eases her way through a labyrinth of obstacles that turn out to be no obstacles at all. One of my favorite tropes!
Open bedroom door.

[Sandy N · Rating 3 out of 5]

Age gap. Dad friend romance. Quick read. A little bit predictable.

[K. King · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Audacious’ is a longer novella set in the same world as The Outcasts and Rebels of the Ton. I haven’t come across many dads best friends historical’s, so I was intrigued. Antonia and Lucas’s story was a little taboo but well-written, so it wasn’t creepy. There was plenty of romance and just the right amount of steam.