Eleanor’s romantic tour of Italy shatters when her long-time boyfriend dumps her in Pompeii. Hoping an evening with a handsome Roman might save her trip, she contacts Madame Eve at 1Night Stand, then goes out to explore, buying a small golden signet in a mysterious antiquities shop near the Forum.
Darius, a hard-working Senator in Ancient Rome, is puzzled by the Sibyl’s You will not find love in your lifetime. Following her directions, he spots Eleanor, a barbarian wearing his stolen senator’s ring.
A night spent together may be just what they both need to break down the columns of time that stand between them.
Decadent Publishing's 1Night Stand series books have a fairly simple premise. Two people, occasionally using a fairly loose definition of the word "people," contract with a mysterious being known as Madame Eve, or some name close to that, for one night of sex with their perfect match. The parties always think it's just for one night, but Madame Eve is a much better matchmaker than they realize. What they find, for those willing to take a chance, is a lifetime of happiness.
After all, if someone is your perfect match for one perfect night, why wouldn't they be your perfect match for a lifetime?
But occasionally, Madame Eve faces a real challenge. When the Sibyl predicts that Senator Darius will not find love in his lifetime he believes he is condemned to live alone. Or live in a loveless, soulless marriage as so many of his fellow senators do in the Imperium of Rome.
Instead, the Sibyl tells him to meet with a mysterious Eve.
In the 21st century Eleanor has just purchased the Senatorial ring of Darius from an antiquities shop after contracting with Madame Eve. Eleanor, at least, thinks she knows what she's getting into with her 1Night Stand, but she thinks it's just a date. Or a date with benefits.
Eleanor was dumped by her chump of an ex at the beginning of her Roman Holiday. She's discovered that she doesn't miss the man, but she does miss the confidence he stole from her. So, a 1Night Stand it is.
But the Sibyl and the ring, with the help of Madame Eve (whoever or whatever she is) take Eleanor and Darius outside of time, to a place where they can have their 1Night Stand, even though they should never have met. Ever.
They both want to live, for just one night. He wants to forget his responsibilities. She wants to forget her mistakes.
He thinks she's a barbaraian. She's sure he's pretending to be from Ancient Rome, that his ignorance of computers and modern conveniences must be an act, part of the setup.
And they are more comfortable with each other than either of them have ever been with anyone of their own time and place.
But once they figure out the truth, can they find a way to be together, forever?
Escape Rating B+: This was delicious. Both Eleanor and Darius are well-developed characters, which is surprising but delightful for a story of this length. It helps a lot that Ancient Rome is a time and place that readers are familiar with, so it was easy to fill in the blanks (This is the I, Claudius period, give or take a bit)
While I wish this were longer, because I would have loved to explore more of the story at every point, it totally works. The reader understands the motivations for both hero and heroine entering into the 1Night Stand arrangement, and their exploration of each other is beautifully done, not just on the sexual side but also the emotional and cultural side as they figure out that they really are from different times and places, and that it doesn't matter.
I really wish this was longer. I'd love to know how they worked things out when Darius got to the 21st century.
As a fan of Spartacus I'm drawn to all things from the times of Roman gladiators and with Senator, Mine and its sexy storyline and atmospheric descriptions of that historical period I found myself completely enmeshed in this story. As a part of Decadent Publishing's 1Night Stand series I also got what every other book in the series promises: a quick read full of steamy encounters that takes you away from all your stresses for awhile with its dream-like quality.
Eleanor's a tough woman who's just been unceremoniously dumped by her boyfriend in her favorite place in the world and decides to make the most of it by signing up for a mysterious one-night stand who's promised to be everything she desires. I liked how Eleanor picked herself up and didn't wallow in depression, she's a modern woman full of strength. Roman Senator Darius, who's bored with all the usual women, longs for someone new and after being sent on a quest by the Sibyl, discovers that Eleanor is that someone new. Darius is ruggedly sexy and open minded considering the times. I quite liked him and can see why Eleanor fell for him so quickly, I know I did.
They quickly fall for one another which leads to a few very sexy sexual interludes that flowed very naturally from their first meeting. The easy acceptance of time travel by both parties might seem a bit odd, but with the Sibyl at work and the obvious changes to the landscape, their easy acceptance didn't bother me.
From beginning to end, I found this a short but satisfying read. With its romantically atmospheric tone and likable characters Senator, Mine led to a delightfully decadent vacation at home on my comfy reading couch.
New writer Kerry Adrienne tackles one of my favorite short reads with Senator, Mine, a 1Night Stand release from Decadent Publishing. Adrienne draws readers to New Pompeii, Italy, where Eleanor wants to get over her failed relationship. Rather than getting engaged, she’s hooking up for a night of debauchery.
As a senator in ancient Rome, Darius can have his choice of any servant girl in his bed. When Eleanor purchases a ring with a special connection, she’s in for the night of a lifetime.
Senator, Mine features some delicious time travel, and Adrienne’s writing adds a richness to the intriguing tale: “The scent of age hung in the shop. Dust and dirt—once a king’s ransom—and tithes to long-forgotten gods circulated in the cool air.” I definitely look forward to more from this author.
-- Originally published in Night Owl Reviews Magazine
Once you start a 1Night Stand it is so easy to blow through it in one sitting, which has nothing to do with the length and everything with the face that they draw you in so completely. Senator, Mine is no different. It's extremely gripping and from the first page Kerry Adrienne draws very vivid scenery with scenes that jump off the page. Her key to historical detail are striking. The research into that time of history, makes me admire her professionalism and the dedication to her craft.
Senator, Mine will not leave you wanting more, it is a sexy novelette with a lot of steam and sweat. The beginning threw me off for a loop, just for a few in the way she traveled back in time, though with Madam Eve anything is possible, with her everything is just a little magical. As with 1NS Series this one has a happy ending though not the one I was expecting, which made it better in my mind.
I'm usually unsure about reading time-travel stories. Sometimes my brain struggles to accommodate two very distinct eras and I worry that the author won't end the story in the era I prefer. No such problem here.
The author does a brilliant job in blending the historical and the contemporary in this book. Her descriptive writing style made it easy for me to get swept along with the characters as Eleanor travelled from modern Rome to an ancient one. Darius was such a charmer and gentlemen. I fell in love with him. The love scene was more sensual than explicit, exactly the way I'd expect a respected member of Rome's Senate to behave. I laughed at Darius fiddling with the pack of condoms. LOL.
I won't give you any spoilers but suffice to say it ended in the correct era. I enjoyed reading this book and will be checking out more of Kerry Adrienne's books.
I didn't notice this would be too short (in fact it seems like the other two short stories are longer than this). I picked this because it was Ancient Rome, not gladiator romance, AND to top it all, takes place during my time of interest--Augustan era.
One of my favorite things about time travel romance is how the one from the past reacts to things of future, and while only a few, there are examples of it here too that made me chuckle. I wish this was a full on novel... But I guess that would be asking for too much.
The characters don't really feel complete, and they say that each other helped them realize some problem they felt inside, but we don't really see it happen. The smut was also not that interesting (not bad but it was just like "umm, okay?" for me.
I think the best way to describe this short story would be AO3 PWP.
A romantic trip to Rome becomes a painful idyll when Eleanor's boyfriend breaks up with her. Determined to make the best of a bad situation, Eleanor contacts Madame Eve at 1 Night Stand in the belief that romance in the arms of "good looking Italian with no baggage" will salvage her Roman holiday and soothe her damaged ego, however, she gets more than she bargained for. The purchase of an ancient signet from a bizarre antiquities dealer, with the inscription `Darius' within, is the key to meeting her `date' from Madame's Eve. When she meets her date confusion ensues, but passion reigns as they quickly realize theirs is a match that has transcended time. One night of romance and passion, without complications, is all Eleanor asked for and what Darius expected. Now one night will not be enough.
At only 40 pages this is a novella that progresses quickly and the reader is immediately drawn into Eleanor's tale of woe and then the story flies from present day Rome to the era of the Caesars. The ambience of the story captured my imagination immediately and the characters, Eleanor and Darius, are nicely drawn by the author. It takes a delicate hand to move the reader from contemporary times to centuries past without missing a beat, but Ms. Adrienne does it well through her use of dialogue and description. Besides the counterpoint of present time to ancient era, there was a nice counterpoint between the love lives of the two main characters. Eleanor found love, or so she thought with her Peter, only to discover it wouldn't stand the test of time. Juxtapose that with Darius' inability to find love even with all his power and prestige (coupled with the prediction he won't find love at all in his lifetime), just added an additional layer of enjoyment for me.
As I read this short story I kept wondering how the author would give these two people there happily ever after. I wasn't disappointed; Ms. Adrienne's ending fitted the story. My mind drifted to all the exciting possibilities these lovers could face together and I smiled. I may not be a Sybil (Oracle) from ancient Rome, but I predict the same for you, when you read SENATOR, MINE. www.darkhavenbookreviews.com
After being dumped by her boyfriend in the city of Rome, Eleanor dreams of finding a man who is truly a man, not the half-man she had dated. Seeing an advertisement online for Madame Eve’s 1 Night Stand Dating Agency, Eleanor signs up in a moment of sadness and loss. What she doesn’t count on is the perfect man might be farther away than she thinks. Darius is a Senator in Ancient Roman times who is feeling the weight of his job on his shoulders. He feels that he must spend all his time working to better Rome and assist the Emperor. He hasn’t been able to find love. So he seeks out the Sibyl searching for a vision about his life. Darius never expected that love might be found so far from home. Senator Mine is a steamy sexy romp through Ancient Rome. Eleanor is a woman who was hurt and is feeling a lack of self-confidence about her body and sensuality. Darius is a work-a-holic who doesn’t take time to appreciate the world around him. With some help from Madame Eve and the Sibyl, Eleanor and Darius find that love has a way of completing their lives and making their future pleasure filled. Senator Mine provides a spark of magic in the search for love. I kept picturing Gerard Butler from 300 in my head as I read the story and knew that for a man who cherished me as Darius did Eleanor, I would have been willing to travel the far reaches to find him. Who doesn’t dream of finding love among the history of ancient civilizations and men who were warriors and lovers? If you are looking for a fantastical romance that sizzles, than Senator Mine is a perfect read for you.
2.5/5 - Review will go up on http:/shahwharton.com/ 9th July
I enjoyed this brief read(40 pages) and related to the pro tag: Elena. Who hasn’t felt the harsh blow of romantic disappointment and rejection? I felt for her being stranded in such a romantic city – alone – and dumped. I really loved that she decided to stick around Rome regardless of her ex’s abandonment.
Elena doesn’t wallow in self-pity however, she goes on a journey for the experience of a lifetime. Despite feeling like an open wound, she remains open to a chance of adventure and gets much more. The main characters – Elena and Darius – meet up after mystic forces see they could learn a lot from one another, that they could get a lot out of a 1NS, at least. I’d have liked more description of Elena’s experience at finding herself in Ancient Rome, and more around the ending. And I’d have liked to have had more of the hot stuff? It was more romance that erotica, put it that way. But nothing wrong with that soloing as you know what to expect.
I enjoyed this story, the characters and the arch of both. In all then, an enjoyable, swift read.
I enjoyed this story but I feel that it ended too quickly. It is a 1 Night Stand book.
Eleanor was on a trip with her boyfriend Peter when he dumps her. She calls Madame Eve and the next thing you know she is matched up. She is shopping in an antique shop when she finds a ring that she wants as a souvenir. It is the shop keeper that informs her that Madame Eve has found her match.
Darius is a senator in ancient Rome. He is stressed out and seeks answers from the Sibyl. The last time he had an audience with her she told him that he would not find love in his lifetime. This time she tells him to meet a woman in the olive grove.
Needless to say the two of them get together and their night is very memorable. It was a good story I just wish there had been more of it, especially at the end.
I recommend this to anyone who likes fast, steamy stories.
I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t usually care for short reads but I have found I thoroughly enjoy the 1NS series. Senator Mine is a fun fast read that is steamy and satisfying.
Eleanor is a tough, modern woman and Darius is a Roman Senator. You would think this would cause them to be at odds with one another, but no . . . Darius wants a woman just like Eleanor. So when Madame Eve and the Sibyl team up for these two, what else can happen but ruggedly sexy 1 Night Stand that is perfect for both parties.
If you like sexy stories, HEAs, and a little time travel then Senator Mine is your perfect read! I loved it and eagerly await diving in to the next in Kerry’s All Mine series (also a 1NS book) Druid Mine.
I love time travel romances, but for a time travel romance, it was too short. Only 47 pages. I was expecting at least 100. The plot of the story was settled in Rome. I loved the descriptions of Rome, the modern one, and the ancient one, too. They were so good, I could imagine myself there. The two characters were well described. Both, Eleanor and Darius are people who want more of their life, they do not satisfy with ordinary things. The story was well narrated. It might be a great novel, if it was a little bit longer. Maybe the author could expand the story, add more characters, but that is just my suggestion. I liked the narration, the descriptions, the characters. Great "one night stand" story that might be "they lived happily ever after".
Eleanor signed up for a one night stand. Little did she know she would be thrust back in history. Darius was seeking love but encountered more than her ever dreamed of. A story filled with dreams, love, passion, and time travel.
Fun, short read. The author packed a lot into this novella. Vivid setting details and a spicy romance. Characters were very well done and I sympathized with them both.