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The Scandalous Spinsters #2
The Problem with Seduction
AN OUTRAGEOUS PROPOSITION Elizabeth Spencer needs a man. Preferably one who won’t be too picky about the morality of her proposition, or his reputation. Lord Constantine Alexander can’t afford another trip to debtors’ prison, which makes him the perfect candidate. She doesn’t expect him to have a heart of gold, or to hold up his end of the bargain—particularly when his high-in-the-instep family gets involved. Nor does she expect to find him irresistible, because while she needs a man, she doesn't particularly want one. A WICKED BARGAIN When a beautiful courtesan offers to satisfy his creditors, Con leaps at the opportunity. Never mind his mother and brothers are suspicious of his newfound fortune—being with Elizabeth is intoxicating enough to wipe any thought of scruples away. He soon realizes it’s not just his future he’s been gambling, but his future family. How can he convince London’s premier courtesan he’s more than a callow rake?
325 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2013
40 people are currently reading
273 people want to read
About the author
Emma Locke
16 books92 followersEmma Locke is a USA Today Bestselling Author of smart, sensual Regency romances. Her current books make up the Scandalous Spinsters series, a double trilogy featuring three courtesans and three country hoydens who marry into the notorious Alexander family. She is also an engineer living in the Pacific Northwest, where she loves hiking with her dog, hot yoga and riding out the annual 330 days of rain.
You can Like Emma on Facebook at Facebook.com/AuthorEmmaLocke, follow her on Twitter @EmmaLocke_ or check out her books and appearances at www.emmalocke.com.
You can Like Emma on Facebook at Facebook.com/AuthorEmmaLocke, follow her on Twitter @EmmaLocke_ or check out her books and appearances at www.emmalocke.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
May 3, 2015
What would happen between them next, he couldn't say, but then he never been one to think too far ahead. It ruined the surprise.
Another winner!
For the first part of this book, I was actually dancing around in my apartment with glee. Con is the best hero ever! I am in love!
He is funny.
"I wasn't expecting you."
He inclined his head sheepishly. A roguish smile twitched his lips, though he still wore that slight frown between his eyes. "If you are referring to your suggestion that I leave your house and go hang myself, well, I thought about it, but I didn't want to waste perfectly good rope."
He is swoon worthy. He has an easy way about him that made others feel as if they mattered. He is beyond handsome, charming, rakish and protective of everyone without being overbearing about it.
His arms opened wide. Without warning, he enveloped her in them. "I've never seen anyone more in need of a hug," he murmured against her hair.
Con is the fifth son in a rather poor aristocrat family. Elizabeth is a ruined daughter to an earl and a rich and famous courtesan. In the beginning of the book, she enlists Con to bring her son back from her former lover who took her son from her. Con's sense of responsibility and the growing attraction between them makes Con insert himself into Elizabeth and Oliver's life. The plan was more complicated than they thought, and soon they are nested into a grand scheme where Con pretends to be the father.
All is good that ends well. It does, but it is not a straight route. I actually didn't know at all how they were going to get out of their mess and live happily ever after! The plot was romantic, funny and lovable. I have a soft spot for misfortunate heroines. She was kinda annoying. But Con more than made up for it!
I can't wait to read more by this wonderful author!
Thanks to Intrepid Reads and Netgalley for providing me with this gem!
Another winner!
For the first part of this book, I was actually dancing around in my apartment with glee. Con is the best hero ever! I am in love!
He is funny.
"I wasn't expecting you."
He inclined his head sheepishly. A roguish smile twitched his lips, though he still wore that slight frown between his eyes. "If you are referring to your suggestion that I leave your house and go hang myself, well, I thought about it, but I didn't want to waste perfectly good rope."
He is swoon worthy. He has an easy way about him that made others feel as if they mattered. He is beyond handsome, charming, rakish and protective of everyone without being overbearing about it.
His arms opened wide. Without warning, he enveloped her in them. "I've never seen anyone more in need of a hug," he murmured against her hair.
Con is the fifth son in a rather poor aristocrat family. Elizabeth is a ruined daughter to an earl and a rich and famous courtesan. In the beginning of the book, she enlists Con to bring her son back from her former lover who took her son from her. Con's sense of responsibility and the growing attraction between them makes Con insert himself into Elizabeth and Oliver's life. The plan was more complicated than they thought, and soon they are nested into a grand scheme where Con pretends to be the father.
All is good that ends well. It does, but it is not a straight route. I actually didn't know at all how they were going to get out of their mess and live happily ever after! The plot was romantic, funny and lovable. I have a soft spot for misfortunate heroines. She was kinda annoying. But Con more than made up for it!
I can't wait to read more by this wonderful author!
Thanks to Intrepid Reads and Netgalley for providing me with this gem!
February 27, 2013
When a beautiful courtesan approaches Lord Constantine Alexander with the offer of ten thousand pounds for his aid in getting her son back, it seems like an easy 'yes'. After all, all he needs to do is cast doubt of the childs paternity and then be on his way... but that would be too easy. Lady Elizabeth Spencer's former paramour, after being embarrassed into giving the child up, starts to cause a ruckus about his son being stolen away from him. And then there is Con's family. They want him to do right by Elizabeth, she is a lady even though she left that life behind and she has plenty of money to help this debt ridden family. Con and Elizabeth know they truth about their faux relationship but these circumstances force them to spend time together and put on a united front. As they spend time together, a mutual attraction grows and Elizabeth decides she must keep Con around to keep her son and the way to keep him is to seduce him. Con refuses to be bedded just for sport and he refuses her advances and we get to watch them slowly find their true way to each other. When a drastic turn arrives in the form of Elizabeth's rotten father, it will test the boundaries of their fragile relationship, which is further stretched thin when Elizabeth keeps an important bit of information from Con. Will Con be able to trust Elizabeth again and how can they keep her son?
What an interesting, fun, sexy, emotional romance! I enjoyed Emma Locke's debut but I think this one is even better frankly. It may have tugged on my heart strings a bit more since I could not imagine being separated from my son but the whole story line, from Con's delightful family and all their personal struggles to Elizabeth and her obnoxious family and her need to find her place in life was such a pleasure to read. If you have read the previous book in this series (The Trouble with Being Wicked) Elizabeth came across a bit selfish and self centered but since the birth of her son she has had a wonderful change about her, making her take stock in her life and her choices. She is bold, clever and sassy and I really enjoyed her. And Con. Sigh. Such a gentleman! He agrees to be a babies father and when he realizes that this means more than just five minutes, it means for life, he jumps in with both feet and never looks back! He loves and cares for his family so much but carries so much on himself. There are five brothers (he is the fourth) but it is his twin that is causing him the most pain, especially financially. He strives to fix this and I liked watching how all these men bounced off each other and the addition of his mother, who has no problem accepting her son's born out of wedlock son, was a nice family relationship. Together Elizabeth and Con are a good couple who have many flaws to overcome but together find the happiness they so deserve. A charming, well written treat filled with ups and downs that is sure to make you tear up, cheer, smile and sigh all along the way to a happily ever after. 4 very solid stars
eARC provided by the author, thanks!
The Trouble with Being Wicked
What an interesting, fun, sexy, emotional romance! I enjoyed Emma Locke's debut but I think this one is even better frankly. It may have tugged on my heart strings a bit more since I could not imagine being separated from my son but the whole story line, from Con's delightful family and all their personal struggles to Elizabeth and her obnoxious family and her need to find her place in life was such a pleasure to read. If you have read the previous book in this series (The Trouble with Being Wicked) Elizabeth came across a bit selfish and self centered but since the birth of her son she has had a wonderful change about her, making her take stock in her life and her choices. She is bold, clever and sassy and I really enjoyed her. And Con. Sigh. Such a gentleman! He agrees to be a babies father and when he realizes that this means more than just five minutes, it means for life, he jumps in with both feet and never looks back! He loves and cares for his family so much but carries so much on himself. There are five brothers (he is the fourth) but it is his twin that is causing him the most pain, especially financially. He strives to fix this and I liked watching how all these men bounced off each other and the addition of his mother, who has no problem accepting her son's born out of wedlock son, was a nice family relationship. Together Elizabeth and Con are a good couple who have many flaws to overcome but together find the happiness they so deserve. A charming, well written treat filled with ups and downs that is sure to make you tear up, cheer, smile and sigh all along the way to a happily ever after. 4 very solid stars
eARC provided by the author, thanks!
The Trouble with Being Wicked
March 13, 2013
Elizabeth is a wealthy former courtesan who has an infant son. She was mistress to Captain Nicholas Finn who is the father of the baby. The problem is, Finn demands the baby come live with him and his wife, leaving Elizabeth devastated. So she comes up with a plan. Lord Constantine Alexander is a penniless fourth son in a family that can barely scrape any money together. He has already been to debtor’s prison (his twin brother has a huge gambling problem in which Con takes the fall for often) and he needs more money to not only cover his brother’s debts but also some failed investments he has made himself. When Elizabeth offers him ten thousand pounds to publicly declare himself as the father of her baby, in front of Finn at the local club – he eagerly accepts. And after nervously going forth with the confrontation, Finn has no choice but to return the baby to Elizabeth. But he isn’t going down without a fight and vows revenge.
Con now feels protective over Elizabeth. She is estranged from her parents and doesn’t have any other family. Also complicating matters is the fact that after Con publicly admits he is the father, his close knit family including his brothers and his parents demand to meet the baby. And Elizabeth, terrified she will lose Oliver again, tries to stands in his way.
The first book in this series was just okay for me (this can be read as a stand alone) but this one feels like a much more focused, tighter book. By all accounts our hero Con starts off as a bit of a ninny. But don’t let that scare you away. I really like Con’s characteristics. He is poor. He makes horrible business decisions. He doesn’t have much of a backbone, always taking the fall for his twin brother’s gambling problems. He has a deep, deep fear of going back to debtor’s prison. He takes Elizabeth’s money but then gets in this situation with her where he becomes dependent on her. He has to hold up this pretense that Oliver is truly his, but he actually falls deeply in love with the baby. He starts to rely on Elizabeth’s advice on certain matters. it’s really a different take on a hero. He isn’t alpha, yet he still comes across sexy and protective of Elizabeth and Oliver. He becomes her friend first, as the romance very slowly develops. He is overall just a good guy, who gets involved in a confusing situation.
“Don’t go.” HIs arms tightened, holding her against him. “Just a moment longer.”
Her heart melted for this man who liked babies and hugging and, for some reason, her. Bit by bit, she worked her hands around his waist and clasped them at his back. He’d done so much for her. If all he asked for was a few minutes’ embrace in return….
Who was she fooling? This felt wonderful.
Then he gets a boner which totally made me laugh. *ahem* anyway….
For Elizabeth’s part – family and babies are all so new to this former courtesan’s lifestyle. She has to learn how to love a man for who he is, not seduce him with her former tricks. She has to learn trust, which is a hard lesson to learn. She also has to come to terms with the fact that her parents are truly against her and will not stand up for her. But the idea of not living with her child horrifies her. In all honesty, Finn is the father and sometimes I felt bad for him that he gets to play the part of the villain. Yes, he handles the situation badly when he forcefully takes the baby away from Elizabeth, but I felt pity for him at some times. There is resolution to this at the end of the book. It might have been a bit too easy of a way out or too much of a turnabout for Finn…but at least things are resolved. The ending isn’t perfect but not a poor ending either.
The author does a really nice job with building up the romance and playing out the conflict.. Looking forward to another book in this series for sure.
Rating: B
Con now feels protective over Elizabeth. She is estranged from her parents and doesn’t have any other family. Also complicating matters is the fact that after Con publicly admits he is the father, his close knit family including his brothers and his parents demand to meet the baby. And Elizabeth, terrified she will lose Oliver again, tries to stands in his way.
The first book in this series was just okay for me (this can be read as a stand alone) but this one feels like a much more focused, tighter book. By all accounts our hero Con starts off as a bit of a ninny. But don’t let that scare you away. I really like Con’s characteristics. He is poor. He makes horrible business decisions. He doesn’t have much of a backbone, always taking the fall for his twin brother’s gambling problems. He has a deep, deep fear of going back to debtor’s prison. He takes Elizabeth’s money but then gets in this situation with her where he becomes dependent on her. He has to hold up this pretense that Oliver is truly his, but he actually falls deeply in love with the baby. He starts to rely on Elizabeth’s advice on certain matters. it’s really a different take on a hero. He isn’t alpha, yet he still comes across sexy and protective of Elizabeth and Oliver. He becomes her friend first, as the romance very slowly develops. He is overall just a good guy, who gets involved in a confusing situation.
“Don’t go.” HIs arms tightened, holding her against him. “Just a moment longer.”
Her heart melted for this man who liked babies and hugging and, for some reason, her. Bit by bit, she worked her hands around his waist and clasped them at his back. He’d done so much for her. If all he asked for was a few minutes’ embrace in return….
Who was she fooling? This felt wonderful.
Then he gets a boner which totally made me laugh. *ahem* anyway….
For Elizabeth’s part – family and babies are all so new to this former courtesan’s lifestyle. She has to learn how to love a man for who he is, not seduce him with her former tricks. She has to learn trust, which is a hard lesson to learn. She also has to come to terms with the fact that her parents are truly against her and will not stand up for her. But the idea of not living with her child horrifies her. In all honesty, Finn is the father and sometimes I felt bad for him that he gets to play the part of the villain. Yes, he handles the situation badly when he forcefully takes the baby away from Elizabeth, but I felt pity for him at some times. There is resolution to this at the end of the book. It might have been a bit too easy of a way out or too much of a turnabout for Finn…but at least things are resolved. The ending isn’t perfect but not a poor ending either.
The author does a really nice job with building up the romance and playing out the conflict.. Looking forward to another book in this series for sure.
Rating: B
June 23, 2013
This is the second in the Naughty Girls series by Emma Locke, and was just as enjoyable as the first. I was concerned that a story focused on Elizabeth, former courtesan yet to the manor born, would be less enjoyable than the first: her character was grasping and jaded, not particularly empathetic. When she lost custody of her child to her former protector, and the child’s father, she needed to make some life changing decisions and alterations and this book details those.
Elizabeth was in crisis: separated from her child and desperate to regain custody and her motherhood role she needed to find a man to cast doubt on the parentage of her son. Enter Lord Constantine Alexander: fourth son of an impoverished family, needing the money to avoid another sentence to debtor’s prison. What started as a business arrangement slowly becomes a sweetly constructed romance despite constantly battling adversaries and pitfalls.
Elizabeth has some wholesale changes in character that show her defenses are hiding a lonely and tender heart. Her true strength of character is shown in the no-holds-barred reflection on her life, and the realization that she can’t continue to live as a courtesan and be a good mother to the son she loves so deeply.
Con is cleverly portrayed as a very happy go lucky man, fond of wine, women and song and prone to some bad gambling habits. His heart is full of good intentions, if his life is fraught with bad luck: but his humor and the knowledge that his family loves him provide him a good start. Slowly his kinder nature, not without some clever and spot-on impressions of people he encounters deepens the connection he shares with Elizabeth.
With several characters from the first story again appearing in this, and the introduction of new villains and supporters, the story builds to create a climax that was satisfying and set the groundwork for the next in the series. If you are a fan of redemption stories and like the regency setting, this is the series for you.
I received an eBook from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility
Elizabeth was in crisis: separated from her child and desperate to regain custody and her motherhood role she needed to find a man to cast doubt on the parentage of her son. Enter Lord Constantine Alexander: fourth son of an impoverished family, needing the money to avoid another sentence to debtor’s prison. What started as a business arrangement slowly becomes a sweetly constructed romance despite constantly battling adversaries and pitfalls.
Elizabeth has some wholesale changes in character that show her defenses are hiding a lonely and tender heart. Her true strength of character is shown in the no-holds-barred reflection on her life, and the realization that she can’t continue to live as a courtesan and be a good mother to the son she loves so deeply.
Con is cleverly portrayed as a very happy go lucky man, fond of wine, women and song and prone to some bad gambling habits. His heart is full of good intentions, if his life is fraught with bad luck: but his humor and the knowledge that his family loves him provide him a good start. Slowly his kinder nature, not without some clever and spot-on impressions of people he encounters deepens the connection he shares with Elizabeth.
With several characters from the first story again appearing in this, and the introduction of new villains and supporters, the story builds to create a climax that was satisfying and set the groundwork for the next in the series. If you are a fan of redemption stories and like the regency setting, this is the series for you.
I received an eBook from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility
July 13, 2013
Great plot and characters, hideous grammar
“The Problem with Seduction” is both an exciting and frustrating find in the world of historical romances. Worthy of 5 stars is the unusual plot and engaging characters. The unlikely hero, Constantine Alexander is kind, indolent, boyish and aware that he is fairly worthless. He has little money, no profession, and has spent his adult life drifting around. He has done some kind things in that he supports some orphanages (sadly, a plot element not explored at all) and has spent a great deal of money bailing out his even more worthless gambling twin brother. Elizabeth Spencer is a prostitute whose hateful father disowned her when she ran off with man she thought would marry her at the young age of 15. Even the villain, Nicholas Finn, her married protector who is the father of her child, Oliver, isn’t really such a bad sort. The novel deals with important issues of the times—women’s plight, unequal “justice” in the courts, debtors’ prison, the prison hulks, gaol fever (typhus), and the issues plaguing the impoverished aristocracy. For all the elements I praise Emma Locke. Sadly, her egregious grammatical errors, inconsistencies in style, and random modernisms would earn this novel 1 star if she’s lucky. So, I’ve given it a 3 because I see potential. I’d highly recommend that Locke hire a good editor because she really could be one of the best.
“The Problem with Seduction” is both an exciting and frustrating find in the world of historical romances. Worthy of 5 stars is the unusual plot and engaging characters. The unlikely hero, Constantine Alexander is kind, indolent, boyish and aware that he is fairly worthless. He has little money, no profession, and has spent his adult life drifting around. He has done some kind things in that he supports some orphanages (sadly, a plot element not explored at all) and has spent a great deal of money bailing out his even more worthless gambling twin brother. Elizabeth Spencer is a prostitute whose hateful father disowned her when she ran off with man she thought would marry her at the young age of 15. Even the villain, Nicholas Finn, her married protector who is the father of her child, Oliver, isn’t really such a bad sort. The novel deals with important issues of the times—women’s plight, unequal “justice” in the courts, debtors’ prison, the prison hulks, gaol fever (typhus), and the issues plaguing the impoverished aristocracy. For all the elements I praise Emma Locke. Sadly, her egregious grammatical errors, inconsistencies in style, and random modernisms would earn this novel 1 star if she’s lucky. So, I’ve given it a 3 because I see potential. I’d highly recommend that Locke hire a good editor because she really could be one of the best.
November 14, 2014
Ooh...this was good. I didn't particularly like Elizabeth (heroine) when she first appeared in "The Trouble with Being Wicked" - a little to self-absorbed for my taste. But she developed real well in this book...a transition for a selfish tart (pun intended) to a woman worthy of a good man...and the hero, Con, is a good man. Con is a little naive and, dare I say, doltish at the beginning but is revealed to have a deeper character and morale fiber as you read through.
The characters in this book are a more complex and developed than the ones in the first book of the series...I must say, I enjoyed Con's mother and his brothers (though I did get confused as to which one was which) and I also enjoyed how the antagonists (Nicholas Finn and his ilk) were developed.
Motherhood and yes, fatherhood, proved to be the changing force in the thread of this book - the underlying struggle to do better being in direct connection to the desire to do better for one's issue (or issues) makes for more complex motivations, entanglements and growth.
Can't wait for the next one!
The characters in this book are a more complex and developed than the ones in the first book of the series...I must say, I enjoyed Con's mother and his brothers (though I did get confused as to which one was which) and I also enjoyed how the antagonists (Nicholas Finn and his ilk) were developed.
Motherhood and yes, fatherhood, proved to be the changing force in the thread of this book - the underlying struggle to do better being in direct connection to the desire to do better for one's issue (or issues) makes for more complex motivations, entanglements and growth.
Can't wait for the next one!
March 11, 2016
The Problem with Seduction has a scenario that has been explored many times in the romance genre, a relationship of convenience. I had a pretty good idea how it was going to end having read so many of these stories. Yet for me it was the in between journey of how they got to their happily ever after that made me take notice. My outlook on this story is that Con and Elizabeth rescued each other not just from the circumstances that lead them to each other but from a life longing for the companionship and understanding that they found in each other. Help me help you is a simple thing to ask but had a deeper meaning than they expected.
April 6, 2018
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
Not often do I read a book and want to give the hero a massive hug, but Con , he has me reaching my hands out to him in nearly every chapter , what an angel.
Elizabeth is an ex cortisan , one with a child .
The child’s father is wanting Oliver in his hands and away from her , how can she keep him when all rights are the fathers not the mothers .
Enter our knight in shining armour Con .
He claims the child is his , for a price , so Elizabeth’s rights are protected .
But that’s where the adventure begins and a tale of lies , deception and pain unfolds .
Someone was always going to be hurt in this tale , but who will it be .
A great second book in this series, in which we meet all Cons family, his brothers are a massive mix in personalities , and include two sets of twins .
Where to next for this series.
I received an advanced copy of this book and chose to submit a review
💋💋
Not often do I read a book and want to give the hero a massive hug, but Con , he has me reaching my hands out to him in nearly every chapter , what an angel.
Elizabeth is an ex cortisan , one with a child .
The child’s father is wanting Oliver in his hands and away from her , how can she keep him when all rights are the fathers not the mothers .
Enter our knight in shining armour Con .
He claims the child is his , for a price , so Elizabeth’s rights are protected .
But that’s where the adventure begins and a tale of lies , deception and pain unfolds .
Someone was always going to be hurt in this tale , but who will it be .
A great second book in this series, in which we meet all Cons family, his brothers are a massive mix in personalities , and include two sets of twins .
Where to next for this series.
I received an advanced copy of this book and chose to submit a review
September 15, 2013
Emma Locke's Lord Constantine Alexander is simply the fourth son and spare to the spares of his brother, the current Marquis of Montborne Constantine would be happy with his meager allowance, struggling investments and quiet life, except he has to constantly keep his twin brother, Darius, out of trouble. All of London sees Constantine as another feckless Alexander boy with too many debts, too many entanglements and too many complications -- and this is exactly the kind of man Elizabeth needed.
Elizabeth's proposition comes at the right time for Con, who needed the money Elizabeth was offering -- it was to have been a simple arrangement: get the baby and then get the money, but nothing in Elizabeth's life is ever simple and, when the inevitable complications arise, Constantine does what Elizabeth never expected anyone to do for her: stand by and protect her.
When we are first introduced to Elizabeth in The Trouble with Being Wicked , she is pregnant with her son and was, quite honestly, annoying: she fell pregnant as a last-ditch effort to keep her lover from straying and all she did in Devon was to moan and cry -- but Elizabeth in The Problem with Seduction, is a woman transformed by love -- the pure love of her son, Oliver. She is more circumspect and more grounded but, when Oliver was taken from her by his father, Elizabeth is moving heaven and earth -- and has resorted to lying and plotting (and ten thousand pounds) to get her son back.
Picture a romantic hero right now. What three words would you use to describe him? Brooding? Mysterious? Tortured?
Constantine Alexander isn't any of these -- and it is a refreshing attribute. Constantine is misunderstood, by his brothers and by society -- what they see is another bored, spoiled aristocrat who spends more than he earns -- but Constantine isn't that at all -- he is an earnest young man who is trying to make the best of his situation. His father died of gaol fever because of his gambling and his family continues to struggle to make ends meet -- and Constantine has the added burden of having a twin brother who has inherited their father's vice.
The truth is, Constantine isn't idle at all -- he is busy trying to save the world. When Elizabeth approaches him with the offer, he immediately accepts it. He is as desperate as Elizabeth is: she for her son, he for his twin brother. He does the job and succeeds in getting Elizabeth back her son. Their involvement ought to have ended then -- but Con's brothers want him to step up and be a father to young Oliver and, after being threatened by her father, Elizabeth needs him to pretend to be Oliver's father as well.
But Con doesn't want to pretend -- in the eyes of his family and of society, he is Oliver's father and he truly wants to be involved in Oliver's life.
An issue of trust: Elizabeth has been disappointed by all the men in her life. Her career as a courtesan has also made her wary of the falseness and shallowness of men. She thought Constantine was another name in that long list of ... wolves and she tries to resort to her tried-and-true methods of handling men: seduction -- but Constantine surprises her (and the readers) with his sincerity and kindness. He isn't at all what she expected him to be.
Constantine wants to be seduced -- not by Elizabeth the courtesan, but by Elizabeth the woman, the mother, and his unlikely friend and confidante. With Elizabeth, Con is free to be himself -- to be honest and unburden himself. Elizabeth does not judge but listens -- a quiet reinforcement to his crumbling life. (Read pp. 58-71)
I love that it isn't the hero that needs reforming in this story, but the heroine -- Elizabeth struggles to make sense of her new world and Constantine is as his name implies: constant and steadfast: the north star to her lost ship.
I think Con and Elizabeth truly complete each other -- and I love how they fight and sacrifice all to keep their little family together. Con is an extraordinary hero, selfless and loving -- and chivalrous -- he shines through, truly, like a knight in shining armor amidst the many, many dark and shadowy characters who sought to destroy his family.
I loved Emma Locke's debut novel and this book just blew me away with its thoughtfulness, honesty and warmth. Locke writes her characters with such depth, insight and sympathy that you can't help but root for them. The Alexander men also stand out in this story and it amazes me how Emma Locke manages to enliven Roman, Bart, Tony and Darius with distinct dimensions, personalities and voices. As I was reading about them and their interaction with Con, I kept thinking: I want to read more about them. (The good news is, I will! Yay! The next book features Roman! ^_^)
Elizabeth's proposition comes at the right time for Con, who needed the money Elizabeth was offering -- it was to have been a simple arrangement: get the baby and then get the money, but nothing in Elizabeth's life is ever simple and, when the inevitable complications arise, Constantine does what Elizabeth never expected anyone to do for her: stand by and protect her.
When we are first introduced to Elizabeth in The Trouble with Being Wicked , she is pregnant with her son and was, quite honestly, annoying: she fell pregnant as a last-ditch effort to keep her lover from straying and all she did in Devon was to moan and cry -- but Elizabeth in The Problem with Seduction, is a woman transformed by love -- the pure love of her son, Oliver. She is more circumspect and more grounded but, when Oliver was taken from her by his father, Elizabeth is moving heaven and earth -- and has resorted to lying and plotting (and ten thousand pounds) to get her son back.
Picture a romantic hero right now. What three words would you use to describe him? Brooding? Mysterious? Tortured?
Constantine Alexander isn't any of these -- and it is a refreshing attribute. Constantine is misunderstood, by his brothers and by society -- what they see is another bored, spoiled aristocrat who spends more than he earns -- but Constantine isn't that at all -- he is an earnest young man who is trying to make the best of his situation. His father died of gaol fever because of his gambling and his family continues to struggle to make ends meet -- and Constantine has the added burden of having a twin brother who has inherited their father's vice.
The truth is, Constantine isn't idle at all -- he is busy trying to save the world. When Elizabeth approaches him with the offer, he immediately accepts it. He is as desperate as Elizabeth is: she for her son, he for his twin brother. He does the job and succeeds in getting Elizabeth back her son. Their involvement ought to have ended then -- but Con's brothers want him to step up and be a father to young Oliver and, after being threatened by her father, Elizabeth needs him to pretend to be Oliver's father as well.
But Con doesn't want to pretend -- in the eyes of his family and of society, he is Oliver's father and he truly wants to be involved in Oliver's life.
An issue of trust: Elizabeth has been disappointed by all the men in her life. Her career as a courtesan has also made her wary of the falseness and shallowness of men. She thought Constantine was another name in that long list of ... wolves and she tries to resort to her tried-and-true methods of handling men: seduction -- but Constantine surprises her (and the readers) with his sincerity and kindness. He isn't at all what she expected him to be.
His arms opened wide. Without warning, he enveloped her in them. "I have never seen anyone more in need of a hug," he murmured against her hair.
Stunned, she could no nothing but stand stiffly. Pressed against his chest, with her arms squashed against her corset and her cheek turned to one side, she waited awkwardly for him to finish. Why was he hugging her when she was sure he'd been about to --
"I'm not going to kiss you." His warm breath tickled her hair.
"Why not?" The side of her mouth moved against his coat. The soft wool smelled like him.
- pp. 164-165
Constantine wants to be seduced -- not by Elizabeth the courtesan, but by Elizabeth the woman, the mother, and his unlikely friend and confidante. With Elizabeth, Con is free to be himself -- to be honest and unburden himself. Elizabeth does not judge but listens -- a quiet reinforcement to his crumbling life. (Read pp. 58-71)
I love that it isn't the hero that needs reforming in this story, but the heroine -- Elizabeth struggles to make sense of her new world and Constantine is as his name implies: constant and steadfast: the north star to her lost ship.
For all the men she'd thought she'd loved, she'd never known anything like her feelings for Con. He took her many faults and tamed them. And for the few good qualities she did have, he made them better. Motherhood, for one. He took her lopsided little family and completed it.
- pp. 242-243
I think Con and Elizabeth truly complete each other -- and I love how they fight and sacrifice all to keep their little family together. Con is an extraordinary hero, selfless and loving -- and chivalrous -- he shines through, truly, like a knight in shining armor amidst the many, many dark and shadowy characters who sought to destroy his family.
I loved Emma Locke's debut novel and this book just blew me away with its thoughtfulness, honesty and warmth. Locke writes her characters with such depth, insight and sympathy that you can't help but root for them. The Alexander men also stand out in this story and it amazes me how Emma Locke manages to enliven Roman, Bart, Tony and Darius with distinct dimensions, personalities and voices. As I was reading about them and their interaction with Con, I kept thinking: I want to read more about them. (The good news is, I will! Yay! The next book features Roman! ^_^)
August 4, 2017
Thank you, Ms. Locke, for resolving the storyline that was left on a cliffhanger last book!! In book one, we all met Elizabeth, whose illegitimate child was taken from her by his father and her ex-lover. In this book, she devises a plan to try to convince Captain Finn that another man is her son's father, essentially tricking him into giving the boy back.
Without giving too much away, I can say that the story was really well written, with several twists and a lot of emotion. I'm really pleased with this series so far.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Without giving too much away, I can say that the story was really well written, with several twists and a lot of emotion. I'm really pleased with this series so far.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2017
You met Elizabeth from the first book but her character was hidden from the readers. She definitely shines in her story. She proposes to Constantine to help her get her baby back. Knowing he can't go back to debtors' prison he accepts her offer. This was a very long drawn out story that probably could have ended 4 chapters before the actual end. I did like the development of their characters as you read on, but it moved kinda slowly.
June 12, 2018
I would have liked to give more stars than this. It was well-written, with complex characters and plenty of angst.
The problem is that the plot depends on two elements that are historically incorrect.
If this doesn't matter so much to you, read it. It's a good read. But for me, I kept gritting my teeth and saying, "But it's not right."
The problem is that the plot depends on two elements that are historically incorrect.
If this doesn't matter so much to you, read it. It's a good read. But for me, I kept gritting my teeth and saying, "But it's not right."
March 13, 2017
This book wasn't bad by any stretch of the imagination. For me, it didn't quite work because the custody of a child was the central problem of this book. This conflict jolted the book out of the romance fantasy that I need as a reader. Nicely done, otherwise, though.
June 29, 2013
I received an arc of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was very interested in reading this book because I felt the first book in the series had some great elements despite being uneven. Locke has a knack for creating interesting and complex main characters. The problems I had in the first book were not present in this one. The pacing was good throughout the entire book and the supporting characters were handled better (with one small exception that I'll address later in the review).
I really liked both Elizabeth and Con. Elizabeth loves her son and she wants to have the kind of relationship with him that she didn't have with her parents. She's used to taking care of herself and makes sure she gets what she wants. She sees herself as unloveable and selfish but we see through her interactions with Con and her friends that this isn't completely true. We also see her reach out time after time to her family only to be rejected every time. She's made mistakes but she's recognized them and would like a chance at forgiveness but her family refuses. Her father goes so far as to support the father of Elizabeth's son in his bid to take their son, Oliver, away from Elizabeth.
Con is such a likable character. Even though he has decided to pose as the father of Elizabeth's son to get money, he grows to care about both Elizabeth and Oliver. He complains about his brothers and mother but he obviously loves them deeply and would do anything for them. A great deal of the money he gets from Elizabeth is used to settle his twin brother, Dare's, gambling debts. Con is a bit of a people pleaser; he wants everyone to be happy even at his own expense. Despite all of his selflessness, he doesn't come off as a martyr or too good to be true. We see his conflict about wanting to help the people he cares but also wanting to put his wants and needs first sometimes. He also desperately wants his brothers to see him as a success.
There is a lot of drama and conflict in this book. The major conflict is the fact that Oliver's father, Finn, wants to take his son back from Elizabeth like he had previously done. While Con initially creates doubt in Finn's mind about Oliver's parentage, Finn quickly decides he's been had and that he is Oliver's father. I was always aware that this book is about trying to keep a child from his real father. That did bother me some. The injustice of Elizabeth having no rights when it comes to custody of her own child and the fact that Finn had taken Oliver away from her before definitely made me feel better about rooting for Elizabeth's plan to work but didn't completely eliminate my reservations.
The other big conflict, in the last fourth of the book, felt forced to me. Elizabeth withholds some information from Con and his brothers because she doesn't trust Con not to stay with her if he no longer needs her money. It just didn't ring true that Elizabeth would have withheld this information. Even if she didn't completely trust Con to stay with her, I felt there was enough trust between the two that she would have risked it and dealt with the consequences if she was wrong. Con's reaction to finding out this information seemed a little out of proportion to the deception given the relatively short time she kept the secret especially when much of the time it would have been impossible to tell him and inappropriate to tell his family.
The other big problem I had with this book was that the final chapter revolved solely around a supporting character in the book. It seemed to be setting up a book for that character, but it wasn't Roman who is the hero of the next story. Maybe this ending somehow plays into the next book but I felt the author could tells us about the continuing storyline with that character a little earlier and integrate it better with the main story.
While this story wasn't perfect, I still had a good time reading it and would recommended to historical romance fans.
I was very interested in reading this book because I felt the first book in the series had some great elements despite being uneven. Locke has a knack for creating interesting and complex main characters. The problems I had in the first book were not present in this one. The pacing was good throughout the entire book and the supporting characters were handled better (with one small exception that I'll address later in the review).
I really liked both Elizabeth and Con. Elizabeth loves her son and she wants to have the kind of relationship with him that she didn't have with her parents. She's used to taking care of herself and makes sure she gets what she wants. She sees herself as unloveable and selfish but we see through her interactions with Con and her friends that this isn't completely true. We also see her reach out time after time to her family only to be rejected every time. She's made mistakes but she's recognized them and would like a chance at forgiveness but her family refuses. Her father goes so far as to support the father of Elizabeth's son in his bid to take their son, Oliver, away from Elizabeth.
Con is such a likable character. Even though he has decided to pose as the father of Elizabeth's son to get money, he grows to care about both Elizabeth and Oliver. He complains about his brothers and mother but he obviously loves them deeply and would do anything for them. A great deal of the money he gets from Elizabeth is used to settle his twin brother, Dare's, gambling debts. Con is a bit of a people pleaser; he wants everyone to be happy even at his own expense. Despite all of his selflessness, he doesn't come off as a martyr or too good to be true. We see his conflict about wanting to help the people he cares but also wanting to put his wants and needs first sometimes. He also desperately wants his brothers to see him as a success.
There is a lot of drama and conflict in this book. The major conflict is the fact that Oliver's father, Finn, wants to take his son back from Elizabeth like he had previously done. While Con initially creates doubt in Finn's mind about Oliver's parentage, Finn quickly decides he's been had and that he is Oliver's father. I was always aware that this book is about trying to keep a child from his real father. That did bother me some. The injustice of Elizabeth having no rights when it comes to custody of her own child and the fact that Finn had taken Oliver away from her before definitely made me feel better about rooting for Elizabeth's plan to work but didn't completely eliminate my reservations.
The other big conflict, in the last fourth of the book, felt forced to me. Elizabeth withholds some information from Con and his brothers because she doesn't trust Con not to stay with her if he no longer needs her money. It just didn't ring true that Elizabeth would have withheld this information. Even if she didn't completely trust Con to stay with her, I felt there was enough trust between the two that she would have risked it and dealt with the consequences if she was wrong. Con's reaction to finding out this information seemed a little out of proportion to the deception given the relatively short time she kept the secret especially when much of the time it would have been impossible to tell him and inappropriate to tell his family.
The other big problem I had with this book was that the final chapter revolved solely around a supporting character in the book. It seemed to be setting up a book for that character, but it wasn't Roman who is the hero of the next story. Maybe this ending somehow plays into the next book but I felt the author could tells us about the continuing storyline with that character a little earlier and integrate it better with the main story.
While this story wasn't perfect, I still had a good time reading it and would recommended to historical romance fans.
July 21, 2013
This is the story of Celeste's best friend, Elizabeth.
In the previous book Elizabeth had gone in the countryside with Celeste, abandoning the life of courtesan, having gathered enough money. But unlike Celeste, Elizabeth was pregnant by a married man and this man, Captain Finn, had deceived him, only returning to take her son. After that incident, Elizabeth would do anything to get her son back. That's where this story begins and we know Con Alexander.
The only way to Capt. Finn believe that the baby, Oliver, was not his son, was confronting him in front of several witnesses. And that's fine .... at first.
Elizabeth hired Con Alexander, fourth son without hope of inheriting a great title and without wealth, for 10 thousand pounds for him to participate in this scam and confronted Finn saying that HE was Oliver's father.
A shame to discover that the courtesan he held for three years could have been unfaithful to him (go figure it! Captain was unfaithful to his wife, but ...), made him agree to return Oliver to his mother. But a few days later he came back and began to chase her again wanting the child back.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth's parents disowning her daughter completely, as they always have, gave her an ultimatum: she must deliver the child to the father (or was it Alexander or Finn) and thus take the family name off the mud.
In turn, as the confrontation between Con and Finn went public, Con's mother and brothers learned that there was a new Alexander - even if he had been born on the wrong side of the blanket - and wanted to meet and live close to the child.
Confusion ahead!
Elizabeth did not want to lose her son. Con would not - could not - admit to his family that he was not the child's father ... To help themselves, Elizabeth and Con decided to pretend they were taking public the romance that began months ago and resulted in their son.
A real father unpleased and fighting for his rights. A family delighted with the arrival of a new member ... Which side would win?
Again Emma Locke offers us an engaging and funny story.
Elizabeth and Con Alexander did not want to get romantically involved. She had been deceived by the man she loved when he actually used her to have an heir, and would take her son. Con had made some bad investments and was even able to keep a mistress. But necessity caused them to unite forces, and this coexistence, the attraction just talking louder.
Alexander family dynamics is very good (4 children, all men), and I hope there are ahead books with the other brothers.
The characters are good, although I have found that the situation was more complicated every time Elizabeth tried to solve everything.
Con was an honorable man, who from the beginning felt compelled to defend Elizabeth and the child, and in the end, he ended up clinging to them.
A romance that has been slowly growing over time, and the interference of families, of course.
Funny and romantic.
The pace of the story is good.
Positive point: like the way the author expresses the feelings of each character, bringing changes in thinking / feeling for each other.
Negative point: it was just me who thought that, or book one is more HOT?
Super recommend. Can not wait to read the next, Con's brother's and Ash's sister!
4.5 STARS!
In the previous book Elizabeth had gone in the countryside with Celeste, abandoning the life of courtesan, having gathered enough money. But unlike Celeste, Elizabeth was pregnant by a married man and this man, Captain Finn, had deceived him, only returning to take her son. After that incident, Elizabeth would do anything to get her son back. That's where this story begins and we know Con Alexander.
The only way to Capt. Finn believe that the baby, Oliver, was not his son, was confronting him in front of several witnesses. And that's fine .... at first.
Elizabeth hired Con Alexander, fourth son without hope of inheriting a great title and without wealth, for 10 thousand pounds for him to participate in this scam and confronted Finn saying that HE was Oliver's father.
A shame to discover that the courtesan he held for three years could have been unfaithful to him (go figure it! Captain was unfaithful to his wife, but ...), made him agree to return Oliver to his mother. But a few days later he came back and began to chase her again wanting the child back.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth's parents disowning her daughter completely, as they always have, gave her an ultimatum: she must deliver the child to the father (or was it Alexander or Finn) and thus take the family name off the mud.
In turn, as the confrontation between Con and Finn went public, Con's mother and brothers learned that there was a new Alexander - even if he had been born on the wrong side of the blanket - and wanted to meet and live close to the child.
Confusion ahead!
Elizabeth did not want to lose her son. Con would not - could not - admit to his family that he was not the child's father ... To help themselves, Elizabeth and Con decided to pretend they were taking public the romance that began months ago and resulted in their son.
A real father unpleased and fighting for his rights. A family delighted with the arrival of a new member ... Which side would win?
Again Emma Locke offers us an engaging and funny story.
Elizabeth and Con Alexander did not want to get romantically involved. She had been deceived by the man she loved when he actually used her to have an heir, and would take her son. Con had made some bad investments and was even able to keep a mistress. But necessity caused them to unite forces, and this coexistence, the attraction just talking louder.
Alexander family dynamics is very good (4 children, all men), and I hope there are ahead books with the other brothers.
The characters are good, although I have found that the situation was more complicated every time Elizabeth tried to solve everything.
Con was an honorable man, who from the beginning felt compelled to defend Elizabeth and the child, and in the end, he ended up clinging to them.
A romance that has been slowly growing over time, and the interference of families, of course.
Funny and romantic.
The pace of the story is good.
Positive point: like the way the author expresses the feelings of each character, bringing changes in thinking / feeling for each other.
Negative point: it was just me who thought that, or book one is more HOT?
Super recommend. Can not wait to read the next, Con's brother's and Ash's sister!
4.5 STARS!
June 22, 2013
With the Problem with Seduction Emma Locke shows us why we should never write off a series just because we didn't like the first book. I found the Trouble with Being Wicked ridiculously hard to get into and finally just gave up. But when Intrepid books sent an invitation to me to read this second book, I decided to give it a try. Am I glad I did!!
Constantine Alexander is one of those Alexanders, handsome, charming and oh so poor.. With a father who actually died in Debtor's Prison it's hard for the Alexander family to even pretend they are socially acceptable.. And yet, There is oh so much more to Con than meets the eye. And society better look out because this man is the one that is getting away.
Elizabeth Spencer is the daughter of an Earl and yet ran away at 15 thinking she had found love. Now ten years later she is one of society's most notorious courtesans.. But her life has changed, the birth of her son has made her into what nothing else ever could, a respectable woman. The only problem is, the father wants his son and has all legal claim to him. Elizabeth comes up with a daring scheme sure to mortify and embarrass her ex lover and still manage to get her son back. She hires Constantine Alexander to claim he is the father!
Elizabeth's scheme backfires in a huge way. She hires a man known for his debts and figures one small job, he gets paid and she gets her baby back. Except, his family now wants to claim her son.. They want to be a part of young Oliver's life. And Con? Well he is falling just a little bit more in love with Oliver every day.. Worst of all he made a commitment said he was the father and no child of his (or under his protection) is going to grow up thinking his father doesn't care about him. What a coil. Elizabeth does everything she can to extradite herself from things but only manages to make it worse.
Her family is more than ready to ruin her life.. To ensure her child is removed from her custody and given to someone who can better parent him. Honestly, if I had parents like Elizabeth's I would run away with the first man who offered too.. Pretentious, arrogant and holier than thou.. you know the type.. thoroughly unlikeable.
What makes this book interesting is that it really is a custody battle, there are two parents who want to love this child and because of that love there are no sure winners.. Yet we watch Elizabeth grow as a person.. she learns to fight for love. To fight for her dreams, to fight for her son and yes to fight for herself.. It's a beautiful story about true redemption.
We do see characters fromthe Trouble with Being Wicked and honestly I found them no more likable as secondary characters than I did with their own book. I seriously hope we don't have to see any more of them.
All in all this was a really good book and the true beginnings of an excellent series.. Next up, Con's desolate older brother, the Gigolo Marquis.. Oh Wait.. the book is actually called The Art of Ruining a Rake Can't wait to see what Ms Locke has in store for him!
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of The Problem with Seduction provided by netgalley
Constantine Alexander is one of those Alexanders, handsome, charming and oh so poor.. With a father who actually died in Debtor's Prison it's hard for the Alexander family to even pretend they are socially acceptable.. And yet, There is oh so much more to Con than meets the eye. And society better look out because this man is the one that is getting away.
Elizabeth Spencer is the daughter of an Earl and yet ran away at 15 thinking she had found love. Now ten years later she is one of society's most notorious courtesans.. But her life has changed, the birth of her son has made her into what nothing else ever could, a respectable woman. The only problem is, the father wants his son and has all legal claim to him. Elizabeth comes up with a daring scheme sure to mortify and embarrass her ex lover and still manage to get her son back. She hires Constantine Alexander to claim he is the father!
Elizabeth's scheme backfires in a huge way. She hires a man known for his debts and figures one small job, he gets paid and she gets her baby back. Except, his family now wants to claim her son.. They want to be a part of young Oliver's life. And Con? Well he is falling just a little bit more in love with Oliver every day.. Worst of all he made a commitment said he was the father and no child of his (or under his protection) is going to grow up thinking his father doesn't care about him. What a coil. Elizabeth does everything she can to extradite herself from things but only manages to make it worse.
Her family is more than ready to ruin her life.. To ensure her child is removed from her custody and given to someone who can better parent him. Honestly, if I had parents like Elizabeth's I would run away with the first man who offered too.. Pretentious, arrogant and holier than thou.. you know the type.. thoroughly unlikeable.
What makes this book interesting is that it really is a custody battle, there are two parents who want to love this child and because of that love there are no sure winners.. Yet we watch Elizabeth grow as a person.. she learns to fight for love. To fight for her dreams, to fight for her son and yes to fight for herself.. It's a beautiful story about true redemption.
We do see characters fromthe Trouble with Being Wicked and honestly I found them no more likable as secondary characters than I did with their own book. I seriously hope we don't have to see any more of them.
All in all this was a really good book and the true beginnings of an excellent series.. Next up, Con's desolate older brother, the Gigolo Marquis.. Oh Wait.. the book is actually called The Art of Ruining a Rake Can't wait to see what Ms Locke has in store for him!
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of The Problem with Seduction provided by netgalley
February 21, 2013
Rating 4.5 Stars
Originally posted on What I'm Reading
Today I just finished The Problem with Seduction by Emma Locke. So let's just dive into the story and my thoughts.
The last time we saw Elizabeth Spencer, she was falling apart over the lost her child Oliver. Really heart-breaking. However, she came up with an hair-brain scheme to get her child back from her former-lover Captain Nicholas Finn. What better way than ask someone who might be in need some of some funds?
Lord Constantine Alexander happens to be that man. Constantine is in desperate need of funds to avoid the gaol. So, he accepts the terms of the agreement to get these funds. The challenge he has to overcome is to present reasonable doubt that Captain Finn might not be the child's father. Sounds easy enough, right? Oh boy.
First off, I did enjoy the first book The Trouble with Being Wicked and saw a lot of potential. Now that I have I read the second book The Problem with Seduction I have to say that it might be better than the first book. So here we go with more thoughts.
I absolutely adore Constantine. To his family and friends he appears to be this dissolute rake, when actually he has a heart of gold. Oh my gosh, Constantine would give the shirt off his back to help someone he cares about, which kind of landed him in trouble in the first place. In some aspect he is kind of gullible, but as the story progresses he learns to be a little more firm.
Then you have Elizabeth Spencer. Elizabeth starts to realize she needs to change her lifestyle in order to create a better life for Oliver. So, she is reform courtesan. Granted she doesn't slip back into old habits, but some her her seductive ways still make their presence known. It's hard to make a clean break from something you have been doing for 10 years of your life.
I must say this story is a little different from the first book and I think a lot of has to do with Constantine and his a lovable loyal goofy personality. Don't get me wrong, Constantine might be all those characteristic, but he also carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. Yet, he manages not to let it get to him, in my book that makes him amazing. I love the dynamic of Constantine and Elizabeth's relationship and how they get to know one another.
Overall, I enjoyed the The Problem with Seduction and seriously can't wait for more. Especially, since the next story deals with Constantine's older brother and I hope we get to see more stories about the other brothers. So, if you are looking for a story about a reform courtesan and a lovable hero you might want to read The Problem with Seduction.
Copy provided by the author
Originally posted on What I'm Reading
Today I just finished The Problem with Seduction by Emma Locke. So let's just dive into the story and my thoughts.
The last time we saw Elizabeth Spencer, she was falling apart over the lost her child Oliver. Really heart-breaking. However, she came up with an hair-brain scheme to get her child back from her former-lover Captain Nicholas Finn. What better way than ask someone who might be in need some of some funds?
Lord Constantine Alexander happens to be that man. Constantine is in desperate need of funds to avoid the gaol. So, he accepts the terms of the agreement to get these funds. The challenge he has to overcome is to present reasonable doubt that Captain Finn might not be the child's father. Sounds easy enough, right? Oh boy.
First off, I did enjoy the first book The Trouble with Being Wicked and saw a lot of potential. Now that I have I read the second book The Problem with Seduction I have to say that it might be better than the first book. So here we go with more thoughts.
I absolutely adore Constantine. To his family and friends he appears to be this dissolute rake, when actually he has a heart of gold. Oh my gosh, Constantine would give the shirt off his back to help someone he cares about, which kind of landed him in trouble in the first place. In some aspect he is kind of gullible, but as the story progresses he learns to be a little more firm.
Then you have Elizabeth Spencer. Elizabeth starts to realize she needs to change her lifestyle in order to create a better life for Oliver. So, she is reform courtesan. Granted she doesn't slip back into old habits, but some her her seductive ways still make their presence known. It's hard to make a clean break from something you have been doing for 10 years of your life.
I must say this story is a little different from the first book and I think a lot of has to do with Constantine and his a lovable loyal goofy personality. Don't get me wrong, Constantine might be all those characteristic, but he also carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. Yet, he manages not to let it get to him, in my book that makes him amazing. I love the dynamic of Constantine and Elizabeth's relationship and how they get to know one another.
Overall, I enjoyed the The Problem with Seduction and seriously can't wait for more. Especially, since the next story deals with Constantine's older brother and I hope we get to see more stories about the other brothers. So, if you are looking for a story about a reform courtesan and a lovable hero you might want to read The Problem with Seduction.
Copy provided by the author
March 21, 2013
Originally posted on Adria's Romance Reviews
The opening to The Problem with Seduction is quite an attention grabber. Who wouldn't pay attention when the hero politely tells another man that the baby he has in his home actually belongs to him? And all because the heroine, a courtesan, has offered the hero a large sum of money to do so! The possibilities for this story were endless!
Elizabeth Spencer has changed drastically from the first book (The Trouble with Being Wicked) to the second. Gone is the spoiled, simpering, whining courtesan and in her place is a strong willed, intelligent, fiercely protective mama trying to change her ways to give her child a better life. Though she may have known many people (men) as a courtesan, she has learned that she can only trust herself and has lead a rather lonely life.
Lord Constantine Alexander on the other hand, has so many people around him he doesn't know what to do with them! As the fourth son of five in the family, Con constantly has his patience tested by his brothers and his affairs are often the topic of discussion among them and their mother. I loved the family dynamic with Con's family. They're meddlesome, infuriating, nagging and caring, in their own dysfunctional way. They were amusing and stubbornly loyal, even when they don't agree with one another.
Initially the relationship between Con and Elizabeth is purely business but Con's plan to help Elizabeth backfires and he is forced to spend more time in her company, thus giving both characters a chance to get to know each other and for those sparks to fly. The emotional connection that forms between them gives more power to the love that eventually blooms, which is important because Con and Elizabeth are constantly tested. There are plenty of villains and conflicts that they have to face alone and together. The pace of the book is a bit slower than what readers may be used to, but thankfully there isn't a dull moment with Con, Elizabeth and the entire Alexander clan.
The Problem with Seduction is, in my opinion, better than the first book in the series (The Trouble with Being Wicked). There is a huge growth for Elizabeth, turning her from an unlikable character, to a character the evokes sympathy and admiration in readers. I went from not caring about her to rooting for her to get everything she ever wanted. I can't wait to see what author Emma Locke has in store with the next book in the series, The Art of Ruining a Rake.
The opening to The Problem with Seduction is quite an attention grabber. Who wouldn't pay attention when the hero politely tells another man that the baby he has in his home actually belongs to him? And all because the heroine, a courtesan, has offered the hero a large sum of money to do so! The possibilities for this story were endless!
Elizabeth Spencer has changed drastically from the first book (The Trouble with Being Wicked) to the second. Gone is the spoiled, simpering, whining courtesan and in her place is a strong willed, intelligent, fiercely protective mama trying to change her ways to give her child a better life. Though she may have known many people (men) as a courtesan, she has learned that she can only trust herself and has lead a rather lonely life.
Lord Constantine Alexander on the other hand, has so many people around him he doesn't know what to do with them! As the fourth son of five in the family, Con constantly has his patience tested by his brothers and his affairs are often the topic of discussion among them and their mother. I loved the family dynamic with Con's family. They're meddlesome, infuriating, nagging and caring, in their own dysfunctional way. They were amusing and stubbornly loyal, even when they don't agree with one another.
Initially the relationship between Con and Elizabeth is purely business but Con's plan to help Elizabeth backfires and he is forced to spend more time in her company, thus giving both characters a chance to get to know each other and for those sparks to fly. The emotional connection that forms between them gives more power to the love that eventually blooms, which is important because Con and Elizabeth are constantly tested. There are plenty of villains and conflicts that they have to face alone and together. The pace of the book is a bit slower than what readers may be used to, but thankfully there isn't a dull moment with Con, Elizabeth and the entire Alexander clan.
The Problem with Seduction is, in my opinion, better than the first book in the series (The Trouble with Being Wicked). There is a huge growth for Elizabeth, turning her from an unlikable character, to a character the evokes sympathy and admiration in readers. I went from not caring about her to rooting for her to get everything she ever wanted. I can't wait to see what author Emma Locke has in store with the next book in the series, The Art of Ruining a Rake.
July 16, 2013
Elizabeth Spencer needs a man. Preferably one who won't be too picky about the morality of her proposition, or his reputation. Lord Constantine Alexander can't afford another trip to debtors' prison, which makes him the perfect candidate. She doesn't expect him to have a heart of gold, or to hold up his end of the bargain—particularly when his high-in-the-instep family gets involved. Nor does she expect to find him irresistible, because while she needs a man, she doesn't particularly want one.
Lady Elizabeth Spencer – who was pregnant in The Trouble with being Wicked and the reason for appearing in Devon – is the focus of this book. She rescues her son back from his father having convinced Constantine to pretend to be the father in return for clearing £10,000 of his debts. It turns out that all is not that simple and Nicholas is not prepared to let things lie that simply, and that he wants his son back, no matter what. The fact that Nicholas is married and Oliver is illegitimate is beside the point.
The rest of the book tells of the scrapes that Elizabeth and Constantine get into to hold onto Oliver, Elizabeth’s strained relationship with her family, that Con’s debts are because of some poor investments and his desire to cover his twin brother’s gambling habits. Celeste – the focus of the previous book – makes the occasional appearance – especially when Con and Elizabeth go down to Devon to check out some of the investments. Meanwhile there is always a level of distrust between the two as to whether this is a business arrangement or are they really falling in love.
Took me a while to work out that Con’s older brother is Roman, Celeste’s best friend from the first book, and there were so many brothers it was difficult to work who was being talked about when she referred to “the youngest” and “my older brother”. Bit confused over the sheer number of Lords running around in a single family, as I’m not sure you can have more than one (unless the father has been granted multiple Lordships and they were split up between the sons and that wasn’t clear).
Anyway, Con has a level of decency, if no head for business, Elizabeth is a woman stuck in a time when men have all the rights when it comes to children (and mothers have none), there are misunderstandings and fallings out, a court case and a bit of a cop out resolution. Still a decent enough story.
Lady Elizabeth Spencer – who was pregnant in The Trouble with being Wicked and the reason for appearing in Devon – is the focus of this book. She rescues her son back from his father having convinced Constantine to pretend to be the father in return for clearing £10,000 of his debts. It turns out that all is not that simple and Nicholas is not prepared to let things lie that simply, and that he wants his son back, no matter what. The fact that Nicholas is married and Oliver is illegitimate is beside the point.
The rest of the book tells of the scrapes that Elizabeth and Constantine get into to hold onto Oliver, Elizabeth’s strained relationship with her family, that Con’s debts are because of some poor investments and his desire to cover his twin brother’s gambling habits. Celeste – the focus of the previous book – makes the occasional appearance – especially when Con and Elizabeth go down to Devon to check out some of the investments. Meanwhile there is always a level of distrust between the two as to whether this is a business arrangement or are they really falling in love.
Took me a while to work out that Con’s older brother is Roman, Celeste’s best friend from the first book, and there were so many brothers it was difficult to work who was being talked about when she referred to “the youngest” and “my older brother”. Bit confused over the sheer number of Lords running around in a single family, as I’m not sure you can have more than one (unless the father has been granted multiple Lordships and they were split up between the sons and that wasn’t clear).
Anyway, Con has a level of decency, if no head for business, Elizabeth is a woman stuck in a time when men have all the rights when it comes to children (and mothers have none), there are misunderstandings and fallings out, a court case and a bit of a cop out resolution. Still a decent enough story.
June 8, 2015
The Problem with Seduction by Emma Locke from The Naughty Girls series is just your typical regency romance novel.
There is a heroine - Elisabeth Spencer, who is born to the upper class but her family has disowned her when she run away with a captain at the age of fifteen and she become a courtesan. She has been very successful in her occupation and after her latest protector - who she believed she was in love with - leaves her and takes with him their newborn son, Elizabeth comes up with a scheme to get her son back.
Lord Constantine is fourth son of penniless family of five brothers and a mother. When Elisabet approaches him with a bizarre request, he agrees to do it, since the payment would solve many of his problems. All he has to do is publicly pronounce himself to be the father of her son, get the boy back to his mother and that would be all.
But nothing is never as simple as it seems. Even thought Con has never wanted to be a father or ever wanted to be tied down, now all of a sudden he is fighting for baby Oliver and he also can not stay away from the boys mother.
All Elisabeth wanted is to get back her baby and to live her life in peace, but after she visits her parents first time after she left, she regrets her nostalgia and silly hope that her father has forgiven her. Her father will become one of the strongest voices to say she is not fit to be a mother.
So even if the story is full of contradictions and implausible moments, it wasn't really a bad story, but it wasn't really a good one either.
There is a heroine - Elisabeth Spencer, who is born to the upper class but her family has disowned her when she run away with a captain at the age of fifteen and she become a courtesan. She has been very successful in her occupation and after her latest protector - who she believed she was in love with - leaves her and takes with him their newborn son, Elizabeth comes up with a scheme to get her son back.
Lord Constantine is fourth son of penniless family of five brothers and a mother. When Elisabet approaches him with a bizarre request, he agrees to do it, since the payment would solve many of his problems. All he has to do is publicly pronounce himself to be the father of her son, get the boy back to his mother and that would be all.
But nothing is never as simple as it seems. Even thought Con has never wanted to be a father or ever wanted to be tied down, now all of a sudden he is fighting for baby Oliver and he also can not stay away from the boys mother.
All Elisabeth wanted is to get back her baby and to live her life in peace, but after she visits her parents first time after she left, she regrets her nostalgia and silly hope that her father has forgiven her. Her father will become one of the strongest voices to say she is not fit to be a mother.
So even if the story is full of contradictions and implausible moments, it wasn't really a bad story, but it wasn't really a good one either.
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April 29, 2014I had such high hopes bc both characters are so atypical in an HR. I really liked that he wasn't perfect. Though handsome and charming, he also was effected by the thoughts and actions of his family. He was shaping up to be a considerate sexy beta. But the book lost me when the heroine, who's been estranged from her own family since she ran off with a man at age 15, and became a courtesan until her recent 'retirement', decides to pop in on the parents she hasn't seen in years w no notice and with her new baby (born out of wedlock) and is hurt and shocked by their lack of acceptance. It seemed so off kilter. The parents were indeed cold and unfeeling but she acted like the 15 yr old that left all those years ago w no thought to the future or anyone's feelings but her own. I'd much preferred it if the author had her send a notice, and not use the baby as bait. I just quick liking the heroine and so quit reading the book. Maybe I'll go back and if I do I will update this. One day
March 18, 2015
Reading a love story about a mistress, is definitely not my ideal, especially one who was in love with a married man. It was really hard to relate, maybe if she was down on her luck I would have understood more, but since she was the daughter of an Earl I found her choices pretty terrible. That said the heroine was no Mary Sue, which was interesting, but also had me angry with her on multiple occasions. Her complete lack of faith in the hero got pretty annoying, especially towards the end. I understand she was battling with her conscience, but the way she withheld information that could help him and his family was pretty despicable. Although a little farfetched, I mean why would Trestin who is best friends with one of the members of the family tell Elizabeth first and not the concerned party. Honestly he would probably easily contact any member of the family first. That basically didn't make sense.
I appreciate the Emma Locke is writing stories about characters who are real, but maybe I'm just more into the unrealistic parts of romance.
I appreciate the Emma Locke is writing stories about characters who are real, but maybe I'm just more into the unrealistic parts of romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2016
2 star story, kinda Meh.. Fantastic Narration by Marian Hussey (audible review)
Well this was better than the first book in the series. I am not a fan of the courtesan's for historical romance books. I also thought the hero was a bit too young or naive or immature or something. He just wasn't a very good hero for a historical romance. Elizabeth was okay I guess. Nothing great about her character or personality really.
The chemistry between these two was barely okay, it didn't seem too real or genuine until almost the end of the book. There was a lot of dialogue which was great. I do like lots of dialogue. The story line and plot were kinda meh.. And the end of the story was kind of stupid to be honest after everything they went through. I was SMH...
As for the narration, well I am a huge Marian Hussey fan so I loved it. She did make the story more tolerable. She does the men's voices very well, gives everyone their own voice and has a wonderful reading voice. I highly recommend her narrations, particularly for historical romance genre.
Well this was better than the first book in the series. I am not a fan of the courtesan's for historical romance books. I also thought the hero was a bit too young or naive or immature or something. He just wasn't a very good hero for a historical romance. Elizabeth was okay I guess. Nothing great about her character or personality really.
The chemistry between these two was barely okay, it didn't seem too real or genuine until almost the end of the book. There was a lot of dialogue which was great. I do like lots of dialogue. The story line and plot were kinda meh.. And the end of the story was kind of stupid to be honest after everything they went through. I was SMH...
As for the narration, well I am a huge Marian Hussey fan so I loved it. She did make the story more tolerable. She does the men's voices very well, gives everyone their own voice and has a wonderful reading voice. I highly recommend her narrations, particularly for historical romance genre.
July 12, 2017
*I was provided a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
I loved that this one picks up from the first book. The whole time I was wondering when someone was going to pop up and ruin their plans. I loved that they both didn't want to marry, but kept being thrown together by everything and everyone. I did not expect her family to be the way they were or his family to be the opposite in ways. I got teary eyed in the end because of how everything happened and worked out.
Elizabeth has changed so much since becoming a mother and will do anything to keep her baby with her. I love how she doesn't know what to do when Con doesn't want money for helping more. She learned to open her heart again.
Con does whatever he can to help his family especially his one brother. He kind of grows up throughout the story and learns that he can't fix everything and to love. I loved him because he would help anyone in need.
This one shows how hard it could be for women with children because the law wasn't on their side.
I loved that this one picks up from the first book. The whole time I was wondering when someone was going to pop up and ruin their plans. I loved that they both didn't want to marry, but kept being thrown together by everything and everyone. I did not expect her family to be the way they were or his family to be the opposite in ways. I got teary eyed in the end because of how everything happened and worked out.
Elizabeth has changed so much since becoming a mother and will do anything to keep her baby with her. I love how she doesn't know what to do when Con doesn't want money for helping more. She learned to open her heart again.
Con does whatever he can to help his family especially his one brother. He kind of grows up throughout the story and learns that he can't fix everything and to love. I loved him because he would help anyone in need.
This one shows how hard it could be for women with children because the law wasn't on their side.
August 12, 2016
This was the second book in the Naughty Girls series. Elizabeth can be very deceitful but it stems from her past as a courtesan and being raised in a cold, unloving home. The book is centered around the paternal rights of the father of her child and the heartache she suffers when the father claims his heir. Elizabeth concocts a scheme and had to find the perfect man to help her. That's when we meet more of the Alexander family in this book, especially Constantine. Elizabeth finds out that there is more than meets the eye when it comes to gossip regarding Constantine. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this great series The Art of Ruining a Rake and the Christmas novella The Cheer in Charming an Earl. Emma Locke 's books do not disappoint. I highly recommend this series to Historical Romance lovers!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 21, 2013
Courtesan Elizabeth Spencer struck a deal with Lord Constantine Alexander, in exchange for enough money to keep him out of debtor’s prison he claims her infant son is his. What should have been a simple exchange has turned into an embroiled with her ex-lover who still believes the child is his, Con’s family demands to see the child, and Elizabeth is not quite fond of the idea of letting him borrow the child. Not to mention the spark of growing attraction that seems to escalate when in each other’s company.
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May 22, 2016
I love Emma Locke's regency romances. They have a nice bit of sizzle alongside complexity and great characters. They are books I pick up and read in one go. Fans of Courtney Milan ? And Grace Burrowes should give her a try. Having said that, Elizabeth's character was a difficult one and at times it was hard not to feel unsympathetic but the author dealt with the story well and allowed Elizabeth to be appealing to the reader without completely altering her character from Book 1. 4.25 - 4.5 stars!
July 18, 2013
Finally!I can breathe again. This book was a punch to the solar plexus from the beginning. There is nothing so cruel as taking a baby from it's mother. I got worried at the end as I really believed this story wouldn't end well. You will never believe how Emma ends this book until you read it yourself. No spoilers from me. Don't forget your tissues. You will cry happy and you will cry sad but you will mostly love this book.
November 14, 2014
I had a tough time putting this book down. When the story started, it took me by surprise. This is the first book of Emma Locke's that I have read. I was not used to the idea of courtesans having an HEA. It made me look differently at characters around in other stories. I will be reading the first book in the series (soon I hope) and am waiting for the third book to come out. I recommend this story highly.
April 20, 2016
Like, definitely better than the first one...
But I don't know... something about the author's style of writing or maybe the way she paces the story or maybe just the story itself...
It just makes me want to put the book down sometimes and start reading something else. I mean, I did get into it at times, but these moments still seeped through.
But I don't know... something about the author's style of writing or maybe the way she paces the story or maybe just the story itself...
It just makes me want to put the book down sometimes and start reading something else. I mean, I did get into it at times, but these moments still seeped through.
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