Improper Pleasures

Pleasures #1

by Cheryl Howe

Lady Astra Keane ruins herself a second time by seducing her late husband's younger American cousin when he arrives in England to inherit a title and the estate she loves. Discovering she has no funds to start a new life, Astra justifies her proposition to secretly become James's mistress as the only hope of providing a stable environment for her daughter. Her arrangement with James Keane allows Astra to remain the mistress of her home while she explores her long denied passions with a man she finds irresistibly attractive. Though warned not to fall in love with her paramour, Astra soon discovers she'll never make a proper mistress to James. Her heart has become involved but she refuses to give up the affair.

James Keane knows Astra is hiding secrets about her past, but he finds he can't resist her offer to become his mistress. He makes it clear that he'll be returning to America as soon as he turns around the bankrupt estate he's inherited. Though he has no reason to trust her, James doesn't believe Astra coud be involved with the string of accidents that have befallen him since his arrival. Rumors of the Keane Curse leads James to believe his misfortune has a human source, one that he intends to uncover. He only hopes his investigation doesn't reveal he has fallen in love with a woman who wants him dead.

A novel-length erotic historical romance.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Steamy, Ebooks

280 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 22, 2012

About the author

My name is Cheryl Howe and I’m a historical romance author trying to balance the demands of the writing life with everything else. I’m on a journey to heal my body, mind and spirit and be at my creative best. I live in Southern California with my husband, two dogs, a cat, a bird and a very British mother-in-law who lives down the street.

From the author's website.

Reviews

[Karen]

This erotic historical romance didn't quite click for me, but I liked it enough to keep reading. If I were rating it on proofreading, it'd be knocked down by a star, as it appears to have been proofread by a computer spellcheck program. There are many instances of words which are spelled correctly but aren't the right one for that situation. "Confident" is not the same as "confidante", nor is "viral" a proper substitute for "virile". Also see: eminent/imminent, moray/more, hardy/hearty, flare/flair, fair/fare, mute/moot.

[Joan]

Another HR with a stupid and I do mean stupid main female character. I tried to keep telling myself to remember the time period and how they were raised and really could be that stupid.
First she doesn't even know the staff members in her small household.
Second she tells everything to everybody.
Third she has the lowest self esteem and then she doesn't.
Fourth she contridicts herself all the time.
It was just a mess of characters that could have been a really great storyline.
I put this down in frustration a lot!

[Danielle Carpenter]

Astra is a widow with a daughter whose husband died. She has a lot of secrets to keep and is waiting for disposition of her inheritance. James is the new baron and Eastlan is in bad shape and needs money to make the property work again. James desires Astra from the moment he sees her. She wants him too, but can she risk an affair and keep all her secrets.

[Zoe]

Dramatic and steamy, the best combination for an excellent historical romance. The handsome American contrasts against stuffy English propriety perfectly. Fantastic chemistry and interesting sub-characters highlight imaginitive and talented writing. Loved it! X

[Karen]

Needed proof reading but a fairly good story.

[Rosa]

When I first started reading this, I didn't think that I would like it. But I did, it was a good story.

[Karen Darling]

I stop reading this book. The hero getting it on with the maid turned me off.

[Janejellyroll]

So many of the female MC's decisions and actions didn't make sense -- reading this made me want to throw my Kindle at the wall.