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Love's Portrait
When Julia Westgard commissions a nude portrait of herself, the painting is much more than a rebellious act. It’s an attempt to regain her self-worth after years of a loveless, repressive marriage to her late husband. But the private portrait puts her directly in the path of Morgan St. Claire, one of the Marlborough Set’s most notorious seducers. A man who doesn’t take no for an answer.From the first moment Morgan sees Julia’s portrait, he’s determined to have her. But the woman he meets is a far cry from the image on canvas. What starts out as a simple exercise in seduction quickly evolves into a quest to reveal the true Julia. With each sensual encounter, he employs every erotic weapon at his disposal in hopes of making Julia see she really is the woman in Love’s Portrait.
208 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2005
95 people are currently reading
842 people want to read
About the author
Monica Burns
52 books509 followersAn award-winning author of spicy historical and paranormal romance, Monica Burns penned her first short romance story at the age of nine when she selected the pseudonym she uses today.
Facebook Reader Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/Monic...
Her historical book awards include the 2011 RT BookReviews Reviewers Choice Award and the 2012 Gayle Wilson Heart of Excellence Award for Pleasure Me .
She is also the recipient of the prestigious paranormal romance award, the 2011 PRISM Best of the Best award for Assassin’s Heart .
From the days when she hid her stories from her sisters to her first completed full-length manuscript, she always believed in her dream despite rejections and setbacks. A workaholic wife and mother, Monica believes it’s possible for the good guy to win if they work hard enough.
Facebook Reader Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/Monic...
Her historical book awards include the 2011 RT BookReviews Reviewers Choice Award and the 2012 Gayle Wilson Heart of Excellence Award for Pleasure Me .
She is also the recipient of the prestigious paranormal romance award, the 2011 PRISM Best of the Best award for Assassin’s Heart .
From the days when she hid her stories from her sisters to her first completed full-length manuscript, she always believed in her dream despite rejections and setbacks. A workaholic wife and mother, Monica believes it’s possible for the good guy to win if they work hard enough.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
September 15, 2017
This was not a badly written book but the story was a bit lame and I found the characters lacked the depth and complexity that I have come to demand from my HR books.
January 21, 2012
I really enjoyed this story, considering it was so short it portrayed a lot of emotion and angst that appeared very realistic.
I highly recommend it! The only negative I have about this book is that the hero says "Christ Jesus!" an awful lot. Once I noticed it, it cropped up everywhere and it really annoyed me!
I highly recommend it! The only negative I have about this book is that the hero says "Christ Jesus!" an awful lot. Once I noticed it, it cropped up everywhere and it really annoyed me!
April 15, 2018
2.5 stars
It was decent, with some pretty steamy scenes, but some things just stopped me from fully enjoying it.
For one, they fell in love way too quickly, and I really didn't know why they fell in love most of the time. And then there was the whole sappiness... I don't know, maybe I just wasn't in the mood for "Oh, your loved saved me", "without your love I...", "I can't live without you", "you're like the air I breath".
Don't get me wrong, I love romances, and they're usually with those sentiments, but I don't know... here it was just too much. It made me snort and grimace at times.
Also, in this edition, the "too" and "to" was switched. It drove me crazy!
It was decent, with some pretty steamy scenes, but some things just stopped me from fully enjoying it.
For one, they fell in love way too quickly, and I really didn't know why they fell in love most of the time. And then there was the whole sappiness... I don't know, maybe I just wasn't in the mood for "Oh, your loved saved me", "without your love I...", "I can't live without you", "you're like the air I breath".
Don't get me wrong, I love romances, and they're usually with those sentiments, but I don't know... here it was just too much. It made me snort and grimace at times.
Also, in this edition, the "too" and "to" was switched. It drove me crazy!
May 8, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. It kept me interested until the end. Well written and I would recommend this book.
January 15, 2013
3.5 stars
Once again a book I picked up as a freebie has managed to completely surprise me. I have always loved myself an historical, and an historical erotic romance is all of my favourite things wrapped up in one big shiny bow. In fact if the editing wasn't so bad (this story isn't badly written just badly edited) this book probably would have made it to four stars.
Julia is trying to prove her independence after the death of a husband who controlled every part of her life. She is completely adamant that she will never marry again, that she will never be able to trust another man to give him that sort of power over her.
Morgan, after living through his cold family life has seen the destructive nature of marriage and wants nothing to do with it. He is so eager to shed any ideas of a home that he lives out of a hotel suite. He is a known rake, who is rumoured to leave his hankerchiefs behind for his ex-mistresses to dry their eyes on. However when he glimpses a naked portrait he is adamant to find and conqueror the woman in the portrait. However Julia is adamant that she cannot be the person in that portrait, that that carefree, seductive side of her is but a figment of the painter's imagination.
"I'm not going to give up on you Julia... I don't have a choice...Every part of me aches for you. You have no idea how much I want to be kissing every inch of you right now. Touching you until you cry out my name as you flow hot and sweet over my tongue."
Morgan is only driven by the need to rid himself of his uncontrollable lust, or so he thinks until Julia is in his bed and he realises that he never wants her to leave, that she may be the only woman he would ever truly want to marry. However Morgan faces an uphill battle trying to convince Julia to take a risk on him, that he can trust her and that he is nothing like her first husband.
"Life's a risk Julia, without it there's no reward. I want all of your love, not just a piece of it. You're my passion, and if I can't have all of you, then God help me, I'll find a way to live without you."
This was a beautiful story of two people trying to overcome their insecurities to take a chance on one another. It was a nice, easy read and I loved every minute of it. Did I mention the steam level? And Morgan's dirty talk? Really that's enough of a reason for you to pick this book up.
Once again a book I picked up as a freebie has managed to completely surprise me. I have always loved myself an historical, and an historical erotic romance is all of my favourite things wrapped up in one big shiny bow. In fact if the editing wasn't so bad (this story isn't badly written just badly edited) this book probably would have made it to four stars.
Julia is trying to prove her independence after the death of a husband who controlled every part of her life. She is completely adamant that she will never marry again, that she will never be able to trust another man to give him that sort of power over her.
Morgan, after living through his cold family life has seen the destructive nature of marriage and wants nothing to do with it. He is so eager to shed any ideas of a home that he lives out of a hotel suite. He is a known rake, who is rumoured to leave his hankerchiefs behind for his ex-mistresses to dry their eyes on. However when he glimpses a naked portrait he is adamant to find and conqueror the woman in the portrait. However Julia is adamant that she cannot be the person in that portrait, that that carefree, seductive side of her is but a figment of the painter's imagination.
"I'm not going to give up on you Julia... I don't have a choice...Every part of me aches for you. You have no idea how much I want to be kissing every inch of you right now. Touching you until you cry out my name as you flow hot and sweet over my tongue."
Morgan is only driven by the need to rid himself of his uncontrollable lust, or so he thinks until Julia is in his bed and he realises that he never wants her to leave, that she may be the only woman he would ever truly want to marry. However Morgan faces an uphill battle trying to convince Julia to take a risk on him, that he can trust her and that he is nothing like her first husband.
"Life's a risk Julia, without it there's no reward. I want all of your love, not just a piece of it. You're my passion, and if I can't have all of you, then God help me, I'll find a way to live without you."
This was a beautiful story of two people trying to overcome their insecurities to take a chance on one another. It was a nice, easy read and I loved every minute of it. Did I mention the steam level? And Morgan's dirty talk? Really that's enough of a reason for you to pick this book up.
July 1, 2014
Two years after the death of her abusive husband, Julia Westgard is ready for some reckless adventure to spice up her otherwise boring life so she posed for a portrait, in the nude. Though no one but her closest friends will ever view the painting, the thrill of doing something so naughty has left Julia needing to feel that same exhilaration. Julia devises a plan to steal a monogrammed handkerchief to sell at auction to help raise money for a local orphanage. She is sure the item would bring a tidy sum not only with the tale of adventure tied to it, but also because this particular handkerchief belongs to one of the city’s most notorious rakes, Morgan St. Claire.
Morgan St. Claire is a business man with a troubled childhood. After growing in a house devoid of love the last thing he would ever dream of having is a home, a wife and a family. His shipping business is his life and if he feels the need for sex, the occasional mistress will do. Purely by accident he sees the nude portrait of Julia Westgard in the artist’s studio and from that moment on, he can think of little else but getting that wanton woman in his bed. When she does walk into his life, his shipping office in fact, the woman she presents in person is nothing like the woman in the painting. Julia Westgard is proper, reserved, smart. Still, Morgan knows that passionate woman he saw in the painting is hiding somewhere inside of her. When he catches her in his bedroom and demands to know why she is stealing one of his handkerchiefs, instead of seducing her right then and there, he forces her to enter into a wager with him.
With every turn of the page, Monica Burns builds the sexual tension between these two characters. Love’s Portrait is a beautifully written historical love story full of life-changing passion, desire and sex. It’s a wonder either Julia or Morgan could ever catch their breath. The touching, teasing and seducing never seems to end whenever two lovers are together even for a few moments. When Julia finally comes to Morgan to fulfill her part of the wager, the lovemaking is more passionate than she had ever dreamed. In the beginning, both of these characters have their reasons why they refuse to commit to another, but as the desire and passion build, they soon understand that no matter what their individual reasons are, to live without the other will be almost impossible.
Morgan St. Claire is a business man with a troubled childhood. After growing in a house devoid of love the last thing he would ever dream of having is a home, a wife and a family. His shipping business is his life and if he feels the need for sex, the occasional mistress will do. Purely by accident he sees the nude portrait of Julia Westgard in the artist’s studio and from that moment on, he can think of little else but getting that wanton woman in his bed. When she does walk into his life, his shipping office in fact, the woman she presents in person is nothing like the woman in the painting. Julia Westgard is proper, reserved, smart. Still, Morgan knows that passionate woman he saw in the painting is hiding somewhere inside of her. When he catches her in his bedroom and demands to know why she is stealing one of his handkerchiefs, instead of seducing her right then and there, he forces her to enter into a wager with him.
With every turn of the page, Monica Burns builds the sexual tension between these two characters. Love’s Portrait is a beautifully written historical love story full of life-changing passion, desire and sex. It’s a wonder either Julia or Morgan could ever catch their breath. The touching, teasing and seducing never seems to end whenever two lovers are together even for a few moments. When Julia finally comes to Morgan to fulfill her part of the wager, the lovemaking is more passionate than she had ever dreamed. In the beginning, both of these characters have their reasons why they refuse to commit to another, but as the desire and passion build, they soon understand that no matter what their individual reasons are, to live without the other will be almost impossible.
October 13, 2011
Love's Portrait is a sexy and sweet story about a woman who doesn't want to lose herself to another man and a man who has finally realized that what he has been rejecting all along, is something that he truly wants.
Julia's late husband was a controlling and abusive man. When he died, Julia vowed to never be under a man's control again. In the spirit of doing something daring, Julia posed for a naked portrait. No one is to ever see it. It is for her eyes only, a way to remind her of the independence she wants to hold onto. Morgan St. Claire gets a peek at the painting and is instantly intrigued by the woman in the portrait. When he realizes that it is none other than Julia, Morgan wants Julia in his arms and in his bed. Morgan pursues her. Julia is afraid to give in to Morgan because he threatens the independence she sorely wants.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Love's Portrait. I loved Morgan and Julia's banter and interaction. The chemistry between them was believable and I liked how the romance between them progressed naturally. Julia's constant stubborness regarding her independence started to wear thin towards the end of the book but I liked how nicely everything came together.
This is the first book I've read by Monica Burns - even though I own all of her books. Gasp!- and I will definitely be getting off my arse and reading them ASAP! I also met Monica at AAD Philly and she is so nice and so freakin' hilarious! Just thought you should know.
B-/C+
Julia's late husband was a controlling and abusive man. When he died, Julia vowed to never be under a man's control again. In the spirit of doing something daring, Julia posed for a naked portrait. No one is to ever see it. It is for her eyes only, a way to remind her of the independence she wants to hold onto. Morgan St. Claire gets a peek at the painting and is instantly intrigued by the woman in the portrait. When he realizes that it is none other than Julia, Morgan wants Julia in his arms and in his bed. Morgan pursues her. Julia is afraid to give in to Morgan because he threatens the independence she sorely wants.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Love's Portrait. I loved Morgan and Julia's banter and interaction. The chemistry between them was believable and I liked how the romance between them progressed naturally. Julia's constant stubborness regarding her independence started to wear thin towards the end of the book but I liked how nicely everything came together.
This is the first book I've read by Monica Burns - even though I own all of her books. Gasp!- and I will definitely be getting off my arse and reading them ASAP! I also met Monica at AAD Philly and she is so nice and so freakin' hilarious! Just thought you should know.
B-/C+
June 11, 2014
Reading this book is my introduction to the writing of Monica Burns and I'm so thankful to the fellow reader who pointed me in her direction.
I have always loved historical romance, and Monica definitely knows how to add just the right amounts of heat and passion to her stories.
The passion and emotion shared by her main characters, Julia Westgard and Morgan St. Claire, can be felt as you read this story, and that's one of the qualities in writing that will keep me coming back for more ~ if I can feel and experience right along with the characters, I'm going to want to keep reading 'til I'm finished and Monica Burns definitely accomplished that with Love's Portrait.
She also knows just how to draw the reader in within the first few paragraphs and makes you want to know where the story is going to lead.
I look forward to experiencing more of Monica's great writing very soon!!
I have always loved historical romance, and Monica definitely knows how to add just the right amounts of heat and passion to her stories.
The passion and emotion shared by her main characters, Julia Westgard and Morgan St. Claire, can be felt as you read this story, and that's one of the qualities in writing that will keep me coming back for more ~ if I can feel and experience right along with the characters, I'm going to want to keep reading 'til I'm finished and Monica Burns definitely accomplished that with Love's Portrait.
She also knows just how to draw the reader in within the first few paragraphs and makes you want to know where the story is going to lead.
I look forward to experiencing more of Monica's great writing very soon!!
August 9, 2016
This is a story of Julia who lost her abusive husband and swore she would never marry. Morgan who was a womanizer who left his woman with a handkerchief after he broke up with them. Julia decided to steal one of his handkerchiefs and auction it off for the Little Angels orphanage.
I loved this story, it was well written and I didn't want to put it down. I wanted to find out what was happening next. You won't be disappointed in this story.
I have had the wonderful pleasure of meeting and having dinner with Monica Burns. She is a sweet woman and a great person that I call my friend.
I loved this story, it was well written and I didn't want to put it down. I wanted to find out what was happening next. You won't be disappointed in this story.
I have had the wonderful pleasure of meeting and having dinner with Monica Burns. She is a sweet woman and a great person that I call my friend.
April 23, 2012
Well, this was something I was totally not expecting. Lots of sex, really really steamy sex. So if you like that sort of thing, grab this!!!
I just picked this up coz I wanted to try something different, and it was at a good price for kindle on amazon. So yeah. I don't know if I'll read something like this again, maybe in a few years time, but not now.
I was kind of expecting it to be more mills-and-boon-ey, sooo not mills and boon. But yeah, take away the sex and the story line was good.=)
I just picked this up coz I wanted to try something different, and it was at a good price for kindle on amazon. So yeah. I don't know if I'll read something like this again, maybe in a few years time, but not now.
I was kind of expecting it to be more mills-and-boon-ey, sooo not mills and boon. But yeah, take away the sex and the story line was good.=)
August 27, 2012
I believe this book could've been better if it wasn't so predictable. I like the fact that Julia had to overcome everything that her bastard ex husband put her though and it made her an even stronger heroine because of it.
Morgan St. Claire was it for me. He was passionate, sweet, strong and persistent. He had to overcome his own hurdle do he can accept Julia and chase her like a dog with a bone.
All the Sweet Jesus's got to me and that's what made me give this book a 3 star instead of 4
Morgan St. Claire was it for me. He was passionate, sweet, strong and persistent. He had to overcome his own hurdle do he can accept Julia and chase her like a dog with a bone.
All the Sweet Jesus's got to me and that's what made me give this book a 3 star instead of 4
May 9, 2021
Free from her dead husband's cruelty, Julia revels in doing things he would not have approved of, like secretly posing nude for a portrait, and stealing a handkerchief from the notorious Morgan St. Claire. Unfortunately for her, he catches her in his bedroom, and he is already intrigued by the woman whose portrait he accidentally saw. Julia is determined to stay away from him, not wanting to become his latest conquest, but her own reaction to Morgan makes it difficult to stay away. Morgan is determined to find the sensual woman from the portrait inside the cool exterior.
This was quite enjoyable, although I did feel it dragged a little. I did get somewhat fed up with Julia's indecision and constant withdrawals. And, as usual for this author, the book is badly in need of being proofread, as there are far too many errors.
This was quite enjoyable, although I did feel it dragged a little. I did get somewhat fed up with Julia's indecision and constant withdrawals. And, as usual for this author, the book is badly in need of being proofread, as there are far too many errors.
June 4, 2021
Morgan and hulia
Exceptional characters and story. morgan was a rogue of the worst sort until he saw a number deeply picture of a woman's and realized it was julia westgard who is an investor in his shipping company. Julia was abused both physically and mentally by her former husband for years so she doesn't trust easily. But alas with an auction for one on Morgan's handkerchiefs the story begins. They come to love each other deeply and had their HEA . Would have like to seen an epilogue for a year or two later. But as readers we always want more. Hope to see more in the future from ms. burns. Would highly recommend.
Exceptional characters and story. morgan was a rogue of the worst sort until he saw a number deeply picture of a woman's and realized it was julia westgard who is an investor in his shipping company. Julia was abused both physically and mentally by her former husband for years so she doesn't trust easily. But alas with an auction for one on Morgan's handkerchiefs the story begins. They come to love each other deeply and had their HEA . Would have like to seen an epilogue for a year or two later. But as readers we always want more. Hope to see more in the future from ms. burns. Would highly recommend.
October 21, 2017
I enjoyed reading this book but the author could have done a better job at writing their past. Each character had a past that equated to why they were the way the presently were, yet I never got a good idea as to what exactly happened to them. I still enjoyed the story and liked the characters. I'd read this again, but I wouldn't put this in my permanent book shelf.
April 27, 2020
Loved this beautiful story!
As a fan of Monica Burns books I can’t get my fill of her books. This story of Julia and Morgan was so beautifully written. I confess this is my second time reading “Love’s Portrait.” Monica’s books are keepers to be read more than once. I have fallen in love with Morgan - he is wonderful!
As a fan of Monica Burns books I can’t get my fill of her books. This story of Julia and Morgan was so beautifully written. I confess this is my second time reading “Love’s Portrait.” Monica’s books are keepers to be read more than once. I have fallen in love with Morgan - he is wonderful!
May 28, 2018
I likes the book but it needed better editing. The hero’s eyes went from blue to brown back to blue. The sheets went from red to white. It’s hard to keep a mental picture of how things look when the author can’t keep it straight herself.
December 26, 2021
A beautiful story!
Lots of angst, indecision and falling in love with some heat.
Two very believable characters draw you into their story and hold you there, making this a very entertaining and enjoyable read.
Lots of angst, indecision and falling in love with some heat.
Two very believable characters draw you into their story and hold you there, making this a very entertaining and enjoyable read.
June 2, 2022
Whenever I read a story from Monica I always get lost in the romance and seduction.
Never under estimate the power of seduction , when a handsome rake puts his mind to have what he wants Julia won’t stand a chance .
Beautifully written as always from Monica .
Never under estimate the power of seduction , when a handsome rake puts his mind to have what he wants Julia won’t stand a chance .
Beautifully written as always from Monica .
April 10, 2025
April 2025
Not my cup of tea. Despite the plot and disregarding the erotica I intensely disliked the author s style of writing it was too pedantic and repetitive with too frequent retrospective repetition
Not my cup of tea. Despite the plot and disregarding the erotica I intensely disliked the author s style of writing it was too pedantic and repetitive with too frequent retrospective repetition
December 17, 2017
Very entertaining and very, very sexy.
June 15, 2018
Wow really good
I did not expect this book to be as hot as it was really great read would highly recommend it.
I did not expect this book to be as hot as it was really great read would highly recommend it.
November 20, 2019
Not my cup of tea
I was so bored, and the female character was, I thought, unlikable. Bored, bored, bored. I did finish it But I’ll never read one of her books again.
I was so bored, and the female character was, I thought, unlikable. Bored, bored, bored. I did finish it But I’ll never read one of her books again.
books-boxed-sets
April 26, 2020In boxed set - "Two Shades of Seduction Box Set (Love’s Revenge & Love’s Portrait)"
June 30, 2020
A book to read more than once
I loved this story you will not be disappointed you follow the the story of two people as they change how they think there lives should be
I loved this story you will not be disappointed you follow the the story of two people as they change how they think there lives should be
April 4, 2021
Trust, Love and Freedom
Morgan and Julia’s story is one of learning how to trust after being abused. Wonderfully sensual and shows love came cure all. A must read.
Morgan and Julia’s story is one of learning how to trust after being abused. Wonderfully sensual and shows love came cure all. A must read.
September 18, 2021
Loved it! Very steamy
October 26, 2023
Actual rating: 3.5/5 but rounded down to 3/5
February 17, 2016
Two years after the death of her abusive husband, Julia Westgard is ready for some reckless adventure to spice up her otherwise boring life so she posed for a portrait, in the nude. Though no one but her closest friends will ever view the painting, the thrill of doing something so naughty has left Julia needing to feel that same exhilaration. Julia devises a plan to steal a monogramed handkerchief to sell at auction to help raise money for a local orphanage. She is sure the item would bring a tidy sum not only with the tale of adventure tied to it, but also because this particular handkerchief belongs to one of the city’s most notorious rakes, Morgan St. Claire.
Morgan St. Claire is a business man with a troubled childhood. After growing in a house devoid of love the last thing he would ever dream of having is a home, a wife and a family. His shipping business is his life and if he feels the need for sex, the occasional mistress will do. Purely by accident he sees the nude portrait of Julia Westgard in the artist’s studio and from that moment on, he can think of little else but getting that wanton woman in his bed. When she does walk into his life, his shipping office in fact, the woman she presents in person is nothing like the woman in the painting. Julia Westgard is proper, reserved, smart. Still, Morgan knows that passionate woman he saw in the painting is hiding somewhere inside of her. When he catches her in his bedroom and demands to know why she is stealing one of his handkerchiefs, instead of seducing her right then and there, he forces her to enter into a wager with him.
With every turn of the page, Monica Burns builds the sexual tension between these two characters. Love’s Portrait is a beautifully written historical love story full of life-changing passion, desire and sex. It’s a wonder either Julia or Morgan could ever catch their breath. The touching, teasing and seducing never seems to end whenever two lovers are together even for a few moments. When Julia finally comes to Morgan to fulfill her part of the wager, the lovemaking is more passionate than she had ever dreamed. In the beginning, both of these characters have their reasons why they refuse to commit to another, but as the desire and passion build, they soon understand that no matter what their individual reasons are, to live without the other will be almost impossible.
Morgan St. Claire is a business man with a troubled childhood. After growing in a house devoid of love the last thing he would ever dream of having is a home, a wife and a family. His shipping business is his life and if he feels the need for sex, the occasional mistress will do. Purely by accident he sees the nude portrait of Julia Westgard in the artist’s studio and from that moment on, he can think of little else but getting that wanton woman in his bed. When she does walk into his life, his shipping office in fact, the woman she presents in person is nothing like the woman in the painting. Julia Westgard is proper, reserved, smart. Still, Morgan knows that passionate woman he saw in the painting is hiding somewhere inside of her. When he catches her in his bedroom and demands to know why she is stealing one of his handkerchiefs, instead of seducing her right then and there, he forces her to enter into a wager with him.
With every turn of the page, Monica Burns builds the sexual tension between these two characters. Love’s Portrait is a beautifully written historical love story full of life-changing passion, desire and sex. It’s a wonder either Julia or Morgan could ever catch their breath. The touching, teasing and seducing never seems to end whenever two lovers are together even for a few moments. When Julia finally comes to Morgan to fulfill her part of the wager, the lovemaking is more passionate than she had ever dreamed. In the beginning, both of these characters have their reasons why they refuse to commit to another, but as the desire and passion build, they soon understand that no matter what their individual reasons are, to live without the other will be almost impossible.
December 30, 2012
My First thought when I finished Love’s portrait was “well crap”. That was because I said I would not start a new book until after new years once I finished that one and well there is a bit of time left until New years. Pushing that aside..
Love’s Portrait introduces us to Julia and Morgan who are both strong and stubborn personalities. However they both have their pains and things that hold them back from the happiness they could both have. For Julia her now dead Husband Oscar forced her into submission and I do mean forced her into submission. Securing her to their marriage bed and rutting, as well as several other forms of abuse they left her scarred and afraid of the bondage of marriage.
For Morgan he grew up in an unhappy household. His parents did not love one another by the time he came along and they fought constantly. So his Father ignored him until he came of age to take over the family Company and his Mother resented him as he looked more and more like his Father. So all of this made Morgan also swear off marriage. However what happens when the unmovable object meets the unstoppable force?
A very hot and erotic romance novel is what you get. Monica Burns has created a very intense relationship and I fully enjoyed each moment. The erotic scenes were plentiful but not over the top and all of them very well written. I love the give and take of the dominance and submission between Julia and Morgan but also the way that their relationship grows. Both of them without seeking it find solace in one another and healing for the past harms. I love it! This whole wonderful relationship thanks to a painting and a handkerchief.
Love’s Portrait introduces us to Julia and Morgan who are both strong and stubborn personalities. However they both have their pains and things that hold them back from the happiness they could both have. For Julia her now dead Husband Oscar forced her into submission and I do mean forced her into submission. Securing her to their marriage bed and rutting, as well as several other forms of abuse they left her scarred and afraid of the bondage of marriage.
For Morgan he grew up in an unhappy household. His parents did not love one another by the time he came along and they fought constantly. So his Father ignored him until he came of age to take over the family Company and his Mother resented him as he looked more and more like his Father. So all of this made Morgan also swear off marriage. However what happens when the unmovable object meets the unstoppable force?
A very hot and erotic romance novel is what you get. Monica Burns has created a very intense relationship and I fully enjoyed each moment. The erotic scenes were plentiful but not over the top and all of them very well written. I love the give and take of the dominance and submission between Julia and Morgan but also the way that their relationship grows. Both of them without seeking it find solace in one another and healing for the past harms. I love it! This whole wonderful relationship thanks to a painting and a handkerchief.
October 1, 2019
I'll preface this review by saying that I simply couldn't finish this book. I was reduced to skimming the last third or so because I just couldn't take any more. This book is billed as a historical erotic romance. In my opinion, it's none of those three things.
Simply having the heroine wear a corset doesn't make a book historical. Anachronisms like the stereotypical red satin sheets on the man's bed -- Red satin sheets? Seriously? I laughed out loud -- made it seem like the story was a contemporary one tweaked to appeal to the historical romance audience. Any sense of place and time was undercut by these flaws. Having the man use truly crass, vulgar sexual terms when speaking to the woman doesn't make a book erotic. Not that I know a great deal about the history of the usage of those terms, but they seem quite contemporary as well. Just the fact that the "hero" spoke that way made me dislike him. And for romantic? Well, maybe it was, but I didn't care enough about the characters to concentrate hard enough to find that aspect at all.
In terms of writing technique, the book was incredibly repetitive. I get it!! The heroine had been sexually abused. The reader doesn't need to be told that over and over in the same words. (And I won't even say any more about the premise that a domineering man is just what a woman with that history needs.) The vocabulary was occasionally ridiculous, as if the author was searching the thesaurus for novel words and euphemisms. "Phallus." Nope, not a particularly erotic or romantic word, in my opinion. Finally, I read the free Kindle edition, which was full of typographical errors, which were also terribly distracting.
Simply having the heroine wear a corset doesn't make a book historical. Anachronisms like the stereotypical red satin sheets on the man's bed -- Red satin sheets? Seriously? I laughed out loud -- made it seem like the story was a contemporary one tweaked to appeal to the historical romance audience. Any sense of place and time was undercut by these flaws. Having the man use truly crass, vulgar sexual terms when speaking to the woman doesn't make a book erotic. Not that I know a great deal about the history of the usage of those terms, but they seem quite contemporary as well. Just the fact that the "hero" spoke that way made me dislike him. And for romantic? Well, maybe it was, but I didn't care enough about the characters to concentrate hard enough to find that aspect at all.
In terms of writing technique, the book was incredibly repetitive. I get it!! The heroine had been sexually abused. The reader doesn't need to be told that over and over in the same words. (And I won't even say any more about the premise that a domineering man is just what a woman with that history needs.) The vocabulary was occasionally ridiculous, as if the author was searching the thesaurus for novel words and euphemisms. "Phallus." Nope, not a particularly erotic or romantic word, in my opinion. Finally, I read the free Kindle edition, which was full of typographical errors, which were also terribly distracting.
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