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Lady Varney’s Risqué Business

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When a proper lady of the ton takes on a new client in her risqué matchmaking business, she discovers that he has one decadent demand. Spend the night with him!
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Lady Kitty Varney runs a discreet business to support herself and pay off her late husband's gambling debts. When Viscount Justin Belmont appears in her parlor, Kitty's latest client is the very man she was forbidden to marry years ago. Kitty questions if she can find Justin a woman worthy of him…and if she can bear to help him wed any other woman.

Then Justin lists his criteria for a wife and Kitty is shocked to learn she is among the few candidates suitable. He demands each candidate spend one night with him.

Can Kitty deny herself the chance to enjoy the charms of the man she's never forgotten? Lady Varney's risqué business might be her saving grace—but it may well become her undoing.

106 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 11, 2011

262 people are currently reading
214 people want to read

About the author

Cerise DeLand

118 books338 followers
I love to cook, hate to dust, live to travel and read and write! I've written #1 bestselling Regencies as well as contemporary romances starring SEALs that readers love! Come to my website, read my FREE books and buy my others! Then write to me. Love to hear from readers, especially those who dig my history, my sense of humor and my heroes.

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Community Reviews

5 stars
97 (32%)
4 stars
92 (31%)
3 stars
65 (22%)
2 stars
30 (10%)
1 star
11 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
Profile Image for Sonia N..
996 reviews65 followers
September 5, 2020
Second Chance Regency Romance

I enjoyed this book. Lady Katherine was married to an older, cruel man. Lord Justin have always loved each other.
I loved how this storyline played out. Lots of secrets revealed. A beautiful happily ever after ❤️
Profile Image for Brittany.
3,520 reviews27 followers
March 23, 2016
Maybe it was the edition I read but there were so many errors. There was not much story just sex. The ending was not great. I don't get why Justin turned into a jerk because she said no to marriage once. That was annoying because of those I am not rating this high.
Profile Image for Rainelle.
2,195 reviews123 followers
August 28, 2020
Lady Barney’s Risqué Business, by Cerise Deland is an awesome short hot and oh so steamy book to read. Justin character is written perfectly for Kitty. His magnetism towards Kitty will leave you the reader perspiring over the smoldering passion that Justin has for Kitty. This book focused on the romance between the two characters, which is good for this short read. Clearly the writer wants her reader to feel what the two characters feel for one another.
The book reads with simplicity that helps the reader stay focused with the story. Kitty and Justin are two lovebirds who fell in love, but life altering events has taken them down different paths. Years later the two meet and Justin has made the final decision that he must be with Kitty. Kitty is happy with her life. She has no desire to be married again.
She plays the perfect role for sophisticating society. Can Justin shake up Kitty’s perfect little life? I recommend this book book with two snaps and a twist. Until next time my fellow readers...read on!
1,383 reviews19 followers
August 13, 2020
Katherine and Justin meet again after Katherine becomes a widow. Having their love thwarted by her father years ago they lived different lives. This is a very short, very sweet romance. I loved every minute of it. Justin's adoration of Katherine is sweetly funny and I just loved his uncle. A perfect ending.
Profile Image for Riverina Romantics.
428 reviews28 followers
July 20, 2011
Lady Varney’s Risque Business is a sweet, yet gawd damn hot romance.

The author pulled me back in time with this historical read and the aspects I usually don’t enjoy about historical didn’t even exist in this book. There wasn’t any prim and proper sex – nope, they were shagging everywhere. In the house, in public places, you name it – they were hot to trot and I loved it.

It also fulfilled my sweetness requirements. Justin adored Kitty and although she felt the same towards him, circumstances kept them apart until they finally reached their happily ever after.

This story is well written and will touch you in all the right places. It’s the perfect short, erotic read for fans of historical romance and I will certainly be keeping my eye on this author – she rocks.
Profile Image for Dee Deacon Foster.
421 reviews20 followers
December 26, 2018
Left virtually penniless, how does a lady of the ton go about repaying her late husband’s debts? She sets up a matchmaking service, one that, while being discreet, had been highly successful, of course. However her latest client, the only man she’s ever loved and who has revenge on his mind, comes with very detailed requirements…and a shocking demand.
Can our heroine find our hero the perfect wife without losing her heart all over again? Will our hero have his revenge or will he lose his heart in the process?
I love this story of broken hearts and second chances by the talented Cerise DeLand. Her writing style brings the hurt, anger, regret, and most of all love, alive.
Profile Image for Lori D.
4,079 reviews130 followers
November 25, 2018
A regency romp that ignites the pages as two hearts unite after years apart. Lady Varney supported herself by being a matchmaker for men of the Ton looking for brides. A widow, she herself never wanted to marry again after her husband had treated her badly. But who should appear and require her services to find him a wife? Justin, her first and only love who had saved her long ago. How could she find someone for him when she still had feelings for him herself? Prepare to swoon and need a fan as these two take you on a journey to find true love!
Profile Image for Mrs Caroline Trevor.
443 reviews10 followers
January 30, 2019
Good

I found this a good book. Lady Varney has a matchmaking business but when her old flame arrives can she allow someone else to marry her one true love.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews132 followers
Want to read
August 6, 2020
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/6/2020)! 🎁
Profile Image for Sherry.
435 reviews1 follower
December 10, 2020
A Regency Romp is a suitable description for this book, because it is little else. I was intrigued by the plot line of a woman rescued from French hands and not allowed to marry her captor, then forced to marry another. Now she is widowed and has a match making business to the ton. There is little beyond that to the book. There is little character development and the history between these two is just briefly referred to. There are long steamy scenes in the middle of the book. There are also many inconsistencies to the time period such as the heroine getting waxed every month!
Profile Image for Leanne.
175 reviews9 followers
June 5, 2011
The story takes place in the year of 1818, Katherine runs a lucrative business of matchmaking members of the ton. She's doing it to pay off her deceased husband's debts. That man was horrible to her and now she is just doing the best she can for her son and herself. 10 years earlier, just before she was married she was saved from a French ship by a wonderful man. She fell in love with him but her father married her off to that nasty man who had all those debts. He wanted his daughter to have a title and riches.
One day the very man who saved her life comes to her home to ask for her services in finding him a wife.
There are a lot of twists and turns in this story, it kept me on my toes. I wanted to know what the conclusion would be. Would she get the man she'd always loved or not and how would they get to that point. I adored the characters and there were numerous very hot scenes. This book is certainly worth the read. It's risqué business regency style!
Be sure to check out this book because it's fun, sensual and a mystery of love!
It's a 5 STAR Deal my dears!
Profile Image for Sandra Masters.
Author 23 books23 followers
February 25, 2018
Too Hot Too Handle

I was prepared to fall in love with these characters, but nothing prepared me for the steamy romp. Justine made me tingle and crave that he and Kitty find their happily ever after. A hot read that bursts the thermometer! Seduction at its best. OMG!
Profile Image for Kanya.
65 reviews2 followers
May 23, 2012
A very sweet and sexy reunion romance. Loved it!
Profile Image for Debbie.
345 reviews
March 13, 2016
I liked the story line of lost love reclaimed. It was a short read and a lot of graphic sex.
Profile Image for Fanosse23.
655 reviews
January 16, 2021
Lady Kitty Varney was rescued by Justin Belmont 12 years ago and reunited with her father. Although, they had affection for each other her father marries her to another older man to settle his gambling debts. She had no love for her husband, as he was a cruel man and upon his death finds her late husband left her many gambling debts. To pay these debts off she runs a discreet matchmaking business.

When Viscount Justin Belmont comes to her for her services she finds herself torn between helping him in his search because she needs the money and facing the fact that she has never stopped loving this man.

This was a short delightful steamy sexy story about two people who loved each other and find each other again. I recommend this book but only if you like to read a lot of steamy sexy dialogue.
Profile Image for Reading-for-life (Angela Sanford).
252 reviews15 followers
June 6, 2019
A love worth fighting for!

Author Cerise DeLand has written another exciting page turner! Katherine Varney, a marriage broker, had to pay off her deceased husband's gambling debts. Little did she know that the one man she has always loved would be a client. Justin was Kitty's savior many years ago but was not allowed to marry her. He has never given his heart to another. In order for Kitty to find a wife for Justin she must agree to spending a night in his bed. Does Kitty yield to Justin's demands and agree to the rendezvous or will she keep her heart locked away? Will Justin finally get his hearts desire and marry Kitty or will certain demands be too much? I look forward to reading more of author Cerise DeLand's exciting works!
Profile Image for Jen L.
19 reviews1 follower
November 25, 2018
This short story is a great read for anyone that loves a steamy regency romp, but does not have a lot of time. The story itself is full of great detail and did not leave me feeling like I was missing something because of its length. Kat is a widow that has found a way to make a living. That is no easy feat in the regency period for a woman. Justin is just the man for her, but has a heck of a time getting her to realize that. They have history as well, making for an even more detailed back story. I absolutely love how the author brought it all together in the end, but you will have to read it for those answers! You will not be disappointed!!
1,635 reviews15 followers
March 18, 2021
I didn't realize it was going to be so erotic so be warned. Most of the story of the H/h being a couple happened 11 years ago. We are giving some glimpses into what her marriage was like to a much older man, but I felt I missed so much. They never felt like a couple to me. So the sex - A LOT of sex was just that, no passion. Heat level 5 out of 5.

The way the H acted at the end was very confusing. He has wanted her for 11 years and doesn't try to figure out why she is afraid to remarry - WHAT! He gets mad and ignores her, I thought that was out of character.

No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, no romance and bedroom door WIDE opened. (ljb)
24 reviews
June 10, 2019
Risk and romance are a perfect pairing in this enthralling Regency romp.

After being left near penniless by her late husband’s gambling debts, Lady Kitty Varney must come up with a way to support herself. A matchmaking business is the perfect solution. After much success, her newest client is about to give her the most trouble. Viscount Justin Belmont, a man she was forbidden from marrying years ago.

Can she find him the perfect bride? Will he see that his true love is this very woman, right before his very eyes?
Profile Image for Cindy C..
1,142 reviews13 followers
August 22, 2019
A Erotic Short Novella! A MUST READ

Be still my heart!! This was my first read by Cerise DeLand and what a hot and steamy love story! Kitty and Justin's characters have wonderful personalities and they become very endearing as the story progresses. LADY VARNEY'S RISQUÉ BUSINESS kept me interested right to the end and wanting more from this author. I could not wait for the story to unfold. The story runs with  intense emotions from lost love and grief to love and ecstasy. Remarkable emotions, and unforgettable characters. A must read!
Profile Image for Joyce.
1,801 reviews18 followers
July 12, 2021
A different Regency

Lady Varney is a widow who, years earlier, was captured by the French during the war and was rescued by an American clipper captain. When he asked for her hand, her father declined and married her off to Lord Varney, one of his cronies. I won’t go any further into the plot because of spoilers. It was definitely not a typical Regency. Thanks to the author and publisher for an e-galley for an honest review.
Profile Image for Tina.
322 reviews14 followers
January 4, 2018
I enjoyed the story overall. The only issues I had were her father stating that she was an only child briefly after she was talking about her sister. (Flashback, but her sister is only 10 years younger and she was 17 or 19 at the time).
The other one was the age of her son. It seemed to mention his age differently.
Otherwise, I loved her chemistry with Justin. They were so HOT!!
253 reviews1 follower
February 10, 2018
I enjoyed reading this book. Kitty is a very independent and strong woman. Justin is a loyal man who is confident that he know who and what he wants. And he wants Kitty. The passion they share is intense.
I would have liked to read more about how they first met on the ship. How Justin saved Kitty.
Profile Image for LOU71.
567 reviews
December 22, 2019
Lady Varney’s Risqué Business is a Regency Romp, an erotic novella. Set in 1818, Cavendish Square, London.

4- stars

Widowed Lady Kitty Varney runs a discreet, but risqué, matchmaking business to support herself and pay off her late husband’s debts.

Viscount Justin Belmont seeks a wife and turns to a matchmaking business for help, but not by accident. He is seeking out his first love.


553 reviews1 follower
September 22, 2020
Longing For Happiness Through Dreams

This book was so romantic. I loved it. To think that a man waited over eleven years for the woman he loved. That is a man worth keeping. I liked her sister Maggie because she always told her the truth about everything. This was an excellent book.
Profile Image for Mindy.
2,096 reviews4 followers
February 21, 2023
Very Very Good Story!

Would have loved to read more of this story. It was very good. I loved the characters and storyline so much. Just too short. Kit and Justin were quite the pair. He was a fiend when it came to Katherine. I was happy when he finally accepted her proposal. On to story #2. 💜💜💜💜💜
Profile Image for Charlene.
1,283 reviews40 followers
July 12, 2018
this is the first book I have read by this author and need to read more! A wonderful story abou Kitty and Justin. Hot and steamy love story with interesting storyline and complex characters. Really wonderful ending!
Profile Image for Danielle Carpenter.
1,825 reviews11 followers
November 2, 2019
This is a fun romp and I mean romp. The man she was forbidden to marry years ago arrives as a client for her matchmaking business. The only problem is he only want her. This romp is fun and leads to a happily ever after.
Profile Image for Sheryl.
110 reviews3 followers
August 24, 2020
A quick read

True to its name, this was a risqué little story. It was enjoyable, but not much depth to the story. I think I would have really liked a regular-length novel of this story.
1,101 reviews7 followers
September 5, 2020
Times change

They met ten years ago when he was an American sea Caption, and she had been taken by a French sea pirate. But he rescues her, but she’s nobility and he’s not so must go their ways. Ten years later everything is different! Very good read although somewhat steamy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews

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