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Dashing Widows #1
The Seduction of Lord Stone
For this reckless widow, love is the most dangerous game of all. Caroline, Lady Beaumont, arrives in London seeking excitement after ten dreary years of marriage and an even drearier year of mourning. That means conquering society, dancing like there’s no tomorrow, and taking a lover to provide passion without promises. Promises, in this dashing widow’s dictionary, equal prison. So what is an adventurous lady to do when she loses her heart to a notorious rake who, for the first time in his life, wants forever? Devilish Silas Nash, Viscount Stone is in love at last with a beautiful, headstrong widow bent on playing the field. Worse, she’s enlisted his help to set her up with his disreputable best friend. No red-blooded man takes such a challenge lying down, and Silas schemes to seduce his darling into his arms, warm, willing and besotted. But will his passionate plots come undone against a woman determined to act the mistress, but never the wife?
183 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2015
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1314 people want to read
About the author
Anna Campbell
91 books1,575 followersI've written 53 bestselling historical romances: 11 multi-award winning books for Hachette Grand Central Publishing and Avon HarperCollins, and more than 40 as an independently published author, These include my popular series The Sons of Sin (6 books), The Dashing Widows (7 books), The Lairds Most Likely (10 books), A Scandal in Mayfair (4 books), and Scoundrels of Mayfair (4 books). My new series, Cinderellas of Mayfair, launched with Sir Hugo Seeks a Wife in 2025.
When I'm not touring the world seeking inspiration for my passionate stories, I live on the beautiful east coast of Australia.
I've always been a voracious reader and I delve into many different genres, as you'll see if you check out my books list. Favorite authors include Dorothy Dunnett, Elly Griffiths, K.J. Charles, and Loretta Chase.
My website is http://www.annacampbell.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annacampbell...
Twitter: AnnaCampbellOz
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Anna-Campbell/...
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/anna-...
I love to hear from readers and you can contact me on AnnaCampbellOz@hotmail.com
When I'm not touring the world seeking inspiration for my passionate stories, I live on the beautiful east coast of Australia.
I've always been a voracious reader and I delve into many different genres, as you'll see if you check out my books list. Favorite authors include Dorothy Dunnett, Elly Griffiths, K.J. Charles, and Loretta Chase.
My website is http://www.annacampbell.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annacampbell...
Twitter: AnnaCampbellOz
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Anna-Campbell/...
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/anna-...
I love to hear from readers and you can contact me on AnnaCampbellOz@hotmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
April 3, 2019
In her search for a lover...the lover wants love.
I absolutely loved this story. The Seduction of Lord Stone is going on my favourite short stories shelf. It packed a punch. Everything I love about Recency historical romances was included. A scene at the ball, riding in Hyde Park, a picnic by the Thames, the women having tea and the men meeting in the study for serious talks. All of it put a smile on my face and left me content with my purchase.
In the beginning, we meet three women who were all in mourning for their late husbands. Two of the women had bad marriages and one lost the love of her life. Caro's husband died after a long illness, but her marriage was already a disaster before he fell sick. She moves to London after his death and can't wait to start living. Her first step in her quest is to find a lover. She doesn't want love, just a bed partner. Thinking it smart to get some advice on who to choose, she approaches her friend Silas, who's also the brother of one of the other widows. Caro has no idea she's about to throw a match to a bonfire. Silas doesn't take well to her questions.
The Seduction of Lord Stone was funny, sweet, naughty and nice. Even though it was short it was so well written I didn't feel ripped off. Everything that I need in my favourite romance was included...just in a little package. Can't wait to read more in this series.
I absolutely loved this story. The Seduction of Lord Stone is going on my favourite short stories shelf. It packed a punch. Everything I love about Recency historical romances was included. A scene at the ball, riding in Hyde Park, a picnic by the Thames, the women having tea and the men meeting in the study for serious talks. All of it put a smile on my face and left me content with my purchase.
In the beginning, we meet three women who were all in mourning for their late husbands. Two of the women had bad marriages and one lost the love of her life. Caro's husband died after a long illness, but her marriage was already a disaster before he fell sick. She moves to London after his death and can't wait to start living. Her first step in her quest is to find a lover. She doesn't want love, just a bed partner. Thinking it smart to get some advice on who to choose, she approaches her friend Silas, who's also the brother of one of the other widows. Caro has no idea she's about to throw a match to a bonfire. Silas doesn't take well to her questions.
The Seduction of Lord Stone was funny, sweet, naughty and nice. Even though it was short it was so well written I didn't feel ripped off. Everything that I need in my favourite romance was included...just in a little package. Can't wait to read more in this series.
April 23, 2016
I really did not like this book. I went into liking the idea...but then it all kind of went downhill for me after the prologue.
My first inclination that I wasn't going to enjoy this book was Silas, Lord Stone. At first, he seems innocuous...but he really didn't sit right with me. He straight up admits that he only befriended Caroline, formed a friendship with her and got her to smile, with the end goal of having her in his bed. I just...what the hell is this Nice Guy™ bullshit? Yes, this is how relationships sometimes work -- you see someone you find attractive and strike up a friendship with them. Fine, whatever. What annoyed me was that, when he heard that she was looking for a lover (and that it wasn't him), he kept thinking about all that he'd invested into their "friendship" over the past year, how he'd gotten her to smile and what not, and it just utterly revolted me.
I really don't like that he simply pursued a friendship with an eventual pay-off in mind.
He even differentiates himself from other "predatory males," which I found hilarious because that's exactly what he is. At least she knew what she'd be getting from the other males...she thought Silas was just a friend, being her friend's older brother and all.
I also felt the author tried to make Silas interesting but he wasn't. At all. She should've stuck to making him one thing instead of some male version of a Mary Sue. If he's a rake, she should've just kept him a rake. Instead, she also makes him a botanist because...wait, why? To give him a depth of character and make him seem smart? Anyway, so he's a scientist who travels and presents his findings, but he's also apparently a rake who discards lovers easily, always having someone available to replace them waiting in the wings. All of this stuff felt super forced to me. The author just wouldn't stop telling me that Silas is a total manwhore because he's been with many, many women. It's not that I wanted to see it, but just stop telling me, yeah? She should've just kept him a botanist and left out the rake stuff. It would've been a lot more believable.
Caroline also made no sense to me. One minute she's telling Silas she doesn't want him loving her because she refuses to tie herself to one man, and then when he nonchalantly asks her if she thinks HE wants forever, her thoughts immediately jump to how that's the problem, that she's the only one who wants forever. Wait...what??? But she just...and then she...what?? This doesn't make any sense!!
Here's an example of her dithering that irritated me to no end:
And then she...
But then...
...and...what???? What is this BS??
And she does this for a good three-fourths of the novella!
The other thing is, she has a huge chip on her shoulder because of her marriage. But you know what? That marriage she liked to complain about soooooooooooo much? It wasn't even that bad! Her husband's greatest failure was that he was too hard-working and loved her. She talks about having to tip-toe around his feelings, because he loves her and she doesn't feel the same, and felt suffocated by his feelings...and that's it. She's stuck with this man and he seems like a decent guy--she even says he was "kind and faithful and steadfast"--and he was young (West recalls knowing him when he was in school)...and all she does is sigh and moan about her life. And then he dies. And she still can't stop sighing and moaning about it afterwards.
Now that Freddie's passed, she's able to live as a rich widow, probably because he didn't spend any of that money he worked so hard making while working his estate, and she decides she's going to waste it all on London by throwing parties and attending events and having tea and taking a lover. That's all well and good, but I found it rather in bad taste that she sighs and moans about having to mourn her nice, decent, in-love-with-her late-husband, poor Freddie, for only ONE year...but she's all too happy to spend all the money he's left her! She thought her husband was stifling and hated where she lived, and since we don't see any of that, I can only assume she ran away from him emotionally as she does throughout this book.
All I felt by the end of the book was pity for poor Freddie. The man seemed to love Caroline and she couldn't even be bothered to make a decent go of a life with him (she notes that she "was an unloving wife and Freddie knew it"). I honestly can't imagine being in love with someone and having them spite not only being married to me, but also the moment I needed them most. She spites having to waste three years nursing Freddie when he falls ill.
She even notes that "she’d survived Freddie on willpower alone," as if he were an abusive spouse or something (which he isn't, because she says he was kind). The poor guy gets slandered left and right in this book, and all he did was make the mistake of loving her and being a decent, though boring, guy who fell ill and ended up dying young.
The only props I can give the author is that she had Silas remain celibate from the moment he developed an attraction to Caroline. Good job there! Also, she gets props for having Silas NOT run off to the first available woman when he thought she'd already given herself to West. Even with that, though, it's not enough to save this book from me disliking it.
My first inclination that I wasn't going to enjoy this book was Silas, Lord Stone. At first, he seems innocuous...but he really didn't sit right with me. He straight up admits that he only befriended Caroline, formed a friendship with her and got her to smile, with the end goal of having her in his bed. I just...what the hell is this Nice Guy™ bullshit? Yes, this is how relationships sometimes work -- you see someone you find attractive and strike up a friendship with them. Fine, whatever. What annoyed me was that, when he heard that she was looking for a lover (and that it wasn't him), he kept thinking about all that he'd invested into their "friendship" over the past year, how he'd gotten her to smile and what not, and it just utterly revolted me.
Damn it, he verged so close, yet he could still lose the prize. How far the rake had fallen that he’d counted gaining her trust as a victory. He’d built that trust step by step, through a hundred innocuous gatherings suitable for a new widow.
...
Tonight, like a fathead, he’d put all that dedicated hard work at risk.
I really don't like that he simply pursued a friendship with an eventual pay-off in mind.
He even differentiates himself from other "predatory males," which I found hilarious because that's exactly what he is. At least she knew what she'd be getting from the other males...she thought Silas was just a friend, being her friend's older brother and all.
I also felt the author tried to make Silas interesting but he wasn't. At all. She should've stuck to making him one thing instead of some male version of a Mary Sue. If he's a rake, she should've just kept him a rake. Instead, she also makes him a botanist because...wait, why? To give him a depth of character and make him seem smart? Anyway, so he's a scientist who travels and presents his findings, but he's also apparently a rake who discards lovers easily, always having someone available to replace them waiting in the wings. All of this stuff felt super forced to me. The author just wouldn't stop telling me that Silas is a total manwhore because he's been with many, many women. It's not that I wanted to see it, but just stop telling me, yeah? She should've just kept him a botanist and left out the rake stuff. It would've been a lot more believable.
Caroline also made no sense to me. One minute she's telling Silas she doesn't want him loving her because she refuses to tie herself to one man, and then when he nonchalantly asks her if she thinks HE wants forever, her thoughts immediately jump to how that's the problem, that she's the only one who wants forever. Wait...what??? But she just...and then she...what?? This doesn't make any sense!!
Here's an example of her dithering that irritated me to no end:
“Then take my word for it, I’ll never marry again.”
“That’s devilish interesting, especially as I haven’t asked you.”
And then she...
She flinched. Another humiliation to pile on this morning’s hundred other humiliations. “So when you say you love me, you mean the way you loved all those flighty widows and opera dancers?”
But then...
“I didn’t love them. You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved. And, yes, I may as well admit it, little good it will do me—you’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted to marry.”
No, no, no. She wouldn’t take responsibility for his happiness. She briefly shut her eyes to close out his burning sincerity. If she could close her ears to his declarations, she’d do that, too. “I don’t want you to love me,” she said desperately.
...and...what???? What is this BS??
And she does this for a good three-fourths of the novella!
The other thing is, she has a huge chip on her shoulder because of her marriage. But you know what? That marriage she liked to complain about soooooooooooo much? It wasn't even that bad! Her husband's greatest failure was that he was too hard-working and loved her. She talks about having to tip-toe around his feelings, because he loves her and she doesn't feel the same, and felt suffocated by his feelings...and that's it. She's stuck with this man and he seems like a decent guy--she even says he was "kind and faithful and steadfast"--and he was young (West recalls knowing him when he was in school)...and all she does is sigh and moan about her life. And then he dies. And she still can't stop sighing and moaning about it afterwards.
Now that Freddie's passed, she's able to live as a rich widow, probably because he didn't spend any of that money he worked so hard making while working his estate, and she decides she's going to waste it all on London by throwing parties and attending events and having tea and taking a lover. That's all well and good, but I found it rather in bad taste that she sighs and moans about having to mourn her nice, decent, in-love-with-her late-husband, poor Freddie, for only ONE year...but she's all too happy to spend all the money he's left her! She thought her husband was stifling and hated where she lived, and since we don't see any of that, I can only assume she ran away from him emotionally as she does throughout this book.
All I felt by the end of the book was pity for poor Freddie. The man seemed to love Caroline and she couldn't even be bothered to make a decent go of a life with him (she notes that she "was an unloving wife and Freddie knew it"). I honestly can't imagine being in love with someone and having them spite not only being married to me, but also the moment I needed them most. She spites having to waste three years nursing Freddie when he falls ill.
She even notes that "she’d survived Freddie on willpower alone," as if he were an abusive spouse or something (which he isn't, because she says he was kind). The poor guy gets slandered left and right in this book, and all he did was make the mistake of loving her and being a decent, though boring, guy who fell ill and ended up dying young.
The only props I can give the author is that she had Silas remain celibate from the moment he developed an attraction to Caroline. Good job there! Also, she gets props for having Silas NOT run off to the first available woman when he thought she'd already given herself to West. Even with that, though, it's not enough to save this book from me disliking it.
September 30, 2015
I know I'm in minority here, but for me this bookwas not worth more than 2 stars... I'm sorry...
Caroline's marriage was not terrible. Her husband was a man dedicated to his legacy who worked hard to maintain his family, who treated her fairly. I found her desire to do meanless things like enjoying the season, where absolutely nothing is accomplished, but endless gossip, dancing, drinking tea and such, was very selfish and without meaning.
I know that a little leisure is necessary in life, but she could have talked with her husband about spending some time doing idless things instead of stewing inside. He didn't seem to me like an unreasonable fellow. I'm sure he would have fulfill her desires if he only knew...
So what she does? She decides to bacome a loose woman and take a lover! Of all the stupid things!!! Couldn't she have find something worthwile to do? Some worthy cause?
And Silas? He's besotted! So absolutely in lust/love with her that he doesn't see that she's completly empty and without any aim besides worthless activities.
But they're perfect for each other: two empty and stupid beings!
Caroline's marriage was not terrible. Her husband was a man dedicated to his legacy who worked hard to maintain his family, who treated her fairly. I found her desire to do meanless things like enjoying the season, where absolutely nothing is accomplished, but endless gossip, dancing, drinking tea and such, was very selfish and without meaning.
I know that a little leisure is necessary in life, but she could have talked with her husband about spending some time doing idless things instead of stewing inside. He didn't seem to me like an unreasonable fellow. I'm sure he would have fulfill her desires if he only knew...
So what she does? She decides to bacome a loose woman and take a lover! Of all the stupid things!!! Couldn't she have find something worthwile to do? Some worthy cause?
And Silas? He's besotted! So absolutely in lust/love with her that he doesn't see that she's completly empty and without any aim besides worthless activities.
But they're perfect for each other: two empty and stupid beings!
March 13, 2016
“…why don’t we all leave our old, sad days behind? Why don’t we all become dashing widows?”
Anna Campbell’s charming, new The Dashing Widows series features three, young, widowed friends – Caroline, Lady Beaumont, Fenella, Lady Deerham and Helena, Countess of Crewe – who decide they need a little adventure in their lives and this is Caroline’s story.
“I feel like I’ve been locked away in the dark all my life. I’ve spent twenty-eight years waiting. I’ve never had a chance to laugh and dance and carry on romantic intrigues.”
Caroline’s life has always been controlled, first by her bully of a father and then by her dull-as-dishwater husband. I could understand her determination to enjoy life to the full and never surrender her independence again but I did find her single-minded stubbornness a little annoying at times.
Silas won me over from the start with his intelligence and charm, not to mention his sexiness! I like the fact that he fell in love with Caroline the first moment he saw her and totally relinquished his rakish ways. I do so love a hero who doggedly pursues the woman he loves even if, at times, the cause seems hopeless.
Silas needs every ounce of cunning and ingenuity to win Caroline and I love the lengths he goes to thwart her efforts to select a lover, particularly the scene where he uses a bit of creativity to disparage each of her choices of lover.
“What about Harry Hall?” She pointed to the slender man talking to Pascal.
“Doesn’t wash.”
She turned to frown at Silas in puzzlement. “I’ve danced with him. He smelled perfectly fine.”
“Well, when I say he doesn’t wash, he does have a scrub-down once a month. You must have timed your dance just right.”
Look out for the HOT love scene in Silas’s greenhouse when long suppressed passions bubble over and things get smashed!
I enjoyed watching Caroline coming to terms with her true feelings for Silas and I thought the ending fitted perfectly with the promise of a Happy Ever After.
MY VERDICT: THE SEDUCTION OF LORD STONE is romantic, emotional, sexy and funny. In fact, everything I have come to expect from Anna Campbell. I’m looking forward to reading the other Dashing Widows’ stories.
REVIEW RATING: 5/5 STARS
The Dashing Widows series so far (click on book covers for more details):
Winning Lord West coming in early 2016.
**My sincere thanks to Anna Campbell for sending me a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.**
This review is also posted on my Rakes and Rascals Blog:
https://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com...
Anna Campbell’s charming, new The Dashing Widows series features three, young, widowed friends – Caroline, Lady Beaumont, Fenella, Lady Deerham and Helena, Countess of Crewe – who decide they need a little adventure in their lives and this is Caroline’s story.
“I feel like I’ve been locked away in the dark all my life. I’ve spent twenty-eight years waiting. I’ve never had a chance to laugh and dance and carry on romantic intrigues.”
Caroline’s life has always been controlled, first by her bully of a father and then by her dull-as-dishwater husband. I could understand her determination to enjoy life to the full and never surrender her independence again but I did find her single-minded stubbornness a little annoying at times.
Silas won me over from the start with his intelligence and charm, not to mention his sexiness! I like the fact that he fell in love with Caroline the first moment he saw her and totally relinquished his rakish ways. I do so love a hero who doggedly pursues the woman he loves even if, at times, the cause seems hopeless.
Silas needs every ounce of cunning and ingenuity to win Caroline and I love the lengths he goes to thwart her efforts to select a lover, particularly the scene where he uses a bit of creativity to disparage each of her choices of lover.
“What about Harry Hall?” She pointed to the slender man talking to Pascal.
“Doesn’t wash.”
She turned to frown at Silas in puzzlement. “I’ve danced with him. He smelled perfectly fine.”
“Well, when I say he doesn’t wash, he does have a scrub-down once a month. You must have timed your dance just right.”
Look out for the HOT love scene in Silas’s greenhouse when long suppressed passions bubble over and things get smashed!
I enjoyed watching Caroline coming to terms with her true feelings for Silas and I thought the ending fitted perfectly with the promise of a Happy Ever After.
MY VERDICT: THE SEDUCTION OF LORD STONE is romantic, emotional, sexy and funny. In fact, everything I have come to expect from Anna Campbell. I’m looking forward to reading the other Dashing Widows’ stories.
REVIEW RATING: 5/5 STARS
The Dashing Widows series so far (click on book covers for more details):
Winning Lord West coming in early 2016.
**My sincere thanks to Anna Campbell for sending me a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.**
This review is also posted on my Rakes and Rascals Blog:
https://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com...
October 2, 2015
Originally posted on The Book Nympho
Caroline, LadyBeaumont, is emerging from her mourning period for her deceased husband. Their arranged marriage lacked passion and neither ever came to love each other so now she's ready to explore her sexual nature. Caroline shares her plans with her two friends, who are also widows, and her best friend, Silas Nash. Unbeknownst to her, Silas has just been laying in wait to make her his wife.
It was an interesting change to have a woman of this era eschew marriage and her suitor wanting more than sexual interludes. When Caroline decides to enlist Silas' help in seducing other men, the story gets hilarious as he tries to thwart her efforts. She's determined to never marry and he's just as determined to not have a relationship without commitment.
I enjoyed this story and the concept of a series about widows in this historical era. I like Caroline's friends and am looking forward to their stories. And, the length was just enough for me to engage in the characters, romance and storyline.
(I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review)
Caroline, LadyBeaumont, is emerging from her mourning period for her deceased husband. Their arranged marriage lacked passion and neither ever came to love each other so now she's ready to explore her sexual nature. Caroline shares her plans with her two friends, who are also widows, and her best friend, Silas Nash. Unbeknownst to her, Silas has just been laying in wait to make her his wife.
It was an interesting change to have a woman of this era eschew marriage and her suitor wanting more than sexual interludes. When Caroline decides to enlist Silas' help in seducing other men, the story gets hilarious as he tries to thwart her efforts. She's determined to never marry and he's just as determined to not have a relationship without commitment.
I enjoyed this story and the concept of a series about widows in this historical era. I like Caroline's friends and am looking forward to their stories. And, the length was just enough for me to engage in the characters, romance and storyline.
(I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review)
October 5, 2017
I am a huge fan of Anna Campbell and have really enjoyed several of the installments in her Dashing Widows series. I will admit I have been reading them all out of order and I decided it was high time I read the first in the series.
Unfortunately, this story was a bit of a disappointment. I strongly disliked Caroline Beaumont and thought she was a nincompoop. She couldn't think logical thoughts, had vindictive feelings for her closest friends, and couldn't make up her mind what she wanted. In a word: she dithered. I really cannot stand women who are given everything and don't know what to do with it. Caroline is in a state because she is wealthy, free, and has the love of a flawed but decent and gorgeous guy...oh what to do!? Such a terrible place she is in! *yes, sarcasm is heavy here*
Lord Stone isn't much better and develops a friendship with Caroline in the hope of eventually becoming her lover. Sometimes his thoughts veered into the creepy zone with how he pushed her to choose him when she clearly wasn't ready, but at the same time, I can imagine that unrequited love (she constantly talks to him about her potential lovers) would eventually cause you to lose your mind a bit.
Overall, their scene in the greenhouse was super sexy and steamy, but most of the romance was lacking. I liked seeing Caroline's friends, Fenella and Helena, before they married since I read their stories first and I found myself revisiting their stories after I finished this one because I liked how theirs ended so much better than this one. In fact, this story ends a bit on a cliff-hanger and isn't really resolved until the Dashing Widows #2 book (Fenella's story).
Since I've been reading other books in this series, this is my two cents. This story is good for fleshing out the characters in this series and laying groundwork for future books. Caroline and Lord Stone are not great leads and their romance is a disappointment. However, do not give up on this series if you've only read this one! I really enjoyed Fenella's and Helena's books and do recommend those for solid, short reads.
Unfortunately, this story was a bit of a disappointment. I strongly disliked Caroline Beaumont and thought she was a nincompoop. She couldn't think logical thoughts, had vindictive feelings for her closest friends, and couldn't make up her mind what she wanted. In a word: she dithered. I really cannot stand women who are given everything and don't know what to do with it. Caroline is in a state because she is wealthy, free, and has the love of a flawed but decent and gorgeous guy...oh what to do!? Such a terrible place she is in! *yes, sarcasm is heavy here*
Lord Stone isn't much better and develops a friendship with Caroline in the hope of eventually becoming her lover. Sometimes his thoughts veered into the creepy zone with how he pushed her to choose him when she clearly wasn't ready, but at the same time, I can imagine that unrequited love (she constantly talks to him about her potential lovers) would eventually cause you to lose your mind a bit.
Overall, their scene in the greenhouse was super sexy and steamy, but most of the romance was lacking. I liked seeing Caroline's friends, Fenella and Helena, before they married since I read their stories first and I found myself revisiting their stories after I finished this one because I liked how theirs ended so much better than this one. In fact, this story ends a bit on a cliff-hanger and isn't really resolved until the Dashing Widows #2 book (Fenella's story).
Since I've been reading other books in this series, this is my two cents. This story is good for fleshing out the characters in this series and laying groundwork for future books. Caroline and Lord Stone are not great leads and their romance is a disappointment. However, do not give up on this series if you've only read this one! I really enjoyed Fenella's and Helena's books and do recommend those for solid, short reads.
August 18, 2018
Once a few years ago (2007-2010 or so) Anna Campbell wrote HRs that left an impression on me. Some I enjoyed the themes of more than others, but all had some meat to them with complex, flawed characters, and her writing was among the best.
Lately, however, she's writing shells, competently written but rather bland little stories, only there to be filled up with sexual encounters between the H and h. This novella is a prime example of this. The characters are not unique, the plot prosaic, but the sex is good, if that's what you're looking for in an HR.
I personally have been reading romances so long I'm jaded about the sex scenes and it would take a double dose of female Viagra to get me titillated. I'm looking for relationship development and sexual tension in my HRs and Campbell used to supply this, but not lately.
This is a the first of a novella series about some young widows who, after coming out of their mourning period, just want to have fun, not get married. Ha! You know there'll be a marriage waiting at the end of each novella. In this one the young widow had been in an arranged marriage to a boring rustic farmer of a husband who died after a lengthy illness. Now, of course, she thinks marriage is stifling and confining and has no interest in shackling herself again.
But one of her fellow widows has a handsome dashing rake of a brother who's been in love (silently) with her, only behaving in a friendly manner so as not to scare her off. Unaware of his true feeling, she wants him to help her find an appropriate lover. Oh, help. Talk about overused plots.
If you want a slightly more interesting take on the same theme, try Candice Hern's Merry Widows series that began in the year 2006 with In the Thrill of the Night (The Merry Widows Book 1). If memory serves, I enjoyed it more.
Lately, however, she's writing shells, competently written but rather bland little stories, only there to be filled up with sexual encounters between the H and h. This novella is a prime example of this. The characters are not unique, the plot prosaic, but the sex is good, if that's what you're looking for in an HR.
I personally have been reading romances so long I'm jaded about the sex scenes and it would take a double dose of female Viagra to get me titillated. I'm looking for relationship development and sexual tension in my HRs and Campbell used to supply this, but not lately.
This is a the first of a novella series about some young widows who, after coming out of their mourning period, just want to have fun, not get married. Ha! You know there'll be a marriage waiting at the end of each novella. In this one the young widow had been in an arranged marriage to a boring rustic farmer of a husband who died after a lengthy illness. Now, of course, she thinks marriage is stifling and confining and has no interest in shackling herself again.
But one of her fellow widows has a handsome dashing rake of a brother who's been in love (silently) with her, only behaving in a friendly manner so as not to scare her off. Unaware of his true feeling, she wants him to help her find an appropriate lover. Oh, help. Talk about overused plots.
If you want a slightly more interesting take on the same theme, try Candice Hern's Merry Widows series that began in the year 2006 with In the Thrill of the Night (The Merry Widows Book 1). If memory serves, I enjoyed it more.
October 12, 2015
Weak -- that's the only word I could come up with to describe this novella.
The series will feature three ladies who decide to become "Dashing Widows" now that their period of mourning is over. Lots of time is spent setting up the threesome, including the two whose stories will come later. One of these two is the brother of Silas, Viscount Stone, who has been a good friend to Caroline during the past year. Secretly, he fell in love with her at first sight and has been patiently waiting to court her. Before he can do so, however, she announces her intention to kick up her heels and take a lover. There are a couple of funny scenes where Silas makes up ridiculous faults attached to the men Caroline is considering.
Silas is an okay hero -- handsome, dashing, rich, and a botanist. Caroline's iron-clad determination never to marry again, however, makes her rather unlikeable. Her marriage had not been horrible, and her late husband was not cruel, or abusive, or mean. He was simply boring. In the end, the depth of Caroline's antipathy toward marriage was just impossible to understand or sympathize with.
The next book features Caroline's never-to-be lover, Lord West, and Silas's sister. They've despised one another since childhood. Sounds interesting.
The series will feature three ladies who decide to become "Dashing Widows" now that their period of mourning is over. Lots of time is spent setting up the threesome, including the two whose stories will come later. One of these two is the brother of Silas, Viscount Stone, who has been a good friend to Caroline during the past year. Secretly, he fell in love with her at first sight and has been patiently waiting to court her. Before he can do so, however, she announces her intention to kick up her heels and take a lover. There are a couple of funny scenes where Silas makes up ridiculous faults attached to the men Caroline is considering.
Silas is an okay hero -- handsome, dashing, rich, and a botanist. Caroline's iron-clad determination never to marry again, however, makes her rather unlikeable. Her marriage had not been horrible, and her late husband was not cruel, or abusive, or mean. He was simply boring. In the end, the depth of Caroline's antipathy toward marriage was just impossible to understand or sympathize with.
The next book features Caroline's never-to-be lover, Lord West, and Silas's sister. They've despised one another since childhood. Sounds interesting.
September 12, 2015
Genre: Regency novella
Sensuality: did not get to that part
Too much tell, not enough show. Even for a short story.
I also found the heroine unlikable (kinda whiny and dumb) and the sequel baiting was annoying.
DNF @ 60%
Sensuality: did not get to that part
Too much tell, not enough show. Even for a short story.
I also found the heroine unlikable (kinda whiny and dumb) and the sequel baiting was annoying.
DNF @ 60%
September 27, 2015
Just OK..
Alrighty, then. This novella had the longest prologue I’ve ever read: 60 pages on my Kindle. It also had soooo much angst for only 141 pages. At 50% Silas (horrible name for a hero) finally told Caroline he loved her and even though she loves him she still tells him she’s going to be Lord West’s mistress. Seriously? I didn’t even know if I was going finish this, and that’s saying a lot for me not to want to read the last half of a novella. However, I did finish it and there was angst all the way to the last page. That’s a little much.
I did like the ladies, Helena and Fenella (another awful name) and I like Lord West, too.
BUT I just can’t read this author anymore. I did read Three Proposals and a Scandal a couple of month’s ago and wasn’t very impressed, since I only gave it 3 stars. But I also read Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed and I really liked that. So, 1 out of 3 is not very good. I have to be done with AC.
There was no sexual tension but there was a nice sex scene.
Alrighty, then. This novella had the longest prologue I’ve ever read: 60 pages on my Kindle. It also had soooo much angst for only 141 pages. At 50% Silas (horrible name for a hero) finally told Caroline he loved her and even though she loves him she still tells him she’s going to be Lord West’s mistress. Seriously? I didn’t even know if I was going finish this, and that’s saying a lot for me not to want to read the last half of a novella. However, I did finish it and there was angst all the way to the last page. That’s a little much.
I did like the ladies, Helena and Fenella (another awful name) and I like Lord West, too.
BUT I just can’t read this author anymore. I did read Three Proposals and a Scandal a couple of month’s ago and wasn’t very impressed, since I only gave it 3 stars. But I also read Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed and I really liked that. So, 1 out of 3 is not very good. I have to be done with AC.
There was no sexual tension but there was a nice sex scene.
July 5, 2021
This novella was just too slow for me.
September 13, 2015
It took me awhile to warm up to Carolyn, but I liked her in the end and understood where that fear was coming from. This was a nice prequel story to the next book and hope we get more of Silas and Carolyn, because in the end I thought they were a great couple. For sure a HFN ending and I hope it turns into a HEA.
May 4, 2019
This was . . . just okay.
It was free and served the purpose of giving me something light to read during lunch. I enjoyed the series premise and started out intrigued by the MC and her relationship with the LI, which was grounded in friendship and mutual respect, but it collapsed in on itself not long into the book. Silas could have been a good character, but he fell prey to the typical ruinous machismo, and I lost all interest in him. The dialogue started out decent, but it became increasingly repetitive and sloppy.
Because there was quite literally nothing going on with the plot outside of Caro and Silas trying to get their rocks off, I wasn't invested in their relationship. They didn't offend me or anything, it was just bland.
It was free and served the purpose of giving me something light to read during lunch. I enjoyed the series premise and started out intrigued by the MC and her relationship with the LI, which was grounded in friendship and mutual respect, but it collapsed in on itself not long into the book. Silas could have been a good character, but he fell prey to the typical ruinous machismo, and I lost all interest in him. The dialogue started out decent, but it became increasingly repetitive and sloppy.
Because there was quite literally nothing going on with the plot outside of Caro and Silas trying to get their rocks off, I wasn't invested in their relationship. They didn't offend me or anything, it was just bland.
December 17, 2015
Cute!
A historical romance that has a widow wanting adventure and to never marry again. And her friend's brother who wants to be her adventure...and husband.
A historical romance that has a widow wanting adventure and to never marry again. And her friend's brother who wants to be her adventure...and husband.
February 12, 2017
Love, it seemed, made beasts of men. How wise he'd been to avoid it all these years.Bottom Line. Enjoyable, quick read with a really lovely hero. I was excited about the series and the premise from the beginning (though I wish not every single heroine was unbelievably beautiful), and I can say that "Dashing Widows" definitely gets off to a good start with The Seduction of Lord Stone.
Basics. 3.5 stars — novella
Setting: London, England in Winter and Spring 1820
Heroine: Caroline "Caro," Lady Beaumont (28)
Hero: Silas Nash, Viscount Stone (31)
He curled one arm around Caro's slender waist and took her gloved hand in his, and his heart leaped with an excitement he hadn't felt since he was a stripling. It was humiliating. It was disturbing. It was unacceptable. And after this long enchantment, he acknowledged that it was inescapable.Summary. Silas has been in love with Caro since his sister (Helena, Caro's friend) first introduced them to each other a year ago. She was in her year of mourning though and skittish given her first marriage, so he kept his feelings hidden and they just became very close friends. Now Caro's year of mourning is complete and she's ready to join society and celebrate life—with her first move being finding a lover. When she shares this plan with Silas, he is of course not too psyched about it (he's not on her list of candidates). As she narrows down her selection to Lord West, his best friend, Silas is doing all he can to have Caro consider him in more than just a friendly manner, but not scare her off with the depth of his feelings.
Now for the record, Caro does find Silas attractive, but he's a playboy (though actually, he hasn't slept with anyone since they met, because he's in <3love<3) and she doesn't want to risk their friendship, which she values so deeply. When Caro mistakenly thinks that Silas is in love with someone else, she realizes how strong her feelings are for him. She is still extremely conflicted though, because her whole plan is to be free and enjoy herself, after having grown up in a very suppressed household and then basically languishing away in the countryside for 10 years with a husband she didn't really like all that much.
So now, we have an absolutely-in-love hero who doesn't want to come on too strong, but wants to draw the heroine in, and a realizes-all-of-sudden heroine who has feelings that she doesn't want to feel for a man she doesn't want to feel them for ... Read the story to find out what happens!
"Dashing widows don't have to marry. They've done their duty. Dashing widows have fun."Praise.
(1) The Dashing Widows: a great trio, all very different but equally engaging; really look forward to reading Fenella and Helena's stories
(2) Silas is a to-die-for hero; I'm always a sucker for a reformed rake and it's oh so lovely when the hero isn't the one dragging his feet, but is the one who is loud and proud about his love for the heroine
(3) Sizzling chemistry!!
(4) Plenty of funny scenes, several of which arise from Silas's jealousy
Criticism.
(1) There was quite a bit of angst and Things Left Unsaid, which of course is necessary for Silas given the plot, but was used quite a few other places as well. Though I will say that it was nicely counterbalanced by them being very open and honest at other times. Still annoying though lol.
(2) For the most part I really liked Caro, but there were a few times where she grated on my nerves a bit. It was a mix of things—sometimes she seemed a bit too self-centered, sometimes kind of petty, etc.
(3)
Excerpt.
"Is that why you won't have me? Because you think I want forever?"
No, she wouldn't have him because she feared she was the one who might want forever. And forever was freedom's opposite. She shook her head emphatically. "I'm not going to argue about this."
"You're a coward, Caro." He didn't shift to allow her access to the door. "I never realized that before."
—————————————————————
[Following excerpt includes love declaration]
March 24, 2021
I absolutely loved this! Anna Campbell writes beautifully and with wonderful wit. This is the story of a widow determined to have her independence and all the perks that come with it, while living in fear of another marriage. A bit of a conundrum when she finds herself in love with and being pursued by her friend’s brother. I just wanted her to surrender to Stone who's ever so charming, but he's got his work cut out for him, poor man ;) A delightful read!
Want to read
May 26, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/26/2019)! 🎁
March 14, 2021
A group of widows decided they deserved a season where they take lovers. They are in London for the social whirl when the h asks her male friend to help her find a suitable man. She's shocked at his reaction, and horrified when she realises he's in love with her. The plot sounded good but for me it was an uncomfortable story about sad and lonely women searching for happy moments. I didn't care for it.
September 27, 2015
“…why don’t we all leave our old, sad days behind? Why don’t we all become dashing widows?”
.. And thus begins a power-packed tale with all the right amounts of hilarity, passion and delicious angst-filled moments. The Seduction of Lord Stone is reminiscent of another fondly remembered story In the Thrill of the Night - a widow wanting a second chance at life on her own terms, a treasured male confidante, the disaster that brews from this game of intrigue and thwarted love. And Anna Campbell delivers with such style!
Silas won me over with his gentleness and intelligence and his very real struggle with being a 'supportive' best friend or giving in to his own wants. His earliest attempts at throwing Caroline's schemes off track are pure comedy gold!
“What about Harry Hall?” She pointed to the slender man talking to Pascal.
“Doesn’t wash.”
She turned to frown at Silas in puzzlement. “I’ve danced with him. He smelled perfectly fine.”
“Well, when I say he doesn’t wash, he does have a scrub-down once a month. You must have timed your dance just right.”
But instead of being played her like a fiddle, she gives back in equal measure- till Silas gets mired deeper in a disaster of his own making.
Silas shrugged and strove to look reliable. “I’m only telling you what I know. You were the one who asked me to snitch on my friends. You ought to be grateful that I’m breaking the gentlemen’s code for your sake.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry.” A ruminative expression entered her eyes. “From what you’ve said, West sounds the best of the lot.”
Bloody hell.
Instead of making Caroline the typically innocent and oblivious heroine, I loved how incredibly self-aware she was. Her reasons for not being with Silas were very valid for a woman of her times.
The levity doesn't last long though, as both Caroline and Silas have to face the consequences of their decisions. And this is where the book comes to its own. Ms. Campbell skillfully weaves her words till I could literally feel the heavy, oppressive weight of their unspoken words, the quagmire of misunderstandings and the aching poignancy that their farewell takes on. Thus, both Silas and Caroline have to take responsibility for themselves, with the realization that the road to happiness is one that is long-fought and hard-won.
I totally adored this angsty, impassioned first book of a series. Waiting with fingers crossed for Helena's and Fenella's stories now!
.. And thus begins a power-packed tale with all the right amounts of hilarity, passion and delicious angst-filled moments. The Seduction of Lord Stone is reminiscent of another fondly remembered story In the Thrill of the Night - a widow wanting a second chance at life on her own terms, a treasured male confidante, the disaster that brews from this game of intrigue and thwarted love. And Anna Campbell delivers with such style!
Silas won me over with his gentleness and intelligence and his very real struggle with being a 'supportive' best friend or giving in to his own wants. His earliest attempts at throwing Caroline's schemes off track are pure comedy gold!
“What about Harry Hall?” She pointed to the slender man talking to Pascal.
“Doesn’t wash.”
She turned to frown at Silas in puzzlement. “I’ve danced with him. He smelled perfectly fine.”
“Well, when I say he doesn’t wash, he does have a scrub-down once a month. You must have timed your dance just right.”
But instead of being played her like a fiddle, she gives back in equal measure- till Silas gets mired deeper in a disaster of his own making.
Silas shrugged and strove to look reliable. “I’m only telling you what I know. You were the one who asked me to snitch on my friends. You ought to be grateful that I’m breaking the gentlemen’s code for your sake.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry.” A ruminative expression entered her eyes. “From what you’ve said, West sounds the best of the lot.”
Bloody hell.
Instead of making Caroline the typically innocent and oblivious heroine, I loved how incredibly self-aware she was. Her reasons for not being with Silas were very valid for a woman of her times.
The levity doesn't last long though, as both Caroline and Silas have to face the consequences of their decisions. And this is where the book comes to its own. Ms. Campbell skillfully weaves her words till I could literally feel the heavy, oppressive weight of their unspoken words, the quagmire of misunderstandings and the aching poignancy that their farewell takes on. Thus, both Silas and Caroline have to take responsibility for themselves, with the realization that the road to happiness is one that is long-fought and hard-won.
I totally adored this angsty, impassioned first book of a series. Waiting with fingers crossed for Helena's and Fenella's stories now!
October 25, 2015
Anna Campbell introduces the Dashing Widows; Lady Caroline Beaumont, Lady Fenella Deerham and Helena, Countess of Crewe in her new novella The Seduction of Lord Stone. The friends make plans to have fun, drink champagne and flirt with handsome men when their mourning period ends. They want to be dashing widows, not secluded woman. Caroline is looking forward to her new life. She has no plans to remarry, in fact she is planning on having an affair.
The Seduction of Lord Stone is a fabulous friends to lovers story. Loved Caroline and her hero Lord Stone, Silas Nash. Silas is Helena's brother and he has been waiting for Caroline to finish mourning her husband. He is in love with her. There is one slight problem, Silas is Caroline's trusted friend. She doesn't see him as a lover.
Anna Campbell is known for her well crafted characters and intricately woven story lines. I loved that Caroline asks Silas for advice in choosing her lover. The banter between Caroline and Silas is fabulous and laugh out loud funny especially when she asks Silas detailed questions about each one of his friends. I felt so bad for Silas! His replies to Caroline's questions were hilarious!! Silas wasn't going to let Caroline become involved with any of his friends!! Caroline considered all of Silas' friends as potential lovers and never thought of him! I enjoyed that the author chose to have Silas go to great lengths to convince Caroline that he loved her as it made the reader root for their romance to happen
Anna Campbell is one of my favorite authors because her stories are filled with lots of humor and romance. I read this novella in one day. I was invested in the couple's story, loved their back and forth banter and enjoyed how their romance evolved. It's a perfect read for a cozy fall evening. I am looking forward to the next novel in the series!
The Seduction of Lord Stone is a fabulous friends to lovers story. Loved Caroline and her hero Lord Stone, Silas Nash. Silas is Helena's brother and he has been waiting for Caroline to finish mourning her husband. He is in love with her. There is one slight problem, Silas is Caroline's trusted friend. She doesn't see him as a lover.
Anna Campbell is known for her well crafted characters and intricately woven story lines. I loved that Caroline asks Silas for advice in choosing her lover. The banter between Caroline and Silas is fabulous and laugh out loud funny especially when she asks Silas detailed questions about each one of his friends. I felt so bad for Silas! His replies to Caroline's questions were hilarious!! Silas wasn't going to let Caroline become involved with any of his friends!! Caroline considered all of Silas' friends as potential lovers and never thought of him! I enjoyed that the author chose to have Silas go to great lengths to convince Caroline that he loved her as it made the reader root for their romance to happen
Anna Campbell is one of my favorite authors because her stories are filled with lots of humor and romance. I read this novella in one day. I was invested in the couple's story, loved their back and forth banter and enjoyed how their romance evolved. It's a perfect read for a cozy fall evening. I am looking forward to the next novel in the series!
September 5, 2015
Absolutely adored this book. Loved it to bits!
July 24, 2017
The Seduction of Lord Stone is the first in The Dashing Widows series.
This lovely short novella was great fun and plenty of giggles throughout the pages.
A gorgeous start to the series and looking forward to book two.
This lovely short novella was great fun and plenty of giggles throughout the pages.
A gorgeous start to the series and looking forward to book two.
September 8, 2019
Decent enough to tempt my regency-romance-starved-brain into reading more of this series.
November 9, 2019
The Seduction Of Lord Stone is book one of the Dashing Widows historical romance series. This book is a novella.
After a year of mourning, Caroline Beaumont is desperate to have some fun. She believes that an affair is the answer, but who can she pick?
A quick read, this ticked all the boxes for this genre.
After a year of mourning, Caroline Beaumont is desperate to have some fun. She believes that an affair is the answer, but who can she pick?
A quick read, this ticked all the boxes for this genre.
May 23, 2023
I hoped for so much more. What I got instead:
* a widowed heroine who wants to take a lover, but doesn't really have the guts for it
*a hero who has been in love with the widow for the past year
* and no info on how they got to know one another, what draws them together...
* a widowed heroine who wants to take a lover, but doesn't really have the guts for it
*a hero who has been in love with the widow for the past year
* and no info on how they got to know one another, what draws them together...
February 16, 2016
I wasn't particularly fond of Anna Campbell's story in A Grosvenor Square Christmas, but she managed to win me over with The Seduction of Lord Stone. It begins with three widows having tea as their year of mourning comes to a close (for two of them, anyway). Finally, society is easing its prescriptions over their activities and it's time to enjoy their freedom. Caroline, in particular, is determined to make the most of it.
In light of this introduction, I was disappointed not to see more of the friendship between the widows. There were a few moments between Caroline and Helen. However, these seemed to occur mostly because Helen was also Silas' sister and had motives of her own rather than out of genuine friendship. Fenella seemed to exist merely to provide a brief impediment to the relationship between Caroline and Silas. I found this a great shame, since Fenella and Caroline had such opposite attitudes to marriage; Fenella could have provided an interesting perspective for Caroline, had they spent any time talking together outside of the prologue.
The lack of female friendship meant that the focus was firmly on the romantic relationship between Caroline and Silas. Perhaps this was for the best, as it meant the pacing of this relatively short book stayed brisk. Caroline and Silas were enough to keep my attention on their own. The tension between them sizzled; I was surprised my Kindle didn't combust! I liked that the dynamic between them was a little unusual, with the female protagonist looking to play the field while the rake was looking for something a bit more permanent.
For such a passionate person, Caroline was ruled by her head a lot more than I would have expected. She has very definite ideas about the way things need to be and is determined to stick to that, even if it means she ends up getting in her own way a lot. I found that quite realistic. Silas is a bit more flexible in his thinking, but still very clear on what he wants. At first, I found the ending somewhat unsatisfying, but the more I think about it the more I appreciate it.
Overall, I found The Seduction of Lord Stone a quick an enjoyable read. The foreshadowing of Helen's story has me looking forward to the next book in the series.
This review first appeared on Earl Grey Editing.
In light of this introduction, I was disappointed not to see more of the friendship between the widows. There were a few moments between Caroline and Helen. However, these seemed to occur mostly because Helen was also Silas' sister and had motives of her own rather than out of genuine friendship. Fenella seemed to exist merely to provide a brief impediment to the relationship between Caroline and Silas. I found this a great shame, since Fenella and Caroline had such opposite attitudes to marriage; Fenella could have provided an interesting perspective for Caroline, had they spent any time talking together outside of the prologue.
The lack of female friendship meant that the focus was firmly on the romantic relationship between Caroline and Silas. Perhaps this was for the best, as it meant the pacing of this relatively short book stayed brisk. Caroline and Silas were enough to keep my attention on their own. The tension between them sizzled; I was surprised my Kindle didn't combust! I liked that the dynamic between them was a little unusual, with the female protagonist looking to play the field while the rake was looking for something a bit more permanent.
For such a passionate person, Caroline was ruled by her head a lot more than I would have expected. She has very definite ideas about the way things need to be and is determined to stick to that, even if it means she ends up getting in her own way a lot. I found that quite realistic. Silas is a bit more flexible in his thinking, but still very clear on what he wants. At first, I found the ending somewhat unsatisfying, but the more I think about it the more I appreciate it.
Overall, I found The Seduction of Lord Stone a quick an enjoyable read. The foreshadowing of Helen's story has me looking forward to the next book in the series.
This review first appeared on Earl Grey Editing.
September 15, 2015
As reviewed at Roses Are Blue: http://wp.me/p3QRh4-e1
Caroline Beaumont is almost at the end of her mourning period. After a childhood with a tyrannical father, then a ten year boring marriage with a man she didn't love, Caroline is itching to have some fun and live. She is determined to never be under any man's control again, and decides she will never remarry. Her two friends, Helena and Fenella, are also recent widows. They decide to call themselves the Dashing Widows, and are determined to take London by storm.
Helena has a brother, Silas Nash, Viscount Stone, who has been a great support and friend to Caroline during her mourning period. Little does Caroline know that this former rake fell head over heels in love with her almost immediately, and is only biding his time until she's back in circulation. For the first time, Silas wants marriage and forever, the exact opposite of what Caroline is seeking. To make matters worse, she seeks his advice in choosing her first lover, and favors one of his best friends.
As Silas begins his campaign to win Caroline, you are bound to smile, if not laugh out loud, at some of the defects he manufactures for her potential lovers. Though things eventually heat up between this couple, Caroline is determined not to fall in love or become caged again. Soon her stubbornness has any chance of a happy ever after looking very slim indeed.
My heart began to break for poor Silas, as it looked like Caroline would never give in. Once he fell, he left his rakish ways behind and only wanted one woman. I found myself wanting to urge Caroline to open her eyes and see that the love being offered to her didn't come with a cage, only a chance for an exciting and passion filled future.
THE SEDUCTION OF LORD STONE packed a lot of love, humor, and great reading into a short novella. This is a lovely start to the Dashing Widows series, and I highly recommend it, and am eagerly looking forward to the next installment from Anna Campbell.
Caroline Beaumont is almost at the end of her mourning period. After a childhood with a tyrannical father, then a ten year boring marriage with a man she didn't love, Caroline is itching to have some fun and live. She is determined to never be under any man's control again, and decides she will never remarry. Her two friends, Helena and Fenella, are also recent widows. They decide to call themselves the Dashing Widows, and are determined to take London by storm.
Helena has a brother, Silas Nash, Viscount Stone, who has been a great support and friend to Caroline during her mourning period. Little does Caroline know that this former rake fell head over heels in love with her almost immediately, and is only biding his time until she's back in circulation. For the first time, Silas wants marriage and forever, the exact opposite of what Caroline is seeking. To make matters worse, she seeks his advice in choosing her first lover, and favors one of his best friends.
As Silas begins his campaign to win Caroline, you are bound to smile, if not laugh out loud, at some of the defects he manufactures for her potential lovers. Though things eventually heat up between this couple, Caroline is determined not to fall in love or become caged again. Soon her stubbornness has any chance of a happy ever after looking very slim indeed.
My heart began to break for poor Silas, as it looked like Caroline would never give in. Once he fell, he left his rakish ways behind and only wanted one woman. I found myself wanting to urge Caroline to open her eyes and see that the love being offered to her didn't come with a cage, only a chance for an exciting and passion filled future.
THE SEDUCTION OF LORD STONE packed a lot of love, humor, and great reading into a short novella. This is a lovely start to the Dashing Widows series, and I highly recommend it, and am eagerly looking forward to the next installment from Anna Campbell.
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