It is New Orleans, 1850. Blanche Paradis, a free woman of color, has carved out a good life, including a job she enjoys, and a man she loves, gambler Bart Donovan. One small blemish mars her happiness: the obsessive interest of a mysterious aristocrat, Lucien St.Clair.
In a moment of weakness, Blanche falls into Lucien’s bed, sealing her fate and that of her lover. For Lucien is much more than he seems, and his lust for the beautiful Blanche knows no bounds.
The late Paige Bennett, Mistress of Titillation, was the pseudonym of a popular Canadian romance author. When not writing her usual fare, or dabbling in writing erotica, she could be found watching movies, playing piano, or reading other writers’ efforts. She resided in Southern Ontario.
Fearing the shock her smoking hot erotica would be to the constitution of her beloved elderly mother, she preferred to keep her real identity under wraps…kind of like a superhero, but not.
I admit that there is something a bit twisted about me and my idea of romance. Dark erotica, forced seduction, ravishment fantasies - I love them all. I suppose that is why Obsession by Paige Bennett appealed to me so much.
Obsession tells the story of a messy love triangle between the beautiful Blanche Paradis, a free woman of color, her lover Bart and a mysterious aristocrat by the name of Lucien. Lucien is seriously obsessed with Blanche. I'm talking about full-on busting up in the dressing room, snatching her up and bending her over while declaring "Mine!" obsessed. When Bart goes away, Blanche gets restless and recklessly plays with Lucien's body and already disturbed mind. It was one night that cost Bart his life and Blanche an eternity of pain. I emphasize eternity because Lucien is immortal. By the time Bart and Blanche come to this realization, it's far too late.
So this is where this review might get weird for some because - well, I loooved Lucien! Sure he was bat-ish crazy in his obsession with Blanche but I just found that whole "Mine!" thing so hot! He was a man in total control of himself - as evidenced by his confrontation with Bart - except when it came to Blanche. Then he just lost it! He had to have her and nothing and no one was going to stand in his way! Not even the woman herself! I found it all rather romantic.
I loved that Blanche was a woman of color because I find that when it comes to historical romances or tales of erotica - the genre is sorely lacking in its fair share of heroines of color. Although it might be conveyed by some as a tad sluttish, I give Blanche kudos for scratching her itch with the dangerously seductive Lucien St. Claire. A woman who knows what she wants in the bedroom - if only for a night - and goes after it is my kinda gal. I'm not condoning her infidelity because in the end it cost her the love of her life so there were very dire consequences for the choice she made. I'm just saying if I were in her stilettos, I might have made the same choice.
Don't judge me.
There is no HEA to be found here. For anyone. That kind of put a damper on the story for me. But I suppose there is a moral to be found in this short yet very satisfying read: For Every Decision Made - There Is A Consequence To Be Paid. (Originally Reviewed for Blackraven's Reviews)
REALLY?!!! This was a TOTAL waste of an hour out of my night. I can count on my hands the amount of times I’ve left reviews but this one was warranted. It read like an adult version of a story from my 8 year old. “And then he died. The End”. REALLY GIRL!!
It was not love…it was lust…fueled by too much champagne.
Obsession is a fitting title that expresses obsession from two characters in the book. One is a vampire tale of passion. The second is a tale of a lovers revenge. Lucien St. Clair, a mysterious blue eyed, blond mane of thick hair, lacked feelings of stimulation and sensation for over 300 years, that is until songstress Blanche Paradis becomes the object of his desire. Blanche refuses Lucien’s advances being that she is committed to her involvement with Bart Donovan. One night this commitment is tested. Bart is away on business and isn’t able to attend Blanche’s performance, but her admirer Lucien is there and feeling confident that tonight will be the night that Blanche will choose him.
While on stage in song Blanche finds herself caught in Lucien’s avid gaze and feels her heated desires rise. Something about Lucien’s persistence and obvious desire flatters and arouse Blanche’s curiosity. The events that night leave Blanche satisfied but full of guilt and shame. When Bart returns she begs for his forgiveness after she confesses to him her discretion. As with all love triangles they can get complicated and when dealing with a vampire someone is likely to get bit. Lucien isn’t one to give up and makes Blanche “like him” in hopes that she will come to him willingly. This obsession that Lucien has for his Cherie (Blanche) fuels and starts the obsession for Blanche to seek solace in the vengeance she has for Lucien.
I am not sure if the author is playing a cruel joke, but I found myself cheering for Lucien to win Blanche’s heart over. I felt the passion and the attraction and was pushing Blanche on to do the same. I feel in love with Lucien’s distinctive qualities and his swag. The passion between the two was so real and so much more than what she shared with Bart. What really made me enjoy this novella is the 1850 setting in New Orleans, the strong attraction and desire that Lucien has for Blanche but he wasn’t over barring in his confidence to where he was conceded and a turn off. I enjoyed the thrill of Blanche being torn between Bart and Lucien. Her fighting the passion and lust that was obviously there. I think the author did a great job in incorporating a few French lines which really added to the context.
I would highly recommend reading Obsession by Paige Bennett. It’s a short magnifque read of one man’s desire and passion for a woman who is already spoken for.
As a free woman of color, Blanche Paradis is content with her life. She is a well-known singer in a famous New Orleans blues club and is cherished by the love of her life, Bart Donovan. What woman could ask for more? That is until the mysterious Lucien St. Clair arrives on the scene and wreaks havoc upon her blissfulness. In a moment of weakness, Blanche gives into her lustful desire for Lucien forever changing her life for the worst.
Lucien St. Clair is extremely obsessed with Blanche Paradis. So much so, that he shameless pursues her until one night while her beau is out of town on business, Lucien seduces Blanche into bed and finally declares her as his. But Blanche refuses to surrender, forcing Lucien to take matters into his own hands and making her his for eternity by changing her into a fellow vampire and eliminating Bart once and for all.
Paige Bennett’s Obsession is just Wow! Readers I must warn you that this very brief novella has no ‘Happily Ever After’; nevertheless, I am amazed by this dark erotica. The plot is filled with lust, danger, betrayal, passion, manic fascination, and vengeance – all the making of a fabulous storyline. While the overall page count is on the short side, Ms. Bennett boldly packs a whopper of a punch with her well-chosen words. Pages quickly turn, as I am eager to see just how this twisted tale will unfold and I must say that not a dull moment could be found. Whew! This is one story not to be missed.
I self-debated about bestowing Ms. Bennett’s Obsession with a Joyfully Reviewed Recommended Read because of its non HEA ending; however, I could not allow that minor fact sway my general feelings towards my recommendation. As a matter of fact, I thought it to be the perfect conclusion. Enjoy!