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The Crimson Gown
Lydia Hunt is familiar with the concept of sin. Reared beneath the strictures of religious zealotry and abuse, she has heard again and again that her nature is wicked and her soul bound for eternal damnation. But when she is sent to work at Mowbray Hall, ancestral home of the enigmatic Lord Cailvairt, Lydia begins to fear just how wicked she might be.
For although Cailvairt makes no effort to hide his pursuit of her, his insistence on challenging the ideals imposed upon her as a child―even while speaking to her as an equal―leaves it difficult for Lydia to resist his attentions. As her inhibitions crumble away and the foundation of her beliefs threatens to falter, she must determine if giving into temptation will destroy her... or be the act that saves her.
For although Cailvairt makes no effort to hide his pursuit of her, his insistence on challenging the ideals imposed upon her as a child―even while speaking to her as an equal―leaves it difficult for Lydia to resist his attentions. As her inhibitions crumble away and the foundation of her beliefs threatens to falter, she must determine if giving into temptation will destroy her... or be the act that saves her.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 22, 2016
21 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Quenby Olson
26 books370 followersQuenby Olson lives in Central Pennsylvania where she spends most of her time writing, glaring at baskets of unfolded laundry, and chasing the cat off the kitchen counters. She lives with her husband and five children, who do nothing to dampen her love of classical ballet, geeky crochet, and staying up late to watch old episodes of Doctor Who.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 12, 2016
The Crimson Gown is an erotic romance novel by Quenby Olson. Lydia Hunt takes on temporary employment at nearby Mowbray Hall. The work is hard, but it gives her a much-needed respite from her usual toils at the inn that her father--a judgmental, legalistic, abusive man--owns. By chance, she meets Mowbray Hall's owner, Lord Cailvairt, a handsome mysterious man who almost immediately pursues her in earnest. Torn between her own desires and her understand of good and evil, which was twisted and confused by the ministrations of her now deceased grandmother, Lydia must decide what she believes.
I usually keep about five miles' distance between myself and anything with the word "erotic," but having been a fan of the author's previous works and read the story behind her writing this piece, I was willing to give The Crimson Gown a try. As I've grown to expect from this author, the prose is magnificent. Ms. Olson has a talent for describing her settings, especially historical ones, in such a way that even an uninformed reader can see everything perfectly. I also made a quick connection with Lydia, and sympathized with her greatly. The sexual content was more than I would normally be comfortable with, and I did end up skipping over certain parts of that, but it does not go beyond many books labeled only romance. What I did appreciate was that while this book was very sexual, it did not go down the rather popular path of having a domineering male character who denigrates and mistreats women. Especially since the story takes place in a time period where women were not often treated with respect, it was refreshing. While this is not my normal read, I give it five stars without reservation.
Please note that, were this a movie rather than a book, it would be rated R. If sexual content makes you uncomfortable, please look into one of Quenby's other titles, all of which are clean.
I usually keep about five miles' distance between myself and anything with the word "erotic," but having been a fan of the author's previous works and read the story behind her writing this piece, I was willing to give The Crimson Gown a try. As I've grown to expect from this author, the prose is magnificent. Ms. Olson has a talent for describing her settings, especially historical ones, in such a way that even an uninformed reader can see everything perfectly. I also made a quick connection with Lydia, and sympathized with her greatly. The sexual content was more than I would normally be comfortable with, and I did end up skipping over certain parts of that, but it does not go beyond many books labeled only romance. What I did appreciate was that while this book was very sexual, it did not go down the rather popular path of having a domineering male character who denigrates and mistreats women. Especially since the story takes place in a time period where women were not often treated with respect, it was refreshing. While this is not my normal read, I give it five stars without reservation.
Please note that, were this a movie rather than a book, it would be rated R. If sexual content makes you uncomfortable, please look into one of Quenby's other titles, all of which are clean.
January 6, 2017
Totally loved this book. It was amazing and left me wanting more. The language is beautiful and draws you in. I love historical romance, and with erotica on top of that, what can really go wrong?
Just read it already!
Just read it already!
December 13, 2016
Beautifully done. The story draws you in and doesn't let you go until the last second. I bow down to Miss Olson's ability.
May 23, 2017
Hm. Underwhelmed.
You know, there is nothing worse than a book that ruins its own potential. This could have been so good! It could have been smart! It could have been original! The beginning was pretty catchy!
But sadly, the author decided midway through that to hell with new ideas and off we go on the nonsensical romance train. Because this is the romance train. It's not a love story, because it lacks story and the characters have little personality (there was more personality in their nonverbal atmosphere than when they started talking). Why did it even have to be a romance when such deep feelings between a lord and a servant makes no sense anyway and wouldn't have played out quite this way even in Lisa Kleypas' universe of dreams.
The thing is, I expect BS endings liee this one from Kleypas. But not from indie authors who are supposed to break with conventions and stuff. Why else self-publish if you just write what everyone else does?
You know, there is nothing worse than a book that ruins its own potential. This could have been so good! It could have been smart! It could have been original! The beginning was pretty catchy!
But sadly, the author decided midway through that to hell with new ideas and off we go on the nonsensical romance train. Because this is the romance train. It's not a love story, because it lacks story and the characters have little personality (there was more personality in their nonverbal atmosphere than when they started talking). Why did it even have to be a romance when such deep feelings between a lord and a servant makes no sense anyway and wouldn't have played out quite this way even in Lisa Kleypas' universe of dreams.
The thing is, I expect BS endings liee this one from Kleypas. But not from indie authors who are supposed to break with conventions and stuff. Why else self-publish if you just write what everyone else does?
August 1, 2018
A complicated little book full of Quenby Olson's beautiful prose and characterization. What I liked most about this book, though, was that it gave me larger issues to grapple with, in addition to the romance. Issues of religion, morality, beauty, the nature of the class relationship in 19th century England... that's a lot to pack into 137 pages. But it's why I still think about this book often, months after I read it, and why it will continue to stick with me. Not your average historical.
December 2, 2021
WOW BRILLIANT EROTIC LOVE STORY
Lydia - lived with her abusive father and grandmother who constantly told her how she was borne sinful and God was judging her.
her father owned the local Inn , after the death of her grandmother her father made her work as a maid at the run down Mowbray Hall home of the local Lord to earn more money.
Lord Cairvarit a very feeling man, had recently returned to his home after years of travelling in order to sell the Hall, then he saw Lydia he became totally obsessed and fell madly in love with her, he was very kind to her and wanted more. (I FELL A LITTLE IN LOVE WITH HIM).
I found Lydia a little annoying always questioning everything in her mind not seeing what was in front of her.
FIRST BOOK I HAVE READ BY QUENBY OLSON IT WILL DEFINITELY NOT BE MY LAST.
WOULD HAVE LIKED AN EPILOGUE TO COMPLETE
Lydia - lived with her abusive father and grandmother who constantly told her how she was borne sinful and God was judging her.
her father owned the local Inn , after the death of her grandmother her father made her work as a maid at the run down Mowbray Hall home of the local Lord to earn more money.
Lord Cairvarit a very feeling man, had recently returned to his home after years of travelling in order to sell the Hall, then he saw Lydia he became totally obsessed and fell madly in love with her, he was very kind to her and wanted more. (I FELL A LITTLE IN LOVE WITH HIM).
I found Lydia a little annoying always questioning everything in her mind not seeing what was in front of her.
FIRST BOOK I HAVE READ BY QUENBY OLSON IT WILL DEFINITELY NOT BE MY LAST.
WOULD HAVE LIKED AN EPILOGUE TO COMPLETE
November 14, 2018
Loved it
I believe this is my first book of hers and I am hooked. I read t in one sitting. Her talents in creating an unbelievable story to believeable and a main female character it's very refreshing. The only cons the end not too my liking even though HEA but I wanted s solid snd.
Most of the time I'd not care to unbelievable plot nor novella but this has not been the case. Loved her style of writing and its female protagonis.
Added her to my favorite authors, cannot wait for her next books. Hoping for better ending. 😍
I believe this is my first book of hers and I am hooked. I read t in one sitting. Her talents in creating an unbelievable story to believeable and a main female character it's very refreshing. The only cons the end not too my liking even though HEA but I wanted s solid snd.
Most of the time I'd not care to unbelievable plot nor novella but this has not been the case. Loved her style of writing and its female protagonis.
Added her to my favorite authors, cannot wait for her next books. Hoping for better ending. 😍
December 5, 2018
A dark gem of historical erotica, The Crimson Gown will appeal to fans of the Brönte sisters and gothic fiction. Quenby Olson crafts a claustrophobic and somewhat creepy atmosphere for this tale of an unlikely romance between a servant and her master. My only criticism is the length: I would have welcomed a few more chapters that developed the backstory of the main characters.
December 4, 2018
I love the characters in this story.
Excellent, I hope the author will write a sequel to this story.
This is my third book I have read and enjoyed them all.
Excellent, I hope the author will write a sequel to this story.
This is my third book I have read and enjoyed them all.
February 2, 2019
2.5 stars. Well-written, but distasteful to me.
June 18, 2021
I didnt realize this was a published novel!!! I read it on wattpad ages ago (really enjoyed it), gonna have to reread.
September 12, 2018
This was okay, but felt like half the story and wasn't enough there other than the secret trysts.
May 3, 2017
I absolutely loved this book! Written subtly, but sexy. Enjoyed the way the words were weaved into a fabulous story. 5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews