An Accidental Seduction

Accidental #0.5

by Michelle Willingham

Emily Barrow once dreamed that she could marry Stephen Chesterfield, the Earl of Whitmore, and be saved from her dreary life. Then Stephen's father sent him away, leaving Emily broken-hearted...

Now Stephen has returned to find Emily destitute and alone. He has vowed to help her without compromising her honor...but Emily has other ideas. She doesn't want his charity, but she does long to know what it would be like to take him as a lover, even if marriage is out of the question. Confined to close quarters with their passion burning as brightly as ever, will Stephen be able to resist the temptation and rescue her, or give in to his desire and completely ruin her?

"A prequel to THE ACCIDENTAL COUNTESS by Michelle Willingham."

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Novella, Harlequin, Harlequin Historical

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 15, 2009

About the author

Rita® Award Finalist Michelle Willingham has published over fifty books and novellas. Currently, she lives in Virginia with her family and is working on more historical romance novels. When she's not writing, Michelle enjoys baking, playing the piano, and avoiding exercise at all costs. Visit her website at: www.michellewillingham.com or interact with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/michellewillinghamfans.

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Accidental Seduction by Michelle Willingham is a prequel to The Accidental Countess giving the background story to how Emily Barrow became Stephen Chesterfield's wife. It is not required that you read An Accidental Seduction before reading The Accidental Seduction it really just answers some of the questions left unanswered in The Accidental Countess.

For a short introduction into the characters and the back story An Accidental Seduction is a great day read, and if you have already read The Accidental Countess and have those questions on the relationship between Emily and Stephen, this is just icing on the cake.

Living by herself with no staff left due to the low finances, Emily is caught chopping her own firewood in the dead of winter by Stephen. With the knowledge that no one will wish to marry her since she has no dowry Emily sets out to seduce Stephen, for what will be her first and only chance to love him or anyone.

Stephen is running from his destiny or what his mother says should be his destiny in the perfect bride. So when Emily's brother wants him to check on her while visiting his family home he sees no problem with seeing the girl that is really wrong to carry the family name and title.

Michelle Willingham did a great job writing this short novella that kept me wanting more. To the point that I have gotten myself the next book.

[Nicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good start to Emily and Stephen's story. Can't wait to read what happens next.

[Fae · Rating 2 out of 5]

my first book from this author and i have mixed feelings. this book had the least number of chapters i have ever seen in my reading life so i did not have many expectations. and as i expected, this was an okay book. there wasn't much development and i felt the author could have expanded more into their relationship. there was barely any chemistry between the hero and heroine and to be honest, i didn't see the love. however, because of the easy words used in the writing and good paragraphing (not big chunks of sentences at one time), i am giving this book 2 stars.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prelude to Accidental Countess

This is the beginning of the series and a short story that explains how Emily, daughter of a Baron and childhood neighbor of the Earl ended up married. Lovely tale and looking at the next book Accidental Countess, is a full length novel continuing their story. I am a proponent of reading a series in order, and this looks like you would miss a piece of the plot if you don’t start here.

[Pamela Fernandes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short novella where a baron's daughter, Emily has fallen on hard times. She's sold her furniture, paintings, even the mattresses of the beds. On a snow covered night when Stephen her neighbor and a peer stops in his carriage, a familiar spark is set aflame and Stephen knows he can't let her go. Its short, quickie romance, but fun and with an HEA in Scotland.

[Coco · Rating 2 out of 5]

Liked the concept just too short. Bummer

[R. Beach · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but steamy read.

[Amber · Rating 1 out of 5]

Soooo.... The extremely low rating is not because of the quality of the writing itself, that's good enough that I'd be willing to give this author a try (in full-length novel only). My low rating is because of the "plot". I understand that this was a novella and a prequel. But here's the thing, I've read other books in this same vein and they succeed only when they make the plot in the prequel-novella strong enough to stand on its own. I know it's possible, because I've read stories that manage to succeed in this format. This book FAILS. Yes, it's supposed feed into the full length book, or add more dimension after the fact, but...
Yeah, this was kind of a waste of my time.

[Kathie (katmom) · Rating 2 out of 5]

As the author suggested, I read this one after I read THE ACCIDENTAL COUNTESS.

This novella prepares the way for TAC. What it actually is, is one sexy scene after another.

I didn't like Stephan in this nearly as much as I liked him in TAC without his memory.

There was also the plot flaw of the children. They are barely mentioned here, and in TAC it is stated that Emily has been their mother from the day of Victoria's birth. Not so here...they are apparently in the care of a governess...elsewhere.

But if you are looking for a bit of sexy times, this is a good choice for you.

[Harlequin Historical]

linked to The Accidental Countess and The Accidental Princess

I had to read this in spurts because I have house guest and couldn't sit at the computer to read it all in one sitting. (eReader is still on my wishlist!)Very fustrating because I loved it and hated to stop. I've got Accidental Countess in my hands and can't wait for bedtime when everyone else will be sleeping and I can read.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realize when I picked this one up that it was a novella, and that it would continue on to a full length novel. I read the synopsis of the novel and decided to pass. This was a nice novella, and I'm content to think that the characters had their HEA without any more drama. I wouldn't recommend this unless one were interested in the full series.

[micki · Rating 3 out of 5]

meh. My rating isn't really fair because I'm not a fan of the novella or short-story format. I *guess* the story was okay but it really doesn't stand on its own at all. It reads like an afterthought, or if not that, like an early writing exercise that the author later fleshes out into a full-length novel.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this a lot more than I did The Accidental Countess....though I don't think I would have liked it had I not read it second...does that make sense?...

Anyway, this is the full story of how Stephen and Emily ended up married before he lost his memory in the next book.

[Andrea Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel it should have been a part of the follow-up book but still an enjoyable read.

[Olivia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The love story seemed rushed, but then this is a short story. I really didn't like Emily's attitude of "I'm not good enough for him." Just gets old really quick.

[Yolanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great intro going into the main storyline. I cant wait to see what happens with Emily/Stephen.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked this but I thought it was pretty rushed at times. Turns out the full love story can be read in the next full length novel. Looking forward to reading the succeeding book!

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great intro to the series!! Loved it!!

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short story. Intense. I am looking forward to their full story

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Novella