Pure Sin by Susan Johnson (1994). If you’re in the mood for a book full of sex give this one a try. I’ve read that it was considered erotica when first published years ago.
The hero Adam, of mixed heritage, has a ranch in Montana where he raises racing horses.. he’s fabulously wealthy in addition to being a French count. He meets the heroine, Lady Flora at a ball in Virginia City, Montana. Her father, a rich British earl is a famous archaeologist and she travels the world with him …, they’re in the West to study and record indigenous cultures. It’s Adam’s first night out solo as his wife just left him and their young daughter.
These two are highly educated, sophisticated and have an instant attraction to each other: “…. her gaze rose to meet his and her breath caught in her throat… his beauty at close range struck her powerfully, as if she were imperiled by such flagrant handsomeness.” For Adam she was spectacular with her rich auburn hair and voluptuous figure. They waltz, engage in talk with plenty of innuendos and by page 12 they’re in a landau in the carriage house satisfying their mutual lust.
The story revolves around these two independent people who can’t resist each other and have sex as often as possible while leading separate lives, especially because Adam doesn’t want to get married again and Flora wants to continue her world travels. Naturally, there are obstacles… Adam’s nasty wife who had been living in France reappears, a range war, and Flora is away helping her father in the wilds of Montana.
It’s a decent read full of very indecent paragraphs and is a similar story to the author’s earlier book, Blaze, though with far more descriptive steamy scenes. Two thirds into the book Adam and Flora do realize they love each other deeply as soul mates and share their feelings and desires openly with each other. Bonus: a good epilogue.