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Reformed Rakes #2
Compromising Situations
Andrew Carlton is a seasoned rake trapped into an untenable position, and sparks fly when he is forced to marry Christa Hatton, the very prim daughter of a duke. Who plotted so they would be found together is a mystery, but someone has it in for one of them. However, to his dismay, Andrew finds his bride is not exactly the shy debutante he expected but is instead stubborn, moody, and has a "shell." Used to women falling into his arms, Andrew isn't sure exactly how to deal with his innocent, headstrong bride. Even if the arrangement isn't of her choice, Christa finds that being pressured into marriage with a man of Carlton's reputation has some benefits. For one thing, he certainly knows what to do in the bedroom. The question is will he make a good husband, and more than that, why were they lured into a compromising situation in the first place?
Sensuality Rating: SIZZLING
Genre: Historical / Regency
Length: Novella (23,700 words)
68 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2006
9 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Emma Wildes
105 books367 followersEmma was born in Minnesota and she lives in the Midwest, though she grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She attended Illinois State University where she majored in geology, and there she met her husband, Chris. They have three children, a temperamental cat named Poot, and are lucky enough to live on a beautiful lake. On warm days, she does enjoy a glass of wine on the dock now and then, and always loves to sit at her desk, winter or summer, and tap at her keyboard.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 6, 2017
Christa and Carlton. I didn't like this as much as the first book, but it was entertaining. The MCs get locked together in a wine cellar over night at a ball, and so are forced to marry. He's a playboy and she's the beautiful daughter of a duke on her first season. Probably a 10 year difference bin age. I liked them together. At first they are strangers but they are both level headed. There's more sex than tender getting to know you moments, but that's what this series is about; naughty aristocrats. The villain who locked them up together was a pretty ridiculous part of the story and the main reason I didn't give it another star.
August 31, 2010
This short story was part of a multi-author, multi-genre series connected by zodiac signs for the long-defunct (altho they are insisting they are making a comeback) Venus Press. It is not currently even listed on Emma Wildes's website so I am doubtful it will ever be back in print.
If you can't get your hand on it, you're not missing much. Like a lot of EW's older ebooks, it's a pleasant, not especially smutty, faux Regency to pass a hour on but not worth paying an astronomical price to get it.
The only element that makes it stand out from the norm is that more than a few lines were devoted to the subject of astrology than I was expecting. It certainly fitted the series theme.
Grade: C
If you can't get your hand on it, you're not missing much. Like a lot of EW's older ebooks, it's a pleasant, not especially smutty, faux Regency to pass a hour on but not worth paying an astronomical price to get it.
The only element that makes it stand out from the norm is that more than a few lines were devoted to the subject of astrology than I was expecting. It certainly fitted the series theme.
Grade: C
October 22, 2014
To inconsistent for my liking, one moment they are ladies and gentlemen of the highest social standing and the next they are dropping 'F' bombs left right and centre.
The ending was to rushed - even for a story of this length.
The ending was to rushed - even for a story of this length.
September 26, 2021
Tricked into a clandestine meeting with a notorious rake, Christa Hatton is forced into a quick marriage to Andrew Carlton. But Christa soon finds herself thankful as she and Andrew are more than well suited for each other. Now only if the trickster who instigated the situation would leave them to their happiness!
Christa Hatton, the Daughter of the Duke of Dunbarton, is enjoying her London season when she receives a mysterious note telling her to meet someone in the wine cellar. Believing there is an emergency, Christa acquiesces only to find herself in a compromising situation with none other than Andrew Carlton.
Andrew Carlton is known as a notorious rake amongst the ton. Andrew admits he is no saint but he is far from the defiler of young innocent women that some believe he is. Famous for involving himself in a number of duels, Andrew is hardly a man incapable of controlling his urges. Andrew knows the only way to save Christa's reputation is through marriage and is amenable to the prospect-after all he is not the evil rake everyone believes him to be and wants his reputation to be protected as well. And truthfully, giving the trickster who manipulated them into the cellar the satisfaction of two ruined reputations was out of the question.
After their hasty marriage, Andrew and Christa find they are truly well suited for each other, both in and out of the bedroom. But, their idyllic interlude is soon interrupted as the trickster is back-sending notes to Christa besmirching her new husband's reputation. Christa is distraught by the notes she is receiving and Andrew is determined to get to the bottom of who is trying to ruin their happiness.
Emma Wildes has written a darling little novella, set in the regency era. Her characters are classic members of the ton. Christa is the young debutante and Andrew is the admonished rake who will never settle down. The novella comes to a satisfying ending in the joining of Andrew and Christa. As well, the trickster is revealed, as well as a deep family secret that threatens their happiness. The story is a classic regency romance; for those of us who enjoy them, you will not be disappointed.
Christa Hatton, the Daughter of the Duke of Dunbarton, is enjoying her London season when she receives a mysterious note telling her to meet someone in the wine cellar. Believing there is an emergency, Christa acquiesces only to find herself in a compromising situation with none other than Andrew Carlton.
Andrew Carlton is known as a notorious rake amongst the ton. Andrew admits he is no saint but he is far from the defiler of young innocent women that some believe he is. Famous for involving himself in a number of duels, Andrew is hardly a man incapable of controlling his urges. Andrew knows the only way to save Christa's reputation is through marriage and is amenable to the prospect-after all he is not the evil rake everyone believes him to be and wants his reputation to be protected as well. And truthfully, giving the trickster who manipulated them into the cellar the satisfaction of two ruined reputations was out of the question.
After their hasty marriage, Andrew and Christa find they are truly well suited for each other, both in and out of the bedroom. But, their idyllic interlude is soon interrupted as the trickster is back-sending notes to Christa besmirching her new husband's reputation. Christa is distraught by the notes she is receiving and Andrew is determined to get to the bottom of who is trying to ruin their happiness.
Emma Wildes has written a darling little novella, set in the regency era. Her characters are classic members of the ton. Christa is the young debutante and Andrew is the admonished rake who will never settle down. The novella comes to a satisfying ending in the joining of Andrew and Christa. As well, the trickster is revealed, as well as a deep family secret that threatens their happiness. The story is a classic regency romance; for those of us who enjoy them, you will not be disappointed.
March 4, 2017
Christa, a Duke's daughter and Andrew a second son of an Earl, are each lured into the wine cellar at a ball and locked in. They spend a cold and sleepy night, but by morning, Christa is ruined and a marriage must take place. Christa is completely against it, having done nothing wrong, but her parents are adamant. Andrew is supposedly a rake, but always avoided marriage. He also agrees that marriage is the only choice. And so they marry.
My problem with Andrew was that, he didn't really stop to consider Christa's feelings at any point. His entire focus was thwart the person who trapped them by making society believe they'd already been trysting. And he completely lost my respect with this little gem, "Fucking the duke's daughter will be my pleasure as well as my duty. If the price I have to pay is a wedding vow, I plan to spend a lot of time between her legs, believe me." What a creep. At least he gets something out of it - who cares what Christa thinks. So yeah, Andrew kind of ruined this book for me before it was half way done. Even after they're married - no words of comfort, just "let's have sex, baby." And the ending was very strange. First of all - no declarations of love. It basically ended as, they're going to be happy because they have some fantastic sex. Then there was the whole . So not my favorite book.
My problem with Andrew was that, he didn't really stop to consider Christa's feelings at any point. His entire focus was thwart the person who trapped them by making society believe they'd already been trysting. And he completely lost my respect with this little gem, "Fucking the duke's daughter will be my pleasure as well as my duty. If the price I have to pay is a wedding vow, I plan to spend a lot of time between her legs, believe me." What a creep. At least he gets something out of it - who cares what Christa thinks. So yeah, Andrew kind of ruined this book for me before it was half way done. Even after they're married - no words of comfort, just "let's have sex, baby." And the ending was very strange. First of all - no declarations of love. It basically ended as, they're going to be happy because they have some fantastic sex. Then there was the whole . So not my favorite book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2014
Just recently re-read this (5/18/14)
An entertaining novella.
Beautiful debutante is locked in the wine cellar with a notorious rake at a ball. They are forced to marry to save their reputations.
Fortunately, they are very compatible sexually.
Minor mystery which could have been left out entirely. Felt like it must be a sequel to his twin brother's story but I read the synopsis of the first book in the series and it wasn't about Adam. Possibly, Adam's story was in an anthology.
Likable characters and plot a bit predictable but in a good way.
An entertaining novella.
Beautiful debutante is locked in the wine cellar with a notorious rake at a ball. They are forced to marry to save their reputations.
Fortunately, they are very compatible sexually.
Minor mystery which could have been left out entirely. Felt like it must be a sequel to his twin brother's story but I read the synopsis of the first book in the series and it wasn't about Adam. Possibly, Adam's story was in an anthology.
Likable characters and plot a bit predictable but in a good way.
January 14, 2014
Not really an romance and not really an erotica. It was cute but felt more like an outline for story than an actual story.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews