Annalise

Virtue & Vice #1

by Carrie Lomax

When Annalise Fernsby went in search of answers about her father's past, she found Countess Oreste...and an intriguing world full of possibility. Desperate for a solution for her family's imminent destitution, Annalise Fernsby discovers a scandalous possibility at the House of Virtue, and throws herself headlong into it.

Eryx Wilder craves the kind of respectability Miss Fernsby takes for granted. He'll stop her from ruining herself - no matter how much she hates him for it. Even if it the price of her innocence is more than he ever expected to pay...

First in a new steamy Victorian romance series, packed with adventure and intrigue. Each book contains a full romance arc with HEA while following the Countess Oreste through a world of passion and mystery.

Genres: Historical, Historical Romance, Romance, Historical Fiction, Regency, Enemies To Lovers, Ebooks

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2022

Reviews

[Dara Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

there were some fun parts, but there were also a lot of confusing moments. I felt like I had been dropped in the middle of something that was already going. which can be cool, but it didn’t feel intentional.

[PIp · Rating 2 out of 5]

Its like bridgerton only not as respectable and not quite as good

[Eve Pendle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this. Annalise is curious and determined, Erxy is hell bent on protecting her - sees her and is all in from the beginning. :heart eyes:

[Sandy N · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's steamy but it didn't really kept my interest unfortunately.

[Jamesetta Jackson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay

I didn't like that each chapter was about someone different then you end up getting back to the main character of the story.

[Andra-Mihaela · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars...disappointed the author didn't dare delve deeper in this subject..

RTC

[Terrie Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annalise Fernsby was running out of options to keep a roof over her siblings’ heads. Annalise was tired of living in a drafty flat with only cold water and dealing with landlords demanding rent be paid with sexual favors. Desperate to avoid eviction, she and her sister Rosalyn searched through their deceased father’s papers and found one name – Countess Oreste. The countess, or Belladonna as she was also known, ran a home for soiled doves known publicly as the House of Virtue. Downstairs was the House of Vice. Holy moly did Annalise get an eyeful when she visited. Belladonna was poised, confident, self-possessed, and commanded the room. Annalise decided then and there she wanted to be like Belladonna!

Annalise meets Eryx Wilder in a most unusual way, and neither can stop thinking of the other. Eryx cannot fathom why Annalise would ruin herself, lose any respectability she may have, and risk ever having a family. He wants nothing more than to give her the freedom she desires, but Annalise hates Eryx for getting in her way. She even refuses when he offers her money to leave the House. With this, she is still fascinated and drawn to him. The banter between Annalise and Eryx is marvelous and their chemistry is sizzling hot. I also enjoyed the relationships Annalise developed with the other “flowers”.

Carrie Lomax has created a world of sex, intrigue, and scandal involving some of London’s wealthiest, and most powerful men. There is an underlying story/mystery involving Belladonna and Hawke, who is a royal spy for Queen Victoria. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Rosalyn. This was a complete book with an HEA but there are unanswered questions regarding Bella and Hawke. I can’t wait to find out more about their mystery.

[Cait M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty spicy, but given it's a virgin auction romance set in a brothel, that's to be expected I guess.

It was a case of insta-love for the hero, a wealthy banker whose illegitimacy (bastard son of a duke) has soured him against society and its fixation with reputation. Eryx falls first and falls hard for the innocent ingenue Annalise, who as the eldest of 5 orphaned siblings has taken responsibility for supporting her family by auctioning off her virginity for thousands of pounds at the infamous house of Vice and Virtue run by the incomparable Madam Belladonna.

The MCs clash at every turn and have an exasperating love-hate relationship, with Eryx trying unsuccessfully to dissuade Annalise from ruining her reputation. Annalise sees the auction as a one-time deal that will not only provide freedom to set up her family, but also satisfy her carnal curiosity.

The story has several secondary plots including Annalise's sister (the heroine of the following book) and Belladonna herself with the mysterious Hawke, Queen Victoria's spy.

This book contains steamy love scenes.

[Christine Rains · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annalise Fernsby wants only to provide a safe and stable life for her four younger siblings. After her father left them destitute, a young woman in Victorian times only has a few options. Annalise agrees to become one of Countess Oreste's Flowers at her brothel, the House of Virtue. What she doesn't expect is to fall for a handsome client, Eryx Wilder. He sets his sights on Annalise, wanting her for so much more than one night.

This is the first book in the steamy Victorian romance series, Virtue & Vice. It starts right away with Annalise moved into the Countess' house and being introduced to the other Flowers. There are no closed doors in this book, and Annalise prefers it that way. Lots of hot scenes and fabulous tension between Annalise and Eryx. I loved that Annalise was doing what she was for her siblings, but she didn't shy away from it. I would have liked to see more in the House of Vice, but maybe we'll see more of it later in the series.

[Caligirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

New Author to me

First time reading Ms Lomax, it won’t be my last. This is the story of Eryx and Annalise and their road to each other…. Eryx is a rich banker who can buy and sell people..but can’t buy the respectability he wants… Annalise s a young woman responsible for 4 siblings and how to support them… so you know where this leads.. however, the book has at least 3 diff stories going at once which I thought was a bonus..all easily pulled together… character development and story line were great and well Flushed for out for this books purpose.

While spicy, I didn’t feel it was over the top at all…. I’ll continue the series because now I want to know about the others…. The HEA was different than was expected, but I liked that Annalise didn’t care and was cool with it for now.

[Martha B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A colorful brothel romance

I find it a bit difficult to review a book like Annalise.

Let me first begin by warning a prospective reader of the not so accurate synopsis found on the purchase page. Since my review would get rejected by Amazon if I use certain words, be assured that this book holds nothing back on any level of intimacy imagined, and some not imagined.

I personally did not find any real romance until the second half of Annalise. The brothel plot is pretty thin, but the lead and supporting characters are well developed. The author, Carrie Lomax, has an easy to read style, but she does fall back too often on wordy thoughts.

All in all, this was an okay read with a happy ending.

Content 411: This book is for mature readers who are not easily offended by vulgarities and explicit on screen sex.

[Richard Burlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is like a slightly low key Minerva Spencer book. I liked the set up with the book set around a high end Victorian brothel in London with the MFC being an innocent girl looking to support her four younger siblings and having her eyes opened to a very different slice of life. The MMC has the wonderful name Eryx, based on an obscure King in Greek mythology, he is a conflicted man who develops an obsession with Annalise and looks to "save her".

The plot is quite gentle and moves forward nicely towards a good conclusion.

[Julie Ambrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read the short prequel to this series I was hooked .
A fabulous read telling the story of the a young woman who gets help from Bella the owner of a brothel won’t say anymore as it’s all in the blurb .
An insight to the women and the men who attend and what goes on behind closed ….and open doors .
A wonderfully written story with passion and high steam levels .
Can’t wait now to read the next one in this steamy series .

[Charity Chimni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I love this new world Carrie has created. We have lots of moving parts and interesting characters. Full of mystery, spice, and of course romance. Annalise completely enthralls Eryx on first sight. He keeps putting his foot in his mouth when trying to protect her. I love the banter and connection. I can't wait for more from this world!

[Philippa Lythall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steamy historical romance

This is a very steamy historical romance with a great story, other other stories and characters woven in. Anna is desperate to save her family therefore with Bella Donna's help, she auctions off her innocence.But will a certain Mr Wilder disrupted plans?

I enjoyed this steamy story.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sacrifice

Great story wonderful story line great characters, This story is alittle steamy, You, ll enjoy Annalise and Eryx story, he, s trying to save her of a life of vice, she's not having it she wants the money to be free, but freedom
Doesn't stand a chance against love.
Thank you ❤️

[Rach3l · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. There was more to the story than I was expecting and it left me wanting more. I can’t wait to see what happens with Rosalyn.

Side note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review

[B.J. Sikes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courtesans in Victorian London

Full of drama and heart. I enjoyed the interplay between all of the characters not just the protagonists. Pretty steamy as would be expected from a book set in a brothel.

[Rebekah Carulli Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steamy 🔥🔥. I enjoyed this story of Eryx and Annalise. The plot and storyline is a fresh perspective. The supporting characters bring substance. I recommend reading this book it will warm your heart and body. 😉 R. K. Hanson

[Catherine Crocker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Virtue and vice by Carrie Lomax

This was a unique concept of a book. It is something I wouldn't have done myself but the story was extremely saucy for those that love heat. But really not to my taste.

[David Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

Bella was a kind and caring widow who took care of destitute women. She offered a nice place to stay until they gained their independence. Many would condemn her lifestyle, but she was also admired by many.

[Maribel Young · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just not that great and feels like the author tried to take Bridgerton and drop it in a brothel. Annalise was almost insufferable. I walked away and read another book before returning to this. I was hoping to gain a new appreciation for the characters but honestly I just couldn’t.

[Aimee Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

kept me interested

Enjoyable and will read more from this author and from her series it was well worth my time I could read it anytime just pick it up and it would take me right back to where I was. I really enjoyed this.

[Anne-Marie McDonagh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent but nothing special

[rayna ♥]

listen i didn’t want this to be my first book of 2024 but here we are. this reads like a dramione fanfiction i’ve read and reread several times so. what can i say. old habits die hard

[Darley Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Read

This is not your average Victorian romance; which is fitting since Annalise is not your average virgin. It was a fun read, with likable characters.

[bluetyfloreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Brenda Geddes]

Loved it

[Ella · Rating 3 out of 5]

For some reason I thought this was a Christmas novella, which it is not, but does have a mildly bonkers plot so it fits in vibe wise with all I've had the patience to read this past month.

[Sharilyn Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun little spicy romp through Victorian England with lots of hints for upcoming novels!