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Naked Nobility #2.5
Lords of Desire
New York Times bestselling author Virginia Henley sizzles with three of romance's hottest talents. . .
Virginia Henley, "Smuggler's Lair"
Victoria Carswell will not be bound by society's dictates. She'll even risk skinny-dipping in view of an abandoned castle. At least, Victoria thinks it's abandoned, until a dashing smuggler lures her into an adventure that defies every rule. . .
Sally MacKenzie, "The Naked Laird"
The viscount's house party promises to be one of the season's highlights, and Lord and Lady Kilgorn are delighted to attend. If only the long-estranged couple had realized they were both invited--and assigned to the same bedchamber. . .
Victoria Dahl, "Lessons in Pleasure"
Newly married to her beloved James, Sarah Hood should be blissfully happy. . .yet close proximity to a man fills her with anxiety. But James plans to awaken Sarah to pleasure, in order to forge a true union of body and soul. . .
Kristi Astor, "Swept Away"
Vivacious Christobel Smyth is a gentleman's daughter, while brooding, proud John Leyden comes from a family of northern mill owners. The two could not be more different, yet as passion flares at a country party, Christobel finds he may be her match in every way. . .
Virginia Henley, "Smuggler's Lair"
Victoria Carswell will not be bound by society's dictates. She'll even risk skinny-dipping in view of an abandoned castle. At least, Victoria thinks it's abandoned, until a dashing smuggler lures her into an adventure that defies every rule. . .
Sally MacKenzie, "The Naked Laird"
The viscount's house party promises to be one of the season's highlights, and Lord and Lady Kilgorn are delighted to attend. If only the long-estranged couple had realized they were both invited--and assigned to the same bedchamber. . .
Victoria Dahl, "Lessons in Pleasure"
Newly married to her beloved James, Sarah Hood should be blissfully happy. . .yet close proximity to a man fills her with anxiety. But James plans to awaken Sarah to pleasure, in order to forge a true union of body and soul. . .
Kristi Astor, "Swept Away"
Vivacious Christobel Smyth is a gentleman's daughter, while brooding, proud John Leyden comes from a family of northern mill owners. The two could not be more different, yet as passion flares at a country party, Christobel finds he may be her match in every way. . .
432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 24, 2009
9 people are currently reading
440 people want to read
About the author
Virginia Henley
73 books639 followersVirginia Syddall was born on December 5, 1935 in England, where her father, Thomas Syddall, taught her to love history. She obtained a degree in History in the University. In 1956, Virginia married Arthur Henley. They moved to America, and now they live most of the year in St. Petersburg, Florida, and they spend the hot summers in Ontario, Canada, where they have their two adult children and three grandsons.
Virginia Henley is a New York Times bestselling writer of historical novels. Her work has been translated into fourteen languages. She is the recipient of more than a dozen writing awards, including a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award, a Waldenbooks' Bestselling Award, and a Maggie Award for Excellence from the Georgia Romance Writers.
Virginia Henley is a New York Times bestselling writer of historical novels. Her work has been translated into fourteen languages. She is the recipient of more than a dozen writing awards, including a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award, a Waldenbooks' Bestselling Award, and a Maggie Award for Excellence from the Georgia Romance Writers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 7, 2009
"Lords of Desire" is a four-author English historical anthology with stories ranging from the Georgian to the Edwardian era. I was quite split on how to rate this one as I enjoyed two of the stories very much and two not so much.
"Smuggler's Lair" is a Georgian/Victorian time-travel tale by Virginia Henley. When a repressed Victorian Reverend's daughter is cast back in time and discovers a love that transcends time. ***I confess that I've never particularly liked Ms Henley's stories as they seem a bit overwrought to me and this one was no exception.
Sally MacKenzie contributed the Regency, "The Naked Laird", about two young lovers who marry and allow a tragedy to separate them only to be brought back together by a scheming lady and a scandalous house party. ***MacKenzie's skill with combining humor and steamy romance is one of the things that keep me enjoying her stories.
Take a repressed and nervous Victorian bride, add sexual ignorance and fear, stir in a man all to ready to take on the role of sex educator, and you'll have Victoria Dahl's spicy addition to this anthology. ***This is my first short story by Ms. Dahl and second read. Her talent at writing feelings into a love scene will give you shivers of delight.
Lastly, Kristi Astor wraps up the anthology with an Edwardian tale, "Swept Away". This story is about two people who seem wrong for each other discovering that the changes in society mean they're more right together than they imagined. ***My first by Ms Astor and quite a different read. This was the shortest read but still kept my attention.
There you have it. Two I enjoyed, one I liked, and one...eh, not so much.
"Smuggler's Lair" is a Georgian/Victorian time-travel tale by Virginia Henley. When a repressed Victorian Reverend's daughter is cast back in time and discovers a love that transcends time. ***I confess that I've never particularly liked Ms Henley's stories as they seem a bit overwrought to me and this one was no exception.
Sally MacKenzie contributed the Regency, "The Naked Laird", about two young lovers who marry and allow a tragedy to separate them only to be brought back together by a scheming lady and a scandalous house party. ***MacKenzie's skill with combining humor and steamy romance is one of the things that keep me enjoying her stories.
Take a repressed and nervous Victorian bride, add sexual ignorance and fear, stir in a man all to ready to take on the role of sex educator, and you'll have Victoria Dahl's spicy addition to this anthology. ***This is my first short story by Ms. Dahl and second read. Her talent at writing feelings into a love scene will give you shivers of delight.
Lastly, Kristi Astor wraps up the anthology with an Edwardian tale, "Swept Away". This story is about two people who seem wrong for each other discovering that the changes in society mean they're more right together than they imagined. ***My first by Ms Astor and quite a different read. This was the shortest read but still kept my attention.
There you have it. Two I enjoyed, one I liked, and one...eh, not so much.
August 24, 2012
3.5 bintang buat NAKED LAIRD nya sally mackenzie..
sebenernya bagus sih cuma terlalu pendek ...novella sih....
intinya cuma masalah kurang komunikasi suami istri...
paangan nikah muda..umur 18 sama 20...si ce belom sampe setahun hamil trus keguguran..depresi...akhirnya ngusir suami nya dari tempat tidur nya krn merasa si suami gak ngerti kesedihan dia kehilangan anak ..si suami malah ngajak bikin anak lagi :p
akhirnya 10 tahun berpisah...si suami juga udah ganti2 mistress sementara si istri di desa..
sampe akhirnya mereka mau cerai..
tapi berhubung masih cinta...akhirnya ya baikan lagi....
pada dasarnya suami nya juga cinta banget sama istri nya....so sebelom baikan mereka bikin perjanjian baru lagi...mereka akan mulai dari awal...no mistresses dan gak ada yg namanya pengusiran dari tempat tidur lagi....
the end ...
sungguh pendek ceritanya tapi bikin gw gak bisa berenti bacanya ...
July 19, 2012
This review is only for sally mackenzie's 'the naked laird'.
March 15, 2020
3 Stars
September 4, 2021
Several books in one. Sally McKenzie's was one of the best - The Naked Laird. Plus Kristi Astor - Swept Away.
February 27, 2023
This is four stories together in one book. Although they were fairly well told, I found that I was just trying to rush through.
March 4, 2017
A decent collection. Really averages out to about 3.5 stars, with the best stories being the shortest ones by Victoria Dahl and Kristi Astor. Sally Mackenzie's was pretty good too, but lost a half a star in the re-reading...I shouldn't do that because I get more critical when I do.
Smuggler’s Lair – Virginia Henley – 2/5 – Weird. Victoria is a spirited woman living with her mother and pretending to be prim and proper. She meets Peregrine, the owner of the local castle and he’s interested in her. While exploring the castle, she suddenly finds herself back in Georgian times where she falls in love with Pergrine’s ancestor, Falcon. When he dies, she finds herself back in Victoria times with Peregrine who is still interested in her. Victoria is convinced that Peregrine is really Falcon (at least his soul) and actually begins calling him Falcon. She speaks to him as though he has some memory of her time in the past. She’s just strange… And the writing style of this author is not to my liking. It feels detached from the characters. It also has a tendency to randomly switch from third person past tense to first person present (when we out of the blue jump into a character’s head and hear their thoughts). It’s distracting. Not my preference, that’s for sure.
The Naked Laird – Sally Mackenzie – 3/5 - What a cute story. Ian and Nell have been separated for 10 years after Nell suffered a miscarriage and in his youth and inability to understand her grief, Ian was somewhat insensitive. Bitterness, grief and anger ensue and next thing we know they find themselves sharing a room at a house party having not seen one another in 10 years. Both characters, although stubborn, were very likeable and it is very clear that they still love each other. The ending was a bit too quick with them wrapping things up and I didn't much care for the fact that Ian got away with his multiple infidelities and never even apologized for it. Especially in light of the fact that Nell had been faithful and had just apologized for her part in their separation. I think the discussion should have been drawn out a lot more. Still, all in all a very entertaining and sweet romance story.
Lessons in Pleasure – Victoria Dahl – 4/5 – Sarah and James are recently married and still learning each other’s sexual habits. James is trying not to overwhelm his shy and innocent wife and Sarah is ambivalent about the whole thing. When Sarah begins to feel sexual desire, she’s nervous at first and looks to books to figure out what it’s all about. James of course, is thrilled by the bedroom improvements. Panic eventually sets in for Sarah when she realizes that her growing sexual desire for her husband matches the symptoms of her mother’s mental illness. I liked this story quite a bit. I’m always intrigued by situations where newly married couples have to learn about each other and grow comfortable together. Both of the characters were likeable and believable and the basis for this story was most definitely unique.
Swept Away – Kristi Astor – 4/5 - This is one of those love/hate things. It takes place around the turn of the 20th century. Christobel Smyth is attending her sister’s house party and encounters a man she continually argues with, John Leyden. Each believes the other dislikes them which in turn causes them to act snarky with the other. But suddenly, they discover they’re attracted to each other (maybe even in love). But what kind of future can John give Christobel when he believes himself beneath her and she despises everything he loves. This really was a good story, with believable and frustrating angst. I honestly questioned how possible it was that these two mismatched people could be together, but it did feel right for them. They’re love scene was pretty hot, very unusual for a virgin heroine.
Smuggler’s Lair – Virginia Henley – 2/5 – Weird. Victoria is a spirited woman living with her mother and pretending to be prim and proper. She meets Peregrine, the owner of the local castle and he’s interested in her. While exploring the castle, she suddenly finds herself back in Georgian times where she falls in love with Pergrine’s ancestor, Falcon. When he dies, she finds herself back in Victoria times with Peregrine who is still interested in her. Victoria is convinced that Peregrine is really Falcon (at least his soul) and actually begins calling him Falcon. She speaks to him as though he has some memory of her time in the past. She’s just strange… And the writing style of this author is not to my liking. It feels detached from the characters. It also has a tendency to randomly switch from third person past tense to first person present (when we out of the blue jump into a character’s head and hear their thoughts). It’s distracting. Not my preference, that’s for sure.
The Naked Laird – Sally Mackenzie – 3/5 - What a cute story. Ian and Nell have been separated for 10 years after Nell suffered a miscarriage and in his youth and inability to understand her grief, Ian was somewhat insensitive. Bitterness, grief and anger ensue and next thing we know they find themselves sharing a room at a house party having not seen one another in 10 years. Both characters, although stubborn, were very likeable and it is very clear that they still love each other. The ending was a bit too quick with them wrapping things up and I didn't much care for the fact that Ian got away with his multiple infidelities and never even apologized for it. Especially in light of the fact that Nell had been faithful and had just apologized for her part in their separation. I think the discussion should have been drawn out a lot more. Still, all in all a very entertaining and sweet romance story.
Lessons in Pleasure – Victoria Dahl – 4/5 – Sarah and James are recently married and still learning each other’s sexual habits. James is trying not to overwhelm his shy and innocent wife and Sarah is ambivalent about the whole thing. When Sarah begins to feel sexual desire, she’s nervous at first and looks to books to figure out what it’s all about. James of course, is thrilled by the bedroom improvements. Panic eventually sets in for Sarah when she realizes that her growing sexual desire for her husband matches the symptoms of her mother’s mental illness. I liked this story quite a bit. I’m always intrigued by situations where newly married couples have to learn about each other and grow comfortable together. Both of the characters were likeable and believable and the basis for this story was most definitely unique.
Swept Away – Kristi Astor – 4/5 - This is one of those love/hate things. It takes place around the turn of the 20th century. Christobel Smyth is attending her sister’s house party and encounters a man she continually argues with, John Leyden. Each believes the other dislikes them which in turn causes them to act snarky with the other. But suddenly, they discover they’re attracted to each other (maybe even in love). But what kind of future can John give Christobel when he believes himself beneath her and she despises everything he loves. This really was a good story, with believable and frustrating angst. I honestly questioned how possible it was that these two mismatched people could be together, but it did feel right for them. They’re love scene was pretty hot, very unusual for a virgin heroine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2015
เราอ่านแค่เรื่อง Smuggle's Liar ที่เขียนโดย Virginia Henley ค่ะ
เป็นหนึ่งในเรื่องสั้นในหนังสือเรื่อง Lord of Desire
ซึ่งมีเรื่องสั้น 4 เรื่องของ 4 นักเขียน คือ Virginia Henley, Sally MacKenzie, Victoria Dahl และ Kristi Astor แต่เราโหลดมาอ่านแค่ของเวอร์จิเนีย เพราะรู้จักเธอคนเดียว
ข้างล่างนี้คือเรื่องย่อสปอยล์แร๊ง
สรุป
เรื่องนี้เป็นแนวประวัติศาสตร์ย้อนเวลา (เรียกอย่างนี้หรือเปล่าคือเป็นแนวประวัติศาสตร์ที่ย้อนไปช่วงเวลาก่อนหน้านั้นอีกที) แถมเหมือนซื้อ 1 แถม 1 เพราะมีพระเอกสองคนในคนเดียวกัน มีครบทุกรส ทั้งสนุก เศร้า แล้วก็หงุดหงิด
ฟอลคอนก็เป็นพระเอกที่ดูจะเน้น���ต่การทำเรื่องบ้าบิ่น แต่เหตุผลที่หนุนการกระทำของเขาก็ถือว่าใช้ได้นะสำหรับเรา
ในฐานะชายที่เกิดมาพร้อม เขาปรารถนาให้ชาวบ้านในการดูแลของเขาได้อยู่ดีกินดีขึ้น แม้จะต้องทำผิดกฎหมายบ้างก็ตาม สำหรับเรา เขาไม่ค่อยแสดงความฉลาดมีอำนาจสักเท่าไหร่ แต่เรื่องกล้าหาญบ้าบิ่นที่นำดิ่งเลย
ส่วนทอรี่เป็นผู้หญิงโลดโผนที่สำหรับเราคิดว่าค่อนข้างเอาแต่ใจอยู่สักหน่อย ดูแบ้วๆ และคิดว่าทุกอย่างควรเป็นตามใจตน อ่านแล้วก็หงุดหงิดนางเอกบางครั้งเธอพยายาม โน้มน้าวให้เซอร์พีรีกรินเชื่อว่า
และอีกเรื่องคือ เจ้าหล่อนดูจะรักปราสาท (ที่ไม่ใช่ของตัวเอง) มากเกินไปหน่อย ถึงขนาด แต่สุดท้ายเธอก็คิดได้แล้วไปขอโทษพระเอก
สรุปคือ เรื่องนี้อ่านได้สนุกๆ ไม่คิดมาก แถมเป็นเรื่องสั้นทำให้อ่านง่าย
ป.ล.เรื่องนี้แอบคล้ายโรมันรัญจวนอยู่เหมือนกันนะเนี่ย
เป็นหนึ่งในเรื่องสั้นในหนังสือเรื่อง Lord of Desire
ซึ่งมีเรื่องสั้น 4 เรื่องของ 4 นักเขียน คือ Virginia Henley, Sally MacKenzie, Victoria Dahl และ Kristi Astor แต่เราโหลดมาอ่านแค่ของเวอร์จิเนีย เพราะรู้จักเธอคนเดียว
ข้างล่างนี้คือเรื่องย่อสปอยล์แร๊ง
สรุป
เรื่องนี้เป็นแนวประวัติศาสตร์ย้อนเวลา (เรียกอย่างนี้หรือเปล่าคือเป็นแนวประวัติศาสตร์ที่ย้อนไปช่วงเวลาก่อนหน้านั้นอีกที) แถมเหมือนซื้อ 1 แถม 1 เพราะมีพระเอกสองคนในคนเดียวกัน มีครบทุกรส ทั้งสนุก เศร้า แล้วก็หงุดหงิด
ฟอลคอนก็เป็นพระเอกที่ดูจะเน้น���ต่การทำเรื่องบ้าบิ่น แต่เหตุผลที่หนุนการกระทำของเขาก็ถือว่าใช้ได้นะสำหรับเรา
ในฐานะชายที่เกิดมาพร้อม เขาปรารถนาให้ชาวบ้านในการดูแลของเขาได้อยู่ดีกินดีขึ้น แม้จะต้องทำผิดกฎหมายบ้างก็ตาม สำหรับเรา เขาไม่ค่อยแสดงความฉลาดมีอำนาจสักเท่าไหร่ แต่เรื่องกล้าหาญบ้าบิ่นที่นำดิ่งเลย
ส่วนทอรี่เป็นผู้หญิงโลดโผนที่สำหรับเราคิดว่าค่อนข้างเอาแต่ใจอยู่สักหน่อย ดูแบ้วๆ และคิดว่าทุกอย่างควรเป็นตามใจตน อ่านแล้วก็หงุดหงิดนางเอกบางครั้งเธอพยายาม โน้มน้าวให้เซอร์พีรีกรินเชื่อว่า
และอีกเรื่องคือ เจ้าหล่อนดูจะรักปราสาท (ที่ไม่ใช่ของตัวเอง) มากเกินไปหน่อย ถึงขนาด แต่สุดท้ายเธอก็คิดได้แล้วไปขอโทษพระเอก
สรุปคือ เรื่องนี้อ่านได้สนุกๆ ไม่คิดมาก แถมเป็นเรื่องสั้นทำให้อ่านง่าย
ป.ล.เรื่องนี้แอบคล้ายโรมันรัญจวนอยู่เหมือนกันนะเนี่ย
April 16, 2011
Bought this collection because of Victoria Dahl. (When I get a crush on an author I have to read EVERYTHING.)
Luckily, her story was good. Short, but spicy and fun. I also liked "The Naked Laird", - the reuniting of the two lovers was nicely done.
I like reading collections of stories like this, because sometimes you can find yourself discovering a new author who you enjoy reading and you can go off and explore their backlist.
And then sometimes you find one where you discover an author that you vow to never, ever read.
The first story, by Virginia Henley, who I've never read, but is apparently a NY Times best-seller, would have to be one of the most poorly-written stories I've seen published in a while. I'm sorry, I really don't like to say bad things about book (I go by that saying, if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all) but reading this story was incredibly frustrating.
I wonder if she is one of those authors who is too famous to be edited properly? Because that is sorely what this story needed. Passive language, cliched, overly flowery descriptions, it had all the earmarks of a beginner writer still coming to grips with the craft.
Not to mention that the heroine was pretty much a nutcase. Trying to convince someone that he's the reincarnation of someone else without the doctor being sent for? I don't think so.
The other stories in the collection were far better on the whole, thankfully, and I did enjoy reading them. Still, I have to give this only 2 stars, because if people buy it for the author's name in big writing on the cover, they will be disappointed. (Although, hopefully they'll have the opposite experience to me, and discover new authors they do like!)
Luckily, her story was good. Short, but spicy and fun. I also liked "The Naked Laird", - the reuniting of the two lovers was nicely done.
I like reading collections of stories like this, because sometimes you can find yourself discovering a new author who you enjoy reading and you can go off and explore their backlist.
And then sometimes you find one where you discover an author that you vow to never, ever read.
The first story, by Virginia Henley, who I've never read, but is apparently a NY Times best-seller, would have to be one of the most poorly-written stories I've seen published in a while. I'm sorry, I really don't like to say bad things about book (I go by that saying, if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all) but reading this story was incredibly frustrating.
I wonder if she is one of those authors who is too famous to be edited properly? Because that is sorely what this story needed. Passive language, cliched, overly flowery descriptions, it had all the earmarks of a beginner writer still coming to grips with the craft.
Not to mention that the heroine was pretty much a nutcase. Trying to convince someone that he's the reincarnation of someone else without the doctor being sent for? I don't think so.
The other stories in the collection were far better on the whole, thankfully, and I did enjoy reading them. Still, I have to give this only 2 stars, because if people buy it for the author's name in big writing on the cover, they will be disappointed. (Although, hopefully they'll have the opposite experience to me, and discover new authors they do like!)
August 15, 2010
I'm going to break down my review into the 4 separate stories because it's not fair to give a bad review to the one story I actually found fairly entertaining.
Virginia Henley: Smuggler's Lair
I have to say I was most disappointed in this story because I really do like most of her full novels. What made this story disagreeable to me was the time travel. Not so much the travelling back in time in the first place, but the travelling back to the time she grew up in. It wasn't a happy story when the man she fell in love with died because of a horrible gunshot wound. But then she travelled back to her own time and decided that the new "lord" of the castle was the reincarnation of the dead man. She came off as crazy and I couldn't accept that she wasn't questioned about that more.
Sally MacKenzie: The Naked Laird
This story I enjoyed the most from this collection. I found it humorous even though it seemed a little too obvious that everybody else at the house party was in on the scheme of getting them back together.
Victoria Dahl: Lessons in Pleasure
I had trouble with this story as well. For as reserved and almost prudish that she seemed, it was hard for me to follow her jumping back and forth between what to believe what was the correct behavior between a man and a woman. And her mother's doctor? He seemed like a quack who took advantage of his patients. It was a little rediculous.
Kristi Astor: Swept Away
This story was ok as well. It was a bit extreme that they went from seeming to loathe each other to lovers in three days. But at least there was a little more history between them and they seemed to be happy at the end.
Virginia Henley: Smuggler's Lair
I have to say I was most disappointed in this story because I really do like most of her full novels. What made this story disagreeable to me was the time travel. Not so much the travelling back in time in the first place, but the travelling back to the time she grew up in. It wasn't a happy story when the man she fell in love with died because of a horrible gunshot wound. But then she travelled back to her own time and decided that the new "lord" of the castle was the reincarnation of the dead man. She came off as crazy and I couldn't accept that she wasn't questioned about that more.
Sally MacKenzie: The Naked Laird
This story I enjoyed the most from this collection. I found it humorous even though it seemed a little too obvious that everybody else at the house party was in on the scheme of getting them back together.
Victoria Dahl: Lessons in Pleasure
I had trouble with this story as well. For as reserved and almost prudish that she seemed, it was hard for me to follow her jumping back and forth between what to believe what was the correct behavior between a man and a woman. And her mother's doctor? He seemed like a quack who took advantage of his patients. It was a little rediculous.
Kristi Astor: Swept Away
This story was ok as well. It was a bit extreme that they went from seeming to loathe each other to lovers in three days. But at least there was a little more history between them and they seemed to be happy at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
February 13, 2013Anthology of Georgian, Victorian, Regency and Edwardian historical romance short stories.
Smuggler's Lair - reminds me of Dark Shadows (the original series) when the soap opera brooded on time travel. Creating conflict using a paranormal device is not my cup of tea in a historical romance, although Outlander certainly is an exception.
The Naked Laird - the title is a turn-off for me but since the "Naked" series is well-known and liked in the historical romance community, I read the story, knowing it was short, anyway. I thought the premise of a long-separated couple being placed in a room together by mistake to be rather clever. That is a historical conundrum I can accept and enjoy.
Lessons in Pleasure - another title turn-off but I do like Victorians. However, I don't like Victorians that play on inaccurate stereotypes. This one tries to have its cake (everyone in Victorian times are uptight when it comes to sex -- well, almost everybody) and eat it too (but uptightness can be gotten over in a few short lessons). Just call it a contemporary and I'd like it just fine.
Swept Away - the real gem in this anthology. Edwardian (which I've loved long before Downton Abbey and Gosford Park) and smack-gobbed with real class conflict. Nothing contrived here. Lovely story. It raises my 1 star rating to 3.
Smuggler's Lair - reminds me of Dark Shadows (the original series) when the soap opera brooded on time travel. Creating conflict using a paranormal device is not my cup of tea in a historical romance, although Outlander certainly is an exception.
The Naked Laird - the title is a turn-off for me but since the "Naked" series is well-known and liked in the historical romance community, I read the story, knowing it was short, anyway. I thought the premise of a long-separated couple being placed in a room together by mistake to be rather clever. That is a historical conundrum I can accept and enjoy.
Lessons in Pleasure - another title turn-off but I do like Victorians. However, I don't like Victorians that play on inaccurate stereotypes. This one tries to have its cake (everyone in Victorian times are uptight when it comes to sex -- well, almost everybody) and eat it too (but uptightness can be gotten over in a few short lessons). Just call it a contemporary and I'd like it just fine.
Swept Away - the real gem in this anthology. Edwardian (which I've loved long before Downton Abbey and Gosford Park) and smack-gobbed with real class conflict. Nothing contrived here. Lovely story. It raises my 1 star rating to 3.
Read
January 8, 2021"smuggler's lair" by virginia henley, Victoria Carswell will not be bound by society's dictates. She'll even risk skinny-dipping in view of an abandoned castle. At least, Victoria thinks it's abandoned, until a dashing smuggler lures her into an adventure that defies every rule. Not a very good story.
"the naked laird" by sally mackenzie, The viscount's house party promises to be one of the season's highlights, and Lord and Lady Kilgorn are delighted to attend. If only the long-estranged couple had realized that they were both invited--and assigned to the same bedchamber.
"lessons in pleasure" by victoria dalh, Newly married to her beloved James, Sarah Hood should be blissfully happy...yet close proximity to a man fills her with anxiety. But James plans to awaken Sarah to the joy of giving and receiving pleasure, in order to forge a true union of body and soul.
"swept away" by kristi astor, Vivacious Christobel Smyth is a gentleman's daughter, while brooding, proud John Leyden comes from a family of northern mill owners. The two could not be more different, yet as passion flares at a country party, Christobel finds he may be her match in every way.
"the naked laird" by sally mackenzie, The viscount's house party promises to be one of the season's highlights, and Lord and Lady Kilgorn are delighted to attend. If only the long-estranged couple had realized that they were both invited--and assigned to the same bedchamber.
"lessons in pleasure" by victoria dalh, Newly married to her beloved James, Sarah Hood should be blissfully happy...yet close proximity to a man fills her with anxiety. But James plans to awaken Sarah to the joy of giving and receiving pleasure, in order to forge a true union of body and soul.
"swept away" by kristi astor, Vivacious Christobel Smyth is a gentleman's daughter, while brooding, proud John Leyden comes from a family of northern mill owners. The two could not be more different, yet as passion flares at a country party, Christobel finds he may be her match in every way.
April 17, 2014
Four short stories.
4stars I got the book for the Sally MacKenzie story, "The Naked Laird" and enjoyed the story of Lord and Lady Kilgorn. They have been estranged for 10 years, now they find themselves assigned to the same room a a house party.
4stars Kristi Astor's "Lessons in Pleasure" was a nice surprise. Christobel Smyth and her mother are spending an autumn house party with Edith, her sister, and her husband, Jasper. Her sister, Edith, has been match-making the past few years and is at it again. Jasper's cousin, John, has been invited again this year and Christobel is not looking forward to more of his disapproving watchfulness. Sparks flare and misunderstandings separate the two.
3Stars Victoria Dahl's "Lessons in Pleasure" was the story of a newly wed couple. The wife's anxiety about her mother's cause of death when she was a small child causes difficulty in her marriage.
2Stars for "Smuggler's Lair" by Virginia Henley. This was just difficult to believe, a young woman skinny dipping in a moat and dreaming of living in the moat's castle. She does tour the castle and steps into 100 years into the past....
4stars I got the book for the Sally MacKenzie story, "The Naked Laird" and enjoyed the story of Lord and Lady Kilgorn. They have been estranged for 10 years, now they find themselves assigned to the same room a a house party.
4stars Kristi Astor's "Lessons in Pleasure" was a nice surprise. Christobel Smyth and her mother are spending an autumn house party with Edith, her sister, and her husband, Jasper. Her sister, Edith, has been match-making the past few years and is at it again. Jasper's cousin, John, has been invited again this year and Christobel is not looking forward to more of his disapproving watchfulness. Sparks flare and misunderstandings separate the two.
3Stars Victoria Dahl's "Lessons in Pleasure" was the story of a newly wed couple. The wife's anxiety about her mother's cause of death when she was a small child causes difficulty in her marriage.
2Stars for "Smuggler's Lair" by Virginia Henley. This was just difficult to believe, a young woman skinny dipping in a moat and dreaming of living in the moat's castle. She does tour the castle and steps into 100 years into the past....
September 6, 2016
Smuggler's Lair by Virginia Henley
This is my first read by Ms. Henley. So I tried. I really tried to keep an open mind about time traveling stories but I just couldn't with this one. She fell in love with past Falcon but ended up with present Falcon and the hidden treasure. 2 stars
The Naked Laird by Sally MacKenzie
This is my first read by Ms. MacKenzie. Grrrrrr, the H is such a man whore. He fucks around with other married women while his wife mourns for the loss of their child for a decade. Granted she didn't react very maturely after the loss but damn, the H should have groveled! The h was the one to reach out to him and everything was HEA. 2 stars
Lessons in Pleasure by Victoria Dahl
This author is the only reason why I got this book. I think I've read everything by Ms. Dahl. A cute story about sexual desires. 3 stars
Swept Away by Kristi Astor
This is my first read by Ms. Astor. I loved this story! It had sexy times, misunderstandings and humor. 4 stars
This is my first read by Ms. Henley. So I tried. I really tried to keep an open mind about time traveling stories but I just couldn't with this one. She fell in love with past Falcon but ended up with present Falcon and the hidden treasure. 2 stars
The Naked Laird by Sally MacKenzie
This is my first read by Ms. MacKenzie. Grrrrrr, the H is such a man whore. He fucks around with other married women while his wife mourns for the loss of their child for a decade. Granted she didn't react very maturely after the loss but damn, the H should have groveled! The h was the one to reach out to him and everything was HEA. 2 stars
Lessons in Pleasure by Victoria Dahl
This author is the only reason why I got this book. I think I've read everything by Ms. Dahl. A cute story about sexual desires. 3 stars
Swept Away by Kristi Astor
This is my first read by Ms. Astor. I loved this story! It had sexy times, misunderstandings and humor. 4 stars
August 12, 2015
"Smuggler's Lair" by Virginia Henley, ugh. I’ll just say, I didn’t know anything about this author or story going in. It’s time travel. Totally not my thing. I tried. I really did, but I ended up skipping 2/3 of the story. I just couldn’t do it. 1 star.
"The Naked Laird" by Sally MacKenzie. This is the whole reason I got this book. I love Sally’s humor mixed with her stories. This is in the middle of the house party going on within the Naked Nobility series. The estranged husband and wife of 10 years being forced to share a room. Will they finally call it quits or fix what’s broken?
"Lessons in Pleasure" Victoria Dahl. A young wife who’s terrified something is wrong with her and her responses to her “marital” duties. I liked this one.
"Swept Away" Krisit Astor A “Lady” and not a “gentleman”
"The Naked Laird" by Sally MacKenzie. This is the whole reason I got this book. I love Sally’s humor mixed with her stories. This is in the middle of the house party going on within the Naked Nobility series. The estranged husband and wife of 10 years being forced to share a room. Will they finally call it quits or fix what’s broken?
"Lessons in Pleasure" Victoria Dahl. A young wife who’s terrified something is wrong with her and her responses to her “marital” duties. I liked this one.
"Swept Away" Krisit Astor A “Lady” and not a “gentleman”
October 27, 2011
Un libro ligero y sencillo de leer. No es una gran historia,y sin dudas tiene cosas que me hizo pensar.
Uno entiende que ellos eran jovenes e inexpertos, pero nadie le explico a ella que los abortos pasan, son comunes? estar separa 10 años del marido por un aborto inesperado del 1er trimestre no es mucho?
Yo creo que, basicamente, el libro trata de mostrar que, por mas amor y pasión en una pareja, la comunicación es una base fundamental. Es difícil crear nada sin ella... Si ella hubiera hablado con Ian, las cosas hubieran sido muy diferentes...
—Hemos razonado, hablado y discutido bastante, Nell. Ahora toca sentir...
Uno entiende que ellos eran jovenes e inexpertos, pero nadie le explico a ella que los abortos pasan, son comunes? estar separa 10 años del marido por un aborto inesperado del 1er trimestre no es mucho?
Yo creo que, basicamente, el libro trata de mostrar que, por mas amor y pasión en una pareja, la comunicación es una base fundamental. Es difícil crear nada sin ella... Si ella hubiera hablado con Ian, las cosas hubieran sido muy diferentes...
—Hemos razonado, hablado y discutido bastante, Nell. Ahora toca sentir...
March 6, 2015
I bought this anthology for the Naked Laird by Sally Mackenzie and it was my favorite among the four novellas.
The last one, Swept Away by Kristi Astor, was a nice surprise, and the third, Lessons in Pleasure by Victoria Dahl, was alright with some very good parts.
The first and longest one, Smuggler's Lair by Victoria Henley, failed to convince me, though some parts of it are fun. I'm not completely against time travelling though I don't usually expect it in romances, and the Outlander series might have spoilt me for other, less riveting yet perfectly alright stories using that kind of plot device. I did love Pandora and her role in the story though.
The last one, Swept Away by Kristi Astor, was a nice surprise, and the third, Lessons in Pleasure by Victoria Dahl, was alright with some very good parts.
The first and longest one, Smuggler's Lair by Victoria Henley, failed to convince me, though some parts of it are fun. I'm not completely against time travelling though I don't usually expect it in romances, and the Outlander series might have spoilt me for other, less riveting yet perfectly alright stories using that kind of plot device. I did love Pandora and her role in the story though.
November 16, 2012
I read only Lessons in Pleasure by Victoria Dahl in this one.
Pretty silly read. Young bride thinks she's a nymphomaniac because she's starting to enjoy sex with her husband.
Dahl can write pretty steamy scenes. This is rather excuse for a porn than a real story.
I also tried to read MacKenzie's Naked Laird but I stopped, when I remembered I don't like 'second chance at love' stories. Especially ones in which guy gets to whore around when they are apart and woman stays faithful.
Pretty silly read. Young bride thinks she's a nymphomaniac because she's starting to enjoy sex with her husband.
Dahl can write pretty steamy scenes. This is rather excuse for a porn than a real story.
I also tried to read MacKenzie's Naked Laird but I stopped, when I remembered I don't like 'second chance at love' stories. Especially ones in which guy gets to whore around when they are apart and woman stays faithful.
February 13, 2017
I love Sally MacKenzie's "Naked" series and got this book to read "The Naked Laird." It was good and deserved 3.5 stars on its own.
"Lessons in Pleasure" was a surprise for me. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would and gave it a 3.5 stars as well.
"Smuggler's Lair" was a disappointment for me. It seemed too unbelievable, unrealistic and difficult to get into. It got 1 star.
"Swept Away" I gave 2.5 stars. It was not a bad book, just not one I really enjoyed.
"Lessons in Pleasure" was a surprise for me. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would and gave it a 3.5 stars as well.
"Smuggler's Lair" was a disappointment for me. It seemed too unbelievable, unrealistic and difficult to get into. It got 1 star.
"Swept Away" I gave 2.5 stars. It was not a bad book, just not one I really enjoyed.
January 13, 2014
Smuggler's Lair by Virginia Henley -
★★
The Naked Laird by Sally MacKenzie - ★★★
Lessons in Pleasure by Victoria Dahl - ★★★★
Swept Away by Kristi Astor - ★★★
The Naked Laird by Sally MacKenzie - ★★★
Lessons in Pleasure by Victoria Dahl - ★★★★
Swept Away by Kristi Astor - ★★★
January 19, 2012
This review & rating only relate to Sally Mackenzie's "The Naked Laird." it's a great short story to be included in with all the other books in the series. Sally Mackenzie is very talented at setting up the scenes & romances especially while pulling characters out from her other books.
May 25, 2012
The only story worth reading was the second one, "The Naked Laird". The title wasn't a very good one,since it did not completely relate to the storyline, but I liked it, although some of the reasoning in the background of the story development wasn't the greatest, but hey, it was still good.
Want to read
February 23, 2015Follow me!
July 20, 2010
MacKenzie's work stands out as the best and another fun addition to her Naked series. The other stories were entertaining but did not command great attention.
June 19, 2011
I enjoyed every story. Each one held me spellbound. I am still thinking of the characters.
January 19, 2013
Henley's story in this collection is so different from the others that she writes, unique, with a twist? Not sure how best to say it but the other stories pale in comparison.
February 14, 2013
Pretty disappointed with the Naked Laird. Ian really just irritated me, and so did Nell for that matter. Yes, you had issues, but you let 10 years go by before solving them?! Really?!
October 20, 2014
Smuggler's Lair by Virginia Henley - 1 star, DNF.
Want to read
February 4, 2016OVERALL:
Smuggler's Lair by Virginia Henley
The Naked Laird by Sally MacKenzie
Lessons in Pleasure by Victoria Dahl
Swept Away by Kristi Astor
Smuggler's Lair by Virginia Henley
The Naked Laird by Sally MacKenzie
Lessons in Pleasure by Victoria Dahl
Swept Away by Kristi Astor
September 2, 2015
All the stories were well writen and quite engaging.
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