Sensual Victorian Romance

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EXCERPT

Ivy darted a look at the door as she eased herself down onto the bed beside her master. The housekeeper could have no reason to come upstairs but if she caught her in the master’s room—on his bed no less—she could be in quite a pickle.“Mr.—” A snore escaped his mouth and she shook her head.

“Oh dear, Mr. Avery. You are the one who is in a pickle I think. Or more likely utterly foxed.”Leaning over, she went to grasp his hand to study the damage and froze when he grunted and rolled towards her. His arm landed near her backside on the bed and his head was almost on her lap. Ivy attempted to take his hurt hand from behind her but he twined it out of her grasp and released a low mumble.

She gasped when his hand curved around her backside. She wore only her chemise and her drawers. Mr. Avery’s warm hand fairly burned through the cotton, feeling as though she would wake up with a handprint on her bottom. She twisted to yank his hand away, only to end up with his head pressed against the side of her breast. Mr Avery nuzzled his face against her breast and she stilled. She should draw away, press him back, but for some reasonher body refused to cooperate. Hands to his head, she found his hair to be soft and thick.

Oh dear. One part of her body seemed to be working—her fingers. They twined into the softness, so at odds with the rest of him, from his stern features to what she suspected was a body that rivalled the statues of London. He released a muffled groan against her and she heard him inhale deeply.

“Smell so good,” he murmured.Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. She was going to lose her job not two days into it if she was not careful. Her nipples were tight and hard. Lush heat rolled throughher as he burrowed closer and his hand splayed across her back to hold her to him.

A creak from somewhere else in the house startled her into action. She jerked back and clasped his wrist to force his hand back. At least in his foxed state he wasn’t particularly strong. She had no doubt if he really wanted to keep hold of her, he could, but had he been sober, she was positive he’d want nothing to do with the governess.  A man like Mr Avery likely enjoyed the company of women less… interesting-looking than her. Blonde ones with soft features and a delicate manner.

He rolled onto his back, a grin cracking his face. His eyes were at half-mast and she wasn’t sure what amused him. Recalling her original reason for being on the bed, she grasped his hand and inspected the cut. It had already stopped bleeding so couldn’t be deep. Ivy rolled her eyes to herself. All this for a tiny scratch. At least he was so foxed he would never recall any of it.

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My Review

Upstairs meets Downstairs in this sensual Victorian romance *****

I loved Kissed At Midnight, where the usual walls between master and servant crumble and passion ignites. The read is sensual, romantic and fun as the two protagonists, Ivy and August, who may well be my favourite Samantha Holt couple to date, circle each other, trying in vain to deny their growing mutual attraction.

August is in a real pickle since he assumed the responsibility for caring for his cousin’s baby Elsie, and in an uncharacteristic show of impetuosity he hires Ivy as her nursemaid, despite her lack of experience in such a role. Both know that the situation is only transitory as Ivy’s real goal is to forge a career as a singer.

The author’s voice in this novel is decidedly playful, driven in part no doubt by the character of the heroine, Ivy, whose actions compel the evolving romance with her knack of plain speaking and spontaneous nature. By contrast the engineer August is methodical, cautious and conservative in outlook. Ivy is the perfect yin to his yang, free spirited and adventurous. I just adored how the tale shows us how August’s well-ordered life is soon compromised by Ivy’s presence in his household.

I loved how the author showed this handsome man grappling with his conscience regarding how to treat Ivy, a woman in his employ who he is honour bound to protect, yet at the same time the very woman who he is developing an irrepressible attraction for. He also strives to avoid the unwelcome attentions of the widow Mrs Pepperwhite, who does not care for Ivy’s appearance on the scene.

Ivy is quite a heroine! I loved her back story and her character which goes against everything that is expected of a Victorian lady. She certainly upsets August’s routine and in a household as small as his, the usual rules between master and servant are soon compromised. Their romance is a real page- turner as neither August or Ivy know how to cope with their growing feelings for each other and there are a number of barriers to their HEA: Ivy’s ambition to become a famous singer; August’s desire to maintain his distance from the hired help and Mrs Pepperwhite’s interest in August.

Their love-making scenes between the couple are hugely romantic and sensual and although August is a true gentleman, he is very much flesh and blood and as I read I could sense the growing desire between him and Ivy which demands to be sated…..

All in all a super sensual romance and I feel one of the author’s best to date. Recommended for readers of historical romance.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

A copy of this novel was made available for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

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