The book begins with Madam Estelle and the love of her life Colonel James Goodwin who serves the Provost Marshal of Washington, D.C. as an investigator, engaging in a playful sexual romp. The reader is treated to background on Estelle and James meeting and their subsequent affair, which was romantic and tender. And through the book James and Estelle's erotically charged love is exhibited and their passion and regard for each other shows through.

The plot revolves around a patron of Madam Estelle's turning up dead and the subsequent solving of the crime by Estelle.

I found Book I-Lacie to be light on plot as the murder took a backseat to Estelle and James affair, which I had no problem with, as this book is billed as historical erotica but as the title indicates Lacie as the focus, it was an odd misnomer as she plays such a backseat to Estelle and James.

The love scenes were sensuous and yet sweet between Estelle and James though even at the most tender times the adjectives 'rammed or slammed into her' were used which does not convey sensual passion as much as force and pain during sex. I notice these terms used liberally by erotica and Romantica writers and I don't have a problem with them in domination scenes but when portraying heartfelt love scenes these adjectives are jarring to the reader when trying to relate to the characters and the ambience of the scene.

Having served more as a back ground novel for this series perhaps subsequent works of these novellas will be more in depth both in the running of a brothel and a more satisfying plot so the reader fills enriched by a visit to the Maison D'Estelle.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Explicit

Reviewer: Torie West
April 27, 2003