But having recently inherited the title of Earl of Hawksford -- and the task of marrying off five younger sisters -- Alex realizes that with position comes responsibility. Now, in order for his sisters to be completely accepted by the ton, he needs to do everything possible to avoid gossip.

Then he is propositioned by Charlotte, the widowed Lady Chartwell. Can he remain gossip-free? Or will the temptation of beautiful Charlotte be too much to deny?

If her husband weren't already dead, Charlotte would kill him. One of his mistresses had gotten to him first. When it's revealed that his family -- and his mistresses -- have inherited everything, Charlotte is left penniless. Little by little, she sells the few things of value that are left, until all that is left are her home and her body. And she'd sell her body long before giving up the home that had been in her family for over a hundred years.

After reading Lord of Pleasure, I was quite disappointed that this book came to an end. Each chapter is infused with humor and quick wit, and the book is full of characters who are lively, realistic, down-to-earth, and utterly loveable. I found myself laughing out loud at the comic scenes, cringing at the emotional conflicts, and falling in love with each turn of the page. The sexual tension between Charlotte and Alex was truly palpable and the love scenes definitely made the temperature soar.

Lord of Pleasure is a stellar page-turner. Author Delilah Marvelle has a magnificent, earthy voice, a surprising treat for an historical romance junkie like me. She deftly takes the reader on an emotional roller-coaster ride that will leave you begging for more. This book is one of the best I've read -- it's a definite keeper!

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Gracey McCarthy
September 8, 2009