THE DUCHESS, HER MAID, THE GROOM & THEIR LOVER

Author: Victoria Janssen ISBN: 9780373605262 12/2008 HISTORICAL/EROTIC Publisher: SPICE
Time Period: Regency

Wretched be the woman of wealth and fortune who fails to produce a suitable heir... And wretched is what Duchess Camille feels living with the cruel and debauched duke. But that soon turns to desperation when she learns her lecherous husband is plotting to have her killed to make way for a more nubile and fertile companion. Knowing she cannot sit idly by and wait for death, she flees into the night, taking with her her own young lover—the stable hand Henri—and her most loyal servants. With a mind to finding refuge with Maxime, her first love who years ago ignited her sexuality, Camille and her servants take cover in brothels along the way and succumb to the physical delights on offer, sating their longings and fueling jealousies with one another. But the duke's men are not far behind, and Camille knows they must press on, hoping against hope that the man who has every reason to turn her away will remember the fervent passion that once coursed between them....

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

THE DUCHESS, HER MAID, THE GROOM AND THEIR LOVER by Victoria Janssen is both erotic and heartwarming. I was surprised when the story began on a heartbreakingly poignant note. I'm not quite sure what I expected, but it wasn't the story of a duchess who, failing to produce an heir for a brutal, horrid duke, is encouraged by those around her to either become pregnant by a man who looks like the duke or flee for her life. I was instantly caught up in Camille's tale, wondering how—or if—she would escape her unfortunate lot.

Camille is quite brave. She is smart enough to see what her options are and knows what must be done. Actually, all of the characters in this story are well-written. Henri, the groom, is a hero who would make any woman swoon. He tightens Camille's buckles, cares for her horses and undertakes a duty not many in his position are called upon to fulfill. Henri is both loving and loyal, and does perform his duties well!

While there are, at some points, more sex than story, the story itself does hold together nicely. Personally I could have done without the maid and duchess sex bits, but that's just my own personal feelings; I realize there may be some who will enjoy the female/female encounter but I wasn't one of them.

Nonetheless, Victoria Janssen has written a tale of duty and desire that is sure to keep many readers turning the pages.

Kay James