Stevie‘s review of Julia’s Double Chance (Madame Joly’s House of Passion, Book 1)by Em Ashcroft
Historical Erotic Romance published by Siren Publishing 07 Apr 14
I don’t read many erotic romances, and even fewer on the historical side, but I’m very glad I was persuaded to give this one a chance (pardon the pun). On the other hand, I love anything that’s set very definitely before or after that overly popular Regency period, so this Georgian story is right up my street.
Lady Julia Ashcott has not been treated well by the men in her life. Her father saw her only as a commodity to be married off to whosoever might give him the best advantage in his ongoing quest for money and political power, while her husband, much older than she, having treated her kindly during his life, now appears to have left her destitute – with all his money going to his heir. In a particularly cruel twist, Julia’s father wants to marry her off to her husband’s heir presumptive – a particularly dislikeable fellow – and her only way to buy a short respite is to claim to be pregnant. If she produces a son within the next few months, the title and estates will pass to him, and she might be able to avoid remarriage on the grounds of needing to take care of her child’s interests. However, there’s no way Julia could be pregnant, no matter what she tells people, and she’s going to have to take a lover pretty quickly if she’s ever to convince people that any subsequent pregnancy took place as a result of her marriage.
Enter Charles and Snow, a pair of Cits with a financial interest in what happens to the estates of Julia’s late husband, as well as a personal interest in keeping Julia’s father and prospective new husband from gaining any more influence – especially since so much of it has already been gained at the expense of others. The two men are inseparable, having known each other from childhood, but their romantic and sexual tastes run more towards the sort of women prepared to take on both of them at once. They want to find a woman they can both fall in love with, and who will love them both in return.
The pair offer Julia a way out of her predicament, with the help of their friend – and sometime business partner – Madame Joly, with whom they are helping to set up an exclusive club catering to men, and women, who want somewhere better than the average brothel or club in which to spend their evenings and conduct their dalliances. Of course Julia grows closer to Snow and Charles than their original plan allows for, and the three find themselves wondering if and how they can continue the relationship without Julia’s father jumping in when Julia’s pregnancy claim is either proven or disproven.
I love this book a lot more than I’d been expecting, although I have a few nit-picks regarding the early chapters in which I got a little confused over how many siblings and other relatives Julia has and their circumstances at the time of the story. However, that isn’t going to stop me tracking down the rest of the series and looking out for more historical romances from this author.
Grade: B
Summary:
They were looking for sanctuary…and found love instead.
The lovely widow Julia, Lady Ormond, needs an heir. Charles Tait and Snowley “Snow” Mason need Julia. Together, they find a love worth fighting for. Julia will be left penniless if she doesn’t get pregnant in the next two months. Charles and Snow both want Julia and suggest that they help. They take her to the notorious Madame Joly’s House of Passion in Covent Garden and show her passion beyond her wildest dreams. Julia falls in love with the men, but she can’t give way to her emotions. She must be above suspicion for her child’s sake, but in the House of Passion she discovers she needs both men for her happiness. Charles and Snow don’t want to let Julia go, but deeply in love with her, they want what’s best for her. With their happiness at stake, they must find a way to keep her. But how to do that and preserve their thriving business and Julia’s good name?
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
