Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of The Perfect Concubine by Michelle Styles
Historical Romance short story ebook published by Harlequin Historical Undone 01 Feb 11
Of late, my quality of reading material has been more than a little lacking. One lackluster story after another is leaving me twitching for something entertaining, and non-frustrating, to read. Bless Michelle Styles’ heart – turns out she has the solution. All I needed to do is travel back in time to ancient Rome!
Valeria is a desperate woman. Her family has fallen on hard times, and now there is word that her missing brother might be alive and well, living in North Africa. She’s determined to find him, but it means finding a man crazy enough to set sail when the weather is all wrong for such a venture. When every other option dissolves, she’s left with Piso the Greek, the one man brave (and crazy) enough to say yes. The fly in the ointment? Piso and Valeria share a past, one rife with pain, heartache, and betrayal.
Piso, once a common sailor, is now a very wealthy man. However, he’s still bitter over what he construes as Valeria’s betrayal. So it’s partly for that reason, along with the fact that he’s never gotten over her, that he agrees to help her – on one condition. She becomes his concubine.
Now, admittedly, this sounds a tad unsavory. And it would have been had it not been for the heartbreaking back-story. It’s easy to understand why Piso is so angry. It’s easy to understand the choices Valeria felt she had to make. The conflict stems from Piso not knowing exactly what poor Valeria has had to endure.
I suspect some readers will find this short story a bit rushed, and certainly it could have been longer given the emotional angst the characters have had to endure. However, it also probably could have gotten a bit tiresome as a longer read, given Piso’s animosity and that the reason for it is because of a lack of communication. As is, I think it’s just about right. Now to hunt up the connected book, Sold & Seduced, to add to the ol’ TBR.
Grade: B
Summary:
Rome, 68 B.C.
Valeria’s life is in the hands of Piso the Greek—the very man who had risen from a common sailor to wealthy ship owner following their doomed romance. He is the only man brave enough to sail the dangerous seas to Alexandria to reunite Valeria with her missing brother and restore her family’s fortune. But Piso demands a high price for his help: Valeria must become his concubine and share his bed once more….
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