Shannon C.’s review of A Lady in Waiting by Samantha Kane
Historical erotic romance published 28 May 2008 by Ellora’s Cave

As anyone who knows me and my reviewing patterns knows, I am a Samantha Kane fangirl. I love her characters, I love how the sex in her stories is critical to the relationships that develop, and I love the fact that her heroes are honest and open about their sexuality.

I also think that Ms. Kane excels at longer works. This short story was just that, a little too short, and while nice for a quick, fluffy read to pass the time, I wasn’t as blown away as I’ve been by her past efforts.

Sylvie, the Marchionesse of Bartlebyrne, is widowed and horny. And she knows exactly who she wants to scratch her particular itch, the reformed rake turned vicar, Edmund James. Edmund, in turn, finds his daily chats with Sylvie to be both fun and intensely sexually frustrating. He knows she wants him, he just needs to prove to her that she should be with him.

This is part of EC’s “Oh Yum” lineup featuring older women and younger men. Because it’s a Samantha Kane, I was immediately transported into the story and I came to really like both our leads. The story doesn’t really have much of a plot, but for really good smut, this works. Those scenes between Sylvie and Edmund are hot.

Unfortunately, as is usual for this sort of thing, I wanted more. More depth to the characters, more of seeing them get to know each other in ways that didn’t involve sexoring, hell, even more of Edmund as a vicar.

I think fans of Samantha Kane will like this story, and fans of hot erotic romance should try it too.

Grade: B

Summary:
Oh Yum! – A Lady In Waiting By Samantha Kane
Sylvie, Marchioness of Bartlebyrne, has been a widow for much of her adult life. Her grown son is away at school, leaving Sylvie in charge of the family estate, The Byrne. She offers the vacant living in the village to the son of one of her late husband’s friends. The new vicar, Mr. Edmund James, is twenty-six, handsome and, his family hopes, a reformed rake. Sylvie falls under the young man’s spell at first sight, but is ashamed by her desires — she’s so much older than him, how can she be having all these naughty thoughts about what she wants him to do to her, and where, and how often!

Edmund James’ family gave him a choice — be ordained and take the living in Byrnham or be cut off and transported for failure to pay his debts. The one thing that makes his new life worth living is Sylvie. He seduces his way into her bed, but can he overcome her worries about their age difference and win her heart?
Read an Excerpt.