Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of The Birthday Present (The Countess Trilogy #3) by Alison Richardson
Historical erotica short story ebook released by Spice Briefs 01 Nov 2009
What can I say? Sometimes it’s an intriguing writing style that keeps me coming back for more, even when I logically know that a story shouldn’t work for me in the slightest. Which is why I decided to finish out the trilogy, and get some closure, for Richardson’s lusty, wicked and snobby heroine, Countess Anna von Esslin.
It’s been two years since the events of An Impolite Seduction and Anna is now living in Munich. What is truly troublesome is that she’s been celibate this whole time. Part of this is because Anna has found her tastes have grown more refined with age (not just any willing young buck will do), but also because her rival, that low-born Scot, James McKirnan has been steering any man remotely desirable away from her salon. So she’s well and truly desperate when her cousin Robert offers her a birthday present. A mystery lover who will only take her while she is blind-folded and who is so skilled that he soon has Anna panting after him.
Yeah, we all know where this is going right?
Richardson’s writing style continues to deliver most of the goods here. Where there were a few instances of tell over show (especially in regards to dialogue), readers once again get a delightful first person narration from Anna’s point of view, and several wicked observations that induce some laughs.
The characters continue to be somewhat of an issue – most notably Anna. While I do not subscribe to the school of thought that the heroine has to be “likeable” – there has to be “something” there for the reader to grasp on to. While the author wraps up the saga of James and Anna in a neat package by the end, I’m still left with the question of why, as the reader, I should care what happens to either of these two. James at least has moments where he’s not totally debauched and vile – and while it’s certainly historical accurate, Anna’s snobbery and scheming can wear very thin in short order.
At the end of this third and final story, I find myself continuing to ponder this series. Richardson can write, of that there is no question. These stories have been erotic, evocative, delightful, and even amusing. If the author were to publish a full-length novel, or even more short stories, I would no doubt happily buy and read them. All the while, praying that the heroine will be someone who truly deserves any positive outcomes that play out over the course of the story. Frankly, I was never sure that Anna did.
Grade: C+
You can read reviews for all three stories by clicking on the series tag.
Summary:
Countess Anna von Esslin has done something very uncharacteristic: she hasn’t taken a lover in over two years! None of the men in Munich meet her standards…especially her rival, James McKirnan.
Then the Countess is given a surprising birthday presents—a mystery lover who will only see her when she is blindfolded. He fulfills Anna’s every desire…but when the blindfold comes off, will she like what she sees?
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