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Captivated
Four masters of sensual historical romance transport readers to a world where fantasies come true and passion is bound only by the limits of the imagination.
A LADY'S PLEASURE by Robin Schone
Seeking shelter from a storm, Colonel Robert Coally intrudes on Abigail Wynfred while she is reading a book that would surely raise more than one eyebrow in London society. When the lonely Abigail confides in him that she aches for the touch of a man, Robert takes her on a breathless journey filled with sensual surprises surpassing even the most scandalous of fictional exploits.
DARK DESIRES by Thea Devine
Drue Caledon despises her new husband Courtland Summerville, the man she was forced to marry, and vows to remain loyal to her true love, Gerard Lenoir. But Court intends to make Drue his in body and spirit by introducing her to the pleasures of the flesh—tantalizing her until she has no choice but to surrender to his every desire.
BOUND AND DETERMINED by Susan Johnson
The Princess Marko has kidnapped Hugh Dalsany, Marquis of Crewe. Now Hugh finds himself her prisoner, shackled to a bedpost. But it isn't long before he becomes a very willing captive, succumbing to her expert skills in seduction.
ECSTASY by Bertrice Small
Dagon, Prince of Aramis, had been betrayed by his twin brother and sold into slavery. He vowed to escape his tortured life and seek revenge, until he was brought to Kava. Now Dagon is under the rapturous spell of the women who rule this kingdom and of its queen, the irresistible Kelida whose wickedly lascivious games leave him begging for more.
A LADY'S PLEASURE by Robin Schone
Seeking shelter from a storm, Colonel Robert Coally intrudes on Abigail Wynfred while she is reading a book that would surely raise more than one eyebrow in London society. When the lonely Abigail confides in him that she aches for the touch of a man, Robert takes her on a breathless journey filled with sensual surprises surpassing even the most scandalous of fictional exploits.
DARK DESIRES by Thea Devine
Drue Caledon despises her new husband Courtland Summerville, the man she was forced to marry, and vows to remain loyal to her true love, Gerard Lenoir. But Court intends to make Drue his in body and spirit by introducing her to the pleasures of the flesh—tantalizing her until she has no choice but to surrender to his every desire.
BOUND AND DETERMINED by Susan Johnson
The Princess Marko has kidnapped Hugh Dalsany, Marquis of Crewe. Now Hugh finds himself her prisoner, shackled to a bedpost. But it isn't long before he becomes a very willing captive, succumbing to her expert skills in seduction.
ECSTASY by Bertrice Small
Dagon, Prince of Aramis, had been betrayed by his twin brother and sold into slavery. He vowed to escape his tortured life and seek revenge, until he was brought to Kava. Now Dagon is under the rapturous spell of the women who rule this kingdom and of its queen, the irresistible Kelida whose wickedly lascivious games leave him begging for more.
377 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1999
7 people are currently reading
415 people want to read
About the author
Robin Schone
39Ìýbooks490ÌýfollowersUSA Today and Amazon Bestselling Author Robin Schone writes British Victorian novels about love, the legal & social penalties of Women’s sexuality and the occasional dinosaur. She is translated in 15 languages. The Lady's Tutor is a Cosmopolitan "Must Read" erotic novel. RUSQ (Reference and User Services of the American Library Association) chose Scandalous Lovers to “represent the wide range of historical fiction in romance.â€� Claims RUSQ: "Robin Schone writes sensual, explicit stories...about characters who are frequently older and less beautiful than most romance protagonists. Her history is impeccable; the storytelling is straightforward but emotionally driven."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 15, 2011
Robin Schone is the Real Star of this Anthology
While the other tales in this anthology are rather standard, and in the case of Beatrice Small, woefully sub-standard, it is Robin Schone's highly emotional A Lady's Pleasure which stands out as true erotic romance. Her story is why I gave this anthology the five-star rating.
Abigail and Robert, the main characters of A Lady's Pleasure are so well-drawn and full of depth that your heart breaks when they both speak of their lives outside of the storm-lashed cottage they find themselves together in. Abigail was a soon-to-be-married ex-spinster who seeks the one thing denied to many women in Victorian England--passion. Robert was a wounded soldier just returned from war to a country that seems to have no place for him. They are two people bound by the need to be loved and to be accepted.
The sexual scenes were hot and full of emotional intensity, and I was delighted to see that Ms. Schone dealt with all forms of intimacy, not just ones that are accepted. She doesn't write lurid prose with silly metaphors for male and female genitalia.
This is the story that I can read over and over again and still feel the same emotional connection. I can't say this enough, that Robin Schone is the new queen of erotic romance. All hail!!!
While the other tales in this anthology are rather standard, and in the case of Beatrice Small, woefully sub-standard, it is Robin Schone's highly emotional A Lady's Pleasure which stands out as true erotic romance. Her story is why I gave this anthology the five-star rating.
Abigail and Robert, the main characters of A Lady's Pleasure are so well-drawn and full of depth that your heart breaks when they both speak of their lives outside of the storm-lashed cottage they find themselves together in. Abigail was a soon-to-be-married ex-spinster who seeks the one thing denied to many women in Victorian England--passion. Robert was a wounded soldier just returned from war to a country that seems to have no place for him. They are two people bound by the need to be loved and to be accepted.
The sexual scenes were hot and full of emotional intensity, and I was delighted to see that Ms. Schone dealt with all forms of intimacy, not just ones that are accepted. She doesn't write lurid prose with silly metaphors for male and female genitalia.
This is the story that I can read over and over again and still feel the same emotional connection. I can't say this enough, that Robin Schone is the new queen of erotic romance. All hail!!!
November 4, 2009
Reading this helped me to realize I'm not into erotica. If I liked it, I would have rated it higher.
Shelved as 'dnf'
July 1, 2020I got it for free, but I never really read erotica, and when I do it has to WOW me. Next
March 7, 2011
"Ecstasy" by Bertrice Small - 1 star
Wow. This story disturbed me on so many levels. A cross between "The Phallus from Dallas" by Samantha Winston - without the tongue-in-cheek humor - and the alternate Earth-sex planet Gor of John Norman, the story is about a female-dominated society where men are relegated to sex slaves and women exploit the men. Add to this a beautiful ice queen who's never had an orgasm and a captured king's son named Dagon (hasn't the author read any Lovecraft? Dagon is not the name one should give a romantic hero) whose male package is so large it sends the local women into swoons of ecstasy. This story was so bad I had a hard time believing I was actually reading it.
"Bound and Determined" by Susan Johnson - 2 stars
This was a mess as well, but at least our hero wasn't named after a mythological fish-diety. And once you got through the whole incredulous set-up of the absentee, ruthless but gay, Hungarian husband who blackmails his beautiful wife into kidnapping and sleeping with a British marquis until she produces an heir plot, you could sit back, relax, and enjoy the story. Because everyone loves a reformed man-whore who's now into celibacy and quite irate that he's been kidnapped for sex. Sheesh. At least there's a cute baby in the end.
"Dark Desires" by Thea Devine - 2 stars
Louisiana bayou bondage. I expected more from Thea Devine.
"A Lady's Pleasure" by Robin Schone - 5 stars
My first story by Schone and I am impressed both by her ability to write passionate love scenes without resorting without soundind ridiculous and the emotional depth of her characters. This story is well worth a second read.
Wow. This story disturbed me on so many levels. A cross between "The Phallus from Dallas" by Samantha Winston - without the tongue-in-cheek humor - and the alternate Earth-sex planet Gor of John Norman, the story is about a female-dominated society where men are relegated to sex slaves and women exploit the men. Add to this a beautiful ice queen who's never had an orgasm and a captured king's son named Dagon (hasn't the author read any Lovecraft? Dagon is not the name one should give a romantic hero) whose male package is so large it sends the local women into swoons of ecstasy. This story was so bad I had a hard time believing I was actually reading it.
"Bound and Determined" by Susan Johnson - 2 stars
This was a mess as well, but at least our hero wasn't named after a mythological fish-diety. And once you got through the whole incredulous set-up of the absentee, ruthless but gay, Hungarian husband who blackmails his beautiful wife into kidnapping and sleeping with a British marquis until she produces an heir plot, you could sit back, relax, and enjoy the story. Because everyone loves a reformed man-whore who's now into celibacy and quite irate that he's been kidnapped for sex. Sheesh. At least there's a cute baby in the end.
"Dark Desires" by Thea Devine - 2 stars
Louisiana bayou bondage. I expected more from Thea Devine.
"A Lady's Pleasure" by Robin Schone - 5 stars
My first story by Schone and I am impressed both by her ability to write passionate love scenes without resorting without soundind ridiculous and the emotional depth of her characters. This story is well worth a second read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2013
By passed Bertrice Small, Susan Johnson, Thea Devine and headed straight for Robin Schone’s, A Lady’s Pleasure. This micro review is based on that book alone.
Why did I pass the others? Because the reviews made me that’s why and I have a keen aversion to domination and cruelty in supposed ‘romance�.
Highly improbable scenario but Schone had a way of drawing you into the intense desperate yearning created by these two lost souls while tearing at the heart strings. It was good until near the end.
If that doesn’t bother you then don’t listen to a word I’ve said, it really was quite good up to that point. Guess I'll just head back across the divide and read hot steamy vanilla sex with chocolate syrup and be content in my narrow world.
Why did I pass the others? Because the reviews made me that’s why and I have a keen aversion to domination and cruelty in supposed ‘romance�.
Highly improbable scenario but Schone had a way of drawing you into the intense desperate yearning created by these two lost souls while tearing at the heart strings. It was good until near the end.
If that doesn’t bother you then don’t listen to a word I’ve said, it really was quite good up to that point. Guess I'll just head back across the divide and read hot steamy vanilla sex with chocolate syrup and be content in my narrow world.
July 27, 2009
I was more attached to Schone's other short story from "Fascinated" because there was a character from The Lady's Tutor, but this was another good outing from her (and again, the 5 stars are for Schone and only Schone...the other stories I could barely skim. Dreck.) Schone's female characters are delightful because they're real people, with real problems (the men are still fantasies, but fun fantasies to read anyway). They're complex. At least if you're going to read trash, it should be "enjoyable" trash. Well, at least the trash has to be somewhat well-written (for a romance novel) for me to enjoy it!
January 3, 2015
All three stars are for Robin Schone's story.
September 1, 2021
An enjoyable and fun anthology--great escapist stories, perfect for before-bed reading.
Ecstasy: Dagon, Prince of Aramas, is betrayed by his brother, sold into slavery, and subsequently bought by Kava's High Procuress Zenaida as a gift for their queen Kalida. Kalida has ruled for many years but has not known love or taken a mate. Due to Dagon's large attributes Zenaida thinks he's perfect as a mate for their queen Kalida. Now Dagon just has to woo and win her while getting used to a society run entirely by women.
Bound and Determined: Hugh Dalsanay is disillusioned with his desultory life of dissipation so he swears off women and decides to head to the country. But he is kidnapped en route, taken to an unknown estate, and told he must stud for a woman. What starts off as a battle of will quickly turns into a torrid affair. Then she disappears...pregnant with his child.
Dark Desires: Drue marries Court Summerville to fulfill a contract between him and her father. She is determined to perform her duty but keep her heart for another. Court is implacable. He wants his wife, all of his wife, willing and eager, heart and soul. But he knows Drue is stubborn and must be trained. As they embark on a new life together wills are tested, secrets revealed, and opinions altered. Two forceful people have met their match.
A Lady's Pleasure: A genteel lady goes to a cabin by the sea to spend three final weeks of indulging in her secret pleasure before facing a life of spinsterhood and duty. In the midst of a fierce storm, she is startled when a man enters her cabin. Tall, big, and a little wild what can he possibly want? It turns out sanctuary from the storm and the company of a woman. An agreement is reached: for the duration of the storm they are each other's to explore, learn and enjoy.
Ecstasy: Dagon, Prince of Aramas, is betrayed by his brother, sold into slavery, and subsequently bought by Kava's High Procuress Zenaida as a gift for their queen Kalida. Kalida has ruled for many years but has not known love or taken a mate. Due to Dagon's large attributes Zenaida thinks he's perfect as a mate for their queen Kalida. Now Dagon just has to woo and win her while getting used to a society run entirely by women.
Bound and Determined: Hugh Dalsanay is disillusioned with his desultory life of dissipation so he swears off women and decides to head to the country. But he is kidnapped en route, taken to an unknown estate, and told he must stud for a woman. What starts off as a battle of will quickly turns into a torrid affair. Then she disappears...pregnant with his child.
Dark Desires: Drue marries Court Summerville to fulfill a contract between him and her father. She is determined to perform her duty but keep her heart for another. Court is implacable. He wants his wife, all of his wife, willing and eager, heart and soul. But he knows Drue is stubborn and must be trained. As they embark on a new life together wills are tested, secrets revealed, and opinions altered. Two forceful people have met their match.
A Lady's Pleasure: A genteel lady goes to a cabin by the sea to spend three final weeks of indulging in her secret pleasure before facing a life of spinsterhood and duty. In the midst of a fierce storm, she is startled when a man enters her cabin. Tall, big, and a little wild what can he possibly want? It turns out sanctuary from the storm and the company of a woman. An agreement is reached: for the duration of the storm they are each other's to explore, learn and enjoy.
January 19, 2022
Yes, some of these stories will be considered dated and make some uncomfortable (I sure wasn't a fan of the one set on a plantation!) but some were quite erotic (Robin Schone's). I got this book used for about a buck and it was worth it for the mindless sex scenes.
July 11, 2017
Like the 4 stories; very steamy. If you like erotic fiction.
August 31, 2017
4 different stories in one book. I'm not a fan of short stories even though these were okay. I prefer to read in a series. 3 out of 4 of the stories were okay.
September 12, 2019
Four short stories that were entertaining, but no real plots or character building, just sex.
July 24, 2024
Loved it. I thought the last two stories were the best.
January 20, 2011
Picked this one up on a whim, and I'm glad I didn't pay a whole lot for it. Every once in awhile, I find myself hankering for something a little steamier than the norm, and the cover of this book said "erotic romance", so I gave it a try. From what I read though, there's not much romance going on, but definitely a whole lotta sex. Which, if I was watching a porn, would be what I was looking for, but since I'm reading a book that calls itself a romance, I gotta admit I was looking for a little bit more of an emotional connection.
In the first story, "Ecstasy" by Bertrice Small, I'm reminded again that the whole ancient mid-east, palaces, slaves, harems, etc is not my cup of tea. The hero is purchased as a slave for the queen of a kingdom where men are treated like imbeciles who have no use besides pleasuring women and working in fields and mines. I could live with that, 'cause part of the point of reading for me is to read about different cultures and settings. However, Ms. Small writes in language so purple, I was mostly trying not to laugh. That and the constant descriptions of the size of the hero's manhood, I was convinced that this poor man was walking around with a veritable baseball bat between his legs. All in all, this story was more silly than it was steamy, and I'm left thinking that Ms. Small is one kinky old lady.
The next one, "Bound and Determined" wasn't as bad prose-wise, but there was a lot of swearing, and the hero referred to the heroines parts as her c-word. Not attractive AT ALL. In fact, if a guy came up to me and said he wanted my c-word, I'd probably slap him senseless. I could understand the princess's motives for the most part, but I still didn't much care for either one of them.
"Dark Desires" was a little better as far as the characters go. There was more depth to them. This one was pretty kinky indeed, featuring a bit of bondage and "interesting" choices for the heroine's attire. I can't say I'd like to be in her shoes, but it was a better story than the first two, and I thought it was steamier too.
"A Lady's Pleasure" is BY FAR the best story in this collection. The writing style was good, no purple prose to be seen. The characters were flawed, relatable, and realistic. Their two days in the cottage was good and hot, and the development of their emotions was somewhat touching. Plus the ending was happy and sweet. This is the first thing I've ever read by Ms. Schone, but I think I like her style, and I wouldn't mind trying some more by her at all.
In the first story, "Ecstasy" by Bertrice Small, I'm reminded again that the whole ancient mid-east, palaces, slaves, harems, etc is not my cup of tea. The hero is purchased as a slave for the queen of a kingdom where men are treated like imbeciles who have no use besides pleasuring women and working in fields and mines. I could live with that, 'cause part of the point of reading for me is to read about different cultures and settings. However, Ms. Small writes in language so purple, I was mostly trying not to laugh. That and the constant descriptions of the size of the hero's manhood, I was convinced that this poor man was walking around with a veritable baseball bat between his legs. All in all, this story was more silly than it was steamy, and I'm left thinking that Ms. Small is one kinky old lady.
The next one, "Bound and Determined" wasn't as bad prose-wise, but there was a lot of swearing, and the hero referred to the heroines parts as her c-word. Not attractive AT ALL. In fact, if a guy came up to me and said he wanted my c-word, I'd probably slap him senseless. I could understand the princess's motives for the most part, but I still didn't much care for either one of them.
"Dark Desires" was a little better as far as the characters go. There was more depth to them. This one was pretty kinky indeed, featuring a bit of bondage and "interesting" choices for the heroine's attire. I can't say I'd like to be in her shoes, but it was a better story than the first two, and I thought it was steamier too.
"A Lady's Pleasure" is BY FAR the best story in this collection. The writing style was good, no purple prose to be seen. The characters were flawed, relatable, and realistic. Their two days in the cottage was good and hot, and the development of their emotions was somewhat touching. Plus the ending was happy and sweet. This is the first thing I've ever read by Ms. Schone, but I think I like her style, and I wouldn't mind trying some more by her at all.
July 24, 2015
I picked this up at a thrift store because of the authors, three of which I as familiar with. I made myself read all four stories, even though they were ickier than I expected. Beatrice Small was kinda fun to read because of the female dominated world, purchase slaves for sex thing. The more I read the more I skipped, skimmed, tried to find something that wasn't offensive. I was excited to read Robin Scone, I've read several of her books. Well, there was too much I guess book porn. You can write erotica that makes the reader hot and bothered and want to seek out the mate....the majority of this material was icky! Details to provide details. Schones story was the best by far, but it too got bogged down in S&M that was too much for me. So, if you LIKE hard core porn to read then you might like this. The authors could have done so much more without the hard core, feel- like- I- need- to -scrub my eyes out kind of details! I kept reading to see how things ended. Schones was the best by far.
May 25, 2011
Although I wan't overwhelmed with Beatrice Small's "Ecstasy" (fantasy romance), it was worth reading. A enslaved prince is sold to a "Amazon" type kingdom, where he falls in love with his queen. Susan Johnson's story, "Bound and Determined" was better, but a similar theme. A Marquis is kidnapped by a distant kingdom's despotic ruler, in order to use him to create an heir with the ruler's wife, who is forced into the partnership. Of course, love takes over, etc.
The third story, by Thea Devine, "Dark Desires" is a twist on the captive theme, with a new bride forced into a marriage to satisfy her father's gambling debt. I liked this one as well. My favorite of the four, is Robin Schone's "A Lady's Pleasure". This is one of my favorite author's and I was not disappointed. A Victorian spinster is thrown into proximity with a professional soldier, recovering from a wound. Satisfying and so well written.
The third story, by Thea Devine, "Dark Desires" is a twist on the captive theme, with a new bride forced into a marriage to satisfy her father's gambling debt. I liked this one as well. My favorite of the four, is Robin Schone's "A Lady's Pleasure". This is one of my favorite author's and I was not disappointed. A Victorian spinster is thrown into proximity with a professional soldier, recovering from a wound. Satisfying and so well written.
July 24, 2011
REVIEW FOR LADY'S PLEASURE FROM ROBIN SCHONE
At the beginning it was like "come on", this is just so unbelievable. I know that it is fiction, but one of my personal phoebes in regency novels is women who carry on in the XVIIIth century like we would. But as I kept reading, their sexual relationship (practically it starts as a such) develops in a relationship where two characters, which need desperately closeness, intimacy, have met, absolutely by chance, and now have an opportunity to find happiness.
So not so bad, and highly enjoyable. But not one of my favourites: while I could get to understand the hero, I couldn’t understand as much the heroine, so it was difficult to me to fully empathise with her.
At the beginning it was like "come on", this is just so unbelievable. I know that it is fiction, but one of my personal phoebes in regency novels is women who carry on in the XVIIIth century like we would. But as I kept reading, their sexual relationship (practically it starts as a such) develops in a relationship where two characters, which need desperately closeness, intimacy, have met, absolutely by chance, and now have an opportunity to find happiness.
So not so bad, and highly enjoyable. But not one of my favourites: while I could get to understand the hero, I couldn’t understand as much the heroine, so it was difficult to me to fully empathise with her.
January 31, 2009
The first three stories---those by Bertrice Small, Susan Johnson, and Thea Devine---I could have lived without. Filled with purple prose, characters I found impossible to like or care about, melodrama, and a surfeit of ITALICS, they seemed more a waste of time than an enjoyable escape. So the three stars I've rated this book are entirely due to Robin Schone's story---a tender, honest, moving example of the genre.
July 2, 2012
I got this book only for A Lady's Pleasure by Robin Schone, which deserves at least 4.5 stars. It's a heartfelt romance with vivid characters and engaging love scenes.
By contrast, the stories written by the other three authors come off as mustily old-fashioned, irritating, ridiculous and (in Thea Devine's case) downright amateurish. Thankfully, the romance genre has come a long way since the days of Bertrice Small...
By contrast, the stories written by the other three authors come off as mustily old-fashioned, irritating, ridiculous and (in Thea Devine's case) downright amateurish. Thankfully, the romance genre has come a long way since the days of Bertrice Small...
January 24, 2009
I hated the first story [kept calling the hero's equipment his 'love lance' >:o ] and liked the last one by Robin Schone. The ones in between were written well but they kept tying the guys up - not my thing.
September 10, 2009
Through reading these 4 short stories I think I may have found 2 new authors to love.
For your Erotica: Beatrice Small
and for a little Paranormal Lust: Karen Chance
I'm definately going to check out some of her other books.
For your Erotica: Beatrice Small
and for a little Paranormal Lust: Karen Chance
I'm definately going to check out some of her other books.
July 31, 2011
My first Robin Schone story and it's still one of my favorites. Ms. Schone certainly packs a lot of content into this novella. Over just a few pages, I fell in love with the main characters. Truly a lovely book that invites us to share in the sensual experiences of Robert and Abigail.
March 6, 2015
My, what lovely, riveting erotica. While all four stories were enjoyable to read, it was Schone's story that I liked best. The vulnerability her characters possess and display to each other is trademark Robin Schone, and what makes her writing so much more than simply good erotic romance.
November 12, 2007
read 05.23.07
May 4, 2008
Great, Great, Great.
September 12, 2011
I read only "A Lady's Pleasure" by Robin Schone, so I gave 4 stars for this novella.
December 21, 2011
Read : Robin Schone - A Lady's Pleasure
September 18, 2013
Really enjoyed this book. Some stories were hard to put down and only one was harder to get thru (ok very easy to put down), but all in all good book!
February 2, 2015
I read this book years ago. I'm a huge fan of Bertrice Small and Robin Schone. I have every one of their books!
Robin Schone's story has stuck with me over the years...just awesome <3
Robin Schone's story has stuck with me over the years...just awesome <3
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