Rainbow Reviews

BOOK BLURB:
He thinks he’s just a wallflower. Little does he know he’s the guest of honor…

It’s the last night of a week-long house party in remote northern England. Every sensual delight imaginable is right at Henry Shaw’s fingertips. Yet all he wants is to be with his host, the deliciously handsome and enigmatic Arsen Grey. Henry’s certain it’s love, not mere infatuation. He’s also sure it’s hopeless. After all, the party’s purpose is to find Arsen a new mistress.

Arsen longs to leave the glittering, jaded world of the ton behind and find someone who will value him for himself, not his wealth and his title. He suspects that someone could be the strapping country gentleman he’s caught staring at him. Henry is loyal and dependable, nothing like his other acquaintances. Arsen sets a plan into motion, one designed to get Henry into his bed. One that includes a test of devotion.

Arsen never expected that in winning Henry, he risks losing his heart.

BOOK REVIEW:
There is something about Ava March’s writing that I really enjoy. Perhaps it’s her ability to draw you into the scene and setting quickly with likable characters and highly erotic sex. Her writing stands above those who write other shortened stories involving mostly sex and little plot. There are so many elements presented with the capability of extending the story and truly elevating it to wonderful status and no doubt the author has the writing ability and creativity to do it. So I am somewhat disappointed the stories stay short and light as they do with the potential for something truly fulfilling.

However, that is not to say this particular offering is not enjoyable or satisfying. On the contrary, March offers yet another engaging and steamy encounter between two handsome and charming men set in historical England. The opening scene of the book sets the erotic quotient pretty high as the wallflower Henry, who at well over six feet is definitely anything but an invisible entity, is silently seething with jealousy watching a strumpet proposition the man of his dreams amidst an orgy happening within the ballroom.

Henry’s humor and steadfast loyalty to those he gives his affections to afford him a very likeable personality complete with an all too human and understandable painful jealousy towards Arsen, his unrequited love. Although Henry doesn’t think Arsen has any interest in men, he can’t quite help torturing himself by being near the dashing Marquis. Henry’s initial reserve and self-doubt soon blossom to confidence and a true understanding of his worth both as a person and in a relationship with Arsen’s love and attention. Where he once let himself settle for crumbs of affection, he now demands nothing less than a full and equal partnership from the man whom he loves.

While Henry may be a gentle giant, Arsen is the epitome of a bored, arrogant playboy. He throws lavish sexual parties for the sole purpose of deciding upon a new mistress and has no compunction about manipulating people and situations to suit his needs and desires. Arsen’s saving grace is his unmistakable sense of honor and deeply held desire to with someone who can offer him the love and devotion he is so desperate for. He is a bit of a robin hood with easily winning large sums of money from unscrupulous but rich gentry, yet conveniently losing when someone truly needs the money to survive. Lest Arsen be entirely good, he does force Henry to jump through hoops before he is satisfied, or Henry breaks him in half for his manipulations.

Between these two charismatic personalities there are endless possibilities for further exploration, including their differences in finances, social obligations, backgrounds, titles, past, families and reputations. Instead the author keeps the story light and easy with a minimum of drama and angst, focusing on the explosive chemistry of Henry and Arsen. My only caveat to the story was Arsen’s initial treatment of Henry and his repeated statements of “Come along Shaw”. Thankfully Henry reminds him later that he is no lap dog to follow along submissively. This newfound confidence of Henry’s was a welcome addition to their truly lovely relationship.

Although there were some problems with the setting, minor issues regarding inaccuracies, these in no way detracted from the enjoyment of the story. March has delivered a well-written and sexy romance, heavy on the sex but through the strength of her writing and characterization the entire story works very well. As with her previous book, I can’t help but hope that the author revisits these men as they seem to have quite a bit more to say. I can easy recommend this book to anyone wanting a scorching hot erotica with a satisfying romance.

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