A Matter of Sin (The Ladies' Book of Pleasures #1) by Jess Michaels

The widowed Lady Isabel Avenbury has one remaining younger sister to shepherd into an advantageous marriage, and then she will be free. Free to take a lover to fill her lonely nights—the only option left for a woman on the delicate edge of a certain age.

Except when she chaperones her sister to a country house party, she is taken aback by her sudden, undeniable attraction to the host. And deliciously scandalized when she finds a copy of the notorious, much-gossiped-about Ladies Book of Pleasures in his library.

When Seth Rowland, Marquis Lyndham, notices his book is missing, his interest is piqued as to which of the potential young brides at his party has absconded with it—and he’s shocked to discover it’s Isabel. Though older than the women he’d planned to court, the powerful beauty exudes a sensuality he cannot ignore.

The book inspires them to begin a desperate, passionate affair. But their time together is running out and they must choose. Follow society’s rules, or take a chance at love.

Type: Erotic Historical
Heat: 3 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5

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Prim & proper meets naughty! There's just something so fun about that. A Matter of Sin was a delightfully charming story of a woman searching for excitement and finding something she never thought she'd have again...love and romance. Aws.

The quick of it is that Seth's mother--who is determined to see him married and carry on the family line--has invited all of the elegible young ladies from Society to a country party in hopes one of them will snag her son's eye. But it's not those oh-so-young girls but *gasp* one of the chaperones that snags his attention...no matter how inappropriate their match may be. Add in a scandalous little book about exploring a woman's pleasures that's making rounds among the ton and oh, yes, it's going to make for an interesting party indeed!

Isabel was a solid heroine. She's dedicated, sweet, caring and just a heroine I wanted to spend more time with and someone you'd instantly be comfortable and at ease around. She spent most of her life focused on caring for others--like raising her siblings-- and oh it was fun seeing her finally doing something for her even if it wasn't proper at all and she struggled now and again with the guilt doing something so scandalous. See, she's a widow and has decided it's time...to find a lover. *nods*

And that brings us...Seth who was just delicious. He's got the world on his shoulders and tremendous pressure to find the proper young wife to carry on his line. Someone young and carefree and the exact opposite of Isabel who was a widow, "past her prime" being in her mid-20s and was likely barren though she sparked all his desires and wants. I wanted to shake him a bit for not catching on sooner that Isabel was perfect for him--duty be damned-- but the man did come around and while they had their affair he treated her right and was a good man helping her get over some issues she had. He certainly had some moves.

"What now, Isabel?" he whispered.

She looked at him with a half smile. "Oh, I don't hesitate because I don't know what to do with you."

Her confident words seemed to arouse him for the hardness that already pressed against the front of his fitted trousers bloomed larger.

"Oh no?" he asked.

She nodded. "I hesitate because you are beautiful and I enjoy appreciating it." She laughed as she added, "And torturing you just a bit."

I really liked both Seth and Isabel. They're a fun pairing with delectable chemistry that just could not be denied. The sex scenes were fun and passionate as they explored the scandalous pages of the Ladies Book of Pleasures-- though not nearly as steamy as I was expecting. Not a terrible thing but really I was hoping for a higher heat level though the tension and what did happen on page was lovely. I enjoyed both of their struggles as they went from a simple affair to becoming friends and falling quite hard for one another no matter how inappropriate the relationship and how much they tried to resist.

All in all, I very much enjoyed my first peak into the world of Seth and Isabel. A Matter of Sin was steamy, sweet, just a touch naughty. There was a bit of tugging on my heartstrings as well as these two dealt with society's expectations and overcoming what had been ingrained in them as proper and expected. Just a lovely romance. Their friends so caught my eye as well and I'm very much hoping to see them all again one day soon and seeing what scandal and wickedness they get into.

Have you read Michaels? Have a favorite?

Do you like fusion erotica? ex--historical/erotica, paranormal/erotica

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