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I should explain
how I usually rate anthologies before I begin this review. I rate each
story individually, and then average those scores to determine the overall
rating for the entire anthology. Consequently, an anthology that has one
not so good story can lower the rating on the book considerably. I had no
problems whatsoever rating Aphrodite’s Apples new anthology, Regency
Romp Volume One with five Klovers! Each of the stories in
this book earned a five, in my honest opinion. I love a book that makes the
math easy for me… LOL ~Rose Among the Heather by Jennifer Mueller~ Duke Edward Sinclair has been away from his home for two years, fighting in the Napoleonic War. No one expected him home today, and he certainly was not expecting a lavish ball to be thrown the day he returned – nor was he up for it. But a chance meeting with a beautiful young widow, Rose, changes everything… Jennifer Mueller’s offering to the book is a beautiful story about two damaged people finding love with each other. When Rose and Edward meet, their connection is instantaneous, and further exploration of their relationship proves they are more than well matched. I loved her portrayal of a romance where two people find more than love – they find friendship, understanding, and the ability to heal their past wounds together. ~Laudanum by Nikki Watson~ Madam Moon’s establish seemed the perfect place for Juliana to hide, even if the situation is less than ideal. Still, allowing her body to be sold in Madam Moon’s establishment is infinitely better than the fate in store for her at the hands of her father’s associate upon her father’s death. But Juliana wasn’t at all prepared to deal with a man like Frederick Barrington – not for one night, and especially not for the entire weekend he has paid the Madam for. Nikki Watson’s entry in Regency Romp is a little different, to say the least. This is not your typical love story, but her characters find love together, nonetheless. Frederick and Juliana exhibit clearly that love comes in many flavors, and lovers of both historicals and BDSM will love this little nugget as much as I did. ~Of Licorice and Decadence by Katrina Strauss~ Klauss von Alstyne is in the worst state imaginable for an artist – he finds himself blocked every time he tries to compose a new masterpiece. All of that changes when he is introduced to the lovely and inspiring actress Nicolette Neville. One night with her may just be what he needs to find his Muse again… But will that be enough for Klauss? Fans of Katrina Strauss’ Eldritch Legacy series (like me!) will be pleased to find a prequel to the second book of that series, Lessons Learned in Regency Romp. Of Licorice and Decadence recounts the first meeting between Klauss von Alstyne and Nicolette Neville, and the resulting tryst. Readers who have not yet read the other books in this series will have no problem reading this short story before picking up the other books – it works very well as a stand alone story. ~Unspeakable by Kayleigh Jamison~ Despite what those around him have decided, Trevor Caulfield is not in the market for a bride, especially not the spoiled Miss Hatton, for whom the current bore of a party has been thrown. When he wanders off from the crowd, he chances across a mysterious beauty who more than captures his attention, without ever speaking a word to him. He is determined to find the elusive woman after she runs off, but first he must discover who she is… The first excerpt I read for Regency Romp was from Kayleigh Jamison’s story Unspeakable and I would have wanted this anthology for that one story alone! Already a fan of Jamison’s work, the excerpt only whetted my appetite for what I knew would be a wonderful story. I wasn’t wrong. A confirmed bachelor, Trevor falls hard when he meets the mysterious Emma. When he discovers the nature of her predicament, every protective instinct he never knew possessed rears its head and he is helpless in the onslaught of emotion the innocent Emma unwittingly stirs in him. ~At the Lady’s Discretion by Emma Wildes~ The Lady Louisa insists her relationships progress on her own terms,
and the Duke of Hartley is only too willing to comply with the fascinating
beauty’s demands. Louisa more than holds his attention – she fulfills every
fantasy he could have… But how does a notorious rake like William convince
a woman of his matrimonial attentions, especially when the woman in question
is determined to never marry again? Reviewed by Jennifer |
Regency Romp
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