A Bride for Lord Esher by PJ Perryman.
Blurb: During a drinking bout with a bridal party, Lord Robert Esher makes a foolish bet to marry the inn-keepers daughter. His companion, a mischievous friend from his childhood, ensures the bargain is kept.
When Esher rises the next morning, he finds he is married to Chastity, a comely wench, her virtue sold for a few guineas by her father. Despite asking the church and King George for an annulment, Esher can't undo what has been done before God.
But his ever jealous friends are insulted by the association with such a low-born woman. In an act of spite one woman plants a brooch in Chastity's chamber, hoping to ruin her reputation. When Chastity is accused of stealing, Esher puts her aside, so she flees to Hastings to start a new life. But chance is unkind, and her new place is discovered by another enemy, who would steal her virtue and disgrace her forever.
Regretting his decision to abandon her, Esher rushes to find Chastity and make amends. But his change of heart may have come too late to save her from total ruin.
A Bride for Lord Esher is a dark historical romance complete at 37,000-words.
Take it away Trish....
From the moment we encounter Lord Esher, we know that he's in over his head. He's drunk and full of bravado and it gets him in deep trouble as he makes a poorly considered wager. Oh, he's not betting with the heroine, Chastity, he's betting with his best friend. A man with ulterior motives we discover later. Without giving too much away, Lord Esher and Chastity find they have a lot to work out. Spanking helps to a point, but they do reach an impasse where Chastity has to accept that her forced marriage is a failure. She is a willow who bends but does not break.
I will say that there is a happy ever after ending, but not without some serious bumps along the road for the characters. The history is well-portrayed in the book, and the characters are believable. I was drawn in from the beginning and the story kept my interest throughout. The editing was surprisingly good. It was an all-around sterling effort. I enjoyed this book by PJ Perryman, though I'd never read any of her books before. I will from now on.
Questions to ponder: Do you think a wager with serious, life-long consequences, is a good premise for a story? It's been done before, but not usually through a third party as with Lord Esher's cruel friend. What do you think of that twist?
How deeply into the weeds of history do you feel a historical romance should go? What's too deep?
We all like to write flaws into our characters, flaws that they can overcome. If you've read this book, do you feel that Lord Esher's flaws were believable and something a real man could overcome?
Thank you for joining in and I hope you enjoy PJ's work as much as I did
Coming Up--- February 14---Aching to Submit by Natasha Knight with guest hostess Casey McKay
February 21---Mail Order Switch by Patty Devlin with guest hostess Sue Lyndon
February 28-- With Hearts Aflame by Maren Smith, Patty Devlin, Maddie Taylor, Dinah McLeod and Robin Smith
Thank you for your kind comments, ladies - I'm glad you enjoyed it! PJ
ReplyDeletePJ--You win the prize for best username!
DeletePJ twirls! You like? LOL
DeleteI think the premise of a life-changing wager is a perfectly fine for a story. Lots of people do stupid things when they are younger, especially when they are drunk and being encouraged by their friends, so this type of premise feels real for me. Add marriage to it and now it's even more exciting, especially since it's a romance and you know there will be a happy ending after the unlikely couple is thrown together.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this book yet but added it to my TBR list and am looking forward to it!
Thanks for responding Sue! I hope you love it - its one of my favorites :)
DeleteI agree that the wager is an interesting plot idea and the idea that a woman could be wagered (though barbaric) is sort of sexy too. Because this is fantasy and we know they'll get an HEA.
DeleteMe too! Seriously though, one of my favorite Westerns was Paint your Wagon. In that story, a Mormon husband sells one of his two wives to a gold miner - who in turn 'shares' her with his partner. A ludicrous supposition by todays standards (maybe) - but wholly believable in its historical setting. As authors, the follies of humanity are often examined (yay for fun stuff)- and in my books - the girls always come out on top - no matter how exploitive the men TRY to be.
DeleteI am sooo enjoying your blog, Celeste, you and Patricia are giving us much food for thought.
KEEP CALM AND SPANK ON!!
I've never heard of Paint Your Wagon, but it just so happens to be on Amazon instant video. There goes my afternoon, LOL.
DeleteSo glad PJ's book is here, she's a wonderful writer and has such great characters Paint your Wagon was fun, I always thought the story was so different and interesting :D
DeleteYou've got such a cool blog here!
Thanks! Stop by any time---though Fridays are the real fun fest!
DeleteI'm going to look for Paint Your Wagon too. Maybe we can have a viewing and discussion!
DeleteNo spankings tho - it was a good ol' fashioned western!
DeleteIt's such a treat to be poring over your book, PJ. There was a lot in it to love and think about.
ReplyDeletePaint Your Wagon is a perennial favorite around my household. Even Clint Eastwood's singing is fun. I've always loved movies with Lee Marvin, as well.
Also, it was the first time I was ever introduced to the concept of polyandry. I think it might have been formative, in that respect. Certainly, it was shocking for its time.
DeleteHi Patricia - thanks again! I was just talking with Celeste - PYW is an awesome film - I remember watching it with my mum and dad.
DeleteI think about all the moral claptrap forced down our throats these days - in terms of erotic literature - I watch this and it makes me remember - ANY subject should be allowed if its handled well and with sensitivity.
And yes - when Clint "talks to the trees," I find myself giggling...
I have not read this, but now I am going to download it, sounds right up my alley!
ReplyDeleteA wager, with serious, life long consequences is an excellent premise for a story! It is a terrible idea in real life, but it's fun in fiction.
I don't think a historical romance needs to have too much history. I realize that this statement sounds ridiculous. I just mean, the time period can be a backdrop without the story rehashing a piece of history. If a romance goes into a bit of history and it fits the story then I am along for the ride.
It should be historically accurate. I will admit that I never notice if it is historically accurate or not, but some people do!
And now my interested is piqued about Lord Esher's character flaws. I must go find out!
I hope you enjoy it! Happy reading, PJ!
DeleteI also think a wager with lifelong consequences is a good inciting incident for a story, but I think the plot needs to have more substance, and from your comments, Trish, I'd say PJ has done precisely that. As for the history in historical romance, I love it as long as it is woven into the story and doesn't read like a laundry list. I also enjoy historical romances that are light on history, but give a flavor of the time period. Both are enjoyable. However, I'm not fond of stories where the history plays a larger part than the romance, unless the book is intended to be a straight historical novel. I haven't read A Bride for Lord Esher, yet, so I can't comment on his lordship's flaws. I have, however, added it to my TBR list, which has gotten way out of hand, thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteThanks for adding me to your list. I'm with you on laundry lists - I find they take the reader out of the story. Mine is pretty fast paced - but hopefully not so fast you miss any of the heat! Thanks for commenting, and I hope you like my book!
Delete