Reviews

Darius: Lord of Pleasures by Grace Burrowes

jackiehorne's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

See comments at
http://romancenovelsforfeminists.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-evil-women-of-romance.html

Netgalley

ilaurin's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Really enjoyed this book 4.5 stars. Story of a man who deeply cares about women and their faith in regency society. He has a sister that he needs to protect and help with dowry money so he gives pleasure for coins. The heroine is a nice proper lady who has married an elderly gentleman. The gentleman married her to protect her from her step father after his own beloved wife passed away. A sweet story.

kathflynn's review

Go to review page

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

bettybumpkins's review

Go to review page

challenging emotional

4.0

This story takes an usual romance trope (I must find a stud to get my wife with child) and turns it into a beautiful love story.  William cared so much for his wife's happiness he was willing to turn matchmaker.   

I admit this was a reread for me as I had tried it years ago but lost my way in all the characters.  Now having read other related books by this author I am eager to continue this story.  

blodeuedd's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I enjoyed this one, whore falls in love, awww true love. But they sure gotta work for it.

Right, the whore, ok escort, cos there are certain things he just wont do. Until the gets the right price. Darius must knock up Lady Vivian, cos her nice husband pays for it. Drama!

Lady Vivian is so sweet, so kind, a bit clueless, not seeing what she is worth and I like her. Because she is just truly innocent. She will also do whatever her husband tells her (to save the title when he dies).

Darius is an escort *coughs whore*. He is kind too and he does want to do right by her. But the situation he is in, sticky. I felt sorry for him too.

This book is, well I do not want to say too much. She needs to get pregnant. She is married. This is a month only and then they will part. Darius has his own problems. There is an ass waiting in the shadows (isn't there always). And there will be more drama, heartache and happiness promised.

A very sweet story about longing.

sharonwb's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

This was my first Grace Burrowes book and it was unique and sweet. The male courtesan-like hero was a first that I've read and his redemption arc was very well done. Both H and h were very loving and patient with each other so the main conflict was how they could work out to be together in the end. Always love a man with a baby!

pattydsf's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

It has been almost three years since I read my last romance by Burrowes. I am not sure why I waited so long. This was great fun and I can't wait for another great story by her.

scoutmomskf's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Excellent book with a very different premise. Darius is the second son of an earl, one whose father has cut him off financially. He has a small manor house and some land, and people he cares for and feels responsible for. The only way he can make any money is to make himself available to bored society women.

Vivian is the young second wife to elderly Lord William Longstreet. He married her after the death of his first wife, in order to protect her from her nasty stepfather. William is still in love with his first wife, and realizes that he's nearing the end of his life. If he dies without an heir, his lands and wealth will revert to the Crown, something he cannot accept. So he goes to Darius and offers him a large sum of money to get Vivian pregnant.

Though not entirely comfortable with the idea, Darius is desperate to escape the clutches of the two women he is currently employed by. Vivian is also uncomfortable, but she cares for William and understands what he is trying to do. The initial meeting between Darius and Vivian is awkward, but they agree to terms and make their arrangements.

I really liked Darius. He hates what he does, but he is willing to do whatever it takes to provide for his family. When Vivian arrives at his home in Kent, he is quite sensitive to her fears and discomfort. I loved seeing the way he worked to show her that it could be a pleasurable interlude for both of them. Normally he is able to keep his emotions out of his encounters, but with Vivian he isn't able to do that. I loved the way that he was determined that she feel all the pleasure that is possible, and also to show her that she is an intelligent and capable woman who can do anything. He can see that she will need the skills to stand up for herself and protect her child once her husband is gone. He doesn't expect to fall for her, and the thought of having to give her up at the end of the month is tearing him up.

I also liked Vivian. She starts out as very shy and self-effacing. She is wary of the things that Darius makes her feel. They spend the first few days just getting to know each other, and she discovers that there is much more to Darius than she expected. Seeing the way he cares for the people who inhabit his home makes her realize that he is a man she can trust. That trust makes it a little easier for her to accept what they must do, and she soon learns much about her own feelings and responses. The "baby-making" scenes are both incredibly sexy and really sweet. I loved the way that she saw the good in Darius and tried to show him that he is better than what he has been forced to do. Leaving him at the end of the month is hard, and the reality of not seeing him anymore is hard for her to take.

Once they are back in London, they are not supposed to see each other again. Vivian doesn't want to accept that and manages to find ways to encounter Darius. But seeing him return to the two society women hurts terribly, and she is torn about how to handle it. Darius wants to escape them, but their threats against his family have his hands tied for awhile. I loved seeing him finally muster up the determination to escape, and how he did it was extremely satisfying. Though they do have several meetings, both Darius and Vivian are honorable people, and they are very careful to stick to friendship.

I loved Lord William. He has never loved anyone but his first wife and misses her desperately. What he has with Vivian is actually a beautiful friendship, but he knows without an heir she will be in dire straits when he dies. Even though what he was doing was basically dishonest, his reasons were good. I really liked his treatment of Darius, and as the book went on it became obvious that he also had a secondary motive for his actions. I loved the way that he mentored Darius through some financial waters, and how he made sure to keep Darius involved in Vivian's life. It became obvious that he had a secondary motive to his actions, and one that he had great confidence in.

Darius's protective nature comes fully to the surface once Vivian has the baby. I loved seeing him with the child and the obvious adoration he has for it. It only serves to make Vivian love him more. And when William dies, it is up to Darius to keep Vivian and the baby safe. I loved seeing how he did it, and the confrontation with Vivian's nasty stepfather was so very satisfying.

shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Darius is book one in the series Lonely Lords.

Darius Lindsey is the second son, and now that his brother has a son he isn't even the spare any longer. To make ends meet he offers himself to the ladies of the ton. He has sunk pretty low but has he sunk low enough to take the offer made to him by Lord Longstreet? Lord Longstreet is in declining health and his second wife is much younger than he is, when both of his son's are killed he needs an heir. Will Darius take him up on fathering a child with Vivian so that Lord Longstreet can have the heir he needs and Darius can have enough money to stop selling himself.

Vivian is Lord Longstreet's second wife, a wife of convenience to keep her from her evil step father and to help Lord Longstreet in his declining years. How can she have a intimate relationship with Darius and then just go back to being the wife of a man old enough to be her father. Will she be able to keep herself detached from emotional ties to the handsome and very likable Darius.

This was a new premise in a regency romance for me, it also was quite a bit racier than most regency's I have read in the past. I enjoyed all the little side plots that went on through the whole story as well. Darius is a likable hero and Vivian is a loyal and conflicted heroine. As with most Regency's the heroine has less backbone than a contemporary heroine, however Vivian does have a spark of fire to her. I thought Lord Longstreet was adorable and I enjoyed the whole book a great deal.

Reviewed by Carin for Cocktails and Books

language_loving_amateur's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

It has some heavy content.