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A review by attytheresa
Darius: Lord of Pleasures by Grace Burrowes
2.0
Darius introduces us to the Lonely Lord series, and if this is a true sample of that series, Burrowes is once again treading some very interesting, even revolutionary, paths in Regency Romances. Don't take my 2.5 star rating as a negative, but rather of a reflection of my wanting something with more suspense and a faster pace. Another time, a different mood, it might have received 4 stars.
Darius is the spare to the entailed estate and title, but given his father is an abusive horror and hates him, he's left not only without any financial support but also trying to protect 2 sisters from their father, and support his older brother, the heir, who is a widower sunk deeply in mourning and drink. He owns a small manor which produces cash crop and produce income (think selling vegetables and eggs), but much more needed. What is his solution? Pimping himself out to women who like BDSM. When have you ever seen a hero like that in a romance?
This leads to his being hired by an elderly aristocrat, William, and his young wife, Vivian, to impregnate her as a last ditch effort to produce an heir for the entailed estate which otherwise will eschewed to the Crown, and no one wants Prinny to get his hands on it. Plus without an heir, Vivian would be left both impoverished and prey to the evil machinations of her awful stepfather.
Naturally Vivian and Darius fall in love, there are various side plots, machinations, and tragedies before the HEA. Overall Burrowes handled the unusual premise with sensitivity. Doesn't hurt that we get glimpses of familiar characters and story lines from her other series, and teasers of upcoming books.
Darius is the spare to the entailed estate and title, but given his father is an abusive horror and hates him, he's left not only without any financial support but also trying to protect 2 sisters from their father, and support his older brother, the heir, who is a widower sunk deeply in mourning and drink. He owns a small manor which produces cash crop and produce income (think selling vegetables and eggs), but much more needed. What is his solution? Pimping himself out to women who like BDSM. When have you ever seen a hero like that in a romance?
This leads to his being hired by an elderly aristocrat, William, and his young wife, Vivian, to impregnate her as a last ditch effort to produce an heir for the entailed estate which otherwise will eschewed to the Crown, and no one wants Prinny to get his hands on it. Plus without an heir, Vivian would be left both impoverished and prey to the evil machinations of her awful stepfather.
Naturally Vivian and Darius fall in love, there are various side plots, machinations, and tragedies before the HEA. Overall Burrowes handled the unusual premise with sensitivity. Doesn't hurt that we get glimpses of familiar characters and story lines from her other series, and teasers of upcoming books.