Sex and the Single Earl
by Vanessa Kelly
Publisher: Zebra
Release Date: May 4, 2010
“He’d come all the way to Bath with the firm intention of wedding her, and even though he wanted – no needed – her lands, that didn’t mean they couldn’t have an agreeable marriage. If it was the last thing he ever did, he’d mold her into a suitable and contented wife. For her own sake, as well as his.”
Simon St. James, the Ninth Earl of Trask, plans on dominating Britain’s wool industry. In order to achieve this goal, Simon needs one particular piece of land to supply the coal needed for the new mills in Leeds. Fortunately, the land he needs has been dowered to long-time family friend Sophie Stanton, who conveniently has been on the marriage market for last several years. Combined with the knowledge that Sophie has loved him for years, Simon believes Sophie will be very receptive to his marriage proposal. While not in love with Sophie, Simon believes a marriage between the two will be amicable and pleasant, with the added plus of providing him with the full resources to become a giant in the wool industry.
Sophie Stanton is known for her uncanny ability to cause scandal wherever she goes, and inevitably the person who comes to her rescue is Simon St. James. The man she has loved since she was a little girl. Sophie dreams of the day when Simon will fall in love with her, but as all girls do, she also wonders if that day will ever happen. So when Simon proposes marriage without a declaration of love, Sophie is not sure she can marry the man of her dreams when he doesn’t love her.
Sex and the Single Earl is Vanessa Kelly’s second novel and is a delightful read. Ms. Kelly has a wonderful way of showing the emotions of her characters and her dialogue is always witty. There are so many quotes from the book that I want to share with you!
As the physical relationship between Simon and Sophie begins to develop, Ms. Kelly had me giggling at Sophie’s reactions. After one particularly tough day, Simon comforts Sophie. Here is Sophie’s thoughts as she realizes Simon is about to kiss her for the first time.
“Sophie’s mouth dropped open as his lips continued to feather over her cheeks. Her heart beat so erratically she thought she might drop to the ground in a dead faint. She took a breath, forcing her head to clear. She wasn’t about to miss a second of this.”
Isn’t that great?
And then there’s this passage, where Sophia had a little too much to drink and is worried she is not kissing Simon the right way.
“Simon, if you’re not going to kiss me, then tell me what’s bothering you. If I’m not doing it right I’d like to know.”
His laugh sounded guttural. “Believe me, you’re doing it exactly right. I desire you in every way a man desires a woman, but I cannot take advantage of you like this. It would be outside the bounds of all propriety.”
“But I want you to take advantage of me, really I do.” She blinked as the words escaped her mouth, appalled she was begging him to make love to her. But, after all, he had started it.
A grim smile touched the corners of his mouth. “You should be careful what you ask for. You just might get it.”
“And you shouldn’t start things you don’t intend to finish, Simon. It’s really quite rude.”
Rude indeed!
There is also one particular scene where Simon quite smugly tells Sophie “I told you I knew how to flatter a lady”. And in that particular passage, he flatters her *ahem* very well ;-) Definitely a very hot scene -- you will have to get the book to read it!
While the physical interaction between Simon and Sophie is delicious, the one element I enjoyed most in this book is watching the emotional growth of Simon from a man who is just seeking an ends to a means in a business decision to a man who realizes the person you love is more important than the business you operate. To see Simon admit his true feelings for Sophie and his angst over the thought of not having her in his life made my heart sing.
“He bowed his head and accepted his fate. Sophie would never change, and she would run him ragged, but last night had finally shown him that he couldn’t live without her.”
Who doesn’t love watching a man have a light bulb moment about the woman in his life?
So if you are in the mood for delightful read full of witty dialogue, then I suggest you try Sex and the Single Earl.
~ Buffie
Love the review, Buffie! Right along with that delicious cover. Yum!
ReplyDeleteGreat review!! This one is on my to read list!
ReplyDeleteLOL @ Andrea! It is a delicious cover, isn't it?!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carrie! It's a wonderful book!
ReplyDeleteAw, Thanks, Buffie! I love this review! It's actually been a while since I looked at the manuscript - I had forgotten some of the lines. It was fun to see the book through your eyes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Vanessa! I had so much fun getting to know Sophie and Simon. I loved how she always got just under his skin -- it never failed to make me smile :-)
ReplyDeleteI've got this one on my list, Buffie...and not just because of that cover. *g*
ReplyDeleteGreat review this one has been added to my must have list
ReplyDeleteHave Fun
Helen
LOL @ Gannon! But the cover sure helps! ;-)
ReplyDeleteHelen, you are really going to love this book!