The Seduction of Lord Stone: A delightful romantic interlude

19 Sept

Written By

SPOILER ALERT: FANGIRL POST AHEADI discovered my first Anna Campbell novel just a couple of years ago as I was browsing the shelves of a small bookshop. What a serendipitous moment that proved to be, leading me through multiple titles in rapid succession until I arrived here, at the publication of The Seduction of Lord Stone, the first book in her Dashing Widows series.I'm always on the lookout for a good novella. There are lots of points in its favour. I can read a whole book if I have a couple of hours spare one evening, or over the weekend, getting a satisfying full-story fix uninterrupted by work or dinner or housework. I'm also fond of brevity. Cut the waffle, I say. The intensity level is also higher, especially in the hands of an expert like Anna.Of course, not all authors excel at this short form. Some truncate the story, resulting in a simplistic plot or under-developed characters. However, every one of Anna's novels that I have read is a full, rich and rounded story regardless of whether it is a full-length romance or a short and sexy novella. Yes, I'm a fan, and I make no apologies for that. Let me take the stand and declare: I LOVE Anna Campbell's books! They are emotionally intense, dark and funny and sexy – smoking' hot actually. I adore her heroines and love her heroes. What more could I ask for as a reader?The Seduction of Lord Stone is the story of Caroline, Lady Beaumont and Silas Nash, Viscount Stone. Caroline has had a dreary year in mourning that she survived only because of her new friendships with Helena, the Countess of Crewe and Fenella, Lady Deerham. The three decide to become dashing widows once their year of mourning is complete since not one of them, for different reasons, wishes to remarry. Caroline in particular is determined to have some fun and sets about targeting the right man to make her lover. For this task she enlists the help of Helena's brother, Lord Stone.Poor Silas! What a lowering position for a reformed rake to find himself in. He has devoted the year of Caroline's mourning to winning her trust only to discover that he has been designated the status of 'a dear friend'. Worse, Caroline has her eye fixed on his best friend, a man he now regards as not fit for London society let alone Caroline's. Can he change her mind? Persuade her that it is possible to be lovers and friends? You'll have to read it to find out. To whet your appetite and find out what indignities the man suffers, read an extract from The Seduction of Lord Stone here.Books two and three in the Dashing Widows series of novellas will be available in early 2016. Look out for Tempting Mr Townsend and Winning Lord West.Also recommended: The Sons of Sin series