"Lords of Desire" is a four-author English historical anthology with stories ranging from the Georgian to the Edwardian era. I was quite split on how to rate this one as I enjoyed two of the stories very much and two not so much.
"Smuggler's Lair" is a Georgian/Victorian time-travel tale by Virginia Henley. When a repressed Victorian Reverend's daughter is cast back in time and discovers a love that transcends time. ***I confess that I've never particularly liked Ms Henley's stories as they seem a bit overwrought to me and this one was no exception.
Sally MacKenzie contributed the Regency, "The Naked Laird", about two young lovers who marry and allow a tragedy to separate them only to be brought back together by a scheming lady and a scandalous house party. ***MacKenzie's skill with combining humor and steamy romance is one of the things that keep me enjoying her stories. Note: Part of the Naked Nobility Series - book #2.5
Take a repressed and nervous Victorian bride, add sexual ignorance and fear, stir in a man all to ready to take on the role of sex educator, and you'll have Victoria Dahl's spicy addition to this anthology. ***This is my first short story by Ms. Dahl and second read. Her talent at writing feelings into a love scene will give you shivers of delight.
Lastly, Kristi Astor wraps up the anthology with an Edwardian tale, "Swept Away". This story is about two people who seem wrong for each other discovering that the changes in society mean they're more right together than they imagined. ***My first by Ms Astor and quite a different read. This was the shortest read but still kept my attention.
Virginia Syddall was born on December 5, 1935 in Bolton, England, UK. Her father, Thomas Syddall, taught her to love history, and she obtained a degree in History in the University.
In 1956, Virginia married Arthur Henley and they had two sons. The marriage was installed in Toronto, Canada, when around 1978, Virginia read "The Wolf and the Dove" by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss and she immediately knew that she too could write one. She submitted her first manuscript to an editor at Avon Books and told her a little about herself and a little about the book. She asked her to pop it in the mail, and when she read it, she bought it. Her novel, The Irish Gypsy, was published in 1982.
Virginia Henley is a New York Times bestselling writer of historical novels. Her work has been translated into fourteen languages. She is the recipient of more than a dozen writing awards, including a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award, a Waldenbooks' Bestselling Award, and a Maggie Award for Excellence from the Georgia Romance Writers.
With her husband retired, they live most of the year in St. Petersburg, Florida, and they spend the hot summers in Ontario, Canada, where they have their two adult sons, three grandsons As well as three great granddaughters.
