Enchanting Pleasures, Eloisa James
Enchanting Pleasures, Eloisa James
List: $22.95 | Sale: $16.07
Club: $11.47

Enchanting Pleasures

Author: Eloisa James

Narrator: Susan Duerden

Unabridged: 13 hr 21 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/14/2015


Synopsis

People magazine named Eloisa James' novel Midnight Pleasures "Page Turner of the Week" and raved, "Romance writing does not get much better than this." Now the acclaimed author returns with another sumptuous tale of passion and misadventure in Regency England.Gabrielle Jerningham cherishes the portrait of her betrothed, the perfect Peter Dewland … until she meets his commanding older brother Quill. But it is Peter to whom she has been promised. And how can she possibly transform her voluptuous, outspoken self into the poised gentlewoman Peter requires?When Gabby's shocking d├®colletage plunges to her waist at her first ball, Peter is humiliated. But Quill comes to the rescue, to the peril of his heart. An accident years before has left Quill plagued by headaches—the kind that grow more excruciating with strenuous exercise. Needless to say, this hardly bodes well for siring progeny. But the very sight of Gabby leaves Quill breathless. One forbidden kiss and Quill vows to have her, headaches and Peter be damned! But it will take a clever man—and a cleverer woman—to turn the tables on propriety and find their way to true love.

About Eloisa James

To say, it runs in the family, is an understatement when referring to the writing career of author, Mary Bly. Her credentials are impeccable with degrees from various prestigious schools, such as Harvard, Oxford, and Yale. She is a tenured professor on William Shakespeare, and has published with the Oxford University Press.

While attending the University of Virginia on a humanities fellowship, Bly began writing romance novels. Granted, the novels are not modern day romance, but set in England's Regency Period, where her incomparable knowledge of William Shakespeare serves as an added bonus in her works. She began this genre of writing to expedite paying off her student loans. Her first attempt was very well received.......The Pleasure Trilogy......and sold many copies in hardback, and her advance payment from the book paid off that student loan debt. After that, she decided to publish under the pseudonym of Eloisa James and to only publish in paperback format. It was more of a mass-market plan. Both worked in her favor.

Most of Bly's novels are not typical in character for the romance genre. Most have a very beautiful female character and a romantic interest in a handsome male character. Bly deviates from the norm by featuring a plump female character, or a hero who annulled a marriage because of impotence. Women friends or sisters play important roles in a Bly novel, because she places importance on those relationships in her own life. Most of her novels are in trilogy form or groups of four. That format gives her more story line time to develop interesting characters.

It was several years before Bly uncovered her secret second career to her intellectually snooty colleagues. She even disguised her appearance when she addressed each group, readers of her novels, and colleagues. When she realized how popular her novels were with her readers, she revealed her secret by giving each faculty colleague a copy of her latest novel. It was well received by all. And for the fact that the talent runs in the family, Mary Bly's (Eloisa James) Father, Mother, and Uncle were writers. Her romance novels are very popular all around the world.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Angela Hates Books on October 04, 2022

I was going to give this book four stars until the last 30% happens and everyone loses their minds. Gabby was already teetering on the edge of being hella annoying and she pitches herself fully off that cliff at the end by being absolutely bonkers in the worst way. Then the dream reveal?! Of Quill a......more

Goodreads review by Kelly on January 18, 2015

I am not sure that I would characterise this novel as an ‘Enchanting Pleasure’ but more of a ‘Prolonged Torture.’ Perhaps ‘Torture’ is a tad too strong, maybe ‘Anguish’ is more suitable. Either way, my sense of relief when I turned the final page was swift and all-consuming. I feel annoyed that I......more


Quotes

Enchanting Pleasures is a true original! Readers will be delighted with the engaging cast of characters, the sensitive handling of Quill’s headaches, the addition of a mystery that follows Gabby from India, and the magical, stirring style that is uniquely Eloisa James. Different and refreshing, Enchanting Pleasures is sure to charm you.” RT Book Reviews (4 stars)

“Offers dual romances, charismatic characters, and a healthy dose of humor…A side story involving the East India Company’s search for a missing Indian prince provides the narrative with depth and a little political intrigue…Once again, James weaves a story as rich in plot as in character.” Publishers Weekly

“James’ enjoyable romance includes an interesting subplot about the machinations of the East India Company in the early part of the nineteenth century.” Booklist

“Another winner from Regency-romancer James…Delightful heroine, masterful hero, and an ingenious plot: intelligent, sexy fun.” Kirkus Reviews