(R) Control by Laura Marie Altom

Ella Patton is escaping from an abusive husband by adopting a new identity and working at a local store as a deli clerk.  Its there that she meets Liam Stone.  She thinks he is merely an every day kind of guy, looking to flirt (and more) with a local girl.  But she couldn't be more wrong.  Liam Stone is a billionaire who is used to getting what he wants by throwing money at it.  So when he throws his money at Ella, she turns and runs.  And then runs back to him.  Deciding the best way to hide is to go across the country, she agrees to become Liam's latest conquest.  They soon fall in love and Liam decides to take his relationship with Ella even further.  But what will happen when a drastic secret is revealed?

I have mixed feelings about this book.  At first, I couldn't connect with the characters and I spent a good majority of the first chapters wondering what in the world was going on.  But as I continued reading, I got the impression that the author was trying hard to make the reader FEEL what Ella and Liam are feeling.  The confusion; the panic; the uncertainty; the love; the lust.  Once I realized that was the author was aiming for, I was able to pour myself into the book more and I found myself enjoying it much more after that.  You know something is going on in Ella's mind - a secret she doesn't want known - but you are still rooting for her to understand Liam wants the girl he met at the deli who found him wasabi mustard.  And when you find out the secret, you are just as devastated as Liam.

So why only 3 stars?  Because I felt it took too long for me to realize the author's intentions with this novel.  Sometimes I wanted to slap both Ella and Liam and send them packing far away from each other; other times, I was just waiting for them to jump into bed so they could show each other just how much they loved the other.  I will certainly read the conclusion to this story because I want to know how Liam and Ella handle conquering this secret that could tear them apart.

An ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

(E) Mastering the Marquess by Lavinia Kent

Louisa, Lady Brookingston, has a secret.  Despite being happily married to the love of her life for six years, she remains a virgin.  A war injury prevented her husband from fulfilling his martial duties before he passed away.  When she decides to remarry, she knows she cannot dishonor his memory by entering into a marriage as a virgin.  And she knows of only one woman who can help her:  Madame Rouge.  A woman owning a house of "ill reput", she is compassionate about Louisa's situation and feels she has the perfect man for her.

Geoffrey, the Marquess of Swanton, is in need of a wife.  He knows he needs an heir to carry on the family line but his sexual appetite prevents him from going after any woman.  He craves control; the control he receives at Madame Rouge's establishment.  When she comes to him to explain she is in need of a man to show a widow about carnal passion, he is intrigued.

After a night of passion, both players are drawn towards each other; both wanting to know who was with whom.  As a stipulation of Louisa's, neither know the identity of the other.  Until Geoffrey spots Louisa from across a crowded ballroom.  His body knows hers, his lone colorful memory is that of her beautiful hair.  Can he convince her that he is the man for her and that he is just the man she needs?

I absolutely adored this novel.  This is historical erotica at its finest.  Yes, the sex scene where Geoffrey unleashes Louisa's passions goes on for page after page, you never once feel that it is being drawn out.  You watch as Louisa's inner woman comes out after being a perfect housewife to her husband.  You watch as Geoffrey becomes enamored with Louisa and desperately wants to find out her true identity.  Underneath it all, this story is about each person's search for themselves.  Louisa struggles with this newfound sexual awakening; Geoffrey struggles with his desire for control and his "by day" gentlemanly appearance.  I loved taking this story with them and watching as both of them came to terms with both sides of their lives - together.

An ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.