Minerva Spencer

S. M. LaViolette

A Wickedly Witty Age Gap Romance with Love Between the Classes

Phoebe

Melissa and the Vicar

Honoria Keyes isn't the gawky, impressionable fifteen-year-old girl she was when she first met Simon Fairchild. Twelve years have passed, and she's a successful artist, enjoying her independence to the fullest. Simon has changed, too. Gone is the beautiful, gentle boy of Honoria's dreams. In his place is a dangerous, damaged man intent on avoiding human contact-and emotions. It would be unthinkable to fall for this difficult, wounded recluse. But then again, Honoria has never been one to do things the easy way ... Simon returned from Waterloo a bitter, broken shell of the man he once was. As if his scarred body and mind aren't bad enough, he's also financially dependent on his brother, the duke, while he convalesces. The duke's fondest wish is for Simon to marry and produce an heir-something Simon has no intention of doing. The one thing he never anticipated? All the unwanted feelings the lovely, talented, and infinitely intriguing Honoria would awaken in him ... Can Honoria and Simon heal the wounds of the past and build a life together? Or will their attempt at happily ever after end up a portrait of failure? Praise for Minerva Spencer's books: "Lovers of historical romance will be hooked on this twisty story of revenge, redemption, and reversal of fortunes." ★Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW of THE FOOTMAN "Spencer serves up an irresistible cocktail of smart characterization, sophisticated sensuality, and sharp wit-all while orchestrating her own clever spin on the popular bluestocking-and-rake trope." ★Booklist STARRED REVIEW of NOTORIOUS "Spencer's characterizations are nuanced and believable, and the passion between the protagonists scorches the pages. Readers will be hooked." ★Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW of THE MUSIC OF LOVE "Spencer's brilliant and original tale of the high seas bursts with wonderfully real protagonists, plenty of action, and passionate romance." ★Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW of BARBAROUS "Fans of Amanda Quick's early historicals will find much to savor." ★Booklist STARRED REVIEW "Sexy, witty, and fiercely entertaining." ★Kirkus STARRED REVIEW "[A] suavely sophisticated hero with sex appeal to spare, and a cascade of lushly detailed love scenes give Spencer's dazzling debut its deliciously fun retro flavor." ★Booklist STARRED REVIEW

A Portrait of Love

Finding out that her husband was a bigamist didn't devastate Portia Stefani; she held her head high when she forced him out of her life. But losing her beloved music school as a result of the traitorous bastard's gambling debts almost destroyed her. The only way she'll be able to make ends meet is to accept a lucrative tutoring position in remote Cornwall. What Portia hasn't anticipated is the life-altering impact that her mesmerizing new employer has on her.Stacy Harrington learned the hard way to keep people at a distance. Playing the piano is the only thing that makes his solitary life enjoyable these days, and he'll be damned if he allows his albinism to keep him from everything he loves. Bringing a private music tutor into his home is disruptive, but it's the only solution. Unfortunately, nothing could have prepared him for the overwhelming attraction he feels toward his fiery new employee.It's not long before a shared passion for music develops into something infinitely deeper. But when ghosts from the past-along with some very dark secrets-emerge to threaten everything they've built, can Stacy and Portia continue to make beautiful music together? Or will their happily ever after end on a painful, discordant note? Praise for Minerva Spencer's Outcasts series: "Minerva Spencer's writing is sophisticated and wickedly witty. Dangerous is a delight from start to finish with swashbuckling action, scorching love scenes, and a coolly arrogant hero to die for. Spencer is my new auto-buy!"-NYT Bestselling Author Elizabeth Hoyt"[SCANDALOUS is] A standout...Spencer's brilliant and original tale of the high seas bursts with wonderfully real protagonists, plenty of action, and passionate romance."-Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW

The Academy of Love

The Music of Love

Their mercenary marriage of convenience was perfect...until love got in the way... Mary Barnett has never dreamed of marriage and family. Scarred and wary, she's done everything she can to avoid men. Operating her family's vast business is the only future she has ever wanted. Mary had no way of knowing that her father would place conditions on her inheritance. Namely, she will only retain control of her father's empire if she marries. And not just to any man, but a peer of the realm... The last time his family tried to force Miles Ingram to marry for money, he rebelled, abandoned society for good, and went off to war. His subsequent employment as a dancing instructor might have been enough to sustain him-but when his brother dies, saddling him with a destitute earldom, Miles can no longer hide from his obligations. He'll need to marry a wealthy woman, and fast... They're complete opposites, but their goals are perfectly aligned. And it's not long before they realize their hearts aren't as far apart as they initially thought. Miles and Mary know their dance with love can only end in happily ever after, or heartbreak. But which one will it be?

Dancing with Love

Businessman Gideon Banks is cold, brilliant, rich?and bored. Who knew that a man who excelled at debauchery could become so bored? It's not until he learns that he is heir to the Taunton Earldom that things start to get interesting. The late earl's irksome, superior, and entirely too attractive widow is particularly fascinating to him. And the fact that she's now entirely dependent on him? That opens up an astonishing array of thrilling-and erotic-possibilities?Alys Taunton might be sheltered and lonely, but she's not stupid. When Gideon proposes a marriage of convenience, she never expects the immoral man to remain faithful. But the sensual delights he promises are impossible to resist, and she soon starts to wonder what would be more painful: refusing him and keeping her distance, or offering him her complete surrender, heart, body and soul.Amidst a cycle of mind games and struggles for sexual dominance, can Gideon and Alys find their way to happily ever after? Or will their dark desires tear them apart forever?His Countess is an angsty, dark, standalone historical erotic romance novel featuring consensual BDSM, MF, MMF, FFM, voyeurism, exhibitionism, explicit love scenes, and YES, a happily ever after!This is EROTIC ROMANCE, not erotica. That means this book has a real story and lots of it.

Victorian Decadence Series

His Countess

*****THIS IS A LARGE PRINT EDITION*****After two loveless marriages to older men, lonely, widowed countess Alicia Selwood is more than ready to find a competent, passionate lover. But her late night?adventures will require her to take on a bodyguard with a proven track record of professionalism and discretion. Joss Gormley is perfect for the job. Imagine her surprise when she discovers Joss's other qualifications-naughty qualifications that might make him the ideal man to satisfy ALL her needs...Joss never intended to be anything but Lady Selwood's faithful servant. But the more time he spends with the delectable and forbidden countess, the more he longs to love and possess her. He's not good enough for her by far, and he knows she'll use him and discard him. But none of those worries can stop Joss from serving her by day?and dominating her by night.When a ghost from Alicia's past emerges, threatening all she holds dear, she's forced to choose between the only family she has left, and the man who has come to mean everything to her. Can Joss and Alicia stand together and fight for their happily-ever-after-no matter how taboo? Or will society's pressures and expectations tear the two lovers apart? ***The super steamy stories in THE SEDUCERS series are explicit, uncensored and stand alone and can be read in any order.*****TRIGGER WARNINGS**Abuse, infidelity, incest, power exchange.

Joss and the Countess

Duchess Benedicta de Montfort stands to inherit a fortune ... if her guardian doesn't kill her first. The only way to avoid whatever the unscrupulous man has planned is to hide until Benna comes of age. With the help of a faithful family retainer, Benna becomes Ben Piddock, a postilion seeking employment. Benna knows horses and she's been mistaken for a tall, skinny boy all her life-so how hard can it be? Very hard, it turns out-especially when she falls in love with her devastatingly handsome employer, Jago Venable, the new Earl of Trebolton. Jago was working as a country doctor when he inherited his family's earldom in Cornwall. Along with the unwanted title is a bankrupt estate that's a royal mess and a raft of needy, impoverished relatives. One of the few bright spots is his new employee, Ben Piddock, a clever, dedicated, and unexpectedly witty lad--who is no lad, at all! Jago is amazed that Benna manages to hide her delicate beauty from the world while working twice as hard as any man. But as much as he admires and wants her, there's no way he can pursue a romance with his servant-no matter how bewitching. Yet beyond all reason, and despite his best intentions, he can't seem to stay away. It's clear they were never meant to be together, and yet none of that matters when they're in each other's arms. Is there even a possibility of a happily ever after-or will the caprices of fate conspire to keep the two lovers apart? Full length novel @110k words, includes a preview of THE BASTARD. ﻿TRIGGER WARNING: Violence, rape.

The Postilion

Lady Elinor's arranged marriage cured her of all romantic notions. Now a widow, all Elinor wants is to rebuild her life-without a man in it. Stephen Worth is no longer the impoverished footman who lost everything thanks to Elinor's actions. His sole focus now is revenge. And if that means ruining the lovely Elinor in the process? So be it.

The Footman

The beast only wins the beauty's heart in fairy tales. In real life, he destroys it?and her.Malcom Barton is what the man who murdered his wife made him-a beast. Scarred and broken in mind, body, and spirit, he lives his life in the shadows.Until he sees her.Julia Harlow is the only light and warmth to shine into his cold, dead heart for years. Wild, spirited, and free, she's?everything.She's also the daughter of the man who burned his life to the ground.Kidnapping Julia and keeping her prisoner to his dark, deviant desires seems like the perfect way to destroy his enemy.He never expected her to enjoy her captivity.It's not long before she makes him want things he thought he'd never have again. He wants her.But if the cost of his much-deserved revenge is a happily ever after with Julia, is it a price he's able to pay?

Her Beast

What's the most ruinous mistake a harlot can make?Falling in love with her client ?Edward Fanshawe is everything Nora Hudson wants in the bedroom-and everything she should avoid out of it. He gives her the pain, humiliation, and domination she craves from a sexual partner, but his search for the perfect, blue-blooded wife means the last thing Nora should do is fall for him. Except?it's too late. She already has.When Edward offers to make Nora his mistress, the idea of being utterly under his dominion is as terrifying as it is titillating. As much as she wants to stay with Edward forever, she worries that living with the man she loves--the man who takes everything her body has to give and wants nothing to do with her heart--will eventually destroy her.But then Nora meets the woman Edward intends to marry and her situation becomes considerably more complicated. And erotic?***His Harlot is an angsty, dark, standalone historical erotic romance novel featuring consensual S&M, BDSM, F/F, M/F, menage, voyeurism, exhibitionism, explicit love scenes, adultery, sexual abuse, and, YES, a happily ever after!

His Harlot

What's the most ruinous mistake a harlot can make? Falling in love with her client ... Edward Fanshawe is everything Nora Hudson wants in the bedroom--and everything she should avoid out of it. He gives her the pain, humiliation, and domination she craves from a sexual partner, but his search for the perfect, blue-blooded wife means the last thing Nora should do is fall for him. Except...it's too late. She already has. When Edward offers to make Nora his mistress, the idea of being utterly under his dominion is as terrifying as it is titillating. As much as she wants to stay with Edward forever, she worries that living with the man she loves--the man who takes everything her body has to give and wants nothing to do with her heart--will eventually destroy her. But then Nora meets the woman Edward intends to marry and her situation becomes considerably more complicated. And erotic... *** His Harlot is an angsty, dark, standalone historical erotic romance novel featuring consensual S&M, BDSM and both M/F, F/F, menage, voyeurism, exhibitionism, explicit love scenes, and YES, a happily ever after! This is EROTIC ROMANCE, not erotica. That means this has a real story and lots of it.

Stephen Chatham is everything Jo Leather ever wanted. Despite Stephen's tragic past, he's kind, brilliant, and the best employer Jo's ever had. Falling for him was easy. Stopping him from discovering that Jo is actually Josephine-and keeping him from hating her when the truth inevitably comes out? That will be infinitely more difficult.Stephen doesn't have much experience with love, but he's known enough betrayal to last two lifetimes. Emotion doesn't come easily to him. Neither does passion. But for reasons he can't fathom, his valet-his very male valet-stirs both in him. Is he losing his mind-or is he falling in love with his servant?Caught between their desire and society's expectations, can Jo and Stephen find their way to happily ever after? Or is the distance between their worlds-and hearts-simply too great to bridge?

His Valet

He thought he had it all-until she showed him exactly what he'd been missing?Hugo Buckingham was perfectly happy with the life he'd built for himself. With his steady clientele and co-ownership stake in the most exclusive brothel in London, he had everything he needed. But that was before. Before he was falsely convicted of a crime and tossed onto a ship to New South Wales. Before the ship went down and stranded him on the tiny island of Stroma.Before her.Miss Martha Pringle is everything he's not-virginal, kind, and sweet. A good person. She deserves so much better than the likes of him. But that doesn't stop him from wanting her, needing her, with an urgency that borders on terrifying.Now, Hugo has a choice to make. Should he go home, clear his name, and return to his old life-or stay with Martha and build a new one?But more importantly?will Martha even want him once she discovers what kind of man he really is?Hugo and the Maiden, book 3 in THE SEDUCERS series, is a sexy, angsty, historical romance featuring a hero who doesn't believe in true love and the innocent heroine who proves him wrong . Happily ever after guaranteed.

Hugo and the Maiden

What's the most ruinous mistake a harlot can make?Falling in love with her client ?Edward Fanshawe is everything Nora Hudson wants in the bedroom-and everything she should avoid out of it. He gives her the pain, humiliation, and domination she craves from a sexual partner, but his search for the perfect, blue-blooded wife means the last thing Nora should do is fall for him. Except?it's too late. She already has.When Edward offers to make Nora his mistress, the idea of being utterly under his dominion is as terrifying as it is titillating. As much as she wants to stay with Edward forever, she worries that living with the man she loves-the man who takes everything her body has to give and wants nothing to do with her heart-will eventually destroy her.But then Nora meets the woman Edward intends to marry and her situation becomes considerably more complicated. And erotic?***His Harlot is an angsty, dark, standalone historical erotic romance novel featuring consensual S&M, BDSM and both M/F, F/F, menage, voyeurism, exhibitionism, explicit love scenes, and YES, a happily ever after!This is EROTIC ROMANCE, not erotica. That means this has a real story and lots of it.TRIGGER WARNING: marital infidelity, sexual abuse, miscarriage, & lots of kink.

"[A] consistently entertaining read." (A FIGURE OF LOVE) Kirkus

A Bachelors of Bond Street Novella

A Second Chance for Love

Gareth Lockheart is one of the richest men in England, but it will take more than money for the reclusive eccentric to gain entrée into the corridors of power; it will also take an aristocratic wife with impeccable connections. Gareth is determined to find the right woman the same way he does everything in his life: employing logic and mathematics.Serena Lombard might be the widow of a duke's son, but she's always existed on the? ton's? fringes. The unconventional French émigré has worked hard to create a secure home for her son and establish herself as a respected sculptor and landscape gardener. Serena loves the job the wealthy industrialist has hired her to do; it's too bad the man himself is so remote and unreadable. Not to mention distracting, gorgeous, and utterly captivating.Gareth should have known doing business with a woman would be a mistake, especially an unorthodox, opinionated, and far too appealing French widow who manages to destroy his iron-clad ability to concentrate without even trying.The only thing the two opposites can agree on is that they should avoid becoming entangled with one another-no matter how difficult that proves to be. But when Serena's dangerous past catches up with her, it is Gareth she turns to for help and he doesn't hesitate to give it. But can a man who needs order like other men need air give himself up to the most unpredictable emotion of all: Love?

A Figure of Love

Melissa Griffin is quite literally sick and tired. She's the owner of one of London's most exclusive brothels, but her failing health is telling her she can't continue to keep working at her current pace. A relaxing stay in the country is exactly what she needs. Falling for the small town's gorgeous young vicar-a virgin, no less-was never part of her plan. Their love is scandalous, forbidden, and everything Melissa never knew she wanted. Denying her feelings is unthinkable. Avoiding devastation when her past inevitably drives them apart? Impossible.Magnus Stanwyck never resented his vow of celibacy ? until meeting Melissa. As beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside, the mysterious woman captures his heart in a way he never could've anticipated. No matter what stands between them, no matter the cost, he'll do whatever it takes to possess her-heart, body, and soul.By day, they're opposites who were never supposed to be together. By night, their passion threatens to overtake them. When all is said and done, can Melissa and Magnus overcome the obstacles (and enemies) that stand between them? Or will fate deny them their happily ever after?Praise for Minerva Spencer's Outcasts series: "Minerva Spencer's writing is sophisticated and wickedly witty. Dangerous is a delight from start to finish with swashbuckling action, scorching love scenes, and a coolly arrogant hero to die for. Spencer is my new auto-buy!"-NYT Bestselling Author Elizabeth Hoyt"[SCANDALOUS is] A standout...Spencer's brilliant and original tale of the high seas bursts with wonderfully real protagonists, plenty of action, and passionate romance."Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW"Fans of Amanda Quick's early historicals will find much to savor."Booklist STARRED REVIEW"Sexy, witty, and fiercely entertaining." Kirkus STARRED REVIEW"A remarkably resourceful heroine who can more than hold her own against any character invented by best-selling Bertrice Small, a suavely sophisticated hero with sex appeal to spare, and a cascade of lushly detailed love scenes give Spencer's dazzling debut its deliciously fun retro flavor."Booklist STARRED REVIEW

The Seducers

Book 4 in THE ACADEMY OF LOVE Series! She's not who he thought she was. But he's not who he's pretending to be, either... Annis Bowman lost everything when she trusted the wrong man. Now, she needs money, and she needs it fast. Finding a wealthy husband is her only viable option. It's just her wretched misfortune that the only man who truly interests her is poor as a church mouse. Henry Singleton, the new Earl of Rotherhithe, is ready for desperate measures. He's tired of not knowing if women are interested in him-or his wealth. Switching identities with one of his employees is the perfect solution. So, imagine his disappointment when the lovely Annis turns out to be a heartless fortune hunter... When a series of unfortunate events-and a huge coincidence-trap them in a marriage neither expected, can Annis and Henry overcome the misunderstandings, lies, and suspicion that stand between them? Or is their chance for a happily ever after doomed from the start? Get ready to meet your newest book boyfriend. This steamy and sexy marriage of convenience story will give you all the feels on your way to a happily ever after. Praise for Minerva Spencer & S.M. LaViolette's THE ACADEMY OF LOVE series: "[A] pitch perfect Regency .... Readers will be hooked." (THE MUSIC OF LOVE) ★Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW "An offbeat story that offers unexpected twists on a familiar setup." (A FIGURE OF LOVE) Kirkus "[A] consistently entertaining read." (A FIGURE OF LOVE)

S. M. LaViolette

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