Book: Rose in Bloom (Sex and the Season #2)
Author: Helen Hardt
Genre: Erotic Victorian Romance
Sex and the Season Book Two
Wiltshire, England 1853
Lady Rose Jameson knows her place—respect authority and convention and marry a suitable member of the peerage. Lord Evan Xavier, the second son of the Earl of Brighton, possesses the necessary pedigree, but though Rose enjoys his company, the spark she craves is missing…the spark she feels in abundance with handsome commoner Cameron Price.
Cameron has accepted his lot in life—to care for his widowed mother and two younger sisters. Instead of writing the music he loves, he’s destined to work the land his family leases from the Duke of Lybrook…and deal with his overwhelming feelings for the duke’s sister-in-law, Lady Rose. When Cam’s sister becomes ill, his fate is further sealed. He must say goodbye to Rose forever.
But circumstances and the appearance of an elderly stranger may change both their fates...
I loved ‘Lily and the Duke’; the first book in Helen’s Historical Romance series, so when
I got asked if I’d like to read and review ‘Rose
In Bloom’ I practically jumped at the chance….And Helen did not disappoint.
She writes these books
with such grace and finesse, that you feel as though you’ve been transported
back in time and are walking among the characters. You feel every bit of
passion, anguish and love emanating from the pages. It envelops you, and leaves
you grasping at the hopes that these two, wonderfully in love couple get to
have the HEA they both deserve.
We first meet Rose and
Cameron when they are thrust together to produce a commissioned Waltz, for the
Duke and Lily’s wedding. Cameron being the composer, while Rose performs it on
the Pianoforte.
From that moment and the
weeks that followed, feelings between the two have been growing beneath the
surface. However, with them being from different ‘stations’ it is not the done
thing. But one night, after a little bit of Dutch courage, their love and
affections for one another finally wins out beneath the stars.
“To finally embrace him, feel him
against her, filled Rose with Joy and agony. If only this moment could last
forever.”
But, it’s not all plain
sailing. With the forces of conformity against them, their love is tested to
its limit.
Will love win out or will
the strain of monetary stations prove to be too much?
“You’re my muse, the other side of my
song. I need you. I love you.” ~ Cam
‘Rose In Bloom’ is a story that will pull at your heartstrings. You
will fall in love with Rose and Cam, as well as the rest of the characters.
From their unabashed behaviour and humorous conversations, they are the perfect
blend of love, wit and loyalty.
Although, not the best way
to do it, I could understand Cam’s reasoning for pushing Rose away. He was
sacrificing himself, and his happiness for the sake of his family; “Worry for Kat. Loneliness for Rose. Hatred
for himself. No Happiness. No contentment. No peace.” I felt heartbroken for him, and for Rose.
This is a story of two
people coming together; defying the conformities of gentility, in hopes that
love can conquer. Just about everything stands in their way of happiness, and
both Cam and Rose are tested to the max to see whether or not their love
can/will survive.
If you love Historical
Romances, then you are sure to love this book….I know I did.
Helen Hardt is an attorney and stay-at-home mom turned award-winning romance author and freelance fiction editor. She writes contemporary, historical, paranormal, and erotic romance from her home in Colorado. She’s a mother, a black belt in Taekwondo, a grammar geek, an avid fan of opera and football (as long as her older son and younger son are performing/playing, respectively), and a lover of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.
Rose turned. His silver eyes penetrated her flesh like daggers. She felt defenseless. All those heart-wrenching hours spent at the pianoforte with him, fighting her attraction to him and telling herself they had no future, flooded into her like a tidal wave. He had treated her with such disdain, never missing an opportunity to make a snide comment about their different stations. Was it possible he felt an attraction too?
“You’re foxed, Mr. Price,” Rose said, forcing herself not to stammer. “This conversation would be better served if we were both in our right minds.”
Cameron tentatively reached toward her arm and touched her lightly with his finger. A spark shot through Rose at the contact.
“I may have imbibed a bit more than usual, my lady,” he said. “But I assure you, I am in my right mind. I asked you a question. Would you have danced with me?”
“I…don’t know. It wouldn’t really be appropriate.”
Cameron snorted again. “Of course. What would the other peers have thought if you, the daughter of the Earl of Ashford, were seen dancing with a commoner? Pardon, not just a commoner, but a tenant on your brother-in-law’s land.” He turned away from her. “Good evening, my lady.”
Rose’s heart hurt. She had wanted to dance with him. She had dreamed of more than that. Of kissing him the way she kissed Evan. Of doing…more than kissing. “Wait, Mr. Price.”
He turned. “What is it?”
“Yes,” she said.
“Yes, what?”
She gulped. “Yes. I would have danced with you.”
He walked back to her and brushed back a stray curl. Her skin burned where he touched her.
“Will you dance with me now?”
“It’s nearly time for the meal.” Rose swallowed. “The orchestra is taking a break. I…we should go in.”
“Please. Dance with me.”
Her heart hammered against her chest. “There’s no music.”
He cupped her cheek. “We don’t need music. You and I together have it in our souls.”
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