Review: All About Seduction- Katy Madison

Title: All About Seduction

Author: Katy Madison  

Release Date: December, 2011

Publisher: Avon 

Genre: Historical

Rating: 4 Hoots

Reviewer: Vickie 

She had never known passion like this…

Caroline Broadhurst is about to take a lover - at her husband’s command. For fifteen years, Caroline has done everything her much older husband has desired -except provide an heir. Now he has given her an ultimatum: seduce a suitable gentleman and bear a son. Caroline would never think of bowing to such a shameful order, but then she meets Jack Applegate.

Jack has longed for the beautiful, untouchable Caroline for years, but the chasm between them was too wide to ever dream of crossing. Now, fate and passion have thrown them together, but the potential scandal threatens to smother their love. And when a violent secret comes to light, only a terrible sacrifice will prevent the flame of their affection from being snuffed out forever.... (Amazon)

This is my first time reading anything from this author and when I finished, I truly found that to have been a huge oversight on my part. First off, I do have to say that I was surprised that I enjoyed this read so much, especially when I didn't find the "pimping" of one's wife to another man for the sake of obtaining an heir, even in those times, enjoyable or something to write about, BUT tossing that all to the side, I'll admit this was good.

While books with similar or same plots have been done before many, many times, Madison's take on the plot is still unique and surprising. I found the story well written, characters very multi-dimensional, as well as the time and the situation our hero and heroine find themselves in, very realistically portrayed. Their feelings and treatment of one another was very touching and full of emotion. 

Even after Caroline's husband demands that she take on a lover for the sake of procuring a male heir, I found Caroline's loyalty commendable; but what I enjoyed was that her strength is quite shaken while torn between that loyalty, desire for the one man she could never have, and her overwhelming desire for a child. The humiliation she endured at the hands of some of the aristocratic gentlemen of her husband's choosing was painful and it almost breaks her resolve while at the same time making reader’s fume.

Jack Applegate, in my opinion, was not your typical hero. The handsome, young man we meet comes from a huge family, is poor, hardworking, and thoroughly down on his luck. Yet he's got dreams and a plan to better himself, to basically pull himself out of the proverbial gutter so to speak, and make his fortune in manufacturing. Then destiny steps in and the unthinkable happens, and our hero is faced with life-changing decisions that will make or break his future.

Jack and Caroline embark on a journey of discovery that is not to be missed. While Caroline finally connects to her passionate nature, Jack learns the lesson that determination and perseverance are his strengths, and no matter what or who stands in his way, he will prevail.

Although I do not believe this is part of a series in and of itself, Ms. Madison has written other books focusing on the period that I have added to my list of reads and if you have never read anything by her, please give it a try. I was skeptical thinking it was going to be another one of "those" all too familiar period pieces and love stories, but I highly recommend this emotional story of unique and tender love. Very impressive.

That's all folks; thanks for reading. :)