Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Out of Her League: 5 *****



Title: Out of Her League
Author: Ava Archer Payne
Publisher: AAP Hot Historicals
Length: 40,000 words
Genres: Erotic Historical Romance
Heat Level: Sizzling

AVAILABLE AT:

BLURB:
Captain James Lancaster, formerly one of London’s most notorious rakes, returns to England a broken man after a brutal tour in the Crimea. He is wounded in body and spirit, his badly injured leg leaving him unable to walk without crutches.

Nurse Katherine Riley has spent her entire life caring for others, but lately she finds herself longing for more. On a whim she indulges in a secret cache of provocative lingerie—just a little something to make her feel beautiful beneath her drab gowns, even if no one else can see it.

When James glimpses the erotic beauty hidden beneath Kate’s prim and proper façade, he introduces her to a sensual array of forbidden delights. Healing takes on an entirely new meaning. As Kate nurses James to a full recovery, their liaison opens her eyes to an enticing new world. How will she ever return to the staid life she once knew?  

EXCERPT:
Thunder rumbled and the rain that had been threatening all morning began to pour down in earnest. Kate watched the heavy droplets strike the glass panes, softening and blurring the outside world. She tried to focus on the storm, but that proved impossible. Every fiber of her being was attuned to the overwhelming presence of man beside her. His scent, his height, the broadness of his shoulders, the rich timbre of his voice. Alone with James in the large room, she felt enveloped in a cocoon of strained intimacy, caught in a current that swept her inexorably toward him.

“Something wrong?” His voice was a low murmur in her ear.

“You need drapery,” she blurted inanely, just to have something to say to break the tension that hung between them.

“True.” He cocked his head to one side, considering the room. “I was thinking of scarlet.”

“Scarlet?” she choked out, feeling heat rush to her cheeks. “Surely that’s an odd color to suggest.”

“Is it?” He studied her with a playful smile. “But it’s such a passionate color, don’t you think? Brazen, bold, irresistible. In fact, now that I’ve considered scarlet, I can’t seem to get the color out of my mind. These past few nights, it’s all I could think of as I was falling asleep.”

She squared her shoulders and brought up her chin. Even leaning as he was on his crutches, he was still a full head taller than her. “If you’re referring to what I think you’re referring to, a gentleman wouldn’t refer to it.”

His lips quirked. “That’s a lot of referring. Are you certain I’m not simply inferring?”

“You’re interfering, certainly.”

“Must be infuriating.”

He was teasing her, and she was determined to resist him. Resist his smile. Resist the twinkle in his deep blue eyes. Resist the urge to lift her hand and push back the chestnut curl that fell so appealingly over his forehead.

 “A gentleman wouldn’t mention what he saw.”

“True. A gentleman wouldn’t. Therein lies the problem. The glimpse I had of your breasts in that scarlet corset was the loveliest thing I’ve seen since my return to London. Hell, that’s not accurate. The loveliest thing I’ve seen in years.” He watched her for a moment in silence, then reached out and softly stroked her jaw. “It’s not my intention to embarrass you.”

“What are you intending?”

“Damned if I know.”

“This certainly isn’t proper.”

“Damned if I care.”

To her utter astonishment, Kate wasn’t entirely certain she cared, either. She’d played the part of dutiful daughter, dutiful sister, and dutiful nurse her entire life. Now, at the age of three and twenty, she was coming to the realization that the role didn’t entirely suit her. She’d lived her life as though crammed into a pair of shoes that had been pinching and cramping her for years. Here was an opportunity to try something scandalous and new. An invitation to see what she’d been missing, if only she had the courage to reach for it.

She moistened her lips, tipped back her head, and closed her eyes.

For a fraction of a second time stood still. Kate was overwhelmed by the horrifying certainty she’d misread his intentions. Then James’s lips brushed hers. The pressure on her mouth was light and gentle, allowing her the opportunity to change her mind, to slip away if she wanted to. So, a gentleman after all. The gesture, touching as it was, was wasted.

Kate stepped closer.

Q&A WITH AVA ARCHER PAYNE:
Q:  What exactly is a ‘Hot Historical’?
A:  A ‘Hot Historical’ is a classic historical romance—only shorter and steamier! Hot Historicals are perfect for fans of traditional romance who occasionally like to spice things up. One of my readers calls them a secret indulgence ;)
Q:  Many of your novels are set in Victorian England. What attracts you to that time period?
A:  I love playing with the exquisite manners of the day. What does our heroine do when she finds herself completely in lust with an utterly unsuitable man? That creates such lovely sexual tension.
Q:  How long have you been writing romance?
A:  I’ve been writing historical romance for 15 years under a variety of pseudonyms. I’ve been published by several mainstream houses, but with the advent of ebooks, I’m able to place my work directly in the hands of readers. What a fabulous privilege for an author!

Author Email - AvaArcherPayne@gmail.com


My Review: 5Stars

Tantalizing erotic. 
Do I need to say more? That was the words in my mind when I read this story. It was a very quick read flamed with unbridled passion to know the ending. 
The story was set against the back drop of the English war in 1885 and a wounded Hero that did not want to heal properly due to lack of skill in the medical profession of that time. The young Miss Riley the nurse who was appointed due to a turn of circumstances to attend the hero's wounds. Two brothers, one drunken and the other a gambling problem keeping her under their thumb to pay their debts.
A good doctor who saw her worth as a hard working nurse and together the Dr. and she attended to Captain James Lancaster. The youngest son of a viscount. 
From the start sparks emanated from them and the slow seduction began. Keeping you captivated, riveted on one spot.
Her love for silk lingirie mesmerized the good captain and the story begun.
The author has done a thorough work to bring all the loose ends together and creating a enjoyable story with enough provocative and erotic nuances to keep you glued.
Every romantic at heart would love the story and the fact that there is real hero's out there that is willing to go after his heart.
Captain James Lancaster has a strong character, charming and recognize the woman behind the drap nursing uniform and unwrapped her to enjoy not only her body but the young woman buried deep inside. 
Nurse Katherine Riley for once aloud her self to experience the love and attention of a man to snap her out of her dull live and show her that she was stronger then she thought. Standing up against two abusive brothers to find her self.





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