Review: A Decidedly Different Historical Read With a VERY Modern Feel
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 09 16, 2013
As a fan of historical reads I was caught off guard by the unique viewpoint presented by Genella deGrey that finds a frustrated Victorian woman traveling to numerous exotic locales who finally finds self-esteem after embracing her sensual side.  During this erotic journey she discovers two men who change her life forever and the opportunity to live her life to the fullest getting to do the unexpected.  From start to finish readers are pulled along in Valerie's over the top sexual wake as she discovers the self-esteem denied her by her mother since birth.  Many of the events and actions throughout the story seem too modern for the time period and therefore make the story feel unbelievable.  From its modern-sounding names to the quick evolution of a staid Victorian woman to dancing sex kitten this is a story out of time, a story more fantasy than reality.Valerie grew up under heavy scrutiny by her mother and believes she can do no right and that it's all her fault she remains unwed.  Tired of feeling like a failure she sets out on her own to discover the world, and herself along the way, courtesy of a free-thinking relative who encourages her to embrace her sensual side.  After being left to fend for herself by this flighty relative, and her jealous friends, she luckily stumbles upon the opportunity to dance at Moulin Rouge where she first falls in love with one man before moving on to Travis, who's just come into an inherited dukedom that he wants no part of.  Before long they're engaged in a sexual tug of war that leads to a rocky road to HEA where villains come out of the woodwork at every turn.Travis doesn't want to grow up, he enjoys living the life of a profligate, and doesn't want to live up to the expectations of Queen Victoria so he runs away.  From the first moment he lays eyes on the masked Valerie he's smitten but has to bide his time before he can make her his.  His Peter Pan-like attitude of not wanting to grow up resulted in entertaining moments but made him a less than ideal hero, but at least he was a comparable match for Valerie.Fans of true historical reads will be surprised by the actions of the characters here in relation to the time period, but I give credit to Ms. deGrey for creating something unique.  While I didn't always connect with the characters, at least I was never bored by them.  Alongside the unique main characters is a cast of over the top secondary ones that kept the story moving at a breakneck pace and the action unexpected.  Through the creativity seen her I look forward to Ms. deGrey's next release.