Review: 3.5 stars--I wish it was longer
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 01 2, 2014
This novella was a very short synopsis of the "Secret Passion" harbored by Lady Cecilia Stanton. I enjoyed the short story, though it did not provide much character building.Lady Cecelia married very young, and thus, had to learn how to pleasure her husband,Earl William Stanton, from her handmaid Bess. Under Bess' tutelage, Cecelia also grew to enjoy and crave the soft & feminine touch which was vastly different from her older husband. But make no mistake, Cecelia  also enjoyed bedroom play with her lusty husband. They both seem to have quite an insatiable sexual appetite but during her time of pregnancy, her husband would completely leave their home to avoid touching her.Back in the early 1800's, the London ton believed ladies should abstain from sexual pleasures in order not to harm the unborn child in the woman's womb. Instead,  the lady should undergo a period of confinement until birth, and then a physician can release the lady to resume intimacies with the husband.During Cecelia's period of confinement, Bess would see to all her needs as her husband wasn't in town. Cecelia and Bess kept their dalliance a closely guarded secret as this sexual craving was considered perverse by the ton.When their secret became known to a person in the ton, Bess and Cecilia feared what would happen? If you want to know what ensued, then you have to read the book!The writing flowed well and was very reminiscent of the time period. I loved the boldness of Cecelia, and I would like to believe it is a result of her youth because she seemed a tad impetuous. It wasn't that steamy or erotic, but it was properly scandalous for that time period.The only thing is that I wished the book was longer because i would have liked more background on both Cecilia, Bess and William. But for what it was, a short novella, it was an enjoyable read. I would read this author again, although I would choose a longer story.Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for the complimentary copy of this book.