Reviewed: A Scandalous Affair by Karen Erickson...

AMAZON

Third in the Merry Widows series
From the moment Daphne, Lady Pomeroy, meets the mysterious Marquess of Hartwell at a masquerade ball, she’s determined to seduce him. The handsome, charming man cannot possibly be the cold, calculating lord who Society calls “Black Hart.” Risking everything, the lonely widow invites the elusive Hartwell to her dinner party . . . for two.
Hartwell’s arrogant reputation is built on a lie. For he has a shameful secret that keeps him in the shadows: a stutter—his downfall since childhood. He’d rather keep his mouth shut than look the fool. But he’s shocked to discover that in Daphne’s company—and in her bed—his stutter vanishes.
After one wanton evening together, Daphne is hurt when the lord lives up to his Black Hart name. Yet his reasons for leaving surprise even him. Now he must confess everything or risk losing Daphne forever…

LOVED IT!!!

I loved this book!!! It had everything that I look for in a historical romance book all wrapped up in a short story(about 68 pages~Kindle). So entertaining!!! 

This is actually the first book that I have read from Karen Erickson and I didn't realize that it was the third book in The Merry Widows series. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.

I have a soft spot for an imperfect hero and a heroine who can see past the imperfections. Camden *sigh*.  I love Camden and Daphne together. I love how Daphne went after what she wanted despite the rumors about Camden. I love how they got together, had a misunderstanding, then got back together. So good!! Karen can write some HOT sex scenes. ;) Just a fun, sexy, short read with lovable characters that you want to see get their HEA. Definitely a reread. 5 out of 5 rating.

**ARC obtained per NetGalley. 


Karen Erickson Website


The Merry Widows Series Books 1 and 2 / AMAZON

Waiting For This New Release: Worth The Risk by Karen Erickson...

July 10, 2012 Worth It Series Book #2 AMAZON

How to make a strong man fall hard? Refuse him.
Hunter Worth lives life to the absolute fullest. As vice president and head of brand marketing for Worth Luxury Goods, he’s brought his family’s business firmly into the twenty-first century. Ruthless yet charming, he’s now set his sights on the sexiest member of the marketing team. First thing on his agenda? Seduction.
Gracie Hayes needs her job at Worth—and she’s not about to let the gorgeous owner and her direct boss distract her—again. Orphaned, and with a rough childhood behind her, she’s worked too hard to compromise everything for a fling, no matter how tempting. Independent, strong and resourceful, she will fight off Hunter. She has to.
Flirting, stolen kisses, a few nights of scorching hot sex…Hunter has all that in mind and more with the delicious Gracie. He never figures he’d fall in love or that she’d deny him. How will Hunter convince Gracie he’s the one for her? 
Excerpt #1:
It was as if Hunter had sensed her need. That need to let go a little and a whole lot more. One minute she was sitting next to him at the bar drinking and laughing, noticing for the first time just how intensely blue his eyes were. How he had a faded white scar just beneath his chin. And when he shot her that slow, sexy smile, her panties felt like they were going to dissolve. Just with the flash of a smile.

Next thing she knew she was in the dark back hallway of the pub, his hands all over her body, his mouth fused with hers. His tongue licked deep inside her mouth before he whispered hot words in her ear.

Gracie wiggled in her seat at the memory. What good did it do, reliving it? A colossal waste of time, especially since it would never happen again. What was done was done. Let bygones be bygones, and all that jazz.

She frowned. What, had she turned into a constant cliché?

“He’s looking right at us. Oh my God.” Becky slumped in her wooden chair and looked away from the bridal party. “Do you think he’s a mind reader or what?”

“He’s not looking at us…” Her voice trailed off when she realized Hunter was indeed looking at them. His gaze tangled with hers, those sparkling blue eyes glowing, his lush mouth twisted into a naughty little smirk.

Could he read minds? If so, he appeared awfully pleased with her train of thought. She wished she could tell him to screw off. No, she wished she could tell him what happened between them hadn’t mattered to her whatsoever.

Secretly, she wished she wasn’t so darned attracted to him, but her wishes were futile.

She lived in constant denial. The man just—did it for her. She couldn’t explain why or how, but every time he drew near, her skin tingled. When he spoke to her, worked directly with her, and it was often, she felt as if no one else existed. As if it was just the two of them and everything else simply fell away.

Which was silly. And pitiful. Yes, she was completely pitiful, and she only had herself to blame.

Allowing the indulgence of one moment with Hunter had proved not enough. Yet she wouldn’t do it again. Ever. Never, ever, never.

Excerpt #2:

“You interrupted our innocent conversation by acting like a possessive, jealous lover.”

“Maybe I am a jealous lover.” Hunter looked pained that he made the admission and he shook his head, as if he could dismiss it. Make his words disappear. But he couldn’t. They still reverberated through her, stunning her silent. “He was trying to ask you out.”

“And I was trying to refuse him.” God, why had she said that?

“Why?”

She didn’t have an answer for him, was too afraid to confess the truth. And wouldn’t he love hearing that she wasn’t over him yet? Not that she’d given herself enough time. Three weeks wasn’t nearly enough.

A lifetime might not be enough.

His thumb swept over her flesh again, a slow, tantalizing caress that made her tingle. “Tell me why, Gracie.”


October 16, 2012  Worth It Series Book #3

Together, they’re magic. Now to capture it in a bottle…

For once in his errant life, Rhett Worth is ready to prove to his older brothers he’s more than good looks and a woman-melting smile. Except he’s screwed up. And it’s about to hit the fan as he prepares to tell them he’s failed to deliver the master perfumer, Michel Durand, to create Worth Luxury’s signature scent.

Then salvation walks through the boardroom door, all wrapped up in a petite, seductive package.

Gabriella Durand is prepared to beg the Worths to give her capricious father another chance. Instead, she finds the devastatingly handsome Rhett Worth offering it to her as if he’d planned it all along. And Gabriella, hungry to emerge from her father’s shadow, jumps at it.

Soon they’re in Maui to hunt for the perfect scent…and find it in the tropical breeze that washes across their entwined bodies. Now the pressure is on to capture that passion in a bottle—before they let love complicate the delicate mix. Before a whiff of betrayal threatens to destroy everything.


Karen Erickson Website


Worth It Series Book #1 AMAZON


This series sounds so good and is waiting for me in my out of control TBR pile!!! Love the covers!! 

Waiting For This New Release: A Scandalous Affair by Karen Erickson...

From the moment Daphne, Lady Pomeroy, meets the mysterious Marquess of Hartwell at a masquerade ball, she’s determined to seduce him. The handsome, charming man cannot possibly be the cold, calculating lord who Society calls “Black Hart.” Risking everything, the lonely widow invites the elusive Hartwell to her dinner party . . . for two.

Hartwell’s arrogant reputation is built on a lie. For he has a shameful secret that keeps him in the shadows: a stutter—his downfall since childhood. He’d rather keep his mouth shut than look the fool. But he’s shocked to discover that in Daphne’s company—and in her bed—his stutter vanishes.

After one wanton evening together, Daphne is hurt when the lord lives up to his Black Hart name. Yet his reasons for leaving surprise even him. Now he must confess everything or risk losing Daphne forever…


Sneak peek excerpt from A SCANDALOUS AFFAIR (3rd in the Merry Widows series) coming JULY 30TH!
Hartwell swallowed hard as he watched Lady Pomeroy approach. Christ, she was beautiful. A sensual, regal countess and completely untouchable to a man like him. Except for that one evening he’d held her in his arms. A stolen moment he knew he’d never be able to experience again.

A miracle then, that her brother led her to him at this very moment. A slight smile curved her lush, rose-colored lips, the sight of her mouth making him stiffen all over. His throat went dry and he coughed. Prayed like hell he wouldn’t make an utter fool of himself and trip over his words.

For whatever reason, that night at the masquerade he’d spoken with relative ease. For him, anyway. As if she were a balm to his rather hectic soul.

“Hartwell.” Viscount Huxley’s jovial voice filled Hartwell with immediate jealousy. How he envied Fitzgerald’s easy, friendly behavior. The man always acted as if he hadn’t a care in the world. “May I make an introduction?”

He kept his gaze trained on Fitzgerald’s face. One look at the beauty standing next to him, and he’d turn into a stuttering idiot. “Of course,” he said, wincing at the formal tone of his voice.

“Capital. This is my sister.” Fitzgerald extended his arm and Lady Pomeroy took a step forward, her pale green silken skirts rustling with the movement. Hartwell allowed his gaze to wander all over her form, noted the flush on her cheeks, the sparkle in her pretty greenish-blue eyes. Lustrous dark brown curls brushed her cheeks and the front of her gown dipped low, allowing him a perfect glimpse of the tops of her perfect breasts. “The dowager Countess of Pomeroy, I introduce you to the Marquess of Hartwell.”

“L-Lady Pomeroy.” He jerked his head in her direction, cursing himself for stumbling over the word. He could hear his father yelling at him. The same demands he’d heard every day for years, especially when he was younger and his problem overwhelmed him.

Out with it, boy! You’ll never be a success if you can’t string five words together!

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lord Hartwell. Again.” Her smile grew, dazzling in its intensity, and he was momentarily blinded by the sight of it. Christ above, she was a vision. Surely the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on. “I have so wanted a more…formal introduction between us. I finally persuaded my brother to do the honors,” she continued, shocking him with her confession.

“Indeed.” Confusion flooded him. She’d wanted to formally meet him? Had forced her brother to introduce them? So she had realized he’d been the one who danced with her. Her not-so-subtle hints were enough proof to confirm.

Despite his wariness, the fact that she wanted the introduction pleased him. He knew of his reputation amongst society. How they all viewed him as a cocky, arrogant bastard who couldn’t be bothered with anyone, not even his bloody peers.

He’d much rather endure that particular reputation than allow anyone to discover the truth. That he was painfully shy because of his childhood affliction. An affliction he still hadn’t completely rid himself of. Hence the reason he kept his mouth clamped shut most of the time.

All of society considered him unfriendly. In fact, he was damned lonely if anyone wanted to know the truth, which it seemed no one really cared about.

Until, perhaps, Lady Pomeroy.

“Are you enjoying yourself this evening, my Lord Hartwell?” Her lilting voice was sweet as honey and the sound of it filled him with an ache he could hardly deny.

“I am.” He was now that he was in the presence of this woman.
She held a delicate cream silk fan in her right hand, waved it madly for the briefest moment, and he watched in fascination as the tendrils of dark hair that curled about her neck fluttered with the breeze. The delicate wisps teased her creamy skin, lifting as if ready to take gossamer flight before settling gently against the slope of her elegant neck.

He was filled with the sudden urge to touch her there. Skim his fingers down her throat, feel her pulse flutter wildly beneath his fingertips and then his mouth. Kiss her, lick her, nibble her sweet skin until he had her whimpering, begging for more…


provided by Karen Erickson facebook page.

The Merry Widow Series  Books 1 and 2 


I have not read this series yet but it sounds so good!!!