Book: Lord of Pleasure
Author: Delilah Marvelle
ISBN: 1420104497
Rating: Four Stars
Marvelle’s tale of Alexander Baxendale, third Earl of Hawksford and Charlotte, Lady Chartwell is indeed sweet, delightful and endearing to readers. What originally sold the purchase of The Lord of Pleasure were reviewers’ consistent comments that Marvelle’s novels were hilarious and fun. Nothing is better when you have laughs along with romance. And nothing is harder to write. So special respect should be set-aside for those authors who are able to successfully concoct hilarity for us.
It had been a while since I’d picked up a historical romance. Favorites include Christina Dodd, Gaelen Foley, Judith McNaught and Julia Quinn. Lord of Pleasure largely reminds of early Julia Quinn with some Jude Deveraux naiveté thrown in. Marvelle’s second novel is green, but with great promise and careful attention. The characters each have their own voice; personality, and connects with readers.
Just like Quinn capitalizing on the Bridgertons, Lady Whistledown, and the Featherington’s (dear, sweet, befuddled Penelope always enveloped in yellow!), so too has Marvelle carved out some unique characterizations: Madame de Maitenon, Harold, the bull-faced butler-stevedore, Alexander’s saucy mother and sisters, and of course, Lord Caldwell.
But by far the most interesting (and funny) of Marvelle’s characters is Alexander’s deeply quirky, gothic-bound, funereal sister Mary whose desire for caskets and mourning gowns are driving Alexander to distraction. Marvelle has enough material about Mary to develop a great story. Just imagine Mary looking for her dark highwayman to sweep her away in pure Byronic style! Throw in a few capers of the Baxendale sisters and that indeed would be hilarious!
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