| Title | : | The Harlot Bride |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | ebook |
| Number of Pages | : | - |
| Publication | : | First published March 21, 2012 |
"Like many men before him, and many men since, Edward Tazewell, Earl of Chiltenham, discovered his future bride in church on a Sunday morning. Now, I am aware that it is hardly unusual for a gentleman to find a wife in a House of God, for there are few enough opportunities for the sexes to come together in polite society. But it does surprise in Lord Tazewell's case, for his tastes in women were unusual and specific. The sort of female who suited his dark desires was far more likely to be found in a gaming house."
Thus begins this absorbing and erotic tale of a powerful earl and his young bride, Miss Lucy Farquhar. In the Victorian era, a lady’s reputation could not afford even a whisper of scandal. Raised in India but sent back to England when both her parents suddenly pass away, Lucy's behavior, innocent fun but wild nonetheless, sets London on its ear. In short order, she is shunned as an outcast. But an orphaned pariah is just what the earl desires: a girl he can mold to his own desires with no interference from concerned friends or family. He strikes a deal with the great-uncle to whom Lucy was entrusted and -- after an extremely thorough and embarrassing examination to confirm her virginity -- Lucy is married off and whisked away to the earl's remote country estate.
There, Lucy's life is strikingly different from what she expected. Hardly a bride yet not a servant, her very strict husband trains her to humility and obedience through the frequent application of bare-bottom spankings, the strap, the birch, and even unusual anal discipline – all of which is described in loving detail. Lucy secretly longs to enter the marital bed but she’s too proud to admit it, and in any case, Lord Tazewell has his own ideas about that.
While this story includes the elements of a traditional romance story – a strong man, a feisty leading lady, a historical setting in Victorian times, and ultimately love – it also contains explicit sexual scenes, including anal play, and a great deal of non-consensual and severe spanking. There is also a hint of BDSM themes such as domination. If such material offends you, please do not buy this book. But if the image of a submissive virgin bride, obediently parting her own undergarments as she waits for her husband's birch rod thrills you, then don't wait for this one!
Book Length: 9 Chapters / 40,549 words
The Harlot Bride Reviews
-
I CANNOT BELIEVE I HAD TO GIVE THIS BOOK 1 STAR IT DESERVE'S A MINUS THE GUY IN THIS BOOK IS PSYCHOTIC I CAN READ A BOOK WERE THE HERO IS A DOUCHEBAG AND GET OVER IT BUT MY GOD THIS GUY IS ONE STEP AWAY FOR BEING A RAPIST OR CHILD MOLESTAR IF HIM AND HIS FATHER GOT OF ON DOING THE THING'S THEY DID TO THEIR WIVES OBVIOUSLY WERE THEIR SISTER'S ARE INVOLVED THEY ENJOYED THAT ALSO SO DISGUSTING THIS IS NOT A BODICE RIPPER OR A ROMANCE OR LOVE STORY IMO I DON'T KNOW WTF IT IS
-
I want to begin by saying that the book was extremely well-written. The language, the historical details, and the funny little narrator who broke the fourth wall with some asides I was dying to see more of, were well-done and appeared well researched. A bit more from the narrator, actually, would have made some of the headhopping tolerable, but that is a small thing. Having said all that, I couldn't get behind this book. Not at all.
I read the product descriptions, so I came in to this as aware as I possibly could have. I probably should have read some of the reviews instead. I'm beginning to trust the product descriptions less and less.
As a writer in the genre I struggle with non-consent all the time, but I also write what I like to see, and that is a loving relationship between h and H, even if he has to occasionally warm her posterior. While there may be no consent, or implied consent, there is also love, and an understanding. None of that existed in this book. The idea that his Lordship takes Lucy as his bride to save her from a life in the brothel due to some running around she did (keeping her virginity in tact, I might add) was pretty judgmental and, rather than trying to get to know her, or attempt some fairness, he instead puts this girl through abuse the likes of which I haven't seen in any D/s or BDSM story, non-consent notwithstanding. I disagree with another reviewer who said that Lucy came to like the abuse and domination. I didn't see it. He punishes for the slightest infraction, and it is brutal. He anally disciplines her in a most humiliating fashion, and that he did a lot of this in front of household staff was neither titillating nor believable. After he forces himself on her TWICE, via two of her three existing holes, I prayed that she would do something to keep a little power--shut down, kill him in his sleep--something. I finally stopped feeling sorry for her by the end. I need to see the love, I need to see some sort of mutual respect, even if it is HE who wins in the end (see Carolyn Faulkner for examples of somewhat brutal discipline scenes, but tamed with love and respect). There was zero connection between these people, and that left me cold. I'm not sure what to make of this book, actually. I have missed the point entirely, I'm afraid. This was simply not my cup of tea.
But it was well-written, and as a writer myself, I respect that tremendously, given what is out there. Thank you for that, Alice. -
The Harlot Bride was very well written and had many componants that can make a great story. Unfortunately it missed it's mark with me. I missed that connection & spark to the characters and also between the characters. There was not enough development in their relationship. The story had a very cold feeling unlike Alice Liddell's other books which are among my favorite's.
-
I really enjoyed The Harlot Bride and stayed up until the wee hours of the night because I couldn't put it down. While I wouldn't classify this book as any kind of romance, it was off-the-charts HOT and appealed to my dark side with the non-consent situations. Keep in mind there are only a few instances with the hero treating the heroine tenderly...okay maybe like two or three and for no more than a few seconds at a time. The story gets brutal in many places and Edward often punishes Lucy in front of his servants and even asks them to assist. I'm not usually into stories that take it this far, but for some reason this story worked for me. Maybe it was the details and the dialog during these scenes, I'm not sure, but in any case I loved this book and plan to read more from this author.
-
I knew what this book would be like, so I wasn't shocked by anyone's behaviour or reactions, it just wasn't that good. I didn't feel any connection between the two leads, and I didn't quite get all the leering ladies around and about?
It wasn't bad, it just was a read -
I felt very sorry for the heroine. I didn't think she deserved any of her punishments and I wished she had gotten away from him for good.
-
The Harlot Bride was much tamer than I thought it would be, all things considered. From the blurb you feel like it will be very harsh - I guess I didn't see it that way. It's harsh - but nothing like some others I've read including Faulkner's work.
The story here is interesting - girl grows up untamed in India and all the sudden ends up back in high society in England - but is used to calling the shots. I didn't feel like what she did to cause the issues was really like her so that was the first thing that just didn't sit right. Once Edwards takes her in hand you do get a sense for her personality and she certainly likes to be in charge of her own everything - which at times come off as purely bratty behavior. Edward is demanding - so from that point of view the constant discipline is of the more moderate to severe. There was humiliation in this one as well - including a bit of ageplay and that was definitely where it was going at the end. Maybe for me since its only in front of the servants and not usually huge groups of people I didn't see it as such a humiliation that it was so bad.
I enjoyed it, the CP scenes were good. I like the historical setting - I just didn't feel much between the characters so a 3 is the best I can do. -
There is something about this book that makes me like it a lot. It’s so far the best Age play romance I have read. He hero is not nice. Not nice at all. Yet if you can look you will find love.
Only if it was a full length novel. -
Lucy has brought trouble on herself from making poor choices but Edward's solution proves to be harsh and non-consequential. Although, the situations are somewhat squeamish yet it was a very hot story. The only thing I didn't like was that the story seemed to have a very abrupt end I'm curious what will happen next in their lives.
-
Exceptionally well written.
Unfortunately, too short to call a novel so I only give it three stars.
I would expect this to have a continuation of at least another volume, if not two.
As is, this book is a nice teasing novella for people who enjoy historical novels, BDSM, and little/Daddy + sub/Dom relationships. -
Victorian Age Play Erotica
Not a bad story.
I would have given it four stars but it just kind of ended with me wanting to know more. I hope there is a sequel as it appeared her life was going to get a bit more disciplined at the end and that for me was ending it just as it was getting good! -
Would have liked for the book to be longer. It just got started when it ended.
-
In a genre filled with vicious male characters under the guise of "erotica," this is -- hands down -- the most loathsome book I've ever read.
