Seduce Me with Sapphires

by Jane Feather

Overview

“Irresistibly sexy and witty, Jane Feather is one of the all-time greats of historical romance.“
—Madeline Hunter, New York Times bestselling author of Heiress for Hire

AN AMAZON BEST OF THE MONTH SELECTION

Three childhood friends dare to defy the rules of London—and love—in this glittering series from New York Times bestselling author Jane Feather . . .
 
A FLAWED CUT . . .
The Honorable Miss Fenella Grantley has a secret: she’s been taking drama classes and longs to be an actress. Ladies of her standing don’t appear on stage, but Fenella has never been one for society’s rules. She’s quite excited to take on the challenge of reading the leading role in a new play—until she meets the playwright. Toeing the line between infuriating and irresistible, his first impression leaves a lot to be desired . . .
 
OR A RARE FIND?
Edward Tremayne, illegitimate son of the Earl of Pendleton, scorned the ton years ago, making his own way in the world, and pursuing his literary gifts on the side. The only thing he misses from his old world is Fenella. Since seeing her at a ball when she was a young debutante, he’s never forgotten her. Now that fate has reunited them, Edward’s determined to make her his leading lady—in every way. But the only thing they see eye to eye on is their intense passion for each other. And it just may take a massive misunderstanding for their love to get on the same precious page . . .
 
Praise for Tempt Me with Diamonds
 
“A strong heroine who’s more than equal to her troubled hero in intelligence—and stubbornness. Feather’s fans and new readers will enjoy this series opener.”  —Publishers Weekly
 
“Well matched protagonists spar their way to love and trust in a romance awash in deception and unanswered questions. An ingenious plot . . . a sensual Edwardian romance sure to please Feather’s many fans.” —Library Journal

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781420143621
Publisher:	Kensington
Publication date:	01/28/2020
Series:	The London Jewels Trilogy , #2
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	386,498
Product dimensions:	4.10(w) x 6.70(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Jane Feather is the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty historical romances, including Tempt Me with Diamonds, Trapped by Scandal, and Trapped at the Altar. There are now more than 11 million copies of her books in print.  Jane was born in Cairo, Egypt, and grew up in the south of England. She currently lives in Washington, DC, with her family. Visit her on the Web at janefeatherauthor.com.

Editorial Reviews

12/02/2019

Feather’s passionate second London Jewels novel (after Tempt Me with Diamonds) follows the contentious courtship between a noblewoman and a playwright. The Honorable Fenella Grantley studies acting in secret at a tiny drama school in an unfashionable part of Edwardian-era London, knowing her parents would disapprove of such a disreputable interest. Edward Tremayne, the bastard son of an Earl, has been infatuated with Fenella since he saw her during her first London season. When Fenella’s drama class decides to do a reading of Edward’s new play, Sapphire, Edward insists that Fenella play the lead. Fenella objects, finding the role one-dimensional, but Edward wins her over with his wit and good looks, seducing her both into giving the play a chance and sleeping with him. The pair fall into a steamy affair, despite their differing world views and Fenella’s family’s expectations that she marry conservative Lord George Headington. Assisted by her friends Petra and Diana, Fenella fends off George’s advances and finds time to be with Edward. Feather keeps the actual theatrics largely off-stage, but readers will be pleased with the clandestine trysts and dramatic fights of this romance. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for Seduce Me with Sapphires

“Irresistibly sexy and witty, Jane Feather is one of the all-time greats of historical romance. Do not miss out on her splendid new trilogy.“
—Madeline Hunter, New York Times bestselling author of Heiress for Hire

“Readers who delight in a couple that sparks as much fire outside as inside the bedroom will devour Feather’s newest Edwardian romance.”
—Library Journal

“Feather’s love scenes burn, and readers will hope this intrepid heroine and brooding hero find their way to a bright future as they fight and make up, only to fight and make up again.”
—Bookpage

Praise for Jane Feather's previous London Jewels romance, Tempt Me with Diamonds

"Well-matched protagonists spar their way to love and trust in a romance awash in deception and unanswered questions. VERDICT: An ingenious plot, well-developed characters, an unfortunate misunderstanding, a dash of mystery, and a delightful final twist result in a sensual Edwardian romance sure to please Feather’s many fans." 
—Library Journal

“Diana is a strong heroine who’s more than equal to her troubled hero in intelligence—and stubbornness. Feather’s fans and new readers will enjoy this series opener.” 
—Publishers Weekly

"For the girl who has everything—diamonds, a mansion, a racehorse—finding someone to share it with is the best gift of all.  A solid start to the series." 
—Kirkus Reviews

Praise for the previous works of Jane Feather
 
“Great fun . . . Feather's well-paced plot generates lots of laughs, steamy sex, and high adventure, as well as some wryly perceptive commentary on the gender stereotypes her heroine so flagrantly defies.”
 —Publishers Weekly
 
“A charming, fast read.” 
—The Philadelphia Inquirer
 
 “Delicious . . . Comes much closer to the Austen spirit than any of the pseudo-sequels.” 
—Detroit Free Press
 
 “An author to treasure.” 
—RT Book Reviews
 
“Rich characters, sophisticated sensuality, and a skillfully crafted story line: a first-class historical romance, wonderfully entertaining.” 
—Kirkus Reviews
 
“Filled with period detail and dynamic characters, Feather’s appealing historical romance exemplifies the qualities that make her perennially popular.” 
—Booklist
 
“Historical romance doesn’t get much better than this.” 
—All About Romance

From the Publisher

01/01/2020

The one thing in the Honorable Fenella Grantley's life that seems to bring true engagement is the acting class she attends in secret. When playwright Edward Tremayne brings his new work to the group, Fenella is intrigued by the role she's asked to play, though she is less impressed with Edward, as his mood seems suddenly to change from open to enraged without warning. Edward is the illegitimate son of an earl who is estranged from family and society. He remembers Fenella vividly. And while the two maintain civility in public, they can barely keep their hands off each other in private, as passion for the play and each other begins to yield amazing returns. But Fenella's first role is in society, and she must consider her choices for her future, leaving Edward to decide if he's willing to face the society he's vowed never to return to. VERDICT Readers who delight in a couple that sparks as much fire outside as inside the bedroom will devour Feather's newest Edwardian romance (after Tempt Me with Diamonds).—Kellie Tilton, Univ. of Cincinnati Blue Ash

Library Journal

2020-01-13
Two thespians strut and fret and argue throughout their hour upon the stage together.

The Honorable Miss Fenella Grantley knows she should be grateful for her life of ease and privilege, but everything feels unrelentingly gloomy to her. Except, that is, when she sneaks out to Bloomsbury for her acting classes. Those classes get even more interesting when playwright Edward Tremayne, by-blow of the Earl of Pendleton, comes to class with a draft of his newest work, Sapphire. She takes an immediate dislike to Edward and his "arrogance and contempt," so he takes her for hot chocolate to apologize for his rudeness. And despite the fact that the two can't go more than a few sentences at a time without bickering, they soon become intimate, and a few days later, they've not only slept together, but Fenella is also concocting elaborate excuses to spend the night at his lodgings. Both are prickly and prone to misunderstandings, but they are continually drawn back to each other and have to decide whether their chemistry can or should survive the tumult of these continuous conflicts. Unfortunately, it will be hard for many readers to look forward to this happy ending. From their first meeting, Edward seems unnecessarily unkind to Fenella, and although this is supposedly because of his nerves and attraction to her, modern sensibilities may find him creepy and overbearing rather than charming. Additionally, his obsession with Sapphire and insistence that Fenella perform her role in exactly the way he's imagined it is an unfortunately timeless example of a male artist who puts his ego before all others—not exactly the swoon-inspiring stuff of a romance hero. For her part, Fenella is pleasingly independent, which makes her attraction to Edward all the more confusing. The book, second in a series but able to stand alone, may appeal to Feather's longtime fans but is unlikely to work for readers who aren't already inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt.

An Edwardian theater love story that tests the boundaries of just how unlikable a romance hero can be.

Kirkus Reviews