Submitting to the Widow

Sex, Lies, & Forbidden Desires #2

by Louisa Cornell, Andrea K. Stein

Now that both her domineering father and husband are gone, Lady Jane Trevellyn is determined to live for herself. As a wealthy widow, she can have anything she wants. What she wants is the Barrister Stephen Forsythe who wrote a journal of sexual exploits she's been sent from the erotic library at Goodrum's House of Pleasure in London. She's read the pages beginning to end - twice.
They've never been formally introduced, but she did attend one of his cricket matches with her face covered in a widow's veil. And she'll never forget the look of the man's incomparable, muscular ass when he followed through on a cover drive.

Barrister Stephen Forsythe has no idea the garden of delights he's stumbled into when he arrives at the Trevellyn manor in search of the missing journal pages he wishes he'd never put to pen...and never wants anyone else to see again.
He can't believe how easy the sensual widow has made his quest. She'll happily turn over the pages...once he fulfills her fantasy of being ravished amongst the exotic flora in her conservatory. How difficult can that be?

Is Jane brave enough to ask for her every sensual desire?
Can stuffy barrister Stephen afford to let go and drown in a sea of sensual delights?
Will one week of passion be enough?

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance

143 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 14, 2023

About the author

Louisa Cornell read her first historical romance novel, Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, at the age of nine. This inspired her to spend the next three years of her young life writing the most horrible historical romance novel ever written. Fortunately it has yet to see the light of day. As Louisa spent those three years living in a little English village in Suffolk (Thanks to her father's Air Force career.) it is no surprise she developed a lifelong love of all things British, especially British history and Regency-set romance novels. (And Earl Grey tea!)

During those same three years, Louisa's vocal talent was discovered. Her study of music began at the London College of Music and continued once she returned to the States. After four music degrees and a year of study at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, Louisa was fortunate enough to embark on a singing career in opera houses in Germany, Austria, and most of Eastern Europe.

Now retired from an active career in opera, Louisa has returned to her first love – writing Regency-set historical romance. She has completed four books to date and A PERFECTLY DREADFUL CHRISTMAS is her publication debut.

Two time Golden Heart finalist, three time Daphne du Maurier winner, and three time Royal Ascot winner, Louisa is a member of RWA, SMRWA and the Beau Monde Chapter of RWA. She lives in LA (Lower Alabama) with a Chihuahua so grouchy he has been banned from six veterinary clinics, several perfectly amiable small dogs, and a cat who terminates vermin with extreme prejudice.

You can learn more about Louisa and her future publication plans at : www.louisacornell.com and https://www.facebook.com/RegencyWrite....

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book

I love that the hero is a barrister and the heroine in this story is of a different ethnicity. I loved not only that but seeing her aunt helping keep her safe along with his valet being apart of the storyline and getting his happiness too!! And I just love the feisty sassy characters of both the aunt and the heroine.

The only thing that fell flat was I was hoping for a better ending when it came his investigations. But other than the ending and the story was just as good as the first story and I definitely look forward to the next story in this series.

I received this book from the author as a gift in exchange for an honest review and these are purely based on my own personal opinions and no one else's.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Sex, Lies, & Forbidden Desires series. Wealthy widow Lady Jane Trevellyn and Barrister Stephen Forsythe meet when he comes looking for missing pages of the journal of sexual exploits he wrote. These two belonged together, I enjoyed reading their story with all its ups and downs. The story is one I will read again. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in Andrea’s new series, Sex, Lies, & Forbidden Desires. As you can guess these are not sweet and innocent stories! But they are a great way to spend an afternoon lost in a book that will make you need lots of iced tea! Four very foolish young man in their school days decided to write down with names all about their sexual, extremely dirty appetites with bored women of the ton. What were they thinking, wife's, mistress, widows all listed. This could get then all killed if word get out. Now part of the book has been sold to Goodrum's House of Pleasure owned by none other than the mysterious and scary Captain El who is a woman pirate! Stephan is now a well-known Barrister, and his career could be over if he doesn’t get his pages back. Unfortunately, Captain El is not going to make it that easy, he has to find information on four men for her and also met Lady Jane Trevellyn and her demands for the pages. Jane is a widow now that her husband a much older man and her father are both dead. She was a pawn for her father and her husband. She has never known love or passion or love and has been left alone in the county for years. Being of Indian culture she has read and been taught that being sensual in normal. Stephan just wants to get his pages till he meets the lovely young widow then everything changes. With the help or interference from his valet who is more like an uncle and her aunt who holds many secrets there is the mystery with the men he is investigating. Stephan would never have guessed how Jane and her wonderful conservatory would change his life. Wow, how I really want a conservatory like this one where they act out the pages in the book and steam up the glass! What will happen to Stephan and Jane, will he get the pages and leave? Will the man he is looking into become violent? What secrets are the valet and aunt hiding? You will need to read the book to find out all the answers and also what pages Jane picked out for Stephan to do. You will not be sorry, just be sure to have your favorite cold drink handy. I can’t wait for the next book. I would say these are not your mother’s kind of books, but I am a mother and grandmother and I love the way they are written so enjoy it. I received an ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it.

[Slwd · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Widow and the Barrister

“Submitting to the Widow” is book two in the series Sex, Lies, and Forbidden Desires series coauthored by Louisa Cornell and Andrea K. Stein. London barrister Stephen Forsythe needs to track down his journal pages of his sexual exploits from his college days. His path leads him to Lady Jane Trevellyn, a widow anxious to experience what she missed during her marriage. Stephen can’t afford to have the pages made public so he agrees with the widow’s terms. Stephen is also tasked with locating and reporting on a group of gentlemen for Captain Goodrum, owner of London’s infamous House of Pleasure. The story is well-written although I did enjoy book one in the series more than this offering. Lady Jane’s character was well developed, she is a strong, intelligent woman who is spreading her wings after years of being repressed first by her strict father then by her much older husband, who was chosen by her father. After reading Stephen’s youthful exploits she is hoping he can awaken passion, lust, and fulfillment for the first time. Stephen Forsythe is all about work, he has built up his practice and is well respected by his peers and his tight group of friends. At first, his thoughts are about returning to London and his practice, but he is drawn in by the beautiful, exotic widow and the connection between them that is strengthening as the walls he has erected are starting to crumble. The side story of Stephen’s valet and Jane’s aunt was a great addition to the story, there could’ve been more scenes with them. The intimate scenes between Stephen and Lady Jane were extra steamy, erotic, and very well written. The inclusion of Captain El Goodrum’s additional condition regarding the location and surveillance of the men on a list given to Stephen seemed like an afterthought to add an antagonistic element to the story. This aspect was underdeveloped then rushed through near the conclusion of the story to wrap it up and dispense with it. For the most part I enjoyed the plot and the characters, this fits in well with the series. I appreciated the glimpse into the couple’s future without having to leave the book. I do recommend this as a part of the series or read as a stand-alone.

[Alanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two in the series, although it can be read as a stand-alone, I would recommend reading the first book before this one, just to get a little more sense of what is going on. Otherwise if you have read the first on, you already know this is erotic fiction, and more detailed than your average historical romance. This one is spicy, like a hot Indian curry spicy. This book focuses on Jane who is a young widow of an old rich man. She has never been loved properly and being partly Indian and of a culture where being sensual is considered healthy and normal, she longs to know what it is like to be made love to and pleasured by a man. (Because Barron Old Arthritis Knees certainly never did) I feel like her story is one that was very frequent at the time. An arranged loveless marriage. She stumbles across the now infamous journal pages written by Barrister Steven Forsyth in his young, wild and free days, and decides that he is the man who can make her sensuous dreams come true. Steven wants to get these papers back so they never see the light of day, and so that his name isn’t smeared through the mud. He isn’t thrilled at the idea of Jane’s bargain, however agrees to it. He just wants to get the pages back, and get back to his career, not be blindsided by a beautiful woman. What happens to them? Read it and find out. This is a short book… about 2 hours or so but even so has a decent story and a little mystery to it. I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series.

This book was part of an ARC, however the opinions expressed in my review are my own honest ones.

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This one has a very intriguing list for the formidable Barrister Stephen Forsythe.
He has to retrieve pages of his illicit journal from a beautiful widow and aid in the revenge of 4 so called upstanding citizens of Combe Down!
Lady Trevellyn is of Indian descent and had secret fantasies about Stephen after watching him play cricket! She knows far more of him than he knows of her.
These two are very wary of each other Stephen has not indulged in pages from his journal since college and deeply resents performance on demand!
Especially with the tasks given to him by Captain Eleanor Goodrum!
She has also given instructions to Bow street Runner Archer Colwyn but his story must be next!
Jane is far more vulnerable and ostracized than Stephen knew mistreated by her father and husband who should have protected her she has an aunt and loyal servants to also assist with her wellbeing!
There is steam, distrust and lust in the beginning! I love that Stephen folds first!
When Stephen’s assignment starts to get dangerous Captain Eleanor reveals some ugly details of her past and why those names on the list must pay but also to protect others!
This is a short quick read that packs a punch! These two are made for each other! I would like to think Raj and Stephen valet also have a future! Bravo

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Jane Trevellyn is determined to live for herself & as a wealthy widow, she can have anything she wants. What she wants is the Barrister Stephen Forsythe who wrote a journal of exploits, which she's been sent from the erotic library at Goodrum's House of Pleasure in London. She's read the pages beginning to end - twice. Stephen Forsythe has no idea the garden of delights he's stumbled into when he arrives at the Trevellyn manor in search of the missing journal pages he wishes he'd never put to pen and never wants anyone else to see again. He can't believe how easy the widow has made his quest.
This is the second book in the series of four friends who kept a 'naughty' journal & which one of their servants mistakenly donated to a bookstore now the young men are desperate to retrieve their pages. Quite a quick read (or maybe the pages flew by) but a good one. Stephen & Jane are perfect for each other & what starts as attraction, turns to lust & then love. There’s also some mystery & danger involved too, as well as a secondary romance. An engrossing read which I thoroughly enjoyed but I would have liked to have known if the Captain rounded up her quarries
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Lana Birky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great new series and I love Book 1 and now Book 2 was just as wonderful. The series is based around four friends, who back in their university days, documented their extreme carnal appetites and assembled it as a book. We meet an artist, Bow Street Runner, a barrister and an extremely handsome & wealthy member of the Ton. This book has been accidently donated to a bookstore and they have to get it back as it contains encounters with Ton wives, lord's mistresses and could literally get each one of them killed. Their mission is to get their portion back as it was divided up and went separate directions; the artist was the first to fall. Now the barrister, Stephen Forsythe, has discovered his pages but in order to get them back, he must give a young widow, Jane, all of her sensual desires. Their week of passion grows quickly and neither one is ready for it, but there is also mystery and danger. The secondary characters brought so much to the story and Stephen and Jane are a perfect couple that deserved love and a HEA. I voluntarily read & reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book; all thoughts & opinions are my own.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story concerns the second of the group of friends, Mr. Stephen Forsyth, a successful barrister. He needs to recover his part of the journal so his reputation isn’t ruined, as this will affect his standing as a barrister. This brings him into contact with Lady Jane Trevellyn. Jane is the widow of a much older man and has been neglected by her late husband and her family. Jane hadn’t been allowed to venture far from the estate and now she wants some pleasure for herself. Stephen finds himself being blackmailed but could he change his mind about the situation as he comes to know Jane better. This does have some danger and a slight mystery about a group of men that Capt. El ( an ex pirate) wants details about. I did enjoy this book but find myself wishing it was longer so more detail could be told about the characters background. It did have a satisfying epilogue. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four gentlemen, disgruntled with life in the ton, have written a diary about their conquests in the romance department. Unfortunately, is has accidently included in a box of books sent to a seller. This is not an ordinary diary, it is quite explicit, and these gentlemen want it back. The hitch is it has been divided and sold to more than one person. Each of the gentlemen is off to recover his part of the diary.

Barrister Stephen Forsythe learns that he is to recover his part of the diary from Lady Jane Trevellyn. Stephen is also to gather information on the where abouts of a group of men for Captain El. Jane will return the part of the diary in her possession, a little bit at a time, in exchange for personal demonstrations of the scenes depicted. Sound familiar? Will Stephen agree? Of course he does. This book is filled with laughter, a bit of intrigue, romance, and an affair that causes the windows in Jane’s Conservatory to really steam up. HEA, you bet. It is well-written story with engaging characters.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily reviewing it.

[Gloria Pastorino · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is captivating me more and more! The former rakes who wrote their lovemaking prowess on a journal that ended up in the wrong hands are falling one by one and I love reading about their fall! This time it’s stern and serious barrister Stephen who falls for a young and beautiful widow with an interesting background… that I don’t want to reveal! I really liked the story, the bit of mystery and danger and the sensual scenes between the two. And the side characters as well, even if I would have liked to see more of them (especially Raj and the valet!). Can’t wait for the next books of the series!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Suzy Vero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Submitting to the Widow by Louisa Cornell and Andrea Stein (2023) .., novella / shortish story, second book in the Sex, Lies and Forbidden Desires series… can easily be read as a stand alone.

The hero, Stephen Forsythe is a famous London barrister. When he was at university he and his friends wrote about their sexual escapades. By mistake the manuscript ended up at an erotic library, and he wants it back before it ruins his reputation. It’s now in the hands of Lady Jane Trevellyn, a wealthy widow of mixed Indian heritage, and she’ll only return it if he fulfills some of her sexual fantasies from the manuscript. Both furious and reluctant…. he does … and the story turns erotic plus romantic.

A delicious scorching hot steamy read… creative story, wildly entertaining!

[Winnifred D. · Rating 2 out of 5]

1 1/2 stars barely rounded up because the premise and the early chapters are decent. I love a sexy barrister MMC and a MFC who has an exotic backstory. But this isn't nearly as good as the first book in the series. In fact, it's pretty much a mess. It reads like it was edited within an inch of its life and the plot hangs together poorly. Even the dialog and attempts at characterization are weak. Worst of all, it's really not that sexy.

[Melinda Greathouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book overall. Admittedly, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the first one, and I felt like it ended rather abruptly. I would have liked to have a little more of the story fleshed out at the end, but it was a nice way to pass the afternoon. I will keep going with this series. I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.

[Cheryl Kehm · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little disappointed

I loved the first book in this series. This was not a bad book just not as exciting or well thought out. It was short. The plot was good, just not finely tuned like th last one.

[Meagan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t like this at all, there was too much missing and it was too short. It almost felt like things were missing, I kept having to go back a page to see if I missed something completely. It could’ve been my kindle copy but I’ve never encountered that before.

[Lynn Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd book in the series. It's a good story, just not as good as the first one. Seemed kind of rushed. The characters are engaging and I hope to read more about them in upcoming books.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throughly enjoyed reading Stephen and Jane's story of attraction, passion and love

[Linda Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful

Very good, Stephen falls for Lady Jane. She has pages of his diary, that he needs back. She wants him to pleasure her like the woman in his book.

[Jeanie V. · Rating 3 out of 5]

KU

[Bookfreak OHearn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just wasn’t able to get into this one like the first one.