Lessons in Seduction

Once Upon An Accident #2

by Melissa Schroeder

What is a lady to do when her chosen rake changes her lessons in seduction to lessons of love?

Book two in the Once Upon an Accident series

Cicely Ware understands how society works. At the age of twenty-six, she has been around long enough to know that she is doomed to spinsterhood. But she refuses to go without ever knowing what it is like to be with a man. So she comes up with a wonderful plan to find a rake to teach her, complete with a list of possibilities. At the top of that list sits Douglas the Duke of Ethingham.

When he asks Lady Cicely to waltz, Douglas never expected her to request seduction, or that it would intrigue him quite as much. With each glance, each smile, each touch, he finds himself falling under her spell, unable to resist her lure. In her he finds a soul mate, someone as lonely as he is, who understands his pain, and will give herself to him without demands or expectations.

But as he finds himself falling in love, he also discovers a wicked plot to kill Lady Cicely. As they race to discover who wants her dead, they fall deeper in love, leaving them to decide if the lessons in seduction could lead to a lifetime of happiness.

Warning, this title contains the following: Explicit love scenes, propositions made on dance floors, mistaken identity of a kissing partner and many scenes of seduction.

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Romance, Regency, Erotica, Mystery, Erotic Romance

240 pages, Paperback

First published August 7, 2007

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Melissa Schroeder has had almost 90 short stories, novellas, and novels published in the last 15 years.

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Reviews

[Jess the Romanceaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read by Melissa Schroeder (the first being The Accidental Countess -- book one in the Once Upon An Accident series). Thus far I've thoroughly enjoyed both, and I hope the rest of her books are as good as these two.

This book has some of my favorite romance staples. First, we have an emotionally abused, spinster heroine, who has been told all her life that she's plain but with a little confidence (and some new dresses lol), quickly discovers that while she'll never be a ravishing beauty, she's quite lovely. Then we've got a notoriously hedonistic rake, who due to an abusive childhood, avoids marriage like the plague. In addition, our hero and heroine were friends before they became lovers, which is another concept that I typically enjoy in my romances, because it's always fun to see a man completely befuddled when he starts to notice that there's more to his female friend than he'd once assumed.

Both characters do play an important part in Book One of the series, so I would suggest reading them in order, though it's certainly not necessary.

I simply cannot wait for Book Three to come out (due out in December 2010) as it is to be Daniel and Anna's story :)

4 1/2 Stars

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

In this second book in the Once Upon an Accident series we have Cecily Ware deciding that since she is approaching spinster hood she would like to experience the happenings that go on in the bed chamber at least once. Her choice of partner in this? Douglas, the Duke of Ethingham.

When Cecily asks Douglas to teach her the art of seduction, he immediately refuses. But as he worries about her choosing another for her plan and he starts spending more time with her to see that she doesn't go through with her plan, he becomes more and more intrigued with her.

But there is someone after Cecily. Someone willing to go to great lengths to keep her from discovering secrets held in an old diary. Will Douglas be able to keep Cecily safe until the suspect is caught and convince her to become his wife?

Anyone who enjoys recency/historical romances should enjoy this one.

[Booklover1335 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m just going to come right out and say it…I was disappointed. More I think from my own built up expectations of what this book would be about than anything drastically wrong with what the author wrote. I expected Lessons in Seduction to be…well, mostly about lessons in seduction.

I adored Lady Cicely and thought her approach to experiencing desire fit her personality despite taking place in the stringent rules of the Regency period. She views herself as a plain spinster, and has issues with her looks and her body, all created and reinforced by her unloving and demented mother. She has resigned herself to living a single status despite her generous dowry due to scandals in her family. So, the oh so proper and bookish Lady Cicely approaches the Duke of Ethingham because he is the man she has secretly been in love with and is her first choice in a list of potential lovers. He does not respond well to her request, and denies her despite not wanting another to be the first to experience her passion.

Douglas, the Duke of Ethingham considers Lady Cicely a family friend, and until her makeover /transformation doesn’t even consider her for her looks…as if she were a backdrop in his life; always there, but disregarded. A convenience when avoiding matchmaking mothers and their eligible daughters. He has secretly vowed never to marry because of the bad genes inherently passed down to each generation; cruelty and vice cultivated from father to son...from Duke to Duke. Consequently, he is passably happy with his bachelor existence.

All of these things are what I loved about the story. Unfortunately the plot also involved a dangerously hidden secret society that had planned to over throw the monarchy in England much like what had happened in France. Lady Cicely finds an old diary that divulges thoughts, plans, ideas, and actions taken by this society and finds herself and the book hunted and in perilous danger.

I felt that this addition to the story was completely unnecessary, and while adequately written, was a disappointing distraction to what I felt was the better story; Cicely and Douglas overcoming their beliefs and finding love. The reader is told that Cicely is in love with her Duke without much to base it upon, and Douglas’s love seems to be solely based on her attractiveness after her transformation. I never felt that the “lessons in seduction” changed into “lessons in love” which is why for me this book was a lesson in dissatisfaction.

There was so much potential in this story because of each of their pasts, and even thinking back on the novel after some time has passed I’m just as disappointed. Part of that could be because of the enticing blurb and Samhain “Warning” (I happen to love those) that I based my expectations on, and that it had been sitting in my TBR for a very long time despite my desire to read this book… probably even building it up in my mind to be more than what it could ever possibly live up to. In that respect I have to take part of the responsibility for my disillusionment, but I also strongly believe that Lessons in Seduction would have been a much better story if it would have been solely about Cicely and Douglas and ditched the whole plot of the diary and the danger surrounding it. Please don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t a poorly written story. And even as it is written, it isn’t really much different than most Regency historical romances except for its shorter length…and maybe that’s the problem. Maybe the story was trying to be too much for the length of the book (even though Samhain classifies it as a novel) and as a result the romance (not the love scenes but the interaction between the H/h) and reasons for love were sacrificed.

This is the first book I’ve read by Melissa Schroeder, but despite my beleaguered disappointments in Lessons in Seduction I still plan on reading the rest of the books in the “Once Upon an Accident” series, as well as several of her contemporary books from her “Harmless” series.

Ratings: 3.25 stars

Sensuality: I would consider this book to be like most historical romances in the Regency period. On a heat level somewhat like Sabrina Jeffries, but not as hot as Elizabeth Hoyt.

[Erika · Rating 2 out of 5]

We get introduced to Lady Cecily Ware and Douglas the Duke of Ethingham in book one. I was interested that Cecliy had her own book since I’m book one she was not that known except for how she saved Colleen. Lady Cecily has been in society for a while, this is her last season out and she has no marriage prospects so she is looking at spinsterhood. Beside she becomes a spinster she is determined to have some fun and experience seduction & lust, who better to ask than the Duke of Ethigham who is a well known rake. When he asks Lady Cecily to waltz, Douglas never expected her to request seduction, or that it would intrigue him quite as much. Lady Cecily did have a wardrobe change, stop binding her breast and had her hair re done as a final good bye for her last season, due to her drastic change she suddenly found a lot more men requesting dances from her . Douglas takes it upon himself to protect her, worrying she will ask another the same thing she asked him. There is drama in this plot to, about a journal and a plot to kill lady Cecily due to what the journal contains. I personally did not like any of that part of the book and wished I would of skipped it, it did nothing except when the Duke saved her at the end. This is a very generic historical romance, it was an okay book, nothing stands out about it.

Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️/5

[Catlou · Rating 5 out of 5]

For her last season, Cicely just wants a favor before she accepts the mantle of spinster. When Douglas, Duke of Ethingham, offers her a boon, she knows just what to ask for. Although neither feel marriage is in their futures due to their family backgrounds, it’s enjoyable to watch as they begin to realize the attraction they have for each other may be more than a passing interest. In the meantime, there’s intrigue and danger afoot that may place Cicely in the middle of a sinister plot. It’s a tale filled with drama, excitement, and intrigue. The relationship between Cicely and Douglas is highly entertaining, and who doesn’t like a mystery in trying to figure out who of the side characters are serving a sinister purpose? This is a well-drawn, thoroughly engaging story that will keep you involved from start to finish.

[The Book Dragon's Hoard by A.V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another entertaining read set in this family saga with Bridgerton vibes.

Cicely was an interesting character and I liked how she was able to take back her power and not only reinvent her life, but even achieve successes she'd never considered before. The banter between her and Douglas was very well written and showed the unfolding of their relationship very well. I found it hilarious how Douglas kept getting put in his place, showing up many of the false ideas of the times this story is set in. It's a lovely way to look at history by picking over characters' opinions and view of the world.

[Rachel Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following off The Accidental Countess, Lessons In Seduction was just as spectacular! Lady Cicely’s idea of getting “lessons” in how to make love is a brilliant idea for a storyline. But capturing Duke of Ethingham heart while doing it is icing on the cake! The way these two play off each other is great! I can’t wait to read Lady Anna’s story next!

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hoopla

[read with.Lama · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ew

[Dar · Rating 4 out of 5]

These two had all the heat, all the longing, and just the right amount of mystery subplot, to add the storyline!

[MJ4S · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a light, easy read. I was a bit (a bit more) bothered by 3 facts: people were a bit too informal for what I perceive to be Victorian England, there were some phrases more suited to modern times, and spelling errors (I gave it 2 stars instead of 3 for writing "too" instead of "to" - one example I can remember). But if you can ignore these 3 things, then it's a nice enough book for reading on holiday, on the train, etc.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mel recently put an excerpt up on her blog for Lessons in Seduction. I knew better than to read it but I just couldn't help it. I was hooked and desperate to know what happened next.

Thankfully I own the book and was able to run up and grab it. I read it in one sitting. I really enjoyed the characters and story line. The hint of mystery kept pulling me along. The awakening of Douglas to Cecily a wonderful journey.

Though this is book 2 in the Once Upon an Accidental Series I didn't feel like I was missing anything by not having read THE ACCIDENTAL COUNTESS first. There are things mentioned in book 2 that you would learn from book 1 but they were explained enough that I wasn't frustrated or lost. I do plan on going back and reading THE ACCIDENTAL COUNTESS though.

Mel has a great voice that I really enjoy.

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lessons In Seduction is the second book in Melissa Schroeder's Once Upon An Accident series. I read the first book quite a while back and I remembered I liked it. I would probably have enjoyed this one slightly more if I had reread the first book to remember some things that are referenced in it.

Cicely Ware is 26 years old and firmly on the shelf. She has accepted that she'll never marry and never have children but she is determined that she will rid herself of her virginity. So she comes up with a list of potential men who could give her lessons in seduction. First on the list is Douglas, the Duke of Ethingham.

It was more of a light easy read but I liked the style of writing and there was a bit of a mystery, regarding a diary that could reveal the identities of several men who plotted treason against the crown, that added to the story.

[Regina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved reading about Cecily and Douglas' love affair. I like heroines who decide to experience physical passion even while resigning themselves to spinster life and the heroes who go crazy with jealously watching from the sidelines before stepping in to help. The subplot involving the mysterious diary was lukewarm, and I would have liked for Douglas' childhood background to have been explored more in depth so that I could have gotten a better picture of why he was the man he was and the fears he carried with him. I'd like to have seen more frequent lessons in more detail, too, especially toward the end when Douglas' heart was engaged. Still, an enjoyable read at 3.5 stars.

[Patricia Ange]

Feels incomplete

I've grown to enjoy Ms. Schroeder historical romances but I still feel that the story could have been much better. The characters were well developed as was the plot. The reason I couldn't give more than three stars was that the story just rushed over chunks of time to get from one point to another. These jumps happen so often that the story lost much rich details that could have added to the characters and story.

[☽ Rhiannon ✭ Mistwalker ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a plain spinster, and there were brief glimpses of insecurity and vulnerability, but she is pretty brazen overall, and once she decides on the hero, is seductive in a way that belies her earlier hints of insecurity about her appearance . A bit of modern dialogue but I could ignore that. Mystery subplot made me want to read the series in order.

[Mitzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 in Series. Very Good.

[Stacy Painter · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!! So good!! I was in tears at the end but they were happy tears! :)

I hope the next one will be Anna's story!!

[MsRomanticReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book as part of the author's Christmas 2011 giveaway.

[Toni ~married to a hunk~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book by Melissa. It was a fast read and I did not get all of the bad guys guessed this time either. .

[Mystique · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars ...but same comments like the previous book in the serious...rushed ending especially...

[Sammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The novel can be summarized in one word: shallow. Shallow characters, shallow emotions, shallow plot. Skip it unless you are desperate.

[Cheri D Mendenhall]

Good

I liked Douglas and Ciecly' s story and it was good the characters from previous books are there. I liked the suspense element too.

[Victoria (nocturnalintimacy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and cheesy. Perhaps a little too cute and cheesy.

[Kacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah no clue what this one was about but I do read regency romance books for the vibes so who cares lol

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery, murder, treason, and old encoded diary telling secrets.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was ok