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Bourbon Boys #1
The Corrupt Comte
"A word from her lips can bring him to his knees."
"The Bourbon Boys Quartet, Book 1"
Gaspard Toussaint is known throughout 1820 French society as the "molly "comte,"" a foppish throw pillow of an aristocrat. But his entire life is a twisted mass of secrets and lies as a spy for the Crown. His final covert act will have him fleeing his broken country forever...but before he can escape, he needs the power and safety that only money can provide. And no one has more money than English heiress Claudia Pascale.
The only child of a wealthy tradesman, Claudia has continually failed to catch a husband-due in large part to her uncontrollable stutter. Spurned by a dashing French lieutenant and desperate to escape her parents' household, she joins forces with the seemingly harmless Gaspard to learn how to properly ensnare a through seduction.
All too soon, Gaspard's lessons in delicious domination and sinful submission make Claudia suspicious that he is not what everyone believes him to be. And Gaspard realizes his quest to possess her is becoming less about her dowry...and more about the woman herself.
Contains an aggressive Frenchman with extremely loose morals, a determined heiress who can't refuse a dare, and bedroom games where boundaries were made to be crossed.
"The Bourbon Boys Quartet, Book 1"
Gaspard Toussaint is known throughout 1820 French society as the "molly "comte,"" a foppish throw pillow of an aristocrat. But his entire life is a twisted mass of secrets and lies as a spy for the Crown. His final covert act will have him fleeing his broken country forever...but before he can escape, he needs the power and safety that only money can provide. And no one has more money than English heiress Claudia Pascale.
The only child of a wealthy tradesman, Claudia has continually failed to catch a husband-due in large part to her uncontrollable stutter. Spurned by a dashing French lieutenant and desperate to escape her parents' household, she joins forces with the seemingly harmless Gaspard to learn how to properly ensnare a through seduction.
All too soon, Gaspard's lessons in delicious domination and sinful submission make Claudia suspicious that he is not what everyone believes him to be. And Gaspard realizes his quest to possess her is becoming less about her dowry...and more about the woman herself.
Contains an aggressive Frenchman with extremely loose morals, a determined heiress who can't refuse a dare, and bedroom games where boundaries were made to be crossed.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 27, 2013
412 people want to read
About the author
Edie Harris
26 books100 followersEdie Harris is a Chicago-based author whose novels have been lauded by Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and USA Today. Visit her website for backlist titles, contact information, and regular updates on upcoming projects. www.edieharris.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
November 9, 2017
This is actually a 4 and 1/2 stars rating!
It was an excellent read, but I had a smal, tiny, teeny complaint.
The hero, Gaspard, is a truly damaged person. Pretending, with all that implicates (gasp!), to be a homosexual is a heavy burden indeed! If you add to that that he was forced to be a sex slave by a superior officer for years is staggering! How he was half as sane as he was is a question I asked myself often while reading... poor guy...
The heroine, Claudia has her burden to bear too. Refused and cruelly treated by her parent since she was a toddler because she stutters. Demeaned by them and considered by the whole society as a deranged and defective, and thus treated, has reduced her to almost complete silence.
It is only natural that those two souls are pulled together. It is obvious and beautifully described how they are drawn together sensing a kindred suffering soul.
Gaspard realises immediately that Claudia is not an idiot everybody think she is, that her mind is sharp, even if her tounge stumbles on words. He just knows that to heal her bruised soul Claudia must be forced to speak, even if her condition will never heal.
Claudia too sense, more than realises, that Gaspard is not what everybody else think he is. Later she gradully understands what is driving Gaspard and how to help him heal.
Two deeply damaged people, with wounds that will never heal completly, that only because they are together overcome the desperation and start looking at life as a new start - a wonderful thing to read.
This is also an erotic romance and that part was hot, hot, hot!
Obviously Gaspard's forcefulness is due to his past and it takes a bit for him to loose it, even if it never disappears completly. Same is for Claudia: she's a natural submissive, but she grasps very quickly that her submission is also a position of power.
As a couple and as sexual partners they're the perfect couple. Each has his or her own power over the other.
The tiny, teeny complain that I mentioned before: we're told that Gaspard is a spy and we're witnesses of his killings, but I felt that that part of the novel was underdeveloped. I liked very much the confrontation between Evoque and Gaspard: it was a great scene! I would have liked more scenes like that, more spy business, more intrigue...
But still a very, very good book! :D
Thanks to Punya for making me notice it! *hug*
It was an excellent read, but I had a smal, tiny, teeny complaint.
The hero, Gaspard, is a truly damaged person. Pretending, with all that implicates (gasp!), to be a homosexual is a heavy burden indeed! If you add to that that he was forced to be a sex slave by a superior officer for years is staggering! How he was half as sane as he was is a question I asked myself often while reading... poor guy...
The heroine, Claudia has her burden to bear too. Refused and cruelly treated by her parent since she was a toddler because she stutters. Demeaned by them and considered by the whole society as a deranged and defective, and thus treated, has reduced her to almost complete silence.
It is only natural that those two souls are pulled together. It is obvious and beautifully described how they are drawn together sensing a kindred suffering soul.
Gaspard realises immediately that Claudia is not an idiot everybody think she is, that her mind is sharp, even if her tounge stumbles on words. He just knows that to heal her bruised soul Claudia must be forced to speak, even if her condition will never heal.
Claudia too sense, more than realises, that Gaspard is not what everybody else think he is. Later she gradully understands what is driving Gaspard and how to help him heal.
Two deeply damaged people, with wounds that will never heal completly, that only because they are together overcome the desperation and start looking at life as a new start - a wonderful thing to read.
This is also an erotic romance and that part was hot, hot, hot!
Obviously Gaspard's forcefulness is due to his past and it takes a bit for him to loose it, even if it never disappears completly. Same is for Claudia: she's a natural submissive, but she grasps very quickly that her submission is also a position of power.
As a couple and as sexual partners they're the perfect couple. Each has his or her own power over the other.
The tiny, teeny complain that I mentioned before: we're told that Gaspard is a spy and we're witnesses of his killings, but I felt that that part of the novel was underdeveloped. I liked very much the confrontation between Evoque and Gaspard: it was a great scene! I would have liked more scenes like that, more spy business, more intrigue...
But still a very, very good book! :D
Thanks to Punya for making me notice it! *hug*
September 29, 2013
Well, here were two protagonists I'd yet to meet in a historical: the Hero was a spy, whoring himself out to men who would sell their secrets for sex and the Heroine had a crippling stutter.
This novel is dark in tone, explicit in its manner and would have been immensely satisfying if I'd had more of a sense of connection between the H/h. There was a bit of an "insta-love" thing happening, and while I normally will swallow that whole without complaint, in this case I felt there needed to be a bit more development between the two to explain how deeply they were committed to each other. As an erotic romance it worked for me completely. As an emotional romance, it didn't quite make it. Perhaps it was the page count - at 262 pages the author might simply have run out of time.
Brava to Ms. Harris for going to places not usually explored in historical romance -- , and Claudia's parents' treatment of her was absolutely abhorrent (by today's standards, of course, but I'm betting it was close to the norm for the time). Claudia's stutter remains throughout the whole of the book; not once does it seem as though Gaspard's mighty wang might cure her. Gaspard, on the other hand, is the one who is redeemed by Claudia's magic hooha, although his experiences with other men piques Claudia's curiosity and adds an interesting nuance to their intimate relationship. She has never been touched, and he has been touched only by those he finds repugnant. Hmm. That's something I just considered after I typed it.
Anyway.
I really enjoyed this one -- it was different, it was well-written, and I'm invested enough to read the next one in the series. I'm also going to check out her backlist.
4 stars.
This novel is dark in tone, explicit in its manner and would have been immensely satisfying if I'd had more of a sense of connection between the H/h. There was a bit of an "insta-love" thing happening, and while I normally will swallow that whole without complaint, in this case I felt there needed to be a bit more development between the two to explain how deeply they were committed to each other. As an erotic romance it worked for me completely. As an emotional romance, it didn't quite make it. Perhaps it was the page count - at 262 pages the author might simply have run out of time.
Brava to Ms. Harris for going to places not usually explored in historical romance -- , and Claudia's parents' treatment of her was absolutely abhorrent (by today's standards, of course, but I'm betting it was close to the norm for the time). Claudia's stutter remains throughout the whole of the book; not once does it seem as though Gaspard's mighty wang might cure her. Gaspard, on the other hand, is the one who is redeemed by Claudia's magic hooha, although his experiences with other men piques Claudia's curiosity and adds an interesting nuance to their intimate relationship. She has never been touched, and he has been touched only by those he finds repugnant. Hmm. That's something I just considered after I typed it.
Anyway.
I really enjoyed this one -- it was different, it was well-written, and I'm invested enough to read the next one in the series. I'm also going to check out her backlist.
4 stars.
June 19, 2015
Gaspard Toussaint is known as a molly (homosexual) comte, when in reality he’s a spy biding his time to be free of his obligations. Claudia’s determined to find a husband before her nasty parents arrange a marriage for her. In her quest for a husband, she connects with Gaspard. Then incredibly hot sex and romance happens.
Points for novel premise : It’s not every day you get a hero living as a homosexual in France and a heroine who isn’t a lofty peer, but a perfumer’s daughter with a pronounced stutter. I adored that. Ms. Harris’ writing never fails to capture my interest and it absolutely worked well here.
Fantastic chemistry and sex scenes : The sex is truly lush, each scene more combustible than the last. The chemistry between Gaspard and Claudia? Top notch. It’s was impossible for me not to be drawn into their relationship.
Both leads are compelling in their own right : It’s been awhile since I was equally drawn to both hero and heroine, but I was sucked into this story from the first chapter. Ms. Harris’ writing continues to impress me. Claudia and Gaspard are, on the surface, opposites, but as the story unfolds you get to see them both struggling to control their own destinies. I appreciated that both have deep seated issues that aren’t miraculously “cured” at the end of the tale. While this wouldn’t be considered a “safe” story for some - there is some mild sexual contact outside of the main relationship - it was authentic to the story being told and didn’t lead me to doubt the feelings of the leads, so it ultimately didn’t bother me.
Gaspard’s the definition of a tortured hero : sexually preyed upon when he entered the army at sixteen, and whoring himself since then as a spy for his country (or more specifically, one jacked up duke). He’s gone through a shedload of trauma that has affected certainly scarred him, inside and out. His complicated sexual past has made him realize that sexuality is fluid, and he’s compartmentalized sexual release from any emotions. He’s had to, and seeing him struggle with living this lie in this time period was fascinating.
Claudia’s strength is an unexpected highlight : While she lived a privileged life in a wealthy family, she was emotionally (and physically) abused and neglected by her horrid parents. She’s never even experienced any type of physical affection. While I felt Gaspard’s perspective was the stronger of the two (the story is told in third person), I loved Claudia. her stutter caused her so much pain and being thought of as slow had to be so demoralizing but seeing her start to come into her own made her a heroine I could easily empathize with.
The ending wasn’t as strong as the rest of the story : If I have a complaint, it’s that the story doesn’t end as strong as it started. The continued deception as to the state of their marriage was alright, but a bit frustrating and I'll admit didn’t really appeal to the idealist in me. The end scene with Sabien? While titillating, didn’t really work for me. There’s so much that happened before this that the story wasn’t ruined, but it did lower my rating a touch.
Ending aside, I really enjoyed this. I’d definitely recommend for historical romance fans who would like to check out something different than your usual simpering virgin and rakish hero stories.
**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**
Points for novel premise : It’s not every day you get a hero living as a homosexual in France and a heroine who isn’t a lofty peer, but a perfumer’s daughter with a pronounced stutter. I adored that. Ms. Harris’ writing never fails to capture my interest and it absolutely worked well here.
Fantastic chemistry and sex scenes : The sex is truly lush, each scene more combustible than the last. The chemistry between Gaspard and Claudia? Top notch. It’s was impossible for me not to be drawn into their relationship.
Both leads are compelling in their own right : It’s been awhile since I was equally drawn to both hero and heroine, but I was sucked into this story from the first chapter. Ms. Harris’ writing continues to impress me. Claudia and Gaspard are, on the surface, opposites, but as the story unfolds you get to see them both struggling to control their own destinies. I appreciated that both have deep seated issues that aren’t miraculously “cured” at the end of the tale. While this wouldn’t be considered a “safe” story for some - there is some mild sexual contact outside of the main relationship - it was authentic to the story being told and didn’t lead me to doubt the feelings of the leads, so it ultimately didn’t bother me.
Gaspard’s the definition of a tortured hero : sexually preyed upon when he entered the army at sixteen, and whoring himself since then as a spy for his country (or more specifically, one jacked up duke). He’s gone through a shedload of trauma that has affected certainly scarred him, inside and out. His complicated sexual past has made him realize that sexuality is fluid, and he’s compartmentalized sexual release from any emotions. He’s had to, and seeing him struggle with living this lie in this time period was fascinating.
Claudia’s strength is an unexpected highlight : While she lived a privileged life in a wealthy family, she was emotionally (and physically) abused and neglected by her horrid parents. She’s never even experienced any type of physical affection. While I felt Gaspard’s perspective was the stronger of the two (the story is told in third person), I loved Claudia. her stutter caused her so much pain and being thought of as slow had to be so demoralizing but seeing her start to come into her own made her a heroine I could easily empathize with.
The ending wasn’t as strong as the rest of the story : If I have a complaint, it’s that the story doesn’t end as strong as it started. The continued deception as to the state of their marriage was alright, but a bit frustrating and I'll admit didn’t really appeal to the idealist in me. The end scene with Sabien? While titillating, didn’t really work for me. There’s so much that happened before this that the story wasn’t ruined, but it did lower my rating a touch.
Ending aside, I really enjoyed this. I’d definitely recommend for historical romance fans who would like to check out something different than your usual simpering virgin and rakish hero stories.
**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**
August 29, 2013
Great finger-banging scene in the third chapter. Highly recommended.
September 19, 2013
Featured on What-To-Read-Wednesday at www.fictionvixen.com
http://fictionvixen.com/read-wednesda...
My first read by Edie Harris was historical western romance named Wild Burn, which I read earlier this year. It was such a wonderful story that I was reminded how much I enjoy a well written, sexy western. Ever since then I’ve been stalking her Goodreads page in anticipation of her next release. When The Corrupt Comte came up for review I snapped it up and couldn’t wait to see if she would wow me again.
Claudia is in France with her parents, hoping that if she can find a man of her choosing she can escape the fate her parents have planned for her. She’s never been touched or held with affection and has had a stutter since childhood that has kept her apart from her peers. Gaspard is a man who was abused as a young soldier by his commanding officer and later on went into service for the Duke of Evoque as a spy. He’s known as a molly, a man who desires other man sexually. He’s played this role so well and for so long that no one realizes that his tastes actually lie elsewhere.
When he meets Claudia he at first sees a way to save his well earned, but financially desperate estate and title. But when they begin their intimate relationship their passion quickly starts to burn out of control. From the very first meeting all the way to their HEA I was engrossed with the sensuality of this couple. This wallflower who is desperate for affection and her spy who hasn’t ever has the opportunity to openly show his lust for a woman fall deeply into a passionate love affair that soon takes over their lives.
I had a few issues with how the plot thread with the villain wrapped up and with decisions this couple makes in the end regarding their public versus private lives, but overall I was absolutely blown away by the sheer sexiness of this romance. There is one scene toward the end where Gaspard finally is able to declare his feelings that is one of the best I’ve read in a historical in quite awhile. Romantic, but at the same time smoking hot. Ms. Harris is a talented author who can write one hell of a passionate love story, I can’t wait to see what she comes out with next.
Quote:
http://fictionvixen.com/read-wednesda...
My first read by Edie Harris was historical western romance named Wild Burn, which I read earlier this year. It was such a wonderful story that I was reminded how much I enjoy a well written, sexy western. Ever since then I’ve been stalking her Goodreads page in anticipation of her next release. When The Corrupt Comte came up for review I snapped it up and couldn’t wait to see if she would wow me again.
Claudia is in France with her parents, hoping that if she can find a man of her choosing she can escape the fate her parents have planned for her. She’s never been touched or held with affection and has had a stutter since childhood that has kept her apart from her peers. Gaspard is a man who was abused as a young soldier by his commanding officer and later on went into service for the Duke of Evoque as a spy. He’s known as a molly, a man who desires other man sexually. He’s played this role so well and for so long that no one realizes that his tastes actually lie elsewhere.
When he meets Claudia he at first sees a way to save his well earned, but financially desperate estate and title. But when they begin their intimate relationship their passion quickly starts to burn out of control. From the very first meeting all the way to their HEA I was engrossed with the sensuality of this couple. This wallflower who is desperate for affection and her spy who hasn’t ever has the opportunity to openly show his lust for a woman fall deeply into a passionate love affair that soon takes over their lives.
I had a few issues with how the plot thread with the villain wrapped up and with decisions this couple makes in the end regarding their public versus private lives, but overall I was absolutely blown away by the sheer sexiness of this romance. There is one scene toward the end where Gaspard finally is able to declare his feelings that is one of the best I’ve read in a historical in quite awhile. Romantic, but at the same time smoking hot. Ms. Harris is a talented author who can write one hell of a passionate love story, I can’t wait to see what she comes out with next.
Quote:
“Come,” he snarled into her neck, fingers sliding, thumb flying. “Come all over me, bebe.”
The string inside snapped, waves of molten heat rolling in on her as she shuddered beneath him. Her throat closed around damning words of love and adoration, even as every inch of her body rejoiced in the certain knowledge that yes, she was his. Yes, yes, yes and more yes, because her toes curled and her heart beat madly against her ribs and she wanted to feel this way –with him and only him– every single day for the rest of her life.
August 22, 2013
A very well done erotic historical. The passion in this book took me by surprise. The hero was sexually abused while a soldier by his commander. He escapes by becoming a spy. He is still perceived by the public as preferring men, although he very much prefers women.
The heroine was never held or touched by her parents. She has a very bad stutter.
Their passion is so intense and well done.
My only complaint is the wonderful build-up with the evil bad guy all came to a somewhat luke warm conclusion. Maybe there will be another book to address things.
But I highly rec this one.
The heroine was never held or touched by her parents. She has a very bad stutter.
Their passion is so intense and well done.
My only complaint is the wonderful build-up with the evil bad guy all came to a somewhat luke warm conclusion. Maybe there will be another book to address things.
But I highly rec this one.
![Profile Image for ᑭᑌᑎƳᗩ [Punya Reviews...].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1572968006i%2F3840999._UX200_CR0%2C33%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
September 26, 2013
My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book...
The Corrupt Comte, book 1 of The Bourbon Boys Quartet, was a pure impulsive try. I hadn’t read anything by Edie Harris before but some of the reviews had me intrigued so very much that I had to read it. I was blown away, quite literally because of how exceptionally this was well-written. It’s been a while I've been so engrossed in a story that I began neglecting the other books I was reading at the same time and genuinely didn’t want it to end.
The Corrupt Comte had it all that a spy novel should have. Reminded me a lot of Gaelen Foley’s older (and the best by far) writing, the Knight Miscellany series. This had an original plot, some amazing characters, the intrigue and dark aspects... and of course the intense attraction and all consuming love. I couldn’t have expected a sexier hero than Gaspard and an adorable heroine than Claudia. None of them were perfect, and yet those imperfections drew and glued them together in an inseparable bond; a bond that was tested more than once but was never broken.
Gaspard, le Comte du Lorraine-Mâche, is known throughout the 1820s French society as a ‘molly’ or gay. But Gaspard is more than what meets the eyes. His hidden depths and secret of secrets have never been revealed, even to his closest friends Sabien, Maxence and Faron. A blacksmith’s son, Gaspard didn’t have a lot of prospect when he joined the army at a young age. He had big family of parents and several siblings, but they all perished as far as I remember. It is when he joined the army is when hell broke loose. Gaspard was caught in a snare of depravity, introduced to him by the Captain of his battalion; a married man who had a sick penchant for young boys and loved raping them. For 4 years, Gaspard suffered and there was no one to help him. He didn’t even know Sabien or the others back then. One day, Gaspard, who had been relieved of the Captain’s attentions as he had grown bigger and stronger, finds him abusing another young soldier. For Gaspard, that was enough. This had to stop once and for all. Gaspard beat the Captain to death out of sheer anger, also because now, he didn’t need anyone to rescue him. That was the day he met Sabien, too. Everyone thought he did it out of jealousy because the Captain’s attention had shifted. But no one knew Gaspard’s origin, that he had always thought himself as a straight man; that he was forced to do something his body accepted even when his mind rejected it.
After that, he, Sabien and the rest were recruited one by one by le Duc d’Évoque to ‘serve the country’. Yah, they were spies, doing the dirty jobs in the name of their country. But it was more of doing-the-dirty for the Duke because they had to do what he asked them to do. Gaspard, in particular, always had the work that had something to do with gay men, or men who had a penchant for a man’s d!ck. Gaspard has seen and done everything with men. At that point, it was just better to showcase as a molly rather than to declare his real preference. If he needed a woman, he’d go to this seedy brothel near his small, rented apartment where no one knew his identity because Gaspard couldn’t let anyone know the truth. More so, because he is already trapped in this sick, debauched life of a spy. Évoque is a wily, sick bastard, a fact he’d known for a long time since his days in the army. Gaspard was given the lure of his own lands and a title. He obviously wanted those and everything that comes with being a part of the nobility. Now that he’s got all that, Gaspard knows just how foully he’s been played by Évoque. His title is a milestone around his neck, his land full of so heavy a debt that Gaspard, with his little income as a spy, would never be able to pay... unless he keeps whoring himself for Évoque’s little games of intrigue. The other option is to marry a wealthy heiress, which is when Claudia Pascale enters his life and turns it upside down.
This was another of those debauched Paris ball. Gaspard was in attendance with Sabien and Maxence. Sabien, the dashing lieutenant, is said to have blonde, angelic good looks, though there is nothing angelic about him. Max is darker in coloring, while Gaspard has blue-green eyes and golden brown hair. Max is one step ahead and in the ball, right now, playing this game with a loose woman that lets the revelers drag them into the nearest linen closet for a quick shag. But Gaspard is bored, just as Sabien. As his eyes begin wondering, Gasper sees a girl at the corner of the room, as if she’s trying to blend in with shadows. She’s petit yet curvy, a body that catches Gaspard’s attention instantly. He could feel his own body stirring just by staring at her. The girl has dark hair and eyes. Then Sabien explains that she’s the granddaughter of an infamous spy, Amaury Pascale, who escaped Paris a long time ago to save his neck. No one knows where he is now. But it seems that his son, along with his family, is here and looking for a husband for Claudia. Sabien slips in that she has a huge dowry, yet, there are precious little offers. When Gaspard inquires, quite genuinely surprised, as to why a girl like her (whom he has already deemed as very attractive) can’t find a husband, Sabien tells him she stutters, quite horribly so.
But the fact of the matter was, the girl’s eyes were on Sabien all the time with a longing that punched straight into Gaspard’s gut. It was plain that she wanted Sabien but his friend has no intention of marrying the girl, even for that big a dowry. A plan forms in Gaspard’s head. Even though he was a definite goner by then, Gaspard needed to maintain a façade of indifference. His body is telling him quite fiercely that it wants her, so he’d seduce her to agree to marry him instead. When Sabien understands his intentions, he’s more than surprised. But Gaspard explains that he needs the money and soon. After that, on the next set of that game, Gaspard catches a blindfolded Claudia and takes her to the closet, his mind bend on seduction and having this girl for himself.
Claudia needs a husband, and soon because her horrible parents are making her life hell. I felt so sad for her when I learned that her parents had hated her since the moment they caught her stutter and treated her as a pariah. It was no surprise that Claudia grew up lonely and miserable without friends and an ounce of affection in her life, except whatever she found in her grandfather Amaury. Even then, she hasn’t seen him for a long time. Being the only daughter, her parents never missed one moment to remind her what an useless thing she is. But witty and smart, the real Claudia the world never saw because they never cared. Now, if she doesn’t secure a husband soon, her parents would choose for her and Claudia shudders to think about that. She would marry by her own choice, which is why when she started attending the balls in Paris, she decided on Sabien. He seemed nice but she knew it’d be hard to convince him, seeing how he winces at her halted efforts at making conversations. She has followed him everywhere, even to this ball where she shouldn’t be. It seems like fate has looked upon her. Could it be Sabien who has chosen her for the game?
That closet scene turned out to be more of a revelation than I ever would’ve imagined. That scene told me what I can expect from Gaspard and Claudia when they come together in passion. Yes, unfettered, illogical passion that just made me hot, among other things. I knew these two belong together, no matter the reason. No matter what the world thought of them. When Claudia, after removing the blindfold, finds Gaspard instead of Sabien, she was a little surprised but not for long. She was attracted to that big and strong body, the teal eyes and the ragged handsomeness of Gasperd’s face immediately. And Gaspard made every attempt to make sure she forgets Sabien’s name... well almost. He introduces her to passion with a lesson that she never forgot.
When she returns home from the ball, Claudia’s mind is in disarray. She can’t forget the Comte with the scarred hands, those that held the most magical of touches. Claudia didn’t know about Gaspard’s identity in the society, though she does soon and left a little more than confused. Soon, they meet again in another sexy scene. It was in Évoque’s house, and Gaspard sneaked in to give the SOB some information he’d just whored himself for, again. In Évoque’s study, he also discovers that Évoque is to marry Claudia as her parents’ arrangement. Gaspard is shocked, not knowing that Claudia has no idea about this. The engagement would be announced soon. But he can’t let it happen as Gaspard knows what kinda creep Évoque really is and how he’ll make sure that Claudia... suffers. Upon learning that Claudia is staying here, Gaspard sneaks his way through the house and finds Claudia’s room. I’ll leave you to contemplate what he finds there but it blows his head, making him hot as hell. Even though the scene was sensual, Gaspard’s moves sexy, they manage to talk about some stuff. Claudia out and out asks him about the rumors of him being gay... and finds the true answers there in his eyes. I knew she’s the one who’d understand him like no other, just as Gaspard did. And he emphasizes that Claudia needs to make a decision and soon.
In the next ball where they were meant to meet, Gaspard, oh the poor thing, was aroused by the thought of Claudia, also scared that she’d not choose him but Sabien. There was no doubt in my mind that it was not entirely about her dowry, but that deep inside, Gaspard already started craving Claudia like the fresh air. His need for her support, both physical and emotional, was so visceral that I felt the tug at my heart. The moment she comes to him, instead of Sabien, was the moment Gaspard knew at last she’s his. That he will have her now, and no one can do anything about it. The next scene, when he drags her to a secret nook of the house..... ooo la-la! *fans herself* Damn, that scene was SO hot. *gets distracted for a while.....*
After tending to Claudia, Gaspard finally meets up with his fellow spies. They were already anticipating some actions and if Évoque was to be trusted, a final one to be precise. He promised to them freedom after this one last mission. And to be free, Gaspard needs to murder a member of the Royal family, the Duke of Barry (this is a historical fact, blended into the story as you’d find in the author note). Gaspard’s freedom was more important because he wanted to marry Claudia soon. If he can pay the debt, he can keep his title and the lands. If not, well... he doesn’t even want to consider that life. Évoque needs this guy gone, so that he can... I don’t know, rule France? But now that he’ll have to commit another murder, Gaspard wavers. Can he drag Claudia into his sh!tty mess of a life? He decides he’d better leave her alone and escape to somewhere else. I was getting a bit scared that he’d do it, but I was wrong.
On the day he executes Barry is the day when Claudia’s engagement is announced; all planned nicely by Évoque so that no one ever connects him to this incident. She is shocked at the news because she still had no idea and heartsick that Gaspard is nowhere to be seen. Claudia immediately assumes that he has left her to her fate. Once again, she’s an unwanted burden, neglected by someone she has come to care for. This time it hurt worse because she’d already allowed herself to feel deeply for Gaspard and his intense eyes full of longing. Were those lies he said? On the engagement dance, Claudia gets an idea of Évoque’s true self. She’s no ninny and subtle hints in his voice and demeanor gives him away. Claudia now must contemplate a life with his cold and cruel elderly man... and suddenly, she can’t breathe.
Outside, all alone, Claudia finds she can’t even cry. Gaspard finds her like that. He is angry and concerned that she’s come outside, all alone in this cold. Claudia felt she could finally breathe. He has come for her! Gaspard did his job well but guilt was wrecking his inside, making him sick. Claudia takes him to her room and tends to his injury that he got from the scuffle. She’s angry at him for not being there to her. But their open and honest talk, where Gaspard’s confession, even if a little, about his job finally breaks whatever thin barrier they were holding onto. Claudia was wearing something special underneath her clothing because she wanted to surprise Gaspard; it comes handy. It was one heck of a scene where they finally make love like there’s no tomorrow, because that night, it was something like that for Claudia and Gaspard.
But things change when Gaspard sneaks out of Claudia’s room at dawn and decides to confront Évoque. His emotions were twisting and he needed answers; answers of today, answers for a long ago torment at Évoque’s hand, thanks to that Captain. Oh God, when I discovered that part, my heart just broke. :( At one point, Gaspard begins threatening Évoque, to fess up. Why Claudia? Of course, there’s the dowry but the thought of her in bed with Évoque made Gaspard ill. When Évoque confesses that it was more of a plan to get to her grandfather, Gaspard knew that he can’t leave Claudia with this monster.
Gaspard makes his decision fast. He runs out, screaming Claudia’s name throughout the house, so that there are people to witness he’s about to do. Even Claudia’s parents come out, as Claudia herself. In front of everyone, he ruins her reputation by mentioning of them having sex the night before. Within moments, Claudia catches up on his ploy. Her eyes are so grateful, Gaspard cringes on the inside because now he has to tell her that he has no money. And you can guess what Claudia thought when she heard of it. She thought he loved her, and now... now it seems it was all about her dowry after all. Claudia’s heart breaks, yet she’s not about to give up on Gaspard.
For Gaspard, he can’t tell her about his feelings because... it’s complicated. I could see why he was so scared. It all came down to maintaining his façade. Even though he told Évoque that he’s no longer working for him, Gaspard knew things won’t end that easily. Before he ran out, Évoque threatened him too; with ruin and a promise to make him his once again. Damn I was mad and wanted to cut off that creep’s balls!
To escape, Gaspard needed to flee to London. Claudia understood this and they set sail immediately afterwards. I liked how Claudia, even though angry, hurt and disappointed, wanted to take care of a sick Gaspard whose stomach refused to agree with the journey. They talk more; more about his past, more than Gaspard would’ve ever told her if he was himself. Oh secrets, how Claudia hates them! But after that talk, Claudia at last understood the depth of Gaspard’s emotional scar. She learns that his real name is a little different than what the world knows, also what happened to him in that Captain’s tent and how miserable his life was until he took care of that himself. What made me so happy was, even though Claudia knew that challenges are ahead and confused if she can actually live a happy life with him, Claudia still was willing to be with him, loving him in secret.
This thought returns to haunt Claudia later. She begins to think they can’t really make a life together. Amaury comes out from hiding, presenting her with two houses as wedding gifts, so that Claudia has a place to turn to. But all Claudia wants is everything to be alright for her and Gaspard. In the meantime, Gaspard is heartsick too. He’s not sure what’s wrong with his fiancée, why she looks so sad and withdrawn. He begins to suspect that he’d unwittingly confessed too much and now she’s disgusted. Well, that was SO much further from the fact that I had to smile. Claudia knew she can never resist Gaspard and end up in bed with him no matter what. That’s the kind of attraction they had for each-other. But she was scared, what if he starts missing his old life? Would he cheat on her? What about the rest of the society? They’d be ridiculed everywhere they go! And so, Claudia begs Gaspard for a separate life once they’re married. Maybe then, she can live without feeling so lost and confused...
Ok, I was a little frustrated at this point. I DID NOT want them to part and be miserable because... well, they just can’t live apart. Have to mention here of how I loved every endearment Gaspard had ever called Claudia, from chaton, to bébé to lastly, his ange. *shivers in delight* IMO, a jolt was definitely needed and thanks to the author, it’s delivered sooner, rather than later. Gaspard loses it on the day of his wedding when he finds Claudia packed and ready to depart. He can’t see or think straight. His chaton leaving him? After all they went through together? Damn the world, he needed to know what she wants so that he can make her stay. Even if it means to hand over the control of his being, that much visceral was his need for her. It was another sexy scene full of talks and demonstrations, of truths, trust and dispersing the strict control of their being and be together. Claudia, helpless once she’s in his arms, confesses that she loves her, a fact that makes Gaspard weak at his knees as well as feral in his passion. Gaspard knew why Claudia had ‘demon in her eyes’; a constant sadness because she never felt worthy of love. Now Gaspard was going to make sure she never ever feels any lack on that regard.
The whole of it is just not possible for me to express, unless you read the book yourself.
Some reviews, I found, expressing astonishment about the last scene, of what Gaspard does to Claudia in front of Sabien, mentioning that it was unnecessary or uncomfortable. To me, it was plain gorgeous, as was Gaspard’s demonstration of his love, affection and possession of Claudia, who reciprocated as much. I don’t really read ménages, yet my mind was quite veering towards that direction... lol Either way, it was marvelous in one word! Sabien had no doubt, when he left, that Claudia would ever lack any kind of husbandly attention from Gaspard, also finally learning of Gaspard’s most hidden and hated secret. You can’t even imagine how happy I felt to see them together. Yes, there’d be challenges still but Claudia realizes that she can’t ultimately live without Gaspard. With him she has everything. And that she’d never be alone in her life.
Now I’m dying to read Sabien’s story but as far as I know, it doesn’t have any immediate pub date. *sigh* It’s going to be a torture for sure. In the meantime, 5 wonderful stars for Gaspard and Claudia! Highly recommended!
The Corrupt Comte, book 1 of The Bourbon Boys Quartet, was a pure impulsive try. I hadn’t read anything by Edie Harris before but some of the reviews had me intrigued so very much that I had to read it. I was blown away, quite literally because of how exceptionally this was well-written. It’s been a while I've been so engrossed in a story that I began neglecting the other books I was reading at the same time and genuinely didn’t want it to end.
The Corrupt Comte had it all that a spy novel should have. Reminded me a lot of Gaelen Foley’s older (and the best by far) writing, the Knight Miscellany series. This had an original plot, some amazing characters, the intrigue and dark aspects... and of course the intense attraction and all consuming love. I couldn’t have expected a sexier hero than Gaspard and an adorable heroine than Claudia. None of them were perfect, and yet those imperfections drew and glued them together in an inseparable bond; a bond that was tested more than once but was never broken.
Gaspard, le Comte du Lorraine-Mâche, is known throughout the 1820s French society as a ‘molly’ or gay. But Gaspard is more than what meets the eyes. His hidden depths and secret of secrets have never been revealed, even to his closest friends Sabien, Maxence and Faron. A blacksmith’s son, Gaspard didn’t have a lot of prospect when he joined the army at a young age. He had big family of parents and several siblings, but they all perished as far as I remember. It is when he joined the army is when hell broke loose. Gaspard was caught in a snare of depravity, introduced to him by the Captain of his battalion; a married man who had a sick penchant for young boys and loved raping them. For 4 years, Gaspard suffered and there was no one to help him. He didn’t even know Sabien or the others back then. One day, Gaspard, who had been relieved of the Captain’s attentions as he had grown bigger and stronger, finds him abusing another young soldier. For Gaspard, that was enough. This had to stop once and for all. Gaspard beat the Captain to death out of sheer anger, also because now, he didn’t need anyone to rescue him. That was the day he met Sabien, too. Everyone thought he did it out of jealousy because the Captain’s attention had shifted. But no one knew Gaspard’s origin, that he had always thought himself as a straight man; that he was forced to do something his body accepted even when his mind rejected it.
After that, he, Sabien and the rest were recruited one by one by le Duc d’Évoque to ‘serve the country’. Yah, they were spies, doing the dirty jobs in the name of their country. But it was more of doing-the-dirty for the Duke because they had to do what he asked them to do. Gaspard, in particular, always had the work that had something to do with gay men, or men who had a penchant for a man’s d!ck. Gaspard has seen and done everything with men. At that point, it was just better to showcase as a molly rather than to declare his real preference. If he needed a woman, he’d go to this seedy brothel near his small, rented apartment where no one knew his identity because Gaspard couldn’t let anyone know the truth. More so, because he is already trapped in this sick, debauched life of a spy. Évoque is a wily, sick bastard, a fact he’d known for a long time since his days in the army. Gaspard was given the lure of his own lands and a title. He obviously wanted those and everything that comes with being a part of the nobility. Now that he’s got all that, Gaspard knows just how foully he’s been played by Évoque. His title is a milestone around his neck, his land full of so heavy a debt that Gaspard, with his little income as a spy, would never be able to pay... unless he keeps whoring himself for Évoque’s little games of intrigue. The other option is to marry a wealthy heiress, which is when Claudia Pascale enters his life and turns it upside down.
This was another of those debauched Paris ball. Gaspard was in attendance with Sabien and Maxence. Sabien, the dashing lieutenant, is said to have blonde, angelic good looks, though there is nothing angelic about him. Max is darker in coloring, while Gaspard has blue-green eyes and golden brown hair. Max is one step ahead and in the ball, right now, playing this game with a loose woman that lets the revelers drag them into the nearest linen closet for a quick shag. But Gaspard is bored, just as Sabien. As his eyes begin wondering, Gasper sees a girl at the corner of the room, as if she’s trying to blend in with shadows. She’s petit yet curvy, a body that catches Gaspard’s attention instantly. He could feel his own body stirring just by staring at her. The girl has dark hair and eyes. Then Sabien explains that she’s the granddaughter of an infamous spy, Amaury Pascale, who escaped Paris a long time ago to save his neck. No one knows where he is now. But it seems that his son, along with his family, is here and looking for a husband for Claudia. Sabien slips in that she has a huge dowry, yet, there are precious little offers. When Gaspard inquires, quite genuinely surprised, as to why a girl like her (whom he has already deemed as very attractive) can’t find a husband, Sabien tells him she stutters, quite horribly so.
But the fact of the matter was, the girl’s eyes were on Sabien all the time with a longing that punched straight into Gaspard’s gut. It was plain that she wanted Sabien but his friend has no intention of marrying the girl, even for that big a dowry. A plan forms in Gaspard’s head. Even though he was a definite goner by then, Gaspard needed to maintain a façade of indifference. His body is telling him quite fiercely that it wants her, so he’d seduce her to agree to marry him instead. When Sabien understands his intentions, he’s more than surprised. But Gaspard explains that he needs the money and soon. After that, on the next set of that game, Gaspard catches a blindfolded Claudia and takes her to the closet, his mind bend on seduction and having this girl for himself.
Claudia needs a husband, and soon because her horrible parents are making her life hell. I felt so sad for her when I learned that her parents had hated her since the moment they caught her stutter and treated her as a pariah. It was no surprise that Claudia grew up lonely and miserable without friends and an ounce of affection in her life, except whatever she found in her grandfather Amaury. Even then, she hasn’t seen him for a long time. Being the only daughter, her parents never missed one moment to remind her what an useless thing she is. But witty and smart, the real Claudia the world never saw because they never cared. Now, if she doesn’t secure a husband soon, her parents would choose for her and Claudia shudders to think about that. She would marry by her own choice, which is why when she started attending the balls in Paris, she decided on Sabien. He seemed nice but she knew it’d be hard to convince him, seeing how he winces at her halted efforts at making conversations. She has followed him everywhere, even to this ball where she shouldn’t be. It seems like fate has looked upon her. Could it be Sabien who has chosen her for the game?
That closet scene turned out to be more of a revelation than I ever would’ve imagined. That scene told me what I can expect from Gaspard and Claudia when they come together in passion. Yes, unfettered, illogical passion that just made me hot, among other things. I knew these two belong together, no matter the reason. No matter what the world thought of them. When Claudia, after removing the blindfold, finds Gaspard instead of Sabien, she was a little surprised but not for long. She was attracted to that big and strong body, the teal eyes and the ragged handsomeness of Gasperd’s face immediately. And Gaspard made every attempt to make sure she forgets Sabien’s name... well almost. He introduces her to passion with a lesson that she never forgot.
When she returns home from the ball, Claudia’s mind is in disarray. She can’t forget the Comte with the scarred hands, those that held the most magical of touches. Claudia didn’t know about Gaspard’s identity in the society, though she does soon and left a little more than confused. Soon, they meet again in another sexy scene. It was in Évoque’s house, and Gaspard sneaked in to give the SOB some information he’d just whored himself for, again. In Évoque’s study, he also discovers that Évoque is to marry Claudia as her parents’ arrangement. Gaspard is shocked, not knowing that Claudia has no idea about this. The engagement would be announced soon. But he can’t let it happen as Gaspard knows what kinda creep Évoque really is and how he’ll make sure that Claudia... suffers. Upon learning that Claudia is staying here, Gaspard sneaks his way through the house and finds Claudia’s room. I’ll leave you to contemplate what he finds there but it blows his head, making him hot as hell. Even though the scene was sensual, Gaspard’s moves sexy, they manage to talk about some stuff. Claudia out and out asks him about the rumors of him being gay... and finds the true answers there in his eyes. I knew she’s the one who’d understand him like no other, just as Gaspard did. And he emphasizes that Claudia needs to make a decision and soon.
In the next ball where they were meant to meet, Gaspard, oh the poor thing, was aroused by the thought of Claudia, also scared that she’d not choose him but Sabien. There was no doubt in my mind that it was not entirely about her dowry, but that deep inside, Gaspard already started craving Claudia like the fresh air. His need for her support, both physical and emotional, was so visceral that I felt the tug at my heart. The moment she comes to him, instead of Sabien, was the moment Gaspard knew at last she’s his. That he will have her now, and no one can do anything about it. The next scene, when he drags her to a secret nook of the house..... ooo la-la! *fans herself* Damn, that scene was SO hot. *gets distracted for a while.....*
After tending to Claudia, Gaspard finally meets up with his fellow spies. They were already anticipating some actions and if Évoque was to be trusted, a final one to be precise. He promised to them freedom after this one last mission. And to be free, Gaspard needs to murder a member of the Royal family, the Duke of Barry (this is a historical fact, blended into the story as you’d find in the author note). Gaspard’s freedom was more important because he wanted to marry Claudia soon. If he can pay the debt, he can keep his title and the lands. If not, well... he doesn’t even want to consider that life. Évoque needs this guy gone, so that he can... I don’t know, rule France? But now that he’ll have to commit another murder, Gaspard wavers. Can he drag Claudia into his sh!tty mess of a life? He decides he’d better leave her alone and escape to somewhere else. I was getting a bit scared that he’d do it, but I was wrong.
On the day he executes Barry is the day when Claudia’s engagement is announced; all planned nicely by Évoque so that no one ever connects him to this incident. She is shocked at the news because she still had no idea and heartsick that Gaspard is nowhere to be seen. Claudia immediately assumes that he has left her to her fate. Once again, she’s an unwanted burden, neglected by someone she has come to care for. This time it hurt worse because she’d already allowed herself to feel deeply for Gaspard and his intense eyes full of longing. Were those lies he said? On the engagement dance, Claudia gets an idea of Évoque’s true self. She’s no ninny and subtle hints in his voice and demeanor gives him away. Claudia now must contemplate a life with his cold and cruel elderly man... and suddenly, she can’t breathe.
Outside, all alone, Claudia finds she can’t even cry. Gaspard finds her like that. He is angry and concerned that she’s come outside, all alone in this cold. Claudia felt she could finally breathe. He has come for her! Gaspard did his job well but guilt was wrecking his inside, making him sick. Claudia takes him to her room and tends to his injury that he got from the scuffle. She’s angry at him for not being there to her. But their open and honest talk, where Gaspard’s confession, even if a little, about his job finally breaks whatever thin barrier they were holding onto. Claudia was wearing something special underneath her clothing because she wanted to surprise Gaspard; it comes handy. It was one heck of a scene where they finally make love like there’s no tomorrow, because that night, it was something like that for Claudia and Gaspard.
But things change when Gaspard sneaks out of Claudia’s room at dawn and decides to confront Évoque. His emotions were twisting and he needed answers; answers of today, answers for a long ago torment at Évoque’s hand, thanks to that Captain. Oh God, when I discovered that part, my heart just broke. :( At one point, Gaspard begins threatening Évoque, to fess up. Why Claudia? Of course, there’s the dowry but the thought of her in bed with Évoque made Gaspard ill. When Évoque confesses that it was more of a plan to get to her grandfather, Gaspard knew that he can’t leave Claudia with this monster.
Gaspard makes his decision fast. He runs out, screaming Claudia’s name throughout the house, so that there are people to witness he’s about to do. Even Claudia’s parents come out, as Claudia herself. In front of everyone, he ruins her reputation by mentioning of them having sex the night before. Within moments, Claudia catches up on his ploy. Her eyes are so grateful, Gaspard cringes on the inside because now he has to tell her that he has no money. And you can guess what Claudia thought when she heard of it. She thought he loved her, and now... now it seems it was all about her dowry after all. Claudia’s heart breaks, yet she’s not about to give up on Gaspard.
For Gaspard, he can’t tell her about his feelings because... it’s complicated. I could see why he was so scared. It all came down to maintaining his façade. Even though he told Évoque that he’s no longer working for him, Gaspard knew things won’t end that easily. Before he ran out, Évoque threatened him too; with ruin and a promise to make him his once again. Damn I was mad and wanted to cut off that creep’s balls!
To escape, Gaspard needed to flee to London. Claudia understood this and they set sail immediately afterwards. I liked how Claudia, even though angry, hurt and disappointed, wanted to take care of a sick Gaspard whose stomach refused to agree with the journey. They talk more; more about his past, more than Gaspard would’ve ever told her if he was himself. Oh secrets, how Claudia hates them! But after that talk, Claudia at last understood the depth of Gaspard’s emotional scar. She learns that his real name is a little different than what the world knows, also what happened to him in that Captain’s tent and how miserable his life was until he took care of that himself. What made me so happy was, even though Claudia knew that challenges are ahead and confused if she can actually live a happy life with him, Claudia still was willing to be with him, loving him in secret.
This thought returns to haunt Claudia later. She begins to think they can’t really make a life together. Amaury comes out from hiding, presenting her with two houses as wedding gifts, so that Claudia has a place to turn to. But all Claudia wants is everything to be alright for her and Gaspard. In the meantime, Gaspard is heartsick too. He’s not sure what’s wrong with his fiancée, why she looks so sad and withdrawn. He begins to suspect that he’d unwittingly confessed too much and now she’s disgusted. Well, that was SO much further from the fact that I had to smile. Claudia knew she can never resist Gaspard and end up in bed with him no matter what. That’s the kind of attraction they had for each-other. But she was scared, what if he starts missing his old life? Would he cheat on her? What about the rest of the society? They’d be ridiculed everywhere they go! And so, Claudia begs Gaspard for a separate life once they’re married. Maybe then, she can live without feeling so lost and confused...
Ok, I was a little frustrated at this point. I DID NOT want them to part and be miserable because... well, they just can’t live apart. Have to mention here of how I loved every endearment Gaspard had ever called Claudia, from chaton, to bébé to lastly, his ange. *shivers in delight* IMO, a jolt was definitely needed and thanks to the author, it’s delivered sooner, rather than later. Gaspard loses it on the day of his wedding when he finds Claudia packed and ready to depart. He can’t see or think straight. His chaton leaving him? After all they went through together? Damn the world, he needed to know what she wants so that he can make her stay. Even if it means to hand over the control of his being, that much visceral was his need for her. It was another sexy scene full of talks and demonstrations, of truths, trust and dispersing the strict control of their being and be together. Claudia, helpless once she’s in his arms, confesses that she loves her, a fact that makes Gaspard weak at his knees as well as feral in his passion. Gaspard knew why Claudia had ‘demon in her eyes’; a constant sadness because she never felt worthy of love. Now Gaspard was going to make sure she never ever feels any lack on that regard.
The whole of it is just not possible for me to express, unless you read the book yourself.
Some reviews, I found, expressing astonishment about the last scene, of what Gaspard does to Claudia in front of Sabien, mentioning that it was unnecessary or uncomfortable. To me, it was plain gorgeous, as was Gaspard’s demonstration of his love, affection and possession of Claudia, who reciprocated as much. I don’t really read ménages, yet my mind was quite veering towards that direction... lol Either way, it was marvelous in one word! Sabien had no doubt, when he left, that Claudia would ever lack any kind of husbandly attention from Gaspard, also finally learning of Gaspard’s most hidden and hated secret. You can’t even imagine how happy I felt to see them together. Yes, there’d be challenges still but Claudia realizes that she can’t ultimately live without Gaspard. With him she has everything. And that she’d never be alone in her life.
Now I’m dying to read Sabien’s story but as far as I know, it doesn’t have any immediate pub date. *sigh* It’s going to be a torture for sure. In the meantime, 5 wonderful stars for Gaspard and Claudia! Highly recommended!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2014
As a newbie to Edie Harris’ writing, I was intrigued when so many fellow reviewers fell in love with this novel. So I decided that I needed to read it too. Right away, it felt reminiscent of Anne Stuart’s House of Rohan series. Sexy and seductive while also paying attention to detail, Harris’s voice is very eloquent and free-flowing. The descriptions are what make this book so incredible.
When Gaspard Toussaint first sets his eyes upon Claudia, a lot is circulating in his head already. There is a little weight on his shoulder telling him that a lot can go wrong with a woman like her, but the fun bit is, he doesn’t care.
With a character with such loose morals, there’s bound to be some fun and seduction coming your way. That’s exactly what Edie Harris runs with. Brimming with passion, THE CORRUPT COMTE simply outshines other Historical Romances I’ve read with its potent emotion. As a result, the romance between Gaspard and Claudia is immensely satisfying and seductive.
The touch of angst is well-suited to the story and builds the mounting tension that seems to reach a pinnacle towards the end. There is the matter of the villain plot that didn’t quite reach my expectations. However, I still think that Harris makes up for it with the dirty talk.
All in all, as my first book by Harris, I’m sure I will be picking up book two of the Bourbon Boys Quartet. For just a taste of the naughtiness that ensues in this book, I give you this quote:
“Shh, kitten,” he whispered in English once more, nuzzling her temple, mouth open and hot against her ear. “Trust me.” His palms curved beneath her breasts, lifting them as his blunt fingertips tweaked her nipples expertly enough to have slickness gathering between her clenched thighs. “You are the most beautiful thing I have ever touched. Une ange, bébé.” He groaned quietly as he caught her earlobe between his teeth. “Je t’adore,” he muttered, thrusting against her backside.”
August 13, 2025
Gaspard was an interesting and different hero. He pretends to be a homosexual in order to spy for his employer. He is tired of the spy game but is too poor to quit. He has his demons and his past is less than pretty. Claudia was emotionally abused as a child and had a stutter, making her a social outcast. She is attracted to Sabine, Gaspard's friend, and sees him as her escape from her horrible parents. The reader is thrown into their romance, the first sexual encounter occurs a few pages in. The sexual tension made me squirm. Gaspard and Claudia's next few encounters are all sexual and they develop feelings for each other. Then the twists and turns start, nothing turned out like I expected. I enjoyed the unusual characters and how their vulnerabilities and insecurities were presented. I felt like I knew Gaspard and Claudia, and I wanted them to be happy. The only hiccup was one scene, it was so unbelievable I was pulled out of the story.
2025 re-read:
Agree with original rating. Claudia, emotionally and physically abused by her parents, and Gaspard, sexually abused by his army captain, belong together. They are so damaged and want love so badly, it was heartbreaking. Gaspard's desire for Claudia was desperate and intense. The evil duke, Gaspard's employer, was truly evil and devious and he was illuminated too easily. The sex was scorching.
2025 re-read:
Agree with original rating. Claudia, emotionally and physically abused by her parents, and Gaspard, sexually abused by his army captain, belong together. They are so damaged and want love so badly, it was heartbreaking. Gaspard's desire for Claudia was desperate and intense. The evil duke, Gaspard's employer, was truly evil and devious and he was illuminated too easily. The sex was scorching.
May 7, 2017
I really liked this book. I won't rehash the plot but suffice it to say that though it takes place in post-Revolutionary France neither the H nor the h conform to what we expect in such tales particularly the H.
I think it most closely reminds me of Anna Cowan's Untamed in that the H is not exactly an ideal man as far as societal standards by design & fate of the Hero himself and yet Edie Harris without prettifying or excusing the behavior makes us believe in the the deserved HEA that the couple gets.
The Heroine is an average woman living and also rebelling against the constraints of family and society but this doesn't make her magically beautiful or in the case of Claudia Pascale lose her stutter. She's is credibly strong in spite of all her restraints but not in those suspension-of-disbelief that many Regencies & Historicals require. I also liked that as far as I could tell the historical details are accurate.
Recommended.
I think it most closely reminds me of Anna Cowan's Untamed in that the H is not exactly an ideal man as far as societal standards by design & fate of the Hero himself and yet Edie Harris without prettifying or excusing the behavior makes us believe in the the deserved HEA that the couple gets.
The Heroine is an average woman living and also rebelling against the constraints of family and society but this doesn't make her magically beautiful or in the case of Claudia Pascale lose her stutter. She's is credibly strong in spite of all her restraints but not in those suspension-of-disbelief that many Regencies & Historicals require. I also liked that as far as I could tell the historical details are accurate.
Recommended.
April 23, 2015
#1 in "The Bourdon Boys" set in 1820 Parus, France. Filled with danger, oassion, bondage, abuse, secrets, murder, M/M encounter and romance. An intense, complex, interesting tale. An enjoyable read. The author made the reader feel comfortable with the sexual encounters, especially, the M/M sexual acts. A wild ride to be sure. Well written. A pleasurable, interesting and intriguing read.
* Received for an honest review from the publisher via Net Galley *
Rating : 4
Heat rating : Wild ride
Reviewed by : AprilR, Courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
* Received for an honest review from the publisher via Net Galley *
Rating : 4
Heat rating : Wild ride
Reviewed by : AprilR, Courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
April 7, 2017
3.5 really. And I did enjoy this book! I just found one scene at the end to be a little... much.
I found Claudia to be a little lacking in characterization and Gaspard to be a little too much, but not bad for what it is. Solid B work, and interested in reading the next one.
I found Claudia to be a little lacking in characterization and Gaspard to be a little too much, but not bad for what it is. Solid B work, and interested in reading the next one.
August 28, 2013
My Review:
My first encounter with Edie Harris’ writing was an awesome one! It’s been a while since I read a historical romance, and even longer since I read an erotic historical romance. I won THE CORRUPT COMTE months ago on Twitter and while other (review) books, contemporary romance books, kept pushing it down the reading list, it was never far from my mind. That’s why when I was looking for the next book to read in a short and temporary lull in review books to read, it sprang right to the top of the reading list.
Some historical romance readers don’t like the spy trope. I however love it and when I look for historical romances to read, if the blurb mentions the word spy, you can bet I’ll get the book. THE CORRUPT COMTE is about spies too. I counted four of them in Gaspard's group so there’s more books to come, of that I’m sure. I loved the plot Edie Harris concocted for this one and how she mixed it with the romance. It never felt as though there was romance and a plot. It al clicked together and formed one cohesive story where one would not be as good without the other.
Both Claudia and Gaspard are fabulous characters. They are (as I love them the most) flawed and imperfect and Edie Harris made them work so well for me because they are both not what they seem. They only show the world what they want them to see but can see through all that with each other. Their HEA wasn't an easy one, both of them went through emotional barriers to accept the other one and accept the feelings they had for each other and it was beautifully written!
This book had me mesmerized, with its flow and writing, its story, its wonderful and brave heroine and its deliciously dirty, sexy hero. Gaspard Toussaint elevated dirty talk to a whole new level for me. Edie Harris's writing is exquisite! It's compelling, beautiful and emotionally gratifying. Just for the writing alone this book is awesome and a must-read for lovers of erotic historical romance.
I loved Edie Harris's writing. In this historical setting it worked really well and I'm curious to experience her contemporary voice as I know Edie is also working on a contemporary romance series. I can’t wait to get my hands on, but after reading THE CORRUPT COMTE I’m also hunting down her other historical romance because it certainly whetted my appetite for more.
Fave Scenes:
- the scene in the closet in the first chapter > that Gaspard is sexy and hot! Despite his disguise as a “molly” comte.
- the BJ scene after the engagement ball > Gaspard gives Claudia power and control and she takes and runs with it in a splendid way!
- the scene with Sabien towards the end of the book > powerful and emotional scene
Fave Quotes:
My first encounter with Edie Harris’ writing was an awesome one! It’s been a while since I read a historical romance, and even longer since I read an erotic historical romance. I won THE CORRUPT COMTE months ago on Twitter and while other (review) books, contemporary romance books, kept pushing it down the reading list, it was never far from my mind. That’s why when I was looking for the next book to read in a short and temporary lull in review books to read, it sprang right to the top of the reading list.
Some historical romance readers don’t like the spy trope. I however love it and when I look for historical romances to read, if the blurb mentions the word spy, you can bet I’ll get the book. THE CORRUPT COMTE is about spies too. I counted four of them in Gaspard's group so there’s more books to come, of that I’m sure. I loved the plot Edie Harris concocted for this one and how she mixed it with the romance. It never felt as though there was romance and a plot. It al clicked together and formed one cohesive story where one would not be as good without the other.
Both Claudia and Gaspard are fabulous characters. They are (as I love them the most) flawed and imperfect and Edie Harris made them work so well for me because they are both not what they seem. They only show the world what they want them to see but can see through all that with each other. Their HEA wasn't an easy one, both of them went through emotional barriers to accept the other one and accept the feelings they had for each other and it was beautifully written!
This book had me mesmerized, with its flow and writing, its story, its wonderful and brave heroine and its deliciously dirty, sexy hero. Gaspard Toussaint elevated dirty talk to a whole new level for me. Edie Harris's writing is exquisite! It's compelling, beautiful and emotionally gratifying. Just for the writing alone this book is awesome and a must-read for lovers of erotic historical romance.
I loved Edie Harris's writing. In this historical setting it worked really well and I'm curious to experience her contemporary voice as I know Edie is also working on a contemporary romance series. I can’t wait to get my hands on, but after reading THE CORRUPT COMTE I’m also hunting down her other historical romance because it certainly whetted my appetite for more.
Fave Scenes:
- the scene in the closet in the first chapter > that Gaspard is sexy and hot! Despite his disguise as a “molly” comte.
- the BJ scene after the engagement ball > Gaspard gives Claudia power and control and she takes and runs with it in a splendid way!
- the scene with Sabien towards the end of the book > powerful and emotional scene
Fave Quotes:
His gaze drawn unwillingly back to the unknown, dark-haired girl standing alone across the room, he frowned to feel a faint heat at his nape, wispy tendrils creeping down his spine to curl and solidify into an…an awareness, of sorts, low in his belly. It was a thoroughly uncomfortable sensation, foreign and unwelcome, and the longer he studied her, the less he was able to ignore it.
He wanted to bite her. Something about her skin, her scent, the way she subtly shifted toward him, had him longing to take a bite out of Claudia Pascale.
She wanted to escape her parents’ household. What was happening to her there?
No, he wouldn’t ponder it now. Now was for the rising bubble of lust traveling from his heavy groin to tingle up his spine until it burst at his nape, making his vision blur and his ears ring.
Kissing a woman was nothing like kissing a man. A woman eliciting a breathy moan reduced him to a pile of ash. A woman dancing her tongue past his lips turned him hard as stone. A woman straining forward, her arms bound on either side of her body, her throat taut beneath his fingertips as she tried to get closer, closer to him, as though determined to crawl inside his soul…it drove him to the precipice of insanity, and he teetered on the edge as he gripped her to him.
She was a feast for a starving man, and Gaspard had lived too long in famine.
As if the devil possessed his tongue, he found himself asking, “Is there nothing about her you find appealing?”
Sabien sighed, scratching along his jaw where his night beard was just starting to shadow the skin. “I suppose…if she didn’t talk, bedding her might not be such a hardship.”
Gaspard’s back teeth clenched. “If they can talk, you’re doing it wrong. A universal law of fucking.”
His eyes told her that he wanted to eat her for breakfast, have her for tea, and
gorge himself on her for dessert.
But she didn’t want him talking—she wanted him licking. Tasting. Feasting upon her. Frantic to have his mouth on her, Claudia disobeyed and reached for him, clutching at his silky hair. “More,” she moaned, whipping her hips into the thrust of his finger. She was close, so close, and he had to know it. Had to feel how the first tremors were beginning to shake her, starting from the base of her spine and clawing through her heavy, heavy limbs. “P-please.”
This man, with his lies and his secrets and the hungry way he looked at her, touched her...this man put a song in her blood, answering some yearning call buried in the deepest recesses of her terrified heart.
The power in the room shifted suddenly, a palpable tug on the very center of her being. No more predator, no more prey. No longer did he hunt her. In this moment, he belonged to her, and Claudia—empty, yearning, desperate Claudia—fully embraced that rabid starvation living in her soul.
She needed him to feed her desperate hunger, to give her something tangible on which her aching soul could feast, and she loved him.
December 22, 2020
This is a truly bad story. I will echo what everyone else has touched upon in the reviews, which is the fact that there are WAY too many sex scenes. And I’m saying that even knowing this is basically straight up erotica and not a romance story. The two MCs could not even finish a conversation without having sex. The heroine Claudia was weak and boring, the hero was bisexual posing as gay or a “Molly” in order to ‘serve’ his country. Sound like an interesting plot? It’s not. Gaspard basically willingly had sex with hundreds of men since he was 16 and all of a sudden pretty much overnight he falls for Claudia and decides she’s the only one he will ever need in order to satisfy him. She hardly questions anything, even when he admitted he wanted her money, and gives herself and her money over to him while being the laughing stock of society for being married to said “Molly”. And then they have a lot of sex, the end. What a completely unappealing romance hero and lackluster heroine.
September 27, 2017
Where was this little bundle of deliciousness hiding all my life !! HR lovers need to pick this up immediately, because... fanfic writers (and I say this as the highest of compliments) could not have concocted some scenes better..
What of the actual plot, you say... I am totally NOT going to give the game away, but suffice to say, it is one delightful game of sensual cat-and-mouse.
What of the actual plot, you say... I am totally NOT going to give the game away, but suffice to say, it is one delightful game of sensual cat-and-mouse.
May 4, 2016
Very different setting and plot than is the norm for historicals!! I like it when I feel like I'm learning something along the way, and this presented a very different view of France after the fall of Napoleon, giving you a view into the corruption of the court/government and the tense atmosphere.
Gaspard presents himself as a "molly comte" - a foppish man whom everyone knows is homosexual, though no one comes out and accuses him of it. The truth is far more sordid, sadly. Entering the army at 16, he was abused and raped by his commanding officer and escaped into a life of espionage, where he continues to use sexual favors with men as a way to gain information. He is only homosexual by circumstance, not by nature, but hides it so well that even his fellow spies aren't aware of his true orientation.
Claudia is the daughter and granddaughter of perfumers who escaped from France during the Hundred Days terror and managed to avoid madame Guillotine. She's back in Paris now to find a husband before her parents force one upon her, for Claudia has a stutter. She's been starved for affection and emotionally and physically abused by her parents all her life and sees marriage as her only chance to escape them. Not knowing Gaspard's reputation, she begins to fall for him when he encourages her to speak, treats her with respect (and passion) and doesn't automatically assume that she is simple just because she has trouble speaking.
I really enjoyed the way the story played out between the H/h, the actions Gaspard took as a spy, and Claudia's growing confidence. This is a grittier story than we usually see in Regency historicals, but I appreciated the details included. Life back then wasn't easy, especially for women or spies who were being blackmailed at nearly every turn!
The only thing that bothered me was the ending. Gaspard and Claudia get married, but it's not a happy start and only worsens as they realize that they've trapped themselves. Society will always assume that Claudia is a fool for not knowing her husband is a molly and will pity her, while assuming that Gaspard is out carousing with all sorts of men. Claudia thought that marriage would save her from their cruel gossip, but now she realizes that the only way she could be happy is if they live entirely separate lives. Gaspard convinces her to stay and give their marriage a chance and eventually they reconcile themselves to the fact that they can have passion and love in their private lives, even if they can never show it in public. There's a little bit of plot wrap up with Claudia's grandfather, the exiled French spy, and a very interesting scene where a former husband prospect, Sabien, comes to offer his "services" and get proved - very intimately - wrong about his assumptions of Gaspard's sexual orientation.
All in all a very good read, and I would like to read the other spy's stories, if they're ever written!
Gaspard presents himself as a "molly comte" - a foppish man whom everyone knows is homosexual, though no one comes out and accuses him of it. The truth is far more sordid, sadly. Entering the army at 16, he was abused and raped by his commanding officer and escaped into a life of espionage, where he continues to use sexual favors with men as a way to gain information. He is only homosexual by circumstance, not by nature, but hides it so well that even his fellow spies aren't aware of his true orientation.
Claudia is the daughter and granddaughter of perfumers who escaped from France during the Hundred Days terror and managed to avoid madame Guillotine. She's back in Paris now to find a husband before her parents force one upon her, for Claudia has a stutter. She's been starved for affection and emotionally and physically abused by her parents all her life and sees marriage as her only chance to escape them. Not knowing Gaspard's reputation, she begins to fall for him when he encourages her to speak, treats her with respect (and passion) and doesn't automatically assume that she is simple just because she has trouble speaking.
I really enjoyed the way the story played out between the H/h, the actions Gaspard took as a spy, and Claudia's growing confidence. This is a grittier story than we usually see in Regency historicals, but I appreciated the details included. Life back then wasn't easy, especially for women or spies who were being blackmailed at nearly every turn!
The only thing that bothered me was the ending. Gaspard and Claudia get married, but it's not a happy start and only worsens as they realize that they've trapped themselves. Society will always assume that Claudia is a fool for not knowing her husband is a molly and will pity her, while assuming that Gaspard is out carousing with all sorts of men. Claudia thought that marriage would save her from their cruel gossip, but now she realizes that the only way she could be happy is if they live entirely separate lives. Gaspard convinces her to stay and give their marriage a chance and eventually they reconcile themselves to the fact that they can have passion and love in their private lives, even if they can never show it in public. There's a little bit of plot wrap up with Claudia's grandfather, the exiled French spy, and a very interesting scene where a former husband prospect, Sabien, comes to offer his "services" and get proved - very intimately - wrong about his assumptions of Gaspard's sexual orientation.
All in all a very good read, and I would like to read the other spy's stories, if they're ever written!
November 15, 2014
Positively enjoyed this. I'm usually hesitant to read historicals, but I couldn't resist the perfectly damaged, corrupt comte. Throw in some healthy D/s, and I'm a happy woman.
I LOVE that Claudia stutters, and is a strong woman. With some switchiness hidden in her, too! I like to think she experimented further with that in her and Gaspard's future.
And Gaspard -- ah, I cannot express how much I love my tortured heroes. I just want to give him a big hug! Like all damaged heroes, he has big flaws. But when he realizes his love for Claudia, it's made all the sweeter.
Thank you, Edie, for the free copy! I'm hooked, and can't wait to read the stories of Gaspard's fellow spies.
I LOVE that Claudia stutters, and is a strong woman. With some switchiness hidden in her, too! I like to think she experimented further with that in her and Gaspard's future.
And Gaspard -- ah, I cannot express how much I love my tortured heroes. I just want to give him a big hug! Like all damaged heroes, he has big flaws. But when he realizes his love for Claudia, it's made all the sweeter.
Thank you, Edie, for the free copy! I'm hooked, and can't wait to read the stories of Gaspard's fellow spies.
March 7, 2016
Probably more 3.5 stars. I really loved Claudia and Gaspard, they were both compelling characters and they made the book worth reading. But the story itself had some weaknesses that I can't overlook. Both the characters have seriously painful backgrounds and that wasn't dealt with in any meaningful way. Plus some of the scenes seemed a bit ... unnecessary. I'm glad I read it and I would read it again for Gaspard and Claudia alone.
December 29, 2014
Straight guy spends his life pretending he's as gay as a daisy, till he meets the love of his life and they MUST...HAVE...SEX...
Wow, this book gets the award for 'the most sex crammed into one book' that I have ever read in a historical romance. It is very very silly, with murky and unconvincing character motivations, but man does it have balls! Extra star just for sheer nerve.
Wow, this book gets the award for 'the most sex crammed into one book' that I have ever read in a historical romance. It is very very silly, with murky and unconvincing character motivations, but man does it have balls! Extra star just for sheer nerve.
February 18, 2015
This was fine. I read it all the way through. I didn't skim. It was easy to read and some of the sex was hot and that's it. It's not as bad as some of the books I've read but I will never read it again and it won't stay with me beyond the last word of this review. If you want an easy read which will keep you occupied and not do anything to really annoy you: this one's for you.
September 12, 2016
2 stars.
This was a hot mess. Tangled, repetitive and contradictory thought processes. Reverse "fauxmance"! And where were all the servants? I actually persevered to the end, however I still don't know what to make of it. This needed beta readers.
This was a hot mess. Tangled, repetitive and contradictory thought processes. Reverse "fauxmance"! And where were all the servants? I actually persevered to the end, however I still don't know what to make of it. This needed beta readers.
September 3, 2013
I just couldn't put it down and thought about it when I wasn't reading. I love how it all unfolds.
March 2, 2017
Best historical in a long time I needed it
October 29, 2021
“He loved her, but loving her hadn’t made him any less broken.”
Edie Harris is an exquisite writer and she undoubtedly has the best prose I have ever read in romance. PERIOD…PERIOD. Her writing skill is unmatched. Yes, I’ve read Kleypas, Quinn and MacLean and I’m sorry they cannot touch Harris in terms of prose or characterization for that matter.
Gaspard has the best hero character development I’ve ever seen out to page. He is broken, complex and so nuanced. Harris did him justice with his backstory because no matter what happens between him and the heroine, you root for him to win. That is something that rarely happens in romance but managed to make us care for the hero as a separate person. Falling in love would be a bonus.
Harris did not give as much attention to Claudia as she did Gaspard but I was okay with that. I liked her as a heroine and I thought her growth arc was realistic. I love a heroine who stays true to herself. She might become more experienced and less innocent but she doesn’t become some badass femme fatale in a few pages. Claudia grew but I think she was still very much the same Claudia I met in the first few pages—just less innocent and naive.
I also appreciate both characters weren’t healed by great sex. Claudia still had her stutter and Gaspard still had issues to work through.
This is easily a 6 star read and I’m not sure why Edie Harris isn’t talked about more. She is phenomenal.
Edie Harris is an exquisite writer and she undoubtedly has the best prose I have ever read in romance. PERIOD…PERIOD. Her writing skill is unmatched. Yes, I’ve read Kleypas, Quinn and MacLean and I’m sorry they cannot touch Harris in terms of prose or characterization for that matter.
Gaspard has the best hero character development I’ve ever seen out to page. He is broken, complex and so nuanced. Harris did him justice with his backstory because no matter what happens between him and the heroine, you root for him to win. That is something that rarely happens in romance but managed to make us care for the hero as a separate person. Falling in love would be a bonus.
Harris did not give as much attention to Claudia as she did Gaspard but I was okay with that. I liked her as a heroine and I thought her growth arc was realistic. I love a heroine who stays true to herself. She might become more experienced and less innocent but she doesn’t become some badass femme fatale in a few pages. Claudia grew but I think she was still very much the same Claudia I met in the first few pages—just less innocent and naive.
I also appreciate both characters weren’t healed by great sex. Claudia still had her stutter and Gaspard still had issues to work through.
This is easily a 6 star read and I’m not sure why Edie Harris isn’t talked about more. She is phenomenal.
February 22, 2018
This is one of those overly-dramatic romances where both characters are cruelly overcome by circumstances - the hero is a secretly heterosexual spy working for a sadistic French duke under the guise of a homosexual nobleman, which he was forced to adopt when he was raped and tortured after being impressed into the French army as a teenager; the heroine is an innocent virginal heiress who is going to be sold off in marriage by her theatrically wicked, cruel parents. Nobody is particularly bright but there's lots of High Drama and creative sex. Not usually my thing, hence three stars, but I do think it was fairly well-done for what it was - the French setting was done well and used well, and I think very effective at helping set a tone for the book; the writing was fairly clean if occasionally overwrought (which is par for the course with this kind of book). The level of drama was definitely very high for how vaguely and easily things wrapped up at the end, though.
July 2, 2022
So weird. I couldn’t understand the Hero’s motivation for the vast majority of the book. The first scene, in particular, was a hot mess of conflicting rationales. This is a bit of a spoiler, but why did he take her virginity with his fingers? It was unpleasant, and made no sense to the story.
The sad thing is, the plot was actually interesting, or at least, could have been if better developed.
The sad thing is, the plot was actually interesting, or at least, could have been if better developed.
October 7, 2024
I adored the unconventional characters. The protagonist, a misunderstood hero falsely labeled as homosexual, brilliantly masquerades as the lover of a gay spy for years. The story captivated me from the beginning. I particularly appreciated the imperfect yet endearing heroine, who stutters. The ending provided a satisfyingly happy conclusion.
May 26, 2018
Ending is a bit unresolved.
August 10, 2018
Really intriguing characters. Plot was a little hard to follow at first and it ended very abruptly but it was unique and well written.
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