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The Scarlet Salon #3

The Baroness Affair

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Piers Benson may hold the pedigree of a gentleman, but his reputation is far from noble. His voracious sexual appetites have led him straight to the life of a courtesan. In the elite brothel he calls home, his roguish good looks and charm have attracted many wealthy lords and ladies to his bed. Yet as of late, he’s grown restless... his spirit aching for something more.

Whether it was luck or destiny, Piers couldn’t say, but a tempting proposal arrives at his doorstep in the form of a desperate baroness.

Caroline Delaval, Baroness Hastings, yearns for a child of her own. The title needs an heir and she’s unable to inspire lust in her marriage bed. Professional and discreet, Piers appears to be the perfect solution to her problem. He has no trouble seducing her husband, and soon enough they embark on an enticing threesome filled with passion and forbidden desires.

Magnetically drawn to his newest patrons, Piers finds himself fulfilled like never before. But when he uncovers a sinister plot meant to tear the baron and baroness apart, he hunts for a way to protect the precious intimacy of their budding relationship. Can he unravel the scheme in time to save the treasured bliss he’s found? Or will he be forced from their lives by a storm cloud of scandal and betrayal?

204 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2019

103 people are currently reading
50 people want to read

About the author

Jean Wilde

5 books40 followers
I'm a Canadian author of historical romance. I fell in love with the world of Regency London when my mother introduced me to the work of Georgette Heyer at the age of 12. I enjoy writing strong, flawed characters with an abundance of common sense. No necessary miscommunication or drama, thank you very much. When not caught up in something book-related (reading, writing or listening) I can be found spending quality time with her husband and maddeningly lovable twins.

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5 stars
94 (44%)
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86 (40%)
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22 (10%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for Simply Love Book Reviews.
7,046 reviews870 followers
September 4, 2019
4.5 stars

When I first started reading romance, the only thing I would delve into was historical novels. Probably because I didn’t buy them myself, but rather I read every one of the books my mom left lying around the house, and I felt as if I was pretty seasoned in the genre.

All I can say is that The Baroness Affair is not your mother’s historical romance.

Searching out a male courtesan at the infamous Scarlet Salon, the Baroness is directed to Piers and offers him a proposition: help seduce her husband in order for her husband to be impregnated with an heir. Piers gladly agrees to what he views as a commercial transaction, but he quickly realizes that their individual interactions and triad relationship blurs the lines between business and personal.

I adored all of the characters in this story. Caroline, the Baroness, was strong and confident and matter of fact. She saw a problem and went about seeking a fix. She was intellectual and drama free. She knew her husband was sexually attracted to men, yet needing an heir she took a direct approach to remedy the situation. And Horatio, the Baron Hastings, was such a loving man. While him and his wife were not necessarily sexually compatible, there was such a deep adoration between these two that their marriage was indeed a love match. I loved that neither of these people were portrayed as resentful of the union into which they were manipulated, but rather truly held an abiding affection for one another. Piers presence added another dimension to their relationship that only served to strengthen their ties to one another and bring out the best in everyone.

With plots simmering in the background and no one’s motive being what they initially seem, I was pulled into this story and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Jean Wilde is a new to me author, so I’m excited to see that there are already several books out in this series. Although The Baroness Affair was the third story in this world, I did not feel as if I was missing anything vital by not having read any of the others yet. It was sensual and fun and a surprising treat.

Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
Profile Image for Andrea.
344 reviews
September 25, 2022
Velmi příjemný historický příběh s menší detektivní zápletkou.
1,973 reviews19 followers
July 3, 2019
I have never read a book by this author but this will definitely not be the last book I read by Wilde. I loved the story of Piers, Horatio and Caroline. It is well written, entertaining and holds your interest. It tells of a woman who looks outside of society in an attempt to make her husband happy in order for her to become pregnant. All of this is accomplished in a most unconventional way but it worked. There is a HEA but there is a lot that happens first. This was a great storyline and I would highly recommend it as a great read.
Profile Image for Julie Jackson.
2,320 reviews10 followers
August 28, 2019
Reviewed for SNS

I really enjoyed this book. The storyline was awesome and these characters were just right for each other. Piers, Horatio and Caroline are perfect together. Each characters needs are met by this unusual pairing. Excellent writing.
Profile Image for Sw3.
845 reviews4 followers
November 13, 2021
It's a pretty good story. The conspiracy/blackmail b plot felt a little too rushed. I do wish there was more steam. Piers was a great character, and it was nice to learn his story. This was my first MMF.
Profile Image for Awesomeslawson.
134 reviews3 followers
December 14, 2023
Loved it!

It’s hard to find M/M/F books that are true romances with an HEA for ALL characters…and this one definitely fits the bill! Caroline, our MFC, is married to Horatio, MMC1, and desperately wants a child with him. They are deeply in love…the best of friends…but Horatio is gay and is having trouble fulfilling his obligations to create an heir. Caroline hires a male courtesan, Piers, MMC2, to assist with matters. As the trouple navigate each other in and out of the bedroom, Piers uncovers a diabolical plot set to destroy Caroline and Horatio’s marriage. The characters in the story are strong and well written, there is no annoying misunderstanding and the steam is great. I like that Caroline knew Horatio was gay before the marriage and found the plot twist of how they ended up together plausible and it added to the strength of their love for each other. And I believed they both loved each other deeply…so deeply, in fact, that they were both supportive and encouraging of the other to find happiness and pleasure with Piers separate of the other as well as together. I loved that Piers became more than just a sexual stimulant to the couple. He was the connecting thread between Caroline and Horatio that bound them deeper together…the missing piece of their relationship puzzle. And Piers’ relationship with the couple helped him realize his own potential in life and in love. And they ALL end up together…one big, happy family!
Profile Image for Andrea.
1,011 reviews3 followers
July 14, 2020
Have not read this type of book in years, menage/ mmf/ mm, they're hard to find written well. However I fell in love with Piers and that he was such a good looking man with so much sexy charisma... I knew there was a story there and I truly hoped he'd have a book. And it was such a good story, well written. Tastefully written, didn't leave your feeling dirty or icky afterwards. The characters, the way Jean Wilde draws you in for an intimate time, featuring this triple of main characters is terrific! Don't skip around definitely enjoy the first 2 books learning the other characters it makes it blend so well. Sidenote, there is not a huge or significant time spent with prior characters just enough after all...they've already had their book. Highly recommend this addictive series and highly enjoyable most recent 3rd book.
Profile Image for Dawn.
231 reviews1 follower
March 23, 2023
Sexy, Smart, Romantic and a Dastardly Plot

This book was a joy! Piers the sexy courtesan is a wonderful character from page one. Caroline is a smart brave hero you can’t help but love. And Horatio is a wonderful man in a difficult situation.

The villains were well rounded and scary. There is a dastardly plot afoot. The friends were a joy.

I don’t usually like historical romance, but this was fabulous.

I read this for Virtual Smutty Book Club. It was very sexy!
Profile Image for Margaret.
3,242 reviews33 followers
April 24, 2020
An interesting bargain with three people learning to love each other in a unique relationship. Threatened by a family plot it's foiled by the one man who loves the other two with all his heart and the woman who will do anything for her husband's happiness and the the child she longs for to love. M/M/F.
Profile Image for Natalie.
13 reviews2 followers
March 23, 2021
A quick delightful read

A decent amount of mystery and intrigue, an abundance of sweet and interesting relationships just enough tension to be unable to put this book down and a completely satisfying ending. It’s the first book I’ve read by this author and I can’t wait to read more!
16.8k reviews163 followers
March 26, 2021
He has a reputation of disruption but he has become restless until a new couple arrive wanting help. She wants a baby and he will help them as they agree to a threesome. What if they get very close? What if someone threatens it all? What will they do? Follow them to find out

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
994 reviews10 followers
October 12, 2020
5 STARS, LOVE, REGENCY ERA

Piers, Caroline, Horatio, three people who were out of step in the ordinary sense of things to be completely happy; until they discovered each other and decided to be together. Exciting, A different pace. Recommend
WARNING: SEXUAL ACTS, MAN/MAN/WOMAN
Profile Image for Galina Sulaiman.
2,382 reviews6 followers
January 18, 2021
The Baroness affair

This was a sweet story. Best friends married under difficult circumstances. An unorthodox idea the Baroness comes up with to have her husband impregnate her makes for good reading. Such a good historical story.
Profile Image for Brenda.
3,531 reviews48 followers
November 7, 2021
Poignant and Mysterious

Horatio, Piers, and Caroline are an awesome threesome. The gist of the story is that there is a need for this male lover to be able to get the female of the threesome pregnant.
Jean Wilde has written a book that entices.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
601 reviews3 followers
January 8, 2022
Heartwarming

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. The character of Piers was so well drawn. He was so funny. His journey to happiness was heartwarming. I cheered him every step of the way! Oh and yeah it was steaming HOT.
Profile Image for shelly shells.
783 reviews4 followers
July 27, 2022
Baroness

First from this Author and truly enjoyed her writing style. The lengths Caroline went to for her husband and to secure a child was truly out of love...
Profile Image for Sam.
29 reviews
August 11, 2022
Wonderful

Wonderful and captivating story. Loved how well story flowed and well thought out characters. Can't wait to read more of Jean Wilde stories.
Profile Image for lydia hunter.
311 reviews
September 19, 2022
Lid

I enjoyed reading this book it was very entertaining and I look forward to reading the other books in the series.
Profile Image for Alison Dodson.
67 reviews
October 25, 2022
Unexpected characters

I normally do not enjoy MM interactions but these are sweetly written. I loved the way the author wove in the female lead. Enjoyable read.
Profile Image for J.T. Kingsley.
438 reviews6 followers
March 16, 2024
Cute!

Very much enjoyed this book. Good character development, a nicely flowing plot, and a fun setting. Would recommend this book.
Profile Image for Blondie.
268 reviews31 followers
March 18, 2020
I couldn't put this book down it was wonderful from beginning to end. I loved the characters and was rooting for them to find their hea almost from the beginning. Caroline was such a lovely woman inside and out. Her husband was also very kind and loveable but Piers was almost perfect. The settings and Dialogue we're all wonderfully done. I seriously can't wait for more by this author.
Profile Image for Mary.
2,753 reviews23 followers
November 6, 2019
📒 This is steamy, romantic, sweet and entertaining. Piers is bold, charming, cheeky, generous and amusing. Horatio is kind, considerate and sweet. Caroline is brave, protective and loving. Caroline and Horatio have been married for six years, they were just friends but married because Horatio was about to be exposed as a sodomite. When Caroline learned of about the plot to expose her friend, she rescued him by being the person he was found in a compromising position with. Horatio being attracted only to men meant that there wasn't a whole lot going on in the marriage bed, and Caroline desperately wanted a baby, so she hired a friend of a friend to help her achieve her goal, a man who happened to be a courtesan. He was a courtesan only because he was caught in a compromising position and his father threw him out. Caroline thought that if Horatio was being satisfied by another man, he could manage to get her with child, so she went to Piers with a proposition. He would satisfy her husband, and they would pay him, for a period of 6 months, with the option of more if she wasn't pregnant by then. Horatio was skeptical at first, but they soon fell into an easy three way relationship, because Piers was satisfying both of them. The storyline is fascinating ind intriguing, and along with some very shocking revelations and actions, it keeps you thoroughly engrossed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion.
2,333 reviews11 followers
July 19, 2019
A really interesting, intriguing story and has some hot parts too. - some with threesomes.
The story itself is very good with many twists and turns, and tons of mysteries that get solved along the way and I really loved that aspect.
Also loved the characters, each having interesting personalities and lifestyles - all together a book to keep one reading.
I read an advance copy of this story and am more than happy to recommend it especially to those of you who don't mind a bit of 'heat'. My review above is voluntary and unbiased
Profile Image for Christine Woinich.
2,813 reviews27 followers
July 17, 2019
An interesting story. I loved the introduction of Piers, not quite what I expected. The love between Horatio and Caroline showed true love and devotion. The addition of Piers only made the relationship stronger and clearer. Despite meddling parents and such, these three find their way together, and I enjoyed it all the way.

I received a copy of this story through Enticing Journey Book Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.
Profile Image for EducatedBookFreak.
642 reviews
July 18, 2019
Jean Wilde has created a historical romance book that has all the steamy parts I always love in a romance book. There is unconventional way it is done and things that happen that will surprise you, but you will come back for more. She has weaved all the parts together for one magical story.

The characters come together in a very unconventional way. Their story turns into one that you will love.
552 reviews7 followers
July 22, 2019
This steamy, endearing story was full of intrigue, betrayal, sacrifice, friendship, hope, and love. Caroline, Horatio, and Piers had a lovely, comfortable, sweet, happy relationship together, and they really deserved their hard earned HEA. Although this book is labelled LGBT, anybody with a heart is going to love this charming tale. I can’t wait to read more by this author.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews

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