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Silk Is for Seduction (The Dressmakers, #1)

Loretta Chase

Start date: July 1, 2011

Finish date: July 31, 2011

Discussion: Monthly Read

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Mar 14, 2013 Amylynn Bright rated it really liked it · review of another edition

With Silk is For Seduction, once again, Loretta Chase proves she is the master of the atypical hero and heroine. This time Ms. Chase wraps her quill around the delightful Marcelline Noirot – the offspring of an infamous family long time readers may recognize, the Dreadful DeLuceys. Her hero is more typical in that he is a respectable peer but, as always, Ms. Chase creates a portrait of a man anything but boring.

Ms. Noirot comes up with a devious plan to attract the attention of the Duke – not fo ...more

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Aug 03, 2012 Heather rated it liked it · review of another edition

Silk Is for Seduction (The Dressmakers #1)
by Loretta Chase,
Kate Reading (Narrator)

Marcelline Noirot is the most distinguished dressmaker England has ever seen. She creates gowns of fashion and intrigue that will instill confidence in their wearers. She is notorious and coveted. She is uncompromising and irresistible. She is both the bane of the Duke of Clevedon’s existence, and his most coveted desire.

After being left in dire straights, Marcelline does whatever it takes to support her young Silk Is for Seduction (The Dressmakers #1)
by Loretta Chase,
Kate Reading (Narrator)

Marcelline Noirot is the most distinguished dressmaker England has ever seen. She creates gowns of fashion and intrigue that will instill confidence in their wearers. She is notorious and coveted. She is uncompromising and irresistible. She is both the bane of the Duke of Clevedon’s existence, and his most coveted desire.

After being left in dire straights, Marcelline does whatever it takes to support her young daughter and two younger sisters. Scruples are abandoned as she fights her way to the top with her passion – a dressmaking business. What she needs most now is a prominent lady to display her gowns, and who better than the future bride of the Duke of Clevedon?

The Duke of Clevedon is not ready to settle down. He has wild oats to sow and is easily bored. He is to be engaged to his longtime friend Clara upon returning to England. Though he cares for her greatly the thought of marriage alarms him. In his final days abroad he encounters a maddening seamstress who has a talent for getting under his skin. While her goal is to be the official dressmaker for Clara, she can’t help but be intrigued by the arrogant Duke. Although Marcelline is after funds for her business, she ends up stealing something much more valuable – the Duke’s heart.

This story was narrated by Kate Reading. Marcelline comes off as quite haughty in the narration while the Duke sounds both bored and arrogant. While it matches the characters descriptions pretty well, it did not help to make either likable. The narrator has a talent for sounding like a displeased mum in the ton.

The story has side plots that do not really amount to much, but maybe they will be completed in later books? Throughout the novel a dressmaking competitor sets out to steal Marcelline’s drawings and a spy is within her shop. I would have liked to have seen more of what happened to the competitor/spy in the story. The book also is a bit predictable at times. Highlights include Marcelline’s sister Sophia who is brilliant with her words and her presence. I very much look forward to reading her story which is the next in the series.

Overall, an enjoyable book, but not especially memorable.

3 stars.
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