Viveka Portman

The Private Affairs of Lady Jane Fielding by Viveka Portman is a scorching hot historical novella that is highly erotic but also full of emotion. This quick read has a wonderfully unique storyline, well-developed characters and a delightful surprise ending.

Jane and Jacob Fielding are deeply in love and their marriage is quite happy and lust-filled. Jacob's unfortunate accident does not diminish their desire for one another but with Jacob's odious brother Arthur in line to inherit the family fortune, the need for a male heir becomes quite urgent. After a year passes with no pregnancy, Jacob devises a rather scandalous and unconventional plan to procure an heir but will Jane and his cousin Matthew agree to Jacob's outrageous proposal?

The Private Affairs of Lady Jane Fielding is written in first person from Jane's perspective. Using a journal to confide her innermost thoughts, Jane reveals her fears about her husband's accident, the disgust over her brother-in-law's actions, and her trepidation over her husband's solution to their pressing need for an heir. There is never any doubt about the couple's deep love and devotion to one another however a future with Arthur controlling her fate provides a compelling reason for Jane to give serious thought to Jacob's proposal.

Seen only through Jane's eyes, Jacob and Matthew are vibrantly life-like with a great deal of depth. Jacob's plan is born of desperation but he is just as uneasy with the situation as Jane and Matthew. His love for Jane is always apparent as is his keen despair over the loss of his fertility. Matthew is hesitant to agree to his cousin's plan, but he is quite impoverished and in need of funds to renovate his crumbling estate. All three are in an untenable position but when Arthur continues to press Jacob to declare him as his heir, Jane and Matthew reluctantly agree to Jacob's plan.

The three have very surprising and unexpected reactions once their arrangement is put into motion. Jealousy, unanticipated desire and unforeseen pleasure lead to an open and honest discussion of the situation which results in a shocking decision regarding the future of their unusual relationship.

The Private Affairs of Lady Jane Fielding is an outstanding erotic novella that fans of historical romances do not want to miss. It is a well-written story with an engaging cast of appealing characters, incredibly sensual sex scenes and an amazing array of believable emotions. Absolutely one of the best historical romances I have read in a long time and as soon as I finished it, I immediately purchased and eagerly devoured Viveka Portman's backlist.
… (más)

The Private Affairs of Lady Jane Fielding by Viveka Portman is a scorching hot historical novella that is highly erotic but also full of emotion. This quick read has a wonderfully unique storyline, well-developed characters and a delightful surprise ending.

Jane and Jacob Fielding are deeply in love and their marriage is quite happy and lust-filled. Jacob's unfortunate accident does not diminish their desire for one another but with Jacob's odious brother Arthur in line to inherit the family fortune, the need for a male heir becomes quite urgent. After a year passes with no pregnancy, Jacob devises a rather scandalous and unconventional plan to procure an heir but will Jane and his cousin Matthew agree to Jacob's outrageous proposal?

The Private Affairs of Lady Jane Fielding is written in first person from Jane's perspective. Using a journal to confide her innermost thoughts, Jane reveals her fears about her husband's accident, the disgust over her brother-in-law's actions, and her trepidation over her husband's solution to their pressing need for an heir. There is never any doubt about the couple's deep love and devotion to one another however a future with Arthur controlling her fate provides a compelling reason for Jane to give serious thought to Jacob's proposal.

Seen only through Jane's eyes, Jacob and Matthew are vibrantly life-like with a great deal of depth. Jacob's plan is born of desperation but he is just as uneasy with the situation as Jane and Matthew. His love for Jane is always apparent as is his keen despair over the loss of his fertility. Matthew is hesitant to agree to his cousin's plan, but he is quite impoverished and in need of funds to renovate his crumbling estate. All three are in an untenable position but when Arthur continues to press Jacob to declare him as his heir, Jane and Matthew reluctantly agree to Jacob's plan.

The three have very surprising and unexpected reactions once their arrangement is put into motion. Jealousy, unanticipated desire and unforeseen pleasure lead to an open and honest discussion of the situation which results in a shocking decision regarding the future of their unusual relationship.

The Private Affairs of Lady Jane Fielding is an outstanding erotic novella that fans of historical romances do not want to miss. It is a well-written story with an engaging cast of appealing characters, incredibly sensual sex scenes and an amazing array of believable emotions. Absolutely one of the best historical romances I have read in a long time and as soon as I finished it, I immediately purchased and eagerly devoured Viveka Portman's backlist.… (más)

The Observations of a Curious Governess by Viveka Portman
Book #4: The Regency Diaries
Source: Purchase
My Rating: 2/5 stars
My Review:

Anytime one involves oneself with a long-term series, there are bound to be low points, the installments that just don’t quite live up to the standards of the rest of the series. It pains me to say The Observations of a Curious Governess would be that read in the on-going Regency Diaries series.

Due to circumstances well beyond her control, Martha Swan knows she will never be allowed to marry the man she truly loves. In Martha’s time and place a love match is far less important than a financially good match and so, with a heavy heart she accepts her fate and applies for a position in the home of Lord and Lady Stanton. Intent on being the best governess she possibly can be, Martha enters the Stanton household with every intention of carrying herself well and performing to the best of her abilities. It doesn’t take long for Martha to figure out that not all is as it appears to be within the Stanton household and though Martha is shocked by the things she encounters, she enjoys her job and doesn’t want to jeopardize her position. Secrets such as the ones being kept in the Stanton household aren’t easy to keep and though Martha would never tell what she knows, she does find herself becoming increasingly more interested in the sexual escapes that occur on a regular basis.

When Martha encounters her love, Jonathan Reeves she taken aback and completely unsure of what to do. Away from home and dealing with the foreign feelings of sexual curiosity, Martha hatches a plan to seduce Jonathan and explore her new-found feelings. In a household such as the Stanton’s, a liaison between the two should be completely acceptable but there are others in the community who aren’t quite as accepting and just when Martha and Jonathan think they have a plan for their future, everything comes crashing down around them.

The Bottom Line: The Observations of a Curious Governess thoroughly disappointed me and certainly doesn’t live up to the standards of the previous series installments. Both Martha and Jonathan are fairly flat characters, the plot is by far the weakest to date and, the sex is not near the level of steamy that I have come to expect from Portman. Given how much I have enjoyed the previous installments of the Regency Diaries series, I am going to a chalk this one up to bad day and hope the next installment is as good as I expect Portman’s books to be.… (más)