"What happens when a painter falls for his nude model?"

For Sensual Romance by A. Black

Cornelia "Delia" Barclay is a free spirit who thinks beyond the society norms of 19th century England. When she overhears her brother and his best friend discussing the work of a local artist who paints matrons in the nude, she's inspired to have the artist paint her. But first she has to find out how to contact him, and second she has to convince him to paint a young maiden.

Calder Ramsey is an accomplished portrait painter, but due to the nature of his work he keeps his identity a secret. None of his subjects have seen his face because he wears a mask while he paints them. When he finally agrees to paint a portrait of Delia -- his youngest subject -- he soon realizes he wants more from her than her nude portrait.

This is a delightful short story. I think Delia and a minor character, Lady Woodley -- are particularly fun and lovable. Like most historical heroines, Delia is a woman ahead of her time who is surrounded by men who don't understand her and want only to control her. Ms. Danner has also done a good job of keeping the Regency England tone and setting. This is a quick, amusing read.

Sensuality: oral sex

Reviewed by Sensual Romance
Courtesy Sensual Romance
Posted February 9, 2006

Summary

Tired of being under her brother's control, Cordelia Barclay sets out to be as bad as she wants to be. When nude paintings begin to surface in London, she longs to obtain one for herself. Calder Ramsey, the mysterious artist, has no desire to be the cause of Cordelia's downfall. With the assistance of her friend Randall Calhoun, Cordelia is prepared to convince Calder that all artists require inspiration and she is just the lady to give it to him.