"Steamy, Seductive Historical Romance"

Madeline Cavendish, survivor of a humiliating marriage now blissfully ended, is traveling to New Orleans to meet her uncle and fiancé when she meets Armand de Chevalier. His lazy sensuality attracts her from the first, though she knows that she cannot possibly give in to the forbidden feelings that plague her. When their ship is caught in a storm, Madeline and Armand find themselves stranded aboard the floundering vessel. Convinced that their death is near, Madeline gives into her desires, and finds that Armand's loving is truly special.

Rescue is not long in coming, however, and Madeline is taken to New Orleans. As she confronts her changing feelings about her oh-so-proper fiancé, she is stunned when Armand appears, revealing himself to be a popular and well- liked figure about town. From there on, she is left torn by conflicts of desire, need, and prior obligation.

Set in the mid-1800's, THE COUNTESS MISBEHAVES was a truly spectacular novel best described as seductive. We are shown steamy New Orleans peopled with quadroons, Creole natives, and even some imported British nobility. This reader cannot comment on the historical accuracy of the novel, but found the book very enjoyable and believable. The love scenes were creative and inspiring, though mostly because of their emotional strength. This novel contains moderately explicit, somewhat inventive sexual depictions. I suggest it for anyone who enjoys a good, steamy historical romance.

Reviewed by Ann Leveille
Posted July 1, 2002

Summary

If you found yourself on a sinking ship, certain your final moments were at hand, you might just decide to savor those moments in the arms of a sexy fellow passenger. That's what Countess Madeleine Cavendish did. But then, a fate worse than death -- they both survive! Back in New Orleans with her oh-so-proper fiance, Madeleine tries to forget the lover who woke her to temptation. But trying to forget a man like Armand de Chevalier proves impossible. And now, as a web of deceit threatens to ruin her, Madeleine must turn to the one man whe vowed never to acknowledge -- and the passion that could shatter her world . . . or fill it with bliss.