Throwback Thursday: Historical Romance Edition #17

Thank you to Shabby Blogs (http://shabbyblogs.com/) for the free frame!

Happy Thursday, everyone! And welcome to a new feature on Buried Under Romance and Love Saves the World.

What is Throwback Thursday?
Traditionally, Throwback Thursday celebrates nostalgia, asking participants to post a personal photo or an image from their past -- usually from 5 to 10 years ago. There are a lot of book blogs that also do a book-related Throwback Thursday.

The Historical Romance Edition:
Since Mary of Buried Under Romance and I are unapologetic lovers of historical romances, we've decided to focus on our beloved genre.

Here are our rules:
1. It must be posted on a Thursday.
2. It must be a historical romance novel published before October 3, 2008.


Mistress of Pleasure by Delilah Marvelle, published September 2008

Blurb:

Real Pleasure Can't Be Taken ...
Granddaughter of a renowned courtesan, Maybelle de Maitenon has no interest in her grandmother's school in London where gentlemen receive instruction -- in the art of seduction. Her only desire in life is to remain independent, free from men and the shackles of marriage. But when Maybelle lays eyes on Edmund Worthington, the Duke of Rutherford, at a soirée, and hears of his scandalous reputation, she decides he's the perfect person for her to have a tryst with no strings attached ...

It Must Be Given ...
Unbridled passion has again muddied Edmund Worthington's family name. After his very public dalliance with the strikingly beautiful and sensual Maybelle, his mother insists he marry her. But much to the Duke's surprise, Maybelle scoffs at his proposal. Never has he encountered such a brazen -- and maddeningly irresistible -- woman. But when Maybelle's grandmother falls ill, forcing Maybelle to take over the operation of her school, Edmund devises a plan to make her his. He enrolls in the school, where no one other than Maybelle must give him expert lessons in carnal pleasure ...

In 2008, many of the historical romance novels I was reading featured titled lords and gently-bred ladies and the stories involved courtship in ballrooms or at house parties. There was an occasional story about spies and intrigue. And a few stories about pirates. Then I stumbled upon Delilah Marvelle's debut historical romance novel and was amazed by it. It's a memorable story and incredibly well-written -- but, the most amazing thing about it is that Marvelle has chosen to write about a school of pleasure and of the woman who gives instructions on that subject matter -- and the author frames it all in a very candid, honest and romantic dialogue.

I knew, when I read this debut, that she would be an author that I would love forever. (By "forever" I actually mean 6 years and 11 books ... and counting!)

To find out more about Delilah Marvelle and her books, click below:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

Head over to Mary @ Buried Under Romance and Ki Pha of Doing Some Reading for their picks for Throwback Thursday.^_^

Fellow historical romance readers are welcome to join us. Enter your link below so we can visit your TBT: HR Edition post for the week! (Then go here to copy the Link code to your blogs.)