Silk Is for Seduction

May 9, 2011
A saucy dressmaker ensnares a duke in this deliciously witty 1830s trilogy launch loosely tied to Chase's Carsington Brothers series (Last Night's Scandal, etc.). Born into a noble but ramshackle family, the three devious Noirot sisters start a London dress shop and are soon engaged in fierce competition for the business of society ladies. When the sisters discover that wealthy Gervase Angier, duke of Clevedon, is about to become betrothed to his childhood friend, Lady Clara Fairfax, Marcelline Noirot heads to Paris to catch Clevedon's eye and encourage him to send Lady Clara to her for a wedding dress. With a sharp eye for both upper-class society and the cutthroat world of high-class London mantua makers, Chase mixes snappy dialogue, erotic tension, and the fanciful styles of the era into a sparkling love story as Marcelline's strategy ensnares not only Clevedon's patronage but his heart.

Starred review from June 15, 2011

Knowing she and her siblings must attract more high-ranking clients to their new dressmaking establishment, fashion designer Marcelline Noirot, the eldest of three sisters, heads for Paris to convince the about-to-be-engaged Duke of Clevedon that she should be the one to dress his new duchess. Alluring, savvy, and determined, Marcelline succeeds beautifully. The only problem? The sizzling and totally unwanted attraction that develops between Marcelline and the duke! An outrageously direct, single-minded heroine with a scandalous heritage meets a caring, honorable hero who wants to do the right thing. Toss in a delectable cast of appealing characters (a charming, manipulative six-year-old is a standout), and this plot is off on a lively, emotionally compelling path to a marvelous story that is the first in a projected trilogy. VERDICT Carefully wrought personnae, beautifully handled sensuality, and lusciously seductive descriptions of the gowns--and everything else--make this another sparkling winner for the much-beloved, peerless Chase (Last Night's Scandal); she lives in Worcester, MA.

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from July 1, 2011
Unlike most women, Marcelline Noirot doesn't want Gervaise Angier, the Duke of Clevedon; she desires Clevedon's fianc'e, Lady Clara Fairfax. Actually, what Marcelline wants is the opportunity to dress Clara. Not only is her ladyship's present dressmaker (and Marcelline's chief business rival: Hortense the Horrible) totally botching the job but securing Clara's trade would ensure the financial security of Maison Noirot. In order to get to Clara, though, Marcelline must first win over Clevedon, but Marcelline has no doubt that she will soon have him at her beck and call since she is well versed in the rules of seduction. Unfortunately, Marcelline is about to discover that the usual rules don't apply to the Duke of Clevedon. In her latest impeccably crafted novel, RITA Awardwinning Chase creates her own brand of magic by fashioning a swoonworthy romance that is the literary equal of couture designed by Chanel or Dior. Richly imbued with sizzling sexual chemistry, expertly accessorized with a cast of delightfully quirky secondary characters, and deftly embroidered with irresistible wit, Silk Is for Seduction is guaranteed to be a hit on any reader's runway.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)