Pleasure For Pleasure

October 9, 2006
In the final installment in her Four Sisters series (after Taming of the Duke
), James tells the story of Josie, the only Essex sister yet unmarried. Nicknamed the "Scottish Sausage" by a rejected suitor, Josie believes that no man will ever seriously court her because her figure is too ample. When Josie is insulted at a ball, Garret, earl of Mayne, whisks Josie back to his home where his friendly tutelage on attracting a man results in a fleeting moment of passion. But Garret is engaged to a beautiful, genteel French aristocrat, having abandoned his former rakish ways. As Josie begins attracting various suitors and Garret wrestles with his feelings for her, an intriguing subplot has the ton speculating on the identity of the "earl of Hellgate," whose scandalous, anonymous memoirs have been making the rounds. James is skilled at bringing her characters fully to life, gracing Josie's feelings of inadequacy and Mayne's false sense of love with the believable, individual quirks that draw them to each other. Engaging humor and steamy romance give this captivating regency a fine polish.

December 1, 2006
Labeled the "Scottish Sausage" by a vindictive rejected suitor and his cronies during her first London season, Josie Essex, youngest of the four Essex sisters and the only one unwed, is convinced she is fat, unattractive, and doomed to be a spinster. But Josie's curves are more appealing than she knows, and when her guardian's longtime friend, the notorious Earl of Mayne, takes her in handand she finds the right dressmaker!she soon has the male portion of the ton at her feet, including a much surprised Mayne. Characters from the three earlier Essex books add continuity, while snippets from the latest anonymous literary rage, "The Earl of Hellgate" (which closely parallels Mayne's scandalous exploits), add a touch of mystery. Another topnotch comedy of misaligned lovers from a master of the craft. James ("The Taming of the Duke") lives in the New York City area.

Copyright 2006 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from December 1, 2006
Finding a suitable match is challenging enough, but doing so while known as the "Scottish Sausage" is simply impossible. Ever since she was burdened with that cruel sobriquet, Josie Essex's social life has been one of constant humiliation. No matter how she tries to play down her lush attributes--or reshape them with the help of a wonder corset--Josie still feels like a failure. So when Garret Langham, the Earl of Mayne, offers his help, Josie is just desperate enough to accept. No one could be better at teaching her the art of seduction than the ton's most notorious rake. Josie knows that Garret is hopelessly in love with his new fiancee, the chic Sylvie de la Broderie, but when she begins to attract her own circle of suitors, Josie discovers that she might be better at the game of love than she thought since Garret seems just the slightest bit jealous of her new success! With her usual stylish writing, exquisite sensuality, brilliant characterization, and sharp wit, James follows " The Taming of the Duke "(2006) with the splendidly satisfying conclusion to her marvelous Essex sisters quartet.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)