Brothers of the Absinthe Club
Initiating Christian
A scandal shy woman and a secret admirer...
Lauren DeSerre is widowed, independent, and most importantly, values
respectability. It was bad enough that her affair with the notorious Duke of
Bellingham ever came to light, but when her rakish former lover reveals his
younger brother has a penchant for her, she cannot believe she is the least
bit tempted. One taste of scandal was more than enough. However, Christian
is just the opposite of the devilish duke, and his interest unexpectedly
intrigues her.
Christian Foster harbors a hidden passion. He knows he isn't in the least
like his charming older sibling, especially when it comes to women, but it
doesn't stop him from having a fantasy or two about the captivating woman he
just can't get out of his mind. When he discovers he has an opportunity to
spend a clandestine evening with the luscious Lauren DeSerre, he can't help
but accept. After all, it might be his only chance to prove to her that when
you couple love with physical attraction, the combination can be
combustible...
Sensuality Rating: SIZZLING
Genre: Historical
Length: 27,000 words
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Larger Cover
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Cover Art by Jinger
Heaston
INITIATING CHRISTIAN
Brothers of the Absinthe Club
ISBN: 1-60601-085-9
E-book $3.99

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REVIEWS for Initiating Christian
5
Angels:
"Initiating Christian is a delightfully sinful story. I
was drawn in immediately to the story. This is not your typical erotic romance,
it has a great twist and has the reader rooting for the outcome. Christian is
quietly sexy. He is a unique character, not the usual run of the mill hero. He’s
initially unsure and shy but blossoms under Lauren's touch. Lauren is gracious
and beautiful. Her character is very interesting and I found the interaction
between her and Christian undeniably refreshing. The sexual encounters are
amazing. Ms. Wildes never disappoints and as always, I look forward to more
wonderful stories by this talented author."
—Dawnie, Fallen Angel Reviews
5
Stars:
"This book differs from the rest of the series in that the
story is unfolding as we read it, rather than being recounted for the enjoyment
of the Brothers of the Absinthe Club. It is also the sweetest of all the
stand-alone offerings in the series. I fell in love with Christian who is almost
too perfect, tall, gloriously handsome, very wealthy, completely in love, and a
romantic to the depths of his very soul. Lauren is chaste despite having had one
lover and is only convinced to spend the night with him when she learns
Christian has been anonymously sending her flowers for months. She is gentle and
very in love, but worried about the age difference. Adam’s wife is insecure
after giving birth, worried that Adam was not able to endure the enforced
celibacy caused by the difficulties of pregnancy. She fears Adam is having an
affair with Lauren and sets out to catch him in the act.
The result is quite a
surprise for all of them. The sex between Christian and Lauren is very hot since
she is teaching Christian all the tricks she learned from his very experienced
brother. The ending as well as the rest of the story is delightful. This is one
I’ll be reading over and over."
—Karen Haas, Just Erotic Romance Reviews
5
Cherries:
"I was amazed with the depth of story and character in so few
pages. The characters are well developed and very likable. With Christian's
brother Adam having such a strong part in the story, I was afraid Christian
would be overshadowed or seen as an inferior character. This was far from the
case. Ms. Wildes portrays Adam as a virile and strong man, but it is clear he is
a supporting character and Christian stands in no ones shadow. Christian is the
man in control and Lauren is more than worthy to take him on. Together, they
took my breath away.
The pace was spot on. There was more than enough
description to allow you to see the scene and characters well. Ms. Wildes rounds
out the story with interesting supporting characters. I even laughed out loud
with one scene involving Christian's sister-in-law.
The plot was simple and straightforward, with nothing
cheesy about it. There were no villains or villainous moments, but the story
didn't lack for substance. There was one main conflict threaded throughout the
story and it is solved quite nicely. To be honest, this is a sweet story told in
a spicy way. For me, I would like to see more of these and I will definitely
look for more books (of all length) by this author."
—Gardenia, Whipped Cream
4 Cups:
"Initiating Christian is a wickedly romantic story
about a man's first time, and the woman who is not only his fantasy but his
teacher as well. This is a wonderful story, that for once tells the tale of a
man's introduction to the art of love by an older experienced woman. It is such a
refreshing change of pace from the normal innocent girl, and older wiser male
lover. I really enjoyed reading how Christian went from shy virgin to becoming
experienced in the arms of Lauren. This story was an entertaining one that was
easy to get into from the first few pages. I really enjoyed reading it."
—LeeAnn, Coffee Time Romance
The excerpt
or excerpts
below contain
explicit adult language and sexual content.
By
reading any further, you are stating that you are at
least 18 years of age. If you are under the age of
18, it is necessary to exit this site.
___________________________________________
Copyright © 2008
All rights reserved, Siren Publishing, Inc. Cannot be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without expressly permitted to do so in writing from the
publisher.
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EXCERPT
The townhouse was fashionably elegant, but on a
quiet street, and the place had the air of being unoccupied.
Except for that small yellow glow that indicated
someone was there.
Shaking his head, Christian climbed the steps and
tried the key. It worked perfectly, the latch clicking open
neatly, and the door swung open on well-oiled hinges. Inside,
the place smelled slightly musty, as if it was unlived in, and
he stepped into the foyer.
“Hello?”
His voice echoed a little and he cleared his
throat and tried again. “Hello?”
Nothing.
Bloody Adam, Christian thought irritably. If his
older brother thought this was funny…
“Christian?”
He froze. The voice was light, melodic, and
unmistakably female, and it came from behind him. Whirling
around, he saw that a woman stood framed in the doorway. The
evening was warm and she wore her wrap only loosely around her
slender shapely shoulders. Her gown was low-cut and elegant, and
her lustrous blond hair caught in a loose chignon at her nape.
Dark blue eyes framed by lush lashes gazed at him, and as he
watched in utter astonishment, she stepped inside and quietly
closed the door behind her.
“I see we arrived about the same time. That’s
convenient, I suppose.”
His mind was a blank. Lauren DeSerre appearing
out of nowhere was such a shock he literally had no voice.
When he didn’t speak, her smooth brow furrowed
slightly. “Adam rather assured me you would be happy to see me
here. If that isn’t the case…”
Cognizant thought returned, and with it at least
a sense of politeness. “Of course, I am delighted to see you,”
he stammered, sounding to his own ears like an idiot. He
swallowed and said more calmly, “Forgive me. All my brother did
was hand me a card with this address on it. When I arrived to
find an empty house, I wondered if Adam had decided to play a
joke on me.” He paused, gazing at her and taking in her stunning
beauty. “I confess I’m still not certain that isn’t the case,”
he added quietly. “Why are you here?”
She blushed then, color rising becomingly to her
cheeks. “He didn’t tell you?”
Christian shook his head. God, she is so
beautiful…those eyes, slightly almond shaped and
gorgeous, and her skin, so smooth like ivory, and that body…
“I’m told it’s your birthday.”
What that had to with anything he wasn’t sure,
but he was truthfully too off balance by her arrival to think
quite clearly. “Yes, it is,” he admitted, well-aware she
probably still viewed him as a boy, and not a man.
Lauren smiled then, a small enticing curve of her
soft mouth that made his pulse increase the pace. “I thought we
might celebrate it together here tonight.”
Of all the things he expected her to say, that
was the last. Speechless again, he just stood there, telling
himself he must have a fever and be hallucinating. Maybe he was
asleep, and this was a fantastical dream…
“Upstairs,” she added simply.
Upstairs. Where there are bedrooms.
“You aren’t serious.” He didn’t even sound
remotely like himself and he cleared his throat. Hastily, he
amended, “I mean, I hope you are, but I can’t quite believe
this.”
She moved for the first time, taking a slow step
toward him. “I take it the idea appeals to you?”
He might be young, but he caught the sense of her
female power and her awareness of it. Catching the faint
fragrance of her perfume drift in the air, he nodded. “Yes.”
It was embarrassing, but he already was well on
his way to having a full-blown erection. That fast, just from a
few suggestive words and a whiff of her signature scent.
“I know about the flowers you have been sending
me.” Her tone was soft. “Your notes were very…endearing. Thank
you.”
“You are welcome, of course.” If Adam hadn’t
apparently arranged this, Christian would want to kill him for
telling her.
“Your brother owns this house as an investment of
some sort,” she said, glancing down the darkened hallway. “It’s
unoccupied at the moment, but he did send someone to prepare one
of the bedrooms.” She smiled almost mischievously. “I certainly
hope there’s champagne so we can toast your special day.”
Christian didn’t give a damn about his birthday.
He just hoped he wouldn’t wake up from this particular fantasy.
She gazed up at him expectantly and he automatically offered his
arm, something he’d done hundreds of times when escorting ladies
various places, but the light clasp of Lauren’s fingers sent
heat spiking through his body.
His cock stiffened further.
There was a set of stairs at the end of the
hallway, and at the top, he discovered the source of the light
came from a well-lit and spacious bedroom. The bed was made up
in satin sheets and an embroidered coverlet already neatly
turned back in invitation for occupation. There was not only
champagne in a bucket of cool water, but also chocolates, and
some fresh strawberries, almost impossible to obtain this time
of year, in a small silver bowl. It was a nice gesture, as Adam
knew he particularly favored strawberries, but how his brother
thought any kind of food would matter when Lauren DeSerre
apparently wanted to spend the night with him was a mystery.
SIREN SEX Rating
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SENSUAL:
Traditional romance, suitable for the general
audience (BookStrand) |
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STEAMY:
Heavy sexual tension; graphic details; may contain
coarse language (BookStrand) |
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SIZZLING:
Erotic, graphic sex; explicit sexual language; may offend delicate
readers (SIREN) |
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SCORCHING:
Erotica romance; contains many sexual encounters; may contain unconventional
sex; will offend delicate readers (SIREN) |
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SEXTREME:
Excessive or non-exclusive sex; many instances of unconventional sex; may be hardcore; not for the faint-hearted
(SIREN) |
SIREN BOOK LENGTH
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NOVELLA:
15,000-25,000
words |
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NOVEL:
25,000-55,000
words |
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FULL
NOVEL: 55,000-80,000
words |
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PLUS
NOVEL:
80,000-100,000
words |
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SUPER
PLUS
NOVEL:
100,000-140,000
words |
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HUMONGOUS
NOVEL:
140,000+
words |
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