Sinful in Satin (The Rarest Blooms) Mass Market Paperback – September 28, 2010

The story line is compelling.

I am a recent Madeline Hunter fan, but the Rarest Blooms series is my definite favorite thus far! Sinful in Satin is Celia's story (for those of you who have read any of the other books in this series), and is the third book of four in the series. Sinful in Satin is just as enjoyable as the first two books in the series, Ravishing in Red and Provocative in Pearls, yet is good enough to stand on its own if you haven't read the first two. Having read the entire series, I implore everyone to read the first three prior to reading Dangerous in Diamonds (the fourth and final installment), since the first three heighten the anticipation of the final couple's story.Back to this novel...both hero and heroine are well-developed characters, with problems that a 21st century citizen can appreciate and relate to. It's incredibly easy to empathize with our heroine, because she struggles with making it on her own - a problem we face today - yet Hunter never lets you forget she's alone in the 19th century, where it was interminably more difficult to be a single lady. The hero also faces problems of his own, and its nice to read about a hero who isn't the most eligible bachelor of the Season, for once.Seriously, I can't say enough good things about the whole series, and Sinful in Satin is probably my second favorite of the four (and only because the first three built up the couple in Dangerous in Diamonds so much that they can't help but be your favorites).

When Celia Pennifold inherits the house left to her by her famous courtesan mother, she gets more than just a building. She also inherits its mysterious tennent, Jonathan Albrighton, the bastard son of an earl, whose past includes working for the government in the war against the French. Celia is determined to start a life of her own, a life very different than the one her mother led. Jonathan is also determined. He's on a mission from his uncle to find the list of Celia's mother's "protectors." His search begins to reveal secrets long ago buried and soon the two of them are involved in a search for Celia's father. There's also rumors that Celia's mother might have been a spy, and the possibility that Jonathan's parentage is not as clear cut as it seems. Plus, when an old debt surfaces, Celia is forced to consider taking up her mother's career.I adored both Celia and Jonathan and did not want this story to end. The romance is superb, the sex scenes are exquisite, and the secondary characters (hero and heroine from both Ravishing in Red and Provacative in Pearls) are a delight. I especially loved Castelford (the hero for book 4- Dangerous in Diamonds) and cannot wait for his story.Historical romance does not get better than this!

Out of the three books (the fourth comes out in May 2011) in the regency quartet series this one was the smoothest. It was hard to put down, and the ending was better then I expected. It was not necessary to read the first two books but was much easier to feel the relationships between the Rarest Blooms and the four men. Celia is a strong young women with a hard upbringing and a rough title to follow, while Jonathan is an established operative from the war. They both have mirroring family situations and connect on a physical and mental level rarely touched in series.

So far the best in the series. Can't wait for Daphne's story!We get more of a look into Castleford's character in this installation. I've been wanting to find out about Daphne since the first book. Finally, the romance in this story was better and more apparent than in the other two. Celia is a very real character. Jonathon was a perfect match for her.

The thing I liked most about this book is that it did not contain the filler you so often find in historical romance novels. In many they stretch the story by describing in minute detail the clothing, horses, dogs, and houses of the characters. This was a love story, with romance, mystery, and a plot. Read and enjoy.

Having read  Ravishing in Red  which I loved, and  Provocative in Pearls which I liked, I had high hopes for the 3rd book in the series. Unfortunately, it did not deliver. There was not any chemistry between the H/H, they are very boring, and their romance was tepid at best. The big mystery was like wet fireworks. The only time the book became even remotely interesting was when Castleford appeared on the scene. I am hoping that the 4th book in the series,  Dangerous in Diamonds is more like the first 2 books.

Old stories written by dead authors, new stories written by authors still alive, can be just as good to read today as they were when written. Reading about Regency England is my favorite time period to enjoy. I picked this story because the author's style of storytelling matches my reading interest level. A sexually involved story to make the mind think.

Madeline Hunter writes well and her stories are well fleshed out. This book is the third in her Rare Blooms series and is centered around Celia Pennington, the daughter of a famed courtesan. Celia, however, has not chosen to become a whore like her mother. With her mother's death, however, it becomes known just who she is which presents various problems. The book had a suitable denouement and I enjoyed it.

When first introduced to Madeline Hunter by Reviews on Amazon in the first place, I have enjoyed all of her books, especially starting with The 'Seducer' onwards and my favourite was Rules of Seduction with Easterbrook (how I loved that man!).This series however, is much more gentle; I didn't read Provocative in Pearls because Hawkeswell and Verity didn't grab me enough, but thought I would give this one a chance. I enjoyed it, but only to keep up until I read the last in the series with Castleford's story; he is, I think, very attractive and an unknown quantity just like Easterbrook was.So, although I agree in the main with the other reviewers, I am glad I read it to continue the link until the main dish, coming in a month or so.Maybe her next book will have a bit more depth and more bite or her fans will go elsewhere.

I really enjoyed the first two books in the series and was looking forward to this one. It's an okay story but well, rather dull. I spent the whole story waiting for something to happen. There are some oblique references to background intrigue but it didn't really engage me at all.Disappointing.

Enjoyed this as much as her previous books

Very good series