Elizabeth Hoyt
The Raven Prince (2006)
Author: Elizabeth Hoyt
Genre: Romance (Historical)
Plot Summary:
Anna Wren is determined not to let the Earl of Swartingham’s abrasive temperament drive her away. As a widow, Anna depends on the income she earns from her secretarial position with the earl to make ends meet. But after several weeks of working for Edward, Anna discovers a mysterious bill in his desk from Aphrodite’s Grotto, a high-class London brothel. Both intrigued and dismayed, Anna cannot stop herself from fantasizing about the earl and his visits to the brothel. When sexual tension builds between them, Edward announces that he is going to London in a veiled attempt to distance himself from her. Anna knows that he is pushing her away and devises a plan to trick Edward into becoming her lover by disguising herself as a prostitute at Aphrodite’s Grotto. SPOILER: Edward discovers that Anna deceived him by seducing him at the brothel. He insists that they marry because he has compromised her good name. Initially Anna refuses but eventually she agrees because she cannot resist her love for him.
Geographical Setting: Little Battleford, England
Time Period: 1760
Appeal Characteristics:
This quick-read novel leaves readers in a state of lustful anticipation as Edward and Anna resist their attraction for each other. A relationship between them is taboo—Edward is a prominent member of the aristocracy and Anna is a common woman. Further, Edward is Anna’s employer and she depends on his income to survive. This forbidden love coupled with an unequal power dynamic creates a tension that keeps readers turning the pages. Character dialogue is witty and readers are amused by double entendres. Characters are slowly developed; Edward and Anna reveal information about themselves only in reaction to present situations. And both characters undergo a transformation: Edward becomes a less cantankerous man and Anna struggles to become an independent woman. The emphasis of the story is on Edward and Anna’s sexual feelings toward each other, which are explicitly described. The tone is extremely sensual and is not for prudent readers. While this is a historical romance, the setting is of secondary importance and readers receive only small glimpses of life in Little Battleford.
Read-alikes: Readers who like Hoyt’s witty writing style and heated romantic encounters should try Mary Balogh’s Slightly Dangerous. In this historical romance, the Duke of Bewcastle, a reclusive and aloof man, falls in love with Christine, a very unsuitable woman. Both try to deny their feelings for each other at first, but eventually give in. Readers looking for a romance with an employer-employee theme should try And Then He Kissed Her by Laura Lee Guhrke. Emma Dove, like Anna in The Raven Prince, works as a secretary for Viscount Marlowe. After years of poor treatment she accepts a job with another man and begins living her life as an independent woman. This transformation captures the affection of Marlowe and he becomes determined to win her back. Readers may also like Hoyt’s second book, The Leopard Prince, which features an unequal power dynamic between Lady Georgina and her land steward, Harry. Lady Georgina is not looking for love but for some reason cannot resist Harry’s charms. For a spicy romance with lots of explicit sexuality, try Barbara Pierce’s Wicked Under the Covers. Like The Raven Prince, this title was nominated for a Best Sensual Historical Romance award from the Romantic Times. In Wicked Under the Covers, Lady Carlisle falls in love with Maccus Brawley while plotting revenge against her father’s mistress, which involves taking down Brawley. Readers who liked Anna and Edward’s attempts to control their feelings for each other should try Loretta Chase’s Not Quite a Lady. After being hurt by love at age 16, Charlotte is determined not to marry. Her father, however, has other plans for her and thinks their new neighbor Darius is a suitable match. Both try to hide their feelings for each other, but eventually realize that they have found true love.
Red Flags: explicit sexual description; prostitution; explicit language.
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