His Harlot

Equal parts salacious and profound, the erotic romance that launches the Victorian Decadence series from LaViolette (The Footman) sees a sex worker fall in love with her client in Victorian England. Wealthy, dominant businessman Edward Fanshaw has been infatuated with stoic beauty Nora Hudson for months, becoming a regular client of hers at Madame Tosca’s gentleman’s establishment. He offers her a yearlong contract as his mistress, hoping to get her out of his system and break her hold over him. Though wary of her growing feelings for Edward, Nora agrees, moving into his house as his “ward.” Neither are particularly forthcoming about their feelings—Nora especially hides her inner life from Edward—but both enjoy their escalating dominant/submissive relationship. Things are further complicated when Edward marries young Lady Catherine to secure his social standing and get an heir. Catherine despises Edward but becomes smitten with Nora and the women embark on a secret sexual relationship of their own. When Edward finds out, he banishes Nora—but can the star-crossed lovers really forget each other? LaViolette keeps the tension high, delivering dark eroticism and emotional depth in equal measure. Readers will be hooked. (Self-published)