Day, Sylvia. Bad Boys Ahoy! Feb. 2006. 368p. Kensington/Brava, paper, $14 (0-7582-1251-8).
Three sexy rakes wreak havoc in the romantic lives of three Regency ladies in this loosely, yet cleverly, connected trio of novellas. In “Stolen Pleasures,†wealthy merchant’s daughter Olivia Merrick discovers that her new husband, Sebastian Blake, is the notorious pirate “Captain Phoenix.†In “Lucien’s Gamble,†Lucien Remington, the libertine owner of London’s most scandalous gaming hall, is intrigued by the lovely Lady Julienne La Coeur, who has come to pay off her brother’s gambling debts. In “Her Mad Grace,†when Hugh La Coeur is forced to take shelter from a snowstorm in the mad Duchess of Glenmoore’s estate, he meets the Duchess’ fascinating companion Charlotte. Day provides plenty of richly detailed love scenes in each tale, and her wickedly entertaining combination of steamy sex and bold language is certain to be appreciated by readers who like hot historicals by Virginia Henley and Susan Johnson. â€â€John Charles, Booklist
BTW, I’m blogging on the Writer Babes this week, if you’re interested in more ramblings from me. 
Trish,
I asked my editor and she confirmed that “Stolen Pleasures” was put first because it was the Readers’ Choice Winner.
on February 7th, 2006 at 11:26 am
Hi Trish!! I’m so happy you liked BBA. Very happy!!
For your first question, it was my editor’s decision to order the stories #2, #1, #3. I did point it out to her. I’m assuming she wanted the Readers’ Choice winning story first. Maybe? I don’t know. That’s the only thing I can think of.
For your second question, yes! Kathleen E. Woodiwiss is an inspiration for me. I love her romances, and I did read THE FLAME AND THE FLOWER many, many years ago. I’m thinking it’s been 15 years, at least, since I last read it. But no, any similarities are complete happenstance. Now I’m dying to read it and see what you’re talking about. I will have to order another copy and read it again.
I have THE WOLF AND THE DOVE, SHANNA, and A ROSE IN WINTER on my keeper shelf. I also have THREE WEDDINGS AND A KISS (Love both the Loretta Chase and Lisa Kleypas stories in that one!). I don’t have any of Kathleen’s others, although I think I’ve read them all except for her most recent ones. I stopped buying her newer ones after PETALS ON THE RIVER, which I didn’t like.
on February 6th, 2006 at 7:54 pm
I LOVED BBA! I have two questions though. First, was there a particular reason that the stories weren’t sequenced chronologically? Was this to keep Hugh’s irresponsibility fresh for HMG? Second, is Kathleen E Woodiwiss an inspiration for you? I ask because there was a scene in SP that was very reminiscent of a scene from The Flame and the Flower. The scene where Sebastian climbs the rigging and Olivia is frightened and yells at him for risking his life. So like when Brandon did the same (during a storm no less!) and Heather has the same reaction.
Anyway, Just wanted to say I loved the book and look forward to reading future books!
on February 6th, 2006 at 5:36 pm
Terrific review. Love the comparisons.:grin: I’m not surprised in the least. You’re hot kiddo. :cheer:
on February 6th, 2006 at 8:47 am