Sabrina Jeffries’ ‘The Study of Seduction’ Examines Surprisingly Modern Issues [REVIEW]

When a couple is forced into a marriage neither of them planned on, will their union lead to love? Find out in Sabrina Jeffries’ THE STUDY OF SEDUCTION. (Photo courtesy Pocket Books)

In Sabrina Jeffries’ The Study of Seduction, an earl reluctantly agrees to help his best friend by watching out for his ward when he has to leave the country on business. The only problem is that the impetuous young woman has a mind of her own and has unwittingly become the object of a diplomat’s dangerous obsession. 

Almost as if she is channeling the spirit of Jane Austen, Jeffries creates a memorable cast of characters and peppers their dialogue with cheeky humor. Edwin Barlow, the Earl of Blakeborough, is a longtime bachelor with a droll wit that by turns infuriates and intrigues Lady Clarissa Lindsey. Their banter is fresh, funny and smart, and despite the story’s historical setting, the author has managed to make it authentic and modern, a trick that will obviously keep readers engaged.

Pocket Books

The novel’s villain is also quite devious and intent on claiming Clarissa as his own. French Count Geraud Durand is undeniably charming, powerful, handsome, and beguiling. But he is also vicious and ruthless, which ads a layer of intrigue to the novel that is surprising and will keep readers turning the pages.

As Edwin and Clarissa do their best to stay two steps ahead of Durand, they find themselves caught in a lie that leads to a marriage they didn’t plan on, but which they must accept if they’re to avoid the Count’s treachery.

On the face of it, The Study of Seduction is a historical romance. Yet it is also so much more in that it addresses issues women still face today: feminism in an ever changing landscape, the definitions of gender roles in society, and the tragic effects of predatory crime on the human psyche. But Jeffries handles all of these topics with a deft, skillful hand.

If you loved classic love stories like Emma and Pride and Prejudice, but like your stories with a little more sizzle and modern perspective, you’ll love Sabrina Jeffries’ “Sinful Suitors” series and its latest addition, The Study of Seduction. 

Sabrina Jeffries
(Photo by Jessica Blakely for Tamara Lackey Photography)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sabrina Jeffries (aka Deborah Martin and Deborah Nicholas) is the award-winning author of 39 novels, six novellas, and three short stories, including the last book in her Duke’s Men series, If the Viscount Falls, and the launch book in her new Sinful Suitors series, The Art of Sinning. 

After earning her Ph.D. in English Literature from Tulane University, she chose writing over academics, and now her sexy and humorous historical romances routinely land on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.

With more than 8 million books in print, she never regrets that decision to leave academia to pursue the fantastic world of fiction writing. Sabrina lives in Cary, North Carolina, with her husband Rene, and adult son, Nick, who has inspired her to actively champion the cause of autistic children.

Visit Sabrina at her home on the Web at SabrinaJeffries.com, like her on Facebook, follow her on Twitter, and watch her boards on Pinterest.

THE STUDY OF SEDUCTION
By Sabrina Jeffries
384 pgs. Pocket Books. $7.99