An Indecent Proposition

by Emma Wildes

Book Overview

In a less than sober moment, London's two most notorious rakes--the Earl of Manderville and the Duke of Rothay--placed a very public wager on which of them is the superior lover. Now it's too late to retract the foolish bet, but what woman of beauty, intelligence, and discernment, would consent to bed both men and declare which is more skilled in satisfying her deepest desires? Lady Carolyn Wynn is the last woman anyone would expect to step forward...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451227085
• ISBN13: 9780451227089
• Release Date: April 2009
• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.1" x 6.5"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Romantic and beautifully written

I was worried that this book might be too indecent for me from the title - but I found from the very beginning this was a very moving and romantic story where the two most well known handsome and rich rakes of London fall in love and marry two wonderful women who I could really like. In fact, all four characters were very nice and interesting. The story starts with the outrageous bet between the very drunk Derek Drake, the Earl and Manderville and his friend Nicholas Manning, the Duke of Rothay. This bet was who was the best lover and was entered into the betting books at White's. This all led to an encounter that changed Nicholas' life and led Derek to finally realized his feelings towards a young woman who had just become engaged to someone else. This story was fun and came to a very satisfying end with lots of happy everlasting which is what I like!

A romantic romance novel

In spite of the cheesy cover and the fact that Wildes so far has written mostly erotic e-books, this was a very rewarding love story. Well written and well developed and the love scenes are not gratuitous. So I'm looking forward to her next historical romance, which is coming out sometime in the near (I hope) future.

Hard to put down!

Emma Wildes provides us with two touching romances in one. Sensual and textured this story is like eating a sinfully rich chocolate dessert while lounging on velvet sheets in a forbidden Eden. This story of two notorious rakes wagering a wicked bet on which of them is the best lover unfolds into a touching and endearing journey of four people battling their own inner demons to find the everlasting love they each thought impossible. Ms. Wildes brings these characters to life with thoughtful narrative and sparkling dialogue. Each scene so richly described you feel as though you are there. No matter what genre you prefer, this book is a must read for all.

An Indecent Proposition- A Joyfully Recommended Title

All of London is agog at the scandalous bet between the Duke of Rothay and the Earl of Manderville. Society's two most notorious rakes have placed a very public wager on which of them is the better lover and everyone is most eager to learn the results...everyone save the duke and earl, that is. For Nicholas and Derek, the duke and earl in question, the illicit wager was nothing more than an impetuous result of too many drinks. But despite the many offers received to act as judge, none appeal to either Nicholas or Derek, save one. Lady Caroline Wynn is the last woman anyone would expect to become involved in such a bargain. Though a young and beautiful widow, Caroline has an icy reputation meant to keep potential suitors at bay. While not desirous of a second husband after her first, horrible marriage, Caroline is eager to know what it would be like to experience true passion. And who better to teach her than Nicholas and Derek? If the duke and the earl are willing to keep her identity a secret, Caroline is happy to judge their contest and publish the results anonymously. But even the best-laid plans can go awry when playing with passion, if love gets in the mix. Prepare yourselves for one of the most sensual, tender, beautifully written romances of the year with An Indecent Proposition. Emma Wildes has written an utterly engaging tale with characters that are sure to win your heart. I absolutely adored Caroline; it's impossible not to. She's both intelligent and kind, but is not invulnerable. Her horrible marriage has left its mark on her and I was eager to see her overcome the effects of her late husband's cruelty. As for Nicholas, he is everything a hero should be and more. He's seductive, handsome, and bright, but also human. In other words, he's not perfect, which makes him all the more appealing. Events of his past have also left him wary of love, and with good reason. I couldn't stop reading An Indecent Proposition because I so wanted he and Caroline to find happiness with one another. An Indecent Proposition treats readers to not only one love story, but two. Very early in the tale we're introduced to Annabel, the woman Derek loves and, by his own mistake, lost. This story is every bit as much theirs as it is Nicholas and Caroline's and I couldn't be more delighted, as they are both endearing, charming characters. Derek and Annabel's love is one that has grown over time, versus the immediacy of Nicholas and Caroline's and I loved the contrasts. Ms. Wildes deftly weaves the intertwining romances to create a seamless, flowing dual romance. I Joyfully Recommend An Indecent Proposition. Ms. Wildes's singular talent for mixing eroticism with heart is showcased perfectly in this book. All four of her protagonists won me over and I was up reading late into the night, unable to put An Indecent Proposition down. Gorgeously penned and completely satisfying, An Indecent Proposition is not to be missed! Shayna Reviewed fo

5 blue ribbons from Romance Junkies

In a drunken moment Derek Drake, the Earl of Manderville, and Nicholas Manning, the sixth Duke of Rothay, make a wager that has the entire ton all atwitter. The wager is in regards to which of them is the superior lover and any number of women could attest to one or the others prowess but how will they possibly find one woman who would be willing to bed them both and publicly pronounce one of them as winner? Lady Caroline Wynn has absolutely no interest in ever marrying again and her cool and standoffish reputation makes her the least likely of candidates. Her husband's cruel treatment of her has her seriously doubting that any man can truly pleasure a woman but something in her is dying to find out if maybe, just maybe either of these men can deliver on their claim. Caroline's curiosity leads to a brash move on her part - she sends a missive to Nicholas offering her services as a judge of their prowess in the bedroom if they promise her complete discretion. She doesn't divulge her identity but once they express interest she arranges a place for them to meet - there the men are stunned to learn the identity of the woman willing to volunteer for such a hedonistic task. Her direct approach and insistence on discretion is a heady combination as are her youth and beauty. Nicholas and Derek agree to accept her offer even though both of them regret making such a reckless bet in the first place. Nicholas is taken with Caroline's wit and air of innocence and fully intends to discover all he can about her at his country estate where they'll spend a full week together. In the meantime, Derek remains in London and tries to come to grips with the fact that the woman he loves is engaged to another. Is there any possibility that a wager made when these two rakes overindulged in alcohol could prove to result in them finding their heart's desire? Emma Wildes has thoroughly enchanted e-book readers with her emotionally charged storylines so it was only a matter of time before the print world discovered this gem of an author. In AN INDECENT PROPOSAL a shocking bet leads to extraordinary circumstances and some emotional entanglements that none of the characters anticipate. What I found particularly stunning about this storyline is Caroline's bravado in even becoming involved in such a chancy endeavor. Her husband's treatment of her was abysmal and her insecurity and fear of intimacy is very easy to imagine. Of course, Nicholas's gentleness and seductive technique helps ease her fears - and leaves readers sighing in envy. Derek's skills are equally fine tuned but he's so brokenhearted he's finding it difficult to muster any enthusiasm for bedding Caroline. Ms. Wildes tells this story with plenty of compassion, humor and even a bit of suspense to keep readers riveted to each scandalous scene - and everything in between. Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)