While The Belle's Stratagem juxtaposes two different story lines, the essential theme concerns men learning to respect the women in their lives both before and after marriage. This theme of respect is closely mirrored in my erotic historical novella, A BREACH OF PROMISE.
Like Cowley's play, the premise of my story is an engagement contracted by the hero and heroine's parents when they were very young. Also similar is that my own hero, Marcus, like Cowley's Doricourt, has been many years travelling abroad and has recently returned to England a handsome, fashionable, and much sought after bachelor, but one who has learned to appreciate continental beauty and manners far above those of his own countrywomen.
Cowley's Leticia is smitten by her erstwhile finance but dismayed by his apparent indifference to her charms and vows to "win his heart or never be his wife." The unusual stratagem employed to win him over is based on the belief that it is "easier to convert a sentiment into its opposite than to transform indifference into tender passion." These circumstance and sentiments closely match those of my own heroine, Lydia Trent in A BREACH OF PROMISE. Determined to rebuff the arrogant and conceited Marcus at every turn, Lydia wages a battle royale only to discover she is defenseless against his counter-strategy of seduction.
With scorching sensuality combined with humor, witty dialogue and colorful characters, I promise a fun and engaging read!
ABOUT VICTORIA VANE
Victoria Vane is a #1 bestselling award-winning author of smart and sexy romance. Her works range from comedic romps to emotionally compelling erotic romance and have received over twenty awards and nominations including: a 2016 Red Carpet Finalist for both Rough Rider and Jewel Of The East, 2015 Red Carpet Finalist for Best Contemporary romance (Slow Hand), 2014 RONE Winner for Best Historical Post Medieval Romance (Treacherous Temptations), and Library Journal Best Ebook Romance of 2012 (The Devil DeVere series). She currently resides in Palm Coast, Florida with her husband, two sons, a little black dog, and an Arabian horse.