Review: Simply Sexual by Kate Pearce

Title: Simply Sexual
Author: Kate Pearce
Genre: Erotic Historical Romance
Publisher: Aphrodisia 
Series: House of Pleasure #1

~*~Synopsis from Goodreads~*~

Ten years as a sex slave in a Turkish brothel left Lord Valentin Sokorvsky with an insatiable appetite for sex. Now the time has come for him to marry, but finding a woman who can satisfy his lustful desires proves a challenge...until he meets Sara and all he can think about is having her lie under his rock-hard body, begging him to taste and touch her...

Sensual Seduction

Sara Harrison knows she should be shocked and scandalized by Lord Sokorvsky's bold advances, but instead she is secretly aroused by this sensual, seductive man. For beneath her calm and composed manner is a wanton woman who longs for a man's intimate caress. She is most willing to be educated in the art of sensuality, to receive and give pleasure and to succumb to the wild desire that knows no limits

Bring your fan, cold towel, and ice bucket when you're ready to dive into this wickedly sensual read! In this first book of the series House of Pleasures by Kate Pearce, you will embark on a story of past pain, present turmoil, and future healing, as two people learn to live, trust in, and love one another, when it seems as though the world is bent on going against them.

This was not just a first book in a series for me, but also the first time experiencing this author. After coming highly recommended in the area of erotic historical romance, I can testify to the reasons why. Ms. Pearce does a great job at weaving plot with some extremely rich erotic content.


You are introduced immediately to the main characters, as well as the premise of the plot.  And while it's not the strongest plot, it does stay consistant and mysterious, making you turn the pages to find out more. The action with both the protagonists and antagonists moves very quickly. So much in fact, that I kept thinking, 'Is it going to end now'? However, that's where the extra-curricular activities between the characters interjects. It's slightly hard for me to explain due to the fact that the plot itself is based primarily around the hero and how he learns to overcome his horrible past as a Turkish sex slave, all while seeking out the person, or persons, trying to destroy everything he has worked hard to create since returning home. 

Our hero, Valentin, has sex issues with a capital 'I'. His years living as a sex slave have left him with an insatiable appetite that he often fulfills with anyone willing to help him out. But, when his past rescuer needs his debt repaid, it is in the form of a marriage proposal to one of his daughters. Valentin obliges his savior thinking that it will help him in his own selfish ways. Since Valentine's return home, he has created a wealthy life for himself and business partner, Peter, who is also his best friend and co-captive in slavery.  However, someone from his past is determined to destroy his successful business and already delicately concealed past. While he has serious doubts that he will ever be able to live a somewhat normal lifestyle and stay faithfully married, he soon finds that his new bride is not an ordinary 'vanilla' society maiden, and can hold a candle to Valentin's lasciviousness. 

Sara is a unique heroine. She's completely naive and innocent, yet bold, intelegent, and highly sexually intrigued -- all of which are beyond the norms for her sex and time period. She's older than most woman who have never married due to her outspokenness, but still has a submissive side, which makes her a perfect partner for the extremely dominant Valentin. And, needless to say, Valentin slowly becomes quite taken with her. But, not so much so that it fully mends his cold, untrusting, and distant heart. It will take every ounce of determination  and sexual risk on Sara's part, as well as finding a strong alley in Peter, to heal Valentin of his past, all while saving him from being destroyed at the hands of his enemy.

While there are many very erotic moments in the story, there are also some emotional ones as well. And not just between the hero and heroine, but between Valentin and Peter. I really enjoyed the development of the relationship(s) and the triumphs and failures of the emotion that played out between the characters. You felt for the characters at their weak moments, and smiled with them at their strongest.

Simply Sexual, is just as the title reads. This is a highly erotic story with an easy to follow plot that will keep wondering who is set on destroying Valentin. The story unravels in an easy flow and well paced manor, with Ms. Pearce's writing style being easy to follow, keeping you flipping the pages to find out what's next! And the characters are fantastic! Ms. Pearce has also included some very risky sexual activities that may, or may not, have been realistic during this time period, but the way they are wrote makes you a believer! Simply Sexual is hot and satisfying from the first page to the last!


~*~Final Thoughts~*~

This is definitely an adult category book due to the strong graphic sexual content and language that includes voyeurism, sex toys, piercings, multiple partners, and even a little m/m action. It was obviously a hot read, and I can't wait to read the next book. I'm rating this a 4.5 based on the writing style, the development of the characters and the connection I got with them, the holy hotness, smutastic goodness, and most importantly... because the author has done a good job at making me want to seek out the next book; I need to find out more! 

 Author's Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble