Angélique Latham has grown up at magnificent Belgrave Castle under the loving tutelage of her father, the Duke of Westerfield, after the death of her aristocratic French mother. At eighteen she is her father’s closest, most trusted child, schooled in managing their grand estate. But when he dies, her half-brothers brutally turn her out, denying her very existence. Angélique has a keen mind, remarkable beauty, and an envelope of money her father pressed upon her. To survive, she will need all her resources—and one bold stroke of fortune.
Unable to secure employment without references or connections, Angélique desperately makes her way to Paris, where she rescues a young woman fleeing an abusive madam—and suddenly sees a possibility: Open an elegant house of pleasure that will protect its women and serve only the best clients. With her upper-class breeding, her impeccable style, and her father’s bequest, Angélique creates Le Boudoir, soon a sensational establishment where powerful men, secret desires, and beautiful, sophisticated women come together. But living on the edge of scandal, can she ever make a life of her own—or regain her rightful place in the world?
From England to Paris to New York, Danielle Steel captures an age of upheaval and the struggles of women in a male-ruled society—and paints a captivating portrait of a woman of unquenchable spirit, who in houses great or humble is every ounce a duchess.
Incomparable storyteller Danielle Steel illuminates rarely glimpsed precincts of unimaginable wealth and power where love and freedom are the most dangerous desires of all Natasha Leonova s beauty saved her life Discovered on a freezing Moscow street by a Russian billionaire she has lived for seven years under his protection immersed in rarefied luxury while he pursues his activities in a dark world that she guesses at but never sees Her home is the world often on one of Vladimir Stanislas s spectacular yachts manned by scores of heavily armed crew members Natasha s job is to keep Vladimir happy ask no questions and be discreet She knows her place and the rules She feels fortunate to be spoiled and protected and is careful not to dwell on Vladimir s ruthlessness or the deadly circles he moves in She experiences only his kindness and generosity and believes he will always keep her safe She is unfailingly loyal to him in exchange Theo Luca is the son of a brilliant world famous and difficult artist Lorenzo Luca who left his wife and son with a fortune in artwork they refuse to sell Lorenzo s widow Maylis has transformed their home in St Paul de Vence into a celebrated restaurant decorated with her late husband s paintings and treats it as a museum There on a warm June evening Theo first encounters Natasha the most exquisite woman he has ever seen And there Vladimir lays eyes on Luca s artwork Two dangerous obsessions begin Theo a gifted artist in his own right finds himself feverishly painting Natasha s image for weeks after their first meeting Vladimir enraged that Lorenzo s works are not for sale is determined to secure a painting at any price And Natasha who knows that she cannot afford to make even one false move nevertheless begins to think of a world of freedom she can never experience as Vladimir s mistress.
So these are my two reads for April, according to our PACT and the schedule! HA. I am enjoying reading two of Danielle’s books a month. I am used to the narrative of her voice and it’s quite calming and familiar. A nice part of my reading scope in my currently faster paced life of late. I do not believe she gets enough credit for her massive ability to write!
A little fluff is good for all. And her fluff is actually quite meaty.
Peace.
