Judith‘s review of Watercolorist’s Seduction by Janne Lewis

Sophia Kincaid is a destitute widow living on her aunt’s charity in the small village of Cransford, Massachusetts, at the beginning of the 19th century. Unlike her neighbors, who seem to be as morally rigid as their Puritan ancestors, Sophia is tormented by intense desires she tries to satisfy with vivid sexual fantasies. Her dream lover leaves her frustrated and yearning for a man of solid flesh and muscle.

Captain Stanhope hopes that quiet country living in Cransford will bring him relief from heartbreak. He hires Sophia to use her skill as a watercolorist to paint the fascinating objects in his collection. Though he is overbearing and condescending, he is also irresistibly attractive, and Sophia craves his body. Her lust turns to love when she discovers the depth of his passions. But Capt. Stanhope is determined to fight his love for her. To grasp her one chance at happiness, Sophia will have to risk ruin and use her art to seduce him so that both can taste the pleasure they so desperately need.

This is a warm and readable historical short story that is set in 19th century America, where the morals and social oppression of women were as restrictive as Regency England. There was little a woman could expect if she did not have a male relative to insure her comfort and fiancial stability, and for most widows it was a poor life indeed. Most became little more than unpaid slaves in the households of resentful relatives. While Sophia’s aunt does not appear to be resentful of her in this short story, there are definitely indications that the boundaries of society that hemmed in the actions and relationships of widows were uppermost on the mind of Sophia’s aunt. Certainly the aunt’s friends and social contacts were highly critical of Sophia in a soft-spoken, snide sort of manner that we all know often inflict deeper wounds than direct cuts. Thus when Sophia had an opportunity to paint Capt. Stanhope’s object d’art, she jumped at the chance to use her art for some much needed personal income as well as break out of the smothering and deadly boredom that almost overwhelmed her on a daily basis. It would seem that the good Captain was a critical and persnickity person, but as the story progresses it becomes clear that his seemingly harsh and distant demeanor toward Sophia is more about him as he guards his heart than an indication of a particularly critical nature.

Both of these characters are oppressed in one way or the other. Sophia has society on her case–a widow’s life is virtually over unless some man determines to make her his wife. Her sexuality and beauty go “under cover” and other widows or single women view them as interlopers in the matrimonial market. Sophia had two-thirds of her life before her and she was not ready to “die” socially or any other way. Capt. Stanhope is smothered by his own fear of rejection and betrayal, hiding and nursing emotional wounds caused by another woman. He is so fearful that he is willing to forego his growing love for Sophia and prepares to leave this little village to live in Boston–literally to “get lost” in Boston.

This is a story that pulls at the heart strings. It is one of those stories where I find myself “rooting” for one of the characters–in this case, Sophia–as she takes her life and her future in her own hands, literally putting everything on the line–her love, her hopes for the future, her life, and her reputation–in order to confront the good captain with what he stands to lose if he backs away from the passion and love they bear one another.

This is certainly not an original plot nor is the situation unusual. But it is a love story that readers seem pleased to re-visit often and which most romance fans find very satisfying. The unique aspect of this story is a woman of the early 19th century who is an artist (they were often considered to be persons of questionable morals anyway) and who uses that artistic talent to benefit her bank account (not often done in those days) as well as a talent which keeps her in contact with the very eligible captain. She is a woman of creativity on many fronts, and that is the spice that enhances this story and which makes it unique.

This is the first literary offering by this author I have encountered, but it demonstrates a talent for good writing and the ability to tell a very good love story in a small number of pages. Ms Lewis does all this with a very competent grasp of the historical realities which form the context, and the cast of characters are all very real. I liked the story–it was not difficult to read but it held my interest throughout the work. Thus, I give this work a 3.75 out of 5 rating.

This book is available from Ellora’s Cave. You can buy it here in e-format.

You can read more from Judith at Dr. J’s Book Place.