Libertine's Kiss


Book Description

Abandoned by his cavalier father at a young age, William de Veres grew up knowing precious little happiness. But William has put the past firmly behind him and as a military hero and noted rake, he rises fast in the ranks of the hedonistic Restoration court. Though not before he is forced to seek shelter from a charming young Puritan woman… The civil wars have cost the once-high-spirited Elizabeth Walters her best friend and her father, leaving her unprotected and alone. She flees an unwanted marriage, seeking safe haven, but what she finds is something she never expected. When her kindness and her beauty bring her to the attention of William, and then the king, she will have a choice to make. After all, can a notorious libertine really be capable of love?




Gluttons and Libertines


Book Description

Examines "shibboleths about food and sex, feeding time and mating habits, insect-eating and cannibalism, incest, alcohol and narcotics, the use of clothing, the pursuit of gentility, human meanness and animal aggressiveness, the problem of being a crackpot, a phony or a square"--Jacket.




The Last Libertines


Book Description

An enthralling work of history about the Libertine generation that came up during—and was eventually destroyed by—the French Revolution. The Last Libertines, as Benedetta Craveri writes in her preface to the book, is the story of a group of “seven aristocrats whose youth coincided with the French monarchy’s final moment of grace—a moment when it seemed to the nation’s elite that a style of life based on privilege and the spirit of caste might acknowledge the widespread demand for change, and in doing so reconcile itself with Enlightenment ideals of justice, tolerance, and citizenship.” Here we meet seven emblematic characters, whom Craveri has singled out not only for “the romantic character of their exploits and amours—but also by the keenness with which they experienced this crisis in the civilization of the ancien régime, of which they themselves were the emblem.” Displaying the aristocratic virtues of “dignity, courage, refinement of manners, culture, [and] wit,” the Duc de Lauzun, the Vicomte de Ségur, the Duc de Brissac, the Comte de Narbonne, the Chevalier de Boufflers, the Comte de Ségur, and the Comte de Vaudreuil were at the same time “irreducible individualists” and true “sons of the Enlightenment,” all of them ambitious to play their part in bringing around the great changes that were in the air. When the French Revolution came, however, they found themselves condemned to poverty, exile, and in some cases execution. Telling the parallel lives of these seven dazzling but little-remembered historical figures, Craveri brings the past to life, powerfully dramatizing a turbulent time that was at once the last act of a now-vanished world and the first act of our own.




Puritans and Libertines


Book Description




Libertines and Harlots


Book Description

One of the clubs explored in this book is The Calf’s Head Club who celebrated the death of Charles I every year on the 30th January. A book of this nature would also be incomplete without the Earl of Rochester, the Duke of Wharton, Sir Francis Dashwood and Charles II who loved nothing more than a leg of mutton and a whore. In the 18th century the notorious members of the Hell Fire Clubs, the Knights of St. Francis and the Demoniac Club all fornicated around Scotland, England and Ireland. However, out of all the clubs in the 18th century that were in and out of vogue the Beggar’s Benison in the kingdom of Fife had to be the strangest. Their initiation ritual was rather bizarre and for most people unthinkable, to say the least. Norman was born in Edinburgh on the 21st July 1961. At sixteen Norman went into the sheet-metal working industry. He has also worked as a registered silversmith with Edinburgh Assay Office, been bouncer, a tour guide and has lectured on Scottish history. In 2001 he decided to accomplish something more arduous. He studied part time at the Open University for two years then at Edinburgh Napier University full time for four years. Norman’s academic achievements are a certificate in social science, an LLB (Bachelor of Laws) and an MSc in (Business Management). Both degrees inspired Norman to write his first book Scottish Culture and Traditions which was published in 2010 (ISBN 978-1-899820-79-5). His other interests are the restoration of classic motorbikes, cooking, history, and trying to play the violin. He is currently a 5th Dan in Shotokan Karate and has taught adults and children for nearly thirty years.




King of Libertines


Book Description

"What began as an unstoppable explosion of passion forged into something pivotal, essential, and more." Not a fan of historical romance? Unsure about reading a steamy pirate romance? To help you decide, this is a taste of the world and characters in SEA OF RUIN. It can be read before or after the full-length, stand-alone novel. It doesn't spoil the main story. "Beautiful, soul-shattering, and utterly delicious." ~ Ilsa Madden-Mills, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today bestselling author "Elegant writing that paints a romantic picture, swoon-worthy anti-heroes who make aggression oh so seductive, and a plot that balances on brutal and breath-taking." ~ Pepper Winters, New York Times bestselling author "Pam Godwin consumed my heart and soul through the brutal beauty of Sea of Ruin. I was enthralled, not only by the authentic vocabulary and historic references, but by the sheer wonder of this unique tale and the characters like no other. Sea of Ruin is an epic novel that goes far beyond five stars." ~ Aleatha Romig, New York Times bestselling author "Lush and all-consuming, delicious, and so beautifully, beautifully penned. This is one book I will never, ever forget." ~ Mia Sheridan, New York Times bestselling author "Skillfully executed, penned to perfection ... Sea of Ruin will leave you breathless. READ. THIS. BOOK!" ~ Jewel E. Ann, USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author "Sea of Ruin is a masterpiece. From the flawless, evocative prose, to the characters who live and breathe on the page, to the richly drawn world of the high seas, Pam Godwin has created no less than a work of art." ~ Emma Scott, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. "You'll find all the magic and darkly erotic allure in these pages. 5 stars is not enough for how much I enjoyed this wild adventure!" ~ Keri Lake, USA Today bestselling author "Powerful sorcery penned with masterful execution, you will live every page of this epic story. This book is an incredible display of Godwin's unbelievable talent. This novel is a deliciously dark masterpiece, and is now an all time favorite." ~ Kate Stewart, USA Today bestselling author "This book had so much depth, and feeling. I felt as if I could actually smell the sea air with her descriptions. The story captivated me as I literally couldn't stop reading." ~ Alta Hensley, USA Today bestselling author "Utterly devastating, heart-stoppingly compelling, mile a minute masterpiece." ~ Jennifer, Goodreads reviewer "Sea of Ruin is pure gold! I absolutely devoured it. I loved it and would give it a thousand stars if I could." ~ Sue, Goodreads reviewer "I'm telling you....DO NOT let the genre keep you from picking this one up. YOU. WILL. LOVE. EVERY. WORD. ON. EVERY. PAGE." ~ Joanne, Goodreads reviewer Contains: pirates, Caribbean, British literature, dark historical romance, American colonies, American history, Golden Age of Piracy, action and adventure, alpha male, anti-hero, dark romance




The Offer


Book Description

The award-winning author of The Reunion continues her dazzling new series with a novel of one woman’s fall from saint to sinner . . . Lucy Betancourt’s future looks bleak. The daughter of an ailing vicar in a village with no eligible bachelors, her only hope is to find employment as a governess or companion. As she helps her childhood friend, the new Duchess of Worley, through her pregnancy, the ever-practical Lucy makes her plans. But life—in the way of the dashing Bex Brantwood—has something else in store for Lucy… Upon meeting Bex, the duke’s cousin, Lucy offers herself up to him. But Bex is no family man looking for a governess. And Lucy is not exactly mistress material. Still, the misunderstanding ends in a kiss neither can forget . . . Bex finds the proper vicar’s daughter and her most improper proposal endlessly amusing—and attractive. But, saddled with debt, he’s in no position to keep a woman, much less marry one, which is what a woman like Lucy deserves. Little does he know that even with her reputation at stake, Lucy will take the biggest gamble of her life by following her heart—straight into his arms . . .




The Marquis de Sade


Book Description

Against a magnificently embroidered backdrop of 18th-century France, Schaeffer shows us Sade's incredible life of sexual appetite, adherence to Enlightenment principles, imprisonment, scandal, and above all inexhaustible imagination.




Libertines and Radicals in Early Modern London


Book Description

Analyses English sexual culture between the Civil Wars and the death of Charles II.




Voltaire's Philosophical Dictionary


Book Description

Voltaire's "Philosophical Dictionary" stands as a huge work that encapsulates the Enlightenment thinker's wit, skepticism, and intellectual prowess. Composed within the 18th century, Voltaire, a key figure of the Enlightenment, provides a complete collection of essays, reflections, and critiques that discover a myriad of subjects ranging from faith and morality to technological know-how and governance. In this magnum opus, Voltaire employs his function satirical style to dissect the prevailing institutions and ideologies of his time. With eager insights and a razor-sharp pen, he demanding situations dogma, promotes purpose, and advocates for freedom of thought. The "Philosophical Dictionary" is a testomony to Voltaire's dedication to purpose, secularism, and a relentless pursuit of understanding. Structured as an alphabetical encyclopedia, the paintings covers an extensive array of topics, providing readers with a panoramic view of the Enlightenment's highbrow panorama. Voltaire's erudition and irreverence make this collection not simplest a vital examination of his modern-day society however also a undying exploration of human nature and the pursuit of enlightenment. "Philosophical Dictionary" stays a cornerstone of Enlightenment literature, showcasing Voltaire's enduring influence as a logician, satirist, and recommend for intellectual freedom. Through its pages, readers come upon a profound and often humorous engagement with the thoughts that formed the Enlightenment and continue to resonate within the nation-states of philosophy and essential thinking.