Do you like the classical regency romance stories? Where our hero is rich and handsome, and dark but honest, and our heroine is poor but beautiful, fair but clever? Well, if you like it with also a twist, Wicked Game is your book.

Richard is an pair of the kingdom, Lord Essex, and he is rich and bored. He likes both women and men, but much more men. He obviously has always lead his relationships with discretions and has never married before: not for a point, but because he has never found someone to hold his interest for long. He has a reputation as a rake, but really he only enjoy himself with sex when finds the right companion. And know he has found Niels, a thief he has surprised in his town home.

Niels is the empoverished son of a mid-wealth family. When he was all alone in London at twelve years old, he has resolved himself to find his way as a thief. But he is always fascinated from the aristocracy and when Richard makes a pact with him, he is eager to accept: 3 days as Richard's lover in exchange for new clothes and the freedom from jail. Even if Niels has never before experienced sex with a man, he knows it's possibile and Richard has a way to convince him that is irrisistible. And so he is lured in this new world, of wealthy and laziness, where he can spend the day eating and napping and making love... he is becoming a whore? or Richard feels for him something more?

Richard is a strong character, very dominant like. Also in sex he is the master, the absolutely top of the situation. Is Niels the bottom? Yes, cause he willingly leaves the up hand to Richard. But, according to me, he is not too feminine. When he is among other people, he acts and talks as a man, he likes to woo women and play and drink with men (well, what other has to do a kept gentleman in the regency period?): in bedroom maybe he is a little too submissive, but it goes right with the story (Richard is the master, the richer and noble who teaches to Niels how to play, in and out the bedroom).

Is it an historical romance? Yes. Is it very historical detailed? No. Is it important? No, cause the story is mainly setting in Richard's house, with only two excursions to the theater and to the country estate of Richard. The fact that their relationship has to be hidden from the society is often underlied, and maybe I have only to object to the 'don't see don't talk' behaviour of the staff: but if they are well paid and Richard is a good master (as he seems to be) maybe it's a possible behaviour.

I like very much this story, it satisfies my romantic side.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013ZA0BU/?tag=elimyrevandra-20