Erin’s Ecstasy, Sylvie F. Sommerfield’s first published book, is a solid start but not up to par with the author’s later romance novels.
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Erin's Ecstasy by Sylvie F. Sommerfield
Rating: 
Published: 1980
Illustrator: Walter Popp
Imprint or Line: Zebra Historical Romance
Published by: Kensington
Genres: Historical Romance, Romance with Rape Element, Bodice Ripper
Pages: 320
Format: Paperback
Buy on: Amazon, AbeBooks
Reviewed by: Blue Falcon
MILD SPOILER ALERT
The Book
This review is of Erin’s Ecstasy by Sylvie F. Sommerfield, a 1980 Zebra historical romance and bodice ripper.
The Plot
Erin’s Ecstasy begins with a sad event as Erin Murry, the book’s heroine, and her younger brother, Sean, attend their parents’ funerals. They get another shock when they discover that the family farm is now in the possession of a local bank and lecherous bank manager Charles Duggan, who wants the farm and Erin, not necessarily in that order.
Fortunately, soon after, Erin is rescued from a near-rape by Gregg Cannon, the book’s hero. Gregg is the first mate on a ship, but there’s more to him than that. His family owns the ship as well as a shipping firm.
Instalove occurs, and Erin and Gregg marry aboard his ship. Gregg takes Erin and Sean, the latter of whom now works for Gregg, home to meet his family. Three things occur that shape the tone for the remainder of the book:
Gregg’s older brother, Mitchell, falls madly in unrequited love with Erin.
The family’s shipping concern is dogged by “accidents” to their ships, forcing Gregg and Sean to go on a six-month voyage to replenish the family coffers.
Gregg and Sean’s ship, the Amy C, never makes it back into port. A tidal wave destroys the ship, leaving Gregg, Sean, and their fellow crewmen in unknown whereabouts.
After waiting eight months, with no word from Gregg, Erin and Mitchell presume he’s dead, become lovers, and plan to marry.
Later, the Cannon family’s business notes are called in, leaving the family facing financial ruin as the Cannons are blackmailed over family patriarch Thomas’ past.
The book ends with Erin being blackmailed and subjected to emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, but there is a Happily Ever After for her.
You’ll have to read the book to find out how it ends, as I would be giving away too many spoilers.
The Upside
For the most part, Mrs. Sommerfield does a decent job exploring the emotions of her main characters, Erin, Gregg, and Mitchell.
The Downside
Despite what I wrote above, I don’t feel Mrs. Sommerfield did a good enough job explaining the emotions of her characters.
I felt that the storylines could have been fleshed out more. Part of this may be because this is one of Mrs. Sommerfield’s shortest books, at 320 pages. (Most of Mrs. Sommerfield’s books, which I own, are around 500+ pages.)
Sex
The sex scenes are very tame, with little description of body parts and more of a focus on the emotions of the act. This is how Mrs. Sommerfield’s later books were as well.
Heat Level
Erin’s Ecstasy is a lukewarm romance, but the “Good Luke.” It has a moderately warm steam factor.
Violence
In addition to the violence against Erin, Gregg gets into two physical altercations.
Bottom Line on Erin’s Ecstasy
Erin’s Ecstasy is not a bad book, but Sylvie F. Sommerfield would later find her author’s voice and do much better in future romances.
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| Overall: | 3.1 |
*HARD TO FIND ORIGINAL EDITION BOOK/COLLECTOR’S ITEM
Synopsis
It wasn’t until she awoke to the lulling rhythm of the ship and saw Gregg Cannon’s deep-blue eyes that Erin was able to recall the events of the last few days. Her parents’ sudden and tragic death and the lecherous Charles Duggan using his power to claim her body all seemed like a horrible dream.
But then like a knight in shining armor came Gregg, a man she hardly knew, rescuing her from a marriage she did not want, taking her aboard the Amy C that was returning from Ireland to his English home.
When he smiled down into her eyes, Erin felt a wonderful warmness enclose her as though she were being held and protected. Stirred beyond reason, Gregg longed to have this beautiful child-woman more than he ever wanted anything before.
By the time they reached England they were truly man and wife, wrapped in a cocoon of passion and lust only lovers could know. But fate was determined to put their love to the test, taking Gregg on a long and dangerous ocean voyage that would threaten his life–but only deepen his desire for ERIN’S ECSTASY
Erin’s Ecstasy by Sylvie F. Sommerfield
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