A Measured Risk --- Total-E-Bound Erotic Romance Ebooks

A Measured Risk

Book one in the Regency Risks Series

He is her most dangerous temptation, the only man she has ever trusted and now he is demanding her submission. Dare she take the risk?

Emotionally scarred in the horrific accident that took her husband’s life, Lady Cranfield is imprisoned by her lingering terror of horses and carriages. Lady Cranfield longed to be closer to the fascinating Earl of Ruel. She sensed intuitively that he could teach her how to overcome the terrors that held her in bondage.

And now she’s willing to risk almost anything-her reputation, even her virtue-to find out. But what he proposes startles her.

When the shy, studious and socially awkward young widow approached him, Ruel instantly sensed she would be the sweetest, most submissive experience of a lifetime-if only he can gain her total and complete trust. He makes her a non-negotiable offer. His help in return for her submission and obedience.

But Lady Cranfield grew up neglected by her ducal parents, raised by servants and then later ignored by her handsome, charming husband. She’s learnt to protect her heart at all costs and she trusts no one but herself.

How can the jaded Earl of Ruel break through her self-protective defences and show her how to love when he has spent his lifetime avoiding that tender trap?

Reader Advisory: This book contains anal Sex, spanking, BDSM and brief F/F touching. This is a work of historical fiction, it is not meant to be an accurate portrayal of or guide to how people recover from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or of modern BDSM or D/s lifestyles.

Book Details

Number of pages	233
Genre	Historical/ BDSM/ Rubenesque
Book Length	Super Novel
Erotic Rating	Total-e-burning
Sexometer	2
eBook Format	ePub/HTML/PDF/Mobipocket(prc)
eReaders Supported	All current eReaders
Send direct to Kindle?	Yes
Cover art by	Posh Gosh
ISBN#	978-0-85715-936-6

People who bought this book also bought:

Also available in print here:

Read An Excerpt:[Click here to expand/collapse]

EXCERPT:

By reading any further, you are stating that you are 18 years of age, or over.
If you are under the age of 18, it is necessary to exit this site.
Copyright © Natasha Blackthorne, 2012
All Rights Reserved, Total-E-Ntwined Limited, T/A Total-E-Bound.

Excerpt From: A Measured Risk

Suffolk, England

August 1818

“In London it’s going to be different this time, Anne.”

Anne Bourchier, the Countess of Cranfield, continued to watch the rain pelting the widow as the carriage rolled on through the night. The interior was hot and humid and she used her fan to cool her face with long, deliberate motions.

“I mean it. You’re going to be active in society and make me proud for once.”

She flicked him a disdainful glance. “And who will see to the running of our estate now?” It wasn’t her fault William’s long-term mistress had found another interest.

“I do keep a bailiff on staff.” His voice was uncharacteristically terse.

“His incompetence costs us too much. Since you refuse to dismiss him, someone needs to be there to keep an eye on him.”

“He’s my half-brother, Anne. How can I dismiss him?”

“You let your sentiment and your passions rule you.”

“Oh, always so cold, so in control, aren’t you, my darling? I meant what I said about the other, too. You shall welcome me to your bed every night, except when nature inconveniences you. And you’ll at least pretend to be happy about it.”

Her chest went tight and she slapped her fan closed. “I have never locked my door against you.”

“I mean that you shall reside with me until the deed is done. Else I shall be forced to take more extreme measures. Five years of marriage is enough. I’ll have my heir or die trying.”

She opened her fan and resumed cooling her face. She knew her husband well. Once in town, he’d find new distractions and she’d be able to slip away, back to the country.

The carriage jolted; slid for a heart-stopping moment in the mud. Two days of rain had made the roads treacherous at best. She turned to him. “We should have waited for the other carriages.”

Indignant eyes met hers in the lantern light. They were the most beautiful eyes—as green as summer grass and framed with thick, russet lashes. His elegant jaw tightened. “I didn’t want to wait—”

A sudden jolt rocked the seat beneath her and shook through her bones. A loud crash sounded and the carriage rattled as if it would fall apart. It veered over slightly. Her heart knocked against her ribcage as she clutched the seat’s edge. Her mouth went dry.

She glanced at William. He was so pale that his freckles looked like black specks. Her stomach flipped over.

“Christ.” His word was a whisper; a prayer that hung in the air between them as the carriage rolled. She went flying from her seat. Something smashed into her side and forced the air to whoosh from her lungs. Her forehead met a hard object. White shards of pain exploded in her head…and then nothing.

She opened her eyes slowly. Her head throbbed so fiercely that it made it painful to think. It was dark. Hard planks jammed into the softness between her hips and ribcage. She was mostly on her back, twisted halfway between the carriage wall and roof. She tried to ease her position but something heavy pressed her down and held her immobile. Helpless. She reached out to touch it and pain sliced through her shoulder and up into her neck. The sudden intensity made her nauseated and lightheaded. She cried out.

“Anne?” His voice came from directly above her and it sounded weak.

“Yes?”

“Are you unharmed?”

“Mostly.” With an effort, she moved her hands over the wool of William’s jacket. “And you?”

“It hurts to breathe.”

Afraid of injuring him, she stopped searching his body. “Some of your ribs must be broken. That’s all. The doctor will patch you up easily.”

Dread went twisting through her stomach. How badly was he injured? Lightning flashed through the carriage window.

“Damnation, it hurts. Anne, I can’t move.” Beneath the sharpness, his voice quavered. He was afraid—very afraid. Her heart contracted. She had once felt such tenderness towards him. A fragile, barely-born tenderness that had been killed in its infancy—yet it had been the dearest feeling she’d known in her life. It all came back to her, washing over her in an intense rush. She cradled his head to her.

Thud, thud.

The sound was loud—and close. A horse’s iron shoe kicking the thin carriage wall. It sent her heart pounding up into her throat. Her hands tightened on his crisp, red, curling hair.

“I am sorry Anne. Should have waited. You’re always right…” His voice seemed to reverberate with pain.

She winced for him and caressed the side of his face. “Shh, it doesn’t matter now.”

His breathing changed, sounding deep and laboured. He had lost consciousness. Her chest constricted so hard that her breath began to hitch.

Please don’t let him die.

Lightning flashed again, brilliant and close through the window. Thunder rumbled through the carriage’s frame. One of the horses screamed.

Thud, thud, thud.

The horse’s hoof pounded the outside more frantically this time. Her heart beat furiously. That fragile wall was all that separated them from those hard, shod hooves. They were pinned here; trapped. She gripped his arms and tried to move and pull him along with her, away from the sound. But the pain weakened her shoulder and his lean frame proved to be far heavier than she’d have suspected. Sweat poured all over her body and her grip slipped.

The horse kept on pounding the wall. Her terrified heartbeat echoed each thud. God, she had to get them both away from those beating hooves. She clenched her jaw and redoubled her efforts, pulling with all her strength while groaning deep in her throat against the red-hot pain in her shoulder joint. She managed barely an inch, then her arms shook and gave out once more under the burden of his dead weight. They both slipped back to the carriage roof.

Her lungs burnt and she gulped for air. Her head throbbed so hard that it made her dizzy. Tears flowed down her cheeks. How utterly helpless she was. But William was depending on her. She couldn’t fail him.

She tried again to rouse herself but this time her arms were so weak and the pain in her shoulder so severe that she trembled and couldn’t move at all. Her headache increased to almost blinding intensity. She pressed her head to his satin-covered chest, inhaling the citrus scent he favoured. She gave in to her tears, sobbing silently.

Lightning struck again; thunder boomed violently.

The horse screamed.

Thud, thud, thud, thud.

Customer Reviews

Review From Salacious Reads

Reviewed by Sharonda

I haven’t been disappointed with a Natasha Blackthorne historical romance as of yet and I don’t think I ever will be. Her writing always draws me in from beginning to end. There always seems to be this power struggle between her characters. But it always a good struggle, you know? Like I said before, these woman are strong and independent in a time when as a woman you’re not supposed to be, you are suppose to depend on the man. And the men, yes..they are strong and dominant, but they also support their women in everything. These men are written with strength and purpose.

September 2012

Review From Goodreads

Reviewed by Ava Vongiebel

I found that this historical take on the D/s lifestyle (through Natasha's telling) was very entertaining and hard to put down. I recommend to anyone and everyone that enjoys historical, BDSM or just an all around good read!

September 2012

The best in this genre! Amazing!

Reviewed by Dawn Sullivan

After reading this I automatically think "Fifty Shades of What"?
If you are a Fifty Shades of Gray fan than you will totally love and adore this book for sure.

Natasha Blackthorne's book's just get better and better. This one is by far the best. It's really a work of art and a total masterpiece for this genre.

This book was so enticing and inviting. Natasha writes real characters in real life situations that you can relate to on my different levels.

Ann, an educated, curvy , full woman, cold on the outside but inside she has passion burning and dying to get out. She is emotionally scarred. She sees Jon as brave and courageous. She wants to ask for his help with her fear of horses and carriages but she gets more than she bargained for. He soon shows her what she has inside herself.

Jon is a sexy, confident, dominate, trustful and honorable man. He is sure of himself and knows what he wants and goes for it. When the luscious Ann gives him a come get me look. He cant help but follow her.

It took me a few days to read this book because I didn’t want it to end. Not only did this book affect my heart and mind but it also affected my body and soul.

Its really going to be hard for me to find a book in this genre to top this one. Its truly amazing.

Sensual, erotic, romantic, steamy, sexy, sweet, arouse, masterful and loving are all the words that come to mind when I think of this book.

August 2012

An outstanding historical romance!

Reviewed by Michelle V from Texas

A Measured Risk by Natasha Blackthorne is a beautiful and captivating historical erotic romance that will carry you away to Regency Era England and into the life of a young woman who is crippled by fear and has closed herself off from the world.

I very highly recommend this book! It is exquisitely written with characters that will stay with you long after you have finished the book. The author took me away to another time and place, with a story that completely consumed me. I was lost in Regency Era England and did not want to come back to reality. I adored both Lady Cranfield and the Earl.

I am hopelessly in love with the Earl of Ruel and I don’t care if he’s a fictional character! Experience the elegant, and frequently excessive life of the privileged during this romantic era. This story is a bit different than other Regency Era stories you have probably read. The heat level is high and the story has a bit of a twist that makes it fresh and unique.

This was the first one of her books that I have gotten to read. I was expecting a great read, but it totally exceeded my expectations! I have become an instant fan of her writing and I cannot wait to get my hands on more of her books. If you like historical fiction and enjoy erotic romance, then I strongly encourage you to check out her books!

July 2012

Review From Literary Nymphs Reviews

Reviewed by Amazon Nymph

Ms. Blackthorne did a good job with the period background, while giving a peak into the scandalous part of the Regency time period.
Read the full review at

June 2012

WHAT A READ!SEXY AND HOT!

Reviewed by AprilR from North Carolina

A MEASURED RISK by Natasha Blackthorne is an exciting,hot,sexy,erotic historical romance set in Regency England.It is fast paced,with BDSM,Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,D lifestyles,bondage,spanking,romance, love,variety of sexual positions,and a very brief F/F encounter with only a bit of touching. A sly,widow,(Lady Cranfield) with PTSD disorder from a carriage accident that left her a widow encounters the sexy, handsome Earl of Ruel who enjoys bondage,BDSM,and seems to always be in control. Lady Cranfield decides to seek the Earl of Ruel's skills to help her overcome her fear of horses,sexual pleasure,carriage rides and to once again gain her independence.What they find in each other is not only sexual pleasure,but trust,and love. Ruel never dreamed to find love,and Lady Cranfield never wanted another man in her bed or her life. Her previous marriage was not a pleasant one to be sure. If you enjoy erotic romance,and/or historical romance,although,it does have some explicit sexual encounters you will not go wrong by reading this intriguing story of two people who find each other.Oh and what sexual pleasure they find with each other. I have enjoyed this author's work,she knows how to pull the reader into the characters lives,and into the story from page one to the last page and will have you carving more. I can hardly wait for the next installment. A really hot,sexy,quick read!

REVIEWED BY: AprilR,My Book Addiction and More

May 2012

A Naughty Delight!!

Reviewed by Close Encounters WTNK from USA

I love erotic historical romances. This is by far my favorite book in her collection. Ever since the horrid accident that had taken her husband's life, she had lived in an unrelenting grasp of fear. But what Anne never realised was that she had been stuffed into a box long before her husband's death. For lurking inside this studious lady's cold facade was a passionate woman screaming to get out. And it took one look at The Earl of Ruel to know he was the man that would help free her, she just didn't realize it meant freeing all of her. Even the parts of her that she hid from herself.

Johnathan was used to getting exactly what he wanted, and he knew from experience that the society ladies rarely offered it. But Anne had his attention long before he came to another one of these dull parties. She had an air about her that was intriguing and Jon couldn't help being reeled in. Especially when he realized she was more than willing to play his game.

Anne came to Jon at first for help. But something sparked between the two of them that left Anne breathless and Jon grasping for control. Neither were prepared for where their games would lead them, and these games in question were unbelievably hot!!! You'll need one of those hand-fans yourself for a large part of this book! If you enjoy light BDSM, tied in with a sensuous romance then this is the book for you!!! Who knew a little rope and spanking could be soooo delicious? Hat's off to Natasha!!

April 2012

Write your own review!