Just finished Pierced By The Hired Swordsman by Morgan Rush!

A short story with an interesting premise, but a little lacking...

Pierced By The Hired Swordsman follows Amber, a new bride, who is learning about her arranged marriage to Lord Montgomery and the relationship that he would like to uphold during their time together.

Initially, Amber feels that her lack of experience in matters of love and especially physical love, leaves her lacking. The Duke decides that the best remedy would be to have her train with the famous Doctor Talbot, who has helped many wives reach the height of their marital duties.

It's during this training that Amber meets Joseph, the handsome Steward who seems to ignite some of the passion Amber hopes to feel for her new husband. The two share a kiss and then confess their attraction for each other. In a passionate exchange, Joseph and Amber sleep together, and Amber learns about the joys of love. It is later revealed that Talbot has hired Joseph for exactly this outcome and has instructed him to earn Amber's affections so that her training will be less challenging when they expand her lessons.

Overall, as simply a short romp, the story succeeds. The setup is interesting; it takes place in a unique time with more scandalous social expectations around sex. However, the story is very short and offers no real reason for readers to care about Amber, and there is almost no plot or character development.

The sex scenes are more gentle to represent someone with minimal sexual experience better, and it is nice that Joseph is so gentle with Amber. Still, from an erotic standpoint, the story doesn't really titillate the reader in many ways.

Overall, this setup and theme could work really well in a full-length novel, but I wouldn't recommend Pierced By The Hired Swordsman.

What did everyone think of the story?

Do you think Joseph meant anything that he said to Amber?

Do you believe AMBER will be able to forgive Joseph? Should she?