22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
The Hero is an Adulterer , how can he be a Hero?, Aug 21 2009
By Lillian Rose - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Lessons From A Courtesan (Mass Market Paperback)
I just don't understand how these authors can make adulterers Heros. In this case the hero is blackmailed by the Heroines father to marry her. He up and left her after their wedding night to seek out other women in full view of the ton much to her humiliation, he doesn't bellieve in even trying to be descreet this goes on for three (3) years until he comes face to face with her and then we are supposed to believe he loved her from the begining all the while sleeping with everyone insight. She comes to London in the disguise of a Courtesan looking for a lover to try and find her friend who has disapeared. He is upset because His Wife is looking for a lover, no one else can have her because she is HIS wife no matter what he has done, he blackmails her to take him as a lover. The only thing he says about his adultery is that if he knew she heard what he was doing he would have tried to be more descreet, WT.When he deserted her she found out she was pregnant but early on she miscarries and she didn't tell him. Now no matter what he has done to her HE thinks that she has committed the worse crime by not telling him about the baby, and struggles to forgive her, 'What the'. I think this author should look up "hero" in the dictionary, because this adulterer does not qualify. This Heroine has suffered at the hands of this hero and her father and the author expects us to believe that she did the wrong thing with not telling him about the baby(he really doesn't deserve to know I mean he deserted her) = all his adultery and that evens everything out. Please be warned before you purchase this, forwarned is forarmed. I hope the author looks up the definition of Hero in the dictionary, because I'm so sick of the so called heros getting away with so much crap.
19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Passionate and Sensually Delicious!, Jun 26 2008
By Beverly "Beverly" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Lessons From A Courtesan (Mass Market Paperback)
Jenna Petersen is well-known for her superb Regency Lady Spy Series and her well-written sensually alluring erotic romances written under the pseudonym Jess Michaels. "Lessons from a Courtesan" is a delicious perfect blend of both Ms. Petersen and Michaels.
Victoria Reed is a beautiful innocent who has been used as a pawn by her father when he blackmails the handsome, Justin Talbot, Earl of Baybary to marry Victoria. Victoria is taken in passionately by the handsome earl and feels she can make this marriage work, even if arranged, especially after an intense sensual wedding night that turns passion and desire into love for Victoria. Suddenly all of her dreams drift away as Justin shows her passion on their wedding night, awakens her sensuality, only to leave her alone at his country estate as he leaves for London the following morning.
For three years, Victoria expertly runs Justin's estate and transfers her passion and love for him to his people and lands and buries her sadness of abandonment with special friendships with a few ladies in the district. Suddenly one of their friends is missing after leaving the country and finding a protector in London. Victoria and her other friend Marah arrange for Victoria to become the famous Courtesan "Ria" as a cover so they can find the whereabouts of their friend. As the men of London are rushing to Victoria's side, frenzied to become the famous "Ria's protector, Victoria runs into Justin. Both are enraged to see each other and Justin realizes that he will not stand another man having what is his and that he has never stopped thinking of Victoria and their sensual wedding night all these years. Can Justin keep Victoria from finding a protector; bring her back to his bed, while not admitting that he really is and has been attracted to her, missing her all this time? Can Victoria continue her quest to find her friend while ignoring the desire and intense passion she has never lost for Justin? Soon Justin discovers Victoria's true reason for being in London posing as a courtesan, and begins to blackmail her, claiming that he will find her friend while sharing her bed. Will Justin and Victoria come to terms with all the lies and early blackmail in their marriage and deal with the intense sexual attraction that soon turns to love, so they can finally have a true marriage?
"Lessons from a Courtesan" is an extremely sexy story with characters so interesting the reader simply cannot put this book down. Be ready to sit back, turn off the television, stop everything, and be ready to read this book in one night!
22 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Was I supposed to root for the hero?, July 1 2008
By Limited_sunshine - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Lessons From A Courtesan (Mass Market Paperback)
Victoria Reed had married Justin Talbot, Earl of Baybary through an arranged marriage. Her father and his were good friends but they had a falling out and a secret was revealed which led to blackmail and a forced marriage. Of course, Victoria had no knowledge of this. She was just so nervous and excited see her new handsome husband. They had one wedding night and then he informs her that he is abandoning her. She is to be taken care of but he wants nothing to do with her, leaving Victoria heart-broken.
Flash forward to three years, where Victoria is a prized courtesan named "Ria" and Justin is back in London after being abroad living the life of a single man. He hears about "Ria" from his brother Caleb and best friend Shaw. He sets eyes on her and instantly recognizes her as his wife.
I guess this is the part where I'm supposed to say "sparks fly"...well for me they didn't. Justin instantly becomes possessive and angry that "his wife" is sleeping with other men. I won't even comment the hypocrisy of that statement since he admitted enjoying women since their three year marriage. I rolled my eyes at the well placed lines about Justin "thinking about his wife" while with other women. I mean really...are we supposed to fall in love with this guy and sigh over him?
But then again Victoria wasn't much of a prize either. She practically melted in his arms while throwing in his face that he abandoned her. Why? You're giving him what he wants...why throw pot shots? She was a weak character and I think I would have liked her if she had become a real courtesan. Justin deserves to squirm instead of "flinch" which he did throughout this book.
The only saving grace of this book was Marah, Caleb and Shaw. Without them I would have thrown this in the "donate file" and left it alone. I do hope the author is planning on writing a story about Caleb and Marah...they had a connection I hope is explored.