Customer Reviews

To Bed a Beauty (Courtship Wars, Book 2)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Having grown up and witnessed her mother's disastrous/hate-filled marriage of convenience, Miss Roslyn Loring has decided that only a love match will do. The only problem is -How the devil do you make a man fall in love with you? Regrettably, it seems that most men fall in love with their mistresses, and not their wives. Being an intelligent and logical woman she goes right to the source for information -her friend, an infamous courtesan.

The remarkably handsome Duke of Arden, is known as an extraordinary lover, a man who is able to make women weep with rapture. At the annual notorious Cyprian's ball, fate finds him on the lookout for a new mistress when his eyes catch hold of a beautiful masked shepherdess. He pursues and confronts her in a deserted alcove. But shockingly this woman seems to be immune to his advances. Hmmm...must be a ploy, for she is quite an actress too, pretending to be all innocent. So he *intensifies* his persuasive skills. And just when things become increasingly heated, she declines his offer and turns to flee with Arden left feeling rather stunned......

Weeks later, at her sister's wedding, Roslyn panics when Arden realizes that it was her at the ball. She fears the only way out of her dilemma is to tell the truth. So she assures him that she was only there for ....er...... investigative purposes. She wants to know how courtesans make men fall in love with them. Arden is intrigued. He admires her honesty but thinks its absurd to try and get a man to fall in love with you (if in fact *real love* even exists). And she wants *lessons* from him?.....What the devil? But after he ponders it for a moment, he's more than willing to help the delectable beauty with lessons on how to snare a man's heart....well someone has to be the guinea pig <grin>!

This is the second book in the Courtship War series. Having not read the prequel, I can't comment on that. I had no problems reading it as a stand alone. In fact, aside from some minor points, I very much like this book and LOVE the hero!

This book quite unusual as far as reformed rake plots go. The twist is that Roslyn doesn't even like Arden and she sees him for what he really is -a cynical rogue bent on enjoying the pleasures of flesh and nothing more. So she has no qualms about using him to help teach her how to gain affections of another man. Arden is confused -like a fish out of water. Here is a woman who has no interest in him (a wealthy duke no less!) at all but rather wants him as a teacher? This irks his male pride to no end. Then, when he realizes that he doesn't want Roslyn courting some other man, its Arden who in fact becomes the pursuer. This is takes up the major part -and best part IMHO- of the book.

I think that the characterizations and romance (including sizzling love scenes) are worthy of five stars and based on that I would recommend this book. But there are a couple of irritating points. The book needs a good editing -way too long. It could have been cut down without affecting the story. And still don't understand why authors completely ignore historical convention. Have an infamous courtesan at a society wedding? or a Lady taking in her deceased husband's mistress and all of her illegitimate children? -No way. I have a hard time believing that. But those things shouldn't keep you from reading an otherwise really good reformed rake book.

Recommended.

I just have to say how much I loved this book, the characters were both interesting and myself I find it refreshing that the man does the chasing! If I have to read one more Regency about how the young innocent lady is on her knees for an unattainable rogue I will barf. This heroine is smart, well read and actually unimpressed when others judge her for her beauty alone. The loves scenes are sensual and sexy, the hero and heroine are terrific in that they actually talk honestly with one another. The 'teach me how to make a man fall in love with me' is a ploy that could have so easily fallen flat, but Ms. Jordan does it with such talent in her writing that you not only believe the heroine, you are cheering her on. I loved this book! Can't wait for the third one in this series.

Roslyn Loring is determined to forge her own path of love and happiness. To that end, she engages her friend Fanny, a notorious Cyprian, to help Roslyn learn the art of seduction from a courtesan's point of view, so that Roslyn might snag a husband. Roslyn believes that husbands are generally more enamored of their mistresses than their wives, and she wants more than just a marriage of convenience. However, at the ball, Roslyn encounters the Duke of Arden, a reputed rake and the best friend of Roslyn's future brother-in-law. Attempting to escape his notice, lest he later recognize her as the sister of his best friend's bride, Roslyn escapes to a private room at the party--not expecting that the duke will follow her.

When Drew Moncrief attends a Cyprians' masked ball, his first intention is to find a new mistress. When the only woman he finds himself interested in, an innocent-looking blond temptress, flees his company, Drew finds himself determined to give chase. He attempts to secure the woman as his own, using skilled seduction and soft words, only to find that the woman then flees his company for good. And when he meets up with her again at his best friend's wedding, he realizes why she fled. Roslyn is a lady, not at all the sort of woman who should be in the company of courtesans. And when she asks Drew's help in learning the art of seduction, he finds himself compelled to assist her.

To Bed a Beauty is the second book in Nicole Jordan's Courtship Wars series, following To Pleasure a Lady (Courtship Wars, Book 1). This series is focused on a push-pull relationship between the hero and heroine, keeping tensions high until the pair manage to fall in love. In this book Roslyn was an absolute delight, a strong, confident woman who refuses to settle for anything less than true love. Roslyn is content with her simple life, but wants more for her future than just a marriage of convenience. She saw her parents endure such a union and knows that a marriage full of secrets and infidelity would not suit her. She wants passion, she wants children, and she wants love. To that end, she is willing to do anything to obtain them, even using the more-than-willing duke as her tutor. On the contrary, Drew Moncrief is a man who knows nothing of love. His mother is a purported ice queen, and Drew has been used for his money and title more often than he can count. He agrees to help Roslyn in her attempts to find love, though he finds the idea abhorrent, just so that he can get his hands on the beauty, though he doesn't expect to fall in love.

I liked To Bed a Beauty infinitely more than the first book in the series, and am eager to see how Jordan wraps up the story of the third Loring sister in To Seduce a Bride (Courtship Wars, Book 3). This series is full of confident young heroines who don't need a man to make them happy, but who understand that finding true love will round out their already fulfilling lives. These books can be read out of sequence, but I'd definitely recommend picking up To Pleasure a Lady before reading this book.

When an independent beauty asks for lessons in love from a rake who is notorious for his extraordinary lovemaking skills, a tale of sensually blistering passion and unexpected emotion is guaranteed to follow.

Having seen her parents destroy themselves in a loveless marriage, Roslyn Loring is determined to marry for nothing less than true love. She attends a Cyprian's masked ball in an attempt to find out what makes a man fall for a woman. It's there that she meets Drew Moncrief, the Duke of Arden, who is on the prowl for a mistress. Roslyn successfully evades him for a short time, but doesn't escape him altogether until after the two have shared a briefly passionate encounter. When Roslyn is confronted by Drew at her sister's wedding to his best friend, she has no choice but to admit to the suspicious Drew the true reason behind her attendance at the ball. When she goes so far as to ask him for lessons in seduction so she can seduce her handsome neighbor into proposing, Drew cannot refuse.

When Drew sees the familiar face of Roslyn Loring at his friend's wedding, it doesn't take long before he places her as the young woman he met at the ball. He threatens to expose her to her family if she doesn't tell him the truth behind her risqué behavior. Once he gets past the initial shock of Miss Loring's request to teach her the ways of seduction, he finds he cannot refuse her. When those lessons go beyond simple instruction and the two become intimate, Drew can no longer bear the thought of continuing to prime Roslyn for another man. He wants her for himself, but convincing Roslyn that he is ready to put his rakish ways behind him won't be easy. It appears that Drew may well have a lesson or two to learn from his delicately beautiful pupil.

TO BED A BEAUTY is the second in a three-book "Courtship Wars" series by Nicole Jordan. I read this book before reading the first book and enjoyed it very much as a stand-alone novel. I didn't feel as any details were missed by my not having read the first book. Roslyn is an independent, highly intelligent woman who is determined to marry on her own terms rather than those set out by society. Her strong feelings after the heartache and pain she and her sisters experienced at the hands of their parents are excellently written. Drew is a rake, a real ladies' man who is determined to never marry. Having been raised by a coldhearted mother he has his own reasons to avoid shackling himself to a woman. Watching these two fall for each other, incredulous at the deep emotions the other has stirred, was highly enjoyable. Secondary characters and events serve to enrich this wonderful story without detracting from Roslyn and Drew. Ms. Jordan is undoubtedly one of the masters of historical romance and I highly recommend this book as well as any of her previous work. I did go back and read the first book in this series, TO PLEASURE A LADY, and equally enjoyed it, but haven't yet read the third book, TO SEDUCE A BRIDE. If you enjoy fine historical romance, I hope you won't miss this latest series from Nicole Jordan.

This book was better than the previous in this series but I thought the theme was much too similar to it. I felt like there were parts in this book when I was reading the same story. However, this one was more interesting although I still wouldn't call it a page turner. It was just a nice story.

I am very sorry I bought all three books at once. The first two are just terrible(except that she writes good love scenes)... but there is the barest shadow of a plot in each connected by love scenes! Now I read that Book 3 is even worse. Do yourself a favor and read some of her earlier books and skip these.

If you were expecting a new turn on this tired theme then I am the bearer of bad news.

The first half of "TBAB" is good and slowly builds the sensual tension to a fevered pitch. There is chemistry between Drew and Roslyn and some excellent hero-jealousy. However, from the moment these two have sex for the first time, "TBAB" follows every formulaic romance you've ever read. There was nothing fresh or new to hold my attention. I was so disappointed I actually groaned aloud at one point because at every turn I seemed to know what would happen next.

I read book 1 and 2; book 3 I will save my money.

Roslyn Loring longs for a husband and children, but will only marry if it is a love match. She sets her sights on a neighboring lord with whom she is acquainted, but who views her as only a friend. Not certain how to entice the lord to fall in love with her, she asks for advice from Drew Moncrief, the Duke of Arden, who is a close friend of her brand new brother-in-law. Roslyn and Drew were introduced at her sister's wedding...but they first met a few weeks earlier when Roslyn snuck into a masked courtesan's ball and Drew - not knowing who she was - cornered her and asked her to be his mistress. Of course Roslyn declined, but not before they shared some passionate kisses and a bit more. Drew has not been able to forget her, but now that he knows she is a respectable virginal young lady, he does not want to risk being lured into dreaded wedlock. So he agrees to tutor Roslyn on how to arouse her neighbor's ardor. But their tutoring sessions become evermore intimate...and Drew becomes more and more jealous of his pupil's affections!

The first half of the book is enjoyable, with a good buildup of sexual tension and an appealing hero. But as the story progresses, Roslyn is just too difficult towards Drew and does not behave logically. (The previous book in this series has the same problem). Her reaction to their intimacy, and to Drew's tender and chivalrous treatment of her, is callous and dismissive and simply not believable. She expects Drew to jump through hoops to win her hand, yet does almost nothing to win his regard in return - in fact, she is often negative and argumentative. She is evasive with Drew about her feelings for her neighbor, and then condemns Drew for acting jealously! Although Roslyn turns it around in the end, it is too late to undo all the damage. Despite these shortcomings, there are still things about this book I like...including the magnetism between the leads, a good supporting cast, and a fine hero. So I will hang in there and give the next installment a try.

First book by Nicole Jordan and not dissapointing. The love story is quite good and love scene is quite hot & wonderful, very intoxicating. So for me this is a lovely story, not heavy kind of romance. I'm searching your other book Ms. Jordan.

Favorite scene with Roslyn-
Roslyn ends their betrothal because of an argument.

Favorite scene with Drew-
Telling another man that he can have Roslyn.

Together-
Roslyn meets his ex-governess.

What did you like about Roslyn-
Her love for books and learning. I know this sounds weird, but not believing in outer beauty. Inner beauty is more important, as is heart love. Believing in love. Her strength. And her innocence (esp. when it comes to fighting). She cared about her friends, and gladly helped them.

What didn't you like about Roslyn-
Although Roslyn wanted a loving marriage, she almost lost Drew because of her stubborness and stupidity. She wasn't willing to risk her heart. She didn't believe Drew when he told her otherwise. Although she didn't want marriage with Drew, she didn't mind getting HOT and heavy with him.

What did you like about Drew-
He cared about his friends, and gladly helped them. Despite not believing in love and marriage, he fell, hard, for Roslyn. He wore his heart, and feelings, on his sleeve. His jealousy. Willing to give up Roslyn so that she'd be happy.

What didn't you like about Drew-
He wasn't willing to risk his heart. He didn't believe in love and marriage. Despite his jealousy, he believed that Roslyn loved another man.

Casting Drew, I'd cast Brad Pitt.
Casting Roslyn, I'd cast Kate Winslet.