Confessions of a Courtesan [Kindle Edition]

Deborah Hale (Author), Elizabeth Charles (Author)

Book Description

Scandalous but True! From the harsh streets of 18th century London, Lizzie Cane rose to become the most successful and sought-after courtesan in England! Mistress of earls, dukes and even the young Prince of Wales, she lived an exciting luxurious life that was not without its perils. A single misstep could spell disaster!

Then, at the height of her career, she risked everything she had struggled to gain by breaking the courtesan's cardinal rule...Never fall in love!

This edition contains additional bonus content:
Separating Fact from Fiction
What Happened to...?
Verses on the Temple to Friendship
Funeral of the late Honourable Mrs. Fox
Selected Research Sources

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Elizabeth Charles is a pseudonym for Canadian author Deborah Hale. Deborah's first novel, the Georgian-era romance My Lord Protector won RWA's Golden Heart award and was nominated for the RITA for Best First Book. Since then she has written more than twenty more novels in the genres of historical romance, inspirational romance and otherworld fantasy. Her books have been translated into more than a dozen languages and sold millions of copies worldwide. "Deborah Hale recreates mid-18th century manners with charming flair and the ending is deliciously cogent." - Romantic Times "Hale's characters are so finely created they become real in her readers' minds and hearts." - Sheryl Horst, syndicated romance reviewer "Yet another masterpiece penned by the historical mistress of romance. Don't miss this truly touching and tender story." - The Old Book Barn Gazette

Product Details

• File Size: 487 KB
• Print Length: 302 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005UNWLSQ
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,747 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Not what you might expect... July 3, 2012

By Mike P.

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this book on a whim (the author was new to me) and then had doubts as to whether I could actually read it. Let me explain. I've read a number of historicals where the heroine was captured by pirates, sold into white slavery, forced to become a concubine, coerced to marry a monster, or sometimes even worse (I read a lot). Terrible horrors were visited on these women over a prolonged period. Graphic abuse of women is particularly difficult for me as a man, husband, & father to stomach (I offer no excuses). My brother is fond of saying, "You can't un-see something". These types of stories have haunted me dreadfully, so I now try to avoid them. Confessions of a Courtesan is not one of these books. In fact in many ways, this book is an antidote for these other stories. Bad things happen to Elizabeth, but this story is about recognizing the peril of one's situation and having the courage to do what has to be done, the immeasurable value of real friendships, and the salvation that true love offers. It is a wonderful story, told extremely well, while remaining true to actual people and events. I enjoyed this book immensely and would describe it as a must read. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I won't soon forget Elizabeth Armistead.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant January 23, 2012

By Cyndi

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

While reading "The Paris Wife" I was distracted and had to take a hiatus to read "Confessions of a Courtesan". Having just returned to finish "The Paris Wife", I recognized the similarities. While the books represent different eras, they are fictional based on the supporting roles of well-known historical figures with a spin to create a great story. Confessions of a Courtesan captured my attention from the first page, and I was hooked from that point onward. Knowing there were some facts to the story created an intrigue. Reading the "Fact or Fiction" at the conclusion of the novel provided insight into the writer, the story, and the reading experience. Deborah Hale, or should I say Elizabeth Charles, has fabulously portrayed this Georgian-era story to keep us entertained, and engaged throughout the entire book. Confessions of a Courtesan

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Life of Luxury or Loneliness? October 18, 2011

By Jutzie TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Confessions of a Courtesan by Deborah Hale writing as Elizabeth Charles

This is about Elizabeth Bridget Cane, known as Elizabeth Armistead. It is both fact and fiction. At the end of the book the details of the people and events are listed, including the real Elizabeth's obituary. Deborah writes it in such a way that gets you thinking how we don't know how people ended up where they were and maybe they don't always want to be there. In the fictional story you see the human side of Elizabeth. Her hopes and dreams and not just some lusty woman who chose to sell her body.

Deborah has taken the facts and created a story around them. In this case, a young girl who lost her mother and brother to illness and it had left her father blind. Living off what meager coins they received from her father's begging. When he passes away, Elizabeth is on her own and not doing well. She cannot get a job as you need money to apply or decent clothing. When she is at the point of freezing or starving an old friend comes across her and takes her in. She falls in love with him but he does not return it. He took her in with the purpose of gaining coin but bringing her to a House of Pleasure- a brothel where they catered to the higher class and made sure the girls stayed disease free.

The fictional Elizabeth takes on the name of her rescuer to remind herself not to fall in love again. After some years in the same place she is kicked out after one her patron's rowdy friends burst into her room. She goes to those men and asks them to help her because the Queen of Courtesan's. And they do. She creates a lasting friendship with Bob, Charles and Richard. This book walks through her life and her conquests. It is not a detailed account of every sexual encounter as much as showing her life. The book makes you think what you would do if you lived in a time where so few choices were open to women. In real life she did become a sought after Courtesan. When she was in her 30's she broke the cardinal rule of the Courtesan; never fall in love. The fictional Elizabeth did not choose her circumstances but ended up taking control of them.

**Sexual situations