Customer Reviews

Lessons From a Courtesan

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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.

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!

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.

Justin Talbot, Earl of Baybary, was blackmailed into marriage and left his new bride right after the wedding night. Years later, he's back in London and discovers that the famous courtesan, Ria, who all the gentleman are raving about, is none other than his timid, estranged wife, Victoria. But Justin soon learns that Victoria is not so shy anymore. Once the shock of her husband's abrupt departure on their wedding night wore off, it turned to anger and emboldened Victoria. She has come to London under the guise of a courtesan to find a friend (a former courtesan) who has gone missing. When she is confronted by her errant husband, she tries to brush him off. Not to be rebuffed, Justin is bound and determined to discover all of his wife's secrets, which may be more than he'd bargained for.

This book was so good, I could not put it down. It's dark, emotional and very sexy. Ms. Petersen did a fantastic job of bringing two people together, who each told lies and harbored many secrets, in a very believeable way. The interactions between Justin, a total alpha hero, and Victoria were fraught with sexual tension and the love scenes were smokin' hot. And the "lessons" at the beginning of each chapter were a very nice touch. Jenna Petersen gets better and better with every book she writes. I highly recommend this one!

This is a very entertaining read that is hard to put down, which makes it a quick read as well. The hero and heroine have a lot of chemistry and the story is fast paced and never boring, even if a little predictable. All of the characters are well defined and I look forward to the secondary characters' stories, which appear to be in the works. I will definitely buy more from this author and I highly recommend this book. The lessons, rules actually, were clever and fun to read.

This book is a must buy for anyone who loves historical romance, or anyone who loves drool-worthy men, or anyone who...well, really anyone. I fell for Justin the moment he stepped into the room. He's a complex hero with secrets a plenty, and Jenna Petersen does a wonderful job of slowly peeling back the layers of his personality and background until the passionate and loving man underneath is revealed. Victoria is a strong and fascinating heroine, who is the perfect counterpoint to Justin. Their passionate encounters will leave you breathless. You'll want to keep a cool drink on hand for this one.

In 1812 Justin Talbot and Victoria Reed marry although they do not know one another. The Earl and his new bride share a passionate night together as he explores every inch of her delightful body. The next morning she wakes up to learn her husband left without a word. For the next three years, she runs his estate, but he never returns from London and she never goes there.

In 1815 Victoria learns of the disappearance of a close friend widow Chloe Hillsborough in London. Thus she decides to go to the big city to see if she can find Chloe. She masquerades as Ria, the sexy courtesan, who has the Ton in a titter; the men want her while the women want her to leave. Justin knows who she is, but is outraged when he hears men claim they took her. As he makes his bid to regain the trust of his wife, they fall in love, but he knows finding her friend is the only way she will believe he is sincere this time.

LESSONS FROM A COURTESAN is an exciting Regency romance starring two stubborn lead characters who refuse to admit their love for one another. The story line is fast-paced from the moment Justin realizes the talk of the Ton is his wife and Ria realizes the only touch she desires is that of her husband. Jenna Peterson provides an enjoyable early nineteenth century romp starring the battling Talbots.

Harriet Klausner

The gentlemen of London are a buzz over Ria, the most sought after Courtesan in all of England. Ria is really, Victoria Talbot, the Earl of Baybary's wife. She hasn't seen Justin in three years ever since he took her maidenhead on their wedding night and left her alone in the countryside at one of his estates. Their marriage was one of convenience, planned by her father. Victoria felt so ashamed and used after Justin left her so carelessly. She has come to London with her friend, Marah because they believe that their friend, Chloe Hillsborough has come to harm. She is a widow who went to London to become a courtesan herself. When her letters stopped to Victoria and Marah, they concocted a plan where Victoria would pretend to be Ria, a seductive courtesan, as she searches for information about Chloe.

Justin is interested in meeting this mysterious Ria, but is in for a shock when he finds out she is his wife! He never forgot their wedding night and the young bride he left all alone. Justin may be able to finally give Victoria an apology, for she is in London pretending to be a courtesan. Justin will get to the end of Victoria's scheme, even if it means seducing her to find out the answers he feels he deserves.

Victoria can't escape Justin and she is especially weak every time he holds her in his arms. She still longs for his kisses, which makes her give in and tell him the truth about her disguise. Justin will help Victoria and pretend he is her new protector. Soon this husband and wife duo are involved in a mystery that may not have a happy ending. Victoria may despise what Justin has done to her in the past but she cannot deny his touch and they way he makes her feel as he brings her to his bed each night.

Lessons from a Courtesan may have some nice sex scenes, but that is about it. These two need some major marriage counseling. I really wanted to enjoy this sensual regency mystery tale, but I was so annoyed by the actions of Victoria and Justin. The way Justin has treated Victoria is unforgivable and even though she can't stand him, she quickly falls into his arms just because her body aches for his touch. These two snipe at each other back and forth, but then all too quickly their anger and near hate is forgotten because of what they both can do for each other during sex.

I had such issues with Justin and Victoria's relationship that I could not find joy when they were intimate. Even when Victoria brings up a perfect example of the horrible way Justin ignored and treated her, he blew it off and tried other ways, mainly seduction to take Victoria's mind off of her issues.

The mystery of Victoria's friend Chloe seems a bit ridiculous, especially with a young and innocent widow who comes to London looking for a protector and how Victoria comes up with the idea to be a courtesan herself even though she is still very much an innocent woman. I really couldn't get past Justin's initial response to Victoria and how quickly he changes his mind when Victoria comes to town and his possessive tendencies come out, just because she is his wife. Fans of Peterson's past books may enjoy this husband and wife duo who have great sexual chemistry, but as for trust and devotion, well, that is still something they may have to work on after the story ends. This is a major pass.

Katiebabs

Justin Talbot, the Earl of Baybary, finds himself blackmailed into marriage with Victoria Reed although they don't know each other. Victoria thinks after a sensual
Wedding night, that the marriage will work out fine, but she is shocked when Justin leaves her next morning to go to London. Three years go by in which she earns the respect of Justin's retainers. When one of her friends disappears, she goes to London to become the Courtesan "Ria", a way for her to find her friend. Justin realizes that she meant more to him than he ever thought and that he can't stand the idea that another man touches her. Will she give him a second chance?

LESSONS FROM A COURTESAN is an extremely sexy and very hot story and not your typical tame Regency. Ms. Petersen really knows how turn up the heat and to fan the flames of passion.

Justin as well as Victoria are both two very stubborn characters, who ignite pure fireworks when they butt their heads, but not only than.

Justin is a complex person with his own secrets and Victoria's character is much deeper that you would guess when you meet her for the first time. She holds quite a few surprises for Justin, which he never thought possible. She is the perfect counterpart to him, it's like two halves become one.

LESSONS FROM A COURTESAN is a very enjoyable story and I hope that there will be a sequel, because there are some really promising secondary characters.

Courtesy of Loveromances and more

In an arranged marriage in 1812 England, Miss Victoria Reed is quietly married to a man she'd just met, Justin Talbot, the Earl of Baybury. Despite his lack of conversation and glum expression, Justin consummates the marriage in a wildly passionate and unforgettable experience for Victoria. After having thoroughly accomplished his duty, Justin got up from the marriage bed and telling Victoria to stay in the country and run his estate he left.

Three years later Justin is back in London when he hears of the latest on dit that a gorgeous courtesan, "Ria", whom many men claimed to have lain with, had emerged and was looking for a new protector. While bets are made as to who would win the seductive siren, Justin seethed with rage when he recognized "Ria" as none other than his "wife" Victoria, whose image has haunted him for years. Demanding she end the charade or he would expose her, Victoria stood firm and pointed out that Justin would only harm his own reputation more. Victoria demanded Justin look the other way, as she had over his infidelities over the last three years. And so, the lines were drawn as Justin realized that no matter how much he was hurt by rumors of Victoria's lovers, he would do whatever it took to both discover what secrets she was hiding now, and win back her trust.

*** While there weren't too many surprises with this plot, the expertise in making the stubborn players act out their torment and love for each other was beautifully done. Early on in the story we discover that the `arranged' marriage was a form of blackmail against Justin by Victoria's bitter drunkard of a father. Hating her father as he had, Justin assumed that Victoria was just part of the plan. Throughout the story, one does tend to wonder what the blackmail was about and although there was one broad hint early on in the book the author kept this secret right up to the end.

The main plot in LESSONS FROM A COURTESAN revolved around Victoria's purpose in coming to London to rescue/find her good friend Chloe, who having been widowed with no means of support went to London to become a courtesan. This played out well against the theme that men tended to treat their mistresses infinitely better than their wives. When correspondence between Victoria and Chloe ceased after her mention of a suitor who frightened her, Victoria felt compelled to come to London to find Chloe, and what better way than attending the demimonde type parties to gather information.

Seeing her husband Justin, was a complication that Victoria hadn't counted on and knowing from past experience that he couldn't be trusted to keep his word, Victoria wanted no part of him no matter how much the thoughts of his hands on her flesh raised such passionate memories. In fashioning Victoria, the author took great pains in making her entirely sympathetic. Justin, was fashioned a bit harsh and arrogant whom one wanted to see grovel for what he put Victoria through. Their dialogs and interactions with each other simmered with sensuality and their love scenes were "to die for"!

The pace was fast and exciting, and Petersen (remember that this is FICTION) caught the flavor of the period extremely well. Her secondary characters, from Justin's best friend and brother, Victoria's friend Marah, and the dark villain of the piece added a fine layer of excitement and suspense. Jenna Petersen has proven beyond a doubt that her star is well on the rise. Fabulous writing.

Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com