Master of Sin [Paperback]

Maggie Robinson (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 27, 2012

Andrew Rossiter has used his gorgeous body and angelic face for all they're worth - shocking the proper, seducing the willing, and pleasuring the wealthy. But with a young son depending on him for rescue, suddenly discretion is far more important than desire. He'll have to quench his desires - fast. And he'll have to find somewhere his scandalous reputation hasn't yet reached...Miss Gemma Peartree seems like a plain, virginal governess - or so she hopes. No matter how many sparks fly between them, she has too much to hide to catch Andrew's eye. But with a stormy Scottish winter driving them together, it will be hard to keep her secrets. Especially when Andrew feels he has found the woman who can restore his soul - one kiss at a time...

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Brava; Original edition (March 27, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 075825105X
• ISBN-13: 978-0758251053
• Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 5.5 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,071,808 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Maggie Robinson is a former teacher, library clerk and mother of four who woke up in the middle of the night, absolutely compelled to create the perfect man and use as many adverbs as possible doing so. A transplanted New Yorker, she lives with her not-quite perfect husband in Maine, where the cold winters are ideal for staying inside and writing hot historical romances.

Released in November 2012: Lord Gray's List, the first of the London List Trilogy. Baron Benton Craig is tired of reading about his scandals in the newspaper, but he discovers the biggest scandal of all when he attempts to buy the paper and shut it down--his old flame Evangeline Ramsey, wearing trousers and posing as a man to get the all the dirt that's fit to print. Look for Captain Durant's Countess on February 21, 2013 and Lady Anne's Lover in August.

A new series, Ladies Unlaced, debuts with In the Arms of the Heiress in July 2013, followed by In the Heart of the Highlander in October.

The Courtesan Court series from Kensington Brava includes Mistress by Mistake (May 2010), Mistress by Midnight (January 2011), Mistress by Marriage (September 2011)and Master of Sin (April 2012).Lords of Passion(December 2010), an anthology with Virginia Henley and Kate Pearce, includes "Not Quite a Courtesan," a fun romp that also take place on Jane Street, the setting for the Courtesan Court books. "To Match a Thief" in the anthology Improper Gentlemen (August 2011)tells the tale of a most unlikely mistress and the man she masters.

Maggie's edgier alter ego Margaret Rowe's books are Tempting Eden from Berkley Heat (June 2010) and Any Wicked Thing (March 2011). Please visit the websites: http://www.maggierobinson.net and http://www.margaretrowe.net for excerpts, updates and contests!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Master of Sin by Maggie Robinson April 23, 2012

By Kissablysweetone

Format:Paperback

Andrew Rossiter did not have a normal childhood. As the son of a whore, his early life wasn't pleasant. When his mother died, his "Uncle" Donal took him in and made Andrew his sex slave. Donal then began whoring Andrew out. Andrew's whole life was being a whore to men and women of the ton. He was quite popular too. Then he was given a chance to earn a large sum by impregnating an Italian Duchessa. He did and when his son was still quite young, the Duca's cousin killed the Duca and Duchessa to become the next Duca. Andrew was able to save himself and his son, Marco. They fled to an island where no one would know their past. He'd hired a governess for Marco as well. Miss Peartree was the daughter of a courtesan. She was hiding her past too. Together they begin to live a life of hope, love and family.

This book is a refreshing twist on the usual historical romance. I liked the idea a male whore. It gave the book a wonderful story line. The writing is superb and easy to follow. I loved that this man was given the opportunity to turn his life around and make his son's life better. When he gave in to his love for Miss Peartree, the transformation was complete. Sweet, hot and a must read!! Maggie Robinson gives us another terrific book to sink our teeth into. Check this one out. I promise you won't be bored.

I did find a couple of issues. The story drags in parts. It builds up the steam but doesn't go anywhere. Also at the end, it was as if Maggie Robinson forgot about the killers who were after Andrew and just threw them in as an after thought.

I gave this one 4 out of 5 books because of the above issues.
~Copy of book provided by author in exchange for a fair review

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Sexy, deep romance March 27, 2012

By Lisa Wolff

Format:Paperback

Andrew Rossiter had a very unpleasant upbringing that has shaped him into the dark man he is today. Raised by a man that sexually abused him from age seven forward, Andrew became a male prostitute and was more than willing to do anything with anyone, male or female...even offer himself as a stud if the price was right. As he was able to deliver one son to an Italian couple, they have called upon his services again in hopes for another child. But when a terrible tragedy occurs, Andrew is forced to become a father to the little boy who has no idea who truly is. With the murderers sure to be on the hunt for Marco soon, Andrew quickly relocates out of London, anywhere where he is known for his devilish actions, and heads to a very remote area in Scotland, determined to put all of his past life behind him and begin anew with his young son.

Gemma Peartree has arrived at this remote island in hopes of escaping her own shameful past but is dismayed to find herself attracted to the blond angelface of Andrew. As Andrew quickly develops some true affection, the first he has felt in years, for Gemma as well, he knows he must quickly ship her off the island. But weather and Marcos deep affection for Gemma prevent this from happening as soon as he would like and before he knows it, he has spilled all of his shameful secrets in hopes of deterring this sprite-like beauty. Gemma is much more responsive and open-minded though, as her own upbringing comes to light as well, and she finally persuades the suddenly morally uptight Andrew to indulge in a delicious affair. Even as Andrew attempts to brush Gemma off again and again, together they slowly become true friends and beneath the friendship, a deep love grows. However, it takes the past finally catching up to them for Andrew to finally realize the true depth of his feelings and hopefully it will not be too late to finally start anew as a happy couple.

I have read and enjoyed all the books in Maggie Robinson's Courtesan Court series and this book is a bit more darker and deep than the previous books. I enjoyed how Andrew is not a titled gentleman trying to reform his rakish ways but rather a deeply scarred man that was abused during his childhood and built up such a wall around himself going into adulthood, he about misses the one thing that will finally give him some peace. The fact that the past was laid all out quickly was also a relief...there is no big misunderstanding and Gemma accepts Andrew for all his past misdeeds. I also enjoyed how Marco was included in the story but the child never overshadowed the romance and felt real. He naturally has a big distrust for Andrew and we get to slowly see father and son come together. Truthfully, besides some crude language, I actually felt this book was a bit tamer than some of the previous books. With Andrews fresh start, he also wanted to leave behind all sexual encounters and I was very pleased to see he did not drop that front quickly. Gemma was a delightful heroine, small, bossy and knew how to get what she wanted when she wanted it. She was the perfect balm to help Andrew accept himself and show that everyone deserves happiness, no matter how shaky or seedy the past may be. Overall, a wonderfully satisfying, sensual romance.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "Master of Sin" July 26, 2012

By Silver Stars VINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Master of Sin is the 4th in the series "The Courtesan Court." When I ordered Master of Sin, I didn't know that it was part of a series. Maggie Robinson did an excellent job with the two main characters Gemma and Andrew. I've ordered the three other books in the series and hope they are as intriguing as Master of Sin.

Andrew's mother was a prostitute who abandoned him when he was seven-years old. Andrew was on his own for two-weeks when Donal Stewart found him in an alley and took him home. Unfortunately, that was the end of Andrew's childhood. Donal sexually assaulted Andrew at the age of seven. Donal trained Andrew to be a male prostitute. Andrew became a male prostitute for men and women in the aristocratic hierarch society.

Duce Alessandro di Maniero of Italy was unable to produce an heir. Alessandro's cousin Gianne is the next in line to be the next Duce. The price was right, so Andrew bedded Duce Alessandro's wife Giulietta and they produced an heir. Alessandro and Giulietta decided to have another child. They invited Andrew on their yacht to bed Giulietta to give them another child. He happily agreed. They cruise the Mediterranean and took their son Marc. They left the servants in Italy. However, everyone is aware that Marc isn't the son of Alessandra. He's unable to have children. Andrew was tired and he took sleepy three-year old Marc down into the cabin. He fell asleep with his son Marc. Andrew heard rapid rounds of gunfire above which awakened him, then he heard Giulietta scream. He could hear male voices speaking in Italian. Marc was still asleep. Andrew hid Marc in a drawer under the bunk. After Marc was safely hidden, Andrew climbed on deck and saw two men. One man looked familiar. It was Alessandra's cousin Gianne. They were getting ready to burn the boat. There wasn't much time, as the fire and smoke were getting out of control. Andrew ran down below, took Marc, and went into the water. Andrew and Marc were floating when a fisherman saw them and helped them onto his vessel.

The fisherman took Andrew and Marc to his cottage to recuperate. They stayed there for three weeks. Andrew has to protect his son, go into hiding and change their names. Marc's parents were murdered. Marc is in danger, because if Gianne finds out that he is still alive, he will kill him and Andrew. Andrew called upon an old friend, Edward Christie, for help in purchasing a house in the Western Isles where Gaelic is the main language. Andrew hasn't spoken a word of it since he was a child. Edward Christie hired an English governess for Marc who also speaks fluent Italian.

Emma Peartree arrived in the Western Isles two-weeks before Andrew and Marc. When Andrew went to his home he was disappointed. He wanted privacy and a simple place to live. Someone had sold him a bill of goods. As he was walking through the house Andrew met Emma for the first time. Emma was a sight for sore eyes. Her clothes, boots, and her hair were a mess. She was covered with mud. She hadn't taken a bath in two weeks, nor changed her clothes. When Emma arrived two weeks ago, her trunk was lost. Emma told Andrew that no one around here speaks any English. If it's not raining it's snowing. And, there isn't any food in the house. Andrew asked about the housekeeper. Oh Mrs. MacLaren left. I think she called me a trollop. "You? A trollop? For a blind man, perhaps"

I liked Emma. She was a fantastic, independent, strong willed and stubborn heroine. There were times she would make me chuckle with her quick-wit. Andrew is no match. She finally wears him down. Andrew has a low self-esteem. Emma was remarkable helping him getting over his past and regain self-respect. Emma is well educated and speaks six languages. She has a past and had to take on a new identity. A lovely ending.

I recommend.