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!
Publisher: Avon
(July 2008)
Reviewed
by Beverly,
Beverly Romance Books
