The Courtesan

by Julia Justiss

Book Overview

The Courtesan by Julia Justiss released on Nov 29, 2005 is available now for purchase. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373770820
• ISBN13: 9780373770823
• Release Date: November 2005
• Publisher: Hqn
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.2" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

Marvelous characters

From the back cover: Seducing the seductress... After years of dangerous fighting on the Peninsula, Captain Jack Carrington has returned home to take up family duties and find himself a wife. But his life is thrown into turmoil when he views a fencing lesson unlike any other. The talented student is no student at all, but a beautiful young woman, and the most infamous courtesan in all of London--Lady Belle. Who is the mysterious Belle? A jaded cyprian seeking her next protector? A kind friend helping those in need? Or a mistress of sensual delights that tempt a man to madness? Eager to uncover the true woman behind the facade, Jack wagers he can win a kiss from Lady Belle if he bests her at fencing. And though Belle is a woman he can neither afford to keep nor dare to marry, he's willing to risk it all to win her to his bed. And my review: I decided to try a full-length novel by this author, since I'd enjoyed her novella AN HONEST BARGAIN in Harlequin's Officer'S Bride collection. After reading the back cover description, I was a little worried that this would be a lust-fest book, but I was pleasantly surprised. If you're sick of domineering men who ignore what the women want, then you'll love this book, because Jack was so wonderfully respectful of Belle. He was kind and gentle, yet never appeared weak. I really like that he wanted Belle to come to him willingly, or he was prepared not to have her at all. So many romances are filled with men who have an "I love you and you're going to do what I say" attitude, so Jack was a really refreshing change from that kind of nonsense. I was also worried that I wouldn't like Belle, since she was basically a one-man prostitute. But Belle had been forced into that life, and had never wanted to become any man's harlot. I ended up really liking her and feeling for her. I felt that she and Jack really complimented each other, and it was easy to cheer for them to be together. The attraction between them was based on more than sex, which is also a welcome change in the romance world. I could see why these two should be together. I also like how the problems keeping them apart were more compelling than just stupid pride or big misunderstandings. There were real issues to be dealt with, and obstacles that seemed insurmountable. My only complaint was that I felt the ended was a little too good to be true, which is where the book lost a star. I found it a little hard to believe that Belle would have been accepted by society, no matter who was supporting her or who her relations were. The ton was very unforgiving! But that's a minor flaw, and I still think the book is worth a read. I will be on the lookout for more books by this author!

An excellent emotionally-true love story -- a satisfying keeper!

This is a charming and emotionally-true regency historical which I really enjoyed despite its anachronistic modern-day mindset and too-neat resolutions of every single little issue. I absolutely loved the non-aggressive non-pushy romantic hero in this book, the honesty between the characters, the lack of convenient misunderstandings, and the portrayal of genuine honor, friendship, and affection as opposed to lust masquerading as "luuurv", and as a result it resonated for me on the emotional level, which to me is enough to forgive most other shortcomings. A very good and satisfying book.

Loved it!

Ms. Justiss did a wonderful job creating characters that I wish I could meet! Both Jack and Belle possessed an uncommon honor that drove them to do the right thing in difficult circumstances. I loved Belle's collection of unusual servants. These characters came with lots of baggage, and I wanted good things for all of them to make up for some of the bad things that had happened in their past. This was romance at its best--an escape from a the nastiness that is our real world to a place where the underdog wins and love conquers all! Buy this book!

Courtesan --great!

My last attempt at leaving a review somehow failed. I do want to post how I found this book to be artfully done so I'm trying again. The characters in COURTESAN interact wonderfully and the subplots are woven in very well, giving the book the kind ofdepth I like in my reads. This is a definitely hero I'd love to wrap up and take home with me, but I have a feeling my husband of 35 years wouldn't really go for that.

wonderful gender bending Regency romance

Former soldier Captain Jack Carrington watches the late Lord Bellingham's courtesan Lady Belle defeat an admirer in a sword contest. Afterward, Jack's pal bets he can defeat the unbeaten Belle. Early in their duel, Jack realizes she is at least is equal and maybe his superior so he tries to tire his opponent. Her cork falls off the tip and not long afterward the undefeated Belle wins the match stabbing Jack in the chest. She is stunned as he falls down with blood flowing everywhere. Belle agrees to nurse Jack in her home as he has no other place to go. As Jack heals, he observes his hostess be kind with people. He soon realizes he wants Belle in his life permanently. Belle tells Jack that Bellingham threatened to hurt a child if she left him so she never left the odious man. Jack vows to respect his Belle who fears she loves her guest though nothing can come of it as his sister is to be presented shortly. To prove he is a rat like all men, she tries to seduce him. He angrily rejects her though he desires her. He tells her he wants her not the whore, but though they make love she believes he deserves better. These delightful lead protagonists display honor and loyalty as his fine courtship serves as the center of the story line. Belle is the more interesting protagonist and not just because of her prowess with a sword in which she remains undefeated against a myriad of male opponents, but also her history. Though the ending seems too easy, a solid secondary cast adds to a wonderful gender bending Regency romance. Harriet Klausner