Lessons From a Courtesan by Jenna Petersen

Chantal: This is a new to me author. I read a great review for it at Book Binge, which is what prompted me to buy it. I was excited to hear from Ames that she had this in her TBR. It has been so long since the two of us have done a buddy review.
Keep in mind that this is not a review in the traditional sense. It's a discussion between friends.

Ames: And as such, it has spoilers.

Blackmailed into a marriage five years ago, and forced by their overbearing families to consummate that union so it could never be legally questioned, Victoria and Justin Talbot have been more than happy to live apart ever since, although neither one has quite forgotten the one night they shared.

But now Victoria has been forced to come to London in the disguise of London’s most talented and sought after courtesan. Invading Justin’s world, she is on a desperate search to find a missing friend and stay clear of her very angry, suddenly possessive husband. Only this time, one taste is not going to be enough for Justin. He is determined not only to uncover Victoria’s secrets, but to claim her, body and soul.

Chantal: What did you think of it? I loved it. It was the first Avon book I bought since I went off my protest. Okay, not really a protest, but I did stop buying anything from that publisher. Until now, that is.

Ames: I didn't like it. LOL

Chantal: *Gasp* Really? Tell me why you didn't like it.

Ames: It just didn't impress me. It was a "meh" read for me, not bad, just not my cuppa.

Chantal: Ok, fair enough :-) Did you like the love scenes? I thought they bordered on erotica. Very hot. The carriage scene was my favourite. I always like lovin' in a carriage with historicals.

Ames: I didn't like the love scenes. I thought the prose bordered on purple. I just couldn't understand the bond between them. I mean, they're hot in the sack, but they do not trust each other at all, so where the heck did the love come from?

Chantal: And here I thought all that mushiness was romantic, lol. I can see how he fell for her. She was very strong willed in wanting to help her friend, and once each of their secrets was out in the open, the trust was there. But you're right, it did take a while for both of them to fully trust the other. Although, I think that if you don't trust someone, you can still love them. It's like those women (and men) who hire decoys to see if their husband/wife will cheat. If you have to go as far as to hire someone to test your mate, then you clearly don't trust him/her, but that doesn't mean you love them any less.

For me, Lessons From a Courtesan was really good. It was nice to have a page turner in my hand. Sucky that you didn't love it though. Do you think you'll want to read more from this author?

Ames: You know, I think my problem stems from the fact that I read this author just after completing two Georgette Heyer novels. So of course there's going to be a comparison. Due to that fact, I think I will read something else by this author.
I don't think Victoria was strong willed. I mean, she did what she had to do because she was basically alone. Justin comes into the picture and she let's him kind of take over the investigation. One thing I want to know - how the hell is Victoria going to be able to show her face in London again? I don't think changing hair colour is enough to disguise her looks. So when she is unveiled as Justin's wife - the men at least are going to know she was Ria because if she was the most hottest thing around, they're going to remember what she looks like.

Chantal: Gosh, I don't know. Thats a great question.

She did hand it all over to Justin, but I don't think she would have done it as easily if she had not have gotten the creepy vibes from whats-his-name. At that point she started to get scared, and I think was happy to hand it over to someone else. Someone with a lot more power than she had, who was able to conduct a real investigation.

Ames: Yeah, that wasn't working for me. LOL I just got annoyed too with the way these two were acting. Saying things to constantly hurt each other. And Victoria melting everytime Justin touched her? Nah, it just didn't work.

Chantal: This is the first time we have ever not had the same opinion here on Breezing Through. It's kinda refreshing in a weird sorta way. LOL

Ames: LOL Yeah it is. We should read a Colleen Gleason book next to keep it up. hehe

Chantal: *snort* If you want to pay me, then I'll attempt to read another CG book. So not my cuppa, LOL.

Looking forward to this summer...

Ames: Since I'm not supposed to be buying books this summer, I've been doing a lot of wishing and anticipating - because there are some books I'm definitely going to buy. LOL So I asked Nath to do this post with me. Here are the books Nath and I are looking forward to summer...

Chantal: And Nath asked me to join, so I am too :-P

Ames: Well I wanted you to do this post too Chantal. LOL

Chantal: LOL ;)

Nath: LOL, ladies, let's just get to the books :P I don't know, but I seem to be looking forward to too many books :P So here goes...

July

Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs

Nath: Can't wait for this one and it's coming out soon!!! :) I've just wolfed (LOL) down the Mercy Thompson series and I need more of that world. It's really interesting and I like that Ms Briggs is going to explore the storyline of different characters, especially Charles. So mysterious... It's going to be interesting to see what happens in this book, especially to Anne.

Ames: I'm super excited for this one! And it's coming out this month! Woot. LOL

Chantal: I love a wolf plot, thats for sure. I've finally started the Mercy series :) (ames says YAY to this news)


Lyon by Elizabeth Amber

Chantal: This will be the third book in the erotic series about the brothers who each have 2 penises. I've not even read the second book, although I do have it. I plan to read Lyon. The first book was flawed on many levels. My review was full of complaints, but come on, I'm not the only one who sometimes likes to read the weird stuff, no matter how bad it is. lol

Ames: Ok ok, I have the second one too (still unread), but I don't know if I'm looking forward to Lyon. LOL


Delicious by Sherry Thomas

Ames: I really enjoyed Private Arrangements and Delicious just sounds hot. Can't wait for this sophomore effort from Ms. Thomas.

August

Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Nath: Seriously, who among Dark-Hunter series readers isn't waiting for this book? Although I haven't really read the last few books of the series, I'm still intrigued and looking forward to Ash's book. I think this is quite a gutsy move on Ms Kenyon's part, not to wait till the end of the series for the big main character to have his book. I hope with this one, Ms Kenyon will answer some questions and end some of her storylines... especially the conflict between Ash and Nick. Either way, it'll definitively be interesting to see what direction the series takes after this book as well.

Ames: Like you Nath, I haven't read the latest books Ms. Kenyon has put out. I think I'm 5 or 6 books behind. But Ash is the one character that draws me back to this series, so for sure I'm going to check this out. I don't know if I'm going to buy it, but I have it reserved at my library. LOL

Chantal: Oh, Oh, Oh, me too! This is odd for me, but the Dark Hunter series is the only one where I can read the books all mixed up. Every other time I have to read in perfect order. Not with the Dark Hunters though. Ash is an uber yummy character. I can't wait to read his story.


If there be Dragons by Kay Hooper

Nath: What can I say? I'm a fan of Ms Hooper and this is a re-print of one of her earlier works.



Cutting Loose by Susan Andersen

Nath: I've always enjoyed Ms Andersen's books. Of course, some more than others... but to me, Ms Andersen is a sure winner :) The storyline sounds good as well, so that's a plus. Also, this will give me my much needed contemporary fix :) I just hope there are no stalker in the plot! LOL :)

Ames: I enjoy Susan Andersen too, so for sure I'm looking forward to this one. :P


Sweet Spot by Susan Mallery

Nath:I didn't enjoy the first in the series, Sweet Talk, however I'm still looking forward for this book... all because of the hero!! :) What can I say? I can be such a glutton for punishment sometimes LOL :)

Ames: I read one of Susan's books last summer and I've been buying them like crazy, but not reading them. So I don't know if I'm going to pick this one up - I guess I'll wait for what others think.

Chantal: Not I. I have been disappointed the last several Susan Mallery books I have read. :(



Just One of the Guys by Kristan Higgins

Nath: I've discovered Ms Higgins books not too long ago and enjoyed them ;) This one has also a favorite plotline of mine: the tomboy turning into a woman to catch her long-time crush :) I just home it'll be more romance-y and less chick-lit-y.






Grace Valley trilogy by Robyn Carr

Nath: Ms Carr was a revelation to me last year. After reading Virgin River, I had to have more of her books and was lucky enough to find book 1 (Deep in the Valley) and 2 (Just Over the Mountain) of her Grace Valley trilogy. However, book 3 (Down by the River) has always eluded me. Lucky for me, with the recent success of VR, the Grace Valley trilogy is being re-print and released all at the same time :) Youppi!!! Of course, I'll be buying the whole trilogy, since they have new covers ;)

Chantal: Well gee, I had no idea that there were Grace Valley books. Right on. I'll look for them for sure.


Devil's Cub by Georgette Heyer

Ames: I've been on a real GH kick lately and Jennie reviewed this last year and I've been anxious to read it ever since.

September

Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh

Nath: Seriously, who has read the Psy/Changelings series and is not anxiously waiting for Dorian's story?!? Surely not me. Ms Singh has been a constant winner for me with this series, so I'm definitively looking forward to this one :)

Chantal: Yes! And after Dorian I want Hawk's story. The thing I love about her heroes (Except Judd because he sucked) is how much I can see myself being with them in real life-if the world the author created was real of course. It's real enough in my dreams, hubba hubba!

Ames: Yeah, I haven't caught up on the series, but I know I'm still going to buy this book.


Just Breathe by Susan Wiggs

Nath: I've enjoyed Ms Wiggs books and so, waiting for this one.


Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn

Nath: The sequel to The Lost Duke of Wyndham which I really enjoyed. I thought with this one, Ms Quinn was back in the game... and I'm really looking forward for Mr. Cavendish, I presume. Seriously, we've seen so many books where a man gets a titled unexpectedly... but how many books have we read where the hero - the good guy - loses his title?

Chantal: Cavendish... as in the brand of fries? Seriously, I love Julia Quinn. She is an auto buy for me, so I will be reading this book. She is one of the few authors who's books I buy and read without even flipping it over to see what the story is about.

Ames: Again, I bought the LDoW but haven't read it - that still isn't going to stop me from buying this one either. It's funny how an author is an auto-buy even if I haven't read lots by them. Am I the only one that does this?


Mercury's War by Lora Leigh

Ames: *sigh* I cannot ever get enough of Ms. Leigh's writing. I don't need to explain why I want this book. After reading Dawn's Awakening, it's a must.

Chantal: This is also on my list. Even though a lot of these books are just the same story over and over again, I'm addicted to Lora Leigh sex.






So here is our list :) What about yours? Any new releases that we missed?