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The Illicit Love of a Courtesan: A steamy historical romance in racy regency london (The Marlow Family Secrets, Book 1) (Marlow Intrigues) Kindle Edition
"Romantic, sensual and heartbreaking." - bookworm2bookworm
"What a brilliant read!! Jane Lark has an incredible talent to draw the reader in from the first page, Illicit Love captured me immediately. This book has a Romeo and Juliet (which I love) type of feel It's a display of raw emotion drama and intimacy." Cosmo Chicklitan
"Beautifully descriptive, emotional and can I say, just plain delicious reading? I defy anyone to NOT love Edward... 5 Glittering Stars" My devastating Reads
"I am NOT a big fan of historical romances but Illicit Love is so beautifully written it was a rare jewel... that just warmed my heart and reeled me in." - Gimme The Scoop
"Bravo to Jane Lark for this wonderful debut novel." Brook Cottage Books
"Pure, unadulterated romance." Best Chick Lit.com
In the eyes of the ton, Ellen Harding lives a charmed life - she is the beautiful, exquisitely adorned mistress of Lord Gainsborough.
But on the inside, behind her glamorous façade, she is empty - a vessel - deaf to the voice of morality and blind to shame. Unable to escape the gilded cage she has been trapped within.
Kind, gentle Edward Marlow could prove to be her salvation... With one look he gives her hope. With one touch he sets her senses alight.
Lose yourself in the passionate intensity of this stunning debut from exciting new talent Jane Lark.
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherOne More Chapter
- Publication dateOctober 3, 2013
- File size2479 KB
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“The romance pulls at the heartstrings.” 4.5* RT Book Reviews
“Romantic, sensual and heartbreaking.” – bookworm2bookworm
"What a brilliant read!! Jane Lark has an incredible talent to draw the reader in from the first page, Illicit Love captured me immediately. This book has a Romeo and Juliet (which I love) type of feel It's a display of raw emotion drama and intimacy." Cosmo Chicklitan
"Beautifully descriptive, emotional and can I say, just plain delicious reading? I defy anyone to NOT love Edward… 5 Glittering Stars" My devastating Reads
“I am NOT a big fan of historical romances but Illicit Love is so beautifully written it was a rare jewel… that just warmed my heart and reeled me in.” – Gimme The Scoop
“Bravo to Jane Lark for this wonderful debut novel." Brook Cottage Books
From the Author
About the Author
The kindle bestselling author of The Twins and The Secret Couple, with books shortlisted for the UK's Jackie Collins Thriller award.
Jane's books may contain love, hate, violence, death, passion, a little swearing, and an ending you are never going to forget.
Product details
- ASIN : B00F240EKU
- Publisher : One More Chapter (October 3, 2013)
- Publication date : October 3, 2013
- Language : English
- File size : 2479 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Sticky notes : On Kindle Scribe
- Print length : 341 pages
- Page numbers source ISBN : 0007559704
- Best Sellers Rank: #972,909 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #3,644 in Women's Historical Fiction
- #5,851 in Mothers & Children Fiction
- #8,093 in Women's Friendship Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Jane is a coffee, chocolate and red wine lover, and a late-night writer of compelling, passionate, and emotionally charged fiction.
The kindle bestselling author of The Twins, The Secret Couple and The Illicit Love of a Courtesan, with books shortlisted for the UK's Romantic Historical Fiction and the Jackie Collins Romantic Thriller awards.
Jane's books may contain love, hate, violence, death, passion, a little swearing, and an ending you are never going to forget.
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Ellen has had a very rough life. While she may come from a more distinguished background that is not easily shared with others, nor is she encouraged to share it, she has been punished for making her own choices in life, setting her on a path that involves becoming property of a cruel man. She stays because she has to. There is a sordid past that involves those she loves and would do anything for, and there are too many people in her life that use that to their advantage.
Edward has had the ability to make his own choices, but he puts his own wants and needs last. When it comes to family, he’ll do whatever he has to do to put things right, even at his own detriment. It seemed no coincidence that he finds himself in the same room as Ellen–two strangers who are seeking salvation, possibly within and from one another, no matter the odds or what obstacles they have to face.
Edward is continually Ellen’s savior, even when Ellen doesn’t feel she’s worth saving. But one of the greatest experiences is witnessing Ellen come into her own and believe in who she is, regardless of what others think of her or her past. There are societal pressures, particularly when it comes to the placement of a woman and the differences between being treated as a human being and living as someone’s property, and I felt the author showed a great amount of distinctions between the two, especially for the time this takes place in. Mixed in within it all are those moments between our main characters, the ones that ordinarily would take place behind closed doors but the reader gets to read it, and it did not disappoint. The Illicit Love of a Courtesan was an enjoyable experience; a worthy five-star read!
The Forths were very likable and I was annoyed with Ellen on Julia’s behalf at their meeting. I understood Ellen’s issues but it was tiring how she constantly fell back on that to presume on others. Then again, everyone in the story understands and practically apologize to her no matter what so why shouldn’t she? Don’t misunderstand, I liked Ellen but I really wanted her to work a bit more when it was clear she’d slighted people or judged them harshly or unfairly. She was so sensitive of herself but she’s never taken to task beyond a mere mention.
I enjoyed both Richard’s and Rupert’s evolution and in both of them it seems the stage is set for their own stories. I missed John when he was gone. Pembroke was a thorough jerk and Gainsborough a complete pig (his comeuppance was particularly enjoyable, btw). I didn’t understand why Gainsborough reappears at the Forths after his previous interaction with Richard (which by Richard’s account was pretty clear about what sort of end Gainsborough would meet should he cross the Marlow’s again) but excepting that, it made for good drama. So as not to spoil a relevant plot, I will just say that I enjoyed the rest of the characters as well. For all Ellen had gone through, she really was met with overwhelming kindness and love by all but two and to be fair, she needed it.
This was angsty, fun, frustrating and never dull, culminating in a gilt framed HEA. This was a good weekend read & I’d even say it’s a good one to have on vacation.
Top reviews from other countries
'… if God judged a woman with such a pure, good heart as hers, for deeds that were forced upon her, then in his opinion, God was an ass.'
I feel so much sympathy for Ellen, trapped in a sordid existence with an abusive and manipulative protector with no way out. Sometimes, I would catch a glimpse of the vulnerable woman beneath the hard, protective shell…a woman who still dreams of a happy-ever-after although she knows it can never be.
'…no matter what Edward said or what she thought, he could not rescue her from this life and nor could he take back the intervening years of pain.'
It was so satisfying to watch Ellen slowly regain her self-esteem and, through Edward’s steadfast love, have the courage to face her father and take back the life which should have been hers. Seeing her overwhelming love for her son, John, was so touching.
'She loved him, his patience, his kindness—his determination.'
Edward is a true hero. His love for Ellen never falters and he will do anything to protect her and restore her to the life she deserves.
'He’d vowed to give it back to her—that time—the life she’d lost.'
I adore him for making Ellen challenge all the assumptions she has accepted about her own worth and see the woman she truly is.
Ellen and Edward’s romance is full of ups and downs and Ms Lark captures all the charming, heartrending, poignant, passionate and joyous moments so beautifully. What really shines through is the unshakeable love that they share.
I admit to being intrigued by Edward’s brother, Robert. He is downright unpleasant at first, insulting Ellen and baiting Edward so much that they almost come to blows. But I got the sense that there is something in Robert’s past that has made him who is.He does redeem himself when he comes to Ellen’s defense when she is threatened by Gainsborough. Luckily, the next book in the series, The Passionate Love of a Rake , tells Robert’s story.
The reunion between Ellen and her sisters is heart-warming and I love how the sisters and their husbands all rally round to support Ellen in any way possible. Gainsborough may be a loathsome toad but the Duke of Pembroke, Ellen’s father, is an outright bastard. It was bad enough that he spurned his daughter and made her mother and sisters believe she was dead, but when the full extent of his betrayal is revealed, I would gladly have seen him horsewhipped.
With its passionate and sensual love story, memorable characters, compelling plot and great writing, I can highly recommend THE ILLICIT LOVE OF A COURTESAN to lovers of Historical Romance.
This is where I remind you that you can read the first chapter for free on Amazon and experience it for yourself. I promise you will not be disappointed.
The first chapter was not only beautifully written, it captured your attention, leaving you so invested in the characters there was no way you could put the book down. Add to that the 'Oh my god' moments where the author doesn't make miracles happen to save the protagonist. She is not living the fairytale, she is more like a raven haired Rapunzel kept in a town house and only allowed out for the sadistic pleasure of others. During which time you can feel the bile rise in your throat the same as the character.
The author keeps the suspense and drama moving along steadily. Depicting the scenes with historical accuracy and enthusiasm, allowing you to envisage the world they live in to the point you can smell the tobacco or feel the cold air on your cheeks.
There were so many wonderfully romantic lines to make you swoon and wish for your very own Edward. His adoration of her is obsessive and possessive but above all sexy as he knows he is head of heels in love with her. He is ready to gambol through life so long as it is with her. There is no sacrifice too big and her past is 'her past' as far as he is concerned. Even when her secrets are revealed one by one, he loves her more for them.
We all want a love like that and to read it described so well in this novel made me swoon and pine for the days when men were gallant, respectful... yes chauvinistic... but historical romances are. Even so, the line between a woman knowing her place, respecting her husband and being given the right to make decisions is evenly balanced. Ellen is self sacrificing and humble but she is no push over.
They was more nookie in 336 pages than any historical romance I've ever read. Just count yourself lucky that you can't get pregnant from reading, not that you would complain where Edward was concerned.
I enjoyed it from beginning to end and have decided I would read anything by Jane Lark... hell I'd even read her shopping list!
I am delighted that I have a several of her novels in my library including 'Capturing the Earls Love', 'The Passionate Love of a Rake' and 'The Scandalous Love of a Duke' which feature characters you meet in this novel. Also 'Capturing the Earls Love' is a free Novella so you can download it today.