Thursday, 16 January 2014
REVIEW
Set
in Regency England, the book's main character Ellen Harding is trapped
in an arrangement that means she is nothing more than a rich man's
plaything. Life's cruel set of circumstances have left her living a life
she hates and leaves her being used and abused and nothing more than a
commodity. Of course she wants for nothing, as the mistress of Lord
Gainsborough, a savage brute of a man. But at what cost? This is a life
she is desperate to escape. But, just what does Gainsborough hold over
her? What is she so afraid of? Then, a chance meeting with the extremely
handsome Edward Marlow leaves Ellen confused by the strength of her
feeling and her desire for a man she barely knows. Is it possible that
Edward feels the same? Could he be her very own hero, if Ellen wants him
to be or will he use her like most of the men she has known? There is
much at risk for Ellen, and indeed Edward if the couple give in to their
desires. The stakes are high and both stand to lose so much.
Not
usually a reader of historical romances I have to say I loved this
book. Its fantastically written and the language used by the characters
is rich with the language of Regency England and at times I felt like I
was in right there in that particular period of time. It was amazing.
Jane Lark has obviously researched this book well and has developed such
likable characters and some wonderful villains! The plot is full of
twists and turns and the romantic and erotic love scenes are very
tastefully done but will leave you hot under the collar! Edward is a
wonderful lover, romantic, dashing and is not afraid to share his
feelings. Though, there is a dark and brooding side to him too. Where
can I get an Edward Marlow? Bravo to Jane Lark for this wonderful debut
novel. A great piece of writing that will have me following Jane Lark's
career with interest.
Publisher Harper Impulse
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.
Excerpt
He’d been waiting ten
minutes when he saw her. She was simply and elegantly dressed, her appearance
nothing like that of a courtesan. The long dark navy pelisse she wore was to
keep her warm in the chill, early March winds. Spring was still as yet
unbroken.
The demure garment hung to her ankles,
with double breasted buttons across her chest, and an upturned fox fur collar
framed her beautiful neck and face. Her hands were within a matching fox fur
muff at her waist. The dark navy hat, sitting high on her ebony hair, was
decorated with jay’s feathers that swept up from the brim above her left ear.
And a narrow, navy veil, woven in a fine net, was drawn down over her eyes and
nose.
His hands curled into fists inside the
pockets of his thick, many-caped greatcoat as he watched her, waiting for her
to notice him.
She had thought to hide herself, he
guessed, but he would know the curve of her jaw, that mouth, the column of her
neck, anywhere, even within a crowd. He had committed it to memory half a dozen
times in recent weeks and lain awake night after night recalling every detail.
She looked over her shoulder, glancing
back up the street, as if she half expected to be followed. Then she looked to
the traffic in the road, waiting until it was clear before she crossed to the
park gates. She’d still not seen him.
Within her muff he imagined her hands
clasped together, her thumbs circling one another. He’d seen her tendency to
fiddle when she stood at Gainsborough’s back. She was forever twisting and
turning her fan; never comfortable, nor secure. The other courtesans he’d seen
in London were women of excessive confidence, bold, never meek and maidenly in
their manner as Ellen always seemed. With Ellen he could not even lay her lack
of confidence at the door of her age. She was older than him, and yet her
nervous behaviour made her seem half a dozen years younger.
She was on the path some distance before
him now, her short, quick strides slicing at the skirt of her pelisse. Her gaze
was on the pavement ahead of her, oblivious to the men who passed her and
looked back, as nearly every man did, even with her beauty covered by a veil.
She looked up.
The moment she saw him, he could tell
she’d not thought he would come. It was in the sudden drop of tenseness in her
shoulders and the smile opening her mouth as if she would speak and acknowledge
him from afar. But such an outburst would be folly, even though he had come as
asked without acquaintance or equipage, someone may know him. Her mouth closed
on the exclamation as she increased her pace, weaving through people walking
the other way.
About the Author
Jane is a writer of authentic, passionate and emotional Historical and New Adult
Romances.
She began her first historical
novel at sixteen, but a life full of adversity derailed her as she lives with
the restrictions of Ankylosing Spondylitis.
When she finally completed a novel it was because
she was determined not to reach forty still saying, I want to write one.
Now Jane is writing a Regency series she’s thrilled
to be giving her characters life in others’ imaginations at last.
Jane is also a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development, and uses her knowledge of psychology to bring her characters to life.
Jane is also a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development, and uses her knowledge of psychology to bring her characters to life.
‘Basically I love history and I’m a sucker for a
love story. I love the feeling of falling in love; it’s wonderful being able to
do it time and time again in fiction, and my understanding of people helps me
write the really intense relationships I enjoy creating.’
Email janelark@btinternet.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/JaneLark
Book Two, The
Passionate Love of a Rake, is the next book in the series and is equally as amazing.
You can find my review for it HERE
The only woman who had power over notorious rake Robert
Marlow was now walking away from him, again. He'd heard Sutton had died, and
known Jane was free, but he'd always thought his desire would only be for
revenge, not her. Yet here he was, unable to deny what he felt for her… what
he’d never felt for any other woman…
The International giveaway on this tour is overall a first
edition signed copy of The Illicit Love of a Courtesan plus a bag.
Looks like another brilliant book can't wait to read it
Thank you for taking the time to read and review Illicit Love Jonty, I'm thrilled you loved it :-)
Best wishes,
Jane
Great review JB. So glad you enjoyed Jane's historical romance.
Thank you for taking part in the tour today.
Shaz