I've finished "The King's Courtesan" the 2nd book in her Restoration series by Judith James.
Product Description
Her body is the battleground
Sensuous, beautiful and determined, Hope Matthews is a favored mistress of the king. Her many charms have helped her rise from the gutter to the king's bed. But with the new queen's impending arrival, her nights in the royal chamber -- and her hopes for security -- will swiftly come to an end.
His honor a distant memory
Haunted by his past, hardened by the recent civil war, Captain Robert Nichols lives only for revenge. When told he must marry the king's courtesan to provide a cover for their affair, he's faced with a new low. Both are pawns of a great man, but married to their dreams of independence, their clash is inevitable. Can these two wounded souls realize the answer to all their dreams might lie in each other's arms?
About the Author
Judith James has worked as a legal assistant, trail guide, and for fifteen years as a psychologist. Her personal journey has taken her from the Arctic to the West Coast and she’s finally found her home beside the Atlantic Ocean. An avid reader and history buff, she loves music, adventure, and traveling to new places. Her writing combines a love of history, romance, and adventure, with her keen interest in the complexities of human nature and the heart’s capacity to heal.
Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: HQN Books; Original edition (August 23, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373775598
ISBN-13: 978-0373775590
My Review:
The book opens in 1651 when Hope Matthews is 14 years old and she is rescued by a soldier from being stomped by horses as they rode in a parade. He brings her to the gate and then gives her a half-crown to buy another pair of shoes. She believes her knight in shining armor will rescue her from this life she has. She returns home and her worst nightmare has come true her mother has auction her off.
Now it's 1662 and Captain Robert Nichols has lost his lands and his sister was killed tragically. He is on the verge of getting his revenge on the last man responsible.
Hope has had two lovers before becoming King Charles Stuart's high ranking Mistress. He is about to marry his Portuguese wife but knows it's inappropriate to have his mistress living at Court so he devises a solution. He will marry off Hope to a titled man and she will live at his estate for a few months and then he will recall her back to court with her husband so they can continue their arrangement. He summons Captain Robert Nichols to court and presents his solution he will allow him back his lands if he marries Hope and title or he will lose Cressly Manor his family's to his sworn enemy who was responsible for his tragedy.
The marriage takes place at the May Day celebration with a clueless Hope (who has organized this event for Charles ) and reluctant Captain Robert Nichols and the marriage begins with a rocky start.
I really did feel the heat between Hope and the Captain but it lacked the chemistry/connection at first. The sex scenes didn't feel like they had any meaning just to slake their lusts.
3.5/5
Other books in series:
1. Libertine's Kiss
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