I very rarely post reviews on my blog but intend to change that over the coming months and post reviews of books that I just loved and feel deserve an easy four or five stars. As a writer, when I read a book, I find it impossible to do so just for pleasure.
I constantly evaluate what it is keeping me turning the pages; why I loved a particular sentence––or how the author created a character that leaps from the pages and burrows into my mind so I am thinking about him or her even when I'm not reading.
Writers can't be writers without reading - fact.
Finding the time to read as much as we'd like to is a constant battle but I often find when I pick up a book I love…I ALWAYS find the time to finish it! This was entirely the case with Jane's The Illicit Love of a Courtesan. The first in an ongoing series, this is story of the often heart-wrenching romance of courtesan, Ellen Harding and aristocrat, Edward Marlow.
Passionate, exciting, romantic and addictive, The Illicit Love of a Courtesan is beautifully written and kept me turning the pages. As a writer of historical romance, the detail and care Jane Lark has put into this book is clear and heartfelt––often making me feel woefully inept! This debut novel is a wonderful, wonderful read and highly recommended––5 STARS from me. Looking forward to reading The Passionate Love of a Rake. Thank you, Ms Lark!
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.’
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…
GIVEAWAY!!
'
The International giveaway on this tour is overall a first
edition signed copy of The Illicit Love of a Courtesan plus a bag.
Rafflecopter code:
Comments??
Wow, FIVE stars Rachel. So glad you enjoyed Jane's historical romance novel.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reviewing on tour today.
Shaz
Loved it!! Such beautiful writing and emotion - wishing Jane all the best for the future :)
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel
DeleteThanks for hosting! And I am thrilled you enjoyed it, you know how much I appreciate all your support! <3
xx
Jane
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