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The Pleasure Wars #3
Beauty and the Earl
"Desire as essential as breath deception as fragile as sanity. "
"The Pleasure Wars, Book 3"
Liam, the Earl of Windbury, had everything when he held his secret lover in his arms. Until a feud between their families left her dead, his body broken, and his sister married to his bitterest enemy.
Wracked with guilt, simmering with rage, he s spent a year in seclusion, seeing no one except a few servants as he does his best to forget the past and patently refuses to think about any kind of future.
When courtesan Violet Milford enters Liam s lair, she s on a secret mission to gather information for Liam s desperate sister, who fears for his sanity, even his life. What she finds is a man scarred inside and out, whose dark, controlling sensuality hides the kind, wounded man within.
Violet awakens a sexual desire more powerful than Liam has ever known, and her stories weave a spell that begins to work its way past his defenses. But when the truth inevitably comes out, it could well destroy the love that is saving them both.
This book features a sexually experienced woman who will use every trick in her book to save a man from himself. "
"The Pleasure Wars, Book 3"
Liam, the Earl of Windbury, had everything when he held his secret lover in his arms. Until a feud between their families left her dead, his body broken, and his sister married to his bitterest enemy.
Wracked with guilt, simmering with rage, he s spent a year in seclusion, seeing no one except a few servants as he does his best to forget the past and patently refuses to think about any kind of future.
When courtesan Violet Milford enters Liam s lair, she s on a secret mission to gather information for Liam s desperate sister, who fears for his sanity, even his life. What she finds is a man scarred inside and out, whose dark, controlling sensuality hides the kind, wounded man within.
Violet awakens a sexual desire more powerful than Liam has ever known, and her stories weave a spell that begins to work its way past his defenses. But when the truth inevitably comes out, it could well destroy the love that is saving them both.
This book features a sexually experienced woman who will use every trick in her book to save a man from himself. "
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 2014
134 people are currently reading
566 people want to read
About the author
Jess Michaels
126 books1,572 followersJess Michaels is a USA Today Bestselling Author who likes geeky stuff like Star Wars, playing video games (she ships herself with Dragon Age’s Iron Bull FOREVER), Bob’s Burgers and collecting POPs! She also drinks a LOT of Diet Coke. Probably an unhealthy amount, but it’s her only vice. She will eat (almost) anything coconut, truly anything cheesy and nothing spicy (yes, she is a walking stereotype when it comes to that). She likes cats, her dog Elton and people who care about the welfare of their fellow humans.
Although she started out traditionally published by Avon/HarperCollins, Pocket, Hachette and Samhain Publishing, in 2015 she went fully indie and has never looked back! She is lucky enough to be married to her favorite person in the world and live tucked between the ocean and the mountains in Oregon.
When she’s not watching Our Flag Means Death or trying out all the new flavors of Greek yogurt, she writes historical romances with smoking hot heroes and sassy heroines who do anything but wait to get what they want.
Although she started out traditionally published by Avon/HarperCollins, Pocket, Hachette and Samhain Publishing, in 2015 she went fully indie and has never looked back! She is lucky enough to be married to her favorite person in the world and live tucked between the ocean and the mountains in Oregon.
When she’s not watching Our Flag Means Death or trying out all the new flavors of Greek yogurt, she writes historical romances with smoking hot heroes and sassy heroines who do anything but wait to get what they want.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
no-way-jose
May 17, 2024Note to self: heroine is a courtesan. (not my fav trope)
March 16, 2021
non-stop passion from the get-go.
April 20, 2014
Review soon to come. :)
April 9, 2014
Originally reviewed for Tea and Book
Dark and Dangerous.. a book that feeds off one man's darkest desires.. A glimpse into a deadly world of love, loss and revenge and when that fails..
Jess Michaels closes her Pleasure Wars Series with Beauty and the Earl.. this might be book three in the series but it was book one for me and let me just say WOW..
Beauty is an erotic delight.. touching on dark fantasy yet encircled by love.
The House Rothcastle and the House Windbury have been fueding for generations. From the cradle they are taught to hate each other. So when Liam Earl of Windbury had the audacity to fall in love with a daughter of the House of Rothcastle, there was hell to be paid. And paid it was.. Death was the price! Both sons were left alive but wounded but the true innocent. The one who wanted only peace was dead from a carriage accident. Both men pretty much spiral into darkness and despair. Both vow revenge, for Rothcastle it involves a sister for a sister (Book one of the Pleasure Wars, Taken by the Duke) but time and love have helped to heal him. Windbury on the other hand only spirals ever deeper.. he can't have his revenge it will hurt the sister he adores..
Violet Milford is a courtesan, a decent one, but a courtesan. Forced on to the streets for daring to be raped and refusing to marry her rapist, Violet makes her way as best she can. She is beautiful, articulate and caring.. able to claim her price and smart enough not to mess with the ton.. But when the Duke of Rothcastle calls her to his house.. that's right. To. His. House.. where his wife is.. Violet is most confused. When they offer her an intriguing proposition.. for a bucketload of money, Violet accepts.. even though she has a few qualms.
The proposition? Get close to Liam.. Find out how he is and if at all possible help him to find a way back to his sister. She misses him.
Liam, the Earl of Windbury has suffered for the past few years. Cut off from society, having chased everyone away, he has one friend left. And is quite lucky at that. Pretty much a recluse but when a gorgeous and famous member of the demimonde slips into his private room at Bath.. life suddenly changes. At first Liam is intrigued, curious.. but as time rolls on, he finds himself lost in desire. He wants Violet, he wants her for more than a moment in time..
What made this book wasn't the oh so steamy sex scenes which there were plenty of.. It wasn't the excellent storyline or the well developed characters. Nope it was the fact that Violet was a courtesan.. no meek and mild miss of the Regency era.. this was a woman who had lived. Who was forced to make her way in a society that didn't really like women. And yet, she had goals and dreams. She wanted more from life and found a way to make them happen in the only way she knew how. With the only tools she had.
This was a most excellent book and I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to read it. I seriously suggest you all give it a try.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Beauty and the Earl, provided by the author for an honest review and is scheduled to be released on April 15, 2014
Dark and Dangerous.. a book that feeds off one man's darkest desires.. A glimpse into a deadly world of love, loss and revenge and when that fails..
Jess Michaels closes her Pleasure Wars Series with Beauty and the Earl.. this might be book three in the series but it was book one for me and let me just say WOW..
Beauty is an erotic delight.. touching on dark fantasy yet encircled by love.
The House Rothcastle and the House Windbury have been fueding for generations. From the cradle they are taught to hate each other. So when Liam Earl of Windbury had the audacity to fall in love with a daughter of the House of Rothcastle, there was hell to be paid. And paid it was.. Death was the price! Both sons were left alive but wounded but the true innocent. The one who wanted only peace was dead from a carriage accident. Both men pretty much spiral into darkness and despair. Both vow revenge, for Rothcastle it involves a sister for a sister (Book one of the Pleasure Wars, Taken by the Duke) but time and love have helped to heal him. Windbury on the other hand only spirals ever deeper.. he can't have his revenge it will hurt the sister he adores..
Violet Milford is a courtesan, a decent one, but a courtesan. Forced on to the streets for daring to be raped and refusing to marry her rapist, Violet makes her way as best she can. She is beautiful, articulate and caring.. able to claim her price and smart enough not to mess with the ton.. But when the Duke of Rothcastle calls her to his house.. that's right. To. His. House.. where his wife is.. Violet is most confused. When they offer her an intriguing proposition.. for a bucketload of money, Violet accepts.. even though she has a few qualms.
The proposition? Get close to Liam.. Find out how he is and if at all possible help him to find a way back to his sister. She misses him.
Liam, the Earl of Windbury has suffered for the past few years. Cut off from society, having chased everyone away, he has one friend left. And is quite lucky at that. Pretty much a recluse but when a gorgeous and famous member of the demimonde slips into his private room at Bath.. life suddenly changes. At first Liam is intrigued, curious.. but as time rolls on, he finds himself lost in desire. He wants Violet, he wants her for more than a moment in time..
What made this book wasn't the oh so steamy sex scenes which there were plenty of.. It wasn't the excellent storyline or the well developed characters. Nope it was the fact that Violet was a courtesan.. no meek and mild miss of the Regency era.. this was a woman who had lived. Who was forced to make her way in a society that didn't really like women. And yet, she had goals and dreams. She wanted more from life and found a way to make them happen in the only way she knew how. With the only tools she had.
This was a most excellent book and I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to read it. I seriously suggest you all give it a try.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Beauty and the Earl, provided by the author for an honest review and is scheduled to be released on April 15, 2014
April 19, 2014
Finally, Liam's story. He's so tormented but Violet soothes the beast in him.
If you’ve read the Pleasure War series then you are acquainted with Liam, the Earl of Windbury, who lost his beloved, Matilda, sister of the Duke of Rathcastle who kidnapped Liam’s sister, Ava, as an act of revenge for the death of his sister as told in TAKEN BY THE DUKE. Liam is a tortured hero of the highest magnitude. The loss of his true love, Matilda, and the scars he carries from that dark night when he and Christian Rothcastle suffered devastating injuries fighting over the woman they both loved has left him with the darkest of moods and an unwillingness to forgive. He split from his own sister, Ava, after she fell in love and married his most bitter enemy. Nothing will make him return to London or accept his sister’s marriage, or so he thought.
Violet Milford is on a mission to learn everything she can about Liam for his sister who worries still that the tragic loss of Matilda has left her brother’s heart cold, dark, and filled with hate even for her. As a courtesan, Violet has learned to get men to talk about themselves and so she sets out to use her talents, both in and out of bed, to gain Liam’s trust and access to what keeps him so dark and withdrawn, all the while reporting back to Ava. Her goal is to earn the funds she needs to embark on a new life but once she starts opening up to Liam to gain his trust, she finds herself giving away more than just a few secrets. Soon, she realizes too late that she's lost her heart to him as well.
BEAUTY AND THE EARL by Jess Michaels is a story about how opening the heart to someone who cares, who listens, and who calls upon emotions that were thought long buried can bring a person back to life and to believe in love once more. Steamy as only Jess can write it, Violet and Liam take desire to new levels but you can feel the affection beginning to grow between them, and so it becomes an exquisite love story. In addition, we are treated to secondary characters that keep the story lively and real. Malcom and Olivia are adorable together and I can’t wait to read their story next.
I highly recommend BEAUTY AND THE EARL, book three in the Pleasure Wars series by Jess Michaels to anyone who loves a truly well written love story about looking past the dark to see the brightness that love and the future can hold.
***eARC provided by author in exchange for an honest and unscripted review
If you’ve read the Pleasure War series then you are acquainted with Liam, the Earl of Windbury, who lost his beloved, Matilda, sister of the Duke of Rathcastle who kidnapped Liam’s sister, Ava, as an act of revenge for the death of his sister as told in TAKEN BY THE DUKE. Liam is a tortured hero of the highest magnitude. The loss of his true love, Matilda, and the scars he carries from that dark night when he and Christian Rothcastle suffered devastating injuries fighting over the woman they both loved has left him with the darkest of moods and an unwillingness to forgive. He split from his own sister, Ava, after she fell in love and married his most bitter enemy. Nothing will make him return to London or accept his sister’s marriage, or so he thought.
Violet Milford is on a mission to learn everything she can about Liam for his sister who worries still that the tragic loss of Matilda has left her brother’s heart cold, dark, and filled with hate even for her. As a courtesan, Violet has learned to get men to talk about themselves and so she sets out to use her talents, both in and out of bed, to gain Liam’s trust and access to what keeps him so dark and withdrawn, all the while reporting back to Ava. Her goal is to earn the funds she needs to embark on a new life but once she starts opening up to Liam to gain his trust, she finds herself giving away more than just a few secrets. Soon, she realizes too late that she's lost her heart to him as well.
BEAUTY AND THE EARL by Jess Michaels is a story about how opening the heart to someone who cares, who listens, and who calls upon emotions that were thought long buried can bring a person back to life and to believe in love once more. Steamy as only Jess can write it, Violet and Liam take desire to new levels but you can feel the affection beginning to grow between them, and so it becomes an exquisite love story. In addition, we are treated to secondary characters that keep the story lively and real. Malcom and Olivia are adorable together and I can’t wait to read their story next.
I highly recommend BEAUTY AND THE EARL, book three in the Pleasure Wars series by Jess Michaels to anyone who loves a truly well written love story about looking past the dark to see the brightness that love and the future can hold.
***eARC provided by author in exchange for an honest and unscripted review
April 27, 2023
A Courtesan and an Earl is quite a book! The number of peers or noblemen who married their mistresses or courtesans is uncertain in reality, but anything is possible in a book. It seems like Jess Michaels always writes something different from what we usually read in historical romances.
A good story though!
A good story though!
Want to read
April 1, 2019”Warning: This book features a sexually experienced woman who will use every trick in her book to save a man from himself.”
Damn. Where do you I sign up for this!? Why is this a warning though as if it’s supposed to deter me from reading it?
I live for books such as this!
Damn. Where do you I sign up for this!? Why is this a warning though as if it’s supposed to deter me from reading it?
I live for books such as this!
May 19, 2017
Steamy, emotional end to this trilogy.
I'll admit, I struggled with the courtesan seducing the reclusive earl plotline. I started the story a while back, but just had trouble getting into it. I'm glad I took the time as I blew through it in about two days! You don't have to have read the first two books to get this one, though reading the first one helped understand the decades-long feud between the Duke of Rothcastle and the Earl of Windbury. I did not even read #2 because it had no real bearing on this 3rd book that I could see. And I have to say, this one is my favorite! Provided you suspend your perceptions of what 'could actually' happen from what 'is' happening in this book.... just a little bit...
Liam is deeply wounded both physically and emotionally, to the point of contemplating suicide from a horrific carriage accident that took the life of his beloved; the sister of the Duke of Rothcastle. Liam's sister, Ava, estranged by her marriage to the hated Duke of Rothcastle (by way of kidnapping, seduction and ruin *shudder* gaah I still don't like it!), hires the famed courtesan Violet Milford to beard the lion in his den and seduce Liam out of hiding. All so that Ava can be assured that her brother is safe from himself and could possibly reconcile with her, if not the duke - because (shocker) she is in the family way. (Saw that coming a mile away.) I also knew immediately who Peter was, even if Liam, as befits a good drama, did not. *sigh*
Anyway, the story itself is very predictable, but not short on steamy love scenes, erotic interludes, passionate confessions and a bruising betrayal. Of course it's an HEA - in the sweetest way, mind you! And it was a fun read, even if I knew with every word what was going to happen.
I'll admit, I struggled with the courtesan seducing the reclusive earl plotline. I started the story a while back, but just had trouble getting into it. I'm glad I took the time as I blew through it in about two days! You don't have to have read the first two books to get this one, though reading the first one helped understand the decades-long feud between the Duke of Rothcastle and the Earl of Windbury. I did not even read #2 because it had no real bearing on this 3rd book that I could see. And I have to say, this one is my favorite! Provided you suspend your perceptions of what 'could actually' happen from what 'is' happening in this book.... just a little bit...
Liam is deeply wounded both physically and emotionally, to the point of contemplating suicide from a horrific carriage accident that took the life of his beloved; the sister of the Duke of Rothcastle. Liam's sister, Ava, estranged by her marriage to the hated Duke of Rothcastle (by way of kidnapping, seduction and ruin *shudder* gaah I still don't like it!), hires the famed courtesan Violet Milford to beard the lion in his den and seduce Liam out of hiding. All so that Ava can be assured that her brother is safe from himself and could possibly reconcile with her, if not the duke - because (shocker) she is in the family way. (Saw that coming a mile away.) I also knew immediately who Peter was, even if Liam, as befits a good drama, did not. *sigh*
Anyway, the story itself is very predictable, but not short on steamy love scenes, erotic interludes, passionate confessions and a bruising betrayal. Of course it's an HEA - in the sweetest way, mind you! And it was a fun read, even if I knew with every word what was going to happen.
December 28, 2017
questa serie l'ho preferita di più!!!
January 10, 2024
This one surprised me. I dislike deception but also am a sucker for beauty and the beast retellings. It worked so well here and the sex be sexy as hell.
May 5, 2014
I love this series! I'm not very good at reviews because I seem to be a big spoiler alert. Let's just say it was perfectly scandalous and romantic at the same time. I can't wait for Beautiful Distraction to be released!
May 6, 2014
In the first two books of The Pleasure Wars series, it is the gentlemen who initiate the ladies to the intoxicating world of pleasure. When I finished
Pleasuring the Lady
and was about to start Beauty and the Earl, I expected it would be Liam who would be the dominant character in the story. Imagine my pleasure when it is Violet who takes the lead.
All of London knows the tragic story of the Rothcastles and the Windburys and all witnessed the current generation's rivalry, which resulted in the death of one's sister and the kidnapping of the other. Christian, the Duke of Rothcastle has found his peace and happily ever after with Ava, but, what about Liam? Because of this feud, Liam has lost the love of his life, and his sister, and now he has nothing left but his scarred and battered body. He has retreated from the world, and plans to retreat even deeper and farther ...
Ava has tried, albeit unsuccessfully, to reach out to her brother. She has come up with an outrageous (and desperate) plan that might just work: send a spy to her brother's household so that she might be kept apprised of his situation. They've chosen the perfect person for the job: Violet Milford is a seasoned courtesan with a reputation for being professional and being discreet. When they approach her with their plan, she doesn't really know whether to accept the offer or not. She has never taken on a titled lover, because of all the complications that come with that world and that life -- but she cannot help but feel for Ava, whose desperation, worry, and sadness are clear. Add to it, the promised sum she would receive for her services would allow her to retire and finally be with her son.
Her plan of attack is simple: maintain professional distance, entice the Earl, gather the necessary information and leave. What Violet doesn't count on is how deeply she would feel for this wounded man, and how much she would come to care for him.
She's a courtesan who doesn't expect any permanence in her arrangements and he's known for his one-night stands -- it would be the perfect arrangement for the two of them, but, from their very first meeting, they could feel that there was something different about this, about them -- and they were willing to step outside their comfort zone to discover why.
Of the three books, this was the most emotionally-charged story -- I've talked about how I thought Portia would end up with Liam, but, the more I got to know these two characters, the more I realised that they wouldn't suit. There's a lot of pent-up rage and darkness inside Liam -- he needs a strong(er) woman to help him through his pain. Violet is the perfect match for Liam: she's experienced both the cruelty and kindness of the world and she can speak with authority about the losses one endures in living. She is also his match in passion and intelligence. Violet struggles with her conscience as her relationship with Liam deepens -- and it becomes more and more difficult to separate her "work" from herself. Jess Michaels poses a very interesting moral dilemma for her heroine, and I had to think about what I would've done in her situation: to spy on Liam would mean helping him and his sister repair their relationship, but, to spy on Liam would mean ruining her relationship with him. Which is more important? Violet does not even think about herself, but only about Liam and what would, ultimately, bring him the greatest happiness.
Liam is very candid about his woundedness and most people tread carefully around him, as though he was surrounded by broken glass -- as though he were made of glass. Malcolm conducts his business and is also his closest friend -- and, for the the past year, has also been Liam's constant shadow, fearing that Liam would resort to drastic (suicide) measures. Violet is probably the first person who dared walk directly towards him, to get that close to him. I felt Liam's pain as he watched the happiness of the people around him: Violet, Olivia and Malcolm -- and he couldn't pretend to belong or fit in that world. He lost all joy and happiness when Matilda died, and he knows that he feels something for Violet, but he denies himself that possibility of happiness, because he is all-too aware of how fleeting life is, how temporary love can be.
Beauty and the Earl also deals with class differences and I really felt for Violet, who was so aware of her "place" in the world. When she met with Ava and the Duke of Rothcastle, she was surprised at the very hospitable reception she receives from them.
* * *
Even when she was with Liam, she never dared to overstep the boundaries -- and never dared to dream beyond what they had at the moment. I really like reading romances about courtesans and titled gentlemen/lords -- it wasn't just a matter of low vs high class, but about moving in very different worlds, and there is such a great social obstacle to overcome when one falls in love with a courtesan (and vice versa) -- and I wonder if courtesans ever enter into an arrangement with an expectation of marriage. I think, by the very definition of their occupations, they have to repress their dreams and ambitions. Which is why, when love does happen between a gentleman and a courtesan, it is glorious to behold. ^_^
The secondary story between Olivia and Malcolm was also very well done. Olivia, Violet's friend's original purpose was to distract Malcolm -- but she ends up falling in love with him. It's a difficult situation for her to be in, and her loyalty is tested when she had to choose between Violet and Malcolm. Their story is resolved very nicely here, but Jess Michaels is treating fans of the couple to a novella, focused entirely on their love story. ( Beautiful Distraction
will be released this June!) ^_^
This was a great "ending" to an amazingly, well-crafted series. My thanks to Jess Michaels for this very moving, very thoughtful story.
All of London knows the tragic story of the Rothcastles and the Windburys and all witnessed the current generation's rivalry, which resulted in the death of one's sister and the kidnapping of the other. Christian, the Duke of Rothcastle has found his peace and happily ever after with Ava, but, what about Liam? Because of this feud, Liam has lost the love of his life, and his sister, and now he has nothing left but his scarred and battered body. He has retreated from the world, and plans to retreat even deeper and farther ...
Ava has tried, albeit unsuccessfully, to reach out to her brother. She has come up with an outrageous (and desperate) plan that might just work: send a spy to her brother's household so that she might be kept apprised of his situation. They've chosen the perfect person for the job: Violet Milford is a seasoned courtesan with a reputation for being professional and being discreet. When they approach her with their plan, she doesn't really know whether to accept the offer or not. She has never taken on a titled lover, because of all the complications that come with that world and that life -- but she cannot help but feel for Ava, whose desperation, worry, and sadness are clear. Add to it, the promised sum she would receive for her services would allow her to retire and finally be with her son.
Her plan of attack is simple: maintain professional distance, entice the Earl, gather the necessary information and leave. What Violet doesn't count on is how deeply she would feel for this wounded man, and how much she would come to care for him.
The carriage pulled to a stop, and she shook her head to clear her suddenly spinning mind. Lord Windbury was not going to be her protector. She wasn't really here for him, but for his secrets. Her body was just a way to access these.
- Chapter 3
She's a courtesan who doesn't expect any permanence in her arrangements and he's known for his one-night stands -- it would be the perfect arrangement for the two of them, but, from their very first meeting, they could feel that there was something different about this, about them -- and they were willing to step outside their comfort zone to discover why.
Of the three books, this was the most emotionally-charged story -- I've talked about how I thought Portia would end up with Liam, but, the more I got to know these two characters, the more I realised that they wouldn't suit. There's a lot of pent-up rage and darkness inside Liam -- he needs a strong(er) woman to help him through his pain. Violet is the perfect match for Liam: she's experienced both the cruelty and kindness of the world and she can speak with authority about the losses one endures in living. She is also his match in passion and intelligence. Violet struggles with her conscience as her relationship with Liam deepens -- and it becomes more and more difficult to separate her "work" from herself. Jess Michaels poses a very interesting moral dilemma for her heroine, and I had to think about what I would've done in her situation: to spy on Liam would mean helping him and his sister repair their relationship, but, to spy on Liam would mean ruining her relationship with him. Which is more important? Violet does not even think about herself, but only about Liam and what would, ultimately, bring him the greatest happiness.
She felt loved.
Oh, she knew it was an illusion. That he would not, could not give her his heart. More to the point, she couldn't give him hers. But that didn't matter. This was still an act of love, and she clung to it and to the promises that it made in the quiet of her bedroom.
- Chapter 11
Liam is very candid about his woundedness and most people tread carefully around him, as though he was surrounded by broken glass -- as though he were made of glass. Malcolm conducts his business and is also his closest friend -- and, for the the past year, has also been Liam's constant shadow, fearing that Liam would resort to drastic (suicide) measures. Violet is probably the first person who dared walk directly towards him, to get that close to him. I felt Liam's pain as he watched the happiness of the people around him: Violet, Olivia and Malcolm -- and he couldn't pretend to belong or fit in that world. He lost all joy and happiness when Matilda died, and he knows that he feels something for Violet, but he denies himself that possibility of happiness, because he is all-too aware of how fleeting life is, how temporary love can be.
Beauty and the Earl also deals with class differences and I really felt for Violet, who was so aware of her "place" in the world. When she met with Ava and the Duke of Rothcastle, she was surprised at the very hospitable reception she receives from them.
To her surprise, there was a fresh pot of tea with a few cakes waiting for her, as if she were just a normal guest. But she didn't touch them. Best not to anger a very powerful duke the moment he entered the room.
After all, she knew her place.
- Chapter 1
* * *
"But I know what we are, Olivia. Courtesans cannot love -- we cannot afford it."
- Chapter 7
Even when she was with Liam, she never dared to overstep the boundaries -- and never dared to dream beyond what they had at the moment. I really like reading romances about courtesans and titled gentlemen/lords -- it wasn't just a matter of low vs high class, but about moving in very different worlds, and there is such a great social obstacle to overcome when one falls in love with a courtesan (and vice versa) -- and I wonder if courtesans ever enter into an arrangement with an expectation of marriage. I think, by the very definition of their occupations, they have to repress their dreams and ambitions. Which is why, when love does happen between a gentleman and a courtesan, it is glorious to behold. ^_^
The secondary story between Olivia and Malcolm was also very well done. Olivia, Violet's friend's original purpose was to distract Malcolm -- but she ends up falling in love with him. It's a difficult situation for her to be in, and her loyalty is tested when she had to choose between Violet and Malcolm. Their story is resolved very nicely here, but Jess Michaels is treating fans of the couple to a novella, focused entirely on their love story. ( Beautiful Distraction
will be released this June!) ^_^This was a great "ending" to an amazingly, well-crafted series. My thanks to Jess Michaels for this very moving, very thoughtful story.
November 28, 2021
#torturedhero #courtesan
THIS HAD A MORE SERIOUS INTONATION THAN I EXPECTED. I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FILLED WITH FUN AND PASSION BUT, IT REALLY MADE ME FEEL LIKE THERE WAS A ROCK STUCK IN MY CHEST AFTER THE ENDING - the good kind, but still....melancholic.
LIAM is the definition of a tortured hero who sometimes entertains suicidal thoughts. I've read his sister's story a long time ago, so I can't really remember how Liam played into all that but here we are, finally reading his story. The story is filled with passion, plenty of sex scenes for a historical romance and the plot goes as expected. Liam is startled when an exotic beauty intrudes upon his private bath in BATH and begins a passionate romance where they both unwittingly open up to each other. Liam's hard to get a ready on, because most times if he's not a sensual lover, he's closed off and walking on a hair's trigger of a temper when asked about his past. I salute Violet for her patience, wit and ability to handle him, truly.
VIOLET is a young courtesan of 5 years who happened to be a bastard child herself when she was raped by the son of the man she was supposed to marry. Unwilling to wed both men, and the father of her baby, she is cut off and soon meets her good friend Olivia. Both of them turn to selling their bodies for money and that is how Violet ended up being hired by Liam's sister to seduce her brother, and report back about Liam's current life. Now, usually I'm not a fan of reading about Courtesan romances, and how this entire charade started with deceit, but I'm willing to close an eye for this because I like the heroine. She's a strong woman who's willing to do whatever to support her son, and to be able to move on even if her heart breaks from circumstances.
OVERALL this was predictable, cliche and stereotypical all rolled up in one. Was it enjoyable, Of course. But will I remember it in the days to come? Not likely. Also, if you're looking for sweet fluff, this one isn't it. Like I said, both characters are weighted by their past - they have baggage - and amidst the passion, they are rather....melancholic people who find love and refuge in each other.
THIS HAD A MORE SERIOUS INTONATION THAN I EXPECTED. I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FILLED WITH FUN AND PASSION BUT, IT REALLY MADE ME FEEL LIKE THERE WAS A ROCK STUCK IN MY CHEST AFTER THE ENDING - the good kind, but still....melancholic.
LIAM is the definition of a tortured hero who sometimes entertains suicidal thoughts. I've read his sister's story a long time ago, so I can't really remember how Liam played into all that but here we are, finally reading his story. The story is filled with passion, plenty of sex scenes for a historical romance and the plot goes as expected. Liam is startled when an exotic beauty intrudes upon his private bath in BATH and begins a passionate romance where they both unwittingly open up to each other. Liam's hard to get a ready on, because most times if he's not a sensual lover, he's closed off and walking on a hair's trigger of a temper when asked about his past. I salute Violet for her patience, wit and ability to handle him, truly.
VIOLET is a young courtesan of 5 years who happened to be a bastard child herself when she was raped by the son of the man she was supposed to marry. Unwilling to wed both men, and the father of her baby, she is cut off and soon meets her good friend Olivia. Both of them turn to selling their bodies for money and that is how Violet ended up being hired by Liam's sister to seduce her brother, and report back about Liam's current life. Now, usually I'm not a fan of reading about Courtesan romances, and how this entire charade started with deceit, but I'm willing to close an eye for this because I like the heroine. She's a strong woman who's willing to do whatever to support her son, and to be able to move on even if her heart breaks from circumstances.
OVERALL this was predictable, cliche and stereotypical all rolled up in one. Was it enjoyable, Of course. But will I remember it in the days to come? Not likely. Also, if you're looking for sweet fluff, this one isn't it. Like I said, both characters are weighted by their past - they have baggage - and amidst the passion, they are rather....melancholic people who find love and refuge in each other.
July 23, 2017
Beauty and the Earl is the third book in The Pleasure Wars Series and it was a marked improvement in its writing style than the previous two books which I rated lower. The author's warning: This book features a sexually experienced woman who will use every trick in her book to save a man from himself.
This historical love story is about the resolution of the bitter family feud that has run for generations between the Rothcastle and Windbury families. I thought it was a more engaging read than the previous two books, and the story's secrets were well-kept until the moment the pivotal moments in the storyline. Also, the most emotional read between the three.
Taken By the Duke: 2+ stars
Pleasuring the Lady: 3 stars
Beauty and the Earl: 4- stars
Liam, the Earl of Windbury, is moody and steeped in pain. He is broken-hearted and in seclusion, wracked with guilt and rage at losing his secret lover. He is quite the tortured Hero, carrying physical scars from the accident, and emotional scars after cutting off his sister when she marries the enemy.
Courtesan Violet Milford approaches Liam on a secret mission to obtain information about him to report back to Ava, his desperate sister. Violet bewitches Liam with her confident and alluring ways, and manages to breech his defences.
The romance began quite physical with the sexy times being needed to establish the initial meeting and connection between Hero and Heroine but that soon began to change and balance out when the feelings and emotions took hold during their growing intimacy. Their relationship may have started in deception but it grew and was believable.
The secondary characters, Olivia and Malcolm, have their own little love story happening which is delightful. I'm keen to read more about them in the fourth book of this series. The epilogue of this story also includes previous characters and their offspring which is nice.
I recommend this book. I also recommend this series as a whole even though it gets off to a poor start in book one, imho.
This historical love story is about the resolution of the bitter family feud that has run for generations between the Rothcastle and Windbury families. I thought it was a more engaging read than the previous two books, and the story's secrets were well-kept until the moment the pivotal moments in the storyline. Also, the most emotional read between the three.
Taken By the Duke: 2+ stars
Pleasuring the Lady: 3 stars
Beauty and the Earl: 4- stars
Liam, the Earl of Windbury, is moody and steeped in pain. He is broken-hearted and in seclusion, wracked with guilt and rage at losing his secret lover. He is quite the tortured Hero, carrying physical scars from the accident, and emotional scars after cutting off his sister when she marries the enemy.
Courtesan Violet Milford approaches Liam on a secret mission to obtain information about him to report back to Ava, his desperate sister. Violet bewitches Liam with her confident and alluring ways, and manages to breech his defences.
The romance began quite physical with the sexy times being needed to establish the initial meeting and connection between Hero and Heroine but that soon began to change and balance out when the feelings and emotions took hold during their growing intimacy. Their relationship may have started in deception but it grew and was believable.
The secondary characters, Olivia and Malcolm, have their own little love story happening which is delightful. I'm keen to read more about them in the fourth book of this series. The epilogue of this story also includes previous characters and their offspring which is nice.
I recommend this book. I also recommend this series as a whole even though it gets off to a poor start in book one, imho.
June 21, 2019
“Once we are dealt our cards, what else can we do but play them?”
Beauty and the Earl is book three in the Pleasure Wars series by Jess Michaels. This author always surprises me with her stories, they’re always so unique. Liam, the Earl of Windbury, has sunken into the depths of depression and his sister sees no way of pulling him out other than hiring a renowned courtesan, Violet Milford. Violet is hesitant to take on the position and soon starts to feel guilty at the betrayal of Liam. Liam has suffered enough, first by the death of his first love and next by his sister who married his enemy. Violet was abused and left with child and forced into becoming a courtesan to survive. I appreciate how unashamed she is. Both Violet and Liam have had a rough past and I think that’s why they’re able to open up to each other. The first scene in the bath house was sizzling. It comes to the point where betrayal and scandal threaten to come between them and they have to decide if love is enough. I really enjoyed this book and I like how Jess Michaels wrote a companion book for this one featuring the secondary characters. This was a great series to read, puts a new spin on the Romeo and Juliet genre.
Bookstagram: @hopeless.book.romantic
Beauty and the Earl is book three in the Pleasure Wars series by Jess Michaels. This author always surprises me with her stories, they’re always so unique. Liam, the Earl of Windbury, has sunken into the depths of depression and his sister sees no way of pulling him out other than hiring a renowned courtesan, Violet Milford. Violet is hesitant to take on the position and soon starts to feel guilty at the betrayal of Liam. Liam has suffered enough, first by the death of his first love and next by his sister who married his enemy. Violet was abused and left with child and forced into becoming a courtesan to survive. I appreciate how unashamed she is. Both Violet and Liam have had a rough past and I think that’s why they’re able to open up to each other. The first scene in the bath house was sizzling. It comes to the point where betrayal and scandal threaten to come between them and they have to decide if love is enough. I really enjoyed this book and I like how Jess Michaels wrote a companion book for this one featuring the secondary characters. This was a great series to read, puts a new spin on the Romeo and Juliet genre.
Bookstagram: @hopeless.book.romantic
April 24, 2014
Review originally posted at http://fictionvixen.com/review-beauty...
The House of Windbury and the House of Rothcastle have engaged in a feud for generations. No one knows how it started or why, just that each family has been taught while growing up to despise the other. Then Liam, the Earl of Windbury, befriended Matilda, sister to the Duke of Rothcastle, then they fell in love and decided to run away from it all and get married. On the night they were making their getaway, Matilda’s brother Christian raced after them and tragedy struck. Each man was severely injured in the accident, but Matilda’s injuries were fatal. Now it’s years later and Liam’s sister has fallen in love and married Christian, but Liam still can’t find his way out of the darkness. He has given up his relationship with his sister and left London. So in desperation Ava hires a courtesan to get close to him.
Violet Milford hasn’t ever taken a titled gentleman to lover, but the offer presented to her by the Duke and Duchess of Rothcastle will set her up and enable her to finally have her heart’s desire. All she has to do is get close to Liam and discover his secrets for his sister. In and out. Become his lover, breach his defenses, gain his trust and then she can leave and finally carry through with all her plans. She never thought she would fall in love.
Beauty and the Earl is the third book in The Pleasure Wars series by Jess Michaels and is Liam’s story. If you’ve read the other books in this series, then you know already that Liam is the brother of Ava from book one, Taken By the Duke . Before I get into this review let me quote myself from my review of that first book so everyone will know exactly how I felt about his character.
I went into this book with some trepidation, knowing that I already didn’t care for the hero of this romance and also discovering that his heroine would be a courtesan hired by his sister and brother-in-law. I don’t know, the set up kind of left a bad taste in my mouth. I wasn’t sure how in the world I would connect to these characters or their romance. But I am a fan of Jess Michaels and I wanted to see how this series would end.
After finishing I still have mixed feelings. On one hand, I thought Ms. Michael’s did a good job of revealing Liam’s inner thoughts and feelings enough to make readers sympathetic with his character. I wouldn’t say he redeems himself, but I did get a better understanding of where his head and heart where at after the accident and during the events of the first book. He desperately loved Matilda and his grief over seeing her death still haunts him.
Then there is Violet. From the very first moment she meets Liam she comes on strong and seduces him, but then, that was her job. Her backstory unravels slowly, the reasons why she became a courtesan, why she has made the choices she has with her life. As she and Liam engage in a very erotic relationship she timidly starts to reveal herself and in turn he begins to trust her with pieces of the darkest part of his life. To my surprise I did end up somewhat connecting to each character and I did believe them as a couple, even if it all started out as a deception.
I think my issues come from the fact that everything kind of wrapped up too smoothly at the end. There is a big blow up when Liam learns why Violet entered his life, I mean she is essentially spying on him the entire time they were together. This is an enormous deception, one she has been engaged in with his sister and most hated enemy. But, when they finally meet again, its sex first, then a little bit of talking and all of a sudden they are declaring themselves to each other. I just didn’t find the final path to their HEA believable.
That only leaves the feud. This is the thing that has caused the death of an innocent young woman, has resulted in the kidnapping of another and has been almost a living thing between two prestigious houses of the Ton. Imagine my surprise when all it took to end it was a sister talking to her brother and two hated enemies shaking hands.
So while I did end up enjoying these characters and their relationship, I didn’t really care for how everything wrapped up.
One bright spot was Olivia and Mal. Their secondary romance was almost more interesting than the main characters. I’ve heard talk that they might be getting their own novella, and that would make me very happy. This story didn’t entirely work for me, but I am still a big fan of Ms. Michaels and will most definitely be reading whatever she puts out next. Final Grade- C+
Favorite Quote:
The House of Windbury and the House of Rothcastle have engaged in a feud for generations. No one knows how it started or why, just that each family has been taught while growing up to despise the other. Then Liam, the Earl of Windbury, befriended Matilda, sister to the Duke of Rothcastle, then they fell in love and decided to run away from it all and get married. On the night they were making their getaway, Matilda’s brother Christian raced after them and tragedy struck. Each man was severely injured in the accident, but Matilda’s injuries were fatal. Now it’s years later and Liam’s sister has fallen in love and married Christian, but Liam still can’t find his way out of the darkness. He has given up his relationship with his sister and left London. So in desperation Ava hires a courtesan to get close to him.
Violet Milford hasn’t ever taken a titled gentleman to lover, but the offer presented to her by the Duke and Duchess of Rothcastle will set her up and enable her to finally have her heart’s desire. All she has to do is get close to Liam and discover his secrets for his sister. In and out. Become his lover, breach his defenses, gain his trust and then she can leave and finally carry through with all her plans. She never thought she would fall in love.
Beauty and the Earl is the third book in The Pleasure Wars series by Jess Michaels and is Liam’s story. If you’ve read the other books in this series, then you know already that Liam is the brother of Ava from book one, Taken By the Duke . Before I get into this review let me quote myself from my review of that first book so everyone will know exactly how I felt about his character.
The surprise for me was how much I absolutely despised Ava’s brother at the end. After feeling such a significant loss and experiencing the love of Christian’s sister I would think he would understand and react less harshly to the decisions Ava makes at the end of the book. His handling and treatment of Ava once she comes home disgusted me. I know his book is probably coming up somewhere in this series and Ms. Michaels will have to do some bold writing to make me like or even have compassion for him again.
I went into this book with some trepidation, knowing that I already didn’t care for the hero of this romance and also discovering that his heroine would be a courtesan hired by his sister and brother-in-law. I don’t know, the set up kind of left a bad taste in my mouth. I wasn’t sure how in the world I would connect to these characters or their romance. But I am a fan of Jess Michaels and I wanted to see how this series would end.
After finishing I still have mixed feelings. On one hand, I thought Ms. Michael’s did a good job of revealing Liam’s inner thoughts and feelings enough to make readers sympathetic with his character. I wouldn’t say he redeems himself, but I did get a better understanding of where his head and heart where at after the accident and during the events of the first book. He desperately loved Matilda and his grief over seeing her death still haunts him.
“I still remember the way she looked when she took her last breath. She smiled at me. Somehow, even in death she found light. And she told me and her brother to make amends. But I couldn’t. Her loss was too profound to inspire anything in me but hate. Hate for him, hate for myself. I wanted us both dead.”
Then there is Violet. From the very first moment she meets Liam she comes on strong and seduces him, but then, that was her job. Her backstory unravels slowly, the reasons why she became a courtesan, why she has made the choices she has with her life. As she and Liam engage in a very erotic relationship she timidly starts to reveal herself and in turn he begins to trust her with pieces of the darkest part of his life. To my surprise I did end up somewhat connecting to each character and I did believe them as a couple, even if it all started out as a deception.
I think my issues come from the fact that everything kind of wrapped up too smoothly at the end. There is a big blow up when Liam learns why Violet entered his life, I mean she is essentially spying on him the entire time they were together. This is an enormous deception, one she has been engaged in with his sister and most hated enemy. But, when they finally meet again, its sex first, then a little bit of talking and all of a sudden they are declaring themselves to each other. I just didn’t find the final path to their HEA believable.
That only leaves the feud. This is the thing that has caused the death of an innocent young woman, has resulted in the kidnapping of another and has been almost a living thing between two prestigious houses of the Ton. Imagine my surprise when all it took to end it was a sister talking to her brother and two hated enemies shaking hands.
He took Christian’s hand and they shook. In that moment, something utterly strange happened. All the hatred, all the pain, al the ugly feelings he had held seemed to melt away. He actually staggered as the left him, and he stared at Christian. The other man had a similar expression to the one he knew was on his own face. Relief and shock, mixed together.
So while I did end up enjoying these characters and their relationship, I didn’t really care for how everything wrapped up.
One bright spot was Olivia and Mal. Their secondary romance was almost more interesting than the main characters. I’ve heard talk that they might be getting their own novella, and that would make me very happy. This story didn’t entirely work for me, but I am still a big fan of Ms. Michaels and will most definitely be reading whatever she puts out next. Final Grade- C+
Favorite Quote:
“You deserve much better, much more,” he whispered. “I lose myself in you, somehow I forget… I forget all that the moment you look at me, kiss me. No one has been able to do that. No one but you. And I can only thank you like this.”
May 9, 2017
Questa serie ha avuto un declino man mano che si andava avanti. Se il primo l'ho apprezzato, con il secondo avevo già avuto le prime avvisaglie. Qui abbiamo toccato quasi il fondo.
Questo libro è essenzialmente un porno con un minimo di trama. L'unico aspetto positivo rimangono i personaggi che con i loro lati oscuri riescono a ravvivare la storia. Tutto il resto è da buttare. Ogni tre/quattro pagine si partiva con la scena sessuale, che fosse su un letto e su un divano poco cambiava. Troppo. Troppissimo. E vi assicuro che sono una a cui piace leggerne ma, insomma, che ci sia anche qualcosa d'altro. Peccato. La serie continua... ho quasi paura ad acquistare i prossimi volumi. Ma alla fine, lo so che spererò nel miracolo.
Fate voi per il consiglio alla lettura.
Questo libro è essenzialmente un porno con un minimo di trama. L'unico aspetto positivo rimangono i personaggi che con i loro lati oscuri riescono a ravvivare la storia. Tutto il resto è da buttare. Ogni tre/quattro pagine si partiva con la scena sessuale, che fosse su un letto e su un divano poco cambiava. Troppo. Troppissimo. E vi assicuro che sono una a cui piace leggerne ma, insomma, che ci sia anche qualcosa d'altro. Peccato. La serie continua... ho quasi paura ad acquistare i prossimi volumi. Ma alla fine, lo so che spererò nel miracolo.
Fate voi per il consiglio alla lettura.
July 24, 2017
Un bel romanzo erotico * * * *
Romanzo erotico secondo la maniera tipica della Michaels: tanto sesso, ma anche tanta passione e tanto amore e in questo volume nessuna concessione a perversioni varie. Si potrebbe pensare che il lieto fine richiede almeno un po’ la sospensione dell’incredulità. Ma per onestà bisogna riconoscere che ci sono stati anche nella realtà casi simili.
La Michaels sfoggia le sue notevoli capacità di scrittura.
Qualche refuso di troppo.
(Teresa Siciliano)
Romanzo erotico secondo la maniera tipica della Michaels: tanto sesso, ma anche tanta passione e tanto amore e in questo volume nessuna concessione a perversioni varie. Si potrebbe pensare che il lieto fine richiede almeno un po’ la sospensione dell’incredulità. Ma per onestà bisogna riconoscere che ci sono stati anche nella realtà casi simili.
La Michaels sfoggia le sue notevoli capacità di scrittura.
Qualche refuso di troppo.
(Teresa Siciliano)
July 11, 2020
Ok, carino. Non mi ha convinto del tutto, forse non sono mai entrata in sintonia con i personaggi, anche se entrambi sono interessanti e ben strutturati. Anche in questo sembra voglia esplorare un argomento, ma poi lo tralascia. Meglio, perché si concentra di più sul rapporto emotivo fra Liam e Violet, ma da quella sensazione di indeciso che non mi piace.
Niente male comunque.
Niente male comunque.
May 27, 2021
No Headlines
I can not believe this is the first book I did not really enjoy by Lady Jess. I purchased and read my first book, by this author in February 2013. I just could not believe the story line. The only reason I rated it was because the sex was poppin. I look forward to reading another book soon.
I can not believe this is the first book I did not really enjoy by Lady Jess. I purchased and read my first book, by this author in February 2013. I just could not believe the story line. The only reason I rated it was because the sex was poppin. I look forward to reading another book soon.
March 23, 2023
THIS ONE!! I now remember this was and still is the Best of the series!
What a strong heroine! The best of the lot! And with finally a look into Liam’s life these two were PERFECt!
If you like a woman who has confidence in bucket loads and a alpha with a broody dark aura yet raw and unvarnished hunger then start reading!!
Loved it!
What a strong heroine! The best of the lot! And with finally a look into Liam’s life these two were PERFECt!
If you like a woman who has confidence in bucket loads and a alpha with a broody dark aura yet raw and unvarnished hunger then start reading!!
Loved it!
February 23, 2020
Perfect*
Finally Liam’s story! It was exactly what Liam needed. Exactly what we readers needed. I felt all the passion and heartache. I was so wrapped up in this story. I cried at the end.
Finally Liam’s story! It was exactly what Liam needed. Exactly what we readers needed. I felt all the passion and heartache. I was so wrapped up in this story. I cried at the end.
May 10, 2025
Romance and Redemption
I'm loving these stories. I couldn't put this one down. The characters are so vibrant and feel so real. The story has such a nice flow and even pace. I am so glad I bought the whole series. I can't wait to jump into the next one.
I'm loving these stories. I couldn't put this one down. The characters are so vibrant and feel so real. The story has such a nice flow and even pace. I am so glad I bought the whole series. I can't wait to jump into the next one.
December 1, 2019
I love steamy, romantic romances. Simple. Quick read. 10/10!
Read
June 22, 2020Just re-read this book
I enjoyed it very much . I am rediscovering Jess Michaels books hope to find some new story's to enjoy
I enjoyed it very much . I am rediscovering Jess Michaels books hope to find some new story's to enjoy
Read
October 29, 2021For as much as she was a sex worker, she really didn’t whip out ALL the goods, let me tell you.
January 29, 2022
Passionate and steamy romance. One of my favourites.
January 30, 2022
Swoony!
Books about courtesans tend to be full of lust but not always full of love. This one had equal amounts of both. A very well written romance
Books about courtesans tend to be full of lust but not always full of love. This one had equal amounts of both. A very well written romance
March 7, 2022
Great book… highly recommended…
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