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The Artist
Lizzie is a pretty, but quite simple village girl when circumstances lead her to the artist, Theo.
She made a bad marriage to Lionel, a man who mistreated her, and who then threw her out when she refused to sell her body on the streets for him. Now she is trying to make her way alone.
Theo is the rebellious son of a Viscount, who left his privileged background to pursue his chosen career as an artist. His favourite subjects are pretty young women whom he loves to paint in the nude. He is delighted, therefore, when the beautiful Lizzie knocks on his door one day and offers her services as a model.
It is only a matter of days before the mutual attraction ignites between them and they become lovers. Despite village gossip, they are happy. Until Lionel, hearing that his wife is now living with the artist, erupts in a jealous rage and snatches her back while Theo is away and unable to protect her.
Upon finding Lizzie gone, Theo sets off in hot pursuit, determined to find the model for whom his feelings are growing daily. He soon catches up with Lizzie and Lionel, but during the hot-headed rescue, things take a tricky turn with an unexpected consequence.
Lionel is dead.
Unwilling to be charged with murder, and possibly hanged, Theo and Lizzie flee to Italy, where they try to start a new life together. But the past has a way of catching up with everyone, and they are no exception.
Can the love between a son of a Viscount and an illiterate country girl survive after such a troubled start? And will they have to face justice for the murder of Lizzie’s husband?
Publisher's Note: This is an erotic tale of a young couple in mid-nineteenth century England and Italy, with some explicit themes, including spanking, MFM ménage, and some F/F lovemaking.
135 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2016
7 people want to read
About the author
Juliette Banks
7 books20 followersI publish books as Rachel de Vine, as well as Juliette Banks, so I hope you will take a look at both pages.
I write primarily erotic romances, but I like to include adventure and thrills too, to add to the mix. Some are contemporary and others are historical.
I like my characters to be bold and fearless, although some have a touch of vulnerability.
As well as writing, I enjoy reading, music and travel to exotic places.
I write primarily erotic romances, but I like to include adventure and thrills too, to add to the mix. Some are contemporary and others are historical.
I like my characters to be bold and fearless, although some have a touch of vulnerability.
As well as writing, I enjoy reading, music and travel to exotic places.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 22, 2019
The Artist, by Juliette Banks.
Juliette Banks, aka Rachel de Vine, is a past mistress of the coming-of-age novel. In these stories usually, beautiful young women in impossible circumstances are rescued by unconventional men and learn that they have more talent for survival and growth than they previously thought. That's certainly the theme of The Artist.
Lizzie Prendergast, fleeing an abusive husband trying to force her into prostitution, began posing as a nude model for Theodore Harper, the artist son of an aristocrat. Life was hard in the 1850s and villagers regarded her as a tart. But Lizzie was determined not to fall into that category.
One thing led to another and what began as occasional employment led to her becoming Harper's housekeeper and eventually his lover. Initially, the artist had no thought of anything beyond an artist/model fling, but soon became enraptured by Lizzie's charm and beauty. And that's when things began going wrong.
Lizzie's husband, Lionel Prendergast, a crude and brutal gypsy, discovered her whereabouts and kidnapped her. Harper rushed to save her and in the process fought with Prendergast. That ended when he thought he and Lizzie had killed the man. Realizing they needed to escape, the pair fled first to France and then to Italy to begin a new and successful life in the artist colony of Florence. But the old crime haunted them.
And thus began a tangled web which looked like it would not only end the happy life the pair had been leading but put both their lives at risk as well. It kept me guessing right up to the end about how they would escape retribution.
But this story is more than a tale of love and growth. It's about dominance and submission and the role of spanking in love-making--and it started me thinking about the whole spanking scene.
There are some marvellous love scenes in the book which flare hotly off the page, and they all involve spanking as foreplay. I must admit I had never thought of the practice that way, or even why a man would want to spank a woman, or why a woman would permit it.
Yet the explanation, as Banks, sees it, lies in the fact that some men are Dominants, and some women Submissives. And when I thought about it I must admit that as a male I had always been dominant with my mate and that she welcomed and enjoyed it. Our relationship didn't involve spanking, but I realized that it was just one step up from the foreplay in which lovers everywhere engage.
So in addition to enjoying a great love story and mystery, I learned something about love-making itself. I don't recommend it as a practice for anyone to follow, but I at least now understand its attraction. Not many books can provide you with such insight. You'll love The Artist, right to its thrilling last page.
Juliette Banks, aka Rachel de Vine, is a past mistress of the coming-of-age novel. In these stories usually, beautiful young women in impossible circumstances are rescued by unconventional men and learn that they have more talent for survival and growth than they previously thought. That's certainly the theme of The Artist.
Lizzie Prendergast, fleeing an abusive husband trying to force her into prostitution, began posing as a nude model for Theodore Harper, the artist son of an aristocrat. Life was hard in the 1850s and villagers regarded her as a tart. But Lizzie was determined not to fall into that category.
One thing led to another and what began as occasional employment led to her becoming Harper's housekeeper and eventually his lover. Initially, the artist had no thought of anything beyond an artist/model fling, but soon became enraptured by Lizzie's charm and beauty. And that's when things began going wrong.
Lizzie's husband, Lionel Prendergast, a crude and brutal gypsy, discovered her whereabouts and kidnapped her. Harper rushed to save her and in the process fought with Prendergast. That ended when he thought he and Lizzie had killed the man. Realizing they needed to escape, the pair fled first to France and then to Italy to begin a new and successful life in the artist colony of Florence. But the old crime haunted them.
And thus began a tangled web which looked like it would not only end the happy life the pair had been leading but put both their lives at risk as well. It kept me guessing right up to the end about how they would escape retribution.
But this story is more than a tale of love and growth. It's about dominance and submission and the role of spanking in love-making--and it started me thinking about the whole spanking scene.
There are some marvellous love scenes in the book which flare hotly off the page, and they all involve spanking as foreplay. I must admit I had never thought of the practice that way, or even why a man would want to spank a woman, or why a woman would permit it.
Yet the explanation, as Banks, sees it, lies in the fact that some men are Dominants, and some women Submissives. And when I thought about it I must admit that as a male I had always been dominant with my mate and that she welcomed and enjoyed it. Our relationship didn't involve spanking, but I realized that it was just one step up from the foreplay in which lovers everywhere engage.
So in addition to enjoying a great love story and mystery, I learned something about love-making itself. I don't recommend it as a practice for anyone to follow, but I at least now understand its attraction. Not many books can provide you with such insight. You'll love The Artist, right to its thrilling last page.
October 3, 2016
A wonderful story with a great adventure. A fresh couple who find their way though the ups and downs of marriage and find love with a little help of spanking. I was given this story for a honest review,
February 12, 2018
This was a beautifully written historical romance with sensual eroticism. I enjoyed the slow burn and attention to detail, especially the scenes in Paris. With a few twists and suspense, to keep the storyline different and fresh, I wasn't certain where it would lead or how it would end. And I enjoyed that element.
A bit Hester Prynne in its lead character, but very Anais Nin in her sexual discovery, I routed for her the entire time. A refreshing protagonist, not the run-of-the-mill sass nor the stereotyped submissive, I was drawn to her. Likewise, the 'ARTIST' himself was kind while remaining dominant. And I liked him as well. The revelation into his family's past was also my favorite scene. I actually wish it were a little longer.
Well crafted and written with a fine editor's eyes, that too was refreshing in this genre! Juliette Banks, herself, is an artist, painting for us a decadent tale.
A bit Hester Prynne in its lead character, but very Anais Nin in her sexual discovery, I routed for her the entire time. A refreshing protagonist, not the run-of-the-mill sass nor the stereotyped submissive, I was drawn to her. Likewise, the 'ARTIST' himself was kind while remaining dominant. And I liked him as well. The revelation into his family's past was also my favorite scene. I actually wish it were a little longer.
Well crafted and written with a fine editor's eyes, that too was refreshing in this genre! Juliette Banks, herself, is an artist, painting for us a decadent tale.
February 24, 2020
Easy read.
September 7, 2016
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Having never read Juliette Banks aka Rachel De Vine's work before, I didn't really have any expectations. While both erotica and historical are not my favorite go to in romance, it never hurts to get a taste of something new. Juliette Banks takes us back to 1850 to visit with a seductive artist and his simple village girl muse on their journey to love that takes them from England to Italy. Theo and Lizzie keep things heated and interesting whether they are trying to control their simmering passion during an afternoon painting sessions or running from a murder rap.
Lizzie Prendergast has recently left her abusive husband and is living a vagabond lifestyle trying to find a job among a society who has been fed filthy lies and refuse to accept her. When Lizzie secures a job as a nude model for the viscount Theodore Harper, her luck takes a turn for the better...or so she thinks. That is until her husband is left in a pool of blood, she and Theo find themselves on the run from the local authorities and the only suspects for his murder. Lizzie is an interesting mixture of innocence and sassiness that flourishes the more time that she spends with Theo. I admired her independence and her “making lemon into lemonade” philosophy.
Theo Harper is a man who is known for snubbing rich society and pursuing a “free love” artistic lifestyle in pursuit of happiness. When the auburn haired, innocent looking temptress comes crashing into his life with scandal and gossip surrounding her, he has no idea the heights of pleasure, dangerous peril, and tumultuous feelings that will abound. He is a master of seduction and pleasure with a tinge of pain. I love the way he awakened Lizzie sexually, built up her self confidence, and dominated her while still letting her know that she was in control. If that isn't a hot hero, I don't know what is!
Juliette Banks paints a vivid erotic tale of consumable passion with a heart pounding chase between countries and matters of the flesh and heart. I highly recommend for romance readers who enjoy naughty stories filled with flushed cheeks, red bottoms, and sensual pleasures.
Having never read Juliette Banks aka Rachel De Vine's work before, I didn't really have any expectations. While both erotica and historical are not my favorite go to in romance, it never hurts to get a taste of something new. Juliette Banks takes us back to 1850 to visit with a seductive artist and his simple village girl muse on their journey to love that takes them from England to Italy. Theo and Lizzie keep things heated and interesting whether they are trying to control their simmering passion during an afternoon painting sessions or running from a murder rap.
Lizzie Prendergast has recently left her abusive husband and is living a vagabond lifestyle trying to find a job among a society who has been fed filthy lies and refuse to accept her. When Lizzie secures a job as a nude model for the viscount Theodore Harper, her luck takes a turn for the better...or so she thinks. That is until her husband is left in a pool of blood, she and Theo find themselves on the run from the local authorities and the only suspects for his murder. Lizzie is an interesting mixture of innocence and sassiness that flourishes the more time that she spends with Theo. I admired her independence and her “making lemon into lemonade” philosophy.
Theo Harper is a man who is known for snubbing rich society and pursuing a “free love” artistic lifestyle in pursuit of happiness. When the auburn haired, innocent looking temptress comes crashing into his life with scandal and gossip surrounding her, he has no idea the heights of pleasure, dangerous peril, and tumultuous feelings that will abound. He is a master of seduction and pleasure with a tinge of pain. I love the way he awakened Lizzie sexually, built up her self confidence, and dominated her while still letting her know that she was in control. If that isn't a hot hero, I don't know what is!
Juliette Banks paints a vivid erotic tale of consumable passion with a heart pounding chase between countries and matters of the flesh and heart. I highly recommend for romance readers who enjoy naughty stories filled with flushed cheeks, red bottoms, and sensual pleasures.
August 14, 2016
I WAS A SIMPLE COUNTRY GIRL UNTIL I MET YOU
I enjoyed this tale that takes the reader on an erotic journey from England to Italy. Lizzie is a simple village girl, poor parents with too many mouths to feed. Lionel Prendergast was a traveling gypsy that thought he could marry the beautiful Lizzie and then pimp her out to make money. When his young bride refuses, he spreads the word she has left him and prostituting herself. With nowhere to go, no money for food, or place to stay, Lizzie knows that the artist Theo will pay to paint her and thus begins their acquaintance and this journey. Lizzie is a beautiful model, and he paints many nudes of her that he will take to London to sell.
The plot has an innocent young woman who thought she found love but learns quickly that Lionel is a user, and she must do what she can to survive. Theo agrees to paint Lizzie and learns of her plight and what is being said about her, but he does not care, he takes her in. When Lionel returns and abducts Lizzie, Theo goes after them, and a fight ends with Lizzie hitting Lionel over the head, and he appears to be dead. The artist and his muse must leave England, and they travel to Italy where he has friends and will work. The story is full of passion, desire, angst, family secrets and fear along with mystery and suspense. Fleeing the country and living on the edge adds to this crime of passion and the unknown. Italy introduces artist friends, new experiences and includes MFM ménage à trois, and F/F lovemaking.
I enjoyed this tale that takes the reader on an erotic journey from England to Italy. Lizzie is a simple village girl, poor parents with too many mouths to feed. Lionel Prendergast was a traveling gypsy that thought he could marry the beautiful Lizzie and then pimp her out to make money. When his young bride refuses, he spreads the word she has left him and prostituting herself. With nowhere to go, no money for food, or place to stay, Lizzie knows that the artist Theo will pay to paint her and thus begins their acquaintance and this journey. Lizzie is a beautiful model, and he paints many nudes of her that he will take to London to sell.
The plot has an innocent young woman who thought she found love but learns quickly that Lionel is a user, and she must do what she can to survive. Theo agrees to paint Lizzie and learns of her plight and what is being said about her, but he does not care, he takes her in. When Lionel returns and abducts Lizzie, Theo goes after them, and a fight ends with Lizzie hitting Lionel over the head, and he appears to be dead. The artist and his muse must leave England, and they travel to Italy where he has friends and will work. The story is full of passion, desire, angst, family secrets and fear along with mystery and suspense. Fleeing the country and living on the edge adds to this crime of passion and the unknown. Italy introduces artist friends, new experiences and includes MFM ménage à trois, and F/F lovemaking.
August 15, 2016
Another new author for me and I sure did enjoy this book.
This book is about a couple that would normally never meet let alone be together. But because of the choices, that they have both made, meeting and falling in love their journey is not easy but the do it together.
This story tells us about their adventures together and what they as a couple experience as they journey from said stuffy English country life through to bright lights the city of Paris and into the adventurous filled artist world of Florence in 1850.
Along the way of their journey, they develop some amazing and beautiful friendships with some super fun yet colourful characters and through it all there never ending love which faces a serious charge.
The author has given us an enjoyable approach to her fun and adventurous st
4 Out Of 5 Hearts From Cariad Books
This book is about a couple that would normally never meet let alone be together. But because of the choices, that they have both made, meeting and falling in love their journey is not easy but the do it together.
This story tells us about their adventures together and what they as a couple experience as they journey from said stuffy English country life through to bright lights the city of Paris and into the adventurous filled artist world of Florence in 1850.
Along the way of their journey, they develop some amazing and beautiful friendships with some super fun yet colourful characters and through it all there never ending love which faces a serious charge.
The author has given us an enjoyable approach to her fun and adventurous st
4 Out Of 5 Hearts From Cariad Books
August 9, 2016
This is a book about a couple that would normally in the course of daily life not have any reason to meet, but due to choices they have made, meet and fall in love. This story tells the adventures that they experience as they journey from stodgy English country life through gay Paris and into the adventurously artist world of Florence in 1850. Along the way they develop amazing friendships with colorful characters and an everlasting love that even faces murder charges and possible death. The author has an enjoyable approach to her story telling that paints wonderful pictures of their experiences for the reader. Please note, I received a copy of this book from the publishing in exchange for my honest review.
August 15, 2016
Sweet and steamy!
I’ve just finished reading this novella, and finished it with a smile on my face. Thoroughly enjoyed it, too. Told from the POV of the two main characters, it rattled along very nicely. The premise was an interesting one to build a story around, and Juliette has produced an entertaining story with a developing romantic relationship and steamy love-making scenes. It starts gently, then the pace builds up. The crisis in the later part of the story added some drama, and was nicely resolved.
I also liked the little details on life in the mid 19th century, with household water still coming from pumps, and railways being a real novelty. The writing also reflects the period a little, enough to give a flavour, but thankfully not a mid-19th century narrative style.
I’ve just finished reading this novella, and finished it with a smile on my face. Thoroughly enjoyed it, too. Told from the POV of the two main characters, it rattled along very nicely. The premise was an interesting one to build a story around, and Juliette has produced an entertaining story with a developing romantic relationship and steamy love-making scenes. It starts gently, then the pace builds up. The crisis in the later part of the story added some drama, and was nicely resolved.
I also liked the little details on life in the mid 19th century, with household water still coming from pumps, and railways being a real novelty. The writing also reflects the period a little, enough to give a flavour, but thankfully not a mid-19th century narrative style.
August 25, 2016
This is my first book by Juliette Banks. I enjoyed this book and found it interesting and very hot.
The Artist is the story of a romantic relationship between Lizzie and Theo. She is a pretty and innocent young woman, but a simple village girl. He is the artist, the rebellious son of a viscount. Lizzie married Lionel, a bad man who wanted to sell her to other men. When she refused, she found herself with no money or place to stay. Lizzie ends up being a model for Theo. His favourite subjects are pretty women whom he loves to paint in the nude. After a murder, the couple must leave England, and they travel to Italy. The story is full of passion and the spanking scenes are well done.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Artist is the story of a romantic relationship between Lizzie and Theo. She is a pretty and innocent young woman, but a simple village girl. He is the artist, the rebellious son of a viscount. Lizzie married Lionel, a bad man who wanted to sell her to other men. When she refused, she found herself with no money or place to stay. Lizzie ends up being a model for Theo. His favourite subjects are pretty women whom he loves to paint in the nude. After a murder, the couple must leave England, and they travel to Italy. The story is full of passion and the spanking scenes are well done.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 14, 2016
This will be the first story i ever read from this author and i really liked this story. Lizzie is the oldest of 9 children so when Lionel rides in to ask for his daughter's hand but what does Lionel have in mind selling her body to make money when she don't put out he just abandons her with no money nothing. So Lizzie gets a job as a model for an artist that makes her week in the knees. So what will happen when Theodore(the artist) asks her to cook and clean for him while his maid is visiting her sister. so will the two fall in love and what will happen when lionel comes back to get his wife. Please if you havn't read this historical read it cuz you wont be dissapointed this is a great read
August 6, 2016
I enjoyed this story that started out slow and picked up so much that I could not put it down and ended up staying up to the early morning hours to finish reading it. There are some twists and turns which made the book that much more enjoyable. The description of the book is very well written and spot on. This is the first story I have read by this author and would love to read more.
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a honest review.
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a honest review.
August 9, 2016
This was an ARC review read for me and at first, I almost stopped, but I'm glad I kept reading. Lizzie hasn't had it easy but meeting Theo changes everything. An artist who lives a fairly hedonistic lifestyle, he takes Lizzie to places she never dreamed of, but she adapts quickly and thrives. Murder, mystery and lust.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews