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Greentree Sisters #2
Rules of Passion
"A courtesan needs to be practical and clever and cold-hearted. There is nothing of romance in it, or if there is, then it is very fleeting and must be supressed." —Madame Aphrodite
The boldest, most unconventional of the three Greentree sisters, Marietta believes her best course would be to emulate her natural mother, the notorious courtesan Madame Aphrodite. Being woefully unschooled in the ways of passion, however, Marietta, at Aphrodite's insistence, must first prove herself by properly seducing one man: Max Valland, the moody, disgraced, and disinherited former Lord Roseby.
With his life and reputation already in tatters, Max is most willing to help the exquisite young minx practice her chosen craft—though he is surprised at the depth of his desire...and by her most unprofessional tenderness. But Marietta's plans are threatened by the dangerous mysteries swirling around this disarmingly sensual gentleman . . . and by a heart that urges her to break the courtesan's cardinal rule: never fall in love.
The boldest, most unconventional of the three Greentree sisters, Marietta believes her best course would be to emulate her natural mother, the notorious courtesan Madame Aphrodite. Being woefully unschooled in the ways of passion, however, Marietta, at Aphrodite's insistence, must first prove herself by properly seducing one man: Max Valland, the moody, disgraced, and disinherited former Lord Roseby.
With his life and reputation already in tatters, Max is most willing to help the exquisite young minx practice her chosen craft—though he is surprised at the depth of his desire...and by her most unprofessional tenderness. But Marietta's plans are threatened by the dangerous mysteries swirling around this disarmingly sensual gentleman . . . and by a heart that urges her to break the courtesan's cardinal rule: never fall in love.
374 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 27, 2005
8 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
Sara Bennett
169 books209 followersSara Bennett writes with passion. She has been published by Avon HarperCollins in the USA, and also publishes independently. She recently wrote a series of Regency novellas about Second Chances called Mockingbird Square. The four novellas are Unforgettable, Enraptured, Surrender and Reckless. They're available at all eBook stores.
Currently she is writing a second series of Mockingbird Square. The first three novellas, Fascination, Seduction and Temptation are available, and Obsession is under way.
Sara also writes paranormal romance as Sara Mackenzie, steamy historical romance as Evie North, and Australian Women's Fiction as Kaye Dobbie.
Currently she is writing a second series of Mockingbird Square. The first three novellas, Fascination, Seduction and Temptation are available, and Obsession is under way.
Sara also writes paranormal romance as Sara Mackenzie, steamy historical romance as Evie North, and Australian Women's Fiction as Kaye Dobbie.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 21, 2009
Sometimes I choose a romance novel in the same way I pick a bottle of wine - my decision is based solely on the cover art. AND OMG Rules of Passion is hot hot hot, just like the cover art. In fact, it inspired me to make my birthday party three years ago themed "Romance Novel"
ROWR
ROWR
October 23, 2018
THIS ONE WAS ENTIRELY TOO CUTE, BUT IN A SENSUOUS ENIGMATIC WAY. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED HOW RANDOM THE CHARACTERS MET AND FROM THEN ONE JUST LET FATE STEER THE REIGNS OF HOW THEIR LIVES BECAME INTERTWINED.
OUR HERO was once part of the aristocracy. A Duke's heir, he was disinherited the moment his father got a letter from his dead wife that proclaimed that Max Valland is a bastard. When we first meet him, I literally held my breath because he appeared so cold and aloof, yet later we understand that he's actually wallowing his self pity and misery from his current status. How the mighty has fallen from Grace and he doesn't know quite what to do with himself. When Marietta Greentree steps into his life, it is about to change - drastically. Their next encounter lands him at the infamous bordello 'Aphrodite' that is actually Marietta's birth mother's club. He accidentally mistook Marietta for one of the girls there and offered to have a whole night with her. When he realises his mistake and leaves, he was attacked and thus leaving him in the caring hands of Marietta when he was discovered crippled and bleeding on the ground. When Marietta makes him an offer he is hard pressed to refuse, it begins their unlikely romance that sizzled with underlying sexual tension and just sigh worthy moments. I truly enjoyed their chemistry as it was real and oh so sweet. I liked how Max turned from stranger to protector THEN a lover and he knew right then that he was never letting her go, and he will never let her be a courtesan for she was too good for that.
OUR HEROINE has experienced the bitterness of first love, and having been fooled once and ruined by a man who played her, she decided that she will take the reigns of her own life and be its master. So she comes right out and says she wants to be a courtesan like her mother. Although, mothers know their daughters and Aphrodite knew that Marietta was too innocent, sweet and had a big heart despite her claim that she was 'ruined'. It did annoy me when Marietta kept insisting that she will never change her mind to not be a courtesan, and that just because she's ruined, she is experienced. What a load of bullshit. Every woman knows that just having sex ONCE in your life doesn't make you experienced in the least. When her mother proposes they use Max as a test drive, she thought why not? But Marietta doesn't realize that she's truly attracted to the man and just the thought of parting ways and having another man replace him just makes her downright sad. Although, will she be willing to put her heart out there again?
OVERALL I enjoyed every moment of it. From strangers to lovers, their interaction was bold and sweet with of course passion that was quite different because Marietta was learning a lot about Sex from Max, the seduction and outright curiosity of a man's anatomy was highlighted here and it seriously did wonders for this story, showing quite a different perspective. At least it wasn't just the usual kisses, groping and then fucking and then finito.
OUR HERO was once part of the aristocracy. A Duke's heir, he was disinherited the moment his father got a letter from his dead wife that proclaimed that Max Valland is a bastard. When we first meet him, I literally held my breath because he appeared so cold and aloof, yet later we understand that he's actually wallowing his self pity and misery from his current status. How the mighty has fallen from Grace and he doesn't know quite what to do with himself. When Marietta Greentree steps into his life, it is about to change - drastically. Their next encounter lands him at the infamous bordello 'Aphrodite' that is actually Marietta's birth mother's club. He accidentally mistook Marietta for one of the girls there and offered to have a whole night with her. When he realises his mistake and leaves, he was attacked and thus leaving him in the caring hands of Marietta when he was discovered crippled and bleeding on the ground. When Marietta makes him an offer he is hard pressed to refuse, it begins their unlikely romance that sizzled with underlying sexual tension and just sigh worthy moments. I truly enjoyed their chemistry as it was real and oh so sweet. I liked how Max turned from stranger to protector THEN a lover and he knew right then that he was never letting her go, and he will never let her be a courtesan for she was too good for that.
OUR HEROINE has experienced the bitterness of first love, and having been fooled once and ruined by a man who played her, she decided that she will take the reigns of her own life and be its master. So she comes right out and says she wants to be a courtesan like her mother. Although, mothers know their daughters and Aphrodite knew that Marietta was too innocent, sweet and had a big heart despite her claim that she was 'ruined'. It did annoy me when Marietta kept insisting that she will never change her mind to not be a courtesan, and that just because she's ruined, she is experienced. What a load of bullshit. Every woman knows that just having sex ONCE in your life doesn't make you experienced in the least. When her mother proposes they use Max as a test drive, she thought why not? But Marietta doesn't realize that she's truly attracted to the man and just the thought of parting ways and having another man replace him just makes her downright sad. Although, will she be willing to put her heart out there again?
OVERALL I enjoyed every moment of it. From strangers to lovers, their interaction was bold and sweet with of course passion that was quite different because Marietta was learning a lot about Sex from Max, the seduction and outright curiosity of a man's anatomy was highlighted here and it seriously did wonders for this story, showing quite a different perspective. At least it wasn't just the usual kisses, groping and then fucking and then finito.
October 22, 2023
Believable romance, but sub-par chemistry.
This grumpy-sunshine romance has little passion despite what the book’s title says. This has mostly to do with the heroine, who doesn’t have much depth despite her harrowing past. It was her personality that did not sparkle despite the fact that she was meant to be “sunshine”.
The hero has quite a bit of baggage which could have been explored more as well. As with these romances it read like the author was mainly fulfilling a book quota with this one as it read very surface level despite the potential for deep angst in this story.
Meh.
This grumpy-sunshine romance has little passion despite what the book’s title says. This has mostly to do with the heroine, who doesn’t have much depth despite her harrowing past. It was her personality that did not sparkle despite the fact that she was meant to be “sunshine”.
The hero has quite a bit of baggage which could have been explored more as well. As with these romances it read like the author was mainly fulfilling a book quota with this one as it read very surface level despite the potential for deep angst in this story.
Meh.
January 22, 2011
This is the first Sara Bennett book I've read and it wasn't bad. I found this at a bargain bookstore and after reading the description I found it promising.
It's not one of those hot reads I was expecting but it's ok. The story was good too, but there were times Marietta annoyed me. It reminded me of Claudia Dain's "The Courtesan's Daughter" and Aphrodite reminded me of Lady Sophia Dalby, being former courtesans, but the comparison stops there.
Aphrodite wasn't really manipulative and given the supposed guidance about being a courtesan was really for the best, when she set her sights on Max for Marietta's "trial affair". Marietta and Max hit it off well, both being shunned by society = Marietta's ruin from before, and Max being disinherited after finding out that he's not the Duke's son.
There's an added mystery about that and I'm only disappointed I pinpointed the culprit right away.
What I did like is the way the author gave voice to the secondary characters, and allowed them to experience the state of being appreciated/inlove as with the open-ended case of Lil and Ian Keith, and Lady Amy Greentree and David Jardine, her secretary. It's easy to see how besotted he is from the way he looks at her, and due to her mourning, she hasn't realized until she overheard her brother threatening Mr. Jardine.
I got a little emotional after Viviana asked Marietta for forgiveness for having rash words with her. It's understandable how she got carried away, being the wife of a prominent figure, with a scandal attached to her sister's name. It's good that her love for Marietta overrode any norms and supported her decisions about Max.
It wasn't exactly a light read, it's more like PG-13 with the love scenes. The cover did me in and I don't really mind. I just hope there are more exciting and passionate love scenes.
It's not one of those hot reads I was expecting but it's ok. The story was good too, but there were times Marietta annoyed me. It reminded me of Claudia Dain's "The Courtesan's Daughter" and Aphrodite reminded me of Lady Sophia Dalby, being former courtesans, but the comparison stops there.
Aphrodite wasn't really manipulative and given the supposed guidance about being a courtesan was really for the best, when she set her sights on Max for Marietta's "trial affair". Marietta and Max hit it off well, both being shunned by society = Marietta's ruin from before, and Max being disinherited after finding out that he's not the Duke's son.
There's an added mystery about that and I'm only disappointed I pinpointed the culprit right away.
What I did like is the way the author gave voice to the secondary characters, and allowed them to experience the state of being appreciated/inlove as with the open-ended case of Lil and Ian Keith, and Lady Amy Greentree and David Jardine, her secretary. It's easy to see how besotted he is from the way he looks at her, and due to her mourning, she hasn't realized until she overheard her brother threatening Mr. Jardine.
I got a little emotional after Viviana asked Marietta for forgiveness for having rash words with her. It's understandable how she got carried away, being the wife of a prominent figure, with a scandal attached to her sister's name. It's good that her love for Marietta overrode any norms and supported her decisions about Max.
It wasn't exactly a light read, it's more like PG-13 with the love scenes. The cover did me in and I don't really mind. I just hope there are more exciting and passionate love scenes.
March 25, 2014
Sara BennettI really enjoyed this book. Mariette (I love this name) was a girl who was used and abused by "true love" by a cruel man who left her after he got what he wanted. That is hard on any girl but back in the 1800s it was worse. She was RUINED in the eyes of society. Since Mariette would not risk her heart again she decides to become a courtesan like her birth mother Madame Aphrodite. Max has been disinherited by his father the duke. He has been raised as the next duke but his father found a letter from Max's mom saying that the duke is not his father. He is suddenly has no purpose so he decide to make himself his purpose for once. SARA BENNETT makes these two meet in the most daring and original way, a hot air balloon ride. As think back I realize their relationship was like that ride. Up and down. Aphrodite see a way to make both of these people happy. She tells Mariette that she should use Max as a entry into her new courtesan life. Max agree to it so he can make Mariette realize life as a courtesan is not for her. This story has unexplained accidents, one pissed off duke, a scheming cousin, a killer named Slipper and not 1 but 2 love stories. I give this book 4 fingers up and 8 toes.
January 12, 2016
This is set in Victorian England in 1841. A light hearted romance about a woman ruined after running off and sleeping with a rogue who she thought wanted to marry her. But Marietta, the daughter of a famous courtesan, Madame Aphrodite, isn’t put off and decides if society won’t accept her mistakes, she take after her mother and become a courtesan. So Aphrodite decides to assist her daughter, but only if Marietta can prove she can seduce a man. The choice, is Lord Roseby, Max, who has recently been disinherited.
April 19, 2020
Head to Jesha is a Bookworm by Clicking the Photo for a Book Review
There were too many parts moving in the story
June 18, 2009
I had great hopes for the book because I so dearly loved a Seduction in Scarlet. This one was adequate, but not Bennett's best.
January 15, 2012
Rated 3.5
July 24, 2012
072412
June 11, 2017
Great, it has every thing i like in a book. It has romance, funny,mystery,and a good end.
mrf
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews