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rainelle_barrett's review against another edition
5.0
The Courtesan’s Daughter. Ladies, I absolutely loved reading this dramatic novel. I had so much fun that I “did not” want it to end. How can you have so much fun with a romance book if there are no steamy scenes in it you ask? Well, there’s an easy answer for that. It has a talented writer who writes a darn good book, and “oh man”, this story is one of them.
This writer is new to me, but I have to say, I love her writing style in this book. The story flowed easily from page to page. The writer caught my attention with an intriguing plot. Then she followed up with some intense drama. I almost thought that I was reading the script from “Dallas”.
I must say the entertainment and the talent in this book is well worth the read. I was not disappointed. Chapter after chapter I was pleasantly satisfied to the end. The dramatics was like reading Dynasty versus watching it. Whew!
There are a few characters in here that had me wishing someone would give them just one good punch. Oh my gosh! I loved the dialogue among the characters. It’s like the characters where in sink with one another. It was like a casual conversation among them.
Yes sure there were some intense conversations, but there were some talks that had me, the reader enjoying the intimate comrade among people that have known one another for years. The writers words in the book are the music notes, and my reading was the music to my ears. Let’s talk about the families and the loving couple that’s trapped in the middle of all this. First Henry and Maude are the main romantic couple. There love starts early, but there are a number of things that arise before their happiness is addressed.
With a family like this who needs enemies. This was a, Gone With the Wind novel. Gosh, I love this book. Ladies, Eulial is a trip. She is straight up psychotic.
Forget Glen Close. Her scene at the ball had me dropping my jaw and laughing out loud. She is 100% cray, cray, ok?! Talk about a person being overly dramatic. The writer did an awesome job writing her character.
She reminded me of a few soap opera queens. If I was Maude, I probably would have dug a grave for that child months ago. Her parents would be none the wiser. The restraint that Maude holds herself to is a gift that so few people have. Felton I believe is a evil, wicked man inside and out.
Henry should have punched him when Felton came to visit him. Poor Thomas, “the fool”. What was he thinking? On the flip side, I say bravo Thomas! Today a boy becomes a man to his parents.
Priscilla better run while she still has the legs to carry her off the island. Felton is an evil man. Albina and Bess are even more mean. Again, I say with a family like that, who needs enemies?God that woman, Bess, I was really hoping that she would croak somewhere.
She really needs to mind her own business Miss know it all. Fanny, even in death, she remains the Queen puppeteer who pulls the strings to all who has crossed her path. This book has it all, romantic interludes that are sweet and heartwarming. There’s backstabbing. Family secrets taken to the grave, then dug up.
Chewed up. Spit back into the grave and then set on fire. We have long lost friends and new old friendships finding piece. Oh! Let’s not forget the beginning signs of a pyromaniac that lurks under everyone’s nose.
Gosh, did I say that I loved this book? The story has people of the ton being slapped. Young, spoiled rich girls taking down men of the ton with claws and kicks everywhere. There are thieves and supposed thieves, fighting for what is rightfully theirs. Rounding out all of this, the book has scandals and blackmail.
Until next time my fellow readers... read on!
This writer is new to me, but I have to say, I love her writing style in this book. The story flowed easily from page to page. The writer caught my attention with an intriguing plot. Then she followed up with some intense drama. I almost thought that I was reading the script from “Dallas”.
I must say the entertainment and the talent in this book is well worth the read. I was not disappointed. Chapter after chapter I was pleasantly satisfied to the end. The dramatics was like reading Dynasty versus watching it. Whew!
There are a few characters in here that had me wishing someone would give them just one good punch. Oh my gosh! I loved the dialogue among the characters. It’s like the characters where in sink with one another. It was like a casual conversation among them.
Yes sure there were some intense conversations, but there were some talks that had me, the reader enjoying the intimate comrade among people that have known one another for years. The writers words in the book are the music notes, and my reading was the music to my ears. Let’s talk about the families and the loving couple that’s trapped in the middle of all this. First Henry and Maude are the main romantic couple. There love starts early, but there are a number of things that arise before their happiness is addressed.
With a family like this who needs enemies. This was a, Gone With the Wind novel. Gosh, I love this book. Ladies, Eulial is a trip. She is straight up psychotic.
Forget Glen Close. Her scene at the ball had me dropping my jaw and laughing out loud. She is 100% cray, cray, ok?! Talk about a person being overly dramatic. The writer did an awesome job writing her character.
She reminded me of a few soap opera queens. If I was Maude, I probably would have dug a grave for that child months ago. Her parents would be none the wiser. The restraint that Maude holds herself to is a gift that so few people have. Felton I believe is a evil, wicked man inside and out.
Henry should have punched him when Felton came to visit him. Poor Thomas, “the fool”. What was he thinking? On the flip side, I say bravo Thomas! Today a boy becomes a man to his parents.
Priscilla better run while she still has the legs to carry her off the island. Felton is an evil man. Albina and Bess are even more mean. Again, I say with a family like that, who needs enemies?God that woman, Bess, I was really hoping that she would croak somewhere.
She really needs to mind her own business Miss know it all. Fanny, even in death, she remains the Queen puppeteer who pulls the strings to all who has crossed her path. This book has it all, romantic interludes that are sweet and heartwarming. There’s backstabbing. Family secrets taken to the grave, then dug up.
Chewed up. Spit back into the grave and then set on fire. We have long lost friends and new old friendships finding piece. Oh! Let’s not forget the beginning signs of a pyromaniac that lurks under everyone’s nose.
Gosh, did I say that I loved this book? The story has people of the ton being slapped. Young, spoiled rich girls taking down men of the ton with claws and kicks everywhere. There are thieves and supposed thieves, fighting for what is rightfully theirs. Rounding out all of this, the book has scandals and blackmail.
Until next time my fellow readers... read on!
ellenbrickley's review against another edition
4.0
Really loved the dense, rich worldbuilding - the story of Henry and Maude is told against the backdrop of family history, intrigue, spies, pirates and secrets. The world of the novel felt very real and I hope there are tons more stories in this 'verse to follow (I would read literally anything about Maude's mother, the courtesan of the title) because the cast of characters can definitely support more novels. Smart, funny dialogue, lead characters to root for, and a loud cousin with a slight tendancy towards pyromania - much to enjoy here. Team Eulalie!
chloebeetee's review
5.0
Ebook provided for free with compliments of the author - views are my own
The book centres around our heroine Maude, daughter of a famous courtesan who is living with her aunt and uncle in Barbados. Maude is treated as little more than a servant by her family, acting as a governess for her wildly spoilt cousin Eulalie. At a party she meets the charming Henry Crane and there is an instant connection.
This book is a ride and I devoured it within 24 hours- I even found myself nipping off to the toilet at work so I could read more. Maude is a great heroine, her struggle as a woman on her own trying to gain her freedom in the 1800’s is an interesting plot. It isn’t easy for her, the sins of the mother are regularly suffered by the daughter. She is a likeable and strong heroine. Her love interest Henry Crane is intriguing, his job is mysterious and we are left with many questions - he seems a good man but is he?
The side characters - Maude’s uncle Fenton Beck, her cousin Eulalie, her aunt, Crane’s brother Crane - are all fleshed out characters. In fact the interactions between the men were some of my favourite parts, this is a very comical novel in parts.
As the novel is set in Barbados during the 1800’s, we couldn’t get away without some good old famous piracy. This isn’t touched upon this much in the novel, but it’s set with the backdrop of Mexican independence from Spain. I have a feeling if there’s a second novel, this is going to explode further, such an interesting part of history and one that isn’t really explored in romance novels set in this period. It’s fresh and exciting!
Ellis’ novel is exciting and romantic. The subplots are as interesting as the main plot and you root for all the characters. Ellis also has this fantastic talent for making you hate a character at the start and love them by the end - Fenton Beck ended up being one of my favourite characters.
Honestly this novel is a steel on Amazon, do yourself a favour and get it.
The book centres around our heroine Maude, daughter of a famous courtesan who is living with her aunt and uncle in Barbados. Maude is treated as little more than a servant by her family, acting as a governess for her wildly spoilt cousin Eulalie. At a party she meets the charming Henry Crane and there is an instant connection.
This book is a ride and I devoured it within 24 hours- I even found myself nipping off to the toilet at work so I could read more. Maude is a great heroine, her struggle as a woman on her own trying to gain her freedom in the 1800’s is an interesting plot. It isn’t easy for her, the sins of the mother are regularly suffered by the daughter. She is a likeable and strong heroine. Her love interest Henry Crane is intriguing, his job is mysterious and we are left with many questions - he seems a good man but is he?
The side characters - Maude’s uncle Fenton Beck, her cousin Eulalie, her aunt, Crane’s brother Crane - are all fleshed out characters. In fact the interactions between the men were some of my favourite parts, this is a very comical novel in parts.
As the novel is set in Barbados during the 1800’s, we couldn’t get away without some good old famous piracy. This isn’t touched upon this much in the novel, but it’s set with the backdrop of Mexican independence from Spain. I have a feeling if there’s a second novel, this is going to explode further, such an interesting part of history and one that isn’t really explored in romance novels set in this period. It’s fresh and exciting!
Ellis’ novel is exciting and romantic. The subplots are as interesting as the main plot and you root for all the characters. Ellis also has this fantastic talent for making you hate a character at the start and love them by the end - Fenton Beck ended up being one of my favourite characters.
Honestly this novel is a steel on Amazon, do yourself a favour and get it.
bookswithvicky's review against another edition
3.0
I received a copy from the author to review this book. I like the story but I could not connect with the characters I found the main character quite annoying and her obsession that not to be treat as her mother annoyed me so much. However, I do really want to know what will be happen to her in the next book.
lennie_reads's review
3.0
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5/5)
I very kindly received a copy of this e-book to review from the author but the views are my own.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this book but once I started I struggled to put it down. I love a good period romance but I wasnt sure if it was going to be all smut, no substance. Luckily and unlikely I was wrong on both counts. There is a lot of substance to the story, the setting and most importantly the characters. However, apart from a graphic and hilarious explanation from Uncle Felton on how he doesn't get his wife pregnant, there is very little detail to our character's sexual exploits.
We arrive in Barbados on New Year's Eve, 1799 where Maude, our protagonist, is told she has to chaperone her younger cousin to a party as her Aunt and Uncle can't make it.
Maude came to live with her Aunt and Uncle 7 years ago when he mother died, but unfortunately is treated as a servant rather than a family member.
Maude is 25 and seen as an unassuming spinster despite her infamous mother's reputation, something her Aunt has tried to make sure of. At the party, Maude steps outside to get away from the party and meets Henry Crane, a dashing, debonair spy. He sweeps Maude off her feet, quite literally, until Eulalie (Maude's cousin) causes a scene and Maude is forced to remove her.
The party was to celebrate the engagement of her Eulalie's lover to another woman...
After being smacked by her Uncle, Maude decides she wants to leave Barbados forever and go back to London and requests her inheritance.
From there we have back and forth POV chapters from Maude and Henry, which I feel really fleshes the story out (I always love multiple POVs though to be fair). Their romance almost takes a back seat to the stories from the past about George's brother, Maude's Uncle Felton (who was best friends with Henry before a falling out), Maude's mother's, Eulalie and more.
By the end I even liked Uncle Felton and some of the best scenes were when Felton and Henry are ribbing each other.
I really enjoyed the aspect of Mexico's independence in the background and also that Henry was a spy as it doesn't seem to be a common profession for a love interest in a period novel. And although at the end I was enjoying where the story was headed, it was very open ended. I was also frustrated with the lack of clarity between Maude and Henry but hopefully if there's a second book we can delve into that a bit more!
I very kindly received a copy of this e-book to review from the author but the views are my own.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this book but once I started I struggled to put it down. I love a good period romance but I wasnt sure if it was going to be all smut, no substance. Luckily and unlikely I was wrong on both counts. There is a lot of substance to the story, the setting and most importantly the characters. However, apart from a graphic and hilarious explanation from Uncle Felton on how he doesn't get his wife pregnant, there is very little detail to our character's sexual exploits.
We arrive in Barbados on New Year's Eve, 1799 where Maude, our protagonist, is told she has to chaperone her younger cousin to a party as her Aunt and Uncle can't make it.
Maude came to live with her Aunt and Uncle 7 years ago when he mother died, but unfortunately is treated as a servant rather than a family member.
Maude is 25 and seen as an unassuming spinster despite her infamous mother's reputation, something her Aunt has tried to make sure of. At the party, Maude steps outside to get away from the party and meets Henry Crane, a dashing, debonair spy. He sweeps Maude off her feet, quite literally, until Eulalie (Maude's cousin) causes a scene and Maude is forced to remove her.
The party was to celebrate the engagement of her Eulalie's lover to another woman...
After being smacked by her Uncle, Maude decides she wants to leave Barbados forever and go back to London and requests her inheritance.
From there we have back and forth POV chapters from Maude and Henry, which I feel really fleshes the story out (I always love multiple POVs though to be fair). Their romance almost takes a back seat to the stories from the past about George's brother, Maude's Uncle Felton (who was best friends with Henry before a falling out), Maude's mother's, Eulalie and more.
By the end I even liked Uncle Felton and some of the best scenes were when Felton and Henry are ribbing each other.
I really enjoyed the aspect of Mexico's independence in the background and also that Henry was a spy as it doesn't seem to be a common profession for a love interest in a period novel. And although at the end I was enjoying where the story was headed, it was very open ended. I was also frustrated with the lack of clarity between Maude and Henry but hopefully if there's a second book we can delve into that a bit more!
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