Celeste Bradley and Susan Donovan's "A Courtesan's Guide to Getting Your Man"

While the title doesn't sound like the usual romance novel fare, it (and the cover
art!) give ample evidence that there will be some bawdy content here. And there
is! It's been a while since I've read a book so dedicated to describing the sex act
and its variations, but this book certainly does cover its bases where that is
concerned, which to my mind puts it right out for an early or pre-teen audience.
And while it's age appropriate for me to read, I'm still embarrassed that I have!
It's the sort of book you want to put in a paper wrapper to read.

However, that said, there is a right way and a wrong way to do salacious content,
and I must admit that these authors handled it well. There was never a time when

I had to put the book down in disgust or laugh out loud at some clumsy word
choice, which can sometimes happen with these bodice-rippers. The characters
were believable, and their actions understandable to modern sensibilities. The
villains are also diverse enough to keep things interesting. The book frequently
flips back and forth in time, as there is a main character in modern day who is a
museum curator, and a heroine from Regency times whose family has
inadvertently left the museum her dirty diaries. But until the end, when time flips--
very quickly, the lively pacing means the change of place doesn't hurt the

narrative flow at all.

Ultimately, however, the book is the story of each woman discovering her
sexuality and freedom in whatever time period she is born into, and that makes
for an interesting read. As the back cover so succinctly states, the book "will
sweep you away - across continents, centuries, and bedrooms." It is a wild
romantic ride, but one that you'll be afraid to read in front of the kids, at soccer
games or in car line. The ending especially serves to bring both time periods
together in a nicely tied package, as the Regency lady's ring is given to modern
woman for her wedding ring. While I think I blushed like a school girl through
several chapters, I commend the authors for their writing skills, and understand
why they are considered giants in the genre.

Submitted by Gerti