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Miss Eva Black spent her life concealing her mother's past as a courtesan. Now a spinster, her beauty hidden away under a dour disguise, Eva spends her days schooling courtesans to be suitable wives. But one vengeful duke does not appreciate Eva turning his mistress into a lady. He plans to seduce Eva into becoming what she detests: a courtesan. But he doesn't expect her to be a woman of such beauty and so many secrets.
AAR
Posted May 20, 2011
THE SCHOOL FOR BRIDES by Cheryl Ann Smith is an interesting historical romance set in Regency England. It is well written with depth and detail.The characters are charming,witty,demanding,strong willed,feisty,sexy and all around a great cast that will keep you on your toes from beginning to end. Eva Black has spent her life concealing her mother's past as a courtesan and her father's secret.He fathered a bastard child twenty some years ago. Eva disguises herself,does not go to balls or social events,stays close to home and runs a school for ex-courtesan's.Eva intends to give them a other way of life and a husband they can count on.She is a courtesan matchmaker of sorts. Nicholas,the Duke of Stanfield,is sexy handsome,a man to reckon with when crossed and unfortunately or maybe not Eva has crossed him.She has helped his ex courtesan found happiness in anther's arms,married,left the England for America and is with her husband's child.Nicholas is furious and decides to found out all and everything he can about Eva and he does.So he seeks his revenge,Eva will become is her mistress/courtesan or he will call in all her mother's debts, and improvise them.Eva can't have that,she has been protecting her mother since her father's untimely death. What Nicholas does not expect is to become so attracted to Eva she becomes a distraction and he to Eva also.Eva becomes something she despires, to protect her family,and her school for courtesan's.She will become Nicholas' courtesan for a while anyway.When they get caught up in the disappear ace of one of Eva's courtesan's,together they must learn that they are deeply in love.Although,Eva refuses Nicholas' marriage proposal,Nicholas decides she will accept one way or another.For to him she is no mistress or courtesan but his true love.Their mothers becomes involved and everyone knows when the mothers are involved there is no stopping them.This is a funny,cute,quick read full of witty banter,serious issues,sacrifice,
family,secrets,sweet sensuality,romance and of course the power of true love.A great historical romance read with a twist. This book was received for the purpose of review from the publisher and details can be found at Berkley Sensation,a division of the Penguin Group,USA,Inc. and My Book Addiction Reviews.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 8, 2012
I enjoyed reading.
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Posted December 9, 2011
I loved this historical romance and look foreard to the sequel in this series!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Niks_Nook
Posted April 21, 2011
This story began interestingly enough but quickly went down hill. The character of Eva was as unbelievable as her disguise, lacking personality consistency and depth. Other characters such as Margaret and the forgettable former courtesans were merely annoying fillers. The male lead regrettably also suffered from the painfully incomplete character development. As readers of romance novels we know what we want; believable characters, an exciting, believable story of love, mystery and beating the odds with all the bedroom romance that can go along with it. We want to experience a bit of whimsey and fantasy...this book fell far below that mark.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Miss Eva Black runs a school for courtesans trying to retire from their previous occupation. Dressed as a grim spinster, she teaches her students how to behave as proper wives as well as finding them proper husbands. Besides concealing her beauty, she hides the fact that her mother was a courtesan; something that always embarrassed Eva.
Fuming aristocrat Nicholas Drake arrives at Eva's school demanding she return to him his favorite mistress Arabella that she stole from him or he will use his ducal affluence to destroy her and her school. Eva detests the arrogant lord for his highhanded ways, but is also attracted to him. She accepts his demand that she replace his former mistress, married with a child on the way, as he holds her debts. Nicholas assumed he would scare the stern spinster while breaking her, but Eva teaches him to never judge a book by its cover.
The School for Brides is a warm gender war historical romance as the spinster and the aristocrat battle for supremacy. Like the heroine, readers will be affronted by Nicholas' attitude towards women, but she proves a worthy mentor-teacher. Although the background never full anchors the era, fans will cheer on the courtesan's daughter as she challenges the arrogant duke on his turf.
Harriet Klausner
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Overview
Miss Eva Black spent her life concealing her mother's past as a courtesan. Now a spinster, her beauty hidden away under a dour disguise, Eva spends her days schooling courtesans to be suitable wives. But one vengeful duke does not appreciate Eva turning his mistress into a lady. He plans to seduce Eva into becoming what she detests: a courtesan. But he doesn't expect her to be a woman of such beauty and so many secrets.