The Prince of Pleasure (Notorious)

I love diving into a book. Getting lost in a world for a few hours. Great story love a good who done it kind of story.

This is a very good romantic mystery written by Nicole Jordan. It's well written and I definitely will read her next book.

I normally don't favor romances where the lady is a courtesan of sorts but the sexual nature of their relationship was so hot and intense I couldn't help but keep reading. This erotica tale of seduction and betrayal had me barely breathing at the end. I felt Julianne suffered and sacrificed so much for Dare, I wish he had been more loving towards her. His distrust leads him to continually put her in a powerless position but Julianne holds her own.

Loved the two main characters - they had so much depth and emotion that I was drawn in and couldn't put this book down. The banter is great and the mystery of what happened between the two unfolds throughout the story, along with the mystery of a murder. Julienne was truly a force to be reckoned with and I was afraid I'd end up hating Dare because of his rake status, but not the case at all. Would definitely recommend to someone who enjoys a sensual read with two characters who deserve a HEA.

Who would ever believe that Jeremy Adair "Dare" North, Marquess of Wolverton, the handsome, sexy self-indulgent member of the infamous Hellfire League actually suffers from a broken heart?! And now the woman responsible has just re-entered his life after seven long years. She is Julienne Laurent, the current darling of the London stage. Julienne is a very sympathetic character, though I doubt I would have made the sacrifices she did! She and her mother fled Revolutionary France when Julienne was four years old and made a living in their millinery shop in Kent - a far cry from their aristocratic background as wife and daughter of the guillotined Comte de Folmont. During one of Dare's rare visits to the family pile that extended to the entire summer, he and Julienne fell in love and planned to marry, much to Dare's grandfather's displeasure. To keep Dare from being disinherited, and to protect herself from trumped-up treason charges, she feels she has no choice but to succumb to his grandfather's manipulations and lets Dare believe the worst of her knowing she will lose him forever. But she swallowed her pain and ugly memories and clawed her way out of scandal and poverty to become Drury Lane's most renowned actress. As a favor to his friend Lucian, the earl of Wycliff, Dare is hunting infamous traitor Lord Caliban and suspects that he may be one of Julienne's many suitors, so in order to better observe his quarry, he very publicly joins the candidates vying to become her protector. Julienne can think of only one reason why Dare would pursue her - revenge. As they spend time in each other's company, both Dare and Julienne try desperately to hide their deep vulnerability to one another. Though Dare repeatedly bemoans how she wronged him (it got a bit old), we discover that it is Julienne who has truly suffered and born her pain with quiet dignity (women really are the stronger sex!). When Julienne agrees to work with Dare to unmask Caliban, the old feelings rise to the surface to ensnare both in a passion that really never died. But can past hurts be forgiven or forgotten so easily? Is the love they found seven years ago still alive? A few minor issues: personally, I found the pace a little on the slow side, though the intrigue was well executed - there were several possibilities as to who Caliban was, so it kept the reader guessing. And it bothered me that Dare was so willing to believe the worst of Julienne (then and now) when he supposedly loved her so (luckily he sheds much of his childish self-centeredness by the end). And then the author left Gray hanging at the end - he disappeared from Lucian's Highland castle, but we are left in the dark as to what becomes of him (perhaps he will appear in a future book - I know she is planning a new trilogy.). But in true Jordan style, there are plenty of spicy sexual encounters and ultimately, a love that survives the most arduous of tests! Recommended!

Of the whole series, this was a favorite. Had a lot of suspense, is funny, and has a lot of action-packed scenes (and sexy ones too!). Would definitely recommend.

I have always been a fan of Catherine Coulter, Johanna Lindsey and last but not least Virginia Henley, and having read all of their historical romances and running out of new and interesting authors, it is refreshing to find an author who has the same kind of passion for writing as my favorites. Nicole Jordan incites a response from the reader and I found that I couldn't put the book down. I fell asleep reading The Prince of Pleasure and woke up and picked up where I left off, because I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. Having said all that, yes, I like books with intrigue too, but not too much. This book really didn't need the whole bit about the assassin to pull you along, their antics were more than enough to keep me interested. The hero was flawed but, he's supposed to be, and the heroine was defiant but helplessly submissive, but would not let body overly rule her head but her heart was no match for him. I am currently waiting for the new Virginia Henley novel, and The Prince of Pleasure has kept me thoroughly entertained. It also has led me to an author I hadn't had the pleasure to enjoy until now, an author who isn't afraid to burn the pages, as well as my imagination.

Favorite scene with Julienne- Setting up Caliban by asking him to kill Dare. Favorite scene with Dare- Going after Ivers. Together- Final showdown with Caliban. What did you like about Julienne- Her strength and power to overcome everything that happened to her. What didn't you like about Julienne- Feeling like she had to sell her body to save her mom. What did you like about Dare- Rakes can be so charming. What didn't you like about Dare- Not believing that Julienne was innocent.

I always enjoy books by Nicole Jordan definitely worth a read

Good read with lots of sexual tension between very strong characters. I felt sorry for Julienne and Dare but in the end they got together so happy ending.