To Bed a Beauty (Courtship Wars, Book 2) Reviews

• Lessons on how to reform a rake .........without him even knowing it

  
  By A2NICGGIGIFU22 on 2008-03-01
  Having grown up and witnessed her mother's disastrous/hate-filled marriage of convenience, Miss Roslyn Loring has decided that only a love match will do. The only problem is -How the devil do you make a man fall in love with you? Regrettably, it seems that most men fall in love with their mistresses, and not their wives. Being an intelligent and logical woman she goes right to the source for information -her friend, an infamous courtesan.
  
  The remarkably handsome Duke of Arden, is known as an extraordinary lover, a man who is able to make women weep with rapture. At the annual notorious Cyprian's ball, fate finds him on the lookout for a new mistress when his eyes catch hold of a beautiful masked shepherdess. He pursues and confronts her in a deserted alcove. But shockingly this woman seems to be immune to his advances. Hmmm...must be a ploy, for she is quite an actress too, pretending to be all innocent. So he *intensifies* his persuasive skills. And just when things become increasingly heated, she declines his offer and turns to flee with Arden left feeling rather stunned......
  
  Weeks later, at her sister's wedding, Roslyn panics when Arden realizes that it was her at the ball. She fears the only way out of her dilemma is to tell the truth. So she assures him that she was only there for ....er...... investigative purposes. She wants to know how courtesans make men fall in love with them. Arden is intrigued. He admires her honesty but thinks its absurd to try and get a man to fall in love with you (if in fact *real love* even exists). And she wants *lessons* from him?.....What the devil? But after he ponders it for a moment, he's more than willing to help the delectable beauty with lessons on how to snare a man's heart....well someone has to be the guinea pig !
  
  This is the second book in the Courtship War series. Having not read the prequel, I can't comment on that. I had no problems reading it as a stand alone. In fact, aside from some minor points, I very much like this book and LOVE the hero!
  
  This book quite unusual as far as reformed rake plots go. The twist is that Roslyn doesn't even like Arden and she sees him for what he really is -a cynical rogue bent on enjoying the pleasures of flesh and nothing more. So she has no qualms about using him to help teach her how to gain affections of another man. Arden is confused -like a fish out of water. Here is a woman who has no interest in him (a wealthy duke no less!) at all but rather wants him as a teacher? This irks his male pride to no end. Then, when he realizes that he doesn't want Roslyn courting some other man, its Arden who in fact becomes the pursuer. This is takes up the major part -and best part IMHO- of the book.
  
  I think that the characterizations and romance (including sizzling love scenes) are worthy of five stars and based on that I would recommend this book. But there are a couple of irritating points. The book needs a good editing -way too long. It could have been cut down without affecting the story. And still don't understand why authors completely ignore historical convention. Have an infamous courtesan at a society wedding? or a Lady taking in her deceased husband's mistress and all of her illegitimate children? -No way. I have a hard time believing that. But those things shouldn't keep you from reading an otherwise really good reformed rake book.
  
  Recommended.
  
  

• This is for every keeper shelf!

  
  By A3S0XEPOFOCB5W on 2008-03-05
  I just have to say how much I loved this book, the characters were both interesting and myself I find it refreshing that the man does the chasing! If I have to read one more Regency about how the young innocent lady is on her knees for an unattainable rogue I will barf. This heroine is smart, well read and actually unimpressed when others judge her for her beauty alone. The loves scenes are sensual and sexy, the hero and heroine are terrific in that they actually talk honestly with one another. The 'teach me how to make a man fall in love with me' is a ploy that could have so easily fallen flat, but Ms. Jordan does it with such talent in her writing that you not only believe the heroine, you are cheering her on. I loved this book! Can't wait for the third one in this series.
  
  

• why must the hero always be A chasing lapdog?

  
  By A22OFULCDFR5OM on 2008-03-04
  After meeting the handsome duke of Arden at A Cyprians ball, Roslyn's plan to seduce her neighbor into falling in love with her seems to be going out the window. Even though Drew is teaching her how to go about the seduction , he never thought that it would lead A cynical rake like him to want her for A wife.
  
  This book is typical of all the boring romances out there now that has the hero chasing the heroine like A lapdog. Books like this just does not interest me because it feels like the heroine has already got the hero, so why keep on reading? I actually appreciate A book where the hero is hard to get and not the heroine because it feels like your fantasy has come true in the end when she finally gets him. It annoyed me that Drew wanted Roslyn way more than she wanted him. I know she wanted A love match but if she was willing to work on one with the earl, why didn't she want to do the same with Drew? She had so much animosity towards him for no good reason. I kept yelling at the book saying ,she doesn't want you , have some self pride! She was literally angry with him for asking her to marry him! Why would any women be angry with A handsome duke whom she was attracted to for asking her to marry him? He was literally begging her to marry him through out the whole book! The love scenes were also pretty boring. Maybe it was because I disliked Roslyn so much but there seemed to be nothing memorable about them. I promised myself after years of self inflicted suffering on trying to finish one boring book after another that I would not torture myself that way again. That being said, I stopped reading this book on page 250.
  
  

• delightful Regency romance

  
  By AFVQZQ8PW0L on 2008-03-06
  In 1817 Roslyn Loring strongly believes that a happy marriage must include an exchange of the hearts; although she also understands that she must keep her spouse sexually satiated. Still abetted by her friend Cyprian Fanny Irwin she attends a masked ball as a courtesan. Andrew Moncrief is drawn to Roslyn, whom he recognizes in spite of her mask.
  
  He offers her a tempting deal in which he will teach her the art of lovemaking if she becomes his mistress; she accepts with the stipulation her reputation must not get ruined by this scandalous behavior as she plans to marry the duke next door; Drew's mentoring lessons will keep her future husband in her bed and not that of a mistress. The sex is incredible leading Roslyn to wonder if Drew is the one or perhaps she is wanton. He realizes she is the one when an adversary threatens his beloved.
  
  The second Courtship Wars skirmish (see TO PLEASURE A LADY) is a delightful Regency romance starring two likable protagonists. The story line is fast-paced from the moment that Roslyn makes her Faustian deal and never slows down as she begins to comprehend what the devilish details mean to her heart and soul. Readers will appreciate the second battle between sensual sirens and the hunks obsessed with making love with them.
  
  Harriet Klausner
  
  

• What a beauty!!!

  
  By A19DHLFP7AEHM4 on 2008-03-08
  Nicole Jordan never disappoints. I could not put this book down. I
  loved Drew and Roslyn!!! Cannot wait for Lily's story.
  
  
• Same old song
  By AYSGFQ8IISIZ4 on 2008-04-01
  If you were expecting a new turn on this tired theme then I am the bearer of bad news.
  
  The first half of "TBAB" is good and slowly builds the sensual tension to a fevered pitch. There is chemistry between Drew and Roslyn and some excellent hero-jealousy. However, from the moment these two have sex for the first time, "TBAB" follows every formulaic romance you've ever read. There was nothing fresh or new to hold my attention. I was so disappointed I actually groaned aloud at one point because at every turn I seemed to know what would happen next.
  
  I read book 1 and 2; book 3 I will save my money.
  
  
• The second book in the Courtship Wars series
  By A22TZUXUKA11SQ on 2008-04-21
  Roslyn Loring is determined to forge her own path of love and happiness. To that end, she engages her friend Fanny, a notorious Cyprian, to help Roslyn learn the art of seduction from a courtesan's point of view, so that Roslyn might snag a husband. Roslyn believes that husbands are generally more enamored of their mistresses than their wives, and she wants more than just a marriage of convenience. However, at the ball, Roslyn encounters the Duke of Arden, a reputed rake and the best friend of Roslyn's future brother-in-law. Attempting to escape his notice, lest he later recognize her as the sister of his best friend's bride, Roslyn escapes to a private room at the party--not expecting that the duke will follow her.
  
  When Drew Moncrief attends a Cyprians' masked ball, his first intention is to find a new mistress. When the only woman he finds himself interested in, an innocent-looking blond temptress, flees his company, Drew finds himself determined to give chase. He attempts to secure the woman as his own, using skilled seduction and soft words, only to find that the woman then flees his company for good. And when he meets up with her again at his best friend's wedding, he realizes why she fled. Roslyn is a lady, not at all the sort of woman who should be in the company of courtesans. And when she asks Drew's help in learning the art of seduction, he finds himself compelled to assist her.
  
  To Bed a Beauty is the second book in Nicole Jordan's Courtship Wars series, following To Pleasure a Lady (Courtship Wars, Book 1). This series is focused on a push-pull relationship between the hero and heroine, keeping tensions high until the pair manage to fall in love. In this book Roslyn was an absolute delight, a strong, confident woman who refuses to settle for anything less than true love. Roslyn is content with her simple life, but wants more for her future than just a marriage of convenience. She saw her parents endure such a union and knows that a marriage full of secrets and infidelity would not suit her. She wants passion, she wants children, and she wants love. To that end, she is willing to do anything to obtain them, even using the more-than-willing duke as her tutor. On the contrary, Drew Moncrief is a man who knows nothing of love. His mother is a purported ice queen, and Drew has been used for his money and title more often than he can count. He agrees to help Roslyn in her attempts to find love, though he finds the idea abhorrent, just so that he can get his hands on the beauty, though he doesn't expect to fall in love.
  
  I liked To Bed a Beauty infinitely more than the first book in the series, and am eager to see how Jordan wraps up the story of the third Loring sister in To Seduce a Bride (Courtship Wars, Book 3). This series is full of confident young heroines who don't need a man to make them happy, but who understand that finding true love will round out their already fulfilling lives. These books can be read out of sequence, but I'd definitely recommend picking up To Pleasure a Lady before reading this book.
  
  
• Better than the first in this series
  By AJ9AE2BVND0GS on 2008-03-12
  This book was better than the previous in this series but I thought the theme was much too similar to it. I felt like there were parts in this book when I was reading the same story. However, this one was more interesting although I still wouldn't call it a page turner. It was just a nice story.
  
  
• 2nd book of the series - Roslyn Loring & Drew Moncrief, the Duke of Arden Story !
  By A18FUHNBP90IB4 on 2008-03-15
  Ok this book has some steamy love scenes, a unique angle of a mystery and two very strong characters. Over all I really enjoyed this book with Roslyn who will only marry for love and Drew Moncrief who agrees to help Roslyn make the Earl of Haviland fall in love with her. Of course all plans fall apart in a good romance novel!
  
  Check out the whole The Courtship Wars series; To Pleasure a Lady: A Novel (Courtship Wars), To Bed a Beauty: A Novel and To Seduce a Bride: A Novel (due out April 2008).
  
  I would also suggest; Let Sleeping Rogues Lie (School for Heiresses), Confessions at Midnight (Mayhem in Mayfair, Book 2) , Everything Forbidden and From London With Love.
  
  
• Fine for much of the way...but heroine becomes too difficult!
  By A14GEA3EZCYCRK on 2008-03-15
  Roslyn Loring longs for a husband and children, but will only marry if it is a love match. She sets her sights on a neighboring lord with whom she is acquainted, but who views her as only a friend. Not certain how to entice the lord to fall in love with her, she asks for advice from Drew Moncrief, the Duke of Arden, who is a close friend of her brand new brother-in-law. Roslyn and Drew were introduced at her sister's wedding...but they first met a few weeks earlier when Roslyn snuck into a masked courtesan's ball and Drew - not knowing who she was - cornered her and asked her to be his mistress. Of course Roslyn declined, but not before they shared some passionate kisses and a bit more. Drew has not been able to forget her, but now that he knows she is a respectable virginal young lady, he does not want to risk being lured into dreaded wedlock. So he agrees to tutor Roslyn on how to arouse her neighbor's ardor. But their tutoring sessions become evermore intimate...and Drew becomes more and more jealous of his pupil's affections!
  
  The first half of the book is enjoyable, with a good buildup of sexual tension and an appealing hero. But as the story progresses, Roslyn is just too difficult towards Drew and does not behave logically. (The previous book in this series has the same problem). Her reaction to their intimacy, and to Drew's tender and chivalrous treatment of her, is callous and dismissive and simply not believable. She expects Drew to jump through hoops to win her hand, yet does almost nothing to win his regard in return - in fact, she is often negative and argumentative. She is evasive with Drew about her feelings for her neighbor, and then condemns Drew for acting jealously! Although Roslyn turns it around in the end, it is too late to undo all the damage. Despite these shortcomings, there are still things about this book I like...including the magnetism between the leads, a good supporting cast, and a fine hero. So I will hang in there and give the next installment a try.
  
  
  

• To Seduce a Bride (Courtship Wars, Book 3)
• To Pleasure a Lady (Courtship Wars, Book 1)
• Let Sleeping Rogues Lie (School for Heiresses)
• Desperately Seeking A Duke (Heiress Brides)
• The Duke Next Door (Heiress Brides)