Holly’s review of To Pleasure A Lady (Courtship Wars, Book 1) by Nicole Jordan
Historical romance released by Ballantine Books 29 Jan 08

Sometimes you need a book just because it’s mind candy. Kind of sweet and fluffy, but not deep or emotionally investing. That’s what this book was for me. Mind candy.

I enjoyed the basic premise behind this story: Woman wants independent freedom and to remain single for the remainder of her days. Man wants woman safe and cared for and out of his hair. Then man becomes attracted to woman and decides to keep her for himself, only woman isn’t having it.

Unfortunately I don’t think it was as well done as it could have been.I like that Marcus was the one doing the pursuing and I love that Arabella was completely honest about her feelings. She said she wasn’t interested in marriage, but when Marcus asks her if she enjoyed their kissing/touching/etc, she didn’t pretend not to. She flat out said, “Yes, I enjoyed it.” That was a refreshing change from so many other novels where the heroine doesn’t want marriage.

I also loved Marcus and his friends, and the way they interact with each other. I literally laughed out loud and their reaction to him saying he wanted to get married. Hilarious. I think too often authors focus on the relationship between women (whether it be friends, sisters, etc) when there is so much fun to be had in observing men and the way they interact with each other. Kudos to Ms. Jordon for that.

I did have a hard time suspending disbelief long enough to get on board with the fact that Marcus knew he wanted to marry Arabella within hours of meeting her for the first time. She went from being a “hellion” he didn’t want to have to deal with to being the woman he wanted as his Countess within the space of about two hours. It didn’t ring true for me. I also had serious issues with the constant use of key phrases, such as “lovely face”. Arabella had an exceptionally “lovely face”. He loved staring at her “lovely face.” Blech.

I was also left wholly unsatisfied by the development that comes about late in the story regarding Arabella’s past. I don’t wish to spoil it for those who are interested, but I was frustrated with the way a certain aspect of the conflict was resolved. Frustrated enough that it detracts from my over all grade.

Still, it was a cute story with fun characters and steamy love scenes.

Grade: B-

     Blurb:

     Marcus Pierce, a strikingly handsome aristocrat with a wicked reputation, inherits guardianship of spirited Arabella Loring and her two younger sisters – and immediately declares his intention to marry them off. But enchantingly defiant Arabella sparks frustration – and something deeply erotic – in Marcus. After matching both wits and swords with her, the possessive nobleman concludes this beautiful and formidable foe must be his.

     Having sworn off marriage and men, Arabella wishes to be left alone to run her finishing school for young ladies. To that end, she boldly accepts Marcus’s intimate challenge: if he can woo and win her within two weeks, she’ll take her place in his bed as his wife. However, if she can resist his considerable charms, the Loring sisters will be granted their independence. Thus an extraordinary game of seduction begins….

     Read an excerpt.