Courtesan

He punished her for the sins of her father and would not see the desire that was for him alone…

Sebastian had only ever asked for help once. As his mother was dying he sought out Michael Winslow, a man that he had once called father. The cruel man laughed in his face, called him a bastard and his mother a whore, and turned him away. Sebastian never forgot; he worked long and hard to seek revenge. Sebastian learnt quickly, in his impoverished surrounding, growing his wealth. In contrast, Michael Winslow’s gambling and brothel addictions gradually drained his coffers. Each item that his daughter, Sarah, sold to buy food or medicine made its way to Sebastian.

After Winslow’s death, Sarah who had been raised and educated as a lady was left destitute. A friend of her father’s offered her employment as a gardener in his brothel. It was not long before Sarah was asked to sell herself to pay her debts.

Sebastian was a silent partner in the brothel. He had planned Sarah’s downfall down to the last detail. He had watched her from afar, waiting. Sebastian also saw Sarah’s distress the first night that she was to sell her services and intervened. Curiously, he felt possessive of Sarah, furious when another man dared to touch her. He ridiculed her cold, snobbish attitude and longed to make her scream with pleasure. Although he sent Sarah to her room alone, it was not long before he was compelled to follow.

Sarah has been drugged: her body is on fire and she burns in places that she has never thought about. When she turns to Sebastian for sweet release, he feels guilt for his part in her demise. His victory is hollow, for she was innocent of her father’s cruelty. Sebastian knows that he has ruined Sarah, but is he man enough to admit the truth?

Louisa Trent’s hardcore erotic tale dares to take readers on an enthralling journey of transformation through extremes. Many highly erotic acts have a psychological element based on absolute trust; the characters in this story use this level to portray the depth of their personal strengths and resolve. As I became involved in this tale, I was truly touched as the physical and psychological events escalated in the final chapters.

Sebastian has worked hard to make something of himself, but has lost sight of who he really is. His drive for vengeance has made him blind to his own needs. Even when he has all that he has ever wanted, he has nothing. Sarah has struggled her whole life for attention and love. She is willing to suffer any humiliation at the hands of her lover; pain is welcomed because she is made aware of her feelings. The powers of her physical and mental strength are qualities that will keep readers absorbed in the tale. The early-American setting highlights the decadent nature of the young heroine’s situation. She is exposed to a lifestyle that young ladies were not told of, and quickly becomes addicted to the deliciously heady world of eroticism. If you enjoy lavishly sexual tales laced with a hint of old fashioned morals, you are sure to love Courtesan, but be warned that there are some scenes and situations that may offend some readers.

Reviewed by: Naomi