THE UNCLAIMED DUCHESS by Jenna Peterson

Publisher: Avon
Date: September 2010
ISBN: 9780061934995
Historical Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Pam
Obtained from Publisher


Lady Anne Danvers has waited for her marriage to the Duke of Waverly, Rhys Carlisle, since the age of six, but soon after the long awaited honeymoon is over, her husband disappears. But Anne is far more tenacious then Rhys expected. She begs his best friend for help and takes off on an adventure into the unknown, to find him.

Rhys never wanted a love match, but the feelings he’s never expected are creeping up on him. Rhys also has a secret he refuses to share, except with Simon his best friend.

When his wife turns up at his hideaway, he still refuses to tell her the secret even when she seduces him. When it’s time to go back to London, he plots with Simon to get rid of the problem and finally tells Anne.

A tale with many ups and downs, but a different refreshing tale as it’s always interesting right to the end. I could feel the heroine’s frustration, as the author wrote the character in a way most women would be able relate to her.

The hero was always trying to be noble in his own way, and it was great to see him slowly change to a man any woman could love. There is a lot of drama as an evil man tries black mail to get a huge amount of money. Secondary characters are also interesting, especially those in the village and in an extraordinary ball-room scene. The story is fresh and exciting as the hero learns he can be a better person and also love, as he realizes he can become his own man.

If you like great historical tales, well written with believable heroes and heroines, and passionate love scenes, I recommend THE UNCLAIMED DUCHESS as a book I enjoyed and kept turning pages until sleep claimed me.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

Welcome to Jenna Petersen's guest blog

Released into the Wild
Jenna Petersen

Hi everyone! And thanks for having me here again at Love Romances and More! You’ll have to forgive all my twitching and nervousness today, you see it is officially release day! At this very moment my latest release, What the Duke Desires is hopefully being put on or is already on store shelves everywhere!

Of course release day always brings out a variety of emotions in me. I’m proud to have another book (my 7th as Jenna Petersen) on the shelf. I’m happy that readers will finally have a chance to get a hold of it. I’m terrified no one will buy it. And I’m hopeful that reviews and sales will be good. Release day usually consists of nervously checking Amazon numbers and hoping to hear good news on email. My jitters tend to last a week or so and then I start to relax and remember that none of these things are in my control.

I’m sure it will be the same this time around. Except… well, this book has a catch. You see, it’s not just a book launching with What the Duke Desires but a whole series. This story starts “The Billingham Bastards” series, which is about three men who find out they aren’t who they thought they were and then have to figure out what to do about it.

In the first book, my hero Simon just inherited his title only to find out his father isn’t the good and decent man he pretended to be. My heroine, Lillian, is bent on destroying the family name because of something the hero’s father did to her family. And I think as you read the book, you’ll start to see how the other two heroes will fit into the mix. :)

I really like a series. Writing my Lady Spies was wonderful, but there’s something different about a series linked by heroes. Something a little more dark and dangerous and these three stories are all emotional and sexy and hopefully everything you hope for as you pick up a “Jenna Petersen” romance.

So what kinds of series have you responded to most as readers? Do you like family series or friends? A series tied by an event maybe? What series have really run your bell?

LESSONS FROM A COURTESAN by Jenna Petersen

Avon Books
June 2008
ISBN 978-0-06-113814-0
Historical Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Lil



The father of the bride blackmailing a wealthy Earl into marriage for the selfish reason of acquiring a steady income does not a happy beginning in matrimony make. Justin Talbot, Earl of Bayberry does what he must to ensure the legality of said marriage, albeit making all efforts under the circumstances resulting in a pleasurable experience for the virginal young lady. That necessity dispensed of, he abandons Victoria in his countryside home and returns to his normal life in the city.

Three years pass and Justin has just arrived back to London after months in France. At the urgings of his brother, Caleb, he attends an evening party where gentlemen can make the acquaintance, socialize or dally with less than respectable women. It appears that a beautiful and mysterious courtesan has everyone agog. As it turns out, the seductive creature called ‘Ria’ is none other than his wife.

Insistent that she not accept another man for a lover, he is confounded to find the kitten that he left has grown claws. Justin is certain the surface reason this woman presents to society is not the one which has led her here, and he is resolute in sussing out her secrets. What he doesn’t plan on is for her to discover his secret or to find himself falling in love.

There will be some readers who take a strong dislike to the hero for having liaisons after marriage but on behalf of the character one must remember the time period and the event under which he married. It would have been more unnatural for the man to feel the need to be faithful under this situation. The manner in which he treats Victoria in the beginning of their relationship and in the interim however, gives him much to make up for. It is therefore quite satisfying to see her gaining his regard by no more than being herself, the strong, passionate and loyal woman that she was forged into from her experiences before they met and during his three year absence from her life.

Though we are sympathetic to the heroine, her actions in the story are less believable. The plan of posing as a courtesan while playing detective was not credible. Her very limited knowledge in how to dress and behave coming from a friend’s weekly letters is so implausible as to be a stumbling block for the rest of the story. After all, her exposure to society is near to nothing.

She has no resistance to Justin’s repeated seductions even though she is outraged by having been cast aside without a seeming second thought. Thankfully, she is not so free in opening her heart to him.

Ms Petersen does have a wonderful knack with verbal sparring and with lusciously described lovemaking. Though not all of the ingredients to this read seemed quite right, she mixes everything together with enough flair that in the end it truly was the making of an engaging love story.

LESSONS FROM A COURTESAN by Jenna Petersen

Publisher Avon
Date published June 2008
ISBN 978-0061138140
Genre Historical Romance/Regency
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Danny



Justin Talbot, the Earl of Baybary, finds himself blackmailed into marriage with Victoria Reed although they don’t know each other. Victoria thinks after a sensual
Wedding night, that the marriage will work out fine, but she is shocked when Justin leaves her next morning to go to London. Three years go by in which she earns the respect of Justin’s retainers. When one of her friends disappears, she goes to London to become the Courtesan “Ria”, a way for her to find her friend. Justin realizes that she meant more to him than he ever thought and that he can’t stand the idea that another man touches her. Will she give him a second chance?

LESSONS FROM A COURTESAN is an extremely sexy and very hot story and not your typical tame Regency. Ms. Petersen really knows how turn up the heat and to fan the flames of passion.

Justin as well as Victoria are both two very stubborn characters, who ignite pure fireworks when they butt their heads, but not only than.

Justin is a complex person with his own secrets and Victoria’s character is much deeper that you would guess when you meet her for the first time. She holds quite a few surprises for Justin, which he never thought possible. She is the perfect counterpart to him, it’s like two halves become one.

LESSONS FROM A COURTESAN is a very enjoyable story and I hope that there will be a sequel, because there are some really promising secondary characters.