Search - Claiming the Courtesan

This is a well-written book about an ugly subject. I don't think I could have finished it, given the whole abduction of the heroine, to say nothing of the repeated non-consensual sex that is at the heart of this book if the writing were not up to the level that it is.

This book has stirred controversy. It is far from the only book in the genre to feature a hero who overpowers the heroine, sexually and otherwise, and yet ends happily. True, most of those others were written many years ago. The difference between this book and the others I've read (and been unable to finish) is the writing.

Some people are going to hate this book, some may love it. If you find non-consensual sex to be abhorrent no matter how politely described, do yourself a favor and steer clear.
I would give the story 1.5 stars and the writing 4 stars, so 2.5 overall.

I'd heard mixed reviews on this book and decided to read for myself. the story does tend to drag a bit in the middle and the heroine tended to be a bit confusing at times...she wants him..she doesn't want him. both the hero and heroine have demons in their past that have to deal with but I found them both likeable enuf to finish the book in one sitting. my verdict...I really liked this book!

A very unusual plot and story line. A little more explicit than I usually read and tend to enjoy, but a happily ever after in the end.
A duke is chasing after his former mistress refusing to acknowledge her dismissal (legally) and commits all kinds of acts of madness to get her and break her. She sees through it all to eventually fall in love.
The writing is very descriptive and imaginative as it travels from London to Scotland in 1825.

If you read the other reviews you know the hero kidnaps the heroine and there's a lot of non-consensual sex. Wherever you land on the subject of rape in a romance novel, what troubles me about Claiming the Courtesan is more Anna Campbell's approach to the subject. She is one of those authors who has a woman being raped by a handsome guy and her "body betrays her": she can't help but responding to the sex even though her mind isn't with it. MAYBE this is possible, but strikes me as just a bunch of made up crap to somehow rationalize rape. I don't know, it is easier for me to get past him raping her and feeling bad about it than her somehow "enjoying" her rape. Just makes me mad at the author. I very nearly put the book down. Not because of the rape, but because we're supposed to believe she enjoyed it.

With all that said this book was full of fairly hot love scenes. There wasn't much else going on in the book. They aren't talking or connecting. Somehow lots of sex helps them realize they're in love. The story is about a guy who thinks he owns his mistress and wants revenge on her when she quits her job. He's a total jackass and never really redeems himself in my eyes, but sometimes those "heroes" are pretty memorable. Reminds me a bit of No Gentle Love, another book with repeated rapes that somehow sticks with you, no matter how much you dislike the hero.

I have had mixed feelings about the two Anna Campbell books I've read. Perhaps more negative than positive. She's a good writer, no doubt, but I am not sure I can really say I Enjoy reading her books.