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134th out of 221 books
—
532 voters
An Introduction to Pleasure (Mistress Matchmaker #1)
by
Jess Michaels (Goodreads Author)
An innocent lady’s education could be a gentleman’s wicked seduction.
Lysandra Keates is running out of options. Her father is dead, her mother is ill, and her efforts to find respectable employment have ended in failure. With her small savings bleeding away, she swallows her pride—and her terror—and turns to Vivien Manning, an infamous courtesan, to match her with a wealth...more
Lysandra Keates is running out of options. Her father is dead, her mother is ill, and her efforts to find respectable employment have ended in failure. With her small savings bleeding away, she swallows her pride—and her terror—and turns to Vivien Manning, an infamous courtesan, to match her with a wealth...more
ebook, 313 pages
Published
June 19th 2012
by Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
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Hmm, I feel a bit guilty leaving this review and only two stars. Two stars is probably a bit generous too, but I reserve my one stars for books I've hated. This one I didn't hate, just thought was very bad. Jess Michaels is one of my favourite erotic writers and when I saw she was releasing a new books I was pretty excited. I don't think this author has released a new book for some time.
I had a really long break from reading and when I came back everything had changed. Jess Michael's Everything...more
I had a really long break from reading and when I came back everything had changed. Jess Michael's Everything...more
Wow what a fast paced hot and erotic HR. I love the emotional attachment between Andrew and Lysandra. They grew to trust and eventually love each other. Lysandra is living in poverty and her mother is ill. Her father has died and left them broke and in debt. She has asked the help of Vivian a prized and beautiful courtesan to help teach her to become a rich lords mistress. Vivian asks Lord Andrew "Viscount Callis" to tutor her. Andrew is living a lonely and exiled life form his friends and famil...more
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This story reads like an erotic version of Pygmalion. Instead of Lysandra Keats being taught the proper way to speak the King's English, Viscount Andrew Callis has agreed to teach her the ways of a proper mistress. Lysandra has come upon desperate times and becoming a mistress is her last resort to adequately provide for her fragile mother. Andrew, once a libertine, has been a recluse since his wife's death three years ago and sees this only as a temporary "assignment."
There are certainly many s...more
There are certainly many s...more
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Can I have an Andrew please? it would be preferable if he's the long lost twin brother of Henry Cavill, because that's exactly how I pictured him.
*drool* I know it's the wrong era but can you blame me for drooling?...
This is my very first historical romance, putting aside Pride and Prejudices of course. It may sound shocking I know, being new to the genre, I should have begun with something famous that I'm sure would have loved like Kathleen E. Woodiwiss or Lisa Kleypas who wrote the prime of hi...more
*drool* I know it's the wrong era but can you blame me for drooling?...
This is my very first historical romance, putting aside Pride and Prejudices of course. It may sound shocking I know, being new to the genre, I should have begun with something famous that I'm sure would have loved like Kathleen E. Woodiwiss or Lisa Kleypas who wrote the prime of hi...more
My introduction to scorching hot historical romances was Maggie Robinson's Mistress by Mistake, so if you have read her Courtesan Court series you know the steaminess you can expect of An Introduction to Pleasure.
As soon as I read the above blurb of this book I was hooked and couldn't wait to read it. I mean it had one of my favourite tropes in historical erotica: the tortured sexy handsome hero educating the inexperienced young virgin in the pleasures of the flesh and the art of love, and An In...more
As soon as I read the above blurb of this book I was hooked and couldn't wait to read it. I mean it had one of my favourite tropes in historical erotica: the tortured sexy handsome hero educating the inexperienced young virgin in the pleasures of the flesh and the art of love, and An In...more
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While taking into account that this book is an erotica novel, I really wasn’t expecting much from it other than a lot of hot and steamy sex scenes. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. While this story was undoubtedly hot and steamy, there was also a lovely love story to enjoy as well. I hate to have to admit it in writing for the whole world to see, but I have to be honest with you friends, towards the end of this tale I was equal parts outraged and devastated on the heroines behalf. It’s hu...more
Why does this book have an average rating of 3.91? Oh wait, I know why! Lots and lots of sex. Too bad it's lukewarm and not in the ranks of say, Renee Bernard or Cheryl Holt...
The rating is certainly not because of the characters. Ugh. Annoying Lysandra is desolate and desperate. She wants to be a mistress so that she can support herself and her mom. Oh did I mention that she's a virgin and can't even talk/think about/refer to sex without getting totally tongue tied and silly. Um, hello, maybe i...more
The rating is certainly not because of the characters. Ugh. Annoying Lysandra is desolate and desperate. She wants to be a mistress so that she can support herself and her mom. Oh did I mention that she's a virgin and can't even talk/think about/refer to sex without getting totally tongue tied and silly. Um, hello, maybe i...more
Sunny's review posted on Guilty Pleasures
To whomever loves 19th century historical romance this is sure to become a series that you will want to read. It starts off with a young woman Lysandra, going to the most renowned Matchmaker for the wealthy men of the ton, Vivien Manning.
Lysandra had the choice of going hungry or use the one resource she possessed in her favor in order to make a comfortable living for both her and her mother. She falls upon a widower Andrew Callis for a month so he can tr...more
To whomever loves 19th century historical romance this is sure to become a series that you will want to read. It starts off with a young woman Lysandra, going to the most renowned Matchmaker for the wealthy men of the ton, Vivien Manning.
Lysandra had the choice of going hungry or use the one resource she possessed in her favor in order to make a comfortable living for both her and her mother. She falls upon a widower Andrew Callis for a month so he can tr...more
I would highly recommend this erotic historical love story. The erotica genre can be very hit and miss for me because I like a storyline to go along with all the steamy stuff.
Lynsandra Keates finds herself needing a protector after her family suffers financial ruin after her father's passing. With her mother's health failing Lynsandra finds a respectable position in Lord Culpepper's household, only to be thrown out when she refuses his unwanted advances. Needing to find a source of income to pro...more
Lynsandra Keates finds herself needing a protector after her family suffers financial ruin after her father's passing. With her mother's health failing Lynsandra finds a respectable position in Lord Culpepper's household, only to be thrown out when she refuses his unwanted advances. Needing to find a source of income to pro...more
Viscount Andrew Callis has wallowed at his country estate, in his own misery, since the death of his wife five years ago. His guilt and anguish have consumed him, and all ties to friends of his past have been severed since the "tragedy" of that night. Lord Callis only forces himself to travel to London once or twice a year to keep up duty and responsibility to his father. This is exactly the reason for his tortuous visit to society when he finds himself summoned to the residence of a well-known...more
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Story Rating 4 Stars
Character Rating 4 Stars
Romance Rating 4 Stars
Heat Level 5 Stars
Overall Rating 4 Stars
It's been a while since I've read an erotic historical romance that was this HOT and you know what? I LIKED IT!!!!
This book kept me interested and wanting to just keep on reading. I liked the story very much but must say that I liked the sex/love scenes even better.
The characters to me were well written and I really liked them a lot. These two had fantastic chemistry right from the beginning...more
Character Rating 4 Stars
Romance Rating 4 Stars
Heat Level 5 Stars
Overall Rating 4 Stars
It's been a while since I've read an erotic historical romance that was this HOT and you know what? I LIKED IT!!!!
This book kept me interested and wanting to just keep on reading. I liked the story very much but must say that I liked the sex/love scenes even better.
The characters to me were well written and I really liked them a lot. These two had fantastic chemistry right from the beginning...more
This was my first book by Jess Michaels, and I'll immediately begin devouring the next. Enough conflict and struggle to make it interesting, but not so much that you feel frustrated. The historical writing is genuine, unlike some HERs which aren't authentically period. Adore, adore, adore the hero; respect and admire the heroin. My only complaint? Wish it was twice as long. Highly recommend.
Lysandra Keates has reached the end of her tether. She turns to a notorious courtesan for help, insisting she wants to become a courtesan in order to pay off her debts and get herself settled. She is put in touch with a reluctant teacher, Viscount Andrew Callis. Callis agrees to the arrangement, though he has his own hang ups about it. He has steeled himself against any form of pleasure since the death of his wife and infant son years prior. The arrangement is for a month, and despite their rese...more
***3.5 to 4 stars***
I really enjoy Jess Michaels books! This wasn't as good as some others but still, entertaining in it's own right. I liked the heroine and although the hero was on the weak side, his cicumstances and history for being so justify that.
As with the others, the heat and erotic levels were hot and quite seductive. As I tend to like seeing characters deny their feelings while the reader watches on as they crash and burn with denial, this was right up that alley.
The end was slightly...more
I really enjoy Jess Michaels books! This wasn't as good as some others but still, entertaining in it's own right. I liked the heroine and although the hero was on the weak side, his cicumstances and history for being so justify that.
As with the others, the heat and erotic levels were hot and quite seductive. As I tend to like seeing characters deny their feelings while the reader watches on as they crash and burn with denial, this was right up that alley.
The end was slightly...more
3.5 Stars - Made of smexy. Not a bad story as these things go. A fairly quick read, somewhat predictable, likeable enough characters. It was easier for me to empathize with the heroine than the hero. My patience with the over privileged who have fallen into terminal self flagellation mode is limited but fortunately the story line didn't allow for too much dwelling on that.
I had difficulty with how quickly the primaries moved from A to D in this story, but I suppose that with the nature of the ar...more
I had difficulty with how quickly the primaries moved from A to D in this story, but I suppose that with the nature of the ar...more
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I really enjoy a good Historical Regency and "An Introduction to Pleasure" (Book one of Mistress Matchmakers) was absolutely awesome. The story was extremely well thought out and well written.
I loved the feisty, witty heroine, Lysandra and the handsome and gentle Widow, Andrew. The story will bring a smile to your face and tears to your eyes as you read how terribly Lysandra has been treated by her past employer, as well as the demons that Andrew has been fighting since he lost his wife.
I highl...more
**original review by Jamie at Romancing Rakes For the Love of Romance***
Lysandra Keates is out of options. Forced to a new fate she turns to the infamous Mistress Matchmaker Vivien Manning to turn her into a perfect mistress for the men of the ton. Viscount Andrew Callis wants nothing more than to return to his seclusion in the country. But he can’t turn away from Vivien’s request to tutor Lysandra, even though he wants too. The enticing Lysandra stirs his body back to life, which has been numb...more
Lysandra Keates is out of options. Forced to a new fate she turns to the infamous Mistress Matchmaker Vivien Manning to turn her into a perfect mistress for the men of the ton. Viscount Andrew Callis wants nothing more than to return to his seclusion in the country. But he can’t turn away from Vivien’s request to tutor Lysandra, even though he wants too. The enticing Lysandra stirs his body back to life, which has been numb...more
Im assuming this is one of Michael's earlier books, because I enjoyed Taboo much more than I did this one. This one also surprisingly had a lot of technical errors in it, which I didn't think a Jess Michaels book would have- she is always so on top of those things. Unlike her other novels that wrap up with a nice bow- this one to me, while ending with a happy ending didn't quite wrap up neatly - perhaps a few more chapters to draw out the story and really give the reader the finality they desire...more
I loved . . . Loved . . . LOVED Introduction to Pleasure by Jess Michaels (JM)! JM’s writing is amazing and she has historical romance language that’s easy to understand and get into. Drop whatever you’re reading and pick up Introduction to Pleasure! I guarantee you won’t be disappointed in this amazingly hott read!
In Introduction to Pleasure, Lysandra Keate’s life has taken a turn for the worse. She has just been fired from her servant job because she wouldn’t entertain her employer’s whims. Sh...more
In Introduction to Pleasure, Lysandra Keate’s life has taken a turn for the worse. She has just been fired from her servant job because she wouldn’t entertain her employer’s whims. Sh...more
Jess Michaels plunged me into a world I could never imagine! I was transported to world where men hold all the power. Being woman born into the lower ranks of society with no job and without prospects of a job lead to desperate acts.
Lysandra Keats has run out of options. She approaches Vivien Manning to see about becoming a mistress to one of the members of the ton. Vivien takes on Lysandra’s request and introduces her to Viscount Andrew Callis.
Andrew takes on Lysandra to instruct her on how to...more
2 likes · like · see review
An Introduction to Pleasure is the perfect combination of historical storyline and sexy hooking up (something I've never gotten in a historical romance before since they are generally more PG). :) The beginning was a bit under-evolved for me, like it was just there to get you to the part where Lysandra and Andrew are going to get together - but then you get so caught up in the sexiness that you don't care - and by the time you need there to be a story again - its there. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I really like the style of story telling Jess Michaels brings to her characters. This was the second book of hers that I have read and I think I am going to have to download a few more. This book has some very sexy and romantic plot twists that I enjoyed. And the lead female character is very strong even though this story takes place in London during the 1800s. I just loved her in this story.
Pretty good, I like a good historical every once in a while. Not toe curling but still enjoyed.
How could you not like this book? It was everything a historical novel should be. Yes, it was in it's way predictable but Ms. Michaels descriptive prose really set the tone for the characters in the book. I felt as if I was as Andrew put it, "a fly on the wall". I loved it(especially the decription of that gown! I want one!) Thanks Jess!
I liked it because of the heroine. She's a strong woman that's doing anything to survive in a time when women weren't allowed to do anything else but be absolutely subjugated to men. And if she has to sell herself, then she decides to do it in a way that will give her the most. She's not crying to be rescued. I liked it!
In the world of erotic historical romance this is a pretty good book. Aside from all of the sexual stuff (which was well done) there was a good story with characters that experienced genuine angst and resolution. The ending was a little abrupt, but I enjoyed the book.
If you like historical romance and erotica, this is the book to read. A sweet romance with so much passion it will light your hair on fire!
I can't wait for the next installment. I was hoping for one with Miles, the Marquis Weatherfield.
I can't wait for the next installment. I was hoping for one with Miles, the Marquis Weatherfield.
Jess Michaels really delivers in this new series. I love that the heroine must make a very difficult decision to search for a protector and enjoys her sexuality. It's tender hearted and sexy. I can't wait to see what happens!
I found this quite out of reality. A poor woman, going to a male tutor-one who is of the nobility to learn about sex so she can be a courtesan. I really couldn not connect with either Lysandra or Andrew.
Such a moving story. Loved all of it! Shows how women have grown from being a shy lower class "maid" to a confident, bold independent. Would recommend if your looking for a genuine love story between two complete opposites!
XOXO
XOXO
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Jess Michaels always likes the "good parts" when she reads romance, so it makes sense that she writes erotic books. She is a nationally bestselling and award-winning author of nearly 40 novels and novellas. When not writing, she enjoys being a geek, designing jewelry and trying to keep the cats from scratching the furniture. She lives in Tucson with her husband.
Find her online at www.authorjessmic...more
More about Jess Michaels...
Find her online at www.authorjessmic...more
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