Seven Nights to Forever

Nov 25, 2012 willaful rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: hero-is-a-mountain, star-crossed-or-forbidden-luv, o-courtesan-mistress-prostitute, sexy-beta

The premise of this grabbed me instantly: James, a wealthy merchant married to an aristocrat who despises him, miserably seeks out an evening with a kind woman in the only place he can think of to find one -- a brothel. He's matched with Rose, a woman also trapped by ugly circumstances -- her public persona is a quiet life running her family's country estate, but for one week each month, she works as a high paid prostitute to support her feckless younger brother. That one night with Rose happens...more The premise of this grabbed me instantly: James, a wealthy merchant married to an aristocrat who despises him, miserably seeks out an evening with a kind woman in the only place he can think of to find one -- a brothel. He's matched with Rose, a woman also trapped by ugly circumstances -- her public persona is a quiet life running her family's country estate, but for one week each month, she works as a high paid prostitute to support her feckless younger brother. That one night with Rose happens to be on her first night, and stretches into another, and another… but what will happen on the seventh night?

The book is marketed as sexy, and it is, but it doesn't rush straight into bedroom antics. The sensitive and highly principled James finds it difficult to pay for sex or to commit adultery, despite the fact that his wife sleeps with everyone but him. Rose is caught off guard by his considerate behavior and trustworthy demeanor, and can't stay detached from their encounter. Their first night is spent in nothing but conversation, but leaves both of them craving more.

The rest of the story is about each of them carefully feeling out the boundaries of this difficult relationship. James wants nothing from Rose that isn't freely given, but it's hard for her to forget that he's paid for her time or to believe she has real choices with him: "The word yes flowed so smoothly off her tongue that it had been difficult to get that no out." And sometimes it's hard for James to forget that Rose is a professional. There's some pain and hurt feelings along the way, but also a joy in each other that finally gives them both the strength to fight their way out of their impossible situations, and find a happy ending.

You wouldn't think a hot affair between a married man and a prostitute would make a sweet story, but strong, sensible, desolate James and beautiful, charming, lost Rose are very lovable and essentially good people. I felt both were too prone to make martyrs of themselves, but at least they do come to realize this. Filled with powerful yearning, this was a very touching story. (less)

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Nov 28, 2010 Katie(babs) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: i-want-to-have-babies-with-the-book

James Archer is so very lonely and miserable. A very wealthy but common merchant, James is married to a cruel viper of a wife who wishes him dead and throws her many lovers in his face while he’s not allowed to have any. James married Amelia, his society wife, to give his younger sister, Rebecca, her London season in the hopes of marrying well. And Amelia makes James’s life miserable because of the power she wields regarding Rebecca’s reputation. At twenty-five James’s only solace in his life is...more James Archer is so very lonely and miserable. A very wealthy but common merchant, James is married to a cruel viper of a wife who wishes him dead and throws her many lovers in his face while he’s not allowed to have any. James married Amelia, his society wife, to give his younger sister, Rebecca, her London season in the hopes of marrying well. And Amelia makes James’s life miserable because of the power she wields regarding Rebecca’s reputation. At twenty-five James’s only solace in his life is working long hours at his factory and making even more money than he already has. He’s tired of only using his hand to bring him pleasure since his wife of three years refuses him in her bed. He makes the decision of visiting a brothel run by Madame Rubicon in the hopes that sexual pleasure by a skilled prostitute can give him some relief.

Rose Marlowe works for Madame Rubicon for only the first week of each month. Rose has no other choice since she had to pay off her dead father’s debts, make certain she doesn’t lose her family’s property and keep up her eighteen year old brother Dash’s allowance while he’s in London. She has grown accustomed to her lot in life even though Dash is oblivious to her work and spends money like water, including his massive loses at the gambling tables that Rose is forced to pay.

When James meets with the Madame, he is nervous and ashamed that he has to pay for sex, but when he sees Rose, he is dumbstruck by her beauty. Rose is confused by James the first night they meet since all he wants to do is talk and hold hands. And then when James asks if he can come see her again the next night, she happily agrees.

Soon Rose grows excited for the nights she shares with James. Not only does he treat her with respect, but he gives her amazing pleasure without asking for anything in return. James can’t get Rose out of his mind and wants nothing more than to spend every hour with her, going as far as to invite her for a week at his country home where he’s willing to pay any price just to have her near him. Rose knows if she goes away with James she may fall in love with him. And the one rule she has learned is never to fall in love with a benefactor. Both ache for one another desperately knowing no there is no future for them. But then James gets to the point where he can’t let Rose go and will do whatever he can, even if he has to beg and plead for her to remain with him knowing he can never leave his wife.

I decided to read Seven Nights to Forever because of all the rave reviews this book has received on various blogs. Evangeline Collins has written truly something special. I can’t help but compare Seven Night to Forever to a regency Pretty Woman. Rose is no “pretend” high class woman of the night. She’s an actual prostitute who has years of experience. Rose is not too bitter, but not optimistic either. She feels she has no other choice but to allow her body to be used by men for their own sexual gratification until James walks into her life.

James is, hands down, the most adorable, self-sacrificing beta hero I’ve ever read. This is a man who is magnificent in every sense of the word. His degradation at the hands of his wife is heartbreaking, where he’s very much is a victim of emotional spousal abuse. This is the first time I’ve ever read a regency hero being abused in such a fashion. He bleeds inside, silently suffering where all he longs for is a kind touch. That comes in the form of Rose, where he lays his heart and soul at her feet knowing he may be hurt even more. His admiration toward Rose is beautiful. Their love making is not only to satisfy their body’s wants, but more as a form of therapy for both. A ride in a carriage where Rose and James pass the time is put to good smoldering use.

There’s no real miscommunication between James and Rose, which is very refreshing. They talk about their desires and dreams, and how they feel whole again because of one another. Their love scenes are amazing erotic and tender. James is definitely the type of man who would break down in tears because of how Rose makes him feel. Here is a man who is willing to humble himself for love. And it’s not pathetic, but so very moving and romantic.

I really can’t find anything wrong with Seven Nights to Forever other than James’s wife Amelia being a bit too cruel and having no real depth. I also found Rose’s issue with Dash could have been easily fixed, but then there would be no story. Evangeline does make a great case for James’s infidelity and why he has decided to take the course of action he does. James is no rake, but a true kind-hearted man who has run out of every conceivable option when it comes to his marriage.

I’ve noticed a big upswing in beta heroes in the various historical romances I’ve read this year. Evangeline has written the very best one in James. He may just be my favorite hero this year. At one point I felt tears forming in my eyes during one of his impassioned speeches toward the end of the book. This is a man women dream about.

James Archer and Rose Marlowe are characters who will stay with you for a long time after you finish reading. Seven Nights to Forever is book that’s going on my keeper shelf and one I will definitely re-read again.

Do yourself a favor and please pick up Seven Nights to Forever. It’s really a beautiful and emotional sensual romance with an incredible hero and heroine.(less)

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Jul 31, 2012 .þµŋψà. [Punya Reviews...] rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: brilliant-cover, evangeline-collins, i-wanna-have-your-babies, oh-honey-shag-me-silly, sweetnsexy-beta

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book...

I’m not a huge fan of mistress/courtesan heroines and if she’s a very seasoned one, like been-with-hundreds-of-men type, I don't really connect well with her. Maybe it’s because I’m a woman and I don’t condone prostitution. Rose was someone like that. I had troubles connecting with her, too, yet I appreciated her courage and the fact that she wasn’t as jaded and hopeless after such a long time. James was every g...more

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May 20, 2012 Nisha rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: courtesan-prostitute, historicalromance, previously-married, cheating, forbidden-love, married

So, I've been meaning to read this for a long time, but it keeps slipping my mind or something. Finally after nearly 2 years, I finished it.

Before I start, the (nearly virginal) hero is already unhappily married when he meets our practicing prostitute (for 5 years, including her stint as a mistress) heroine. In fact, the hero hires her for companionship. Their relationship starts as one with a large financial transaction, but their time together develops in a mutual understanding, need, and lov...more

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Mar 21, 2012 Natālija rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical

There are books that capture your attention and keep you interested the whole way through. "Seven Nights to Forever" by Evangeline Collins is definitely a character based novel. If you are looking for an action, humor or fluff, this book isn't for you, but, if you are like me and sympathize with beta heroes and welcome books that are slightly darker and emotionally intense, this is the book for you. I truly enjoyed this book; it was heart-wrenching, sensual, mildly erotic with goodhearted charac...more

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Jan 11, 2012 Book Review Diva rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historicalromance

“Seven Nights to Forever” by Evangeline Collins

“Seven Nights to Forever” is a passionate love story that will tug at your heart strings. This sex charged novel will have your temperature soaring above 100 degrees throughout this love story between two people from to completely different worlds. Don't forget the tissue as there are some very moving moments in this book.

James thought the day he said his vows to Amalia that he would be marrying the love of his life. He never could have dreamed th...more

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May 28, 2012 Regina rated it 5 of 5 stars

What I liked so much about this story was that neither James nor Rose were aristocrats. She was a destitute gentleman's daughter trying to make ends meet while working as a prostitute one week a month, and he was a wealthy shipping merchant miserably married to a titled lady. The story was almost entirely focused on the main couple with necessary--and refreshingly short--scenes involving secondary characters to give the reader an understanding of what motivated James and Rose.

I was unsure how th...more What I liked so much about this story was that neither James nor Rose were aristocrats. She was a destitute gentleman's daughter trying to make ends meet while working as a prostitute one week a month, and he was a wealthy shipping merchant miserably married to a titled lady. The story was almost entirely focused on the main couple with necessary--and refreshingly short--scenes involving secondary characters to give the reader an understanding of what motivated James and Rose.

I was unsure how the author was going to proceed with a plot that involved a married man becoming emotionally attached to another woman, especially since this can be such a delicate subject for a variety of readers, but I thought the subject was written with sensitivity and strong emotions that truly melted my heart. This story was a fine reminder that there are certainly gray areas to almost every situation. I did wonder if James was ever going to realize that being happy must become a priority in his life at some point rather than remaining miserable, lonely, and emotionally abused. However, he comes through in the end with a most satisfying set down to the one most cruel to him.

Of course, Rose had to overcome her own obstacles regarding her self-value and also to realize when self sacrifice becomes unhealthy. And however much she loved James and wanted to remain with him, she stood fast to her values and had the strength to do what was necessary for herself.

Throughout their growing mutual attraction, Rose and James often tripped over each others' insecurities which inevitably caused the typical misunderstandings and, therefore, stupid behavior that has almost become a mainstay in historicals; luckily, this couple works them out quickly so that we don't have to tolerate these unproductive scenarios.

This was a beautiful love story between two unlikely and lonely hearts longing for a certain happiness in their dreary and seemingly hopeless lives. It was wonderfully romantic and I enthusiastically give it 4.5 stars. (less)

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Jan 19, 2012 KatiD rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: a-review-ish

Rose Marlowe is a whore. For the last five years, she spends one week a month at Madame Rubicon's very high end brothel selling her services to the highest bidder, all this despite the fact that she had a good and loving upbringing. Why has Rose chosen this path? Her father died, leaving his estate destitute. Rose is loathe to tarnish her young brother Dashell's memories of their father, so she decides to become a prostitute to pay off the debts her father amassed, and also to give Dash the oppo...more Rose Marlowe is a whore. For the last five years, she spends one week a month at Madame Rubicon's very high end brothel selling her services to the highest bidder, all this despite the fact that she had a good and loving upbringing. Why has Rose chosen this path? Her father died, leaving his estate destitute. Rose is loathe to tarnish her young brother Dashell's memories of their father, so she decides to become a prostitute to pay off the debts her father amassed, and also to give Dash the opportunities he would have had, if the financial ruin hadn't happened.

James Archer is a self-made man. A successful merchant, who works incredibly hard so as to avoid his cold, loveless marriage, James is unfamiliar with loving anyone but his younger sister, Rebecca. His wife Amelia has carried on countless affairs, but James never has, mostly because he honors the vows he took, but also because Amelia, a titled lady, will be Rebecca's entree to society, and he does not want to jeopardize his sister's opportunity to catch a titled husband.

But one night, James gives in to his baser urges and visits Madame Rubicon. He tells her that he's looking for one evening with a woman, and that he requires the utmost discretion and money is no object. Thus, he meets Rose. A gorgeous, accomplished woman who attracts him like no other. Rose is disconcerted because their first evening, James does no more than kiss her and hold her hand. But as he departs, he asks to see her again. What evolves is a tender and very passionate relationship.

I read this book because Sarah at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books quite liked it, as did Katiebabs. I was interested in the premise and how the author would work within the confines of a woman who is a prostitute and the man who falls in love with her. The book has a very strong beginning, the set-up is interesting and I quite liked both James and Rose. I couldn't, for the life of me, figure out how the author would bring the two of them together. I really liked that the author didn't make it easy at all on them. Rose really never forgets that she is a whore, and is quite uncomfortable being in public. James has hang ups about her profession, and the fact that he'll never be Rose's "first" anything. He occasionally acts the ass, but always apologizes quite appropriately, and is extremely contrite. This was a couple I really rooted for, wanting them to find their HEA desperately.

But the HEA is the problem I had with the book. Not so much that they ended up together, but the HOW of it. The ending felt very, very rushed to me. As if the author looked at her word count one day and realized, "Oh shit, I need to wrap this book up!" and in about two chapters, it was done. As a reader, I felt quite robbed by the ending. I believed in this couple, but the ending went SO quickly, when the romance itself had built so slowly, and lusciously, that I felt quite robbed.

Ms. Collins writing style quite evokes Mary Balogh to me, and I wished that she had looked at Slightly Dangerous, in my opinion Balogh's best book, for the ending. I wish that James and Rose's relationship, which evolved so slowly, had been given the courtesy of the slow and deeply meaningful proposal that Wulfric and Christine's had. And a book never needed an epilogue more than Seven Nights to Forever! If I had to be rushed to the ending, I really wished I'd at least gotten to see the couple together after they'd been married. It would have left me far more satisfied.

All of this combines to leave me torn about the grade for this book. The first 80% of the book is perfection. It's romantic and slow building, the characters are incredibly likable and I rooted very hard for them. But the last 20% of the book does such disservice to the excellent work put into the beginning. Overall, Seven Nights to Forever is a truly enjoyable romance with a very rushed ending. If you enjoy the journey more than the destination, I believe this book will work for you. If you need a strong ending, this book should probably be passed over. For me, Seven Nights to Forever was a mostly enjoyable reading experience that left me wanting more for than the couple than what they were given.

Final grade: B/B-(less)

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Nov 10, 2011 Jane Stewart rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: regency-romance

I want a better story. Instead of believable conflicts, she makes up reasons to worry. Unfortunately I wanted it to be over.

STORY BRIEF:
James’ father forced him to marry Amelia who despised him, insulted him, and flaunted her lovers in his face. James’ younger sister Rebecca will be coming out – her first season. The deal was that Amelia, with her title and connections, would sponsor Rebecca to help her find a titled husband. James has endured loneliness for three years, being married to Amelia....more I want a better story. Instead of believable conflicts, she makes up reasons to worry. Unfortunately I wanted it to be over.

STORY BRIEF:
James’ father forced him to marry Amelia who despised him, insulted him, and flaunted her lovers in his face. James’ younger sister Rebecca will be coming out – her first season. The deal was that Amelia, with her title and connections, would sponsor Rebecca to help her find a titled husband. James has endured loneliness for three years, being married to Amelia. He goes to Madame Rubicon’s brothel wanting a woman who is kind and who desires him. He meets Rose and sees her every night. For the first time in years James is happy.

Rose’s father died eight years ago, leaving massive debts due to gambling. She became a mistress to earn money to pay off the debts and send her younger brother Dash to expensive schools. After her patron abused her, she joined Madame Rubicon’s brothel where she works one week a month. This allows her to provide Dash with an expensive lifestyle. When Dash was ten, she didn’t tell him about their father’s debts. Now Dash is eighteen, and she doesn’t tell him she has been working as a prostitute because he will think less of her. Of course she has to work even more now because Dash runs up large gambling debts.

REVIEWER’S OPINION:
The overall plot is predictable. We have the above setup, and we know they will fall in love, be happy at the end, and the rich guy will support her so she no longer has to be with other men. This is romance so having a predictable plot is ok. What is not ok is all the stuff that happens while they get to know each other and how they get to the happy ending. This was the problem. She “makes up reasons” to worry about things, to feel bad about herself, to leave him, and to plan to stop seeing him. For example page 234: They are in love and spending time together. All of a sudden she thinks about his younger sister and then thinks to herself “she was not the type of woman a decent gentleman ever wanted to introduce to his sister…he would never be proud to have her on his arm.” Therefore she packs up and leaves him. He catches up to her and asks why. She won’t tell him why. Another example page 248: They know they love each other. She decides never to see him again because “He had found his way into her heart.” She takes action so that he won’t see her and can’t find her. Please give me interesting conversation and believable conflicts. This book doesn’t have that. She just makes things up to cause conflicts.

The best part of the book is the character James. I had such sympathy and care for him. He’s kind and caring to both Rose and his sister. He adores Rose and wants to take care of her. What’s not to like? Rose make poor/stupid decisions by not telling Dash the truth about his dad and her. Rose makes poor/stupid decisions in her actions with James. The sex scenes are fine but would have been better with a better story.

DATA:
Story length: 313 pages. Swearing language: mild, including religious swear words. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: 11. Estimated number of sex scene pages: 18. Setting: 1819 London and rural areas nearby. Copyright: 2010. Genre: regency romance.(less)

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Oct 04, 2011 Melanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

I reviewed this book for Romance Reader At Heart.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

How do you take prostitution and infidelity and turn it into a compassionate love story? Ms. Collins answered that question by writing SEVEN NIGHTS TO FOREVER, a heartwarming story of two extremely complex characters who are trying to fit a lifetime of loneliness and love in seven days. The chemistry, not just sexual, between the two main characters was so good that you could feel the passion and the heartbreak tha...more I reviewed this book for Romance Reader At Heart.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

How do you take prostitution and infidelity and turn it into a compassionate love story? Ms. Collins answered that question by writing SEVEN NIGHTS TO FOREVER, a heartwarming story of two extremely complex characters who are trying to fit a lifetime of loneliness and love in seven days. The chemistry, not just sexual, between the two main characters was so good that you could feel the passion and the heartbreak that they were going through.

Rose Marlowe is the most beautiful and the most expensive courtesan in London. Her price is so high that she only works one week out of a month. The rest of the time she lives at her country estate that has seen better days. The reasons behind this woman's downfall become clear to us as we get to know her and her younger brother, who is totally oblivious to their predicament.

Three years ago, James Archer, out of necessity and duty, married a titled woman that not only despises him, but hates him for his commoner status. He's more than aware of her feelings as she never passes the opportunity to put him down; he's resigned to it, and willing to put himself through this sham of a marriage only because it'll guarantee his sisters entry into society.

In order to avoid conflict at home and his wife's vicious tongue, James dedicates all his free time to his work. One evening, out of loneliness and after three years of celibacy, hungry for a kind word and companionship as well as woman's gentle touch, he finds himself at Rubicon's, a brothel where he meets Rose.

This is a well-written story in which the subject matter was addressed with care and thought, and not just thrown in our faces. Even though James was no Rogue of Regency novels hero, nevertheless, he was a strong, sexy, and very vulnerable gentle man. His patient and accepting nature pulled Rose in, and she couldn't help but fall in love with a man that selflessly gave of himself to her.

I also want to give Ms. Collins credit in creating a secondary character with a loud voice that you just want to embrace and have a need to know his story as well. This book would not be the same without the character of Timothy Ashton, Rose's best friend and fellow prostitute. Ms. Collins, please let him speak to you. We want to know him better.

It was a pleasure to read this book, and I'm looking forward to many more from Evangeline Collins.

Melanie
(less)

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Jun 30, 2011 RomReader rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: harlequin-silhouette

Young heroine is the highest paid prostitute in a well-known London brothel, where she works 1 week each month for the past 4 years. She meets unhappily married & wealthy Hero as her client one night. Hero finally resolved to find solace for his loneliness & daily humiliation from his wife of 3 yrs who refused to have sex with him & frequently criticizes & shames him for not being an aristocrat like her & her numerous lovers. Hero & heroine instantly connect on an emotion...more

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Mar 31, 2011 Christine Morehouse rated it 5 of 5 stars

A lush, sensual, passionate story with a devastating pair of lovers who come together in the most unlikely of ways to find true love in romance author, Evangeline Collins’s SEVEN NIGHT TO HEAVEN released by Berkley Sensations on November 2010.

Wealthy gentleman merchant, James arch was forced into a love les marriage to a woman who cannot stand the sight of him.

“He let out another heavy sigh. He’d been reduced to knocking on the back door of a brothel.

But the loneliness had become too much to bea...more

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Jan 19, 2011 Sienny rated it 5 of 5 stars

tipe HR yang belom pernah aq temui nih.
yg cowok, James Archer, commoner n wealthy merchant yang sama bokapnya, yang juga super rich, dijadiin alat barter demi bisa masuk ke kalangan ton. caranya James disuruh merit sama anak bangsawan yg banyak utang sebagai ganti utang si bangsawan dilunasi. maklum bokapnya si James berangan2 bisa jadi anggota kalangan ton. so alhasil James merit sama Lady Amelia yang membenci kenyataan dia harus merit 'turun derajat'. bisa dibayangin kan gimana model pernikaha...more

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Jan 15, 2011 Tina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-reads, romance-historical

This could have been a slam dunk, 5-star book for me. But sadly there were a few things that just didn't work for me and tainted the experience a bit.

Basic plot: James is a very wealthy commoner who married into the nobility in order to give his younger sister the entree into society she wants. Rose is the daughter of a lord who died and left her and her younger brother with no money. In order to save their home and to allow her brother to maintain his lifestyle, she becomes a courtesan.

One nigh...more This could have been a slam dunk, 5-star book for me. But sadly there were a few things that just didn't work for me and tainted the experience a bit.

Basic plot: James is a very wealthy commoner who married into the nobility in order to give his younger sister the entree into society she wants. Rose is the daughter of a lord who died and left her and her younger brother with no money. In order to save their home and to allow her brother to maintain his lifestyle, she becomes a courtesan.

One night James simply can't take his miserable life anymore and knocks on the intriguing red-door across the street from his office. He is directed to Rose. At first he just wants to be in the company of a woman who will be nice to him. And Rose is happy to be in the company of someone who really sees her. The two fall in love but of course James is married and they have no hope.

What did work for me: The romance. James and Rose were wonderful together. They are two damaged souls who find a place of peace, acceptance and true love with each other. The middle portion of the book is excellent. The angst, if you like romantic angst, is perfect.

I also liked when James' sister, Rebecca, and Rose's brother, Dash, each are separately made to realize the sacrifices their older siblings have made for them. Their reactions are more mature than their siblings thought to give them credit for.

And finally, I truly enjoyed the ending.

What didn't work for me:

James's wife was a complete monster. Ok, I think the idea of the hero engaging in adultery probably needs to strong motivation for some readers to find it palatable. But honestly, this woman was so over the top I really couldn't take her evilness seriously. And when James was in her company he was a milquetoast. I hated that. I don't need my heroes to all be uber alphas, but God, don't lose your balls altogether! There was a point early in the book when we first meet her and I almost closed the book right then and there never to open it again. That whole dynamic was incredibly distasteful to me.

And I supposed in Romancelandia there is an unwritten rule that the heroines are to be admired if they suffer and sacrifice in silence. You know what? I am fine if you have to do what you need to do keep food in your mouth and a roof over your head. But Rose had been doing this for years so her brother could continue to be a man about town and gamble and run up clothing bills over and over again. It was clearly something she disliked doing, and yet her money was simply going down a black hole so her brother could continue his lifestyle. I get that he was young when she started but when he got old enough to understand their situation, she had no more excuses. That just bothered me no end.

But even that I could have stomached if James could have just realized he actually had more power in his relationship with his wife than he thought he did.

Recommended with caveats.(less)

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Jan 13, 2011 Bookaholics rated it 4 of 5 stars

Seven Nights to Forever by Evangeline Collins
Historical Romance – Nov. 2nd, 2010
4 Stars

Two selfless people, James Archer and Rose Marlowe find comfort and love with each other. Both have a lot in their lives to address before they can truly be together. James, a successful merchant married an unfaithful socialite to ensure that his sister would have good social standing. His wife belittles him while flaunting her lovers. James can no longer bear the loneliness and turns to Rose, a prostitute for...more

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Nov 30, 2010 RomanceNovelNews.com rated it 4 of 5 stars

Written by Rita Jett for Romance Novel News

For one week a month, Rose Marlowe heads to London to work at Madame Rubicon’s – an exclusive brothel.

Being the most popular and expensive “employee” affords Rose the financial security to support her 18-year-old brother while keeping him in the dark about their family’s financial straits.

James Archer arrives seeking a companionship denied to him by his wife Amelia. A successful tradesman, James entered into a marriage of convenience with an aristocrati...more

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Nov 29, 2010 Maria rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, couresan, shipping, london, ton, brothel, hide-park

After having read a good review, I quickly acquainted myself with James and Rose. A good historical romance unlike other books in which the heroin is a shy young miss looking for her knight in shining armor. Rose, due to the big gambling debts left by her father, has become a courtesan in order to support herself and her young brother Dash. After four disheartening years of finally paying off all of her father's debts and supporting her brother in the style in which he is used to she meets the m...more

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Nov 16, 2010 Booklover1335 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. James Archer is an honorable man trapped in a loveless marriage. A marriage of convenience (that has turned more into an inadvertent quest for sainthood) that was selflessly agreed upon to further the social status of his younger sister in his family's attempt to climb the social ranks. Despite a wife that despises everything about him, he remains steadfast and true to his vows even though his wife flaunts her adulterous affairs. After years of rejection, humility, and tireless selflessness, the...more James Archer is an honorable man trapped in a loveless marriage. A marriage of convenience (that has turned more into an inadvertent quest for sainthood) that was selflessly agreed upon to further the social status of his younger sister in his family's attempt to climb the social ranks. Despite a wife that despises everything about him, he remains steadfast and true to his vows even though his wife flaunts her adulterous affairs. After years of rejection, humility, and tireless selflessness, the loneliness of his existence becomes more than he can bear so he turns to a prostitute named Rose, someone that is paid, that has no connection to his wife, and consequently couldn't potentially ruin his sister's debut in society. A simple exchange of money for affection...not necessarily sex, as you would imagine, but a mutual need that quickly turns into a relationship between them, though neither of them desire such a connection...two similarly selfless people living to survive each and every day.

Though Rose and James's story takes place over a period of just a few days, the way their love story is told makes it feel as though the intimacy and bond that forms between the two of them is a natural progression in their relationship. It feels sumptuous, unhurried...a languorous love affair that I loved. However, I do wish that one of the love scenes towards the end would have better illustrated the intimacy that evolved in their relationship, i.e. from lust to love that encompassed the feelings that they developed for each other. This may seem like a request for just another love scene, but since their relationship was first based on sex, it would have been nice for one of the love scenes to hold more meaning to each of them....even if they weren't willing to admit it to themselves or each other at the time.

I've seen a few reviews that consider James a man that is spineless and weak, (a result of too many uber-alpha heroes in romance today) however I believe that is a narrow and unjust view of his character. I've also seen a few reviews that criticize him for being no better than his wife, i.e. because he turns to a prostitute even though he is a married man...that too I believe is an unjust judgment of his character. Because at the end...despite his vulnerability, he is commanding and confrontational when he needs to be and is honorable and loyal to those he loves.

The only other thing that I wish would have been explored further in the book was how Rose came to be a courtesan/prostitute/part of the demimonde world. How does a gently bred woman come to the realization that this is her best option? Did she become a mistress in order to settle one of her father's debts, which then eventually led to her decision to be a prostitute instead? I felt that this was important to her character because it definitely influenced Rose and the choices that she made...especially the one in which she decided not to be one man's mistress, as well as why she felt so strongly about not having a patron that was married. I respected and admired Rose for the difficult and self sacrificing choices that she made, even if she was enabling her brother's vices....leading him to follow in his father's footsteps. Her intentions were well meaning and done out of love, but I would have liked to have more insight into her history...not that it would have made a tremendous difference to her character and the story, I just would have understood some of her reasoning better.

Despite my criticisms, I loved this story. I loved James and Rose. I loved that the story was all about them and their struggles internally, with each other, and with their families without getting distracted by perilous plots, hard to believe adventures, and numerous villains. It was just James and Rose and how they came to find love with each other. It's not very often that I feel as passionate about both the hero and the heroine, but I loved them both equally. They are some of my favorite characters I have had the pleasure of reading about this year, and since this story is all about the characters, it made the story that much better in my opinion. If I could sing the praises of Seven Nights to Forever it would almost be an opera! No doubt it will end up on my list of best historical romances for 2010.

Ratings:

Overall: 4.25 stars
Sensuality level: 3.50 (though the heroine is a prostitute the love scenes in this story are sensual and intimate in nature rather than graphic/explicit/adventurous)(less)

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Sep 17, 2010 Jane Litte rated it 4 of 5 stars

The heroine is a true prostitute. Her father died when she was 18? and her brother was 13 and left them with crushing debt. In order to protect her brother, Rose put her beautiful looks to good use and got a protector. Her first one was a married man and she really had a problem with that so she got herself a new protector only he was super abusive. After a year, she finally fled the abusive protector to go to a well known br0thel and struck a deal with the madam. For one week out of every month...more The heroine is a true prostitute. Her father died when she was 18? and her brother was 13 and left them with crushing debt. In order to protect her brother, Rose put her beautiful looks to good use and got a protector. Her first one was a married man and she really had a problem with that so she got herself a new protector only he was super abusive. After a year, she finally fled the abusive protector to go to a well known br0thel and struck a deal with the madam. For one week out of every month, Rose would come to the br0thel and service any man who paid for her. Because she was so beautiful and so exclusive, she began to make quite a bit of money doing this. Enough to buy a city apartment for her brother and send him to Oxford. Of course, her brother has no idea she is doing this and acts like a petulant a$$ quite a bit.

The hero, James Archer, is an incredibly wealthy merchant. It has been his father's desire to get entree into good society. James agreed to marry a daughter of an Earl so that his sister could marry a titled gentleman. James knew that his wife wasn't thrilled about marrying him, but he thought that they could find some common basis upon which to have a decent marriage. Instead Amelia, the wife, is cruel to him. She tells him he is a coarse disgusting man who is nothing more than a commoner and not fit to touch her. She mocks his masculinity and constantly derides him. She tells him she would rather die than suffer his touch and almost daily tells him she wishes he would die.

James cannot take a mistress publicly because if he does so, Amelia will refuse to sponsor his sister. In some ways, James is like an abused spouse although it is only emotional abuse.

After three years of this, James feels like his torment is coming to an end. His sister will be having her season and with Amelia's connections and the family money and his sister's beauty, a good match should be made. James does not want his sister to suffer the same fate as he has - a soulless, unhappy marriage. In other words, his sacrifice must mean something.

James goes to the famous brothel and asks for a woman, a dark haired woman. The madam tells him about Rose and names the price. James pays without question and the first night, all he does is talk to Rose because sitting beside a woman who doesn't malign him is a pleasure in its own right. Plus, he feels guilty.

Over the course of the next few nights, they progress from holding hands to oral to actual intercourse and you can see the progression of how these two lonely individuals are finding surcease in each other's arms. After the week is over, James isn't ready to let her go and feels like there must be someway he can keep Rose and still maintain his fictional marriage.

The characterizations of Rose and James were very different and fresh. James' emasculation at the hands of his wife did not show him to be less of a man to the reader, just one who is long suffering, kind and almost too patient.(less)

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Feb 09, 2011 Meagan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, historical-fiction, romance

This is a bit of an unusual romance, which is kind of why I picked it. (And thanks to Smart Bitches, for pointing it out.) Many romances have the "big misunderstanding" or other obstacle to the two main characters getting together. This one has a for-real obstacle that made me wonder how the author would pull of the necessary happily-ever-after. (Don't worry. She manages.) The hero is a hopeless and miserable, albeit great, guy trapped in a loveless marriage to a horrible and nasty woman for the...more

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Feb 03, 2013 Tpring rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance_historical

This is the story of two sweet, gentle, rather young and not very exciting people falling in love. That one is married to another and one is a prostitute suggests that it may be full of drama, scandal and mayhem - but it isn't.

Both have lead bleak lives before finding solace in each other. The hero working hard in a job he is not really passionate about to avoid his clichéd shrew of a wife, the well bred heroine selling her body to stupidly enable her younger brother's excessive lifestyle. Both...more This is the story of two sweet, gentle, rather young and not very exciting people falling in love. That one is married to another and one is a prostitute suggests that it may be full of drama, scandal and mayhem - but it isn't.

Both have lead bleak lives before finding solace in each other. The hero working hard in a job he is not really passionate about to avoid his clichéd shrew of a wife, the well bred heroine selling her body to stupidly enable her younger brother's excessive lifestyle. Both are so starved for intimacy that they can't help but fall for the first nice person they stumble upon. That makes their story unusual as well as a bit disappointing. All they want from life and from each other is pleasant company, a person they can be themselves with, a person with whom they can share their meals and lazy afternoons in an agreeable silence. They are neither ones for witty banter nor deep conversations.

It is a very bold move to open a field of possibilities with the subject matter (questions of different forms of sexuality, of moral standards, of class and prudery) and decide to never really dive into them. The heroine's profession has practically no impact on her character and behavior (apart from the fact that she considers herself unworthy). She is the same genteel, kind English Rose you encounter in so many other (older) romance stories.

Nevertheless I enjoyed their story until the rather disappointing and rushed ending. Without any explanation or traceable internal development whatsoever the heroine goes from anguishing about a future that can never be because of her past to accepting the happy end offered to her. If any book was in dire need of an epilogue it was this one. How do they deal with the scorn of society that is inevitable? How do his relatives react to the union? What kind of live do they forge with each other? Nothing is answered and for once tidying up loose ends would have been absolutely crucial in order to give the story depth and impact it otherwise lacked. (less)

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Nov 02, 2010 Leontine rated it 3 of 5 stars

James is stuck in an arranged marriage, void of love, compassion or even amiability. His hard working attitude hides a very lonely man and the only thing that makes this marriage worthwhile is his wife’s promise to introduce his sister to the bon ton of London during the season. Still, after three long years of being honorable it turns a man starved for a bit of affection and kindness. James promises himself one night with a woman who does not loathe the sight of him and that choice brings him k...more James is stuck in an arranged marriage, void of love, compassion or even amiability. His hard working attitude hides a very lonely man and the only thing that makes this marriage worthwhile is his wife’s promise to introduce his sister to the bon ton of London during the season. Still, after three long years of being honorable it turns a man starved for a bit of affection and kindness. James promises himself one night with a woman who does not loathe the sight of him and that choice brings him knocking on the door of Rose. Two lonely people meet and feel a magnetic pull neither of them expected.

With SEVEN NIGHTS TO FOREVER, Evangeline Collins delivers a heartwarming historical romance of a man trapped in a loveless marriage and unexpectedly finds a connection to another woman. Even though arranged marriages are very common in the time period of the story and even affairs for both women and men are conventional it is James who made the difference. For all intends and purposes he wanted to abide by his vow but his wife is a self absorbed nightmare of a woman. James might be emotion starved but that doesn’t mean he isn’t struggling with his actions of obtaining some kindness. I found it very easy to sympathize with James, he is a good man, works hard, cares for his family and treats people with respect. To opposite such a man to a dragon of a woman who is haughty, selfish and cold is perhaps an easy way to gain my support for James but it evoked the response nonetheless. Amelia as his wife is one of the reasons I could understand and accept James’ infidelity. A person can only take so much when deprived of even the barest hint of affection and the time period also gave leeway to such a story angle.

James is a character who was all around likable but Rose is right there with him. She’s taken care of her younger brother from the moment her father died and in those days there were very few options open to Rose. She chooses to become a high-priced courtesan for seven nights each month and so the opportunity rises for James and Rose to meet. Rose is everything Amelia is not, she loves the country, she’s kind, compassionate, is even willful at times and makes understandable choices. From the moment James is introduced to Rose there is plenty of tension between then. I would almost call it a refined eroticism, the passion is sizzling hot and frequent but the poignant way it is written curbs the act of sex play and adds the emotional depth to it. It is not only the erotic tension but also their emotional needs that resonate with each other and form a fragile bond of feelings and trust.

The challenges that lay ahead of them mainly revolved around their developing romance that could go no further due to James’ marriage. The problems give appropriate resistance delivering some inner struggles and emotion wrought scenes yet it weren’t insurmountable odds to overcome as the solution proved that. James and Rose need to make decisions and for them to come to certain conclusions was interesting to witness. The romance was moving and the sincerity of the characters made me care all the more about the outcome of it all.

Evangeline Collins manages to write a wonderful historical romance with just a handful of characters where the focus lies on the love, sensuality and interaction. If there is one secondary character, next to Amelia and Rebecca, who intrigued me to no end then it was the male prostitute, Timothy. With only a few scenes and some insightful comments coming from Timothy he becomes a colorful character who triggers my curiosity. His situation, as a male BDSM prostitute, begs for the unraveling of his back story though I wonder if this author would go there.

SEVEN NIGHTS TO FOREVER is a nice blend of a heart rendering romance, sensuality, sincere characters and easy flowing writing skills.

3.5 stars(less)

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Dec 28, 2010 Jessi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, romance

First line: "Cloaked in the midnight shadows, Mr. James Archer shifted against the darkened streetlamp and watched as two gentlemen went up the stone steps of the large white house across the street."

Again with the mixed feelings about a book. Maybe I'm just not in a romance-y mood right now. The SBTB ladies recommended this book (and also mocked its completely horrendous cover), so I picked it up. I thought this was an interesting plot for a historical romance. The gently bred heroine, Rose, wo...more First line: "Cloaked in the midnight shadows, Mr. James Archer shifted against the darkened streetlamp and watched as two gentlemen went up the stone steps of the large white house across the street."

Again with the mixed feelings about a book. Maybe I'm just not in a romance-y mood right now. The SBTB ladies recommended this book (and also mocked its completely horrendous cover), so I picked it up. I thought this was an interesting plot for a historical romance. The gently bred heroine, Rose, works as the most highly sought-after prostitute in a London brothel for one week a month to pay off her dead father's gambling debts and to support her brother in genteel style. I did like that Collins did not write one of those stories where the heroine is miraculously still a virgin after time in the brothel nor is she at all innocent-minded. Rose is fully trained and fully aware of her duties. She has been a prostitute for four years and knows all the tricks of the trade. This story is very steamy and it allows the relationship between the main characters to grow from lust to love in a well-paced and intriguing arch. I liked both of the characters well enough, although neither one stood out to me. Here's the part I'm conflicted about - almost all of the obstacles to their relationships were internal. We rarely see the evil doer of the story and she is quickly overcome. Most of the story is about Rose coming to value herself despite her profession and James coming to see himself as a loveable person. I think in another mood I would hav enjoyed the story more, but I kept waiting for some person to come and do dastardly deeds to seperate the couple for a time. It just never happened, and I found myself a little bored in the end. Also did not like that James was married. His wife was particularly evil, although as I said before, she never wrecked much havoc in the story although her mental abuse of James was the primary cause of his lack of self-confidence. Still, even with an evil wife I have an aversion to adultry and the whole time that James and Rose were falling in love I kept thinking about his marriage vows. I also think his marriage was too neatly taken care of in the end. I did enjoy the story overall, but I don't think it will stay with me for long.(less)

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Nov 12, 2010 Julia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, romance, dropbox

I liked the risks Evangeline Collins took with her two main characters, a married man and a prostitute. She didn't push the envelope too far (neither has sex with anyone else during the course of the book), but I found her treatment of the subject matter satisfying. The character development was good enough that I wanted to cheer, but the resolution seemed abrupt (I wanted more time to savor the HEA, maybe?).

I heard enough about this book to break my "no eBook over $8" rule, and I enjoyed it. My...more

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Nov 12, 2010 Joy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, historical-fiction, romantica

If you like Regency-set prostitute love stories this may be the book are for you. The heroine is a poor gentlewoman who feels she must pay off her family debts and put her brother through school by selling her body; when she meets a successful businessman who is despised by his wife, both their lives are upended. After the two meet, of course, once they meet, they manage to arrange not to sleep with anyone else after that, ever, which makes me think she must be the luckiest of prostitutes. I've...more

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Nov 03, 2010 VampFanGirl rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, erotic-historical-romance, for-review

My Review:

The Plot:

As a woman fully reconciled with her choices in life, Rose Marlowe has managed through sheer desperation to become the most beautiful and the most expensive courtesan at Rubicon's upscale brothel in London. Born a gentle country miss, obviously this direction she's taken with her life is not her fairytale dream coming true but rather a nasty turn of fate that's made selling her body for a man's pleasure an absolute necessity. Now, for one week each month Rose makes the trip fr...more

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Nov 03, 2010 Mandi Schreiner rated it 4 of 5 stars

Favorite Quote: “You’re the first man I have ever wanted to be with.”

After Rose’s parents died a few years ago, her 13 year old brother was left without a great outlook in life when most of their money went to cover the family debt. Without many options, Rose decides to take control of her life, and sell her body. A profession where she comes to realize leaves her with little control at all. After two unsuccessful protectors (one married, one abusive) she finds Madame Rubicon’s brothel and has b...more Favorite Quote: “You’re the first man I have ever wanted to be with.”

After Rose’s parents died a few years ago, her 13 year old brother was left without a great outlook in life when most of their money went to cover the family debt. Without many options, Rose decides to take control of her life, and sell her body. A profession where she comes to realize leaves her with little control at all. After two unsuccessful protectors (one married, one abusive) she finds Madame Rubicon’s brothel and has been employed there for the past four years. Being beautiful, and having experience, she only needs to work seven days out of each month and then she is able to retire to her country house for the remaining three weeks, and spend her hard earned money covering her brother’s luxurious lifestyle.

James Archer has become very wealthy in trade. He is a commoner though, no titles in his family. His father gave him his shipping company and James is set for life, although works extremely hard. Wanting his younger sister to have every advantage, he knew he had marry someone titled. He ends up marrying Amelia, a daughter of an earl. Now his sister is able to have a coming out season, but James is paying for it emotionally. After his wife told him to come no where near her at their wedding breakfast, and she parades her lovers in front of him, James has turned to work, to hide, and forget about his life at home. He is so lonely for attention, and for a woman's touch after three miserable years of marriage, that he finds himself at Rubicon’s. He has never been unfaithful to his wife, until this night and he promises himself it will only be this once.

It is here he meets Rose, and they both are surprised at who they find. James treats Rose with respect, and dignity, yet he still lusts after her something fierce. They become friends, and deeper feelings start to run, but at the same time James is still paying for her services, and the word whore is always on Rose’s mind.

I loved Seven Nights to Forever. James and Rose are two of the sweetest, most adorable characters I have read about in quite some time. First of all, I love that Rose is a prostitute. It might sound weird to say that, but it is just so different in a historical romance. There is no pretending – she has been a prostitute for four years and that is just the way things are. She doesn’t like it, but it allows her to only work one week a month and take care and spoil her younger brother.

When James comes to her he is at the end of his patience. It’s tricky to write this story with James married. But, Evangeline Collins makes James’s wife so despicable, that honestly, you can’t help but push him towards Rose. When he is asked by Rubicon what kind of woman he wants, his first thought is “someone kind.” It is heartbreaking to read when he is touched for the first time, or even just held in Rose’s arms. He has lived a solitary life for so long, and has to live with a passive façade around his wife, who has shamed him so much. When Rose opens her arms to him, it is so beautiful.

And although there are many romantic, very sexy scenes, I also love that during most of the book, James is still paying for Rose. It is never forgotten that she has been with a countless number of men. When Rose performs a sexual act on James, he can’t help but think about how many other men she had done this with. They both wish they had been each other’s first, but that is not the reality. And when James takes Rose out of her environment, Rose doesn’t know how to act. She doesn’t know how to just be a woman, always questioning herself as to what James would want. So – it is not like they meet and everything is rainbows and flowers. It’s a struggle to mentally remove Rose from being a prostitute and I think Evangeline Collins handles that extremely well.

My only wish is that the ending conflict with Amelia would have been more explosive. I felt like for as evil, and conniving her character is portrayed, she didn’t put up enough fight at the end.

Seven Nights to Forever is one of my favorite historical romances I have read this year because of the beautiful characters Evangeline Collins gives us. I highly recommend this one.(less)

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Jun 07, 2011 Amy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

I really liked the previous book by this author, so I had high hopes for this one. Unfortunately, it was nothing spectacular.
Both the hero and heroine seemed to trap themselves in this predicament. The male was supposedly an emotionally battered husband. The female was voluntarily in a high priced brothel to pay off the debts that her father and brother acquired. After meeting and spending two weeks together (in bed) they finally find the gumption to get themselves out of their bad situations.
Mo...more

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Dec 17, 2011 Kath S rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: made-me-cry, historical-romance, favorites

Una escritora que me ha sorprendido gratamente.

Esta es una historia diferente. Rose no es como las protagonistas comunes de las novelas de romántica histórica. Rose ha tenido que pasar momentos difíciles y ha terminado siendo prostituta, y lo ha sido durante cinco años. Es una mujer acostumbrada a ser tratada como un objeto, una mujer que se sacrifica por darle todo a su hermano menor. Y entonces conoce a James.

James no es un noble ni nada parecido. James es un burgués, es un hombre rico pero si...more

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Dec 03, 2012 Metaspinster rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-historical, romance-erotic, hr-regency-era, hr-non-aristos, trope-courtesan-mistress, trope-hero-like-a-virgin, theme-abuse-sexual-violence, theme-feministy

A reversal of sorts for the genre, with an entirely undebauched commoner hero miserable in an arranged marriage to a cruel aristocratic wife and a heroine who works as a high-priced prostitute in order to pay back her father's gambling debts and support her brother. Though there is no slut-shaming of our heroine--or rather it is mostly self-inflicted, with the hero castigating himself for one or two slips he makes out of jealousy. Indeed, both of them have similar character arcs regarding excess...more

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