Pleasure Me

Mar 13, 2011 Rane rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: victorian-romance

I love reading Courtesan/Escort romances, perhaps because of Robin Schone’s The Lover or that is shows another faction of the human spirit of overcoming classes and those whose past are not pure white, or perhaps I watch Pretty Woman way to much, no matter the case, and while this book didn’t live up to the hype I had for it, it was still a very engaging read that had me reading to the end.

Lady Ruth has just been tossed aside by her lastest protector for a younger woman. At Forty-one Ruth is at...more I love reading Courtesan/Escort romances, perhaps because of Robin Schone’s The Lover or that is shows another faction of the human spirit of overcoming classes and those whose past are not pure white, or perhaps I watch Pretty Woman way to much, no matter the case, and while this book didn’t live up to the hype I had for it, it was still a very engaging read that had me reading to the end.

Lady Ruth has just been tossed aside by her lastest protector for a younger woman. At Forty-one Ruth is at a cross-roads in her life dealing with her sexuality, her age and what other think of her. Her life changes again when she meets Barron Garrick Stratfield at a ball, and after he saves her from a few snubs from the set, Ruth and Garrick part ways until they meet again as they bid over Crawley Hall which both unknown to either want to buy to be built into an orphanage. Each meeting leads them both drawing closer to one another secrets and a sexual tension either can resist.

Both leads have some deep wounds, thorns that have fester over the years. Ruth not only dealing with being a courtesan after so many years, but her age now comes into play and the What Ifs start popping up into her mind. Knowing it’s time to move on, she’s trying to help orphans for a better life and more options, something she didn’t have at the time. She’s very leery and with good reason of Garrick who while may be a younger man, makes her forgot her age and sees her as a sexual, desirable woman. She finds it odd how Garrick fights the attraction between them while offering friendship and when the truth behind Garrick’s actions are reveled Ruth is drawn even closer to him even when she knows it may well be her heart broken in the end.

Garrick maybe a great kisser, but because of his abnormality he happen to be born with and after his evil Uncle (who was became Garrick and his siblings guardian before Garrick kicked him out) belittled him at a tender age. Garrick has hidden himself away from anything sexual, until he meets Ruth, even against his better judgment can’t keep his hands off . Ruth and Garrick both help the other deal with one another insecurities and their pasts.

Like any chain, it’s only as strong as it’s weakest link, and sadly the characters for me fell into link. Both were strong characters, caring and dealt with a lot of hardships that only made them stronger were it could have broken anyone else. My problem was the merry-go-around they got stuck on. I can understand about the insecurities, I wouldn’t be human being if I didn’t have my own insecurities, but I don’t dwell on them like Ruth and Garrick did. Of course they were scarred and hurt by those around them that only caused their scars to deepen and re-open, they keep going back to square one. In any relationship, couples go through hurdles and when we thought Ruth and Garrick finally were over one hurdle it was like the same hurdle was here again. Ruth was point blank about Garrick’s abnormality, she even laid herself on the line in being blindfolded and tied up for Garrick to feel at ease when they first have sex, and still Garrick doubts her. Garrick proves to Ruth how much her age doesn’t matter, going out of his way to shower her with affection and still she doubts him. *headdesk* Their insecurities almost became a sort of character and monster Garrick and Ruth danced around and hid behind when things got a little to heavy for them. They were suppose to be stronger then that and even then strong people can be weak, but together the TRUSTand LOVE they put in one another and everything they went through should have been proof enough for them to have moved on from one hurdle and moved to another.

My other trouble I had was the disbelief Garrick showed toward the end, and this cliché used many times over, of Ruth showing her love by putting herself into her own downfall and scandal and the Garrick not believing in her and only after someone (a stranger, policeman etc) says what she did, does he finally believe. I liked Garrick but by this point in the book I wouldn’t have minded kicking his butt to the curve. It would have been 10X better if he came to this knowledge on his own instead of someone else, because he believed and loved Ruth and knew her better then to spread a lie. Even the ending had this same cliché with Ruth’s father whom was narrow-minded only believed the truth of the his wife and Ruth’s mother he supposedly loved and he kicked out of his house, only after he found a journal of the truth did he believe after all these years. Wasn’t even given some groveling from the old geezer either!

There were some bright spots in this book, the time when Garrick and Ruth weren’t hiding behind their insecurities and were together were some of the best moments and how much they grew to fall in love with one another.
Burns is a strong writer and it shown in great shades in Pleasure Me, but not with the characters sadly. (less)

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Mar 13, 2011 Amy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2read2

I wanted to love this story and given the chemistry of the characters I thought I would, however, to be honest the story was borderline, exhausting. Garrick is completely obsessed with his physical abnormality and Ruth is completely obsessed with her age and how society will view her being in a relationship with a much younger man. Both obsessions took center stage through the entire book and as a result I felt drained and ready for the story to be over instead of anticipating a HEA. I give cred...more

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Apr 30, 2011 Joy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Joy by: Vikisha

Shelves: erotic-fiction, historical-romance, ebooks

This is the first Monica Burns novel I've read and...wow! Amazing!

The title might be misleading for those who just want more erotica, or expecting a lot of hot and passionate love scenes, but this novel is a gripping tale of how two people struggled to find happiness amidst a cruel society. The characters were unpredictable and really complex, there were a lot of layers to them and the storytelling was fast-paced it really got me hooked. For a novel branded as erotica, it has fewer scenes than I...more This is the first Monica Burns novel I've read and...wow! Amazing!

The title might be misleading for those who just want more erotica, or expecting a lot of hot and passionate love scenes, but this novel is a gripping tale of how two people struggled to find happiness amidst a cruel society. The characters were unpredictable and really complex, there were a lot of layers to them and the storytelling was fast-paced it really got me hooked. For a novel branded as erotica, it has fewer scenes than I expected, but it had substance.

This is a story where both the hero and heroine are tortured, both had difficult childhoods, but they are really caring people and they're devoted to orphans, and both of them have deep secrets. It's not difficult to like the both of them and I liked how the conflicts pile up after one another, they got of at a smooth-turned-rocky start and I loved Garrick's tenacity in pursuing Ruth.

I found myself being lured in Ms Burns's writing that I became teary-eyed in some scenes, I felt the character's emotions and I was really impressed with the quality of the novel; reading this has been a breath of fresh air. Not that I was disappointed for the lack of love scenes, they were expertly written and they were perfectly in line with the story. The author really built the anticipation and I was anxious to find out how each scene would play out.

The tone was never dragging, the conversation at a minimum, and actions spoke louder than words, the words themselves misconstrued and uttered with different intentions in mind. Garrick's character is not the usual alpha male who's a domineering ass, he's really in tune with Ruth, one can't blame her for having insecurities about her age and her fears aren't really unfounded. Ms Burns really did a good job of keeping me in suspense, not the type that I'll whine "get over it already" but there's the anticipation.

One other thing I noted about this is the long-term effect of ridiculing a child. It messes him/her up and this story has a lot of cause and effect. It's far different from the historicals I've read and I definitely felt the romance here. What this story tried to convey is age is just a number, it's no barrier for true love. Like one of the characters said, "...do not let happiness slip away from you, no matter what the reason." It stuck with me because a lot of people aren't really content with what they have they always find excuses.

So on that note, thank you Vikisha for recommending this to me, and I'm definitely going to read her other works.(less)

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Mar 01, 2011 Mandi Schreiner rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorite-2011, historical

Favorite Quote: “A teacher of mine once told me that some women like to hear a man whisper naughty words into their ears.” His teeth nibbled at her earlobe. Her knees gave away, and only his body kept her from sliding to the floor. “Are you one of those women, my lady?”

Forty-One year old Lady Ruth has been a courtesan most of her life and a very successful one at that. However, her latest lover has cast her aside for someone younger. Ruth isn’t quite sure how to feel about this. She knows this l...more Favorite Quote: “A teacher of mine once told me that some women like to hear a man whisper naughty words into their ears.” His teeth nibbled at her earlobe. Her knees gave away, and only his body kept her from sliding to the floor. “Are you one of those women, my lady?”

Forty-One year old Lady Ruth has been a courtesan most of her life and a very successful one at that. However, her latest lover has cast her aside for someone younger. Ruth isn’t quite sure how to feel about this. She knows this lifestyle will not last forever, but she is sad to see her younger years have passed her by. Determined not to let her former lover get the better of her, she decides to make an appearance at a ball that night. Word of her split has already made the rounds though and to start the ball she is the center of viscous gossip.

Baron Garrick Stratfield can’t stand to see a woman hurt, and when he hears Ruth being cut down, he intervenes on her behalf. Ruth thinks he is only being nice because he pities her and they part ways. They soon find each other again when they both want to purchase the same house. Unknown to the other, they both have interests in two separate orphanages and they both need to expand. The more they run into each other, the more their attraction builds. But this attraction has many barriers.

Garrick is only 29. Ruth knows he is younger, and assumes if they entered into a relationship, he would eventually cast her aside as well. Garrick on the other hand is a virgin (obviously a tightly kept secret). He has had a mistress in the past, but never entered into a physical relationship with her. He has a physical impairment, that causes him much shame, and can’t bare to be naked with a woman. Garrick can’t get sex out of his mind when he is around Ruth, but his shame outweighs his desires – at least at first.

Pleasure Me is one of the most sultry and sensual historical romance books I have read. Garrick has this intense vibe about him, but he is also a virgin and carries around such shame about his impairment. This vulnerability is such a contrast with his outward persona. It makes him out to be such a fun hero to read about. He is sexual, and he is a seducer, he just can’t complete the deed due to his shame. He is alpha in everything in his life, except when a woman wants to have sex.

Ruth and Garrick have such amazing chemistry, yet both are so reluctant to make that step forward to a physical relationship. Monica Burns builds the tension ever so slowly. They truly become friends first, even though that step is even hard for them. Ruth is so obsessed with her age and how society will judge her if she is seen with a younger man. Garrick is so obsessed with his physical impairment and how a woman will judge him if he unclothes himself. There is no easy road for them. They fight, they don’t communicate – but there is this magnetic force pulling them back together. They have much in common – both involved in orphanages and both had traumatic childhoods which have sculpted them into the adults they are today. Best of all, as we go through the steps of their friendship, the sexual tension Monica Burns gives us is off the chart.

The author blurb on the front of the cover states, “I have never anticipated a love scene with such fervor before,” and I can’t agree more. I literally couldn’t put this book down. I NEEDED to get to the eventual love scene between the virgin and the very experienced courtesan. Best of all – the scene plays out beautifully. It is not rushed, spanning a couple of chapters. I don’t want to give anything away – but it is done with such an erotic twist. Not only is the build-up amazing, the actual love scenes really, really pay off.

The first 95% of the book I loved every word. Right at the end, I think it veers off course just a little. A betrayal comes into play that seemed a bit forced to me. Otherwise, this book is fantastic. Pleasure Me made my smexy heart beat in all its glory. I love this book.

Rating: A-(less)

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Feb 19, 2011 Katie(babs) rated it 5 of 5 stars

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

I have a small number of authors I always rely on who give me a well-written, unique story. These authors are either comfort reads or ones who are willing to take a chance and write unconventional characters and storylines. Monica Burns is all of the above. She gives me the comfort I need, while writing excellent romance and with characters who are not the ho-hum, been there, done that I’ve seen countless times before. Her latest release, Pleasure Me has a perfect combination of what I love in r...more I have a small number of authors I always rely on who give me a well-written, unique story. These authors are either comfort reads or ones who are willing to take a chance and write unconventional characters and storylines. Monica Burns is all of the above. She gives me the comfort I need, while writing excellent romance and with characters who are not the ho-hum, been there, done that I’ve seen countless times before. Her latest release, Pleasure Me has a perfect combination of what I love in romance. We have a semi-alpha type hero who has been scarred from an event in his younger years due to a horrendous relative. Because of that, he feels he’s less than a man and has never been intimate with a woman. The heroine is considered past her prime at 41 years old, a courtesan who should retire and never been seen again. Both Baron Garrick Stratfield and Lady Ruth Attwood are two maturely written characters I had the delight to read about set in a Victorian London, England at the turn of the 19th century.

Virgin alpha hero + older experience heroine in Victorian England = Win!

Ruth has just been tossed aside by Lord Marston, her recent protector, for a much younger woman. At forty-one, Ruth knows her options have become limited. She’s ready to retire as a courtesan, but it pains her to do so. Not because of the pleasure she may receive from a man, but the idea that she’s dried up and lacking in her sexuality because of her age. Ruth has a kind heart, for she volunteers her time at an orphanage. Her goal is to purchase Crawley Hall to make into a new orphanage that the odious Marston had promised to give her. Unfortunately for her there is another interested buyer- Barron Garrick Stratfield.

Garrick wants Crawley Hall for his sister Lily, who also helps the orphans (coincidentally the same ones Ruth is involved with). The moment Garrick sees Ruth at a ball he’s bowled over by her. Her advanced age doesn’t concern him. He wants her as his mistress, but in name only. The reason is Garrick feels he’s has abnormality that makes him less than a man. His uncle who, became his and his siblings’ guardian after his parents death, found out what he has and made a point to ridicule Garrick when he was only seventeen and coming into his sexuality. Because of that event, Garrick has never been sexually active, other than kissing, because he dare not let anyone see him naked. But with Ruth he longs to be with her naked and do everything a man would do with a woman he desires. At first Ruth wants nothing to do with him because he’s too forceful, too young for her, and knows all the gossip about his prowess from other women. She assumes he’ll eventually leave her for another woman, especially since he’ll need to get married and have heirs. And since Ruth is past her prime and because of her reputation, she can never have a future with Garrick.

At first Garrick only offers her friendship. But Garrick has a bad habit of kissing Ruth every change they’re together. Ruth is undone by his skillful kisses. If he can make her almost climax with his lips, she can only just imagine what he’ll be like in the bedroom. And when Ruth invites him to her bed, he has one request- she can never see him naked and must wear a blindfold. Ruth allows this since she wants Garrick badly, but he’s unlike any of her past suitors. Something about Garrick if off. He’s more than willing to offer her pleasure, but not receive anything in return. And when she finds out what Garrick is hiding and why, she tries her best to get him to trust her, hoping that when they break off, it won’t be too painful. But Garrick isn’t the type to walk away, because now that he has Ruth he’ll never let her leave him.

Passion is the key word here. Monica can write such unbelievable sexual tension. I really can’t find any fault with the way Garrick and Ruth interacted with one another. They have this deep pull toward one another. Garrick ultimately holds back because of his fear and loathing over his body. Ruth’s reason is because of her age. These two may seem to harp on a great deal about their faults, but it’s written in such a way that makes perfect sense why they think the way they do.

I had a few “what if” moments with Garrick. What if he’d only gone to a doctor at a younger age to discuss his deformity as he thinks it to be (to announce what it is would take away from the enjoyment of the story)? But if he had, then the story would be very different from the way Monica has envisioned it. Garrick is the type to keep things closely guarded, and for a man of that time to be open and honest, even with his physician, may have caused more psychological damage. Because of that, Garrick puts on an amazing front, a self-assured man who will not be messed with, even as his enemies accuse him of being a sodomite because he’s not a braggart when it comes to his sexual conquests. It’s very telling how male society views themselves when it comes to the number of women they have conquered. Monica gives a great psychological study, as well as a woman’s status and respect among her counterparts with Ruth.

Pleasure Me is Monica’s best book to date. It’s mature and smart reading that doesn’t get better than this. I really had high hopes for Pleasure Me when I first heard about it. If there's a virgin hero, and one who’s younger than the heroine, you have me on board to read. Monica has sold me hook, line and sinker. Those who are bored with historical romance because it’s the same old stereotypical trite stories, Pleasure Me is perfect in taking away those blah feelings.

I’m giving you another call to action to buy. Pleasure Me as a fabulous read and one of the best books released for this spring season.(less)

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Jun 04, 2011 Jaime West rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own

Book Buying Addict Blog
I originally bought this book because I was interested in the switch of the stereotypes normally presented in a romance novel. The usual 25 years old virgin and the 30+ man whore that has shagged anything with two legs..

This story presented a 29 year old man, Garrick Stratfield, who had never been with a woman, he was dare I say it, (gasp), a virgin. And a 41 year old woman who is, yes you can roll your eyes, a Courtesan/Mistress, Lady Ruth.

So I bypassed the title (cringe)...more

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Mar 01, 2011 Marissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Pleasure Me is the first historical romance I read by Monica Burns, I was already familiar with her Order of Sicari Novels and I loved those. So I wondered if her latest historical romance could mesmerize me in the same way as her paranormal romances. I guess I was not prepared for Baron Garrick Strattfield; he knocked me off my feet with his raw, intense, masculinity right from the start. And I immediately felt sympathy for Lady Ruth Attwood and was vexed on her behalf, in only 18 pages (the fi...more Pleasure Me is the first historical romance I read by Monica Burns, I was already familiar with her Order of Sicari Novels and I loved those. So I wondered if her latest historical romance could mesmerize me in the same way as her paranormal romances. I guess I was not prepared for Baron Garrick Strattfield; he knocked me off my feet with his raw, intense, masculinity right from the start. And I immediately felt sympathy for Lady Ruth Attwood and was vexed on her behalf, in only 18 pages (the first chapter) I went through a whole range of different emotions, so yeahhhh this story had my undivided attention.

Lady Ruth Attwood is a 41 year old courtesan. She fears she is no longer attractive since her last two lovers have left her for younger women. She struggles with the fact that she is considered old and now has to figure out how to proceed with her life. Then she meets Baron Garrick Strattfield who is obvious younger than her, the attraction between them is instant, but she keeps her distance. Having a younger lover is just “not done” in the Ton, but Garrick makes her an offer she can’t refuse.

The undeniable attraction is obvious from the moment Garrick and Ruth meet in the entryway of some party, and it only grows stronger throughout the story. But both have to deal with their personal issues, and these issues stand in the way of forming a deeper connection. Another thing that stands in their way of finding happiness is the Ton. Breaking the rules of the upper class society equals social ruin so Garrick and Ruth are under a lot of pressure. I love how Monica Burns brings Ruth and Gareth to life and puts them through the emotional wringer to find and accept themselves and each other. Their dialogues are emotional and full of controlled passion; you can feel their sexual tension from start to finish.

Both Garrick and Ruth have insecurities. From page one it is clear that Ruth is hung up about her age and the fact that all the men in her life leave her. Her father’s refusal to acknowledge her forced her to become a courtesan. She is smart, independent, compassionate and very stubborn. But most of all she is a real classy lady with her heart in the right place and although she always longed for a family of her own, she knows that will never happen. To protect herself and Garrick from further heartache she keeps throwing her age in Garrick’s face to stop him from getting any closer. But does that stop Garrick at all, nooo and it made me love him even more.

Now Garrick’s masculinity rolls of the pages in huge waves, a real alpha male, very protective of the ones he loves, fierce, honorable but also gentle. Yet he has to live with an embarrassing birth defect and his uncle has humiliated him to the bone for it when he was a kid, because of this he has never shared a bed with a woman and denies himself the chance to find true love and happiness. So he overcompensates by trying to be the best in everything else he does. Garrick pulled at all my heartstrings and I was rooting for him the whole time!

As Pleasure Me is a character-driven story mostly focused on Garrick and Ruth, I found it refreshing to read that Ruth is the one with all the experience and that Garrick is the virgin in the bedroom. It was touching to see how their trust in one another grew page after page and how they slowly broke down each other’s walls. Pleasure Me is not the average historical romance read, it is intense, passionate and emotional. You don’t have to be a historical romance lover “pur sang” to enjoy it; I dare to say it is one of the better upcoming historical releases.

The secondary cast of characters enhance the story even more, most of them linger a bit in the background yet somehow as the story enfolds it turns out that some of them have influenced the lives of both Garrick and Ruth profoundly in the past and continue to do so in the present time. The plotline is straight yet invigorates around page 220 when it becomes clear that someone is out to ruin Garrick. I loved how Monica Burns effortlessly interweaves all the pieces of the plotline and the characters to a fabulous, hot read. Her fluent, smooth writing had me hooked from the start. The epilogue ends the story perfectly and left me completely contented and with a big smile on my face.

Monica Burns is an author to keep your eye on because Pleasure Me is breathtaking, intense and sheer passion with a capital P!
(less)

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Jan 12, 2011 Cid Tyer rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010-books, 2010-toberemo, review-books, favorites

Pleasure Me is a historical romance that features an aging courtesan and a young nobleman crippled by a hidden birth defect. Ruth Attwood is a woman who has not chosen her place in the world, it was a last resort but despite the circumstances that pushed her into becoming a courtesan, she behaves with grace and dignity. Ruth Attwood is the kind of person you want to know, and the kind of woman who could be very dangerous Garrick Stratfield and his secrets.

This is unlike Monica's other books in t...more Pleasure Me is a historical romance that features an aging courtesan and a young nobleman crippled by a hidden birth defect. Ruth Attwood is a woman who has not chosen her place in the world, it was a last resort but despite the circumstances that pushed her into becoming a courtesan, she behaves with grace and dignity. Ruth Attwood is the kind of person you want to know, and the kind of woman who could be very dangerous Garrick Stratfield and his secrets.

This is unlike Monica's other books in that there is no immediate, serious physical danger to the characters. Pleasure Me is more about two people finding themselves and each other. That's not to say that there isn't external danger, but they stand to hurt one another far more than others.

Each of the characters has a crutch: Ruth is hung up on her age, and Garrick believes his defect is more debilitating than it really is. I read this book straight through, so if you're like me, you're probably going to get to the last quarter of the book and shrug each time Ruth brings up her age. I pity Garrick getting through that stone wall! But it was Garrick's crutch that really hooked me. At a young age he was mocked for his defect and has spent much of his adult life compensating; so much that he's let much of life pass him by. I cheered for Garrick the whole time. He stole bits of my heart as I read. The characters, in Monica Burns style, come alive; not just Ruth and Garrick, but Garrick's sisters and Ruth's friends.

The supporting cast is just as endearing as the two main characters. Ruth and Garrick are not the only ones with a story going on in this book. A lot of books seem to forget that life goes on for people surrounding the pivotal couple, but not in Pleasure Me. The whole cast of characters connect with you on some level; from the character who got the second chance at life, to those struggling through the pitfalls of life.

As with Monica's writing, there's plenty of hot, steamy stuff between the sheets and everywhere else. There's also other elements of Ruth and Garrick's lives that intertwine through the story that just goes to show that age and disability mean a person doesn't live and do great things, even if those great things are small acts of kindness.

I love Monica's books; they make you feel, and not all writers can do that.(less)

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Apr 08, 2011 Dinjolina added it

Shelves: will-go-back-one-day

Yawn.

It was so booooring! And it took forever to get started!

Im just not in the mood to read this right now. I know I always finish my books but I just do not have the time to torture myself.

It's not bad! I mean I guess it's not. But man!

I promise do go back to it.One day. :/

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Jun 15, 2011 The Itzel Library rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, adult, adult-fiction, couples, cover-love, dysfunctional-family, erotic, explicit-sex, fiction, fluffy, forgettable, historical, historical-fiction, men-and-women, predictable, romance, reminds-me, series, society, telenovelesco, tender, to-review, women, swap

Spanish/English

Ruth y Garrick se conocieron en un baile, después de que él la salvara de los insultos de una cortesana más joven. La atracción entre ambos es inmediata, y cada vez que se encuentran en las semanas siguientes, ese deseo entre ellos va en aumento.

Desafortunadamente ambos han tenido una vida difícil. Ruth se vio forzada a ser cortesana y cuando su edad empieza a ser el motivo de poner en riesgo su futuro, ella sólo puede refugiarse en el orfanato que dirige. Garrick por otro lado,...more

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Sep 12, 2012 Carrie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: friends-to-lovers, historical, read-2012, tbr-challenge-2012

2.5*
Grade C

While I did get pulled into the story and felt compelled to know what happens to everyone, overall I didn't think this books was especially well-written. It feels very old school to me, being overly dramatic and over-wrought.

This book was recommended on the Amazon romance forum years ago in the category of "older woman/younger man." That aspect of the story was fine, until the end when the author uses a rather silly device to try and make Ruth feel better about their age difference....more

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Jun 17, 2011 CoffeeTimeRomance andMore rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: erotic-historical-romance

Pleasure Me is a hot book with some very enticing scenarios within the pages. I really like how Ruth seems to know exactly what Garrick needs when it comes time for his lessons. The chemistry between the two main characters seems to crackle with energy and a vibrancy that you do not always see within a novel. The obstacles that Ruth and Garrick have to overcome are many and while it really helped the plot out, I was a little deterred by the trust issue which was not really solved until the last...more

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Jan 11, 2013 Mackenzie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: regency-romance

When courtesan, Lady Ruth looses her benefactor to yet another younger woman, she finds herself thinking more and more about her age. At 41, she feels she is well past her prime and is no longer desirable. To her surprise, when Baron Garrick Stratfield makes her an offer, she finds herself not wanting to accept because he stirs emotions in her that she fears.

Garrick, with a great secret of his own, finds Ruth to be the most beautiful woman he has ever met. He can't stop thinking about her. Even...more When courtesan, Lady Ruth looses her benefactor to yet another younger woman, she finds herself thinking more and more about her age. At 41, she feels she is well past her prime and is no longer desirable. To her surprise, when Baron Garrick Stratfield makes her an offer, she finds herself not wanting to accept because he stirs emotions in her that she fears.

Garrick, with a great secret of his own, finds Ruth to be the most beautiful woman he has ever met. He can't stop thinking about her. Even with their age difference as he's only 29, even with the fear she may discover his deepest well kept secret, a birth defect that other cruel family members have said makes him only half a man, he gravitates towards her.

Their chemistry is undeniable. Even when gossip around the Ton about their age puts a damper (from Ruth) on their relationship, Garrett insists they continue to see each other. As their secrets are revealed, their attraction to each other is so intense, they work their way though their problems.

But when Ruth discovers how much older Garrick is than her, she feels betrayed and it she ends their relationship. At that point, one of Garrick's "arch-enemies" takes this opportunity to hurt him and uses Ruth. Garrick feels she has betrayed him. When Garrick is arrested for the enemy's murder, it is Ruth how saves him by giving him an alibi, even though her reputation is torn to shreds. She has done what a woman in her profession should never do: she's fallen in love and has used her fear of age as a barrier against the relationship for fear of being hurt, being abandoned like everyone else in her life has done to her. And so, she retires to her country estate.

When all is revealed to Garrick and he learns that she never betrayed him to begin with, he knows he must get her back at all costs as she is the only woman he wants to be with for the rest of his life. With plans in motion, he will not take no for an answer.

Pleasure Me was a wonderful book filled with many great moments. However, I kept putting it down and it didn't draw me back to it like some other books have. Garrick's male anatomy secret and Ruth's aversion to her age was so focused upon that it made the story drag on rather than enhance it. Ruth never really did get over her age/abandonment issues until the epilogue. Sometimes she was portrayed as a strong female presence and others times a little too wishy washy for my tastes. And although I appreciate seeing the growth that Garrick went through, the focus on his manliness and male anatomy proved a bit much at times.

Really though, other than those two issues impacting the story, ends were all tied up nicely. The steamy parts :) were indeed steamy, the flow of the story was just right ~not to rushed but not dragging~ and I can see myself reading this one again. Glad I bought it! (less)

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Apr 14, 2013 Elis Madison rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: bad-guys-galore, character-development, era-victorian, mean-people, not-a-regency

Lady Ruth Atwood is 41—not a good age, for a courtesan. When her last protector dumps her for a younger model—and refuses to pony up on the large house he promised her. If she sells some of her jewels and a house, she can probably buy the large house herself. She helps run an orphanage, and the kids need more room.

Baron Garrick Stratfield is handsome, and despite the fact that he's got a reputation as a ladies' man, he's actually never been with a woman. Seems he has a deformity down there

The...more

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Jan 12, 2011 Gillian Meers marked it as to-read

This isn't usually my kind of book, but I read the excerpt posted on the author's website and was taken in by the evocative writing, and the engaging characterisation...

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Jul 19, 2012 Sharyn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance

I very much liked the majority of this book. The story was intriguing and it takes place in the late Victorian/early Edwardian period. Lady Ruth is a courtesan and is now 41 years old. While still beautiful, her last patron left her for a younger woman, and she fears that she has become too old for her "profession" and needs to retire. Garrick is a 29-year-old Baron and a virgin. Why? Because he has a birth defect in a "private place" and was made fun of for his deformity when he was younger.

I...more

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Jan 28, 2012 Felicia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-read

Received for Review from the Author
Release Date: 3/1/11

Warning: This one is a lot on the steamy side! Adults only book.

What I Loved: This was a unique twist on other courtesan historical romances in many ways: the woman is older than the man, the man is the virgin, and the woman is strong but still very vulnerable in some ways. The romance between Ruth and Garrick was a fantastic read and kept me engaged from beginning to end. The chemistry between them crackled with electricity that seemed to j...more

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Oct 04, 2011 Melanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

I reviewed this book for Romance Reader At Heart website.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Lady Ruth Attwood is forty-one, and Baron Garrick Stratfield is twenty-nine. Ruth knows he's younger, just not that much younger. She's a courtesan that has been let go by her current lover, Marston, who's getting ready to marry a younger woman. Ruth is aware that the years are passing her by, and she has decided to get out of the `biz' altogether while she still has her beauty. She also is a benefactress o...more I reviewed this book for Romance Reader At Heart website.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Lady Ruth Attwood is forty-one, and Baron Garrick Stratfield is twenty-nine. Ruth knows he's younger, just not that much younger. She's a courtesan that has been let go by her current lover, Marston, who's getting ready to marry a younger woman. Ruth is aware that the years are passing her by, and she has decided to get out of the `biz' altogether while she still has her beauty. She also is a benefactress of an orphanage, and is planning to buy a very nice home for all her `children' and is actually looking forward to retirement.

Baron Garrick Stratfield is a ladies' man with a couple of secrets that only his uncle is privy to, or so he thinks. He's one of those heroes that is wise beyond his years and will always come to the rescue of anyone that's in distress. He also is a benefactor to an orphanage. His mistress decides to get married, and Garrick fears that his secrets will come out, unless he can find another to fill her place.

These two have an awesome chemistry, and we watch the story unfold as they become friends first, and lovers later. Ruth's obsession with her age is not surprising, yet we're made to feel her emotions deeply. Garrick, on the other hand, is terrified of anyone finding out his secret, but when those are revealed to us, we just want to cuddle the man and tell him, "It's all cool, Dude!"

I was anxious to read this book for only one reason: a huge gap in the ages of main characters. There aren't many stories told of women being so much older than men, and I was curious as to how this would play out in a romance. To be honest, I was expecting this book to be a basic 'porn' on paper. Well, color me happy! PLEASURE ME was such a pleasant surprise. The age difference was handled with such grace, such aplomb, that I loved every page I read. I would have never thought to classify this book as an erotic read.

Ruth and Garrick's story was tender, heartwarming, and full of sexual tension. It was an emotional read, and it hit the right notes in my heart. It felt personal as well. I identified with Ruth on so many levels as I'm married to a man twelve years my junior, and I could see her point-of-view so clearly. She saw herself as old compared to him, while all he could see is a woman that came into her own, a woman worthy of his affection.

I don't usually read erotic novels, but let me assure you, PLEASURE ME is one sensual, sultry, and heartwarming story you won't be able to put down.

Melanie
(less)

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May 16, 2011 La La rated it 1 of 5 stars

I really didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought would. I found the heroine kind of annoying. She was so hung up on the fact that she was getting older that she came across as shrewish and matronly. I guess because this was a story about a courtesan the author decided to throw in a bleeding heart angle to it with the whole opening up an orphanage part. I think the author would have done a better job fleshing out the relationship between the hero and the heroine instead of the side stories th...more

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Aug 27, 2011 Lisa Jo rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: physical-collection, historical, keepers

A DEFINITE KEEPER! What a stunning and fabulous read. Pleasure Me is the sultry historical you MUST read!

Ruth is a 41 year courtesan who fears she has reached the end of her prime. Being discarded by her latest gentleman for a younger and more beautiful lady, Ruth must hide her disappointment from the ton and figure out her next step in life. Soon after her rejection, Ruth finds herself the center of the ridicule among the guests at a ball. A true gentleman, Garrick can do nothing less than come...more A DEFINITE KEEPER! What a stunning and fabulous read. Pleasure Me is the sultry historical you MUST read!

Ruth is a 41 year courtesan who fears she has reached the end of her prime. Being discarded by her latest gentleman for a younger and more beautiful lady, Ruth must hide her disappointment from the ton and figure out her next step in life. Soon after her rejection, Ruth finds herself the center of the ridicule among the guests at a ball. A true gentleman, Garrick can do nothing less than come to the rescue of this beautiful goddess.

Garrick knows that any man in a habit of discarding a beautiful woman like Ruth is nothing less than a fool. After all, he is finding it very hard to resist the breathtaking allure of this classic woman. While the attraction is mutual, Garrick will not take their relationship as far as he would like to. Garrick is a virgin with a physical deformity that has prevented him from ever making love to a woman. His life has been spent running a facade of a passionate lover to mysterious women, but it is all a ruse. Now Ruth is tempting him in ways he never imagined. Neither of them sought out love, but neither can resist it.

Garrett is amazing....he is a stunning lead character that literally stole my breath away. I’m jealous that I will most likely never meet a person like him in real life! He was also my favorite type of hero...oh yes,if you’ve read my previous reviews I’m sure you’ve guessed by now, a tortured hero! But he isn’t your average tortured hero. Garrick isn’t an innocent young virgin, which makes him so irresistible! He knows how to seduce and attract Ruth with a natural skill that would be near impossible to resist.

Ruth is an interesting heroine as well. I believe this is the first book I’ve read in which the heroine is significantly older than her hero. While at first it gave me cause for some concern, by the end I realized what a delicious situation this turned out to be. Of course Ruth is the experienced woman in the world of physical love and is none to shy about sharing that experience. Yet in other matters, such as their age difference, she is insecure and unsure of herself. It makes for an interesting leading lady that completely charms her hero.

Then there are the love scenes. Oy vey, the love scenes! What delightfully sexy and romantic scenes that could literally set the pages on fire. Ruth may have been the courtesan with the experience, but Garrett was nothing less than a quick study. His quick turn around and seduction of Ruth had my toes curling. You could literally feel the sexual tension building through the pages. It was intense and spellbinding.

There really wasn’t anything I disliked about Pleasure Me by Monica Burns. Burns writes a fabulous novel with amazing characters and overwhelming sexual tension. There was plenty of drama and fabulous description that forced me to stay up well past my bedtime to finish! Simply put...this novel does not disappoint. If you like your historicals to have tortured heroes, dazzling heroines and a great big dash of lust and sexiness then run (don’t walk) to pick up this book. This is the kind of romantic literature you can’t pass up! This was my first read from Monica Burns and you can bet your bottom dollar it won’t be the last!

Overall Rating: 5/5
Heat Level: 5/5

Lisa @ Once Upon A Chapter(less)

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Mar 18, 2011 Virginia Campbell rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance

"Pleasure Me", by Monica Burns, spoke to me on numerous varying levels. Many times in people there is a difference between age and maturity. There is also a great difference between youth and youthfulness. There are certain women, like the heroine Ruth, who are "timeless". With "Pleasure Me", Ms. Burns succeeds in creating a sensual romance about two very attractive people who met not at the same place in years, but at exactly the right time for their hearts. This is the type of romance which I...more

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Mar 08, 2011 Bookaholics rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Pleasure Me by Monica Burns
Historical Romance -March 1st, 2011
4 ½ stars

Lady Ruth Attwood had just lost her latest patron to a much younger competitor. At the age of forty-one, she was verging on retirement, but she can not afford it. Unknown to anyone, Ruth is the sponsor of St. Agnes, an orphanage that desperately needs more space. Ruth is seeking to purchase Crawley Hall, but the expense will drain her finances badly. With her self-esteem shaken, she is taken aback and suspicious when Baron Ga...more

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Jun 21, 2011 Meagan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, romance, read-in-2011

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 09, 2011 Kristy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Kristy by: @smexybooks (Twitter)

Shelves: read-in-2011

OMG. This book. I could not put it down. I stayed up until almost 4 am (on a work night!), trying to finish it.

The story centers around Lady Ruth Attwood and Lord Garrick Stratfield. Ruth is 41 and a courtesan - Garrick is a 29 year old wealthy man of society.

Ruth is dumped for a younger woman - and shortly after, she meets Garrick. They are immediately drawn to each other, although by the day's social standards, a 29 year old man and a 41 year old woman should not be in a relationship together....more

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Mar 20, 2011 April rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance-regency-england

PLEASURE ME by Monica Burns is an exciting erotic historical romance set in 1897 London. It is well written with depth and details,It is the story of an older woman,a courtesan and a younger gentleman.He is twelve years younger than her,who is forty one.This story has passion,mystery,love,romance, suspense,a murder,erotic sensuality and shows that age does not necessary mean you should be put out to pasture. When Lady Ruth,meets the handsome Baron Garrick Stratfield sparks fly. Secrets will be r...more

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Jan 12, 2013 TerriC. rated it 3 of 5 stars

The hero is twenty-nine years old. He’s hiding, what he believes, is a terrible personal defect. Only a couple of people know about it and he’s determined to not let any woman find out what it is. Garrick is a bit emotionally crippled by it. His uncle is partly to blame for Garrick’s insecurities. They have a terrible relationship with each other, always have.

Ruth, the heroine, is really hung up on the fact that she’s forty-one and is about to ‘retire’ from being a courtesan when she meets Garr...more

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Sep 19, 2011 Lindy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Reviewed for TwoLips Reviews
4/5 kisses
2 peppers (light bondage, oral sex)

Lady Ruth Attwood was dumped for a younger mistress. At forty-one, she fears she's washed up. As a courtesan, youth is critical for finding a new protector. Baron Garrick Stratfield has a physical issue that shames him and has brought him humiliation in the past. He can’t allow himself to become intimate with a woman, so he never plans to marry. He had a pseudo mistress for the sake of appearances, but she’s getting married...more Reviewed for TwoLips Reviews
4/5 kisses
2 peppers (light bondage, oral sex)

Lady Ruth Attwood was dumped for a younger mistress. At forty-one, she fears she's washed up. As a courtesan, youth is critical for finding a new protector. Baron Garrick Stratfield has a physical issue that shames him and has brought him humiliation in the past. He can’t allow himself to become intimate with a woman, so he never plans to marry. He had a pseudo mistress for the sake of appearances, but she’s getting married and he needs to do something to avoid any nasty rumors about his sexual preferences. He considers approaching Ruth with a proposition, but he’s so attracted to her that he knows it would never work. He can’t allow himself to surrender to his desire for her, because it would expose his defect. He's afraid his physical anomaly will repulse her and he'll be humiliated. After they give in to the temptation of a physical relationship, she's afraid he'll leave her once he gains some confidence in the bedroom skills she's teaching him, or because of her age he'll get tired of her. They both assume they're going to be dumped so they try not to let themselves get too invested in the relationship.

What I didn’t like about Pleasure Me by Monica Burns: The main characters’ lack of trust in each other and their inability to see their own worth is appalling and frustrating. Ruth is more concerned with her own vanity and fear of humiliation and abandonment and what others think than she is for Garrick’s feelings. She would rather hurt him than let him know she loves him. It didn’t make me like her. I get very frustrated with characters who persist in pushing away happiness.

What I liked about the book: This is truly an excellent story, and one I’d recommend to friends. Ruth and Garrick have excellent chemistry, and their emotions are believable. It’s brimming with passion and compassion. Plus there’s some very hot sex, which for me is always a big plus. And a virgin hero, no less! Yum. Really, even the things that bothered me about the characters’ actions really do make for a good, passionate story, even if I did want to thump them both for being idiots. This was one of the best “cougar” stories I’ve ever read.(less)

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Jan 30, 2011 Alice Janell rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, toberemo-dec-2010

As I've said a few times before, historical romance is not my favorite genre (unless it involves men in kilts --- but that's another topic for another day). Historical romances, for whatever reason, have never held a lot of appeal to me. Whenever I read a historical by Monica Burns, however, I'm instantly engrossed in the time period and the characters.

It's not easy for a historical to capture my undivided attention, and Monica Burns does just that.

"Pleasure Me" centers on Ruth Attwood, a courte...more

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Sep 01, 2011 Kelly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011

I picked this up because of all the great online reviews, and also because of the fairly unusual concept: an older courtesan heroine and a younger virgin hero. I mean, how often in fiction do you find a 29 year old virgin? Hero or heroine?

And I really enjoyed the book. Both H/H had deep-seated fears that kept them from acting instinctively on the attraction between them. The supporting cast was interesting, and I really loved the stuff with the orphanages.

If I had any complaint, it was the leng...more

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Apr 06, 2011 SaturNalia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: bye_baby_bye, _its_electric-baby_, _historical_, for_the_first_time-baby, im_your-baby

The standard playboy and the virgin plot, but with the roles reversed. Ruth is the older, experienced lover and Garrick the virgin, which I found refreshing and different. His past explains why he remained a virgin, I found it believable, but he kept obsessing over it even after Ruth told him it didn't matter and they had made love several times. Ruth also kept harping about her age, even thought Garrick was most devoted to her and told her several times it didn't matter. I understand where the...more

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