Maryella Scharnhorst read and liked Katie(babs)'s review of To Bed a Beauty: A Novel (Courtship Wars, #2):

"Rosalyn is the middle sister of the three Loring siblings. Her older sister, Arabella (the heroine from TO PLEASURE A LADY), will soon be married, and their younger sister, Lilian, is still very much set against marriage. Rosalyn doesn't care for mar...more Rosalyn is the middle sister of the three Loring siblings. Her older sister, Arabella (the heroine from TO PLEASURE A LADY), will soon be married, and their younger sister, Lilian, is still very much set against marriage. Rosalyn doesn't care for marriage either, since their parents constantly fought and their mother ran away with her lover. But Rosalyn realizes she is not getting any younger. She is trying to decide if her neighbor, Lord Haviland, would be a suitable match; they do get along and he is quite the handsome fellow. But for the moment, Rosalyn will enjoy herself, for she has been invited to a risqué, masked Cyprians' ball with her dear friend, courtesan Fanny Irwin.

As Rosalyn is taking in the sights, she is noticed by the rakish Andrew Moncrief, Duke of Arden; known as Drew to his close friends. He also happens to be the best friend of Arabella's future husband. She fears that she will be found out and tries to hide from Drew. But Drew finds this masked beauty and kisses her senseless, among other things. Before one thing can lead to another, Rosalyn escapes, hoping he will not notice her at Arabella's wedding.

In Drew's past experience, women usually don't deny him, but when it comes to Rosalyn, he is stumped. He figures out quite quickly who Rosalyn is. And yes, he knows she is an innocent, so he will treat her with the respect she deserves, but it is so hard when he can't stop thinking of taking her in his arms and showing her what desire is all about. Drew and Rosalyn come to an agreement and become friends, and Drew even decides to help Rosalyn in the art of flirtation so she can land Haviland. As Drew shows what a simple touch or a subtle smile can achieve, their lessons change into a deeper attraction between the two.

Rosalyn is not sure what to do with Drew because he could easily seduce her. Things come to a halt between them when Rosalyn and her friend, Lady Winifred Freemantle, are attacked by a highwayman, and Rosalyn finds a thief in Winifred's house. Drew offers to aid Rosalyn in the search for this thief. There is something foul afoot, and both Rosalyn and Drew want answers. As they work together, Drew can't stop kissing Rosalyn, and she reciprocates as only a woman can with the man she is falling in love with.

TO BED A BEAUTY is the second story in The Courtship Wars trilogy and should appeal to fans of historical romance that feature a rake who finally finds true love. Rosalyn is against any form of relationship other than friendship with Drew because she knows she can be easily seduced by this experienced man. But the enjoyment in reading this story is watching her fall for the rake who has a change of heart. Rosalyn gives Drew a run for his money, and he is the first to realize his feelings for her, and not the other way around. It was enjoyable reading about their interactions along with their search for the truth about Rosalyn's dear friend Winifred.

Even though most of the action is between Drew and Rosalyn, Haviland comes on the scene a few times and is just as seductive and intriguing as Drew is. Hopefully he will have his own story in the future. I can see how Rosalyn could be quite torn between the two men. Nicole Jordan also leaves a bit of mystery open with Lillian and Drew's friend, Heath, who will have their own romance in the final book of this trilogy, TO SEDUCE A BRIDE (April 2008).

TO BED A BEAUTY has it all, from two great characters in Drew and Rosalyn, a mystery that has an interesting conclusion, and, of course, very nicely written love scenes that will satisfy your appetite. If you are in the mood for the best that historical romance has to offer, Nicole Jordan is an author to look forward to with her lovely romance, TO BED A BEAUTY.(less) "