The Courtesan's Lover

New Release! 




In a spin-off from her first novel, His Last Duchess, Kimm takes the
character of Francesca, formerly the mistress of the complex duke of Ferrara,
and places her centre-stage in her own novel.  Francesca is now an
aspiring courtesan:  astonishingly beautiful and ambitious, she revels in
the power she wields over men.




But when she is visited by an inexperienced
young man, it becomes horribly clear to Francesca that, despite her many
admiring patrons, she has never been truly loved.  Suddenly, her
glittering and sumptuous life becomes little more than a gaudy façade.




And then another unexpected encounter brings
with it devastating implications that plunge Francesca and her two young
daughters into the sort of danger she has dreaded ever since she began to work
the streets all those years ago




In 16th
century Italy, Francesca Felizzi, former lover of the Duke of Ferrara, is one
of the most sought after, shrewdest, and most talented courtesans in all of Naples.
But she leads a dual life. When she is not otherwise engaged with her paying
lovers, she is a loving mother to her two young daughters. Francesca keeps her
two lives separate, and it is this which makes Francesca a highly believable
and likeable character.




Modesto is a
castrato, a loyal, dedicated, lonely man who truly loves Francesca and aids her
unselfishly in her work and in her family life. Of course there is a list of
Francesca’s clients, some of whom are a bit quirky, some charming, and some who
border on being outright dangerous. Although there are numerous sex scenes in
this book, they are tastefully written and kept to a minimum.




Italian
historical fiction is my favourite genre and I usually read numerous books in
this category. Gabrielle Kimm did an exceptional job in adding a realistic and
vibrant flavour to the setting. Throughout, there are sprinklings of the most
fascinating characters. One scene in particular was most entertaining – poor Father
Ippolito, who must battle his own lust each time he listens to Francesca as she
confesses the details of her lurid life. When Francesca falls in love, she
gives up her life as a courtesan, while keeping her past a secret. But fate
conspires against her and soon, her secret is discovered. This sets off a
hectic chain of events that is more than intriguing and adds suspense to an
already fascinating story.




Gabrielle
Kimm has penned an entertaining tale brimming with vibrant imagery, suspense, and
poignancy. A definite keeper! And don’t worry if you haven’t read the first
novel, His Last Duchess. This book stands alone and you’ll have no problem falling
into this very lovely story.























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