Early Review of Unclaimed (Turner, #2) by Courtney Milan

• Title: Unclaimed
• Classification: Adult Fiction
  
• Genre: Historical Romance
  
• Format: Paperback, 432 pages
• Publisher: HQN Books (September 20, 2011)
• ISBN-10: 0373776039
• ISBN-13: 978-0373776030
• Author's website:  http://www.courtneymilan.com/index.php?side
• To read an excerpt Click Here.

"You've offered a reward to the woman who seduces Sir Mark Turner." 

Sir Mark Turner is well known for his book, A Gentleman's Practical Guide to Chastity. At the height of the Victorian era where a code of morals was beginning to be defined, Mark is something of a celebrity. He's done what most would have thought impossible - made chastity popular. He's even inspired a club called the Male Chastity Brigade. As one might expect, his rise to fame made him a target to everyone and their mother. Especially ambitious mommas hoping to make a match between him and their daughters. Others, however, would like to see him taken down a peg. George Weston is one of those individuals. He has offered to pay a hefty sum to any woman who can knock Sir Mark off his pedestal and into her bed.

"If Jessica knew anything, she knew men. She knew what men wanted, and she knew how to give it to them. And if the remnants of her conscience pricked at the thought of what she must do... Well. She wouldn't force him to do anything."
When she heard about George's challenge she saw it as her opportunity to retire from the life of a courtesan. She thought it would be an easy task. What she didn't expect was that she'd actually end up liking the man. Sir Marc was nothing like she expected.

"I'm no saint. In fact, I am eaten up by mortal sins."
Sir Mark was happy to be out of the public eye. He hoped his trip to his home town of Shepton Mallet would let him get away from it all. That he could once again feel like a normal person. When he meets Jessica, however, things are anything but normal. 

When I first started reading this story, I wasn't sure if it was meant to be a serious romance or a more lighthearted one. Slowly, it became clear it was a serious romance. I have to admit, at one point I started thinking this book could get into 'The Guinness Book of World Records' for having the word virgin used in it more than any other book. Shortly thereafter, however, the mood of the book changed. It seemed reflective of Jessica's thoughts and opinions toward Mark. As things started taking on a more serious edge, so did the relationship between Jessica and Mark.   

This was a very fun story. I love the fact that Ms.Milan decided to put a courtesan together with a man who himself is chaste. What a delightful change from the majority of romances that usually have an innocent heroine paired off with a rake of a hero. I love how the relationship between Mark and Jessica grows, and how he doesn't hold Jessica's past against her. I liked seeing Jessica's opinion of Mark change, and how she had to make a decision as to whether or not to go through with her plan to ruin him. While the romance itself was serious, there were moments that had me laughing and smiling. I thought there was a nice balance between humor and seriousness.

On Lisarenee's Romance Rating Scale this one gets a Steam rating - too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. Overall I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. 

Order of Series:














1.   Unveiled
1.5 Unlocked
2.   Unclaimed
3.   Unraveled - Release Date Unknown