This is the first book in The Courtship Wars written by Nicole Jordan. I have had these books in my, to be read for quite a while. They have been these not because I didn't wish to read them but because I have so many books waiting to be read I lose track of what it available to read. So I have finally come up with a system to get to some of these older series. I loved Ms. Jordan’s Notorious series. Her characters can be wonderfully complex and flawed. While her books, so far, aren't as spice as some authors they are comparable to others writing historical romance for the same release period.

The set up for this story is an Earl is appointed guardian to three young women that don’t wish to have a guardian. The Earl in question has just inherited the title and the guardianship. It is an amusing tale and a nice setup. Marcus Pierce is a wonderful man that is compassionate and more than a little forward thinking. He is intrigued with Arabella Loring. I am sure that he hasn't met anyone that fires his imagination quite like she does. I liked the way he goes about getting her to let him court her. I am sure he wouldn't have made as much progress as he did if he hadn't been quite so clever. There is circumstance after circumstance that shows what a honorable and understanding man that he really is. Was glad that he was finally able to show Arabella that he was really in love with her and get her to marry him.

Now Arabella is another story. She is so afraid of falling in love again that she doesn't want to believe anything Marcus tells her. She has been hurt so badly by the scandals that her mother and father caused that she can’t see that other people might be happy in their marriages. While I don’t think that marriage is the only way a woman can be happy if she wants children during this time period then marriage is a requirement. She is fighting so hard to be independent and emancipated that she can see that Marcus does come to love her near the end of the story. I now that things weren't wonderful for woman in this time period but there were men that want companions and partners for wives not just broodmares. It takes until the last few chapters for Arabella to see the light.

This story is typical for most historical romances. There isn't any dirty talk and the love scenes while numerous aren't the steaming hot fare of so many book today. This can be a nice change. Also there is the misunderstanding plot line that can irritate me beyond reason. Overall this is a very good story that is well thought out and executed. I think that it is well worth the time it will take to read it. ( )

Terrific read. Smokin' hot and hard to put down. ( )

Loved this book, and looking forward to reading the next two in the series. ( )

Marcus Pierce has just been named a most unconventional guardian. His three wards are quite grown up, and they have absolutely no interest whatsoever in the marriage mart. Quite the contrary, the young women seek emancipation from his guardianship in order to run a school. And Arabella Loring, the eldest, is willing to resort to almost anything to gain her independence, even a most unusual wager: Arabella and her sisters will gain their freedom if Arabella can resist Marcus' seduction for a few short weeks. And soon enough, those weeks don't seem so short at all.

I picked this one up on the strength of the first few scenes, in which Arabella invades Marcus' club and threatens her handsome young guardian with a fencing foil in order to gain her independence. Unfortunately that is the last sign of backbone. All of her feistiness seems to disappear once Marcus begins his 'seduction'. Arabella pines, she's constantly flustered, and she is completely unable to resist Marcus despite the high stakes for herself and her sisters. So Arabella ends up spineless while Marcus lorded the sexual prowess of his mighty penis over her.

I hate sex or relationships that are nothing but a power struggle, and I hate them even more when one party simply submits with a whimper because the other is just so good in bed (hence, the 'mighty penis' phenomenon). I was expecting fireworks and this just didn't deliver the bang. It probably wouldn't be bad for someone who doesn't detest this kind of plotline, but I just can't do seduction to win a wager.

I did like Marcus' friends and Arabella's sisters, though, and I've heard such good things about this author that I may try the others in the trilogy.

Also posted at my blog. ( )

I have read almost every single one of Nicole Jordan's previous books and loved each and every one of them. All I can say about To Pleasure a Lady is Nicole Jordan has done it again, proved that she is able to write lush historical romances with subtle but erotic undertones. Perfect combination written by a brillant author! By the end of the book, you are ready to run out and grab the next two books, just to find out how well Roslyn is able to break Drew's wall against love and if Lily will be able to submit to Heath and yet keep her hellion attitude.

I loved the connection that Marcus and Arabella had, almost right from the beginning. Their story is full of sexual tension, sweet moments, and even a couple of laughs. Of course, you will probably be prepared to smack the one annoying student in the Loring sister's academy (I believe her name is Sybil? I can't really remember right now, sorry!), but that is all part of the story, I guess. After all, not everyone is pleasant, in real life or romance books. But you notice that there are more annoying young twits in the historical romances? Just a thought...

It's a perfect start to what I believe will be yet another outstanding series by Nicole Jordan. All I can say is she had better keep them coming!

4.5/5 STARS! A great story line, with luscious scenes and pleasant conversations, a bargain thrown in to make everything more interesting, and yet another devilishly handsome hero. This is a definite must read-- as well as all of her previous works! ( )