Claiming the Courtesan, by Anna Campbell

Set in 1825, Claiming the Courtesan transports the reader to a time when titled and powerful men were de facto above most laws, and when women with no family or from humble origins had few avenues to survive—and even fewer that were respectable.

Claiming the Courtesan is Ms Campbell’s debut novel. Frequently, first novels are less than stellar, as the writer is still finding her voice. That is most definitely not the case with this book. Ms Campbell’s writing is powerful, drawing the reader deeply into her characters’ world. It is not, however, an easy book to review.

First, the back cover blurb: (more…)