ClaudineAuthor: Barabra Palmer
Published by: Berkley
Publication Date: September 2, 2014
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Maria Lantos is a post grad Yale student researching illicit 18th-century literature. She’s become exceptionally well-versed in the narratives of classic erotic fantasy.
She’s also Claudine, an in-demand escort specializing in sexual role play for an elite clientele. Anonymous. Satisfying. And discreet.
Until the tenuous separation between her worlds starts to crack. It begins with the murder of a stranger. Where it leads is to two men who will test Maria's limits of control and awaken her own sexual desires.
As her private nights bleed into day, Maria will discover the dangerous places that extend beyond the imagination, and secrets no longer consigned to the dark.
When I saw Claudine listed as an erotic thriller, I was curious. After reading the blurb, I knew I needed to read it. What can I say, I love whores. 😉
I tend to have a hit-or-miss track record with the romantic-suspense genre, because it sometimes comes across as cheesy. So I honestly wasn’t expecting too much from this book. I have to say, I was surprised. I actually liked it a lot!
Maria is a post grad student at Yale working on her thesis. She’s also Claudine, a highly sought after courtesan (escort). Wealthy men pay big bucks to spend one night with her, and one night is all she allows. She flies all over Europe and the States, living a very comfortable lifestyle.
Maria’s life becomes a lot more dangerous when a psychopath takes interest in her. A deadly one who knows way too much about her personal life and background. This tends to be the aspect that usually feels cheesy to me in books like this, but the author actually did a great job with it.
Since this is erotica, obviously there is plenty of sex. What I loved about it though, is the sex isn’t just inserted at random parts just to add sex. It was actually something that is part of her life, the way she makes a living – there was substance to it. She isn’t standing on the corner hooking up with any John; her dates can be quite the event, sometimes extravagant.
The sex scenes are very good, it was almost like “watching” a theatrical performance … well, it technically was on a couple of occasions. And whew, did it get hot. What was also cool, was getting to see the different men she encountered, how different they could be and how she dealt with them. The artist was especially interesting, and somewhat touching (pun totally intended). There is also a romantic element to the story too that I liked.
Claudine is a standalone, which I greatly appreciate. So we get a well-balanced, well-thought-out story all wrapped in one package.
Overall, I was impressed with Claudine and enjoyed it quite a bit.
“What can I say, I love whores.” Really? Really? It’s like you write your reviews for me. Bwahaha!!!
You should really try this one, Jennifer. 😀
I knew I needed to read it. What can I say, I love whores. HAHA! I didn’t even know this was erotica when I first saw it, so not my usual read, but still, I love thrillers…
Try it … you know you want to … 😉
I have an arc of this, and hope to squeeze it in. Thanks to you, it got bumped up!
I think you’ll like it!
I struggle with romantic suspense, too, mostly military RomSusp. But I really, really enjoyed this, as you know. I agree that the sex scenes were well-placed and fascinating. I really loved how this ended. Great review!
High-five for well-placed sex scenes. 😀
I love that you love whores. 😛
No really, I am glad this actually had some substance to it and wasn’t just a fluff read with random hook ups thrown in.
*snort*
Yeah, it’s really well done.
Yay for standalones! I don’t read a lot of erotica, but I do dabble in it from time-to-time, mainly when I’m in a reading slump, or just want to get my motor running. LOL I saw this title the other day on another blog, and now here it is again! I like the premise, and your review is promising. On to my GoodReads to-read shelf it goes!
This would be a good one to dabble in. 😀
I wanted to grab the arc of this but I wasn’t sure I would have time to read it for review, but I might have to check it out soon anyway! Glad to hear you enjoy it! Thanks for the review (: Yay for standalones!
You should definitely check it out, Cyn!
Hehe, you crack me up!!! Glad you enjoyed this one. I don’t read a lot of erotica, but maybe I should. 😉
Yes. Yes, you should.
“What can I say, I love whores. ;)”
*dies* You are hilarious Christy!!! I really like the sound of this one, particularly the fact that the sex isn’t simply tossed in for shock value or titillation, but plays an important role in the story and in the development of Maria’s character. Thanks for putting this one on my radar!
Heh. 🙂
It really is good. You should give it a go.
Ahhh you and Braine might have me convinced. I’ve had an ARC of this one for ages but my cover-whore-ness just refused to let me read it. lol I know that’s awful but man that cover just does nothing for me. But it does sound really good! And hopefully like one I’ll enjoy. I might just have to suck it up and go for it. lol
Don’t let the cover scare you away. Reeeead it! 😀
A stand alone, well written book on whores with tasteful sex scenes. Definitely sounds interesting.
Yes, I am loving the same quote as everyone else in your review. 😀
Now this one sounds interesting with lots of good plot. Might have to check it out!
Romantic suspense is usually hit or miss for me too, but I’m glad to hear this was well done and not cheesy or over the top. I’ll have to add it to my list for when I’m in the mood for that kind of read. Lovely review!
Yup, I loved this too! I was nervous about erotica but this one hit the mark for me.