Review

I read and enjoyed the first book of the Turner series and was looking forward to Sir Mark Turner's story. Courtney Milan did not disappoint. A Chaste virgin as the hero? What an interesting twist to the historical hero mode. But do not suffer from any delusions that Sir Mark is an unfeeling, cold paragon of virtuousness. Mark feels things very deeply and is not afraid to verbally voice his desires. Yow, what a combination. He also has a droll sense of humor.

“Sir Mark Turner,” he said. “I speak with the tongues of a thousand angels. Butterflies follow me wherever I go. Birds sing when I take a breath.”

Sir Mark Turner literally wrote the book on chastity. It is a runaway best seller and has elevated Mark on a pedestal, adored and admired by people everywhere. Young men have formed groups, have secret signals and handshakes much to Mark's chagrin. As Courtney draws the parallel in her introduction, Mark is like a modern day rock star. Mark has had enough of the foolish idolatry and hastens an escape to a small town from his childhood.
Little does he know that hot on his heels is Jessica Farleigh. A penniless courtesan, she has taken a bet to ensure she can escape her wretched life at last. All she has to do is seduce the paragon of chastity, and snare his ring as proof.  The roles are reversed here, Jessica is the cold, female rake, years of seduction experience at the ready, while Mark the hero is the inexperienced virgin. I felt sympathy for Jessica, her loveless past has hardened her to any emotion at all, until she meets Mark Turner.

The interaction between Mark and Jessica are fantastic. Their pasts are slowly revealed as the book moves along giving a deeper understanding to their actions and reactions. The tried and true seduction tricks do not work with Mark, it is only when Jessica lowers her guard showing the damaged and vulnerable woman underneath is Mark truly enchanted.

The book stays tightly focused on Mark and Jessica and I loved that. The layers are slowly peeled away, and their complicated relationship grows deeper. Mark is wonderful; he conveys so much passion and desire in a mere touch or in words spoken. I defy you not to melt. You also feel sympathy for Jessica and wonder how can she go through with this wretched scheme?
I will not give anything away. The ending worked. It was a truly satisfying conclusion. Since I came to care so much for Jessica and Mark, I was truly riveted to find out how it all was resolved. 'Unclaimed' makes me anxious to read brother Smite's story.

Unclaimed is a sensual treat with well developed and fascinating characters. Mark and Jessica are not perfect, their pasts haunt their present. Courtney Milan has a way with words and through this tapestry weaves a truly engrossing romance.

Reviewed by Karyn