The first time I ever saw the name Claudia Dain was when I happened upon the cover of How to Dazzle a Duke. The seductive look on the heroine’s face intrigued me. Then I noted that it was a trade. I don’t generally buy trades so I pushed my curiosity aside and moved on.

Several weeks ago I discovered that How to Dazzle a Duke was part of the Courtesan Chronicles series. Have I ever told you how much I love series? Generally, I’m not a huge fan of the heroine being a courtesan and initially, I balked at even looking further into the series because of that. Then I decided to give it a little peek, and lo and behold, the heroines were not in fact courtesans. And yet even better news, the books also came in mass market paper back. That, of course, was music to my ears. So this weekend, I ordered the first book in the series, The Courtesan’s Daughter.

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Book #1

The Courtesan’s Daughter
Author: Claudia Dain
Publisher: Berkley
Pub. Date: October 7, 2008
ISBN-13: 978-0425224229
320 pages

Young Lady Caroline’s prospects for a suitable match are severely limited by her mother’s infamous past. Before Lady Sophia Dalby entered London society, she was a highly desired courtesan. What man of title, position, and wealth would marry a courtesan’s daughter?

Sophia’s solution is to purchase a husband for Caroline-the Earl of Ashdon-agreeing to settle his gambling debts if he will take her daughter’s hand. Insulted, Caroline refuses to have a husband who was bought for her.

But after meeting the fiery Lord Ashdon, she wonders if it wouldn’t be satisfying to have him pay for her, perhaps with a priceless pearl necklace? With Sophia pulling the strings, Lord Ashdon may get more than he bargained for and Caroline may get just what she wants.

~~~

After The Courtesan’s Daughter found her happily ever after, Claudia gave us The Courtesan’s Secret and The Courtesan’s Wager.

Book #2


Lady Louisa fell in love with Lord Dutton exactly three years ago and never fell out. It was past time for him to fall in love with her. Long past time. What was wrong with Dutton? Couldn’t he see that she was the very ideal sort of wife for him? The picture of ginger haired beauty and sparkling wit? And her bosom was quite nice, too.

After watching the speed with which Caroline, Sophia’s daughter, managed to snag a husband, Louisa has come to the logical conclusion that if she could only have Sophia help her then Louisa and Dutton would find themselves quickly married. With Dutton as her goal, Louisa swallows her pride and asks Sophia for help in acquiring the man of her dreams.

Sophia is more than happy to help a woman get the man of her dreams, but is Dutton that man? Lord Henry Blakesley seems a much better match for the fiery Louisa. And Sophia, an ex-courtesan, has no qualms at all in arranging things so that Louisa sees Blakesley in a new light. But it’s a secret…no one can know that Louisa sought help in snaring a man from a former courtesan.

But in London, secrets are as rare as hen’s teeth.

~~~

Book #3


Lady Amelia is the daughter of a duke and, unlike her cousin Louisa, is not at all distracted by a rakish wit or a pair of seductive blue eyes. She is going to be a duchess, which means that she must marry a duke. In the three years that she’s been out in Society, she has, to her complete dismay, not found a single duke who appears even slightly interested in her. Being a sharp girl of a very determined nature, Amelia cannot ignore that both Caroline and Louisa made very quick and very happy marriages. It was beyond obvious that Sophia Dalby had a firm hand in each match. Swallowing her considerable anxiety about approaching a former courtesan, Amelia asks Sophia for help in snagging a duke.

Sophia is delighted to help. But, as is becoming obvious to even the most casual observer, Amelia gets more than she anticipated from her alliance with Sophia. Will Amelia marry a duke, after all?

~~~

And finally, we come full circle to the most recent installment in the Courtesan Chronicles, How to Dazzle a Duke, whose mass market paperback edition will be released in June 1, 2010.

Book #4

Miss Penelope Prestwick wants a duke for a husband and clearly the dashing Duke of Edenham is the best choice. Just as Lady Dalby is clearly the best person to arrange the match. But how exactly should Penelope go about dazzling a duke? Surely a show of cleavage never hurt anyone. Perhaps a kiss or two, just to make a lasting impression. And a bit of competition usually helps move things along.

To that end, Penelope approaches the Marquis of Iveston with a request. Would he kindly appear interested in her so that the Duke of Edenham will take note of it? Alternately amused and annoyed, Lord Iveston agrees; he even places a wager on White’s betting book to draw attention to the fact that he is pursuing Penelope.

Soon, it’s wagers and counter wagers as all of Society tries to determine who will actually marry Penelope. Edenham she’s been hotly pursuing or Iveston she’s been hotly kissing? Who will claim the lady’s heart…all in all it’s the most entertaining—and most contested–dance to the altar Sophia has yet choreographed.

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I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to immerse myself in this series and ‘discover’ Claudia Dain. If you’d like to read excerpts from the respective books, I’ve linked the covers to the excerpt page on Claudia’s website. Okay, so who else is ready to join me? Comment and you’ll be entered to win the first book in the series, The Courtesan’s Daughter.

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By Giveaways35 Comments on Author Under the Radar ~ Claudia Dain

35 Replies to “Author Under the Radar ~ Claudia Dain”

  1. I already have THE COURTESAN’S DAUGHTER. Sorry you haven’t found Claudia Dain until now. You are in for a treat. She has be lucky, the Cover Gods have been kind to her.

  2. 🙂 I haven’t read any of Claudia’s books . This name caught my attention when i read a review about How to Dazzle a Duke. but haven’t lucky enough to have one of her books.

  3. I haven’t read any of her books, either. I would love to read one, though. They look very interesting. Thanks

  4. You know, I’ve seen Claudia’s name on books but never tried her either. But having read this post I feel I should. For they seem great. So please, count me in. Thanx Kirsten

  10. Her books are on the meant to read that author mythical TBR pile! I would love to win one.

  11. Her covers are amazing!! She is a great person!
    Please enter me in for a chance at her books!
    alliwantandmorebooks@ gmail.com

  15. Sounds like an interesting bunch of books. I haven’t read anything by Claudia before. I have to keep an eye out for her works

  16. Like you I have never read Claudia Dain either, but after hearing great things about the Courtesan Chronicles I would definitely love to give her a try. I love books that are part of a series, because it gives you a chance to revisit past characters.

  18. I have read some of Claudia’s backlist and enjoyed them. I have not read any of this series. They sound good.

  20. Haven’t read any of Claudia’s book yet, but will check them out now. Enter me into the contest.

  21. I have never read Claudia’s books before but this one sounds awesome! I would love to read it! I love the cover, its beautiful and looks like my kind of read! Please enter me in the contest! I want this book!

  23. I have been a fan of Claudia’s books for a long time. This new series sounds really good and I can’t wait to read them. I like the covers on the books too.

  24. I’ve read some of Claudia’s early books, but haven’t gotten to these yet. I’ve heard very positive things about this series, so I’d definitely love to get into a new series and win this book.

  30. I’ve read all of Claudia’s Medieval romances, and really enjoyed them. Now I want to read this series. Thanks for spotlighting another great author!

  31. They all sound like wonderful teases! Please enter me in the drawing. I’d love win and especially since you’re offering the first book. I have to read a series in order if at all possible. Thank you!

  32. I’ve read 2 of the books in the Courtesan Chronicles and loved them both. Looking forward to reading her latest release.

  33. I’ve never read one of Claudia’s books and this book looks like a great one to start with! I love books that are set in London! I would really love to win this book! Please enter me in this contest!!!!!
    🙂

  35. I have enjoyed her books in the past but I am so far behind in my reading that I haven’t caught up to this series. I do plan to read it however.

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