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Book Review By L. Watson
A Precious Jewel by Mary Balogh

Sir Gerald Stapleton is a regular customer of Priscilla Wentworth at a high class brothel. Priscilla was a lady, but poverty has left her with prostitution as the only way she can earn her living. When Sir Gerald asks her to become his mistress, she accepts.

Gerald is a very average man whose father belittled him and crushed his self confidence. He covers his feelings of inadequacy by treating his relationship with Priscilla in a cold business-like manner.

Priscilla comes to understand Gerald's insecurities and comes to love him. The lustful advances of his stepmother when he was a young man has left Gerald cynical about women. He likes Priscilla but does not believe he knows how to love.


Plot & Themes
Time/era of story
Forbidden/mismatched love? Yes
How mismatched?
Inner struggle subplot Yes
Struggle with...

Main Male Character
Profession/status:
Age/status: - 20's-30's

Main Female Character - 20's-30's
Profession/status:

Setting
Europe Yes
European country: - England/UK

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death
What % of story is romance related? - 90%
How explicit is the sex? - descript of kissing - touching of anatomy - actual description of sex
Focus of story - equally on him and her
How much dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
How much sexing? - 3-4 sex acts
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