#131: Belle - Lesley Pearse

She witnessed a murder - and now her life is in danger . . .

Fifteen year-old Belle, though raised in a London brothel, is an innocent. But when she witnesses one of the girls brutally strangled by a client, she is cast into a cruel, heartless world.

Snatched from the streets and sold into prostitution, she is made a courtesan in New Orleans. At the mercy of desperate men who crave her beauty and will do anything to keep her, Belle's dreams of home, family and freedom appear futile.

Are Belle's courage and spirit strong enough to help her escape? And what will await her at the end of the long, dangerous journey home?

• Paperback: 624 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (February 3, 2011)
• ISBN: 9780241950364
• AMAZON US

AUTHOR BIO:

Lesley Pearse's novels have sold close to 4 million copies in the UK alone. Her thirteen most recent books, including Stolen, Gypsy, Faith and Hope - each of which occupied a Top Three slot in both hardback and paperback - are huge bestsellers and are all available as Penguin paperbacks. Lesley lives near Bristol and has three daughters and two grandchildren.

My Review of Stolen

MY OPINION:

So very different from Stolen, and yet, just as wonderfully written.

Belle is one of those books that you are rooting for her all the way, then at the end, you feel like chastising her for being so naive. 

I'm also not big on historical books, they really have to be interesting to pull me in completely, and Belle does just that. It's full of edge-of-the-seat moments, moments of terrifying empathy, moments that you hate to witness but are glad you didn't miss. It's full of so much, characters full of life, scenes you thought you knew once, and drama you know you have heard of. 

I really love how the author tells a story, no matter the genre or plot. She is talented enough to be about storytelling, and the intimate journey that pulls you deep into a book. Where you can't stop reading or talking about it.

I've only read these two books by her, and she has many, so I look forward to reading more.

5/5

DISCLAIMER: I received a copy for review. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated.