The Spicy Secrets of a Jet-Set Temptress trilogy is in many ways the spiritual successor of Jackie Collins’ take on erotic romance set among the rich and famous.
 
The beautiful protagonist, Miss Melisse, moves effortlessly among the highest circles providing the ultimate in fantasy trysts to the rich and powerful in glittering backdrops of champagne and splendour at only the most exclusive of venues.
 
Where it differs, and becomes something completely unique and fresh, is in the author’s background as a retired courtesan. This experience and insight is called upon in creating the series and vivid fictional world, though obviously through the prisms of literary flourish and full creative licence.
 
‘Learning the Life’ is the first installment in the Spicy Secrets trilogy, introducing us to the enchanting high-class call girl Miss Melisse as she delves deeper and deeper into the spicy, sexual underworld.
 
Needing to survive alone in New York, she dances in seedy strip joints before quitting, returning to college (and the workaday world), then ultimately chooses to enter “The Life” by graduating to a deluxe ‘finishing school’ for ‘ladies of the evening’.
 
It is here, working in a luxurious and highly discreet NYC bordello, that she learns the skills and subtleties of seduction.
 
And it is here too that she comes under the wing of mysterious madam ‘GG’, her mentor, and also a sexy new partner-in-crime, ‘Shishapuss’, who help transform her into the cool and consummate jet-set temptress of later books.
 
With her new-found experience and friendships, Miss Melisse –  a petite blonde bombshell who is described as a cross between Hollywood icon Grace Kelly (though lustier) and Disney’s Tinkerbell – learns how to charm men with her femininity, a caring, soft approach, and a spicy finish.
 
Quickly, she becomes a sought-after modern-day courtesan, or VIP companion, holding court in Manhattan and travelling the world with her well-heeled clients, including one wily millionaire sheik.
 
While craftily juggling a colourful client-base of high-powered, highly-sexed men she runs into the irresistible Brahim, a charismatic and fun-loving beau with spicy, naughty secrets of his own.
 
When sparks fly and love is ignited, Miss Melisse is faced with a tough question – can she literally afford to let one man melt her heart and potentially upset her (lucrative) apple cart?
 
Packed full of sizzling erotic scenes, intimate dialogue, true confessions and saucy sex tips from Miss Melisse on how best to pleasure men (both physically and psychologically), this is essentially a coming-of-age novel with an erotic twist. Call it “Chick Lit” with a scorching hot heat index!
 
Loosely based on the experiences of the author, Learning The Life is an entertaining, often humorous read laced with arousing yet tasteful sexual encounters. At the same time, however, it is a vivid and believable account of how a modern, enterprising woman can make the world’s oldest profession work for her, on her terms.
 
Touching on the choices many modern women face – dependence versus independence; taking risks versus playing it safe; using sex, flirtation and feminine wiles to get what one wants (vs. playing it ‘straight’ in a man’s world) – it is bound to resonate with readers, even if the setting itself is exotic.
 
Fundamentally, women will find empathy with Miss Melisse as, despite her controversial career, she is a likeable character with a spiritual side – working hard to make a living, keeping pride and humour in her life, and doing what she considers to be something worthwhile.
 
All in all, this is a sexy, escapist novel that raises the veil on a fascinating, secretive world and more than whets the appetite for Part Two, Love In The Life.
--Review from LoveReading.co.uk