The Virgin Whore

New Zealand, 1892. At thirty-seven, Courtney Samuels has his life organized just the way he wants it. His mother cooks for him and keeps his house in order, he has friends for companionship and a mistress who meets all his other needs. Besides his best friend is married to the only woman he's ever loved.

When a friend invites him to the club to talk business, Sophie, the girl waiting at their table intrigues him. She only looks seventeen or eighteen and is beautiful, refined, nervous and a totally inept waitress. When she slops the soup on the tablecloth, he puts his hand over hers to stop the nervous dabbing at the mess and she reacts like she's been burned.

He's mystified, why would she react like that to being touched, especially as she's working in a club that is primarily a brothel? He decides it's none of his business.

As he's leaving the premises, he sees another young girl about the same age as Sophie forced into a room and the door locked. She looks terrified, but once again he decides to walk away.

The next morning, his sister Alice arrives back from church and as he talks to her, he's reminded of Sophie and how much Alice is like her. He can't see Alice working at the club. She teases him and is full of plans. She's a follower of Mrs Shepherd and is deeply involved in the fight for women's suffrage.

He goes back to the club and Sophie asks him to help her escape. She tells him her story, and he decides he can't look ignore what is happening any longer and promises to get her away.

The Virgin Whore is the fourth book in the Hennessey series. If you like heroes who are triumphant against impossible odds, star crossed lovers and fighting for survival, then you'll this action-packed novel.