Conway (English, U. of Western Ontario) examines early English novels with the intent to uncover the "dangers and delights of Restoration culture" through the courtesan politics of sex after the 1660 restoration of English monarchy. During these times of change the monarchs were heavily influenced by their mistresses who, until the appearance of Nell Gwyn, were Catholic. This presented a problem for the Protestants who feared that these influences would lead to their exclusion from religious freedoms. Nell Gwyn, the self proclaimed "Protestant whore", was the influential mistress of King Charles II who was herself a Protestant loyalist. Conway sheds new light on this period and the women who affected courtesan politics and sparked anxiety amongst the masses. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)