Meet Julia, a confident and empowered middle-aged single mother gracefully balancing her professional life as the sought-after escort, “Just Julia”, a nod to Pretty Woman. She enjoys the lucrative work; however, faced with the shifting sands of parenthood, she has decided to exit her “under the covers” business and turn to a full-time teaching career, stepping away from the escort business for good.

On her final day, Julia finds herself more than enjoying the company of her last client—a handsome man named Alex, who she soon recognizes as the husband of a friend with whom she had spent a turbulent summer au pairing in the South of France 25 years earlier. They have long since lost touch, but memories from that time still haunt Julia and she still stalks her old friend on social media. Julia is bewildered as she realizes that she has undeniably strong feelings for a man for the first time in her life. Can love at first sight really be true?

As Julia falls deeper in love (and lust) with Alex, she can’t help but dream that maybe—just maybe—he will reciprocate her feelings. When Alex asks (and pays) for Julia her and her daughter to go to France, where he’ll be vacationing with his family, including his wife, Julia can’t say no, no matter how risky it is for everyone. Mostly, Julia wonders if and how it’s possible she can get Alex to leave his marriage for her.

Alternating between past and present day, Julia reflects on her escorting experiences and explores the seven reasons why many men are reluctant to leave their marriages and choose to pay for intimacy instead. Will Julia be the exception?

GAIL TREASURE is a retired school teacher who supply teaches occasionally. She attended York University, where she majored in French and Italian. Gail has always loved to write, has taken countless writing courses, and attended numerous writing workshops. She is currently writing a novel for pre-teens. Gail is happily married, and has two scientist daughters. Gail grew up in Toronto, but now resides in the beautiful town of Uxbridge, Ontario. Wife by the Hour was inspired by her many trips to France, her fascination with peeling back layers of the institution of marriage, and her desire to shed some light on the issue of the rights of sex workers in modern society in a fictional way.

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“Gail Treasure skillfully intertwines past and present passions into a sensuous, complicated search for forbidden love.” — James Dewar, author of Strychnine Blues & The Garden in the Machine

“Julia knows what she wants and where she’s going, and [she] is not afraid of the bumps and bruises she acquires on the way. But this isn’t just a story about how one woman conquers all; it’s a story about a woman who’s self-aware, curious, loving, and fiercely protective of her daughter—as well as her own space—in a world dominated by men’s desires and needs. A love story where loving someone means doing what’s right for them and not necessarily what's right for you. That takes courage.” — Jan Field, author & editor

“If you like stories where strong, independent women make their way in the world, you’ll love Wife By The Hour. A wonderfully descriptive novel that whisks you to the south of France and immerses you in the taste and smell of lavender and sunshine.” — Rebecca Mardon, author of The Work Boyfriend