Book Review for: "The Mistress' House"   by StephB

in Publishing / Book Reviews    (submitted 2011-04-11)

Book Review for: "The Mistress' House"

Written By: Leigh Michaels

Sourcebooks Casablanca

ISBN: 978-1-4022-4135-2

311 pages/print book
$7.99

4.5 Stars

Reviewed by: S. Burkhart

Michaels pens a captivating read with "The Mistress' House." Set in historical England during the hey day of the ton, the novel revolves around three couples who are equally ensnared and enthralled by the power of love.

What I found intriguing was Michaels use of the Number Five Upper Seymour Street. The House is quiet and unassuming, yet behind its doors many passions are unleashed, equal to that of turbulent waves crashing on a sandy shore.

In the first vignette, Lord Hawthorne (Thorne) buys Number Five Upper Seymour Street on the recommendation of his butler, Perkins. Thorne is adamant about retaining his bachelorhood. Enter Lady Anne Keighley. She accepts Thorne for what he is and asks that he ruin her anyway. The request is maddening to Thorne, but he agrees to fulfill it. Anne is not only beautiful, but enchanting. Will their nights of passion give way to love?

Once Anne no longer needs Number Five Upper Seymour Street, she invites her childhood friend, Felicity Mercer to stay in the house. Felicity agrees. Soon she meets Lord Richard Colford. Richard is the brother of her deceased lover, Roger, and Felicity has a bold request for Richard: give her a child. Richard finds Felicity a challenge and vows to brand her as his own. Felicity doesn't want to fall in love, but will Richard's lovemaking prove her undoing?

When Felicity leave the mistress' house, it almost immediately receives another occupant – Thorne's ward, Miss Georgina Baxter, an heiress who her uncle arranges a marriage for. Georgina does not want the arranged marriage. Enter Thorne's cousin, Julian Hampton. The dashing army officer is returning from war to claim his inheritance. After meeting Georgina, she asks him to teach her the ways of love. Julian is all too willing to oblige the beautiful young lady, but when they are caught, will they be forced into a loveless marriage?

Michael's writing is sharp, capturing the feel and authenticity of historical London. Her descriptions easily transport the reader to another time and place. The dialogue was crisp and engaging. I chuckled when Anne told Thorne to ruin her.

The characterization is the richest part of the novel. Each heroine has their reasons for what motivates them. Each hero is set in his ways and is deliciously undone by the circumstances they find themselves in.

The novel is intense for romance readers. Michaels' loves scenes are tasteful and sensual. She excels at sexual tension. Michaels had me as soon as Anne told Thorne to ruin her. I simply did not want to put this book down.

"The Mistress' House" is a page-turner!

About the Author

StephB is an author who clikes to read many books and a variety of different genres. StephB is an author at http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Creative Writing.