The London List (3 books)
A scandal sheet makes life difficult in Regency London...
Mistress by Mistake
Scandal Is Only The Beginning. . .
Charlotte Fallon let her guarded virtue fall once--and she's paid dearly for it ever since. She swore she'd never succumb to men's desires again. But even a village spinster's life miles from temptation can't save her from a sister with no shame whatsoever. Or a heart that longs for more, whatever the cost. . .
Sir Michael Bayard found more than he expected in his bed when he finally joined his new mistress. He'd fantasized about her dewy skin and luscious curves, assured her understanding that what passed between them was mere dalliance. But he didn't expect the innocence and heat of her response in his arms. Nor her surprisingly sharp tongue once she was out of them. . .
A few days of abandon cannot undo the hard-learned lessons of a lifetime. Nor can an honest passion burn away the restraints of society's judgments. Unless, of course, one believes in nonsense like true love. . .
MY REVIEW: No one tells a story quite like Maggie Robinson (aka Margaret Rowe). Her involving, exquisitely erotic romances are filled with perfectly imperfect people who behave badly. That's all right--after you spend some time with her characters, you wouldn't want them to behave any other way! "Mistress by Mistake" is the first book in the "Courtesan Court" series, and it introduces us to the ladies of Jane Street. These ladies, known as "The Janes" are not merely beautiful women. They are the mistresses and courtesans of the some of the most wealthy and powerful men of elite society. Each woman is unique, not only in her loveliness, but in the circumstances which brought her to Courtesan Court. In "Mistress by Mistake", Charlotte Fallon is sent by her sister to a house on Jane Street on a mission to break her sister's newly formed "arrangement" (before it actually begins) with the sinfully seductive Sir Michael Xavier Bayard. While waiting for Bay's arrival, Charlotte fortifies herself with some liquid courage and soon falls into a deep sleep filled with wicked, wanton dreams. With the light of day comes the realization that her dream lover is none other than Bay himself, who is also quite disconcerted to find that Charlotte is not the woman he was expecting to find in his bed. When he discovers that a valuable necklace is missing, he believes that the sisters worked together to set him up and play him for a fool. He decides to punish Charlotte by keeping her as a prisoner. His sensual torment becomes addictive for them both, and the seemingly prim and proper Charlotte stuns Bay with the depth of her hidden passions. Further complicating matters is the arrival of Bay's malicious, mentally disturbed former wife, with whom he was obsessed for many years. Charlotte and Bay have a bodaciously bawdy, boisterously bickering relationship in which they are more than each other's equal. The women of Jane Street have a common bond which unites them in friendship, and we learn just enough of each of their stories to make us look forward to reading the future entries in this entertainingly naughty series!
Mistress by Midnight
First comes seduction. . .As children, Desmond Ryland, Marquess of Conover, and Laurette Vincent were inseparable. As young adults, their friendship blossomed into love. But then fate intervened, sending them down different paths. Years later, Con still can't forget his beautiful Laurette. Now he's determined to make her his forever. There's just one problem. Laurette keeps refusing his marriage proposals. Throwing honor to the wind, Con decides that the only way Laurette will wed him is if he thoroughly seduces her. . .
Then comes marriage. . .
Laurette's pulse still quickens every time she thinks of Con and the scorching passion they once shared. She aches to taste the pleasure Con offers her. But she knows she can't. For so much has happened since they were last lovers. But how long can she resist the consuming desire that demands to be obeyed. . .?
MY REVIEW: Maggie Robinson again spins her storytelling magic in "Mistress by Midnight", offering one of the most delightfully imperfect heroes you'll ever meet! Desmond Ryland, Marquess of Conover, has always loved Laurette Vincent. Childhood friendship budded into adolescent infatuation, later becoming adult desire and devotion in full bloom. When Con is forced to marry a wealthy older woman to fulfill the social and financial obligations of his family, Laurette is devastated. She and Con continue to meet even after he is married, risking much and desiring even more. Con's wife bears him a son, but Laurette keeps secret from him the fact that she also bore his child, a daughter. Con's marriage is one of convenience, and his unhappiness with his forced separation from Laurette leads him to escape by traveling abroad. He remains gone for many years, writing to his son, and never forgetting his "Laurie". When his wife dies, Con at last returns home to become a father to his son. He also wants to marry Laurette, and he is stunned when she turns down his proposal. He is also shocked, but delighted to learn that he and Laurette have a daughter, and he determines to set all his mistakes to right. He often goes about things the wrong way, acting on his heart's desire without thinking things through. Laurette is a very strong-minded woman, fierce in her lifelong love for Con, but afraid to believe that they could find true happiness. Despite his unconventional ways, Con is so very appealing! He never wavers in his love for his "Laurie", often telling her how much he cares. He was manipulated as a young man into a situation that solved some issues just as it created a world of complications and heartache. Con is not a perfect man, but he is a worthy man, and love at last comes home to his heart.
Mistress by Marriage
Too late for cold feet...
Baron Edward Christie prided himself on his reputation for even temperament and reserve. That was before he met Caroline Parker. Wedding a scandalous beauty by special license days after they met did not inspire respect for his sangfroid. Moving her to a notorious lovebirds' nest as punishment for her flighty nature was perhaps also a blow. And of course talk has gotten out of his irresistible clandestine visits. Christie must put his wife aside--if only he can get her out of his blood first.
Too hot to refuse...
Caroline Parker was prepared to hear the worst: that her husband had determined to divorce her, spare them both the torture of passion they can neither tame nor escape. But his plan is wickeder than any she's ever heard. Life as his wife is suffocating. But she cannot resist becoming her own husband's mistress. .
"A very talented debut author." --"Romance Junkies"
Praise for Maggie Robinson's Mistress by Mistake
"Sizzles off the page." --Anna Campbell
Master of Sin
Flying from sin. . .
Andrew Rossiter has used his gorgeous body and angelic face for all they're worth--shocking the proper, seducing the willing, and pleasuring the wealthy. But with a tiny son depending on him for rescue, suddenly discretion is far more important than desire. He'll have to bury his past and quench his desires--fast. And he'll have to find somewhere his deliciously filthy reputation hasn't yet reached. . .
...into seduction
Miss Gemma Peartree seems like a plain, virginal governess. True, she has a sharp wit and a sharper tongue, but handsome Mr. Ross wouldn't notice Gemma herself. Or so she hopes. No matter how many sparks fly between them, she has too much to hide to catch his eye. But with the storms of a Scottish winter driving them together, it will be hard enough to keep her secrets. Keeping her hands to herself might prove entirely impossible. . .
Praise for Maggie Robinson's Novels
"Deliciously wicked." --Romance Junkies (5 stars) on "Mistress by Midnight"
"A fun read that will keep you turning pages into the night." --"Affaire de Coeur" (4.5 stars) on "Mistress by Mistake"
OTHER BOOKS BY MAGGIE ROBINSON//MARGARET ROWE
Any Wicked Thing
Ten years ago Sebastian Goddard, heir to the duke of Roxbury, had a night of reckless passion and was betrayed by his oldest friend Fredericka Wells. Devastated, he embarked on a new life of debauchery that earned him the nickname Lord of Sin.
Now Sebastian has returned to find his estate in ruins, and Freddie more seductive than ever. He's determined to pay her back in spades. But Freddie makes him an offer...she'll be his mistress for a month if he'll consent to sell her Goddard Castle.
Sebastian plans to scandalize Freddie-to tease her every desire and leave her wanting. But his fiery-willed lover soon teaches him the past may not be what it seemed.
Tempting Eden
Eden has vowed to never again cede her destiny to a man. And Hart is left with no choice but to tempt the temptress herself...
Eden Emery is no stranger to sin. To keep her sister safe from harm, she's paid a steep price with her body-and very nearly lost her soul. But when Baron Ivor Hartford, the man who has dishonored her, finally dies, her troubles are far from over.
Major Stuart Hartford, the late baron's nephew, is in the market for an honorable wife, but first he has to take care of the matter of his Uncle Ivor's ward, Eden-a young woman who makes him question the virtue of being proper. For the passion she incites burns away his inhibitions and inflames his heart.
MY REVIEW: It's no secret that I adore Maggie Robinson "aka" Margaret Rowe. She is a wonderful storyteller in a nicely naughty way! The storyline for "Tempting Eden" is not one that I would usually choose, but I trust Maggie/Margaret's voice as an author. "Tempting Eden" drew me in from the beginning, and then it spun me around several times before landing me in a very involving romance. The seducer and the seduced often trade places in this compelling story, and hearts are laid bare as souls' darkest secrets are revealed. A memorable romance read!
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