MY FAIR MISTRESS

Author: Tracy Anne Warren ISBN: 034549539X 11/2007 HISTORICAL Publisher: AVON
Time Period: Regency, 1812 England

He drives a hard bargain, but the pleasure is all hers. London financier Rafe Pendragon has a reputation for ruthlessness, and exotic beauty Julianna Hawthorne is determined to clear the debt her brother owes him. Captivated by Rafe's virile good looks, weakened by his intoxicating mix of danger and sensuality, Julianna boldly agrees to Rafe's shocking terms: six months as his mistress. As Rafe's intense green eyes pierce her body and set it afire, Julianna can only imagine what emotions his kiss may unleash. Surrendering to the pleasures of seduction and carnal delight, Rafe never anticipated that love would be the cost of his bargain. When he realizes that a vindictive enemy may harm Julianna should their clandestine liaison be exposed, Rafe must choose between loving her and protecting her. To save his fair mistress, Rafe must risk what he has already lost: his heart.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

A classic tale, or should I say, a tale with a classic idea. Julianna Hawthorne is a lady in every sense of the word, but has accepted a proposition to clear her brother's debt. The proposition? Julianna boldly agrees to be a mistress to Rafe Pendragon for the time of six months. During this time, Julianna becomes enthralled with her new keeper—even one glance and it sets her body afire with wanting him. However, Rafe finds he is not so differently affected, even though he never expected love to enter the equation when he accepted this wage to clear a debt.

Not only do Rafe and Julianna submit to the pleasures of seduction and carnal delight, they are both at risk of losing their hearts. When danger threatens Julianna and it's possible her reputation could be even more in tatters, Rafe must make a choice—whether to love the woman with all of his heart, or to protect her.

MY FAIR MISTRESS was amazingly sweet, and the characters are easy to follow and relate to. There are family values in this novel that I was not expecting—for example, a sister willing to go to such lengths to pay her brother's debt. While this might have been a common practice during the era this story takes place, I don't think you will find many women as accepting with the situation as Julianna was.

This is my first novel by Tracy Anne Warren and I am looking forward to picking up her next one. While MY FAIR MISTRESS may not be a Top Pick read, I do believe that as Warren grows as an author, this goal would not be hard for her to meet and succeed.

Kym Oetting