Amanda Quick

After a year of grand adventures touring the classical ruins of Italy and Greece, Iphiginia Bright returned to England to discover that the real excitement was at home. It seems that her Aunt Zoe has fallen victim to a sinister blackmailer and only Iphiginia can hope to stop the culprit before he can do more harm. Her plan is inspired: Imitating history's most legendary beauties--Cleopatra, Helen of Troy, Aphrodite--the former schoolmistress will remake herself, and descend upon London Society as the dazzling mistress of Marcus Valerius Cloud, the infamous Earl of Masters. Rumors hint that the Earl has disappeared at the blackmailer's hands, and by posing as his unknown mistress, Iphiginia is convinced she can ferret out the villain. Overnight, Iphiginia is transformed into a vision with a host of eager admirers, including one she does not expect -- the Earl of Masters himself, who strides into a shimmering ballroom one evening to cooly reclaim his "mistress". He is everything they say he is... arrogant, attractive, devastatingly seductive, and Iphiginia can't help but be enthralled. But when Marcus agrees to play along with her charade, she doesn't know that the determined earl has plans of his own: to tease and tempt her, until the beautiful deceiver becomes more than his mistress in name only.

Mistress

A Novel

Lover of Romance 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
 

  First Impressions

Mistress is standalone by Amanda Quick, and this is a book that had come highly recommended through Instagram, and I was really excited to read this. I have heard some great things about these old-school books from Amanda Quick. The premise of the story really pulled me in, and from the first chapter, I was immediately drawn into the story. I really wanted to see how this story would unfold. I will say that this is not my first Amanda Quick, but I can definitely see how this one would be a fan favorite for many readers. I was curious to see how the plot would unfold. I have missed this style of historical where there is an equal focus on plot and character building. And even though this was originally published in 1995, it didn’t feel like it was written back then and didn’t have an outdated feeling to the story at all. I think modern-day readers, will be able to read this one and truly enjoy it.


  
    A young man did not go off to either Cambridge or Oxford in order to study. He went there to obtain a social polish and to mingle with the young men with whom he would later do business for the rest of his life. He went there to form friendships with the scions of the best families, families from which he would eventually select a suitable wife.
  



  
    Summary
  

Iphiginia, has been touring the ruins and is fascinated with the study of history and antiquities. She never imagined that when she would return to England, that her life would be more exciting than traveling Europe. She poses as the mistress of the Earl of Master, who is believed to be dead, as there are rumors of his disappearance and with her Aunt being blackmailed, so she is hoping with posing as his mistress, she can find the identity and location of the blackmailer. But her plans get a bit messed with when her disappearing Earl arrives at a ball but when she explains the situation to him, surprisingly, Marcus agrees to play along with Iphiginia scheme. She finds herself attracted to the aloof and arrogant Master who is a man of science and understands her fascination with antiquities but he is also not afraid to stand up to Iphiginia but as they work together to ferret out their enemy, a love neither of them expected will blossom, but will the headstrong bluestocking of a female be willing to open herself to marriage and life with the Earl?


  
    “Yes.” He framed her face with his strong hands. “The name Lady Starlight suits you, Iphiginia. You were born to walk in starlight.”
  



  What I Loved

There were so many aspects to this story that I truly loved. The writing was so addictive, and I was so easily drawn into this one here. I absolutely adored the way that this author developed the story. And the story will immediately suck you into the story from the first chapter. There is a vibrant chemistry between our pair, and I adored seeing their level of bantering. We have two main characters that are so alike, that they tend to clash at times. I had such an entertaining time with their interactions and these are the type of characters I truly love to see in a historical romance. I adored the way that they come together, and are working on solving this mystery surrounding the blackmailer. We have some fun times with the supporting cast that played a role in the building of the plot. I found the romance itself to be sexy and endearing. These are characters that are so well developed and I had a blast seeing their story unfold the way it does. And it doesn’t turn out the way that I expected either, Amanda Quick delivers in some unexpecting reveals.


  
    “Sir, I have taught students for several years. I have discovered that they do not always learn the lesson you believe that you are teaching. Too often they learn something else entirely.”
  



  What I Struggled With

I think my biggest issue is the pacing in this story, once you get about midway, is when the story lurches to a halt and it threw me for a loop, because the author really pulled me in so quickly, but then in the last third of the story, the pacing picks up again, so this is an important value to keep this book from a five star of a read.


  Overall View

I found Mistress to be an intriguing, delectable read that delivers in strong character building, a well-balanced plot, unique witty moments, and a sweet entertaining romance to curl your toes!


  
    “Because I know how very easy it is to fall in love with you, my lord. Indeed, I have done so myself.”

Iphiginia Bright poses as the missing Earl of Masters's mistress, hoping to trap her aunt's blackmailer, and is surprised by the sudden appearance of her alleged lover in all his attractiveness and seductiveness. Reprint. LJ.

Mistress

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