His Mistress by Christmas

Lady Veronica Smithson is a widow, independent and outspoken. While never courting scandal outright or deliberately throwing conventions to the wind, she does like to do her own thing and isn’t afraid to pursue her ambitions. After being widowed for three years she’s tired of being alone and, with no desire to remarry and give up her independence, decides to be a mistress to a suitable man.

Enter Sir Sebastian Hadley-Attwater, single gentleman, rogue and explorer who seems perfect for her purpose. The key word there is ‘seems’ when Sebastian surprises everyone, including himself, when he falls instantly in love with Veronica and wants to marry her. Veronica doesn’t want to get married and Sebastian wants her as his wife. Both show more are stubborn. What happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object? Read and find out.

This was an entertaining read. Witty, flowing, with likeable characters. While I did enjoy it I didn’t click with the characters or story as I would have liked and I have no idea why. It puzzles me, but it will not stop me from moving on to the next story in the series. show less

What a fun book. Both Veronica and Sebastian find themselves at crossroads in their lives. They meet at the intersection and decide that they'd like to continue together. The problem is that they are looking down different roads. Both of them are accustomed to getting what they want and seeing them each try to convince the other makes for a really fun time.

Veronica has been a widow for three years. She had loved her husband and they had a good life together, but she's ready to move on. She's gotten used to being independent and having control of her own life. She's not interested in marrying and turning that control over to a man. But she admits to being lonely for the company of a man and decides to look for one that can provide what show more she wants. When she meets Sebastian, she thinks he would be perfect for her. After all, he's known as quite the ladies' man and has shown no signs of wanting to settle down.

Sebastian is almost thirty-three years old. He has been traveling the world for quite a few years and has made quite a name for himself with his explorations and the books he has written, is good looking and wealthy too. But he's getting a little tired of living out of his trunks and is looking to spend more time at home. He has bought a house and is thinking that it might also be time to start looking for a wife. When he sees Veronica at one of his lectures he is lost. She is exactly what he is looking for. Besides being beautiful, she is intelligent and has a sense of humor to match his own. He also senses that she is just as interested in him. He's so sure of where they are that he tells his sisters he expects to be married by Christmas.

But things don't quite go as he planned. When he proposes to Veronica he is stunned to find out she doesn't want to marry him, only be his mistress. That's not what he wants and he refuses to accept defeat. So he invites her to spend Christmas at his new home, as his mistress, but has every intention of convincing her to be his wife instead.

I loved the two of them together. They are smart, they like many of the same things, and they both have a great sense of fun. Some of their conversations are hilariously funny as are their observations of the people and events around them. Sebastian loves Veronica just the way she is, independence and direct speech and all. He doesn't understand why she is so against marriage. Veronica enjoys being able to be herself. She fears that by marrying that sense of self would be lost under the expectations of what a wife should be. She intends that as a mistress she would have all the benefits of being a wife without the pitfalls. And she doesn't intend to allow herself to fall in love with Sebastian as she sees that as the first step to that loss of self.

When they get to his home and start to settle in things are looking good for them to start working on their differences. Then things get really complicated. Sebastian's two sisters show up, uninvited, to spend Christmas with Sebastian and his new wife, only to discover they aren't married. They are horrified, not just because of the circumstances, but also because they told the rest of the family about his "marriage" and they are ALL coming for Christmas. Sebastian has been trying to show his older brothers that he has changed and become a mature and responsible man. He has always felt that he was a disappointment to his family because he has not led a more traditional life. Now, thanks to his sisters, he's going to look even worse. He and his sisters try to keep them from finding out, but don't tell Veronica that the family thinks they are married. When she finds out the truth she isn't happy, but she cares for Sebastian (still doesn't admit to herself that she loves him) so she goes along with the deception for now. Things get even crazier when her family shows up.

In the midst of all the family togetherness, as she is treated as Sebastian's wife, Veronica begins to realize that all that independence also has a downside. It means that she could still end up alone. It means giving up on the idea of having children. It means that she could lose Sebastian to someone else. A long conversation with her father, aunt and grandmother shows her that independence can also mean great loneliness and she starts to reconsider her stance on marriage. Just as it looks like things will finally work out for them, there is a great misunderstanding about Sebastian's inheritance, which sends Veronica running back to London. Though initially both are hurt and angry, I loved that their heads and their hearts soon show them that they belong together. I loved the final scene at the birthday dinner and Veronica's passionate defense of Sebastian to his family and the resulting clearing up of many misconceptions among them all.

Some of my favorite things in the book are the situations that the characters get into. The scene at the beginning when Sebastian has been cornered by Veronica's aunt about allowing women in the Explorer's Club was fun, as he tried to be polite in his disagreement, and then to sneak away as she got involved in the argument with another member. His encounter with Veronica there was the beginning of their fascination with each other. The entire Christmas event, with all the efforts to keep the secret was at times hilariously funny or totally sweet. The whole scene with Veronica and her family was heartwarming as so many things became clear to her, and her family's love and support boosted her up. One of my favorite scenes was Christmas Eve when Sebastian goes knocking on her door after spending the evening drinking. He was so funny and so adorable. There are also some great scenes with Veronica's friend Portia and also with Sebastian's friend Sinclair. I really hope that there will be books for them and also Sebastian's sister Bianca. show less

Obviously, I loved this book. I have read a few damaged and brooding heros lately and Sebastian was a fun change. He has his issues, but he's so sweet and charming - I adored him. I totally bought into the idea that he would see what he wanted and go all out to have it - and seeing Veronica as his adventure... Did I say I adored him??

Veronica is a perfect match for Sebastian - determined to get what she wants. I could relate to the struggle to maintain freedom and independence, but realizing she didn't want to live her life without Sebastian. The amount of trust she was handing over to him - I can't imagine how difficult that would have been for a woman in her time.

This romance was fun and had laugh-out-loud moments. I liked the show more secondary characters. This was my first Victoria Alexander book, but won't be my last. show less

Widowed Lady Veronica Smithson and famous explorer and lady's man Sir Sebastian Hadley-Attwater are at cross-purposes. Veronica has been widowed for several years and she misses physical companionship. While she misses the sex, she is uninterested in getting married again, afraid of losing her independence and having to conform to a husband's rules, not that her first husband restricted her in any way. Sebastian, despite his reputation as a rake, is eminently ready to give up his globe-trotting, marry, and settle down. And he's certain that the enticing Veronica is the woman for him. Veronica, meanwhile, is certain that the handsome, intelligent, and roguish Sebastian will be the perfect lover for her. It's not often in a romance that show more the heroine wants an affair and the hero wants marriage but this latest Victorian set historical romance of Victoria Alexander's has just this very unusual situation.

Both Veronica and Sebastian are very determined to make the other see sense and fall in with the plans they each seperately espouse. With a view to convincing the other than their own plan is the smartest, the two of them retire to Sebastian's newly purchased country home just before Christmas. Veronica is determined to seduce Sebastian while there and he's intent on making her his wife. If it was just a tale of these two, the story wouldn't be nearly as entertaining as it is though. Before they leave town, Sebastian, certain that no woman will hold out against his proposal of marriage for long, tells his sisters of his plans to marry. And so, citing the fact that it has been years since Sebastian has been home for the holidays, his entire family descends on his home where he and Veronica are now faced with utter chaos, the question of how to behave, and a charade. This leads to some very humorous situations. And things get even more complicated when Veronica's father, batty grandmother, and quite feminist aunt, who raised her after the early death of her mother, also arrive at Sebastian's home having heard the rumor of Veronica marrying again.

There is a lot of witty banter here but not as much "can't keep their hands off of each other" lust as might be expected, especially given that the heroine is no virginal miss. The initial attraction is rather rushed but if it then developed into a believable enduring love, that would be fine. As it is though, there's no real display of what makes Veronica and Sebastian love each other and that's too bad. The novel is an entertaining and unusual romance and the by-play between the characters is enjoyable even if the chemistry is a little on the low side and the final misunderstanding that threatens to drive them apart is ridiculous. Romance readers will, on the whole, find this a reasonably fun, quick read. show less

Reviewed by Desere
Review copy provided by Kensington
From one of the most brilliant historical authors of our time comes the tale of Lady Victoria and Sebastian, two people who each want and crave a little certain something in life and both will not stop to get it.

Lady Veronica wants to taste the forbidden passion she craves and still be seen as a true lady. However she does not bet on her target for passion being so forceful in getting what he wants. Sebastian does not back down.

The fun really starts in this book as she gets more than what she bargains for in Sebastian; this is a tale of a true battle of wills. The author had me so captivated and entranced that I could not wait to get to the end of the book just to see the outcome. I show more loved every character and the way the author describes every single detail had me wishing I could be Lady Victoria so I could just grab Sebastian for myself. I loved how he was the ultimate historical to die for hero. He really crept into my heart and I loved how he showed Lady Victoria that she has indeed met her match.

With the author's beautiful writing style you get taken back to a time where being a Lady and getting what and who you want with all the benefits and none of the complications prove to be very tempting indeed.

Favorite Quote: "It's a persuasive invitation". show less

I totally loved this romance about a lively widow who sets her sights on a roguish adventurer - as his mistress! He has other ideas and wants a wife instead. Delicious fun!

http://ktleyed.blogspot.com/2012/02/his-mistress-by-christmas-by-victoria.html

Veronica has a goal this Christmas. She is going to find a man to be her lover, NOT her husband. After being a widow she misses having that comfort of a warm body in her bed. What she doesn’t want is to be controlled so she has decided not to marry again. Her sights are set on Sir Sebastian Hadley-Attwater, an explorer who has a bit of a reputation with the woman. He is perfect for her.

Sebastian, who has traveled all over the world is ready to settle down (little does Veronica know) and after meeting Veronica he has found the woman he wants to spend his life with. The only problem is, SHE propositions HIM and wants to only be lovers. Now he must convince her that deep down she wants to be married.

Sebastian, thinking that no woman show more could possibly resist him, mentions to his nosy sisters that he is going to be married by Christmas. When he invites Veronica to his country estate, the sisters make the mistake of assuming that they have wed already and invite the ENTIRE family out. This makes for a very interesting balancing act that happens and some little white lies that have to be told. Funny and heartwarming is the best way to describe this holiday read. Veronica and Sebastian will charm you and make you feel the Christmas cheer that they try hard to give to their families and in the end give to each other. Recommended for all historical romance readers. show less