Great story and I enjoyed the excerpts at the beginning of each chapter of "A Gentleman's Guide to Keeping a Mistress". ( )

I reviewed this short novella for my blog at www.bookworm2bookworm.wordpress.com

Since I am always on the lookout for new authors (to me at least) and interesting and entertaining stories, I stumbled on a website of an author by the name of Emily Bryan and she offered free chapters of her novella A DUKE FOR ALL SEASONS which was very intriguing, very sophisticated and had an element of surprise that I just loved.

Alas, I never read anything after Chapter 8 and I was left to wonder what happened to the Duke and his Opera mistress and how it all ended.

Fast forward to this year, and I'm surfing the net and I see the title of this book and next to it the name that's not familiar to me of Mia Marlowe. By reading synopses of the story, I can see that it's my Duke and his Mistress, but the name was confusing me and a little research was a relief to find out that Mia and Emily are one and the same.

Sebastian, Duke of Winterhaven, is a man who has to have order in his life, even in regards to his mistress's. In order not to get too attached to them, or rather for them not to get too attached to him, he maintains a `schedule' of them. Every Season he engages a new one. It all works out for the best, for all parties concerned.

Arabella St. George is an Opera performer with a passion for two things, her art and her daughter, who she's given to her sister to raise as her own. The reason behind it is a man that will not stop at nothing to hurt her or her daughter.

After setting his eyes on her and watching her perform, Sebastian is considering her for his next mistress. He is all set to hand her his proposition one evening and surprises her backstage. She on the other hand doesn't seem to be surprised by his visit mistaking him for a contact she expected to hand over a letter.

A DUKE FOR ALL SEASONS is a novella that will grab you from the start and its fast pace will keep you anticipating the next curve. Its romance with a dollop of sensuality will keep you wishing for a fan, and the dialogue will have you chuckle, while the suspense will keep you turning pages and guessing.

Please don't let the word `short' put you off. For me, no matter the length of the story, as long as I can get all the elements of a good read, such as decent pace, interesting plot and emotional connection to the characters, I am a happy camper.

This novella fills that bill to a perfection. It has romance and passion; adventure and danger; a strong and courage's heroine paired with an equally strong and sexy hero. For a sweet romance that's sprinkled with intrigue and sensuality that now I have come to associate with Ms. Marlowe (Emily Bryan) I highly recommend it.

Before I read this novella, I had a privilege to read SINS OF THE HIGHLANDER, which is a book collaboration of Connie Mason and Mia Marlowe and it floored me at how seamlessly they merged their prose in this story of revenge and passion. Mark your Calendar! This is one book you do NOT want to miss!

Melanie ( )

A DUKE FOR ALL SEASONS by Mia Marlowe is an exciting historical romance set in Regency England. An e-novella. It is written with details and depth with characters that are not only enduring but will capture your heart also.It has everything a reader could want. It has romance,love,danger,passion,adventure,,sweet sensuality,deception,a French assassin,a beautiful,sexy opera singer,blackmail,and a handsome,sexy rogue.When the sexy,handsome Sebastian Blake,Duke of Winterhaven meets the beautiful, sexy opera singer,Arabella St.George all he sees is another possible mistress. But what he finds is an intriguing,Arabella who could possibly be a French Spy. What follows is a game of deception. While blackmail has forced Arabella into something she has no desire to be into but must to save a life precious to her. Sebastian will do what he must to save his country,his lady(Arabella),the life previous to her and bring down a French assassin. This is a fast paced story that is quick to read and have you turning pages. It is full of passion,lust and finding true happiness. A must read. Details can be found at Ten Talents Press and My Book Addiction and More. ( )