Mistress

I've only read one other Amanda Quick book previously but I'm starting to see her "formula" and I think I like it. I actually liked this more than Ravished, which was the book of hers initially recommended to me.

I liked Iphiginia, who was intelligent, independent, and obsessed with some scholar thing (part 1 of Quick's formula). Marcus, socially aloof and confirmed bachelor (part 2), was more interesting and personable than Gideon in Ravished. And I liked the fact that there were interested subplots involving other characters as well.

OK, I wanted something to read on the bath after a hard day in the garden, and this was suitably light. he's an eccentric Earl who was badly scarred by a first marriage. She's a young lady who is seeking a blackmailer. They come together, as she's entered Society posing as his mistress, and (this being a romance) fact soon mirrors fiction. And it's about as believable as that, really, but it went well with the mood I was in.

re-read 2013.
Picked for a bookclub challenge, this is one of those comfort books, a bit like a favourite jumper - nothing very bad happens in it - despite all the alarms & scares on the way you just know it'll end happily ever after. Iphingia's aunt is being blackmailed, and the note says that another victim, the show more Earl of Masters, has been murdered because he didn't pay up. So Iphingia (a miss and former school teacher of an academy for young ladies) decides to enter society as the mistress of the Earl of Masters. I said it was comfortable, not that it made any kind of sense. She does her homework on him, creates an illusion and half falls in love with him. Which is fine while he's rusticating in the country, but does kind of cause a stir when he returns to town. They have a few run ins with the blackmailer (who is out to cause trouble) and with the passion that's stirred up between them. But you can guess the ending. These are a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine and he's one hero I'd not be throwing out of bed for eating crisps. show less

The Earl of Masters’ newest mistress is the talk of the ton because of her titillating flouting of Societal strictures and because of her knowledge of classical art and architecture – the latest rage in fashion. What no one knows is that Lady Starlight is, in fact, spinster Iphigenia Bright masquerading as the earl’s mistress to catch the blackmailer of her beloved aunt – whom she thinks also did away with Masters.

But Marcus is very much alive, and he too soon brings his rigorously trained intellect to bear on the problem – and the most logical choice of suspect is Iphigenia… Sparks fly as Iphigenia ignores the rules of propriety and Marcus’ commands and breaks through the walls he erected around his heart after his show more painful first marriage.

For starters, the relationship was amazingly dumb. From the beginning Iphigenia is supposed to be in love with him because she has been ‘studying’ him for her role and she has built an elaborate fantasy in her head – but we never see her fantasy clash with the reality of Marcus. As this would be a major stumbling block to a relationship, I was annoyed that it was never addressed at all.

I was also more irritated than charmed by Marcus’ autocratic giving of orders and his know-it-all attitude. I’m glad that the heroine was initially shown as his intellectual equal, but she seemed to constantly be losing the battle of wits (which seemed mostly to do with whose man of affairs possessed the better information-gathering skills – in short, lame). The identity of the blackmailer was obvious (to me) early on, and I liked the secondary characters (particularly Manwaring) considerably more than I did the principals.

SPOILERS:
I also have real issues with deflowering scenes where the man gets angry because he was deceived. Angry withdrawal after the first time is NOT sexy, and does NOT make me want to read on to Happily Ever After. It makes me want her to find a hero who will take care of her and be there for her – not act like being a virgin is something terrible. Besides her reaction was highly unrealistic. show less

Features the usual pre-20th Century vaguely Victorian era that many historical novels and a headstrong female lead who is determined not to be tethered to someone who will make her less.

Ipiginia [I'm probably going to muck it up at some stage and write Ipigenia as is more common and the spelling did leap out at me throughout.] is trying to help her Aunt Zoe who is being blackmailed; she's posing as the mistress of the Earl of Masters, a man the blackmailer claims he has killed.

Only he isn't dead and his curiousity is aroused by this woman, so he investigates and finds more to her than he first thought.

It's funny and fun and enjoyable and I was sucked in throughout.

Mistress
3 Stars

Marcus Cloud, Earl of Masters, is astonished to learn that his non-existent mistress is taking London by storm. Thus, he returns to Town to meet his "paramour", Mrs. Iphiginia Bright, only to discover that the intriguing young woman has adopted this masquerade to ferret out the identity of a nefarious blackmailer. Soon the two join forces to unmask the villain and perhaps turn their charade into something more real.

Marcus and Iphiginia are very likable as individuals and they have wonderful chemistry together. Unfortunately, the suspense plot is contrived with a very obscure and the culprit is obvious with an obscure and incomprehensible motive.

Moreover, Marcus's brother Bennet has got to be one of the most obnoxious show more characters in the history of romance. He is a self-absorbed, judgmental hypocrite and his behavior toward Iphiginia is unforgivable. The fact that it is more or less glossed over has the book losing a star.

While my read through Quick's backlist is enjoyable, it may be time to take a break for a while and get back to it later. show less

The best laid plans of nieces and earls.....
Another Quick worth rereading, another good fun.
Publisher's blurb gives plot clues, but cannot convey the situational and/or conversational humor.
Moves along quickly (I know, horrible pun), twists along quite nicely, and with truly enjoyable characters.
Barbara Rosenblatt's performance really does add to the enjoyment!

This was actually a pretty good historical mystery romance since both of the main characters had a sense of humor plus acted intelligent. I loved how Iphiginia did/did not follow society rules and the Masters set of rules. Adding a mystery to the story made it more interesting especially the ways that the couple tried to solve it. I also enjoyed the interactions with the secondary characters. Would read another of her books.