The Perfect Mistress

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Title:

The Perfect Mistress

Author:

Alexander, Victoria

Subject:

Historical Fiction

Romance

Fiction

Humor (Fiction)

Description:

Let #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander sweep you away with her dazzling new romance, in which one otherwise proper lady discovers that passion is her legacy. . . Widowed Julia, Lady Winterset, has inherited a book—a very shocking book—that every gentleman in London seems to want. For a charismatic businessman, it's a chance to build an empire. For a dashing novelist, it could guarantee fame. But to a proud, domineering earl, it means everything. . . Harrison Landingham, Earl of Mountdale, can't let the obstinate Julia release the shameless memoir that could ruin his family's name. But the only way to stop her may be equally sordid—if far more pleasurable. For his rivals are intent on seducing the captivating woman to acquire the book. And Harrison isn't the sort to back away from a competition with the stakes this high. Now the winner will claim both the scandalous memoirs and the heart of their lovely owner. . . "Warm, witty and wise." —Julia Quinn, New York Times bestselling author

Publisher:

Zebra

Zebra Books

Date:

2011/02/01

Digital Format:

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Download EPUB file

Kindle

Language:

English

Summary

From a #1 New York Times bestselling author: A proper lady in Victorian England is making a name for herself--in a deliciously improper way.

Widowed and nearly destitute, Julia, Lady Winterset, has inherited a book--a very shocking book--that every gentleman in London seems to want. For a charismatic businessman, it's a chance to build an empire. For a dashing novelist, it could guarantee fame. But to a proud, domineering earl, it means everything: It's his great-grandmother's scandalous unpublished memoirs and it could ruin his family's reputation.

Harrison Landingham, Earl of Mountdale, can't let the obstinate Julia release the shameless confessional and tarnish the Landingham name. But the only way to stop her may be equally sordid--if far more pleasurable. His rivals are intent on seducing the captivating woman to get everything they want. Harrison isn't the sort to back away from a competition, especially with stakes this high--because the winner will claim both the notorious journals and the heart of the lovely lady.

"With a delectably dry sense of humor that rivals Oscar Wilde at his best . . . Alexander fashions the perfect romance . . . exceptionally entertaining." -- Booklist , starred review

"Warm, witty and wise." --Julia Quinn, New York Times -bestselling author

Author Notes

#1 New York Times- bestselling author Victoria Alexander was an award-winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was much more fun than real life. Victoria's titles regularly appear on the USA Today, New York Times , and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. She was given a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews and was named Historical Storyteller of the Year. Additionally she has twice been nominated for the Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA award. Victoria lives with her husband in Omaha, Nebraska. Readers can visit her website at victoriaalexander.com.

Reviews (3)

Publisher's Weekly Review

In bestseller Alexander's (The Perfect Wife) smashing stand-alone Regency, widowed Lady Julia Winterset decides to publish the manuscript of her great-grandmother's tell-all, The Perfect Mistress: The Memoirs of Lady Hermione Middlebury. Harrison Landingham, earl of Mountdale, appalled to learn that his father is named among Lady Hermione's conquests, tries fair means and foul to stop the book's publication, but Julia's determination is founded on both her need for money and the urgings of Lady Hermione's ghost. Pursued by an unscrupulous publisher and an idea-stealing author, Julia must figure out how to get the work published and appease her ancestor's spirit. Deftly written and full of fun, the quick-moving story includes clever excerpts from the memoir ("There is nothing as attractive in a man as effort, no matter how misguided"). A strong heroine, unexpected plot twists, and lively dialogue make this very close to a perfect read. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Booklist Review

*Starred Review* For Lady Julia Winterset, the choice was simple: publish and be damned. After her husband's death leaves her in restricted financial circumstances, Julia has no choice but to profit from the one thing of value she has left, her great-grandmother Lady Hermione Middlebury's scandalous memoirs. Once Harrison Landingham, Earl of Mountdale, hears from his sister-in-law Veronica that her friend Julia is in negotiations with a London publisher over the manuscript, which includes several spicy references to Harrison's father, he is equally determined that Julia will not drag his family's good name through the mud. When Harrison's initial attempt to coerce Julia into selling the manuscript fails, he vows to take a different tack and charm her into surrendering it. With a delectably dry sense of humor that rivals Oscar Wilde at his best (and a delicious dash of the paranormal in the form of the ghostly Lady Hermione), Alexander fashions the perfect romance, featuring two splendidly matched protagonists engaged in an exceptionally entertaining literary and romantic battle of wits.--Charles, John Copyright 2010 Booklist

Library Journal Review

Caught between poverty and selling the rights to her great-grandmother's scandalous memoirs, Lady Julia Winterset suddenly finds herself at odds with Harrison Landingham, the Earl of Mountdale, the proper son of one of her great-grandmother's ex-lovers. There is no way that Harrison will allow the book, The Perfect Mistress, to be published (even though his elderly father is totally flattered and thinks it's just fine). Julia has little choice, so Harrison decides on a seductive plan of his own. VERDICT A hero caught between scandal and desire, a heroine desperate to stay solvent, and a flamboyant, freethinking ghost set the waters roiling in this lively, sensual Victorian romance. Another link in Alexander's growing chain of winners. Alexander (Desires of a Perfect Lady) lives in Omaha. (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Summary

Summary

Author Notes

Reviews (3)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Booklist Review

Library Journal Review

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