Confessions at Midnight (Mayhem in Mayfair, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Jacquie D'Alessandro (Author)
Key Phrases: extremely lovely, gaze skimmed, Lord Surbrooke, Lady Wingate, Lady Walsh (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Spurred by the steamy memoirs of an anonymous mistress, young widow Carolyn Turner falls for the sensual promise of rakish Daniel Sutton, Earl Surbrooke, in this winning but uneven historical romance from D'Alessandro (Never a Lady). With visions of clandestine trysts planted in her head, Carolyn feels, despite herself, a powerful draw toward the disreputable Daniel; the conflicted feelings, it turns out, are mutual, but soon they decide to become lovers, if only to work the desire out of their systems. Meanwhile, Daniel's former lovers are being murdered one by one, and he's the primary suspect. As the real killer draws closer, Daniel must protect Carolyn, clear his name and try not to lose his heart in the process. Though the murder plot proves dispensable, the dialogue between Daniel and Carolyn is charming, and they're allowed plenty of space to grow as characters. Supporting characters are forgettable, but the love story makes a pleasant diversion that should satisfy fans of the genre. (Jan.)
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From Booklist
Bored with reading the classics, the Ladies Literary Society of London had chosen a more contemporary novel: Memoirs of a Mistress by an Anonymous Lady. The sinfully sexy book is certainly giving the ladies plenty to think about and discuss. Suddenly, after three years of respectable widowhood, Carolyn, Viscountess Wingate, finds herself shaken and stirred by thoughts of passion not only because of the scandalous novel, but also because of the searing kiss shared with a masked highwayman at a society ball. Provocative snippets from the anonymous “memoir” add an extra measure of heat to the second in D’Alessandro’s deliciously witty and delectably sensual Midnight historical Regency series. --John Charles

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (December 26, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061231398
• ISBN-13: 978-0061231391
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #196,627 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 2 in The Mayhem in Mayfair Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I have a confession to make.............4 1/2 stars, December 28, 2007

By	Misuzmama (New York, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

-that I'm a sucker for this type of romance; a hero whose been lusting after the married heroine for years. Her husband dies, she goes through a period of mourning and finally -finally!- she's back out into society.

Widower Carolyn Turner, Viscountess Wingate has absolutely no intention of ever marrying again. As far as she is concerned she'd met the love of her life (her husband Edward) and lost him to a sudden illness. But after three years of mourning and the persistent pleas from her beloved sister, she's decided to shed her widows weeds. To go back among the living instead of wallowing in memories.

As soon as Daniel Sutton, Earl Surbrooke, heard that Lady Wingate was out of mourning, he made it his sole mission to get the object of his long time lust into his bed as soon as possible. Not that he wanted to closely examine why this one particular lady was the only one who made his blood boil and feel like a green babbling school boy when in her presence. All would be cured as soon as he had her naked.

After reading the scandalous book, Memoirs of a Mistress, Carolyn is shocked, appalled and more than a bit curious...well maybe more than just curious. Were these things possible? Did a man really do THAT to a woman and a woman THAT to a man? And was it enjoyable? According to her recently married and completely in love sister, yes...yes...yes...and most definitely YES! So when the dashing Earl pursues her and opens up all these emotions and sensations she thought long dead and buried, is she tarnishing the beautiful memories of her husband by thinking about having an affair or is she finally go to grasp onto to some happiness and live again?

I enjoyed this book, but maybe a tiny bit less than it prequel 'Sleepless at Midnight'. Its the second in the Mayhem in Mayfair series. Very good characterizations. The pace was kind of slow though. Not much going on action wise but I didn't really mind because the sexual tension was HOT! Thats always my favorite part of reading romances anyway. And these two protagonists could start a fire under water. Daniel was ....well....All I have to say is that I would like to make some of my own confessions to him!

I also liked that Carolyn's dead husband wasn't some abusive jerk or that he didn't know how to please a woman as one often times finds in historical romance. She loved him deeply but realizes that there is room in her heart for more.

This book sort of reminded me of 'When He Was Wicked' by Julia Quinn (really good btw) and a short story in the anthology set 'My Scandalous Bride'. That one is called 'The Proposition' by Leslie Lafoy (an absolutely fantastic read!).

So I recommend this book along with its prequel. I'm looking forward to the sequels where the loud, brash and fabulously wealthy American Mr. Logan Jenssen pairs up with nose-stuck-up-in-the-air blue blooded Emily. As well as the stunningly beautiful but stuck under her match making mama's (title seeking) thumb, Julianne and her dark and dangerous? Bow Street Runner Mr. Gideon Mayne.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining I confess!, January 11, 2008

By	T. L. Fentress (Bowling Green, KY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am almost always never disappointed in Jacquie's books...at least all the ones I have read so far and I wasn't in this one either. I won't repeat the plotline either as it has already been done. I felt like the two main characters were fairly well mapped out. Carolyn was very much in love with her deceased husband and I think it was very realistic the way her mourning was depicted and that she was having a hard time moving forward even after 3 years from his death. Daniel was likeable enough and of course handsome and dashing but known as a bit of a rake. Even though I did care about his character, however, something was just missing and I am not quite sure what it was. I didn't always feel that enthusiasm I feel for the hero that I like to experience. I didn't become completely endeared to him although I still cared for him and liked him. I didn't feel like it was anything new the way he was depicted though..the use of taking in strays of all sorts and his hidden "savior" quality being hidden from most people he knew. Carolyn was sorta his savior I think because he needed to settle down and realize there is more to life and loving someone than just taking them to his bed. He found that in Carolyn and I certainly did want the two of them to get together. I was always rooting for them to. But like I said I just didn't read this book thinking "Wow he is quite the man!". Something was just missing for me there-he just wasn't quite developed enough . However, the sexual tension was definitely there and the love scenes absolutely sizzled and were also fairly frequent. There was even some hero jealousy going on which is always nice. So I give this book 4 stars because I still highly enjoyed it just not quite as much as her last title "Sleepless at Midnight". It was still very good and very enjoyable.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mayhem in Mayfair, Book 2 , March 5, 2008

By	C. Brigden (Minot, ND) - See all my reviews

In this story the Ladies Literary Society is reading a erotic novel called 'Memoirs of a Mistess' and Carolyn feels that book to blame for her new lustfull thoughts of her friend Daniel. Daniel had a love at first sight experience - the night Carolyn became exchanged to his friend many years ago. The time is perfect for them now to have an affair - except there is a murder on the loose and love is getting in the way of 'simple affair'... So far I have liked this series - Enjoy!

Check out the whole Mayhem in Mayfair (Regency-era historical) series; Sleepless at Midnight (1), Confessions at Midnight (2) and It Happened One Night (3- due out October 2008).