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34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Smart, Sexy and Funny!, April 17, 2004
This review is from: Mistress (Mass Market Paperback)
Previously a schoolmistress, Iphiginia Bright has spent the last year fulfilling a dream by touring the classical ruins of Italy and Greece. Upon her return to England, she discovers that a notorious blackmailer, who is taking advantage of members of the ton, is now harassing her beloved Aunt Zoe. In an attempt to assist her aunt, Iphiginia decides to flush out the blackmailer by posing as a widow, and the paramour of Marcus Cloud, Earl of Masters. Marcus has a well-earned reputation as a master of seduction among the ladies, but Iphiginia believes him to be dead by the hand of the blackmailer. Iphiginia takes London by storm, enchanting everyone she meets, and manages to collect a whole host of admirers. She even captures the attention of a certain man, who is very much alive at his country estate, and much to her surprise, Marcus makes an appearance at a ball to meet his newest mistress. She explains her reason for the deception, and although he's suspicious of her, he decides to play along. They together conduct an investigation, but Marcus has ulterior motives for not exposing her lie. He finds Iphiginia quite the enchantress, and sets out to make her his mistress in earnest, although he becomes suspicious whether there's been a Mr. Bright. Marcus has three rules he lives by: he steers clear of virgins, has vowed never to remarry, and he doesn't talk about his past. Iphiginia will end up testing all three of his rules, and after all, rules are made to be broken. I have read a total of four books by this author, and this one remains my favorite. Her heroines tend to be very intelligent women, who are involved in some type of scientific study or intellectual endeavors, which is a unique angle in a historical romance. The only thing is, sometimes too much time is spent on the studies and endeavors, and the romance portion suffers. That is not true here. I felt this was an interesting, smart, sexy, and hilarious story with witty dialogue. There is a memorable scene that takes place in a hall of naughty statuary, which was quite steamy and funny at the same time. And who can forget "Dr. Hardstaff's Museum of the Goddesses of Manly Vigor"? To put that name on an establishment is too funny! This book is not to be missed!
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rules were made to be broken . . ., October 7, 2004
This review is from: Mistress (Mass Market Paperback)
Rules were made to be broken, and Iphiginia Bright teaches Marcus, Earl of Masters, to break all of his in this lovely book by Amanda Quick. As always, Ms. Quick delivered a sound story with wonderfully three dimensional characters who brought the plot to vivid life. The premise of the story was unique and refreshing, even for Amanda Quick who is the Queen of new and invigorating ideas.
But, what made this story so spectacular were the characters. Marcus and Iphiginia are both forthright, stubborn, obstinate and highly intelligent and watching them try to outwit one another is a riot! They have so much in common and draw from the same sorts of life experiences. It's a joy to see Marcus grow throughout the book from a hard, unloving automaton to a man who loves Iphiginia to distraction. It is a touching change and by the end of the book you'll love Marcus even more than you did at the beginning. Iphiginia is one of the best historical heroines I've ever seen. She is bold, daring, and audacious while being quite caring and feminine. She accomplishes what every woman wants -- to be the equal of a man while retaining the very things that make her a woman. The banter between Iphiginia and Marcus is some of the best dialogue Ms. Quick has ever written -- *very* entertaining!
Once again, the mystery becomes the driving force for the story. Just when you think you have everything figured out -- think again! There are many twists and turns to this plot that will keep you guessing and riveted on the edge of your seat. I laughed, cried and cheered aloud! I'm sure people must have thought me daft! This is quite possibly my favorite book by Ms. Quick, which is saying a lot -- I've loved everything I've ever read by her. If you read only one book by Ms. Quick, make it this one -- you won't be disappointed.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I'm not going to be picky., February 26, 2007
I can be quite picky when doing a review of a romance novel and I am not going to do that with this book because I finally got almost everything I have asked for in the past from authors. (Is it being picky to say that the heroines name was almost impossible for me to pronounce? I gave her the nickname of Ginny and moved on.)
This is a book where the hero (Marcus) actually talked to the heroine (Iphiginia). What a concept. See, authors, I told you it would work. These two characters discussed their problems, situations and feelings. Perhaps it was somewhat of a departure from what might have happened during the Regency period of English history but I'm not living during that time and the book was not written during that time. Mistress was written in 1994 and I now understand what other reviewers mean when they suggest reading the Amanda Quick books which were published a while back. It was written as a romance novel, not a sexual how-to manual. Many modern romance books are so sexually explicit I feel embarassed reading them. Perhaps that is old fashioned but I happen to be an old fashioned woman (and I like it that way!).
The two main characters were interesting, intelligent, charming, and realistic in their interaction with each other. They discussed things with each other. They solved the mystery by working together. No, he did not believe her at first, why should he? But, after only a short time he understood her motives and they worked together. Was the blackmailer easy to spot? Yes, but only if you are like me and have read hundreds and hundreds of mystery stories. Ms. Quick actually did a very good job of continuing the mystery throughout the story.
I highly recommend this book. Iphiginia is such a vivacious character that she turns Marcus' world upside down. One of the most compelling parts of this story (for me) takes place during a conversation between Marcus and his brother Bennet. Bennet does not know that Mrs Bright is a mistress-in-name-only. She has done such a good job convincing the ton, and Marcus does not contradict her, so everyone believes that there is a physical relationship between Marcus and Iphiginia. Bennet is absolutely appaled that his brother would countenance a marriage with a woman who, according to the standards of the day, is a totally unworthy person. He asks Marcus why he would want to marry her. Marcus replies, "When I am with her I do not feel as though I am made of gears and springs." Marcus had invented a clockwork man, an automaton which could function but could never feel emotions, whether joy or sorrow. He realised he did not want to be that type of man any longer and that this one woman held the key to a different life for him. I loved that comparison.
Could I be picky? Of course. But then, I can't write a book. Amanda Quick can and I don't want to pick this apart because it offers me all the things I enjoy so much in romantic fiction.
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