Customer Reviews

Mistress By Marriage

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"We don't suit." This is a line uttered by both the leads about a marriage that was formed quickly and quite frankly without much forethought. The leads in this novel have very distinct personalities and very big flaws. Both of them really push each other's buttons and I was hard pressed to see who was the worst at goading the other into an argument.

Lady Caroline and Edward Christie have a simply terrible marriage. She has lived on a street well known as a lane for mistresses and she was put there by her husband five years earlier. Caroline and Edward see each other only one time a year and Edward's visit always culminates with the two of them in bed.

Edward has placed his wife away from him physically and emotionally. Edward was entranced with Caroline and he married her within weeks of meeting her, this was completely out of character for the conservative, thoughtful man. Their marriage was a catastrophe because Edward had unrealistic expectations of Caroline. For her part, Caroline knew she could never be as perfect as Edward's first wife. She was hoydenish with a terrible temper, little self control and lots of secrets.

Six years later Edward decides his wife would make a good mistress, just until he can divorce her that is. Caroline and Edward have many, many arguments and lots of sex. That's their two basic forms of communication. Edward is priggish and ridiculously exacting, he requires perfection. Caroline cannot control her temper in the least and she acts impetuously and irrationally.

I enjoyed the book in parts but there were sections that were so filled with anger and rage that it was hard to enjoy. Caroline is destructive in so many areas of her life. It shows outwardly but the reader can easily see she sabotages her own efforts.

Of the two leads Edward is the first to come to an Epiphany. When he realizes his own actions are hurtful, he looks for ways to redeem himself. I liked him in this portion of the novel because his sincerity is admirable and his willingness to expose his heart is one of the bravest acts of this story.

Caroline is harder to fathom and that's because her history is told not in a long flashback but rather in a disjointed fashion. She is a complex character and at times quite vulnerable. By far her worst traits are pride, anger, and stubbornness. She does have a strong sense of justice and she does champion the less fortunate.

I cannot say that I was really enamored with this story. The actions of the characters were hurtful and Caroline was just too difficult to understand, she is mercurial and in some ways immature. Edward was arrogant at first but he was not so hard headed that he would not listen to facts and he was principled. I am giving this 3.5 stars. This story was a little uneven but the emotions felt by the characters were well written.

The writing was good, the character development was good, but I just couldn't connect to the story. It seems the hero is too staid and uptight and heroine more of a loud and violent pushover. They were too different and the insults/hurts too much to believe that a happy ending would happen. I don't know many women who would be that much of a pushover because the sex was good. And frankly I don't understand why SHE had to be forgiven so much, and he not so much. I was more upset that she allowed him to have that much control over her life, even for the times. She was portrayed as a childish tantrum thrower who loved sex. I just don't get it. The sensuality was hot...those scenes were done very well. But for her to have so many facets to her personality and STILL put up with some one completely opposite just doesn't fit. Maybe if they weren't so opposite I could believe the HEA more...

I absolutely adored this book. I went in with a little trepidation because while I liked the first book in this series, Mistress by Mistake, I ended up not being able to finish the second book, Mistress by Midnight. But everything works in this third book.

Baron Edward Christie is a very controlled, regimented man. He wears the "Christie face" proudly, never allowing a hint of emotion to bleed onto his face. After his prim and proper wife dies, leaving him with three children, he does something a little rash for a Christie. He sets eyes on Caroline Parker at a ball, and marries her just a few days later. Caroline is just barely in good standing with the ton. With scandal in her past and no money to her name, her flaming red hair and luscious curves is enough of a temptation for Edward to lose his mind.

They marry and it is a disaster. She is outspoken and just full of fire. She does not make a proper wife for the very stuffy Baron Christie. It's not only that but while Edward is all starch and stiffness in the daylight hours, at night they can't get enough of each other. But with three kids to raise, and a reputation to uphold, Edward can't keep living with Caroline. Caroline is also caught in a compromising position with a childhood friend. A friend who is known for his outlandish sexual ways. At this point they both just give up. And Caroline can't agree more. They separate, and Caroline ends up living in a house on Jane street, where the men of the ton house their mistresses. For the next five years, Caroline becomes friends with her neighbors, supporting them as they come and go. She also becomes a very popular romance writer, putting out a book a month with very naughty scenes and basing her characters on the men her mistress friends tell her about. And of course, Edward is always disguised as a villain in her books, usually meeting his demise in some very unfortunate incident.

Every June 14th though, on their anniversary, Edward comes for one night. One night of passion, and then leaves for the rest of the year. But now Edward and Caroline think it might be time to go ahead with a divorce. But taking that step is much harder than they each expect.

I love this book because Edward and Caroline are so horrible to each other, but at the same time it is so sexy and funny. Their angst - oh their angst killed me throughout this book. They are both faithful to each other the five years they are separated but they don't know it!! It's true love they just need to be convinced of it and that is just the sexiest thing right there. They love each other but they are both so stubborn and know exactly how to get under each other's skin that they can't help but just pick at each other constantly when in each other's presence. But they have this burning fire between them that is just so sexy in this book.

This book gave me many surprises too. We learn early on that Caroline was involved with a man named Andrew Rossiter in her childhood and early on in her marriage. You aren't given many details but you know Edward blames part of the demise of his marriage on something Andrew and Caroline did. And because of what he thinks happened between them he has grounds for divorce. But quite early in this book you learn what really happens, you even get Andrew's point of view, and not to give too much away, but his role becomes something I didn't expect. And we learn so much about him and his role with Caroline and her brother. Shocking things that really adds a lot to this book.

Another aspect of this book that took me by surprise is the humor. I laughed out loud more than once. Caroline is just a hoot. She has such a temper, but is so quick witted. She writes these dirty romance books, and refers to killing off Edward throughout the book. It is so adorably funny.

Also, to start each chapter, there is a tiny excerpt from one of Caroline's books that foreshadows what the chapter will be about.

For example, Chapter 6:

His appetites were insatiable, keeping her a slave form morning until night, until the hours turned into days and Mariette heard no cock crow but his own.

~Dreams at Dawn

Or Chapter 7:

There was nothing she liked so much as matchmaking but Lady Laura lived alone, doomed to press her lightly -freckled nose against the glass and watch the world in love without her.

~Lady Laura's Lesson

They really became something I anticipated as each new chapter began.

Even those these two clash, they have very, very sexy times together. The combination of the angst, the humor and the naughty romance really makes this book for me. The sex is very erotic (heck, Caroline has a mirror on her bedroom ceiling). There is a smaller suspense part with some men who are not happy with how they are portrayed in some of Caroline's books. I enjoyed how this twists into an idea with Edward to win Caroline back towards the end of the book, although the final scene that wraps up the suspense I could have lived without.

Overall, I love this book. One thing for sure is that Maggie Robinson can write books that bring about strong opinions and I'm so glad I tried this one.

In Mistress by Marriage, Maggie Robinson put the sizzle on the page while allowing the reader to use their imagination. I truly enjoyed the struggle between Baron Edward Christie and his wife of 6 years, Caroline Parker Christie.

Baron Christie has a reputation of being reserved and calm. He takes this reputation to extremes in all situations except with his red-headed wife, Caroline. She stirs irresistible lust in Christie's body that he can't control.

Christie marries Caroline by special license only a week after they had met at a ball held by Lady Huntington. Within a year of that marriage he surprises Caroline on her birthday and finds her in a compromising situation with an old friend, Andrew Rossiter. Because of her supposed indiscretion, he moves her into a "love nest" house on Jane Street, where many of the influential ton kept their mistresses. Christie then visits Caroline every June 14 for sex and to inflict more anger on Caroline. The passion in this relationship flows both ways. Neither can control themselves.

Christie believes that Caroline committed adultery and after five years has decided he will petition for a divorce. Caroline is prepared for this news and believes it is for the best since they can't seem to live together or stay away from one another.

While this is mainly a romance, there is some suspense and mystery woven throughout the plot which only adds to the story line. The characters seem to react in believable ways in the many situations they are put into.

In my opinion, this is a fabulously written suspenseful, mystery romance. I would definitely recommend it as a read for anyone that likes romance.

Mistress by Marriage by Maggie Robinson was provided free of charge by Kensington Publishing for an honest review.

It was delightful to read a Regency era romance where the hero is 40 years old and the heroine is 31. The "opposites attract" love/hate relationship between staid and proper Barron Edward Christie and his outlandish and bold wife, Carolyn Parker, develops from lust to love in this well written novel.

Both Edward and Carolyn are complex, imperfect, and engaging characters. Stubborn pride and unwillingness to compromise plague their relationship until Edward decides to get Carolyn "out of his system" by visiting her more often than their yearly anniversary tryst. This plan to treat his wife like a mistress backfires when the physical attraction between the two grows even more heated and the couple slowly begin to realize that there is more to the relationship than lust. Long held secrets and feelings are revealed slowly and trust builds between the two.

The storyline is inventive and held my interest throughout. Tea parties with courtesans, writing Gothic romance novels, eluding a depraved peer of the realm, kidnapping one's own wife, sharing dark secrets of the past, and finally taking a good look at themselves and their individual behaviors makes this a very good read.

I found the humorous internal dialog of both characters a very welcome touch and actually laughed out loud in several parts during the unfolding storyline. Carolyn's thoughts and worries about "middle age spread" and Edward's very creative lustful thoughts are hilarious.

This romance has it all----humor, angst, dark secrets, good character development and inventive storyline.

Caroline Parker and her stoic husband, Baron Edward Christie, are estranged after only a single year of marriage. They married only after days of knowing each other and seemed to be like oil and water: Caroline is bright, flighty, and emotional whereas Edward is calm, logical, and cold. Living apart, Edward decides to begin conjugal visits because the one place that Caroline and Edward agree is in the bedroom. But, is there any saving this marriage or is divorce the only answer?

This historical romance is immediately addicting!

Caroline and Edward are steaming hot in the bedroom and horrifically mean to each everywhere else. I loved how Caroline writes smutty books and always killing off the Edward-esque character whereas Edward bought Caroline a townhouse on the most notorious street in London, Jane Street. This tit for tat is amusing, albeit a bit heart wrenching.

Mistress by Marriage reads much like a historical character study. Caroline and Edward both have depth, even if I craved more out of Edward's character, especially his upbringing and his incredible stoicism. On the other hand, Caroline has abundant character development, but I wished more of her dark past were unfurled earlier in the story.

The plot of this novel is Edward and Caroline. The pacing is constant, maybe on slow side, but then again, life moved at a much slower pace. Luckily, the story grabs the reader early because both characters are immensely interesting. Unfortunately, I found a major plot point outlandish and a bit creepy. Thankfully, the ending makes up for this hiccup.

Mistress by Marriage is definitely a historical romance worth reading. Edward and Caroline are unlike any other couple (modern or historical), which definitely leaves a lasting impression. Slowish pacing, a little lack of character history, and an odd plot point add small speed bumps to the story, but are not deal breakers. Actually, I found the book addicting and enjoyable. Recommended!

BookingIt Grade: B+

I discovered Maggie Robinson's Courtesan Court series by chance when the first book in the series (Mistress by Mistake) was a Kindle freebie on Amazon. As I love historicals and the cover looked great and the blurb sounded unique I jumped right in and read it, and let me tell you, you don't come across nice surprises like that often. I loved Mistress by Mistake to pieces, it is the kind of book that I'll re-read often as a comfort book. I just wanted to tell you this introduction so you can see I went to read book #3 in the series, Mistress by Marriage with a lot of expectations.

"Could one have an affair with one's husband? Apparently so."

Mistress by Marriage is a very unique romance novel as it features a married couple as its hero and heroine: Edward, Baron Christie and his wife Caroline have been married for 6 years and have been living apart for 5 of those. These two are like fire and ice, cat and dog, always quarreling but when they jump at each other, they jump each other. Their chemistry is inflammable and usually most of their quarrels either end by fighting sex (make no mistake, it is definitely not make up sex) or door slamming.

Caroline had never fit easily into his routine. Edward had felt smothered by her affectionate attention, appalled by her artless conversation, her endless schemes, her temper. She had no place in his carefully-constructed Christie world. Except in bed.

Edward Christie is all that is proper and serious. He has been taught to behave with dignity and he wears his name and family legacy as one of the things most determining his character.

While Caroline is his complete opposite: starting with her fiery red curls, her loud mouth and explosive temper. Caroline's life has been as far away from respectable and proper as it can be: she grew up in a vice and pleasure house (her brother was running it), and she is no blushing virginal heroine. Caroline is a vibrant woman, her looks, her words her whole being screams to be noticed.

"You're light and fire, Caroline, meant for love. For life. For laughter."

"Her voice was low, all honey and sex. One could come to crisis simply listening to her read newspaper advertisements in The London List. Wanted, one man to muck out stalls. Serious inquiries only. Semen would be everywhere."

What I absolutely did not expect from Mistress by Marriage was the amount of humour and witty banter Maggie Robinson infused in the story.

"If I'm so cold, why do you love me, Caroline?" he asked quietly.

"I don't know!" she cried. "It's terribly inconvenient. I shall stop at once."

Caroline's sarcastic, acerbic thoughts about her husband made me chuckle out loud several times.

"She'd be in a haze for the foreseeable future. But perhaps Edward would be similarly afflicted. She could only hope he'd be so befuddled from lust and lack of sleep that he'd walk in front of a dray cart and be crushed."

Despite Caroline's humour she was a character I couldn't warm to. She was too loud for me, I get that she is passionate and not a cold fish, but throwing hissyfits all the time like a spoiled brat, throwing vases around (even when she is at other people's home!) screams time for anger management to me, and I couldn't agree more with Edward when he said:

"The curbing of your temper is, of course, the most critical. I cannot have you destroying property and screaming like a banshee every time you do not get your way."

The path of these two characters doesn't run easy, but after all the heartache, drama and fights I loved how Edward finally let himself confront his feelings instead of burying them and realized that deep under all the lust and attraction he truly did love Caroline. That he, the most proper English nobleman meticulously planned the kidnapping of his wife, down to the last small detail, it showed how important she, and their relationship was to him. It was incredibly endearing. :-))

"I didn't have the same feelings toward Alice as I have for you. There. It feels good to say it. I mean no disrespect towards Alice---she will always be a part of me. She was my youth, as Andrew was yours. She gave me my children and was a wonderful wife and mother, but she wasn't Caroline Parker. I can't live without you, Caro. I don't want to. I've tried, and it hasn't worked."

I also enjoyed the small references to events and characters of the previous novels, it was a nice way to link the different novels of the series together.

Verdict: If you are looking for a seriously HOT historical romance series, search no more, you've found it! Even though Mistress by Marriage wasn't my favourite of the Courtesan Court series, I urge you to discover this series, it's like a historical erotica series, it doesn't come any hotter than this!

I give Mistress by Marriage 3.5 stars!

MISTRESS BY MARRIAGE from romance author Maggie Robinson is a sophisticated scrumptious read with intelligent characters and a crack-wit dialogue that had me absorbing every single morsel like a sweet bit of milk chocolate. This decadent read will be released at the end of August by Kensington Brava and is a perfect conclusion to the provocatively engaging Courtesan Court Trilogy.

Regency Boy Scout Baron Edward Christie shocked the ton by marrying the scandalous red hair beauty Caroline Parker. One look at the dazzling bon vivant bell dressed in red satin had the good-by losing not only his heart but his mind. After a year under the same roof in a manner of minutes he had his hoyden wife packed and shipped of to Jane Street where once a year he visited his notorious wife.

Left to her own devices on the Courtesan court Caroline is bound and determined to live life to the fullest. Even though for the last six years her husband has treated her like the lowest of the lowest. Things are about to change as Edward can not comprehend the deep burning desire he feels every time he is near his wife.

Edward has come to the decision that he will ask Caroline for a divorce, but things go awry when he places his hands on her. Both are tired of hurting the other and see that nothing good will come of them being together. Until Edward forges a plan to rid him of this unquenchable desire for her is the only one insane thing...makes his wife his mistress until he leaves London at the end of the summer for his country home.

Caroline sees this is only one option but to go along with Edward and his asinine plan but if it will release her from the bondage of being this overbearing, high-mighty, control freak's wife than Caroline is all for it. The only thing Caroline must control is her heart because she let it soften and fell in love with Edward, but this time around she will not make the same mistake twice.

Welcome to sensational conclusion of the Courtesan Court trilogy with Maggie Robinson's MISTRESS BY MARRIAGE which titillates the readers senses grabbing on with all its might and never letting the reader take a breath as the love affaire between Edward and Caroline unravels to reveal the truth of what love really is all about; and worth a hefty price to have.

As a devoted fan of the Courtesan Court trilogy I had been in breathless anticipation for Caroline's story and now I am so excited to be able to share it with readers. Ms. Robinson masterfully crafted a smart sassy heroine who knows her own mind even if it ends her up in a boat load of trouble. This sexy sensual protagonist is a heart warming heroine that takes life by the horns and never ever lets readers go. I admit that Caroline Christie is the soul reason I could not put down MISTRESS BY MARRIAGE. I was desperate to find out how the other would craft this very stormy and steamy relationship. What I found was pure magic in every word, every scene and every chapter. Watching Edward fall in love with his wife, watching him fall fast and hard and tumble until he admitted that he was not perfect but needed and loved Caro more than life was well worth the day I took off from reading and answering emails, writing up my short story draft and staying planted on my comfy couch with my air conditioner pumping out cold air.

Barron Edward Christie is not the alpha male hero that romance junkies have come to know, love and fantasies about. What Edward Christie is, is a man that is so straight laced that when he walks he squeaks. That with just one look Edward Christie can squelch the human spirit, I like him! For the very fact that Edward Christie is so white laced, had a `perfect' first marriage, he mourned the appropriate time, did not take on a mistress and lacks nothing in good judgment made for a character screaming to be corrupted by the right woman...oh and Caro is so perfect for this lackluster Barron.

MISTRESS BY MARRIAGE is like a cup running over with a cast of provocative characters that began with MISTRESS BY MISTAKE and keep showing up in enticing ways that kept me coming back to this trilogy time and again.

The theme of redemption flows through MISTRESS BY MARRIAGE like a beautiful steady stream. At the beginning I was Pro-Caro and wanted her to kick Edward to the curb, but as all good things--you must wait to see what happens. Edward did redeem himself and reined in his ostentatious enough to make readers come to love even this overbearing Barron.

Grab on and hold tight as you enter the exciting witty world of MISTRESS BY MARRIGE. A sexy sophisticated read with bare-bone characters that are fleshed out with charm enough to rock readers' sock off all the while spewing out engaging saucy dialogue that will leave readers. Reader will not want to put it down, it is just that wonderful and then some.

The premise of this book is essentially the "marriage in trouble" trope. Edward and Caroline are trapped in a terrible marriage. Edward is strict and stuffy. Caroline is wild. The two have amazing chemistry in bed, but can't get along outside of it. For most of their marriage, Caroline has been banished to Jane Street, a district usually reserved for rich gentleman's mistresses. Edward visits once a year so they can have sex, but otherwise she's left to her own devices. She makes friends with courtesans and writes dirty novels. Both she and Edward assume that it's only a matter of time before Edward works up the nerve to sue for formal divorce. But then Edward decides that perhaps once a year is not enough for him...

Positive comments:

The characters are certainly original and interesting. Caroline frustrated me a bit, but she had her redeeming qualities. I liked that she made a life for herself on Jane Street--consorting with fallen women and writing her dirty books. I was really amused by the details of her books--how she'd write Edward as a villain or a hero. Edward is a rather priggish character who clearly needs some shaking up. I did enjoy the opposites attract aspect of the relationship.

The love scenes are hot, and there are many of them. I'm not sure that this can be labeled as erotica, but I do think it would appeal to many fans of erotica.

This book is full to bursting with angst. That could be a positive or negative depending on taste, but for the most part, I liked it. There's a great deal of emotional struggle, and a lot of character development as a result.

Critical Comments:

I'm actually not a huge fan of the "marriage in trouble" trope. It especially did not work for me in this book, because I got the sense that the characters were never actually in love at the beginning of their marriage. Edward was in lust, Caroline needed to be married, so they got married. There didn't seem to be any real basis for an emotional connection between the two of them.

I never fully connected to the story. At times it felt forced, other times it felt aimless. There was nothing in the plot to get me really excited, or keep me wondering what would happen next. It's predictable. It's not boring, exactly, but it certainly isn't exciting.

I mentioned Caroline's personality as a positive, but there are also aspects of it that were negative. She throws temper tantrums and breaks things, and she behaves and thinks like a child. Those details really frustrated me because they made me re-think whether this was a character who deserves a happily-ever-after.

My final point is something I feel a little uncomfortable bringing up. An expert in history, I am not. But the characters in this story just didn't seem to behave as I would expect for people of that time period. I can't put my finger on exactly what's wrong--whether it's the dialogue, the narrative, or the plot itself. The characters' attitudes were one thing that stood out particularly. At one point, Edward and Caroline were discussing a child molester, in comparison to a homosexual person. Edward is really quick to announce that gay men are a-okay as far as he's concerned. Here's the quote--

"No. Most men of that persuasion would not (molest a young boy). They are simply seeking affection like the rest of us, although they can be hung for it."--Maggie Robinson, Mistress by Marriage

Maybe I'm wrong, but doesn't that strike you as a little too enlightened? A little too modern of a view point? Especially for a stuffy, by-the-books hero? My point in all of this is, the book doesn't successfully recreate the atmosphere of it's time period. The story could easily have taken place today, with a few adjustments, or in any other time period.

So overall, I did like some aspects of the book. I think if you like "marriage in trouble" stories or "opposites attract" stories, this book might be worth reading for you. For me it was just average. 2.5 stars.

Originally Reviewed for Reading to Penguins

Redonk Nutshell: Husband who has banished his wife to "Courtesan Court" considers divorce despite their intense attraction

I picked up this book (bundle, actually - these three books are currently available as an e-bundle) solely because of the buzz it generated via SmexyBooks, Smart Bitches Trashy Books, etc. I wan't sure what to expect, having never read anything by Maggie Robinson.

Our story is about Edward Christie and Caroline Parker, spouses for several years, though living separately. Edward banished Caroline to a townhouse in the notorious "Courtesan Court" after discovering what he believed to be infidelity on her part. He visits her once a year to partake in his marital duties, then leaves her. Caroline is a vivacious beauty, a woman with a tumultuous past who has grown tired of her strained relationship with her estranged husband. They both agree that divorce would be best, though scandalous.

The problem, however, is that they can't seem to shake their intense attraction from each other. Edward is cold and devoid of emotion while Caroline wears her heart on her sleeve. They drive each other to insanity, which ultimately ends up creating sparks in the bedroom.

During the process to collect information in order to petition for divorce, Edward discovers information about his wife he'd never known, and his world suddenly shifts around him. He realizes, albeit too late, that he loves her and he wants desperately to keep her. He has only to convince Caroline, and unfortunately Caroline has her mind set against him.

Okay. I had to adjust my expectations while reading. Some authors have a romantic way with words that weave an intricate and dreamy web of exposition. Other authors throw it out there, raw and unbridled. That latter is Maggie Robinson. There is little sugar coating in her tone, and once I got past that I found myself settling in just fine to watch the story unfold. Her main characters are complicated creatures. It's a lot of fun watching them struggle with the unwelcome attraction they each share toward the other. Edward's Achilles heel is his wife, and it drives him nuts. It's ultimately why he wants to rid himself of her. Caroline is just tired of being jerked around on his emotional chain, and she's finally at a point where she can admit to herself it's time to let it go.

What really takes this sensual story the extra mile is the intricate ties our main characters have to each other. It goes beyond physical, and it takes the span of the story for our hero and heroine to realize it. It's lovely. What we get is a sensually charged story of two people at ends rediscovering each other. I enjoyed it. I look forward to checking out the other books in this series.

Mistress by Marriage by Maggie Robinson, 352 pgs, Aug 2011

Rating: B

Romance: 4/5 Raunch: 4/5