Mistress of the Night [Paperback]

Charlotte Featherstone (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 12, 2006

She walks in beauty like the night. The Earl of Hardcastle is used to living his life shrouded in darkness, preferring to spend his days and nights in his gloomy townhouse than amongst the glittering ton in order to shield himself from a shameful secret he keeps carefully hidden. But his way of life is suddenly threatened when he finds himself longing for, and fantasizing about, Madeline Brydges, Society's resident do-gooder. Love will find a way where wolves fear to prey. Madeline Brydges needs to get married, and she has her sights set on the handsome and mysterious Earl of Hardcastle. But the elusive earl is proving most difficult where marriage is concerned. After years of saving those in need, Madeline is able to spot the signs, and she sees that inside Hardcastle lurks a painful secret. Madeline must risk all if she is to save the man she loves from his demons. Rating: Contains graphic sex and explicit language.

Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: New Concepts Publishing (March 12, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1586087487
• ISBN-13: 978-1586087487
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,647,883 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moving, well written, and sensual, June 23, 2006

By 

A D R (PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mistress of the Night (Paperback)

Synopsis - The Earl of Hardcastle is used to living his life shrouded in darkness. Preferring to spend his days and nights in his gloomy townhouse than amongst the glittering ton in order to shield himself from a shameful secret he keeps carefully hidden. But his way of life is suddenly threatened when he finds himself longing for, and fantasizing about Madeline Brydges, Society's resident do-gooder.

Madeline Brydges needs to get married, and she has her sights set on the handsome and mysterious Earl of Hardcastle. But the elusive earl is proving most difficult where marriage is concerned. After years of saving those in need, Madeline is able to spot the signs, and she sees that inside Hardcastle lurks a painful secret. Madeline must risk all if she is to save the man she loves from his demons.

Just when Madeline thinks she has everything she's ever wanted, Hardcastle's dark secret is revealed, and Madeline's own betrayal comes to light, shattering the delicate bond that has brought them together.


This was a beautifully moving and well written erotic romance. The characters were memorable and the plot kept me reading through the night. The author understands the importance of building the passion, and then goes all out. Wow! This was my first experience with this author. It won't be my last.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Just a good romance novel, November 24, 2007

By 

Book Mom (Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mistress of the Night (Paperback)

This is a well-written love story, with interesting characters and an engaging plot. But that's all it is. It does not live up to its cover hype of "graphic sex" and "explicit language" unless you count a couple of uses of the c-word (rhymes with "rock"). The love scenes are no more erotic than you can find in many mass-market romance novels. I'm glad I read it, but I'm glad I bought it used at half off the retail price.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fearless heroine heals a wounded heart, November 17, 2008

By 

Melissa (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mistress of the Night (Paperback)

I really really liked this novel. It was passionate with a fearless heroine and a hero in desperate need of a good woman. The characters were thoroughly developed too.

Madelyn Brydges is a fantastic heroine, bright, bold and very intuitive; she knows exactly what she wants and goes after it. What she wants is Blaine, the Earl of Hardcastle, but he is remote and even though she can tell he is interested in her from the sidelong looks and the intense straight on gazes he just will not approach her. So when these two finally are introduced sparks just fly.

Blaine is dazzled by Madelyn, not only is she beautiful but she is kind. Blaine is unlike most regency heroes. He is not a rake with a bad case of ennui or an embittered widower. He harbors a secret. He has epilepsy and he feels he has nothing to offer this wonderful woman. His father belittled him as a child and the unspeakable horrors Blaine suffered at his father's hands have left deep emotional scars.. For Blaine, he truly believes Bedlam his future. His self torture is terrible.

Madelyn knows none of this. She does see behind all of Blaine's actions to something deeper. I loved that the author gave this heroine the ability to see beyond Blaine's word and deeds. This was absolutely refreshing, a female who understands the wounded male and knows how to heal without having "the sight." Madelyn is just unusually perceptive.

Her perceptions scare Blaine, she is getting too close. Their romantic scenes are sensual and at times almost desperate. Blaine just can't give her up and he knows he must make a fateful decision, whether to spend his life alone or open the door to Madelyn.

This novel really is first rate. The writing is good, especially so are the vivid descriptions of Bedlam and Blain's fear and self torment as he visits the poor souls locked away there. It is haunting. Even better though is the unfolding story between Blaine and Madelyn. The reader cannot help but root for this couple right from the beginning.