Temporary Mistress (St. John-Duras) [Mass Market Paperback]

Susan Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Series: St. John-Duras | Publication Date: October 31, 2000

The Tattler - April 1802 It wouldn't surprise you, gentle readers, to learn that Dermott Ramsay, the earl of Bathurst and favorite of all ladies, married or otherwise, has a new paramour. What may surprise you is her name. For she is none other than Isabella Leslie!  The same beauty of the sizable inheritance who prefers not the ton but books, maps, and the family shipping business.  You may wonder how a picture of innocence ended up in the arms of a libertine. Truth to tell, Isabella had to flee from her scheming relatives in the rain-soaked night and seek refuge in London's most infamous brothel. There, with the help of the madam, she devised an unorthodox plan to escape a dreaded marriage bed. She would simply have to become unmarriageable--even if it meant public ruin. And who better to utterly ruin her in a mere week than a handsome rake famous for seductive skills?  But gossip has it that Dermott may be developing a tendre for his temporary mistress. It makes for the most delicious speculation, does it not? For if it indeed is the case, what will happen when their week of pleasure is over? We urge you, dear readers, to do as we do--follow the affair closely, and with every hope that it will turn into this Season's most delicious scandal.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Don't miss any of Susan Johnson's sizzling historical novels
Temporary Mistress
Legendary Lover
A Touch Of Sin
Taboo
Wicked
Sweet Love, Survive
Brazen
Love Storm
Pure Sin
Seized By Love
Outlaw
Silver Flame
Sinful
Blaze
Forbidden

Available wherever Bantam Books are sold

From the Back Cover

Don't miss any of Susan Johnson's sizzling historical novels
Temporary Mistress
Legendary Lover
A Touch Of Sin
Taboo
Wicked
Sweet Love, Survive
Brazen
Love Storm
Pure Sin
Seized By Love
Outlaw
Silver Flame
Sinful
Blaze
Forbidden

Available wherever Bantam Books are sold

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (October 31, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553582534
• ISBN-13: 978-0553582536
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.9 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #846,108 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed again, November 2, 2000

By 

"kckjwhite" (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Temporary Mistress (St. John-Duras) (Mass Market Paperback)

I am a long-standing and ardent Susan Johnson fan, but the disappointing trend of her recent writing (Taboo, Golden Paradise, A Touch of Sin, To Please A Lady) continues in Temporary Mistress. The characters were one dimensional, the dialog was stilted, the plot lacked continuity or cohesion, and the love scenes lacked heat. I have read worse historical romance, but not by Ms. Johnson.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars rauncy and entertaining, October 31, 2000

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Temporary Mistress (St. John-Duras) (Mass Market Paperback)

In 1802, Isabella Leslie inherits a fortune that her avarice uncle plans to possess. He informs his niece that she will marry his son. Instead of bowing to her relative's orders, Isabella flees and ends up in a brothel owned by Molly Crocker. The two women cut a deal that will ruin Isabella, but gain her freedom from her odious relatives.

Dermot Ramsey, Earl of Bathurst meets Isabella at the brothel and both are immediately fascinated with one another. He makes love to the virgin, but he still grieves the death of his wife and son several years ago. Though he hurts Isabella by throwing her out of his house and life , he realizes he loves her. Unless a miracle occurs and brings Dermot to his senses, Isabella will be free, but unhappy.

TEMPORARY MISTRESS is an entertaining historical romance, but readers need to realize that the story line is filled with many graphic sex scenes and profanity uttered by Isabella among others. The plot moves rather rapidly forward as the two lead characters and the supporting cast (her relatives and Mrs. Crocker) brings the Regency period alive. As usual, Susan Johnson continues to hold sway over the erotic historical romance sub-genre.

Harriet Klausner

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another titillating book...another cloning of characters, November 15, 2000

By 

suupee (Along the Mississippi, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Temporary Mistress (St. John-Duras) (Mass Market Paperback)

I don't think there will ever come a time when I won't buy books written by Susan Johnson, but the time has come when I wish she wouldn't use the same characters in every book. I love Ms. Johnson's writing style; I love the edge of erotica she lavishes throughout her books; I love her strong characters; I love the tidbits of fact she teaches her readers - but the cloning needs to stop. "The stud of London..." has been written to death after "servicing the Ton" all these years. Give us some new characters to cuddle up with!