Release Blitz / Review: A Most Demanding Mistress by Natasha Blackthorne

23 April of 2016 by Jean

Reviewer's Rating: 5

5.0Overall score

What price is too high when all you need is love?

A Most Demanding Mistress By Natasha Blackthorne

Erotic Victorian Historical Romance

Released April 22, 2016

Hearts Aflame Press

Series: Fashionably Impure, Book 2

Synopsis

Scorching Hot Historical Romance ~ Approximately 163 Pages

Miss Miranda Jones is indisputably the most beautiful, elegant and sought after courtesan in all of London. She hides a past full of pain and rejection beneath an exterior of pride. She knows that noblemen put their own fickle interests first and cannot be trusted. Scorned by ducal father, she never needed or expected anything from a man, except his financial support. Luxurious living makes a soothing balm against the sting of the ultimate rejection.

Now she’s madly in love with a nobleman who cannot afford to keep her in such extravagant style. And she wonders if a courtesan can ever afford to indulge her own passions? Can she really gamble so capriciously on her own future and put the happiness of the moment above future security? Will her gentleman prove himself no better than any other nobleman that she has known?

Adrian Sutherland, the Earl of Danvers, has seen the men of his family destroyed through their obsessive need to possess beautiful women. He’d always thought himself immune to such unworthy drives. Now he’s fallen under the spell of Miss Miranda Jones.

Miss Jones’ high standards and past reputation foretells that she’ll be a most demanding mistress. Despite his relative lack of funds, Adrian is determined to work hard to protect and provide for her. Passion led this skeptical gentleman to declare himself in love. Yet as they enter a protector and mistress relationship, Adrian finds himself consumed with possessiveness. And he can’t help but wonder if is it true love that motivates him? Or is it the need to own her stunning beauty? He must find the answer before their tempestuous romance breaks both of their hearts.

A Most Demanding Mistress is part of the Fashionably Impure Series and is best read after Miranda’s Dilemma.

Reader advisory: This story contains frank sexual language and general bedchamber naughtiness. Abuse issues are alluded to in the backstory.

Review

Reviewed by Jean

What price is too high when all you need is love?

When love is declared and everything should be perfect for Miranda and Adrian, life proves far from that state of perfection. First, Adrian nearly breaks the bank supplying Miranda with a house and all the accouterments of a well-kept mistress. Then he becomes possessive and wrapped up in the notion that he must keep her in such a state out of fear he’ll lose her. Finally, he becomes obsessed with rebuilding his fortunes at the expense of his love for Miranda and the well-being of his children. He slips steadily into his cups with the pressure.

Is it any wonder Miranda becomes ever demanding that he reevaluate his life and decide what is most important… gambling, drinking, money or love and family. She doesn’t need a palatial mansion. Now that her mother is settled, a cottage would more than please this courtesan with simple country origins. And watching Adrian’s adorable son Davey wither before her eyes is truly heart wrenching. The poor mite suffers from dreams of a lady in white. He has no appetite. The once cherubic imp has become a gaunt shadow of himself since he once climbed in bed with them for solace. Where no one else can coax him to eat or share his truths, Miranda seems to have the golden touch.

If the challenges these two are facing aren’t enough, then the machinations of a jealous father put the final brick in a tower ready to tumble. I really loved A Most Demanding Mistress. While Miranda’s Dilemma had its conflicts, threats and steamy moments, this one really amps things up on both an emotional level as well as the potential danger they all face. Expect a few twists before the story is done. This is one well-earned HEA.