A Mistress For The Taking

Marina Lucchesi is tall, awkward and has no confidence in herself. Set on revenge, with a score to settle after her brother is swindled out of the family business she has no idea who she is attacking.

Ronan Carlisle is rich handsome and a legendary lover according to the gossip pages. He’s a fascinated bystander when Marina approaches Charles Wakefield at party and verbally attacks him.

Ronan rescues Marina before Wakefield’s minders manhandle her. He presents her with a strategy to bring the man they both hate down. If Marina will pose as his mistress he’ll help her bring him down. The plan is crazy, but with no other way she reluctantly agrees, wondering why a gorgeous man like Ronan would bother with a plain Jane like her. Neither of them can resist the passion that ignites and pulses between them, but Wakefield is also determined to have fun with the new sexier version of Marina.

The opening chapter is action filled, as a terrified Marina tries to settle the score. The misery she feels is offset by the passion the hero awakens in her, as they plan to bring him down with style. Ms West has penned a wonderful ugly duckling turning into a swan story, with hidden depths and passion that sizzles. The characters were interesting and well worth the effort of learning more about them. It was refreshing to have a virginal heroine, providing another viewpoint for the sexy hero. The conflict was well done as it encompassed the love story, family loyalties and the main characters own feelings. The motivation for the actions was interesting and original, with hidden dilemmas slowly unfolding. The love scenes and seductions were beautifully written, making them believable as the attraction fired on all cylinders.

Tone was good with interesting dialogue and a consistent theme and style. The ending was very satisfactory for this reviewer, as loose ends were tidied and love was finally high on the agenda.

December 2006