"Oh, so Romantic!"

The village of Trellick is having their annual fete. All the villagers are having a gay old time along with the lady of the manor, Viola Thornhill. She is serving tea, setting up the games for the children and having a wonderful day. She goes to the fortuneteller and is told to be careful of handsome, dark strangers. Lo and behold, a handsome dark stranger arrives in their mist, Lord Ferdinand Dudley. When he dances with Viola around the maypole and steals a kiss, she is enchanted. Much to her chagrin, the following day Lord Dudley arrives at her home stating that he won the manor in a game of cards and she must vacate the premises.

Viola tells Lord Dudley that the manor has been left to her in the earl of Bamber's will but Dudley, having investigated beforehand, tells her that the manor was not left to her. Neither will leave and each is determined to keep the beautiful home. Dudley sends for a copy of the will and in the meantime, Viola tries to make life as uncomfortable for him as she can. All the while, their attraction to each other grows but when Dudley's brother the duke arrives, some secrets are revealed that change everything.

NO MAN'S MISTRESS is written with Mary Balogh's usual wit and panache. The hero and heroine are both so charming along with all of the secondary characters who support the wonderful story. Lord Dudley is a terrific hero - good- natured, fun loving, generous and kind. I loved the way his eyes were always smiling into her eyes. Oh, so romantic! As always, Ms. Balogh's writing is excellent and the story moves along at a good pace with never a dull moment. The book is a sequel to MORE THAN A MISTRESS that delighted readers with the romance between Dudley's brother, the Duke of Tresham and his lady.

What better way to spend a hot summer day (or any day for that matter) reading the delightful NO MAN'S MISTRESS. Another winner by a master storyteller.

Reviewed by Marilyn Heyman
Posted August 4, 2002