"An exciting and sensual Regency romance"

Because he believed in her and wanted her to have a second chance without the baggage of scandal, the Earl of Bamber bequests Pinewood Manor to Viola Thornhill. She relocates and quickly loves her quiet estate and rapidly earns the respect of her neighbors. However, her idyllic world crashes when Lord Ferdinand Dudley arrives claiming the estate as his, having won it in a card game from the present Earl of Bamber. He gives her one-week to vacate the premises, but she refuses saying the present Earl of Bamber could not lose what he did not own.

Though both agree to share the disputed Manor until a final resolution can occur, each tries to force the other to depart from the premises while waiting for the critical will. As they battle for supremacy, Viola and Ferdinand begin to fall in love. Still, the duo has demons that only this estate can satiate, making it impossible that love or even a compromise can occur.

NO MAN'S MISTRESS, the sequel to MORE THAN A MISTRESS, is an exciting regency romance that is fun to read because the lead characters are atypical of the sub-genre's normal stars. The story line is pleasurable due to the antics of Viola and Ferdinand trying to trump one another. The return of Ferdinand's brother, the Duke Tresham, and his wife add a friendly tone to the delightful plot that shows once again why Mary Balogh is one of the best writers of historical romances.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted July 12, 2001