His Mistress By Morning (Avon Romantic Treasure)

by Elizabeth Boyle

Book Overview

Oh, how I wish . . . When a promised inheritance turns out to be a fraud, shy spinster Charlotte Wilmont makes an impetuous wish that despite her lack of charm and fortune, she could capture the heart... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060784024
• Release Date: August 2006
• Publisher: Avon
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 1.0" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

Surprizingly Good 'What if' Story

Miss Charlotte Wilmont admires everything about the family of Hermione Marlowe, her best friend; especially Hermione's older brother, Sebastian. Sebastian, unfortunately, can't even remember Charlotte's last name-and he's paying court to the abominable Lavinia Burke in an attempt to repair the family's sagging fortunes. In a moment of desperation, Charlotte finds herself wishing she might somehow have her heart's desire-to be the woman Sebastian loves. What she doesn't count on is the intervention of some very fae-like characters, and an unusual ring bequeathed her in lieu of the fortune she hoped for-let alone waking up the next morning in bed with Sebastian-as his mistress. I really did not expect to like this book. I just don't much care for the heroine in a regency being a mistress; the times were too unkind and too judgmental toward women in these circumstances, and I don't like reading about their humiliations. Well, Elizabeth Boyle pulls this one off in such a way that even my strong dislike of the scenario was soon left behind as I enjoyed watching Charlotte-now known as Lottie-take the ton by storm and learn a thing or two about herself along the way. Difficulties certainly exist; though she has Sebastian's love, it seems the Lottie whose place she has taken may have actually encouraged Sebastian to marry the Burke-monster, and been looking about for her next protector as well. Charlotte not only has to change these things, but she has to accept from Sebastian the usual attentions a woman in her position does, though she's never even seen a man naked. AND she finds her scandalous predecessor-self has been posing nude for a prominent artist, was a spendthrift, and a gambler with a passion for the horses and a good eye for a goer. Not only has Lottie changed, her family has changed, as have Sebastian and his family. Hermione is no longer her best friend, but forbidden to speak with her, and the carefree Marlowe family she knew has become stuffy, while her too-tightly corseted aunt has become the courtesan who introduced Lottie herself to the high-flying lifestyle, and Lottie's own mother will speak to neither of them. And there are quite a few surprises beyond these. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. As I said, I have my little prejudices against this particular kind of plot. But Lottie-Charlotte-is presented in such a winning way, you can't help but like her. There's no overly exuberant sawing at our sentiments over the lot of the poor li'l bad girl here. Lottie is quick to make the best of the situation-about as quick as it takes to find out Sebastian loves her. Sebastian, who had been a bit dull in Lottie's previous life, is much freer and easier to like here, as well. When the inevitable problems come, and Lottie makes the decision she has to make, it's neither overdone nor played like a concerto for sobs. You feel the depth of Lottie's loss, and Sebastian's, but it isn't presented in a maudlin manner. In fact, the

Lottie goes thru the Looking Glass

I adored this novel, it was fun. Lottie (Charlotte), mousy friend of Sebastian's sister has adored him for a long time. Actually Lottie adores his whole family because they are eccentric and do not care about the ton's rules, well except for Sebastian. A good deed to a stranger transforms Lottie's life and she becomes Sebastian's love; actually she becomes his mistress and in this parallel world Sebastian is a BAD BOY (Yummy). Here's where all the fun starts. Lottie discovers several things in this alternate world not only about this hidden part of herself but about her family too. Then she is returned back into her original world and helps herself become more bold and saucy. She also decides to awaken Sebastian's inner bad boy and awaken his naughtiness too. If you are looking for a light, fast, fun romance with a dash of magic then here is the book for you. I eagerly await the next installment.

Excellent Regency with a Paranormal Twist

As a fan of every Elizabeth Boyle historical romance ever written, His Mistress By Morning was as usual, an enjoyable read, but with a surprising paranormal twist, which made the story even more interesting. Charlotte has a long time romantic crush on Lord Sebastian, Viscount Trent. As she visits her friend Lady Hermione, Sebastian's sister, she finds herself wishing she could be like the ladies who turn Sebastian's head. She wakes up finding herself in Sebastian's bed, but as his mistress, not his wife - which is her true wish. She soon realizes that it is the magic powers of the recent ring willed to her by her aunt that has the power to have provided her with this wish. The story is sensual with a bit of magic, making this story even more interesting and hard to put down. At the end, when Charlotte and Sebastian are back in the present world, Charlotte discovers she has the real power from her past experience with the magic of the ring to truly make Sebastian hers, and in the way she really dreams, as his wife. This story is fun, sensual and magical and definitely in the same caliber as the rest of Ms. Boyle's historical romances. I look forward to the remaining books about the Marlowe Family Tree.

Surprising, Sensual, and Delightful

I really enjoyed Elizabeth Boyle's latest novel, "His Mistress By Morning". After the introductory chapter, I, like the heroine, was at first confused by the turn the story took in chapter 2, but I thoroughly enjoyed how Ms. Boyle developed the plot as well as the primary characters. Unlike so many formulaic romances, the writing was original, in my opinion, and the resolution of the story was not predictable by the second or third chapter (other than the fact that this is a romance and you know when you start that the lead characters will get together). The plot turns kept me intrigued right through to the end. As a matter of fact, I very nearly read it straight through. Charlotte and Sebastian, our protagonists, are gradually awakened to unrealized possibilities within themselves. The emotional link between the two characters was very strong, if stormy at times, with lots of sensual tension and heat. The secondary characters were interesting, also, and I hope to read more about them, especially Rockhurst and Hermoine and the other Marlowes, and perhaps even Finella. I found this a very satisfying read and look forward to Elizabeth Boyles' next novel - soon, I hope!

Instant Classic!

I just adore this book! Ms. Boyle has taken the typical romance novel, added a pinch of fantasy, and come up with something very nearly approaching perfect. Charlotte Wilmont is desperately in Love with straightlaced Sebastian Marlowe, Vicount Trent, but she is a friend of his sister, a shy spinster who fades into the woodwork whenever he comes near. Enter one magical ring, a pseudo fairy godmother and a desparate wish and overnight Charlotte becomes Lottie Townsend, London's most sought after courtesan. And, more importantly, the person Sebastian (now a rake) is madly in love with. It's a very interesting journey to see what the world is like that would turn our Charlotte into a fallen lady. How it affects her friends and the people and world around her. And while she blossoms and grows under Sebastians attentions it soon becomes apparent that her new world is not all it's cracked up to be. The book is, by turns, funny and sad, sexy and sweet. Lots of passion, but always with great feeling. And watch out for that magical couple Milton and Quince. I think we'll be seeing a lot more of them. I love the entire book, but I confess I've read the last third of the book about a dozen times now. This one is going on my list as one of the best books I've ever read. Bravo!