4 Stars! ~~~ This is a terrific first book with main characters that I fell in love with from the first pages.
A Mistress for the Taking by Annie West
Harlequin Presents # 2600 ~ January 2007
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Charles Wakefield doesn’t have a conscience, at least not when it comes to destroying his rivals. He’d chosen a formidable opponent in Ronan Carlisle, and didn’t hesitate at playing dirty to get what he wants. Ronan has made it his personal mission to see that Wakefield doesn’t hurt another soul. Recovering from a car accident that takes her father’s life, Marina Lucchesi finds out that her brother has been duped out of the family shipping business. Wakefield had been refusing her calls, so Marina crashes a society reception and confronts him. The fearless woman who verbally challenges his rival intrigues Ronan, but she’s out of her league and needs to be rescued before security steps in. Marina is puzzled by the kindness Ronan shows her until he tells her that he too wants to make Wakefield suffer. In college Wakefield was notorious for his female conquests, even to seducing the women who belonged to his classmates. Ronan knows that should Marina become his mistress, Wakefield will make a play for her, so he devises a plan for Marina to play the part and move in with him. Only once she’s under his roof, he wonders at his sanity of such a proposal because the attraction between them proves to be a temptation both have trouble resisting.
This is Ms. West’s debut novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Ronan is alpha as is expected in a Presents, but we see his honorable side when he feels fiercely protective of Marina. He reminds himself constantly that Marina is not ready to move their relationship further, that she’s still grieving. Marina is a swan who feels that she’s the ugly duckling and this lack of self-esteem blinds her to Ronan’s true desire for her. Their romance develops very nicely. I would have liked more of the conflict with Wakefield to be out front. Because so much of the revenge happens behind the scenes the final outcome is rather a let down after all the build up. All in all this is a terrific first book with main characters that I fell in love with from the first pages.
Excellence: Very Good ~ Steaminess: Sensual
My Totals = 67 ~ Harlequin Imprint = 63 ~ Other Publisher = 4
~~ KatherineT ~~ I'm a Harlequin Addict, and I'm proud of it!
~~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog
This looks good, but it
This looks good, but it doesn't appear to be available anymore. Bummer!
Though Annie West does have another available.
"It is to the credit of human nature that, except where its selfishness is brought into play, it loves more readily than it hates."
Nathaniel Hawthorne – The Scarlet Letter
Hi Leanne ...
Nope, this one isn't available in print from eHarl ... you may find a copy on Amazon .... if you read eBooks, you can get it from the eHarl eBoutique, just click on the title in my review and it will take you to the buy page ... you can use our Challenge discount on ebooks
this was a very good debut ... I really liked Annie's voice ... I think she'll do really well ... I'm looking forward to reading more .... it's kind of fun reading from the first ever written and seeing how an author develops :D
~~ KatherineT ~~ I'm a Harlequin Addict, and I'm proud of it!
~~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog
Hi Katherine
I am not normally a Presents fan but this one sounds good and some I have read have been good. I will put it on the 'find' list LOL
Jeannie
Yes I am a readalholic and I don't want the 12 step program!!!
wondering
I recently read another Annie West book, The Sheikh's Ransomed Bride. After finishing one of her book I always find myself wondering why I waited so long between Annie West books.
Christa ~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Challenge Blog
My Shelfari Page
July's MEMBER OF THE MONTH
I know what you mean ....
I've been pondering what book to reach for next and thinking why not another Annie West .... The Sheikh's Ransomed Bride is her next release from this one in July 2007, and then For the Sheikh's Pleasure in August 2007 ... those are linked so I'll want to read them together .... I know I have them, it's just in what tray of books did I hide them in! .... I'm organized only to a point! ..... I really need to spend a day and reorganize again .... esp. with the list of books I need to get rid of ... running out of space!
~~ KatherineT ~~ I'm a Harlequin Addict, and I'm proud of it!
~~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog
I read this one and enjoyed
I read this one and enjoyed it, I didn't realize it was her first book. It was a very good story, great conflict and motivation, a believably innocent heroine, an alpha male you can like/respect/empathize with.
I had a favourite scene.... let's call it the "condom scene" *grin*
After railroading her into moving in with him, his conscience catches up on him, he tries to hold back from taking advantage of her. She's vulnerable emotionally and physically after being scarred in the car accident that killed her father. But he's not a "decent man" as he realizes... he's not strong enough to resist what she's innocently offering. He gets up to leave her on the bed *sigh*... then he looks himself in the mirror, damns himself, and then quickly re-enters the bedroom and throws down some condoms on the bedside table (a very breath-taking scene).
Hi Katherine
This was my first AW book too and I also really liked her voice. I read the two sheikh books and those were good too.
Margie :)