Publisher's Weekly Review
Alexander's inconsistent second 'Mistress' Victorian romance (after The Perfect Mistress), her first in hardcover, piles on the cliches. The widowed Veronica, Lady Smithson, decides to take Sir Sebastian Hadley-Attwater, intrepid explorer and incorrigible rogue, as her lover. An outspoken red-haired beauty, Veronica charms Sebastian with debate and brash enticement. Sebastian, meanwhile, is entirely set on marriage, as his inheritance depends on his family finding him sufficiently respectable. To justify her improprieties, Veronica rolls out simplistic aphorisms about women's equality. To demonstrate his deep wisdom, Sebastian makes observations like "The journey [is] more important than the destination." Victoria may find such things "profound," but the reader hardly will. The story drags through several overt references to The Taming of the Shrew before the inevitable set of mutual realizations plods to a rote conclusion. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
*Starred Review* Lady Veronica Smithson has no intention of becoming Sebastian Hadley-Attwater's new wife. She plans on becoming his next mistress. Veronica had been very happily married to her late husband, Charles, but now she wants a man, not a husband. After reviewing her list of suitable candidates, she determines that world-renowned explorer and author Sebastian is perfect for the job. After all, what with his constant flitting around the globe in search of new locales to explore, Sebastian would definitely see the advantages to having Veronica as his mistress rather than his wife. What Veronica fails to take into account, however, is that Sebastian has returned to London intent on embracing respectability in order to claim his inheritance. Best-selling Alexander makes her move into hardcover with a superbly written, wickedly funny Victorian historical romance that is certain to dazzle and delight her legions of readers with its abundance of incandescent wit and swoony romance.--Charles, John Copyright 2010 Booklist
Library Journal Review
Independent and happy to be widowed, Lady Veronica Smithson is looking for a lover, not a husband. But when she sets her sights on explorer Sir Sebastian Hadley-Attwater, she neglects to consider his skillful determination and need to marry. Soon, Veronica is caught up in a game of seduction that sweeps the pair from town to country in a deliciously unpredictable holiday drama that sparkles with humor, overflows with assorted family members, and relates the most memorable Christmas ever. VERDICT Smart and sexy, filled with witty banter and stellar writing, this lively Victorian jaunt pairs a free-thinking, unconventional heroine with a footloose hero in a glorious battle of the sexes. Alexander (The Perfect Mistress) lives in Omaha. (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
