Rating: 
Summary: 4 1/2 stars - Excellent Read
Review: READ AMAZON BOOK SYNOPSIS:This is my first book of Mary Balogh and definitely not the last. I was hesistant to read this book in the beginning because of the book cover and the way it is titled. Even the back description didn't sound interesting either. I thought this is one of those books that's filled with sex with no substance whatsoever but I am happy to be wrong. Sure, the plot's simple and not very unique, I even find the solution of the original problem a bit too easy but Mary Balogh made it up by weaving humor and emotional rift all through out the book. She also compensated the thin plot by creating and executing smashing characters. Every one of them contributed wonderfully. Jocelyn and Jane's are both a memorable character. Jane, however is who I love the most. She is a Lady through and through. I've read heroine that is witty and even described as intelligent but Jane is the only one so far that has convinced me thoroughly. The way she moves, the way she speaks, the words she uses, even when provoked remained logical. Their love story is overall a touchy and heart warming read. It's intense and romantic. I even enjoyed the moments of their non-sexual relationship - where they get to know each other...learning, giving, accepting, trusting ... oh so full of passion, so full of love. Aside from Jane, Angeline is my second favorite. She is definitely the main humor of this book. She is a chatterbox, full of flaw but lovable nonetheless. The most impressive part of this book is how Ms. Balogh expresses her "dialogues". It's witty and very drawing. I've never read a historical romance book that uses words that's perfectly consistent with the time plot. Very ENGLISH, indeed.... Even to the last expression. Well, done, Ms. Balogh. I will read more of her works, especially NO MANS MISTRESS, which is the sequel of MTAM, Ferdinand's story, brother of Jocelyn. I can't wait to read updates of Jane, Jocelyn and Angeline too.
Rating:
Summary: Honor, what a concept!
Review: Reading anything by Mary Balogh, the queen of Regency writers, makes one hunger for more. Balogh's command of the mores and manners of the times when George IV was regent of England (roughly 1811-1820) is spot on. The plot of More Than A Mistress hinges on the Regency concept of Honor, and how far an honorable man will go to preserve it. It's difficult for someone in the 21st century to understand all this, when a few words could clarify a situation that might turn deadly, but Balogh takes us easily into this rare world, with elan, charm, and great, great passion. I agree with the reader who cited the kiss-in-the-darkened-hallway scene. The heat generated could have warmed up half of London! Tresham and Jane are marvelous, feisty, intelligent flesh-and-blood lovers, characters worthy of the Balogh canon. I just wish there were more books by Mary Balogh this year than More Than A Mistress. Balogh's books are addictive, like rich dark Belgian chocolates, and I cheerfully confess my cravings.
Rating:
Summary: Great storytelling
Review: She was on her way to work as a milliner's assistant when Jane Ingleby interrupted the dual between the Duke of Tresham and Lord Oliver. Tresham turns around to confront the lass, but Oliver fires, hitting his opponent in the leg. Tresham scornfully fires in the air. Arriving late for work, Jane loses her job. Jane visits Tresham to see if he can help her regain her much-needed job. Instead, the noted rake hires her as his nurse while he convalesces, determining that she should be the recipient of his temper. As Jane and Tresham become acquainted with one another, they fall in love. He realizes she is in hiding as her mannerisms are that of apolite society miss. Tresham is on target because the Earl of Durbury has hired Bow St. to find her for killing his son and stealing money and jewels. Mary Balogh has earned a reputation for exciting, compassionate historical romances. Her latest work, MORE THAN A MISTRESS, will boost that high esteem due to the wonderful and intelligent interaction between the lead couple. The plot is fast-paced, filled with intrigue, and sizzles with fervor. Ms. Balogh has written another novel that Regency romance fans will take great delight in reading. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: Don't interfere if YOU see a duel taking place...
Review: That's when it all started, you know. Jane was on her way to work early one morning when she saw a duel about to take place in the park. She screamed to stop the 2 unknown men from shooting each other. Jocelyn Dudley, Duke of Tresham, hesitated but was fired upon by his opponent and wounded in the leg. A "bachelor for life", a rich rake and accomplished duelist- Jocelyn was then furious at Jane. He confronted her for being disruptive while Jane scolded him for risking his life foolishly. Her employer doesn't believe her story when she is late to work and wants proof of a letter from the Duke or Jane loses her job. When she arrives at the home of Tresham for the letter- Jocelyn tells her the least she should do is stay on as his nurse for 3 weeks of recuperating. She does so needing a place to hide. He makes a terrible patient. But their relationship blossoms and after he recovers he ask Jane to stay on as his mistress. Jane accepts hoping she can continue hiding- thinking she has killed a man that was trying to rape her and knows she is being looked for. It is a story of a love-hate relationship between 2 very strong willed people that don't know if they can get around obstacles to be truly happy. Very intense at times. Another good MB read!
Rating:
Summary: Nurse and patient? The dread Duke has met his match.
Review: The Duke of Tresham is arrogant, reckless, bad-tempered, and often feared...except by Jane Ingleby. That fact alone both irritates and fascinates him. As he recuperates, she soon burrows into his heart, causing him to open up, and begin to clean out old, festering wounds. And Jane thinks herself a fugitive from the law, and because she is actually a lady, she can never return to her former life after staying in his home as a servant--even if charges of murder and theft did not hang over her head. So Jane agress to become his mistress. Yet, Jocelyn (Tresh) senses that there is something wrong with the arrangement. Jocelyn soon spends most of his free time with her and, in the process, continues to rediscover who he was meant to be. It's really beautiful. Balogh has such a gift for dealing with deep-seated human emotions and fears and pain. But they both has much to confront and overcome; "the course of true love never did run smooth." And so they hurt each other repeatedly before they grow and trust enough to make it work. A beautiful story.
Rating: 
Summary: Regency ...
Review: The story is interesting and the characters are witty and fun. If you love Regencies and want something in the way of 'Sense & Sensibility' I'd recommend this.
However, because the romance wasn't going for steam; when the couple would get together it struck me as corny: The love scene was tacky with paragraphs of stupid dialogue and mumbo jumbo. Jocelyn!! I didn't get a real consistent vibe of manliness. They sexy plot was there -- it just didn't satisfy.
So, if you share my taste you can skip this one ... I finally gave up and put it down. I enjoy the fun of a Julie Garwood, the spirit of Teresa Medieros, and the passion of Virginia Henley or Connie Mason. Loved anything by Johanna Lindsey (BEFORE c1999).
Rating: 
Summary: Ludicrous
Review: There were parts of this book that were enjoyable, especially for a regency. I am a bit tired of "sweet" regencies where women seem to be lacking in sexuality, though the men seem to have an excess of it. In this book, we see the development of a relationship, both in and out of bed, between Jocelyn, a Duke, and Jane, a heiress running from the obligatory evil cousin, who is trying to marry her to his heir to get her money. But the book is absolutly ruined the last 100 pages or so when Jocelyn finds out that Jane is not the maid she she told him she was but rather the daughter of an Earl and a heiress. Jocelyn hurts her when he discovers her true identity and she, for chapter after chapter after chapter after chapter, refuses to except his apology. It was totally ludicrous and, for me, ruined the story 100%. Sure, she was mad at his behavior once he found out. Of course, it was not unnatural that he would be mad as she did deceive him. But for so long? I hated the book by the end. This endlessly exasperating behavior by Jane to punish Jocelyn not only for his treatment of her when he found out her real idenity, but because of her anger at him that he made her fall in love with him. Hello - what was that all about?
Rating:
Summary: Ooohh lala ! Boy did I love Tresh!!
Review: This book is too good for words! It was so wonderful to watch while Jane slowly crumbled away the wall around Tresh's heart! What a beautiful story. And when he wept on her I was almost weeping as well. Any woman who can bring a big, manly giant like him down is a good woman indeed!! The only thing that really irked me was his name. Jocelyn..for a man? It was just sooo effeminate for a man whos father hated all things effeminate in his sons. Any time I saw his name, in my mind, I changed it to Tresh!! LOL But other than that, this book is wonderful, absolutely spellbinding! i couldnt put it down!
Rating:
Summary: Ooohh lala ! Boy did I love Tresh!!
Review: This book is too good for words! It was so wonderful to watch while Jane slowly crumbled away the wall around Tresh's heart! What a beautiful story. And when he wept on her I was almost weeping as well. Any woman who can bring a big, manly giant like him down is a good woman indeed!! The only thing that really irked me was his name. Jocelyn..for a man? It was just sooo effeminate for a man whos father hated all things effeminate in his sons. Any time I saw his name, in my mind, I changed it to Tresh!! LOL But other than that, this book is wonderful, absolutely spellbinding! i couldnt put it down!
Rating:
Summary: A Delightful And Witty Romance!
Review: This is Mary Balogh's best book to date. The novel's strength lies in the relationship between the two protagonists and their witty, feisty dialogue. The plot is predictable, however, although it did not deter from my enjoyment of the story. Jocelyn Dudley, Duke of Tresham, is a rake who because of his numerous involvements with women, many of them married, finds himself fighting more duels than most. During one of these challenges the duel, with pistols, is disrupted when a young woman accidentally passing by the field of battle cries out and diverts Tresham's attention from the business at hand. Consequently he is shot in the leg. He is outraged at the interruption by a mere servant, a milliner's assistant. She loses her position because the duel makes her late for work and when she demands that Tresham write a note to explain her tardiness he insists that the she act as his nurse for the three week period of his convalescence. The young woman is really not the servant, Jane Ingleby, but a lady, Sara Illingsworth, who has fled her home and guardian because she mistakenly believes she has killed a man while defending her honor. Tresham is drawn as much to Sara/Jane's strong character, spirit, intelligence and wit as he is to her beauty. And she, of course, falls for this handsome alpha male whom she refuses to allow to dominate her. Their growing relationship is a delight and Ms Balogh describes their love with great sensuality and humor. The novel also deals with the enormous differences in social classes during the Regency period. This is a light read but one that is hard to put down because of the wonderful characters.
JANA
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