The Mistress Diaries: Pembroke Palace Series, Book Two

A couple of nights ago I was on the flight from hell. An all night red-eyed special, packed full, and I was stuck between two large gentlemen, one who was snoring. To top it off, I have a problem with restless legs and I knew it would be a VERY long flight. Then something magical happened. I turned on the overhead light and pulled The Mistress Diaries by Julianne MacLean out of my purse. A moment later, indeed from the first journal entry of Cassandra Montrose, I was lost. I felt much like the figure on the cover. I opened a book that turned out to be a door to an enchanting sensual and thoroughly delightful story of missed opportunities, regrets, forgiveness and second chances. I loved the way the author allowed Vincent and Cassandra to grow along with their friendship, and I really enjoyed the layered background of a somewhat dysfunctional but genuinely loving family. The witty dialogue and loveable characters were an absolute delight. I loved it! I was drawn right in and didn't come up until they turned the lights off for touch down 4 1/2 hrs later. I was thinking, what the heck? I still have two chapters to go! Anyway, it was a warm and wonderful read that turned a nightmare into a treat. My only complaint is that from the epilogue, it seems the series is coming to an end, and in both this and the previous book about Vincent's brother Devon, I was very intrigued by their mother, the Duchess, a sad, graceful and lovely lady who deserved, in my opinion, a story and happy ending of her own. Oh well. It's a testament to Ms MacLean's writing and storytelling that even the secondary characters are so vibrant and compelling you want their stories too. I've enjoyed all Julianne MacLean's books, but this is one of my favourites.

I read this book non-stop from beginning to end. So enjoyable it is an easy reader. The hero and heroine were very likable. This is the first book I ever read by JM. I plan try more of her books.

One positive thing about this book is that it is much better than the first book in the Pembroke series - In my wildest fantasies. But I do agree with the other reviewers and have to say that it still has problems, not least that many aspects such as the father's madness goes unexplained. But despite all its faults, I quite liked this book and will hang on to it for the time being.

As if Fate stepped in to intervene, two souls met and came together in a fiery blaze of passion. No promises were asked - none were given. When night faded to day, reality set in and with the click of a door latch two lives were changed forever. One year later - Lord Vincent Sinclair is known as a Rake. Lover of all women, faithful to none, he finds himself engaged solely to appease his lunatic father and gain his inheritance. Vincent's fiancé has been approved of and while Vincent doesn't want to marry her, he figures he can continue on his merry way after their wedding. It's not as if his fiancé cares for him and Vincent embraces the fact that love will not interfere in his life. Arriving at his family's estate, Pembroke Castle, Vincent finds it in an uproar of huge proportions. Shaking his head in disbelief when he is told what awaits him, Vincent vows to get to the bottom of the problem starting with confronting the woman currently occupying a guest bedroom. It isn't until he sees the woman that Vincent realizes the importance of her seeking him out. No matter that they promised each other nothing that passionate night twelve months ago, there is something at stake here more important than Vincent or the woman in front of him, something precious and in need of a home. Lady Cassandra Montrose fully intended to never lay eyes on Vincent Sinclair again. The night they shared together is embedded in her memory and her heart. No man has ever touched her like Vincent and if doctors are correct, no one ever will. Having no choice but to turn to Vincent, Cassandra swallows her pride and while seeing Vincent again tears her up inside, his attitude towards her is confusing. Gaining his word that he will take care of her most precious possession, Cassandra is further puzzled when Vincent makes plans for the future. Julianne MacLean blows me away every single time I read one of her books. The Mistress Diaries is no different. Vincent is your typical man of the peerage - he is spoiled, a womanizer, and has enjoyed every decadence you could possibly imagine. My fascination with Vincent was born on page one of The Mistress Diaries and never wavered despite his being a consummate Rake. In fact, because of his status as a man who is only out to get one thing, I strived to see beneath his persona to the real man inside of Vincent. I saw a man who had loved someone long ago and was devastated still by a tragic event. This only made me love him more. I found Cassandra's characterization just as strong as Vincent's. She was steadfast in her resolve and I could sense the love she felt for Vincent, especially in the words that filled her diary. Her diary was her outlet and while she fought loving Vincent with all she had, her diary revealed the true story. Big on emotion and full of sultry love scenes and tender interludes, The Mistress Diaries is a novel to be read and savored. Releasing on July 29, 2008, The Mistress Diaries is the seq

Lady Cassandra Montrose met Lord Vincent Sinclair at a ball immediately upon coming out of mourning. The attraction they instantly felt towards one another was palpable and undeniable. Impulsively, they left the ball and spent a single passion-filled night together that neither one would ever forget. One year later, Cassandra has no choice but to come to Vincent's home . . . but she is not alone. Vincent, a renowned rake and libertine, has recently become betrothed. He doesn't particularly want to get married, but his father, the Duke of Pembroke, has made a stipulation in his will that all four of his sons must be married by Christmas in order to gain their inheritance. When Vincent returns home to present his fiancée to his family, he is shaken by what he learns-he has a daughter. I really felt for Vincent. He has suffered tragedy in his past-three years before, he was betrayed by the woman he had loved since childhood and his brother. That incident hardened his heart to not only his brother, but also to love. Now, he finds out that a former lover is in the palace at the same time that he has brought his fiancée home. Talk about being between a rock and a hard place! Ah, but then he meets his daughter for the first time. That scene is so sweet and so touching and you know that he isn't as heartless as he appears. Cassandra has had her share of tragedy as well. She was married to a man who loved another, his mistress, until his death. After becoming pregnant (after her night with Vincent), she is shunned by friends and family, left completely destitute and has to work and scrape to make ends meet for her and her daughter. Upon learning from a physician that she hasn't long to live, Cassandra swallows her pride and brings her daughter to the palace in the hopes that the child will be cared for. When she is examined by the Pembroke doctor, she is told that all she needs is rest and nourishment. But, when Cassandra tries to leave with their daughter, Vincent doesn't want them to go. Cassandra and Vincent are fantastic, well-written characters. Cassandra is proud and determined, but cannot resist Vincent and his charms for long. There were several times in the story when she could have done the "expected" thing, but I was grateful that Ms. MacLean didn't take the easy route. Cassandra was smart and stayed true to her character, and I absolutely respected that. Vincent wasn't always so cynical, but it took the love of the right woman to help him realize it and heal his heart. The scenes between Cassandra and Vincent were filled with sparkling dialogue and plenty of sexual tension. Ms. MacLean is one of those writers that shows you rather than tells you and it's one of the reasons why I am such a huge fan of her work. The Mistress Diaries is a fast paced read brimming with emotion that I highly recommend! ~Andrea 4.5 stars Reviewed at www.romancenovel.tv