Renee Dahlia

Jacinda, a seamstress who wants to be the modiste to the haut ton, creates a dress for Lady Shropshire who will not be wearing it as she cannot attend the ball for which it was intended. She gives her ticket to Jacinda. Jacinda decides to use it and wear the dress which she hopes will get her clients from the ton. It works. Lady Merryam, a widow, offers Jacinda a drink and a private room where they can get to know each other. Phoebe, Lady Merryam, cannot forget Jacinda and must find her. When they meet again Jacinda has a chip on her shoulder. Can Phoebe knock it off? Will Jacinda accept Phoebe's offer? Will their attraction survive?

I enjoyed this book. I liked Jacinda and her outlook. I liked that she had Phoebe question herself and her motives. Phoebe's eyes are opened by Jacinda. When both ladies are on the same page, they both get what they want.

I look forward to many more good reads from Ms. Dahlia.… (meer)

Elspeth is the daughter of a mill owner. Florencia is the daughter of the heads of the Luddites. Florencia warns Elspeth of a future bombing of her family's mill hoping to avert more violence and bloodshed. Both women feel an attraction towards the other. Florencia's father sets her up to have more contact with Elspeth. Why? What does he hope to accomplish by sending Florencia in as a spy?

I enjoyed this story. It could have been longer to flesh out the characters and the plot more. I liked Florencia's father's motives. I did not see that coming. I also liked Elspeth and Florencia. They are on opposite sides of the "battle" but believe they can work together as well as love together. I would have liked to see how these ladies managed to do both.

I look forward to the next installment of this series.… (meer)

Humphrey has been in love with David for 10 years. They work together. Humphrey is engineer David's businessman who is responsible for finding funding for David's projects. David has had a series of lovers through the years and believes no one will stay with him because of his devotion to his work. Humphrey is about to give up until David's latest affair fizzles. Humphrey is there and lets it be known he is interested in David. Will they be able to go from business companions to lovers? Will it affect their working relationship? What happens if it is too awkward?

I enjoyed this story. It a good start for the series. I liked Humphrey a lot. He is always upbeat and happy. David is harder to know. He is a dark and brooding type. Their first tryst is when they are drunk. David does not want to talk about it and avoids Humphrey. When David comes to Humphrey with an urgent, Humphrey pushes the discussion. It seems that David has been thinking about what Humphrey said in a previous discussion. David has to change his thoughts about his past and his future. I liked when David does decide what he wants and stops looking at his track record. He lets Humphrey in. I like that Humphrey questions him about the change. I feel that truth comes out then and a future opens up.

I look forward to reading the rest of this series.… (meer)

I have only read Linda Rae Sande’s contribution to this anthology, so I cannot comment on the other contributions. If time permits, I will read other contributions and will amend my review if/when that occurs.

The Making of A Mistress by Linda Rae Sande – 4-Stars

This author’s stories are always excellently written, well-plotted, perfectly paced, and populated with characters you’ll love. If you haven’t tried her books, you should!

Daisy has been featured in several of this author’s works as has Alex and it is nice to see the two of them together. Both Daisy and Alex work for the British government – one for the Foreign Office and one for the Home Office. When Daisy is given a new assignment, she doesn’t have the required skills and has to acquire them quickly and who better to teach her what she needs to know than Alex Bradley? Will Alex also teach her to love as well? Or, will they go their separate ways after her ‘lessons’? You’ll just have to read this lovely story to see.… (meer)