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Mistress Matchmaker #2
For Desire Alone
Length: 7 hrs and 24 mins
A mistress should never be foolish enough to fall in love with her protector, nor trust him with her financial future. Mariah Desmond did both, and now her dearly departed protector has left her with nothing.
Forced to seek another protector, she’s determined that this time, she’ll lead with her survival instinct—not her heart. But when she attends one of Vivien Manning’s infamous parties, the familiar face of her late lover’s best friend throws her for a loop.
A painful past taught John Rycroft that he’s not fit to be anyone’s knight in shining armor. His soft spot—make that a hard spot—for Mariah is precisely why he’s kept his distance. Yet the sight of her flirting with a bevy of men vying to become her next lover makes something inside him snap.
As John hauls her bodily away from her suitors, Mariah’s indignation melts away in the heat of the sizzling sexual chemistry. She quickly finds it isn’t easy to navigate John’s stormy emotional waters. Especially when his abusive father’s quest to get his son back under his thumb puts her life in danger.
Product Warnings
Contains intensely sexy scenes of two people falling into bed (a lot) and in love.
A mistress should never be foolish enough to fall in love with her protector, nor trust him with her financial future. Mariah Desmond did both, and now her dearly departed protector has left her with nothing.
Forced to seek another protector, she’s determined that this time, she’ll lead with her survival instinct—not her heart. But when she attends one of Vivien Manning’s infamous parties, the familiar face of her late lover’s best friend throws her for a loop.
A painful past taught John Rycroft that he’s not fit to be anyone’s knight in shining armor. His soft spot—make that a hard spot—for Mariah is precisely why he’s kept his distance. Yet the sight of her flirting with a bevy of men vying to become her next lover makes something inside him snap.
As John hauls her bodily away from her suitors, Mariah’s indignation melts away in the heat of the sizzling sexual chemistry. She quickly finds it isn’t easy to navigate John’s stormy emotional waters. Especially when his abusive father’s quest to get his son back under his thumb puts her life in danger.
Product Warnings
Contains intensely sexy scenes of two people falling into bed (a lot) and in love.
207 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2012
118 people are currently reading
715 people want to read
About the author
Jess Michaels
126 books1,571 followersJess Michaels is a USA Today Bestselling Author who likes geeky stuff like Star Wars, playing video games (she ships herself with Dragon Age’s Iron Bull FOREVER), Bob’s Burgers and collecting POPs! She also drinks a LOT of Diet Coke. Probably an unhealthy amount, but it’s her only vice. She will eat (almost) anything coconut, truly anything cheesy and nothing spicy (yes, she is a walking stereotype when it comes to that). She likes cats, her dog Elton and people who care about the welfare of their fellow humans.
Although she started out traditionally published by Avon/HarperCollins, Pocket, Hachette and Samhain Publishing, in 2015 she went fully indie and has never looked back! She is lucky enough to be married to her favorite person in the world and live tucked between the ocean and the mountains in Oregon.
When she’s not watching Our Flag Means Death or trying out all the new flavors of Greek yogurt, she writes historical romances with smoking hot heroes and sassy heroines who do anything but wait to get what they want.
Although she started out traditionally published by Avon/HarperCollins, Pocket, Hachette and Samhain Publishing, in 2015 she went fully indie and has never looked back! She is lucky enough to be married to her favorite person in the world and live tucked between the ocean and the mountains in Oregon.
When she’s not watching Our Flag Means Death or trying out all the new flavors of Greek yogurt, she writes historical romances with smoking hot heroes and sassy heroines who do anything but wait to get what they want.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
December 31, 2012
Behind their passion lurks a dark truth that could destroy their love.
Those who have read Jess Michaels’ historicals know that she writes some very steamy stories, but this book, in my opinion, was so much more than just an erotic tale. It was more emotional than I had expected, with a story that grabbed hold from the first page and held on to the last.
From the cover: A mistress should never be foolish enough to fall in love with her protector, nor trust him with her financial future. Mariah Desmond did both, and now her dearly departed protector has left her with nothing.One of the things I most love about Ms. Michaels’ writing is that her stories are not just sexual, they’re sensual, arousing not just the body, but the heart and mind, too. In ways, they sweep me away to another time and place and have me feeling as though I’m there. I’m the heroine… the woman being seduced – or doing the seducing – and I love that emotional investment in the story.
Forced to seek another protector, she’s determined that this time, she’ll lead with her survival instinct—not her heart. But when she attends one of Vivien Manning’s infamous parties, the familiar face of her late lover’s best friend throws her for a loop.
A painful past taught John Rycroft that he’s not fit to be anyone’s knight in shining armor. His soft spot—make that a hard spot—for Mariah is precisely why he’s kept his distance. Yet the sight of her flirting with a bevy of men vying to become her next lover makes something inside him snap.
As John hauls her bodily away from her suitors, Mariah’s indignation melts away in the heat of the sizzling sexual chemistry. She quickly finds it isn’t easy to navigate John’s stormy emotional waters. Especially when his abusive father’s quest to get his son back under his thumb puts her life in danger.
Mariah and John are great characters! They are both flawed, and have their own problems to deal with, but their shortcomings only make them more compelling. I found myself cheering for them one minute, cursing them the next, then cheering them on again as they came closer and closer to their happily ever after.
I want to mention that those who know me know I'm OCD about reading books in order. However, this is the second book in the Mistress Matchmaker series and I read it without reading the first. There were some references to An Introduction to Pleasure, but I never felt lost or felt like I was missing out on anything. Well, I take that back... I know I'm missing out on another great story, so I'll be getting my hands on and reading it just as soon as I can!
The bottom line: If you’re a fan of well written historical romance and like it served with a healthy helping of steaming hot sex, then Jess Michaels is an author you should be reading. Her stories are always wonderful, the characters always complex, and I can’t ask for more than that!
My thanks to Samhain Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 3, 2018
This historical romance was very erotic!!
October 11, 2012
If you’ve read my review for the first book you already know that the author had me in tears towards the end of her tale. You also already know how surprised I was to find that there was a little bit of a true love story written into the sexy little novel. So with that being said, I felt that going into the second novel I already knew what to expect from this author and could not be surprised. Boy was I wrong. The second book is nothing like the first book. In my opinion For Desire Alone was even better. While it did not have me temporarily despising the hero and crying like a baby, there were a few moments where I was setting on the edge of my seat holding my breath dying to find out what would happen next. Like the first book there was a true love story and lots of hot creamy steamy sex. Unlike the first book, in this story there was also a little bit of action, betrayal, murder, and small mystery to add to the entertainment factor of the novel. I love that the hero in this story didn’t try to add a lot of angst by continually fighting the feelings he had for our sweet heroine by constantly trying to think of ways to remove himself from her life. Nope, in this sweet tale the hero had more to fight against than just himself and his past. He also got to fight a bad guy! And let me tell you, the bad guy was a really really bad guy. I hope Ms. Michaels continues with this series. While I don’t normally read a lot of erotica I would definitely like to follow along to see what she comes up with next. I would very much like to see Vivian get her own happily ever after. I would definitely recommend this book to you and hope that you enjoy as much as I did.
PS. Just making sure that I made myself clear, this is not a full length romance novel. This is an erotica novel and was judged as such.
Review by Jessica for Redheaded Bookworm
PS. Just making sure that I made myself clear, this is not a full length romance novel. This is an erotica novel and was judged as such.
Review by Jessica for Redheaded Bookworm
November 16, 2012
Story Rating 4 stars
Character Rating 4 Stars
Romance Rating 4 Stars
Heat Level 4 Stars
Overall Rating 4 Stars
Book 2 in the Mistress Matchmaker Series
I have to say that I really liked this book, as a matter of fact Jess Michael's is an auto buy author for me. I really liked all of JM's erotic historical's, they just have a way of grabbing me and keeping me interested. The characters are always' well done and the story lines interesting. Add in some VERY sensual love scenes and I'm very happy.
Mariah is a mistress and the man who was her protector, Owen, just recently died in a fire and did not leave her much in his will. The sad thing is, he always' told Mariah that he would leave her well off and not to worry. Mariah visits her best friend Vivien who we met in book 1, An Introduction to Pleasure. Vivien is the Mistress Matchmaker and she gives Mariah the advice that she find a new protector and soon before she is flat broke with nowhere to live.
John the hero of this book was Owen's best friend. From the moment John saw Mariah he wanted her but stayed away because of his friendship with Owen. John is the type of man who is never with the same woman two nights in a row but when he see's Mariah at a party in Vivien's house knowing that she is looking for a new protector, he could NOT deny his desire for her no longer and they end up have a very sexy affair. There are reason's why John cannot have feelings for other's. This is a part of the story line that I am not willing to spoil. Needless to say it evolves a murder, kidnapping and a very mean and wicked villain.
The ending was good, but NO epilogue!! WHY!!!! I love epilogues. The only reason I can come up with is MAYBE at the end of book 3, Her Perfect Match, JM may be putting an epilogue that includes all 3 couples from all 3 book's, giving us one big HEA. Now that would be great!
I'm really looking forwards to reading Her Perfect Match where Vivien finally finds her hero.
Character Rating 4 Stars
Romance Rating 4 Stars
Heat Level 4 Stars
Overall Rating 4 Stars
Book 2 in the Mistress Matchmaker Series
I have to say that I really liked this book, as a matter of fact Jess Michael's is an auto buy author for me. I really liked all of JM's erotic historical's, they just have a way of grabbing me and keeping me interested. The characters are always' well done and the story lines interesting. Add in some VERY sensual love scenes and I'm very happy.
Mariah is a mistress and the man who was her protector, Owen, just recently died in a fire and did not leave her much in his will. The sad thing is, he always' told Mariah that he would leave her well off and not to worry. Mariah visits her best friend Vivien who we met in book 1, An Introduction to Pleasure. Vivien is the Mistress Matchmaker and she gives Mariah the advice that she find a new protector and soon before she is flat broke with nowhere to live.
John the hero of this book was Owen's best friend. From the moment John saw Mariah he wanted her but stayed away because of his friendship with Owen. John is the type of man who is never with the same woman two nights in a row but when he see's Mariah at a party in Vivien's house knowing that she is looking for a new protector, he could NOT deny his desire for her no longer and they end up have a very sexy affair. There are reason's why John cannot have feelings for other's. This is a part of the story line that I am not willing to spoil. Needless to say it evolves a murder, kidnapping and a very mean and wicked villain.
The ending was good, but NO epilogue!! WHY!!!! I love epilogues. The only reason I can come up with is MAYBE at the end of book 3, Her Perfect Match, JM may be putting an epilogue that includes all 3 couples from all 3 book's, giving us one big HEA. Now that would be great!
I'm really looking forwards to reading Her Perfect Match where Vivien finally finds her hero.
January 23, 2014
3.5 stars. A good choice for a hot historical romance read but I wanted to connect with the H more, he was just OK for me. Still moving on the book 3 though!
April 1, 2018
3.75* quase nas 4*
Gostei muito das duas personagens, gostei daquele pequeno “drama” que se desenrolou no livro, gostei da força dos dois personagens... sim, há muito sexo mas entre os 5 livros que li de seguida da autora, este foi o que menos me fez impressão a quantidade de sexo, não sei se foi por me te “habituado”, ou porque a autora escrever tão bem o envolvimento destas duas personagem, se o mesmo passou para segundo plano ou não teve a mesma importância para mim, que os anteriores...
Gostaria que a QE lançasse o terceiro da série, pelo menos gostava de ler sobre a personagem que aparece nos 2 livros...
Gostei muito das duas personagens, gostei daquele pequeno “drama” que se desenrolou no livro, gostei da força dos dois personagens... sim, há muito sexo mas entre os 5 livros que li de seguida da autora, este foi o que menos me fez impressão a quantidade de sexo, não sei se foi por me te “habituado”, ou porque a autora escrever tão bem o envolvimento destas duas personagem, se o mesmo passou para segundo plano ou não teve a mesma importância para mim, que os anteriores...
Gostaria que a QE lançasse o terceiro da série, pelo menos gostava de ler sobre a personagem que aparece nos 2 livros...
March 21, 2017
3.5*
http://pepitamagica.blogspot.co.uk/20...
Os livros da Jess Michaels são sempre um pouco diferentes e para um público um mais circunscrito. Mais que um romance histórico, é um romance erótico.
Mas o que admiro e gostei particularmente neste livro foi que, apesar de ao fim de 10 páginas (se tanto) já termos cenas de sexo explícito, estas foram tão bem enquadradas, tão bem descritas que não me incomoda minimamente – aliás, até é bom, porque mostra que a autora consegue escrever bem o suficiente uma cena de sexo e de emoção.
Mariah Desmond não foi, de todo, das minhas personagens femininas favoritas (para não dizer que não gostei nada dela). Achei muito mais interessante (e fiquei curiosa em saber a sua história) Vivien Manning,que é uma mulher que tem as festas mais escandalosas e ajuda casais a juntarem-se (isto é, amantes) mas que é mais do que a fachada que mostra ao mundo. Já John Rycroft foi uma personagem mais interessante, qque me prendeu durante a leitura do livro.
Apesar de ter sido um bom livro, achei que a história por vezes era um bocado inverosímil e isso acabava por me distrair. Daí não chegar a uma pontuação mais elevada. Foi, no entanto, uma leitura agradável e rápida.
http://pepitamagica.blogspot.co.uk/20...
Os livros da Jess Michaels são sempre um pouco diferentes e para um público um mais circunscrito. Mais que um romance histórico, é um romance erótico.
Mas o que admiro e gostei particularmente neste livro foi que, apesar de ao fim de 10 páginas (se tanto) já termos cenas de sexo explícito, estas foram tão bem enquadradas, tão bem descritas que não me incomoda minimamente – aliás, até é bom, porque mostra que a autora consegue escrever bem o suficiente uma cena de sexo e de emoção.
Mariah Desmond não foi, de todo, das minhas personagens femininas favoritas (para não dizer que não gostei nada dela). Achei muito mais interessante (e fiquei curiosa em saber a sua história) Vivien Manning,que é uma mulher que tem as festas mais escandalosas e ajuda casais a juntarem-se (isto é, amantes) mas que é mais do que a fachada que mostra ao mundo. Já John Rycroft foi uma personagem mais interessante, qque me prendeu durante a leitura do livro.
Apesar de ter sido um bom livro, achei que a história por vezes era um bocado inverosímil e isso acabava por me distrair. Daí não chegar a uma pontuação mais elevada. Foi, no entanto, uma leitura agradável e rápida.
November 11, 2012
For Desire Alone (Kindle Edition)
I know this story is erotica, but even with that you need a good story line "For Desire Alone" their is not much of a story or back story on the characters. John is a rich gentlemen who has been in Lust not Love with his friend Owens Mistress Mariah for 3 years. Owen has been killed in a fire and has left Mariah with not much money to live on so she much return to the life of a mistress. When John finds out she is looking for a new protector, what does he do, nothing but offers to have an affair with her and they have plenty of sex. Mairiah wasn't a classy courtesan, she was more on the prostitute side of the business, or at less she was cast that way in the book. I couldn't figure out why if you are very rich wouldn't you just offer to help a friend on the brink of losing everything. Why couldn't John just buy the house for her. I understood he just wanted sex with her and not to become her protector and provider. But friends help friends and Mariah was suppose to be his friend. Of course at the end we have a villain Johns psycho path father who on one occasion hits Mariah over the end and cuts the palm of her hand leaving a long slash across her palm. At the end he kidnaps her beats her up and almost slits her throat. Why?? Why?? do females author write these abuse scenarios? They don't make good romance stories. I read romance for romance, love and sex, but I do not like to read about physical abuse toward my own sex. This was a big let down form the first book in the series "Introduction to Pleasure" which I gave 5 stars. Book 3 is suppose to be about The Mistress Matchmaker Vivien. I am not sure I will read it. I know for sure I wont pre order it, like I did the first 2 books in the series. I will wait for reviews.
I know this story is erotica, but even with that you need a good story line "For Desire Alone" their is not much of a story or back story on the characters. John is a rich gentlemen who has been in Lust not Love with his friend Owens Mistress Mariah for 3 years. Owen has been killed in a fire and has left Mariah with not much money to live on so she much return to the life of a mistress. When John finds out she is looking for a new protector, what does he do, nothing but offers to have an affair with her and they have plenty of sex. Mairiah wasn't a classy courtesan, she was more on the prostitute side of the business, or at less she was cast that way in the book. I couldn't figure out why if you are very rich wouldn't you just offer to help a friend on the brink of losing everything. Why couldn't John just buy the house for her. I understood he just wanted sex with her and not to become her protector and provider. But friends help friends and Mariah was suppose to be his friend. Of course at the end we have a villain Johns psycho path father who on one occasion hits Mariah over the end and cuts the palm of her hand leaving a long slash across her palm. At the end he kidnaps her beats her up and almost slits her throat. Why?? Why?? do females author write these abuse scenarios? They don't make good romance stories. I read romance for romance, love and sex, but I do not like to read about physical abuse toward my own sex. This was a big let down form the first book in the series "Introduction to Pleasure" which I gave 5 stars. Book 3 is suppose to be about The Mistress Matchmaker Vivien. I am not sure I will read it. I know for sure I wont pre order it, like I did the first 2 books in the series. I will wait for reviews.
September 25, 2025
CHARACTERS IN THIS BOOK
The hero
Clueless idiot who doesn't learn from his mistakes, puts the heroine in danger by keeping his mouth shut and can never preempt his villainous father's evil deeds. He's always getting caught with his pants down!
The heroine
She just lost her protector (who she supposedly loved) but doesn't waste time to open her legs for her lover's best friend. And instead of being practical and getting herself a new lover, she decides to have an affair with the hero and give him the merchandise for free.
The hero's father aka the villain
This dude is running amok, killing people, getting into people's houses without nobody noticing him. I guess he's Houdini!
Don't bother with this train-wreck. Not even the love scenes were good enough to make it worth it.
The hero
Clueless idiot who doesn't learn from his mistakes, puts the heroine in danger by keeping his mouth shut and can never preempt his villainous father's evil deeds. He's always getting caught with his pants down!
The heroine
She just lost her protector (who she supposedly loved) but doesn't waste time to open her legs for her lover's best friend. And instead of being practical and getting herself a new lover, she decides to have an affair with the hero and give him the merchandise for free.
The hero's father aka the villain
This dude is running amok, killing people, getting into people's houses without nobody noticing him. I guess he's Houdini!
Don't bother with this train-wreck. Not even the love scenes were good enough to make it worth it.
November 16, 2012
For Desire Alone
This books premise is of a Mistress in the 1800 hundreds who is a paid mistress. Her Current protector as they are called dies and leaves her with a pittance. She musty now go and find another Protector.. Yet her protectors best friend who has secretly desired her, steps in and offers her a pleasure relationship until she finds another protector. He falls in love with her yet feels that do to his upbringing he does not now what love is. It is up to Judith to show him what love is through many sexual encounters. Yet the Attack on Judith from John's past thrust them into a marriage that neither are prepared for.
This book lays the storyline down and with holds back to leave the reader with wanting more. The beginning is full of great sexual scenes yet is slow going, I really had to work to get through the storyline. Half way through the book it finally picked up and let the ride begin, I found myself really wanting to read this book. I am so glad I got the chance to read this book. You will also.
come see this review and more on juliesbookreview.blogspot.com
This books premise is of a Mistress in the 1800 hundreds who is a paid mistress. Her Current protector as they are called dies and leaves her with a pittance. She musty now go and find another Protector.. Yet her protectors best friend who has secretly desired her, steps in and offers her a pleasure relationship until she finds another protector. He falls in love with her yet feels that do to his upbringing he does not now what love is. It is up to Judith to show him what love is through many sexual encounters. Yet the Attack on Judith from John's past thrust them into a marriage that neither are prepared for.
This book lays the storyline down and with holds back to leave the reader with wanting more. The beginning is full of great sexual scenes yet is slow going, I really had to work to get through the storyline. Half way through the book it finally picked up and let the ride begin, I found myself really wanting to read this book. I am so glad I got the chance to read this book. You will also.
come see this review and more on juliesbookreview.blogspot.com
January 4, 2017
Mais um livro de Jess Michaels que adorei, pequeno,leve e fácil de ler.
Opinião completa em:http://aviciadadoslivros.blogspot.pt/...
Opinião completa em:http://aviciadadoslivros.blogspot.pt/...
October 15, 2019
Historical erotica, with an emphasis on erotica.
Great narration via audible - 5 stars.
Story - 3 stars.
To be honest, after the first several sex scenes, there wasn’t enough in the story, to hold my attention, it was a little boring. I did finish it, and found perhaps the last 2 hours of listening, to be the most interesting, with suspense added to the story.
Great narration via audible - 5 stars.
Story - 3 stars.
To be honest, after the first several sex scenes, there wasn’t enough in the story, to hold my attention, it was a little boring. I did finish it, and found perhaps the last 2 hours of listening, to be the most interesting, with suspense added to the story.
October 8, 2012
This is the second book in the Mistress Matchmaker series and it is the first one that I read. It is loosely connected to the first one so can easily read as a stand-alone.
I have an absolute weakness for historical romance and sometimes very passionate ones at that. This one has all the hallmarks of the historical with its beautifully dressed participants, the balls and masquerade, the gentility of the time while on the other hand because this story is about demi-monde of society (mistresses and their gentleman protectors), it is also lusty and openly passionate.
The story is about a woman, Mariah Desmond, who has just lost her protector of three years and he dies leaving her desolate both financially and because she allowed her feelings to enter into their arrangement. Now it is time to find a new protector and her friend Vivian sets out to help her. Vivian invites her to a ball and Mariah comes. She forces herself to put herself out there and several men are interested until her dead lover's best friend wrests her from the room in a confusing fit of temper, drags her into a private parlor, and shocks her with a desire to have her for the night.
John Rystock has been interested in Mariah since the first moment he met her, but his loyalty to his best friend keeps him from ever acting on his desires for the man's mistress. John has a reputation for taking any woman for a night and moving on to the next. He is a good lover so he has plenty who are willing. But on this night when he sees Mariah for the first time since his friend's death, he is angry to see her looking for someone new and he is equally determined to satisfy his lust for her and get her out of his system. She wants to know his intentions and he tells her frankly that he can only give her the night.
When all is done, he does indeed walk away, but he finds that he was affected by being with Mariah and wants her again.
Mariah continues her quest even though she secretly wishes that John would have offered for her. She is surprised beyond all when he finds her again and rescues her from a man that won't take 'no' for an answer. He makes a startling proposition to her. They will conduct an affair where there are no strings attached in that she is welcome to continue her search, but in the mean time they will have each other just for pleasure. Mariah is skeptical of agreeing because she knows that she'll become attached, but wants to be with John so agrees.
Meanwhile, John's past comes knocking on his door to haunt him once more. Things turn dangerous and he should be focused on the danger, but all he can think about is Mariah and protecting his growing feelings for her. But the evil from his past that seeks to break him is observant and zeroes in on Mariah as his weak spot.
This was a very heated read and is obviously erotic, but it is also a sweet romance in a way with the slowly growing relationship from no strings to a deep and sacrificial love. I enjoyed how there was still a nice plot that drove all the passionate scenes and the element of danger pushed up the intensity. I found the villain a bit over the top, but yet his part in the story still worked for me. I really liked the role Vivian played as Mariah's wise friend and as a subtle matchmaker for this pair who really worked well for each other. I loved seeing Mariah's sweet, but lusty nature work as the perfect foil to break through the jaded, unfeeling wall that John tried to put up to protect himself from getting hurt. It's always fun to read about men who aren't as unmoved as they'd like to pretend because it seems that those character types tend to fall the hardest.
It was a satisfying read that I'd recommend to fans of Historical erotica.
I have an absolute weakness for historical romance and sometimes very passionate ones at that. This one has all the hallmarks of the historical with its beautifully dressed participants, the balls and masquerade, the gentility of the time while on the other hand because this story is about demi-monde of society (mistresses and their gentleman protectors), it is also lusty and openly passionate.
The story is about a woman, Mariah Desmond, who has just lost her protector of three years and he dies leaving her desolate both financially and because she allowed her feelings to enter into their arrangement. Now it is time to find a new protector and her friend Vivian sets out to help her. Vivian invites her to a ball and Mariah comes. She forces herself to put herself out there and several men are interested until her dead lover's best friend wrests her from the room in a confusing fit of temper, drags her into a private parlor, and shocks her with a desire to have her for the night.
John Rystock has been interested in Mariah since the first moment he met her, but his loyalty to his best friend keeps him from ever acting on his desires for the man's mistress. John has a reputation for taking any woman for a night and moving on to the next. He is a good lover so he has plenty who are willing. But on this night when he sees Mariah for the first time since his friend's death, he is angry to see her looking for someone new and he is equally determined to satisfy his lust for her and get her out of his system. She wants to know his intentions and he tells her frankly that he can only give her the night.
When all is done, he does indeed walk away, but he finds that he was affected by being with Mariah and wants her again.
Mariah continues her quest even though she secretly wishes that John would have offered for her. She is surprised beyond all when he finds her again and rescues her from a man that won't take 'no' for an answer. He makes a startling proposition to her. They will conduct an affair where there are no strings attached in that she is welcome to continue her search, but in the mean time they will have each other just for pleasure. Mariah is skeptical of agreeing because she knows that she'll become attached, but wants to be with John so agrees.
Meanwhile, John's past comes knocking on his door to haunt him once more. Things turn dangerous and he should be focused on the danger, but all he can think about is Mariah and protecting his growing feelings for her. But the evil from his past that seeks to break him is observant and zeroes in on Mariah as his weak spot.
This was a very heated read and is obviously erotic, but it is also a sweet romance in a way with the slowly growing relationship from no strings to a deep and sacrificial love. I enjoyed how there was still a nice plot that drove all the passionate scenes and the element of danger pushed up the intensity. I found the villain a bit over the top, but yet his part in the story still worked for me. I really liked the role Vivian played as Mariah's wise friend and as a subtle matchmaker for this pair who really worked well for each other. I loved seeing Mariah's sweet, but lusty nature work as the perfect foil to break through the jaded, unfeeling wall that John tried to put up to protect himself from getting hurt. It's always fun to read about men who aren't as unmoved as they'd like to pretend because it seems that those character types tend to fall the hardest.
It was a satisfying read that I'd recommend to fans of Historical erotica.
November 9, 2012
Actually four and a half stars!
Mariah Desmond finds herself in quite a precarious predicament. Her protector has died in a tragic fire and even with all of his promises to always make sure that Mariah would be provided for, she is now facing destitution if she does not find another suitable protector before her monies run out in six months. When her former protector's best friend, John Rycroft, lends a shoulder and more on the first night out of her search, Mariah hopes that John will come through and make her an offer that would satisfy her both financially and sexually.
John Rycroft has been attracted to Mariah Desmond from the first moment he met her on the arm of his best friend, Lord Heathcote. Not wishing to offend his friend, John never made his desire for his friend's mistress known to either of them. Upon hearing of his friend's sudden demise and having knowledge of the financial state of which Owen had left Mariah, he had not been surprised to find her, once more, in search of a new protector. He, however, was not such a man who would take a mistress. He regarded himself as a man who had no ability to care for or protect any other person as he was not even sure of being responsible for himself. Wealth was not an issue but more the inability to be of use to anyone, especially a woman, for more than a single night of entertainment.
John quickly realizes that his attraction to Mariah is mutual on her part and that as a pair, their sexual escapades were worth more than one lone night's enjoyment. Unwilling to give her what she wants as a protector even as she is more than willing to be his mistress, John offers her the option to be in an affair with him until she finds a suitable protector and quite possibly after, as well. Both become more and more amenable to their sexual pursuits. So much so that Mariah begins to judge every other man against John, just as John finds himself becoming jealous of those that Mariah may consider to take her into their charge and their beds.
While John and Mariah battle their hearts, a threat from John's past rears its ugly head putting Mariah in danger. John must make a decision, either expel Mariah completely from his life for her own protection or take her as his wife in order to secure her absolute safety. Mariah accepts his proposal reluctantly for even as she has come to realize her love for him, she fears the emotion only flows one way.
This is the first work by Jess Michaels that I have read and I must say that I have now found a must have author to add to my reading list. FOR DESIRE ALONE by Jess Michaels is a very sexy, wickedly naughty, character driven, mystery bound historical romance that kept me reading long after I should have stopped. This is one that will suck you in and keep you reading past bus stops, train stops, and light's out. A full-length historical romance featuring a peek into the life of a courtesan and the world in which the men of the ton and their mistresses play. This is not your average love story but an indulgence into the world of women pleasuring men, voyeurism, and adult play. Read at your own risk but be prepared to be titillated.
I highly recommend FOR DESIRE ALONE by Jess Michaels if you are a fan of historical romance featuring an adult story about a nontraditional lifestyle that still provides a satisfactory, and leave you smiling, happily-ever-after.
***eARC provided by author in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.
Mariah Desmond finds herself in quite a precarious predicament. Her protector has died in a tragic fire and even with all of his promises to always make sure that Mariah would be provided for, she is now facing destitution if she does not find another suitable protector before her monies run out in six months. When her former protector's best friend, John Rycroft, lends a shoulder and more on the first night out of her search, Mariah hopes that John will come through and make her an offer that would satisfy her both financially and sexually.
John Rycroft has been attracted to Mariah Desmond from the first moment he met her on the arm of his best friend, Lord Heathcote. Not wishing to offend his friend, John never made his desire for his friend's mistress known to either of them. Upon hearing of his friend's sudden demise and having knowledge of the financial state of which Owen had left Mariah, he had not been surprised to find her, once more, in search of a new protector. He, however, was not such a man who would take a mistress. He regarded himself as a man who had no ability to care for or protect any other person as he was not even sure of being responsible for himself. Wealth was not an issue but more the inability to be of use to anyone, especially a woman, for more than a single night of entertainment.
John quickly realizes that his attraction to Mariah is mutual on her part and that as a pair, their sexual escapades were worth more than one lone night's enjoyment. Unwilling to give her what she wants as a protector even as she is more than willing to be his mistress, John offers her the option to be in an affair with him until she finds a suitable protector and quite possibly after, as well. Both become more and more amenable to their sexual pursuits. So much so that Mariah begins to judge every other man against John, just as John finds himself becoming jealous of those that Mariah may consider to take her into their charge and their beds.
While John and Mariah battle their hearts, a threat from John's past rears its ugly head putting Mariah in danger. John must make a decision, either expel Mariah completely from his life for her own protection or take her as his wife in order to secure her absolute safety. Mariah accepts his proposal reluctantly for even as she has come to realize her love for him, she fears the emotion only flows one way.
This is the first work by Jess Michaels that I have read and I must say that I have now found a must have author to add to my reading list. FOR DESIRE ALONE by Jess Michaels is a very sexy, wickedly naughty, character driven, mystery bound historical romance that kept me reading long after I should have stopped. This is one that will suck you in and keep you reading past bus stops, train stops, and light's out. A full-length historical romance featuring a peek into the life of a courtesan and the world in which the men of the ton and their mistresses play. This is not your average love story but an indulgence into the world of women pleasuring men, voyeurism, and adult play. Read at your own risk but be prepared to be titillated.
I highly recommend FOR DESIRE ALONE by Jess Michaels if you are a fan of historical romance featuring an adult story about a nontraditional lifestyle that still provides a satisfactory, and leave you smiling, happily-ever-after.
***eARC provided by author in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.
October 26, 2012
Whew! Jess Michaels can write a book with some smokin' hot sex scenes. For a time period known for its propriety, Michaels' has a wicked imagination on what those naughty men and women were doing behind closed doors (or not so closed doors when it's on the dining room table meant to seat 20 where even the servants can see). This book is filled with sweet lovin' sex, fast and passionate sex, super naughty voyeur sex, and at least eight other ways that my historically hawt sex fried brain can't remember.
Who's having this marathon of historically romantic hawt sex? Well that would be Mariah Desmond, former mistress to the late Owen, who was John Rycroft's best friend. Unfortunately Mariah has discovered just weeks after Owen's death that he didn't leave her the funds necessary to support herself that he had originally promised her. She has a paltry sum saved and the thousand pounds Owen did leave her to get her through the remaining six months she has left in her home before she's homeless and destitute. After confiding to her close friend Vivien who is a financially comfortable former mistress, she faces the hard facts. She's going to have to find another protector to be a mistress too.
Who would happen to see her the first night she's out looking for a new protector? None other than the late Owen's best friend, John Rycroft. And frankly John is livid that Mariah is out looking for a new man so soon after Owen's death. The fact that he's lusted after her since the moment he laid eyes on her, but has never been able to pursue her, surely has nothing to do with his strong emotions. R-I-G-H-T. He confronts her at the ball they're at and thus starts the afore mentioned smokin' hawt naughty historical sex marathon.
The back story behind John's aloofness to real emotions was okay. The over all story line was a decent read as well. I just couldn't connect to the characters enough to feel like this story had me by the seat of my pants. What I can say without a doubt is that those super naughty ladies (you know who you are ladies! Wave those hawt erotic books around in pride!) who enjoy spicy stories like this should thoroughly enjoy it. Hats off to you Ms. Michaels for making me wonder if someone could have taught our historical romance era ancestors how to play the bow-chica-wow-wow song on their instruments! A solid three wine glass toast to For Desire Alone, and I hope all of you readers are now picturing the bow-chica-wow-wow story in violin in your head when you're reading Mariah and John's delicious scenes.
To read more reviews check out Reading Between the Wines Book Club!
http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub...
Who's having this marathon of historically romantic hawt sex? Well that would be Mariah Desmond, former mistress to the late Owen, who was John Rycroft's best friend. Unfortunately Mariah has discovered just weeks after Owen's death that he didn't leave her the funds necessary to support herself that he had originally promised her. She has a paltry sum saved and the thousand pounds Owen did leave her to get her through the remaining six months she has left in her home before she's homeless and destitute. After confiding to her close friend Vivien who is a financially comfortable former mistress, she faces the hard facts. She's going to have to find another protector to be a mistress too.
Who would happen to see her the first night she's out looking for a new protector? None other than the late Owen's best friend, John Rycroft. And frankly John is livid that Mariah is out looking for a new man so soon after Owen's death. The fact that he's lusted after her since the moment he laid eyes on her, but has never been able to pursue her, surely has nothing to do with his strong emotions. R-I-G-H-T. He confronts her at the ball they're at and thus starts the afore mentioned smokin' hawt naughty historical sex marathon.
The back story behind John's aloofness to real emotions was okay. The over all story line was a decent read as well. I just couldn't connect to the characters enough to feel like this story had me by the seat of my pants. What I can say without a doubt is that those super naughty ladies (you know who you are ladies! Wave those hawt erotic books around in pride!) who enjoy spicy stories like this should thoroughly enjoy it. Hats off to you Ms. Michaels for making me wonder if someone could have taught our historical romance era ancestors how to play the bow-chica-wow-wow song on their instruments! A solid three wine glass toast to For Desire Alone, and I hope all of you readers are now picturing the bow-chica-wow-wow story in violin in your head when you're reading Mariah and John's delicious scenes.
To read more reviews check out Reading Between the Wines Book Club!
http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub...
February 27, 2013
Mariah Desmond is mourning the loss of her protector, who she loved. He said he loved her and promised that he would always take care of her. But when she receives the terms of his will she is shocked that the man she loved for three years has left her with practically nothing. Lost and confused she turns to her friend Vivian Manning, famous for her mistress matchmaking.
Though she is reluctant at first Mariah goes to Vivian’s party to look for a new protector when she runs into John Rycroft. John has never taken a mistress. His philosophy is why keep one woman when he can have many. He was best friends with Owen, Mariah’s previous protector, and has always desired her but keep his distance. When he sees Mariah out he decides now is the perfect time to take what he wants, Mariah in his bed for a night.
Mariah sees John as a friend but when a steamy encounter shows them just how good they are together they both can’t seem to stay away. Even though John tells her over and over again that he cannot be her new protector he isn’t ready to let her go. What was supposed to be only a short affair is forced to take another turn when John’s sadistic father comes after John and the person he cares the most about.
John is such a tortured man. He had a horrible childhood and has spent his adult life resisting making meaningful relationship because of his father. I think he truly cared for Mariah but was afraid. I loved watching him fight his feelings for her. As for Mariah, she has this innocence about her that I liked. Yes, she is a mistress and is well versed in sex, but she still has the capability to believe in love. I think that’s why I liked her, she wasn’t able to just go put her feelings aside for a man with money.
Favorite Quote
He could be no one’s rock, no one’s hero, no one’s love. Something had broken in him long ago and since there was no fixing that, he simply avoided situations where someone would or could ask him for more than he could give.
Overall
I have always enjoyed Jess Michael’s books and For Desire Alone may be my favorite. I don’t think I can say enough great things about it. I loved the story. I loved John. I loved Mariah. I was so involved in it that I refused to put it down. The sex scenes are mind blowing. They aren’t just about the sex though, you can feel the passion and emotion in them. It truly is about the story.
I look forward to reading about Vivian and getting her backstory.
Though she is reluctant at first Mariah goes to Vivian’s party to look for a new protector when she runs into John Rycroft. John has never taken a mistress. His philosophy is why keep one woman when he can have many. He was best friends with Owen, Mariah’s previous protector, and has always desired her but keep his distance. When he sees Mariah out he decides now is the perfect time to take what he wants, Mariah in his bed for a night.
Mariah sees John as a friend but when a steamy encounter shows them just how good they are together they both can’t seem to stay away. Even though John tells her over and over again that he cannot be her new protector he isn’t ready to let her go. What was supposed to be only a short affair is forced to take another turn when John’s sadistic father comes after John and the person he cares the most about.
John is such a tortured man. He had a horrible childhood and has spent his adult life resisting making meaningful relationship because of his father. I think he truly cared for Mariah but was afraid. I loved watching him fight his feelings for her. As for Mariah, she has this innocence about her that I liked. Yes, she is a mistress and is well versed in sex, but she still has the capability to believe in love. I think that’s why I liked her, she wasn’t able to just go put her feelings aside for a man with money.
Favorite Quote
He could be no one’s rock, no one’s hero, no one’s love. Something had broken in him long ago and since there was no fixing that, he simply avoided situations where someone would or could ask him for more than he could give.
Overall
I have always enjoyed Jess Michael’s books and For Desire Alone may be my favorite. I don’t think I can say enough great things about it. I loved the story. I loved John. I loved Mariah. I was so involved in it that I refused to put it down. The sex scenes are mind blowing. They aren’t just about the sex though, you can feel the passion and emotion in them. It truly is about the story.
I look forward to reading about Vivian and getting her backstory.
April 4, 2014
“He wanted her. Now. He wanted her all night. Every night for a week. A month. Maybe even a year. He sank down in a chair beside the fire and rubbed his eyes. “I’m in trouble,” he muttered. And never had he believed a statement more.
I never expected this book to be so emotional that even if I'm done reading, I can still feel the heaviness in my heart brought by this story. I just love everything that comprises this book!
The author was able to balance everything in this book that it turns out great.
She needs a protector...
Mariah spent three years of her life as a mistress under the protection of one man whom she THOUGHT loves her, leaving her nothing but only a thousand pounds and a no charged six-month stay in the place where she lives. That left her no choice but to find a new protector before she found herself on the street, desperate and nothing to eat. So she agreed to attend the party planned by her bestfriend to begin her search.
He is not a one-woman man even in his bed as he preferred infinite variety.
But when she entered the ballroom, he can't stop himself from taking quick glances to her. Well, he wanted her even she was his bestfriend's mistress. He wanted her so much that it never faded even when he poured it into other women. So when the temptation presented itself infront of him with a ribbon, he took her. And now that he got a taste, he seem to want more. But he doesn't want to be her protector.
The can't deny the desire hanging in the air everytime they are in the same room.
So they agreed for an affair while she continued her search, search which she do half-heartedly as her body and mind is only focus for one man. She already made a fool of herself while breaking the most important rule of being a mistress which is to never fall in love and she doesn't want to repeat that stupidity in any circumstances but she can't seem to control herself whenever she is with him. They both forbid themselves to feel feelings other than lust to each other but they could never control anything especially when it is bound to happen.
I RECOMMEND THIS ONE AND I HOPE YOU APPRECIATE IT LIKE I DID.
I never expected this book to be so emotional that even if I'm done reading, I can still feel the heaviness in my heart brought by this story. I just love everything that comprises this book!
The author was able to balance everything in this book that it turns out great.
She needs a protector...
Mariah spent three years of her life as a mistress under the protection of one man whom she THOUGHT loves her, leaving her nothing but only a thousand pounds and a no charged six-month stay in the place where she lives. That left her no choice but to find a new protector before she found herself on the street, desperate and nothing to eat. So she agreed to attend the party planned by her bestfriend to begin her search.
He is not a one-woman man even in his bed as he preferred infinite variety.
But when she entered the ballroom, he can't stop himself from taking quick glances to her. Well, he wanted her even she was his bestfriend's mistress. He wanted her so much that it never faded even when he poured it into other women. So when the temptation presented itself infront of him with a ribbon, he took her. And now that he got a taste, he seem to want more. But he doesn't want to be her protector.
The can't deny the desire hanging in the air everytime they are in the same room.
So they agreed for an affair while she continued her search, search which she do half-heartedly as her body and mind is only focus for one man. She already made a fool of herself while breaking the most important rule of being a mistress which is to never fall in love and she doesn't want to repeat that stupidity in any circumstances but she can't seem to control herself whenever she is with him. They both forbid themselves to feel feelings other than lust to each other but they could never control anything especially when it is bound to happen.
I RECOMMEND THIS ONE AND I HOPE YOU APPRECIATE IT LIKE I DID.
May 29, 2018
Apesar de muito aclamada no nosso país, esta foi a primeira obra de Jess Michaels que tive a oportunidade de ler! E, apesar de estar classificado como um romance erótico, considerei que "Puro Prazer" ia mais além do que simplesmente as relações de teor sexual. Ora vejamos!
Mariah Desmond acabou de perder o seu protetor num terrível incêndio! E, apesar de terem partilhado pelo menos 3 anos das suas vidas juntos, Owen - o seu protetor - não lhe deixou grandes bens ou fortuna para que Mariah pudesse continuar a sua vida sem se preocupar como seria o dia de amanhã. Por isso, e com a ajudar da sua melhor amiga Vivien Manning, Mariah fica decidida em encontrar um novo protetor! Contudo, a tarefa revelou-se mais complicada do que pensava!
Num dos bailes organizado por Vivien, Mariah reencontra John Rycroft, o melhor amigo de Owen, o seu antigo protetor. E, apesar de ainds estar em processo de luto por Owen, Mariah é incapaz de reprimir os seus sentimentos por John. O mesmo acontece com ele. Desde a altura que Mariah ainda tinha a companhia de Owen que John sentia algo diferente! Contudo, sempre foi um homem digno ao ponto de preservar a sua amizade com Owen e de nunca tentar nada com Mariah. Até então!
Apesar de todas as suas atitudes que indiciavam que sentia algo maior por Mariah, John sempre ignorou os sinais e enganou-se a si mesmo! No entanto, as investidas de Mariah deixavam-no desconcertado! E, ao longo da história, John aprendeu à sua maneira a dar mais valor aos seus sentimentos e a demonstrá-los àqueles que amamos! E assim, quando soube que Maria corria perigo, John de facto percebeu que havia algo mais!
Este foi um livro que realmente me agarrou do início ao fim! Como disse anteriormente, a autora deu muito mais importância à construção da relação de Mariah e John e ao desenvolvimento da sua relação! Sem dúvida, uma obra fantástica de Jess Michaels que eu recomendaria!
Mariah Desmond acabou de perder o seu protetor num terrível incêndio! E, apesar de terem partilhado pelo menos 3 anos das suas vidas juntos, Owen - o seu protetor - não lhe deixou grandes bens ou fortuna para que Mariah pudesse continuar a sua vida sem se preocupar como seria o dia de amanhã. Por isso, e com a ajudar da sua melhor amiga Vivien Manning, Mariah fica decidida em encontrar um novo protetor! Contudo, a tarefa revelou-se mais complicada do que pensava!
Num dos bailes organizado por Vivien, Mariah reencontra John Rycroft, o melhor amigo de Owen, o seu antigo protetor. E, apesar de ainds estar em processo de luto por Owen, Mariah é incapaz de reprimir os seus sentimentos por John. O mesmo acontece com ele. Desde a altura que Mariah ainda tinha a companhia de Owen que John sentia algo diferente! Contudo, sempre foi um homem digno ao ponto de preservar a sua amizade com Owen e de nunca tentar nada com Mariah. Até então!
Apesar de todas as suas atitudes que indiciavam que sentia algo maior por Mariah, John sempre ignorou os sinais e enganou-se a si mesmo! No entanto, as investidas de Mariah deixavam-no desconcertado! E, ao longo da história, John aprendeu à sua maneira a dar mais valor aos seus sentimentos e a demonstrá-los àqueles que amamos! E assim, quando soube que Maria corria perigo, John de facto percebeu que havia algo mais!
Este foi um livro que realmente me agarrou do início ao fim! Como disse anteriormente, a autora deu muito mais importância à construção da relação de Mariah e John e ao desenvolvimento da sua relação! Sem dúvida, uma obra fantástica de Jess Michaels que eu recomendaria!
November 16, 2012
Original at http://niinas-reading-and-reviewing.b...
Passion and sneaking around the rules of the Regency society never was as hot as this! For Desire Alone is one hot erotic romance! And this being book 2 did absolutely nothing to stop me from enjoying the story, it's a stand alone one. Now, what makes this story extremely entertaining reading is not just all the yummyness, but the characters and how they fit!
John and Mariah made the romance great, I loved her bold attitude and her desire to not get comfortable with John even if they spend days and nights together - which is what John was drawn to. John was a great hero, not a much of a one to begin with but like in all great romances our heroine heals something broken and they can spend the rest of their lives together. So sue me I love love love happy endings. ;)
The romance was very erotic, the amount of sex in this novel is mid-blowing, in all the good ways! Plus there is love and that just makes it perfect! Even though they start of with just the physical it's lovely seeing their emotions deepen and be denied - good stuff! As much as I liked the erotic part I most enjoyed the romantic journey, the denial, the desire and the jealousy!
So why not 5 stars? Basically I was reading another historical romance at the time and it made me realize that I would have enjoyed more history in this one, I'm not saying there wasn't any, but I would have enjoyed a touch of regency properness. ;) That said I can't wait to read more by Ms Michaels!
Passion and sneaking around the rules of the Regency society never was as hot as this! For Desire Alone is one hot erotic romance! And this being book 2 did absolutely nothing to stop me from enjoying the story, it's a stand alone one. Now, what makes this story extremely entertaining reading is not just all the yummyness, but the characters and how they fit!
John and Mariah made the romance great, I loved her bold attitude and her desire to not get comfortable with John even if they spend days and nights together - which is what John was drawn to. John was a great hero, not a much of a one to begin with but like in all great romances our heroine heals something broken and they can spend the rest of their lives together. So sue me I love love love happy endings. ;)
The romance was very erotic, the amount of sex in this novel is mid-blowing, in all the good ways! Plus there is love and that just makes it perfect! Even though they start of with just the physical it's lovely seeing their emotions deepen and be denied - good stuff! As much as I liked the erotic part I most enjoyed the romantic journey, the denial, the desire and the jealousy!
So why not 5 stars? Basically I was reading another historical romance at the time and it made me realize that I would have enjoyed more history in this one, I'm not saying there wasn't any, but I would have enjoyed a touch of regency properness. ;) That said I can't wait to read more by Ms Michaels!
July 12, 2025
For Desire Alone by Jess Michaels
Genres; Adult, Erotica, Historical, Romance
2 Stars (that may change in the future)
It isn't me it's the book.
Not sure what the problem was, but I couldn't get into this one.
And that is weird because I love Jess Michaels. She is one of the Very Few adult historical writers I will read.
Normally I love her books. They are always steamy, well written and definitely grab and hold your attention. This one, for some reason, didn't do that.
I DNF'ed it around around 14%.
I will try again in some time in the future.
For now it stays in my graveyard.
Genres; Adult, Erotica, Historical, Romance
2 Stars (that may change in the future)
It isn't me it's the book.
Not sure what the problem was, but I couldn't get into this one.
And that is weird because I love Jess Michaels. She is one of the Very Few adult historical writers I will read.
Normally I love her books. They are always steamy, well written and definitely grab and hold your attention. This one, for some reason, didn't do that.
I DNF'ed it around around 14%.
I will try again in some time in the future.
For now it stays in my graveyard.
April 14, 2013
For Desire Alone is a work of historical romance and can definitely be listed under the label of erotica. It gets very hot and steamy at times, but what I was surprised with was there was actually a decent story attached to the sex. Quite often the characters and story are left to suffer for the sake of a well written roll in the hay. This is not the case for Jess Michaels's work. She has incorporated all the hospitality, dress and demeanor of the time period and given us characters that we actually begin care about as the story progresses.
April 27, 2013
Pretty good, not sure why but I just didn't connect with the H/h like I did in the last book.
December 17, 2015
Gratuitous & just bloody awful.
*1/5 stars*
*1/5 stars*
February 7, 2025
Was feeling up for a historical romance this afternoon so I settled for this. It surprised me in all the ways I never thought was possible. although the plot centered around smut, it surprisingly had a very solid thriller plot line behind.
Mariah is a woman that speaks her mind and only shuts down her thoughts because that's what she thinks a mistress should do. Put herself down because she is at the mercy of him and she needs him to be her 'protector'. But if someone truly loves you and there was ever love in the equation, would anyone who loves someone do that? If you saw the other person as an equal, would you treat her that way? That sets Owen and John apart. Owen loved his status, his friends and most importantly himself and Mariah was never someone important to him. John was only too scarred from the way he was brought up and terrorized by his father. He's too scared to love, to form bonds, to express his feelings, because all those brought disasters to his life when he was acting like a human. Although I didn't fancy his mental gymnastics as much because it hurt Mariah twice, I do understand that it might be due to him not knowing what love actually is. His actions ticks off all the boxes, but how can one recognise love when he was never exposed to it ever in his life? He rectified his mistakes and tried his best to make up for it and that's all that matters ig?
Vivien was truly a scene-stealer, she's truly such an inspiring woman. From having to rely on a protector to being able to support herself, live a life she wants and help out more woman, she's truly a role model for the women in their line of work. She acts as if she saw through everything and knows nothing good will come out of developing feelings for someone who will never be able to reciprocate them. She has always been there for Mariah and their friendship truly defined girlhood.
April 27, 2024
So the chemistry between the two lovers is electric! But she was the mistress to his best friend for the past 3 years until he was killed in a fire & left her with nothing.
He’s a rake and wanted her for the past 3 years but now he refuses to be her protector and just wants to be a lover.
Even though you can tell they are both in love with each other he keeps putting up walls between them.
Then his brother that he hadn’t seen in years pops back up and warns him that their evil father is coming for him.
He doesn’t communicate what’s going on with her he only hires a bodyguard for her & because of the lack of communication & commitment, she sneaks out to go to a party to try to find a real protector since he refused to step up. And there at that party she’s attacked & he’s sent a blood message and he goes searching the city for her.
Afterwards he decides it’s best to marry her so his father won’t risk hurting a woman of the Ton. This breaks her heart as she feels he’s forced into it and he doesn’t actually love her 🤦♀️
This part is so annoying as we could tell they were in love since the beginning!
His father kidnapped her in the day of the wedding and put her on a ship for human trafficking selling her as a sex slave. But just in time he gets there & kills his father.
His brother also told him his father had his best friend killed in that fire.
The book was okay the spice was great, but the pretending not to love her for so long was really frustrating.
He’s a rake and wanted her for the past 3 years but now he refuses to be her protector and just wants to be a lover.
Even though you can tell they are both in love with each other he keeps putting up walls between them.
Then his brother that he hadn’t seen in years pops back up and warns him that their evil father is coming for him.
He doesn’t communicate what’s going on with her he only hires a bodyguard for her & because of the lack of communication & commitment, she sneaks out to go to a party to try to find a real protector since he refused to step up. And there at that party she’s attacked & he’s sent a blood message and he goes searching the city for her.
Afterwards he decides it’s best to marry her so his father won’t risk hurting a woman of the Ton. This breaks her heart as she feels he’s forced into it and he doesn’t actually love her 🤦♀️
This part is so annoying as we could tell they were in love since the beginning!
His father kidnapped her in the day of the wedding and put her on a ship for human trafficking selling her as a sex slave. But just in time he gets there & kills his father.
His brother also told him his father had his best friend killed in that fire.
The book was okay the spice was great, but the pretending not to love her for so long was really frustrating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2017
For Desire Aloneis book 2 in the Mistress Matchmaker series by
Jess Michaels
. I liked the first book in this series, An Introduction to Pleasure.
Mariah, a mistress who lost her protector, who failed to provide her financial support upon his death, went to Vivien Manning’s unique parties to find a replacement protector. Lo and behold, she runs into her late protector’s best friend, John, who secretly lusted for her. He witnessed Mariah being sought out by other men to become her next protector.
John snatched her from the drooling guys, not being a real candidate for long term protector functions, as evidenced by a history of single night sexual episodes, avoiding engaging the same female multiple times. However, John was a friend of her former protector, and lusted after her.
A lot of drama, action, betrayal and mystery weave through this story of family conflicts and murders. John being the master of pleasing women sexually, attends to Mariah’s lusty requirements with great ease.
A lot of danger and violence adds lots of stormy danger to the end of the book. You got to read the book to find out all of this intriguing stuff.
This definitely is an adult read. I’m off to get Her Perfect Match.
Mariah, a mistress who lost her protector, who failed to provide her financial support upon his death, went to Vivien Manning’s unique parties to find a replacement protector. Lo and behold, she runs into her late protector’s best friend, John, who secretly lusted for her. He witnessed Mariah being sought out by other men to become her next protector.
John snatched her from the drooling guys, not being a real candidate for long term protector functions, as evidenced by a history of single night sexual episodes, avoiding engaging the same female multiple times. However, John was a friend of her former protector, and lusted after her.
A lot of drama, action, betrayal and mystery weave through this story of family conflicts and murders. John being the master of pleasing women sexually, attends to Mariah’s lusty requirements with great ease.
A lot of danger and violence adds lots of stormy danger to the end of the book. You got to read the book to find out all of this intriguing stuff.
This definitely is an adult read. I’m off to get Her Perfect Match.
July 3, 2023
For Desire Alone is the second erotic book in the Mistress Matchmaker series. It’s a lusty historical romance but the story stagnated a bit and became slightly boring.
An Introduction to Pleasure: 5- stars: Andrew & Lysandra
For Desire Alone: 3+ stars: John & Mariah
Mariah Desmond was promised financial security by her former protector. Unfortunately, upon his untimely death, she sadly discovered this was not the case. Mariah has a paltry sum saved, so she needs to become mistress to a new protector before she becomes homeless and destitute. I saw her motivation for money more than her heart, at times, so that’s probably why I didn’t completely warm to her.
John Rycroft has lusted after his best friend’s mistress for many years. After the untimely death of his best friend, he makes his move. John is an emotionally unavailable Hero with serious family issues, however, he proposes a scenario of intimacy to his best friend’s former mistress without any of the ties that bind.
John and Mariah’s relationship was based on lust, desire, and sexy times. A friends with benefits arrangement at first. I really didn’t feel the genuine sweet emotional connection between them. The lust and desire were overpowering the true love storyline, imo. Not to mention the physical attacks on Mariah’s safety that were very dramatic. The balance of story elements just seemed off in this book.
I recommend this book. I highly recommend this series.
An Introduction to Pleasure: 5- stars: Andrew & Lysandra
For Desire Alone: 3+ stars: John & Mariah
Mariah Desmond was promised financial security by her former protector. Unfortunately, upon his untimely death, she sadly discovered this was not the case. Mariah has a paltry sum saved, so she needs to become mistress to a new protector before she becomes homeless and destitute. I saw her motivation for money more than her heart, at times, so that’s probably why I didn’t completely warm to her.
John Rycroft has lusted after his best friend’s mistress for many years. After the untimely death of his best friend, he makes his move. John is an emotionally unavailable Hero with serious family issues, however, he proposes a scenario of intimacy to his best friend’s former mistress without any of the ties that bind.
John and Mariah’s relationship was based on lust, desire, and sexy times. A friends with benefits arrangement at first. I really didn’t feel the genuine sweet emotional connection between them. The lust and desire were overpowering the true love storyline, imo. Not to mention the physical attacks on Mariah’s safety that were very dramatic. The balance of story elements just seemed off in this book.
I recommend this book. I highly recommend this series.
April 12, 2018
When Mariah Desmond's protector dies, she is devastated to learn he did not provide for her in his will as he had promised to do. Her best friend and confident, Vivien Manning, offers to help Mariah find a new protector, so she starts attending parties hosted by Vivien. Mariah runs into John Rycroft, the best friend of her former protector, at one party. She has always been attracted to John, and even more so now that she is single, but John isn't interested in taking a mistress - he's a one and done kinda guy! But he's always had the hots for Mariah and can't seem to stay away. This was a very hot and sexy story with evil twists and turns and was very entertaining!
February 8, 2019
Mariah needs to find a new protector after Owen dies in a fires and does not leave her enough to take care of herself. She asks her best friend Vivian to help her find someone. But when Owens best friend John walks into Vivian’s she has hope. John has always wanted Mariah but she was with Owen but know free. He suggests an affair. But when his pasta comes to haunt him, he will do anything to keep her safe! A wonderful read!
April 8, 2021
My interest was engaged, curious to see how things would play out. But my emotions weren't really. It could be a weird mood specific to me, but I just feel like something was missing that would have connected me to the characters more. I didn't dislike them, my feelings just weren't very engaged. But, I was still entertained, so overall 3 stars.
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