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A Mistress for the Taking
MADE TO BE HIS MISTRESS ...
Inexperienced Marina Lucchesi must save her brother from ruin. Rich, handsome Ronan Carlisle wants to settle a score.
Ronan's strategy is simple: if Marina poses as his mistress, he'll ensure that the man who made them both suffer will pay. But Marina wonders, why would Ronan, one of Australia's most eligible tycoons, want her?
However, she's not in a position to refuse Ronan's offer ... or resist the overwhelming physical attraction pulsing between them ...
Inexperienced Marina Lucchesi must save her brother from ruin. Rich, handsome Ronan Carlisle wants to settle a score.
Ronan's strategy is simple: if Marina poses as his mistress, he'll ensure that the man who made them both suffer will pay. But Marina wonders, why would Ronan, one of Australia's most eligible tycoons, want her?
However, she's not in a position to refuse Ronan's offer ... or resist the overwhelming physical attraction pulsing between them ...
186 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2006
44 people are currently reading
246 people want to read
About the author
Annie West
910 books547 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Hello! I love writing passionate, intense love stories about sexy alpha men and the women who are their perfect match. Look out for my books with Harlequin (Presents) or Mills & Boon (Modern/Sexy) and for my indie stories, full of passion and intense emotion with a touch of glamour. My latest stories are my Hot Italian Nights series including 'Bound to the Italian Boss' June '17, 'The Italian's Bold Reckoning' July '17, 'At the Italian's Bidding' August '17 and 'Falling for the Brooding Italian' September '17.
Yes, I do like a dark, handsome hero!
You can catch up with my news at www.annie-west.com (where you can also sign up for my exclusive reader newsletter with giveaways and behind the scenes info). I'm on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/anniewest.au... and I adore hearing from readers. You can also contact me at annie(at)annie-west(dot)com
I live with my family at beautiful Lake Macquarie on the east Coast of Australia and my favourite things when not writing are good food, good company, great books, getting outside in nature and travel.
Bookwise, I'm a multi USA Today bestselling author with millions of books sold, in English as well as in lots of other languages. I've won the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award and the Romantic Book of the Year (Romance Writers of Australia). One of my favourite review quotes is from Romantic Times which said in its review of The Sheikh's Ransomed Bride 'This is what a love story could be.'.
Hello! I love writing passionate, intense love stories about sexy alpha men and the women who are their perfect match. Look out for my books with Harlequin (Presents) or Mills & Boon (Modern/Sexy) and for my indie stories, full of passion and intense emotion with a touch of glamour. My latest stories are my Hot Italian Nights series including 'Bound to the Italian Boss' June '17, 'The Italian's Bold Reckoning' July '17, 'At the Italian's Bidding' August '17 and 'Falling for the Brooding Italian' September '17.
Yes, I do like a dark, handsome hero!
You can catch up with my news at www.annie-west.com (where you can also sign up for my exclusive reader newsletter with giveaways and behind the scenes info). I'm on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/anniewest.au... and I adore hearing from readers. You can also contact me at annie(at)annie-west(dot)com
I live with my family at beautiful Lake Macquarie on the east Coast of Australia and my favourite things when not writing are good food, good company, great books, getting outside in nature and travel.
Bookwise, I'm a multi USA Today bestselling author with millions of books sold, in English as well as in lots of other languages. I've won the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award and the Romantic Book of the Year (Romance Writers of Australia). One of my favourite review quotes is from Romantic Times which said in its review of The Sheikh's Ransomed Bride 'This is what a love story could be.'.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 29, 2017
Okey dokey, two tired tropes from HarleyLand: a revenge plot and a faux mistress situation. But, BUT this time the H creates a revenge plot to defend both his off-page abused sister and the heroine, and the faux mistress position is to protect the heroine as well as pull in the evil doer. Hold on to your horses readers, the hero is a GENTLEMAN. He's a four star nice guy hero that is sadly stuck in a three star book.
The not so tiny, but voluptuous and Amazonian h confronts the bad guy at a high society party as he got her little brother drunk and stole the company. The H rescues her from being thrown out and arrested, and makes her an offer he won't let her refuse. She'll pretend to be his mistress, the evil doer will stalk her, they will get her family biz back, and wreck the other guy's finances. Business acumen is obviously not Annie West's expertise, but she has created a sweet, honorable heroine as well as besotted, honorable hero. It's too bad it was just a little boring. I questioned StMargaret's review and and rating, and now I understand.
All we get is hero/heroine action with a little bad guy thrown in. No evil OW, no manipulative PA's, and even the little brother and little sister who are motivating factors for the main characters' actions never appear. The little brother is even ashamed of his bungle and works to make things better. Wonder if AW's HP rule book was missing as normally the little twerp would be out wrecking the H's Bentley or something. A little humor would not be amiss.
Still a sweet read, and it was refreshing to read a nice hero, I mean a really, really nice hero who doesn't slut shame, monologue about the manipulative ways of women, and so forth.
Ah, be careful what you ask for as you might just get it. I think I need my guts wrenched by some Charlotte Lamb.
The not so tiny, but voluptuous and Amazonian h confronts the bad guy at a high society party as he got her little brother drunk and stole the company. The H rescues her from being thrown out and arrested, and makes her an offer he won't let her refuse. She'll pretend to be his mistress, the evil doer will stalk her, they will get her family biz back, and wreck the other guy's finances. Business acumen is obviously not Annie West's expertise, but she has created a sweet, honorable heroine as well as besotted, honorable hero. It's too bad it was just a little boring. I questioned StMargaret's review and and rating, and now I understand.
All we get is hero/heroine action with a little bad guy thrown in. No evil OW, no manipulative PA's, and even the little brother and little sister who are motivating factors for the main characters' actions never appear. The little brother is even ashamed of his bungle and works to make things better. Wonder if AW's HP rule book was missing as normally the little twerp would be out wrecking the H's Bentley or something. A little humor would not be amiss.
Still a sweet read, and it was refreshing to read a nice hero, I mean a really, really nice hero who doesn't slut shame, monologue about the manipulative ways of women, and so forth.
Ah, be careful what you ask for as you might just get it. I think I need my guts wrenched by some Charlotte Lamb.
September 30, 2017
Sweet, uncomplicated story about a heroine who is losing the family business to an unscrupulous business man who also happens to be the hero's biggest rival. It's also personal for the hero since the unscrupulous business man seduced his sister and threw her away.
Since both the H/h want revenge, the hero proposes that the heroine pretend to be his mistress.
The business man will want what the hero has and will try to seduce the heroine. Meanwhile the hero will do business magic and get the heroine's company back while the unscrupulous businessman has his back turned.
It works like a charm. The H/h enjoy pretending and the virgin heroine is in love and no longer a virgin. The unscrupulous business man tries to convince the heroine that the hero is trying to get her company for himself, but the hero puts an end to that with a fist to his face and taking half his net worth. H/h will marry. HEA.
Since both the H/h want revenge, the hero proposes that the heroine pretend to be his mistress.
The business man will want what the hero has and will try to seduce the heroine. Meanwhile the hero will do business magic and get the heroine's company back while the unscrupulous businessman has his back turned.
It works like a charm. The H/h enjoy pretending and the virgin heroine is in love and no longer a virgin. The unscrupulous business man tries to convince the heroine that the hero is trying to get her company for himself, but the hero puts an end to that with a fist to his face and taking half his net worth. H/h will marry. HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2019
Even if he was not awful, he was manipulative enough for me to raise my rating. 😎
September 17, 2019
"A Mistress for the Taking" is the story of Marina and Ronan.
A very sweet book in which a selfless heroine, who goes to extreme lengths to protect her family gets involved with a protective hero, when they begin sharing a common enemy. She becomes his pretend mistress, but the charade turns into so much more when attraction blinds them, and they fall in love.
Naive but strong heroine, sweet and caring hero, hot lovemaking scenes and a wonderful plot. It was a bit slow, but otherwise a fantastic read.
Safe
4/5
A very sweet book in which a selfless heroine, who goes to extreme lengths to protect her family gets involved with a protective hero, when they begin sharing a common enemy. She becomes his pretend mistress, but the charade turns into so much more when attraction blinds them, and they fall in love.
Naive but strong heroine, sweet and caring hero, hot lovemaking scenes and a wonderful plot. It was a bit slow, but otherwise a fantastic read.
Safe
4/5
August 10, 2011
This book is not without its problems, but it is AWESOME!
The hero and heroine are probably one of the top five in HP H/h I've had the pleasure of reading.
For one thing, they are THINKING, SENSIBLE people.
Loved it.
Then again, I am not surprised. Ms. West writes great heroes and heroines.
Keeper.
The hero and heroine are probably one of the top five in HP H/h I've had the pleasure of reading.
For one thing, they are THINKING, SENSIBLE people.
Loved it.
Then again, I am not surprised. Ms. West writes great heroes and heroines.
Keeper.
August 17, 2013
AW is such a good author. She writes the best heroines and heroes. I adored sweet, innocent Marina and sexy Ronan. A physically scared heroine and an alpha but very caring and protective tycoon fall in love when they least expect it and together they fight a common enemy. What's not to like?
February 24, 2012
4 Stars!~ Charles Wakefield doesn’t have a conscience, at least not when it comes to destroying his rivals. He’d chosen a formidable opponent in Ronan Carlisle, and didn’t hesitate at playing dirty to get what he wants. Ronan has made it his personal mission to see that Wakefield doesn’t hurt another soul. Recovering from a car accident that takes her father’s life, Marina Lucchesi finds out that her brother has been duped out of the family shipping business. Wakefield had been refusing her calls, so Marina crashes a society reception and confronts him. The fearless woman who verbally challenges his rival intrigues Ronan, but she’s out of her league and needs to be rescued before security steps in. Marina is puzzled by the kindness Ronan shows her until he tells her that he too wants to make Wakefield suffer. In college Wakefield was notorious for his female conquests, even to seducing the women who belonged to his classmates. Ronan knows that should Marina become his mistress, Wakefield will make a play for her, so he devises a plan for Marina to play the part and move in with him. Only once she’s under his roof, he wonders at his sanity of such a proposal because the attraction between them proves to be a temptation both have trouble resisting.
This is Ms. West’s debut novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Ronan is alpha as is expected in a Presents, but we see his honorable side when he feels fiercely protective of Marina. He reminds himself constantly that Marina is not ready to move their relationship further, that she’s still grieving. Marina is a swan who feels that she’s the ugly duckling and this lack of self-esteem blinds her to Ronan’s true desire for her. Their romance develops very nicely. I would have liked more of the conflict with Wakefield to be out front. Because so much of the revenge happens behind the scenes the final outcome is rather a let down after all the build up. All in all this is a terrific first book with main characters that I fell in love with from the first pages
This is Ms. West’s debut novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Ronan is alpha as is expected in a Presents, but we see his honorable side when he feels fiercely protective of Marina. He reminds himself constantly that Marina is not ready to move their relationship further, that she’s still grieving. Marina is a swan who feels that she’s the ugly duckling and this lack of self-esteem blinds her to Ronan’s true desire for her. Their romance develops very nicely. I would have liked more of the conflict with Wakefield to be out front. Because so much of the revenge happens behind the scenes the final outcome is rather a let down after all the build up. All in all this is a terrific first book with main characters that I fell in love with from the first pages
September 21, 2017
3,5 stars.I liked it a lot. This author was a nice surprise. I love her portrail of the leads.
April 24, 2012
I decided to read this book when I read someones review that stated "YES!! A love story that isn't about hate for most of the story..." from amazon. I liked the heroine, Marina Lucchesi (She was courageous, stood up for what is right, & tough) , and the hero, Ronan Carlisle (He was chivalrous, takes care of the people around him, & clever), of this story. The were both strong characters that were very protective of there families. But for the most part there was a lot of hate for the man, Charles Wakefield, responsible for both of their family troubles. And so Ronan recruits Marina's help in getting revenge. Throughout the story there is a lot of mistaken emotions from both Marina's and Ronan's point of view about each others feelings for the other person and that really slowed the pace of the story for me.
This story was interesting to read once, and I thought Ms. West to a good job in executing the characters descriptions and attitudes. The story had great potential, but didn't get me drawn in that I didn't want to put the book down and keep reading it. For me it was slow paced and I ended up taking breaks from reading it.
This story was interesting to read once, and I thought Ms. West to a good job in executing the characters descriptions and attitudes. The story had great potential, but didn't get me drawn in that I didn't want to put the book down and keep reading it. For me it was slow paced and I ended up taking breaks from reading it.
February 13, 2017
Leído el 13/05/2010
May 31, 2011
This "strong women who don't need a man" book takes place in Australia. The heroine is fresh out of the hospital from the car accident that killed her father a few months ago. During this time her younger brother managed to gamble away the family business to an unscrupulous business man. When she decides to confront the creep at a party, she meets a mysterious man who possibly hates the guy even more. Dark Mysterious Stranger comes up with a plan to bring Unscrupulous Business Man down, but it requires our heroine to play the role of DMS's mistress. And yes, you guessed it, eventually they aren't pretending.
June 24, 2010
Got a lot better as the plot went on. After her brother lost their family company to Charles Wakefield its up to Marina Lucchesi to get it back. But just months after a car crash that killed her father and injuring herself, Marina is still recovering. After watching Marina confront Wakefield, Ronan Carlisle instantly knows he must have her and she's perfect to help him make Wakefield pay and get her company back. His plan...for Marina to pretend to be his mistress. But when feelings start coming into play, thngs will get interesting.
August 13, 2011
All in all it was a good story but I think this book lacked in pathos. What I feel lacking is that the most imnportant scenes of the books were anti-climatic. When she had to stand up for her important things, scenes were subdue, that evil of tycoon after her and her brother was nothing to fear at all, a little stupid being.
September 20, 2013
It was kind of different. Putting aside Marina's, repetitive and boring 'woe is me' attitude, I liked it. Ronan was alpha and all that stuff, but I'm glad he wasn't reluctant to go after what he wanted, plus, he wasn't like the typical harlequin hero that's super sure of himself.
February 6, 2017
3.5
Marina is after revenge from a Mr. Wakefield, who destroyed her brother and her future by being all unscrupulous and conning her brother out of their company. But she doesn't have the power to make him pay. Enter Ronan Carlisle, who is wanting to see Mr. Wakefield's financial demise and is absolutely intrigued with Marina Lucchesi as soon as he sees her taking on her adversary. He is in lust/love/smitten and devises a plan where he Marina will distract Mr. Wakefield by acting as Ronan's mistress, engaging his competitive tendency to have everything that Ronan does. In the background, Ronan will be destroying him. And, fortunately, he'll have Marina exactly where he wants her, in his bed and in his life, where he can get to know her and make her fall in love with him.
I kind of always like the trope where the hero is in love with the heroine and doing what he can to get her there too. Now Ronan didn't know he loved her, but he had all the signs - protectiveness and some unselfish desires. Not to say that Ronan was completely unselfish. He was definitely manipulate things to his purposes despite what Marina might say if she knew what was happening. But his motives weren't dastardly - he wasn't out to seduce and abandon or even taking their relationship lightly, as though he was certain he'd be done with her in a few weeks. And he clearly cared. So I enjoyed the dynamic between them. I wasn't a great fan of their first sex scene which came about rather awkwardly after he rejects Marina and then he comes back, throws some condoms on the table and more or less says, "Alright, let's do this." Well, that sucks all the passion and romance out of it. Wasn't much of a reset button. And the immediate aftermath wasn't really resolved either...in fact, Marina wasn't very good at articulating her feelings. So other than that little chunk there in the middle, I really liked this one.
Marina is after revenge from a Mr. Wakefield, who destroyed her brother and her future by being all unscrupulous and conning her brother out of their company. But she doesn't have the power to make him pay. Enter Ronan Carlisle, who is wanting to see Mr. Wakefield's financial demise and is absolutely intrigued with Marina Lucchesi as soon as he sees her taking on her adversary. He is in lust/love/smitten and devises a plan where he Marina will distract Mr. Wakefield by acting as Ronan's mistress, engaging his competitive tendency to have everything that Ronan does. In the background, Ronan will be destroying him. And, fortunately, he'll have Marina exactly where he wants her, in his bed and in his life, where he can get to know her and make her fall in love with him.
I kind of always like the trope where the hero is in love with the heroine and doing what he can to get her there too. Now Ronan didn't know he loved her, but he had all the signs - protectiveness and some unselfish desires. Not to say that Ronan was completely unselfish. He was definitely manipulate things to his purposes despite what Marina might say if she knew what was happening. But his motives weren't dastardly - he wasn't out to seduce and abandon or even taking their relationship lightly, as though he was certain he'd be done with her in a few weeks. And he clearly cared. So I enjoyed the dynamic between them. I wasn't a great fan of their first sex scene which came about rather awkwardly after he rejects Marina and then he comes back, throws some condoms on the table and more or less says, "Alright, let's do this." Well, that sucks all the passion and romance out of it. Wasn't much of a reset button. And the immediate aftermath wasn't really resolved either...in fact, Marina wasn't very good at articulating her feelings. So other than that little chunk there in the middle, I really liked this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2020
So I remember reading this a long time ago and liking it, to the point that I hunted down an ebook version because the paperback had been borrowed. I went back and read it again recently, and it was okay. Marina did irritate me a little bit
Other than that and a few other things, the story is still nice and the end made me smile.
Other than that and a few other things, the story is still nice and the end made me smile.
August 20, 2023
This is one of Annie's earlier books. I totally loved it. Marina and Ronan have an enemy in common, and they work together to bring justice to that enemy. In the process, they fall in love. Wonderful story. Only thing that I would have liked would be a short epilogue with a few tidbits in the future. Loved it.
July 11, 2020
Oh my
So let’s just say I couldn’t put this book down. I started thinking that Marina would go one way and she didn’t. This story played out and made Ronan a real hero that actually cared from the start. I really enjoyed this book.
So let’s just say I couldn’t put this book down. I started thinking that Marina would go one way and she didn’t. This story played out and made Ronan a real hero that actually cared from the start. I really enjoyed this book.
May 9, 2020
This was boring! I skimmed after 60% just to see if any angst occurred.
August 6, 2020
How much did this couple have to go through before meeting?! Jeez! Enough already. And what happened to the super villain...a whole lot of nothin! Skip.
August 5, 2016
Yet another amazing story from AW. I fell in love with hero and heroine at the start itself. They were like balm to each other souls. Ronan treated Marina with respect from the very start. He dint try to impose himself on her feelings. Marina with her low self esteem especially after the accident is trying to accommodate new changes thats happening around her. Ronan was with her in every step as she picked up her confidence.
This one reminded me of "The flaw in Raffaele's Revenge". For a debut novel this is one of the best!!
This one reminded me of "The flaw in Raffaele's Revenge". For a debut novel this is one of the best!!
June 4, 2021
MADE TO BE HIS MISTRESS ...
Inexperienced Marina Lucchesi must save her brother from ruin. Rich, handsome Ronan Carlisle wants to settle a score.
Ronan's strategy is simple: if Marina poses as his mistress, he'll ensure that the man who made them both suffer will pay. But Marina wonders, why would Ronan, one of Australia's most eligible tycoons, want her?
However, she's not in a position to refuse Ronan's offer ... or resist the overwhelming physical attraction pulsing between them ...
Inexperienced Marina Lucchesi must save her brother from ruin. Rich, handsome Ronan Carlisle wants to settle a score.
Ronan's strategy is simple: if Marina poses as his mistress, he'll ensure that the man who made them both suffer will pay. But Marina wonders, why would Ronan, one of Australia's most eligible tycoons, want her?
However, she's not in a position to refuse Ronan's offer ... or resist the overwhelming physical attraction pulsing between them ...
July 18, 2014
I really liked this story. The emotion is honest and real. I like that. I also like the fact that the hero treats the heroine with respect and honour, even though he leaves out a few essential details. But it wouldn't be a good book without a little tension between the characters and little mystery. Nice one.
August 23, 2014
Annie West is an amazing story teller and A Mistress for the Taking is one of the best romances I've read.
Ronan is a hero from the start when he steps in to save Marina and together they battled a common enemy. Their romance develops as he wins her heart as he won mine.
This book is a keeper and I am excited to have a hard copy and the ebook and loved reading it again.
Ronan is a hero from the start when he steps in to save Marina and together they battled a common enemy. Their romance develops as he wins her heart as he won mine.
This book is a keeper and I am excited to have a hard copy and the ebook and loved reading it again.
September 26, 2012
This one came recommended by some of my Facebook friends, and I was quite pleased with it. Physically weakened heroine, scars, family issues, revenge, lots of chemistry, TONS of angst...
Full review to follow, but for now, a pretty solid 4/5
Full review to follow, but for now, a pretty solid 4/5
February 17, 2012
I liked this but wasn't bowled over with it!
March 23, 2015
The final twist/obstacle did not work for me at all.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews