The French Count's Mistress

by Susan Stephens

When Kate Foster decides to open a business at her family's cottage on the estate of a French chateau, she discovers that all the other properties on the estate have been sold to the millionaire Count Guy de Villeneuve.

Guy is determined to prevent Kate from setting up her business on his land—until he realizes the intense physical chemistry that burns between them is impossible to resist. He will have his land and Kate as his mistress—whatever it takes!

Genres: Romance, Harlequin, Contemporary Romance

192 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2003

About the author

USA TODAY best-selling author Susan Stephens' books have captivated readers worldwide with over 11 million copies sold. Her work crosses cultures and continents, having been translated into 26 languages and reaching readers in 109 countries. This year marks a milestone as Susan's 100th book is slated for publication.

NEW SERIES!

ACOSTAS RAW Ranchers, rodeo and passion

1. BEAU
2. COLT
3. BLAKE
4. CHRISTMAS WITH ANGEL


BLOOD AND THUNDER

1. ALEXEI
2. DANTE
3. DIEGO
4. CESAR
5. CONNOR .

- BOX SET books. 1-4

6. ELIJAH Coming soon

Reviews

[Mariam MJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Doormat heroine
Unlikeable hero

[Nightwitch]

I've been happily bingeing Harlequin Presents novels of varying eras lately, but my multiple library subscriptions mean that I'm getting pickier - and in this one, the heroine (who is presented as a Brilliant Businesslady) is so dumb from moment one that I stalled out, pleased though I was to see a non-Mediterranean lead in one of these. Besides the usual "she made an embarrassing pass at him when she was sixteen" whatever, she's been informed that ownership of the holiday cottage she "inherited" from her godmother is far more confused than she thinks - because of complex French inheritance laws she may not actually own it, and when her attorney said "we need to talk about it" she probably should have actually kept that appointment with him. Okay. Fine. So the heroine manages to sort-of negotiate the ability to stay in said cottage, with ownership still up in the air and the hero decidedly hostile to her continued residence... and goes home, thinking to herself "gosh he's going to be mad when he realizes I'm not just going to live here but I'm going to turn it into an expensive vacation resort for wealthy executives." Um. You... don't have the legal right to do that? Almost certainly? Should probably check on it before sinking money into the idea given the shaky ground? Anyway, that was a level of stupid I found offensive.

[DKC · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thought this would be an interesting little read, but I was thoroughly disappointed with the heroine. I am sick and tired of these women who are supposed to be "strong, intelligent, and assured" who turn out to be utter ditzes. Seriously, we're supposed to believe she's running a successful business? I was frustrated inside of the first few paragraphs of meeting the character. She literally couldn't think around the hero. She stands around gawping at him, and he constantly has to repeat himself to get her brain jolted into operating again. For crying out loud -- she sets her cottage on fire, because she's so feather-brained and distracted by thoughts of the hero, she forgets she's got a crap ton of candles burning! Then, nearly at the end, the reader is supposed to accept that she's suddenly sharp and can see through a con? Not to mention that the hero was pretty darn appealing, but she was so insecure and hormonally overwhelmed that she kept lying to him, and then gets angry when he (quite rightly) has an issue with it? Ugh. One more thing: enough about her nips! They and their reactions were mentioned ad nauseum. Sheesh....

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember reading a part of this book many years ago, but I didn't the full thing so the title stuck with me. I've always wanted to come back and read the full story, and I'm glad I was finally able do that. It's a quick read, good relationships beyond romance, likable characters. The title is very misleading though. It's set in the early 2000s. Just something light to read between heavy reading.

[RJC · Rating 1 out of 5]

Inconsistent with the French details. A quick read.

[Ashley Meyer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Super boring until close to the end. Was ok.

[Tetty Marlinda · Rating 1 out of 5]

#140 - 2025
Genre: Harlequin Romance

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost everything about this book was misleading. The title, the flavor text on the back, and the little excerpt at the beginning. The excerpt at the beginning ALMOST had me skipping this one, but I'm glad I didn't. Perhaps it's because of the expectations I had, but I rather enjoyed this. It had good pacing (even if the villainous happenings kind of came out of the blue at me) and I really enjoyed the relationships (not just the romance) in the book. The misunderstandings that existed were totally understandable. I'd definitely give this author another try.

[RomLibrary]

When Kate Foster decides to open a business at her family's cottage on the estate of a French chateau, she discovers that all the other properties on the estate have been sold to the millionaire Count Guy de Villeneuve.

Guy is determined to prevent Kate from setting up her business on his land--until he realizes the intense physical chemistry that burns between them is impossible to resist. He will have his land and Kate as his mistress--whatever it takes!