#BookReview: His Mistress by Monica Burns - 4 Wine Glasses

Title: His Mistress 
Series: Self-Made Men #1
Author: Monica Burns 
Format: eBook/Paperback, 297 pages
Published: May 11th 2014 by Maroli SP Imprints (first published May 1st 2014)
ISBN: 1499203608 
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Source: Amazon
Reviewer: Linda
Rating: 4/5

HIS MISTRESS is "powerfully done, and the scenes between Tobias and Jane mesmerized me. I loved it." says Joey W. Hill, author of the Knights of the Board Room series. HIS MISTRESS is a sensually crafted BDSM historical romance, which is book 1 in the Self-Made Men series. 
When Tobias Lynsted is blackmailed into marrying Lady Jane, neither realize they both belong to the same BDSM club, the House of Dark Pleasures. Tobias is haunted by dark secrets, until Jane becomes both his salvation and the mistress of his soul.

One man’s submission to pleasure
As a solicitor seeking justice for victims of violence, Tobias Lynsted must maintain control at all times while working in the seedy underworld of London’s East End. The darkness of his world creates a need for the intimacy and release he can only find in the forbidden pleasure of submission in the House of Dark Pleasures. The kind of pleasure where a powerful man has the freedom to let go of his control for a few sweet moments of oblivion under the command of a lovely Domme. But when a blackmail scheme forces him to marry, the last thing he expects in a wife is a woman who will satisfy the darker side of his nature and make him yield to her command.
One woman’s awakening 
Lady Jane Grisham has no desire to marry, but choosing marriage over a life of destitution is an easy choice to make. Although Jane knows love is for the foolish, Tobias awakens her most wicked and darkest of desires. But Tobias is also a threat to her secret life in the BDSM establishment, the House of Dark Pleasures. In the sinful world of domination and submission, Jane finds refuge from the repressive constraints of society by making a man surrender to her will. Her face hidden behind a mask, Jane uses her blossoming skills to make Tobias surrender not only his body, but his secrets as well. But she quickly discovers that the greatest test of her strength is trusting Tobias with her heart.
A passion that overcomes the darkness of the past.

Thoughts:
Wow! I actually didn't know what to expect when I read that this was a BDSM. Am I the only one who didn't know what that meant? LOL! I have never read a book by Monica Burns that I didn't enjoy, so this 60+ year old jumped right in. Now that I've read it, I can tell you that Monica has written an intensely seductive Victorian-era romance that kept me riveted to the story and the characters from the front page to the last. 

The writing, as is always the case with Monica, is beautiful and polished. This is well-written erotica and not smutty in the least. There's a riveting plot and sub-plots - so it's not all sex. Within the book, you will be treated to backroom underhanded shenanigans, a forced engagement, an evil stepmother-to-be that gives Maleficent a run for her money, and a plethora of hot, slightly kinky action! I was totally fascinated and not-at-all repulsed by the goings-on in the club. 

I loved both Tobias and Jane. Tobias is an atty, honest as the day is long and tortured by memories and longings. Jane is a strong woman determined to survive. She disguises a surprisingly feisty and spicy persona beneath the plain clothing that she was wearing when the story began. AND... she leads a captivating unforeseen double life!

I would highly recommend without reserve His Mistress to anyone who loves historical romances. You will not be disappointed.