Liviania’s review of Prince of Montéz, Pregnant Mistress by Sabrina Philips
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin Presents 1 Jan 10
This was my first Harlequin Presents. I know from the other duckies (and reviews elsewhere) that this line is a bit of a crapshoot, often full of doormats and borderline abusive men. And yet, I picked this one blind. I didn’t know any of the authors, so I selected based on a title that was funny but not too funny and a blurb that sounded like something I would read. (Not that you can always trust titles and blurbs.) So I was surprised to find that I truly enjoyed Prince of Montéz, Pregnant Mistress.
(As for the title? It’s accurate, but Cally Greenway doesn’t get pregnant until the last third of the novel, making it a spoiler.)
Cally became an art restorer because of Jacques Rénard’s Mon Amour par la Mer [ed.: presumably a make believe painting – couldn’t find a reference to it]. In the opening chapters, which remind me of a classic children’s book, the painting is on auction. If the museum wins, Cally will be able to fulfill one of her greatest desires. Unfortunately, the museum loses to a private buyer. Fortunately, an attractive man chats her up. Unfortunately, the two of them aren’t going to be able to meet again and Cally isn’t a sleep-with-strangers kind of girl. Fortunately, he’s so suave she decides to have some fun anyway. Unfortunately, it was a secret moral test and she failed.
Leon has his reasons for wanting a woman who can stick to her word – he rules a country that doesn’t allow the press to write about the royal family. He might’ve forgiven the one lie, but he knew Cally also lied to him about why she wanted to restore the paintings. Of course, which woman is more discreet: the one who gives a non-answer to a personal question or the one who tells her life story to a total stranger because he’s hot? Aside from that major flaw in his logic, I do understand where he’s coming from. (And he becomes more understandable when the greedy sister-in-law arrives.) However, Cally is most qualified so he hires her to restore the paintings. Then, neither of them can ignore the sparks.
He does treat Cally badly at points. I can stand it because Cally doesn’t put up with it. She calls him out, and refuses to be live with someone who doesn’t respect her. Her confidence was damaged by an earlier relationship, but Cally is still no doormat. Sabrina Philips made me believe that Cally and Leon would fall for each other, and that Leon would grovel to get her back. I believe absolutely that they’ll have happily ever after.
I was extremely nervous going into my first Harlequin Presents, but I enjoyed the foray. I’ll be back for more, though I’ll try to remain cautious about which stories I pick. I know I’ll be likely to try another Philips, at least!
Grade: B+
Summary:
It’s the night of a most glamorous art auction in London, and Cally Greenway is due to land the restoration commission of her dreams…. Until the paintings sell to an unknown bidder and, devastated and dashed, Cally uncharacteristically finds solace in the arms of a handsome yet ruthless stranger.
He’s the very same man who bought her precious paintings—the Prince of Montéz! Leon summons Cally by royal decree—His Majesty wants a mistress: biddable, pleasurable…and pregnant?
Read an excerpt here.
These books are bathroom/bathtub reads for me. They are the perfect length for a nice long soak. I have gotten picky and read only select authors. Chantelle Shaw, Lucy Monroe, Penny Jordan are just a few and can always be counted on for a great read.
Yeah, limecello gave me a list of authors about five minutes after I bought the book. But it turned out well!
“Cally became an art restorer because of Jacques Rénard’s Mon Amour par la Mer [ed.: presumably a make believe painting – couldn’t find a reference to it].”
I was intrigued by this, so I went off to see what I could find. On Sabrina Philips’s site she’s written that:
“The paintings, Mon Amour par la Mer, that Cally restores over the course of the book are fictional, but inspired by real works. The style I envisioned was that of Flaming June by Frederic Leighton, which I went to see at the Tate Britain in London, where it’s currently on loan from Museo de Arte de Ponce, Puerto Rico – just beautiful. The idea of there being two paintings, one in which the subject is clothed, and the other nude, is inspired by Francisco Goya’s Nude Maya La maja desnuda and Clothed Maya La maja vestida. As for Cally’s job as an art restorer, the research on that was fascinating, and I’d like to thank Elizabeth Kendall, Director and Chief Conservator at Parma Conservation in Chicago for her insights. Do check out their website to learn about art restoration for real – it’s fascinating.”
Liv, you’re adorabubbles! Also – hmmm I might have to check out this author. Although you describing this book pretty much gave me whiplash.
I’m incredibly cautious when it comes to reading HPs [as well] – ironic, I know. Me, the great lover of categories.
How’d I give you whiplash?