The Tattler - April 1802 It wouldn't surprise you, gentle readers, to learn that Dermott Ramsay, the earl of Bathurst and favorite of all ladies, married or otherwise, has a new paramour. What may surprise you is her name. For she is none other than Isabella Leslie! The same beauty of the sizable inheritance who prefers not the ton but books, maps, and the family shipping business. You may wonder how a picture of innocence ended up in the arms of a libertine. Truth to tell, Isabella had to flee from her scheming relatives in the rain-soaked night and seek refuge in London's most infamous brothel. There, with the help of the madam, she devised an unorthodox plan to escape a dreaded marriage bed. She would simply have to become unmarriageable--even if it meant public ruin. And who better to utterly ruin her in a mere week than a handsome rake famous for seductive skills? But gossip has it that Dermott may be developing a tendre for his temporary mistress. It makes for the most delicious speculation, does it not? For if it indeed is the case, what will happen when their week of pleasure is over? We urge you, dear readers, to do as we do--follow the affair closely, and with every hope that it will turn into this Season's most delicious scandal.

Blackmailed by the billionaire! Damian Carver is determined to prosecute the woman who stole from his company, and nothing the culprit's sister, Violet Drew, says or does will change his mind. But Violet's determination—not to mention the tempting curves beneath her shapeless coat—intrigue him enough to allow her to earn her sister's freedom…. Damian needs a temporary mistress, and once that mouthwatering body is poured into designer outfits and heels, Violet will fit the bill perfectly! Only, the coldhearted CEO isn't prepared for sweet-natured Violet to turn the tables on his sensuous brand of blackmail….

Marla Kensington is a young, attractive comedian with the ability to make people laugh. It's her gift— her talent. But, what does she do when she meets a man who refuses to smile? A man who cannot even see the simple humor in a funny joke. Beau Brenton is a recent widower who has very little reason to laugh. His wife died unexpectedly and now he is raising their infant son. Every morning is a struggle for the strikingly handsome father. And, every day brings him closer to the reality that he is all alone. How is he suppose to cope without a wife? What does he know about taking care of a baby? And, when will the pain go away? Beau Brenton is lost and confused. His heart has been broken and his mind is numbed until he encounters a bold, beautiful woman telling jokes on a street corner.

Sneaking off to attend a scandalous weekly masquerade sounded like a brilliant idea. Unfortunately, disguised as Lady Peacock, Lady Dorothea “Dory” Tillsbury has done one of the worst things imaginable for a proper young lady. She’s falling in love with the masquerade’s host, a gentleman who doesn’t even know her name and, worse, is completely unsuitable. He is also so far above her touch that there is no chance he will ever notice her. The so-called “Lord Raven of Dionysus,” Lord Jeremy Dunn has known Lady Dory’s identity from the moment she walked into his club dressed like a harlot. He’s also been completely enchanted by her and wants nothing more than to coax her into his bed, no matter how bad of an idea that might be. One night, Jeremy makes Dory an offer she can’t refuse – become his temporary mistress before she is forced to settle down into a loveless marriage with a man who ignores her. Will Dory make the proper decision or will she follow her heart straight into Jeremy’s bed? More importantly, can these two star-crossed lovers be together outside the mysterious midnight world of the masquerade or is their affair doomed to end in the harsh light of day?

Mistress-keeping was traditional in Japan because virtually all marriages were arranged, love was not involved, and a nation-wide legal prostitution system catered to men (over and above the thousands of geisha). Times have changed, but mistress-keeping is still common. Old Japan hand and internationally known author of books on Asia Boye Lafayette De Mente takes an insider's and often humorous look at mistress-keeping in Japan then and now. The book is illustrated with provocative kanji characters. His insights into Japan's mizu shobai (water business), or the entertainment trades, are invaluable for businessmen and tourists alike.