Mistress

Mistress #1

by Nia Forrester

Before and after her run-in with Shawn from ‘Commitment‘, Keisha had her own story. This is it . . .

Keisha Crawford is at a crossroads. Just when she thought she’d finally risen above the scandal in her past, her latest “sugar daddy” passes away, and now she’s being evicted from the luxury penthouse she thought was hers. Slinking home to her father’s house with her tail between her legs, Keisha’s only goal is to get out of Brooklyn and back to the lifestyle that she’s become accustomed to. But when you go home again, it’s that much harder to let go of the person you used to be.

Genres: Romance, African American Romance, Novella, African American

ebook

First published August 31, 2013

About the author

I live in Philadelphia, PA where by day I work on public policy reform, and by night I read authors who move me, and write woman-centered fiction.

Reviews

[Alexis *Reality Bites* · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS out of 5
Genre: Contemporary Romance



I first met Keisha Crawford in Commitment and I disliked her character very very much. Okay, I lying I HATED HER. In Mistress I came to like her, pity her and root for her.

Men with fuck you money…
Keisha is a mistress, the side piece, the chick married men love to have sex with and lavish nice gifts upon before returning home to their wives. When her current sugar daddy unexpectedly dies she finds herself uprooted from the posh life her provided. Goodbye gorgeous high rise apartment, hello old bedroom at her father’s house back in Brooklyn. Only, that room is not exactly free for her to stay in.

Hello Brooklyn…
Jayson is well aware of who Keisha is and what she is known for (Dating old men with money) The first and most obvious thing he notices about her is her beauty.

‘Keisha Crawford was definitely something. She looked Latina but not; Black but not. And beautiful , but also, not. Underneath all the parts that seemed to go together so well— long neck, full lips, dulce de leche complexion and dark hair that hung in thick ropes— was a stain, like anger, lurking behind her eyes. The eyes themselves were noticeable as well, heavy-lidded and sensual, like those of a woman who had been thoroughly and recently sexually satisfied . Bedroom eyes.’

She could easily pull any man she wants so of course he doesn’t get the whole sugar daddy lifestyle. As he gets to know her more and more Jay learns that there is waaay more to Keisha then what meets the eye.

Classifying Jay as a sexy unwanted distraction Keisha goes on the hunt for her next come up aka sugar daddy. Knowing she could have so much better Jay questions Keisha’s lifestyle…her actions…and her excuses.

Now I'll be honest both of the main characters are somewhat of a hot mess. Yet, Nia Forrester beautifully laid Keisha bare in this book. She reopened old wounds that were barely stitched shut. Keisha having daddy issues only being the beginning of a wounded heart, the author delves in to all things Keisha leaving no room for misinterpretation.

Without giving away his story I will say this in reference to Jayson; he carries hurt in his palms, bitterness on his shoulders and unforgiveness in his heart.

After learning so much about Keisha and Jayson the last thing these two ‘need’ right now is to be together. Nevertheless together is how they find themselves.

‘He was directly in front of her now and could look right into her eyes and see the fear in them. And when he touched her, holding her by the upper arms, just as they almost always did, tiny goose-bumps sprouted on her skin. “But you want me,” he said, lowering his head. “You want me. And I want you, too.”

My Thoughts
WOW! By the end of this book I loved a character I once despised. Keisha grows but in baby steps. Forrester's writing is strong and compelling. Her characters? As real as they come! I look forward to continuing the journey that is Keisha and Jay!

My Ratings
Characters- Sexy & Lovable
Writing Style- Excellent, I love this authors style
Plot/Storyline- A girl once living the good life thanks to her sugar daddy finds herself back in the hood looking for her next come up.
Steam Factor- High/Steamy on a sale of 1-10 I say 6
Entertainment Level- Lo-Med-Hi I say Medium
Overall- I loved it! Read the book!

Now go forth and read. Then come tell us about it on Goodreads!
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[Sophie Sealy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may change my review later to include more but I don't want to give anything away. After reading "Commitment" many, rather all of Nia's readers did not like Keisha. So when I saw that Keisha had a book dedicated to her I damn near flipped. Tricks and mistress are not entitled to more than 15 minutes of fame. I always caution people on being too judgmental but with Keisha it was "almost" impossible not to be. I knew Nia could do the impossible but was curious as to how. The impossible was humanizing Keisha to sympathize with her and I was feeling this way from the beginning of the book. Nia is good at creating flawed characters and then intricately remove those layers to find the source of their pain and leave them bare to begin the healing. Keisha, do I love her? No, Do I like her? Maybe, Do I want to hear from her again? Yes I would like to know where's she's headed as long as its nowhere near Riley and Shawn. The one thing I will reveal is that Keisha's story takes place 5 years after Shawn, which made it easier to really pay to her life instead of anticipating that incident.

[LaToya Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Good One..

In the first book of the Commitment series, we were introduced to Keisha and I couldn’t stand her.

In this book, we get to learn about Keisha’s life before and after the horrible drama she caused. As the title states, Keisha lived her life as a mistress. She slept with wealthy men for money until her latest “boyfriend” died unexpectedly and she was left out on her ass with no money and no place to stay. She was forced to return home to a life she’d tried to get away from. While there, she meets Jayson and something special begins to blossom between them.

I love how real Jayson was with Keisha in regards to the choices she made. I think he really helped her open her eyes and start to realize her worth.

I love when an author is able to take an unlikeable character and make you understand them a little better. I look forward to continuing this series to see how things pan out for these two.

[X · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 of 2 in my accidental sugar daddy double feature. It was really sweet! I liked how naturally the story and the characters’ relationship evolved. Very low key, but written in a way where I was never bored.

Yeah, I really liked this! Now looking at it in GR I realize it’s #1 in a trilogy about the same characters - but it really worked for me even without knowing that. I loved the ending too. I don’t even know that I’ll continue in the series because I like the story as it is came together here so much.

[Deloris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely detested Keisha in the book Commitment by Nia Forrester I changed my mind about her in this book. I rooted for her because I got to know her, yes she did wrong before but this book was her changing and I liked everything I read. Keisha goes from being a girl looking for a man to take care of her to being a woman doing it for her self. She learned she was worth more than the few pretty things those old men could buy her. Jay was a character I enjoyed getting to know and I was surprised to see Nia write this type character but like anything she does, she did him well. I really liked Jay and wanted to see him end up with Keisha, I liked the story they made together and I hope there is much more to tell, to me their story was the beginning of a really good book.

[Michelle [Helen Geek] · Rating 4 out of 5]

11/09/2013 --

Overall Rating = 4.5 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 3 / 4 / 4 = 3.5 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 5 Stars
Character Development = 4 Stars
Story Appreciation = 4 Stars
Worth the Chili = 5 Stars -- [$2.99 on Amazon]

I love this author. I was a bit surprised when she decided to give this character her own book. When you first meet her in Commitment / . She was an angry parasite. So, yes. I was surprised.

This is considered a novella. At about 10%, I put the book down for a bit because this girl ... I really didn't like her. Her actions and thought process was making me feel sorry for the "rich guy" cheater who was "keeping" her. Knowing Nia Forrester and trusting her like I do, I just knew she would give me insight and explain where she was going with all this. She did.

A few things to tell you to explain myself:
1 -- People find themselves in situations they never dreamed they'd be in. If you ask a 7 year old what they want to do when they grow up, they tell you a ballet dancer, an artist, a pinky pie horse rider. They don't tell you a kept woman sleeping with disgusting old farts for her keep. They just don't. So, how does this happen? A variety of reasons, but a primary or key one is environment. If you never believe you are anything outside of your outward appearance and never have anyone to look to as a role model, you never know where to aim your viewfinder. I see this in Keisha.

2 -- Optimism. Another way to say this is hope. Such a simple word but powerful. What do we have if we don't have hope. It applies to the every day. We hope today is better than yesterday. We hope we succeed in a class or a task or in a conversation. All aimed at a goal. What if you have no goals? What if you only shoot for the "end of your nose". Live in the now; in the moment? This thinking never works and most of the time has disastrous results. Keisha is a prime example. On the other hand Jayson has learned the hard way where this thinking gets you and has more in mind. He just isn't entirely sure where Keisha fits in with all this.

3 -- Trust. This is a hard one. You've heard the phrase ... give them wings to fly, and, if it is right, they'll fly back to you. Trust. Jayson tells Keisha to trust him. Before she can, she has to trust herself. I love how this plays out in this story.

We don't want to like Keisha. Maybe we don't really. What I like about her is the second chance she is working on. We all deserve a second chance. What we do with it defines us. We may screw up a bit along the way and that is okay. It is all about our commitment to it and our integrity in finding it.

For me, Nia Forrester is an author like no other. I like the uniqueness of her stories, her characters. Who would have thought of taking this horrid girl and giving her this opportunity to get to know her; explain her. Nia did it and did it VERY well. Another amazing read by an amazing author. I can't wait to see what she does next. I'm so happy I stumbled on her.

Happy Reading!

[The Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

In “Mistress,” Nia Forrester serves the first helping of drama early on. Keisha Crawford is a kept woman. Her latest “keeper” is Charlie, a man old enough to be her grandfather, but the youngest of Keisha’s recent string of boyfriend benefactors. Charlie doesn’t provide Keisha with a lot of cash, but he gives her things, to include $100,000 dollars worth of jewelry and a nice apartment (a kept woman has to be kept somewhere). But as the tale begins Charlie has dropped dead, and shortly thereafter Keisha receives a call from Charlie’s attorney daughter Beth. It turns out that the apartment Keisha lives in is in Beth’s name. Beth informs Keisha that she has two days to pack her things and vacate the premises. With little cash and no new sugar daddy waiting in the wings, what’s a gold digger to do? Moreover, what’s a reader to do? Can a kept woman—a user of men—be a sympathetic heroine?

Well no, she probably can’t.

And that’s the cleverness of author Nia Forrester. She creates flawed characters (read real); the kind of people you might find it hard to like and cheer for. I didn’t find myself hoping that things would work out for Keisha. I didn’t hope that in the end she’d get her man, an ex-con named Jayson whom she meets through a family connection after being evicted from her swanky crib.

And then it gets worse…

Like many characters in relationship dramas and romance novels, Keisha has a secret from her past that haunts her. Oftentimes less skilled authors make the heroine’s secret something that happened TO her, some incident that through no fault of her own left her emotionally scarred and unable initially to connect to the male protagonist. Usually the secret revealed is designed to elicit sympathy and understanding from the reader so that they can give her a pass on her current issues. But here once again Nia Forrester throws formula out the window. Scratch that: She hurls formula through the window and shatters the glass. Keisha’s secret is an ugly one, one that’s of her doing only, and one that made me like her even less.

And this is why I enjoyed “Mistress.”

I didn’t like the character much, but that’s okay. I read fiction to be entertained, and I was, thoroughly. I didn’t like Keisha enough to hope that she’d figure out how to take control of her life or that she’d get her man, but I was interested to know whether or not she did.

That’s the craftiness of author Nia Forrester. She doesn’t take the easy way. She doesn’t follow formula. She’s like a young Muhammad Ali. She’s not supposed to box with her hands down by writing unsympathetic primary characters because that’s how less skilled authors get knocked out. But like Ali, Ms. Forrester defies convention and makes you want to turn the page, and in doing so she scores a knockout read.

She wins, and “Mistress” is a winner.

[Corinne]

Nia Forrester always challenging my thinking!

[Cassandra Baker-Durham · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is official. Nia Forrester has become one of my favorite authors, I will buy a book with her name on it, simply because she wrote it. One of the reasons that she has become one of my favorites is her uncanny ability to draw you into her stories, they then become your stories. Those stories resonate with you long after the story has concluded. Keisha was used to being “the mistress” and after the death of her benefactor, she was forced to come to terms with who she had become. Talk about looking for love in all the wrong places. She moves back home with her father and meets, yet another man. I loved the witty banter between Jayson and Keisha. As well as the banter between her and Angie. But I also loved exploring the deep rooted issues that resounded so loudly within both of them. The imagery of the story tweaked my already active imagination, I could see the hotel rooms, the beautiful wrap around porch as well as the tiny apartment. I love how Nia weaves a web of deceit, then unravels it string by string to reveal the vulnerabilities of the parties involved. You've got to read this one for yourself. Excellent book. Yes, I highly recommend it, but I also recommend you go back to the beginning with Unsuitable Men.

[Deena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nia Forrester is just too much! I was excited about reading this book, but only because Nia wrote it. Like everybody else, I had no interest in learning anything about Keisha, and couldn't even believe that Ms. Forrester wanted/needed to write about her. So imagine my surprise when she took this most-hated creature and humanized her. I not only sympathized with Keisha, but actually understood her pain and humiliation, as well as her resentment of Shawn and Riley (especially Riley!). Now she was clearly wrong for what she did, but I understood her need to strike out & hurt like she had been hurt. I was even hoping that she would have her own happily ever after! Nia Forrester has some serious writing skills! If you read Commitment, you MUST read this book. You will not regret it.

I LOVE reading good books. I have read every book, outtake, short story, etc., that Nia Forrester has written and have yet to be disappointed. She is just awesome. As long as she's writing, I'll be buying and reading.

[Bonita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started to panic before I realized there was a sequel to Keisha and Jayson's story. Loved this book!

[Nut Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I knew this was a spin-off of Forrester's "Commitment," I read it without bothering with the first book. I was pleased to find that it worked just fine as a stand-alone. Pertinent events from "Commitment" are not only addressed, but made relevant without dragging down the story. I've always been drawn to stories with morally complex characters, and this one did not disappoint, transforming the villain, Keisha, into a protagonist. Since the story takes place immediately after the sudden death of the Keisha's recent sugar daddy, the focus is on the instability of that life style rather than the dynamics of the relationship. However, Forrester doesn't shy away from discussing the complexity of it It's not explored as much as I would have liked, but Keisha's experience of both gratitude and humiliation is touched on. What really impressed me though was the handling of the scandal from "Commitment" Keisha's false rape accusation. While acknowledging the vileness of her past actions, they're presented in a context that makes them shockingly understandable. Rather than being a monster, Keisha is presented as a good person who did a bad thing. More importantly, it shows her breaking the cycle that kept her feeling used and debased, rather than being rescued by a man. Somehow, Forrester managed to make a story about a kept woman decidedly feminist, which is no mean feat. My only quibble is that the cat and mouse romance draws out a little longer than I would have preferred, and there is surprisingly little sex, given the heroine's life style. I had expected something fairly steamy, but instead it was relatively tame. That being said, it's well written, with both a nice romance and a rather inspiring message about the capacity for change and new beginnings. I heartily recommend to anyone looking for a quick but satisfying read.

[Marion Slaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Winner

It takes an exceptional writer to take a despicable character and turn her into someone worthy of redemption. I read the romance of Riley and K Smooth more than once. I'm that series, Keisha was a direct source of distress for both characters. I hated her presence in their lives.

Based on that, I stayed away from this series for years. During a dry reading spell, I downloaded the first book in Kindle Unlimited, got caught up in my feelings, then bought the other two. I've always been a fan, however, I finally realized the greatness of Nia Forrester.

Keisha was a complex character with many layers. As I peeled the onion, I couldn't stop. I read all three books in a little more than 24 hours. It was worth the hangover. This series is a winner in my book. I actually wanted one more chapter, or one more book. Hell, give me another featuring Bettina, Marcus, Chloe, Fiona or anybody and throw Jayson and Keisha in there for kicks and giggles.

I'm mad at myself for skipping over this series for so long. Nevertheless, I found another winner and would shout it from the rooftop, if I could. Bravo!

[Robbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nia Forrester never ceases to amaze me! She has such a way with words that just literally draws you into any and every story she writes. Both Keisha and Jayson have complicated pasts but together they seem to make each other better. I absolutely loved their chemistry and how they were able to be so raw and real with each other. The first step to moving on is talking about what’s bothering you and holding you back. Although they might’ve not always liked what the other had to say they both played a key role in the others overall growth as a person. I’m rooting for them 😩 I’ve already started book 2 in the series I can’t wait to see how it ends!

[NT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much like everyone else that read the book, Commitment, I did not like Keisha based on her actions. But reading her story in this book gave me a better understanding into why she acted the way she did. I don’t condone or excuse her behavior, but getting an insight into her trauma and hurt reshaped my feelings toward her. And that is the skill of a good writer. Nia was able to take a character that most readers, if not all readers, disliked and make you want to show her grace. I liked that Keisha also wanted to better herself. This was a good story and I look forward to see what happens with her and Jay in the next book.

[Crystal Luckey · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Good!!!

Keisha had to figure out her next steps now that her sugar daddy was gone. Going back to the last place she ever wanted to go to, she returned home needing a place to stay, but her room was occupied with one fine ass man, Jayson. Asking Jayson for her room for awhile, Jayson gave it up, but he also gave up his time to Keisha as well. Working on becoming a better person and starting to have feelings for Jayson, Keisha gives up her previous life, but when she tell Jayson her secret, she might loss him as well. I loved it, couldn't get enough of this book. I love when people work to become a better them and that was Keisha. She finally got what she wanted and that was love. Jayson and Keisha had strong chemistry, but Jayson needed to go find himself and that was without Keisha. I cant wait to dive into book 2!!! Damn Good Read!!!

[Pat Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crossroads

Keisha's sugar daddy died. And she's not prepared to support herself. Nor does she have a place to live being as she was evicted. She's having a hard time finding another sugar daddy. It's all she knows. This situation has put her at a crossroad. It becomes really interesting because her next steps determine who she wants to be and who she really is. When she meets an ordinary guy (Jayson) who isn't able to keep her in the lifestyle she's grown accustomed to, will she go with her heart or retreat to what she knows?
This episode gave us the background for these flawed characters so I'm looking forward to their journey in part 2.

[NubianJoí · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baggage…

Hmmm, after the wonderful read of the “Coffee Date Novellas” series “Mistress (The Mistress Trilogy - Book 1) doesn’t have the same appeal. Frankly, I don’t care for Keisha’s character as a glorified “stroll of the evening”😉. However, at only twenty three yeas old, she’s perfected a persona of quib pro quo superficial lifestyle, and papa Crawford is/was mute 🤔🥴⁉️Why? & How? with a father that’s alive & hears (sees) the gossip/rumors/speculations. …obviously there’s undisclosed baggage between father & daughter‼️So, judgement is premature. Nevertheless, before I sing 🎶“She Works Hard For The Money” 🎶by the late Queen of Disco Ms. Donna Summer, I’m curious to see how this trilogy unfolds. But, “a spade” ♠️ (colloquialism) is always available 🤷🏾‍♀️🤭‼️

[Byron Washington · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Talented

This book chronicles the life of a character from a previous book written by Nia Forrester. Somehow, through her brilliance, has made me feel empathy for a person that was TRULY ABHORRENT in her previous works of fiction.

I mean, I DESPISED this woman and now I feel like I understand her better, and I'm actually impressed by her growth and rooting for her future success. Crazy world, huh?

This is a must read. Nia Forrester...WOW!!!! The first tale of a three book series. Buy it and enjoy.👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥

[Nicole Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wowwwww!

Ok, I was really prepared to not like this book. Something about the content in the beginning got on my nerves! I had to ask myself why? Well this is not an 'arm chair psychology' moment so...

Needless to say, I kept with it and I'm in love with this story! And have to go to the next part!

The 'real-ness', I LOVE IT!

[Jazzmyn Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As much as i despised Keisha in The Commitment....i absolutely loved her in this story!!! Seeing this different side of her was great! There is never any denying the chemistry between the characters in the stories she weaves. Nia Forrester please don't ever stop writing love stories!!!!

-signed an avid and proud hater of love stories

[Terra Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Redemption in the making!

If ever a character needed redeeming it would definitely be Keisha Crawford! And while this novella was a start, I'm still not there with her yet! Jason's story is also one of redemption, and I can't wait to see if they get the do-over that they both honestly deserve.

[Chantal N · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will read this book to my daughter. I want to be in control and to celebrate her sexuality-but I also want her to value it. Know its worth. Understand when she’s having sex for her—or for something else all together. This book is about a flawed girl. And I do say girl because she’s younger than even 25. She’s been through so much all to be seen. And guess what? She deserves love too.

[Chelley Rene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great start to series. Keisha did some terrible terrible things in the past and now we are seeing how it’s affecting her life me now she intends to move past it. Jayson is coming off a 10 year bid and trying to sort out his life. This is the beginning of their story of finding themsleves and each other.

[Tsholonki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had no interest Keisha because come on, we all know what Keisha did, but I felt compelled to read everything this time around, just to fully understand the vision that the author is trying to fulfil. And I am glad that I took this leap, we can't help, but to see Keisha, the woman, the daughter, the friend, and genuinely try get to know her.

[Trish Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keisha's Story

This was another good read by Nia Forrester. I never anticipated reading Keisha's story,but now I see it as one worth sharing and I look forward to exploring it more in the next book in the series.

[ABrown Queen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding you

Great story! I like how it ties in a character from another series. I also like the fact that K finds her way. I hope she continues on a path that leads her to true love, happiness, and J.

[Lorraine Darrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lack of Knowledge

Enjoyed this book. Was glad to see how Keisha was making out after what she done; try to do to the Rapper. Did not agree to her lifestyle, but how stupid of her not to financially secure living in that manner.

[Andria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it!

New love and ending old toxic patters is good to read about. I can’t wait to get to the next story as I’m awaiting to see those fears diminish and love take over! Good read!

[Marlene Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprised!

Still don’t like Keisha😡but the storyline was great. Jay obviously is her one. Looking forward to the next book in this saga. This writer is just - the bomb with her story telling gift! Keep them coming, please.