What do you think?
Rate this book
Defiant Mistress
HEART OF AN ANGEL
Poor and alone, ebon-haired Angelica needed money fast --- but there was only one way a girl could get lots of cash in the small mining town. The innocent beauty detested the thought of selling her body's charms, but the day came when she had no choice but to walk the streets. Tears filling her alluring eyes, she happened upon rich, towering Gareth Dawson, and arranged to be his high-priced consort, he clasped her hard against his virile chest, he trailed sensuous kisses down her creamy neck ... and Angelica never guessed that one passionate night in his ardent embrace would make her want him for all eternity!
SOUL OF A DEVIL
Because his father had married badly, dark and moody Gareth Dawson had learned that ladies made life miserable --- unless a man was free to love and free to leave. Even though he became wildly infatuated with Angelica's ripe curves and supple flesh, he wouldn't let his deeper, more protective instincts move his hardened feelings. Then the moment arrived when he couldn't deny he would always need her by his side ... but still he swore he'd never take her for his lawful wedded wife. No matter what she wanted, Gareth would keep her only as his loving concubine, his wild DEFIANT MISTRESS.
Poor and alone, ebon-haired Angelica needed money fast --- but there was only one way a girl could get lots of cash in the small mining town. The innocent beauty detested the thought of selling her body's charms, but the day came when she had no choice but to walk the streets. Tears filling her alluring eyes, she happened upon rich, towering Gareth Dawson, and arranged to be his high-priced consort, he clasped her hard against his virile chest, he trailed sensuous kisses down her creamy neck ... and Angelica never guessed that one passionate night in his ardent embrace would make her want him for all eternity!
SOUL OF A DEVIL
Because his father had married badly, dark and moody Gareth Dawson had learned that ladies made life miserable --- unless a man was free to love and free to leave. Even though he became wildly infatuated with Angelica's ripe curves and supple flesh, he wouldn't let his deeper, more protective instincts move his hardened feelings. Then the moment arrived when he couldn't deny he would always need her by his side ... but still he swore he'd never take her for his lawful wedded wife. No matter what she wanted, Gareth would keep her only as his loving concubine, his wild DEFIANT MISTRESS.
555 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1986
2 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Elaine Barbieri
59 books51 followersAKA Elaine Rome
Elaine Barbieri wrote over thirty historical novels that have been published worldwide. She was certain young adult readers would enjoy the excitement of historical romance if given a chance, and she welcomed the opportunity to write Miranda and the Warrior for this new audience. Elaine lived in northern New Jersey with her husband and family, and with Harrison, a demanding male who she is sure would be the ultimate hero -- if he weren't a cat.
Elaine Barbieri wrote over thirty historical novels that have been published worldwide. She was certain young adult readers would enjoy the excitement of historical romance if given a chance, and she welcomed the opportunity to write Miranda and the Warrior for this new audience. Elaine lived in northern New Jersey with her husband and family, and with Harrison, a demanding male who she is sure would be the ultimate hero -- if he weren't a cat.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 21, 2016
This review is of “Defiant Mistress” by Elaine Barbieri.
The Story: “Defiant Mistress” begins in Mexico, where the heroine of the book, Angelica Rodrigo, 17, works as a maid to the wealthy Arricalde family. She is pursued by many men: the Arricalde’s son, Esteban; Peter MacFadden, a Scottish engineer; and the “hero” of the book, Gareth Dawson, a Texan. Of the three, only MacFadden treats Angelica with any form of respect.
Due to the fact that Angelica’s younger brother, Carlos, is sick and dying, Angelica essentially sells herself to Gareth to try to get money to help pay for Carlos’ care. This only makes Gareth view Angelica in an even lower regard than he already does.
After Gareth ruins Angelica’s reputation and causes her to lose her job, Esteban tries to take Angelica with him to Mexico City as his mistress. Gareth finds out, then makes an offer to take Angelica with him to as his mistress by paying completely for Carlos’ care. A violent confrontation between Esteban and Gareth later ensues; Esteban stabs Gareth, and Gareth shoots Esteban. Gareth takes Angelica with him back to his home in Texas, and continues his efforts to manipulate and bind Angelica to him via sex. This plan basically works until Gareth’s father, Jonathan returns and a shocking secret from Angelica’s past becomes known. More secrets are revealed, Angelica and Gareth reunite, get married and have their Happily Ever After; or something like that.
Upside: As always, Ms. Barbieri is very good at writing her characters emotions, especially Angelica’s.
Downside: Again, as always, the drawback to Ms. Barbieri’s books is her “heroes”. Gareth is a typical Barbieri hero: obnoxious, self-centered, egotistical and uncaring about the heroine’s feelings. Gareth only cares about what he wants, and tries-and succeeds-at manipulating Angelica by using sex. There is no true love in Ms. Barbieri’s books; there is manipulation, coercion, controlling. In other words, nothing close to love.
One other thing: if I never see the words “darlin’” and “perusal” again, I’ll be happy.
Sex: Ms. Barbieri’s love scenes are unimaginative and unsexy. I understand it’s hard to be creative, but it would be nice to see different descriptions every now and then.
Violence: Angelica is assaulted repeatedly by Esteban. Gareth is shot-sadly not killed, that would have made “Defiant Mistress” SO much better-and survives.
Bottom Line: Do you like books where the heroines have zero pride and self-esteem, where they are treated like dirt and still fall in love with the bastard who perpetrates these behaviors against them? If you do, chances are you’ll love most of Elaine Barbieri’s books.
The Story: “Defiant Mistress” begins in Mexico, where the heroine of the book, Angelica Rodrigo, 17, works as a maid to the wealthy Arricalde family. She is pursued by many men: the Arricalde’s son, Esteban; Peter MacFadden, a Scottish engineer; and the “hero” of the book, Gareth Dawson, a Texan. Of the three, only MacFadden treats Angelica with any form of respect.
Due to the fact that Angelica’s younger brother, Carlos, is sick and dying, Angelica essentially sells herself to Gareth to try to get money to help pay for Carlos’ care. This only makes Gareth view Angelica in an even lower regard than he already does.
After Gareth ruins Angelica’s reputation and causes her to lose her job, Esteban tries to take Angelica with him to Mexico City as his mistress. Gareth finds out, then makes an offer to take Angelica with him to as his mistress by paying completely for Carlos’ care. A violent confrontation between Esteban and Gareth later ensues; Esteban stabs Gareth, and Gareth shoots Esteban. Gareth takes Angelica with him back to his home in Texas, and continues his efforts to manipulate and bind Angelica to him via sex. This plan basically works until Gareth’s father, Jonathan returns and a shocking secret from Angelica’s past becomes known. More secrets are revealed, Angelica and Gareth reunite, get married and have their Happily Ever After; or something like that.
Upside: As always, Ms. Barbieri is very good at writing her characters emotions, especially Angelica’s.
Downside: Again, as always, the drawback to Ms. Barbieri’s books is her “heroes”. Gareth is a typical Barbieri hero: obnoxious, self-centered, egotistical and uncaring about the heroine’s feelings. Gareth only cares about what he wants, and tries-and succeeds-at manipulating Angelica by using sex. There is no true love in Ms. Barbieri’s books; there is manipulation, coercion, controlling. In other words, nothing close to love.
One other thing: if I never see the words “darlin’” and “perusal” again, I’ll be happy.
Sex: Ms. Barbieri’s love scenes are unimaginative and unsexy. I understand it’s hard to be creative, but it would be nice to see different descriptions every now and then.
Violence: Angelica is assaulted repeatedly by Esteban. Gareth is shot-sadly not killed, that would have made “Defiant Mistress” SO much better-and survives.
Bottom Line: Do you like books where the heroines have zero pride and self-esteem, where they are treated like dirt and still fall in love with the bastard who perpetrates these behaviors against them? If you do, chances are you’ll love most of Elaine Barbieri’s books.
June 24, 2019
One word: wow.
That encompasses everything that went on during this book. Still amazed how the author came up with that story. In all seriousness, however, it was very well-written, complex, and shocking at times. Angelica seemed so strong that I was shocked when I found out that she was my age, 17 going on 18.
OMG the part where Angelica and Gareth thought they were brothers and sisters. God, that would have been gross (incestuous). The plot sometimes was something else... let's just say that.
I think I cried at one point.
That encompasses everything that went on during this book. Still amazed how the author came up with that story. In all seriousness, however, it was very well-written, complex, and shocking at times. Angelica seemed so strong that I was shocked when I found out that she was my age, 17 going on 18.
OMG the part where Angelica and Gareth thought they were brothers and sisters. God, that would have been gross (incestuous). The plot sometimes was something else... let's just say that.
I think I cried at one point.
March 3, 2019
2.5
The first half was better than the second half.
The first half was better than the second half.
November 12, 2014
Frankly, I'm not quite sure what I think of this book. Actually you can judge this book by its cover! Sad! The heroin's life is sad, the hero's life much worse than that, and when they come together it's sadder than they had ever been! Even the villain's life was sad! The villain was an asshole of course, but the hero was not much different than him. More like a half-asshole. Both call the heroin as puta, for no plausible reason at all. Actually there's a reason. The villain calls her that way because she was not her father's child. And our hero calls her because he misunderstood which is because 'his parents marriage was not happy!' Looks like the villain has better point, doesn't it? Heroin shrink away from the villain whenever he attempts to rape her, which is A LOT, but readily sleep with the hero when he offers her money. Because her SAD brother have a SAD sickness which need immediate treatment, which of course cost a lot. So she agrees to be the SAD mistress of the hero instead of the villain's! The hero supposedly save her from the villain only to antagonize her himself because again, his parents didn't have a happy marriage! Oh and meanwhile he falls in love with her! And he keep harassing her because... well, his parents marriage! Up until now (I am talking about twenty pages before the climax) the heroin absolutely have no feelings for the hero. And suddenly when she knows she can't have him (due to another SAD misunderstanding, this time the hero's father, she's believed to be the hero's sister! Again SAD! since his father had a SAD affair with the heroin's mom, but NOT the SAD mom who brought her up), she decides she's in love with him too, and she's writhing in pain, her heart's bleeding, tearing in turmoil, her life turning hell... yeah you get the point! Turns out, her biological mother was kidding when she said she was pregnant with the hero's father's child, when actually she got knocked up by another dude who was after her mother's fortune (OMG) and ditched her! But her biological dad is dead! SAD!!!! During an Indian attack her mother dies and the heroin get the fever which wipe out her memories and she wake up in her adopted parents home! SAD!! But the hero have already left for the war without knowing the truth! SAAAAAD!!!!! And then the villain is back again with a ludicrous plan that only the heroin could fall for. Those were times when I actually thought that the heroin would be better off with the villain than the hero! And, phew, it is revealed at the climax that the villain was trying to make her love him, after ALL. While the hero was 'teaching' her to fall in love with him. Again the villain had a better point. In fact the villain seemed less disturbed than the hero throughout the story.
Phew! What a book! You may wonder why I gave three stars! Those are solely for the author! Although the hero pretty much raped a 16 year old, there was never any shitty writing! Its like you are reading a poem! A SAD poem! May be I would have liked the hero if the author tried to portray him less of an asshole. I actually liked the villain better! If you want to read a story without a believable plot and lots of monkey sex and have enough patience to pretend jokers as villains, then I suggest you read this book!
Phew! What a book! You may wonder why I gave three stars! Those are solely for the author! Although the hero pretty much raped a 16 year old, there was never any shitty writing! Its like you are reading a poem! A SAD poem! May be I would have liked the hero if the author tried to portray him less of an asshole. I actually liked the villain better! If you want to read a story without a believable plot and lots of monkey sex and have enough patience to pretend jokers as villains, then I suggest you read this book!
December 17, 2008
very dangerous. one girl (Angelia)set up to do anything she can to save her brothers life. Goes of with a texan (Garieth) who is more her lover then her boss, to work on his land. Meanwhil the crule mean Estabun sets out after them and will do anything and willing to do anything to make angelia his. very excithing ending.
October 25, 2015
slow ,aimless and boring...
January 26, 2026
I went into this fully braced for peak bodice-ripper disaster and somehow came out… weirdly entertained but also mildly annoyed and occasionally exhausted.
We’ve got:
╰┈➤ a 17 y/o heroine, Angelica Rodrigo, poor, alone, and working as a maid in Mexico
╰┈➤ a brooding Anglo hero, Gareth Dawson, who has sworn never to marry because Daddy’s marriage was a mess
╰┈➤ prostitution threats, brothels, mines, violence, captivity, forced proximity, and more melodrama per page than three Ekta Kapoor serials combined
The setup actually slaps. Poor girl in a rough mining town, driven to desperate choices. Hero haunted by his past, determined to avoid emotional entanglement, then blindsided by an inconvenient Mexican angel. I was ready for angst, grit, and some level of emotional payoff.
What I got instead was:
╰┈➤ 555 pages of every single old-school trope thrown at the wall
╰┈➤ pacing that lurches from nothing is happening except internal monologue and dust to five life-altering events in ten pages
╰┈➤ a heroine who manages to be both resilient and deeply, frustratingly passive whenever the plot needs her to suffer more
Angelica is the kind of FMC who keeps getting pushed into terrible situations because the author clearly decided “what else awful can I do to her?” as a plotting strategy. She does have a spine, she fights, she resists, she defies, but the universe (and the author) repeatedly punishes her for it. She’s “defiant” mostly in the sense that she keeps emotionally surviving what men and society do to her, not because she actually gets to steer her own fate in any meaningful way until very late.
Gareth… works better as a concept than as a lived experience across 500+ pages. He’s your standard “I don’t believe in love, I just take mistresses” hero who then spends the rest of the book proving why he should probably not be in charge of any woman’s life or feelings. You can see Barbieri trying to give him layers: his father’s disastrous marriage, his determination not to repeat it, his attraction to Angelica conflicting with his fear of commitment, but the execution is patchy. Half the time he’s compelling; half the time you want to throw his angst down a mine shaft.
Their romance is a slow-burn in the sense that it burns, stalls, rekindles, gets buried under misunderstandings, and then limps to a resolution. There are moments where the emotional intensity lands... quiet scenes where the class, race, and power differences are acknowledged and they actually talk rather than yell or storm off. But those scenes are constantly interrupted by plot interruptions: attacks, villains, brothel danger, family drama, etc. It’s like the book is afraid to let them be together on-page without external chaos.
By the time the HEA rolls around, I believed they could make it work, but I also felt like they needed a long vacation away from mines, men with guns, and the word “mistress.”
We’ve got:
╰┈➤ a 17 y/o heroine, Angelica Rodrigo, poor, alone, and working as a maid in Mexico
╰┈➤ a brooding Anglo hero, Gareth Dawson, who has sworn never to marry because Daddy’s marriage was a mess
╰┈➤ prostitution threats, brothels, mines, violence, captivity, forced proximity, and more melodrama per page than three Ekta Kapoor serials combined
The setup actually slaps. Poor girl in a rough mining town, driven to desperate choices. Hero haunted by his past, determined to avoid emotional entanglement, then blindsided by an inconvenient Mexican angel. I was ready for angst, grit, and some level of emotional payoff.
What I got instead was:
╰┈➤ 555 pages of every single old-school trope thrown at the wall
╰┈➤ pacing that lurches from nothing is happening except internal monologue and dust to five life-altering events in ten pages
╰┈➤ a heroine who manages to be both resilient and deeply, frustratingly passive whenever the plot needs her to suffer more
Angelica is the kind of FMC who keeps getting pushed into terrible situations because the author clearly decided “what else awful can I do to her?” as a plotting strategy. She does have a spine, she fights, she resists, she defies, but the universe (and the author) repeatedly punishes her for it. She’s “defiant” mostly in the sense that she keeps emotionally surviving what men and society do to her, not because she actually gets to steer her own fate in any meaningful way until very late.
Gareth… works better as a concept than as a lived experience across 500+ pages. He’s your standard “I don’t believe in love, I just take mistresses” hero who then spends the rest of the book proving why he should probably not be in charge of any woman’s life or feelings. You can see Barbieri trying to give him layers: his father’s disastrous marriage, his determination not to repeat it, his attraction to Angelica conflicting with his fear of commitment, but the execution is patchy. Half the time he’s compelling; half the time you want to throw his angst down a mine shaft.
Their romance is a slow-burn in the sense that it burns, stalls, rekindles, gets buried under misunderstandings, and then limps to a resolution. There are moments where the emotional intensity lands... quiet scenes where the class, race, and power differences are acknowledged and they actually talk rather than yell or storm off. But those scenes are constantly interrupted by plot interruptions: attacks, villains, brothel danger, family drama, etc. It’s like the book is afraid to let them be together on-page without external chaos.
By the time the HEA rolls around, I believed they could make it work, but I also felt like they needed a long vacation away from mines, men with guns, and the word “mistress.”
April 10, 2011
Too much sex with no plot. Really. I'm not exaggerating here when I tell you the book is about the hero or other men getting all hot and bothered for the drop-dead gorgeous bi-racial heroine from start to finish.
Now if you want a steamy romance without anything else really happening, it may appeal to you.
plot:
To save her young innocent half brother's life, she goes with the hero to become his mistress. However, there are other men in the way of their happiness for they want the heroine as well ..... EVERYONE wants her.
Now if you want a steamy romance without anything else really happening, it may appeal to you.
plot:
To save her young innocent half brother's life, she goes with the hero to become his mistress. However, there are other men in the way of their happiness for they want the heroine as well ..... EVERYONE wants her.
October 9, 2013
The worst book I've ever read. Strongly do not recommend! Trash.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews