Message from a Mistress

Mistress #1

by Niobia Bryant

Niobia Bryant—the red-hot author of Show and Tell —delivers a sexy, unforgettable novel about love, infidelity, and the importance of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer…
 
Through good times and bad, longtime friends Jaime, Renee, Aria, and Jessa have shared just about everything.  But all hell breaks loose when Jessa texts them a shocking she’s been sharing her bed—with one of their husbands.  To make matters worse, she refuses to name which husband she’s been cheating with. And all three wives believe they have reason to worry…
 
Jaime wonders if her own past infidelity drove her man into Jessa’s waiting arms… Renee thinks her busy career opened the door for Jessa to step in and fulfill her wifely duties…and Aria fears her competitive relationship with Jessa pushed her so-called friend to claim the ultimate prize in revenge.
 
The betrayed trio vow to stick together.  But before the identity of Jessa’s lover is revealed, each woman’s deepest secrets will be exposed for all to see—and they’ll need each other more than ever.

Genres: African American, Audiobook, Fiction, Contemporary, Drama, Romance, Urban

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2010

About the author

Niobia Bryant is the award-winning and national bestselling author of more than fifty works of romance and commercial mainstream fiction. Twice she has won RT Magazine's Best African-American/Multicultural Romance Award, "Kiss the Ring"--written under the pseudonym Meesha Mink--was listed as one of the Library Journal's Best Books, and her books have appeared in Ebony, Essence, The New York Post, The Star-Ledger, The Dallas Morning News and many other national publications. One of her bestselling books has been adapted to film.

Reviews

[Nardsbaby Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Season Premiere

Four married couples share meals, laughs and outings. While they are all friends, they have limited what information has been privy to the entire group.

Unknowingly, Jamie, Renee and Aria have shared deep dark secrets with Jessa Bell. When Jessa Bell's husband, Marc, is killed in a motorcycle accident, the friendships stay exactly the same. Friends relishing in good times, none of the women worried in the least that their dirty little secrets would ever be revealed.

As the four girlfriends plan to spend a day at the spa while the men folk are off fishing, Jessa Bell, sends a text message explaining that one of their husbands will not be returning home to them, but instead will be coming home to her.

Angry, betrayed and hurt, Jamie, Renee and Aria are well aware of the reasons why it could very well be each of them, but are shocked to find that their friends' picture-perfect lives are also at risk.

MESSAGE FROM A MISTRESS by Niobia Bryant is hot off the presses intriguing. You spend the entire day in limbo with Jamie, Renee, and Aria watching as Jessa plots. You get to know intimate details about each woman. I hate to have to wait for sequels for this very reason, but I'm looking forward to how this will play out.

OOSA Online Book Club BOTM

[African Americans on the Move Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited to start reading this book because of ms Bryant's reputation as a great story teller and I wasn't disappointed with this book. I had never read a book that was taken place in one day and was so nerve wrecking with suspense and torture that I was so upset at the end. I mean the story must go on. Imagine you having four best friends. You all are different but at the end of the day you all love each other. That is until one day one of those best friends leaves a text message saying shes taking your husband. What would you do? The characters in this book reach their ending point as they try to discover which husband it is that's cheating. But in the mist of their worrying they think about their own slip ups and mistakes and lies. The truth makes you think about your own stuff that stinks and before the news hits the fan we are all still wondering as to which husband it was that was sleeping with the mistress. I'm waiting badly for part 2. This is a highly recommended read in my book.

Tamika Newhouse
AAMBC Reviewer

[Peaceful · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was very hard to follow. I kept forgetting who was married to whom, and the switching between past and present wasn't very well done. Also, several unnecessary characters were thrown in and didn't add anything to the story. So, they could have been eliminated. I suffered through it because I was intrigued and wanted to know who the mistress' lover was. More disappointment came when I reached the end of the book without the lover being revealed. I guess it is a setup to a sequel, but I was not happy. If there is a sequel, I may give it a try just to find out who the lover is, but it will be quite a struggle for very little payoff.

Perhaps the print version reads better, but the audio version didn't deliver in my opinion.

[lene Ade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I've been putting this book on hold for a while but it is good!!! Wow , I'm getting started on the second book ASAP.

[KarynReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talk about messy! I had a feeling it would end like that!! One friend sends three of her friends the same message thats shes been sleeping with her husband and he is leaving her. Jessa had all of them sweating trying to figure whose husband she was taking!

[PatriceC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talk about stirring the pot & causing drama

[Karma Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wrote this and posted it to my Facebook April 27th, 2010... (wayy before I discovered Goodreads)


My latest read , Message From a Mistress brings four married women together to discover that a lady that was considered a "friend" has been sleeping with one of their husbands. This "friend" decides to send a text message to all of these ladies at the same time (becasue she views this as a game), to inform them that when they get home tonight one of their husbands will be forever gone, and moved on with her! Now I cant reveal all the details because you will want to read this for yourself...but it does bring me to a few questions...

Do you let your friends become friends (cool, buddies) with your spouse? Where do you draw the line??
Also can a marriage ever recover from infidelity??
Have you ever cheated on your boyfriend/husband or girlfriend/wife with one of their friends??


Im just wondering.. :)

[Claudia · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book could have been so much better, for me it had too many flash backs and sex. You can read only so much and have to skip the parts with the sex scenes. It should have been more substance and less on the flashbacks and sex. To me the foundation of each character was not totally there for you to get a feeling to whom you feeling the worst for. The author puts you into this world and after all this drama you still don't know who was the cheater so now you have a cliff hanger to continue with the sex and flashbacks.

[Lashanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

All I can say is whew! With a friend like Jessa Bell, who needs enemies? Jamie, Aira and Renea all have secrets they have shared with Jessa. She sent them all a very disturbing text that has them reflecting on lots of things. She didn't give any explanations and leave the ladies to figure things out on their own. The question of who is the guilty husband is not answered.

Going through the ladies individual issues will keep you wondering. The emotions are raw and jump off the page. A definite page turner.

[Laquinsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was good and kinda a mess because y would yu want to go with one of yur bff husband dhat jus nasty but it was great i loved it

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Message from a Mistress was my first read from author Niobia Bryant. I must say, that I was a little disappointed. I am not a fan of cliffhangers, and this one ends with a huge one.

Basically, this is the story of three couples and their widowed friend, Jessa Bell. The three husbands (Eric, Kingston, and Jackson) are on a fishing trip for the day when all three wives (Jamie, Renee, and Aria) receive a text from Jessa advising them that she has been having an illicit affair with one of their husbands and that after their trip, he will be coming home to her instead of to his wife. Now, let me first say that I don't recall ever having read a book in which the entire story took place in only a day, but this one does. And, I'd say that the author did a great job of executing that particular facet. The twist of course, is that in her text, Jessa doesn't reveal which husband. I had pretty much resigned myself to the fact that the cheating husband wouldn't be outed until the end of the novel; i.e., when the men returned from the fishing trip. However, that would not be the case. Throughout the story, the author never reveals who Jessa is having an affair with.

What you do find out, however, is that all three wives had considered Jessa to be nothing other than a dedicated and attentive friend, worthy of their trust, companionship, and keeper of their secrets. And that is the source of contention for all three women. Jamie, Aria, and Renee have each shared secrets of their past with this now sworn enemy, and they spend the entire day rehashing all the years that they and their husbands have spent with the homewrecker. Analyzing each encounter and detail that pops to mind. Wondering if theirs is the cheating spouse. Reliving each indiscretion that they had during their marriage, and then agonizing over having shared those details with Jessa.

Overall, I think the delivery of the story (with the major exception of not finding out who the philandering spouse is) was good. There was quite a bit of descriptive erotic scenes in this novel, which I think added to the plot. Those scenes, which were presented mainly through flashback, gave quite a bit of insight into what the men where actually like, which was helpful since they where limited in dialogue in the present form. The plot was juicy enough that even through the shroud of mystery, I kept reading (listening, in my case) to see what would happen next. While I am not thrilled about having to read a sequel, the way my brain is set up, I have to in order find out what happens next to Jessa and the couples.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was ok except of two things. First, all of the graphic sex scenes were not necessary. I know Zane make a lot of money selling explicit sex books but not everyone wants to read them. I would not have read this one if I had known it was that bad. Second, the ending sucked. I read the entire book waiting to see which husband was cheating and all I got was "wait until the next book to find out. Come on author, there were enough cliff hangers to carry you next book. What was the point of reading this one when all the information is in the next one? I MIGHT read the next book but I won't buy it. And I would not recommend it.

[Pamela · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only rated this book two stars because I grow a bit tired of the dramatic stories of high society when it comes to fiction. That said, Message from a Mistress does deliver in suspense and drama, as I found myself unable to put the book down and constantly wanting to know what was going to happen next. In addition to the suspense, I also have to admit that I was impressed with how each of the characters learns something different about herself than she expected to. Definitely a decent read, and it held my interest.

[Carmen Blalock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hot like fire when you can't find any water to put it out! Message from a Mistress is about 4 friends, 3 husbands and 1 destroyed life! Just when you think you know someone, here comes trouble. A text message was send to 3 of the friends by the fourth friend informing her that her husband was leaving her for the sender of the text and the 3 wives have to wait for the husbands to come home from a fishing trip to see which one is cheating. High-energy reading and just from the ending I smell a sequel, maybe?!?!?!? Niobia Bryant has done it again, Great Job!!!!!

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now I don't remember loving this book when I first read it but I loved rereading this story! It was so damn good that I had to add a star to my rating. The sex scenes were hot and the characters' drama was definitely entertaining. I still can't figure out who was cheating with Jessa but either way, each couple needs to reevaluate their relationships. Mostly, I'm rooting for Aria and Kingston. They are just so good together. Renee and Jamie need to jump ship and get some new men. I'm planning on rereading the second book and finally getting around to reading the third book of the series.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book about a year ago and because of recent excessive time on my hands, decided to sit down and read it. I'm sooooo glad I did. I was entertained through the whole book. Couldn't put it down. The story line and suspense level is perfect. Good stuff! The sex scenes are graphic but who doesn't like a little bit of that every now and again. I know I do. It's a romance novel, purchased and categorized in the "romance section". What do people expect??? Good job Niobia Bryant. BTW...just bought "Mistress No More"!!!

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

fast page turner but i was highly annoyed at the fact that you still didn't find out whose husband it was that had the mistress...of course, there is a sequel...i will read sequel to find out what happened but the author had better bring out the explosives or i will be highly upset at having to buy two books for this storyline :(

[Charmain · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG Jessa was wrong for that bougus stunt she pulled. Shit back fired on her ass real smooth. Nobia did the damn think in this book! I like how the wives was all shook up not knowing which of their husbands was cheating with their so called bestie....Even with there own issues.Bout to start part 2 next.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know how she managed to make a story with all that happened in just one day. this was a page turner from beginning to end. Story ended with no clue as to who Jessa Bell was claiming to be her lover....

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was crazy good. Niobia has you guessing through the whole book. Not everything that looks perfect is...that is the true lesson in this book. I can't wait to read the next one. Had a hard time putting the book down. Highly recommend.

[Kellee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book started off with a BANG!!!
2nd time reading it. Still a good book, but this time around it took longer to read because I knew the ending so I wasn't as excited.

[Kellee]

This book was a definite page turner!! Non-stop drama. I love this book. Can't wait for the sequel!!

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just started this book yesterday. I am on pg 166. Trying not to read it 2 fast but this book is good!!!!!!

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

i think that i need to get Mistress No More and finish off this drama! What kinda friend wants her "so called" friends husband! Jessa needs a real south side #1 azz whupping!

[DCbook•ish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gotdammit!

[Judy Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!! Kept you guess through the whole book...Now I have to read Mistress No More to find out what happens!!!

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got to disc 3 today and still just can not get into this book to the point that I don't care to know the identity of the cheating husband.

[Dawn “D-Love” · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listen to audiobook narrated by Soozi Cheyenne. I can tell this was the beginning of her career narrating books because she’s very stiff and controlled at times reading in addition to all the pausing. The story is about three women who all have secrets and only shared some of those secrets with one person; the woman who claimed to be their best friend…Jessa. Jessa ends up losing her husband in a motorcycle accident and then becomes a widow. Prior to her husband’s death in addition to being friends with the wives they also befriended the husbands. They often had couple gatherings and Jessa often times called upon the husbands to do things for her when her husband was out of town on business. In summary Jessa is cheating with one of the husbands’ and sent a text to all three of the wives “her best friends” to let them know one of their husband’s will not be coming home from the fishing trip but will be leaving her to be with Jessa . It was that vague text that put them all in a frenzy making them look back over their lives and what they’ve been dealing with in their marriages. But all of the husbands come home from the fishing trip and deny an affair with Jessa. The only one who told about a text from Jessa was Aria who told her husband Kingston. He denied it and told her he loved only her and would never cheat. Jaime left her husband Eric and Renee put her husband Jackson out. Book ended with a plot twist but all roads lead to Kingston as bring the culprit. I guess we shall find out soon enough.

[Christine St.John · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started off very interesting and quickly went downhill for me. Firstly I personally wasn’t a fan of the narrators flatter style of tone. Second this book repeated the same things over and over especially words like fleshy, and huskily. Third the transitions between past and present were not done well and where we were in the story became confusing at times because it would be randomly inserted into one of the characters having a moment, which brings me to Four, we spend the entire book with these 3 women completely and utterly doubting their marriages for every reason under the Sun and we spend so much time having their emotions and actions described to us that it took me completely out of the story the entire time.

Five, as much as I love spice in a story this was an absolutely unnecessary amount of sexual scenes in detail to the point that it felt like filler. Six because of all the over-explaining being done the writing comes off very amateurish in a bad way as if the author did not know how to fill out the story itself. Even with all descriptions of the surroundings and material things it was hard for me to put together the world they were trying to convey. This story could’ve been cut in half without spending so much time in the minds of these women with nothing really happening and all for it to just end with a cliffhanger that was not well done.

I really wanted better for this story because it had the potential to really be great and it was an exasperating let down.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, so I loved this book from the beginning because it reminded me of one of my favorite movies (Letter to the Three Wives). This was a more updated/modern version and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Jaime is married to Eric and because their sex life is lack luster, Jaime finds herself going to a strip club and ends up having sex with a male stripper not realizing that she is leaving her husband a voice message during it all. Once he finds out, he lives to degrade and belittle her but she puts on a front like everything is cool.
Then we meet Renee who is married to Jackson and they have 2 kids together. Renee loves her career but Jackson wants her to remain at home as a house wife. He wants her to give up her career for her family.
Last but not least, we meet Aria and Kingston who are deeply in love with each other, mentally and physically. Aria has fought hard to keep her past behind her and unbeknownst to her husband, she is unable to have children due to the many abortions she has had before meeting her husband. Aria introduces her college bff, Jessa to the group of ladies and therefore feel responsible somewhat when they all receive a text from Jessa advising that she has ran off with one of their husbands. The back and forth of each wife was a little annoying but felt so dead on for someone in that same predicament. I was not planning on continuing the series but the way the author left us hanging, I gotta keep going!!!