#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Incomparable storyteller Danielle Steel illuminates rarely glimpsed precincts of unimaginable wealth and power, where love and freedom are the most dangerous desires of all. Natasha Leonova’s beauty saved her life. Discovered starving on a freezing Moscow street by a Russian billionaire, she has lived for seven years under his protection, immersed in rarefied … immersed in rarefied luxury, while he pursues his activities in a dark world that she guesses at but never sees. Her home is the world, often on one of Vladimir Stanislas’s spectacular yachts manned by scores of heavily armed crew members. Natasha’s job is to keep Vladimir happy, ask no questions, and be discreet. She knows her place, and the rules. She feels fortunate to be spoiled and protected, and is careful not to dwell on Vladimir’s ruthlessness or the deadly circles he moves in. She experiences only his kindness and generosity and believes he will always keep her safe. She is unfailingly loyal to him in exchange.
Theo Luca is the son of a brilliant, world famous, and difficult artist, Lorenzo Luca, who left his wife and son with a fortune in artwork they refuse to sell. Lorenzo’s widow, Maylis, has transformed their home in St. Paul de Vence into a celebrated restaurant decorated with her late husband’s paintings, and treats it as a museum. There, on a warm June evening, Theo first encounters Natasha, the most exquisite woman he has ever seen. And there, Vladimir lays eyes on Luca’s artwork. Two dangerous obsessions begin.
Theo, a gifted artist in his own right, finds himself feverishly painting Natasha’s image for weeks after their first meeting. Vladimir, enraged that Lorenzo’s works are not for sale, is determined to secure a painting at any price. And Natasha, who knows that she cannot afford to make even one false move, nevertheless begins to think of a world of freedom she can never experience as Vladimir’s mistress. She cannot risk her safety for another man, or even a conversation with him, as Theo longs for a woman he can never have.
From Moscow to the Riviera, London, and Paris, The Mistress is a riveting tale of vast fortune, cruelty, creative genius, and daring courage, as uncompromising individuals chart a course for collision.
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Love all Danielle Steel’s books and this one didn’t disappoint!
I can count on one hand how many Danielle Steel books I have truly enjoyed. I couldn’t event get half way through this one. She spent so much “time” developing and reaffirming the characters that I could have cared less. Unless you are a devout Danielle Steel fan, don’t waste your time.
Love this author
I loved the story, charactors and the surprises!
The writing was very repetitive. I couldn’t finish
Very well written. Danielle Steele is my all time favorite writer. She never lets me down
A good story, but Steele is too repetative about the differences in the characters. If you like Danielle Steele, you will probably enjoy this book.
I love to read Danielle Steele Books, she is a wonderful writer, every book is easy to read and a page turner, very hard to put down till finished
Good read
Pretty bland for Ms. Steele, nothing exciting or unexpected. Predictable.
I like happily ever after books. This seemed to be heading that way but never quite got there. Ms. Steele spent 3/4s of the book building the characters and back story. It was easy reading.
Didn’t like the ending. Left you hanging wanting more of the story.
It wasn’t great. Very predictable.
I enjoyed the book. Parts were sad because of the reality of thing people give up for material goods and what fear of the past can do to our future. It was a good quick read.
Good characters and a fun read! Thoroughly enjoyed the book!
Loved it just as much as the rest of Danielle Steel’s books!
Typical DS. One dimensional characters, repetitive and simple writing. As predictable a plot as you can find.