Lady Katherne's Wild Ride (Signet Eclipse) [Mass Market Paperback]

Setting 1666, England - Once a beloved daughter Lady Katherne Lindsay's life changed after her brothers were killed and father hanged by Cromwell for backing the exiled king. Now dowerless she was little more than a servant to her cousin Lady Joan Pursevant and her husband, the odious Sir William who assumed her fathers estates and her dower rights. On the night Sir William came to her bedchamber intending to snatch her virtue she is saved by the maid Martha. With a heavy club to the head and thinking the man dead, both Lady Katherne and Martha flee to avoid a death sentence. On the way to London both are given sanctuary by Jeremy Hughes, the manager and irresistible leading man of a traveling band of actors. Before long, it became apparent to all that Jeremy had found a new leading lady and that lady was Katherne.

Katherne threw herself into her roles quickly becoming an accomplished actress, never more so than when playing opposite Jeremy. In spite of having made a vow to never let any man become her master Katherne soon loses her heart to Jeremy. But as enemies from the past resurface at the most inopportune moments the future, a love, and the adventure of a lifetime she longed for might be lost forever.

*** Westin has delivered `in spades' a rollicking action-packed lusty read filled with adventure, superb historical detail and fabulous dialogue set in the outrageously bawdy reign of the `merry king' King Charles II. She effortlessly weaves the lives of other prominent historical figures such as John Wilmot `The Libertine', Lord Rochester, and the famous actress Nell Gwynne into Katherne and Jeremy's story making history come alive during that fascinating period of the Restoration.

In spite of the shoddy treatment received at the hands of her cousin and uncle Lady Katherne remained a lady though she soon acclimated herself into the bawdy world of the theatre and came to cherish the freedoms presented to her even as old and new enemies were ready to take her down. Jeremy was perfectly charming and her perfect match both on and off the stage igniting in her a passion for lovemaking as deep and profound as her love and acumen of the stage. He also was smart enough in realizing that in order to capture the woman of his dreams he had to let her be the one to capture him. Additionally between the very smart and witty dialogs, you also are presented with a beautifully written story showcasing a marvelous example of tastefully done sensuality and a couple of total surprise twists I never saw coming. This is a rare treat for the senses - so pamper yourself and curl up with this delightful read.

Marilyn Rondeau - RIO, Reviewers International Organization

Lady Katherne "Kit" Lindsay has resided within her uncle's home for years. During this time, Kit has been treated like a servant. But when her uncle, Sir William, tried to force his attentions upon her late one night, she was compelled to defend her virtue. It was a fight Kit would have lost had the kitchen maid, Martha, not shown up in time. Since Lady Joan, Kit's cousin, always hated having Kit live with them, Kit figured that she had no time to lose. The two women fled.

Master Jolly takes Kit as an apprentice. She will be a leading lady on the stage, opposite Jeremy Hughes. Jeremy is well known for being very talented, on stage and with the ladies. Jeremy watches as Kit's acting abilities get better-and-better. Kit and Jeremy cannot help becoming attracted to each other. But danger always surrounds Kit. How can she hope to win Jeremy's true love without the law locating her?

**** All-in-all, I found this to be a very good read. There is not as much danger as I thought there would be, yet the plot never slowed down too far. Great for a Summer beach read! ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

This historical romance is set in the Restoration period (the monarchy of Charles II). The book begins in Essex where our heroine, Lady Katherne, is living, her lands having been granted to her cousin's husband Sir William Pursevant after her father's death. However Lady Katherne is almost raped by Sir William, only being rescued in the nick of time by a serving maid, Martha, who hits him so hard that both women fear he is dead. They immediately set out on foot to try to escape justice which would see them both hung as murderesses. On the way they bump into Jeremy Hughes, a travelling player (actor) and although he initially hands them over to the constable in Chelmsford he eventually changes his mind and rescues them - especially after it is discovered that Sir William is still alive. Kit and Martha join the troupe of players for one night but then jealousy on the part of another actress, Lucy, means that Kit (Katherne) and her maid Martha are sent by Jeremy to London to train under Master George Jolly.

Kit takes to acting very quickly under the tutelage of Master Jolly and very soon after Jeremy appears in London. Kit's acting catches the attention of Lord Rochester but this is not necessarily a good thing. Kit and Jeremy survive the Great Fire of London in 1666 but have to rescue Martha from the Fleet and use Lord Rochester's influence to do this - at great risk and with some lasting effects. Can Kit and Jeremy have a future together when so many things seem to be against them?

The author writes well in the language of the restoration period. Her initial setting is Essex (to the East of London) and although she has evidently consulted a map in writing the distances that her characters travel I was rather amused to discover that Katherne and Jeremy travelled from Chelmsford to another town, Basildon; Chelmsford is an old town which was occupied by the Romans and became the county town of Essex in the early 13th Century; however Basildon is a new town which was built after World War 2 and the village that existed there beforehand was very small and not the town described in the book.

A number of historical characters appear in this book, not least Charles II and his mistress Nell Gwyn (although in reality she didn't become his mistress until 1668 within the novel she is spoken of as such in the year 1666). Nell Gwyn plays a role in the plot towards the end as a friend and confidante to Kit, as well as a role model of a strong woman. Lord Rochester is also in the book although rather more as a villain than hero. The author comments about some historical licence as part of her story but the characters were interesting enough to make me research them further having finished the book.

The description of London in 1666 and the Great Fire was very well written, though, and the harshness of life for people, particularly women, in Restoration times was well drawn. I enjoyed reading about Kit's training as an actress and her struggles with what seem rather modern opinions about the importance of women being self-sufficient and not relying on a man. She's a feisty heroine who finds herself involved in a duel, being kidnapped and many other adventures. The love story with Jeremy isn't as well drawn as some other parts of the story and it's not always entirely believable but it's an enjoyable read with good pacing and an interesting setting.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book [...] © Helen Hancox 2007