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First Sentence
The earl of Wickham, handsome, rich, and only thirty-one, smiled in anticipation as he scanned the lush green landscape for his quarry. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
The earl of Wickham, handsome, rich, and only thirty-one, smiled in anticipation as he scanned the lush green landscape for his quarry. Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Mass Market Paperback
When Lady Gabriella Banning's unknown half-brother, the new Earl of Wickham, is shot dead in Ceylon, she and her impoverished sisters find themselves in a considerable pickle. With her hated cousin due to inherit the title, they will lose their home and have no money to launch her beautiful sister Claire on London society circa 1810. So Gabby does a deal with the devil, pretends her brother's still alive, and sets about spending his money on Claire's 'come-out' before anyone else learns the truth. But, uh-oh, when Gabby and her sisters arrive in London to do just that, there's a gorgeous bloke already there masquerading as the Earl. Of course, Gabby knows he's not her real brother, but if she tells anyone, her own gig's up too. Then she shoots him with his own pistol and things get really interesting. This is a wonderfully witty and wildly sexy historical romance with a feisty, resourceful heroine, a fabulous rogue of a hero and lots of scandalous situations to keep them butting heads - not to mention a few other parts of their anatomies. If there's one complaint, the story really doesn't go anywhere once the premise is established, and the ending is perfunctory to say the least, but frankly there's enough smouldering moments to ensure that doesn't really matter.
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A great trilogy. Was given the third book as a present and Amazon found me the first two. Well worth reading if you like historical romance. Very happy with the seller and will use them again
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3.8 out of 5 stars
41 reviews
30 of 34 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great story, done in by the dreaded 350-page rule
10 July 2001
By Suzanne B. Kelly
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Ever wonder why all romances are about the same size? Publisher's everywhere have somehow decided that readers cannot keep their attention on a romance if it runs over 350 pages. For some stories, this arbitrary stopping point works OK, but this is one of those stories where page 350 comes like a slap in the face.
Up to the final chapters, it's a roaring good tale: a ne'er-do-well, mysterious hero, a repressed, highborn spinster gambling for very high stakes, an unsolved murder. Lady Gabriella must make her way through society, find a husband for her achingly eligible sister, and keep some very important information completely under wraps, all by the side of a charming rogue who alternately helps and hinders.
Then, with the quickness of lightning, the villian is exposed, the plot twists neatly unravelled, and everyone lives happily ever after. Not only is this ending rushed in the extreme, but it leaves all sorts of unanswered questions. I can only hope that book 2, the middle sister's story, clears up some of my questions--but that in turn will deprive this poor dear of her measely share of pages (I'm sorry dear, but we need another fifty pages for your sister; you have been demoted to a novella...). In short, a great story, seemingly cut off at the knees.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
excellent heroine; excellent plot; well written
22 April 2005
By Madame X
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Mass Market Paperback
One of the better-organized romances I've read in a while. Robards does an excellent job finding valid reasons for the hero, Marcus, and the heroine, Gabriella, to be often (1) in communication with one another (2) keeping secrets from one another (3) frequently hostile with one another. I find that a lot of romance novels flounder from an inability to do one of those things without really stretching the reader's credulity, or just ruining the characters.
Gabriella is a particularly well-done heroine, with a distinct and appealing personality - very level-headed, very mature, very much in control of herself. It was really, really a pleasure to read a romance through the eyes of a woman who I respected. Marcus isn't quite as good; he remains a little bit mysterious throughout, but he's certainly a good enough Prince Charming.
My only complaint is that I'm starting to get tired of the sickroom ploy. I don't know why more than half of all the romances on the market resort to sudden illness to bring the protagonists together or create a feeling of trust between them. There must be a better way.
And, also, I agree with the reviewer who mentioned the 350 page rule as a detractor. I have a feeling that's an all-too-accurate analysis.
Gabriella is a particularly well-done heroine, with a distinct and appealing personality - very level-headed, very mature, very much in control of herself. It was really, really a pleasure to read a romance through the eyes of a woman who I respected. Marcus isn't quite as good; he remains a little bit mysterious throughout, but he's certainly a good enough Prince Charming.
My only complaint is that I'm starting to get tired of the sickroom ploy. I don't know why more than half of all the romances on the market resort to sudden illness to bring the protagonists together or create a feeling of trust between them. There must be a better way.
And, also, I agree with the reviewer who mentioned the 350 page rule as a detractor. I have a feeling that's an all-too-accurate analysis.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Heart-Tugging Romance
9 May 2001
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I am a huge fan of Karen Robards and this is among her best ever. The romance is fun (hot) and the emotions are beautifully expressed. These people aren't perfect but you care deeply about them. I read this in one sitting and then proceeded to re-read the passages about the dancing several times. Sometimes there is too little focus on the sex or too litte focus on the emotions. This time, Karen Robards got it JUST RIGHT! Can't wait to see the next installments!
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3.8 out of 5 stars
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