The Beleaguered Earl [Paperback]

Allison Lane (Author)

Book Description

Series: Signet Regency romance | Publication Date: February 1, 2000

Hope Ashburton was dismayed to learn that her family home had been gambled away to a disreputable earl. But the new owner, the notorious Maxwell Longford, seemed genuinely interested in restoring her ruined estate--and stealing her heart, as well...

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

When the disreputable rake Maxwell Longford, Earl of Merimont, wins a country estate in a game of piquet, he is overjoyed finally to be out from under his father's heavy thumb and have a chance to try out some of his agricultural and management ideas. However, when he arrives at Redrock House and learns that not only is it occupied by the unlucky card player's niece and her invalid mother but that the ironclad lease is in effect for another 75 years, he is forced to compromise--with unexpectedly romantic results. A conflicted hero who finally grows up, a fiery heroine who learns to trust, and an old plot with a lively new spin come together beautifully in a classic, well-researched Regency that is a bit more sensual and darkly realistic than some. Lane has written a number of Regency romances, and a sequel to this one is in process. She lives in the San Francisco area.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Signet (February 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451199723
• ISBN-13: 978-0451199720
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 3.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,457,021 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great Potential Flounders, March 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Beleaguered Earl (Paperback)

When I read the plot summary of this book I looked forward to reading it. The summary seems to indicate this is about a earl who wants to farm who runs into a young lady tenant and things happen from there. If this was the plot, I would have been much happier than what actually came out.

Max indeed wins an estate in a card game and goes off to see his property. But first he arranges to have a house party of his rakish friends and ladies of the night join him. When he arrives, he finds the house has two tenants with an unbreakable lease. Since the two are ladies of quality, Max "nobly" decides to divide the house in half and keep the other tenants' presence a secret. As the house party unfolds, Max learns more about himself and his "friends" and finds love with Hope, the lovely young tenant.

This book is simply fraught with problems. Max is very unlikeable, especially when he doesn't have the backbone or honor to cancel the house party but lets it continue. This image of Max is never completely dispelled, even when he begins to mend his ways. Hope comes out as a self-sufficient, smart lady but doesn't have the brains to investigate the circumstances that have robbed her of her fortune. Even though the writing is very good, it just cannot make up for the lack of the plot. The sexual references are embarrassing to both the reader and the author's talent. And the confrontational climax about dastardly deeds and hidden agendas is absurd and out of place.

This book had great potential. But Ms. Lane simply didn't carry it through. I would recommend skipping this book and finding something else to read that might be enjoyable.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Wish I'd read the "flounders" review from "a reader" first!, May 14, 2001

By 

Susan Smith (A small rural village in the English Midlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Beleaguered Earl (Paperback)

Well, I simply cannot finish this book - it's so boring and slow moving that I cannot bring myself to carry on any further. The hero is immature (at 30 he really ought to be a bit more of a man and not chafing under his daddy's thumb!) and the heroine really is off-putting and unlikeable to the point that I just can't empathise at all! So, sorry, this one is going to the charity bookshop forthwith!

A big disappointment!

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very enjoyable book, August 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Beleaguered Earl (Paperback)

This was a very enjoyable book because the characters and plot were so entertaining. Two things detracted from it being a great book. First, the sexual ennuendos were poorly written. Instead of arousing interest, I was thinking, "How lame, enough already." Secondly, the plot was very busy, which necessitated the author quickly wrapping up all the loose ends at the end of the book. However, these two problems were relatively minor, and I could recommend this book heartily.