Betrothed [Paperback]

Elizabeth Elliott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1996

Baron Guy of Montague came to Lonsdale Castle prepared to fight for what was rightfully his...only to find a woman who made him all but forget his purpose. With her angel's face and womanly curves, Lady Claudia Chiavari was enough to tempt a saint to sin. And when she returned his kisses with innocent fire, Guy knew that he was bewitched.

But in a matter of hours, everything changed, as he found himself betrayed, betrothed, and imprisoned, with only Claudia to blame...

Five lonely years of exile under her uncle's tyrannical rule had taught Italian-born Claudia Chiavari to distrust all Englishmen--until Guy swept into her life. Now, determined to prove to the handsome knight that she had no part in her uncle's schemes, she will risk her life to help him escape. But when she rides with Guy to  his magnificent fortress, she will discover a terrible truth: that she herself is a prisoner...and at the mercy of a man whose tumultuous passion could cost her her heart.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Guy of Montague steps off the pages of Elizabeth Elliot's The Warlord and into his own book, Betrothed. Guy arrives at Lonesdale Castle to claim what is rightfully his. He meets Italian-born Lady Claudia Chiavari and sparks fly. But lies and subterfuge are the couple's enemies, and they must fight to keep their love alive. Great characters make this a page-turner and so does the visit of Kenric from The Warlord.

Review

Baron Guy of Montague intends to reclaim Halford Hall and while he is prepared to fight for it, he prefers to negotiate. Guy travels to Lonsdale Castle to meet with Baron Lonsdale, who now controls it, and there he sees Lady Claudia Chiavari, Lonsdale's niece. Guy, enchanted by the beautiful Claudia, seeks her out in the garden, and after one kiss, he is bewitched. Claudia, who has learned to trust no one and depend only on herself, is enamored with this English knight. Lonsdale agrees to sell Halford Hall for an extraordinary sum, but he has one problem - it doesn't belong to him. Lonsdale plots to force a marriage between Guy and Claudia, and later he schemes to kill Guy and frame Claudia. Claudia overhears the conspiracy and she tells Guy of her uncle's plan, but Guy distrusts her. Since his arrival at Lonsdale Castle, Guy finds himself bewitched and betrothed to Claudia, then he suspects that she betrayed him! Guy takes Claudia to Montague and tries to convince her to be his mistress, but she steadfastly refuses to go to bed with him. Yet she cannot deny him and herself forever. Passion existed from the beginning, but it is ignited as they surrender to it. Though their families are enemies, Claudia and Guy have come to trust each other, yet their love and trust is tested when their brothers enter their lives and place huge doubts in their minds. When Guy is poisoned, his brother blames Claudia. Her brother, Dante, blames Guy for her imprisonment and he lies to Claudia, convincing her to leave with him, yet Claudia has doubts. Guy doesn't believe that Claudia went willingly and afraid for her, he sets out to find her. He is more determined than ever to have Claudia as his wife, but when they are reunited, a poisoned knife could put an end to any future they might share. A good plot and strong characters made this book an enjoyable read as the characters love and trust, though sorely tested, triumphs.A wonderful medieval romance with a flowing, imaginative plot that continually tests her characters love, Betrothed is true to Elliott form! A relative newcomer to medieval romances, Ms. Elliott writes like a seasoned pro! Once again, Elizabeth Elliott delivers! Betrothed is another winner for Elliott!Gloria Miller -- Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Fanfare (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 055357566X
• ISBN-13: 978-0553575668
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.8 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,078,257 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Elizabeth Elliott's first novel, THE WARLORD, was released in 1995 and became a bestseller that garnered numerous awards and nominations including the Romance Writers' of America RITA award for Best First Book and Waldenbooks Bestselling Debut Author Award. Subsequent books have featured members of the same family or characters who appeared in previous books. Her two favorite time periods to read and write about are Regency England and the medieval era. After an extended break in her writing career, her latest book, THE ASSASSIN, is tentatively scheduled for publication in Spring 2011.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Weakest of the three but still pretty good, July 20, 2006

By 

Neilisa (Tulsa, OK United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Betrothed (Paperback)

Guy Montague is a powerful baron who prefers to expand his estates and coffers through business and trade rather than warring. He has just come to a tentative agreement with Baron Lonsdale to purchase Lonsdale castle. Hidden within Lonsdale castle is Claudia Chiavari, the Baron's niece. She has been much maligned and abused by her uncle and his people that Claudia pretty much keeps to herself. What Guy doesn't know is that Baron Lonsdale has a malicious plot in the works to get more gold out of him and also to keep his hold on Lonsdale castle. Guy escapes with his life, with Claudia in tow. He believes that Claudia was part of the conspiracy and plans to hold her prisoner until he can decide what to do with her.

Betrothed is not exactly my favorite among the three books written by Elizabeth Elliott (Warlord, Scoundrel and Betrothed). In my opinion, it is the weakest of the three, but still, Elizabeth Elliott's gift of words is such that she succeeds in weaving another fascinating story about the Montagues.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read! Hope the author writes more!, August 9, 2004

By 

Show me the Romance! "garysloved1" (Leeward mountains of Oahu) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Betrothed (Paperback)

I found this book in the clearance bin at my used book store for the outrageous price of $0.20!...what a pleasant surprise! I had never heard of Ms. Elliott but after reading Betrothed I couldn't wait to read Warlord which I also enjoyed...though not as much as Betrothed. I liked Claudia, what a relief to find a heroine with intelligence...I laughed out loud over the rat in the bedchamber scene...I haven't yet gotten around to Scoundrel since I like historical romances...I hope Ms. Elliott picks up the pen once again!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Okay...but not as good as Warlord and Scoundrel, June 4, 2000

By 

Tina "tinaellorascave" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Betrothed (Paperback)

I had to laugh when I read the other reviews...now I'm not certain if I liked this book less than Elliott's others because the storyline was weaker or because the hero on the cover looks like he's about fifteen years old. Publishing companies need to be careful when they use cover art because once you see what the hero allegedly looks like, it's hard to imagine him as anyone else. In this case, that is not a good thing. He looks too much like my little brother to be taken seriously as a medieval warlord.

I found myself far more interested in the secondary character of Dante than I did of the hero and heroine. Luckily Dante's book (The Assasin) is SUPPOSED to be out soon. I use the word "supposed" loosely since Elliott keeps pushing back the release date. I can only pray that the publishers don't put a fifteen year old on The Assasin's cover...