Lizzie's Rake [Paperback]

Hazel Statham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 7, 2009

Can a rake reform his ways and truly love? Lizzie's head tells her one thing, her heart another. Infamous rake and Corinthian, Maxim Beaufort, Earl of St. Ive, finding himself in possession of a property in Yorkshire, is unprepared for the changes it will bring into his life. Irresistibly drawn to Elizabeth Granger, the former owner's daughter, he attempts to help the family, finding himself filling the role of benefactor. When the house is razed to the ground, he arranges for temporary accommodation for Elizabeth and her siblings on his estate. When Elizabeth rejects his proposal of marriage, he is nonetheless determined to win her over. However, events and his reputation conspire to thwart his efforts and his course is one fraught with dangers. Trust does not come easily and determined to protect her heart, Elizabeth struggles to resist her own longings. At times, their difficulties appear insurmountable but the earl is widely known as 'The Indomitable' and the name was not lightly earned.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press (April 7, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601544650
• ISBN-13: 978-1601544650
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,326,459 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a lovely discovery!, May 29, 2009

By 

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

This review is from: Lizzie's Rake (Paperback)

Every once in a while you come across an author totally unfamiliar and you decide to take a chance. I did this years ago with Anne Gracie and more recently with Elizabeth Rolls and both are on my keeper shelf. I can't recall how I found Hazel Statham but somehow I got there via a comment on amazon. Please, everyone who loves the traditional regency, take note: this author has produced books that are charming, full of lovely characters, contain beautifully crafted prose and sweet, fulfilling stories.

Lizzie's Rake is the story of a young woman whose wastrel brother has lost the family estate in a card game and then disappeared to the USA. The estate is won and lost another time and thus comes into the hands of the Earl of St Ive, known amongst the ton as a Super Rake. Actually, the earl is kind hearted, loyal to his family, decent and a good landlord. He attracts women to be sure but he is fair with them and no one really has cause to complain about being connected to him.

When he decides to inspect his new winnings, he meets Lizzie and her younger twin brother and sister, now left destitute and soon to be homeless. Lizzie is a girl of strength of character but has had much thrust upon her unfairly and now has to deal with it. Maxim, the Earl of St Ive, decides that he will help her and, in so doing, for the first time in his life falls in love, truly, madly deeply.

The usual misunderstandings arise as the course of true love does not run smoothly with Lizzie refusing to own up to her own feelings and Maxim dismayed that she can't see that he really means it. Perhaps she protests too much but, well, it's a fairy tale afterall!

If I had to make a criticism here, it would be that we should know more about Lizzie's brother. I found it difficult to accept that the young lord would abandon his family without a second thought and that he is never mentioned again after the opening scenes. Indeed, I rather thought Maxim should have brought him to brook.

Well, fans, here is a good read, a comfort read, with a very admirable hero and feisty heroine. One of my private rules for giving a book 5 stars is that I have to fall in love with the hero. Yes, I did with Maxim!

Highly recommended for lovers of the traditional regency. There was sexual tension without looking behind the bedroom door and excellent dialogue and carefully wrought narrative description.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Something You Can Let Your Daughter Read, May 18, 2009

By 

Jennifer L. (Missouri) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lizzie's Rake (Paperback)

Lizzie's Rake is a delightful story. Fast paced but with easy to follow plot. This reminds me of the Harlequin romances 30 years ago--the kind I
read as a girl. The "bedroom door" stays closed in this sweet romance, so
if you're looking for something you'd let your daughter read, this is it.
I will definitely read more of Ms. Statham!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A delightful, historical read and easily recommended., June 11, 2009

By 

Holly (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lizzie's Rake (Paperback)

I found this to be a charming book. Hazel has captured the Regency period perfectly. Elizabeth is a strong young woman who refuses to be pressured and Maxim is a man who unwillingly loses his heart to her. William and Lucy are sweet and completely taken with Maxim. Aunt Bella is simply lovely. With a bit of mystery and a lot of romance, Lizzie's Rake is a delightful read. I was surprised that it wasn't longer, but I soon realized that it was enthralling and just the right length.

I think that Maxim reformed a bit quickly, but perhaps finding his world unexpectedly turned upside down by a defiant girl was enough to do that. And, I do wish that we knew more about Elizabeth's older brother and what happened to him after he lost the estate by gambling. But, at any rate, Hazel has created some endearing characters. The romance is passionate, but sweet and appropriately honorable. A delightful, historical read and easily recommended.