5.0 out of 5 stars
Lord of Shadows, February 12, 2009
This review is from: Lord of Shadows (Five Star Expressions) (Hardcover)
Lord Devlin Charmichael is a spy for the Home Office in Britain. Currently, Devlin is trying to locate the members of the United Band who are trying to kill his brother, King Ari of Zaranbad, and destroy Zaranbad's alliance with Britain. Dev is a man of mystery in society and both awed and feared.
Lady Caroline Berring lives on the fringes of society due to a scandal. When Dev steps in to help her gain the respect of the ton, things go slightly awry. Suitors come out of the woodwork but so does danger. Dev must protect Caroline, whether she wants it or not. Dev has no room in his life for love, he faces danger every day, but Caroline is proving to be a temptation too strong to deny.
Lord of Shadows is a story rich in romance and tradition. The authentic dialogue and scenery is wonderful. Dev is mysterious and sexy. He is often a brooding hero, whose feelings, especially for Caroline, are tangible. He wears his heart on his sleeve. Dev doesn't think he's good enough for sweet Caroline. He desperately wants to keep her safe by staying away but his need for her is too great. Caroline is strong-minded, strong-willed, and intelligent. She is a refreshing heroine for the time period. She is unique in a sea of women who clamor to be the same. Lord of Shadows is exciting, dangerous, a bit dark at times, very romantic and sensual.
Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Lennox Delivers Again, November 30, 2008
This review is from: Lord of Shadows (Five Star Expressions) (Hardcover)
Mary Lennox continues in her familiar vein of swashbuckling and historically accurate romance, extending the story of Aubrey Drelincourte through the adventures of his friends Ram Dass and Lady Caroline Berring. Her trademark elegant prose makes for gratifying reading while the palace intrigue, suspense and sensual interactions keep one's attention. As always, this book showcases her command of the period and her light touch with commedy and innate chemistry.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Memorable Victorian Suspense and Romance, November 10, 2008
This review is from: Lord of Shadows (Five Star Expressions) (Hardcover)
Lady Caroline Berring has been having a disastrous Season, with rumors hinting that she's not truly the daughter of her deceased father, but has the looks of her father's good friend. She overhears Lord Nearing tell his friends that he would court her, only his beloved grandmother insists on him doing nothing that would sully the good blood of his family line. Caroline is puzzled when Nearing's friend, the coldly aloof Lord Devlin, Marquess of Headleymoor, heir to a dukedom, suddenly takes an interest in giving her cache among the ton.
Devlin may be a catch, now, but it wasn't always so. His deceased mother was the former Queen of Zaranbad (a small but important kingdom located near India, that is in treaty negotiations with Queen Victoria) before she married his father and in some circles Devlin is still regarded as a half-breed, no matter how royal. He's totally loyal to his older half-brother, King Ari, aiding him against many enemies as a secret agent and sometimes interrogator and assassin, which is tearing him apart. His brother is still cool towards him. As the book opens, he is trying to help his brother seek out traitors who are working against him, saving his life when one attempts to poison him while in England talking with Queen Victoria. Devlin also acts as an agent for England, with his knowledge of the Asia, also a dark and risky occupation that is at odds with his nature. He feels neither a part of England nor Zaranbad.
Between saving the King of Zaranbad and seeking out a group of traitors who are also working against the interests of England in Zaranbad, Devlin feels for Caroline, as a fellow outcast from society. He tries to help her standing in society so that his friend Nearing may be able to offer for her without worrying about sullying the family name, but he finds himself falling for Caroline himself. Unfortunately, Caroline only sees him as disdainful and cold. She can talk with more ease to his alter-ego, Ram Dass, a doctor of Zaranbad and servant to the Devlin and his brother, a disguise he uses as an agent.
Not only is the love story between Devlin and Caroline interesting, with their different backgrounds and many secrets on his part, but there is also adventure and danger as Dev's personal enemies as well as those against Zaranbad, threaten him and Caroline. Caroline turns out to be far from the poor wall-flower in need of saving. She has spirit and courage and some unconventional skills learned from her grandfather in Scotland (she can out-shoot and out-ride her brother).
I've been very under-whelmed by most of the romances I've read lately, but his one has revived my hopes in finding something moving and interesting and worth-while: I loved it! It's not perfect, but it certainly is good. I hope this author continues to write many more books.
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