A Love So Wild [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Deborah Chester (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: Ulverscroft Large Print Books (June 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0708907644
• ISBN-13: 978-0708907641
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,103,584 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Since beginning my professional career as a novelist in 1978, I've had over 35 books published, including Regency romances, young adult, science fiction, and fantasy. Some of my early science fiction was published under two pseudonyms -- Sean Dalton and Jay D. Blakeney. Currently I hold the John Crain Presidential Professorship at the University of Oklahoma, where I teach novel and short story writing in the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, June 1, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: A love so wild (Hardcover)

Mary Clampton is living in the depths of despair in Newgate prison. Lord Menton offers her a chance at release if she agrees to learn to become a lady and use her skill at theft to engage in intrigue. She is horrified that he seems to be preparing her to commit treason, but his threats to return her to prison if she does not comply with his wishes terrify her into submission.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Old School High Drama Regency Romance...., December 7, 2008

By 

retroredux - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: A Love So Wild (Mass Market Paperback)

Synopsis:
Charming, high-spirited Mary Clampton - jailed in Newgate Prison on false charges - had no idea why the mysterious Lord Menton chose her for his scheme. But a marriage of convenience and lessons in how to become a lady at ease in the dazzling world of London society seemed to be a small price to pay for her release from prison.

Soon Mary discovered that the stakes were much higher than she supposed. Caught in a web of international intrigue, she found Menton's price to be very high indeed. But by then she had fallen in love ....

My Review:
Deborah Chester, who is now a well known Science Fiction and Fantasy writer, started her career in Regency Romance. A Love So Wild was her first published novel, way back in 1979. A Love So Wild is very good for a first novel-with an unusual premise, of a genteel but poverty stricken woman, jailed falsely in Newgate, but given a sort of reprieve by carrying on a false courtship and marriage with her rescuer, Lord Menton.

The story is very much written in the old school Regency format-very high drama, intrigue, hysterics, misunderstandings, secrets, duels and the like. The heroine, is overall good but a bit too flighty. Her constant fear and hysterics did grate on the nerves. The hero, in true old school mold, is dark, brooding, arrogant, and condescending. Menton, who is a horses rear for most of the story, his moodiness makes Mr. Darcy look like an optimist. Though both the hero and heroine do mature and learn from their mistakes, I just wish it was sooner rather than later in this longer (282 page) Regency.

The villains are "ultra bad", the matrons are dragons and the mothers are true tabbies. Almost no passion, in the modern Historical Romance sense, but still romantic in it's own old fashioned way. The publisher gets points for the glorious cover illustration as well.

It may be too "bodice ripper" for more modern readers, but if you're looking for a bit of nostalgic, emotional fun then check out A Love So Wild.
3.5 stars.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gem, June 5, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: A Love So Wild (Hardcover)

I would have to totally agree with the other reviewers, this book is wonderful. I read it years ago and many books since but this story has always stuck out in my mind. The relationship between the hero and heroine is one of the best!
You should REALLY read this book. It's great!