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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Contrived and inconsistent, December 8, 2004
Sorry, but I cannot support the general "how great this is" sentiment. Elizabeth Thornton is a talented author, but this particular book is inconsistent and very contrived. All goes well up to our hero's escape from jail, which is interestingly executed and deserves 4 stars. However, from there ... the "who did it" aspect is non-existent (we find out from alternate point-of-view chapters quite early on); her body guards letting her go into a jail without escort is absurd; the author states clearly in the opening that lady is extremely polite and likable, but she doesn't act that way after entering the jail (she immediately transforms into bold adventure woman); the hero keeping her captive for so long feels contrived; everyone you can shake a stick at decides that he is innocent and must be helped; she falls in love with him without him once making her feel desired or desirable; and so on. What this book really needs is a technical reviewer to go through & tighten up all of the loose ends & inconsistencies. The first few chapters promised an lady concerned that she is too nice, too accomodating, too sheltered, and yet unable to change her basic personality. Had that personality been maintained, this would have been a better book.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A different kind of story, November 26, 2001
In a genre that has become rife with hackneyed and monotonous storylines, Elizabeth Thornton bestows upon us the gift of an extraordinarily unique love story. Though the storyline follows an overused formula, that of the abductor who falls in love with his victim and vice versa, it is one of the few books in which such a situation is able to enhance the romance of the story instead of appearing ridiculously contrived and entirely manufactured for the benefit of allowing the hero and heroine an unlimited amount of time alone together (purely for the sake of trashy love scenes). Instead, the abduction becomes an integral part of the novel because a truly desperate and futile love between the hero and heroine surfaces during this chase through England, a love borne not just from a superficial physical attraction but from grudging respect, reciprocated sacrifice, and a profound trust developed in harrowing moments of life or death. Of course this still sounds like every other kidnapping story, (or at least what every other kidnapping story is meant to sound like) but what makes this story so uniquely compelling is Thornton's ability to convincingly relay to us the shadow of desperation that enshrouds both the hero and the heroine. The hopelessness of their circumstances is compounded by the wide social chasm that separates them. In a literary genre where social restrictions are spouted but never adhered to, creating worlds in which it is common for serving girls to runoff with lords of the manor, Thornton somehow establishes a believable barrier that is incapable of being so easily brushed aside. Here, consequences are real, life threatening and not easily settled by the whim of one man, however forceful or powerful he may be. Thornton is successful in this because she is able to express the limitations and flaws of both her hero and heroine without casting doubt upon their strength of character. Indeed, the book's overall allure is due largely to these two powerful characters. Neither is young nor naïve, irresponsible, flighty nor governed by emotion. Rather they are two reserved, almost cold people, mature and experienced in the ways of the world with deep values and viewpoints of their own, concealed by traditional social conventions. By sheer strength of character, these two lovers carry the reader through the same gamut of emotions they are forced to undergo during their ordeal, and drive the reader to believe in their circumstances, to believe in their love, and to believe in them. Therein lies the book's brilliance. Though admittedly, there are imperfections in the storyline, what makes this novel stand separate from the rest is Thornton's is ability to create two such real characters that you are drawn into their desperation, their heartbreak and finally their joy as they surmount all the very real odds against them and ultimately find love.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent, excellent, excellent!!!, December 21, 2002
I have so far been immensely pleased with anything this author has written. Even if you have never read any of her other works, this book can stand alone. With "The Perfect Princess" Richard Maitland, who was prominently featured in her two previous novels, has his own story. Richard Maitland, war hero, spy extraordinaire, chief of special branches, and highly honorable has made some powerful enemies in his career. He does not suffer fools gladly and is usually portrayed as a `dour Scot' with few real friends - but those that he does name as friends are `sterling' in character as well. Richard has been attacked, made to look like a murderer, tried, convicted and two days away from being executed. Lady Rosamond Devere, daughter of a powerful duke, and thought to be a perfect matrimonial choice for a prince is visiting a `friend' who `for a lark' wants to bring Richard Maitland - his `last meal' at Newgate prison. Unfortunately, the timing could not have been worse as Richard, with the help of his trusty bodyguard, Harper, is attempting a prison break at the time of their visit. Seizing the moment, and Lady Rosamond as a hostage, Richard and Harper make their escape. This story from the very first pages has exciting suspense, a wonderful romantic duel of personalities - a dour Scot vs. the overly protected and pampered daughter of a duke - and superb dialogs. After several attempts at escaping Richard, Lady Rosamond, with nothing more to go on than his word, and possibly a sexual attraction, does eventually come to believe in Richard's innocence - and she and her powerful family do get behind and help Richard to find the real killers. Of course on top of this, these two very dynamic people get to create some very highly sensual and sizzling moments together - not without some hurtles to overcome with such a difference in their disparate backgrounds. From the very beginning you will have non-stop excitement, a real page-turner and exceptionally good secondary characters. Wonderful writing - I'll read anything with this lady's name on it and keep it forever!
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