The Persistent Earl (Signet Regency Romance) [Paperback]

Gail Eastwood (Author)

Book Description

Series: Signet Regency Romance | Publication Date: March 1, 1995

Beautiful Lady Phoebe Brodfield cannot imagine that the badly injured Earl of Devenham is a threat to her virtue, but as he grows stronger, so does his desire, and as her broken heart mends, her defenses disappear.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Tragically and scandalously widowed, young Phoebe, Lady Brodfield, withdraws from society and remains in self-imposed seclusion with her sister's family. However, when the infamous Earl of Devenham, wounded and delirious, ends up in her care, Phoebe's life takes an unexpected and decidedly more interesting turn. A nicely matched hero and heroine, well-developed secondary characters, and a brood of delightful children grace this gradually unfolding story that, for all its classic Regency conventions, contains a high degree of sexual tension and more than a touch of evil. Marred only by a somewhat cliched ending and a villain who is a bit too degenerate, this story should appeal to readers who enjoy Regencies that are almost in the traditional mode. Readers who enjoy Eastwood's Regencies (A Perilous Journey, Signet, 1994) might also find those of Mary Balogh of interest. (Eastwood lives in Wakefield, Rhode Island.)
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

One of the ton's most eligible bachelors has just returned a hero from a daring battle with Napoleon at Waterloo. Mortally wounded, Major Jack Jameson, Earl of Devenham, is taken in by an old friend to be nursed by a lovely, reclusive young widow. Lady Phoebe Brodfield, the toast of the Season just three years past, is haunted by a fateful marriage and the strange happenings surrounding her husband's death. Though extraordinarily attracted to her handsome patient, Phoebe is determined to keep him from getting close enough to sense her growing desire for him. Instantly intrigued by his mysterious angel of mercy, Lord Devenham sets out to ease the boredom of his confinement by learning as much as he can about her guarded past, only to lose his heart to the vulnerable beauty. The Persistent Earl is a delightful story of a lady struggling to come to terms with her past and learning to trust - and love - again at the urging of a confirmed rogue with a heart of gold. The characters are charming and are sure to capture a lasting place in your heart.Gail Eastwood's vivid storytelling creates an unforgettable reading experience. Ms. Eastwood's absorbing style utterly sweeps her readers off into a world of her own making. Beautifully penned, Ms Eastwood touches the soul with genuine elegance.Lori Wright -- Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Signet (March 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451181913
• ISBN-13: 978-0451181916
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,148,023 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well-written and enjoyable traditional Regency romance, January 12, 2010

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AUPoohBear "aupoohbear" (New England, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Persistent Earl (Signet Regency Romance) (Paperback)

Lady Phoebe Brodfield has been hiding in her kindly sister and brother-in-law's London townhouse since the sudden and tragic death of her husband eighteen months ago. Phoebe was hurt dreadfully by the gossip surrounding her husband's death and is content to play nursemaid and governess to her sister's children. Major John Allen Jameson, Earl of Devenham was wounded at Waterloo after barely recovering from a previous injury. His London lodgings are no place for a sick man so his old friend, Phoebe's brother-in-law Sir Edward Allington, offered room in his home for the Earl and Phoebe as nurse. Lord Devenham has a notorious reputation as a rake and at first his charming, flirtatious manner unnerves Phoebe and she tries to deny her physical attraction to the man, but as she nurses him back to health, she discovers that he has a kind nature that lies hidden underneath his rakish manner. A wicked villain threatens Phoebe and the Earl sees it as his duty to protect her from harm. The two gradually break down each other's defenses and get to know the truth behind the public image. Phoebe, still hurting from her husband's untimely death, needs the Earl to help her heal and he needs her to learn to love. This story is rather darker and a lot more melancholy than A Perilous Journey, but it's very well-written. The dialogue is natural and the story unfolds slowly. The romance was romantic without being overpowering or corny and the relationship between the two principles was incredibly believable. I figured out the villain and the big secret right away so the reveal came as no surprise but I think the focus is more on the internal developments of the characters rather than the actual action of the story. Eastwood's character development is very effective in moving the plot along so I was willing to forgive the obvious villain. I really enjoyed this novel as a departure from my usual comedic fare. I recommend it to Regency lovers and especially fans of Patricia Veryan.