Song For Sophia (Crimson Romance) [Kindle Edition]

Moriah Densley (Author)

Book Description

2012 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist

"If she truly knows her business, a woman has the mind of a diplomat, a general, and Cleopatra, all in one."

Anne-Sophia Duncombe is ruined, a victim of her father's high-stakes gambling. Stolen moments at the piano are her boon. Wilhelm Montegue is a washed up war hero, rumored insane. His "condition" - modern diagnosis: savant autism - is the source of his gift for composing music. Anne-Sophia and Wilhelm thought they had missed their chance for love, but anything can happen in the music room.

Anne-Sophia is in exile, hiding from her villainous father, Lord Chauncey, who tried to force her into marrying the repulsive Lowdry, his partner in crime. She outsmarted them and ran away, but loneliness is its own captivity. As a last resort before the convent, Sophia attempts a radical scheme--a life of humility and disguise.
Wilhelm Montegue, Earl of Devon, is a washed-up war hero who drinks too much, offends his neighbors with his harsh wit, and breaks furniture when his temper flares. Always in the shadow of scandal and absent from society, he is the subject of intense gossip. The town whispers that he is insane and guilty of unnatural proclivities. He is barely excused by his brilliant mind and swarthy good looks.
Lord Devon is bewildered that his newest housemaid has sparked such an irritating fascination in him. Why must she be the most exquisite woman he ever laid eyes on? Chaste and bound by honor, he vows to behave himself, even if her voice is a siren song. He knows she is keeping secrets, and he finds her scent of danger intoxicating . . . .
Sensuality Level: Sensual

Editorial Reviews

Review

"OH. MY. GOODNESS. It was brilliant! The darkness of Sophia's and Wil's pasts were so well balanced with the bright, steamy romance of their present! I found that I couldn't put this book down, no matter how many other things I was "supposed" to be doing." 5 Crowns -RomCon®

From the Author

With so many generous, candid people willing to share their stories, I found no shortage of research on savant syndrome. Lord Devon, my autistic savant hero, is based on factual cases. Little was understood about the condition in the nineteenth century, and sadly, many were denied their rights and put away in asylums. My attempts to portray a savant character are in sympathy and admiration of those who struggle with the gift and burden of an extraordinarily brilliant mind. 
-Moriah Densley

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 583 KB
• Print Length: 298 pages
• Publisher: Crimson Romance (June 4, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B008195IIQ
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #179,387 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fantastic Read June 4, 2012

By MVF

Format:Kindle Edition

There are some stories that stay with you and this is one.

To escape her horrific past, Sophia has hidden herself in the household of Lord Devon as a servant. But she soon draws the notice of enigmatic Lord, a war hero and reluctant peer. Working for Lord Devon is a difficult task for he has very exacting demands--such as everything must be in its place. Sophia finds herself verbally sparring with the frustrating Lord, who hides his own "illness"--savant autism. These are two broken people that work together to become whole as Sophia's and Wilhelm's past come back to haunt them both.

This was a delightful read, the heroine, Sophia, was strong without being shrewish. The abuse she'd endured didn't break her, but made her more determined. The hero, Wilhelm, is a powerful man, with an artist's heart. As soon as they were on the page, especially together, they capture the reader with clever dialogue and interesting settings. The savant autism, for me, was skillfully woven in and made Wilhelm an even more intriguing hero.

From the moment I picked up this book, I was hooked. The imagery was sharp and the writer's voice was clear. The emotion wasn't over done, but threaded through, so much so, when I came to the last chapter I found myself tearing up. I am not an emotional reader and this surprised and delighted me. The happy ever after was perfect.

I highly recommend this book written by debut author Moriah Densley. Her voice and writing is strong and I suspect this is only the beginning for this talented writer. This is one story I will read again and again.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Smart, Sexy, Smokin' Hot June 4, 2012

By Suzanne Johnson

Format:Kindle Edition

This isn't your mama's historical--with a memorable, tortured hero and a heroine who uses a steel exterior to cover a vulnerable, damaged heart, this book will keep you turning pages. Highly recommend.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Devilishly Delightful June 5, 2012

By holsford

Format:Kindle Edition

Before Moriah Densley was practically anything else she was a writer. A partner in crime to her imagination, as a child Mrs. Densley invented lavish plays for the neighborhood children to perform. In High School French class she so fluidly adapted to her French name and character that she could just as easily be found on the Parisian streets as in the four walls of the classroom, Now, with her debut novel, Densley proves to be every bit the wit and raconteur that her title character, Sophia is.

'Song for Sophia" is a devilishly delightful paramoural novel that, though it contains all the trappings of a romance, rarely ever felt cliched or contrived. That is due in no small part to the great depth and breadth that Densley brought to her characters. Both Sophia and Lord Devon have history and personality that, quite frankly, surprised me in a novel of this genre.

If her characterizations are good it is nothing compared to the passages on music. Accomplished in the arts herself, Mrs. Densley contributes a solid base of knowledge for music that allows her characters to show their genius and gives validity to all the passions that are expressed through it, most notably solace, mystery, desire and sadness.

I thoroughly enjoyed ravaging through the pages of this novel. It is simultaneously mysterious, haunting, adventerous and--let's face it-- a little salacious.

I applaud Mrs. Densley in her first effort and would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an enjoyable reading experience.

More About the Author

Moriah Densley sees nothing odd at all about keeping both a violin case and a range bag stuffed with pistols in the back seat of her car. They hold up the stack of books in the middle, of course. She enjoys writing about Victorians, assassins, and geeks. Her muses are summoned by the smell of chocolate, usually at odd hours of the night. By day her alter ego is your friendly neighborhood music teacher. Moriah lives in Las Vegas with her husband and four children.

RWA 2012 Golden Heart Finalist in Historical Romance.