Star-Crossed Summer [Hardcover]

Sarah Stanley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 31, 2008

Summer 1815. Gloucestershire heiress Beth Tremoille is impoverished by her scheming stepmother. Now a blacksmith's mistress, she steals money paid by handsome, rich, and ruthless Sir Guy Valmer, who considers the Tremoille inheritance to be his. Unknown to Beth, he means to force her into marriage after finding a missing will that reinstates her as her father's heir. Fearing arrest for stealing, she flees to London, where several brushes with Guy make her realize how physically drawn to him she is. But fear makes her flee again, and under a false name she leases a remote house on the coast of Exmoor. There, believing herself safe, she meets a new love, wealthy landowner Landry Haldane, with whom she embarks upon a passionate affair; but Guy is still on her trail, and is gradually drawing closer. When he finally catches her, she will have to choose her destiny.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Beware, gentle reader, this book contains more than mere kisses; far more...

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Robert Hale (August 31, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0709083955
• ISBN-13: 978-0709083955
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,211,942 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very well done!, January 27, 2009

By 

Detra Fitch "Always hunting good books." (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Star-Crossed Summer (Hardcover)

Set in 1815. Jane had been a soiled dove lucky enough to marry wealthy Esmond Tremoille. Upon Esmond's death, Jane made sure she would get everything by doing away with the lawyer and torching his office. But rumor has it that Esmond had drawn up another will, revoking the one Jane has and leaving all to his daughter, Elizabeth "Beth". Jane had tossed Beth out last year and waits for her year of bereavement to be done so she can wed Lord (Thomas) Welland.

Sir Guy Valmer of Greylake is determined to claim Tremoille House, which had once belonged to his family. He needs only to find the second will and then marry Beth, by force if need be. Locating Beth is the harder of the two, because she knows Sir Guy is hunting her.

Beth had come across the dead body of the man taking Jane's money to the bank. Though Beth did not kill the man, she did steal the money. She leaves half the money for Jake Mannacott, the blacksmith she had been with since Jane kicked her out. With the other half, Jane goes to London. When Sir Guy finds her in London, Beth flees to the coast of Exmoor and leases the Dower House. It is there Beth meets wealthy landowner Landry Haldane. Once Beth feels safe, she allows herself to be with Landry even though she secretly longs for Sir Guy. Unknown to Beth though, Sir Guy has finally found her again.

***** Author Sarah Stanley keeps the story realistic to its time setting. I never found a flaw, though I admit that there are a bit too many coincidences. The secondary characters are almost as well developed as the main characters. Each personality has several layers, much like a real person. The story so well written that I found myself hating the wicked stepmother, and loving every moment of it, only to later actually start feeling a bit sorry for her. (Just a bit though.) This title is can work as a stand-alone story, however, if you do not know that there is to be a sequel released (Midwinter Marriage, May 29, 2009) you will not feel totally satisfied. It ends in a good spot, but leaves a few strings dangling. Be warned that this book is hotter than your average historical romance. All-in-all, Sarah Stanley has proven herself to be a terrific writer and I eagerly look forward to another story by this amazing author. *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

5.0 out of 5 stars Unforgettable historical drama -, October 18, 2008

By 

kellytwo "kellytwo" (cleveland hts, ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Star-Crossed Summer (Hardcover)

Some fictional characters are so extraordinary they expand way beyond the pages in which they live. Think of a female British adventuress and you think first of Moll Flanders. Until now. Moll has met her match in Beth Tremoille--sometimes known as Alabeth Alder or Beth Mannacott. There's good reason for all these names as the young woman who uses them must run and fight for her very existence through trauma and turmoil enough for twenty such as she. Her creator, Sarah Stanley, is a welcome addition to the ranks of magnificent story-tellers with this family saga that includes romance, suspense and adventure.

Ms. Stanley is a masterful weaver, keeping the various story lines clear and untangled, even when the characters from one skein mix with another one. There are young and old, rich and poor, titled and commoners, innocent and evil. Sometimes almost all of these traits may be found in one person. But yet, there is humor as well, and sympathy for people thrust into situations beyond their normal existence, forcing untoward behavior on occasion.

The England of 1815 was not always a nice or pretty place to live. The war with Napoleon was finally over, but unemployment was rampant, and the economy was slowing. This affected everyone at every level of society. People of every rank found themselves doing things they'd never before considered, and the author is superb at mining these motivations to their fullest, in order to expose the human frailties to which we're all subject.

In some ways, this is a gritty, rather than a pretty story, but it is honest, and in the end, truthful. It may not be for the very faint at heart, or those looking for a beautiful day spent in the bucolic countryside. What it is -- is unforgettable. It would also make for a superb multi-episode filmed costume drama. Very few of the relationships are satisfactorily resolved in this book. Rumor has it there will be a continuation volume in the next few months. Hooray!