Customer Reviews

A True Lady

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Cristabel is determined to be a *true lady* just like her English mother; but, unfortunately, there is an obstacle in her way. Her father is a pirate. It's little wonder, then, that at the age of twenty-one, the young woman left motherless at an early age, and having been taught lady-ness by a succession of governesses, not to mention piracy by a vast assortment of her father's henchmen, has decided never to marry thus never putting herself in any man's hands.

Her father, the infamous Captain Whiskey, facing impending retirement from the 'trade' and tired of being a bachelor, has plans to marry again, and everyone knows two women can't live under the same roof. He orders Cristabel to select the type of man she wants to marry, pirate or not, and he'll fetch him. Thinking to stymie the wily old buccaneer, she says she'll not marry any other than a fine, refined English lord.

Cristabel cannot then find any way out of marrying the young man her father promptly produces for her--Magnus Titus, Viscount Snow. Immediately following the piratical-type wedding ceremonies, the newlyweds are hustled on board one of her father's ships, bound for England, and in almost no time at all, the old man's carefully laid plans fall apart.

To begin with, the captive is *not* Magnus, but Martin, the younger brother of the viscount--and already married to his childhood sweetheart, Sophia. Declaring a vow of friendship, Cristabel and Martin share a cabin--platonically--during the crossing, and eventually, even to their arrival at Martin's home, where she meets the *real* lord.

Magnus is a hero to whom you will absolutely lose your heart--big, handsome, intelligent, honest, brave, trustworthy. Cristabel is not immune, but doesn't trust him--or herself. Surprises abound in the adventure-packed pages of this delightful book, peopled with pirates and lordships, bawds and ladies, who engage in attempted murder, society doings and other skullduggery. You will love Cristabel's journey from half-pirate to true lady!

Edith Layton made her name with a unique and pithy, pungent, even piquant way with words in many Regencies before turning her attentions to the longer, more complex form of historical romance. The story and characters in A TRUE LADY are vintage Layton, though, and you won't be one tiny little bit disappointed by this book.

Cristabel has to be one of the most unique woman characters in the history of romance novels. The beginning of the story starts with a whollop and never lets you down or slows down. The atmosphere puts you right in mid 18th century England-and the love story, which starts from the beginning for the hero, is one of the best. This ranks up there with "The Duke's Wager" another "10" from Edith Layton. Also don't miss her next book, "The Wedding"!

Who is Clare Layton? I thought this author was Edith Layton! This is very confusing, because a book that I just finished reading, "Bound by Love" is by Edith Layton, per the cover. Even the cover of this book says Edith Layton but the book is being touted as written by Clare Layton!