Customer Reviews

A Woman's Estate

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

An interesting novel, deeper than the usual Regency courtship romance.
The Heroine, American Bookseller, Abigail Lydden is the widow of the charming, reckless Englishman, Lord Francis Lydden.
Abigail had followed her heart when she married profligate Francis. Fortunately, he died before running through all of their assets. Now her son, Victor, is the heir to Rutupiae Hall. They sail from New York to England to accept Victor's inheritance.
Abigail discovers that Francis had a stepfamily and two cousins that he had never mentioned. The unhappy stepfamily is established at Rutupiae Hall. They are not pleased to meet the new Lord Lydden. One of the cousins, Whig politician Sir Arthur, is a co-executor of the Lydden Estate and must approve any estate expenditures. Abigail must navigate these new aristocratic waters and has decided not to mention her status or income as a Bookseller in New York.
There are numerous plot threads. A mystery: murderous attempts on young Victor's life. A romance: appealing Sir Arthur and cautious, self-protective Abigail. An Intrigue: Sir Arthur's efforts on behalf of England in negotiating a Peace Treaty at Ghent. An Injustice: English Property and Marriage Laws and Abigail's insistance on her personal and financial independence.
All of these threads are woven into a fast moving, informative and emotionally involving romance.
Recommended.

The description says something about a werewolf and a bracelet. This is not the story that Roberta Gellis tells in A Woman's Estate.

This book is part of a series of historical novels set by Ms Gellis during the Regency era.

I personally think that she is incapable of writing a bad book. Meticulous historical research, emphasis on interesting characters and a good plot keep the story clipping right along.

Even if you are looking for a werewolf book, you might want to at least try a sample.

First of all, I love books. I have only not finished one book because it was so horrible.

This was almost the second. I liked the first four, and although they weren't my favorite, I still enjoyed them. She should have stopped with the fourth. This one seemed so out of sorts with the other four that had to do with war and subterfuge; this one was mostly about petty family. Not only that, but it dragged on and on. I do like how she had so much research and clear history in her books. However, it often got in the way of her plot and actually make me quite bored. I had to read three other books in the middle of this one because I was so bored. I put so much time in the other four and even in this one, that I had to finish it.

Unless you couldn't put the other four down, don't bother with this title. I got to the point where I couldn't stand that the two characters who were in "love" couldn't even keep lines of communication open. This is a common thread in all of her novels, and after a while it gets old. I know she is trying to add to the plot, but it just makes the "love" they share seem cheap.

I gave this book 3 stars only because it is well written and factual. If it weren't for that, it would get a one.

I recommend this book for the author`s writing skills which is vivid, intricate and keeps your attention. She weaves real plots and has intelligent characters whom you can actually describe to some one else. All Gellis books are worth a try especially her medievals( this one is not) and her semi-regencies like this one.