The Worldly Widow (Zebra Historical Romance) [Paperback]

Elizabeth Thornton (Author)

Book Description

Series: Zebra Historical Romance | Publication Date: April 5, 2005

Ignoring the dangers still lingering in the aftermath of Waterloo, Annabella Jocelyn arrives in Paris on a mission - to purchase the publishing rights to a scandalous dairy written by a notorious femme fatale. An astute businesswoman, Annabella knows that securing this diary will certainly bring both fame and fortune to her fledgling company, Bailey's Press. All that stands in her way is a cadre of dangerous gentlemen determined to bury their indiscretions, and a brave war hero (and incorrigible rogue) determined to keep her safe, preferably in his bed. David Falconer, the Earl of Dalmar, knows how to fight and win, be it for his country or any woman who takes his fancy. His need to possess the cool, composed Annabella is unrelenting and deliriously consuming, yet his duty as a gentleman to keep her safe from the hands of merciless men is growing even stronger. Both desires are proving treacherous at best, for fearless Annabella is a formidable match for his skills at both soldiering and seduction...

Editorial Reviews

Review

..."will appeal to fans of Amanda Quick, Candace Camp, and Lisa Kleypas."

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Zebra (April 5, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821777149
• ISBN-13: 978-0821777145
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,327,182 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent 30 Something Heroine, December 24, 2002

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Worldly Widow (A Zebra Regency Romance) (Paperback)

Annabella Jocelyn did keep men at a safe distance and had become quite adept at this practice having loved once wholeheartedly only to have been betrayed most cruelly. Now, embracing her independence and having been a widow for sometime, all her energy and love was for her son, Richard, and Bailey's Publishing House of which she was the driving force. Annabella had traveled to Paris, at the invitation of a courtesan that had a diary of memoirs to sell that promised to be `tell-all' expose of some of the more prominent figures of that era. Being an astute businesswoman Annabella, knew that this would establish Bailey's as the forerunner in the publishing business.
It was on this fateful trip that she met the very disturbing Earl of Dalmar, in her judgement a very dangerous libertine. Fate stepped in to make him her hero when a riot broke out and he saved her from being assaulted. In the process, what had started as an attraction turned into a passion for Annabella that she would, in her head, try to deny only to have her body betray her. Dalmar, on the other hand, never felt such passion for a woman before and would do his utmost to make her his using whatever means he could. Unfortunately, saving her from the folly and dangers of publishing the tell-all diary would wreak havoc with his plans.

This was an amazing full-bodied romance richly detailed taking place in London and Paris months after the battle of Waterloo. The heroine is uniquely independent for her time, our hero - handsome, controlling yet vulnerable - both very well fleshed out. Additionally along with the main romance, there are two other enjoyable romances that bring a richness and lushness to this terrific book. This was a complete read, for me. It had all the ingredients I look for, in a romance - great plot, strong leads, a super supporting cast, and wonderfully sensual love scenes.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars What a jerk!, March 11, 2007

By 

Shaheen (West St. Paul, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Worldly Widow (Zebra Historical Romance) (Paperback)

Blech. Possibly the hero has some redeeming qualities, but I couldn't force myself to read enough of this book to find them. The man is brutal, domineering, toweringly arrogant, and worse, finds nothing wrong with repeatedly embarassing the heroine in front of her friends, colleagues and in private. Oh, and telling me that this is not his normal way of dealing with women and that he is appalled at men who would force a woman, but doesn't consider not taking no for an answer from the heroine a bad thing because, hey, he'd always stopped before for other women, does not make his character any more palatable.

What is the point of writing up a strong, interesting, independent heroine, if all you do is set her up to be dominated, humiliated and walked all over?

Admittedly, this is not the worse romance I have ever read, and thankfully it doesn't descend into the raped-for-your-own-good scenario, but I have always found the forcibly-seduced-against-your-will to be only a few steps above that level.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars NOT THE ELIZABETH THORNTON I KNOW AND LOVE, March 31, 2005

By 

Texas Reader (Huntsville, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Worldly Widow (Zebra Historical Romance) (Paperback)

Okay. I know I'm in the minority but, Ms. Thornton's republication of this 1990 book was not a good idea as far as I'm concerned. Scarlet Angel was also written in 1990 and is a much better book. Anything she has written in the last seven or so years is a much better book. Had someone handed me this with the cover torn off, I would not have recognized it as an Elizabeth Thornton book. First you have the "hero" who is physical with our heroine and feels he has to protect (translation: control) her for her own good. . .wow. This one is dated. This one will not join my other Thornton books on my keeper shelf. Try any of her other books or try Leslie LaFoy's trilogy. Much better investment.