Customer Reviews

The Worldly Widow (A Zebra Regency Romance)

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This was a strongly written and well developed romance. The characters are fully fleshed out and multi-faceted. Unlike some of the other reviewers who took offense to such a strong willed hero, I found him very appealing. There's nothing I hate worse than a simpering clueless heroine and people need to remember that an opinionated self-made woman could only be balanced by a man of equal fortitude. Considering the time period, let's be honest, the woman could use a little guidance.

Other reviewers also make too much of his physicality with the heroine. My god, he doesn't beat her, in fact he does nothing but talk about how much he abhors that in men-- but she certainly tries his patience. She does her best to actually provoke and test him. The fact that she pushes him to the limits of his control is her own fault. Remember that she slaps him in the face . .. twice. They are a passionate and volatile couple which is part of their appeal. Nothing gets too out of hand for me to find it unforgivable and let's remember that they do a lot of talking about "what's good for the goose is good for the gander" meaning that their relationship is a two way street and they need to hold each other to the same standards of behavior-- a very modern idea for the time. The hero isn't really that domineering, he just wants her to take his thoughts (which are often concerns over her best interest) into consideration-- and even the heroine agrees that much of what he's asking isn't unreasonable, she's just refuses to give-in so as to establish her dominance.

Give this book a chance and I think you'll find it characters are well matched.

I gave the book two stars for it's well written and easy follow. But...the abuse Annabelle accepts is too much for me. She's supposedly independent. Why didn't she sell out her 1/2 of the company and open one of her own? She paid for the diaries out of her personal money so was free to do with as she pleased. Wasn't able to accept that portion of the story, nor the very graphic pre-jail scene. How about the scene where he is choking her? Although I know how much of that went on/goes on, and unfortunately still does in certain countries, I still find it too much.

I love books that take you back to a different time but since they are written now, you always get a story with modern views on life. I find it interesting and Elizabeth Thornton is one of the best!

The Worldly Widow
by Elizabeth Thornton

Reviewed by: Pamela Ackerson (author of Home of the Braves trilogy)

In a man's world, she was a publisher. To save her struggling company, traveling to Paris to purchase the rights to a tell-all diary of a prostitute, Annabelle Jocelyn finds herself in a precarious and indiscrete situation. A woman with a backbone, willing to stand for what she believes in, she clashes with the Earl of Dalmar, a war hero who fights to win, with scruples as an option. By accepting the manuscript, Annabelle unwittingly puts herself in danger. The earl battles her enemies, her own recklessness, and his personal demons. A cluster of murder, deceit, robbery and seduction collides with two strong personalities.
Ms. Thornton writes an intriguing story. It starts out a little slow but once you past the first few chapters, the plot picks up speed and you are finished involved with the story, cheering both characters, knowing that they will manage to work out their issues but curious as to how it will be accomplished. A delightful tale woven with a magical corridors of intrigue.