The Nude: A Historical Romance (Five Star Expressions) (Hardcover)

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Lady Elsbeth Mercer believes all her misfortunes are caused by the mysterious painter Dionysus. She married her first husband in the belief that he was an artist who spoke to her soul, only to find out that he was an abusive man whose only saving grace was to die on the battlefield. Just as she starts to feel comfortable in society, Elsbeth is once again the subject of gossip when her face appears on the latest nude painted by Dionysus. Nigel, the Marquess of Edgeware, is determined to help Elsbeth clear her name while guarding Dionysus’ true identity. When his plan to restore Lady Mercer’s respectability backfires, they are forced to marry. Then, just as she believes Nigel truly is a man she can trust, thoughts of Dionysus and a mysterious plot to kill Nigel threaten to destroy their tenuous relationship. McFalls has a special gift for handling serious subjects with a gentle touch, an invaluable trait that will endear her to Regency romance fans. --Patty Engelmann

Product Description

Love and danger collide in this tender Regency romance.

All of London is enthralled by the mysterious Dionysus's latest masterpiece, a sensual woman reclining on an ornate settee, entitled The Nude.

Elsbeth, Countess Mercer, recognizes Dionysus's work. This isn't the first time he's caused havoc in her life. This time, though, his painting has put her at the center of a vicious scandal, for the figure in the painting looks shockingly like her . . . nude. Before he can hurt her again, she sets out to find the artist and prove her own innocence.

Nigel, the Marquess of Edgeware, has several problems of his own on his hands. A smuggling ring is using his Dorset estate's shoreline. Someone is trying to kill him. And now a feisty widow is coming close to discovering Dionysus's identity. Seducing the lady might be the swiftest course for diverting her attentions.

He doesn't realize how such an affair would affect her heart . . . or his own.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 357 pages
• Publisher: Five Star (ME); 1 edition (May 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594147671
• ISBN-13: 978-1594147678
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #233,863 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars refreshing Regency romantic suspense, May 23, 2009

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

In 1814 following the death of her husband in the Peninsular War against Napoleon, impoverished Countess Elsbeth Mercer moves into the home of her uncle, his wife and two daughters. Everything is fine until a painting of her is found. Upset, Elsbeth seeks out the artist, Dionysus, of whom she has never met, but fell in love with his landscapes years ago; he tricked her into thinking Mercer was the artist.

Marquess Nigel Purbeck refuses to divulge the identity of the artist to the demanding irate Countess who wants the artist to tell the Ton she did not pose for it. Still he is attracted to her and seduces the widow. However, his actions leave her in danger and he too from apparently a friend accused of smuggling while she struggles between her long time love of the artist and of the reclusive Marquess.

THE NUDE is a wonderful refreshing Regency romantic suspense starring two fully developed fascinating lead characters. Elsbeth is a delight as she demands the Marquess introduce her to the painter who has scandalized her. Nigel is the more mesmerizing protagonist as the audience will wonder why he is a semi-hermit with the influence he obviously has amidst the Ton. The artist comes alive mostly in the minds of Elsbeth and Nigel making for an entertaining historical triangular romance.

Harriet Klausner