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Publisher:
Harlequin |
Release
Date: May 2003 |
ISBN:
0373292554 |
Awards:
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Format
Reviewed: Paperback |
Buy
it at Amazon |
Read
an Excerpt |
Genre:
Historical Romance [Northamptonshire, England, 1818] |
Reviewed:
2003 |
Reviewer:
Suzie Housley |
Reviewer
Notes: Explicit content - a very memorable love scene, one
that will tug at the reader's heart. |
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Beauty
and the Baron
By Deborah
Hale
She brought light into his darkened
existence . . .
Lord
Lucius Daventry had returned from war bearing scars that will forever
be a constant reminder of what he had suffered in the Napoleon War.
He once had been known as a handsome carefree dandy who had broken
countless hearts in his pursuit of love and adventure. Now he lives
the life of a recluse, for he refuses to allow anyone to come close
enough to view the horrors of what the war had left of his ravaged
face. His life is cloaked in darkness and secrecy, his nightly adventures
has made him the talk of the local townsfolk gossip. They gave him
the nickname of "Lord Lucifier", for they were convinced
these ventures were of a sinister nature. When Lucius learns his
beloved grandfather is dying, he is determined to make his grandfather's
last precious days on earth as happy as possible. He devises a plan
that will require him to reveal himself by showing up on the doorstep
of Angela Lacewood. While he was away at war, Angela and his grandfather
had developed a close relationship. He knows it would please his
grandfather greatly if he believed the two of them were engaged,
and she was soon to become a part of their family. In return for
Angela's agreement to go along with the rouse, he offers to pay
for her brother's commission to the military. Will she be able to
look past his scars and deformities to see a man so deserving of
love?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
. . .
Angela
Lacewood had accepted the fact that she was to live her life alone
as a spinster. She knew without a proper dowry, she wouldn't be
able to entice a proper match with only her charm and beauty. When
she receives an unexpected visit from Lucius Daventry she is stunned
to hear why he is paying her a visit. His unusual request is for
her to pose as his fiancée for the sake of his dying grandfather.
She finds herself torn between deceiving a man that she has grown
to care for and respect. Reluctantly, she agrees to pretend to be
engaged to Lucius. As each day passes, she finds a growing love
that is quickly developing among herself and Lucius. Will she be
able to erase the haunting memories that hold Lucius prisoner and
replace them with the happy times they are sharing? Or is she setting
herself up for heartbreak-for at the death of his grandfather, he
has sworn to release her and help her find someone worthy of her
love and devotion.
Beauty
and the Baron is by far the best romance book I have read in
2003. Ms. Hale does an outstanding job in capturing her readers
emotions. I found my heart being torn into shreds as I read the
highly emotional love scene, the dramatic conclusion was the material
that only top rate movies can produce. This book is a definite keeper;
I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a romance that will stay
with you for a long time to come. I plan on rereading this one for
many years to come, for it is an emotional roller coaster worthy
of the highest rating ever bestowed upon any book.
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