Helpful Score: 5
This is a reissue - orginally published 1992. I did not care for it as much as Loretta Chase's later books: the plot was overly complex; the hero, more of a nere-do-well than appealing; the heroine, overly impulsive and thoughtless. However, there were interesting twists and turns,more wit than many other historicals, an engaging 12 year old boy, plus tragedy and mystery spanning a couple decades. One can also learn a bit of Albanian. Esme Brentmor is a young lady, daughter of a disowned noble (kicknamed the Red Lion by his adopted countrymen). She was born and raised in Albania circa early 1800's, a country full of intrigue and fatal political infighting, not to mention harems.Varian St. George, Lord Edenmont is an impoverish lord, living off his wits, who ends up entangled in Albanian plots, Esme's young cousin, Percival, and the search for a missing chess piece that is linked to illegal weapons trade.Everyone ends up back in England, revisiting the past, with a dramatic finale that ties up all the loose ends. As for Esme and Varian: 'opposites attract'; during the course of events, Varian matures, and Esme learns some self governance. By the end, the reader feels more confident that they will live happily ever after.
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book. The setting was different (Albania) and the characters were very likeable. The book moved at a good pace and kept me interested.
Didn't fall in love with the hero, Varian St. George. Wish I'd liked this book more but will keep for a second reading. Loretta Chase is among the best and I was disappointed with this book but glad I'd read others first.
This book did not hold my interest like her other books. Maybe it was the setting in Albania, or how it bounced from scene to scene, but not one of my favorites of hers. Still going to read the next one in the series hopefully I will like it better.
Esme Brentmoor doesn't care that revenge isn't a suitable job for a woman. She's determined to avenge the murder of her beloved father, an enigamtic English aristocrat who lived in self-imposed exile. Honor demands that Esme let nothing and nobody stand in her way. That includes the handsome wastrel who's becoome entangled in her life, whose charm does not make up for his lazy and irresponsible character.
Having gambled away his entire family fortune, Varian St. George, Lord Edemont, now lives by his wits and winning ways. A man who has always taken the path of least resistance -- preferably in soft beds with willing women -- he does not want to become embroiled in a mad quest with a hot tempered and heavily armed redhead.
But forced to travel together through an exotic land, the mismatched pair soon discovers that friction can produce some very dangerous sparks . . .
Having gambled away his entire family fortune, Varian St. George, Lord Edemont, now lives by his wits and winning ways. A man who has always taken the path of least resistance -- preferably in soft beds with willing women -- he does not want to become embroiled in a mad quest with a hot tempered and heavily armed redhead.
But forced to travel together through an exotic land, the mismatched pair soon discovers that friction can produce some very dangerous sparks . . .
Not my favorite Loretta Chase.
Not as good as the Carstairs.
Esme Brentmor doesn't care that revenge isn't a suitable job for a woman. She's determined to avenge the murder of her beloved father. Honor demands that Esme let nothing and nobody stand in her way. That includes, Varian St.George, the handsome wastrel who's become entangled in her life.
