Helpful Score: 3
I enjoyed this book, but it did only get 4 and 1/2 out of 5 stars because it was just missing a little something. I did think the story was great, but it was a little slow going at first (or I was just tired) and it took a bit for the story to actually start getting "good". It's a definite reader if your a fan, but just not as good as other books of hers that I've read. The plot seemed a little forced, but the characters had some fun lines that are typical for a Lindsey story. Overall good read.
Helpful Score: 2
Plot twists abound in this melodramatic tale of revenge, families torn asunder and (of course) true love. Set in Regency England, the story opens as Sebastian Townshend, the heir to an earldom, reluctantly takes part in a duel with his best friend. After unintentionally killing the man, Sebastian, now disinherited by his father, leaves England and adopts a new identity as a brooding mercenary called the Raven. Sebastian's Raven persona is so over the top that it's almost laughable (at one point, he fells two burly bodyguards merely by knocking their heads together), but Lindsey (A Loving Scoundrel, etc.) gives her hero enough magnetism, sexual appeal and human flaws to make his romance with 23-year-old bluestocking Margaret Landor believable. Margaret has hired Sebastian to investigate the truth behind the numerous "accidents" that have befallen his father, who also served as Margaret's guardian. To carry out this assignment, Sebastian returns to England, pretending to be Margaret's husband. When they arrive, a series of clues keep the young couple hopping, while their passions lead them to consummate their pretend marriage. One might quibble that the story's final twist comes out of nowhere and that the protagonists are really modern characters in Regency guise, but Lindsey writes with such gusto and warmth that her legions of readers are unlikely to object.
Helpful Score: 2
historical romance was good read in night.
Helpful Score: 1
Pride and family responsibilities lure an English aristocrat back to a home from which he had been wrongly banished.
Helpful Score: 1
I had not read a Johanna Lindsey book in a long time and I was really excited about reading this one. It was dissapointing. To me, it started slow and it just did not get any better. I made myself finish it but was skipping some of it along the way. I liked the characters but they did not click in my opinion.
Helpful Score: 1
Deception. lies and greed are the main components of this well paced and sexy story. Lady Margaret Landor and Sebastian Townsend-also known as the Raven come to a bargain that leads to danger and romance with a dash of rumor to round out this story,
Helpful Score: 1
Very good story. Intrigue, and of course two people who couldn't possibly come to love one another.
Helpful Score: 1
Great romance, easy to read and surprising.
Helpful Score: 1
I liked this book enough to go out and by a whole bunch of her older books.
Helpful Score: 1
More Malory novels! jsut as fantastic as the rest of the line.
Helpful Score: 1
Regency-era romantic tale in Johanna Lindsay's style of passion and excitement.
like all of her books an excellent read the ending surprised me though love the twists and turns in romance novels but this was a pleasant surprise
Plot twists abound in this melodramatic tale of revenge, families torn asunder and (of course) true love. Set in Regency England, the story opens as Sebastian Townshend, the heir to an earldom, reluctantly takes part in a duel with his best friend. After unintentionally killing the man, Sebastian, now disinherited by his father, leaves England and adopts a new identity as a brooding mercenary called the Raven. Sebastian's Raven persona is so over the top that it's almost laughable (at one point, he fells two burly bodyguards merely by knocking their heads together), but Lindsey (A Loving Scoundrel, etc.) gives her hero enough magnetism, sexual appeal and human flaws to make his romance with 23-year-old bluestocking Margaret Landor believable. Margaret has hired Sebastian to investigate the truth behind the numerous "accidents" that have befallen his father, who also served as Margaret's guardian. To carry out this assignment, Sebastian returns to England, pretending to be Margaret's husband. When they arrive, a series of clues keep the young couple hopping, while their passions lead them to consummate their pretend marriage.
This is the first book by Joanna Lindsey that I have ever read and I am really enjoying it.
This is a typical romance novel set in England. I have not read a romance novel in more than 15 years so I decided to read this one. Fast read. Typical characters.
Johanna Lindsey does not disappoint with this book!
great book :)
Very cute book.
I love Lindsey so every book she writes is a winner!
An interesting storyline with a few twists and turns to keep it interesting. This is part of the Mallory Family series, so many familiar characters put in an appearance throughout the story. I found both characters to be likeable.
Lindsey at her finest. She's a real talent. I've enjoyed her for decades, if you like historical romance, this one's for you.
Good regency romance.
Joanna Lindsey always writes a book that is so easy to read. This is another one!
Believing that her guardian's life is in danger, Lady Margaret travels from England to France to find his son, Sebastian. Sebastian never dreams that his attraction to Margaret will overshadow his desire to maintain his identity as the Raven, a ruthless mercenary.
Fun historical romance set in the 1800's. Fun and intrigue.
This book has everything...Humor, intrigue, twists that you don't see coming, passion and even a few tears at the end. As the inside cover of the book explains, Johanna Lindsey has created for her fans "a hero to fall in love with."
One quote in the story stays with me. "A man who assumed he had unlimited power, true or not, is very dangerous." The book was written in 2005; however, the quote is still true today!
One quote in the story stays with me. "A man who assumed he had unlimited power, true or not, is very dangerous." The book was written in 2005; however, the quote is still true today!
Regency- era romance. Passionate!
This was a fun-fulled read. Lots of wonderful characters and interesting plots all going at once. You can't go wrong with a JL book.
I love it, the characters are well developped and the story is entertaining, the interaction between Sebastian & Maggie is funny & captivating. Great book.
I have all her books in hard back but 2, There is nothing better on a rainy night than a warm cosy fire and a Johanna Lidsey Book. They are must reads all of them over and over again.
Sebastain Townsend is banished from the family seat and even England after a duel ends in the death of his best friend Giles. Knowing that he is to blame for the whole situation he leaves England with just a friend and a few items and makes a name for himself as "The Raven" on the continent. This mercenary for hire will do whatever he must to see the job done. Does he have a death wish? Maybe. Than a face from his past comes looking for him, appealing to what she mistakes as his honor and pride. Come back to England with her and figure out who wants his father dead. Sebastian agrees after Maggie is willing to pay an outragous fee. In order to get back onto the estate they pose as a married couple. This shame relationship though is hard to put aside after awhile as they both start feeling very intense emotion for the other. Will they allow themselves to have a happy ending or will the enemy hiding in the shadows see to a rather different ending?
Regency Romance. Passion, intrigue, scandal, some marriges have it all
A Regency-era tale in typical Lohanna Lindsay style. An infamous duel, a scandalous bargain, a deadly scheme, and a fierce passion make this book a great read.
Sebastian Townshend was banished by his father. Lady Landor goes to Europe to bring him home. A really good romance.
Lady Margaret Landor searches for the childhood friend she knew, who has been banished from his family, and lives abroad as the Raven, a deadly mercenary. She suspects his brother and sister-in-law may be attempting to kill his father, and convinces him to come home....good story.
excellent, as all of her books are.
My first Johanna Lindsey book. Starts out in London, 1808, with a tragic duel that results in banishment of Sebastian, the heir to the eigth Earl of Edgewood............ I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This was - without a doubt- Johanna Lindsey's best Regency romance.
Very interesting story line, good character development (a tortured hero), a few unexpected twists and turns, and of course, the requisite happy ending. A very satisfying book - highly recommended.
Very interesting story line, good character development (a tortured hero), a few unexpected twists and turns, and of course, the requisite happy ending. A very satisfying book - highly recommended.
It is Johanna Lindsey, what more can I say? A Classic
The book was ok. Unlike her other books I could actually put this one down. Don't misunderstand me it was better than much other authors, but not one of her best works.
Sat up late to finish this one, what a surprising ending. Very good, would read again.
she seeks the help of the raven to find oiut that he is the person that shes looking for the difficult part is going to take him back to England and stay away from him
Lindsey is always a treasure to read.
Passion, Intrigue, Scandall. Some marriages have it all
Very good book - romance, mystery and twists & Turns.
Johanna Lindsey presents the passionate Regency-era tale of an earl's daughter who dares to pose as the wife of a deadly mercenary in order to save her former guardian.
Great characters and a wonderful story that kept me intrigued beyond the typical love story
I have all her books in hard back but 2, There is nothing better on a rainy night than a warm cosy fire and a Johanna Lidsey Book. They are must reads all of them over and over again.
Not a big Johanna Lindsey fan, but this was a good read.
good book
Joanna Lindsey is another favorite author of mine. If you love a Lindsey...you'll love this one too.
Sebastian Townshend was banished from England and vowed never to return. However, Lady Margaret Landor has different plans for him and arranges a scandalous bargain with him that includes returning home as her husband.
great book!
It was very good and it kept me reading to find out what and with whom it was being done too.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Johanna LIndsay presents a powerfully romantic Regency-era tale that is breathtaking in scope and wonderously passionate.
When Sebastian Townshend, son of the eighth Earl of Edgewood, waas banished from his family due to the tragic results of a duel, he vowed never to return to England. Now living on the continent, Sebastian has forged a new identity as a deadly mercenary, The Raven. But his former neighbor, Lady Margaret Landor, has different plans for him. Read and see what she has in store for Sebastian......
A very enjoyable book and could feel the feelings of the different characters as I was reading it...
When Sebastian Townshend, son of the eighth Earl of Edgewood, waas banished from his family due to the tragic results of a duel, he vowed never to return to England. Now living on the continent, Sebastian has forged a new identity as a deadly mercenary, The Raven. But his former neighbor, Lady Margaret Landor, has different plans for him. Read and see what she has in store for Sebastian......
A very enjoyable book and could feel the feelings of the different characters as I was reading it...
This was the first Johanna Lindsey book I've read in a long time. It reminded me why I love Lindsey's books. Plenty of plot twists and sexy scenes!
Sebastian thought he had killed his best friend in a duel, over a woman he had slept with. He didn't know that the woman was his best friend's wife. Disowned by his father, living with the guilt of his best friends death, he travels throughout Europe as the Raven. He's a man that most people both admire, and fear. He has vowed that England is the one place his work will never take him to, and the one place he will never return to. Lady Margaret goes in search of the Raven. She never dreamed that the man she was going to hire the Raven to find, is the Raven himself. Lady Margaret is worried about Sebastian's father. Too many accidents have happened. She's afraid someone is trying to kill him. Sebastian returns to England posing as Lady Margaret's husband. He finds that the woman who caused the duel is now married to his brother. Is his father in danger from her or his brother? They are defineately keeping secrets. He wants Lady Margaret, but will he be able to live without her? What happens when the best friend that he thought that he had killed in the duel turns up alive and well? If you want the answers to these questions, I suggest that you might want to give this book a listen!
light reading - interesting
It's hard to beat a Historical Romance by Johanna Lindsey! Loved it!
I could not put down this book.
When Sebastian Townshend, son of the eighth Earl of Edgewood, was banished from his family due to the tragic results of a duel, he vowed never to return to England. Now living on the continent, Sebastian has forged a new identity as a deadly mercenary, The Raven. But his former neighbor, Lady Margaret Landor, has different plans for him. Back in England, Sebastian’s father has had several accidents and Margaret suspects foul play and deception that reach as far back as the infamous duel. Convinced that only Sebastian can set the situation to rights, Margaret arranges a scandalous bargain with him that includes Sebastian’s returning home as her husband. As the newlyweds uncover a deadly scheme, a fierce passion blossoms between them, which neither anticipated and neither can resist.
This is a very contrived story. And Ms. Lindsey's use of "at'all" and other slangs in the characters' dialogue is very distracting. If she wants to be accurate, she should re-read Georgette Heyer's Regency novels, for the correct slang usage. I didn't like this one very much.
Entertaining read, but not one for my keeper shelf.
J. Lindsay tells wonderful historical romances.
When Sebastian Townshend, son if the eighth Earl of Edgewood, was banished from his family due to the tragic results of a duel, he vowed never to return to England. Now living on the continent, Sebastian has forged a new identity as a deadly mercenary, The Raven. But his former neighbor, Lady Margaret Landor, has different plans for him. Back in England, Sebastian's father has had several accidents and Margaret suspects foul play and deception that reach as far back as the infamous duel. Convinced that only Sebastian can set the situation to rights, Margaret arranges a scandalous bargain with him that includes Sabastian's returning home as her husband. As the newlyweds uncover a deadly scheme, a fierce passion blossoms between them, which neither anticipated--and neither can resist.
From Publishers Weekly
Plot twists abound in this melodramatic tale of revenge, families torn asunder and (of course) true love. Set in Regency England, the story opens as Sebastian Townshend, the heir to an earldom, reluctantly takes part in a duel with his best friend. After unintentionally killing the man, Sebastian, now disinherited by his father, leaves England and adopts a new identity as a brooding mercenary called the Raven. Sebastian's Raven persona is so over the top that it's almost laughable (at one point, he fells two burly bodyguards merely by knocking their heads together), but Lindsey (A Loving Scoundrel, etc.) gives her hero enough magnetism, sexual appeal and human flaws to make his romance with 23-year-old bluestocking Margaret Landor believable. Margaret has hired Sebastian to investigate the truth behind the numerous "accidents" that have befallen his father, who also served as Margaret's guardian. To carry out this assignment, Sebastian returns to England, pretending to be Margaret's husband. When they arrive, a series of clues keep the young couple hopping, while their passions lead them to consummate their pretend marriage. One might quibble that the story's final twist comes out of nowhere and that the protagonists are really modern characters in Regency guise, but Lindsey writes with such gusto and warmth that her legions of readers are unlikely to object.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
Plot twists abound in this melodramatic tale of revenge, families torn asunder and (of course) true love. Set in Regency England, the story opens as Sebastian Townshend, the heir to an earldom, reluctantly takes part in a duel with his best friend. After unintentionally killing the man, Sebastian, now disinherited by his father, leaves England and adopts a new identity as a brooding mercenary called the Raven. Sebastian's Raven persona is so over the top that it's almost laughable (at one point, he fells two burly bodyguards merely by knocking their heads together), but Lindsey (A Loving Scoundrel, etc.) gives her hero enough magnetism, sexual appeal and human flaws to make his romance with 23-year-old bluestocking Margaret Landor believable. Margaret has hired Sebastian to investigate the truth behind the numerous "accidents" that have befallen his father, who also served as Margaret's guardian. To carry out this assignment, Sebastian returns to England, pretending to be Margaret's husband. When they arrive, a series of clues keep the young couple hopping, while their passions lead them to consummate their pretend marriage. One might quibble that the story's final twist comes out of nowhere and that the protagonists are really modern characters in Regency guise, but Lindsey writes with such gusto and warmth that her legions of readers are unlikely to object.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
Johanna Lindsey at her best
When Sebastian Townshend, son of the eight Earl of Edgewood, was banished from his family due to the tragic results of a duel, he vowed never to return to England. Now living on the continent, Sebastian has forged a new identity as a deadly mercenary.
Wonderful fast read! Loved it.
I love my romance novels. But in order to make room for more i have to let other people have some off my shelf. This is a great read and if you like historical romances you would like this one.
This has to be one of the best Johanna Lindsey books to date it had intrigue mystery and plenty of romance. Excellent read.
A powerful Regency-era romance! Passionate and breathtaking.
Loved the story.
another great story from one of my favorite authors.
When Sebastian Townshend, son of the eighth Earl of Edgewood, was banished from his family due to the tragic results of a duel, he vowed never to return to England. Now living on the continent, Sebastian has forged a new identity as a deadly mercenary, The Raven. But his former neighbor, Lady Margaret Landor, has different plans for him. Back in England, Sebastians father has had several accidents and Margaret suspects foul play and deception that reach as far back as the infamous duel. Convinced that only Sebastian can set the situation to rights, Margaret arranges a scandalous bargain with him that includes Sebastians returning home as her husband. As the newlyweds uncover a deadly scheme, a fierce passion blossoms between them, which neither anticipated and neither can resist.
When Sebastian Townshend, son of the eighth Earl of Edgewood, was banished from his family due to the tragic results of a duel, he vowed never to return to England. Now living on the continent, Sebastian has forged a new identity as a deadly mercenary, The Raven. But his former neighbor, Lady Margaret Landor, has different plans for him. Back in England, Sebastian's father has had several accidents and Margaret suspects foul play and deception that reach as far back as the infamous duel. Convinced that only Sebastian can set the situation to rights, Margaret arranges a scandalous bargain with him that includes Sebastian's returning home as her husband. As the newlyweds uncover a deadly scheme, a fierce passion blossoms between them, which neither anticipated--and nether can resist.
When Sebastian Townshend, son of the eighth Earl of Edgewood, was banished from his family due to the tragic results of a duel, he vowed never to return to England. Now living on the continent, Sebastian has forged a new identity as a deadly mercenary, The Raven. But his former neighbor, Lady Margaret Landor, has different plans for him. Back in England, Sebastian's father has had several accidents and Margaret suspects foul play and deception that reach as far back as the infamous duel. Convinced that only Sebastian can set the situation to rights, Margaret arranges a scandalous bargain with him that includes Sebastian's returning home as her husband. As the newlyweds uncover a deadly scheme, a fierce passion blossoms between them, which neither anticipated -- and neither can resist.
Back of book: When Sebastian, son of the eighth Earl of Edgewood was banished from his family due to the tragic results of a duel, he vowed never to return to england. Now living on the continent Sebastian has forged a new idenity as a deadly mercenary, The Raven. But his former neighbor, Lady Margaret has different plans for him. Back in England Sebastians father has had several accidents and Margaret suspects foul play and deception that reach as far back as the infamous duel. Convinced that only sebastian can set the situation to rights, Margaret arranges a scandalous bargain with him that includes Sebastian's returning home as her husband. As the newlyweds uncover a deadly scheme, a fierce passion blossoms between them, which neither anticipated and neither can resist
Hasven't read this one. cover says..."Passion. Intrigue. Scandal. Some marriages have it all."
