Regina (virgosun) reviewed In Debt to the Earl (Harlequin Historical, No 1264) on + 889 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
James had a devil of a time keeping his desire for innocent Lucy in check, which generates lots of delicious sexual tension; a crowning touch for this sweetly tender romance. What begins as a means to an end for James actually leads to a proposition that requires sensitivity, unexpected friendships with the unlikeliest characters, loathsome dealings with Lucy's rat father, and dangerous involvement with ruthless, murderous criminals. Lucy faces homelessness and starvation after her father's abandonment, which gives James an opportunity to do the hero thing. In some ways, I really am old school. I will never tire of courting heroes who truly do save the girl. A worthy read at 3.5 stars.
Karin A. (Jerseygirltoo) -
A satisfying tale, well worth reading. The heroine, Lucy, has fallen on hard times due to her irresponsible father. The hero is looking for revenge against the father, but in the process he comes across Lucy and finds himself falling for her and wanting to protect her. It starts out with him doing little favors for her, and ends up with a major rescue. At first he thinks he will be satisfied to have her as a mistress, but then realizes that will not do. Lucy is falling in love with him too, but doesn't want to be dependent on him. An older couple who are close friends of the hero, and a scruffy street urchin that Lucy has more or less adopted as a brother, make for interesting secondary characters. Very sweet and touching.
Lucy's father abandoned her in London, leaving her alone and with no money. After she had sold just about everything saleable, she took to playing the violin in the street to pay for rent and food. Her only friend is a street boy called Fitch. She was raised as a young lady, but it appears that her only future is as a whore. James Remington (Earl of Cambourne) was searching for her father about a gambling debt, and when he realized the fix she was in, began to pursue her for his own reasons.
A very good look at what absolute poverty is like and the trapped feeling that no money brings. Features an intense and believable relationship between hero and heroine. I enjoyed it.
A very good look at what absolute poverty is like and the trapped feeling that no money brings. Features an intense and believable relationship between hero and heroine. I enjoyed it.
