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The Warwycks #1
Warwyck's Woman
George IV's England provides the setting for the activities of a young, high-born prizefighter who, at a country auction, buys a farmer's wife for whom his brother is a fervent bidder
518 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1974
32 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
Rosalind Laker
81 books191 followersA pseudonym used by Barbara Øvstedal.
Barbara Øvstedal was an author previously writing under the pseudonym Barbara Paul and Barbara Douglas. She wrote a few books under this pseudonym but later changed to Rosalind Laker when Barbara Paul gained recognition. Her many books include The Sugar Pavilion and To Dance with Kings.
Barbara Øvstedal was an author previously writing under the pseudonym Barbara Paul and Barbara Douglas. She wrote a few books under this pseudonym but later changed to Rosalind Laker when Barbara Paul gained recognition. Her many books include The Sugar Pavilion and To Dance with Kings.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 26, 2013
Started out very well but then slowed down. H and h just didn't want to talk to each other, which I found annoying! I will read the next one in the series since I own it.
October 26, 2017
Well, I wasn't expecting this. The online cover makes this book look like one of those light, old-fashioned, traditional Regencies written in the 80s or 90s but it's not. It was written in 1979, with the original title WARWYCK'S CHOICE, and is the first of Laker's Easthampton trilogy, but it's very realistic historical romance so don't read this for a warm and fuzzy fairy tale fix. In the first place, I would not say this book has a "hero". I'd just call him the male protagonist and as the leading male he isn't getting any Best Hero award from me. He's ambitious, self-involved, careless of other people's feelings and obsessed with the wrong woman.
The heroine does deserve her title. She's kind, thoughtful, fair-minded and concerned for her fellow man. She's also a bit stupid, IMO, for falling for that big lump of an undeserving "hero" in spite of all his actions. So why on earth did I like this and give it 4 stars? Well, it obviously wasn't because of the satisfaction of the romance aspect. It was because of the total scope of the book. In spite of all my frustrations with the characters I found myself glued to the pages to see what was going to happen next. Quite frequently what happened next clashed with my feelings of fair play but Laker had me hooked anyway.
Briefly, the "hero", Daniel Warwyck, is a young and handsome gentleman who has turned to a career as a boxer. He's a good pugilist, makes good money and is on his way to being national champion. He, his brother Harry, and his manager Jem are in Brighton for a boxing match and he finds himself at the market when there's a big commotion. Farmer Farringdon is putting his wife Kate on the auction block to sell her off and get her out of his life. Brother Harry is smitten immediately and starts bidding on her. Daniel doesn't want young Harry to mess up his life by being tied to an already-married woman so he outbids him. Daniel has an ulterior motive in buying Kate and it's not exactly a noble one (not salacious either if you were hoping for some sexy stuff here).
I'll leave it at that. There's so much to this story. A lovely young, self-centered, volatile rich noblewoman named Claudine is very much in the picture as Daniel's obsession, not to mention being the obsession of a couple other men. There's also Daniel's ambitious plan to develop the small village of Easthampton into a popular seaside resort. Many characters from all social classes and their interactions. Claudine's family and friends, Daniel's problems with his siblings, Kate's place in their lives. Problems with getting the development up and running and struggles with villagers. And lovely, lovely Jem, who may be my favorite character.
This may seem long to other readers. I didn't mind the length because Laker had me so interested in the story. I accidentally happened upon this book because Laker's second novel of the trilogy, CLAUDINE'S DAUGHTER, is a free book at the moment. From reading about it I got the idea it would be better to start from the beginning and downloaded this one, not free, to read first. Now I'm at the beginning of CLAUDINE'S DAUGHTER. Can't tell yet whether I like it as well.
The late Rosalind Laker (d. 2012), BTW, began to publish historical novels in 1970, under pseudonyms. Now everything is offered under the name Rosalind Laker and this very early trilogy (published first in 1979-1980) spans three generations of Warwycks and takes us from the days of King George IV in this one to Victorian times in the second and the third, which is also available now for Kindle and Kindle Unlimited
The heroine does deserve her title. She's kind, thoughtful, fair-minded and concerned for her fellow man. She's also a bit stupid, IMO, for falling for that big lump of an undeserving "hero" in spite of all his actions. So why on earth did I like this and give it 4 stars? Well, it obviously wasn't because of the satisfaction of the romance aspect. It was because of the total scope of the book. In spite of all my frustrations with the characters I found myself glued to the pages to see what was going to happen next. Quite frequently what happened next clashed with my feelings of fair play but Laker had me hooked anyway.
Briefly, the "hero", Daniel Warwyck, is a young and handsome gentleman who has turned to a career as a boxer. He's a good pugilist, makes good money and is on his way to being national champion. He, his brother Harry, and his manager Jem are in Brighton for a boxing match and he finds himself at the market when there's a big commotion. Farmer Farringdon is putting his wife Kate on the auction block to sell her off and get her out of his life. Brother Harry is smitten immediately and starts bidding on her. Daniel doesn't want young Harry to mess up his life by being tied to an already-married woman so he outbids him. Daniel has an ulterior motive in buying Kate and it's not exactly a noble one (not salacious either if you were hoping for some sexy stuff here).
I'll leave it at that. There's so much to this story. A lovely young, self-centered, volatile rich noblewoman named Claudine is very much in the picture as Daniel's obsession, not to mention being the obsession of a couple other men. There's also Daniel's ambitious plan to develop the small village of Easthampton into a popular seaside resort. Many characters from all social classes and their interactions. Claudine's family and friends, Daniel's problems with his siblings, Kate's place in their lives. Problems with getting the development up and running and struggles with villagers. And lovely, lovely Jem, who may be my favorite character.
This may seem long to other readers. I didn't mind the length because Laker had me so interested in the story. I accidentally happened upon this book because Laker's second novel of the trilogy, CLAUDINE'S DAUGHTER, is a free book at the moment. From reading about it I got the idea it would be better to start from the beginning and downloaded this one, not free, to read first. Now I'm at the beginning of CLAUDINE'S DAUGHTER. Can't tell yet whether I like it as well.
The late Rosalind Laker (d. 2012), BTW, began to publish historical novels in 1970, under pseudonyms. Now everything is offered under the name Rosalind Laker and this very early trilogy (published first in 1979-1980) spans three generations of Warwycks and takes us from the days of King George IV in this one to Victorian times in the second and the third, which is also available now for Kindle and Kindle Unlimited
December 16, 2013
My thoughts are pretty much spot on with what Karla says. I really did like the premise of *buying* his wife on the auction block, but I just didn't enjoy Warwyck's character, if Laker could have written him as a love-to-hate-'em guy like Francis Lymond or Thomas Eden she could have rocked my world - but I just flat out didn't like Daniel. There are two more books, and I'm curious enough to get the next one out from the library to see what happens when Claudine's Daughter comes home, .
May 27, 2012
I'm not real sure how I feel about this book. For me, the first half of this book dragged on and was boring. But the second half just took off and was fulled with unexpected excitement. One page I didn't like Kate, but the next I did. One page I didn't like Daniel, the next... oh wait, I still don't like Daniel.
February 4, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ four stars -
Everything old is new again 🎶
Note: this review is longer than my typical review. It is also focused on the story here as a whole, rather than the pros/cons of the main or supporting characters. It’s my belief that other reviewers here have already covered all of the character traits, so I’m not going to focus on that. Rather, my review is about the story, and why you should read it 😊
Just completed a reread of this book, as the last time I read it was probably 1982 or so lol, so it’s like a brand new read again haha. Side note: this book was first published in 1974 under the title, “Warwyck’s Woman”, found here 👉 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
This story is from the amazing Rosalind Laker, and back in the late 1970’s to early 1980’s after I had finished ploughing through every Georgette Heyer copy I could get my hands on in my small, rural, very underfunded library, I was steered toward the “L’s” and Laker. Suffice it to say, I remembered her books fondly, and rated these highly on my Goodreads “read” category shelf. In fact, originally based upon memory, I had rated this five stars. Well, as you can see this clearly now sits at four. My reasons are as follows…
So what’s with the four star rating? Well, it’s not the new title (but it should be - will address that in a moment), or the new modern, understated cover, but rather our main protagonist, Daniel.
This story from Laker is the first part of her trilogy, The Warwycks, and is primarily a story about the main protagonist, Daniel. It’s more of a fully developed fiction tale about a successful man, his obsessions, and his glory as a prize fighting champion of early 19th century England during the reign of George IV.
The tale that Laker spins is not truly a romance, so readers looking for that might want to look elsewhere, but for those looking for a solid saga skillfully woven by a truly gifted storyteller, you will have found that here. This story is about Daniel and Kate, but whether it’s a romance, is subjective. I say no, as it’s not a romance in the traditional form we have come to expect from modern romances, but rather a tale of two people, how they found each other, and how they set about building a life together.
Daniel is truly the main character here, and I feel that this story is primarily about him. Laker skillfully tells the story from other perspectives as the action progressives, and it’s quite impressive really. Her skill at continuing the story via each character is a skill not often found, and it’s a pleasure to rediscover it here, and wholly enjoy it and appreciate the writing technique. Truly, a gifted storyteller.
While Kate does figure as a strong secondary character, her story is told primarily in the beginning. I feel that the original title, “Warwyck’s Woman”, is more suited to the beginning part of this story. When you read it you will see why. Then around the halfway point, Laker steers us into Daniel’s tale, and it’s his perspective that finishes out the novel. I liked the original title personally, but I can see where the new title and cover definitely feeds into a publisher’s refresh 🤷♀️
While I would recommend this story, I would advise you to keep in mind that the main protagonist here, the Hero Daniel, is not the most likable character, but this is his story and it’s a good one. Just keep in mind that he’s somewhat of a typical Regency-era Hero. Daniel’s personality is not ott in any way, but he is a flawed character, which I feel only contributes to his complexity as a character, and frankly the loss of the star in my rating.
My new four star rating here reflects my own maturity as a reader, and puts fresh eyes on his flaws, if you will. As a longtime married woman, I can see his character flaws and accept them, but I’m just glad I’m not married to someone like him lol. I wouldn’t even say his character was entertaining, but his makeup is the crux of the story, so you need to accept it as a part of the world Laker has created, and go with the flow of the story. It does help getting the supporting character’s viewpoint, and seeing the action from their point of view, which may or may not be favorable to his character picture.
Part of what appeals to me about Lakers writing is her attention to detail, her superior world building, and her ability to spin an engrossing tale. Fans of the Regency genre (and particularly those of Heyer) will be thrilled to discover another author capable of period writing that’s true, factual, and immersive in its accurateness. However, it’s important to note that Laker’s characters are centered around the non-peerage classes, which I find lend a more accurate picture of characters that are relatable to present day mores, while still existing within the confines of restricted Regency society. It makes it enjoyable to read characters from this perspective, particularly as someone who reads Heyer obsessively, it’s nice for this reader to branch out and get another view of society’s characters during this time period.
I especially enjoyed Laker’s descriptions of the pugilist bouts, and found these to be entertaining and engaging, as they added an element of excitement to the story that was true to the main character.
Overall, a wonderful read. Highly recommended for discerning Regency romance readers who appreciate period accuracy, placement facts, and a glimpse into life during this 19th century England, as told from a perspective that’s not solely focused on life in the peerage.
Truly a story you can get lost in. I even ended up on Wikipedia researching some of the pugilist fighters Laker mentioned. If that’s not a testament to how engaged I was in the story, I don’t know what it.
Four solid stars. Do recommend. Will rereads books II and III in this trilogy again at some point, and will probably pick this one up again a few decades from now lol. 📚😊
Everything old is new again 🎶
Note: this review is longer than my typical review. It is also focused on the story here as a whole, rather than the pros/cons of the main or supporting characters. It’s my belief that other reviewers here have already covered all of the character traits, so I’m not going to focus on that. Rather, my review is about the story, and why you should read it 😊
Just completed a reread of this book, as the last time I read it was probably 1982 or so lol, so it’s like a brand new read again haha. Side note: this book was first published in 1974 under the title, “Warwyck’s Woman”, found here 👉 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
This story is from the amazing Rosalind Laker, and back in the late 1970’s to early 1980’s after I had finished ploughing through every Georgette Heyer copy I could get my hands on in my small, rural, very underfunded library, I was steered toward the “L’s” and Laker. Suffice it to say, I remembered her books fondly, and rated these highly on my Goodreads “read” category shelf. In fact, originally based upon memory, I had rated this five stars. Well, as you can see this clearly now sits at four. My reasons are as follows…
So what’s with the four star rating? Well, it’s not the new title (but it should be - will address that in a moment), or the new modern, understated cover, but rather our main protagonist, Daniel.
This story from Laker is the first part of her trilogy, The Warwycks, and is primarily a story about the main protagonist, Daniel. It’s more of a fully developed fiction tale about a successful man, his obsessions, and his glory as a prize fighting champion of early 19th century England during the reign of George IV.
The tale that Laker spins is not truly a romance, so readers looking for that might want to look elsewhere, but for those looking for a solid saga skillfully woven by a truly gifted storyteller, you will have found that here. This story is about Daniel and Kate, but whether it’s a romance, is subjective. I say no, as it’s not a romance in the traditional form we have come to expect from modern romances, but rather a tale of two people, how they found each other, and how they set about building a life together.
Daniel is truly the main character here, and I feel that this story is primarily about him. Laker skillfully tells the story from other perspectives as the action progressives, and it’s quite impressive really. Her skill at continuing the story via each character is a skill not often found, and it’s a pleasure to rediscover it here, and wholly enjoy it and appreciate the writing technique. Truly, a gifted storyteller.
While Kate does figure as a strong secondary character, her story is told primarily in the beginning. I feel that the original title, “Warwyck’s Woman”, is more suited to the beginning part of this story. When you read it you will see why. Then around the halfway point, Laker steers us into Daniel’s tale, and it’s his perspective that finishes out the novel. I liked the original title personally, but I can see where the new title and cover definitely feeds into a publisher’s refresh 🤷♀️
While I would recommend this story, I would advise you to keep in mind that the main protagonist here, the Hero Daniel, is not the most likable character, but this is his story and it’s a good one. Just keep in mind that he’s somewhat of a typical Regency-era Hero. Daniel’s personality is not ott in any way, but he is a flawed character, which I feel only contributes to his complexity as a character, and frankly the loss of the star in my rating.
My new four star rating here reflects my own maturity as a reader, and puts fresh eyes on his flaws, if you will. As a longtime married woman, I can see his character flaws and accept them, but I’m just glad I’m not married to someone like him lol. I wouldn’t even say his character was entertaining, but his makeup is the crux of the story, so you need to accept it as a part of the world Laker has created, and go with the flow of the story. It does help getting the supporting character’s viewpoint, and seeing the action from their point of view, which may or may not be favorable to his character picture.
Part of what appeals to me about Lakers writing is her attention to detail, her superior world building, and her ability to spin an engrossing tale. Fans of the Regency genre (and particularly those of Heyer) will be thrilled to discover another author capable of period writing that’s true, factual, and immersive in its accurateness. However, it’s important to note that Laker’s characters are centered around the non-peerage classes, which I find lend a more accurate picture of characters that are relatable to present day mores, while still existing within the confines of restricted Regency society. It makes it enjoyable to read characters from this perspective, particularly as someone who reads Heyer obsessively, it’s nice for this reader to branch out and get another view of society’s characters during this time period.
I especially enjoyed Laker’s descriptions of the pugilist bouts, and found these to be entertaining and engaging, as they added an element of excitement to the story that was true to the main character.
Overall, a wonderful read. Highly recommended for discerning Regency romance readers who appreciate period accuracy, placement facts, and a glimpse into life during this 19th century England, as told from a perspective that’s not solely focused on life in the peerage.
Truly a story you can get lost in. I even ended up on Wikipedia researching some of the pugilist fighters Laker mentioned. If that’s not a testament to how engaged I was in the story, I don’t know what it.
Four solid stars. Do recommend. Will rereads books II and III in this trilogy again at some point, and will probably pick this one up again a few decades from now lol. 📚😊
February 4, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ four stars -
Everything old is new again 🎶
Note: this review is longer than my typical review. It is also focused on the story here as a whole, rather than the pros/cons of the main or supporting characters. It’s my belief that other reviewers here have already covered all of the character traits, so I’m not going to focus on that. Rather, my review is about the story, and why you should read it 😊
Just completed a reread of this book, as the last time I read it was probably 1982 or so lol, so it’s like a brand new read again haha. Side note: this book was first published in 1974 under the title, “Warwyck’s Woman”, found here 👉 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
This story is from the amazing Rosalind Laker, and back in the late 1970’s to early 1980’s after I had finished ploughing through every Georgette Heyer copy I could get my hands on in my small, rural, very underfunded library, I was steered toward the “L’s” and Laker. Suffice it to say, I remembered her books fondly, and rated these highly on my Goodreads “read” category shelf. In fact, originally based upon memory, I had rated this five stars. Well, as you can see this clearly now sits at four. My reasons are as follows…
So what’s with the four star rating? Well, it’s not the new title (but it should be - will address that in a moment), or the new modern, understated cover, but rather our main protagonist, Daniel.
This story from Laker is the first part of her trilogy, The Warwycks, and is primarily a story about the main protagonist, Daniel. It’s more of a fully developed fiction tale about a successful man, his obsessions, and his glory as a prize fighting champion of early 19th century England during the reign of George IV.
The tale that Laker spins is not truly a romance, so readers looking for that might want to look elsewhere, but for those looking for a solid saga skillfully woven by a truly gifted storyteller, you will have found that here. This story is about Daniel and Kate, but whether it’s a romance, is subjective. I say no, as it’s not a romance in the traditional form we have come to expect from modern romances, but rather a tale of two people, how they found each other, and how they set about building a life together.
Daniel is truly the main character here, and I feel that this story is primarily about him. Laker skillfully tells the story from other perspectives as the action progressives, and it’s quite impressive really. Her skill at continuing the story via each character is a skill not often found, and it’s a pleasure to rediscover it here, and wholly enjoy it and appreciate the writing technique. Truly, a gifted storyteller.
While Kate does figure as a strong secondary character, her story is told primarily in the beginning. I feel that the original title, “Warwyck’s Woman”, is more suited to the beginning part of this story. When you read it you will see why. Then around the halfway point, Laker steers us into Daniel’s tale, and it’s his perspective that finishes out the novel. I liked the original title personally, but I can see where the new title and cover definitely feeds into a publisher’s refresh 🤷♀️
While I would recommend this story, I would advise you to keep in mind that the main protagonist here, the Hero Daniel, is not the most likable character, but this is his story and it’s a good one. Just keep in mind that he’s somewhat of a typical Regency-era Hero. Daniel’s personality is not ott in any way, but he is a flawed character, which I feel only contributes to his complexity as a character, and frankly the loss of the star in my rating.
My new four star rating here reflects my own maturity as a reader, and puts fresh eyes on his flaws, if you will. As a longtime married woman, I can see his character flaws and accept them, but I’m just glad I’m not married to someone like him lol. I wouldn’t even say his character was entertaining, but his makeup is the crux of the story, so you need to accept it as a part of the world Laker has created, and go with the flow of the story. It does help getting the supporting character’s viewpoint, and seeing the action from their point of view, which may or may not be favorable to his character picture.
Part of what appeals to me about Lakers writing is her attention to detail, her superior world building, and her ability to spin an engrossing tale. Fans of the Regency genre (and particularly those of Heyer) will be thrilled to discover another author capable of period writing that’s true, factual, and immersive in its accurateness. However, it’s important to note that Laker’s characters are centered around the non-peerage classes, which I find lend a more accurate picture of characters that are relatable to present day mores, while still existing within the confines of restricted Regency society. It makes it enjoyable to read characters from this perspective, particularly as someone who reads Heyer obsessively, it’s nice for this reader to branch out and get another view of society’s characters during this time period.
I especially enjoyed Laker’s descriptions of the pugilist bouts, and found these to be entertaining and engaging, as they added an element of excitement to the story that was true to the main character.
Overall, a wonderful read. Highly recommended for discerning Regency romance readers who appreciate period accuracy, placement facts, and a glimpse into life during this 19th century England, as told from a perspective that’s not solely focused on life in the peerage.
Truly a story you can get lost in. I even ended up on Wikipedia researching some of the pugilist fighters Laker mentioned. If that’s not a testament to how engaged I was in the story, I don’t know what it.
Four solid stars. Do recommend. Will rereads books II and III in this trilogy again at some point, and will probably pick this one up again a few decades from now lol. 📚😊
Everything old is new again 🎶
Note: this review is longer than my typical review. It is also focused on the story here as a whole, rather than the pros/cons of the main or supporting characters. It’s my belief that other reviewers here have already covered all of the character traits, so I’m not going to focus on that. Rather, my review is about the story, and why you should read it 😊
Just completed a reread of this book, as the last time I read it was probably 1982 or so lol, so it’s like a brand new read again haha. Side note: this book was first published in 1974 under the title, “Warwyck’s Woman”, found here 👉 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
This story is from the amazing Rosalind Laker, and back in the late 1970’s to early 1980’s after I had finished ploughing through every Georgette Heyer copy I could get my hands on in my small, rural, very underfunded library, I was steered toward the “L’s” and Laker. Suffice it to say, I remembered her books fondly, and rated these highly on my Goodreads “read” category shelf. In fact, originally based upon memory, I had rated this five stars. Well, as you can see this clearly now sits at four. My reasons are as follows…
So what’s with the four star rating? Well, it’s not the new title (but it should be - will address that in a moment), or the new modern, understated cover, but rather our main protagonist, Daniel.
This story from Laker is the first part of her trilogy, The Warwycks, and is primarily a story about the main protagonist, Daniel. It’s more of a fully developed fiction tale about a successful man, his obsessions, and his glory as a prize fighting champion of early 19th century England during the reign of George IV.
The tale that Laker spins is not truly a romance, so readers looking for that might want to look elsewhere, but for those looking for a solid saga skillfully woven by a truly gifted storyteller, you will have found that here. This story is about Daniel and Kate, but whether it’s a romance, is subjective. I say no, as it’s not a romance in the traditional form we have come to expect from modern romances, but rather a tale of two people, how they found each other, and how they set about building a life together.
Daniel is truly the main character here, and I feel that this story is primarily about him. Laker skillfully tells the story from other perspectives as the action progressives, and it’s quite impressive really. Her skill at continuing the story via each character is a skill not often found, and it’s a pleasure to rediscover it here, and wholly enjoy it and appreciate the writing technique. Truly, a gifted storyteller.
While Kate does figure as a strong secondary character, her story is told primarily in the beginning. I feel that the original title, “Warwyck’s Woman”, is more suited to the beginning part of this story. When you read it you will see why. Then around the halfway point, Laker steers us into Daniel’s tale, and it’s his perspective that finishes out the novel. I liked the original title personally, but I can see where the new title and cover definitely feeds into a publisher’s refresh 🤷♀️
While I would recommend this story, I would advise you to keep in mind that the main protagonist here, the Hero Daniel, is not the most likable character, but this is his story and it’s a good one. Just keep in mind that he’s somewhat of a typical Regency-era Hero. Daniel’s personality is not ott in any way, but he is a flawed character, which I feel only contributes to his complexity as a character, and frankly the loss of the star in my rating.
My new four star rating here reflects my own maturity as a reader, and puts fresh eyes on his flaws, if you will. As a longtime married woman, I can see his character flaws and accept them, but I’m just glad I’m not married to someone like him lol. I wouldn’t even say his character was entertaining, but his makeup is the crux of the story, so you need to accept it as a part of the world Laker has created, and go with the flow of the story. It does help getting the supporting character’s viewpoint, and seeing the action from their point of view, which may or may not be favorable to his character picture.
Part of what appeals to me about Lakers writing is her attention to detail, her superior world building, and her ability to spin an engrossing tale. Fans of the Regency genre (and particularly those of Heyer) will be thrilled to discover another author capable of period writing that’s true, factual, and immersive in its accurateness. However, it’s important to note that Laker’s characters are centered around the non-peerage classes, which I find lend a more accurate picture of characters that are relatable to present day mores, while still existing within the confines of restricted Regency society. It makes it enjoyable to read characters from this perspective, particularly as someone who reads Heyer obsessively, it’s nice for this reader to branch out and get another view of society’s characters during this time period.
I especially enjoyed Laker’s descriptions of the pugilist bouts, and found these to be entertaining and engaging, as they added an element of excitement to the story that was true to the main character.
Overall, a wonderful read. Highly recommended for discerning Regency romance readers who appreciate period accuracy, placement facts, and a glimpse into life during this 19th century England, as told from a perspective that’s not solely focused on life in the peerage.
Truly a story you can get lost in. I even ended up on Wikipedia researching some of the pugilist fighters Laker mentioned. If that’s not a testament to how engaged I was in the story, I don’t know what it.
Four solid stars. Do recommend. Will rereads books II and III in this trilogy again at some point, and will probably pick this one up again a few decades from now lol. 📚😊
August 24, 2022
It’s a strange one, while I really enjoyed the book romance aspect of it wasn’t my thing at all. Hero was passionately in love/obsessed with OW while Heroine was silently pining for him until the very end. Although there is a HE of sorts, it felt bitter sweet…
July 17, 2012
Ah Daniel I can only hope you get what you so richly deserve in the second or third books of this trilogy but I won't bother finding out.
February 12, 2016
Warwyck’s Wife by Rosalind Laker is a historical romance. Daniel Warwyck is a pugilist. He is in Brighton for a fight when a young woman, Kate Farringdon is being sold by her husband (and it is considered legal). Daniel notices that his younger brother, Harry is bidding on the woman. Daniel, who will be heading home to Warwyck Hall after the fight, believes that a wife on his arm will look good and help him in trying to convince his uncle to leave the estate to him. Daniel knows exactly how much money Harry on him, and bid just above it. Daniel wins Kate (Harry is upset). Daniel has no intention taking Kate to his bed, he just wants a show wife. When they arrive at Warwyck Hall and he finds out that he is too late to inherit Warwyck Hall. Kate is no longer of use to him, so he gives her money and sends her on her way (much to his family’s dismay). Daniel then sets off in his pursuit of the ultimate prize-fighting title, money, and Miss Claudine Clayton (who captured his attention in Brighton). But what will happen when Kate enters his life again.
Warwyck’s Wife is a re-release with a pretty new cover. I have to admit that I am a fan of Rosalind Laker’s work. I discovered her one day when I was browsing through the library and proceeded to read through all of her books that were available. Warwyck’s Wife is well-written and easy to read. Ms. Laker creates good characters and brings them to life for the reader. Warwyck’s Wife is a typical romance novel, but it is different from other books. The setting is beautiful, entertaining characters, and an interesting period in history. Ms. Laker gives a great twist in the story that I just loved. I give Warwyck’s Wife 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). If you enjoy historical, romance novels, you will enjoy reading Warwyck’s Wife.
I received a complimentary copy of Waywyck’s Wife from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Check out my blog for additional details: http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogs...
Warwyck’s Wife is a re-release with a pretty new cover. I have to admit that I am a fan of Rosalind Laker’s work. I discovered her one day when I was browsing through the library and proceeded to read through all of her books that were available. Warwyck’s Wife is well-written and easy to read. Ms. Laker creates good characters and brings them to life for the reader. Warwyck’s Wife is a typical romance novel, but it is different from other books. The setting is beautiful, entertaining characters, and an interesting period in history. Ms. Laker gives a great twist in the story that I just loved. I give Warwyck’s Wife 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). If you enjoy historical, romance novels, you will enjoy reading Warwyck’s Wife.
I received a complimentary copy of Waywyck’s Wife from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Check out my blog for additional details: http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogs...
March 24, 2016
Daniel Warwyck, an up and coming pugilist in regency England, bids on Kate at the market to prevent his brother from making a big mistake. After successfully winning Kate, Warwyck forms a plot, including a sham wedding ceremony, to reclaim his inheritance, only to find his efforts were done in vain. Upon losing his inheritance to his bastard newborn cousin, Daniel decides to build an upmarket resort in the hamlet of Easthampton, creating his own inheritance to pass on. This is met with a great amount of support and opposition and thrusts Claudine Clayton into the path of the Warwyck family.
This is your typical historical romance, with a complex love triangle and the protagonist having to make a choice to only realize that he had already made it and there was only the one all along. Harry, Daniel’s brother loves Kate, Kate loves Daniel and Daniel cannot make up his mind between Kate and Claudine. This book did keep me intrigued, as I wanted to know why Daniel would pursue Claudine when he had just purchased Kate. I wanted to know what would happen in this unique situation, as normally these love triangles don’t include someone being purchased for a wife. The characters were quite loveable. I even found myself feeling sorry for the antagonists.
However, the book became more and more predictable as you read through it. I don’t know if I am still hung up on some of the more fantastic books I have recently finished but this book didn’t have me jumping at the opportunity to read more until the last 20%.
In saying that, I will be keeping an eye out at the library for the next two installments of the series.
I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is your typical historical romance, with a complex love triangle and the protagonist having to make a choice to only realize that he had already made it and there was only the one all along. Harry, Daniel’s brother loves Kate, Kate loves Daniel and Daniel cannot make up his mind between Kate and Claudine. This book did keep me intrigued, as I wanted to know why Daniel would pursue Claudine when he had just purchased Kate. I wanted to know what would happen in this unique situation, as normally these love triangles don’t include someone being purchased for a wife. The characters were quite loveable. I even found myself feeling sorry for the antagonists.
However, the book became more and more predictable as you read through it. I don’t know if I am still hung up on some of the more fantastic books I have recently finished but this book didn’t have me jumping at the opportunity to read more until the last 20%.
In saying that, I will be keeping an eye out at the library for the next two installments of the series.
I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 29, 2016
Daniel Warwyck is aiming to become the best prize fighter in the country when he happens to stumble upon a barbaric auction of an unwanted wife. He wins Kate at the auction and decides to marry her in order to regain his inheritance.
Once it becomes clear that the inheritance will never become his he turns his attention to developing the village of Easthampton into a rival to the fashionable Brighton. He also falls in love with the aristocratic but capricious Claudine Clayton and he must choose between Kate and Claudine.
I thought this was a well written and interesting historical novel with a well researched historical background. I liked the main characters - flawed as they are and all too human. It is good to see authors such as Rosalind Laker back in print as her books are well worth reading. There is a sequel to this story - 'Claudine's Daughter' - though this book could be a read as a standalone novel. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review.
Once it becomes clear that the inheritance will never become his he turns his attention to developing the village of Easthampton into a rival to the fashionable Brighton. He also falls in love with the aristocratic but capricious Claudine Clayton and he must choose between Kate and Claudine.
I thought this was a well written and interesting historical novel with a well researched historical background. I liked the main characters - flawed as they are and all too human. It is good to see authors such as Rosalind Laker back in print as her books are well worth reading. There is a sequel to this story - 'Claudine's Daughter' - though this book could be a read as a standalone novel. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review.
August 11, 2024
Daniel, the H is a prize fighting boxer who has two women in his life, Kate whom he bought at an auction to save his brother from her, and Claudine a seductive flirt for whom he has a burning passion. The story takes place over the course of two years beginning with Kate being auctioned by her husband of four years. Daniel buys her to get her away from his brother Harry. Harry loves Kate. Kate loves Daniel. Daniel turns the hamlet that Claudine lives in into a resort town and builds his wealth and prestige under the nose of Claudine's brother in law who desires Claudine and who once pushed Daniel into the gutter in front of her. Reading the book was like watching a movie. I love books with high levels of angst. Can't wait to see how this holds up when reread.
June 15, 2017
Exciting historical romance featuring the extraordinary pairing of an up and coming contender for the boxing title of England with a beautiful woman sold in the town square by a vengeful, much older husband. Daniel and Kate's relationship is one filled with anger, tears, and one misunderstanding after another. It is also hindered by the murderous plots and disloyalty of others. This book kept me glued to the pages until the very end!
November 22, 2011
A bare-knuckle fighter buys a woman at auction to prevent her being bought by a vulgar man, not because he wants her. She falls in love with him, but he loves someone else. The first of a series about the Warwyck family who eventually build a seaside resort town.
February 9, 2016
Wow! What a roller coaster! I was both satisfied and dissatisfied with several parts of the story and the ending. I did cry and become emotionally involved with the characters. I thought about this book long after it ended. Worth the read.
June 18, 2019
Great Read
I chose this rating because the book has a great plot, wonderful setting and clearly and well rounded believable characters!
I chose this rating because the book has a great plot, wonderful setting and clearly and well rounded believable characters!
April 13, 2021
Parlando con un'amica di romance dove lui è odioso e non merita lei o non ama e non vuole lei fin quasi alle ultime pagine, a me è venuto in mente questo romanzo che ereditai da mia madre: LA DONNA DI WARWYCK, Collana “I Romanzi” Mondadori n.11. Qui il protagonista è tremendo con la protagonista femminile, desidera per tutto il libro un'altra e ci fa un figlio, prima di decidere che forse ama la povera moglie tipo nelle ultime tre pagine.
Trama: In una calda giornata del 1826, Daniel Warwyck, spregiudicato pugile da strada, compra all'asta una ragazza di nome Kate. Non lo fa per amore e neppure per assicurarsi piaceri facili. Con Kate, pensa di aver comprato le chiavi della sua eredità.
Trama: In una calda giornata del 1826, Daniel Warwyck, spregiudicato pugile da strada, compra all'asta una ragazza di nome Kate. Non lo fa per amore e neppure per assicurarsi piaceri facili. Con Kate, pensa di aver comprato le chiavi della sua eredità.
April 5, 2025
The H buys the h when she is publicly auctioned by her husband. The H has just won a purse in a prize fight so he has the means to buy her. The H's brother didn't have enough. There is a quicky wedding. They travel with the H's sister and trainer but he abandons the h with a purse containing 50 coins before returning to his home.
The H is cold and distant. He obsesses over a gently bred fiery woman whose family views him with disdain. This OW and the H conspire to marry but the ceremony is interrupted when the H's sister reveals that the H is already married to the h. This is a secret that was uncovered by the H's brother when he searched for the abandoned h.
The H is cold and distant. He obsesses over a gently bred fiery woman whose family views him with disdain. This OW and the H conspire to marry but the ceremony is interrupted when the H's sister reveals that the H is already married to the h. This is a secret that was uncovered by the H's brother when he searched for the abandoned h.
November 18, 2018
I read two books of this three-books sequel family saga back in mid 2000s. I couldn't remember the name of the book and was looking for it for years now. Just now I got a sudden inspiration to search for "Pugilist Heros" book lists. Bingo! There is the book! As soon as I saw the name and the cover I knew it! Thank you the contributor, thank you the list creator and thank you goodreads. You have no idea how a book lover can become obsessed with a book she can't remember the name of it.
July 31, 2019
Você se imagina sendo mulher vivendo no início do século XIX e sendo leiloada pelo próprio marido? É o que acontece com Kate, uma bela mulher de seus vinte e poucos anos. Embora o protagonista da narrativa seja o homem que a comprou, é a personalidade dela que me encanta, com sua aparente serenidade, sua quietude, seus silêncios. comecei a ler e não conseguia parar, muito bom.
March 1, 2020
Another winner
Having just discovered Rosalind Laker I am devouring her works. This is my second book and I really liked it! It has a very good unusual plot. The characters are realistic
And good pace.
Having just discovered Rosalind Laker I am devouring her works. This is my second book and I really liked it! It has a very good unusual plot. The characters are realistic
And good pace.
May 23, 2019
I loved to read this book because I ended up buying it. The story were unusual because I guess that was in the year 1800. I loved happy ending story.
November 25, 2019
Worth a shot
A very good read though maybe a bit too sweet of an ending. Well worth reading and was quite enjoyable.
A very good read though maybe a bit too sweet of an ending. Well worth reading and was quite enjoyable.
March 10, 2021
MY very first historical romance when I was young!
July 21, 2025
Intriguing story line, but so long-winded (as was the case of 1970s authors). Honestly not sure whether or not I enjoyed the story. I did finished reading, however. That counts for something.
Read
September 11, 2010I have to review this as I first read it long ago. More later----
May 4, 2011
This is the first of the Warwyck series, also called Warwyck's Wife.
Read
August 2, 2011Fascinating to read about how the professional boxing world once was. The entwined love stories were a bit predictable, but interesting non the less.
to-read-have
October 24, 2015Also published by the title Warwyck's Wife
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