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The High Sheriff of Huntingdon
The High Sheriff of Huntingdon, A Very Bad Man, has arranged to marry a young nun in order to get a coveted piece of land. He never expects to fall in love with her, or to let her tame his wicked ways, but with the interference of his mother, the witch, he’s in for a big surprise.
Inspired by the Sheriff in Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, it goes to prove there’s a hero in everyone.
Inspired by the Sheriff in Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, it goes to prove there’s a hero in everyone.
ebook
First published December 15, 2011
About the author
Anne Stuart
206 books2,079 followersAnne Stuart is a grandmaster of the genre, winner of Romance Writers of America's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, survivor of more than thirty-five years in the romance business, and still just keeps getting better.
Her first novel was Barrett's Hill, a gothic romance published by Ballantine in 1974 when Anne had just turned 25. Since then she's written more gothics, regencies, romantic suspense, romantic adventure, series romance, suspense, historical romance, paranormal and mainstream contemporary romance for publishers such as Doubleday, Harlequin, Silhouette, Avon, Zebra, St. Martins Press, Berkley, Dell, Pocket Books and Fawcett.
She’s won numerous awards, appeared on most bestseller lists, and speaks all over the country. Her general outrageousness has gotten her on Entertainment Tonight, as well as in Vogue, People, USA Today, Women’s Day and countless other national newspapers and magazines.
When she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Northern Vermont with her luscious husband of thirty-six years, an empty nest, three cats, four sewing machines, and one Springer Spaniel, and when she’s not working she’s watching movies, listening to rock and roll (preferably Japanese) and spending far too much time quilting.
Anne Stuart also writes as Kristina Douglas.
Her first novel was Barrett's Hill, a gothic romance published by Ballantine in 1974 when Anne had just turned 25. Since then she's written more gothics, regencies, romantic suspense, romantic adventure, series romance, suspense, historical romance, paranormal and mainstream contemporary romance for publishers such as Doubleday, Harlequin, Silhouette, Avon, Zebra, St. Martins Press, Berkley, Dell, Pocket Books and Fawcett.
She’s won numerous awards, appeared on most bestseller lists, and speaks all over the country. Her general outrageousness has gotten her on Entertainment Tonight, as well as in Vogue, People, USA Today, Women’s Day and countless other national newspapers and magazines.
When she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Northern Vermont with her luscious husband of thirty-six years, an empty nest, three cats, four sewing machines, and one Springer Spaniel, and when she’s not working she’s watching movies, listening to rock and roll (preferably Japanese) and spending far too much time quilting.
Anne Stuart also writes as Kristina Douglas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
July 28, 2012
Anne Stuart distilled down to just the basic main ingredients. It made it a little too obvious how formulaic her books are, though as usual, her historical heroine is a lot tougher and more interesting than her contemporary heroines.
January 15, 2012
Oh damn me, I've been had.
To be fair, I figured I was being had while I was having, but I was had nonetheless. I've been had in lots of ways, some more pleasant than others, but this way isn't one of my favourites.
I'm talking about re-releasing an old book with a new cover and not telling us that's what you've done. This story was previously in an Avon anthology released in 2004 called Avon Books Presents: To Love and to Honor.
(This is probably why Nora Roberts' work is packaged the way that it is -- with the "NR" seal that guarantees the book you are holding is in print for the first time. And her re-releases are clearly marked as to how they originally appeared. No "dammit, I've already read this!" with her stuff.)
Ahem. Once I got over that, the story itself was one of Stuart's better efforts. She makes no secret of how much she loved Alan Rickman's portrayal of the Sheriff of Nottingham and that this work is based specifically on him.
Yup, I can see that. And from the first line of the book, you will see it too.
Alistair Darcourt, high sheriff of Huntingdon, is a Very Bad Man. An OTT, almost comically Very Bad Man, and the story of his marriage by proxy to Lady Elspeth of Gaveland is an entertaining medieval adventure.
The novella is too short to describe much more and that is almost always my biggest complaint about novellas - there was enough here that it could have easily been a novel. Because of that I felt the ending wrapped itself up a little too quickly.
If you're looking for a trademark Anne Stuart historical you'll certainly find a taste of it here. A taste, mind you, and for $1.99 at Amazon. A better meal might be had at the UBS with Avon Books Presents: To Love and to Honor, where you get helpings of Judith French, Linda Lael Miller and Stella Cameron.
3.5 stars
To be fair, I figured I was being had while I was having, but I was had nonetheless. I've been had in lots of ways, some more pleasant than others, but this way isn't one of my favourites.
I'm talking about re-releasing an old book with a new cover and not telling us that's what you've done. This story was previously in an Avon anthology released in 2004 called Avon Books Presents: To Love and to Honor.
(This is probably why Nora Roberts' work is packaged the way that it is -- with the "NR" seal that guarantees the book you are holding is in print for the first time. And her re-releases are clearly marked as to how they originally appeared. No "dammit, I've already read this!" with her stuff.)
Ahem. Once I got over that, the story itself was one of Stuart's better efforts. She makes no secret of how much she loved Alan Rickman's portrayal of the Sheriff of Nottingham and that this work is based specifically on him.
Yup, I can see that. And from the first line of the book, you will see it too.
Alistair Darcourt, high sheriff of Huntingdon, is a Very Bad Man. An OTT, almost comically Very Bad Man, and the story of his marriage by proxy to Lady Elspeth of Gaveland is an entertaining medieval adventure.
The novella is too short to describe much more and that is almost always my biggest complaint about novellas - there was enough here that it could have easily been a novel. Because of that I felt the ending wrapped itself up a little too quickly.
If you're looking for a trademark Anne Stuart historical you'll certainly find a taste of it here. A taste, mind you, and for $1.99 at Amazon. A better meal might be had at the UBS with Avon Books Presents: To Love and to Honor, where you get helpings of Judith French, Linda Lael Miller and Stella Cameron.
3.5 stars
September 7, 2012
This novella was so much fun. Stubborn heroine, a hero based on the Sheriff of Nottingham from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (guh), arranged marriage, a meddlesome mother-in-law...
I loved it.
I wasn't thrilled that the hero was such a manslut, but hey, it fit the character (and honestly, wasn't as bad as it first seemed).
I finished the last page with a smile on my face, which was enough to earn it a 4.5/5
I loved it.
I wasn't thrilled that the hero was such a manslut, but hey, it fit the character (and honestly, wasn't as bad as it first seemed).
I finished the last page with a smile on my face, which was enough to earn it a 4.5/5
November 15, 2012
Nice things I can say about the hero: he loves his mommy (kind of. He didn't really want to kill her, anyway. He only thought about it. And he bought her a forest!) He doesn't particularly like raping women. (He leaves that to his men.) He didn't kill the heroine. (Again, he only thought about it.) And he doesn't go around randomly killing people all the time (only sometimes. He leaves most of the random killing to his cousin.)
I would have liked to see a bit more of the story. The hero was not in love, then suddenly he was, and the only reason I can see for it is that the prophecy said so. (And the heroine defied him, which never happened, because he had already killed everyone who did.) I really didn't quite get why the heroine fell in love with the hero, either. One moment she's bashing him over the head and the next she's in love. (Okay, it actually took a few hours, but still.)
I still enjoyed it, I just wish it were longer. 3.5 stars.
I would have liked to see a bit more of the story. The hero was not in love, then suddenly he was, and the only reason I can see for it is that the prophecy said so. (And the heroine defied him, which never happened, because he had already killed everyone who did.) I really didn't quite get why the heroine fell in love with the hero, either. One moment she's bashing him over the head and the next she's in love. (Okay, it actually took a few hours, but still.)
I still enjoyed it, I just wish it were longer. 3.5 stars.
June 1, 2016
This was obviously the inspiration for the main character (and may I say, he is my favorite from the movie too)
I wish this was longer though. The mad sheriff is so awesome <3
I wish this was longer though. The mad sheriff is so awesome <3
June 8, 2024
His smile was unnerving. He knelt down on the bed, leaning over her, and he seemed huge and dark and smothering as he blocked out the moonlight. “Indeed, I do just as I please,” he said. “You’re my destiny, Elspeth of Gaveland. Or my curse. It remains to be seen.”
Anne Stuart’s The High Sheriff of Huntingdon is a historical romance novella that draws the reader into a world of power, intrigue, and passion. The novel opens with the forced marriage of Alistair Darcourt, the High Sheriff of Huntingdon, to the young 22 year old Lady Elspeth of Gaveland.
Married by proxy and having spent the last eight years in a convent, Elspeth is thrust into a new life filled with uncertainty and danger, even unknowingly. Alistair, a man of formidable reputation and rumored to be the spawn of a witch and the devil, welcomes his new bride by placing her in the reputedly haunted tower. This initial act sets the tone for their tumultuous relationship, one that is marked by power struggles, distrust, and undeniable attraction.
Elspeth is a remarkable heroine—willful, intelligent, unyielding, with a core of vulnerability that she does not show to most. Her father’s dismissive attitude towards her only fuels her determination to survive and thrive in the new environment into which she is thrust. Elspeth’s strength lies in her ability stand up to Alistair’s harsh demeanor and call him on his bullshit when and as needed. She is not the shrinking violet that her husband had expected her to be, and this is where the true thrill of the story lies as they navigate the newness of their marriage.
Alistair is a complex and compelling hero. Known for his ruthlessness he is initially dismissive of Elspeth, seeing her merely as a means to an end—a piece of land and a future heir. However, his preconceived notions are challenged as Elspeth proves to be a match for his formidable will. Alistair is a man torn between his desire for power and his burgeoning feelings for his wife, a struggle that adds nuances to the story that I loved.
One of the best aspects of the story lies in the intense chemistry between Alistair and Elspeth that serves to be both their undoing. Their relationship evolves from one of mutual distrust to a passionate and consuming love, which especially Alistair does not care much for. I rooted for both Alistair and Elspeth; Alistair because his brooding nature demands nothing less, and Elspeth because she is what Alistair needs in his life, in every sense.
Recommended for fans of historical romance, offering a perfect blend of passion, intrigue, and richly drawn characters that draws you in from the get go.
Final Verdict: The High Sheriff of Huntingdon is a well crafted tale of love, power dynamics, and redemption, pairing Elspeth's bold and daring nature with that of Alistair's brooding intensity.
Rating = 4.75/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
March 23, 2019
Alistair Darcourt, the High Sheriff of Huntingdon, married Elspeth of Gaveland by proxy to get his hands on a piece of land. He didn't want a wife, just the land that was part of her dowry. But his convent-bred wife is not the quiet demure woman that he expected. She is fiery and feisty, not afraid to say what's on her mind. She intrigues her new husband.
This novella has Anne Stuart's usual bad boy hero, and his innocent bride who brings out the good in him. No surprises here. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
This novella has Anne Stuart's usual bad boy hero, and his innocent bride who brings out the good in him. No surprises here. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
September 15, 2013
The titular Sheriff is Alistair Darcourt—he has married Elspeth of Gaveland by proxy, sight unseen, for her dowry—Dunston Woods—a haunted forest his (literally) witch of a mother calls home. Also, he wouldn't mind getting an heir. He reckons he can knock Elspeth up and let her live long enough to give birth.
Elspeth, meanwhile, shows some promise—her dad had to cart her from the convent (where she was about to take her vows) bound and gagged—and even so she managed to put up enough of a fight that the wedding gown intended for her was
Alistair is peeved that the bridal party took so long to arrive—and then the bride shows up in her habit. The unspoken statement that she prefers being God's bride to being his is a blow to his ego, so he decides to show his bride who's boss by tossing her in the tower for awhile while he shops around for an STD.
Given the introductory feistiness of the heroine, I was hoping she'd tell him to go find a goat for the bridal night. When he shows himself with his arms around two buxom and half-dressed doxies, I'd be
…But I say buhbye!
Elspeth? She's all
Anne Stuart is the queen at crafting dark, damaged heroes that you find yourself liking in spite of their creepy behavior. But I didn't like this guy—it may be the fact that in a novella there's just not enough real estate for character development. It may also be my own personal bias. I'm grossed out by the whole idea of sex—even really, really HOT sex—with a guy who just got through tupping another woman. To be fair, WE know he didn't actually "rise to the occasion" with the other women, but Elspeth doesn't know, so from her POV, the whole idea should still be gross. When we learn his mum has been tossing hamster tails into caldrons to promote the union, it goes some way to explain why El gives it up, but I still wasn't quite past the "ick" factor.
So I'll give this one just a middlin' 2.5 stars. Stuart's work usually hits the 4-5 star range, so this isn't one of her best.
Elspeth, meanwhile, shows some promise—her dad had to cart her from the convent (where she was about to take her vows) bound and gagged—and even so she managed to put up enough of a fight that the wedding gown intended for her was
Alistair is peeved that the bridal party took so long to arrive—and then the bride shows up in her habit. The unspoken statement that she prefers being God's bride to being his is a blow to his ego, so he decides to show his bride who's boss by tossing her in the tower for awhile while he shops around for an STD.
Given the introductory feistiness of the heroine, I was hoping she'd tell him to go find a goat for the bridal night. When he shows himself with his arms around two buxom and half-dressed doxies, I'd be
…But I say buhbye!
Elspeth? She's all
Anne Stuart is the queen at crafting dark, damaged heroes that you find yourself liking in spite of their creepy behavior. But I didn't like this guy—it may be the fact that in a novella there's just not enough real estate for character development. It may also be my own personal bias. I'm grossed out by the whole idea of sex—even really, really HOT sex—with a guy who just got through tupping another woman. To be fair, WE know he didn't actually "rise to the occasion" with the other women, but Elspeth doesn't know, so from her POV, the whole idea should still be gross. When we learn his mum has been tossing hamster tails into caldrons to promote the union, it goes some way to explain why El gives it up, but I still wasn't quite past the "ick" factor.
So I'll give this one just a middlin' 2.5 stars. Stuart's work usually hits the 4-5 star range, so this isn't one of her best.
August 13, 2016
This book is bonkers! And so good:))
Like other AS's heroes, you wanted to punch the hero, if you can call him that, all the time.
Luckily the heroine done it for you, lol:))
Short and a quick read but I like it!
Like other AS's heroes, you wanted to punch the hero, if you can call him that, all the time.
Luckily the heroine done it for you, lol:))
Short and a quick read but I like it!
February 17, 2013
I should start off by acknowledging that I don't like short stories/novellas; and in fact since I dislike them I usually don't read them. Generally speaking the characters tend to seem under-developed and the plot rushed. The only reason I decided to read this particular story is because it promised to deliver all the elements of my favorite Anne Stuart books and curiosity demanded that I check it out.
All of my expectations were met. My main problem with the story and the reason for the lack of a 4 or 5 star review is that it was too short, the plot felt rushed and while I really liked the hero and heroine, I would have liked them to have more depth. Alistair had the makings of my favorite kind of hero, hard and cold on the outside with a touch of dissolute evilness clinging to him yet harboring an almost desperate vulnerablity on the inside. He was not so bad as to be irredeemable, yet he was bad enough not to be the worst kind of hero ever - the "faux bad boy". He also scored extra points for not being a whore in real time; meaning once the heroine arrived on the scene. Just a personal preference but I prefer my heroes to be so taken with their designated love interest that all thoughts of sex with other women simply pale in comparison.
As far as the heroine is concerned I liked her quite a bit as well. She was reasonably strong and fearless with a decent sense of humor. She did fall rather quickly for Alistair; but it being a short story she was on a bit of a timetable. It would have been much more gratifying to watch Elspeth slowly come to realize that Alistair was not the villian everyone said he was and to see her feelings for him develop based on learning about his character through spending time with and observing him.
The story was enjoyable as it is; but I was left feeling disappointed that it hadn't been chosen to be developed into a full length novel.
All of my expectations were met. My main problem with the story and the reason for the lack of a 4 or 5 star review is that it was too short, the plot felt rushed and while I really liked the hero and heroine, I would have liked them to have more depth. Alistair had the makings of my favorite kind of hero, hard and cold on the outside with a touch of dissolute evilness clinging to him yet harboring an almost desperate vulnerablity on the inside. He was not so bad as to be irredeemable, yet he was bad enough not to be the worst kind of hero ever - the "faux bad boy". He also scored extra points for not being a whore in real time; meaning once the heroine arrived on the scene. Just a personal preference but I prefer my heroes to be so taken with their designated love interest that all thoughts of sex with other women simply pale in comparison.
As far as the heroine is concerned I liked her quite a bit as well. She was reasonably strong and fearless with a decent sense of humor. She did fall rather quickly for Alistair; but it being a short story she was on a bit of a timetable. It would have been much more gratifying to watch Elspeth slowly come to realize that Alistair was not the villian everyone said he was and to see her feelings for him develop based on learning about his character through spending time with and observing him.
The story was enjoyable as it is; but I was left feeling disappointed that it hadn't been chosen to be developed into a full length novel.
January 17, 2016
Ok... I found myself abandon another books to read this.
Just a short story. Take a place in Robin Hood era. But this not the story about Robin and Marian. This is the story about the bad bad sheriff. And no... No Robin appear here.
Anne Stuart based in Alan Rickman's performane as Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood Prine of Thieves.
Yeah, he is also Severus Snape... I just know...
This is about the Sheriff story, love story. Hard, arrogant man and a soft, brave and a nun.
A bit of magic and witch here but not so specific.
Romantic side for the antagonist character.
Just a short story. Take a place in Robin Hood era. But this not the story about Robin and Marian. This is the story about the bad bad sheriff. And no... No Robin appear here.
Anne Stuart based in Alan Rickman's performane as Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood Prine of Thieves.
Yeah, he is also Severus Snape... I just know...
This is about the Sheriff story, love story. Hard, arrogant man and a soft, brave and a nun.
A bit of magic and witch here but not so specific.
Romantic side for the antagonist character.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2024
Short and Sweet
The prophecy plot device is a bit oddly written but keeps the story on track. The main characters are by turns annoying, funny, and interesting.
There’s a dubiously smarmy cousin, a powerful witch trying to manipulate her son, the High Sheriff (it’s a title so capital H & S) not as evil as rumoured, and an ex-nun who hasn’t learned to hold her tongue.
I was waiting for the battle between Elspeth and Alistair over the running of the household and her gutting the place of all the filth and slutty maids. Sadly it never appeared.
Otherwise this is a thoroughly enjoyable, amusing, and delightfully wicked read.
Recommended
The prophecy plot device is a bit oddly written but keeps the story on track. The main characters are by turns annoying, funny, and interesting.
There’s a dubiously smarmy cousin, a powerful witch trying to manipulate her son, the High Sheriff (it’s a title so capital H & S) not as evil as rumoured, and an ex-nun who hasn’t learned to hold her tongue.
I was waiting for the battle between Elspeth and Alistair over the running of the household and her gutting the place of all the filth and slutty maids. Sadly it never appeared.
Otherwise this is a thoroughly enjoyable, amusing, and delightfully wicked read.
Recommended
July 15, 2012
(July) 3.5* This could have been a really great book if longer - while I love Anne Stuart and I love short stories, this one, while good, was just missing something. But still, a good read.
March 15, 2019
3 1/2 to 4 stars
November 25, 2017
Enjoyable novella/novelette(?), though obviously written to give the dark, anti-hero his day in the sun. I liked the dichotomy of what "looks foul, but feel fair" (to abuse a Tolkien quote) very much. The problem, for me anyway, was that I was curious enough about the two main characters, that I wished the story had been longer. But because she already had a pre-existing construct for the male character, and created a nice balance with the female character, it is a more harmonious and better story than some of Stuart's other early works, where her style and storytelling wasn't quite "there" yet.
June 29, 2022
MAD respect to anne stuart for literally just writing fanfiction about the sheriff from robin hood prince of thieves and publishing that shit in the 90s. this book is awesome purely because of how ballsy that move is. i get it, though. alan rickman was looking like insane villainfucker bait in that movie.
and this book was surprisingly pretty damn good. i went into it because the plot seemed so audacious, thinking it wasn't gonna be very well-written, but it was! i might have to read more by this author. lots of fun if you like your romance heroes to be absolute bastards.
and this book was surprisingly pretty damn good. i went into it because the plot seemed so audacious, thinking it wasn't gonna be very well-written, but it was! i might have to read more by this author. lots of fun if you like your romance heroes to be absolute bastards.
September 15, 2025
Very fun premise, too short to properly deliver. The characters are great together and I liked them both. The romance does these odd quantum leaps that break the flow of the story.
Grammar and editing were very solid, just a few missing words and that's it. Writing is technically solid (a very nice reprieve from the less well written books being published post-pandemic). I would read a full length from this author.
Grammar and editing were very solid, just a few missing words and that's it. Writing is technically solid (a very nice reprieve from the less well written books being published post-pandemic). I would read a full length from this author.
July 29, 2016
I'm a long-time Anne Stuart fan. Nobody writes bad-boy heroes better! And Alister is such a bad boy!
It's a sweet and fun read...I just wish it had been longer so that these wonderful characters could be as richly developed as they deserve to be.
Elspeth's sudden transformation from reluctant new wife to snuggly new wife is too quick, but her basic character stays true....she's smart, strong, and assertive. Alister's conversion to devoted husband is hard to believe, but given that the Prophecy is playing out...he's following his path.
And Yes, the HEA was a little too pat...Stuart even eliminates the villain remotely so Alister's not to blame...Yay!
So..I rounded up to 3 stars..Given the short-story constraint, Stuart has managed to bring life and dimension to characters who could otherwise been flat and boring.
It's a sweet and fun read...I just wish it had been longer so that these wonderful characters could be as richly developed as they deserve to be.
Elspeth's sudden transformation from reluctant new wife to snuggly new wife is too quick, but her basic character stays true....she's smart, strong, and assertive. Alister's conversion to devoted husband is hard to believe, but given that the Prophecy is playing out...he's following his path.
And Yes, the HEA was a little too pat...Stuart even eliminates the villain remotely so Alister's not to blame...Yay!
So..I rounded up to 3 stars..Given the short-story constraint, Stuart has managed to bring life and dimension to characters who could otherwise been flat and boring.
July 8, 2012
Sherif yg terkenal wicked, masa depannya sdh diramalkan oleh ibunya yang seorang penyihir.Lady Elspeth mantan biarawati harus menikah dgn sherif karena upeti yg hrs dibayar ayahnya(eh bener ga ya alasannya,lupa aku:D).itulah inti ceritanya,kl menurutku sih jalan ceritanya terlalu cepat,emang ini short story ya? serasa kurang mateng,kayak telur setengah matang,yg kuning telurnya msh cair terus ditaruh di atas nasgor yg anget(jd laper...kl yg ini aq demen)komen yg sangat kontrakdiktif:))
February 11, 2012
I honestly bought and read this book because in the description on the Barnes and Noble website Stuart mentioned that the “hero” of this book was based on Alan Rickman’s Sheriff of Nottingham. I absolutely adore Alan Rickman. As far as the book goes I didn’t see how the two characters matched but it was a good story and worth the read.
January 5, 2012
Fun (somewhat)historical romance novella about a "mad, bad, and dangerous to know" sheriff. Hero is pretty much all three of those things, but what could have been ugly was saved by a heroine who doesn't just sit there and take it.
July 2, 2012
Rushed, and confusing. The author introduced too many elements and made a failed attempt to cram them all in such a short novella. For example, a witch and a serial killer? Really?
Even at $1.99, it is still too expensive to me for this hot mess of a book.
Even at $1.99, it is still too expensive to me for this hot mess of a book.
August 22, 2016
My review
What could I possibly say to convince you to read such a well written romance. Passion, be it good or evil can never go unrewarded. One of my favorite reads, I had to read it again!
What could I possibly say to convince you to read such a well written romance. Passion, be it good or evil can never go unrewarded. One of my favorite reads, I had to read it again!
March 29, 2012
It was great - I only wish it had been longer!
July 26, 2012
A quick, fun read that inspired a giggle or two. Too short, wished there was more to the story. Alistair and Elspeth were funny together. I liked that Elspeth was so feisty and determined.
August 7, 2012
Only Anne Stuart could take the Sheriff of Nottingham and turn him into a new creation, the High Sheriff of Huntingdon, and actually make him a romantic hero.
Love Ms. Stuart.
Love Ms. Stuart.
February 25, 2014
Wish there had been more, but love it regardless.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews