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The Caversham Chronicles #1
La sposa di Caversham
Cosa fareste per salvare coloro che amate di più?
Venduta come schiava dagli uomini che avrebbero dovuto ucciderla, Angelia Gualtiero ora deve convincere l'uomo che l'ha acquistata ad aiutarla. Lia farebbe qualsiasi cosa per salvare il suo fratellino dalla zia assassina, anche sposare un uomo che sa che vuole solo usare il suo corpo.
Marcus Renfield Halden, nono duca di Caversham, ha bisogno di un erede per mettere al sicuro la sua ricchezza, il suo titolo e il futuro delle sue giovani sorelle da un cugino disperato che sospetta l'abbia preso di mira alla ricerca del titolo di duca e della sua fortuna. Quando vede una donna che scappa da una guardia in un mercato di Tangeri, all'inizio resta affascinato dalla sua bellezza. Dopo che Ren viene a sapere la sua storia, è rapito dal suo coraggio. Allora, fa a Lia un'offerta che lei non può rifiutare.
Suo fratello per un erede.
Quello che nessuno dei due si aspetta è di innamorarsi.
"La sposa di Caversham" è ambientato nel 1819, in luoghi come Genova, Tangeri, Londra e la nave dell'eroe mercante.
Le date di pubblicazione degli altri volumi:
Libro secondo: "Già sua", disponibile dal settembre 2015
Libro terzo: "L'amore di Sarah", disponibile dal dicembre 2015
Libro quarto: "La signora di Lucky", disponibile dal febbraio 2016
Inoltre, è già disponibile "Miss Amelia accalappia un duca", il prequel della serie.
Venduta come schiava dagli uomini che avrebbero dovuto ucciderla, Angelia Gualtiero ora deve convincere l'uomo che l'ha acquistata ad aiutarla. Lia farebbe qualsiasi cosa per salvare il suo fratellino dalla zia assassina, anche sposare un uomo che sa che vuole solo usare il suo corpo.
Marcus Renfield Halden, nono duca di Caversham, ha bisogno di un erede per mettere al sicuro la sua ricchezza, il suo titolo e il futuro delle sue giovani sorelle da un cugino disperato che sospetta l'abbia preso di mira alla ricerca del titolo di duca e della sua fortuna. Quando vede una donna che scappa da una guardia in un mercato di Tangeri, all'inizio resta affascinato dalla sua bellezza. Dopo che Ren viene a sapere la sua storia, è rapito dal suo coraggio. Allora, fa a Lia un'offerta che lei non può rifiutare.
Suo fratello per un erede.
Quello che nessuno dei due si aspetta è di innamorarsi.
"La sposa di Caversham" è ambientato nel 1819, in luoghi come Genova, Tangeri, Londra e la nave dell'eroe mercante.
Le date di pubblicazione degli altri volumi:
Libro secondo: "Già sua", disponibile dal settembre 2015
Libro terzo: "L'amore di Sarah", disponibile dal dicembre 2015
Libro quarto: "La signora di Lucky", disponibile dal febbraio 2016
Inoltre, è già disponibile "Miss Amelia accalappia un duca", il prequel della serie.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 19, 2012
156 people are currently reading
800 people want to read
About the author
Sandy Raven
75 books105 followersSandy Raven has a husband who spoils her rotten, and kids that are just a hair’s breadth away from perfect. She’s addicted to House Hunters International and has never missed an episode, though she acknowledges that she could never live in most of those countries because the houses are just too small. She is also addicted to Starbucks’ Chai Latte, and never passes up an opportunity to have one.
Sandy grew up on the Texas Gulf Coast with sand between her toes and perpetually frizzy hair.
Which is why she now lives in the middle-of-nowhere Virginia, in a place with minimal to moderate humidity (for perfect, non-frizzy curls,) rolling hills and farmed forests. The only downside to that is the temperamental satellite internet and the closest Starbucks being a thirty minute drive away.
Home is a renovated old farm house she shares with her hero husband, in the foothills of Blue Ridge Mountains, where she’s owned by more cats, dogs and horses than she cares to admit to. She’s a long-time member of RWA, and is a member of VRW and the Beau Monde. Second to writing is her love for her horses. She practices natural horsemanship, and loves to ride her barefoot Tennessee Walkers on the trails and in the woods around her home.
You can visit her at:
SandyRaven.com
facebook.com/SandyRavenAuthor
plus.google.com/+SandyRavenAuthor
twitter.com/@SandyRaven
goodreads.com/goodreadscomSandyRaven
Sandy grew up on the Texas Gulf Coast with sand between her toes and perpetually frizzy hair.
Which is why she now lives in the middle-of-nowhere Virginia, in a place with minimal to moderate humidity (for perfect, non-frizzy curls,) rolling hills and farmed forests. The only downside to that is the temperamental satellite internet and the closest Starbucks being a thirty minute drive away.
Home is a renovated old farm house she shares with her hero husband, in the foothills of Blue Ridge Mountains, where she’s owned by more cats, dogs and horses than she cares to admit to. She’s a long-time member of RWA, and is a member of VRW and the Beau Monde. Second to writing is her love for her horses. She practices natural horsemanship, and loves to ride her barefoot Tennessee Walkers on the trails and in the woods around her home.
You can visit her at:
SandyRaven.com
facebook.com/SandyRavenAuthor
plus.google.com/+SandyRavenAuthor
twitter.com/@SandyRaven
goodreads.com/goodreadscomSandyRaven
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
June 4, 2021
This book is always at the top of my list of good hr. I can't believe I've never written a review.
The story starts off with Lia being kidnapped. Her evil Aunt has paid men to kill her and come back a few months later to kill the little brother. She wants their trust without rousing suspicion. The men instead sell Lia.
Ren is a very rich Duke, whose Cousin is trying to kill him. Ren happens to be in Morocco on shipping business when he sees the beautiful Lei trying to escape. With good intentions, he buys her to save her. After actually meeting Lei, he comes to a decision. He'll save her brother if she'll marry him and give him a heir. Because of course that's how it works in BR..It doesn't hurt that they have great chemistry together. Now they do have a good amount of sex scenes, but it's not overdone or redundant.
The story is the stronger part. With great secondary characters. It's also well paced. They travel from Morocco to Italy and finally England. So not your typical hr. It's an entertaining story all around.
I highly recommend!
Sidenote: I did read the 2nd book. I may have sentimental feelings towards the first book that the sequel just couldn't compete.
The story starts off with Lia being kidnapped. Her evil Aunt has paid men to kill her and come back a few months later to kill the little brother. She wants their trust without rousing suspicion. The men instead sell Lia.
Ren is a very rich Duke, whose Cousin is trying to kill him. Ren happens to be in Morocco on shipping business when he sees the beautiful Lei trying to escape. With good intentions, he buys her to save her. After actually meeting Lei, he comes to a decision. He'll save her brother if she'll marry him and give him a heir. Because of course that's how it works in BR..It doesn't hurt that they have great chemistry together. Now they do have a good amount of sex scenes, but it's not overdone or redundant.
The story is the stronger part. With great secondary characters. It's also well paced. They travel from Morocco to Italy and finally England. So not your typical hr. It's an entertaining story all around.
I highly recommend!
Sidenote: I did read the 2nd book. I may have sentimental feelings towards the first book that the sequel just couldn't compete.
June 27, 2022
I am on a mission to find a new historical romance series to binge but don't quite think this is the one for me. Wasn't bad but didn't due much for me
Read
October 15, 2014DNF'd at 28%. The power imbalance in the relationship bothered me right from the beginning, and I had this instinctual feeling it wasn't going to get any better. I'm frustrated with female characters who can't stand up for themselves in any meaningful way. They're either intolerable shrews or, as is the case with Lia, meek doormats. Why isn't there a middle ground in romance fiction? Why can't there ever be a heroine with enough self respect to stand up for herself with dignity, poise and, dare I say it, rationality? Lia just... Doesn't. And Ren is kind of an oblivious jerk. Not that it's surprising since he was apparently taken in by a woman who was screwing his cousin...
Anyway, other than the relationship dynamics (that made my skin crawl), I also found myself almost intolerably bored. This is one ebook I'll be returning.
Anyway, other than the relationship dynamics (that made my skin crawl), I also found myself almost intolerably bored. This is one ebook I'll be returning.
January 28, 2014
Hello Stockholm syndrome. The power balance in this book bugged me and I also got bored and stopped reading once it got too predictable. My main beef is that the relationship between Lia and Ren did not sit well with me. Ren was physically, socially, financially and politically powerful. Lia's power came from being hot in bed on account of being tutored to be a well behaved sex slave. Oh of course she's well educated but we rarely see those skills in use because they're not sexy. He gets all possessive, cranky and occasionally violent. She gets to be locked up a lot (for her own safety of course), cries occasionally, does irrational things but learns the wisdom of happiness through submission (*shudder*). He forgives her failings and falls in love, mostly because she gives good head and is pretty. I know it's a romance novel but romance does not have to equal disempowerment. Or endorsement of the slave trade. So that's 1 * from me.
December 1, 2015
Wonderful historical romance. No triggers. Likeable hero and heroine. Storyline keeps one interested right to the end.
November 5, 2013
I was so pleased to come across "Caversham's Bride" because it was a riveting, emotionally evocative book that touched me on many levels. I adore books that show substantial, emotional growth among the leads and I loved to see the personal growth that occurs within the Hero, Marcus Renfield Halden ("Ren"), Ninth Duke of Caversham, especially.
First of all, the chemistry between Angelia ("Lia") Gualtiero & Ren is hot, hot, hot! Their love story is steamy, romantic, and full of sweet and very HOT moments, alike. As passionate lovers, they love hard and fight hard as well. The relationship between Ren and Lia develops into a lasting, committed, and very passionate, unbreakable love (my favorite).
This novel is beautifully written and both leads are complex, interesting and very worthy of love. I especially admired the Heroine, Lia--She is one amazing woman! This woman had survived a kidnapping, being sold into slavery, being drugged with opium, living in a harem, forced marriage, and much more. Yet, despite these very damaging experiences, she arises with her spirit in tact. She's just fierce, beautiful and adaptive.
I won't take time to discuss the background of the leads or the plot because there are just too many masterful details, but I wanted to note the main reasons I was touched or evoked by this compelling novel.
I. Quality of Life for Women in this Era:
I was so pissed during the part of the novel that took place in Morocco. I felt sick to my stomach in seeing how the men, in that society, benefited from absolute power over women. Without restraint, men were able to subjugate and oppress woman with no consequences. Poor Lia got caught up in this society, due to no fault of her own, since she was sold into slavery. Even though she was a virgin, she received extensive training in the 'arts' of pleasure for the purpose of pleasing her eventual master. I was glad that the hero, Ren, witnessed her near escape in the market and fell helplessly in love with her (even though he didn't quite know it yet). Lia was able to escape this bastion of male chauvinism and superiority due to Ren's persistence. Yet, what of the other woman who had to resign themselves to life within a polygamous relationship where they were just another number among many for 1 man (prince)? I felt sick thinking about how woman had to survive such experiences.
II. The Relationship:
I was fascinated with the balance of power that teetered between both leads. I think that the Hero experienced the most personal growth in this book, and reasonably so. He entered this unconventional relationship with Lia, first as her master, then her betrothed and then her husband. In all stages of the relationship, Ren obviously carried the most power. Yet, Lia is a powerful force within herself. Her own power resided in her intelligence, vivacity, beauty and Ren’s insatiable need for her.
One of the issues in the relationship is that Ren’s idea of marriage was inconsistent with the idea of love and trust. I liked how Lia challenged and debated Ren throughout the "process of trust" between the two. As far as Ren is concerned, let’s just say he came to Lia with “emotional baggage” from his previous relationship where he was burned by his betrothed & cousin. Lia had to “unpack” his emotional luggage…lol
One of the parts that I thought was ironic was how Ren was constantly processing what Lia meant to him, and in one instance he tells his uncle and cousins that Lia is merely a vessel to produce his heir and he plans to set her aside after she provides him with an heir and a "spare." That was actually laughable because, it was evident, that Ren would never be able to let her go. The man was hopelessly, devastatingly in love with Lia. He was simply in denial, at this point. Unfortunately, Lia over hears this conversation and this initiates a huge fight between the pair. I was always rooting for Lia during this fight. Ofcourse, the make-up sex was ON FIRE and both gained in relational depth. ☺
Eventually, Ren, who struggles to communicate his emotions, conveys to Lia how much he loves her and needs her. That part in the relationship was really satisfying. Overall, Ren and Lia are inseparable. I love how Ren adored Lia and never let her go (even when she tried to escape from him). I loved how he made himself vulnerable and apologized to Lia (especially after he acted like an ass).
Overall, the love scenes were plentiful, very steamy & combustible. I will definitely re-read this book from time to time.
Narration: I listened to the audiobook and it was just masterful! It was probably the best listening experience because it was like audio theater for the senses. I am so addicted to audiobooks for this reason. Dennis Kleinman and Victria J. Mayers performed with excellence. This is probably the best audiobook I’ve listened to. It was such a treat to listen to!
First of all, the chemistry between Angelia ("Lia") Gualtiero & Ren is hot, hot, hot! Their love story is steamy, romantic, and full of sweet and very HOT moments, alike. As passionate lovers, they love hard and fight hard as well. The relationship between Ren and Lia develops into a lasting, committed, and very passionate, unbreakable love (my favorite).
This novel is beautifully written and both leads are complex, interesting and very worthy of love. I especially admired the Heroine, Lia--She is one amazing woman! This woman had survived a kidnapping, being sold into slavery, being drugged with opium, living in a harem, forced marriage, and much more. Yet, despite these very damaging experiences, she arises with her spirit in tact. She's just fierce, beautiful and adaptive.
I won't take time to discuss the background of the leads or the plot because there are just too many masterful details, but I wanted to note the main reasons I was touched or evoked by this compelling novel.
I. Quality of Life for Women in this Era:
I was so pissed during the part of the novel that took place in Morocco. I felt sick to my stomach in seeing how the men, in that society, benefited from absolute power over women. Without restraint, men were able to subjugate and oppress woman with no consequences. Poor Lia got caught up in this society, due to no fault of her own, since she was sold into slavery. Even though she was a virgin, she received extensive training in the 'arts' of pleasure for the purpose of pleasing her eventual master. I was glad that the hero, Ren, witnessed her near escape in the market and fell helplessly in love with her (even though he didn't quite know it yet). Lia was able to escape this bastion of male chauvinism and superiority due to Ren's persistence. Yet, what of the other woman who had to resign themselves to life within a polygamous relationship where they were just another number among many for 1 man (prince)? I felt sick thinking about how woman had to survive such experiences.
II. The Relationship:
I was fascinated with the balance of power that teetered between both leads. I think that the Hero experienced the most personal growth in this book, and reasonably so. He entered this unconventional relationship with Lia, first as her master, then her betrothed and then her husband. In all stages of the relationship, Ren obviously carried the most power. Yet, Lia is a powerful force within herself. Her own power resided in her intelligence, vivacity, beauty and Ren’s insatiable need for her.
One of the issues in the relationship is that Ren’s idea of marriage was inconsistent with the idea of love and trust. I liked how Lia challenged and debated Ren throughout the "process of trust" between the two. As far as Ren is concerned, let’s just say he came to Lia with “emotional baggage” from his previous relationship where he was burned by his betrothed & cousin. Lia had to “unpack” his emotional luggage…lol
One of the parts that I thought was ironic was how Ren was constantly processing what Lia meant to him, and in one instance he tells his uncle and cousins that Lia is merely a vessel to produce his heir and he plans to set her aside after she provides him with an heir and a "spare." That was actually laughable because, it was evident, that Ren would never be able to let her go. The man was hopelessly, devastatingly in love with Lia. He was simply in denial, at this point. Unfortunately, Lia over hears this conversation and this initiates a huge fight between the pair. I was always rooting for Lia during this fight. Ofcourse, the make-up sex was ON FIRE and both gained in relational depth. ☺
Eventually, Ren, who struggles to communicate his emotions, conveys to Lia how much he loves her and needs her. That part in the relationship was really satisfying. Overall, Ren and Lia are inseparable. I love how Ren adored Lia and never let her go (even when she tried to escape from him). I loved how he made himself vulnerable and apologized to Lia (especially after he acted like an ass).
Overall, the love scenes were plentiful, very steamy & combustible. I will definitely re-read this book from time to time.
Narration: I listened to the audiobook and it was just masterful! It was probably the best listening experience because it was like audio theater for the senses. I am so addicted to audiobooks for this reason. Dennis Kleinman and Victria J. Mayers performed with excellence. This is probably the best audiobook I’ve listened to. It was such a treat to listen to!
October 28, 2014
I give this one a solid 3.5 stars.
It was an enjoyable, quick read but the premise was a little too contrived for my taste. I did like it and read it in one day but the plot, for the most part, has been used before.
The plot boils down to the heroine being kidnapped by thugs her aunt has hired to kill her but they decide to make some money by selling her to a slaver. She is taken to another country where she attempts to escape her captors by running away in the busy market setting. This is where she meets, or I should say sees, our hero. He is captivated by her eyes (aren't they all?) and can't get her out of his head. His friend stops him from attempting to rescue her because that's how the country operates. He later decides to go to the slave auction, buy her back, and take her to her family. This, of course, isn't how the rest of the book continues but that would give away a lot more information then some readers may want to know.
The dialogue between the characters was interesting. The interactions between the heroine and just about everyone else was very telling. But she was a likeable character in that she wasn't a doormat. I liked that she was feisty but she jumps to conclusions a lot. To be fair, I probably would have done some of the things she did but she acted without thought to anyone else and that was not the best characterization I would have liked to see.
The hero is arrogant, as befits his exalted station in life, and overbearing. He has a "my way or the highway" approach to life and assumes that everyone else will just fall in line. He is unprepared for Lia (our heroine) to barge into his life and turn everything upside down.
Is there a happy ending? Yes
Would I re-read this book? Probably not.
Why not? This plot has been done before and while the slavery aspect of it was a slightly new spin I just couldn't believe that the characters were actually in love. It seemed as if overnight their lust became love. Of course, the rash decisions made by both the hero and the heroine didn't really endear them to me.
Overall, my reaction to this book was:
***Author provided copy in exchange for an honest review***
It was an enjoyable, quick read but the premise was a little too contrived for my taste. I did like it and read it in one day but the plot, for the most part, has been used before.
The plot boils down to the heroine being kidnapped by thugs her aunt has hired to kill her but they decide to make some money by selling her to a slaver. She is taken to another country where she attempts to escape her captors by running away in the busy market setting. This is where she meets, or I should say sees, our hero. He is captivated by her eyes (aren't they all?) and can't get her out of his head. His friend stops him from attempting to rescue her because that's how the country operates. He later decides to go to the slave auction, buy her back, and take her to her family. This, of course, isn't how the rest of the book continues but that would give away a lot more information then some readers may want to know.
The dialogue between the characters was interesting. The interactions between the heroine and just about everyone else was very telling. But she was a likeable character in that she wasn't a doormat. I liked that she was feisty but she jumps to conclusions a lot. To be fair, I probably would have done some of the things she did but she acted without thought to anyone else and that was not the best characterization I would have liked to see.
The hero is arrogant, as befits his exalted station in life, and overbearing. He has a "my way or the highway" approach to life and assumes that everyone else will just fall in line. He is unprepared for Lia (our heroine) to barge into his life and turn everything upside down.
Is there a happy ending? Yes
Would I re-read this book? Probably not.
Why not? This plot has been done before and while the slavery aspect of it was a slightly new spin I just couldn't believe that the characters were actually in love. It seemed as if overnight their lust became love. Of course, the rash decisions made by both the hero and the heroine didn't really endear them to me.
Overall, my reaction to this book was:
***Author provided copy in exchange for an honest review***
January 27, 2015
the 9th duke of Caversham marries Angelia in Italy. Mia agreed to marry him for saving her little brother Luciano whom the sailor's named Lucky. Her aunt was slowly starving him to death. They rescued Luciano and Lia and Ren were married by a Catholic padre in Genoa. They then set sail for London. When they arrived in London Mia couldn't believe the smell. He had his carriage brought aroundand went to his townhouse in London. Lia was in awe of St. Paul's Cathedral. When they were greeted by the servants, Lia was happy and surprised by her Italian maid. She and Ren loved ed each other tremendously. They had to be wary of Ren's cousin Thomas who tried to kill him previously. The law was after him. He'd do anything to stop Ren and his heir as we find out Lia is pregnant.
November 12, 2014
WOW WHAT A LOVE STORY!!
WOW!! Caversham's Bride is one of the best love stories I have read all year. It is a definite re read!!! This love story takes you from the docks of Tangiers, Morocco and it its rich Muslim cultures to the backdrop of Genoa, Italy and it's amazing beauty and and people and then to the lively city of London, England and its beautiful countryside. This love story is so rich in different culture and so well written that you feel like you are their with the characters. The love between the 9th Duke Marcus Renfield Halden and the beautiful Italian, lover and wife Angelia Serena Gualtiero aka Kamilah aka Lia was hot erotic and romantic. Ren as he is called arrives in Tangiers and while waiting for his long time friend Prince Harkim in the market area he witness's a young green eye women being hauled through the market on her way to being sold as a slave. Angelia aka Lia or Kamillah has been sold into slavery by her evil aunt the Contessa Zia Claudina who actually told her kidnappers to kill her.The kidnapper knew they could get even more money for a young virgin so they sold her. Ren is immediately attracted to her & can see the fear and distress in her beautiful green eyes he make arrangements to an buy her Ren gets his friend Dr. Ismael Ben Sadir to go with him and Prince Harkim to purchase her.
Once Ren has meet Lia she tells him her story of how her aunt has betrayed her an is likely to kill her young brother of 8yrs an there old nurse Maura. Of course the reason being is that there parents have died and left them a fortune. The aunt wants the money. The relationship between Ren an Lia is very believable as Ren has also, suffered betrayal by his cousin Thomas Whitby and his betroth Margaret. He agrees to take her back to Italy to get her brother and their nurse. Lia agrees to marry him an beget an heir. Thus the erotic love story begins. They resolve there problems intelligently. There are no stupid misunderstanding that could have resolved with communication. This is one of the things I loved about this book Ren and Lia build true lasting relationship based on real communication, truth and no coy deceptions. The story moves quickly and has an excellent cast of supporting Characters even the Prince Regent. Ren eventually resolves the problem of his cousin Thomas and he get is just revenge. The only villain that didn't get her comeuppance was Margaret. I think she deserved to be exposed for her part of the betrayal. I don't like it when villains get off Scot free and she does becasue of her fathers relationship with the Prince Regent. I don't want to give away anymore of the story but as you can tell I was really in love with this HR and can't wait to read more by this author Sandy Raven. Well Done!!
WOW!! Caversham's Bride is one of the best love stories I have read all year. It is a definite re read!!! This love story takes you from the docks of Tangiers, Morocco and it its rich Muslim cultures to the backdrop of Genoa, Italy and it's amazing beauty and and people and then to the lively city of London, England and its beautiful countryside. This love story is so rich in different culture and so well written that you feel like you are their with the characters. The love between the 9th Duke Marcus Renfield Halden and the beautiful Italian, lover and wife Angelia Serena Gualtiero aka Kamilah aka Lia was hot erotic and romantic. Ren as he is called arrives in Tangiers and while waiting for his long time friend Prince Harkim in the market area he witness's a young green eye women being hauled through the market on her way to being sold as a slave. Angelia aka Lia or Kamillah has been sold into slavery by her evil aunt the Contessa Zia Claudina who actually told her kidnappers to kill her.The kidnapper knew they could get even more money for a young virgin so they sold her. Ren is immediately attracted to her & can see the fear and distress in her beautiful green eyes he make arrangements to an buy her Ren gets his friend Dr. Ismael Ben Sadir to go with him and Prince Harkim to purchase her.
Once Ren has meet Lia she tells him her story of how her aunt has betrayed her an is likely to kill her young brother of 8yrs an there old nurse Maura. Of course the reason being is that there parents have died and left them a fortune. The aunt wants the money. The relationship between Ren an Lia is very believable as Ren has also, suffered betrayal by his cousin Thomas Whitby and his betroth Margaret. He agrees to take her back to Italy to get her brother and their nurse. Lia agrees to marry him an beget an heir. Thus the erotic love story begins. They resolve there problems intelligently. There are no stupid misunderstanding that could have resolved with communication. This is one of the things I loved about this book Ren and Lia build true lasting relationship based on real communication, truth and no coy deceptions. The story moves quickly and has an excellent cast of supporting Characters even the Prince Regent. Ren eventually resolves the problem of his cousin Thomas and he get is just revenge. The only villain that didn't get her comeuppance was Margaret. I think she deserved to be exposed for her part of the betrayal. I don't like it when villains get off Scot free and she does becasue of her fathers relationship with the Prince Regent. I don't want to give away anymore of the story but as you can tell I was really in love with this HR and can't wait to read more by this author Sandy Raven. Well Done!!
May 4, 2018
I enjoyed the beginning of this book. It had all the mystery and thriller things to make this a good read. The better parts of this story were the ability for the writer to actually write the setting for three different locations. From somewhere in the Middle East in a prince's palace, to Italy, and finally London, the writer did well to capture the details of each splendidly.
The bad parts came with over sex scene. After a while I really started skipping over them around the 8th time and finally was relieved when they stopped being included in the story.
The story also started to drag on. The day to day mundane events that were written dulled this story. I actually was becoming sea sick after four chapters of traveling on a ship. Over have of the book was written as they traveled to get home. When they finally got to their destination, I was happy that they skipped months instead of writing every account of it.
In the end I really think this could have been a better story. I found that the climatic event at the end was less epic due to being drowned out by all the other day to day stuff. I just had no interest left while I skimmed the last couple of chapters.
Over all, this story was... MEH. It could have been more if there was more action and adventure but seeing as how the lead female was guarded through most of this story, it didn't really allow for such things. Anyways, I think I would have traded or donated this book to a book store or a library if it wasn't in fact an eBook.
The bad parts came with over sex scene. After a while I really started skipping over them around the 8th time and finally was relieved when they stopped being included in the story.
The story also started to drag on. The day to day mundane events that were written dulled this story. I actually was becoming sea sick after four chapters of traveling on a ship. Over have of the book was written as they traveled to get home. When they finally got to their destination, I was happy that they skipped months instead of writing every account of it.
In the end I really think this could have been a better story. I found that the climatic event at the end was less epic due to being drowned out by all the other day to day stuff. I just had no interest left while I skimmed the last couple of chapters.
Over all, this story was... MEH. It could have been more if there was more action and adventure but seeing as how the lead female was guarded through most of this story, it didn't really allow for such things. Anyways, I think I would have traded or donated this book to a book store or a library if it wasn't in fact an eBook.
March 10, 2014
Here’s the thing. Sometimes I just ‘stumble’ on an author or a story and I can’t even know how I did it, and if I love what I ‘discovered’ then there’s nothing that can hold me back from spreading the word and telling you guys all about it.
That’s exactly what happened to me with this author and her Caversham Chronicle series.
In the first book we are following Ren, a Duke that is like no other dukes I’ve read about. He owns a shipping company, and is a Captain of his own ship too!
He finds himself in the middle of a murder mystery and an international intrigue that is one of the best plots I’ve read in a while.
Lia is one of those heroines you will literally jump out of your seat as you read of her predicament and root for her as she risks her life for her baby brother who is in jeopardy.
This story starts off with drama, and is filled with intrigue that will have you at the edge of your seat, but more than anything it is the characters that held me spellbound. Without a doubt this is a character driven plot, with a fast and furious pace that will have you turning pages and dreading the end at the same time, because you just don’t want it to end.
I’m over the moon for discovering this author! This is a well-written and plotted and story with brilliant characters and killer dialogue. Highly recommending the entire series.
Melanie for b2b
book purchased from Amazon
That’s exactly what happened to me with this author and her Caversham Chronicle series.
In the first book we are following Ren, a Duke that is like no other dukes I’ve read about. He owns a shipping company, and is a Captain of his own ship too!
He finds himself in the middle of a murder mystery and an international intrigue that is one of the best plots I’ve read in a while.
Lia is one of those heroines you will literally jump out of your seat as you read of her predicament and root for her as she risks her life for her baby brother who is in jeopardy.
This story starts off with drama, and is filled with intrigue that will have you at the edge of your seat, but more than anything it is the characters that held me spellbound. Without a doubt this is a character driven plot, with a fast and furious pace that will have you turning pages and dreading the end at the same time, because you just don’t want it to end.
I’m over the moon for discovering this author! This is a well-written and plotted and story with brilliant characters and killer dialogue. Highly recommending the entire series.
Melanie for b2b
book purchased from Amazon
November 26, 2014
Setting: Morocco, Italy, England Dec 1818 - Jan 1820
Genre: Romance/erotica
Lia gets sold into slavery by the men her aunt had hired to kill her. Ren buys her in a slave auction in Morocco. They have sex. A lot. Ren agrees to assist her in saving her brother from their evil aunt, so they sail to Italy to do so. They have sex on the ship. They have sex in Italy too. Ren decides to marry her and elevate her to the rank of Duchess. She says no and decides to escape because she is too stupid to live. For some reason, Ren wants to catch her - probably because, really, she is a runaway slave. But England abolished slavery in 1807, but still, he had a lot of money invested in her. Marriage is legal slavery, so I guess that was his only option for keeping her. They sail to England and have sex on the ship. What follows is the whole trust/mistrust plot device and sex. Lots of sex. Love develops and there is more sex. Then there is a death, resurrection, kidnapping, and rescue. But alas, no more sex, not even in the epilogue.
Okay, that's the book, so now you don't have to read it. But maybe you'll want to, because I skipped some. It was getting irritating. And how much sex can 2 people have in one book, while still following a loose plot line?
Genre: Romance/erotica
Lia gets sold into slavery by the men her aunt had hired to kill her. Ren buys her in a slave auction in Morocco. They have sex. A lot. Ren agrees to assist her in saving her brother from their evil aunt, so they sail to Italy to do so. They have sex on the ship. They have sex in Italy too. Ren decides to marry her and elevate her to the rank of Duchess. She says no and decides to escape because she is too stupid to live. For some reason, Ren wants to catch her - probably because, really, she is a runaway slave. But England abolished slavery in 1807, but still, he had a lot of money invested in her. Marriage is legal slavery, so I guess that was his only option for keeping her. They sail to England and have sex on the ship. What follows is the whole trust/mistrust plot device and sex. Lots of sex. Love develops and there is more sex. Then there is a death, resurrection, kidnapping, and rescue. But alas, no more sex, not even in the epilogue.
Okay, that's the book, so now you don't have to read it. But maybe you'll want to, because I skipped some. It was getting irritating. And how much sex can 2 people have in one book, while still following a loose plot line?
August 17, 2021
La sposa di Caversham è il primo volume della serie romance storica Le cronache dei Caversham, nella quale i protagonisti sono i membri dell'omonima famiglia.
In questo primo volume facciamo la conoscenza di Marcus, il nono duca di Caversham e Lia, una giovane donna italiana.
La storia è raccontata dal punto di vista dei due protagonisti e devo dire che li ho trovati simpatici e ben caratterizzati. Lia è una donna che nonostante le numerose avversità (e ne passa davvero tante) non si arrende. E' intelligente e coraggiosa. Ma è il personaggio maschile che ha avuto l'evoluzione più interessante. Inizialmente si presenta come un uomo che non ha più alcuna fiducia nelle donne per poi trasformarsi in un uomo innamorato e protettivo.
Mi è piaciuta molto la chimica che si sprigiona tra i due. Una storia d'amore dolce ma anche molto passionale (niente di volgare o per riempire le pagine).
La trama è ricca di avvenimenti soprattutto nella prima parte del romanzo, ha un buon ritmo e riesce a far trascorrere al lettore delle ore piacevoli.
Se cercate qualcosa di leggero e coinvolgente, questo potrebbe fare al caso vostro.
In questo primo volume facciamo la conoscenza di Marcus, il nono duca di Caversham e Lia, una giovane donna italiana.
La storia è raccontata dal punto di vista dei due protagonisti e devo dire che li ho trovati simpatici e ben caratterizzati. Lia è una donna che nonostante le numerose avversità (e ne passa davvero tante) non si arrende. E' intelligente e coraggiosa. Ma è il personaggio maschile che ha avuto l'evoluzione più interessante. Inizialmente si presenta come un uomo che non ha più alcuna fiducia nelle donne per poi trasformarsi in un uomo innamorato e protettivo.
Mi è piaciuta molto la chimica che si sprigiona tra i due. Una storia d'amore dolce ma anche molto passionale (niente di volgare o per riempire le pagine).
La trama è ricca di avvenimenti soprattutto nella prima parte del romanzo, ha un buon ritmo e riesce a far trascorrere al lettore delle ore piacevoli.
Se cercate qualcosa di leggero e coinvolgente, questo potrebbe fare al caso vostro.
Read
May 28, 2023DNF 35% :(
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December 1, 2014
This will be a quick one.
Honestly I wasn't a fan, I only made it to chapter 6. It had all the promise of being a good read- a damsel in distress, a dashing hero but for some reason it lacked a certain spark for me. I didn't feel connected to the characters and the back ground stories to the characters felt a little rushed. The connection between Ren and Lia just seemed to happen, there was no build up of attraction between them.
Honestly I wasn't a fan, I only made it to chapter 6. It had all the promise of being a good read- a damsel in distress, a dashing hero but for some reason it lacked a certain spark for me. I didn't feel connected to the characters and the back ground stories to the characters felt a little rushed. The connection between Ren and Lia just seemed to happen, there was no build up of attraction between them.
July 4, 2013
Wow, this book is going on my favorites shelf! I LOVED it! I adored the heroine and the hero. Lia is a great heroine, strong, smart, and loyal to her family. Good pacing to the story. Steamy! I absolutely loved it, I can't say that enough about the book. All the emotion of an older Julie Garwood or Judith McNaught, but with hotter love scenes.
July 26, 2016
i came across this one by accident and i enjoyed it as you can see. i am picky about historicals but the beginning pulled me in. the story was not new but the locations where it started were and the characters were likable, to me at least. i saw other reviews and they either loved this or hated it. i thought the characters really evolved and the story moved at a good pace.
August 9, 2016
Mesmerizing!!!
Romantic fiction at its best... exquisitely written.
A fantastic adventure, strengthened by characters with depth and an enticing blend of love and passion.
An impressive debut book by Sandy Raven and leaves you wanting for more. I absolutely loved it!
Romantic fiction at its best... exquisitely written.
A fantastic adventure, strengthened by characters with depth and an enticing blend of love and passion.
An impressive debut book by Sandy Raven and leaves you wanting for more. I absolutely loved it!
November 28, 2017
I love me some historical romance for sure. Even so, if given the choice between 35 plot points and two sex scenes versus 35 sex scenes and two plot points I will always choose the former. This book contains the latter.
June 25, 2020
It's been almost a year since I read this e-book, it's just today that I realized I hadn't posted its review yet. So come on ...
This is the first book in the series The Chronicles of Caversham by author Sandy Raven, which is still new here by the Brazilian bands. But it has a fluid writing, delicious and easy to read.
This is a captivating story and at the same time different from the ones I am used to reading among authors of the genre. Once again it reminded me a lot of the plots of the Historical Classics that were thrown on newsstands. Continuing with the same pattern of the previous reading that was the prologue, the author brings the story of Angelia Gualtiero and Marcus Renfield Halden, ninth Duke of Caversham.
Angelia or Lia as she will be called during the course of the story, is an Italian woman who is in strange lands in search of saving her brother. Lia is one of those heroines that you literally cheer for her, as she risks her life for the sake of her younger brother without measuring the consequences. It doesn't matter the effort and what you have to go through, as long as you can get it back.
We met Ren in the prologue, a duke like no other duke I've ever read. He owns a shipping company and is also the captain of his own ship. He is visiting a friend in Tangier, Morocco, and when they are in an exotic market he hears screams, gets close and ends up getting involved in the biggest mess of his life. Something that will affect you forever. A murder mystery and an international intrigue that is one of the best plots I've read in recent times.
All he wants at first is to save the poor girl with emerald green eyes, who was sold as a slave, but as the days go by he gets to know her better, notices her anguish and embarrassment and decides that he wants more than just saving her, he wants it for himself.
The story is full of adventures, hot love scenes and exotic places that are somewhat used in period and historical novels that I have the habit of reading.
My only addendum is the translation and proofreading part, which, in my opinion, was not done in order to give more quality to the text, the luck is that this does not affect the good progress of the reading.
The characters were well written and very well developed. The changes in their relationship were treated in a smooth, gradual way. And that was one of the highlights for me. Despite the book not having great twists and turns nor having a great climax, it managed to arrest me and make me satisfied at its end. I recommend reading.
The e-book of the prologue and this one, were kindly given to me by the author for an honest review.
This is the first book in the series The Chronicles of Caversham by author Sandy Raven, which is still new here by the Brazilian bands. But it has a fluid writing, delicious and easy to read.
This is a captivating story and at the same time different from the ones I am used to reading among authors of the genre. Once again it reminded me a lot of the plots of the Historical Classics that were thrown on newsstands. Continuing with the same pattern of the previous reading that was the prologue, the author brings the story of Angelia Gualtiero and Marcus Renfield Halden, ninth Duke of Caversham.
Angelia or Lia as she will be called during the course of the story, is an Italian woman who is in strange lands in search of saving her brother. Lia is one of those heroines that you literally cheer for her, as she risks her life for the sake of her younger brother without measuring the consequences. It doesn't matter the effort and what you have to go through, as long as you can get it back.
We met Ren in the prologue, a duke like no other duke I've ever read. He owns a shipping company and is also the captain of his own ship. He is visiting a friend in Tangier, Morocco, and when they are in an exotic market he hears screams, gets close and ends up getting involved in the biggest mess of his life. Something that will affect you forever. A murder mystery and an international intrigue that is one of the best plots I've read in recent times.
All he wants at first is to save the poor girl with emerald green eyes, who was sold as a slave, but as the days go by he gets to know her better, notices her anguish and embarrassment and decides that he wants more than just saving her, he wants it for himself.
The story is full of adventures, hot love scenes and exotic places that are somewhat used in period and historical novels that I have the habit of reading.
My only addendum is the translation and proofreading part, which, in my opinion, was not done in order to give more quality to the text, the luck is that this does not affect the good progress of the reading.
The characters were well written and very well developed. The changes in their relationship were treated in a smooth, gradual way. And that was one of the highlights for me. Despite the book not having great twists and turns nor having a great climax, it managed to arrest me and make me satisfied at its end. I recommend reading.
The e-book of the prologue and this one, were kindly given to me by the author for an honest review.
January 28, 2019
Worth Reading
This is the first book I have read from this author. I happened to see it in the recommendations in my Apple ibooks store but I bought it via Amazon so it can go to my Kindle. It is quite a lengthy plot but worth reading.
It starts of with Lia’s abduction and was sold into slavery but Marcus bought her freedom before she was actually forced to become someone’s sex slave. A bargain was struck which resulted in their marriage. From there the plot unfolds with incidents and twists. Nothing too dramatic and heavy (no stubborn angst and bitterness and senseless arguing and misunderstanding). I liked that the main focus of the story was Marcus and Lia and their love story. It was heavy on their interactions and growth as a couple. So aside from conversations and introspections/ inner dialogues, expect a couple of lovemaking scenes that are descriptive but not vulgar. The plot twists outside of their journey to falling in love is provided by a villain and family dynamics. And there is an epilogue which I think is always a nice touch to an already happy ending.
The book was well written and thought of. It made me happy reading it because it was such a light and refreshing plot. There are bodice ripper books that borders on erotica and then there are books that are sweet and cleverly written that takes a reader on a journey to love. This book is a combination of both.
This is the first book I have read from this author. I happened to see it in the recommendations in my Apple ibooks store but I bought it via Amazon so it can go to my Kindle. It is quite a lengthy plot but worth reading.
It starts of with Lia’s abduction and was sold into slavery but Marcus bought her freedom before she was actually forced to become someone’s sex slave. A bargain was struck which resulted in their marriage. From there the plot unfolds with incidents and twists. Nothing too dramatic and heavy (no stubborn angst and bitterness and senseless arguing and misunderstanding). I liked that the main focus of the story was Marcus and Lia and their love story. It was heavy on their interactions and growth as a couple. So aside from conversations and introspections/ inner dialogues, expect a couple of lovemaking scenes that are descriptive but not vulgar. The plot twists outside of their journey to falling in love is provided by a villain and family dynamics. And there is an epilogue which I think is always a nice touch to an already happy ending.
The book was well written and thought of. It made me happy reading it because it was such a light and refreshing plot. There are bodice ripper books that borders on erotica and then there are books that are sweet and cleverly written that takes a reader on a journey to love. This book is a combination of both.
January 1, 2024
Me gusto la historia, me entretuvo cumplio con su cometido.
Al principio si me desepero Lia, pero conforme seguí leyendo me agrado mucho, Rae si me disgustaba muchas veces por la forma de actuar y de decir las cosas.
No tengo tema con las escenas de cama pero creo que aquí si se les paso la mano un poco, creo que si hubiesen quitado algunas estaría bien.
Es la primera vez que leo a esta autora, es parte de una serie sin problema deseando leer los demas libros.
Historia: 3 Estrellas Escenas + 18: 2 Estrellas
Al principio si me desepero Lia, pero conforme seguí leyendo me agrado mucho, Rae si me disgustaba muchas veces por la forma de actuar y de decir las cosas.
No tengo tema con las escenas de cama pero creo que aquí si se les paso la mano un poco, creo que si hubiesen quitado algunas estaría bien.
Es la primera vez que leo a esta autora, es parte de una serie sin problema deseando leer los demas libros.
Historia: 3 Estrellas Escenas + 18: 2 Estrellas
June 6, 2021
Great plot but needs an editor
I enjoyed this story and the characters, several of whom matured from where they started. I must say, though, that the book, like so many in this genre, really needs an editor. In fact, every writer needs a professional editor. Even Jane Austen had an editor. Come on, authors, hire an expert, and your work will shine that much brighter.
I enjoyed this story and the characters, several of whom matured from where they started. I must say, though, that the book, like so many in this genre, really needs an editor. In fact, every writer needs a professional editor. Even Jane Austen had an editor. Come on, authors, hire an expert, and your work will shine that much brighter.
February 24, 2024
ME GUSTÓ
Una historia muy bonita pero estoy muy triste por enterarme de la muerte de Amelia y de su esposo como es que la autora nos da ese hermoso y corto libro de la Señorita amelia pesca un duque y nos hace querer a esos personajes y luego en este libro nos los quita de esta manera muy triste y muy decepcionante pero bueno que más se puede hacer
Una historia muy bonita pero estoy muy triste por enterarme de la muerte de Amelia y de su esposo como es que la autora nos da ese hermoso y corto libro de la Señorita amelia pesca un duque y nos hace querer a esos personajes y luego en este libro nos los quita de esta manera muy triste y muy decepcionante pero bueno que más se puede hacer
September 9, 2017
Fun and sexy
March 11, 2018
Great book!
Think I found a new favorite author!! Was a good read from the start, with twists and turns, especially at the end!
Think I found a new favorite author!! Was a good read from the start, with twists and turns, especially at the end!
April 28, 2019
Great story, interesting characters, but overwritten, too long and language v clunky in parts.
September 9, 2023
I was interested in the characters but found this to be too much of a bodice ripper vs a story with steamy scenes.
I kinda pulled my way through it as I was curious how it played out.
I kinda pulled my way through it as I was curious how it played out.
November 21, 2023
Could not finish
mission-aborted
March 22, 2014REVIEW OF FIRST 4 & HALF CHAPTERS; MARCH 21, 2014
Narrators: Dennis Kleinman & Victoria J. Mayers
First off, the narration was excellent. This is what I mean by "real" dual narrators - Kleinman speaking the male part of the dialogue, and Mayers, the female.
At the start, in chapter one, Mayers was speaking way too fast - something I've noticed female narrators doing more than male narrators. Kleinman's pacing was good, as all male narrators tend to be, in my experience. The only male narrator I've come across who sped through his lines has been Jeff Gelder. His narration of Caught Running, by Urban and Roux, made it impossible for me to listen to the book even though I tried three times.
Thankfully, Mayers slowed down from chapter 2 onwards and was beautiful:) Her voice, though not the warm, husky type, has a pleasant quality nonethless and the mixing of male and female voices did not sound odd to me, as it does some other listeners. Kleinman's accents for the Moroccan characters was very good and very distinguishable. He was sheer pleasure to listen to.
The story, unfortunately, did not fare so well but because I enjoyed the narration so much, I plan to return to this book another day. It started off well enough and made me think of those old bodice-ripper classics I'd heard about or read the blurbs but never the books - heroine gets abducted and sold as a slave, returns one day to merry ol' England or something like that. In CB's case, the heroine ends up sold in a Moroccan slave market to the Earl of Caversham. Sounded yummy, right? Well, it took too bloody long for there to be any interaction between the H/h. After four chapters, I was getting impatient. Halfway through chapter 5, the heroine, now cured of her opium addiction, and Caversham start talking. And talking. And it's all about her plan to rescue her brother and old nurse. I wanted some personal, relational interaction between them so that I could get a feel of their relationship. I needed to feel some chemistry so that I could get emotionally-invested in them but I was denied that.
I gave up five pages in to chapter five in the audio and listened to the surprising engaging Mary Calmes' Parting Shot. This morning I peeked at the rest of CB's chapter 5 and see that there's a sex scene, ending with the heroine accepting Caversham's proposal of marriage. That could get the story going (maybe) because I wanted a Regency romance with hot sex, not one set outside of Regency London, but the Morocco bit lured me into thinking I was getting some exotic action-packed historical.
Anyway, I just wanted to post this review more as a note to myself should I want to know whether to resume or not.
Narrators: Dennis Kleinman & Victoria J. Mayers
First off, the narration was excellent. This is what I mean by "real" dual narrators - Kleinman speaking the male part of the dialogue, and Mayers, the female.
At the start, in chapter one, Mayers was speaking way too fast - something I've noticed female narrators doing more than male narrators. Kleinman's pacing was good, as all male narrators tend to be, in my experience. The only male narrator I've come across who sped through his lines has been Jeff Gelder. His narration of Caught Running, by Urban and Roux, made it impossible for me to listen to the book even though I tried three times.
Thankfully, Mayers slowed down from chapter 2 onwards and was beautiful:) Her voice, though not the warm, husky type, has a pleasant quality nonethless and the mixing of male and female voices did not sound odd to me, as it does some other listeners. Kleinman's accents for the Moroccan characters was very good and very distinguishable. He was sheer pleasure to listen to.
The story, unfortunately, did not fare so well but because I enjoyed the narration so much, I plan to return to this book another day. It started off well enough and made me think of those old bodice-ripper classics I'd heard about or read the blurbs but never the books - heroine gets abducted and sold as a slave, returns one day to merry ol' England or something like that. In CB's case, the heroine ends up sold in a Moroccan slave market to the Earl of Caversham. Sounded yummy, right? Well, it took too bloody long for there to be any interaction between the H/h. After four chapters, I was getting impatient. Halfway through chapter 5, the heroine, now cured of her opium addiction, and Caversham start talking. And talking. And it's all about her plan to rescue her brother and old nurse. I wanted some personal, relational interaction between them so that I could get a feel of their relationship. I needed to feel some chemistry so that I could get emotionally-invested in them but I was denied that.
I gave up five pages in to chapter five in the audio and listened to the surprising engaging Mary Calmes' Parting Shot. This morning I peeked at the rest of CB's chapter 5 and see that there's a sex scene, ending with the heroine accepting Caversham's proposal of marriage. That could get the story going (maybe) because I wanted a Regency romance with hot sex, not one set outside of Regency London, but the Morocco bit lured me into thinking I was getting some exotic action-packed historical.
Anyway, I just wanted to post this review more as a note to myself should I want to know whether to resume or not.
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