The Prodigal Daughter

by Allison Lane

After marrying a soldier against her father's wishes, a young widow is condemned to live a sheltered life, and above all to avoid a haughty but handsome duke, whom she must forfeit to her stepsister. Original.

Genres: Romance, Regency, Historical Romance, 19th Century, Historical

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Allison Lane is the author of 20 Regency novels and 6 novellas. She is a Holt Medallion Winner and the 2005 Romantic Times Career Achievement Award Winner, as well as National Readers' Choice Awards Finalist for three books.

Notes from Allison Lane:

I am not one of those who always wanted to be a writer, though I suspect I wanted to be just about everything else -- doctor, astronaut, artist, scientist, and concert pianist, to name only a few. My actual careers were not quite so exciting. Designing computer software and running horse shows gave way to motherhood, home improvement projects, and teaching piano. But books have always been one of the cornerstones of my life.

When I was growing up in the mid-west, reading and music kept me sane through frequent changes of address. As an adult, books offered a respite from the strain of daily living. Often I would finish the last page with the thought, I wish I were that creative. Occasionally it would change to, Surely even I could do better than this! So one day I tried. But this is not a fairy tale, folks. My first book was less than stellar. In fact, it stunk. Good writing is hard work. But I enjoyed the process (or maybe I just enjoy playing God) so I tried again. By the third tale, I had a publishable story.

Where am I headed in the future? I don’t yet know. For now, I write Regencies. It is a fascinating period and an entertaining genre. My work is classed as traditional though I don’t consider it in quite that way. I try to avoid clichés -- except for happy endings, of course; those are what offer us respite from that daily crisis. But I like to pose universal problems to my characters and then watch them find solutions. I have long been fascinated by how people surmount problems to find the happiness that we all deserve.

These days my spare time is limited. Writing consumes most of my day. I still read as much as ever and keep up with the world of science. And everyone knows better than to step between me and a TV during football season -- it somehow takes an extra month to complete fall manuscripts.

From: Regency Reads

Reviews

[Margo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was very grim and gory. It wasn't romantic. As always, the h was awesome.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm, I did like this. I was probably most interested in the sister's story and how she grew to figure out what she wanted.

Didn't really think the hero and heroine had enough time to fall in love and not sure I entirely bought the father/daughter reconciliation, though it was better than most.

Fulfills "Eloping" for 2019 Ripped Bodice Bingo

[Deborah KV · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not another accident!

A clean regency, filled with tons of repitive introspection and the redemption of 3 main characters.
But the occurrence of so many accidents involving the same individuals over a brief stretch of time strains the credulity of a reasonable person: fatal inn fire, coach submerged in water, fall from horse twice, boy with injury, carriage accident, and barn fire. Also a stretch is the reflective transformation of so many in such a short time. So frequent were these reflections that it characters spent more time divulging secrets, wallowing in recriminations, and exploring the antecedents of behaviorial characteristics than they did engaging in actual activity.
If it weren't for appreciation for some of the characters, this romance would fail. But it manages to accomplish the biggest rescue of all: pulling itself above water.

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is basically a book about PTST following the battle of Waterloo. Although there are other topics such as the deplorable childhood, that most nobility perpetuated on their children, that was a secondary subject. This was not a light hearted regency. As a personal note, if the history is correct, and a reference is made to Harry Smith I have a very hard time, not giving it at least four stars.

[Anne Patkau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lane holds fast belief Amanda changes Nicholas, papa Thorne, helped by Duke of Wellington. Author blends war, love, variations. "War is hell." Jack died at Waterloo.
"Ornery, arrogant" Nick vs "outspoken, managing" Amanda. "I love him! No!" Typos: 17.4 Amanda IS Emily 17.22 affect IS effect

[HistoricalHussy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Z. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like this book kind of sagged in the middle (having Wellington himself show up to talk about how amazing the heroine is a bit much - but even that is more complex than it first appears), but the character development won me over by the end. The treatment of both main characters' previous marriages was interesting, especially the heroine's.

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Regency

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet.

[Mary23nm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starchy duke hero meets take-charge healer and army widow.