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The Defiant Lady

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England, 1815. Beautiful, intelligent Ivy Sinclair is the illegitimate daughter of a duke and his Parisian mistress. After the unexpected death of her parents, Ivy journeys to England to live with her paternal grandmother.

While adjusting to the rigors of a new life, Ivy meets the Earl of Stanton, Cyrus Corbin Archibald. As Ivy and Cy begin to fall in love, they are thrown into a world of danger and deceit. Will they survive the perils of love, or be torn from one another?

N.B: There's sex in this book. A lot of sex. You've been warned.

Unknown Binding

First published May 12, 2011

39 people are currently reading
709 people want to read

About the author

Samantha Garman

14 books312 followers
Samantha Garman writes stories of love, laughter, and life. She is a lover of all things romance, a full-time puppy mama, and a bonafide klutz.

When she's not busy spilling things, she can be found reading a book or taking photos of the wee beastie and posting them on Instagram.


WRITING MAFIA ROMANCE AS EMMA SLATE:

The SINS Series
Wreck & Ruin (Blue Angels MC Romance)

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5 stars
46 (31%)
4 stars
43 (29%)
3 stars
35 (24%)
2 stars
14 (9%)
1 star
7 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer C.
245 reviews33 followers
May 28, 2011
This is a wonderful, typical, Historical Romance with all the elements of a classic story. The characters are well developed and you really feel for them. You feel the genuine love between the hero and heroine, as well as the supporting characters right down to the grandmother. This is a story rich in family, love, jealousy, secrets and the ever sought after Happily Ever After.

I recommend this book to lovers of early 19th century historical romance who wants a story focused on the romance and all other pieces to be secondary.

I will definitely be on the watch for more books by Ms. Garman.
Profile Image for Abigail.
84 reviews7 followers
January 30, 2012
Downloaded this on the recommendation/ad on Smart Bitches/Trash Romance. For the price ($1?) it wasn't bad. It's not one that I would read again but for commute reading it was okay.
333 reviews1 follower
December 30, 2022
Dec 2022

A reasonable story with a proper ending. There are numerous characters some are well depicted others could been made more of. I take it the Langleys have their title from Europe as we don't have Counts but Viscounts and Earls
1,148 reviews39 followers
April 12, 2014
A richly evocative, sensual story containing authenticity in abundance

In-depth historical research and wonderful descriptive passages present a rounded, vivid backdrop to this sublime story. The well-written narrative contains all the elements that you would expect to find within a classic literary novel, including rounded characters that are highly believable and interesting. I really felt for the two lovers/ hero & heroine of this story and fell ‘under their spell’ as to speak! This truly enchanting story about family, love, secrets and jealousy is an engaging romp into the past. I would classify this book as a fusion of various genres, as there is a touch of erotica and women’s fiction {chick-lit} within the storyline. The electrifying intensity between the two passionate lovers is so energized that sparks fly from the pages! Steamy, sultry and deliciously tempting this book radiates magnetism that will catch the eye of any fan of ‘Historical romance’.

England, 1815. Ivy Sinclair {the illegitimate daughter of a Duke} is sent to live with her grandmother. While adjusting to her new life she falls under the spell of the charming Earl of Stanton, Cyrus Corbin Archibald. As Ivy and Cy fall in love, they are thrown into a world filled with danger and deceit that threatens their happiness together.

Samantha Garman has written a convincing story that you can easily envisage in your mind, due to the descriptive language and wonderful ambience. Alongside the exciting plot containing mystery and suspense, is a brilliant cast of characters all of whom embody the expected traits of intention {for instance the villains are pure evil and vindictive!}. Anyone seeking a sensational story containing tasteful love scenes, singular flair and great characterization will love this satisfying read.

After all, Happily Ever After is worth fighting for!

3.5 Stars

*I won a paperback copy of The Defiant Lady By Samantha Garman through a first-read giveaway on Goodreads *
Author 9 books98 followers
October 15, 2011
A Defiant Lady gives us a glimpse into the world of nobility in 1815 England. Two sisters, Ivy and Willow, young women born in France to a woman who was the lover of a wealthy and titled man from England, find themselves desperate enough after their mother dies to ask their paternal grandmother for a place to live. The duchess is not at all pleased at the plight of the two sisters, but takes them in and begins to educate them in the ways of the genteel. Ivy, being the oldest and of marrying age, is introduced to a neighbor named Cyrus Corbin Archibald, the earl of Stanton. The earl is in a desperate situation himself, he finds that he must marry to pay off a large debt his father had passed on to him or lose everything. When the duchess makes a deal with him to marry her granddaughter to pay off his debt, he is unsure about the arrangement until he sees Ivy for himself. However, after meeting her and getting to know her, they seal the engagement.
Ivy and Willow make the rounds at the society parties held in London and Hampshire, and while there, they meet a man – Lord Caldwell who takes an unwanted interest in Ivy. Cy warns him off, but he is not to be deterred. After Caldwell dishonors Ivy, Cy challenges him to a duel. To make matters worse, Cy’s ex-fiancé Emily has started a rumor about why Cy needed to marry Ivy in the first place. Ivy and Cy have many obstacles to overcome before they can have a happy life together.
A Defiant Lady is a well-written historical romance and a good read. The characters are believable and well rounded. The villains are evil and nasty. The descriptions of the characters and surroundings are well done and makes you feel as though you were there attending the parties with the characters. The sex scenes were few, well placed and tastefully done. Because I really enjoyed this book I have to give it a five star rating.

http://hampton-networks.com/book-revi...
Profile Image for Seon Ji (Dawn).
1,051 reviews275 followers
October 14, 2015
Overall, it was an enjoyable read. The H&h are likable, as well as the secondary characters.

Here are my criticisms:

First, the title is misleading. IMHO the h was not Defiant. She had interests in unladylike activities for the time, but I still felt like "Defiant" was too strong a word for this character.

My biggest beef is with the antagonist Caldwell. There is no rhyme or reasons for his actions as "villian" There was no explanation as to why he focused on the h or what his motivation was for his joy of abusing women. There was also no explanation as to his connection with Emily and how he was privy to the knowledge of Cy's debt. His character was the most undeveloped, and weakest I have ever read in any book ever.

I also felt the whole "duel" thing was a bit ridiculous. Just saying.

As a whole, I truly felt that this story could have been more than just "meh" if there was more conflict or drama added. There certainly was potential to do so but it seemed as if the author didn't want to see anything bad happen to her characters, and whatever little conflict there was, she easily resolved and had made the characters most forgiving of each other.

Still, I enjoyed it and did not feel it was a waste of my time or money. I would consider reading another of the authors books in the future.
Profile Image for Debra.
327 reviews1 follower
November 3, 2015
Wonderful and beautiful

Thank you for another book to remember. I shall look forward to reading your work. For your name will forever be in my thoughts. Never a dull moment. Most of all your books don't linger on when a dispute between the characters arrive. They are quickly resolved and goes on to better things. Your books leave your readers quite satisfied. You know people in their latter years fall in love to. It would be interesting for a writer in this era to make that happen. I have read hundreds of books by different writers but n never a story about an older couple finding a second happy ending. Food for thought I must find another book by you to 'read I am hook. God bless D.H. from New York City
223 reviews1 follower
May 11, 2016
Sweet Romance

An enjoyable love story. The Heroine, Ivy swept off her feet by the Hero, Cy. A grandmother who didn't know her life was empty until her granddaughters entered it. What I liked about the story was that even though they are "illegitimate" granddaughters, there was really no antagonism or bitter harsh bashing about them within the ton. This story was an easy quick read and I can happily say, it is a story I would read again. Also to mention, you actually get two romances for the price of one.
43 reviews1 follower
July 7, 2016
It was alright

Not best book I've read, the historical details were a bit off. And the author doesn't seem to grasp the concept of inheritance of titles. But it was alright. Heroine is spirited, although she gives up her dreams a mite too easily when love comes a knocking. Hero is quite 2d. The Duchess (grandmother character) is interesting enough, scheming matchmaker as befits her status.
Profile Image for Patricia Schuette.
633 reviews3 followers
November 10, 2016
The Parisian ballet dancer

I really enjoyed this story about two sisters who were daughters of an English Duke. They had lived in Paris with their mother who was a ballet dancer. The mother died and they were destitute so wrote to their father's mother for help. She was upset but sent for them surprised at how well they behaved. So they were groomed for London society.
1 review1 follower
Want to read
July 15, 2011
i am feeling like this
1,021 reviews2 followers
January 9, 2013
This book includes some aggravating incorrect word useage, has some editing issues, and the writing
is blah.
Profile Image for Champagne  Couture.
1 review
March 12, 2015
wonderful

Wonderful read! Looking forward to more from this author! Grab some tea and get comfortable and get ready for this one
Profile Image for Sonia.
628 reviews
October 7, 2015
I liked the story, but had to give it two stars for its many descriptive sex scenes that I had to skip. So unnecessary.
Profile Image for Patricia Perez.
656 reviews7 followers
August 21, 2016
Great story

This was the first time I read the work. It was very good and I enjoyed it alot. Hopefully there's more historical romance in the future.
Profile Image for RomLibrary.
5,789 reviews
historical
January 2, 2019
England, 1815. Beautiful, intelligent Ivy Sinclair is the illegitimate daughter of a duke and his Parisian mistress. After the unexpected death of her parents, Ivy journeys to England to live with her paternal grandmother.

While adjusting to the rigors of a new life, Ivy meets the Earl of Stanton, Cyrus Corbin Archibald. As Ivy and Cy begin to fall in love, they are thrown into a world of danger and deceit. Will they survive the perils of love, or be torn from one another?
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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