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The Imperial Season #4
Vienna Wolfe
Vienna, 1814: Europe makes a historic peace...and dances.
Colonel Francis Wolfe, military hero and the new Earl of Warenton, is prepared to do his duty and marry well. He has almost decided upon the well bred and beautiful Miss Sylvia Renleigh, without ever noticing the quiet young woman who is her aunt's over-worked companion. Until Elise practically walks under the hooves of his stallion. It never enters his head that she was daydreaming of him.
Impoverished emigrée, Elise de Sancerre, knows that the earl would never normally look at her. Yet when they meet again at a masked ball, where the world expects him to propose to Sylvia, everything changes. Throw a managing sister and a missing tiara into the equation and all bets are suddenly off.
Colonel Francis Wolfe, military hero and the new Earl of Warenton, is prepared to do his duty and marry well. He has almost decided upon the well bred and beautiful Miss Sylvia Renleigh, without ever noticing the quiet young woman who is her aunt's over-worked companion. Until Elise practically walks under the hooves of his stallion. It never enters his head that she was daydreaming of him.
Impoverished emigrée, Elise de Sancerre, knows that the earl would never normally look at her. Yet when they meet again at a masked ball, where the world expects him to propose to Sylvia, everything changes. Throw a managing sister and a missing tiara into the equation and all bets are suddenly off.
104 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 3, 2017
133 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Mary Lancaster
141 books519 followersMary Lancaster is a USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction and historical romance. She lives in Scotland with her husband, one of three grown-up kids, and a small dog with a big personality.
Her first literary love was historical fiction, a genre which she relishes mixing up with romance and adventure in her own writing. Several of her novels feature actual historical characters as diverse as Hungarian revolutionaries, medieval English outlaws, and a family of eternally rebellious royal Scots. To say nothing of Vlad the Impaler.
Her most recent books are light fun Regency romances, with occasional forays into Victorian mystery.
Connect with Mary on-line:
Website: http://www.MaryLancaster.com
Newsletter sign-up: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mary.lancast...
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/MaryLancaste...
Twitter: @MaryLancNovels https://twitter.com/MaryLancNovels
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Lancaster...
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/mary-...
Her first literary love was historical fiction, a genre which she relishes mixing up with romance and adventure in her own writing. Several of her novels feature actual historical characters as diverse as Hungarian revolutionaries, medieval English outlaws, and a family of eternally rebellious royal Scots. To say nothing of Vlad the Impaler.
Her most recent books are light fun Regency romances, with occasional forays into Victorian mystery.
Connect with Mary on-line:
Website: http://www.MaryLancaster.com
Newsletter sign-up: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mary.lancast...
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/MaryLancaste...
Twitter: @MaryLancNovels https://twitter.com/MaryLancNovels
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Lancaster...
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/mary-...
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 22, 2024
4.5 rounded up to 5 stars.
Very short story but very nice clean romance.
____ THE PLOT ___ 1814, Vienna.
Colonel Francis Wolfe, military hero and unexpectedly new Earl of Warenton after the recent death of his brother, is ready to do his duty and marry a woman, his equal, who would be the perfect Countess of Warenton to present to the world.
Too bad that the beautiful Sylvia Renleigh is also a cold and calculating girl that he would never want in his bed, in any case not after meeting the sweet, lively and spontaneous French refugee Elise.
Elise de Sancerre, like many French nobles, now finds herself in a situation of extreme poverty, tyrannized by Sylvia and her mother.
Thanks to a rescue from an injury and a masquerade ball, the flame of true love will prevail over every convention and hypocrisy of the aristocracy.
_________________
This is installment #4 in a series named "The Imperial Season".
I adored the first 3 books in the series ( all rated 5 stars by me ), all with a usual book length , all readable as standalone but all connected one to each other not only by the setting but also through the characters, so they're more enjoyable if you read them starting with book 1.
----> This is definitely a STANDALONE .
When I saw this one was only a short story, with the same setting ( 1814 Congress of Vienna ), but not linked to the others, I don't know why, but I felt so disappointed that I put it aside.
I also decided not to read it at all... until yesterday, when I needed something short to read, something not very demanding but which made me dream a little.
WELL, I LOVED IT !!
SO BAD IT'S TOO SHORT !! (That's why I consider it only 4.5 and not really 5 full stars )
____ THE HEROINE, Elise, 26 years old, is dreamy and spontaneous, just like many of us, when we imagine that the man of our dreams will finally come to take us away on his white horse.
She says what she thinks before even considering that perhaps it is not covered by the rules of etiquette and is so humble that she doesn't think for a moment that her dream could really come true.
... Do you know? It sometimes happens that the heroines of novels are too sweet, too beautiful and desired by everyone, too humble, too good, too this and too that... I LIKE ELISE, I find her pleasant in everything, and she deserves to be happy!
____ THE HERO, Francis is the soldier who never thought about marriage, he enjoyed the good life with women, he always held the military corps in high regard and less the civilian world, but he is a kind, intelligent and sometimes playful man.
Maybe now, at 38, he finally wants to settle down, but not out of calculation... he realizes that he wants a bond made of love.
___ KISSING AND ROMANTIC SCENES ___
This is a short story, so there isn't enough, but the two scenes (the central one and the final one) with kisses first stolen, then sweet, then passionate, their making love and the words he says to her, they are very beautiful and very sweet.
Dear Mrs. Lancaster, why didn't you write a book instead of a short story?
I loved it but it's too short!
Dear writer, you are one of my favourites, so I ask you:
Please, could you write a series with these two characters together, who, even if they are now married, have wonderful adventures (and perhaps investigations) in every book of the series?
A bit similar to Crime and Passion series, but without changing couples every time, focus on the love story of these two! I would be so happy !
... I know you won't read the review, I know you won't please me, but I tried anyway!
Thanks to all for reading my opinion and please forgive any errors you can find in my text, English is not my mother language.
Very short story but very nice clean romance.
____ THE PLOT ___ 1814, Vienna.
Colonel Francis Wolfe, military hero and unexpectedly new Earl of Warenton after the recent death of his brother, is ready to do his duty and marry a woman, his equal, who would be the perfect Countess of Warenton to present to the world.
Too bad that the beautiful Sylvia Renleigh is also a cold and calculating girl that he would never want in his bed, in any case not after meeting the sweet, lively and spontaneous French refugee Elise.
Elise de Sancerre, like many French nobles, now finds herself in a situation of extreme poverty, tyrannized by Sylvia and her mother.
Thanks to a rescue from an injury and a masquerade ball, the flame of true love will prevail over every convention and hypocrisy of the aristocracy.
_________________
This is installment #4 in a series named "The Imperial Season".
I adored the first 3 books in the series ( all rated 5 stars by me ), all with a usual book length , all readable as standalone but all connected one to each other not only by the setting but also through the characters, so they're more enjoyable if you read them starting with book 1.
----> This is definitely a STANDALONE .
When I saw this one was only a short story, with the same setting ( 1814 Congress of Vienna ), but not linked to the others, I don't know why, but I felt so disappointed that I put it aside.
I also decided not to read it at all... until yesterday, when I needed something short to read, something not very demanding but which made me dream a little.
WELL, I LOVED IT !!
SO BAD IT'S TOO SHORT !! (That's why I consider it only 4.5 and not really 5 full stars )
____ THE HEROINE, Elise, 26 years old, is dreamy and spontaneous, just like many of us, when we imagine that the man of our dreams will finally come to take us away on his white horse.
She says what she thinks before even considering that perhaps it is not covered by the rules of etiquette and is so humble that she doesn't think for a moment that her dream could really come true.
... Do you know? It sometimes happens that the heroines of novels are too sweet, too beautiful and desired by everyone, too humble, too good, too this and too that... I LIKE ELISE, I find her pleasant in everything, and she deserves to be happy!
____ THE HERO, Francis is the soldier who never thought about marriage, he enjoyed the good life with women, he always held the military corps in high regard and less the civilian world, but he is a kind, intelligent and sometimes playful man.
Maybe now, at 38, he finally wants to settle down, but not out of calculation... he realizes that he wants a bond made of love.
___ KISSING AND ROMANTIC SCENES ___
This is a short story, so there isn't enough, but the two scenes (the central one and the final one) with kisses first stolen, then sweet, then passionate, their making love and the words he says to her, they are very beautiful and very sweet.
Dear Mrs. Lancaster, why didn't you write a book instead of a short story?
I loved it but it's too short!
Dear writer, you are one of my favourites, so I ask you:
Please, could you write a series with these two characters together, who, even if they are now married, have wonderful adventures (and perhaps investigations) in every book of the series?
A bit similar to Crime and Passion series, but without changing couples every time, focus on the love story of these two! I would be so happy !
... I know you won't read the review, I know you won't please me, but I tried anyway!
Thanks to all for reading my opinion and please forgive any errors you can find in my text, English is not my mother language.
September 11, 2024
Very short and very nice, this novelette takes place in Vienna, like the other stories in this series. Not much happened here, plot-wise, because of the low word count. The tale starts with an exciting first meeting between the hero and the heroine, followed by some mild turbulence in the middle of the story, and then a triumphant marriage plus sex scene in the end.
Overall: an enjoyable little trifle to conclude the series.
Overall: an enjoyable little trifle to conclude the series.
August 12, 2017
Very, very short (80 pages) but cute little read. It was perfect for me after I had previously finished a very intense book. And, anytime I can spend with the de Wolfe family is always a good thing!
March 8, 2021
2.5 out of 5 stars
April 9, 2019
Very disappointing
A very short story for the price, feels like the outline for a book or perhaps that someone deleted the middle 150 pages. Only check it out on KU, otherwise not recommended.
A very short story for the price, feels like the outline for a book or perhaps that someone deleted the middle 150 pages. Only check it out on KU, otherwise not recommended.
September 17, 2018
Love Can Happen in an Instant
I loved this short story. Elise was an impoverished French émigré. She was in love with Francis Wolfe. He did not notice her until his horse nearly ran her over. It was an accident that would change his life. Do an English Earl and a poor French émigré stand a chance? If you enjoy Regency romances, you must read this lovely story.
I loved this short story. Elise was an impoverished French émigré. She was in love with Francis Wolfe. He did not notice her until his horse nearly ran her over. It was an accident that would change his life. Do an English Earl and a poor French émigré stand a chance? If you enjoy Regency romances, you must read this lovely story.
May 24, 2017
It was wonderful short story of love at first sight where you got a glimpse of the powerful William de Wolfe in his descendants. Well written with detailed characters. Left you satisfied for a short story.
October 12, 2018
Vienna Wolfe
A very sweet Cinderella inspired story. It was fun to read and also to read about the evil " step sisters". Elise was very likeable with a fabulous imagination as well as a wonderful sense of humor. The earl was just as terrific. A great fast read.
A very sweet Cinderella inspired story. It was fun to read and also to read about the evil " step sisters". Elise was very likeable with a fabulous imagination as well as a wonderful sense of humor. The earl was just as terrific. A great fast read.
March 16, 2018
This started off great and really had the promise of a fantastic story, but then it kind of fell flat for me. The story became rushed and lost the elements it started off so well with. It really needed to be a longer story.
CONTENT
Romance - Sketchy Clean
Violence - none
Language - none
CONTENT
Romance - Sketchy Clean
Violence - none
Language - none
July 22, 2018
Great Read
Love this author who never, ever disappoints. No word is wasted and the only negative is that the story was too short, but perfect for a Sunday afternoon. Loved it!
Love this author who never, ever disappoints. No word is wasted and the only negative is that the story was too short, but perfect for a Sunday afternoon. Loved it!
October 24, 2018
Sweet little romance
Nice story but I wish it was longer good characters and start of good story. I like the way she writes.
Nice story but I wish it was longer good characters and start of good story. I like the way she writes.
November 17, 2018
Great short read
Although this book isn’t long it’s a fun read that leaves you happy. More unconventional love and standing up for the right. I like it.
Although this book isn’t long it’s a fun read that leaves you happy. More unconventional love and standing up for the right. I like it.
November 23, 2018
Good but Too short
I miss reading some more about them. AND the kids and DOG was not in this story. Please write a part 2..... Thanks
I miss reading some more about them. AND the kids and DOG was not in this story. Please write a part 2..... Thanks
March 23, 2020
Απλό αναμενόμενο και με σωστό μέγεθος
September 17, 2020
Cute quick read to listen to while working overtime.
March 25, 2021
Disappointed
The whole tiara thing was a waste of good story-telling space. Some background on Elise should have filled that space.
The whole tiara thing was a waste of good story-telling space. Some background on Elise should have filled that space.
March 22, 2025
absolutely loved the story!
This was a wonderful story. I gave it three stars because it was way too short! I wanted much more.
This was a wonderful story. I gave it three stars because it was way too short! I wanted much more.
May 10, 2025
So much fun!
I’m loving all of Mary Lancaster’s books so far and I include this one. I plan to go on with this series.
I’m loving all of Mary Lancaster’s books so far and I include this one. I plan to go on with this series.
November 9, 2018
4.5 It was very nice that it combined the De Wolfe and the Vienna series in a very good book.
April 5, 2017
Love the de Wolfe
I enjoy reading stories about the World of de Wolfe Pack. I also enjoy Mary Lancaster's Vienna stories. Put the 2 together and you come to a great novella.
I enjoy reading stories about the World of de Wolfe Pack. I also enjoy Mary Lancaster's Vienna stories. Put the 2 together and you come to a great novella.
April 6, 2017
It was way too short
This was way to short..that is the only reason I lowered the stars..other than that..it was a perfectly written story
This was way to short..that is the only reason I lowered the stars..other than that..it was a perfectly written story
April 30, 2017
Too short.. even for a novella
The beginning is good, the premise is promising. The hero and heroine are likable. The instalove is understandable, it is a novella after all. But they meet, they dance, they kiss, they get married then the story just ends. I didn't realize it was just 80 pages. The price, currently $1.99, is a bit too expensive for an 80 page book.
The beginning is good, the premise is promising. The hero and heroine are likable. The instalove is understandable, it is a novella after all. But they meet, they dance, they kiss, they get married then the story just ends. I didn't realize it was just 80 pages. The price, currently $1.99, is a bit too expensive for an 80 page book.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews