Η κλέφτρα κόμισσα

by Bronwyn Scott

Στο Μάντσεστερ της Αγγλίας - Δεκέμβριος 1831

Ως κόμης του Στόκπορτ, ο Μπράντον Γουάικροφτ έχει καθήκον να συλλάβει τον "Αίλουρο", έναν διαβόητο διαρρήκτη που σαν άλλος Ρομπεν των Δασών κλέβει τα σπίτια των πλουσίων της περιοχής για να βοηθήσει τους φτωχούς. Όμως ένα βράδυ, μέσα στο ίδιο του το σπίτι, κάνει μια συγκλονιστική διαπίστωση: ο Αίλουρος είναι γυναίκα! Μια νέα και όμορφη γυναίκα ...

Μυστηριώδης και προκλητική, τον γοητεύει μ' έναν απροσδόκητο τρόπο. Χωρίς να πει σε κανέναν τίποτα για τη συνάντησή τους, ο Μπράντον βάζει σκοπό του να ανακαλύψει την πραγματική της ταυτότητα. Δεν ξέρει ακόμα τι θα κάνει όταν την εντοπίσει. Το μόνο που ξέρει είναι ότι δεν μπορεί να τη βγάλει από το μυαλό του και ότι βαθιά μέσα του νιώθει την ανάγκη να την προστατεύσει από τους διώκτες της -με κάθε μέσο!

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Romance, Regency, Harlequin, Harlequin Historical, Regency Romance

200 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2008

About the author

Bronwyn Scott writes historical romances for Harlequin, Mills and Boon. She has 50 titles currently in print with them.

Bronwyn's 2018 release, Dancing with the Duke's Heir was RITA finalist.
Bronwyn's 2009 novel, The Viscount Claims His Bride was a RomCon finalist for best short historical, as was her 2011 release, A Thoroughly Compromised Lady.

Reviews

[Alba Turunen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Estrillitas. Me ha gustado bastante ésta lectura, que me ha tenido entretenida los tres días que he estado leyéndolo.

No son muchos los libros de Harlequin que leo, pero a veces Harlequin Internacional trae buenas novelas de romance histórico. No es lo primero que leo de Bronwyn Scott y me reafirmo en que es de las mejorcitas de su estilo.

"La condesa ladrona" nos transporta al Manchester de 1830, donde tendremos a una protagonista muy peculiar. Nora es una ladrona, apodada el Gato, que roba en las casas de los ricos, sobre todo en las de los propietarios de fábricas textiles, cuyo botín tranforma en comida, medicinas y ropas para los pobres, viudas y huérfanos enfermos.

El protagonista es Brandon Wycroft, conde de Stockport, que está en Manchester asociándose con propietarios de fábricas y buscando inversores para crear la suya propia.

La novela empieza cuando Brandon descubre al Gato robando en sus aposentos y se sorprende al ver que es una mujer. Nora hará que no la olvide. Y así es como empezarán las pesquisas de Brandon por descubrir y apresar a esta criminal.

Su búsqueda le llevará a conocer a la solterona Eleanor y qué tiene que ver ésta "respetable" mujer con el misterioso Gato. Ha medida que Brandon vaya descubriendo mas cosas sobre la ladrona, se abrirá un mundo ante sus ojos, sobre el que nunca se habría molestado en descubrir; la bondad desinteresada de Nora por los más necesitados y las condiciones de los obreros, mujeres y niños que trabajan en las fábricas.

La novela ha estado muy interesante y me ha entretenido bastante. Por otro lado, es verdad que cuesta creerse bastante la historia, sobre todo los trucos ninja de Nora para salir de todos los entuertos donde se mete y salir airosa. Por eso mismo no puedo darle una puntuación más alta.

En cuanto al romance, ha estado bien. Bonito, con todos los altibajos esperables. Los protagonistas se gustan, acaba estallando la pasión entre ellos pero son muy cabezotas para dar su brazo a torcer en cuanto a seguridad y protección se refiere.

Quizás el final de la novela, aunque satisfactorio, no ha terminado de convencerme, ha sido demasiado rápido y me ha faltado algo.

Aún así, la novela cumple lo que promete, entretenimiento sin que te estrujes mucho la cabeza. Una novela inverosímil, pero lo suficientemente bonita como para no parar hasta descubrir lo que pasa.

[Debbie DiFiore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the reviews led me to believe

It is a good tale about a female Robin Hood who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. The hero is the magistrate and wants to catch her but she leads him a merry dance and right into love! I loved their repartee and interactions. Very good banter for sure. A villain is introduced and wants to shut up the cat burglar because she has some incriminating evidence. Also well that ends well but one thing puzzled me at the end. One character in the final scene was never explained away as the others were. St John was the name. I will go back and search but he could have blown the whole fairy tale ending. What happened to him? Oh well still a very good novel just not that great to me.

[Alloverthebooks ✎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cette romance était parfaite ! Elle contenait tout ce que je recherchais dans une romance historique. L'alchimie entre les protagonistes est immense. J'en ai eu des papillons dans le ventre.
Si vous hésitez encore à la lire, ne le faite plus et foncez.

[Kirsti · Rating 5 out of 5]

*oogles the cover* Hot Damn! Why doesn't mine have this cover? Mine is a two pack of regency sins, doubt my partner would think my reading so innocent if it had that cover though xD Why is it if you don't actually read, you assume all books are 'boring' and there's no way any of them could have sex in them? I had a guy ask me why I was laughing as I read the other night, and when I replied that the scene I was reading was getting so steamy it was ridiculous, he stared at me in surprise and asked what the book was about- not anything interesting, surely?

Hah, well anyway, this one was a true delight. I really liked the idea that Nora was so much more in control of the situation- the scene where she leaves Brandon wanting is my favorite xD

Another great regency romance, and yay! I have another one of this author's to read today! What a treat!

[Kym · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I laughed out loud several times. The playful banter back and forth between the Heroine and Hero was wonderfully written. This was my first book by Mrs. Scott, and it will not be my last.

[Tamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! My favorite by Bronwyn so far!

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Twenty years ago Harlequin books were something I avoided for their lack of substance. It seems that has changed. This book had me laughing out loud. Well written, entertaining story!

[Andrea Lujano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Protagonistas: Nora & Brandon

Profesiones: Conde & Ladrona

País: Londres

[Itchy · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book held my interest for two chapters then slipped into utter drivel. Couldn't read past page 78 and only skimmed the last 20 pages. What I did like was the cover, but then one should never judge a book by its cover.

[Alisa Garate · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK- I like this book even more since I met the Author! I like the storyline on her motives.

[Karen Darling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable.

[Cady Lorenzana · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Regency Book. And I'm glad it did not disappoint. Yay! I enjoyed this one but feels too long for me, lol.

[Rachie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nora with the sexy attitude is a fab character, not one to stand back and watch injustice done, she will take action! as long as she isn't caught in her own game of cat and mouse with an earl.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 and a half to 4 stars. Great story, but the style is a bit unequal and some of the characters would deserve being more developed. But it's fun, thrilling, and original.

[Louise Marley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun as a Wicked Lady-ish cat burglar terrorises a consortium of unscrupulous mill owners.

[Louise Broadfield · Rating 1 out of 5]

i had heard good things about this book and i do like bronwyn scott alot.
sadly i got a little bored with it in the end. there is alot of passion between the hero and heroine
but i just don't feel there is any love there.
i wish we got to see more of the hero sister and best friend. i think they would have worked as a couple and would like to have seen they story.
i will keep reading bronwyn scott storys as she has gotten alot better with time

[Julie C-F · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nora, the Cat, robs the rich to give help to the poor. She met her match Brandon Count Stockport who owns a mill that she wants to stop.

His partners are exposed as fraud based on the papers she got from them. Nora is strong and so is Brandon who can see through her plans but is weak when it comes to her charms.

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

simple story ,nothing special but downgraded because it did not have much historical background..most things were too contemporary : the language, the characters actions and even the story ... a bit disappointing

[Jo-Anne Duffett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the plot and the characterization.
Heat 4. Open door. HEA

[María Del · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me ha entretenido y me ha gustado mucho más de lo que pensaba

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s 1831 and the Industrial Revolution is picking up speed in England, bringing with it unrest amongst the working class. Brandon Wycroft the fifth Earl of Stockport needs to build a textile mill in order to protect his earldom’s financial future. His plan is to set precedent with a safe mill, one that doesn’t employ children and the workers receive a decent day’s wage. But there is opposition to the mill, and the men who have signed up to invest have found their homes burglarized. “The Cat” of Manchester is quickly becoming notorious for his escapades leaving no house of distinction untouched, except for the Earls. But that’s not exactly true. The Earl hasn’t been untouched by “The Cat”, in fact, he’s been thoroughly touched! He’d caught the devil in the act, and to his amazement “The Cat” is not a HE, she’s a SHE! And with one startling and oh so arousing kiss, the Earl finds himself in a predicament; does he hunt and jail the thief or does he bed and wed the temptress!

Ms Scott had me enchanted with this story right from the opening scene! Awesome beginning that created a very sensual fun tone to the book. Brandon is a good man, trying hard to do good for those under his protection as Earl. He’s frustrated that his political efforts haven’t done more but he continues to fight for the people. When he learns that “The Cat” is indeed a living Robin Hood taking only what can be used to help the disadvantaged, he feels humbled. The Cat, Nora, is sassy and very smart, she’s Brandon equal all the way. She recognizes immediately the danger he’s in, esp. if the fact that he’s aided her should come out. With ruthless greedy men out to stop “The Cat”, both Nora and Brandon have to face challenging questions about just how far they will go to save the other. The heat between them just jumps off the pages, and I adored both Nora’s and Brandon’s most wicked thoughts! Very well done, and I do hope that Ms. Scott’s next book will be about Brandon’s best friend and ally Jack and Brandon’s wild child sister Dulci. If so, I’m looking forward to another “romp” of a good time!

[Nisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most HR don't have a female thief. Most HR heroines are virgins. Most HR don't bring to life the dangers of industrialization. This is obviously not a normal HR.

Set in 1831, the issues that seemed to play a great part in the story is the Reform Act, along with the rising number of factories in England (with a shot at child labor). The heroine is Nora, a merchant's daughter become Manchester's infamous 'Cat'- a Robin Hood-like figure for the 19th century. She steals for investors for factories, instilling fear in those who want to bring in this dangerous institution. The hero, Brandon, is the Earl of Stockport and the man who may be capable of taming The Cat. When the two meet, passion flares between them, making both of them lose sight of their goals. But with time, the enemies can no longer pretend that they fighting against each other and must team up to protect their reputations and the livelihood of the common people.

Nora and Brandon are a great team. They have very real attraction and interact with a ready passion beneath the veneer. They do make it hot, even with their clothes on. The characters are easy to like and understand, though we may not always hold their beliefs. Nora was a novel character, because she was not exactly a rich, privileged innocent lady that one associates with HR. She is athletic, motivated and compassionate, and previously married. A veritable modern independent woman.

The addition of Jack, Brandon's friend, was nice for variety. I hope to see a book for him.

This book wasn't amazing, but it was a very good read and incorporates a 'bad girl' heroine, a major plus. I would recommend this for anyone who like the H/H challenging each other and want a change from the normal HR premise.

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Superficially, Pickpocket Countess tells the tale of the tempestuous relationship between Brandon, Earl of Stockport, and Nora, a notorious cat burglar he finds stealing a family heirloom.

The focus of the story, however, concerns Nora's motivation for turning to a life of crime: to help the poor and wretched victims of the industrial revolution.

Ms Scott attempts, and fails, to strike a balance between the historical authenticity of the forced migration of agricultural workers to miserable and life-threatening labour in dark satanic mills, and the ludicrous pantomime of a beautiful, elegant woman managing, with the help of a mask, scarf and wig, to convince everyone around her that she's either a fearsome male robber or a doddery middle-aged spinster.

The tension in the relationship between Brandon and Nora is maintained by their stubborn refusal to recognise each other's true feelings: highly improbable given the intelligence, perspicacity and resourcefulness with which the author has endowed them.

By the end of the story even Ms Scott seems to have given up any attempt at plausibility and ties up most of the loose ends with unseemly haste.

[Chio · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG debo confesar que no dormí hasta que lo termine de leer...¡Esta buenísimo!
Tenia mucho tiempo que no me encontraba con un Harlequin histórico tan bueno como este.
Amo a NORA/EL GATO es un personaje increíble, ladrona y heroína al mismo tiempo y con un carácter que hasta arraso con Brandon, me encanta su personaje porque aparte de ser mujer y en aquellos tiempos (1800 y algo) es la versión actual del ideal Robin Hood, amé que gracias al gato pudiera echar un vistazo a las condiciones de la industria y los trabajadores por aquella época, me encantó que ella lo hiciera ver el otro lado, como viva la gente y los niños y damn, eso fue muy lindo, amé a Brandon por ser tan lindo y sexy.
Amé sus peleas y juegos.
Amé que sea la protagonista la seductora y la que, literalmente, lleva los pantalones, Recomendadisimo! <3

[Anne Neville · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brandon Wycroft, Earl of Stockport, and the investors in his proposed textile mill have been plagued by a cat-burgler who is bent on shutting down their venture. One night, as Brandon and his colleagues are meeting, the burglar strikes his own home. When he corners the crafty creature, he discovers that the person who has plagued his project is a woman–and a very sexy one who is willing to use her wiles to escape. Frustrated in more than one way, Brandon swears to discover the identity of the desirable woman he dubs “Cat.”

http://www.numbersonthespines.com/201...

[Jennifer The Forgetful Fairy Queen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. She was a cat burgular in fact she was notoriously called "The Cat". I found this to be a fun romp with all her aliases. It seemed to lull a little in the middle but thankfully picked up nearing the end. This was my first Bronwyn Scott book. I would be willing to read more from this author. =)

[Ellen B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not great, not glaringly terrible, either.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story 3 1/2 stars

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the cover better than the book.

[Carito Cárdenas guevara · Rating 5 out of 5]

super emocionante y demasiado buena!!