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Lizzie's Rake
Can a rake reform his ways and truly love? Lizzie's head tells her one thing, her heart another. Infamous rake and Corinthian, Maxim Beaufort, Earl of St. Ive, finding himself in possession of a property in Yorkshire, is unprepared for the changes it will bring into his life. Irresistibly drawn to Elizabeth Granger, the former owner's daughter, he attempts to help the family, finding himself filling the role of benefactor. When the house is razed to the ground, he arranges for temporary accommodation for Elizabeth and her siblings on his estate. When Elizabeth rejects his proposal of marriage, he is nonetheless determined to win her over. However, events and his reputation conspire to thwart his efforts and his course is one fraught with dangers. Trust does not come easily and determined to protect her heart, Elizabeth struggles to resist her own longings. At times, their difficulties appear insurmountable but the earl is widely known as 'The Indomitable' and the name was not lightly earned.
222 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 12, 2009
I found this to be a charming book. Hazel has captured the Regency period perfectly. Elizabeth is a strong young woman who refuses to be pressured and Maxim is a man who unwillingly loses his heart to her. William and Lucy are sweet and completely taken with Maxim. Aunt Bella is simply lovely. With a bit of mystery and a lot of romance, Lizzie's Rake is a delightful read. I was surprised that it wasn't longer, but I soon realized that it was enthralling and just the right length.
I think that Maxim reformed a bit quickly, but perhaps finding his world unexpectedly turned upside down by a defiant girl was enough to do that. And, I do wish that we knew more about Elizabeth's older brother and what happened to him after he lost the estate by gambling. But, at any rate, Hazel has created some endearing characters. The romance is passionate, but sweet and appropriately honorable. A delightful, historical read and easily recommended.
I think that Maxim reformed a bit quickly, but perhaps finding his world unexpectedly turned upside down by a defiant girl was enough to do that. And, I do wish that we knew more about Elizabeth's older brother and what happened to him after he lost the estate by gambling. But, at any rate, Hazel has created some endearing characters. The romance is passionate, but sweet and appropriately honorable. A delightful, historical read and easily recommended.
July 7, 2009
Be swept away by an historical romance that will leave you feeling satisfied, in "Lizzie's Rake" by Hazel Statham.
Infamous rake and Corinthian, Maxim Beaufort, Earl of St. Ive, winds up in possession of a property in Yorkshire after a card game. Traveling to see what fixes would be necessary to make Briarfield ready for sale, the earl finds the former owner's daughter, Elizabeth Granger and her siblings living on the estate. Maxim is drawn to Lizzie, but she refuses to have anything to do with the man who plans to steal her home.
When a suspicious fire destroys Briarfield, Maxim makes plans for Lizzie and her younger siblings to temporarily live on his estate. Sharing an appreciation for horses, but little else, Elizabeth rejectes Maxim's proposal of marriage. Her trust having been betrayed before, Lizzie doesn't find it easy to trust anyone, and the earl's reputation with the ladies certainly doesn't win her over. But the earl is known as "The Indomitable" and he's not about to give up.
This is the second book by Hazel Statham that I've read, and I know I'll be first in line when her next book comes out.
In "Lizzie's Rake", Statham has once again created a cast of interesting and complex characters who pull you immediately into the storyline. Other than her complete knowledge of the Regency era and her ability to paint the picture for her reader, Statham's greatest strength is her characters. Multi-faceted, and yet, seemingly simple and straightforward at times, Lizzie, Maxim, and a host of other characters make this Regency romance a charming and delightful read.
A romance novel that every reader will feel comfortable sharing, the perfect combination of characters, an interesting plot, a tiny bit of mystery, and a love of horses work together to create a story that you'll want to read more than once.
"Lizzie's Rake" by Hazel Statham is Regency romance at its finest.
Infamous rake and Corinthian, Maxim Beaufort, Earl of St. Ive, winds up in possession of a property in Yorkshire after a card game. Traveling to see what fixes would be necessary to make Briarfield ready for sale, the earl finds the former owner's daughter, Elizabeth Granger and her siblings living on the estate. Maxim is drawn to Lizzie, but she refuses to have anything to do with the man who plans to steal her home.
When a suspicious fire destroys Briarfield, Maxim makes plans for Lizzie and her younger siblings to temporarily live on his estate. Sharing an appreciation for horses, but little else, Elizabeth rejectes Maxim's proposal of marriage. Her trust having been betrayed before, Lizzie doesn't find it easy to trust anyone, and the earl's reputation with the ladies certainly doesn't win her over. But the earl is known as "The Indomitable" and he's not about to give up.
This is the second book by Hazel Statham that I've read, and I know I'll be first in line when her next book comes out.
In "Lizzie's Rake", Statham has once again created a cast of interesting and complex characters who pull you immediately into the storyline. Other than her complete knowledge of the Regency era and her ability to paint the picture for her reader, Statham's greatest strength is her characters. Multi-faceted, and yet, seemingly simple and straightforward at times, Lizzie, Maxim, and a host of other characters make this Regency romance a charming and delightful read.
A romance novel that every reader will feel comfortable sharing, the perfect combination of characters, an interesting plot, a tiny bit of mystery, and a love of horses work together to create a story that you'll want to read more than once.
"Lizzie's Rake" by Hazel Statham is Regency romance at its finest.
July 25, 2011
I spent a good chunk of my life reading historical fiction. I always loved getting lost in worlds of dresses, carriages, handsome men and beautiful women. I jumped at the opportunity to read Lizzie’s Rake.
Statham has a wonderful way of drawing the reader into the era not only through appropriate dialogue but through every word she writes. From the inner monologues of the characters to the descriptions of the places they go, you won’t be able to stop yourself from settling in to Maxim and Elizabeth’s time period.
My one nitpick is I would have liked to have read more about Maxim thinking about Lizzie in the beginning. While his love for her feels authentic, it still feels like it comes on strongly and suddenly. While that is sort of Maxim’s character, I still would have appreciated a bit more build up to his strong feelings.
While I usually hate for a good book to end, my favourite part of this book is the ending. Hazel Statham by no means leaves all the work up to Maxim to woo and wed Lizzie. Towards the end, it is her duty to put some work into the relationship, which I really appreciated. It made the story that much more engrossing.
Statham has a wonderful way of drawing the reader into the era not only through appropriate dialogue but through every word she writes. From the inner monologues of the characters to the descriptions of the places they go, you won’t be able to stop yourself from settling in to Maxim and Elizabeth’s time period.
My one nitpick is I would have liked to have read more about Maxim thinking about Lizzie in the beginning. While his love for her feels authentic, it still feels like it comes on strongly and suddenly. While that is sort of Maxim’s character, I still would have appreciated a bit more build up to his strong feelings.
While I usually hate for a good book to end, my favourite part of this book is the ending. Hazel Statham by no means leaves all the work up to Maxim to woo and wed Lizzie. Towards the end, it is her duty to put some work into the relationship, which I really appreciated. It made the story that much more engrossing.
August 28, 2010
"Lizzie's Rake" is a delightful, traditional Regency Romance written with a fine flourish by author Hazel Statham. In yet another coup at the gambling table, Maxim Beaufort, Earl of St. Ive, has won a property in Yorkshire. Thinking to bring the property up to snuff and dispose of it, he is surprised to find it occupied by a young woman and her younger brother and sister. Elizabeth Granger has been managing as best she could since her older brother lost the family estate and left for America. Maxim is drawn to the lovely Lizzie, and they share a love of horses. When a fire destroys the family home, Maxim offers Lizzie and her family a place to stay at his own estate. Even though she is mistrustful of the notorious rake, she has little choice but to accept his offer. Maxim soon loses his heart to Lizzie, and he is shaken when she turns down his marriage proposal. However, he is a man who is used to having his way, and if he must change his ways to have what he wants--love and a life with Lizzie--then change he will. But will society let him become a changed man? Will Lizzie ever fully trust Maxim and give him her heart as she longs to do? Hazel Statham has captured the essence of Regency Romance in a story all her own with captivating characters and an involving, intriguing story line.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews