Bethrothed

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Read
Review: Baron Guy of Montague came to Lonsdale with the intention of regaining Halford Hall -- prepared to buy or lay siege in order to get what was really his by right. On the way into the keep he noticed a maid standing in the doorway of the chapel and he was bewitched. Finding her later in the chapel garden, he knew he had to have her at all costs but events would unfold that put both their lives in danger before he could set in motion his plans to ask for her hand in marriage.

Lady Claudia Chiavari, half Italian, half English, was the despised niece of Baron Lonsdale and for the last five years her life had been treated little better than the lowliest servant. With Baron Lonsdale thinking that Guy Montague was going to back out of the deal, he concocted an elaborate scheme in which he drugged Guy and his niece; transported Guy into his nieces bedchamber stripping both of them naked so that he could then force Guy into a betrothal and marriage to his niece thereby gaining more money in the dower price. Both were locked up. Claudia, overhearing the rest of her uncle's plan, found out that he also planned murder. Claudia would then risk her life to rescue Guy and escape. Guy, thinking that the Claudia was part of the elaborate scheme, would take Claudia with him, but as his prisoner.

Being Italian and not always being understood had made her life quite solitary. She had no friends and was looked down upon as a foreigner. Her distrust of the English made it difficult to understand what Guy wanted from her. She found him intoxicating, but having lost everyone she ever loved, she would not take the chance of being his mistress and then being tossed aside when he tired of her. Guy, on the other hand, could not consider marriage now, after being tricked by her uncle no matter how much he burned for her. Treachery abounds with more threats from relatives, murder attempts and betrayals before either could trust one another to admit what was in their hearts.

This was an amazingly intense historical romance that absolutely sizzles with sensuality. The characters are totally believable and so very much in love that you really have to root for them. The prequel The Warlord was outstanding, although more humorous, by this relatively new author and I certainly hope she can continue with more sequels to this series as I could certainly envision entirely new stories with the outstanding secondary characters that she brought to life in this book, such as Claudia's brother Dante. This is an outstanding read and certainly stands alone but you will find it all that more enjoyable if you read The Warlord first.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Read
Review: Baron Guy of Montague came to Lonsdale with the intention of regaining Halford Hall -- prepared to buy or lay siege in order to get what was really his by right. On the way into the keep he noticed a maid standing in the doorway of the chapel and he was bewitched. Finding her later in the chapel garden, he knew he had to have her at all costs but events would unfold that put both their lives in danger before he could set in motion his plans to ask for her hand in marriage.

Lady Claudia Chiavari, half Italian, half English, was the despised niece of Baron Lonsdale and for the last five years her life had been treated little better than the lowliest servant. With Baron Lonsdale thinking that Guy Montague was going to back out of the deal, he concocted an elaborate scheme in which he drugged Guy and his niece; transported Guy into his nieces bedchamber stripping both of them naked so that he could then force Guy into a betrothal and marriage to his niece thereby gaining more money in the dower price. Both were locked up. Claudia, overhearing the rest of her uncle's plan, found out that he also planned murder. Claudia would then risk her life to rescue Guy and escape. Guy, thinking that the Claudia was part of the elaborate scheme, would take Claudia with him, but as his prisoner.

Being Italian and not always being understood had made her life quite solitary. She had no friends and was looked down upon as a foreigner. Her distrust of the English made it difficult to understand what Guy wanted from her. She found him intoxicating, but having lost everyone she ever loved, she would not take the chance of being his mistress and then being tossed aside when he tired of her. Guy, on the other hand, could not consider marriage now, after being tricked by her uncle no matter how much he burned for her. Treachery abounds with more threats from relatives, murder attempts and betrayals before either could trust one another to admit what was in their hearts.

This was an amazingly intense historical romance that absolutely sizzles with sensuality. The characters are totally believable and so very much in love that you really have to root for them. The prequel The Warlord was outstanding, although more humorous, by this relatively new author and I certainly hope she can continue with more sequels to this series as I could certainly envision entirely new stories with the outstanding secondary characters that she brought to life in this book, such as Claudia's brother Dante. This is an outstanding read and certainly stands alone but you will find it all that more enjoyable if you read The Warlord first.

Rating:
Summary: Great read! Hope the author writes more!
Review: I found this book in the clearance bin at my used book store for the outrageous price of $0.20!...what a pleasant surprise! I had never heard of Ms. Elliott but after reading Betrothed I couldn't wait to read Warlord which I also enjoyed...though not as much as Betrothed. I liked Claudia, what a relief to find a heroine with intelligence...I laughed out loud over the rat in the bedchamber scene...I haven't yet gotten around to Scoundrel since I like historical romances...I hope Ms. Elliott picks up the pen once again!

Rating:
Summary: Okay...but not as good as Warlord and Scoundrel
Review: I had to laugh when I read the other reviews...now I'm not certain if I liked this book less than Elliott's others because the storyline was weaker or because the hero on the cover looks like he's about fifteen years old. Publishing companies need to be careful when they use cover art because once you see what the hero allegedly looks like, it's hard to imagine him as anyone else. In this case, that is not a good thing. He looks too much like my little brother to be taken seriously as a medieval warlord.

I found myself far more interested in the secondary character of Dante than I did of the hero and heroine. Luckily Dante's book (The Assasin) is SUPPOSED to be out soon. I use the word "supposed" loosely since Elliott keeps pushing back the release date. I can only pray that the publishers don't put a fifteen year old on The Assasin's cover...

Rating:
Summary: I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!
Review: I loved it!!!!! The moment I picked up this book I couldn't put it down.I've never read any of Elizabeth Elliot's other books.But I definitely intend to.This book is excellent!!! If you need a book to curl up with and really get into,this is the book.

Rating:
Summary: Suprisingly good.
Review: I really didn't expect the book to be as good as it turned out to be, I liked being suprised. I wanted a little more flavor to the books, but other than that it was a really fun read.

Rating:
Summary: Suprisingly good.
Review: I really didn't expect the book to be as good as it turned out to be, I liked being suprised. I wanted a little more flavor to the books, but other than that it was a really fun read.

Rating:
Summary: Good book, bad cover
Review: I really enjoyed this book and its predecessor (Warlord). It was funny, romantic, enthralling and hugely embarrassing to read in public (I have to agree with the previous reviewer). This style of cover is usually associated with a bodice ripper/potboiler of a book, but this was a very good read, and worthy of something better. Publisher please note: sometimes this type of cover can really put a person off buying in front of witnesses.

Altogether, well worth the money and I am now eagerly awaiting the third one (Scoundrel) - with yet another naff cover.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: In a follow up to THE WARLORD, Elizabeth Elliott has returned to medieval times, this time with the story of Miles, the half brother of Kendrick. Miles wants the home he was born in and travels to negotiate the purchase, but through false accusations, ends up engaged to Claudia, the sister to Robert, the man who tried to assassinate Kendrick in the first of the series. What a beginning and it's non-stop action and heartache for both Claudia, who's been betrayed by her uncle, and Miles, who wants to love her but doesn't know if he can trust her. A book to make you laugh and cry, sympathize with their plight and reaffirm your faith in "love conquers all". A must read and a definite keeper

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down!
Review: Of Ms. Elliott's three books, this is my absolute favorite-and her others were phenomenal!

Guy is bargaining with Claudia's uncle over a holding his family once owned. While under the dubious hospitality of her uncle, Guy is drugged and left to be discovered in Claudia's bed. Thinking she was a part of the conspiracy to get his fortune, Guy kidnaps Claudia during his escape(although she is quite willing and ready to go) and takes her to his home. Her uncle tells people they are betrothed (hence the title) and he's willing to go along with it for a while. Claudia, the sister of the Italian assassin we saw try to do Kenric in in the Warlord novel, starts to finally feel at home somewhere. Then, of course, Guy falls in love with her and has to convince both her and his family of it.

As if the characters in this book weren't great enough, the characters from the Warlord show up in this one to add a touch more depth and humor.

I couldn't read this book fast enough to get the amazing story or slow enough to savor every word of it! Quite the dilemma! If you haven't read this (and her other two) yet, why not? It is well worth the bucks!