CRUEL LORD CRANHAM

Author: Sandra Heath ISBN: 9780709083399 10/2008 HISTORICAL Publisher: ROBERT HALE LTD.
Time Period: Regency

Lovely young Sarah Howard had to decide: who was the real Nicholas Stanhope? Was he this dazzlingly handsome heir to a glittering title who won her heart with his wonderful kindness and wonder-filled kisses? Was he the splendid suitor to whom she gave her heart and bledged her hand? Or was he a loathsome libertine who took advantage of her weakness after another man betrayed her? Was he a cold and calculating cad who seized on her father's folly to take possession of her family's estate? And above all, did she dare find out the truth about this man she could not help but love...?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

When I read the first page of CRUEL LORD CRANHAM, I must admit that I was a little bit confused. Nicholas was in Sarah's home and he was clearly angry with her for some reason, which meant that they already had a history together. It was like you skipped the whole story to get to the end. But once you get past the first few paragraphs, you're then brought to the beginning of the story. And this is where Sarah and Nicholas's relationship takes off, bringing you on a trip throughout historical England.

Sarah is excited over her relationship with Oliver and having it formally announced that they are soon to wed. Nicholas is running as fast and as far as he can from a woman who is stalking his every move, which is really funny how she knows where he'll be before even he does sometimes.

The author's knowledge of the language and atmosphere of this time era is very vivid. Ms. Heath brings her words to life, but it's not overbearing for the reader. It was a treat to read this well written book.

Sheila Smith