Awarded to Rachel Ann Smith for her debut novel Desires of Lady Elise.
Editorial Review:
Rachel Ann Smith’s debut novella is a spicy romance
with a little raw sex here and there. Past dismay and heartbreak is the nub of
the story. There is a previous scandal that remains vague, until a memory sequence
gives the reader a clue to Elise’s desires for Harry and why he left in the
first place. Hurt pride is Elise’s barrier against trusting Harry again, though
her qualms are soon waved aside and she is once again besotted. Harry’s rejection
would have been horribly devastating for Elise whose sexual behaviour was that of a courtesan, rather than a chaste and innocent young lady. Perhaps her belief was that her deed alone would keep him true to her. Elise of ten years ago is really not the Elise the reader is introduced to, who resembles
Jane Austen’s character Emma, the self-assumed matchmaker. Elise is advisory to young ladies who
were and are heading to marriage with undesirable bachelors. Her influence
on would-be brides has deterred lucrative marriages for rogue bachelors and the
rogues plot their revenge. Certain danger suddenly arises with her unexpected abduction
and a rather brutal and frightening scenario unfolds. The hero rides to the rescue, and what follows
is short and sweet and the bruised and battered bride marries her ardent hero.
A sweet little epilogue highlights a happy and contented marriage. The End. It can be said relaxed narrative
ensues in this second time chance romance theme– a solid and popular trope. We are told it is Regency, though historically it could depict any period in the latter age of horse-drawn vehicles. While there is much debate prologues have or have no place in novels a “tastefully”
written prologue would have been very useful in this novella. As a debut novel it
can be seen the author will grow into the period and perchance add a little
more Regency time-charged research. Rating the novel “adult” is appropriate. Therefore
the Jane Austen Regency Complimentary is awarded to Desires of Lady Elise by
Rachel Ann Smith.
The Book's Premise.
One scandal. Two broken hearts. A decade apart.
Lady Elise knows all too well the risks of falling in love. Her
heart, shattered by a rake ten years ago. Instead of hunting for a
husband, she helps other ladies escape the nefarious plans of unscrupulous
gentlemen.
After a scandal costs Lord Thornston Elise’s hand and heart, he
has lived on the fringes of the beau
monde. But when his best friend, the Duke of Fairmont, requests his
assistance, Thornston is torn. Helping Fairmont means facing the woman who
holds his heart and soul.
Succumbing
to temptation, Thornston re-enters Society to find Elise still unwed. But as he
seeks to reignite her desire for him and earn back her trust, he becomes
entwined in one of her investigations. When events take a dangerous turn, he
might lose the woman he loves before he can win her back.
