Georgian Awards

The Valiant Viscount - Sarah Waldock

Editorial Review:

A gentleman’s fortune is subject to the property he owns and its asset value. Poor Lucius, Viscount Rokemore’s inheritance is somewhat dilapidated. Unfortunately all avenues of raising a loan are exhausted. The humiliating prospect of a convenient marriage to a rich heiress is for Rokemore an outrageous proposition. As an alternative he turns to a sporting pastime with great hopes of quadrupling his finances. A strict training regime takes priority. With triumphal victories guineas fall from heaven. In the meanwhile, his gallant nature proves extremely fortunate and results in a charmingly romantic affair, itself incurring unforeseen danger. But Rokemore is a true knight in a frockcoat, and with wonderful sense of historical atmosphere, the author needles a well written, well-researched tapestry of one man’s sheer determination to rebuild his ailing estate and owe not a penny to a living soul. Therefore it is a great pleasure to bestow a Georgian Award to Sarah Waldock, for The Valiant Viscount.

The Purchased Peer - Giselle Marks

Editorial Review:

Xavier Falconer is man in dire straits, down on his luck in a vast mansion and barely a penny to his name. Liquor prevents sober hours from worsening the reality of his ceaseless torment of past recklessness. One day and unsure if he’s drunk or dead, a veiled apparition appears. The woman’s proposition is outrageous. But what does a penniless earl have to lose beyond gaining a wife in exchange for the one thing she desires from an aristocratic wastrel. While the ritual of making love to his veiled bride is disconcerting, although gratifying, investment in hard labour keeps him sane by day. While by night his duties progressively turn potent and desire abounds. With the unexpected day of the lifting of the veil stark reality is shocking for Xavier. His confession is his redeeming quality, his wife’s vain hope of revenge is then to no avail and love withheld spills forth. Well written with a mysterious web of deceit, the psychology of Xavier’s sexual desire and urge to please the veiled lady is highly intriguing. The Georgian award is hereby granted to Giselle Marks, for The Purchased Peer.