The Legacy

by T.J. Bennett

When her brief, disastrous marriage to a fortune hunter ends in scandal, Baronesse Sabina von Ziegler's vengeful adoptive father imprisons her in a cloister. She arranges a daring escape and suddenly... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1933836369
• ISBN13: 9781933836362
• Release Date: April 2008
• Publisher: Medallion Press
• Length: 458 Pages
• Weight: 0.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Stunning debut

TJ Bennett's premier novel is an unqualified joy to read. Set during Martin Luther's reformation movement of the 1500's, the historical research never intrudes on the story, but serves only to add texture to the setting; background for the heroine's struggle and goal. The writing is so tight, each and every one of the four hundred fifty-five pages seems to fly by. Banished to a convent by her step-father, as many `inconvenient' women were in that day, the Baronesse escapes and returns to claim an inheritance left her by her mother. She wants only that. Her plan is to establish a place for others like herself; nuns who hadn't the calling, but who were pressed into service against their will. A farm where they could be self-sufficient and live in peace, perhaps. Instead, she's thrown into the dungeon and tortured by the man who'd raised her, until she agrees to an arranged marriage...to a commoner. Still, she begs only her inheritance, her legacy, unaware her evil parent has bartered it. Master Behaim needs funds to settle his dead father's debts, but more than that, he needs the Baron to keep what else he knows to himself. Blackmail is hardly grounds for a solid marriage, but he would protect his father's name. He'd fulfill his part in this devil's bargain then allow the woman to return to her cloister. TJ is a uniquely skilled writer. The story is rich with character, plot and intrigue. And of course, romance! Don't miss it!

Terrific Out-of-the-Box Historical

If you're looking for something different in a historical romance, THE LEGACY may be for you. With rich, relatable characters, a fascinating -- and very different -- early German setting, and an intelligent plot, this book quickly drew me in and held me fast until I finished. After escaping a convent (a daring plan from a real-life plot involving Martin Luther and a nun he later married), Baronesse Sabina von Ziegler goes to her adoptive father's castle to claim her inheritance. But the baron has other plans for Sabina's legacy, so he marries her off to Wolfgang Behaim, a widowed printer who's coerced into the deal. Though both are initially unwilling, their marriage of necessity slowly and believably evolves into a real one, against a backdrop of religious upheaval and a deadly peasant revolt. I never imagined I could enjoy learning about sixteenth-century Germany, but that's the gift of a good historical -- and exactly what will have me watching eagerly for T.J. Bennett's next book, THE PROMISE, in May 2009. Very highly recommended.

Great Debut!

In her debut novel, TJ Bennett writes a sweeping historical romance set in 1525 Wittenberg, Germany. At the time of Martin Luther and the Protestant reformation, Baronesse Sabina von Ziegler is married against her will to Wolfgang Behaim, a commoner. What follows is an emotional and dramatic tale of deceit, lust, and finally true love. Pitted against each other, the Baronesse and the virile print shop owner, Wolf, discover the depth of their passion as they uncover the malicious scheme of her stepfather to use her inheritance to blackmail Beheim on his own father's behalf. This is a touching love story with a hint of humor, a dollop of deceit, a pinch of adventure, a full serving of romance, and a satisfying slice of justice. Put it all together, and you have a truly delicious read!

Passionate and action filled

The Legacy is TJ Bennett's debut novel but it reads like that of a seasoned author. There was nothing I didn't like. The author deftly wove the history of 1525 Germany, in all it's dark reality, through a passionate story of a forced marriage between a commoner and a noblewoman. The hero and heroine deal with their own secrets and the ghosts of their past, along with the evil machinations of the heroine's greedy father. They begin to like then respect each other. As their love deepens they must risk exposing their truths and losing the other's love. The author crafted two wonderful, larger than life characters from different backgrounds who believably overcame their differences and bonded through common values. Their's truly was a love story I won't soon forget.

Romance and history!

When Baronesse Sabina von Ziegler escapes from the convent in which her stepfather, Baron von Ziegler, had her imprisoned after a youthful indiscretion, all she wants is to collect the legacy left her by her mother. She has plans for that money. Unfortunately, so does the Baron. Sabina finds herself imprisoned once more, this time in von Zeigler's dungeon, starved and beaten until she agrees to marry a commoner of his choosing. Wolf Behaim, a hard-working and successful printer, a still-grieving widower with a small daughter, and the grandson of peasants, is no more eager to marry than Sabina is, but Baron von Ziegler has made him an offer he can't refuse, not without revealing a secret that will destroy his family. Hardly a solid foundation for marriage, even in 1525, but Sabina and Wolf's predicament leads them to discoveries about each other, about themselves, and about the secrets that haunt their pasts, discoveries that will either change their lives or break their hearts. Sabina and Wolf are strong, engaging, well-drawn characters who will pull you into their story, set against the early days of the Reformation in Germany. If you enjoy historical romance in which the history matters, you will certainly love The Legacy. The Legacy is TJ Bennett's excellent debut novel. I'm already looking forward to her next book from Medallion, The Promise, the story of Wolf's soldier-brother, Günter. I hope the third Behaim brother, Peter, will be back with his own tale, too.