The Notorious Widow

by Allison Lane and AshleyNicole

Book Overview

When a scoundrel tries to tarnish a young widow's reputation, a valiant earl tries to repair the damage--and mend her broken heart in the process.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451201663
• ISBN13: 9780451201669
• Release Date: November 2000
• Publisher: Signet Book
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

something a little different

This novel is not the ususal light regency romance fare featuring a London season, clothes and beaux; rather it is a dark tale that tells of how a young woman and her family find themselves at the mercy of a malicious and deranged man.Catherine Parrish incurrs the wrath of Jasper Rankin when she rebuffs his amorous attentions. In retaliation, Jasper spreads vicious rumours, painting Catherine as a degenerate and a wanton. Everyone seems only all too willing to believe the tales, and soon Catherine, along with her sisters and brother, find themselves effectively ostracised by the "good" people of Exeter.The Earl of Rockhurst is an old school friend's of William, Catherine's brother. And out of friendship, he agrees to look into these accusations and to try and expose them as the lies that actually are. But he soon finds his work cut out for him. Jasper Rankin seems, outwardly anyway, to be all that is pleasing and honourable. And everyone seems content to believe the worst of Catherine and her family. But as the Earl begins to look into Rankins background, some rather disquieting tales come to light that point to misdeeds far more serious than the spreading of malicious rumours. Will the Earl be able to expose Rankin as a liar, salvage Catherine's reputation and keep her from harm?This novel was riverting reading -- I kept expecting Rankin to explode into one final really horrific act of violence. But Allison Lane showed her mastery here and handled the final denouncement perfectly. As I noted earlier this is not the usual comedy of manners; indeed the romance betwen the Earl and Catherine plays second fiddle to the darker subplot. However, if you are looking for something not in the usual vein, and that deals with the darker psyche of people, this novel will definitely satisfy.