Considerada 'la reina de la novela Regencia', Loreta Chase cuenta la historia de amor entre una muchacha deseosa de venganza y un aristócrata advenedizo. Sus mundos son opuestos, pero un viaje por tierras exóticas hará que Lord Edenmont -que malgastó su fortuan viviendo una vida disipada- acabe inmerso en la cruzada de la temperamental Esme.

The hero had hardly anything to recommend him, beyond looks and charm, for maybe 75% of the story. And the heroine I thought had some potential, at first, but then proceeded to be pig-headed at every opportunity for the rest of the book. Which ended up seeming to go on and on for ages... I think Loretta Chase has improved since 1992 though, which is what one would hope. =) ( )

It’s time, at 41% and one month, to admit absolute defeat. I couldn’t get engaged, partially due to the side plots and the way they were weaved (tangled?) in. Partially because of the extent to which I just did not care about the MCs. I see how the writing is appealing, when the book is working...unfortunately it wasn’t consistent enough for me. ( )

Found this on the shelves at Bookmans. Realized part way in that I've read it before. Very complicated story, with lots of characters and moving parts. Heroine is 18 and, while incredibly capable, just isn't particularly believable. Think Outlander's Claire, without the judgement or maturity of a grown woman. DNF'd both times. Actually, cheated and read the ending. But stopped reading halfway through. Still, anything by Loretta Chase is well written. ( )

Loretta Chase is probably my favorite romance author, and this book really stands out from her others. It's less slick, but more heartfelt; maybe because she's writing about Albania, and I gather that Chase has some Albanian ancestry.

Of course, some of the things that one expects from Chase are here in force: strong women, for example. There are lots of them, and the heroine in particular is a fierce little thing. Excellent research, for another. This isn't a book full of vague guesses and stereotypes; there's a real feel for the contemporary landscape of Albania and Italy, both geographical and cultural. Excellent dialogue, for a third. It positively sparkles.

The story is of the "reforming a rake" variety. Edenmont, a dissolute wastrel, stumbles by accident into the role of a hero and then doesn't quite know how to walk away from it. He's used to being lazy, pampered, and ultimately unhappy. In "The Lion's Daughter," he finds himself concerned over the welfare of a young boy, obsessed with a beautiful girl of terrifyingly indeterminate age, and in a rough, dangerous country he doesn't know much about. For all that, it's the best thing that's happened to him in years.

Esme, the heroine, is used to leading a wild, wandering life. She's used to danger and fending for herself, but she's also innocent and pretty lost in the battle of the sexes. She has no idea of her own appeal, and hadn't learned any kind of caution or restraint. Esme is an amazingly well-drawn, rich character; alternately practical and wild, matter of fact and fantastic.

Their relationship is "tempestuous" - they fight a lot, but I don't think either of them ever comes out entirely on top. There's a lot of passion, a lot of sparking, a lot of making up, and also a lot of love between the two. This makes for a really fun and sexy read.

The narrative is very well worked out - it is fast-paced, smart, and really stunningly intricate. Chase writes beautifully as always and has managed to write a romance here that's fun to read but also has more depth of feeling and character than most romances. Definitely one of her best. ( )