I decided to buy this book because of Caroline's recommendation and I was so impressed with the book. I could easily relate to being 18 years of age with emotions running rampant. Where you want a love that seems impossible, and that you want a fairy tale romance, and you realize there is fairy tales and then there is reality. This one gives you a nice little mix of both.I love that this book dangles on the reality edge with things not always appearing as they seem. With Nicholas being married and having a child, you know you wouuld think that would send a young girl, especially an enlightened thinker such as Ms. Brown running towards the hills. You would also think that being such an opinionated female, that she would be just fine with a husband like the man who was courting her, Anthony, one that she could talk to about her opinions and have him not say much of anything. BUT! in the end, you realize that her being safe and accepting Anthony would not have been good at all.Carolyn masquerading as a man is not only hilarious but also a break in the same old love story... and plus it puts more of the time era into perspective. Plus it gives reader a chance to take a break into the mind of a woman who realizes that she is a woman but just wants to be equals.Her verbal sparring with Prince Nicolas is wonderful. It shows that she is yes, in fact 19 and young, while he being a man of the world, shows it, but yet does not overpower her. Ms. Brown can fully hold her own.I really enjoy the way Brenda Joyce takes you inside of the mind of both characters. Sometimes, with a lot of novels, and especially romance novels, most of the writing seems so one sided, just from one point of view. And that does not serve for a love story at all. She gives insight from all of the characters, included the estranged ex-wife and Nicolas' brother Alexi. (I love the use of nicknames in this book, it made it so much more personal, like you could get to know the characters one on one).I also appreciate that the Prince Nicholas character is not so dramatically brooding, he does smile and likes nicknames. The fact that he does smile and has a funny bone is a good thing and a good break in humor in such an emotional read.Marian Hussey was wonderful in her delivery of the story.
Brenda Joyce’s historical romances are always top notch and this is no exception. It’s the summer of 1812 in England and Napoleon is on the move across Europe. The Russian Prince, Nicholas Sverayov, is in London to broker a treaty, but he finds himself the target of malicious gossip. Carolyn Browne, the daughter of a bookshop owner, is the anonymous columnist that writes about the foibles of the powerful and Nicholas is her latest target. Nicholas finds her out and begins a dangerous game of cat and mouse.Nicholas is married to a beautiful woman and while Carolyn knows this she is drawn to him and unable to stop herself from loving him. Nicholas, for his part, is falling in love with Carolyn too, and offers her the job as companion to his young daughter which she accepts with trepidation. As war continues, Nicholas must go back to Russia to lead his men to battle and the story moves to St. Petersburg and Moscow. The setting and the history make the story all that more compelling.There is no shortage of obstacles for the two of them. Her father is embroiled in the war, but on the wrong side and her grandmother has entered her life after disowning her mother before Carolyn was born. Nicholas and Carolyn are two great characters and I was sorry to see their story end. Carolyn is smart, audacious and witty, while Nicholas is strong, powerful and smart. If you like romances, especially historicals I think you’ll fall in love with Carolyn and Nicholas and their story.
What do You think about Splendor (2004)?
I've given this a B+ for narration and a B for content at AudioGals.Originally published in 2004, Splendor is a richly detailed and captivating story which moves from London to St. Petersburg over the course of a few months in the fateful year of 1812. With Napoleon’s army sweeping across Europe, Russia is under threat of invasion and Tsar Alexander has sent his cousin, Prince Nicholas Sverayov, to England in order to make peace with their former enemy and negotiate an alliance against Bonaparte.The prince is highly intelligent, liberal in his views, well-read and honourable, with a dry wit he doesn’t display often to those who don’t know him well. He’s also very handsome and charming, and is certainly not averse to living up to his reputation as a ladies’ man, despite the fact that he’s married to one of the most beautiful women in Europe.You can read the rest of this review at AudioGals
—Caz
I’ll always remember where I was when I first got this book. Palm Springs California, March 1998. I got it in the hotel gift shop as I searched for something to read. This book opened a doorway into “Naughty” romances for me. “Naughty” meaning I’d read a lot of your sweeter romances, where the author vaguely generalized man parts, and the love scenes drifted sweetly away in the wind. This was the first book that I’d read that really mentioned erections and not just mentioned them, MENTIONED THEM. I fell in love.It’s been over 10 years, and while I have moved on from Brenda Joyce’s slightly dramatic style of writing, this is one of a few of hers that will always have a place in my heart. Erection.Reread with a bit of eye rolling Jan/2011
—Jenny Rebecca
Brenda Joyce does it again! I love practically all of her stories. I didn't think I would enjoy a romance featuring a Prince because quite frankly how many Princes do you meet? Any story featuring the hero as a true Prince is just "stuff of fairy-tales." Unexpectedly, I really enjoyed this story. It had the makings of all great romances with tragedy, romance, sex, action, suspense. This Prince suffers the pangs of real life responsibilities and suffers the consequences when remaining true to the expectations of the social norms of his age. It is not inescapable just because he is a Prince. And of course, the heroine gets to live the "fairy-tale" dreamed by all little girls of finding a Prince that truly loves her. The greatness is that the heroine could be the girl next door, or better yet even yourself! But real life invades this sweet scene in the most believable of ways, and rips at the heart. Don't despair! Keep reading....Your heart is bound to be saved! :-}
—Julie
