Betrothed

I found this book in the clearance bin at my used book store for the outrageous price of $0.20!...what a pleasant surprise! I had never heard of Ms. Elliott but after reading Betrothed I couldn't wait to read Warlord which I also enjoyed...though not as much as Betrothed. I liked Claudia, what a relief to find a heroine with intelligence...I laughed out loud over the rat in the bedchamber scene...I haven't yet gotten around to Scoundrel since I like historical romances...I hope Ms. Elliott picks up the pen once again!

Baron Guy of Montague came to Lonsdale with the intention of regaining Halford Hall -- prepared to buy or lay siege in order to get what was really his by right. On the way into the keep he noticed a maid standing in the doorway of the chapel and he was bewitched. Finding her later in the chapel garden, he knew he had to have her at all costs but events would unfold that put both their lives in danger before he could set in motion his plans to ask for her hand in marriage.Lady Claudia Chiavari, half Italian, half English, was the despised niece of Baron Lonsdale and for the last five years her life had been treated little better than the lowliest servant. With Baron Lonsdale thinking that Guy Montague was going to back out of the deal, he concocted an elaborate scheme in which he drugged Guy and his niece; transported Guy into his nieces bedchamber stripping both of them naked so that he could then force Guy into a betrothal and marriage to his niece thereby gaining more money in the dower price. Both were locked up. Claudia, overhearing the rest of her uncle's plan, found out that he also planned murder. Claudia would then risk her life to rescue Guy and escape. Guy, thinking that the Claudia was part of the elaborate scheme, would take Claudia with him, but as his prisoner.Being Italian and not always being understood had made her life quite solitary. She had no friends and was looked down upon as a foreigner. Her distrust of the English made it difficult to understand what Guy wanted from her. She found him intoxicating, but having lost everyone she ever loved, she would not take the chance of being his mistress and then being tossed aside when he tired of her. Guy, on the other hand, could not consider marriage now, after being tricked by her uncle no matter how much he burned for her. Treachery abounds with more threats from relatives, murder attempts and betrayals before either could trust one another to admit what was in their hearts.This was an amazingly intense historical romance that absolutely sizzles with sensuality. The characters are totally believable and so very much in love that you really have to root for them. The prequel The Warlord was outstanding, although more humorous, by this relatively new author and I certainly hope she can continue with more sequels to this series as I could certainly envision entirely new stories with the outstanding secondary characters that she brought to life in this book, such as Claudia's brother Dante. This is an outstanding read and certainly stands alone but you will find it all that more enjoyable if you read The Warlord first.

Oh, How I love Claudia! She's smart and courageous. She's able to twist your words around with her logic. It's hard to understand her when she speaks English, being Italian herself. They say she talks to fast. She's living in exile with an uncle who hates her. He plans to marry her off to Guy of Montague. These plans also include blaming her for Guy's death. Her scheming uncle is very greedy. Guy finds Claudia on the chapel steps at Lonsdale Castle. Guy can't understand why everyone isn't gawking at Claudia's beauty. Claudia herself is wondering what Guy is looking at so intently behind her. Guy has come to purchase Halford Hall at an outrageous price from Claudia's uncle, Baron Lonsdale. Guy's decided Claudia should also be included in the purchase. When Guy tries to set up a meeting with Baron Lonsdale to discuss this, the baron thinks Guy's discovered that Halford Hall isn't his to sell. The baron sets a trap to find Claudia and Guy in a compromising position, puts Guy in the dungeon and starts making wedding plans for the two. Claudia overhears her uncles plans of murdered and decides she must help Guy escape. Elizabeth Elliott opened my eyes to what a horrible life it was for a woman alone in centuries past. This is the first novel I read by her. I'm looking forward to all the rest. I see by all the reviews may people weren't thrilled with this one. I thought it was fabulous and can't wait to read The Warlord. By all the accolades here I'm expecting my breath to be taken away.

I loved it!!!!! The moment I picked up this book I couldn't put it down.I've never read any of Elizabeth Elliot's other books.But I definitely intend to.This book is excellent!!! If you need a book to curl up with and really get into,this is the book.

In a follow up to THE WARLORD, Elizabeth Elliott has returned to medieval times, this time with the story of Miles, the half brother of Kendrick. Miles wants the home he was born in and travels to negotiate the purchase, but through false accusations, ends up engaged to Claudia, the sister to Robert, the man who tried to assassinate Kendrick in the first of the series. What a beginning and it's non-stop action and heartache for both Claudia, who's been betrayed by her uncle, and Miles, who wants to love her but doesn't know if he can trust her. A book to make you laugh and cry, sympathize with their plight and reaffirm your faith in "love conquers all". A must read and a definite keeper