Loving a Lost Lord

In the first installment of the Lost Lord series, narrator Kate Rawson spins the tale of Mariah Clarke, mistress of an estate her father won in a card game. To discourage an unwanted suitor, Mariah claims that a man she rescues, who has lost his memory, is her husband. Little does she know that the man is the Duke of Ashton. Rawson's portrayals of the various characters are subtle and not always consistent. Her best efforts are showcased in her portrayal of Lady Agnes, the formidable headmistress of Westerfield Academy. However, even Rawson's efforts cannot save a story filled with too many twists that add little to the story. A.C.P. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

Starred review from May 11, 2009
The enchanting first Lost Lords novel confirms bestseller Putney (The Marriage Spell
) as a major force in historical romance. In early 19th-century northern England, Mariah Clarke inherits beautiful Hartley Manor. George Burke, Hartley's former owner, claims that Mariah's father won the estate by cheating at cards and attempts to regain it by courting Mariah, who recklessly claims she's already married. When she rescues an amnesiac man from the sea, she sees her chance to make the lie true, naming him Adam and convincing him she's his wife. Sensual romance heats up between the couple until Mariah reluctantly reveals the truth. When she learns of Adam's real history, Mariah must make a terrible choice. Entrancing characters and a superb plot line catapult this tale into stand-alone status.