You Gotta Read Reviews
Hazel Statham is a wonderful example of what a Regency writer could and should be, writing an entertaining and sensitive novel destined for the keeper shelf. From the initial chapter, we are drawn into the characters’ lives, falling in love with strong-willed Elizabeth Granger and her siblings and succumbing to the obvious charm of Maxim Beaufort. Lizzie’s Rake has everything needed to elevate it to that classic status: a superior plot, interesting characters and a strong and witty dialogue.
Here’s my dilemma: I could not decide if I wanted to cheer for Lizzie or strangle her! On the one hand we have Lizzie the determined female trying to survive in a man’s world, and then we have Lizzie constantly questioning her judgment. That puzzlement stayed with me throughout a vast majority of the book, but I liked this feeling. I enjoyed Lizzie’s doubt over Maxim’s motives, and his actions. I enjoyed Maxim’s confusion, anger and obvious frustration over Lizzie’s actions in response to his declaration. Essentially, I just enjoyed the entire book, and I believe others will feel the same way too. My advice is to read the book and find out for yourselves, I believe you will not be disappointed.
Reviewed by Mickey
You Gotta Read Reviews
Readers on Amazon.com
 What a lovely discovery!, May 29, 2009
Every once in a while you come across an author totally unfamiliar and you decide to take a chance. I did this years ago with Anne Gracie and more recently with Elizabeth Rolls and both are on my keeper shelf. I can't recall how I found Hazel Statham but somehow I got there via a comment on amazon. Please, everyone who loves the traditional regency, take note: this author has produced books that are charming, full of lovely characters, contain beautifully crafted prose and sweet, fulfilling stories.
Lizzie's Rake is the story of a young woman whose wastrel brother has lost the family estate in a card game and then disappeared to the USA. The estate is won and lost another time and thus comes into the hands of the Earl of St Ive, known amongst the ton as a Super Rake. Actually, the earl is kind hearted, loyal to his family, decent and a good landlord. He attracts women to be sure but he is fair with them and no one really has cause to complain about being connected to him.
When he decides to inspect his new winnings, he meets Lizzie and her younger twin brother and sister, now left destitute and soon to be homeless. Lizzie is a girl of strength of character but has had much thrust upon her unfairly and now has to deal with it. Maxim, the Earl of St Ive, decides that he will help her and, in so doing, for the first time in his life falls in love, truly, madly deeply.
The usual misunderstandings arise as the course of true love does not run smoothly with Lizzie refusing to own up to her own feelings and Maxim dismayed that she can't see that he really means it. Perhaps she protests too much but, well, it's a fairy tale afterall!
If I had to make a criticism here, it would be that we should know more about Lizzie's brother. I found it difficult to accept that the young lord would abandon his family without a second thought and that he is never mentioned again after the opening scenes. Indeed, I rather thought Maxim should have brought him to brook.
Well, fans, here is a good read, a comfort read, with a very admirable hero and feisty heroine. One of my private rules for giving a book 5 stars is that I have to fall in love with the hero. Yes, I did with Maxim!
Highly recommended for lovers of the traditional regency. There was sexual tension without looking behind the bedroom door and excellent dialogue and carefully wrought narrative description.
***
Known as a playboy with the love-them-and-leave-them attitude, he finds himself drawn to Elizabeth the oldest daughter, May 28, 2009
Maxim Beaufort, Earl of St. Ive who found himself in possession of property in Yorkshire, suddenly found out there was more in the bargain than he realized. Upon visiting the property to access its value and get it ready to sell, he finds the property occupied. The former owners' children still live there, and he is about to evict them with no place to go--or so they think.
Known as a playboy with the love-them-and-leave-them attitude, he finds himself drawn to Elizabeth the oldest daughter. Can he change his habits and find a true love?
When a suspicious fire at the house leaves them homeless, Maxim arranges for Elizabeth and the younger children to return to his estate. When he proposes marriage, Elizabeth firmly rejects. Can he prove to her his intentions are honorable? Will he put his reputation on the line? Will Elizabeth finally see him as a man who truly cares and trust him, or will she continue to guard her heart?
This is a very delightful read. It is well written and easy to follow .It is cleanly written, with no outlandish bedroom scenes. If you are one that likes to read the Silhouette books, I think you will enjoy this book.
***
Something You Can Let Your Daughter Read, May 18, 2009
Lizzie's Rake is a delightful story. Fast paced but with easy to follow plot. This reminds me of the Harlequin romances 30 years ago--the kind I read as a girl. The "bedroom door" stays closed in this sweet romance, so if you're looking for something you'd let your daughter read, this is it.
I will definitely read more of Ms. Statham! Reviewed by Camellia
Infamous rake and Corinthian, Maxim Beaufort, Earl of St. Ive, finding himself in possession of a property in Yorkshire, is unprepared for the changes it will bring into his life. Irresistibly drawn to Elizabeth Granger, the former owner’s daughter, he attempts to help the family, finding himself filling the role of benefactor. When the house is razed to the ground, he arranges for temporary accommodation for Elizabeth and her siblings on his estate.
When Elizabeth rejects his proposal of marriage, he is nonetheless determined to win her over. However, events and his reputation conspire to thwart his efforts and his course is one fraught with dangers. Trust does not come easily and determined to protect her heart, Elizabeth struggles to resist her own longings.
At times, their difficulties appear insurmountable but the earl is widely known as ‘The Indomitable’ and the name was not lightly earned. From the very beginning, the reader feels immersed in the unique society of early nineteenth century England called the Regency period. From London society to the cold Yorkshire country, events unfold that influence the characters’ lives at every turn. Maxim Beaufort Earl of St. Ive, a true Corinthian, member of the Four Horse Club, and much sought after by the females of London society, both the respectable and the not so respectable, won Briarhall in Yorkshire at the game table. This out-of-the-way property alters his life.
Elizabeth Granger and the ten-year-old twins, Lucy and William along with the housekeeper Mrs. Rush reside at Briarhall with Elizabeth managing things the best she can after their brother gambled away everything then departed for the Americas.
Lizzie's Rake has all the ingredients of a Regency romance. While the plot is predictable, it is so well written with delightful characters, one is caught up in events making this a most satisfying story of a rocky road to love. Maxim’s Aunt Bella, Lucy, and William are winsome characters that come alive and add new dimensions to the story. While Ingles, Elizabeth’s ex-fiancé brings an undercurrent into the lives of the hero and heroine that creates misunderstandings, pain and misery—emotionally and physically.
Hazel Statham’s unobtrusive writing style makes the reader feel involved in the happenings. While Lizzie finds her way in a society alien to the one she grew up in, Maxim, known as “The Indomitable”, finds himself at a loss as he strives to gain Lizzie’s love and trust in light of his past life with its excesses. The resolution to the problem has more than a little hurt in it
***
By Alice Berger "Bergers Book Reviews" (North Carolina, USA)
Hazel Statham has created a charming story set in England in the early 1800s. In a perfectly proper courtship, Maxim woos Lizzie, trying to convince her of his sincerity. And when London society tries to sway her against him, she must determine who she wants to believe.
Lizzie's Rake is a delightful read for anyone who enjoys a good romance.
Reviewer: Alice Berger
***
Delightful and Charming!, June 13, 2009
By M. K. Hoelscher (Wapakoneta, OH) - See all my reviews
What a delightful book this is! I had never heard of this author so I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this book, and I was pleasantly surprised. Lizzie's Rake is a wonderful romance set in the Regency Period, but it's not your average historical romance. I found the characters to be entertaining and very fleshed out, and not just Maxim and Elizabeth, but her siblings, Aunt Bella and others were written so you felt that you knew them. It also wasn't your usual fighting-our urges type of romance where the man is constantly trying to get her into bed. The bedroom door stays firmly closed in this one and would be perfectly fine for younger readers. It's nice to have a hero who goes out of his way to preserve the reputation of the heroine. I found this book to be charming and fast paced, and well worth picking up. I'd heartily recommend it.
***
A delightful, historical read and easily recommended., June 11, 2009
By Holly (United States) -
I found this to be a charming book. Hazel has captured the Regency period perfectly. Elizabeth is a strong young woman who refuses to be pressured and Maxim is a man who unwillingly loses his heart to her. William and Lucy are sweet and completely taken with Maxim. Aunt Bella is simply lovely. With a bit of mystery and a lot of romance, Lizzie's Rake is a delightful read. I was surprised that it wasn't longer, but I soon realized that it was enthralling and just the right length.
I think that Maxim reformed a bit quickly, but perhaps finding his world unexpectedly turned upside down by a defiant girl was enough to do that. And, I do wish that we knew more about Elizabeth's older brother and what happened to him after he lost the estate by gambling. But, at any rate, Hazel has created some endearing characters. The romance is passionate, but sweet and appropriately honorable. A delightful, historical read and easily recommended.
***
A great historical romance!, June 3, 2009
By A. Pohren (IA United States) -
Lovers of Historical Romance will simply fall under the spell of Lizzie's Rake from the beginning. Elizabeth Granger and her younger twin siblings have come to find out that they are about to be evicted from their beloved home. However, Maxim Beaufort, who has come to own their home, has changed his mind after meeting the three. Everything seemed rather settled, until a tragic fire consumes and destroys their home. Against her better judgement, Lizzie takes Maxim up on an offer to reside at one of his residences. There is tension between the two, yet there is also a strong pull of desire. Maxim is a well known playboy, but has he met his match in Lizzie? Can she learn to trust him and trust the fact that he can change his ways?
Lizzie's Rake is a delightful combination of romance, a bit of suspense and a lesson in love and trust. What I found particularly enjoyable was the fact that the author, Ms. Statham, threw in a few twists and turns within the story. This lent a new dimension to the story, rather than just the torturous/trying to fight love theme that is typical in Historical Romance. In the beginning, I had a bit of a hard time getting into the story, I think the main cause being the many names that Maxim is called by. There are times he is referred to as Maxim, others as Earl and then others as St. Ive. Once I became use to this and had it straight in my mind, the reading flowed much smoother and I was able to get into the story very quickly. Lizzie's Rake is an enjoyable and fun read - one that I found myself eager to return to again and again. The characters are delightful, dialog engaging and storyline engrossing.
Ms. Statham does a wonderful job in showing off her talent in Lizzie's Rake and makes it a perfect read to settle back with and just escape the everyday doldrums.
***
Become immersed in 19th century society!, June 1, 2009
By J. Thomas "The Long and the Short Of It Reviews" (USA)
From the very beginning, the reader feels immersed in the unique society of early nineteenth century England called the Regency period. From London society to the cold Yorkshire country, events unfold that influence the characters' lives at every turn.
Lizzie's Rake has all the ingredients of a Regency romance. While the plot is predictable, it is so well written with delightful characters, one is caught up in events making this a most satisfying story of a rocky road to love.
Maxim's Aunt Bella, Lucy, and William are winsome characters that come alive and add new dimensions to the story. While Ingles, Elizabeth's ex-fiancé brings an undercurrent into the lives of the hero and heroine that creates misunderstandings, pain and misery--emotionally and physically.
Hazel Statham's unobtrusive writing style makes the reader feel involved in the happenings. While Lizzie finds her way in a society alien to the one she grew up in, Maxim, known as "The Indomitable", finds himself at a loss as he strives to gain Lizzie's love and trust in light of his past life with its excesses. The resolution to the problem has more than a little hurt in it.
***
By BookReviewsByDebra "Book Reviews By Debra" (Hawesville, KY USA)
Known as a playboy with the love-them-and-leave-them attitude, he finds himself drawn to Elizabeth the oldest daughter, May 28, 2009
This is a very delightful read. It is well written and easy to follow .It is cleanly written, with no outlandish bedroom scenes. If you are one that likes to read the Silhouette books, I think you will enjoy this book.
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