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The Peers of the Realm Trilogy #3
The Dark Earl
Is it about the man...or the manor?
It's love at first sight for Lady Harriet Hamilton--love with Thomas Anson's ancestral home, that is. Thomas's father, the Earl of Lichfield, has gambled away the family's honor, and now it's cost them everything at Shugborough Hall. The estate sale is shameful enough for Thomas without some precocious young female sneaking around his property, but vivacious Harry has caught him sneaking around as well ...
When they meet again years later, neither Harry nor Viscount Anson has forgotten their encounter. While Thomas has grown into the exact opposite of his reprobate father, Harry is outspoken, audacious, and now, Thomas must admit, quite a beauty. But he's committed to restoring the family holdings, not chasing after a wife. If only she wasn't hurling herself against his principles--and haviong such a good time doing it ...
It's love at first sight for Lady Harriet Hamilton--love with Thomas Anson's ancestral home, that is. Thomas's father, the Earl of Lichfield, has gambled away the family's honor, and now it's cost them everything at Shugborough Hall. The estate sale is shameful enough for Thomas without some precocious young female sneaking around his property, but vivacious Harry has caught him sneaking around as well ...
When they meet again years later, neither Harry nor Viscount Anson has forgotten their encounter. While Thomas has grown into the exact opposite of his reprobate father, Harry is outspoken, audacious, and now, Thomas must admit, quite a beauty. But he's committed to restoring the family holdings, not chasing after a wife. If only she wasn't hurling herself against his principles--and haviong such a good time doing it ...
401 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2011
About the author
Virginia Henley
64 books648 followersVirginia Syddall was born on December 5, 1935 in England, where her father, Thomas Syddall, taught her to love history. She obtained a degree in History in the University. In 1956, Virginia married Arthur Henley. They moved to America, and now they live most of the year in St. Petersburg, Florida, and they spend the hot summers in Ontario, Canada, where they have their two adult children and three grandsons.
Virginia Henley is a New York Times bestselling writer of historical novels. Her work has been translated into fourteen languages. She is the recipient of more than a dozen writing awards, including a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award, a Waldenbooks' Bestselling Award, and a Maggie Award for Excellence from the Georgia Romance Writers.
Virginia Henley is a New York Times bestselling writer of historical novels. Her work has been translated into fourteen languages. She is the recipient of more than a dozen writing awards, including a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award, a Waldenbooks' Bestselling Award, and a Maggie Award for Excellence from the Georgia Romance Writers.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 4, 2011
The Dark Earl by Virginia Henley
Historical Romance -Sept. 6th, 2011
3 stars
Thanks to his father, the Earl of Lichfield, Thomas Anson watches as everything in Shugborough is auctioned off and the family’s hunting lodge nearby burned to the ground for insurance money. Angry and bitter, he vows to restore Shugborough back to its former glory no matter the cost. When he meets the precocious and willful Harry (Harriet’s nickname) daughter of the Duke of Abercorn, he realized that she is his solution. Harry comes with a considerable dowry and is extremely beautiful as well. But Harry will not marry for anything less than love. She wants what her parents have - a loving marriage. Can Thomas give her his heart?
This book reminds me a lot of Whitney My Love and other romance novels from the late 80’s. The writing style is definitely sparser and much more straightforward than the current style, which I prefer. Also, the heroine reminds me of Scarlett O’Hara from Gone With the Wind - she’s drop-dead beautiful, very headstrong, very stubborn, and very proud. As much as I admire how she deals with her sister’s and former suitor’s betrayal, I find it hard to relate or like Harry. She’s too different, too out there, and too perfect. The only way I can describe her is that she is the ideal heroine from the last decade. Thomas Anson is very detached and focused. He just wants Shugborough back and Harry is the means to an end. It takes him a long time to realize that he loves Harry very much, which cause problems between Harry and Thomas. The main conflict between the two characters is very soap-operatic. You can definitely see trouble coming from far away.
Formulaic and with a different writing style, this book is recommended for those who love
the sweeping romances of the 80’s.
Reviewed by Pauline from the Bookaholics Romance Club
Historical Romance -Sept. 6th, 2011
3 stars
Thanks to his father, the Earl of Lichfield, Thomas Anson watches as everything in Shugborough is auctioned off and the family’s hunting lodge nearby burned to the ground for insurance money. Angry and bitter, he vows to restore Shugborough back to its former glory no matter the cost. When he meets the precocious and willful Harry (Harriet’s nickname) daughter of the Duke of Abercorn, he realized that she is his solution. Harry comes with a considerable dowry and is extremely beautiful as well. But Harry will not marry for anything less than love. She wants what her parents have - a loving marriage. Can Thomas give her his heart?
This book reminds me a lot of Whitney My Love and other romance novels from the late 80’s. The writing style is definitely sparser and much more straightforward than the current style, which I prefer. Also, the heroine reminds me of Scarlett O’Hara from Gone With the Wind - she’s drop-dead beautiful, very headstrong, very stubborn, and very proud. As much as I admire how she deals with her sister’s and former suitor’s betrayal, I find it hard to relate or like Harry. She’s too different, too out there, and too perfect. The only way I can describe her is that she is the ideal heroine from the last decade. Thomas Anson is very detached and focused. He just wants Shugborough back and Harry is the means to an end. It takes him a long time to realize that he loves Harry very much, which cause problems between Harry and Thomas. The main conflict between the two characters is very soap-operatic. You can definitely see trouble coming from far away.
Formulaic and with a different writing style, this book is recommended for those who love
the sweeping romances of the 80’s.
Reviewed by Pauline from the Bookaholics Romance Club
February 16, 2013
This was a good read. Not fantastic but a good, easy book to read. The characters were funny, deep, and charismatic. The story line was well written with just enough details to be good but not too much to be boring. Well worth the read.
May 7, 2013
I have to admit with a Heroine named Harry short for Harriet who speaks a bit too openly for Victorian Times (note- not a Regency) LOL the book is full of fun, scares and a closer look at Victorian times. I would actually reccomend this book to those who have a good sense of history, humor and unconventionality!
April 2, 2018
A good read; follows the formula for these types of novels and doesn't disappoint or surprise. If you're a fan of the genre, then I recommend. A quick, easy read perfect when you need something light.
September 14, 2011
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August 22, 2017
Meryl review August 2017
Inoffensive fun - formulaic entry into the crowded historical romance field, suffering a little in comparison to Eloisa James who captures the escapist, erotic nature of her subject matter and writes extremely well to boot.
Harry and Thomas are minor aristocracy whose love life encounters a few ups and downs.
Have gained a new phrase in "bugger and balls!" And may be gleefully using in the very near future.
3 stars for the richness of the scenery and Thomas's attributes, 2 stars for the clunky dialogue.
Inoffensive fun - formulaic entry into the crowded historical romance field, suffering a little in comparison to Eloisa James who captures the escapist, erotic nature of her subject matter and writes extremely well to boot.
Harry and Thomas are minor aristocracy whose love life encounters a few ups and downs.
Have gained a new phrase in "bugger and balls!" And may be gleefully using in the very near future.
3 stars for the richness of the scenery and Thomas's attributes, 2 stars for the clunky dialogue.
October 2, 2024
I had to give up halfway through the book for a couple of reasons.
1. Too many characters that are connected in some way or the other without a true purpose in the story. I truly don't care about housekeepers full name or second cousins twice removed tea preference.
2. I've reached the midpoint of the book and MMC is still a side character. I've found out more about sister's husband than about MMC.
3. Unnecessary scenes. Again I don't care about pony riding lessons of younger siblings.
4. FMC is unlikable. Will she or won't she? Look at me all progressive and impulsive! Just no.
1. Too many characters that are connected in some way or the other without a true purpose in the story. I truly don't care about housekeepers full name or second cousins twice removed tea preference.
2. I've reached the midpoint of the book and MMC is still a side character. I've found out more about sister's husband than about MMC.
3. Unnecessary scenes. Again I don't care about pony riding lessons of younger siblings.
4. FMC is unlikable. Will she or won't she? Look at me all progressive and impulsive! Just no.
March 4, 2021
Skimmed the first couple chapters and couldn't continue. Silly, ridiculously inappropriate actions and conversations for the period. It reads like a YAR where the sassy, enlightening h acts as if she's living in the 21st century. Just silly and boring and i couldn't see it getting better.
July 18, 2018
So boring. I thought I might expire from the tedium. Just walk away.
January 11, 2020
It was jumpy and long. Certain scenes didn't feel necessary for the plot, and I began to lose interest pretty quickly.
August 13, 2021
Not bad.
June 19, 2012
It is a great pity that I can't give more stars to this book.
However, there were several things that got on my last damn nerves! -.-'
First, I thought that the first meeting of the protagonists, that happened when the heroine, Harriet, was barely a child, was a bad start for their story.
I mean, I'm not seeing myself falling in love with a person that called me bitch or that accused me of theft.
But whatever, some years passed and by the time that they meet again, the hero, Thomas, is almost 30 and Harriet is almost 20.
Once again, their meeting was bad. Thomas strongly disapproves of Harriet's behaviour (she is rather rebel for the time) and seems not to have her in a high esteem.
From that point on, he starts to court her and I can only think that he does that because she is a rich heiress, daughter of members of the high nobility and he needs her money, since his father lost everything gambling so, in spite of inheriting the title of duke, he will not inherit wealth.
Harriet recognizes that she is attracted to Thomas, since he is a very handsome man, but she doesn't like that he is so "straitlaced" and controlled, so she turns her attentions to other suitors that are paying court to her.
However, I hated the fact that, instead of thinking about their character, first she only thought about their title and their possessions.
So, she was switching suitors for a while until the came to the conclusion that she was in love with Thomas.
Once again, her feelings and later, Thomas's feelings when he says that he is in love with her seem too forced for my liking. I can't see how they passed from "She has no shame! I don't like her!" and "He is much to controlled and controlling for me!" to "I love you!".
But this is just me thinking that the author didn't develop their relationship in the right way.
There were some other things that I did't like but I'm not going to say it because this review would have 2 meters.
Overall, this book is ok. There is nothing special.
However, there were several things that got on my last damn nerves! -.-'
First, I thought that the first meeting of the protagonists, that happened when the heroine, Harriet, was barely a child, was a bad start for their story.
I mean, I'm not seeing myself falling in love with a person that called me bitch or that accused me of theft.
But whatever, some years passed and by the time that they meet again, the hero, Thomas, is almost 30 and Harriet is almost 20.
Once again, their meeting was bad. Thomas strongly disapproves of Harriet's behaviour (she is rather rebel for the time) and seems not to have her in a high esteem.
From that point on, he starts to court her and I can only think that he does that because she is a rich heiress, daughter of members of the high nobility and he needs her money, since his father lost everything gambling so, in spite of inheriting the title of duke, he will not inherit wealth.
Harriet recognizes that she is attracted to Thomas, since he is a very handsome man, but she doesn't like that he is so "straitlaced" and controlled, so she turns her attentions to other suitors that are paying court to her.
However, I hated the fact that, instead of thinking about their character, first she only thought about their title and their possessions.
So, she was switching suitors for a while until the came to the conclusion that she was in love with Thomas.
Once again, her feelings and later, Thomas's feelings when he says that he is in love with her seem too forced for my liking. I can't see how they passed from "She has no shame! I don't like her!" and "He is much to controlled and controlling for me!" to "I love you!".
But this is just me thinking that the author didn't develop their relationship in the right way.
There were some other things that I did't like but I'm not going to say it because this review would have 2 meters.
Overall, this book is ok. There is nothing special.
March 14, 2013
I was totally not impressed with this. Harry the main female, pushes society's rules to cause trouble, not out if any "ideals" like you're supposed to believe. 'lets wear short skirts to the Queen's ball!' and thomas, the male, is a hypocritical jerk. he doesn't like Harry because she's a "rebel" but wants her because of her money.
there were also some rather gratuitous tacky sex scenes, like at the first ball, the debutante who's parents were throwing the ball gives head to Harry's younger brother for the hell of it. really?
there were also some rather gratuitous tacky sex scenes, like at the first ball, the debutante who's parents were throwing the ball gives head to Harry's younger brother for the hell of it. really?
May 19, 2013
This is the third in the series, following The Irish Duke. This is the story of Louisa's daughter, Harriet (Harry), who falls in love with an estate, and then with its (eventual) owner, Thomas Anson, the (eventual) Earl of Lichfield. Again, these are historical people; I can't say how accurate the details are, though.
There are a couple misunderstandings and secrets that create a bit of drama, but this isn't a riveting story. 2.5 stars.
There are a couple misunderstandings and secrets that create a bit of drama, but this isn't a riveting story. 2.5 stars.
October 30, 2014
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. The only reasons I decided not to give it 5 stars is because I had issues with how the girls behaved. Very un-Victorian like, and not just a little bit, but a lot. Also a little un-lady like. However the love story at the heart of the book was enough for me to overlook these faults. I know a book is good when it sticks with me for a day or two after I've finished it as this one has.
April 12, 2015
The main characters barely interacted
Follow me!
Follow me!
November 27, 2013
Well, I guess I *have* read this book a while back, in trade. I just finished reading it as an ebook, too, thinking that I *didn't* finish reading this the last time.
Harry is a bit trying at times. She may be why I had forgotten I've read to the end before.
Harry is a bit trying at times. She may be why I had forgotten I've read to the end before.
Read
November 19, 2011loved it
December 31, 2011
I liked this story. Good characters. Fun read
August 9, 2012
Typical historical love romance. Easy summer read.
August 27, 2014
4.5 stars
I do so love VH's historicals. She writes earthy heroines, hunky heroes, and vivid, rich, lush, sensual/scandalous history. Love love love!
I do so love VH's historicals. She writes earthy heroines, hunky heroes, and vivid, rich, lush, sensual/scandalous history. Love love love!
September 22, 2012
Really good book.
July 18, 2016
The best thing about this book? Thomas. He was the only reason I was able to finish it and give it 2 stars.
to-read-do-not-have
March 5, 2015Book 3 in "The Peers of the Realm Trilogy"
Read
January 26, 2014great series.
August 11, 2015
Absolutely loved it! I found myself unable to put it down. I even read it to my client who was enthralled with it and asked me to read more books like this to her. A wonderful book!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews