What do you think?
Rate this book
Hunting Season
Now available as an eBook, Hunting Season tells the story of Christian Villiers, the Marquis of Grayston, who returns to England determined to ruin the man responsible for his beloved sister's suicide. Seducing the cad's intended, Lady Elise Middleton, would be a bonus. But during an elaborate house party, Christian realizes he has met his match in the Þery and passionate Elise...and soon he must decide whether a moment of vengeance is worth risking a lifetime of love.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 7, 2012
37 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
Liz Carlyle
47 books848 followersDear Readers,
The awful truth about novelists is that we are mostly dull, introverted homebodies who only write in order to live our fantasies vicariously. I came to writing rather late in life, and I’m still amazed I can get paid for doing something I love, and that I get to stay home while I do it.
My favorite comedian Steve Martin once said, "I believe entertainment can aspire to be art, and can become art. But if you set out to make art, you’re an idiot." I have never tried to create art, but I do try to tell one heck of a good story. Yes, I try to write with a hot iron, while the heat of the story is in me. And I try, always, to entertain my readers.
Regards,
Liz
The awful truth about novelists is that we are mostly dull, introverted homebodies who only write in order to live our fantasies vicariously. I came to writing rather late in life, and I’m still amazed I can get paid for doing something I love, and that I get to stay home while I do it.
My favorite comedian Steve Martin once said, "I believe entertainment can aspire to be art, and can become art. But if you set out to make art, you’re an idiot." I have never tried to create art, but I do try to tell one heck of a good story. Yes, I try to write with a hot iron, while the heat of the story is in me. And I try, always, to entertain my readers.
Regards,
Liz
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 3, 2013
I'm not one to complain that a novella or short story is "too short." After all, limited length is what one expects from those formats, and I'm a big believer that 'trimming the literary fat' can make for a more engaging, tightly plotted and smoothly paced read. Restless readers like I am are far less likely to tire of a well-written, imagination-stimulating novella than those unnecessarily bloated 400+ page, "ugh, this AGAIN? We GET it already!" novels.
The thing is, this story felt like it was lacking not just in length, but in substance. I didn't feel much of a connection with the characters or fully buy into their connection with each other. There are some novellas that sell me instantly on the H and h having a bond and soulmate-y chemistry---particularly if they knew each other before the novella begins. In this case, it felt more like two characters who were in lust rather than in anything close to love, which happens to be a pet peeve of mine!
I couldn't rate it less than three stars because I love Carlyle's writing style, which is more 'literary' than one often finds in this genre without being the least bit stuffy or pretentious. I'm still eager to read more of Carlyle's work, but won't be revisiting this one again.
The thing is, this story felt like it was lacking not just in length, but in substance. I didn't feel much of a connection with the characters or fully buy into their connection with each other. There are some novellas that sell me instantly on the H and h having a bond and soulmate-y chemistry---particularly if they knew each other before the novella begins. In this case, it felt more like two characters who were in lust rather than in anything close to love, which happens to be a pet peeve of mine!
I couldn't rate it less than three stars because I love Carlyle's writing style, which is more 'literary' than one often finds in this genre without being the least bit stuffy or pretentious. I'm still eager to read more of Carlyle's work, but won't be revisiting this one again.
April 8, 2013
This novella by the always-dependable Carlyle manages to pack full servings revenge and romance in half the normal length. Our hero seeks revenge for his younger sister, who was seduced by a fortune hunter and killed herself. This is how his path cross with a lovely, common-sense young widow who is the fortune hunter's next target. It takes place over a relatively short span and in pretty much one setting (a house party) but, as with Duran's novella, there is nothing I'd improve except for wishing there was more as I got so attached to both heroine and hero, who were wounded but very functional and very good people. I pulled harder for their happy ending than I do in majority of full-length romances I read.
April 15, 2012
A terrific novella -- everything you want/expect in a longer romance (great dialogue, sharp characters, plenty of conflict), and all done up with style.
August 31, 2012
Loved every minute of the book if only there were more. The book deserves to be longer than a short story and Christian and Elise really do make a great couple!
July 23, 2021
A jewel of a novella, a diamond of such clarity with no flaws that one only wishes it had more carats. From their first brief anonymous meeting something sparks between the cold silver-eyed loner with an unexpected soft spot for children and the widow with a young step daughter for whom he sacrifices his room at an inn. Though Christian propositions Elise and she primly refuses, her moment of hesitation keeps them both awake. Their second meeting at a house party is a mutual surprise but predestined as he discovers SHE is the pawn he means to use in his revenge against his sister's despoiler.
It's a talented author who can make the developing relationship between the ill-intentioned rake and the rather naive widow believable. Behind the curtain of their mutual lust, he is diverted from his plans to seduce her merely to trap her enraged suitor into a duel, while she sees glimpses of noble character that belie his dire reputation. The heroine starts out strangely jejune for someone who's been married to an aristocrat (reverting to her countrified background as vicar's daughter and governess before her rich employer wedded her). However, she turns out to have stronger stuff within, gutsy enough to express her love first and offer herself as a mistress when Christian believes he isn't good husband material. She wins that debate about his husbandly qualities.
It's a talented author who can make the developing relationship between the ill-intentioned rake and the rather naive widow believable. Behind the curtain of their mutual lust, he is diverted from his plans to seduce her merely to trap her enraged suitor into a duel, while she sees glimpses of noble character that belie his dire reputation. The heroine starts out strangely jejune for someone who's been married to an aristocrat (reverting to her countrified background as vicar's daughter and governess before her rich employer wedded her). However, she turns out to have stronger stuff within, gutsy enough to express her love first and offer herself as a mistress when Christian believes he isn't good husband material. She wins that debate about his husbandly qualities.
November 7, 2019
Love stories like this and Love Liz's books. I share them with my friend Debbie.
June 21, 2020
Okay read. Nothing special.
February 16, 2026
A companion novella to the Lorimer Family/ Clan Cameron series, although at 160 pages it's a good length, almost like a short novel. It could probably stand alone, but having read the other books, I recognised and enjoyed short revisits wth past characters, (such as Cole Amherst and his family, from A Woman Scorned by Liz Carlyle).
The first time I read this, apparently I didn't enjoy it that much, and I'd pretty much completely forgotten everything about it. But on this reread, I got into it much more. I enjoyed the MCs this time, Christian with his rakish reputation, and Elise the former governess, who were both new characters. They did fall in love pretty quickly (as is typical in novellas), but still, it was convincing enough to me. They didn't immediately fall in bed etc, and there was an actual plot with some development, and a satisfying punishment for the bad guy. This time I liked the read 😀 My only issue was that on the very last page, things did end rather abruptly, and I kept on clicking my kindle to see whether there was more. (There wasn't). Oh well, it was still a nice HEA. I'm glad I reread this one.
The first time I read this, apparently I didn't enjoy it that much, and I'd pretty much completely forgotten everything about it. But on this reread, I got into it much more. I enjoyed the MCs this time, Christian with his rakish reputation, and Elise the former governess, who were both new characters. They did fall in love pretty quickly (as is typical in novellas), but still, it was convincing enough to me. They didn't immediately fall in bed etc, and there was an actual plot with some development, and a satisfying punishment for the bad guy. This time I liked the read 😀 My only issue was that on the very last page, things did end rather abruptly, and I kept on clicking my kindle to see whether there was more. (There wasn't). Oh well, it was still a nice HEA. I'm glad I reread this one.
March 5, 2012
This originally was found in the anthology Tea for Two, so if you have already read that, no need to get this. I realize that authors need to get paid, but I'm usually irritated when purchasing what seems to be a new short story only to find out I already own it in the original anthology.
October 11, 2016
2,5
Estava gostando, mesmo com o insta-love (acho que é meio requisito para o romance histórico, geralmente tem), mas depois não parecia tanto "amor", mas sim luxúria. E perto do final, foi uma confusão de pensamentos que me deixou um pouco sem saco para o draminha.
Não foi ruim, dei algumas risadas, mas deixou a desejar no final.
Estava gostando, mesmo com o insta-love (acho que é meio requisito para o romance histórico, geralmente tem), mas depois não parecia tanto "amor", mas sim luxúria. E perto do final, foi uma confusão de pensamentos que me deixou um pouco sem saco para o draminha.
Não foi ruim, dei algumas risadas, mas deixou a desejar no final.
wish-list-maybe
August 30, 2016A novella originally part of: Tea for Two, from 2002
July 23, 2016
Nice little novella with good writing and a good story. Christian is one those rakish heroes---healed/changed by a good woman. Elise was lonely and needed the jolt he could give her live.
February 2, 2016
3,5 stars
May 22, 2015
A short but good read.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews