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The Landlord's Black-Eyed Daughter (Five Star Expressions)
"This wonderful retelling of Alfred Noyes's The Highwayman, is quite simply, remarkable."
-Booklist starred review
And the highwayman came riding, riding, riding...
Elizabeth Wyndham is a rarity-a young lady who writes novels-bestsellers in fact. But with her sharp tongue and quick temper, she's nothing like her vapid, charming heroines.
Rand Remington is an ex-soldier disillusioned with England's less-than-honorable nobility. By day a gentleman, by night he robs the rich to try to make life better for the poor.
Rand and Elizabeth are drawn inexorably together, until the fateful night when the men trying to capture Rand use Elizabeth as living bait...Based on the beloved poem about two timeless lovers who would die for each other...
"A swift and bawdy tale...and manages a happy ending as well."
-Mary Jo Putney, New York Times bestselling author of Never Less Than a Lady
"A fast pace, fluid writing, and an exceptionally well-crafted plot..."
-Library Journal
"An exhilarating romp throughout 18th century England, with adventure at every turn and spine-tingling suspense."
-Midwest Book Review
(20110222)
-Booklist starred review
And the highwayman came riding, riding, riding...
Elizabeth Wyndham is a rarity-a young lady who writes novels-bestsellers in fact. But with her sharp tongue and quick temper, she's nothing like her vapid, charming heroines.
Rand Remington is an ex-soldier disillusioned with England's less-than-honorable nobility. By day a gentleman, by night he robs the rich to try to make life better for the poor.
Rand and Elizabeth are drawn inexorably together, until the fateful night when the men trying to capture Rand use Elizabeth as living bait...Based on the beloved poem about two timeless lovers who would die for each other...
"A swift and bawdy tale...and manages a happy ending as well."
-Mary Jo Putney, New York Times bestselling author of Never Less Than a Lady
"A fast pace, fluid writing, and an exceptionally well-crafted plot..."
-Library Journal
"An exhilarating romp throughout 18th century England, with adventure at every turn and spine-tingling suspense."
-Midwest Book Review
(20110222)
419 pages, Hardcover
First published August 15, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 19, 2011
HE LANDLORD'S BLACK-EYED DAUGHTER by Mary Ellen Dennis is an exciting fast paced historicTal romance with a touch of paranormal set in 1787-1788 London. It was orginally published in 2007 by Five Star Expressions.This is a roller coaster wild of emotions.It is full of adventure,betrayal,five hundred year old spirits,romance,love,some suspense,family and coming to terms with your destiny. Highwayman Rand meets authoress,Elizabeth(Bess). When the two of them first meet Rand and his cousin robs them,but Rand and Bess feels a connection. This connection has to do with long agoconnection ,(five hundred years to be exact) between a handsome,fiercesome knight and his lovely Lady.While his Lady loved him,he was oft gone,loved fighting in the war,loved other women,his Lady was barren in the end she betrayed him.Rand and Bess feels their connection to these two wayward souls,and fight to find change the ending in their own lives.In the meantime,Rand continues to be a highwayman who robs from the rich to give to the poor.He is the Robin Hood of this time.Bess,being an author of gothic novels has dreams of being independent,but is pursued by a ruthless magistrate in her small village.This magistrate in the end will use Bess to capture Rand..She also has to deal with a father who gambles to excess and a step mother who will do anything to become rich including selling Bess out.As Rand and Bess's love grows danger grows also.This is a fast paced,action packed,full of adventure and suspense for at the ending we learn what really happened to Bess's mother.I would recommend this book to all historical romance who enjoy some paranormal mixed into the story.This book was received for the purpose of review from the publisher and details can be found at Sourcebooks Casablanca,an imprint of Sourcebooks,Inc. and My Book Addiction and More Reviews.
August 31, 2011
I was so anxious to read this book because it is based on Alfred Noyes' poem, "The Highwayman." The title is a direct reference to the poem, and drew me in immediately. It is, however, very loosely based on the poem. In a way, I understand, because it's difficult to turn a short poem into a 400 page book, but I guess a piece of me was still disappointed.
I enjoyed this book far more than the last book I read by the author- "The Greatest Love on Earth." Dennis has greatly improved her writing in the ten year span between writing the books. I do still feel that she excels at writing the other parts of the story besides the actual romance though.
My favorite part of the book was the dark, foreboding Gothic setting. It seems like every scene takes place on a dark, menacing night.
I felt like Rand was an old fashioned male chauvinist much of the time. When he stole Elizabeth's money and then 'repaid' her in stolen jewels that she wouldn't be able to sell because, well, they're stolen, I did not think he was something I would fall in love with. I also took offense that whenever Elizabeth would ask 'when' he would do something, he would respond with 'in my own time.' This is so reminiscent of the old style of historical romance when emotionally controlling men were seen as desirable, so it wasn't really my cup of tea.
The story is intriguing, with a nice Gothic setting, but the romance is too old fashioned for me.
ARC sent by publisher in exchange for honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
I enjoyed this book far more than the last book I read by the author- "The Greatest Love on Earth." Dennis has greatly improved her writing in the ten year span between writing the books. I do still feel that she excels at writing the other parts of the story besides the actual romance though.
My favorite part of the book was the dark, foreboding Gothic setting. It seems like every scene takes place on a dark, menacing night.
I felt like Rand was an old fashioned male chauvinist much of the time. When he stole Elizabeth's money and then 'repaid' her in stolen jewels that she wouldn't be able to sell because, well, they're stolen, I did not think he was something I would fall in love with. I also took offense that whenever Elizabeth would ask 'when' he would do something, he would respond with 'in my own time.' This is so reminiscent of the old style of historical romance when emotionally controlling men were seen as desirable, so it wasn't really my cup of tea.
The story is intriguing, with a nice Gothic setting, but the romance is too old fashioned for me.
ARC sent by publisher in exchange for honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
June 3, 2022
This is the first book I haven’t finished in over a year and the third one ever. I got about half way through and wondered why I was still reading it. Not well written. Boring and long winded. Trashy.
March 13, 2020
Mildly amusing trash.
February 21, 2022
I was quite impressed with this interpretation of the Highwayman poem. I did not expect it to be such an emotional rollercoaster. But since it was it made the ending sweeter.
July 31, 2011
The Landlord’s Black-Eyes Daughter by Mary Ellen Dennis
Historical Romance –Aug. 1st, 2011
3 stars
Rand Remmington has turned into a highwayman. He steals from the poor and gives to those in need. After a disheartening and haunting life as a soldier, he feels that the wealthy and privileged have no humanity. He realizes he will probably die for his crimes. One night he steals money and a curious Gothic book, and he can’t stop reading the book. He feels a connection to the author and the story’s villain. So he crashes a party for the popular author and meets the surprisingly beautifully and bold woman. Her name is Elizabeth Wyndham.
Elizabeth is close to thirty and is constantly reminded that should get married before her looks decline. But Elizabeth has independence as a successful writer and wants no man to control her life. When she spies a mysterious man at her party, she is drawn to him and feels that she knows him but he has deep seated troubles that drag him. Elizabeth feels she can save him and wants to be at his side. However his criminal past will haunt them both. Can they find happiness?
This book is nearly five hundred pages. It started out very promising for the first part. I loved the plucky heroine and the well-meaning hero. I felt their instant attraction to each other and I enjoyed how the author cleverly introduced the possibility of a reincarnated love with a second chance. But after the promising beginning, the author pulls in some very unlikable secondary characters which dragged the plot and made it feel unnecessarily long, depressing and convoluted. While I admire the author’s originality and interesting storyline, at some point I really wanted to two main characters to call it quits and quickly leave evil England and find a new life. (Instead of letting the rest of the cast continuously take advantage of them.) So for the first section of the book, I gave it 4 ½ stars and the rest around a 3. This first section of the story seemed to have a different personality than the later section. This made it feel like it was two separate books.
Two main characters with a lot of potential make this an interesting historical romance.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Historical Romance –Aug. 1st, 2011
3 stars
Rand Remmington has turned into a highwayman. He steals from the poor and gives to those in need. After a disheartening and haunting life as a soldier, he feels that the wealthy and privileged have no humanity. He realizes he will probably die for his crimes. One night he steals money and a curious Gothic book, and he can’t stop reading the book. He feels a connection to the author and the story’s villain. So he crashes a party for the popular author and meets the surprisingly beautifully and bold woman. Her name is Elizabeth Wyndham.
Elizabeth is close to thirty and is constantly reminded that should get married before her looks decline. But Elizabeth has independence as a successful writer and wants no man to control her life. When she spies a mysterious man at her party, she is drawn to him and feels that she knows him but he has deep seated troubles that drag him. Elizabeth feels she can save him and wants to be at his side. However his criminal past will haunt them both. Can they find happiness?
This book is nearly five hundred pages. It started out very promising for the first part. I loved the plucky heroine and the well-meaning hero. I felt their instant attraction to each other and I enjoyed how the author cleverly introduced the possibility of a reincarnated love with a second chance. But after the promising beginning, the author pulls in some very unlikable secondary characters which dragged the plot and made it feel unnecessarily long, depressing and convoluted. While I admire the author’s originality and interesting storyline, at some point I really wanted to two main characters to call it quits and quickly leave evil England and find a new life. (Instead of letting the rest of the cast continuously take advantage of them.) So for the first section of the book, I gave it 4 ½ stars and the rest around a 3. This first section of the story seemed to have a different personality than the later section. This made it feel like it was two separate books.
Two main characters with a lot of potential make this an interesting historical romance.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
August 5, 2011
THE LANDLORD'S BLACK-EYED DAUGHTER by Mary Ellen Dennis is a riveting, fast-paced story of a man battling for justice in an unjust era and a woman struggling for her independence in a male-dominated society.
In this intense, brooding retelling of Alfred Noyes's The Highwayman, past lives, reincarnation, dark emotions and forbidden love collide in the story of Elizabeth and Rand, two misfits in Georgian England. Elizabeth, an independent woman who earns her own way as an author, is a menace to the oppressive status quo, symbolized by the evil magistrate, Walter, whose desire for her conflicts with his need to destroy her. Soldier turned highwayman Rand, disgusted with the platitude-spouting hypocrisy of the powerful that crush anyone who defies them, strikes back as a Georgian Robin Hood, stealing from the rich to give to the poor. Sparks fly when these two kindred souls meet. Increasing their blazing attraction for each are glimpses of unfinished business from the past, when they were also lovers.
Ms. Dennis plunges you deep into Elizabeth and Rand's time right from page one. Rich in historical detail, THE LANDLORD'S BLACK-EYED DAUGHTER sweeps you along on waves of atmosphere and passion as a desperate Elizabeth and Rand seek a haven in a world determined to subjugate them. Rand is another version of my favorite kind of hero, a decent man. And Elizabeth is smart and tenacious, a fighter in a repressive age that demolished most women's resistance.
I couldn't put THE LANDLORD'S BLACK-EYED DAUGHTER down. Am I glad I read it.
ARC provided by Sourcebooks
In this intense, brooding retelling of Alfred Noyes's The Highwayman, past lives, reincarnation, dark emotions and forbidden love collide in the story of Elizabeth and Rand, two misfits in Georgian England. Elizabeth, an independent woman who earns her own way as an author, is a menace to the oppressive status quo, symbolized by the evil magistrate, Walter, whose desire for her conflicts with his need to destroy her. Soldier turned highwayman Rand, disgusted with the platitude-spouting hypocrisy of the powerful that crush anyone who defies them, strikes back as a Georgian Robin Hood, stealing from the rich to give to the poor. Sparks fly when these two kindred souls meet. Increasing their blazing attraction for each are glimpses of unfinished business from the past, when they were also lovers.
Ms. Dennis plunges you deep into Elizabeth and Rand's time right from page one. Rich in historical detail, THE LANDLORD'S BLACK-EYED DAUGHTER sweeps you along on waves of atmosphere and passion as a desperate Elizabeth and Rand seek a haven in a world determined to subjugate them. Rand is another version of my favorite kind of hero, a decent man. And Elizabeth is smart and tenacious, a fighter in a repressive age that demolished most women's resistance.
I couldn't put THE LANDLORD'S BLACK-EYED DAUGHTER down. Am I glad I read it.
ARC provided by Sourcebooks
September 11, 2011
Loreena McKennitt's haunting musical version of "The Highwayman" by poet Alfred Noyes is what drew me immediately to this book. I have always loved that poem and then Ms. McKennitt's lovely voice brought life to the words for me. It is one of my favorite CDs and gets plenty of play at our house.
So, on to the book by Mary Ellen Dennis. I had high hopes that the story would basically be a fleshed out version of the original. While the poem did provide a slight backbone for the book, it was more of a suggestion than a foundation. I do realize that trying to create an entire full fledged tale out of a poem of 1000 or so words would be tough, but I really did expect a bit more resemblance to the original.
That being said, I did enjoy the story. Elizabeth is a fun heroine. She is strong and opinionated and her "profession" of a writer drew me to her. I loved that she wrote Gothic Romance novels. The fact that her book is what finally connects her and Rand is a lovely touch.
Rand is a perfect "Robin Hood" character. He is suave and swashbuckling while still having what counts - a heart. He and his "Bess" really do make a great couple and drive the story. The supporting cast weren't especially helpful and I didn't care for most of them.
While I did say I'd have liked it to follow the poem a bit more, I really am glad that the ending for The Landlord's Black-Eyed Daughter is more upbeat than the tragic ending of the original Highwayman and his Bess.
Elements of adventure, romance, historical fiction and a bit of paranormal activity make for a fun read.
So, on to the book by Mary Ellen Dennis. I had high hopes that the story would basically be a fleshed out version of the original. While the poem did provide a slight backbone for the book, it was more of a suggestion than a foundation. I do realize that trying to create an entire full fledged tale out of a poem of 1000 or so words would be tough, but I really did expect a bit more resemblance to the original.
That being said, I did enjoy the story. Elizabeth is a fun heroine. She is strong and opinionated and her "profession" of a writer drew me to her. I loved that she wrote Gothic Romance novels. The fact that her book is what finally connects her and Rand is a lovely touch.
Rand is a perfect "Robin Hood" character. He is suave and swashbuckling while still having what counts - a heart. He and his "Bess" really do make a great couple and drive the story. The supporting cast weren't especially helpful and I didn't care for most of them.
While I did say I'd have liked it to follow the poem a bit more, I really am glad that the ending for The Landlord's Black-Eyed Daughter is more upbeat than the tragic ending of the original Highwayman and his Bess.
Elements of adventure, romance, historical fiction and a bit of paranormal activity make for a fun read.
August 21, 2011
First thoughts after reading the last sentence: "Hmmm......the poem is better."
I listened to Loreena McKennitt's version of The Highwayman (the poem by Alfred Noyes is where the author got the idea for this story) to try to get myself into the mood and right frame of mind before reading. I have loved her rendition for many years and it's because of her song that I wanted to read this novel. I have to tell you that the first 183 pages were really slow for me and I had a hard time staying with the book. I'm glad that I didn't give up because the last part of the book was actually pretty good and in places the poem really started to come to life in my mind. And if I'm being honest I thought Rand sounded pretty hot and dangerous...I'd climb out a window to take a ride with him any day!! So, if you're looking for a fun book that takes on some of the characters from The Highwayman, then you may want to read this one.
Rating: 6.8/10
I listened to Loreena McKennitt's version of The Highwayman (the poem by Alfred Noyes is where the author got the idea for this story) to try to get myself into the mood and right frame of mind before reading. I have loved her rendition for many years and it's because of her song that I wanted to read this novel. I have to tell you that the first 183 pages were really slow for me and I had a hard time staying with the book. I'm glad that I didn't give up because the last part of the book was actually pretty good and in places the poem really started to come to life in my mind. And if I'm being honest I thought Rand sounded pretty hot and dangerous...I'd climb out a window to take a ride with him any day!! So, if you're looking for a fun book that takes on some of the characters from The Highwayman, then you may want to read this one.
Rating: 6.8/10
December 22, 2010
I found this an excellent read, I finished it in a weekend and did not want to put it down.
The story is a little different, with a different sort of hero.
Elizabeth (Bess) Wyndham is an innkeeper's daughter and a successful authoress of Gothic romances. Rand Remington is a Highwayman and on one of his robberies he steals her latest novel and reads it and finds some familiar in the story, he decides to meet Bess. She thinks she has met him before.
Having survived the American Wars, Rand cannot come to terms with the hypocrisy if 18th century England, that is why he is a Highwayman.
Together, Rand and Bess share a series of adventures, including a cell in Newgate Prison.
I also like that it has a happy ending, though there were some twists and turns getting there.
The story is a little different, with a different sort of hero.
Elizabeth (Bess) Wyndham is an innkeeper's daughter and a successful authoress of Gothic romances. Rand Remington is a Highwayman and on one of his robberies he steals her latest novel and reads it and finds some familiar in the story, he decides to meet Bess. She thinks she has met him before.
Having survived the American Wars, Rand cannot come to terms with the hypocrisy if 18th century England, that is why he is a Highwayman.
Together, Rand and Bess share a series of adventures, including a cell in Newgate Prison.
I also like that it has a happy ending, though there were some twists and turns getting there.
August 9, 2016
drey’s thoughts:
Elizabeth Wyndham is an author with writer’s block, and worries that her publisher will soon drop her. And then how will she support her family? John Randolph Remington is a former soldier who’s a real-life Robin Hood, robbing the rich to help the poor. The two meet and sparks start flying…
The Landlord’s Black-Eyed Daughter has a plot with plenty of action and suspense, and a romance to balance it out… You’ll love Elizabeth and Rand, and you’ll want to smack ‘em upside the head a few times. But you’ll root for them as they run from danger and blackmail, and you’ll close your eyes when they come close to losing their lives.
drey’s rating: Pick it up! Fans of historical fiction will love this re-issue.
Elizabeth Wyndham is an author with writer’s block, and worries that her publisher will soon drop her. And then how will she support her family? John Randolph Remington is a former soldier who’s a real-life Robin Hood, robbing the rich to help the poor. The two meet and sparks start flying…
The Landlord’s Black-Eyed Daughter has a plot with plenty of action and suspense, and a romance to balance it out… You’ll love Elizabeth and Rand, and you’ll want to smack ‘em upside the head a few times. But you’ll root for them as they run from danger and blackmail, and you’ll close your eyes when they come close to losing their lives.
drey’s rating: Pick it up! Fans of historical fiction will love this re-issue.
September 17, 2011
I too have always loved Alfred Noyes' poem "The Highwayman." Back in the dark ages when I was about 12, I saw a black and white movie made from the poem. It was very true to the poem, even the sad ending. I have been a fan ever since and looked forward to this book very much. I must admit I liked the story, loved the heroine, who is an independent woman who is writing gothic novels. The Highwayman, Rand is also a likeable hero, and how the two meet in clever. as they fight injustice, and Elizabeth's nemesis, an evil man who will do anything to marry her. I liked that it had a happier ending than the poem, but it was not much like it otherwish.
May 26, 2012
I had many quams with this book. The plot didn't wasn't very clear to me, and the was a bit fuzzy. Half the book seemed to center around her making love with strangers, and the double lives was also confusing, I never understood why they needed to go to some places so terribly. Over all, I had higher expectations for this book then it delivered, if you're about to read it because you love the poem, I wouldn't. But if you like gothic novels, this may be the thing for you.
January 26, 2010
Set in England in the late 1700s. Protagonist is a very strong female, who happens to support herself (and her family) by writing. She falls in love with a Highwayman (a Robin Hood type robber). Both of these characters feel that they knew one another in a pervious life. This aspect of the book is confusing; the reader is never really sure why these two feel a connection to dead people from a previous century.
March 3, 2011
I like history, and have read my share of historicals and regencies, but this one painted a picture of 18th century London I'd not encountered before. I saw the squalor of the seamy side, at times could even smell it, and I felt the plight of the many who weren't fortunate enough to be born into wealth and power. It was long, but kept my attention. A good read.
November 6, 2007
Ah, it was ok. I expected it to follow the poem a little more closely - there were some things woven throughout. A little too implausible for me and a little too 'romancy'. An 'all right' read, but not one I'd recommend.
October 15, 2007
Looking for gothic romance? Stick with Victoria Holt!
December 3, 2008
Feh. Not as good as the original poem, which was a childhood favorite.
March 9, 2009
I enjoyed this book...not normally one I would read, but it was pretty good.
February 23, 2010
Just started. Interesting. Finished. Okay read. I liked the highwaymen characters. The main character got on my nerves. So like Twilght's Bella--so strong and then a wimp. Not believable at times.
April 2, 2011
Loved this one. Review to come.
August 30, 2012
The characters are weak, the love is too abrupt to be believable and the characters are caught and escape way too many times.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews