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Applegate Sisters #4
Enticing the Earl
Determined to reclaim her beloved father-in-law's estate from it's new owner, widow Lauryn Applegate Harris offers herself as a courtesan to the Earl of Sutton, who, agreeing to her proposal, introduces her to a new world of pleasure. Original.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
About the author
Nicole Byrd
28 books19 followersCheryl Byrd was born on 9 June 1947 in Clarksville, Tennessee, USA, daughter of Nancy, a sales manager, and Smith Henry Byrd, a military officer. As an army brat, she has lived in Tennessee, Texas, Georgia, Kentucky, the Mississippi Gulf Coast, southern California, Great Britain, and Germany. Growing up, she changed schools ten times in twelve years. She has been an Anglophile since she discovered the Dr. Dolittle books at about the age of seven. After enduring serious frustration when she could not learn to talk to the animals, she stuck to reading and devoured the Mary Poppins series, the Borrowers, and anything else English she could find, enjoying, as she grew, many British writers including the wonderful Jane Austen and even the Bard himself. And somewhere along the way, the writing bug bit, as well.
On 2 June 1967, she married Q. J. Wasden, a sales manager. They had two children: Quinton John and Michelle Nicole, and divorced in September 1979. On 20 June 1982, she married Charles O. Zach Jr., the president of a die casting company, who died on 1990. She obtained a BA (1968) and MA (1977) in English Literature at Austin Peay State University. She worked as high school English teacher in Harrison County, MS, 1970-71; as freelance journalist, 1976-77; high school English teacher in Dyersburg, TN, 1978-82; before stopping to write full time.
As Cheryl Zach, she wrote Young Adult and romance novels, she also used the pseudonym of Jennifer Cole. So after publishing over thirty books in various genres, she was thrilled to write books. But, she loves history, most of all English history, and most wanted to write historical adventure set in the English Regency period–Jane Austen’s era. The first books as Nicole Byrd were written with her daughter Michelle Nicole Wasden Place. When Michelle became too busy with a growing family to do more than function as the world’s best critique partner, the later books were written on her own. The books in the Sinclair Family Saga have been a delight to write, and the characters have become as familiar and beloved as old friends.
Her book Benny and the No-Good Teacher was a nominee for the South Carolina Children’s Book Award and her book, The Class Trip was an International Reading Association/Children’s Book Award. Zach is the first young adult writer to be inducted into the Romance Writers of America’s Hall of Fame. She was also the first recipient of Young Adult Network’s Silver Diary Award. Her historical novel, Hearts Divided, won the 1996 Virginia Romance Writer’s Holt Medallion in the Young Adult category. Her articles have appeared in The Writer magazine, Children's Writer, and the Writer's Handbook. She is the current chairperson of the SCBWI Regional Advisors.
On 2 June 1967, she married Q. J. Wasden, a sales manager. They had two children: Quinton John and Michelle Nicole, and divorced in September 1979. On 20 June 1982, she married Charles O. Zach Jr., the president of a die casting company, who died on 1990. She obtained a BA (1968) and MA (1977) in English Literature at Austin Peay State University. She worked as high school English teacher in Harrison County, MS, 1970-71; as freelance journalist, 1976-77; high school English teacher in Dyersburg, TN, 1978-82; before stopping to write full time.
As Cheryl Zach, she wrote Young Adult and romance novels, she also used the pseudonym of Jennifer Cole. So after publishing over thirty books in various genres, she was thrilled to write books. But, she loves history, most of all English history, and most wanted to write historical adventure set in the English Regency period–Jane Austen’s era. The first books as Nicole Byrd were written with her daughter Michelle Nicole Wasden Place. When Michelle became too busy with a growing family to do more than function as the world’s best critique partner, the later books were written on her own. The books in the Sinclair Family Saga have been a delight to write, and the characters have become as familiar and beloved as old friends.
Her book Benny and the No-Good Teacher was a nominee for the South Carolina Children’s Book Award and her book, The Class Trip was an International Reading Association/Children’s Book Award. Zach is the first young adult writer to be inducted into the Romance Writers of America’s Hall of Fame. She was also the first recipient of Young Adult Network’s Silver Diary Award. Her historical novel, Hearts Divided, won the 1996 Virginia Romance Writer’s Holt Medallion in the Young Adult category. Her articles have appeared in The Writer magazine, Children's Writer, and the Writer's Handbook. She is the current chairperson of the SCBWI Regional Advisors.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 28, 2011
I like a good historical romance book where the heroine becomes the hero’s mistress and this story is one of my favorites; I have read it several times. In this case she is not forced to become his paramour but offers herself to secure her father-in-law’s estate. Other things I like about this book: Lauryn comes from a loving family (this is actually part of the Applegate Sisters series, but IMHO is one of the best, and works well as a stand-alone).
Because he’s no dummy, Marcus figures out why she has consented to being his mistress early…but that doesn’t stop him from accepting her offer. As a widow, Lauryn isn’t a blushing virgin (one of the reason’s she seeks him out is because she hears he is a good lover); but, neither is she a trollop. While she’s listing the things she wants in exchange for becoming the Earl’s mistress (a small estate) she is smart enough, and has enough self-esteen, to ask for a new wardrobe too. Yet, she doesn’t seem greedy - as evidenced by later actions. The previous woman in his life becomes a fun part of the story and is not painted as typically bad just because she is a possible rival for the hero’s attentions (though he never thinks or acts so), .
Lauryn is intelligent, quick thinking in a crisis, and still feminine. Marcus is strong and gentle and it fun to see him discovering he is coming in touch with never before felt emotions. I can see these two individuals falling in love as the pages are turned. Before any typical misunderstanding can take over the storyline there is a well-done mystery to be solved and Lauryn and Marcus are off on that adventure. Hopefully the enjoyable younger brother, used as cute comic relief, will have his own book once he matures.
Revised March 27, 2011
Because he’s no dummy, Marcus figures out why she has consented to being his mistress early…but that doesn’t stop him from accepting her offer. As a widow, Lauryn isn’t a blushing virgin (one of the reason’s she seeks him out is because she hears he is a good lover); but, neither is she a trollop. While she’s listing the things she wants in exchange for becoming the Earl’s mistress (a small estate) she is smart enough, and has enough self-esteen, to ask for a new wardrobe too. Yet, she doesn’t seem greedy - as evidenced by later actions. The previous woman in his life becomes a fun part of the story and is not painted as typically bad just because she is a possible rival for the hero’s attentions (though he never thinks or acts so), .
Lauryn is intelligent, quick thinking in a crisis, and still feminine. Marcus is strong and gentle and it fun to see him discovering he is coming in touch with never before felt emotions. I can see these two individuals falling in love as the pages are turned. Before any typical misunderstanding can take over the storyline there is a well-done mystery to be solved and Lauryn and Marcus are off on that adventure. Hopefully the enjoyable younger brother, used as cute comic relief, will have his own book once he matures.
Revised March 27, 2011
August 17, 2024
romance was not romancing
April 5, 2008
Liked this book. It was shorter than her usual offerings but still provided a couple of hours of enjoyment.
Widow Lauryn Harris will do anything to help her grieving father-in-law. While depressed and drunk, he lost the family estate to the scandalous Earl of Sutton. Lauryn has heard rumors that the earl recently dismissed his latest cherie amie...so she decides to apply for the job.
The earl wasn't sure how to react. This obviously genteel woman is no more a courtesan than he is!! As a man of honor, he should turn her away...but she IS quite a beauty...and she's old enough to make her own decisions, and she seems intelligent, and she's such a beauty.
These two interacted well and their growing relationship was definately steamy! The mystery was so-so but didn't detract from the story. The character of the countess was quite a hoot. I'd love to read her story one day...it would surely be a doozy!
Widow Lauryn Harris will do anything to help her grieving father-in-law. While depressed and drunk, he lost the family estate to the scandalous Earl of Sutton. Lauryn has heard rumors that the earl recently dismissed his latest cherie amie...so she decides to apply for the job.
The earl wasn't sure how to react. This obviously genteel woman is no more a courtesan than he is!! As a man of honor, he should turn her away...but she IS quite a beauty...and she's old enough to make her own decisions, and she seems intelligent, and she's such a beauty.
These two interacted well and their growing relationship was definately steamy! The mystery was so-so but didn't detract from the story. The character of the countess was quite a hoot. I'd love to read her story one day...it would surely be a doozy!
June 30, 2008
Some parts of the plot line were obvious, especially if one reads a lot of Regency romance, which I do, but this was very satisfying. The Earl of Sutton is every woman's idea of the romantic hero.
April 30, 2024
The first 30-40% percent was great - loved the premise. But then it got so boring and slow...
May 19, 2009
Lauryn Applegate is a widow who married her childhood sweetheart. With no children and dead a husband, Lauryn feels as if her life is doomed, especially when she finds out her father-in-law, a squire, lost all his money and property to the Earl of Sutton in a card game. They have nowhere to turn, unless Lauryn can come up with an idea, and fast. The only thing Lauryn can think of doing is to offer herself to the earl as his mistress. She goes to him as Mrs. Smith to see if he is looking for what she has to offer. Perhaps he will give her enough jewels and money to save the squire and herself from ruin.
Marcus is not sure what to think when a so-called widow in black comes to him wanting to be employed as his next mistress. He consents to give her a two week period to see if she can please him. Mrs. Smith eagerly agrees, and they start on a very peculiar relationship that leads to some very heated encounters at night in his bedroom. Along with Marcus's brother Carter, and an old lover, the Countess d' Ellaye, these four make up an interesting group that are all very polite during the day. Marcus longs for the nights when he can have his Mrs. Smith all to himself. He knows his widow is keeping secrets, such as her true name, and he wants to find out all he can about this mysterious, yet seductive woman, because he is falling for her.
I have to give credit to Nicole Byrd for writing a story that has the perfect atmospheric feel of a Regency along with being a mature romance. But I did have some issues with the relationship between Lauryn, our secretive Mrs. Smith, and Marcus. I can understand how Lauryn has come to this decision to basically sell herself, but I couldn't understand how, in the heat of passion, Marcus would still call her by "Mrs. Smith" and not her first name or perhaps a fake name she could have given him. Their initial introduction comes off a bit cold and very much like a business arrangement, which I assume Ms. Byrd was trying to portray.
But if you can get past that introduction between Lauryn and Marcus, ENTICING THE EARL has some nice love scenes and a bit of a mystery that caught my attention. Much of the action is one-on-one conversations among the small group of people, and their were moments I could feel myself as an extra person in their party. Marcus's brother Carter lightens things up, and the countess also brings out a few laughs, especially a scene dealing with a bat in her bedroom. I just prefer a little more chase that leads to the bedroom and a simple attraction between the hero and heroine rather than something that felt like a contract should have been made up between the two. But if you have read Nicole Byrd in the past and enjoy her books, you should find ENTICING THE EARL an appealing read.
Marcus is not sure what to think when a so-called widow in black comes to him wanting to be employed as his next mistress. He consents to give her a two week period to see if she can please him. Mrs. Smith eagerly agrees, and they start on a very peculiar relationship that leads to some very heated encounters at night in his bedroom. Along with Marcus's brother Carter, and an old lover, the Countess d' Ellaye, these four make up an interesting group that are all very polite during the day. Marcus longs for the nights when he can have his Mrs. Smith all to himself. He knows his widow is keeping secrets, such as her true name, and he wants to find out all he can about this mysterious, yet seductive woman, because he is falling for her.
I have to give credit to Nicole Byrd for writing a story that has the perfect atmospheric feel of a Regency along with being a mature romance. But I did have some issues with the relationship between Lauryn, our secretive Mrs. Smith, and Marcus. I can understand how Lauryn has come to this decision to basically sell herself, but I couldn't understand how, in the heat of passion, Marcus would still call her by "Mrs. Smith" and not her first name or perhaps a fake name she could have given him. Their initial introduction comes off a bit cold and very much like a business arrangement, which I assume Ms. Byrd was trying to portray.
But if you can get past that introduction between Lauryn and Marcus, ENTICING THE EARL has some nice love scenes and a bit of a mystery that caught my attention. Much of the action is one-on-one conversations among the small group of people, and their were moments I could feel myself as an extra person in their party. Marcus's brother Carter lightens things up, and the countess also brings out a few laughs, especially a scene dealing with a bat in her bedroom. I just prefer a little more chase that leads to the bedroom and a simple attraction between the hero and heroine rather than something that felt like a contract should have been made up between the two. But if you have read Nicole Byrd in the past and enjoy her books, you should find ENTICING THE EARL an appealing read.
August 6, 2016
First book I've read by this author and I really enjoyed it and will read more by her. Widow, Lauryn is determined to retrieve the deed to her father-in-law's estate which he lost at cards to the Earl of Sutton. She offers herself as a courtesan to the Earl with payment being the deed. He sees she has no experience in this behavior yet is drawn to her and accepts.
November 22, 2008
One of my least favorite romance novel tropes - the "innocent" and well-born pretending to be a courtesan. Mostly I scanned this - never caught my interest.
Read
January 9, 2010Amazon preorder
January 13, 2012
Just the book to kick start my romance novel addiction once again!
May 17, 2015
Too predictable
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews