Lord Richard's Daughter

by Joan Wolf

Beautiful Julianne Wells was raised in Africa by her stern missionary father. If not for the timely intervention of the English adventurer John Champernoun, she would have wound up being sold into slavery. Home in England, Julianne becomes respectably engaged to the son of an earl. Then John returns and Julianne’s life turns upside down. Regency Romance by Joan Wolf; originally published by Signet

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Romance, Regency, Regency Romance, Egypt, Traditional Regency

Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 1983

About the author

Joan Wolf is a USA TODAY bestselling American writer, whose acclaimed Regency romances have earned her national recognition as a master of the genre. Her many historical and contemporary romances, some of which have been chosen as Literary Guild selections, have been highly praised by reviewers and authors alike.

Joan was born in 1951 and she grew up in the Bronx, New York. A former English teacher, she obtained a Bachelor's degree in Mercy College and Master in English and Comparative Literature at Hunter College. An avid rider and horse owner, Joan lives in Connecticut with her husband Joe and two grown children, Jay and Pam.

Reviews

[Naksed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical romance takes us through civil war, slave auctions, harems, and sea voyages before ending up at the most frightening setting of all, the drawing rooms of the English aristocracy. I absolutely loved the h and H. h is the opposite of those dumb as a post heroines who make one Bad Decision after the other. H is an Alpha who is obsessed with h, but far from wanting to dominate her, he actually loves her for her spirit, independence, and intellect. h was a kick-ass, adventurous, woman who was his perfect match. Overall, this was an unconventional and delightful story.

[Misfit · Rating 3 out of 5]

"It isn't often that one finds the granddaughter of a duke at a slave auction."

That's an understatement :p

Julianne's father was the second son of a duke, and decided missionary work in Africa was his cup of tea, and took his wife and daughter along with him. His wife didn't last too long, but Julianne was a trooper and spent years trudging around with her father - until he's attacked and killed by a lion and she's left with no protection and she's sold off as a slave.

These are not spoilers below, most of this is reavealed in the first chapter or two.

What's a girl to do? Fortunately, she's rescued in the nick of time by adventurer John Champeronoun and he makes arrangements to return her to her grandmother in England with a roundabout story of how she got there to keep her virtue intact so she can make an advantageous marriage. Which looks to be the case until John returns home and sparks are flying again...

This was a fairly forgettable Regency. While I like the African backdrop (I did have to double take every time Mohammed Ali was mentioned - had to flashback on Cassius Clay), once things got to England there wasn't a whole lot of action, more pretty dresses, houses and parties. An easy way to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon.

[TinaNoir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lightning Review:


- 3.5 stars
- Typical Joan Wolf Trad Regency = well written, real history included, smart romance
- Heroine dragged to Africa as a missionary by her zealot father, rescued by Hero from being sold into a Harem
- Back in England just wants to settle to a Normal Life
- Yeah, Right
- Felt kinda bad for the sacrificial fiance
- But connection b/t H/H too well established & palpable
- Couldn't stop giggling every time they referred to Muhammad Ali -- yeah I know, but still kept mentally picturing the one born Cassius Clay

[MissKitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 to 4. I liked that it was quite unusual, the situation of the heroine reminded me of some of the earlier Johanna Lindsey books I used to read. I liked that the heroine was strong minded and determined to get her way. I liked that she was clever enough to switch her tactics on her hapless fiance.

I docked a star because the complication of her engagement to the OM went on too long and the resolution at the end was too abrupt.

Otherwise a perfectly engaging book.

[P.]

There is no way a beautiful girl walked the hills valleys and plains of Africa for five years protected only by her not very competent father, the zealot, without something happening to her long before she got sold into slavery. Otherwise OK even if she did have to get clubbed over the head to finally realize what she really wanted out of life. Big light-bulb moment for her.

[Spazfungus · Rating 2 out of 5]

good story about two people who deny themselves what they actually want because it isn't what they think they want. Liked that John realizes his competition isn't Lord Rutherford himself, but the whole package (Rutherford's mother, family, safe stereotypical English estate and esp his father)

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring.

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of Joan Wolf's best. every character is alive breathing and making mistakes.

[Nanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how interesting and smart her 2 main characters were. Of course they take up the entire focus of the book and the secondary characters play very light roles, different from A London Season, where so many supporting characters were lovingly drawn. It works though. John is the only one who knows the real Juliette--the one who lived in Africa-- and he understands what’s driving her decisions. He’s a much more straightforward character but wonderfully exciting—alpha but incredibly supportive.

there is a lot of wonderful commentary about history, convention, recognizing why their difficult childhoods they both shared had led them to a life of distinction and happiness.

the tension the book stems from what she thinks she wants and what she knows about him. There are no melodramatic moments with other characters over jealousy and revenge etc.

I also found the structure of the book intriguing and thought it made the book so much more interesting, starting with the seemingly innocent and straightforward tale of how John came to bring Julliette home from Egypt while giving the reader very subtle clues that there is something more than what is being said in the polite conversation. And then she brings it all into focus starting in chapter 3.

[Olnega · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story, this book turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Both the Hero and heroine although members of the aristocracy are very unconventional characters. Heroine is a daughter of a missionary and spend most of her formative years traveling with her father through Africa and Egypt, she is strong, capable and self reliant. When her father dies unexpectedly she is captured and sold into slavery and than the Hero steps in and saves her in a truly heroic fashion…..
I don’t want to spoil too much but what follows after is most an unconventional courtship and whirlwind romance. Highly recommend if you in a mood for a good regency!

[JulianneWells · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book and have for over 30 years. Ive read it so many times I practically know it by heart.

It holds up after all this time, and i still love all the ways that John really truly demonstrates his respect, support, friendship and love for Julianna herself. He is brooding and adventurous and a bit dark, but sooo wonderful to her.

[Frances · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lag

[Kris Sellgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lord Richard’s Daughter is one of my favorite Joan Wolf romance novels. The story starts in Africa, where Julie Wells is stranded when her missionary father is killed by a lion. The local chief sells her into slavery, and soon she ends up in Cairo, where ex-patriate Englishman John Campernoun rescues her by buying her at a private auction of virgins. He takes her back to Regency England, to her aristocratic grandmother. They lie about how they met, freeing Julie to make a respectable marriage. Where the novel excels is in the detailed characterization of John and Julie. John is certain that he will never be tied down by marriage. Julie is convinced that she only wants safety and security after an adventurous five years in Africa. Of course, they are both wrong... Both John and Julie grow during their courtship, which is complicated by Julie having gotten engaged to a nice respectable lord after John initially returns to Egypt. One of my favorite scenes is when a rabid dog appears during a picnic and Julie saves the picnickers by shooting the dog. Joan Wolf does an excellent job of portraying Julie’s attraction and longing. Social inequity in England is only touched on lightly, and the evils of British colonialism are not addressed at all; this is a novel about love between two aristocrats who fit very poorly into English polite society.

[ReadKnitHoard · Rating 4 out of 5]

It threw me a bit that so much of the book was set outside of England, as that is not usual (or what I seek) in a trad regency. However, those parts made for fascinating reading, so I have no complaints. Otherwise, I have the just the usual things to say: Delightful, charming, emotionally satisfying.

[Lynn Calvin]

Fictionwise multiformat ebook

[Ridley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Standard trad regency. I enjoyed reading the book, but there's nothing to dissect either way. A good, entertaining read.

[Susannah Carleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing and entertaining tale of two unconventional people who find love when and where they don't expect it.

[Li · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pleasant enough, but a rather forgettable read.

[P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read.