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Sweet Sacrifice
Clementina Hythe fled her family to avoid a distasteful marriage to her gentle but half-witted cousin. She disguised herself as a London urchin, but Jake, Lord Sothern, uncovered her deception in short order.
When she ran away again to keep her secret safe, Jake pursued her. Soon she found herself in real danger, and Jake was the only person who could help her. Still, his solution to her problem was more than a little drastic!
When she ran away again to keep her secret safe, Jake pursued her. Soon she found herself in real danger, and Jake was the only person who could help her. Still, his solution to her problem was more than a little drastic!
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
About the author
Elizabeth Bailey
94 books304 followersAn avid reader from an early age, Elizabeth Bailey grew up in colonial Africa under unconventional parentage and with theatre in the blood. Back in England, she trod the boards until discovering her true métier as a writer in her thirties, when she fulfilled an early addiction to Georgette Heyer by launching into historical romance. Eight years and eight books later, Elizabeth joined the Harlequin Mills & Boon stable, fuelling her writing with a secondary career teaching and directing drama, and writing plays into the bargain.
With 18 historicals published, Elizabeth turned to other genres, producing two titles (Fly the Wild Echoes and For One More Tomorrow) in the cross-genre literary/paranormal field as well as a suspense novella (Silence of a Stranger). She has several short stories available too and a guide for writers on editing.
Continuing her foray into other genres, but returning to her favourite historical period, Elizabeth turned to mystery. She placed her female sleuth in the late Georgian world of intrigue, elegance, aristocrats and rogues, where privilege rubbed shoulders with the harsh realities of making ends meet. While Ottilia moves in the upper echelon of Society, she is thoroughly at ease in the lower, which allows Elizabeth to cross boundaries with impunity. These novels are now published with Sapere Books and the list continues to grow.
Sapere also publish her Brides by Chance Regency Adventures, a series dedicated to the countless women who could not ordinarily hope for romance and marriage: poor relations, dowerless females, those who did not "take", orphans. In a word, the classic Cinderella heroine.
Now retired from teaching, Elizabeth concentrates on writing and promotion, with a sideline in running an assessment critique service for writers.
With 18 historicals published, Elizabeth turned to other genres, producing two titles (Fly the Wild Echoes and For One More Tomorrow) in the cross-genre literary/paranormal field as well as a suspense novella (Silence of a Stranger). She has several short stories available too and a guide for writers on editing.
Continuing her foray into other genres, but returning to her favourite historical period, Elizabeth turned to mystery. She placed her female sleuth in the late Georgian world of intrigue, elegance, aristocrats and rogues, where privilege rubbed shoulders with the harsh realities of making ends meet. While Ottilia moves in the upper echelon of Society, she is thoroughly at ease in the lower, which allows Elizabeth to cross boundaries with impunity. These novels are now published with Sapere Books and the list continues to grow.
Sapere also publish her Brides by Chance Regency Adventures, a series dedicated to the countless women who could not ordinarily hope for romance and marriage: poor relations, dowerless females, those who did not "take", orphans. In a word, the classic Cinderella heroine.
Now retired from teaching, Elizabeth concentrates on writing and promotion, with a sideline in running an assessment critique service for writers.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 30, 2021
I was hooked from the first word till the last! The characters were captivating and very well described. The grandmother was extraordinary, being wise and loving but foremost mischievous. Clementina was clever, full of resources and surprises. Jake, though a rake, needed to meet someone who was intellectually challenging to start his journey. Prepare to be hooked as you read about Clementina as she runs away from a “loving” family member and tries to avoid a forced marriage…. To end up married forcefully anyway!
September 9, 2019
Tainted
Enter our hero strong, mature, virile, and worldly at the ripe old age of thirty something. Did I mention he is old?
Enter our fair heroine, young, naive, and innocent. Trusting our strong and wise elder hero. Age our dear child down a bit more since her behavior is so child like.
All in all it felt like I was being molested at 13 by my stepfather all over again. Probably a good story for those without that personal taint. :/
Enter our hero strong, mature, virile, and worldly at the ripe old age of thirty something. Did I mention he is old?
Enter our fair heroine, young, naive, and innocent. Trusting our strong and wise elder hero. Age our dear child down a bit more since her behavior is so child like.
All in all it felt like I was being molested at 13 by my stepfather all over again. Probably a good story for those without that personal taint. :/
March 30, 2025
it was alright
Overall, I really did enjoy the story. It really draws you in. There were a few times that I did not understand what just happened during a social situation (and I love reading historical romances) so I told myself that I would just finish the chapter and move on to another book but before I knew it, I read another 2 chapters. I didn’t care much for the ending. It was very rushed.
Overall, I really did enjoy the story. It really draws you in. There were a few times that I did not understand what just happened during a social situation (and I love reading historical romances) so I told myself that I would just finish the chapter and move on to another book but before I knew it, I read another 2 chapters. I didn’t care much for the ending. It was very rushed.
January 20, 2019
A riotous romp
An entertaining read with a marvellous heroine in Clementine. Lord Sothern do ant com off quite as well. For a man of 30 he is rather emotionally immature and his temper sometimes verges on cruelty. In one way, I suppose, this leaves room for growth, but his volte face at the end is rather sudden.
An entertaining read with a marvellous heroine in Clementine. Lord Sothern do ant com off quite as well. For a man of 30 he is rather emotionally immature and his temper sometimes verges on cruelty. In one way, I suppose, this leaves room for growth, but his volte face at the end is rather sudden.
September 18, 2019
I loved this book. Beautifully written and properly proof-read, which makes me so, so happy! The characters captivated me from the beginning. I will definitely be reading more of Elizabeth's books.
August 28, 2020
Enjoyed the Story
I enjoyed this romance about a runaway who ends up being befriended by the hero's grandmama. Quite an action packed plot with some interesting characters. A good read.
I enjoyed this romance about a runaway who ends up being befriended by the hero's grandmama. Quite an action packed plot with some interesting characters. A good read.
April 27, 2021
Recency done very right
What a satisfying Regency romance. It makes me believe in love at first fight, wicked relatives, benevolent grandmothers and the promise of a happily ever after.
What a satisfying Regency romance. It makes me believe in love at first fight, wicked relatives, benevolent grandmothers and the promise of a happily ever after.
May 11, 2019
Well I did like the story and the characters in it.I found myself at one point wanting to give the badies a good thrashing😤 but I did enjoy the book.☺
August 14, 2020
I have liked what I have read of Elizabeth Bailey so far but this was not her strongest work. However an enjoyable read.
July 4, 2021
Really keeps you reading
I loved the characters in this book. I couldn't put it down. You just don't know what will happen next.
I loved the characters in this book. I couldn't put it down. You just don't know what will happen next.
May 10, 2020
Thoroughly Enjoyable
Another excellent story from Elizabeth, well written and with an interesting plot. 'Jake' Lord Sothern, was a bit of a rogue and a 'ladies man' until he met Clementina, a sweet young lady on the run and in need of protection. 'Jake's ' grand mama Lady Staplegrove, was a wily older lady of the beau monde and a bit of a manipulator to boot, and played a large part in the story. 'Jake's ' mistress also plays quite a large part in the story, beautiful, but not a nice person and although married was very fond of male 'attention' quite sad really!!! Add to the mix a convoluted inheritance and greedy relatives and the story proved to be a thoroughly good romp with a romance. I would wholeheartedly recommend it.
Another excellent story from Elizabeth, well written and with an interesting plot. 'Jake' Lord Sothern, was a bit of a rogue and a 'ladies man' until he met Clementina, a sweet young lady on the run and in need of protection. 'Jake's ' grand mama Lady Staplegrove, was a wily older lady of the beau monde and a bit of a manipulator to boot, and played a large part in the story. 'Jake's ' mistress also plays quite a large part in the story, beautiful, but not a nice person and although married was very fond of male 'attention' quite sad really!!! Add to the mix a convoluted inheritance and greedy relatives and the story proved to be a thoroughly good romp with a romance. I would wholeheartedly recommend it.
April 8, 2021
I wasn't sure how much I'd like the hero and heroine in this book as I haven't read it for a while and couldn't remember the conclusion to the story.
Apart from the much running away from home element (and let's face it Clementina could rival Jack Shepherd in escape attempts) there was actually a lot of charm and sweetness in the romantic element between Clemmy and Jake. And Jake's grandmother was a great character.
The dastardly aunt, uncle and cousin and the dubious drugging aside the conclusion was fairly satisfying even for poor Sir Jeremy who was used badly throughout.
Apart from the much running away from home element (and let's face it Clementina could rival Jack Shepherd in escape attempts) there was actually a lot of charm and sweetness in the romantic element between Clemmy and Jake. And Jake's grandmother was a great character.
The dastardly aunt, uncle and cousin and the dubious drugging aside the conclusion was fairly satisfying even for poor Sir Jeremy who was used badly throughout.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews