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Sapphire Magic
How do you prove that love is not a myth?
That is the challenge facing adventurous English aristocrat Arabella Douglas when she falls in love with Count Ferdinand “Nando” Berg, a cynical, bitter man who has been betrayed too often to believe in love. But Arabella is willing to bet her heart and her happiness that she can change his mind.
When Nando meets the audacious, outspoken Arabella, he knows she is everything he wants but never hoped to find. He yearns to believe that her candor and innocent passion are authentic, but can a distrustful, hard-hearted man learn to love again?
As the two circle each other in a seductive dance full of sizzling sensuality and enthralling emotion, Arabella makes every effort to convince Nando that the future is something to believe in. Soon, though, their blossoming relationship is jeopardized as they are plunged into the midst of political intrigue at the Congress of Vienna. Treachery and deception threaten not only the couple’s new-found love, but their very lives, as they struggle to discern what is real and what is an illusion.
*****
Sapphire Magic is the first book in the Fearless Women Historical Romance Series by best-selling author Nina Beaumont.
Gutsy heroines and dashing heroes. Love, passion, and sensuality. Intrigue, rebellion, and revolution. A thrilling journey through 19th century Europe, packed with vivid, true-to-life historical detail.
Read all of the books in the Fearless Women Historical Romance Series. Each can be enjoyed as a standalone romantic adventure.
Sapphire Magic
Promises to Keep
Tapestry of Fate
Tapestry of Dreams
Surrender the Heart
That is the challenge facing adventurous English aristocrat Arabella Douglas when she falls in love with Count Ferdinand “Nando” Berg, a cynical, bitter man who has been betrayed too often to believe in love. But Arabella is willing to bet her heart and her happiness that she can change his mind.
When Nando meets the audacious, outspoken Arabella, he knows she is everything he wants but never hoped to find. He yearns to believe that her candor and innocent passion are authentic, but can a distrustful, hard-hearted man learn to love again?
As the two circle each other in a seductive dance full of sizzling sensuality and enthralling emotion, Arabella makes every effort to convince Nando that the future is something to believe in. Soon, though, their blossoming relationship is jeopardized as they are plunged into the midst of political intrigue at the Congress of Vienna. Treachery and deception threaten not only the couple’s new-found love, but their very lives, as they struggle to discern what is real and what is an illusion.
*****
Sapphire Magic is the first book in the Fearless Women Historical Romance Series by best-selling author Nina Beaumont.
Gutsy heroines and dashing heroes. Love, passion, and sensuality. Intrigue, rebellion, and revolution. A thrilling journey through 19th century Europe, packed with vivid, true-to-life historical detail.
Read all of the books in the Fearless Women Historical Romance Series. Each can be enjoyed as a standalone romantic adventure.
Sapphire Magic
Promises to Keep
Tapestry of Fate
Tapestry of Dreams
Surrender the Heart
331 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1991
16 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Nina Beaumont
26 books262 followersNina Gettler was born in Salzburg, Austria, home to Mozart and the Von Trapp family. She is of Russian descent, whose family tree includes the Stroganoff family, Count Zhubov, who is reputed to have been Catherine the Great's last lover, and several other interesting historical characters. She grew up in Massachusetts, USA, and after spending her first two years of college in Austria, graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a B.A. in French and an M.A. in German.
Returning to Austria in 1970, Nina worked for sixteen years as a translator for Russian, French and Italian before turning to writing full-time. Her life-long interest in history and her fluency in several languages has been of great help in the in-depth research she does for her books, which includes traveling to where the stories are set. After spending 25 years in Austria, she relocated to Seattle in July 1995 on the strength of a gut feeling that this was the right place for her to go.
Returning to Austria in 1970, Nina worked for sixteen years as a translator for Russian, French and Italian before turning to writing full-time. Her life-long interest in history and her fluency in several languages has been of great help in the in-depth research she does for her books, which includes traveling to where the stories are set. After spending 25 years in Austria, she relocated to Seattle in July 1995 on the strength of a gut feeling that this was the right place for her to go.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 17, 2025
Read: 9/17/25
Setting: Vienna, Austria 1814
2.5 stars
A great setting with so much potential wasted by an annoying H!
plot: Arabella is in Vienna with her chaperone after the defeat of Napoleon. Her father hopes she'll find a husband, but nothing could be further from Arabella's mind. She would rather help out at the orphanage. All that changes when she meets Nando. The attraction is instant between the pair. It's love at first sight.
Nando is a cynical man who has been. burned by love. He plans to never marry. Though there is something about Arabella that keeps Nando intrigued. She is everything he wants in a wife but never hoped to find. He yearns to believe in her open candor and innocent passions, but history has taught him differently. Can he ever trust her?
Arabella is willing to bet her heart and happiness that she can convince this bitter man to open his heart. These two spend the whole book circling around each other. Arabella hoping that Nando will finally trust her.
There are others who want to tear this couple apart. Nando's former lover, an Austrian princess, wants him back and is willing to join forces to accomplish her goal. Another problem is the Russian prince, who soon becomes obsessed with Arabella. He must possess her!
So can this new love survive the treachery and political intrigue at the Congress of Vienna? Will Nando finally push Arabella out of his life for good?
liked:
1. I liked Arabella. She was her own person, nothing artificial. She took care of orphans because she genuinely cared. She shows Nando what true love really is.
2. This couple worked. I liked their banter back and forth. If not for Nando's stubbornness, this would have been a great book.
3. I was captivated from the first page. I really loved the first 100 pages. Unfortunately, the book goes downhill from there. 😔
disliked:
1. Nando. This is hard because I liked his character for the most part. The problem was his distrust. He always assumed the worst. It got old! Also, He could marry Arabella anytime! Nothing was stopping him. He refused to marry because he got his heart broken and now his marriage rule is airtight.
2. The redundant plot! This is the biggest problem. Arabella just wants to love and heal Nando. Nando is a cynical bastard that knows he will hurt Arabella. So he pushes her away yet he can't stay away himself. Rinse and Repeat. This could have been a 50 page book if you took out the same redundant crap.
3. The villains made no sense. That Russian prince turns into a wackadoo for some weird reason. He orginally pursues Arabella because of Nando but then becomes obsessive when she shows no interest in him. Then there is the OW. Out of the blue she wants Nando back after 8 years? She's willing to poison the h to get him. A little extreme for a cheating ex. 🤔
4. What a wasted setting! Vienna after Napoleon abdicated the thorne? All that wonderful intrique squandered 😩. The author could have done so many interesting things with the plot instead of focusing on a commitment phobic H!
Conclusion:
What started out as a great plot sure fizzled out quickly. This was such a disappointment! I honestly don't know how I finished the book. Hopefully, the other books in the series will be better!
Setting: Vienna, Austria 1814
2.5 stars
A great setting with so much potential wasted by an annoying H!
plot: Arabella is in Vienna with her chaperone after the defeat of Napoleon. Her father hopes she'll find a husband, but nothing could be further from Arabella's mind. She would rather help out at the orphanage. All that changes when she meets Nando. The attraction is instant between the pair. It's love at first sight.
Nando is a cynical man who has been. burned by love. He plans to never marry. Though there is something about Arabella that keeps Nando intrigued. She is everything he wants in a wife but never hoped to find. He yearns to believe in her open candor and innocent passions, but history has taught him differently. Can he ever trust her?
Arabella is willing to bet her heart and happiness that she can convince this bitter man to open his heart. These two spend the whole book circling around each other. Arabella hoping that Nando will finally trust her.
There are others who want to tear this couple apart. Nando's former lover, an Austrian princess, wants him back and is willing to join forces to accomplish her goal. Another problem is the Russian prince, who soon becomes obsessed with Arabella. He must possess her!
So can this new love survive the treachery and political intrigue at the Congress of Vienna? Will Nando finally push Arabella out of his life for good?
liked:
1. I liked Arabella. She was her own person, nothing artificial. She took care of orphans because she genuinely cared. She shows Nando what true love really is.
2. This couple worked. I liked their banter back and forth. If not for Nando's stubbornness, this would have been a great book.
3. I was captivated from the first page. I really loved the first 100 pages. Unfortunately, the book goes downhill from there. 😔
disliked:
1. Nando. This is hard because I liked his character for the most part. The problem was his distrust. He always assumed the worst. It got old! Also, He could marry Arabella anytime! Nothing was stopping him. He refused to marry because he got his heart broken and now his marriage rule is airtight.
2. The redundant plot! This is the biggest problem. Arabella just wants to love and heal Nando. Nando is a cynical bastard that knows he will hurt Arabella. So he pushes her away yet he can't stay away himself. Rinse and Repeat. This could have been a 50 page book if you took out the same redundant crap.
3. The villains made no sense. That Russian prince turns into a wackadoo for some weird reason. He orginally pursues Arabella because of Nando but then becomes obsessive when she shows no interest in him. Then there is the OW. Out of the blue she wants Nando back after 8 years? She's willing to poison the h to get him. A little extreme for a cheating ex. 🤔
4. What a wasted setting! Vienna after Napoleon abdicated the thorne? All that wonderful intrique squandered 😩. The author could have done so many interesting things with the plot instead of focusing on a commitment phobic H!
Conclusion:
What started out as a great plot sure fizzled out quickly. This was such a disappointment! I honestly don't know how I finished the book. Hopefully, the other books in the series will be better!
October 25, 2021
Nina Beaumont’s “Sapphire Magic :A Regency set during the Congress of Vienna” is Book 1 in the wonderful Fearless Women Historical Romance Series.
Set during The Congress of Vienna and the post-Napoleonic end of the nineteenth century the story is filled with intrigue, spies, passion and desire.
This is the story of the lovely English aristocrat Arabella Douglas and the dashing Austrian Army officer, Count Ferdinand “Nando” Berg. Arabella Is sent to Vienna to find a husband. From their first meeting Arabella falls in love with him but Nando is distrustful of women having been betrayed in the past and now he just feels old and unworthy of love, if there is such a thing. He is however entranced with her and held spellbound and captivated by her bold passionate spirit, her compassionate heart, her beauty and her sapphire eyes. Arabella sets out to show him that real love does exists and is well worth fighting for. In truth he’s falling in love with her but fails to recognize and acknowledge it. This compelling story finds these two are caught up in the political intrigue of the day and the country. A game of cat and mouse, a dance of seduction and a heart that refuses to give up propels this story to it’s breadth splendidly.
Nina Belmont’s writing is rich in both historical content, imagery and language. She skillfully weaves historical figures, beautiful locales and situations into her stories creating believable characters and scenes. The emotional energy and sensuality that’s woven through this story is breathtaking. Her scenes are rich in anticipation, culmination and flow. Her characters are detailed, likable, and believable. The love story is ever evolving and exquisite. I was totally immersed in this tale of romance, love, treachery, spies and this lovely city. The author renders a story beautifully written and wonderfully told.
Thank you so much Ms. Beaumont for this wonderful love story.
Set during The Congress of Vienna and the post-Napoleonic end of the nineteenth century the story is filled with intrigue, spies, passion and desire.
This is the story of the lovely English aristocrat Arabella Douglas and the dashing Austrian Army officer, Count Ferdinand “Nando” Berg. Arabella Is sent to Vienna to find a husband. From their first meeting Arabella falls in love with him but Nando is distrustful of women having been betrayed in the past and now he just feels old and unworthy of love, if there is such a thing. He is however entranced with her and held spellbound and captivated by her bold passionate spirit, her compassionate heart, her beauty and her sapphire eyes. Arabella sets out to show him that real love does exists and is well worth fighting for. In truth he’s falling in love with her but fails to recognize and acknowledge it. This compelling story finds these two are caught up in the political intrigue of the day and the country. A game of cat and mouse, a dance of seduction and a heart that refuses to give up propels this story to it’s breadth splendidly.
Nina Belmont’s writing is rich in both historical content, imagery and language. She skillfully weaves historical figures, beautiful locales and situations into her stories creating believable characters and scenes. The emotional energy and sensuality that’s woven through this story is breathtaking. Her scenes are rich in anticipation, culmination and flow. Her characters are detailed, likable, and believable. The love story is ever evolving and exquisite. I was totally immersed in this tale of romance, love, treachery, spies and this lovely city. The author renders a story beautifully written and wonderfully told.
Thank you so much Ms. Beaumont for this wonderful love story.
November 18, 2019
is it bad i liked the villan more then the hero haha.. this is not my genre.. not at all to be honest.. but it wasnt a horrible story.. the writing wasnt horrible.. some issues with missing words but overall not horrible.. good characters for the most part.. but i did like the villan
March 2, 2021
When your heart has been trampled several times, your ego and pride have been hurt over and over again. Well, then you watch out if a woman acts innocent. Then you don't believe her when she comes across as honest.
Welcome to Vienna in the year 1814 where this story takes place. Where a young woman falls in love with a cynical, hard-hearted man and is not put off by his words because his eyes say otherwise. Where the scheming and jealousy of others in the elite try to drive a wedge between Arabella and Count Ferdinand Berg
Well written story full of excitement, intrigue and a flourishing love that is not given just like that
Welcome to Vienna in the year 1814 where this story takes place. Where a young woman falls in love with a cynical, hard-hearted man and is not put off by his words because his eyes say otherwise. Where the scheming and jealousy of others in the elite try to drive a wedge between Arabella and Count Ferdinand Berg
Well written story full of excitement, intrigue and a flourishing love that is not given just like that
February 24, 2022
Ich durfte für eine Lovelybooks-Leserunde bereits ein Rezensionsexemplar lesen!Arabella soll in Wien einen Ehemann finden, doch sie hofft eher auf interessante Abenteuer.Doch dann lernt sie Graf Berg oder Nando kennen und beide verlieben sich.Doch Nando wurde zu oft enttäuscht und will sich nicht auf die Liebe einlassen!Aber dann geraten sie beide zwischen die Fronten in den politischen Ränkespielen des Wiener Kongresses und erkennen endlich, was ihnen wirklich wichtig ist!Sehr flüssig und spannend geschriebener Liebesroman mit historischem Bezug!Absolute Leseempfehlung!
October 20, 2019
This was a difficult book for me to complete because editorial errors DRIVE ME NUTS! There are several places where the story is incongruous, one act failing to morph into the next. It clearly could have used one more once over before publication
The hero, Nando, says, at one point that his reason for marrying Arabella is his arousal. Boo! Hiss! That is NOT a romantic hero. But the villain is so evil that we immediately know he’s the villain making the entire book too predictable. Essentially, you’ll figure it out within the first chapter. No spoilers here. The author does that all by herself.
Sadly, some of the historic facts are inaccurate. For example, the writer, Nina Beaumont, claims that one of the people in the story is wearing the scent of ambergris. However, ambergris is a fixative for scents that prolongs them. It’s actual scent ‘has a marine, fecal odor. However, it acquires a sweet, earthy scent as it ages, commonly likened to the fragrance of rubbing alcohol without the vaporous chemical astringency,’ according to expert Chandler Burr.
The author does have one redeeming quality. She writes exciting scenes of tautness that rises to a peak, hangs there, then subtly subsides. I hope she will produce more work like that and pay more attention to the other details. If she does, she will shortly produce works worth reading.
The hero, Nando, says, at one point that his reason for marrying Arabella is his arousal. Boo! Hiss! That is NOT a romantic hero. But the villain is so evil that we immediately know he’s the villain making the entire book too predictable. Essentially, you’ll figure it out within the first chapter. No spoilers here. The author does that all by herself.
Sadly, some of the historic facts are inaccurate. For example, the writer, Nina Beaumont, claims that one of the people in the story is wearing the scent of ambergris. However, ambergris is a fixative for scents that prolongs them. It’s actual scent ‘has a marine, fecal odor. However, it acquires a sweet, earthy scent as it ages, commonly likened to the fragrance of rubbing alcohol without the vaporous chemical astringency,’ according to expert Chandler Burr.
The author does have one redeeming quality. She writes exciting scenes of tautness that rises to a peak, hangs there, then subtly subsides. I hope she will produce more work like that and pay more attention to the other details. If she does, she will shortly produce works worth reading.
May 25, 2019
Arabella💃💋 Loves 💘Nando🐺
More Than Life Itself
Romance💞 and Intrigue in The Regency Era
Arabella Douglas💃💋, sent to Vienna from England to find a husband, only has eyes for Count Ferdinand Berg🐺🔪🍆⛲, a tall, handsome, rake of a man still in officers uniform from the Napoleonic War.
Nando🐺🔪🍆⛲ just wants to shed the uniform and get back to his country estates. Instead, he has to help with the formations of the new countries and be a diplomat in the big city . That means society parties and dinners and balls.
The two have seen each other at several functions, but Nando🐺🔪🍆⛲ has a terrible attitude towards women. He thinks they are all dishonest and fake, after being burned💔 a time or two. Nando has a cynical outlook on life, the war left him broken.....
Isabella💃 is an innocent, with no title, but her father is titled, so she was raised as a lady. She is very direct and guileless when she speaks, and Nando🐺🔪🍆⛲ is smitten. Her big sapphire blue eyes mesmerize him!
In a city full of diplomats and spies, Arabella💃💋 seems to be an easy mark to unscrupulous men. Someone is stalking her, they want to use her!
ARC Received from Candid 📚Book Reviews
This book was $4.99 on Amazon at the time of this review.
Opinions Expressed here are entirely my own.
I enjoyed this fast paced, very interesting book immensely! I also loved the fact that it takes place in Vienna, Austria instead of London! In the book, spies are everywhere, and the noble class is right in the middle of it all.
More Than Life Itself
Romance💞 and Intrigue in The Regency Era
Arabella Douglas💃💋, sent to Vienna from England to find a husband, only has eyes for Count Ferdinand Berg🐺🔪🍆⛲, a tall, handsome, rake of a man still in officers uniform from the Napoleonic War.
Nando🐺🔪🍆⛲ just wants to shed the uniform and get back to his country estates. Instead, he has to help with the formations of the new countries and be a diplomat in the big city . That means society parties and dinners and balls.
The two have seen each other at several functions, but Nando🐺🔪🍆⛲ has a terrible attitude towards women. He thinks they are all dishonest and fake, after being burned💔 a time or two. Nando has a cynical outlook on life, the war left him broken.....
Isabella💃 is an innocent, with no title, but her father is titled, so she was raised as a lady. She is very direct and guileless when she speaks, and Nando🐺🔪🍆⛲ is smitten. Her big sapphire blue eyes mesmerize him!
In a city full of diplomats and spies, Arabella💃💋 seems to be an easy mark to unscrupulous men. Someone is stalking her, they want to use her!
ARC Received from Candid 📚Book Reviews
This book was $4.99 on Amazon at the time of this review.
Opinions Expressed here are entirely my own.
I enjoyed this fast paced, very interesting book immensely! I also loved the fact that it takes place in Vienna, Austria instead of London! In the book, spies are everywhere, and the noble class is right in the middle of it all.
May 30, 2019
Arabella Douglas felt that Count Nando was the man for her but, his distrust had raised strong barriers that she could not go through. Surrounded by intrigue, corruption and violence Arabella and Nando were struggling with strong emotions that unleashed their passion. With enemies threatening not only their safety but their lives they had to decide what they really wanted. A decided, without restrictions and deeply in love heroine, a very suspicious and distrustful hero who had no peace with himself and a perverted villain, kept me interested in this story full of dangers for the protagonists.
February 6, 2021
This is the first book in the Fearless Women Historical Romance series. I read one of the later books first and really enjoyed it, and decided to go back and read the series from the start. Filled with romance and intrigue, the storyline was strong and captured my interest from the beginning and held it all the way through. Arabella and Nando were well-developed characters and they had quite the bumpy road to follow before getting their happy ending and I enjoyed following them on their journey. Definitely a great series to follow and I'm excited to read Book 2!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 3, 2019
This was a lovely one to escape and go back a bit and with someone I had not read previously. You get a fine one to read when stubborn meets beauty I would say in the form of Nando and Arabello giving you a read you enjoy following. The path they go will also be filled with pitfalls and intrigue pushing our buttons also. This is a fine web of back in the day with many of the problems still being present today where the emotions are concerned. This also happened to be only the beginning in a series that promises more good to read to follow thanks mainly by the characters and the writing.
July 1, 2019
Sapphire Magic is the first book in the Fearless Women Historical Romance Series by an Author I have not read before, and I know I want to read the rest of this series. English aristocrat Arabella Douglas and Count Ferdinand “Nando” Berg will have so much to over come before they get there happy ending. Trust is the major problem they have. The storyline held my interest throughout and the story flowed smoothly from page to page. I received a ARC of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
February 4, 2020
This was an entertaining story. Arabella was a strong woman who was determined to have what she wanted. Nando fought the attraction but he was wonderful to Arabella more often than not. The world around them was different than most historicals, and I enjoyed the entire atmosphere and story. I recommend this story.
I received a copy of this story through Candid Book Services, and this is my unsolicited review.
I received a copy of this story through Candid Book Services, and this is my unsolicited review.
Read
June 9, 2023Loved it
May 12, 2024
Not my kind of book, unfortunately. There is nothing wrong with the book. It just didn’t appeal to me.
April 5, 2021
This is an historical romance, with all that goes with that: lavish palatial settings, gorgeous costumes, handsome and accomplished young people whose pride and fear keeps them apart even as their hearts and dear readers know they belong together. There are nefarious plots, abductions, the triumph of good v evil. A promise of happily ever after. I suppose if I were judging this as an historical romance alone, I would give it a much higher grade, as it offers all the requisite conventions of the genre, with some nifty modern twists (the heroine saves the hero at one point) and offers them generously, sumptuously even. But, I read widely and am not a particular fan of this genre, so my 3 stars reflects a certain distaste for the genre, with respect for what the author has achieved within it elevating an otherwise very low score.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2022
leidenschaftliche Liebesgeschichte mit einigen Intrigen, die für reichlich Spannung gesorgt haben
Arabella Douglas kommt nach Wien und erhofft sich aufregende Abenteuer. Kurz darauf trifft sie auf Nando, Graf von Berg, den sie bereits von Paris her kennt. Die Anziehung ist spürbar, denn Nando ist fasziniert von dem Wildfang Arabella. Sie verkörpert alles, was sich Nando wünscht, doch kann er Frauen nicht mehr vertrauen. Er hat aber nicht mit Arabella gerechnet, die für eine gemeinsame Zukunft kämpft. Als wäre das nicht schon genug, werden sie in politische Ränkespiele am Wiener Kongress verwickelt. Wird es Arabella schaffen, Nando von ihrer Aufrichtigkeit zu überzeugen?
*****
Einmal angefangen zu lesen, taucht man in eine andere Welt ein und möchte gar nicht mehr aufhören. Die Autorin hat mit ihrem Schreibstil schöne Bilder herbeigezaubert, die ich mir gut vorstellen konnte. Zudem lässt sich das Buch flüssig lesen.
Um den Spannungsbogen hoch zu halten, wurden einige überraschende Wendungen und interessante Intrigen eingebaut, die bei mir für Nervenkitzel, Herzflattern und Bangen gesorgt haben. Bis zum Schluss habe ich mitgefiebert und gehofft, dass alles gut ausgehen mag, die zwei Liebenden sich finden und glücklich werden.
Die Figuren wirkten authentisch, wurden gut ausgearbeitet und vor allem vielschichtig angelegt. Arabella mit ihrem Freigeist mochte ich sehr. Sie ist selbstlos, hilft anderen, die im Leben weniger glücklich gestellt sind und kämpft für das, was ihr wichtig ist. Die Szenen zwischen ihr und Nando, ihre Gespräche und die Leidenschaft dabei, haben mir besonders gut gefallen. Nando war zu Beginn weniger gut einzuordnen, aber je mehr ich von ihm erfahren habe, desto stimmiger fühlte sich sein Handeln an, desto nachvollziehbarer war sein Misstrauen Frauen gegenüber. Obwohl er ein enormes Mass an Willenskraft besitzt, hat er seine schwachen Momente, in denen er Arabellas Anziehung vollkommen erliegt. Zwei gegensätzliche, liebenswerte Hauptfiguren, die gut miteinander harmoniert haben und es mir daher eine Freude war, sie zu begleiten und zu beobachten, wie sie sich weiterentwickelten.
Von mir gibt es eine klare Leseempfehlung für eingefleischte Leser von historischen Romane, aber auch für Einsteiger, die ihre erste Erfahrungen in diesem Genre machen wollen.
Vielen Dank an die Autorin für das Rezensionsexemplar in Verbindung mit einer Leserunde auf lovelybooks .de, was meine Meinung nicht beeinflusst hat.
Arabella Douglas kommt nach Wien und erhofft sich aufregende Abenteuer. Kurz darauf trifft sie auf Nando, Graf von Berg, den sie bereits von Paris her kennt. Die Anziehung ist spürbar, denn Nando ist fasziniert von dem Wildfang Arabella. Sie verkörpert alles, was sich Nando wünscht, doch kann er Frauen nicht mehr vertrauen. Er hat aber nicht mit Arabella gerechnet, die für eine gemeinsame Zukunft kämpft. Als wäre das nicht schon genug, werden sie in politische Ränkespiele am Wiener Kongress verwickelt. Wird es Arabella schaffen, Nando von ihrer Aufrichtigkeit zu überzeugen?
*****
Einmal angefangen zu lesen, taucht man in eine andere Welt ein und möchte gar nicht mehr aufhören. Die Autorin hat mit ihrem Schreibstil schöne Bilder herbeigezaubert, die ich mir gut vorstellen konnte. Zudem lässt sich das Buch flüssig lesen.
Um den Spannungsbogen hoch zu halten, wurden einige überraschende Wendungen und interessante Intrigen eingebaut, die bei mir für Nervenkitzel, Herzflattern und Bangen gesorgt haben. Bis zum Schluss habe ich mitgefiebert und gehofft, dass alles gut ausgehen mag, die zwei Liebenden sich finden und glücklich werden.
Die Figuren wirkten authentisch, wurden gut ausgearbeitet und vor allem vielschichtig angelegt. Arabella mit ihrem Freigeist mochte ich sehr. Sie ist selbstlos, hilft anderen, die im Leben weniger glücklich gestellt sind und kämpft für das, was ihr wichtig ist. Die Szenen zwischen ihr und Nando, ihre Gespräche und die Leidenschaft dabei, haben mir besonders gut gefallen. Nando war zu Beginn weniger gut einzuordnen, aber je mehr ich von ihm erfahren habe, desto stimmiger fühlte sich sein Handeln an, desto nachvollziehbarer war sein Misstrauen Frauen gegenüber. Obwohl er ein enormes Mass an Willenskraft besitzt, hat er seine schwachen Momente, in denen er Arabellas Anziehung vollkommen erliegt. Zwei gegensätzliche, liebenswerte Hauptfiguren, die gut miteinander harmoniert haben und es mir daher eine Freude war, sie zu begleiten und zu beobachten, wie sie sich weiterentwickelten.
Von mir gibt es eine klare Leseempfehlung für eingefleischte Leser von historischen Romane, aber auch für Einsteiger, die ihre erste Erfahrungen in diesem Genre machen wollen.
Vielen Dank an die Autorin für das Rezensionsexemplar in Verbindung mit einer Leserunde auf lovelybooks .de, was meine Meinung nicht beeinflusst hat.
February 19, 2022
Rezension „Arabella, Weg der Hoffnung: Regency Roman in Wien, Österreich, 1814 (Liebe in stürmischen Zeiten, Band 1)“ von Nina Beaumont
Meinung
Historische Romane vermögen es, uns in eine andere Zeit oder Epoche zu führen und für wenngleich auch nur kurze Momente ein Teil davon zu sein. Schon immer faszinierte mich die Geschichte der Vergangenheit. Und tatsächlich fasziniert mich am meisten England.
Doch in diesem Roman schickt uns die Autorin nach Wien, womit ich auf eine Zeit traf, die mir weniger bekannt ist. Dennoch ist die Protagonistin eine Engländerin und diese Kombination fand ich sehr interessant.
Arabella zeigte sich als eine liebenswerte, authentische Heldin, mit einem großen Bezug zu Sozialem Engagement. Nando wurde zum Helden mit der verletzten Seele. Mit dieser Mischung gelang der Autorin eine wundervolle Charakter Kombi die sich durch Unterhaltung und unzählige Facetten auszeichnete.
Wie ich bereits in vielen historischen Romanen schon erfahren konnte gab es auch hier endlose Wirrungen, die sich erst nach und nach zu einem Puzzle lösen, aber auch typische Elemente wie Verhaftung und Entführung. Auf keiner einzigen Seite bot sich daher die Gelegenheit für Langeweile und so entstand ein regelrechter Sog, der mich immer weiter trieb.
Nina Beaumont präsentiert große Emotionen, Spannung, Anziehung und gibt bildhafte Eindrücke. Ich war gefangen in dieser Zeit und hätte direkt in den zweiten Teil springen können. Für mich war es ein kurzweiliger Lesegenuss, der durch seine Figuren und Geschehnisse auf ganzer Linie punktet.
Fazit
„Arabella, Weg der Hoffnung“ lädt zum verweilen, bestaunen, träumen und schmachten ein. Insbesondere mit ihren Figuren und dem Setting gelingt Nina Beaumont ein echter Schmaus, der dir das Gefühl gibt, für eine kurze Zeit in einer anderen Epoche zu leben. Ich traf auf viele Eindrücke, die mich nicht mehr los ließen und ebenso traf ich auf Unterhaltung, die keine Zeit zum Luft holen lässt. Wien zur Zeit 1814 hat mein Herz erobert.
💖💜💖💜💖 5/5 Herzen
Meinung
Historische Romane vermögen es, uns in eine andere Zeit oder Epoche zu führen und für wenngleich auch nur kurze Momente ein Teil davon zu sein. Schon immer faszinierte mich die Geschichte der Vergangenheit. Und tatsächlich fasziniert mich am meisten England.
Doch in diesem Roman schickt uns die Autorin nach Wien, womit ich auf eine Zeit traf, die mir weniger bekannt ist. Dennoch ist die Protagonistin eine Engländerin und diese Kombination fand ich sehr interessant.
Arabella zeigte sich als eine liebenswerte, authentische Heldin, mit einem großen Bezug zu Sozialem Engagement. Nando wurde zum Helden mit der verletzten Seele. Mit dieser Mischung gelang der Autorin eine wundervolle Charakter Kombi die sich durch Unterhaltung und unzählige Facetten auszeichnete.
Wie ich bereits in vielen historischen Romanen schon erfahren konnte gab es auch hier endlose Wirrungen, die sich erst nach und nach zu einem Puzzle lösen, aber auch typische Elemente wie Verhaftung und Entführung. Auf keiner einzigen Seite bot sich daher die Gelegenheit für Langeweile und so entstand ein regelrechter Sog, der mich immer weiter trieb.
Nina Beaumont präsentiert große Emotionen, Spannung, Anziehung und gibt bildhafte Eindrücke. Ich war gefangen in dieser Zeit und hätte direkt in den zweiten Teil springen können. Für mich war es ein kurzweiliger Lesegenuss, der durch seine Figuren und Geschehnisse auf ganzer Linie punktet.
Fazit
„Arabella, Weg der Hoffnung“ lädt zum verweilen, bestaunen, träumen und schmachten ein. Insbesondere mit ihren Figuren und dem Setting gelingt Nina Beaumont ein echter Schmaus, der dir das Gefühl gibt, für eine kurze Zeit in einer anderen Epoche zu leben. Ich traf auf viele Eindrücke, die mich nicht mehr los ließen und ebenso traf ich auf Unterhaltung, die keine Zeit zum Luft holen lässt. Wien zur Zeit 1814 hat mein Herz erobert.
💖💜💖💜💖 5/5 Herzen
July 21, 2019
Romantic equivalent of a military campaign
Nina Beaumont's Sapphire Magic is billed as a historical romance, but it reads more like the narrative of a military campaign. The Congress of Vienna and the post-Napoleonic end of the nineteenth century is the venue of this stunning series of battles between a beautiful, headstrong, independent young Englishwoman named Arabella, and Austrian Count Fernando Berg - Nando. Nando is an older, cynical, war-weary soldier, and a wounded spirit. He's sick to death of the posturing and deception of courtiers and spies alike, especially the females who simper and betray the unwary, like a certain lady once did to him. Their meeting ignites an attraction that Nando can't acknowledge for fear that he will give in to Arabella's love. She sees through his terminally broken-hearted loner facade, and challenges him at every turn to gather his courage, trust her, and love her forever. They both play the long game, but if Nando wins there will be two broken hearts, so Arabella battles him incident after encounter, not able to claim full victory, yet pushing Nando ever closer to ultimate surrender. This is a long, drawn out, exhausting campaign, with ever-higher stakes. The lives and happiness of more than Arabella and Nando hang on the outcome. Readers who want a quick romantic tussle will rue the patience it takes to read this book. Readers who appreciate high-stakes games, duels to the death, and heroines with courage and indomitable will, will savor every turn of the tide until the final surrender. Me? I loved the emotional see-saw and the vibrating energy of every page! This is a voluntary ARC review.
Nina Beaumont's Sapphire Magic is billed as a historical romance, but it reads more like the narrative of a military campaign. The Congress of Vienna and the post-Napoleonic end of the nineteenth century is the venue of this stunning series of battles between a beautiful, headstrong, independent young Englishwoman named Arabella, and Austrian Count Fernando Berg - Nando. Nando is an older, cynical, war-weary soldier, and a wounded spirit. He's sick to death of the posturing and deception of courtiers and spies alike, especially the females who simper and betray the unwary, like a certain lady once did to him. Their meeting ignites an attraction that Nando can't acknowledge for fear that he will give in to Arabella's love. She sees through his terminally broken-hearted loner facade, and challenges him at every turn to gather his courage, trust her, and love her forever. They both play the long game, but if Nando wins there will be two broken hearts, so Arabella battles him incident after encounter, not able to claim full victory, yet pushing Nando ever closer to ultimate surrender. This is a long, drawn out, exhausting campaign, with ever-higher stakes. The lives and happiness of more than Arabella and Nando hang on the outcome. Readers who want a quick romantic tussle will rue the patience it takes to read this book. Readers who appreciate high-stakes games, duels to the death, and heroines with courage and indomitable will, will savor every turn of the tide until the final surrender. Me? I loved the emotional see-saw and the vibrating energy of every page! This is a voluntary ARC review.
February 27, 2022
Werbung, da Rezensionsexemplar
Die junge Arabella kam aus England nach Wien und lebt dort vorübergehend in der englischen Botschaft. Nachdem sie den geheimnisvollen Mann, den sie schon einmal in Paris getroffen hatte, in Wien entdeckt, muss sie ihn einfach kennenlernen. Als Graf Ferdinand Berg (genannt Nando) und Arabella sich wiedersehen funkt es zwischen ihnen. Doch Nando möchte keine Ehefrau, auch wenn er sich sehr stark zu Arabella hingezogen fühlt. Die beiden finden immer wieder zueinander, obwohl sie sich selbst ihre Gefühle nicht erklären können. Doch dann geraten die Beiden ins Visier von politischen Intrigen und hinterhältigen Machenschaften und sie müssen sich entscheiden, ob sie einander vertrauen können.
Das Buch hat mir wirklich gut gefallen, es liest sich sehr leicht und ist extrem gut recherchiert. Nina Beaumont hat nicht nur politische und historische Hintergründe hervorragend dargestellt, sondern auch eine fesselde Liebesgeschichte verfasst. Für alle die sich besonders für die Wiener Gesellschaft des frühen 19. Jahrhunderts interessieren ein wunderbares Vergnügen.
Hin und wieder hätte ich mir ein wenig mehr Charaktertiefe gewünscht, da das Potential dafür auf jeden Fall vorhanden war. Die Romanze zwischen den beiden Hauptcharakteren ist manchmal etwas vorhersehbar. Zudem hätte ich mir persönlich etwas mehr trockenen Humor seitens Arabella gewünscht, das hätte wunderbar zu ihr gepasst.
Das Buch ist für alle die historische Liebesromane mögen eine totale Leseempfehlung!
-> 3,75 Sterne
Ich durfte das Buch "Arabella - Weg der Hoffnung" im Rahmen einer Leserunde auf Lovelybooks.de lesen.
Die junge Arabella kam aus England nach Wien und lebt dort vorübergehend in der englischen Botschaft. Nachdem sie den geheimnisvollen Mann, den sie schon einmal in Paris getroffen hatte, in Wien entdeckt, muss sie ihn einfach kennenlernen. Als Graf Ferdinand Berg (genannt Nando) und Arabella sich wiedersehen funkt es zwischen ihnen. Doch Nando möchte keine Ehefrau, auch wenn er sich sehr stark zu Arabella hingezogen fühlt. Die beiden finden immer wieder zueinander, obwohl sie sich selbst ihre Gefühle nicht erklären können. Doch dann geraten die Beiden ins Visier von politischen Intrigen und hinterhältigen Machenschaften und sie müssen sich entscheiden, ob sie einander vertrauen können.
Das Buch hat mir wirklich gut gefallen, es liest sich sehr leicht und ist extrem gut recherchiert. Nina Beaumont hat nicht nur politische und historische Hintergründe hervorragend dargestellt, sondern auch eine fesselde Liebesgeschichte verfasst. Für alle die sich besonders für die Wiener Gesellschaft des frühen 19. Jahrhunderts interessieren ein wunderbares Vergnügen.
Hin und wieder hätte ich mir ein wenig mehr Charaktertiefe gewünscht, da das Potential dafür auf jeden Fall vorhanden war. Die Romanze zwischen den beiden Hauptcharakteren ist manchmal etwas vorhersehbar. Zudem hätte ich mir persönlich etwas mehr trockenen Humor seitens Arabella gewünscht, das hätte wunderbar zu ihr gepasst.
Das Buch ist für alle die historische Liebesromane mögen eine totale Leseempfehlung!
-> 3,75 Sterne
Ich durfte das Buch "Arabella - Weg der Hoffnung" im Rahmen einer Leserunde auf Lovelybooks.de lesen.
March 13, 2022
Die junge Engländerin, Arabella Douglas, begleitet im Jahre 1814 den englischen Gesandten nach Wien, um einen Ehemann zu finden. Doch eigentlich, hofft sie in Wien auf Abenteuer.
Sie verliebt sich in den Grafen Ferdinand Berg, der Nando genannt wird.Arabellas Herz ist voller Liebe zu Nando und deshalb versucht sie ihn zu einer gemeinsamen Zukunft zu überzeugen.
Er, der verbitterte Nando, wünscht sich wirklich nichts sehnlicher als diese warmherzige junge Frau.Aber er wurde leider in der Vergangenheit sehr oft hintergangen und kann daher an ihre Leidenschaft nicht glauben.
Jedoch wird das junge Paar in die Politik des Wiener Kongresses gezogen. Es folgen noch zusätzlich Eifersucht und Verrat und dieser Zustand bedroht ihre Liebe und ihr Leben.
Dieser wunderschöne historische Roman verführt uns in eine andere Zeit.
Die Autorin hat dies wirklich wunderbar geschafft, mich in diesen Bann zu ziehen. Mich interessierte schon immer Geschichte und nun führt sie mich sogar, als gebürtige Wienerin, zum Wiener Kongress.
Es war von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite spannend. Die Autorin hat wundervolle Charaktere geschaffen.
Ich lebte, mit dem Helden Nando und der authentischen und sozial engagierten Arabella, dem Freigeist, richtig mit.
Emotionen, Spannung, Nervenkitzel und Geschichte - dieses Buch hat vollkommen mein Herz erobert.
Danke, Nina Beaumont, für dieses Abenteuer.
Eine klare Weiterempfehlung.
Sie verliebt sich in den Grafen Ferdinand Berg, der Nando genannt wird.Arabellas Herz ist voller Liebe zu Nando und deshalb versucht sie ihn zu einer gemeinsamen Zukunft zu überzeugen.
Er, der verbitterte Nando, wünscht sich wirklich nichts sehnlicher als diese warmherzige junge Frau.Aber er wurde leider in der Vergangenheit sehr oft hintergangen und kann daher an ihre Leidenschaft nicht glauben.
Jedoch wird das junge Paar in die Politik des Wiener Kongresses gezogen. Es folgen noch zusätzlich Eifersucht und Verrat und dieser Zustand bedroht ihre Liebe und ihr Leben.
Dieser wunderschöne historische Roman verführt uns in eine andere Zeit.
Die Autorin hat dies wirklich wunderbar geschafft, mich in diesen Bann zu ziehen. Mich interessierte schon immer Geschichte und nun führt sie mich sogar, als gebürtige Wienerin, zum Wiener Kongress.
Es war von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite spannend. Die Autorin hat wundervolle Charaktere geschaffen.
Ich lebte, mit dem Helden Nando und der authentischen und sozial engagierten Arabella, dem Freigeist, richtig mit.
Emotionen, Spannung, Nervenkitzel und Geschichte - dieses Buch hat vollkommen mein Herz erobert.
Danke, Nina Beaumont, für dieses Abenteuer.
Eine klare Weiterempfehlung.
March 12, 2022
Arabella, Weg der Hoffnung ist mein erstes Buch von der Autorin und ich wurde positiv überrascht, denn mit ihrem lockeren und leichten Schreibstil, zog mich die Autorin in die Geschichte von Arabella.
Die Charaktere sind sehr unterschiedlich, die Einen mag man sofort, die Anderen gar nicht und andere lernt man mit der Zeit zu akzeptieren.
Durch verschiedene Wendungen und Handlungen, die mich überrascht haben, wurde der Spannungsbogen sehr gut bis zum Ende gehalten.
Manchmal kam mir die Geschichte jedoch langatmig vor und das ist auch der Grund, warum ich einen Stern abziehe.
Arabella ist für diese Zeit, in der die lebt, sehr authentisch und stark.
Von mir gibt es 4 Sterne für einen guten historischen Roman, mit Intrigen, Spannung, Leidenschaft, Liebe und angenehme Lesestunden.
Die Charaktere sind sehr unterschiedlich, die Einen mag man sofort, die Anderen gar nicht und andere lernt man mit der Zeit zu akzeptieren.
Durch verschiedene Wendungen und Handlungen, die mich überrascht haben, wurde der Spannungsbogen sehr gut bis zum Ende gehalten.
Manchmal kam mir die Geschichte jedoch langatmig vor und das ist auch der Grund, warum ich einen Stern abziehe.
Arabella ist für diese Zeit, in der die lebt, sehr authentisch und stark.
Von mir gibt es 4 Sterne für einen guten historischen Roman, mit Intrigen, Spannung, Leidenschaft, Liebe und angenehme Lesestunden.
May 19, 2019
This was an okay read for me mainly because I was expecting this to be a historical "romance". The ending was heartwarming. I really did like Arabella, she was compassionate & up-front. With the lack of romance to me, the plot was just a constant cat & mouse game with very little relationship growth. The many dangerous & spiteful threats against both of them added gloom & doom combined with pride and sucked the time for couple happiness out of the story. Although this is fairly long, a short romantic epilogue would've been nice. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation from the author.
February 15, 2021
Such an amazing book! I really enjoyed it! I'm new to this author but I'm excited to read more by her. I definitely recommend it!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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