A Lady's Lament

by Rebecca Ashley (Pseudonym), Lois Arvin Walker

IT WAS LAND SHE PRIZED MOST DEARLY... ONLY TO FIND THAT LOVE MADE THE GRASS GROW GREENER.
Really, it was quite shocking. Wexham Farm was a discredit to the countryside and ruined the effect of Cynthia Thornbury's carefully tended land next door. It was, in short, too wild and uncivilized, as was her insufferably stubborn new neighbor, Giles Blenhurst.

Drat the man! He seemed amused by her offer to purchase. Indeed, he was more than amused by this headstrong beauty hiding behind the prim and proper attire of a spinster. He was intrigued!

Truth to tell, Cynthia feared she'd formed a tendre for her dashing neighbor. But her heart was prisoner of her past. Did his love hold the key?

Genres: Romance

160 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 12, 1987

About the author

Lois Arvin Walker borned in 1951, was a published romance writer since the early 80's, who signed regency romances under her real name and under the pseudonym of Rebecca Ashley, and contemporary romances under the pseudonyms Sabrina Myles, and Candice Adams.

Reviews

[QNPoohBear · Rating 2 out of 5]

Miss Cynthia Thornbury has carefully tended to her estate these last six years. She wants desperately to buy the neighboring estate to improve it, unfortunately, the new owner, Giles Blenhurst, seems to prefer the "rustic charm" of the place and refuses to sell. Not only that, he seems to refuse to take her offer seriously. How rude of him! Cynthia has been a prim and proper spinster and is well-qualified to care for more land. Giles tries to flirt with Cynthia and he both irritates and intrigues her. She comes to rely on him for help dealing with her wayward teenage brother and Cynthia's thoughts turn to her first (and only) Season when she was young and gay. Cynthia finds herself wanting to be that girl again. Her relationship with Giles is starting to cause gossip among the neighbors and Cynthia refuses to be gossiped about. Secrets from the past begin to threaten Cynthia's hopes for future happiness. This book is a pale imitation of a Georgette Heyer with more sightly more sensuality. The reader does not really get to know the characters beyond what appears on the surface. This is very much Cynthia's story and not at all about Giles. None of the story is from his point of view and there's very little development of the relationship between him and Cynthia. The story isn't terrible but it's not that great. If you've already read Georgette Heyer than skip this one. If you're new to the genre and want something shorter and less well-written than Heyer, read this instead.

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, but it was too short. I think Cynthia and Giles's relationship was a little underdeveloped, I didn't feel a real connection between them. If the story had been longer maybe it could have developed more. I did like it though, it had a nice plot. It ended a bit abruptly, but for the most part it was enjoyable.

Content: Clean.

[Brittani Koepke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had such hopes for this book because the start was great, witty, and funny. I loved the dynamic between the two main characters. The tension was great and the pace at which the author unfolded the mystery surrounding the FMC was perfect. It was great until the last chapter. I feel like all characters acted out of character and did stuff that went against their very natures. The last chapter wrapped up everything in the book unsatisfactorily. I was disappointed.