A single kiss on a dark night at a lonely inn changed Prudence’s life forever…and not for the better. Deemed “the Baggage” by the ladies of Nettlefold, Prudence Baggington held secrets they could never know. She thought to marry an earl. Instead, she married a monster. Fearful for her life, she runs, seeking safe haven at a convent. As a married woman she cannot join the convent, nor can she … married woman she cannot join the convent, nor can she marry again. How could love ever be in her future? Her only hope is for peace and simple friendship with the Abbess’ nephew, the Baron Halthaven.
But the evil that made her fear for her life is coming for her.
Will Prudence be forced to run again? Or will the Baron Halthaven show her that love really can conquer all?
An uplifting tale of survival and perseverance.
Trigger warning for those who are sensitive. Prudence runs from a past abusive relationship.
No graphic descriptions.
Don’t Miss the Excitement and Passion of Regency Romance by Isabella Thorne
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Escaping from an abusive marriage is never easy, although the ladies of the Regency era had far fewer resources than women have today. Nevertheless, running to a convent is perhaps the best thing that could have happened to Prudence, when she comes face to face with the wise Abbess. Transferred to the care and protection of her nephew, Lord Halthaven, Prudence begins to heal and regain some of her spirits. Unfortunately, her past and all its atrocities catch up with her, drawing the baron and those she loves into the net. Despite her suffering, Prudence still has the ability to see the good in people and the Baron is everything a gentleman of honour should be. Added to the mix, the Baron’s ward and a small puppy called Posey, all culminate in a very good plot. The book suspenseful and romantic, highlighting the devastating effects of abuse. It is also well written, clean and a standalone. I received a copy of this novel as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Wow this was a fantastic read. I’m really shocked that I got into it so quick. I loved it from start to end and would happily read the rest of this authors work.
The Countess and The Baron by Isabella Thorne
This was quite an enjoyable read and much better than the first book that I read by this author. I will be keeping an eye out for more of her books.
The book is a Regency romance with 204 pages which I refer to as a short novel. It is a moderate read which took me about four hours to read. Usually short novels tend to be lighter reads which I can read faster. It is the first book in the Baggington Sisters series which can be read as a stand-alone. There is no swearing, no cheating, a little kissing, no cliffhangers, and a HEA. There could be triggers for some as past abuse is mentioned, both as a wife and as a daughter. The typos and grammatical errors were quite a few (around thirty) but didn’t drop me out of the story near as much as they usually do.
The story is basically a heroine, fearing for her life, flees an abusive marriage and finds safety with the hero with whom she falls in love. The story is interesting and engaging as are the characters. There could be more atmosphere to the settings but there is an adequate amount. The writing is more complex, than usual romances of this length, which made the story more enjoyable. It reads like a full-length (300 – 500 pages) novel providing more richness to the narrative, the plot, and the characters. The story has love, fear, hope, suspense, karma, sisters reuniting, simple pleasures, a vile villain, a compassionate handsome hero, and a cute puppy.
The story would be much better without the errors, but it is still enjoyable and intriguing though on the dark side at times. I would give it a B+ for just the story, but with the errors, it gets a C+ (3½ stars). I really wish that Amazon would allow half stars.
I received an ARC of this book via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving a review.
MS. THORNE’S WRITING STYLE IS EXEMPLARY. I COULD FEEL THE EMOTIONS OF HER CHARACTERS. THE TIME PERIOD OF THIS STORY IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES AND THE UNDERLYING CURRENT IS UNFORTUNATELY GOING STRONG TODAY.
This is a very well written book. I like the way the author deals with the very real topic of abuse from a generation many years past. As a reader we are able to travel alongside Prudence from the end of her years with her family growing up, through her short, miserable time as wife of the Earl Fondleton, her escape from him to the home she finds herself sheltering in. In this home she is shown the life of safety, love and respect she has always deserved but of which is so foreign to her. This author has a great way of describing the different surroundings & typical way people were in that period of time. I found it just beautiful to read of the way Prudence blossomed into a totally different young lady as she was valued and shown the love of a true and wholesome family! Naturally, as this is a love story there was a love growing between her and Lord Halthaven. But there was still the threat of repercussions from the Earl of Fondleton which I will not go into as you will want to read that part for yourself!
This is a book I would absolutely recommend to any who like Historical Love stories with true to life struggles such as abuse!
Loved the story. The story was very well written and the interaction between the characters was great. The ending was perfect.
ONE WICKED ROLLERCOASTER RIDE!!!
Dastardly demented! Isabella unleashes one nail-biting, action packed, hard hitting, page flipping bombshell, searching for shelter and finding sanctuary, blasting this jewel to life flawlessly. Anarchy, escapades and havoc run amuck, kicking this bad boy into a raging tempest, blasting it into a tailspin with astonishing results. Buckle up baby you’re in deep as we witness the characters formidable trials and challenging tribulations, shocking twists and wicked turns, hard fast rules and revealing revelations, wrapping this gem up sleek, shiny and tight. Nightmares run rampant and deception is rife, rolling with the drama, turmoil, abuse, intrigue, secrets, danger, spiraling suspense and intense situations, along with a boatload of determination while dodging deadly intents, you have one intoxicating masterpiece. Eliminating the lines and crushing boundaries, limitations are stretched and manipulated, putting our characters through their paces, testing them in ways they could have never imagined. The characters are complex and genuine with traits and qualities that add depth and realism that blend and flow, transforming into amazing personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and descriptions that feel as though you were transported to ground zero with them. Fantastic job Isabella, thanks for sharing this lil’ fella with us.
TITLE: How does a young girl recover emotionally from years of abuse?
SETTING: The Baggington girls suffered from the perverse addictions of their father, and were eager to escape his attentions. Years before, Temperance had escaped by running away to join a nunnery at Halthurst Abbey. Prudence sought relief in marrying a near stranger who had passionately kissed her and had been observed doing so, resulting in a rapid wedding to the man she had only met once—when she was caught and kissed. Never did Prudence imagine marriage to be worse for her than being abused by her own father!!
Prudence had thought marriage would release her from the bondage of a deviant, incestuous father, only to find herself bound, literally, as her new husband, the Earl of Fondleton, Jasper Numbton, beat and abused her. After three months of such abuse (a life of such torment no one could endure) she ran away to the Abbey with the clothes on her back and a little puppy, the runt of the litter, destined for destruction by order of her cruel husband. The Head Abbess made arrangements for her to be the companion of Marietta, a 12 year old girl under the care of the Abbess’ nephew, until a more permanent situation could be found for Prudence. This is Prudence’s story in the series “The Nettlefold Chronicles ~ The Baggington Sisters”.
CRITIQUE: A thoughtful story continues with this book, delving into the long term sequela victims of abuse face, even when removed from their abuser. They may fail to recognize signs that lead them right back into a similar situation. Or they can change their self-perception from one of victim to one of self-trust and self-respect and remake their lives. Generally, there are some stumbles along the way, as we see in Prudence’s case, where she marries someone even worse than her first abuser, then gains enough courage to run away for good.
I have enjoyed the variety of points of view from the perspective of the various girls as they heal from their traumatic childhood. This book, too, handles a terrible situation with delicacy so as to not offend genteel readers. Good H & h, rational storylines, and a good HEA make for an enjoyable experience.
Miss Prudence Baggington was to marry an Earl which she was excited to do as it would get her out of her father’s house who was the Viscount Mortel a very cruel and mean man. She hoped that the Earl she was to marry whom she’d only met once was a good man. She had been married three months to a man who was actually worse than her father when she ran away with the surprise in her carpet back. She ran to Halthaven, where the Abby that her older sister had gone to join up and become a nun. When she arrived she had to walk to the Abby and crossed the river which was flooded the bridge was out she found a low place that she could cross that and ended up in the water the waist down and then she continued to walk to the Abby. When she got there the doorkeeper went and got the the mother superior. Who took her in a room where she talked with her discovered that she was Lady Fondleton married to the Earl Lord Fondleton. The mother superior allowed her to speak to temperance her sister and finally agreed that she could spend one night in the Abby for she would be returned to her husband. To find out what actually happens you have to read the book. Very good book…
After a lifetime of physical and emotional abuse Prudence escapes her husband and ends up in the home of the Baron. George is everything opposite of what she knows and he breaks down all her walls. HEA can happen for Prudence.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An ugly tale with a joyful ending
It is an ironclad unwritten rule in romance writing – the heroine and hero must have their happy ending. When I began to read Prudence’s story that seemed like a very remote possibility. Isabella Thorne’s clean and gentle handling of some very dark themes (incest, child abuse, spousal abuse, rape) makes it easier to read the story, but Prudence’s suffering is very real, and her courage in seeking escape from her tormentors is remarkable. I had a bit of difficulty with the whole “underground railroad” style network run by a remarkably worldly-wise nun/abbess in a cloistered convent, and the Baron who serves as Prudence’s temporary protector is just too saintly and too perfect – his character lacks depth and humanity. All in all, it’s a bit of a stretch to buy into this story, but Ms. Thorne spins a good yarn, with excellent attention to historical detail. Fans of the genre will no doubt enjoy it. – ARC Review
A well written story that held my interest until the end, a book I want to read again. Prudence Baggington and the Abbess’ nephew, the Baron Halthaven’s story had suspense, drama, romance, and one very” sick ” Father. I received a copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
Prudence is brave, her desire to no longer be baggage seems to land her out of the pot and into the fire. I felt sorry for her and really wish she had more self-esteem because she has been through so much. I was surprised that this ended up having some dark romance elements though. Love George, he is such a kind, accepting and patient man with enough happiness to bring some long-time coming brightness into the life of Prudence. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation from the author.