Noble Satyr

I began this book with a some reservations-I haven't read this genre since I was a teenager. I was worried whether I would be able to give a fair review.
I needn't have worried. After the first few chapters, I was completely swept into the story and the lives of the characters. Brant vividly recreates the Georgian era with sumptuous descriptions of the food, clothes, and homes of the wealthy. Although the characters fit into the usual stereotypes-spunky, orphaned heroine, evil lecher, etc.-nevertheless, I enjoyed them & grew close to the heroine.
I was able to relax and trust that, like a good dance partner, Brant would steer me through the rest of the story. She did the work and I, like any good reader, enjoyed the benefits.
The plot was show more well-worked out with enough crises to keep my attention and the sex was hot.
Altogether a very enjoyable read. I don't know if I've become a romance reader but I will certainly read more of Ms. Brant! show less

I received this book in e-book format from the member giveaway program. It is a lovely little historical romance set in Georgian period. I found the author to have a wonderful gift with description. I love to see an author really immerse themselves into their chosen period and this author has obviously done that. One of my biggest pet peeves in historical novels is the lack of detail given to period dress. This was not a problem with this novel. The characters clothing was nicely detailed, along with the settings. I found the charcters to be likeable and well thought out, even the minor characters (I loved the upright valet). I would recommend this novel and plan to read the others the author has planned in the Roxton series.

It is the golden age of French aristocratic life, the glittering court of Louis XV. Beneath the posturing and hedonism lies a seething hotbed of intrigue, deceit, and treachery. Sex, lies, and politics go hand in hand, and courting royal patronage is the ultimate prize. Into this licentious arena comes Antonia Moran, an innocent young woman, whose lack of protection makes her a prime target for the dissolute Comte de Salvan. He eyes this particular prize as a wife for his son, whom some say is mad. The Comte’s failing fortunes need a financial boost, and Antonia comes with an inheritance from her ailing grandfather. Anxious to see his granddaughter safely wed, the old man agrees to this unsuitable match. Moreover, unsuitable it is, show more since the Comte has designs on both Antonia’s impending fortune and her virtue.

Antonia may be innocent but she is not stupid. She cleverly allies herself with the Duke of Roxton, the ‘noble satyr’ of the title, whose tastes do not run to young girls. Roxton has no time for Antonia until the Comte forces his hand by attempting a violent abduction. To save Antonia, Roxton must take her to England, to the safety of his home. He is much older but she does not care. Her unabashed expressions of love for him slowly melt his icy demeanour. The inevitable happens, and it is not without consequences. The Comte, who nurses an old grudge against Roxton, will not give up and pursues his plan to the end. Can Antonia and Roxton’s love survive? And will it ultimately endure in the face of royal censure?

Anyone familiar with Lucinda Brant’s Georgian novels will relish this book. Brant has the ability to transport the reader back in time, to a bygone era, without swamping the story with facts. The characters live and breathe the atmosphere of the time; they are captivating, from the primary players, right down to the smaller, but no less important characters. Ultimately, this is an enchanting and powerful love story between two people, Antonia and Roxton, who have all the odds stacked against them. I thoroughly enjoyed the unfolding of this passionate romance, with added action and adventure, derring-do, and some narrow escapes! For readers who like intricate detail there is a wealth of carefully chosen gems to enhance the picture. Everything the author describes enhances the reader’s enjoyment of a truly historical romance. I loved it. This is a wonderful read for romance and historical fiction fans. Well-crafted plot, historical accuracy, and believable characters make this a book to enjoy. This is the first book in the Roxton series. Highly recommended.
First reviewed for Readers Favorite show less

I was given a copy of Noble Satyr under Member Giveaways on Librarything. I've read quite a few novels set in the era in which Noble Satyr took place and I felt completely immersed by Brant's descriptions. Some historical fiction can feel so anachronistic but this author's novel did not at all. Ms. Brant is a fine writer and I found her scene setting, characterization and dialogue delightful. I also enjoyed the plot and did not find it predictable or formulaic, though I predicted the type of ending (for now?? I shall find out in the sequel) for Antonia and Roxton, the two main characters of the book.

Roxton is the dashing, promiscuous duke-about-town in mid 18th century Paris, France. He is extremely wealthy and responsible for a great show more number of other nobility under his "care." Antonia is a beautiful and outspoken girl left in limbo by a question of guardianship and the calculating and nefarious plans of one Comte Salvan to wed her to his deranged and opiate addicted son and subsequently bed her himself. Antonia seeks the protection of the Duke, a distant relation, from these designs. Machinations on all sides ensue resulting in Antonia recovering from an accident under the Duke's roof in Paris and their subsequent falling in love, much to the Duke's consternation. Will the Duke finally settle and can he extract Antonia from the socio-legal entanglement in which she finds her fate? show less

Well my new favorite author came at me with another eBook to review and I must say this one was just as good, if not more intriguing than the other two I did: Deadly Engagement and The Salt Bride.

For starters The Noble Satyr starts off in France during the time of Louis XV which if you know your history is intriguing in that the court was full of intrigue and debauchery. Enter our newest hero Renard, Duke of Roxton, or as he's known in France Monsieur le Duc. The wonderful Duke is quite the ladies man and sure works his way through the beds of the French Court, with the exception of the innocent virgins. le Duc prefers his woman with experience and a few miles under the belt. Of course he is a confirmed bachelor and does not look to show more wed. He's also a little further in years and quite set in his way. Nothing will cause him to change his ways, especially a woman or wife.

Enter Antonia, a very distant cousin very removed from le Duc. This lovely outspoken lass is fresh from the school room and quite the beauty. Our lovely heroine is also about to become an heiress when her grandfather passes. A man who has very little to do with our little Antonia yet is determined to marry her off to another distant relative, the son of Comte de Salvan, Etienne. Except Antonia does not wish to marry him and runs to our friend the Duke to intervene.

Of course our Duke wishes to have nothing to do with the girl. Although distantly related he has no time for once such as she. However she plays a hand that he cannot ignore and becomes her protector from their mutual cousin the Comte. Due to circumstances our Antonia becomes enthralled with the lovely Duke and falls head over heels.

The difference in this story than the previous two I have read by Lucinda Brant is that the story takes place in two worlds, French and English (the Duke is both as is Antonia), although the French Court is the dominant of the two. Also there is quite a gap in ages between the Duke and Antonia, which was very common in this time period, but most writers don't usually use this fact in their historical fiction. Most keep a gap but none nearly as large as the one between our hero and heroine. I approve, making me like the author all the more for her ability to make the story intriguing and still historical.

Of course it wouldn't be a Lucinda Brant novel without a villain you want nothing more than to be ripped to pieces by the end. The Comte and his son are the vilest of villains for the simple fact that both their ends to steal Antonia and use her plays right along with times of today and yester-year. You feel bad for the one and you want to crack the other over the skull with a cast iron skillet. The ending for all leaves the door open for the next novel and I can't wait to get my hands on it.

Of course for those of you wondering what becomes of Antonia and le Duc you can imagine that their ending is happy, slightly askew, but happy. You can now purchase these books on Amazon.com if you go here. I, of course, completely recommend and absolutely encourage you to take on this new author if you are even slightly interested in historical fiction. show less

Audiobook Review -- Joint Review by Carol Cork and Eileen Dandashi

Eileen: You certainly read lots of books in the genre I enjoy, and with your reviews, I’ve found when I read them, you are spot on! Since we’re here today talking about an audiobook we’ve both listened to, why not let you start the ball rolling? We’re both revved up about this book/listen. What do you like most about the book?

Carol: Firstly, thank you for being so complimentary about my reviews, Eileen. Now turning to our review of Noble Satyr. What do I like about the book? Well, I love the Georgian setting with all its elegance, opulence and decadence. I feel as though I am stepping back in time to a world of powdered wigs, panniers and sedan chairs. Lucinda show more Brant brings her characters to life on the page, even the secondary ones and she weaves an intelligent and intricately layered tale of scandal, intrigue and enduring love.

Eileen: I like how she begins the story. I feel as if I’ve stepped into the middle of such turmoil, intrigue and people, reacting to other events, it takes a while for me to get my bearings. The manner of speech sets it all up. I can just see those wigs and extravagant attire. The author paints a glorious description of how the men dress themselves, including the ridiculous heels they wear! And that lace! It left me chuckling with the image! Somehow I wonder how the men felt like, well, men for heaven sakes!

Carol: Oh yes, I could just picture those bewigged fops, with their lace handkerchiefs and quizzing glasses, prancing about in those heeled shoes!

Eileen: I put narrators in several different categories. (1) a narrator who utterly destroys the entertainment of a good book, (2) a narrator who isn’t all that exciting, nor does he give anything to a story, (3) a narrator who does marvelous things with a poor story, and keeps you listening, (4) a narrator who works well with an author’s ideas and ferrets out all the author wishes to evoke, (5) and lastly, there is the narrator who takes a compelling story, perfectly in sync with its contents, is entirely engaged and fairly shocks the socks right off you. Wouldn’t you say Mr. Wyndham fits into the fifth category?

Carol: It’s difficult for me to answer that one, Eileen. I’m a recent convert to audiobooks and Alex Wyndham is the only narrator I have listened to so far, but I have no hesitation in rating him a resounding (5). He is a superb narrator. Each character is pitched perfectly and instantly recognizable – male or female, old or young, noble or servant. I am totally amazed by his ability to consistently maintain such a wide range of characters’ voices throughout the book.

Eileen: I agree with you. The voice of Roxton, the duke is so full of ennui!

I enjoyed how Roxton changes through the story, and it’s all about love. I particularly delighted in the voice of Antonia – where Mr. Wyndham speaks English with a French accent (she speaks French most the time). I was totally enthralled with the characters and their personalities. They were so clear to envision. No doubt the narrator excelled in painting a vibrant story. It took place in full color! Carol, I agree. Alex Wyndham is one of the best I’ve heard.

Carol: I think Alex Wyndham portrays Roxton perfectly from his quietly spoken air of authority to the subtle softer tones as he falls in love with Antonia. He also conveys Antonia’s naïve exuberance for life so well and her French accent is delightful.

Eileen: I found I was drawn to several of the characters, some who play unpleasant roles, some who add humor, lightening the seriousness. And I really liked the intrigue between the characters. This is so much more than a love story; it’s a story of culture, political events and the plight of those who must live in the tempest. Not all is made clear at the beginning of the story, which keeps me listening and questioning. There are a lot of characters to sort through, creating a story fabric of varied textures. I actually listened to the audio in .75 speed. Certainly this book will deserve another listen, particularly to enjoy the thoroughly satisfying satire of the lifestyle of that period.

Carol: Yes, there is an interesting cast of secondary characters including the boisterous Lord Vallentine, Roxton’s brother-in-law, who supplies many humorous moments; the lecherous Comte de Salvan and his drug-addled son, each plotting and scheming to get Antonia into their clutches for their own nefarious reasons; Antonia’s grandmother, the Countess of Strathsay, jealous of her granddaughter’s youth and beauty.

I thought the romance between Roxton and Antonia was so well-written. The pairing of the dissolute Roxton with the much younger, innocent Antonia could have been the recipe for disaster but Ms Brant pulls it off brilliantly. Antonia may be young and virginal but, having lived in the licentious court of Louis XV, she is certainly not naïve in the ways of the world and has no illusions about Roxton. Bored with the world of excess around him, it is easy to see why Roxton would be enchanted by Antonia’s intelligence, openness and spirited nature. What are your thoughts on the romance, Eileen?

Eileen: This particular romance hit quite close to home. Although we know that Roxton was close to 40 and Antonia had just reached 20, the love AND romance which grew between the two changed each dramatically when a deep, enriching relationship evolved, not easily understood by couples of similar age.

My husband is 22 years older than I am. In fact, I was 20 when I first married. A man of the duke’s age can be very virile and quite alluring to a young woman. At the same time, society tends to frown on such a match. Yes, people thought my husband was my father, just as in the story, so the writer was very accurate in her depiction of how society reacts.

I’ve got to say this particular read, Noble Satyr, will certainly remain on my shelf as a keeper. And it’s book one of this series, so I’ve more enjoyment coming. In fact, I’ve continued the listen of the series; it is amazing.

Carol: Definitely a keeper, Eileen, as are Midnight Marriage and Autumn Duchess, the others I’ve listened to in this series.

Eileen: It was a pleasure discussing this book with you. Thanks for sharing!

Carol: Eileen, I’ve really enjoyed putting our heads together for this joint review and I hope we can do it again. show less

First and foremost, I must take into account that I have read the 3rd book in this Roxton Series..so I felt more inclined in it…than this one..which is the first in the series…

I have imagined and loved Jonathon and Antonia together…so it’s quite hard for me to read Antonia with another man, her first husband the Duke of Roxton..:D…but I still love the story…

As always the story is unique and unforgettable.. Antonia is just eighteen while Roxton is in his late 40’s…but love defiles everything…

I enjoyed Antonia’s impulsiveness and the duke’s aloofness and attitude… It’s a wonderful story that started impossibly…. In every twist in their situation…there’s always a solution or an unexpected answer…

I show more especially enjoyed how the good-humored, frankness, outrageousness of Antonia, slowly but surely changed the Duke’s stone heart into a warm puddle… I also imagined the duke as a cute man especially when he resisted laughing and tried to regain his composure in front of Antonia… I also love and cherished all the supporting characters.. It’s like they were meant to be there, helping and ruining the main ones…

I love the ending I think it’s perfect and the things are sorted out… I felt the love, anger, mercy and laughter in this wonderful story! Although I hadn’t cried like in the “Autumn Duchess”, I felt the anger and fear of Antonia from the controlling and disgusting hands of the Comte and his son.

Another thing I’m grateful for this book is it explained the sorrow and grief of Antonia in the 3rd book… I guess if I had read this one first..i might get angry with Jonathon…:)

Ms. Lucinda Brant is a certified Historical Romance Writer if ever there’s a job like that..:D

I think I thoroughly believe now that “Age doesn’t really matter”…
To all romance and historical lovers..What are you waiting for..? Grab these books now and fall in love like the first time..:) show less