PRICELESS
Mandalyn Kaye
Fawcett Historical Romance
August 1998
ISBN# 0-449-22645-X
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Mandalyn Kaye is certainly no beginner
when it comes to writing romance. After publishing several
books with Pinnacle,
"Priceless"
is Kaye's debut historical with Fawcett.
She's won high acclaim in the romance industry ever since her
first book "The Promise"and was since named 'The Best
Up and Coming Author" by Affaire de Coeur and has garnered
many '4 stars' ratings with Romantic Times. In her latest historical
romance, "Priceless", Kaye shows us that no amount
of wealth or society status can replace love. For true love
is genuinely priceless.
Liberty Madison is heir to the estate of a
man believed by the ton to be her lover, Howard Rendell. Scorned
by society and her new found wealth, Liberty comes to learn
of Howard's betrayal of her. Even in death, he uses her as
his pawn in a wicked game of infidelity and deceit. She is
now forced to consider marriage to Howard's nephew, Carlton,
in order to save the empire Howard left behind. But when she
is approached by Howard's sworn enemy, she is forced to marry
him in order to save her very life. It is through Elliot Moss
that Liberty will find the truths behind the many lies and
double dealings of Howard's associates that can ultimately
cause her downfall. And with the legendary and mysterious
Cross of Aragon, once believed to have been Catherine of Argon's
prized possession, Liberty will find the answers to the many
questions behind Howard's actions. And she will find, through
her love for Elliot, that she can learn to trust again.
Elliot Moss is bent on revenge. His father
was an unwitting pawn in Howard Rendell's dirty business dealings,
and for 15 years since his death, Elliot has sworn to clear
his father's name and reputation. And in doing so, gain his
own acceptance in the dynamic world of London's elite. One
thing stands in his way, though. Liberty Madison. Liberty
is the heir of Howard's estate. In it, the much coveted Cross
of Aragon. With this 'key' to the puzzle, only then can Elliot
hope to clear his father's name. He approaches Liberty with
a business arrangement. They will marry and seek to find the
Cross together. With her photographic memory of the accounts
ledgers from Howard's dealings, and the Cross as the key to
deciphering the secret code, they can unlock the truths behind
the lies they have both been told. But Elliot is not prepared
when he finds himself falling in love with Liberty. Soon he
finds that wealth and status among the ton no longer matters
as he once thought. Only her love for him.
As Regency set novels aren't my general preferred
reading, I found it a slow start for me. But once into the story
I found it very hard to put down. Mandalyn Kaye brings to life
the what it must have been like in the Regency period in London.
High society, glamour and the real life dealings that can make
or break an empire in a single evening. Supporting characters
were interesting and the story stayed the course throughout,
with only very minor inconsistencies. Parallel romance and other
sideline stories were skillfully kept at bay so that the essence
of this story could be told in it's entirety. This is a highly
dramatic novel. It's fast paced and full of intricate twists
and turns, which climaxes in a surprise ending. I'd definitely
recommend this story for anyone who loves Regency, or thinking
of reading one for the first time. And if you're already a Mandalyn
Kaye fan, I'm sure this story won't disappoint!
