Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of The Maid’s Lover by Amanda McCabe
Historical romance short story ebook released by Harlequin Historical Undone 1 Dec 09
Amanda McCabe is quickly becoming one of my go-to historical authors when I’m in the mood for “different.” Her latest short story for the Undone line features the criminally underused Elizabethan England locale to tell the story of two clandestine lovers.
Anne Percy may be related to nobility, but she’s a poor little orphan girl with few prospects. There isn’t a lot of joy in her life, until she hooks up with Robert, Viscount Langley, a darling in Queen Elizabeth’s court. These two cannot keep their hands off each other, arranging secret trysts in the woods near Anne’s home. However the girl does see the writing on the wall. She has zero prospects, while Robert is an heir – one expected to make a spectacular match. He says they just have to be patient, but as the woman in this 16th century affair, she has everything to lose. So even with her heart breaking, she cuts him loose. Months later, now living at court, Anne has once again fallen under Robert’s spell – and this time, he’s not letting her get away.
This is ultimately a story about two people unwilling to compromise and communicate with each other. Robert says they need to be patient, while Anne wants to scurry off and elope. He’s definitely the more prudent of the two, but it’s easy to understand Anne’s fears. Her and Robert have spectacular sex together, but he’s not exactly falling on bended knee declaring his undying love for her either. Still, I couldn’t help but think that Anne was being a bit rash and silly – especially when later in the story she pulls a stunt to gain Robert’s attention. Why she does this I have no idea. I mean, the guy has sex with her in a hallway after a dinner at court and she still thinks she doesn’t have his attention? Trust me cupcake. You do.
What McCabe does exceedingly well is write about this time period. It was downright refreshing to read about the Elizabethan era, and the excitement at court surrounding the Christmas holiday. It’s a setting you don’t see every day in historical romance, and the author must have really thrown herself into research to include some of the interesting details that are found in the story.
Ultimately this was an OK read that kept me entertained on my lunch break. The chemistry between Anne and Robert really sizzles, but there were moments when I was a touch annoyed with our fair heroine.
Grade: C+
Summary:
Anne Percy lived for her secret trysts with Robert, Viscount Langley, heir to a wealthy earldom and star of Queen Elizabeth’s court. Only then could she forget her life as a poor orphan at the mercy of her noble relatives and lose herself in the delights of his body. Every time they came together, it was just as passionate and wonderful as their first encounter. But even though Robert seemed to want her as much as she craved him, marriage appeared to be one thing they couldn’t share.
Now the lovers are reunited at the Queen’s Christmas feast—where Robert vows to show Anne they should never be apart…and to give her a very sensual Christmas Eve surprise.
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