The Truth about Lord Stoneville

Hellions of Halstead Hall, Book 1

By: Sabrina Jeffries

Narrated by: James Clamp

Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Oliver Sharpe, the Marquess of Stoneville, has been London's most notorious rake for years. Fed up with his behavior, his grandmother threatens to disinherit him if he doesn't tame his wild ways and wed within the year. Outraged, Oliver decides to hire a woman from a brothel to pose as his fiancée to prove that he can't be forced into marriage.

When he meets Maria Butterfield, a beautiful American woman who is searching for her fiancé in the most unlikely of places, he knows she's perfect for his ruse. But before long, Oliver finds himself willing to risk anything to make Maria his - even his heart, and the dark secret he hides inside it.

©2010 Sabrina Jeffries (P)2010 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Filled with larger-than-life characters and lively dialogue, this sizzling romance proves once again that Sabrina Jeffries is a "grand mistress of storytelling.'" ( Romantic Times)

engaging story and lovable characters

This book was great. The story line was interesting, although predictable, and the characters were all entertaining. The narrator was great too! If you like romances, get this book!

It was cute and sexy

I enjoyed it worth the cost will purchase the rest of series, even thou all of the narrators are different

Kept Me Listening to the End

I read the sub-3-star reviews and respectfully disagree. Although it took the lead characters a short time to fall for each other, this is a romance novel and sometimes that's how leads roll. I found the leads likeable and their behavior made sense for the type of people they were. As for Maria making exceptions for Oliver against her moral beliefs, she did feel conflicted about them and did her best to conduct herself within them. I found her more believable and engaging for those struggles. Oliver's emotional arc played out the way I would expect for someone carrying a load of profound shame and guilt. All in all, I liked this story and bought book 2 of the series. There are several scenes of on-page, detailed physical intimacy. In my personal heat scale, this novel is medium. The narrator's performance was OK. I would not search for other books he performed but he kept me listening through the epilogue.

A solid romance

The book is one of Jeffries' better ones, a twist on the woman-saves-man type. Well-developed, endearing characters. Lots of sensuality, but not too much sex. The narrator, however, needs voice acting lessons. His vocal portrayals of most of the characters annoyed me, and he often was overly emphatic in the narration. I enjoyed the book despite him.

Good listen

This book was much better than I had thought. The narrator was good and the story line keep me interested rught up until the end.

Loved it

I absolutely loved the book can not wait till the she writes about the brothers and sisters will definitly buy those books as soon as I can

SOME GOOD LOVE SCENES

I REALLY LIKE THE BOOKS ABOUT DUKES, SO I CAN SAY I REALLY LIKED THIS BOOK. AND IT HAD A COUPLE STEAMY LOVE SCENES. WHICH IS ALWAYS A PLUS.

Just okay

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The story was predictable and could have been much better with a different narrator. The reading made the main male character seem like an eighteen year old speaking nasally, and overly arrogant with bratty tones, rather than the mid 30 year old handsome and rakish, yet desirable man intended.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Not sure but definitely not the same narrator

What didn’t you like about James Clamp’s performance?

Very little distinction between characters and he made them all seem like they were such whining little kids. Even though I made myself listen rather than waste the credit I found myself so irritated at his performance!

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No

Any additional comments?

Once you've listened to great narrators - who can really stir your soul with in depth imaginations and recreations- which great writers provide the means for. ... You instantly start searching for reviews that touch on these points. I guess I overlooked those for this one.

A Game of Cat & Mouse

Would you listen to The Truth about Lord Stoneville again? Why?

I've listened to it twice and I'm sure I'll listen to it again in a few months.

It passed the time

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I listen on the way to and from work everyday so the time couldn't have been used for much else anyway.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The story was about what you expect from current historical romances - characters saying and doing things they would never have done. If you don't mind that, the story was good.

What didn???t you like about James Clamp???s performance?

Worst American accent ever. The heroine and her cousin were from New England but the reader kept slipping some sort of southern drawl in sporadically.