Splendor

De: Brenda Joyce

Narrado por: Marian Hussey

She played a dangerous game.

Carolyn Browne was a poor bookseller's daughter and an enlightened thinker, delighting London with her scathingly witty columns, written under the name Charles Copperville. Penetrating the town's gilded salons in male disguise, Carolyn soon throws her barbs at the wrong man - the enigmatic Russian prince, Nicholas Sverayov.

He was a dangerous target. His notoriety, extravagances, and indulgent disregard for social convention fuel Carolyn's outrage. Nicholas has moved through the balls and soirees of high society effortlessly, a natural target of gossip, envy, and desire. But Nicholas is furious to find himself lampooned by Copperville, and quickly discovers Carolyn's dearly held secret. Now, as the two spar, a new game begins - a game of deception and pride, of longing and chance.

And they played for the ultimate prize... As Nicholas sweeps Carolyn from the teeming streets and gala balls of Regency London to the splendor and majesty of St. Petersburg, against all odds the unlikely lovers embark upon a whirlwind of passion and peril until there is no turning back - for the stakes have changed, demanding no less of them than the unwavering courage to claim the love of a lifetime.

©1997 Brenda Joyce (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Splendor

Wow what an incredible book! From beginning to end it was light then intense, I became so invested in these characters wanting them to find there hea. The narrator is very good too and helped bring this book alive for me.

I. Loved. It!!!

I needed a break from several 'series' books that I've been reading and came across this one. It had really mixed reviews, both here and on Amazon. I decided to go for it, knowing that Audibles guarantee makes it worth the risk. It seems, based on the reviews, that people either loved it, or hated it. I happen to be one of the ones that loved it.

It took me a minute, as it always does, to get used to the new story and the narrator. This is actually my first time listening to Marion Hussey and I really loved the voice variations. She does a fantastic job performing, and managing, the various characters. It was super easy to follow who was who just based on the voices. I felt that Caroline's voice was too "whiney" for her character and at times it was really annoying, but it wasn't a huge deal and definitely not a deal breaker.

I especially appreciated the lightheartedness of the story. The main characters weren't overly dramatic when they learned the secrets the others had. Nicolas found Caroline's "deception" humorous and I was so happy not to have to deal with his anger and her regret. There wasn't a tremendous amount of sex, however the sexual tension was palpable.

I had a hard time putting this book down, and found myself looking for things to do just to buy myself some extra time listening. At the same time I was trying to take my time so it wouldn't be over too fast.

I would recommend you get it and try it. Audible has that fan-freaking-tastic guarantee so if you decide you hate it you can get a refund. Whats to lose?

Lovely Story

Was very engaging. ..Mary Elena finally got her due! It was a lovely story...it is predictable. I wish there was more of Nikolas' view which the story lacked, but I am really enjoying Brenda Joyce's books as much Julie Garwood.

I loved this story!

I throughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. The two primary characters, Prince Nicholas and Carolyn Brown were well written and the many obstacles they faced had me wanting to listen without stopping. Marian Hussey was wonderful with each character’s distinctive voice, especially Prince Nicholas. Thank you.

I JUST COULD NOT STOP LISTENING

Wow, what a beautiful, heart wrenching, compelling, intense love story that's bursting with all the usual words we use to describe such books - passionate, touching, tender, romantic etc., etc., but this listen takes them then inserts them into a bitter-sweet heartbreaking romance that's caught between the streets of 1812 England and the traumatic Russian War and then, those words, just seem such inadequate descriptions.

Carolyn (witty, smart, loving, caring, naive book seller and clever satirist for a National Paper) starts pursuing and spying on Nicholas (strong, gorgeous, sexy, powerful Russian Prince and loving Father) for more gossip on him for her column and a delicious humorous game of cat and mouse soon develops. As the sexual chemistry sizzles between them and their passion quickly grows out of control, unfortunately the pair are faced with class differences, surprises, secrets, blackmail, war, painful twists and turns, jealousy and the consequences must be overcome as Nicholas has responsibilities and commitments that will have a hideous impact on their lives.

Interesting selection of secondary characters, including his 7 year old daughter, that bring either destruction or support to the lovers affair.

Worth a credit? A well-written, epic journey that proves love can conquer all - with so many highs and lows that makes this, not only much more than the usual historical romance, but it's also (preferably) a non stop listen. So YES very creditworthy but, for the 'must be historically correct' listener, there were the few instances of 'wouldn't have happened in that era' so please remember this is an enjoyable, entertaining Fictional story so who cares!!