The Lion's Daughter

By: Loretta Chase

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Length: 14 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's Summary

Gorgeous, stubborn Esme Brentmor, daughter of a disgraced lord, is used to a wild, dangerous life among the tribes of Albania, to whom her father is the legendary, controversial Red Lion whose death she's courageously vowed to avenge - even if it leads to her own. Instead, her quest finds her rescued by the most unlikely (and very reluctant) hero! Lazy and spoiled, Lord Varian St. George has gambled away his heritage and lives on his considerable looks, charm and wits. All he wants is the good life, and instead, he finds himself in rough country, with a tempestuous whirlwind of a female who's as savage as he's civilized. How did this termagant become his responsibility? And how can he escape?! Yet as he and Esme plunge headlong into even more peril, he may surprise even his own jaded self and become the man that Esme (foolishly) believes he is!

©1992 Loretta Chekani (P)2014 Loretta Chekani

Unlikely heroine, level headed hero

Any additional comments?

Right up there with Lord of Scoundrel, Lorreta Chase has a way with words and captures the reader with an unusual story that you just can't put down. I am a huge fan of well written period romance novels, and this book is one of those that doesn't have the extreme emotional highs and lows that some other books would have, but still have plenty of action and drama to keep the readers on the toes. I know some readers have complained that there are too much historical references that might have bogged down the flow, which I wholeheartedly disagree because I didn't find it hindering the story plot one bit — in fact it was necessary in my opinion to create the surrounding for the story to evolve in and I actually quite enjoyed it. I liked that in this story, there are always redeeming qualities even for the worst villain, and the most refreshing thing about this book is that the hero is someone who doesn't have a crazy temper and is level headed, and lastly acts like a normal human being. Crazy as it seems, it is very refreshing in a historical period romance, as a lot of the stories are plagued with heroes of that crazy sort. For me, this was a light read, and definitely have it's comedic value at certain points. Highly recommended!

Perfect Pairing of Author and Narrator

I enjoyed The Lion's Daughter more in audio than I did in print. I had read the book a number of years ago and the plot didn't stick with me so I got to experience the book like it was brand new. Kate Reading and Loretta Chase are a perfect pairing for me. Reading does a great job with the male characters; they are all distinct but sound masculine enough to my ear. I love the character of Esme who is not your traditional herione and Valarian's realization that he needs to grow up in order to deserve Esme. The non-traditional setting for part of the book was a treat and I love Chase's prose. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series Captives of the Night.

Age gap and communication gap between the leads..

The age gap between our leads, she is 18 and he is 30, was larger than normal for this author. It was a bit weird for our lead when he thought ahe was even younger but could not squelsh the lust.
Then they had difficulties communicating. She excelled at getting angry, not trusting, and fleeing. He excelled at not sharing his feelings.
In the end they clicked, but they did not capture me like other L.Chase couples. A rare miss for this author.

Not compelling but a good backgrounder.

3/5; 3 stars; B

Kate Reading is one of my favorite narrators and she did a great job on this book. I think the rating would have been lower if not for her. This wasn't a bad book, just not particularly engaging. I didn't care for most of the characters and the plot was a bit rambling. I think the best character was the cranky old bat, the Dowager Lady Brentmor.

Disturbingly creepy Hero

Loretta Chase has written 3 of my favorite books. In the past I have greatly enjoyed her writing. This book, however, I am extremely disappointed in, it was disturbing and upsetting. Throughout the beginning of this book the Hero has to fight his desire for this child, the heroine. He talks about how much she looks like a child yet he wants to have sex with her. Other people throughout the book comment on her being a child, looking so young and that she is not completely developed yet. It is very disconcerting, creepy and uncomfortable even though we find out later she is 18. The Hero is a complete male whore that has broken up marriages and really hurt people’s lives. This behavior makes him a bad boy and is suppose to make him sexy. They did have STD’s back then that could not be cured, and the way he was bedding women he would at least have a couple of them. Then Ms. Chase pairs this reprobate with of course a virgin. So sad that I hated this book so much that I won’t be reading another one of Ms. Chase’s books in the future.

Very good book

I loved this! Sure, it's not a typical Regency romance. In fact, I'd call it an adventure with romance thrown in. I was almost afraid to read this based on reviews but, unless you're looking for sprigged muslin, ribboned bonnets, and dances at Almack's, this was a great story. Good guys, bad guys, English Lords, and foreign travel. And I loved Percival. What a cute kid. Kate Reading does her usual good job with the narration. Really enjoyed this.

Not her best

I adore the stellar combo of Loretta Chase / Kate Reading, but this book is just a bit of a miss. Too slow, too long, though there are bright points in the verbal sparing between the hero and heroine. Percival is a great 12 year old. But overall, the story would have benefitted from some significant editing.

I still believe in Loretta Chase and will listen to others. Not every book can be Lord of Scoundrels....

I feel disloyal but...

... I just didn't like this one. I am a HUGE Loretta Chase fan, especially if Kate Reading is narrating. Reading does her usual masterful job of narration in this book. She has huge talents! Having said that, usually Chase novels are imaginative, witty (to the point of laugh-out-loud funny sometimes), adult and interesting.... usually.

The LIon's Daughter misses the mark. Its plot is convoluted to the point of exasperation. There are too many side-plots involving too many characters to keep straight. It's just way too long for the subject matter. In other words, it sinks of its own weight. I bought this because I had just finished and loved "Lord of Scoundrels" which I bought because "A Duke in Shining Armour" was so very, very lovely. I'll likely keep buying Chase's books because, when all is said and done, she is very good at what she does.

I just can't recommend this one.

my head was not in the game

this was not the easiest book to follow...but that is coming from someone who is easily distracted. the plot was complex for what I normally expect from romance. I was more in the mood for something light and empty. this one kept you thinking and was quote good from that angle...if you like thinking. ;)

Could not get into it after a YEAR odd trying

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

It seems I'm in the minority when it comes to the enjoyment of this book.

Would you ever listen to anything by Loretta Chase again?

Yes! Just cause I found this one not to be engaging enough does not mean I don't like her work.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Kate Reading?

Yes, she is a great narrator. Nor my fav but she up there with my fav female narrators.

What character would you cut from The Lion's Daughter?

Not sure as I did not finish the book YET.

Any additional comments?

I purchased this book a year ago and have tried to listen several times. I can't seem to get past the 3rd chapter. I love the authors writing and have many of her work that I adore... this one could be amazing but I need to get past the beginning. However I think I will start playing it on nights I have trouble falling asleep until I can get past that "point"!!!

A wonderful saga

I am delighted to say that this book is one of the nicest historical romantic sagas that I have read for a long time with a completely different twist as it is set in foreign lands away from London balls and is not in the normal regency mould.

The Red Lion, Jason Brentmore, who is Ali Pasha's right hand man in Albania has been estranged from his family for 20 years and Diana, his wife in law, arranges a reconciliation to enable him to take his 18 year old daughter, Esme (known as the "little warrior"), back to England to enable her to enter the "marriage mart".

Jason is also aware of fears of an imminent uprising and he is concerned that Esme will be kidnapped by Ismal as a means of getting to him. He therefore makes arrangements for her to be taken to London into the care of his mother.

Esme, on the other hand, who has been brought up in a wild, dangerous and culturally very different environment, and has not inherited the mantel of "little warrior" for nothing, has no wish to go to England where she is unknown.

This is the story of her adventures through Albania by land and sea, back to England. You get to meet her delightful 12 year old cousin, Percival, who is intrinsic to the whole story and is being chaperoned by the most unlikely (and very reluctant) hero, Lord Varian St. George, who has gambled away his heritage and lives on his title, considerable looks, charm and wits.

I really enjoyed the chemistry between the civilised Varian and the tempestous Esme; and how they find true love throughout the perilous dangers they face together. It was also fun to see Esme develop into a young lady, albeit retaining her foreign charm, and Varian into a hero worthy of her love.

I enjoyed it so much, that I want to read the series from start to finish.

Tedious

Gave up on this book halfway through. It was unrelenting misery. Still wondering where the romance was.

Most amazingly boring

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

I normally love this author but this book I found dull and could not be bothered to finish it

Any additional comments?

Wish to return it. Waste of creditable

Disappointing.

A rather boring story very well read. It is not up to Loretta Chase's usual high standard as far as I am concerned. Kate Reading is an extremely good narrator. I'll look out for her on other recordings.