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Elizabeth Hoyt

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The Raven Prince (The Princes Trilogy Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Elizabeth Hoyt (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.4 1,586 ratings

Book 1 of 4: Premium Journals

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A fiery lady must tame her brooding employer in this enchanting retelling of Beauty and the Beast from the New York Times bestselling author of the Maiden Lane series.

THERE COMES A TIME IN A LADY'S LIFE

The Earl of Swartingham is in a quandary. Having frightened off two secretaries, Edward de Raaf needs someone who can withstand his bad temper and boorish behavior.

WHEN SHE MUST DO THE UNTHINKABLE . . .

When Anna becomes the earl's secretary, it would seem that both their problems are solved. But when she discovers he plans to visit the most notorious brothel in London, she sees red-and decides to assuage her desires . . .

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After reviewing her somewhat precarious financial situation, Anna Wren comes to the conclusion that she needs a job. When she discovers that Edward de Raaf, the Earl of Swartingham, requires a new secretary, it seems like the perfect solution to her employment problem. Having already lost two secretaries because of his temper, Edward reluctantly agrees to give Anna a chance. Much to Anna's surprise, she finds she likes working for the often stubborn but unexpectedly kind Edward, and Edward soon realizes that Anna is not only an excellent secretary but also an extraordinarily intriguing woman. Hoyt's superb debut historical romance will dazzle readers with its brilliant blend of exquisitely nuanced characters, splendidly sensual love story, and elegant writing expertly laced with a dash of tart wit. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Elizabeth Hoyt is the New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty-three lush historical romances, including the Maiden Lane series. Publishers Weekly has called her writing "mesmerizing" and in 2018 she received the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award for Historical Romance. She also pens deliciously fun contemporary romances under the name Julia Harper. Elizabeth lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with three untrained dogs, a garden in constant need of weeding, and the long-suffering Mr. Hoyt.

The winters in Minnesota have been known to be long and cold and Elizabeth is always thrilled to receive reader mail. You can write to her at PO Box 19495, Minneapolis, MN 55419 or email her at Elizabeth@ElizabethHoyt.com.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000Q9INOA
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Forever; Reissue edition (November 1, 2006)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 1, 2006
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 742 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 331 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #74,434 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #1,832 in Regency Historical Romance
- #1,954 in Regency Romances
- #3,027 in Romantic Comedy (Kindle Store)

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4.4 1,586 ratings

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Elizabeth Hoyt

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Elizabeth Hoyt is a New York Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of historical romance, including reader favorite, The Raven Prince. She also writes deliciously fun contemporary romance under the name Julia Harper. Born in New Orleans, but raised in the frigid winters of Saint Paul, Minnesota, Elizabeth was fortunate to travel extensively when she was growing up and lived in St. Andrews, Scotland; Oxford England; and Kawasaki, Japan. She went to the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where she not only earned a degree in anthropology but also met Mr. Hoyt. Some years later, after a short pause to birth and raise two children, Elizabeth realized that she really wasn't qualified to do anything but Make up Stories and started writing.

Elizabeth now lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with three untrained canines, a garden in constant need of weeding, and, of course, Mr. Hoyt.

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NM Mama

Fantastic! Didn't want to leave it.

Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2011

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Anna Wren, widowed for six years & living with her mother-in-law, realizes she needs a job, but no one is hiring...at least not for a governess or companion. Fate intervenes by dropping an unusual job opportunity in her lap: secretary to Edward de Raaf, the pox-marked Earl of Swartingham. Anna (who is as plain & brown as her surname suggests) is still struggling with the painful memories left her by her deceased husband, as well as the knowledge that she apparently cannot have children. Edward is attempting to overcome the ugliness of his scars & his somewhat beastly temper in order to marry & produce an heir so his line doesn't die. And so begins an unusual, unpredictable, & slightly backward courtship.

I love this book! It starts well & drew me in with the first page. I fell in love with Anna instantly. She isn't the beautiful, sweet innocent so often featured in romances. Instead, she's an intelligent, witty, plain, & knowledgeable 30 year old. She's not necessarily bitter, but she's also not one to believe flowery words or trust anyone easily. Her character is one to believe & respect. Pair her with the menacing, scarred Edward, & you've got quite a different couple than the norm. (Oh, Edward's a pretty likeable character, too, & a perfect match for Anna.)

The plot is engaging. The dialogue is well-done & honest. There's some humor in the exchanges between the couple, but this is definitely more of a touchy feely kind of book. The sex is, well, sexy. Very. And there's quite a bit of it. The passion between the two is evident, exciting, & believable. The villains are easy to dislike but not so daunting as to render overcoming them as dubious. Overall, this book was a pleasure to read, & I've no doubt I'll be reading it again sometime.

I also really enjoyed the sweet story within the story which prefaced each chapter of the book. This was the actual story of The Raven Prince, penned by Edward's sister who died of small pox. It smacked loudly of the Eros & Psyche myth with a touch of Beauty & the Beast and a happy ending. And since it somewhat parallels the story of Anna & Edward on a different level, a happy ending is certainly desired.

So if you like strong, sassy heroines who are willing to buck convention to get what they want & strong, dark heros who are willing to admit that what they thought they wanted isn't really what they wanted after all, then you should enjoy this book. Oh, yeah, & if you like sexy books, you'll probably like this too.

4 people found this helpful

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Michelle R.

A Nice Blend of Romantic and Erotic

Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2010

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This is my first Elizabeth Hoyt novel, I do believe, although a search of my Kindle shows I own another one that I've yet to read. I think I'll correct that "yet to read" in fairly short order. I selected this book based on a recommendation in the comment section for another book. I must make a note to thank the person.

The Raven Prince is the story of a widow who goes to work as a secretary before that was an acceptable or normal job for a woman. Her employer is a pox-scarred noble. There is an instant attraction between the two that they fight because she is socially beneath them, but because in her marriage she'd never conceived. The hero, Edward, had a need for children in order to preserve the family, the title, and because he'd lost all of is loved ones years before to the same smallpox which scarred him.

Each chapter begins with a little snippet of the (fairy)tale of the Raven Prince, which owes much to Cupid and Psyche and to Beauty and The Beast. I think this assisted the rest of the story and the concept of the willing suspension of disbelief that readers have if they enjoy a book. Other reviews have pointed out that the book seems at times either anachronistic or lacking in details of the time, and I see their point. However, like a fairytale, it's okay if a story is moving and interesting for it to seem a little make believe.

Anna Wren -- the heroine who is often literally called Anna Wren -- thinks about the double standard between men and women. She's lonely and a woman who has known sex. Our hero is lonely and a man who has known sex. (Early on she discovers proof he has been to a high class brothel.) Our heroine is expected to be chaste in a way that a man is not. They want one another and she is asked to accept that she can never be with him -- that he, in fact, takes his desire for her to be beds of other women. So, through the lucky coincidences of fiction -- and a nod to the fairytale convention that being kind to the poor and elderly somethings brings rewards beyond imagining -- she is given an opportunity to go to the brothel and be with the hero while she is in disguise.

Which means that, yes, there's sex. Sex of a nature that would not have occurred so easily has he realized this was a "lady" he cared for and respected. This might bother some people, but I found it both sexy and touching. The idea that this was her chance to be with him and the only chance she expected to have and that it had to be anonymous touched me.

I won't tell you too much about the rest of the story, but as sexy as those scenes are, there was an added level when they were able to be together without either being anonymous. There was a bit of an absurdity where he though she might have been with him because of the scars, or did she run because the scars grossed her out? It made no sense to me -- at all. This was where the book faltered to me. The scenes immediately after he finds her out were not as satisfying as the rest simply because his reaction was odd and confusing.

I wouldn't recommend to anyone who likes the type of romance where things are left to the imagination -- they will be unhappy and blushing. From my perspective though, the ratio of romance to "bedroom" scenes was just about right. I'm saying this as someone who does read erotic romance -- which focuses even more than this on the sexuality of the characters. I liked the bordello scenes and liked the scenes later on, but I'm like that. :) I feel that The Raven Prince didn't skimp on the romance though either. Sweet and Spicy.

8 people found this helpful

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carvanz

The perfect grumpy hero!

Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2018

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Audiobook: Narrator – Moira Quirk

This was an excellent audiobook, the narrator bringing each character to life and giving voice to both male and females in a way that worked for me. The more sensual scenes were exquisite as she utilized a gruffer voice for the hero and I completely forgot this was a woman telling the story.

This is the perfect grumpy, grouchy, rude and huge hero! I loved him!

Anna is sweet and caring but strong and independent. Her past has left her with a dislike for marriage and having learned that dislike the hard way, she has no desire to experience it again. However, she would like to learn a bit more about her employer the Earl of Sartingham and disguising herself to do so will give her an insight that is quite scandalous.

Edward is a proud man with a rich heritage. His main goal in life is to continue his family line. His own late wife taught him the hard truth of what to look for in a future wife and what he’s looking for was absolutely heartbreaking. He was such a brusque and grumpy man with everyone, even Anna, but as his heart gives way she finds a softer side to him.

I loved the dynamic between Anna and Edward. Their give and take was entertaining as Edward came up against someone who would stand up to him. The fact that someone was a woman just added to the overall enjoyment of the story. I’ll definitely be moving on to the next one in the series.

2 people found this helpful

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Deko Aden

sweet as summer wine

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 6, 2023

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This is a delightful story full of humor and sensuality! The MC were compelling and their growth realistic! Absolutely wonderful read!

Catherine Campbell

What a gem!

Reviewed in Australia on November 25, 2018

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Having read and loved the Maiden Lane series, I went looking for some more of Elizabeth Hoyts books. I understand this is her first book so my expectations were set lower for this one. But it’s an absolute gem! The hero is adorable and drawn with depth and a mix of comedic exaggeration and just the right touch of pathos. Unlike the Maiden Lane books, this one us laugh out loud funny in spots. Dark Chocolate mousse...look out for that line. Had me in stitches. The romance is hot, the connection between hero and heroine beautifully developed and believable and the minor characters drawn with consistent depth. This one is definitely worth a read.

Karlita

Enjoyed this series

Reviewed in Canada on February 16, 2013

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I enjoy Elizabeth Hoyt's writing. The prince series is probably my favorite series done by her. This series does not have to be read in order, although it is always good to do so of course. There is always good chemistry between the hero and heroine and the action keeps the story moving forward. I recommend Elizabeth Hoyt as a historical romance writer, just a warning though...all of her books are in series, so it is good to know the sequence of the books beforehand.

One person found this helpful

Josy

Fabuleux !!

Reviewed in France on November 9, 2012

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Je découvre Elizabeth Hoyt pour la première fois, et je suis tombée sous le charme !!... Ce livre est super romantique, avec un héros torturé (mais il a de bonnes raisons) et viril; et une jeune femme avec du tempérament ! J'ai adoré !!!
Je n'ai pas pu lâcher le livre avant la dernière page et je me suis empressée d'aller commander les 2 tomes suivants de la trilogie !!
Pour une fois que les héros n'ont pas peur de se dire les choses en face, sans parler des scènes d'amour très, très, explicites ( qui n'enlèvent pas pour autant le romantisme) !! J'ai encore chaud...
Un livre très bien écrit avec beaucoup d'humour et de tendresse aussi... Un tour de force !!
Bravo !

One person found this helpful

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Frau mit den vielen Namen

Einfach nur schön!

Reviewed in Germany on October 12, 2007

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Das war ein Buch genau nach meinem Geschmack. Erotisch, sinnlich und prickelnd bis zum Schluss. Dabei tut es der Geschichte keinen Abbruch, dass der Held nicht das perfekte Aussehen hat. Im Gegenteil.
Sehr empfehlenswert für alle, bei denen die Erotik nicht zu kurz kommen darf!
Die junge Witwe Anna Wren braucht dringend einen Job. Den findet sie durch einen glücklichen Zufall beim Earl of Swartingham. Anna wird seine Sekretärin. Doch mit der Zeit verlieben sich die beiden ineinander.
Weil der Earl denkt, eine Frau wie Anna würde von so einem cholerischen Mann wie ihm nichts wissen wollen, fasst er den Plan, ein Bordell zu besuchen, um seine angestaute Lust abzulassen, aber Anna kommt ihm auf die Schliche und fasst einen skandalösen Plan ...

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The Raven Prince (The Princes Trilogy Book 1) Kindle Edition

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