Sword of Vengeance

by Sylvia Thorpe

Verity Halland had been kidnapped. Escape seemed impossible. But she had reckoned without Dominic Fane.

Dominic was a desperate man, yet he had been attracted by Verity's innocence and beauty. He had had second thoughts about the kidnapping. Now, for very private reasons he decided to help her.

Verity had no way of knowing she had become a pawn in a personal vendetta. She did not know Dominic had vowed to destroy someone. And that the man he wanted to kill was her own fiance. Unwittingly she was leading him straight to his victim.

Suddenly Verity was torn between the man she promised to marry and the one she found herself beginning to love.

Genres: Historical Romance, Regency, Romance, Historical Fiction, Clean Romance

238 pages, Paperback

First published February 12, 1977

About the author

June Sylvia Thimblethorpe was born in 1926 in London, England. Educated in London at a school in Brondesbury, Kilburn High School for Girls, Slade School of Fine Arts, and University College. She worked as secretary from 1949 to 1952 and later she worked as school teacher.

As Sylvia Thorpe, she wrote over 25 historical romance novels from 1950 to 1983. Her novel "The Scapegrace" (1971) won the Elizabeth Goudge Historical Award. She was the third elected Chairman (1965-1967) of the Romantic Novelists' Association, and was named a Honor Life Member of the organization.

Sylvia is now a trustee for the Goodrich Village Hall Trust. Goodrich is a village, in south Herefordshire which is very close to Gloucestershire and the Forest of Dean situated near the River Wye and is famous for its old red sandstone Norman and medieval castle.

Reviews

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had everything I love in a book, a historical plot, a scarred hero, revenge, traveling, true love to die for, intrigue, danger, redemption etc. so I thoroughly enjoyed it. I really like Sylvia Thorpe's writing, I love the 70s and 80s historical romances of course but there is something that can't compare to the ones wrote before the 60s, writing was much more romantic and classy and much more authentic to the time, and wrote by the old school ladies that are no longer here, and female characters were so kind hearted and selfless and full of dignity, which is what Verity is, willing to sacrifice all for her love, I loved her character, a beautiful kind hearted woman, and her kind heart makes her such a strong person, I do miss these female characters so much so I love reading these books from before the 60s like this one, obviously those who want the more passionate romance descriptions and a more fast paced story are not going to be satisfied but for those who want a well wrote book full of old school goodness will enjoy it, her description of imagery, events, and most of all the feelings of characters made everything so real and touching. The hero was also likeable, his 14 year deep hatred and revenge was disolved by his time spent with the kind hearted red haired girl who he had planned to use in his revenge and learns to sacrifice all for her. 5 stars for me.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sylvia Thorpe reread #8. Am working my way through books I read many years ago. This one was a thrilling adventure, set at the end of the 17th century, with many twists and turns, including all the elements of a good hist.read - vengeance, abductions, nasty villains (both male and female), adventure, thrills and most importantly romance. Sylvia writes brilliantly about the Stuart and Georgian period, bringing that period to life.
I read the Corgi edition published in 1981 but as this was not available on Goodreads I had to chose this version.

[Jaimey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly believable tale...as far as the hero's story goes. Determined to use an innocent young lady to avenge a wrong done to him by her fiance, he realizes that he just can't do it. But, unlike most stories of this type, the anger/hatred doesn't just disappear with the acquisition of a woman's love. It's something he fights against, up until the very end when he is handed his enemy on a silver platter, so to speak.

I found the heroine to be something of a nonentity, really. And, for the most part, I was ok with this. The focus seemed to be primarily on the hero anyway, and he was quite likeable despite his vow of vengeance.

My biggest complaint is the sickeningly sweet love felt between the couple. I was never a big fan of cloyingly sweet romance and this is no exception.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little historical by an underrated author IMO. Thorpe has a really nice writing style and good knowledge of the time periods she covers (16th-18th).

Sadly out of print these days, but you can find her novels (of which she has many) at paperbackswap.com and other online used book retailers.

[Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very cute Regency but it didn't hold on to its 5 stars. It is a very solid 3.5

[Julie · Rating 1 out of 5]

what a load of rubbish