The Countess audiobook

I really enjoyed my first Lynsay Sands book! The Madison sisters were charming and hilarious in their pursuits to help each other and their father.I’m glad I didn’t have to deal with Dickie for very long because he was exactly that. The story starts with Christiana being emotionally and mentally manipulated by her husband and he then turns up dead. No one seems overly upset about it and it seems like they will figure something out until his twin brother shows up and the whole thing turns into more drama than the sisters originally thought.This gave me serious soap opera vibes and I’m not mad about it. I can’t wait to see what happens with the other two Madison girls!

Fascinating, touching and wickedly sexy. I just love Lynsay Sands hot writing style. I found a mystery that had me stumped. An adventure that had me on the edge of my seat, the closing had me wanting more. If you’re an historical romance reader please add this one to your list to try, especially if you like your books on the spicy side with a touch of humor. Few spoilers belowChristiana wound up married to a hateful disrespectful man. Now she has no way out. After a year of living with this man, her sisters came to visit. This is where Christiana finally finds a way out of her marriage and she doesn’t have to do a thing (you have to read to find out what happens), but find his body and put him on ice, while she helps find her sister a husband at this ball that night. While at the ball an unexpected thing happens the dead Duke shows up. Needless to say Christiana is floored along with her sisters. While Richard has already had a bad life and finds himself back in England and at a ball where he also finds he is married. His wife is there with a look on her face that is shocking because is a look of horror. What’s a man to do when his brother has already messed up his life and now he finds that he has to save this woman and her sisters from a scandal that his brother has caused. Then again he just may find his life has turned for the better, he just has to clean up the mess his brother has caused and find the killer before he finds himself dead also.I love the way Lynsay wrote this book. The sizzle that you find between Richard and Christiana is wonderful. Richard has to make sure he takes care of her and to let her know he is not his brother. She in turn has to learn to let go and be herself again. You get a good feel for the sisters because they are very interactive in the story.

The Countess is not only funny or intriguing, but it is sinfully sexy. When Christiana’s mean, cruel husband Dicky Fairgrave drops suddenly dead of what they assume are natural causes, she and her sisters decide to put him on ice (literally) and go on as if life hasn’t changed except for the better. The First night of Dicky’s death Christiana decides to go to a ball with her sisters. With Dicky being dead and all you could only imagine their complete utter shock when they see Dicky at the ball. Richard Fairgrave has just come back from America to confront his twin brother who has stolen his identity as well as married under his name. When Richard meets his “wife” at the ball he finds her to be a little less than he expected. But with some time and whiskey on Christiana’s part, he soon finds that he really wants to keep his “wife”. Now will he have to earn her trust to get to the bottom of her and who murdered his bother. In my book Lynsay Sands could do no wrong. I loved the way the story was written and told. The characters are very much likable and enjoyable. The attraction between Richard and Christiana is just phenomenal and they fit perfect together. You also get a good look not only into Christiana's life, but her sisters as well. The story flowed so well I didn't realize I was turning the pages faster and faster wanting to know what was going to happen and who killed Dicky. Then having to slow down because I really didn't want it to come to the end. It kept my attention throughout the whole story and that is a huge plus. The romance was absolutely outstanding. I couldn't get enough of how deep their emotions ran for each other. Suzette intrigued me so I am really looking forward to reading about her. Lynsay Sands just keeps you wanting more. And more do I want.Over in all this book was fantastic, it was funny at times which I wasn't really expecting. The book wasn't all romance, it had mystery twist which I loved to pieces. This is truly a must read for not only Lynsay Sands fans, but romance fans in general. I am really looking forward to the next installment, The Heiress which is set to release February 2011.

The Countess by Lynsay Sands was my first book by the author and I have to say, I really enjoyed it so I'm definitely looking forward to her next books! The book itself was sexy, witty, and amusing with a very engaging plot. It's slightly part mystery and romance but it fit well together. Throughout the entire story, I was clueless as to who the main culprit was, so if you like mystery with a touch of spice in the romance department in your historical romance books, then this is the one for you! Although I do have to admit that I thought the love between Christiana and Richard was rather weak. They definitely did have plenty of sexual chemistry, ahem! So I guess I just shrugged and went with it because their sexual chemistry was oh so hot.The story starts out with an unhappy Christiana who is married to a horrible man who she fears. Her sister ends up arriving at the doorstep one day-- which of course, angers her husband. It was rather amusing as to what happened when she finds out that her husband had apparently died... so she ends up packing him in ice to preserve the body, literally! The reason why was quite simple, since her sisters were in dire need of a husband in order to access their dowry money, Christiana and her sisters decided to hide the body in order to have a scandal-free debut! This is where the fun truly begins because at that same ball, Christiana ends up meeting her husband's twin who she thinks is her dead husband come alive. This person is of course, the real Richard Fairgrave, while the one Christiana married was the evil twin named George who tried to kill Richard and impersonated him. You'll get it once you read it. Anyway, that's basically how Christiana ends up meeting Richard and how they both start to have feelings for one another. And making hot love scenes as well. *coughs*To sum it up, I really did like the first book to this series and I can't wait for Suzette and Daniel's book, The Heiress. You pretty much get a preview of their relationship in The Countess, and I'm guessing Lisa the romantic of the sisters will end up with Langley in the 3rd book. The love scenes were sizzling and very hot, so you definitely don't want to miss that! I'll be giving this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

The Countess was my first book by Lynsay Sands and I have found yet another author to watch and catch up with! This was a fun, sexy book...if you can get past the tad bit silly plot of hefting around a dead man numerous times! Christiana assumed she had met and fallen in love with the man of her dreams, Dicky Fairgrove. But once they are married Dicky dissolves all the charm and turns into a cruel, spiteful man always criticizing Christiana and refusing any callers or to go to any balls. When Dicky suddenly drops dead one afternoon, she decides, along with her two sisters Suzette and Lisa, to put him on ice (literally) and head to a ball to try to snare a husband for Suzette as their father has run up some gambling debts that need to be paid by her dowry.Now, imagine their surprise when "Dicky" turns up at the ball! It is really Richard, or the real Earl, coming home to confront his twin brother George, who tried to murder him. Richard is just as surprised to find that he has a wife but is intrigued by Christiana almost immediately. After all, she might be a money hunter or a murderer! As the truth begins to unravel about George, Richard, the past and plans to best salvage and protect everyones reputation, Richard and Christiana develop deep (hot!) feelings for each other.Part of what I really enjoyed about this book was the relationship between Christiana and Richard. She was attracted to him immediately, even though she thought he was her spiteful husband, and I was glad the truth came out fairly quickly. Though not until after they had a very steamy night together...that bit I didn't like too much as she had had a bit to drink and Richard seemed to take advantage of her, even though he didn't! But still.... I loved how Richard strove to prove to Christiana how different he was from George, and how he planned to stay that way and her gradual acceptance of that and her loosening of the ties she had restrained herself with to be "perfect" for George and go back to her carefree self was wonderful to read. I also really enjoyed the humor in this book. I mean really, first the sisters tote around dead George and then later on its Richard and his friend David moving him about. All the funny mishaps that happen while doing this were quite fun. The mystery surrounding Georges death was done well. It was not a huge part of the story but it offered just enough intrigue to help the story along. The relationship between the sisters is wonderful as well, and how Richard takes them all in as part of his family immediately and sets to protect their reputations was so sweet. Later on, when the sisters dad comes to rescue Christiana from her horrible marriage brought a smile to my face to have such a loving father. And this is yet another story that did not have that 'big misunderstanding' so that was a plus for me! Overall, if you are in the mood for a fun, sexy, with a bit of a mystery, pick up The Countess! I know I am looking forward to Suzettes story (which I think runs at the same time as this one so we will see how that goes!) in The Heiress and hopefully Lisas story later! 4 1/2 starsI received this ebook from netgallery.com

I have been a big fan of Lynsay Sands more recent historicals such as The Highlander Takes a Bride, and I am really looking forward to Always (on hold at the library), so I thought I would try some of her other books while I wait. I am so glad that I did, as The Countess did not disappoint.I listened to this book while I was working on a craft project over the weekend, and I laughed out loud so many times. I love it when a book puts me in a good mood... and my ratings are always based on how a book made me feel. This one was light-hearted and fun, and I am looking forward to continuing the series. I have to say that a good part of my LOL moments were due to the narrator as well. She did a fabulous job, particularly with the affectations of a drunk female.So our heroine, Christiana Fairgave, has been married to a miserable man for the last year. He chastised her so much that she has quite lost herself and is now full of self-doubt and anxiety. Christiana could not understand what happened to her husband, Dickie, as he was so wonderful while courting her, only to do a complete 180 once the marriage vows were said. He has alienated her from all family and friends so Christiana is quite alone. I really felt sorry for her - Dickie took passive aggressive to a whole new level and found little ways to torment his poor wife. It would have drove me to murder. Luckily for Christiana, her husband apparently drops dead right when she needs to help her sisters and family out of a financial situation to avoid a terrible scandal. Imagine Christiana's surprise and horror when her dead husband shows up at the ball after she and her sisters had packed him away on ice!The real Richard Fairbanks (who hates to be called Dickie) has made his way back from America after his twin brother (George) paid to have him killed so he could take his place in society. Unfortunately he shows up at the ball on the very day that George dies, which puts a kink in his plan for vengeance and restoration. He is also quite shocked to find that he apparently now has a wife... whom he doesn't find very attractive. Now that George is dead, Richard has to decide how to proceed. Should he keep his wife and act as if he was never gone - or should he try to expose Dickie's dirty deeds? This story had such lovable and entertaining characters - I really can't say there was anything I disliked. Christiana and Richard were sweet and funny as our main pair, but the secondary characters played a big part and were just as engaging. I am looking forward to finishing out this series. The narrator was so good that I think I will do all of them in audio.4.5 stars / 3 flames.

Christiana could not help but agree to marry Dicky after their whirlwind courtship. He was courteous, charming, and quite frankly treated her like a princess. But that all changed after their "I Do's". Instead of the fairytale marriage she expected, Dicky became cruel, mentally abusive and alienated her from her friends and family. When Dicky suddenly drops dead she is definitely no heartbroken widow. Instead she and her sisters hide the body away and attend a ball. Needless to say it is quite the surprise when shortly after their arrival at the ball they encounter Dicky... alive and well.Richard Fairgrave - the real (and much alive) Earl of Radnor has come back to London to confront his twin brother who has stolen not only his identity but his life. But before finding his brother, he runs into his "wife". A wife who is staring at him with nothing short of horror. Now what is a respectable man to do - make known the fact that his brother usurped his life... or find a way to save this woman, her sisters and himself from scandal...I loved this story! Ms. Sands expertly weaves a tale full of mystery and adventure but also full of laughter and romance. I absolutely loved all the characters in this story... well, everyone except that despicable Dicky (whom thankfully dies right at the start). Their interactions were downright hilarious. From Christiana's efforts at trying to catch a glimpse of Richard's bum, to the dead body that keeps popping up at the most inopportune moments. I loved it! I found myself laughing out loud constantly. Christiana and her sisters (whom are very interactive in this story) were a hoot. I loved how they dealt with Dicky's death, their father's gambling and eventually with their own beau's in the story. The gentlemen - Richard, his close friend Daniel, and Robert (the girls' childhood friend) were also just as entertaining. The romance between Christiana and Richard sizzles. Their chemistry (even that one time with the whiskey) was spot on. I loved their interludes, their push and pull, the private conversations in the "closet", etc. This was such an unexpected treat. It was light-hearted, romantic and insanely funny. A great beginning to the series and a fabulous introduction to this author - since this is my first Lynsay Sands book.

I didn't realize that Sands had another historical romance until I happened across this one at BN the other day. I had to give it a try since I really liked her Scottish highlander series. This one was a regency novel which I can be picky about, so I was surprised by how much I liked it. What was great about this one was that not only did it have that great romance I was looking for but it also had a little mystery to go along with it.Christiana is the main character, and the book starts off with her suffering through a horrid marriage. Her husband Richard changed from the moment they said "I do" and became a dominating and cruel man. When Christiana finds out that he has been turning away people who come calling for her, she isn't sure what to do. When she gets word her sisters are there to see her, she rushes down to prevent him from sending them away. The news they bring is disastrous and means her younger sister needs to find someone to marry quickly so they can get money to help their father out. When Christiana decides to confront her husband and demand he stop treating her so badly she finds him dead. She knows she must hide the body otherwise the whole family will be forced into mourning and the sisters won't be able to settle the father's debt. So they go out to husband hunt and to Christiana's surprise, in walks Richard back from the dead.. sort of.I loved Richard and Christiana together, I liked watching their relationship develop and navigate all the issues that Christiana had about marriage. The mystery surrounding Richard and who is trying to kill him was great and I had a hard time figuring it out. Christiana's sisters were really amusing and I particularly liked Suzette, she had a great attitude and was very forward thinking. I think the next book is about her and I look forward to that.

What fun! I almost wanted to make a new category of books to put this in -- SENSATION NOVEL! It's intentionally over the top, and an absolute pleasure to read.Friends help you move. Real friends help you move bodies...The most considerate thing Christiana's husband, Dickie, does in a year of marriage is to suddenly drop dead, leaving her a widow. The timing is a bit off, though, because Christiana's sister is in desperate need of getting married, and they simply can't go into mourning until they've gone to a couple of balls. So they tell the servants he's sick and not to be disturbed, then go to their ball.But then....at the ball...Dickie shows up, alive and well. Except it's not Dickie, it's his identical twin brother, Richard. Dickie is actually George, who thought he had killed his brother in a fire, and then stolen his identity. And some people are starting to get suspicious that Dickie isn't really Richard, except now his he...or will be, as soon as he decides what to do with the body. And on and on! This stayed lively and fun from start to finish. I definitely recommend for romance fans in the mood for a light, fun read. www.christineamsden.com

Cute

The insanity Lynsay Sands brought to this book is the reason she is one of my favorite authors. There’s no way of reviewing this without massive spoilers and that would take away from the fun. Just know that you will love the characters, especially Haversham. I had my suspicions, Haversham. Yes I did.