Lady Jane by Norma Lee Clark

Read For:
ROR Winter Challenge
1000 Regency Challenge
RYOB Challenge

Synopsis:
IN A FEW SHORT YEARS THE LITTLE BACKSTAIRS MAID HAD BECOME A MOTHER, A WIDOW, AND AN HEIRESS TO A STAGGERING FORTUNE...

With her bright, sherry-brown eyes and her dazzling smile, little Jane Coombes was irresistible to men. This was her downfall. It caused her to lose her position as a maid in the prestigious household of the Montmorencys. It thrust her alone into the cold, cruel world.

But fortune gazed kindly on Jane. She was taken into the household of a gracious and forgiving woman whose son fell in love with Jane. She married him.

A few years later both son and mother died, and Jane was left not only with a fortune, but a title as well, Lady Payton. 

Now these become the weapons which little Jane Coombes will use to avenge herself on a world that had tried to destroy her.




My Review:
A very unusual Regency about a young maid, who through an extraordinary set of horrific but then wonderful circumstances, becomes a widowed Baroness. Story deals with some tough issues like rape, unwanted pregnancy, disabilities, and violence. Also, this book is much more explicit than most traditional Regencies, but I didn't consider it offensive.

 I'll be reading more from this author. 5 stars.