Highly enjoyable

I found this story both fascinating and entertaining, and Mary Jane Wells is a supreme performer who enhances any story with her brilliant characterizations. There are scenes in this story of the presentation of a young woman at the Court of Versailles and the historical detail is fascinating. Lucinda Brant can always be relied on for her impeccable research that not only adds depth to her story lines, it’s also educational in the nicest possible way. Her characters are so wonderfully individual and with the wealth of historical detail I was in heaven (and in the story!) Other scenes in the book have the characters interacting within the family of the Duke of Roxton and these are often hilariously funny. I couldn’t put this book down, it drew me into such a beautiful world. Escapism at its finest!

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Perfect Story and Narration.

This is the fourth book in the Roxton Foundation series and I am not in the least surprised to find myself saying that this book is just as fabulous as the first 3! Antonia finally makes her bow before the king in Versailles. What a fabulous setting for a story, especially with Lucinda Brant being the author. The detail she provides on the fashions, the palace, and the people is remarkable. This book was a pleasure to read. I especially love that there are so many strong characters. Antonia and Renard are the main characters but other characters such as Martin Ellicot, Estee and Lord Vallentine could all have books of their own. Vallentine's scenes often had me giggling, he is fabulously funny at times, but also very protective of the people he cares about. They are such wonderful characters and play a large part in my enjoyment of these books.
I love that on the cover of this edition of the book, it states that Mary Jane Wells performs the story. Her narration is indeed a performance, a superb one. Not only does Mary have a very pleasant reading voice, but she also brings each character to life! You can easily forget that it is just one person reading the story. I don't think I have come across a female narrator that does such a perfect job of male characters' voices. It goes without saying, of course, that the female voices were perfect too. Lucinda has definitely chosen the perfect person to perform her stories. I am very impressed!

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1 person found this helpful

Loved every second

Loved every second of this 4th book. Renard is to die for and Antonia is an absolute darling. Valentine is hilarious, he had me laughing quite often. Este is a bit spoilt and annoying. And last but not least, Ellicot is a lovely man.
The narrator Mary Jane Wells is brilliant as always.
Now on to the next one of the Roxton series. When Julian Roxton, son of Renard and Antonia, is an adult.

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Delicious and fun - a wonderfully narrated story

Hop on the time machine and get transported to the mid eighteenth-century Versailles. In the third sequel novel to the Noble Satyr and the 4th part of the Roxton Foundation Series the main focus is on Antonia, Duchess of Roxton’s court presentation at Versailles. I felt like transported back in time and witnessing the entire event, the Duke’s subtle way of “pulling the strings” to smooth the way of his beloved wife, the machinations of the Dukes ex-mistress to spoil the day for the Roxtons and Antonia’s success. Lucinda Brant offers a perfect blend of historical facts and characters, details on the intricate etiquette of the French royal court, clothing, food and games of the time to recreate the atmosphere of the presented era. The bullet pudding game story told by Antonia as masterly narrated by Mary Jane Wells is so deliciously funny that it made me laugh out aloud several times.

After the success at court, it looks like clouds start gathering over the ducal couple’s heads but an unexpected twist in the events blows them away: one of the rare occasions when a meddling old lady’s interference is welcome.

Delicious story where each character is brought to life by the amazing narrator’s voice.

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