Marianne: The Stranger From Tuscany

By Juliette Benzoni

Book Overview

Marianne d'Asselnat's successful debut is marred by the sudden appearance of her husband, Francis Cranmere. Out for revenge, Francis will stop at nothing to make Marianne pay for leaving him for dead in the burning ruin of her ancestral home. Even her lover, Napoleon Bonaparte, is out of reach as he fulfils his duty to the empire, marrying the Austrian Princess Marie-Louise in order to produce an heir.

Abandoned and unprotected, in order to save her reputation and her life, Marianne sets forth to Tuscany at the will of her godfather, Gauthier de Chazay, where an unknown, faceless husband and an arranged marriage awaits.

Telos Publishing is proud to present the second book in Juliette Benzoni's acclaimed, best-selling series of historical romance novels set during the Napoleonic period. Also previously published with the title Marianne and the Masked Prince. This edition is presented for the first time in English completely unabridged.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1845832140
• ISBN13: 9781845832148
• Release Date: May 2023
• Publisher: Telos Publishing Limited
• Length: 290 Pages
• Weight: 0.86 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Now, don't let that cover fool you there's nothing like that in the book I promise

You wonder sometimes what the publishers are thinking don't you? This book picks up right where book #1, Marianne, left off with Marianne recovering from the shock of the oh-so-surprising return of someone long thought dead from her past - but he's disappeared and not even Napoleon's secret police can find him. And if that's not enough, Marianne has to face the fact that her beloved Napoleon is going ahead with his plans to marry Marie Louise of Austria and get himself an heir. I'm thinking you can guess that this doesn't go down very well at all, especially when Napoleon is too busy sparking his new bride to give her much attention at all - and she eventually does a few things in retribution that really set off the imperial temper. Never fear though, our intrepid heroine will soon find other things to keep herself busy, including but not limited to being blackmailed (I can't tell you without giving away the ending from book #1) and a marriage of necessity to a very mysterious Italian prince - what disfigurement could be so horrible that he'll let no one see him, not even his new bride? I found this one just a wee bit slower than the first, but still darn near unputdownable, and I have to tell you her new husband and his home in Tuscany is one spooky place and there's plenty of things that go bump in the night. I think some readers might find Marianne's actions regarding Napoleon at bit self-centered (she is still only seventeen), but you'll see how in the end she gets a rude awakening in the path to true love that brings a new maturity to her character. 4/5 stars and I've already placed my hold on book #3 Marianne and the Privateer. From the jacket description I think we'll be seeing more of the American Jason Beaufort. Woo hoo! These books are out of print but don't forget to check your library and/or Interlibrary Loan.