Song for Sophia

Rougemont, Book 1

By: Moriah Densley

Narrated by: Heather Wilds

Desperation has led Anne-Sophia Duncombe to a life of exile. Still, she is always just one mistake away from capture and a marriage she would rather die than endure. As a last resort to remain hidden from her former life, Sophia attempts a radical scheme: a life of humility and disguise. Rumor has it that Wilhelm Montegue, the Earl of Devon, is insane. A tormented war hero haunted by scandal, he is only tolerated because of his brilliant mind and swarthy good looks. His unmentionable "condition," which keeps him confined to his country home, is also the source of his talent for composing music. When a new housemaid is hired at Rougemont, Lord Devon is perplexed to find himself fascinated by her. He knows the exquisite beauty is keeping secrets but her siren's voice draws him ever closer, and he can't resist the intoxicating scent of danger surrounding her.

©2013 Moriah Densley (P)2014 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Song for Sophia is one of the finest historical romances I ever read. The characters were so complex, yet believable, and the writing was sharp, intelligent, and witty. Moriah has a rare talent." ---Kaki Warner

A beautiful love story

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the heck out of this book when I read it, and the audio book is equally excellent. Very highly recommended.

Awesome book!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book was very well written. I was unable to put it down.

Who was your favorite character and why?

They were all engaging. Each chapter drew me to the next.

Which scene was your favorite?

The end.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The story was well done. I was pleased with the ending.

It's OK but there are better books to choose from

I liked the characters in this story; however, it dragged in some spots. Also, I got tired of all the unfulfilled longing, seriously? just get it over with. The saving grace for this book was the hero who was obviously on the spectrum. The author played to his strengths, which is as it should be. I appreciated him and the woman who could love him for what he was. There were good supporting characters, but not my favorite.
Narrator was good which is why I gave it 'middle of the road' ratings.

Second Time Around

This is a long story. But I love it anyway. It's a love story. Not a story about some nobleman being unable to keep his hands off a subordinate. He is a strange man and she is a fraud. Meaning she's not who she claims to be.

Most Unusal Hero - Fantastic Book

I am simply stunned by how much I enjoyed this book. It does not in anyway fit the parameters of my usual fare. There were no otherworldly beings, hot men in kilts or graphically detailed sex scenes, and yet I absolutely loved it. Who knew?

Sophia Duncombe is on the run from her abusive father after he has nearly beaten her to death over her failure to submit to one of his friend's attempts to impregnate her. After gaining employment as a maid for the mysterious, and often referred to as insane, Earl of Devon, Sophia finds that what many consider bizarre and objectionable, may just be the thing to set her free.

Wilhelm Montegue, Earl of Devon, cares little for the conjecture of polite society as to his sanity or sexuality. As a former assassin and master spy for the crown, Wilhelm is entitled to his side trips from reality on occassion. His extreme OCD, PTSD, and Savant syndrome indeed make Wilhelm seem a likely candidate for Bedlam. The one thing that may save him from falling completely into madness is the mysterious and unlikely maid who has captured his heart.

These two characters were just a joy to meet and get to know. Even through all their combined troubles, they had a dry wit that brought a smile to my face even during the most harrowing passages. I was captivated by their story from the first paragraph. For two people who life had shown nothing but tragedy, Wilhelm and Sophia still managed an air of innocence and hope. Wilhelm was so used to being a pariah, that Sophia didn't immediately spurn him gave him just the nudge he needed to climb out of his cups and grab the happiness he thought was forever out of reach. Sophia was a great heroine She was intelligent, tough and determined to take her fate into her own hands. She was also incredibly perceptive and open minded. Although she initially questioned Wilhelm's sexuality, she still held him in great esteem and valued him as a person. I truly liked both of these characters and their oddness. Moriah Densley has done a magnificent job of crafting a story that succeeds not on rampant sex or trite story lines, but on the merits of it's characters and their journey. Will I visit Moriah Densley's works again? Absolutely. Do I recommend this book? With a resounding yes! Well done, Ms. Densley, well done.

Heather Wilds is one of favourite narrators and she did a fantastic job with this story.

What A Lovely Story!!!

I love... love the story so much AND so glad this is not like any other bodice ripping kind of romance, which why I love it soooooo... much! Just sweet and tender romance with chivalrous hero, this is the kind of romance I'd love to listen more than once. I 'm happy to find it undissappointed as the second audiobook.

A BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORY

What an unexpected, wonderfully written and compelling Victorian romance this was and, as the loveable characters drew me into their complex and captivating world, I realised that this Historical Romance was truly in a class of it's own.

Sophia's well-bred, beautiful, talented and clever but she's in hiding from her scheming dangerous evil Father who has had her nearly killed and raped twice now, and she's got the scars to prove it, so she's living the life of a Maid in the Mad Earl of Devon's home. Wilhelm (the Earl) is handsome, confident, charismatic, brilliant but scared and damaged by the War which has left him on the brink of madness by the ghosts of his past deeds but he cares little what people think of him. However, redemption, fulfilment and understanding is at hand as he tries to work out the puzzle of the who, what's and why's that led his secretive new Maid to his door.

But there's so much to this story than romance.... there's the depth of the main characters, the secrets, the intrigue, the drama, the twists, turns and surprises, the danger, the humor, the heartbreak and all the secondary characters which all adds flavor to the story. But the magic is Sophia and Wilhelm and the absolute togetherness in their dreams and desires, their quick and clever repartee, their compatibility, devotion, respect, caring and deep love that they have for each other that makes this book really stand-out. There are sex scenes but they are more beautifully emotionally suggested rather than just explicitly described which brings more powerful feelings out. Then near the end, when all seems lost, you're treated to a very sweet, tender and emotional Epilogue that'll have you sighing at the pure well deserved joy of it for them.

Worth a credit? This is an author I'm certainly going to watch out for from now on and hopefully she can continue to deliver an equally mesmerising, enchanting and enjoyable storyline in her 2nd book in the series. I really haven't given this listen enough praise so all I can say is YES definitely worth spending your credit on... I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Worth Listening too!

Where does Song for Sophia rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Yes, loved the storyline

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sophia and Will - Sophia's character reminded me of another book (The Lion's Lady-Christina), but Sophia had a dark passed. I like how the author did not dwell in her past too much. Will was a very interesting character, I really felt sorry him for all the bad scared he had experienced in his life

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved how Sophia commended the trained dogs to attack. The ending was so entertaining I didn't know it was going to end.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, it was fine in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

I would love to see a movie out of this story.

my favorite to reread

I just adore this book. There are so many cookie cutter Regency romance books with half baked or half wit characters, these two were not. They are intentionally written as unusual for their time and while I don't fully research what is or is not appropriate, I dont care. Our heroine is intelligent and patient, curious and brave. Her back and forth with the hero is delightfully written. is it totally believable? er... no. I still don't care. The characters are everything and I fell in love with them both. I don't t tend to reread books but these two I like to revisit from time to time. the reader did a delightful job with the heroine. If you like strong female leads and broken but fierce heros and also intelligent writing, I predict you will love this one. If you are a history buff and deviations make you twitch, maybe this isn't for you.

The BEST version of "Beauty and the Beast" EVER !!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes and have many times. You get to know the main characters inside-out and truly feel their joy, pain and triumphs .

What did you like best about this story?

Even though the story was set in the late 1800s the personal challenges and inter turmoil caused by parental and substance abuse are timeless.

What does Heather Wilds bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

This book is so well written that I'm sure the only thing I was able enjoy more on audio were the foreign accents and words used though-out the story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes and have more then once.

Any additional comments?

I don't know any woman alive that will not fall head over hills in love with Wilhelm. Wilhelm is a tormented gentle and generous souled genius who loves with out limits. P.S. Audible please release book #3 in The Rougemont Series. Thank You