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2012 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist
Anne-Sophronia Duncombe is in exile, hiding from her villainous father, Lord Chauncey, who tried to force her into marrying the repulsive Lowdry, his partner in crime. She outsmarted them and ran away, but loneliness is its own captivity. As a last resort before the convent, Sophia attempts a radical scheme—a life of humility and disguise.
Wilhelm Montegue, Earl of Devon, is a washed-up war hero who drinks too much, offends his neighbors with his harsh wit, and breaks furniture when his temper flares. Always in the shadow of scandal and absent from society, he is the subject of intense gossip. The town whispers that he is insane and guilty of unnatural proclivities. He is barely excused by his brilliant mind and swarthy good looks.
Lord Devon is bewildered that his newest housemaid has sparked such an irritating fascination in him. Why must she be the most exquisite woman he ever laid eyes on? Chaste and bound by honor, he vows to behave himself, even if her voice is a siren song. He knows she is keeping secrets, and he finds her scent of danger intoxicating . . . .
Sensuality Level: Sensual
Moriah Densley sees nothing odd at all about keeping both a violin case and a range bag stuffed with pistols in the back seat of her car. They hold up the stack of books in the middle, of course. She enjoys writing about Victorians, assassins, and geeks.
Her muses are summoned by the smell of chocolate, usually at odd hours of the night. By day her alter ego is your friendly neighborhood music teacher. Moriah lives in Las Vegas with her husband and four children.
Anonymous
Posted March 19, 2013
Language is foreplay as much as music and teasing caresses in Moriah Densley’s Song for Sophia. Passion simmers just below the surface for Anne-Sophia Duncombe as she becomes more fascinated —and attracted to--Wilhelm Montague, Lord Devon. Both carry physical and emotional scars that have left them vulnerable, believing that love will never be part of their experience. But Wilhelm captures Sophia’s attention through his extraordinary intelligence and unusual behaviors due to his savant-autism; she becomes the one person who can calm his demons and open his heart. Densley wraps their story in the rich fabrics of historical romance, intrigue, danger and the healing power of love.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Mirabelle8
Posted November 26, 2012
I started to read it and what was my surprise to read a beautiful story written by this author. I am sure she will become a great writer because already we discover a talent that stands out. I love her characters, Wilhelm, a war hero, who suffers from the savant syndrome "savant autism" and Sophia who has secrets from her past. To escape her past, she hides as a maid in Wilhelm's household. He, however, hides his illness from people. Sophia will gradually understand the symptoms that he has to live every day. Both will find trust in each other, learn to shares secrets of their pasts and slowly find love that will keep them together. Ms. Densley described skillfully her story with a dialogue that keeps you reading. Breathtaking! Well done research on Wilhelm's illness and what music can do for the soul. Wonderful and captivating story by Ms. Densley. I find her book very refreshing! You will not be disappointed! I could not put it way, yes, really. I highly recommend Song for Sophia and Ms. Densley's future books, because I can say that she is a very talented writer! Bravo!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.KatherineBone
Posted September 14, 2012
In Song for Sophia, the hero, Wilhem, is a wonderfully crafted Alpha male with a slight case of Austism. I love the way Ms. Densley reveals the guts of her characters and I could not help but feel Wilhem's inner turmoil. The heroine, Sophia, is a strong woman fleeing a sordid, abusive past. Her escape takes her to Wilhem's household where she poses as one of the household staff. For various reasons, even though she tries to fade into the woodwork, she draws Wilhem's attention. And it is the way Wilhem behaves towards Sophia, a lowly house servant, that leaves the reader spellbound. In Song for Sophia, readers will find a true hero willing to move heaven and earth in order to protect the woman he loves. They will also meet a woman willing to see past a man's flaws, in order to vet the heart and soul of a hero.
This is a fabulous story! I commend Ms. Densley for grasping the honor and duty a man contends with in life and showcasing the miraculous evolution of love .
pambmorris
Posted August 5, 2012
Song for Sophia by Moriah Dempsy is an historical romance sparkling from page one with mystery, sensual tension and clever repartee. Wilhelm Montague prefers solitude but his keen intelligence and air of intrigue teases Sophia out of her guarded reserve. Both bear scars, inside and out. Both live in hiding. The two must decide if the possibility of love, long abandoned, is worth bearing their inhibiting secrets and exposing a deadly danger.
I absolutely loved Song for Sophia. Moriah writes with brilliance and smooth panache, using wit and humor to weave a charismatic story of hidden desires and unfulfilled dreams. Wil and Sophia, both passionate and engaging by nature, yet crippled by vulnerabilities, will capture your heart. Song for Sophia is one of those memorable romances you read over and over. I give it a hearty all thumbs up!
Rionna
Posted June 28, 2012
This is not your grandmother's or even your mother's historical novel! It's better!! Moriah Densley has the capacity to pull you in as a reader. Her characters are clever and unique. And I'm not going to say anything else...except grab this book...it will grab you!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.MVF
Posted June 13, 2012
Sophia has hidden herself in the household of Lord Devon as a servant to escape a horrific past. But she can’t avoid the notice of the astute Lord Devon, a war hero and reluctant peer. As she works in his household with unusual rules (everything must be in its place), she finds herself verbally sparring with the enigmatic Lord, who hides his own “illness”--savant autism. These are two broken people that work together to become whole as Sophia’s and Wilhelm’s past come back to haunt them both.
This was a delightful read, the heroine, Sophia, was strong without being shrewish. The abuse she’d endured didn’t break her, but made her more determined. The hero, Wilhelm, was a powerful man, with an artist’s heart. As soon as they were on the page, especially together, they capture the reader with clever dialogue and interesting settings. The savant autism, for me, was skillfully woven in and made Wilhelm an even more intriguing hero.
From the moment I picked up this book, I was hooked. The imagery was sharp and the writer’s voice was clear. The emotion wasn’t over done, but threaded through, so much so, when I came to the last chapter I found myself tearing up. I am not an emotional reader and this surprised and delighted me. The happy ever after was perfect.
I highly recommend this book written by debut author Moriah Densley. Her voice and writing is strong and I suspect this is only the beginning for this talented writer. This is one story I will read again and again.
I_Preston
Posted June 9, 2012
Unexpected. Smart. Captivating. I have to admit, it took a while for me to warm to Sophia despite her bravery, her clever wit and her many other fine qualities. I fell hard and fast for Wilhelm, though. He’s damaged. Oh, so damaged. He’s brilliant. He’s flawed. What other hero compliments his love with Fibonacci sequences? Calms his mind by reciting quadratic residues? What other heroine will understand him? Appreciate him? And this was what finally charmed me into love with Sophia, too. Not her strength and bravery in escaping her father. Not her intellect. Not her charming conversation. The fact that she loved Wilhelm as much as I did.
This was one of the most unexpected stories I’ve read in a long time. The repartee is sparkling and witty. The love is scandalous. The past is dangerous and hard on their heels. And Wilhelm is an unforgettable hero. I look forward to reading the next book from Moriah Densley.
Holsford
Posted June 5, 2012
Before Moriah Densley was practically anything else she was a writer. A partner in crime to her imagination, as a child Mrs. Densley invented lavish plays for the neighborhood children to perform. In High School French class she so fluidly adapted to her French name and character that she could just as easily be found on the Parisian streets as in the four walls of the classroom, Now, with her debut novel, Densley proves to be every bit the wit and raconteur that her title character, Sophia is.
'Song for Sophia" is a devilishly delightful paramoural novel that, though it contains all the trappings of a romance, rarely ever felt cliched or contrived. That is due in no small part to the great depth and breadth that Densley brought to her characters. Both Sophia and Lord Devon have history and personality that, quite frankly, surprised me in a novel of this genre.
If her characterizations are good it is nothing compared to the passages on music. Accomplished in the arts herself, Mrs. Densley contributes a solid base of knowledge for music that allows her characters to show their genius and gives validity to all the passions that are expressed through it, most notably solace, mystery, desire and sadness.
I thoroughly enjoyed ravaging through the pages of this novel. It is simultaneously mysterious, haunting, adventerous and--let's face it-- a little salacious.
I applaud Mrs. Densley in her first effort and would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an enjoyable reading experience.
ElisaB
Posted June 4, 2012
What a terrific debut! This is just out from 2012 Golden Heart finalist Moriah Densley, and it's an amazing book for right out of the gate. Fabulous writing, terrific characters, deeply emotional. Reminds me of reading Jennifer Ashley, Meredith Duran, or Eileen Dreyer. Can't wait to see the second book!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.tsromance
Posted June 4, 2012
I recommend this book to anyone looking for a new and satisfying 'romance-reading' experience. The main characters are unique and unforgettable- both have characteristics you don't often read about and the chemistry between them is consistently sizzling without ever feeling worn. The story is set later than what I'm used to for a historical, which was a huge plus because I love to learn about different time periods through fiction. The little twists and turns were unexpected and kept me turning the pages. I especially liked the way music was used throughout the story.
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Posted June 4, 2012
Song for Sophia was a little slow in the beginning, but once the Sophia and Wilhelm began interacting the story took off and never disappointed. There is a wealth of information used to create a rich landscape for these two lovers to live and love in. Moriah Densley has done a masterful job of creating multi-dimensional characters. These people are not perfect and their flaws make them all the more real and appealing.
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Posted June 4, 2012
This historical romance novel is one of my favorite reads this year. The tortured hero, Wilhelm, will steal your heart as soon as you meet him. And Sophia is a strong, independent heroine any reader can admire. Both are talented and passionate musicians, and author Moriah Densley sweeps up the reader in her talk of composing, an act I had not realized was as sexy as it is. Densley is an amazing writer with a bright future, and I can’t wait to read her next book!
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Overview
2012 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist
Anne-Sophronia Duncombe is in exile, hiding from her villainous father, Lord Chauncey, who tried to force her into marrying the repulsive Lowdry, his partner in crime. She outsmarted them and ran away, but loneliness is its own captivity. As a last resort before the convent, Sophia attempts a radical scheme—a life of humility and disguise.
Wilhelm Montegue, Earl of Devon, is a washed-up war ...