| The Marquise and the Novice | Victoria Ramstetter | the Naiad Press | 1981 |
Acolyte Kathleen Thorn leaves the security and pent up frustration of the nunnery to become a governess for the only child of a wilful, beautiful and mysterious Marquise Annaliese. She becomes entangled in the web of mysteries surrounding the dark and seductive woman and the manor she inhabits, and finds her innocent and naive virginal self being led down a tantalizing and mysterious path, that may culminate in death, drama or something equally Gothic and thrilling!
Victoria Ramstetter has written a delightful story to relax the spirit and to enhance the pride we feel as women. It’s completely believable, her characters are alive, and the love story unfolds slowly, as in life. I loved reading it, seeing it, as this first novel enchanted my own imagination.
Z. Budapest
