Miranda Ellerton is forced into marriage with the infamous Mad Earl of Winningham. Accused of being a traitor and murderer, Michael Kelton is found innocent only by reason of insanity. Prone to fits and bouts of mental anguish, Michael is a mystery that only Miranda can unravel. But, discovering her husband's past may jeopardize his future and cost them boths their lives! A fallen soldier, Michael Kelton, the fifth Earl of Winningham, is accused of cowardice and treachery, he escapes prosecution due to mental incapacity. Michael is remanded to the care of his cousin, Ambray. Michael's only living relation, Ambray is a bastard and won't inherit the family title. A clause in the inheritance, however states that Michael must have a wife and an heir by his 35th birthday, or the family monies and properties revert to the crown. Ambray quickly arranges a union for his charge. Miranda, or Mouse as she is called, is a nineteen year old social failure. Shy and slightly plump, she'd rather spend her time with books than with people. Forced to attend a ball by her stepmother, Mouse first meets the Mad Earl. Finding him both fascinating and frightening, she instantly senses that there is something more beneath his handsome, harsh exterior. Invited by the Earl to attend a dinner at his home, she quickly learns that she is to become his bride, arranged by her stepmother and his guardian. Mouse is convinced that her only hope of escaping the marriage is to make her husband well enough to take responsibility for himself and free her from their vows. But, the more she discovers about his illness and his past, the more dangerous it becomes for them both. Excerpt "It's not safe, Mouse! I might hurt you." Michael whispered harshly. "What makes you say that?" "I've hurt people before. People I've cared about, people I've sworn to protect. It's not safe for you here." Mouse smiled slightly. "I don't see how you could hurt me, all trussed up like that." She nodded towards the bindings around his wrists and ankles that were securing him to the bed. "I don't mean just now, tonight. I mean in this house, being married to me! You need to get away Mouse, for your own safety!" "So, being married to you is a risk, then?" "It isn't a joking matter! I've already killed once..."

Professional Reviews
Coffeetime Romance
Miranda Ophelia Ulenia Suzanne Ellerton, Mouse to family and close friends, is a

genteel lady who is doubtful of her marital prospects. When Michael Kelton’s guardian

and her step-mother plot to marry them off to each other; Mouse is determined that it

shall be otherwise. At least that is true until she meets Michael and her step-mother

leaves her no other alternative. She finds Michael handsome and charming despite his

mental afflictions and she is determined to see that he receives better treatment than

that provided by his cousin.



Michael Kelton is the fifth Earl of Winningham and a suspected traitor to England. He

has returned from imprisonment by the enemy under suspicious circumstances and

been determined incapable of managing his own affairs due to insanity. His cousin has

graciously taken over his care and the running of his estates. There is just one problem;

before his thirtieth birthday Michael must be married and produce an heir or all his

holdings revert to the crown. Is he really a traitor or is he just a victim of his cousin’s

knowledge and mechanizations?



This is a wonderful read. One of my favorite romance plots involves the imperfect, yet

wonderful hero and Ms. Labud delivers that in spades. The twists and turns of the plot

and the uncertainty of the hero’s sanity are delivered perfectly and add spice and

tension to the overall story. The suspense starts rather early in the book and is

maintained through out. The characters were realistic and beautifully developed. The

villains are delightfully easy to hate and the hero and heroine are wonderfully easy to

empathize with and cheer on to victory. This one had me clapping my hands each time

Mouse won a little victory and crying each time, she was thwarted.



Keely Skillman

Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books

Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance





Coffee Time Romance Review
Miranda Ophelia Ulenia Suzanne Ellerton, Mouse to family and close friends, is a
genteel lady who is doubtful of her marital prospects. When Michael Kelton’s guardian and her step-mother plot to marry them off to each other; Mouse is determined that it shall be otherwise. At least that is true until she meets Michael and her step-mother
leaves her no other alternative. She finds Michael handsome and charming despite his mental afflictions and she is determined to see that he receives better treatment than that provided by his cousin.

Michael Kelton is the fifth Earl of Winningham and a suspected traitor to England. He has returned from imprisonment by the enemy under suspicious circumstances and
been determined incapable of managing his own affairs due to insanity. His cousin has graciously taken over his care and the running of his estates. There is just one problem; before his thirtieth birthday Michael must be married and produce an heir or all his
holdings revert to the crown. Is he really a traitor or is he just a victim of his cousin’s knowledge and mechanizations?

This is a wonderful read. One of my favorite romance plots involves the imperfect, yet wonderful hero and Ms. Labud delivers that in spades. The twists and turns of the plot and the uncertainty of the hero’s sanity are delivered perfectly and add spice and
tension to the overall story. The suspense starts rather early in the book and is maintained through out. The characters were realistic and beautifully developed. The villains are delightfully easy to hate and the hero and heroine are wonderfully easy to
empathize with and cheer on to victory. This one had me clapping my hands each timeMouse won a little victory and crying each time, she was thwarted.

Keely Skillman
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance

Reader Reviews for "The Mad Earl"

Reviewed by Pier Tyler	2/28/2005
What a fascinating story full of intrigue. I was taken with your character Mouse. It is a page-turner. Wishing you much success, Pier Marie

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