There's nothing like the court of Queen Elizabeth I for intrigue and suspense, and Denise Domning pulls out all the stops in this exciting historical. Anne Blanchmain has dedicated her life to caring for her ailing mother until her grandfather commands her to take a position in court as one of Queen Elizabeth's maids. The plan is to woo a wealthy husband, but Anne has a few secrets that may pose serious problems. For one, she is not an innocent. Handsome Christopher Hollier seems like the perfect savior, but unbeknownst to Anne he has been blackmailed into ruining the lovely young woman. The stakes are high in this game of life and death where passion reigns supreme, secrets abound, and in the end everyone must please the Virgin Queen.

From Library Journal
Departing from the medieval settings of her earlier books, Domning has written a compelling tale that brings the Elizabethan Renaissance to life with startling clarity. She deftly peels away the layers of treachery and intrigue that surround the glittering royal court to expose the self-interest and corruption hidden beneath. A naive, reluctant heiress out to find a suitable husband and a guilt-ridden hero who agrees to ruin her in order to regain his family's wealth and title propel the plot of this page-turner. This well-written, realistic, and vividly descriptive story does an excellent job with a difficult time period. Domning (A Love for All Seasons, LJ 11/15/96) lives in Scottsdale, Arizona.Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Literary Times
Mistress Anne Blanchemain suddenly finds herself heir to her disagreeable grandsire and is thrust into court life as a maid to Queen Elizabeth I. She is determined to quickly find a mate with compassion, who will help her care for her handicapped mother, before her grandfather forces her to wed someone of his choosing. Master Christopher Hollier makes a contract in desperation with an enemy of the Blanchemain family to despoil the lovely new maid in return for having his debtors paid off. Little does he know that he will soon come to regret his no-win bargain. At first glance, Anne and Christopher's fates are sealed. Their passion grows beyond any boundaries and soon both their lives, manipulated by several others, are spinning out of their control. "This is Ms. Domning's first attempt at setting characters in Elizabethan England. She skillfully paints the scenes of the story with vivid images that leap into full bloom in the reader's mind. Obviously, Ms. Domning has done her homework, and it has paid off handsomely. She captures the flavor of Queen Elizabeth I's court with great accuracy..., depicting the backbiting, currying for favor, and sheer political maneuvering that existed during this time. Fans of this period of romance will be well pleased! This book may not be for everyone, however. Lady in Waiting quite possibly goes into more detail than readers who are looking for a light read may want. But those who love history, and Tudor England in particular, will agree that Ms. Domning has nailed this period of history to the wall and will love this story! Denise Domning deserves a hearty round of applause and ovations for a story so true to the time period, one wonders if it didn't really happen. Kudos, Denise for such wonderful work! Gloria Lower -- Copyright © 1998 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Ordered by her father to find a wealthy husband, a beautiful woman begins her search in the court of Queen Elizabeth. But she is an innocent in this place of treacherous intrigue, and she could never suspect that a handsome courtier she finds irresistible has been sent to ruin her, not marry her. But a burning passion ignites between them, and they will be forever apart unless they defy crown and country to make their dreams come true.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

This atmospheric historical narrative is set in the court of Queen Elizabeth I, a time and place rife with political and anti-Catholic intrigue and the ever-present threat of losing one's head. Country-bred heiress Anne Blanchemain, who has come to serve Elizabeth, finds herself the pawn of her fanatically Protestant grandfather and the object of a wronged and vengeful noblewoman's plot. Kit Hollier, who has pledged his life and honor to regain his family's lost titles, is coerced into seducing Anne, but instead finds himself as her dancing instructorby monarch's orderto improve the unpolished Anne's skills. Well-written, well-researched, with an accurate portrayal of Elizabeth I, it's a little slow-moving until the plot(s) finally thicken. Domning (Autumn's Flame) throws in too many `twases and `tisn'ts, but this is otherwise recommended. (Jan.)

Library Journal