4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Cute Elizabethan Romance, October 17, 2003
This review is from: Fool's Paradise (March Madness) (Harlequin Historical No 307) (Mass Market Paperback)
Setting - England 1580's - Under normal circumstances the Lady Elizabeth would not even be aware of Richard Tarleton, famed court jester of her godmother, Queen Elizabeth I - but these were not normal circumstances, as Lady Elizabeth Hayward was fleeing her betrothed, the odious Sir Robert LaFaye from him forcing her to wed him. At Elizabeth's request, her father had agreed to cancel the betrothal but before the proper papers could be signed, her father died and she suspected that Sir Robert had poisoned him. Unfortunately, the horse she was riding threw her and now, alone and on foot, she had nowhere to turn, until she heard a cherry song in the woods. Following the sounds she came upon a naked man finishing up his morning dip.
Tarleton is aware of his good looks and charm is not in the least embarrassed by his attire, or lack thereof, and discovers the story behind the fair Lady Elizabeth's early morning flight. She convinces him to escort her to Hampton Court, summer palace of the Queen, where she can hope to convince her godmother to set aside her betrothal. Tarleton, who also roams around the countryside to gather information for the queen's spymaster, helps her to don a disguise and they set off on a sometimes merry, and sometimes harrowing adventure.
The love between Elizabeth and Dickon is so sweet and tender, even though Tarleton knows the fair lady is so far above him in rank, he being base born, it does not keep him from losing his heart. He recognizes that Elizabeth is falling for him and, realizing what could never be, does his best to discourage her affection. This was in my opinion a really good historical romance. The details of the intrigues of the period were adequate, making it interesting, and the well-developed secondary characters added to the enjoyment. This was quite a good effort for this author's debut novel and one that I can recommend for lovers of romance in the Elizabethan era.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sweet Romance, July 11, 2000
This review is from: Fool's Paradise (March Madness) (Harlequin Historical No 307) (Mass Market Paperback)
The love between Elizabeth and Dickon is so sweet and tender, and even though I always cry at the end, this book lifts my spirits. While there is a bit of intrigue, it isn't a thriller. This book should be read when you want to curl up in a comfy chair on a rainy day and feel warm.
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