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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Virginia Henley Puts The "H" In Historicals And Hot!!!, January 4, 2005
I love Virigina Henley's historicals. You are ALWAYS guaranteed a good historical read. Her characters are always vibrant and alive and Patrick and Catherine are no exception. These two strike sparks from their first introduction and it doesn't end there. As a result it was fun to read how these two very strong willed people were able to find love between themselves without loosing that which set them apart.
Readers that might be new to Ms. Henley might be put off by the strong-willed nature of Catherine...okay, Catherine is a brat to put it mildly. But she will be tamed by her Scot. Patrick is beyond patient with her and understands her better than she understands herself. The fact that he has the capability to see her thoughts gives him the added insight he needs to love her the way she deserves. Her past has dictated the way she acts and he understands this. He sets about to gain her without killing her spirit.
With the back drop of Queen Elizabeth's court and all of the intrigue that came with this time period, fans of historical romance will be well pleased. Ms. Henley truly has a talent for transporting her reader into whatever time period or location her creative mind chooses. As a result the reader will not only be gifted with a sensual and romantic story, but they will also be given a small lesson in history.
This is one historical I have no problem recommending and doing so highly. If you're only going to read a select few authors in the historical romance genre...you would do well to add Ms. Henley.
Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
2/3 Ho hum, 1/3 touching, January 3, 2006
In this book we meet the lovely, willful Catherine (Cat) and the dashing, ambitious Patrick (Pat). Cat is an heiress (of course)and dress designer for Queen Elizabeth. With a deceased father and cold, distant mother who cares more for her job as Her Majesty's Wardrobe Mistress than her only child, Cat grows to be an impulsive (but lovely) young woman who strives to get attention from others via her outrageous actions. Pat's father is an exiled ex-earl (treason) whose wife went into exile with him, leaving behind their only son to fend on his own. Pat retained control of the family manor house, but nothing else, so his overriding ambition was to marry well, preferably into a title. Things somewhat change when he has a psychic vision of the lovely Cat and becomes obsessed with her. Also, the fact that she's filthy rich (and lovely) and heir to an earldom is all the reason he needs to pursue her across England and Scotland.
As with other Virginia Henley novels, the main characters are far less likable then her secondary characters. Cat's impulsiveness wears old as does Patrick's need to find a rich wife. Further, the first half of the novel is simply repetitive. I quickly grew tired of hearing how lovely and delicate Cat was. If you've tired of reading about it in this short review, guess how much worse it will be when you read it on seemingly every single page for at least half of the book. The novel is repetitive in another way - it borrows heavily from Ms. Henley's earlier novel "The Dragon and The Jewel". For example, the events that drove the characters into each others arms is nearly identical in both books. Cat even refers to Patrick as her "magic man" just as Elenor does with Simon.
The book does pick up steam towards the end, with Catherine "growing up" and showing how much love she is capable of giving. The scene between her and her childhood nurse toward the end of the book was very touching and demonstrated Cat's growing maturity.
Summary: The book is fine for a bit of light reading, but if you are pressed for time, have already read Dragon and the Jewel, or will be annoyed by the repetitive dialog, you might be better off looking for another story. If you like Ms.Henley or historical romance, you might enjoy her older novel "A Year and a Day". It is more tightly written, has a better plot and very likable characters.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
spicy romance within a commanding period piece, October 27, 2004
Catherine Seton Spencer works as a dress designer in the court of Queen Elizabeth. She is known by her friends as impulsive, which she agrees as she only wants a little fun and excitement and a lot of love in her life.
Scottish Lord Patrick Hepburn spent four months patrolling the Middle March of the Borderlands, but completed his assignment. When he informs King James that his second sight reveals his monarch will succeed Elizabeth, the elated regal sends him to his future court as his emissary to Her Royal Highness. At court he and Catherine meet with terrible first impressions. He thinks she is spoiled while she concludes he is pompous. However, they end up working together trying to prevent a conspiracy to dethrone Elizabeth and prevent James from following her; that teaming leads to better understanding of the other and soon love.
Few writers can bring together a spicy romance within a commanding period piece as the great Virginia Henley consistently does. What makes Ms. Henley so remarkable is she accomplishes this reliable quality while constantly changing eras. Her latest triumph stars two fabulous protagonists falling in love though seemingly opposites in attitude. Adding a touch of the paranormal to the mix, historical readers receive a wonderful Elizabethan Era love story that brings the intrigue of the age to full life.
Harriet Klausner
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