Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7428 in Books
• Published on: 2005-01-06
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Synopsis
When the most eligible Earl of Rule offers for the hand of the Beauty of the Winwood Family, he has no notion of the distress he causes his intended. For Miss Lizzie Winwood is promised to the excellent, but impoverished, Mr Edward Heron. Disaster can only be averted by the delightful impetuosity of her youngest sister, Horatia, who conceives her own, distinctly original plans...

From the Publisher
One of best-known and most beloved historical novelists captures a whole new audience in a stunning repackage.

About the Author
G Heyer:
Author of over fifty books, Georgette Heyer is the best-known and best-loved of all historical novelists, who made the Regency period her own. Her first novel, The Black Moth, published in 1921, was written at the age of fifteen to amuse her convalescent brother; her last was My Lord John. Although most famous for her historical novels, she also wrote eleven detective stories. Georgette Heyer died in 1974 at the age of seventy-one.

Customer Reviews

One of Heyer's best.
I've read every novel by Georgette Heyer, so when I say this is definitely one of her best you can be sure I'm fairly certain! Sometimes her books fall into the unfortunate habit of having heroines and heroes that are occasionally too similar in terms of looks and temperament with too flimsy plots - this one is VERY original and funny. For one thing, it revolves the interesting relationship between a devilishly charming 35-year-old bachelor the Earl of Rule and his new wife, 17 year old Horatia Winwood - who's not exactly Miss World (she is short, has a pronounced stammer and ferociously thick eyebrows that create a frowning expression!). I love the fact that the heroine isn't your usual beautiful creature, but Ms Heyer unfortunately makes up for it by making the hero practically perfect (charming, witty, handsome, clever, rich, a perfect swordsman and gamester...you catch my drift!) which can be a bit tiresome.At the same time he is certainly a more attractive character than Horry who, although sweet, has a tendency to spend far too much money and act a bit too clingy at times.
The dialogue is witty and smooth and the storyline quite original, lively and believable. There are several other fun characters and I really think it's just about one of her best (although I personally think the title of No. 1 should go without a doubt to Venetia, which is my absolute favourite...my mum prefers Sylvester herself...I guess it's just a matter of personal taste!)

Why should true love find a way?
One of Georgette Heyer's more intriguing tales. While the hero has obvious attractions (wealth, title, charm), why should a 35-year old with a beautiful mistress change his way of life for a 17-year old with a stammer, who is, at best, 'sufficiently pretty'? While having an excellent cast of supporting characters and an excellent sub-plot of long-burning hatred and revenge, it's the slow and subtle development of the hero and heroine's characters and relationship that makes me pick this book up again and again.

Classic Regency-Heyer
This is a Classic Georgette Heyer story: a feisty female heroine, a misunderstanding in love and of course a happy ending (sorry, hope I didn't spoil anything!). As stories go, this one is a little flimsy, however the characters are likeable enough with plenty of the Heyer wit to keep you reading. Enjoyable, but not un-put-down-able!