Very good and quick read. If you like ELizabethan-era romance novels then you should read this one.
From the inside cover:
"Rapid storytelling, high passions, rich descriptions and no stinting on bedtime thrills." -Kirkus Reviews
"Fabulous...entertaining...Henley is a master storyteller." -Romantic Times
"Rapid storytelling, high passions, rich descriptions and no stinting on bedtime thrills." -Kirkus Reviews
"Fabulous...entertaining...Henley is a master storyteller." -Romantic Times
*** A great Elizabethan love story!
Great steamy romance with great historical details.
Young Bess knew the only way to escape a commoner's life was to serve in a noble family, so she heads to London. There she is befriended by Princess Elizabeth and become part of her court. Many me want her but only one will win her heart.
Good story.
Good story.
Story of one of the richest woman in history. Did not finish; more of a romance novel than historical fiction.
Entertaining story, if you're not looking for historical accuracy. Strong-willed Bess manages to find love (at least twice), marry well and make her fortune after traumatic family losses as a child.
It does get a trifle repetitious in places (if one more man had said, "Bess, you ARE a woman of passion," I was going to scream!) but overall, a good mind-candy kind of read.
It does get a trifle repetitious in places (if one more man had said, "Bess, you ARE a woman of passion," I was going to scream!) but overall, a good mind-candy kind of read.
Young Bess Hardwick knew that the only way to escape a commoner's life was to serve in a noble family and marry well. So the headstrong beauty set out for London and the Tudor court, the arena for the richest, most ambitious men, none mor powerful than the four men who would claim her. None more dangerous than Pricess Elizabeth, who made Bess friend, confidante, then lady in waiting in her own glittering court.
Virginia Henley is one of my favorite authors. I truly enjoyed this book. Bess Hardwick was a remarkable woman. Hardwick manor is still standing as a tourist attraction and so very beautiful. She was so ahead of her time. V.H. glamorized the characters, and made Cavendish (her real love) and George Talbot handsome and dashing..they were not! Nor was Bess beautiful. Although Talbot was very wealthy, they fought all the time and he cheated on her. They co-existed until he died. Bess had eight children and lived until she was 81. But then we would not have a romance novel if Ms. Henley did not fictionalize real people into her story line. This is a great romance novel. Not a history book. So read it and enjoy, I did.
This is a very very good book. IT has been gently read, and the cover has some tears. Do not request this book if you want something that looks new.......
