Beauvallet

Rating:
Summary: Sparkling Elizabethan romance, deft historical detail
Review: A dashing gentleman of 16th Century England might dare to break the rules, especially if, as tensions rose with Spain, he found his heart lost to a Spanish lady. So Nick Beauvallet, knight and sailor, who dares much, and whose manservant Joshua is himself worth the book. The author's keen eye for history, and neat writing, make her work delightful.

Rating:
Summary: Love the time period,
Review: I really enjoy this time period in romance novels. This story was great. The characters were terrific and the plot had me swiftly turning the pages.

Rating:
Summary: Love the time period,
Review: I really enjoy this time period in romance novels. This story was great. The characters were terrific and the plot had me swiftly turning the pages.

Rating:
Summary: Delightful and different
Review: I thought I read all of Georgette Heyers books with the exception of a few of her mysteries but I was wrong. Somehow I missed this one. It is a gem that is not to be missed.

My mom turned me onto Georgette Heyer when I was a teenager and I gobbled up all of the books at the library and used-books stores. I'm delighted to see so many of them reissued with forewards by popular authors. Although I'm offended my some of the authors chosen to write the forewards because their writing in no way can be compared to the deft and light touch of Georgette Heyer, I think it's wonderful that they are being republished and brought to the attention of a new generation of readers.

Beauvallet is set in Elizabethan times. I'm not aware of any other Georgette Heyer book that is set in this time, so that makes it a treasure in itself. Nick Beauvallet is a rugged charmer with an eye for a pretty lady--so different from the other Heyer books where the heros are more intellectual and less down to earth. He's a self-made entrepeneur who also happens to be a pirate for England. It's wonderful how Drake and other famous historical characters are mentioned casually as contempories of Nick. Secondary characters steal the show very much like Heyer novels set in Georgian and Regency times. Joshua, Nick's sidekick is delightful. Nick's lady love is a feisty Spanish beauty who is worth the risk that Nick takes to rescue her from an arranged marriage in Spain during the time of the Inquistion. King Philip is a baddie as are his minions who are determined to impose their un-Christian version of Christianity on the general populace (or else!) The outrageous Nick Beauvallet outwits King Philip and his posse in an exciting narrative. You'll enjoy every minute of this old-fashioned but fun book.

It's a rowdy and earthy book, very different than her Georgian/Regency books, which is not a bad thing. If I were to compare it with her other books, I would say it is most like The Talisman Ring in down-to-earth tone. I was surprised and delighted to discover it.


Rating:
Summary: Most Excellent! Don't miss!
Review: If you've ever secretly thrilled to swashbuckling films with The Great Swashbuckler Himself, Errol Flynn, you will LOVE Beauvallet!

If you enjoy the language of Shakespearean times, the color, the pagentry, you LOVE Beauvallet!

If you love a great romance, you will LOVE Beauvallet!

One of Ms. Heyers earliest published works, it is thrilling to see it newly published in paperback yet again. Heyer is the best of the historical romance novelists; her research makes all her romances ring true, no matter what the period.

Rather than the Drawing Room and Comedy of Manners of many of her Regency romances, Beauvallet moves. The story is in constant motion and thus makes it a good starter for a teenaged reader (which is when I first read it).

Don't miss it, I truly think you'll absolutely love it! In my opinion, the Best of the Best from the Best.

Rating:
Summary: Great Story! TOTALLY WORTH READING!
Review: This was an excellent story. I totally enjoyed it. Adventure, romance, suspense. It's fantastic. I totally love the story. Heyer did an awesome job! Read it and you'll see! :-)