The Serpent Prince

The Serpent Prince By Elizabeth Hoyt

Publisher’s Description:

When the devil meets an angel…

Country bred Lucy Craddock-Hayes is content with her quiet life.  Until the day she trips over an unconscious man – a naked, unconscious man – and loses her innocence forever.

he can take her to heaven…

Viscount Simon Iddesleigh was nearly beaten to death by his enemies.  Now he’s hell-bent on vengeance.  But as Lucy nurses him back to health, her honesty startles his jaded sensibilities – even as it ignites a desire that threatens to consume them both.

or to hell.

Charmed by Simon’s sly wit, urbane manners, and even his red-heeled shoes, Lucy falls hard and fast for him.  Yet as his honor keeps him from ravishing her, his revenge sends his attackers to her door.  As Simon wages war on his foes, Lucy wages her own war for his soul using the only weapon she has – her love.

Ratings:

(1=unacceptable, 2=poor, 3=acceptable, 4=good, 5=excellent)

Continuity/Flow – 5

Wow.  This story flowed so well, I was amazed at its seamless quality.  Not for one minute was I bored by a particular passage, nor was I ever tempted to speed-read, skim, or even skip a passage.  The multiple points of view all worked together to tell the story breathlessly without leaving the reader wondering why the author chose that moment to jump to another point of view. 

Sex – 4

The plot relies more on sensuality rather than sex.  There are the requisite scenes, which are well placed and tastefully written, that continue the story on its necessary path.

Language – 3

While the hero of this story tends toward the vulgar in much of his lifestyle, he does not resort to needless vulgarity in his language.  A few characters, including the heroine’s father, do utter curse words here and there, but the scenes do not remain impressed on the reader’s mind.

Storyline – 5

This must have been a very difficult storyline to tackle.  There are so many tough issues intertwined in this story and, I have to say, Ms. Hoyt nailed it!  Revenge has always been a popular subject is Romance, but very few authors will venture to ask the tough question “How does this revenge affect the person carrying it out?”, much less answer it.

Historical Accuracy – 4

The duels fought in this book, as well as The Raven Prince, were fought with swords.  However, the popularity of pistol duels had outmoded fencing duels some twenty years prior to the setting of this book.  As the challenged parties, Simon’s opponents would have been the ones to choose the weapons.  Under no normal circumstances would any of his opponents have chosen to fence him knowing his status as a master.

Overall – 5

I loved this book.  From beginning to end this book held my interest.  The characters were funny and smart, and Ms. Hoyt even managed to create an empathetic antagonist.    

Rant:

I was sad that the destruction of Simon’s green house was not further discussed.  It would have made a perfect epilogue, the reconstruction of the green house to represent the reconstruction of his life.  I was also sad that Christian and Simon’s relationship turned out the way it did.  It was inevitable, but sad all the same.

Rave:

The two scenes in which Lucy enters the green house were beautifully written.  I wanted to cry during both because before the first scene you forgot that Simon was a horticulturist, and because you just knew what the loss of the green house meant to Simon.

The Leopard Prince

The Leopard Prince By Elizabeth Hoyt

Publisher’s Description:

The one thing a lady must never do…

Wealthy Gerogina Maitland doesn’t want a husband, though she could use a good steward to run her estates.  One look at Harry Pye, and Georgina knows she is not just dealing with a servant, but a man.

Is fall in love…

Harry has known many aristocrats – including one particular nobleman who is his sworn enemy.  But Harry has never met a beautiful lady so independent, uninhibited, and eager to be in his arms.

With her servant.

 Still, it is impossible to conduct a discreet liaison when dead sheep, murdered villagers, and an enraged magistrate have the county in an uproar.  The locals blame Harry for everything.  Soon it’s all Georgina can do to keep her head above water and Harry’s out of the noose, without missing another night of love.

Ratings:

(1=unacceptable, 2=poor, 3=acceptable, 4=good, 5=excellent)

Continuity/Flow – 3

There is some inconsistency as to the intentions of the hero and heroine.  They can’t seem to make up their minds as to whether or not they trust each other.  One minute their actions prove that the trust is there, but the next minute they are torn apart by indecision.  This can be frustrating and distracting. 

Sex – 4

While the scenes are risqué, there is a stamp of class and overlying sensuality that rescues it from being tasteless.  The story moves both with and without them, so they are well placed.

Language – 3

You will find some harsh language in the pub and fight scenes, but they are not out of place.  None of the characters sport particularly vulgar personalities, so foul language pops up, but is quickly forgotten.

Storyline – 5

I loved this story.  There is mystery, sensuality, a smart back and forth between many of the characters, and a real concern that people can relate to overall.  I enjoyed the fairy tale (though not as much as the Raven Prince), and I particularly liked how this time Ms. Hoyt had the heroine telling the story, as opposed to simply reading it.

Historical Accuracy – 4

While not much is mentioned about the time period the date provided shows us it is the end of the Georgian period, transitioning into the Regency Period.  This was a time of great political concern because the French Revolution had just occurred and the English were very much worried about whether their commoners would rise up against them.  The public attitude toward Harry (as a commoner) was accurate, but the attitude toward Bennet, a known bastard who was favored by his father over the heir, was not.  He would not have been accepted in society, no matter how much Lord Granville bullied and blustered.

Overall – 4

This book was well written, and enjoyable.  I admit to being frustrated by my lack of empathy toward the hero and heroine, but this should not take away from the overall merits of the book. 

Rant:

My issue with this book comes down to how many times the characters bull-headedly proved they didn't trust each other, despite having no reason not to.  Harry trusts George enough to protect her, but not enough to believe she loves him.  George trusts Harry enough to not believe the rumors about him (despite some pretty damning evidence), but not enough to believe he won't abandon her.  It's one of those things that make you want to tear your hair out.  Because of this I had a hard time really bonding with the hero and heroine, and, let's face it, for a book to be well received that needs to happen.

Rave:

The mystery of who is killing the sheep is stellar.  There are so many people you want to believe it could be.  In the end the person who did it was moot, because the real villain was just so horrendous all of you hate and venom was used up praying for something awful to happen to him…which it does!

The Raven Prince

The Raven Prince By Elizabeth Hoyt

Publisher’s Description:

There comes a time in a lady's life...
Widowed Anna Wren is having a wretched day. After an arrogant male on horseback nearly squashes her, she arrives home to learn that she is in dire financial straits.

When she must do the unthinkable...
The Earl of Swartingham is in a quandary. Having frightened off two secretaries, Edward de Raaf needs someone who can withstand his bad temper and boorish behavior.

And find employment.
When Anna becomes the earl's secretary, it would seem that both their problems are solved. Then she discovers he plans to visit the most notorious brothel in London for his "manly" needs. Well! Anna sees red—and decides to assuage her "womanly" desires...with the earl as her unknowing lover.

Ratings:

(1=unacceptable, 2=poor, 3=acceptable, 4=good, 5=excellent)

Continuity/Flow – 4

The book stays solid to the storyline and true to the characters.  There are no divergences, despite the many subplots, which are handled with class.

Sex – 3

The sex scenes are a bit risqué, even for the genre.  There is quite a bit of graphic language describing body parts and the use of those body parts.  That being said, at least these scenes are kept within the plot and do not take away from the overall flow of the story.

Language – 2

The hero is extremely foul-mouthed and vulgar.  He is bad tempered and as such spends much of the time spouting off his discontent with a number of colorful curses.

Storyline – 5

The storyline was superb.  I liked the intricacies in the subplots, particularly Pearl’s, and I loved the humanizing moments that were added with regular flare to keep the pace from getting bogged down.  Without providing too much of a spoiler, my favorite of these moments was Anna finding Edward downstairs at Rebecca’s house after the baby is born.

Historical Accuracy – 5

The time period in late Georgian, just prior to Regency.  The style of dress is kept in the forefront of the book is very accurately portrayed.  I particularly like the air of distain used when discussing the Macaroni style, which was quickly losing its hold on society at the time.

Overall – 4

Having read, and enjoyed, “The Four Soldiers” Series by Elizabeth Hoyt before, I was fully expecting to enjoy this series.  While I was not disappointed, I definitely enjoyed these books for much different reasons than my expectations allowed me to believe I would.  This book was funny, touching, frustrating and thrilling all at once.

Rant:

This is a rather weak rant, but I wish I could have liked the heroine better.  She is completely likeable in her mannerisms, but for some reason I find it hard to actually like her.  She makes too many off the wall, boneheaded decisions that completely put her, and the people she cares for, in danger (both physical and social).  I am not saying that Ms. Hoyt wrote her poorly, or could have written her differently.  In fact, I believe she is written very deliberately, and I love that.  You just can’t love every heroine, and I don’t love Anna.

Rave:

Straight out of the gate, much like she did with Sam in To Taste Temptation, she makes Edward completely unapproachable.  He is vulgar, haughty, heavy handed, gruff, rude, a loose cannon, etc.  But then she does something wonderful.  Without making excuses for his behavior, or making him change, she forces the reader to see him in a light that makes him wonderful.  He is smart, loyal, appreciative, meticulous, and vulnerable.  He is unapologetic about the way he does things and looks to Anna to keep up.  Only for modesty and propriety’s sake does he ever take her gender into account while she is doing her job.