Reviews

Romantic Times Review - Kathe Robin
UNDONE Virginia Henley
Signet
Setting: 1751, England
4-1/2 Stars - Top Pick!
With her striking beauty, wit and poise, it is no wonder that Irish society believes Elizabeth Gunning to be of noble birth. Her mother expects her to take London by storm and make a spectacular marriage, but Elizabeth has already found her dream man, John Campbell, the Duke of Argyll. John is enchanted by the golden-haired girl but cannot make her his wife, because he knows she is a commoner. Driven apart by society's rules and her mother's ruthless ambition, Elizabeth marries the less-scrupulous Duke of Hamilton, who hides his brutal nature until after they are wed. Elizabeth survives his possessiveness and cruelty because of her inner strength and undying love for Campbell. It's a passion that begins to consume them both and endanger their lives should Hamilton ever discover their love. As always, Henley brings a time and place to life with extraordinary characters, rich historical details and a romance that sets the pages on fire. Henley's novels always feature empowered women, and that tradition continues with this bawdy, luscious new novel. A must! VERY SENSUAL.

Reviewer Comments: Setting – Nottingham Castle, 1644 -- At the age of thirteen, Robert Greysteel Montgomery was not at all enamored by the seven year Elizabeth Cavendish he was being betrothed to. Though he did think she had the face of an angel he would also, on that day vow, she was the imp of Satan as he observed firsthand her precocious-ness and later as she announced she was changing her name to Velvet and would no longer respond to the name Elizabeth. Velvet, at age seven, wanted only to marry Robert’s best friend Charles, who would one day be King of England, but her mother was able to convince her to behave at the betrothal and vowed that Robert would protect and always keep her safe. That seemed to placate her and the betrothal was signed and sealed. Thirteen long and tumultuous years later, Greysteel has been operating as a double agent working to restore King Charles II to the throne. Velvet and her family had been living abroad having lost their properties, as had most Royalists loyal to the King Charles. When Velvet returns to England they are reunited and Greysteel is immediately ready to marry Velvet. Though Velvet is definitely attracted to the handsome cavalier, she isn’t quite so ardent in her affections – still holding a special place in her heart for Charles. Greysteel, on the other hand, a master strategist, approaches the courting of Velvet as another battle to win – but though Velvet may allow herself to be caught, her heart would be another matter. *** I am once again in awe at the brilliant way that this author can weave fiction into and around the rich historical background that she sets her characters into. Greysteel and Velvet are both crafted as headstrong individuals portrayed bigger than life and their story is filled with love and a powerful passion. Make no mistake – Velvet the precocious child who needed her arse tanned grew to a be force to be reckoned with and it would be Greysteel alone who had the insight to realize that behind Velvet’s precocious behavior and willful defiance masked the delicate and fragile vulnerability that he came to love. The author depicts that while their passions were all consuming, it wasn’t enough as she gives us that one glorious defining moment where both are willing to risk it all to prove their love for one another in this marvelous romantic epic. Henley once again does a masterful job in transporting the reader smack dab in the middle of the time period, enfolding all the drama and all the passion in her characters that only this true master of the historical genre can create. Once again, Henley strikes pure gold in UNMASKED

Undone Review
Title: Undone Category: Historical
Reviewer: Dorine Linnen Reviewer Email: dorinelinnen@romancejunkies.com
Author: Virginia Henley Publisher: Signet Release Date: December 2003 ISBN Number: 0451210646
Blue Ribbon Rating: 5
Elizabeth Gunning is a beauty that no man can resist. Is her innocence real or just an act? She has bewitched the Duke of Argyll, John Campbell, and he’s determined to learn all her secrets. Can two people with such different pasts find a way to be together? UNDONE will take you on a journey from Ireland to London Society and then to the beautiful land of Scotland, in one of the best historical books I’ve read. Elizabeth’s sister, Maria, has always been the favored one, the most beautiful daughter and the child her mother has always doted upon. Elizabeth never resents her sister, but is satisfied with her place in their family and accepts it as her fate. Her childhood and early teens in Ireland are carefree and full of dreams of becoming an actress, like her mother. Her mother’s vision becomes much bolder, as she decides to unleash her beautiful daughters into London society, creating a false background to enhance their chances. The secrets and lies that follow, take Elizabeth from a young naive girl to becoming a woman, who realizes her fate is her own and not someone else’s. John Campbell’s mother wants him to continue the family name and is anxious for him to marry. He will require a wife who can match his stature in society and Elizabeth Gunning does not meet those standards. Will she become his mistress just so he doesn’t have to give her up, while he finds a more suitable wife? Torn between what is expected of him and what he desires - coupled with his responsibilities, John struggles to find a way to make Elizabeth his own. He never expects the journey to be so difficult and so many secrets to be revealed. I became so wrapped up in this magnificent story that I cried at the raw emotion revealed toward the end. Rarely does an author evoke this kind of emotion from me and I highly recommend UNDONE for it’s ingenious plot and well-created characters, including the many secondary characters with stories of their own. VIRGINA HENLEY has a true gift of creating characters that pop off the page as if they are real and keeps you reading straight through to the end. Although this book has Regency flavor, don’t expect the norm when you read this rich, sensual book. With it’s sweet beginnings to it’s passionate ending,
UNDONE will captivate you all the way through.
All the best, Dorine -- Dorine Linnen Romance Junkies Book Reviewer, Interviewer & Chat Co-Coordinator/Moderator dorinelinnen@romancejunkies.com
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