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Elizabethan Lover
Корсар Родни Хокхерст мечтает о собственном корабле, о подвигах, богатстве и славе. А еще он жаждет завоевать сердце прекрасной Филлиды, но девушка и слышать
222 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 1976
About the author
Barbara Cartland
1,282 books872 followersBorn in 1901, Barbara Cartland started her writing career in journalism and completed her first book, Jigsaw, when she was just 24. An immediate success, it was the start of her journey to becoming the world’s most famous and most read romantic novelist of all time. Inspiring a whole generation of readers around the globe with her exciting tales of adventure, love and intrigue, she became synonymous with the Romance genre. And she still is to this day, having written over 644 romantic fiction books.
As well as romantic novels, she wrote historical biographies, 6 autobiographies, plays, music, poetry and several advice books on life, love, health and cookery – totalling an incredible 723 books in all, with over 1 billion in sales.
Awarded the DBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 in honour of her literary, political and social contributions, she was President of the Hertfordshire branch of the Royal College of Midwives as well as a Dame of Grace of the Order of St John of Jerusalem and Deputy President of the St John Ambulance Brigade.
Always a passionate advocate of woman’s health and beauty, she was dubbed ‘the true Queen of Romance’ by Vogue magazine in her lifetime. Her legend continues today through her wonderfully vivid romantic tales, stories that help you escape from the day to day into the dramatic adventures of strong, beautiful women who battle, often against the odds, eventually to find that love conquers all.
Find out more about the incredible life and works of Dame Barbara Cartland at www.barbaracartland.com
As well as romantic novels, she wrote historical biographies, 6 autobiographies, plays, music, poetry and several advice books on life, love, health and cookery – totalling an incredible 723 books in all, with over 1 billion in sales.
Awarded the DBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 in honour of her literary, political and social contributions, she was President of the Hertfordshire branch of the Royal College of Midwives as well as a Dame of Grace of the Order of St John of Jerusalem and Deputy President of the St John Ambulance Brigade.
Always a passionate advocate of woman’s health and beauty, she was dubbed ‘the true Queen of Romance’ by Vogue magazine in her lifetime. Her legend continues today through her wonderfully vivid romantic tales, stories that help you escape from the day to day into the dramatic adventures of strong, beautiful women who battle, often against the odds, eventually to find that love conquers all.
Find out more about the incredible life and works of Dame Barbara Cartland at www.barbaracartland.com
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 10, 2018
very much a product of its time, with a lot of attitudes that wouldn't fly today, but that is the risk one must take when reading a romance from the '50s. despite this, i did enjoy it, and it had a lot of good suspense as well as the romance. it was also researched well, which is even more impressive considering that this was before the age of the internet when it was far harder to access information, and therefore would have been far more tempting to skimp on the research.
cartland has written over 700 novels, and most if not all of them are available on kindle unlimited, so i think i'll definitely be reading another one of hers, though i'll have to be in the mood for it.
cartland has written over 700 novels, and most if not all of them are available on kindle unlimited, so i think i'll definitely be reading another one of hers, though i'll have to be in the mood for it.
August 14, 2018
Boring! What shocked me is that the so-called hero is a self-admitted rapist. The H and the father have agreed that the H will marry his older daughter (*not the h) who is pale and ethereal, a beautiful vision. What neither realize is that she doesn't want to get married to any man and wants to become a nun. She cringes from the H and does not want him to touch her. He thinks to himself:
He should have forced himself upon her (the h's sister, aka his fiance), even gone to her bedchamber if necessary – it would not have been the first time he had overpowered a woman’s protests and her reluctance. Seriously?!
He should have forced himself upon her (the h's sister, aka his fiance), even gone to her bedchamber if necessary – it would not have been the first time he had overpowered a woman’s protests and her reluctance. Seriously?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2012
1 down, 999,999 Barbara Cartland novels to go.
I'll give Cartland credit where credit is due: at least something is happening in her stories. The pacing is good, no slow spots. Thankfully there's not the patented "I hate you! I love you! I hate you! I love you!" scenario that so many romance novels bore me with. Rodney and Lizbeth get to know each other as they sail off for a good old pirate adventure. And who doesn't like a pirate romp? Well, maybe not the Spanish as they're the ones always getting plundered. Okay, besides Spain, who doesn't like a pirate romp?
I'll give Cartland credit where credit is due: at least something is happening in her stories. The pacing is good, no slow spots. Thankfully there's not the patented "I hate you! I love you! I hate you! I love you!" scenario that so many romance novels bore me with. Rodney and Lizbeth get to know each other as they sail off for a good old pirate adventure. And who doesn't like a pirate romp? Well, maybe not the Spanish as they're the ones always getting plundered. Okay, besides Spain, who doesn't like a pirate romp?
February 16, 2014
One of the best features of the kindle is being able to read trashy novels without anyone being the wiser. However, like every master criminal, I committed one fatal flaw. I posted it on good reads. As far as the book went, it was predictable, quick to read and required not one iota of thought. Just the thing to while away a cold February afternoon.
November 11, 2021
Some books just creep me out, and this is one of them.
October 17, 2014
A wonderful read written with unique flare by the Queen of romance. A lite romance, full of historical detail and drama. Lizabeth meets Rodney when he comes to get $ backing for a sea voyage so that he can steal Spanish treasure right from under the nose of the feared Spanish Amada. There is instant chemistry between them but Rodney gets infatuated with her beautiful sister and proposes marriage that same day. There are a lot of intriguing things happening in the background keeping the story interesting; one of which has Lizabeth disguising herself as a boy and stealing away on Rodney's ship. They have an amazing adventure at sea capturing Spanish treasure and fighting both the sea and the Spanish. Lizabeth falls in love but is strong and says nothing as he is meant for her sister. After she gone, Rodney realizes that everything he has felt for her is love but it is too late as he is to marry Phillida. More heartache follows leaving some drastic choices to be made. The characters are well written with human flaws but redeemable enough to love. Cartland's books are interesting and a joy to read.
September 11, 2014
I think this is the first Elizabethan Cartland novel that I've read. It's interesting to note the differences in social attitudes between this and her Regency/Victorian works.
It's a good story, and would be three stars from me if it weren't for the unfortunate fact that the hero pretty much confesses during his self-reflections to having forced himself on women.
I know that this fits with both the period it's set in and the period in which it was written (having bodice rippers because women weren't allowed to be sexual). However, it's kind of a deal-breaker for me when it comes to being able to embrace the romance, even though I know I'm viewing it through the filter of modern sensibilities that it wasn't designed for.
It's a good story, and would be three stars from me if it weren't for the unfortunate fact that the hero pretty much confesses during his self-reflections to having forced himself on women.
I know that this fits with both the period it's set in and the period in which it was written (having bodice rippers because women weren't allowed to be sexual). However, it's kind of a deal-breaker for me when it comes to being able to embrace the romance, even though I know I'm viewing it through the filter of modern sensibilities that it wasn't designed for.
June 17, 2012
Yes I know it is fluff, but I occasionally I like a bit of fluff and this one ties in with "Heresy" which I just completed.
It's so chaste that I call it romance Lite, but I love the period and as such a little bit of literary candy floss never hurts!!
It's so chaste that I call it romance Lite, but I love the period and as such a little bit of literary candy floss never hurts!!
July 31, 2021
I feel this story wasn't finished.
What happened to them when she goes back? The queen is not going to release her and nothing is said about Rodney's love results. A very unsatisfactory ending
What happened to them when she goes back? The queen is not going to release her and nothing is said about Rodney's love results. A very unsatisfactory ending
January 14, 2013
A very easy read. Just what I wanted, an innocent romance with a happy ending.
June 3, 2013
This is the first Barbara Cartland I've read, and on the whole I enjoyed it. It was as shallow as a puddle, though! A nice, light read.
July 27, 2022
3 out of 5 stars.
Rodney Hawkhurst was a privateer who had sailed with Sir Francis Drake. Longing for his own galleon, he goes to sir Harry Gillingham for financing. He meets Gillingham's youngest daughter, tomboy Lizbeth, and is instantly bewitched by her, but falls in love with her elder sister Phillida. Gillingham agrees to provide Hawkhurst with the funds he needs, but requests that he take Francis, Gillingham's son, on the voyage with him. His father believes his son to be weak and, based on the company that the young man is keeping, could be on the verge of committing treason against the Crown.
Unfortunately Francis is almost panicking at the very idea and, threatening to commit suicide, forces Lizbeth to agree to disguise herself as Francis and take his place. When Hawkhurst discovers the switch, he is furious and worried that having her on the ship could destroy his reputation. Being in close quarters on the ship opens Lizbeth's eyes to the reality of seafaring adventuring and how men act when they don't realize a women is present. By the time they return home, Lizbeth is hopelessly in love with the man destined to marry her sister.
Cartland was a remarkably prolific writer who, at her height, would put out a book a month. Her romances could be called formulaic (heroines are ALWAYS virgins, while the heroes are strong, stoic, and various degrees of alpha), especially so from the 1980s until the author's death in 2000 at the age of 99. And an increasing amount of ellipses!
That said, there was something comforting about her romances, the Regencies in particular. You knew what you were getting and the books were short enough to whip through in one day. I particularly believe her best years were from the 1960s through the 1970s. Were the books great? No, not even close. And yet they were addictive. I was so new to romance at the time, which I think helped with my enjoyment as I knew nothing about the tropes common at the time.
This story isn't a Regency. Instead it is set in the Elizabethan era and was first published in 1953. According to the author's dedication, it was Cartland's 50th published book. This wasn't a book that I had read before, although I vaguely remember seeing it in the used book stores. Now there are attitudes and problematic issues throughout the book, although nothing really egregious. At least not that I can recall, although I sped through this. It is a product of its time in regards to the roles of women and reflects somewhat the issues in Elizabethan England regarding the Roman Catholic religion. Plus the whole "license to pirate" thing.
Overall it was an okay read, a mixture of romance, history, and adventure, with dollops of tragedy woven near the end. Actually the romance was a lesser part of the novel than what became usual with her later books. I don't know if this particular story would appeal to a modern reader. To be honest, it didn't do much for me either, although there were moments that kept me reading. I wouldn't recommend this as a first time Cartland reader.
Rodney Hawkhurst was a privateer who had sailed with Sir Francis Drake. Longing for his own galleon, he goes to sir Harry Gillingham for financing. He meets Gillingham's youngest daughter, tomboy Lizbeth, and is instantly bewitched by her, but falls in love with her elder sister Phillida. Gillingham agrees to provide Hawkhurst with the funds he needs, but requests that he take Francis, Gillingham's son, on the voyage with him. His father believes his son to be weak and, based on the company that the young man is keeping, could be on the verge of committing treason against the Crown.
Unfortunately Francis is almost panicking at the very idea and, threatening to commit suicide, forces Lizbeth to agree to disguise herself as Francis and take his place. When Hawkhurst discovers the switch, he is furious and worried that having her on the ship could destroy his reputation. Being in close quarters on the ship opens Lizbeth's eyes to the reality of seafaring adventuring and how men act when they don't realize a women is present. By the time they return home, Lizbeth is hopelessly in love with the man destined to marry her sister.
Cartland was a remarkably prolific writer who, at her height, would put out a book a month. Her romances could be called formulaic (heroines are ALWAYS virgins, while the heroes are strong, stoic, and various degrees of alpha), especially so from the 1980s until the author's death in 2000 at the age of 99. And an increasing amount of ellipses!
That said, there was something comforting about her romances, the Regencies in particular. You knew what you were getting and the books were short enough to whip through in one day. I particularly believe her best years were from the 1960s through the 1970s. Were the books great? No, not even close. And yet they were addictive. I was so new to romance at the time, which I think helped with my enjoyment as I knew nothing about the tropes common at the time.
This story isn't a Regency. Instead it is set in the Elizabethan era and was first published in 1953. According to the author's dedication, it was Cartland's 50th published book. This wasn't a book that I had read before, although I vaguely remember seeing it in the used book stores. Now there are attitudes and problematic issues throughout the book, although nothing really egregious. At least not that I can recall, although I sped through this. It is a product of its time in regards to the roles of women and reflects somewhat the issues in Elizabethan England regarding the Roman Catholic religion. Plus the whole "license to pirate" thing.
Overall it was an okay read, a mixture of romance, history, and adventure, with dollops of tragedy woven near the end. Actually the romance was a lesser part of the novel than what became usual with her later books. I don't know if this particular story would appeal to a modern reader. To be honest, it didn't do much for me either, although there were moments that kept me reading. I wouldn't recommend this as a first time Cartland reader.
May 31, 2021
A romantic historical (?!) fluffy read. In their hurry to make this an ebook there are a lot of punctuation errors.
By the end I have no idea how his crew didn’t figure out this crying being dashing out of the captains quarters after doing something that would have gotten any other sailor flogged (to death) and jailed until they could be handed over to the Queen was a female!
By the end I have no idea how his crew didn’t figure out this crying being dashing out of the captains quarters after doing something that would have gotten any other sailor flogged (to death) and jailed until they could be handed over to the Queen was a female!
March 25, 2019
I once adored Cartland's books and I still enjoy them, but having been in love and twice married I realize how fantastic they are. Cartland does an excellent job of using history though and the books are a wonderful little escape.
October 20, 2020
Non si può dire che brilli per originalità, ma probabilmente nessuno la chiede, in questo genere di narrativa. Per me, comunque, la Cartland è una garanzia: ottima scrittura, buona narrazione, particolari curati e spazio concesso anche agli eventi estranei alla storia d'amore. Consigliatissimo.
April 4, 2020
A sweet romance, with adventure and a strong woman you cannot help but love.
February 22, 2021
I would not consider this a romance. Possibly women's fiction. Our hero, while successful on his adventures, is not a man I would swoon over. This one was not for me.
July 24, 2023
I assume this is an earlier Cartland because of how much longer it was and how different it felt. It read more like an adventure story which I enjoyed. I read this as an audiobook.
August 27, 2023
This book was amazing! I specially love the historical part of it. The end almost deserved a second book, but overall it was a very good reading.
October 23, 2023
Nice historical tale. Stronger heroine than most of hers are. Interesting plot too! Not nearly as formulaic as many of Dame Barbara's books.
April 23, 2022
phillida humours me!
June 4, 2021
2 Stars.
Decided to read this as Barbara Cartland was mentioned in a recent Heyer Society newsletter. Liked the overall plot and the ending was sweet, but geez, talk about toxic masculinity and very dated dynamics between the hero and heroine.
Main breakdown: -
Characters: - I liked them, can't deny that. Obviously, the main hero and heroine (Elizabeth and Rodney) were the centre of the universe and most other characters flowed around them as per the requirements of the plot, but I found their voices clear, concise and their emotional journeys' believable. As mentioned above, Rodney is certainly not what I would call a model man and Elizabeth shouldn't just accept some of the behavior, but generally, all good in this department.
Plot: - Solid, though perhaps a little dull. As a reader, I know I'm tackling a romance here, so the dragging out of 'oh, will they get together' seemed silly and not handled as well as other authors, but still, good overall. There are also levels of discussion around exploration and early colonization, which is certainly biased towards the British perspective - this certainly isn't the novel for proper nuance, but obviously this hasn't aged well either.
Romance: - Perhaps classify this one as... misunderstandings to lovers? I don't know. Certainly not one of my favourite couples or depictions of a healthy relationship, but this is also probably partially being a product of the time.
Overall thoughts - I'm not blown away by Barbara Cartland (sort of expecting a so cheesy it is good kind of romance situation), but I do feel hopeful enough in the strength of the writing style and characters to try another novel by her in the future! Perhaps this was just a bad one to start with?
Decided to read this as Barbara Cartland was mentioned in a recent Heyer Society newsletter. Liked the overall plot and the ending was sweet, but geez, talk about toxic masculinity and very dated dynamics between the hero and heroine.
Main breakdown: -
Characters: - I liked them, can't deny that. Obviously, the main hero and heroine (Elizabeth and Rodney) were the centre of the universe and most other characters flowed around them as per the requirements of the plot, but I found their voices clear, concise and their emotional journeys' believable. As mentioned above, Rodney is certainly not what I would call a model man and Elizabeth shouldn't just accept some of the behavior, but generally, all good in this department.
Plot: - Solid, though perhaps a little dull. As a reader, I know I'm tackling a romance here, so the dragging out of 'oh, will they get together' seemed silly and not handled as well as other authors, but still, good overall. There are also levels of discussion around exploration and early colonization, which is certainly biased towards the British perspective - this certainly isn't the novel for proper nuance, but obviously this hasn't aged well either.
Romance: - Perhaps classify this one as... misunderstandings to lovers? I don't know. Certainly not one of my favourite couples or depictions of a healthy relationship, but this is also probably partially being a product of the time.
Overall thoughts - I'm not blown away by Barbara Cartland (sort of expecting a so cheesy it is good kind of romance situation), but I do feel hopeful enough in the strength of the writing style and characters to try another novel by her in the future! Perhaps this was just a bad one to start with?
February 1, 2015
The day Rodney Hawkhurst rode into her father's grand estate, Lizbeth was but a wild young girl of eighteen, red hair unkempt, dirt on her apron, and an archer's bow in her hand. Then Rodney rudely took her in his arms and kissed her lips, and everything changed. No longer did she dread the idea of being a woman and a fine lady. Suddenly she forgot her girlhood rebellion and longed only for one thing - Rodney Hawkhurst.
But Rodney had not come to see Sir Gillingham about Lizbeth. He had come to borrow money for a daring sea voyage, and to ask for the hand of Phillida, Lizbeth's elegant sister. Lizbeth tried to forget about Rodney Hawkhurst - until she discovered Phillida's dread secret. Then everything changed...
But Rodney had not come to see Sir Gillingham about Lizbeth. He had come to borrow money for a daring sea voyage, and to ask for the hand of Phillida, Lizbeth's elegant sister. Lizbeth tried to forget about Rodney Hawkhurst - until she discovered Phillida's dread secret. Then everything changed...
October 24, 2013
One of my comments says "yikesyikesyikes" and I'm pretty sure that's the contemporary Barbara Cartland reading experience. If you like colonialism, imperialism, chauvinism, and total disregard of consent or autonomy, this might be the book for you!
(Apparently I read this a decade ago and felt similarly, but I had no memory of it.)
(Apparently I read this a decade ago and felt similarly, but I had no memory of it.)
March 26, 2017
I kind of liked this one. Lizbeth was less annoying than Cartland's usual waif-like, huge-eyed innocent heroine--a true adventuress who didn't spend ALL her time mooning after the granite-jawed hero.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews