The Leopard Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt
Oh, what about Harry? Harry Pye that is. Harry Pye made a brief apperance in The Raven Prince as a friend of the Earl of Swartingham. Harry is the land steward to Lady Georgina Maitland, at her estate in Yorkshire. Her estate also neighbors his most hated childhood enemy, Sir Silas Grenville.
As the story opens, George and Harry are stranded on a road since their carriage overturned and find shelter in an abandonded cottage. Their attraction starts here since this is the first time in the six months she has employed Harry that George has seen her steward as a man and not just a servant. When they make to George’s estate the next day the problem of sheep being poisoned on the neighboring estate becomes a problem, since Granville blames Harry.
George though, being a spinster of twenty-eight, has finally found a man that she wants in her life in more ways than one and makes a choice to spend the night with Harry, despite his fears.
Harry and George are such real characters and they drove the whole story. Harry is always concious of his social class. It’s one of the main things that Harry overcomes throughout the story. Harry and George’s relationship isn’t a secret and the townsfolk do what they can to protect Harry from the “aristo woman”.
George is not your normal aristocrat though. She’s single, she owns her own lands and she’s master of her own fate. Her male family members really have no say in her actions because she’s that independent. I know that’s not really historically accurate, but Hoyt makes it work. Both Harry and George have wonderful personalities and compliement each other, it’s no wonder when George makes some decisions at the end that could make the reader think “She’s TSTL”, it’s just a Georgian woman making due with her circumstances in 1760.
The writing style, the tone of the Leopard Prince show the growth of Hoyt from the Raven Prince and also show the greater depth of emotion that this story requires. Harry definitly had a harder childhood than George (and it’s slightly worse than Edward de Raaf of Raven Prince), but he’s a self made man with his own demons to fight.
After reading the Leopard Prince, I am now ready for The Serpent Prince and ready for what Elizabeth Hoyt has in store for us next. Be sure to stop by on Tuesday April 17th for our Guest Author day with Elizabeth Hoyt!
Grade: A
I must admit, I thought George was the most fun historical character I’ve come across in a long time. I thought this book rocked, and so did Harry Pye, bless his heart!
What I loved most about this book was that the language didn’t jar me at all, it was realistic (although the extensive use of the word titty may have thrown me a tad) without being cringe-worthy.
I’m really looking forward to The Serpent Prince, Elizabeth Hoyt is deffo a good storyteller.
I loved this story a lot and enjoyed watching the two of them spar. My only complaint about this book was the heroine’s name. Sometimes I would have to re-read a part because i saw the name George and was picturing one of her brothers in my head.
Karen-I agree about George and the language. It’s a great read.
Kris- Heh, I can see that, but it didn’t bother me too much.
Okay, I’m heading down to the local bookstore for my copy of the Leopard Prince today. Your review pushed me over the edge! I was going to drag my feet a little longer so there wouldn’t be so much time between finishing it and waiting for the Serpent Prince. LOL, so much for well-laid plans!
Great review! I am hooked! Got to find time to go look for this at the bookstore.