The Convenient Marriage [Paperback]

Georgette Heyer's writing is sometimes a delight and sometimes a little overwhelming since her attention to detail (both with language and customs of the Regency period) forces your brain to work a little harder to keep up. Horatia, the youngest sister of an impoverished but titled family, decides to offer herself in marriage to Lord Rule, in place of her older, more comely sister who is already in love with someone else. He s chosen Horatia's family for their connections rather than love or money, and agrees with Horatia's deal even though she is just 17 and has a noticeable stammer. Lord Rule and Horatio reach an agreement that neither will interfere in the other s life but when Horatia befriends Rule's enemy, Lord Lethbridge, the game begins. The Convenient Marriage actually steps over some lines that many of today's romance readers draw in the proverbial sand. For instance, Rule has a mistress he does not give up at marriage. And hoydenish, outrageous Horatia steps over the boundaries set for young women of the ton a number of times something I found amusing at first. That amusement faded as the story unfolded and I found myself becoming more annoyed by her shenanigans. Lord and Lady Rule demonstrate with a passionate kiss at the end that all's well that ends well. Don t expect any more passion than that from Heyer, however. Although it was an abridged version, I suspect that Lady Rule remained untouched until after the story ended with that kiss. Richard Armitage is a wonderful, deep-voiced narrator who is perfectly matched to Heyer's prose and his heroes are truly to-die-for, baritone, and hunky sounding. He performs a variety of women's voices, some stretching the limits of his voice, and in The Convenient Marriage, he treats us with a very entertaining 'macaroni' falsetto voice complete with lisp. Not having read the full story, I can't say whether that is implied or actually written into the character, but let's just say this particular dandy is voiced as someone who does not chase after women. Ever. Armitage did a credible stammer for Horatia all the way through and wasn't that annoying! All in all, Richard Armitage provides a top-notch narration that makes The Convenient Marriage an above average listen for me. --All About Romance --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

One of best-known and most beloved historical novelists captures a whole new audience in a stunning repackage.

When the eligible Earl of Rule offers for the hand of the Beauty of the Winwood Family, he has no notion of the distress he causes his intended. For Miss Lizzie Winwood is promised to the excellent, but impoverished Mr Edward Heron. Disaster can only be averted by the delightful impetuosity of her youngest sister, Horatia, who conceives her own, distinctly original plans ... (20040315)

One of best-known and most beloved historical novelists captures a whole new audience in a stunning repackage.

Author of over fifty books, Georgette Heyer is the best-known and best-loved of all historical novelists, who made the Regency period her own. Her first novel, The Black Moth, published in 1921, was written at the age of fifteen to amuse her convalescent brother; her last was My Lord John. Although most famous for her historical novels, she also wrote eleven detective stories. Georgette Heyer died in 1974 at the age of seventy-one. (20040315)