The Hawk and the Dove

MINI-REVIEW. The Hawk and the Dove is, in my opinion, one of the most tautly written, emotionally satisfying, outrageously entertaining romances in Henley's large canon. If you fall into Henley Camp #2 (see below), you will absolutely revel in the book's many delights. THE HENLEY PRIMER. First things first. Read the Henley Primer in the Comment I've added to the bottom of this review (to avoid taking up space). If you fall into Camp #1, there's a good chance The Hawk and the Dove will ruffle your feathers ...and not in a good way. But if you fall into the second group...get ready for one of the juiciest historical romances in print. PLOT. Sara Bishop is a minister's stepdaughter in Elizabethan England. But proper and pious this redhead isn't! When wealthy nobleman Shane Hawkhurst marries her via a third party proxy just to get her land, Sara (calling herself Sabre Wilde) goes to Queen Elizabeth I's court to get her revenge. In a plot echoing Shakespeare's comedies, Sara makes it her mission to become the mistress of her own, unknowing husband...all while undercover as Sabre! HERO and HEROINE. I have little doubt that if you fall into Henley Camp 2 you will be cheering on the indomitable Sabre Wilde, a truly memorable character who is not run-of-the-mill feisty but is genuinely, deliciously outrageous! Henley is an expert at getting readers to empathize with and warm to even the most no-holds-barred, sweepingly self-confident heroines and heroes. In Hawk and the Dove, she draws us into Sabre's character on page ONE, immediately showing, not telling, how the eye-catching and witty Sabre is disfavored by her jealous, spiteful half-sisters and thunderous preacher stepfather. It's a device as old as the Brothers Grimm--but, hey, it works just as well for Henley as it has for them. You might be made of stone if you don't absolutely fall down with glee over Sabre's "farewell" scene to her hateful family. Sabre's character only gets better as we learn of the vulnerability she feels over her position in the family. Throughout the book, she is self-confident and aware of her attractions while always being warm, generous-hearted, and bubbling with wicked good humor and schemes. Some reviewers have called her "selfish" and materialistic. Most of Henley's heroines go after what they want with a vengeance--and I love that about them; no simpering misses here! But, she is usually careful to temper her characterization with vulnerability and generosity, as she does here with Sabre. One reviewer complained that Sabre borrowed the Queen's jewelry without permission. Personally, I loved the fact that she has the gumption to do this, given the abusive treatment the ladies in waiting are forced to endure. I also love this glimpse into the behind-the-scenes world of being lady in waiting to a demanding queen (reminds me of the movie Gosford Park, where we go deep into the lives of the servants). The ongoing rivalry between the Queen and Sabre is a ton of

I admired Sabre Wilde's spunkiness and daring. She turned out pretty well, considering her annoyingly snobby sisters. I was laughing at the plot. Imagine that, a man cheating on his wife with...his wife! I loved the way Sabre kept mentioning that she wanted to be married to Hawk. Endearing story, this one is a keeper.

This book will keep you turning the pages even when you should be doing the dishes! Virginia Henley's ability to create unforgettable characters is one of a kind. This book will not only make you hot for your husband again, but it will also give you a wonderful idea of what it was actually like living in Queen Elizabeth's Court. Only Virginia Henley can make me visualize everything I am reading with such detail; I can even smell the food on the table and feel the beautifully described materials of Sara's wardrobe on my skin. I recommend every one of Ms. Henely's books. If you like to read Historical Romance, you will be hooked on Henely!

This book was a perfect change from the books I read before. I adored the characters of the book especially the heroine for her scheme to become her husband's mistress.This book was the first story I read for Virginia Henley,after it I couldn't stop reading for her.THANK YOU Virginia VERY MUCH.

I have read all of Virginia Henley's books and this is near the top of my favorites list. She has her hero chase the female lead in this book. Shane pursues Sabre with a venom. Little does he know, Sabre has their relationship all purposely planned out from the very beginning. I love books where the male lead is desperately in love with the heroine and her feelings are not entirely mutual....yet. If you like Elizabethian era historical romances you'll love this one.