Review: Elizabeth Hoyt

I recently read two novels by author Elizabeth Hoyt, and I must say, her style is interesting. While most romance novels tell the stories of beautiful young ladies and rich attractive gentlemen, Hoyt uses her novels to tell the stories that haven't been heard before.


To Beguile A Beast is the story of a scarred gentleman, both literally and figuratively. Alistair Munroe was attacked in the French and Indian War during an ambush. He was left with only one eye and eight fingers. His face is scarred and his heart is lonely. He is visited by a desperate, beautiful woman who is in need of employment. Though weary of his guest and her reaction to his scarred figure, he lets her stay. I must say that, rather shallowly, in the begining of the story I was not convinced that I would like the book. I didn't know if I could really escape into this world if the main character was so scarred and the leading lady was older than the usual heroine. However, the writing of the book and the connection between the two characters was so intense that I forgot all about their ages and their surface traits and focused on their true personalities and the plot line. The attraction between these two characters was more than skin-deep, which is refreshing in such a shallow world. The tension between them was palpable; it made my stomach turn over in nervousness. I loved this book despite my original skepticism.
The Raven Prince was very similar to the first book in that the main man is scarred, but this time with pock marks. He was a victim of small pox in his youth and his entire family died from it leaving only him as the heir to his earldom. Hoyt's writing drew me into this novel just as well as it drew me into the first one. I was delighed when the characters were delighted and frustrated when they were frustrated. I finished this book in only a day, which says something about how good it was. Once again, despite the reality of this gentleman's appearance, I could find him attractive and I could connect with both characters.

Elizabeth Hoyt is a new favorite author of mine, even though I can begin to see a pattern in her storylines. I would love to see a different plot, but these novels were an excellent way to pass my thanksgiving break.