Seventh Heaven by Elizabeth Bailey
Reviewed by Francine.
A Classic Georgian Romp!
The usage of Latin numerals for the renowned rather
extensive and impoverished Berowne family is sheer author genius, and whilst all
the respective siblings’ character traits shine through, Septimus [poet] outranks
them all with his theatrical gestures and poetically inclined satirical wit.
And how can the wealthy heroine, Lady Louisa, bedevilled by a surname that
immediately draws the poet’s ear, ever hope to escape his inclination to verse?
What is worse, no matter which way Louisa turns Berowne males step across her threshold
or path with intent to wrest her from widowhood and to the altar quick sharp.
Louisa is far from a walkover conquest and her abrasive tongue
temporarily quells specific male desires, but she becomes so embroiled in the affairs
of the females of the Berowne family, she cannot see the danger of one male Berowne’s
ambitions to outflank his brothers and gain due reward from villainous means.
If not for the affable if irritating poet who wins her regard, Louisa’s fate might
have proved dire to that which inevitably befalls her. And love it seems, as of
old, blossoms in the strangest of circumstances. Hence, Seventh Heaven wins the
day and will no doubt rule the proverbial home roost, and pray to heaven the
happy couple’s future existence bears no resemblance to a theatrical farce, for
this novel had me roaring with laughter from start to finish. This is a classic
Georgian Romp!