Much more pages are occupied by colourful descriptions of Elizabeth Hardwick's dresses (and underwear), wall-shattering orgasms, and of course, her four husbands (of whom two, as usually in such books, were weak and impotent). It also seems that Elizabeth Tudor invited her to be her Lady of the Bedchamber only to conceal her pranks wit hLord Dudley, otherwise Ms Hardwick seems to perform no other functions. Also scene of making love in Tower cell seemed to be completely irrelevant.

In general, I took this book as a lollipop after generous helping of exquisite sweets - it simply can't be compared with serious historical fiction, but you can read it for fun. Unfortunately the author in the afterword did not mention anything about the end of Ms Hardwick, as she lived to her 80s and was involved into a plot with her husband and Mary Stewart.

It follows her through her childhood to her four marriages and gives each one depth. You'll love the steam that she shares with Sir Cavendish, and feel true sympathy for her and Robert Barlow, her first husband who she marries to save her family. Poor Robert sure gets an A effort at least. You'll love this book and how entailed it is. You will feel so in touch with Bess that you;ll be sad when the book ends. It is truly one of the best historical romances Ive read.

It follows her through her childhood to her four marriages and gives each one depth. You'll love the steam that she shares with Sir Cavendish, and feel true sympathy for her and Robert Barlow, her first husband who she marries to save her family. Poor Robert sure gets an A effort at least. You'll love this book and how entailed it is. You will feel so in touch with Bess that you;ll be sad when the book ends. It is truly one of the best historical romances Ive read.