A Hazard of Hearts

by Barbara Cartland

Book Overview

After her mother died when Serena Staverley was just nine, her father, Sir Giles, indulged his deep passion for gambling, leaving his only child in charge of an impoverished household. Now a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• ISBN: B002V25FFA
• Release Date: January 1972
• Publisher: Pyramid
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Loved It!

Now, to begin, Cartland's Hazard of Hearts will not reveal any deep insights into human nature or the workings of the human mind. It is not a thoughtful or researched commentary of society. It's purely a novel for the pleasure of the reader. I had never even heard of Barbara Cartland when I first came across the film version of this novel starring Helena Bonham Carter. That film, I must admit, was quite... well... dramatic. However, I enjoyed the basic storyline enough to try out the book. I'm glad I did. The novel begins with the innocent, yet honest, Selena learning that her father lost not only her beloved home in a poker game - but that he also wagered Selena in the game as well. And lost. That same night, Selena's father commits suicide leaving her without a home or father and "engaged" to a man she has never heard of, Lord Justin Vulcan. Upon meeting Selena, Justin makes no remarks upon their betrothal, merely takes Selena to his ancestral home, Mandrake. Like in the film, here the drama builds up quite a great deal, including smugglers, abductions, poisoning, murder, etc. In my own opinion, I feel like all of this drama worked much, much better in a novel than on film - maybe because you understand more of what's going on in various characters' minds. All in all, however, the love story between Selena and Justin melted my heart (Yes! I admit it!) and all that excessive drama, to me, couldn't distract from the main plot of the story - which was, of course, the love story. Cartland's style in this book reminded me a lot of Georgette Heyer - but with a bit less humor, maybe more akin to Heyer's Devil's Cub. And, if I think ANYTHING is like Georgette Heyer, it's definitely good.

A Hazard of Hearts

An excellent read! It has an exciting plot and believable characters. Hard to put down!

More interesting than other Cartland books

I was prompted by the film based on this story to read the book. This story is better than other Cartland ones in that the plot is less formulaic and simplistic but with some twists. Serena Staverley's father, Sir Giles Staverley, was a compulsive gambler. One evening, he lost everything -- all his money, his house and even Serena's inheritance and herself to Lord Vulcan of Mandrake.Feeling despondent, he deliberately had himself killed in a duel. So Serena, now an orphan, was taken to Mandrake where she met a lot of people and adventures. Lord Vulcan intended to marry her off to an eligible suitor and did not count on falling in love with her himself.There was much action and excitement created by family secrets, intrigues, smugglers, secret passages and caves, blackmail, abduction, murder, sword fights, duel and romance...etc I must say that the book is tame compared with the movie which is much more colorful and engrossing in the beautiful settings of opulent stately mansions , splendid gardens and lush countryside. Helena Bonham-Carter( according to Barbara Cartland herself)is the ultimate virginal and innocent heroine Serena.She is so cute and lovely. Marcus Gilbert ,who plays Lord Vulcan, is handsome,urbane and charismatic.It is sweet to see the romance develop between the two protagonists. I have watched the tape so many times and highly recommend it.

Interesting Book. I Want The Movie Put On DVD!

A Hazard of Hearts An interesting romance book by Barbara Cartland. Now if only they would put the movie they made that was based on this book out on DVD but unfortunately that great movie doesn't even appear to be out on video tape! The movie was good and starred Helena Bonham Carter in one of her earliest movies and I'm surprised that it isn't on DVD yet!

Won't be a Hazard to your Heart

This story surrounds a girl who becomes the property of a Lord, when she is lost in a dice game. This story has it all, an evil mother, a "ghost"-ly father, and the requisite love story. This book will not disappoint, I guarantee it.