Full Description

Simon the Coldheart

In the early 15th century, during the middle of the Hundred Years’ War, England and France were fighting for sovereignty over France. It was a time of hand-to-hand combat, the invention of the longbow, and real knights in armor.

Simon Beauvallet was born in 1386, the illegitimate son of Geoffrey of Malvallet. After his mother’s death in 1400, he and his half-brother, the legitimate son and heir of his father, became great friends of the Prince, fighting against France.

Known for his silence and nicknamed “the Coldheart,” Simon nonetheless loved children and had a complex and deep personality. After the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, he was sent to besiege Belremy, where he met the lady, Margaret, who eventually surrendered to the English and became his bride.

“She makes the knightly days live again.” —Boston Evening Transcript

“An outstanding storyteller.” —The Times Literary Supplement

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Excerpt

Excerpt

Reviews

Reviews

We Be Reading Kristen Metson
Rarely do I feel drawn to a character as quickly as I did in my second outing with Georgette Heyer, Simon the Coldheart. Set in the early 15th century, we meet Simon, a young boy of fourteen, setting out to find his way in the world. He is a bastard son of the Lord of Malvallet and he chooses to join the household of the lord’s rival, Lord Fulk of Montlice. He doesn’t do this out of malice but because he wants to have no advantages given to him based on anything but his own merit. Simon quickly endears himself to Fulk and his son Alan while holding his own emotions close. He uses his honesty and his strength to gain the allegiances and respect of all of the men he works with. Eventually, Simon proves himself indispensable to Fulk, his own half-brother Geoffrey, the young Prince Henry and his father, King Henry IV. Eventually, he heads to France to fight for England and to finally find love with the feisty Margaret.

It is very satisfying to follow Simon from youth to adulthood as he makes his own fortune and future. This is a fast-paced book — quite different from many historical fictions. Heyer doesn’t show off all the historical research she did by writing elaborate descriptions. There aren’t any long battle scenes to bog down the narrative as there are in some other historical tomes. Heyer really focuses on her plots and it makes for a satisfying read. If you need a good initiation into historical fiction, I strongly recommend this one.

My Friend Amy Amy Riley
I read The Reluctant Widow earlier this year and loved it. I thought it was delightfully humorous. So when the opportunity to review another Georgette Heyer book came along, I eagerly accepted. (because let’s face it..the only books getting read in my life right now are review books)

I decided to branch out a little and try the historical fiction. And I’m so so glad I did, because I don’t think I could have possibly loved this book more. Right away, I liked Simon the Coldheart, the man whose will was so strong every thing he set out to do he accomplished. In this way, there is not much mystery to Simon he is simply very driven, although he is fair. He seems to earn the respect and allegiance of those around him, yet he never falls for any woman even past the old age of 30. :)

However, when he comes against a woman with an equally strong will, who is also very clever, he finds that perhaps he can fall in love after all and winning her heart becomes the most important conquest of all.

I really enjoyed every page of this read. It was full of adventure and action, great humor, and the perfect sort of romance. I also enjoyed the deep friendship between Alan, Geoffrey, and Simon. I didn’t want to put it down and feel that I could dive into another Heyer novel right now.

Now imagine my surprise when I started looking at a few other reviews and learned that Georgette Heyer actually didn’t like this book and didn’t want it republished initially. Some other reviews seem to suggest other readers feel this is far from her best. I guess that means I have much to look forward to, and it just goes to show there’s a reader for every book, because I very much loved this book and pretty much smiled through the entire second half. What more could you want from a book?

If you are participating in the Buy Books for the Holidays campaign, I recommend you look into some of the reprints Sourcebooks has been doing of Heyer books for the regency romance lover in your life. The books are beautiful editions and the content couldn’t be more pleasing. Check out Simon the Coldheart on Amazon.

Ex Libris Sharon Goforth
When one thinks of Georgette Heyer, one automatically thinks of Regency romance. Granted, it represents the majority of her work, but it is not by any means all she wrote. Heyer wrote several historical fiction novels that take place in other time periods, of which Simon the Coldheart is one.

Simon the Coldheart takes place in 15th century England, when 14 year-old Simon of Beauvallet arrives on the doorstep of the Lord of Montlice looking for a position in his household as a page or squire. The bastard son of Montlice’s enemy, Malvallet, Simon quickly works his way up through the ranks as first a page, then a squire. But it is when Montlice goes to battle for the King that Simon shows his true mettle as a soldier and a leader. He earns the respect of the King and the prince, and is made a knight, and eventually becomes a lord with his own property. Simon proves himself indispensable to Montlice and the King with his strength, seriousness, and sense of justice. He earns the nickname, "Coldheart", because of this.

Simon meets his match, however, when he goes to France to take over Belremy for the King of England. He does not count on one Lady Margaret, who proves to be every bit as strong, cunning and stubborn as he is. She will not give in, nor give up, without a fight.

I loved this book. There is action on every page. Heyer puts so much detail into everything - the battles, the scenes of daily life, even the dialog. I simply did not want to put it down.

Special thanks to Danielle Jackson of Sourcebooks for the opportunity to read another wonderful Georgette Heyer novel!

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Specs / Support

Trade Paper Specfications

• Length: 8.00 in
• Width: 5.25 in
• Height: 0.00 in
• Weight: 15.00 oz
• Page Count: 352 pages