First in a Series about the Magnificent Eleanor of Aquitaine
Set in the 12th century, this is the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine, who at 13 lost her fatFirst in a Series about the Magnificent Eleanor of Aquitaine
Set in the 12th century, this is the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine, who at 13 lost her father and was forced to marry the young Prince Louis of France. A week after the marriage she becomes a queen. Louis is a disappointment to the intelligent young queen, preferring his devotion to the church to her or much else. In addition, she has a mother-in-law no one would want. Her sister Petronella is self-willed and Eleanor must deal with her as well.
Eleanor gives birth to a daughter (to Louis’ disappointment) and then he forces her to go on Crusade with him because he does not trust her with France while he is away. With their marriage in trouble ,Eleanor falls in love with an old flame and, missing Aquitaine, seeks an annulment from her marriage.
This is another well-written historical novel by Chadwick based on much research into some truly interesting characters, Eleanor being the primary one. I enjoyed it. It’s the first in her Eleanor of Aquitaine trilogy. Henry of Anjou only shows up toward the end and one must read book 2 for their marriage.
The Summer Queen The Winter Crown The Autumn Throne ...more
Courageous Irish Lass, the Great Famine and Ireland’s Fight for Freedom
March is Irish month on Historical Romance Review and I’m starting one that briCourageous Irish Lass, the Great Famine and Ireland’s Fight for Freedom
March is Irish month on Historical Romance Review and I’m starting one that brings the Irish heart to the fore. It’s a great story set in the time of Ireland’s famine (1845-1852) and the people’s rising for freedom from the English who had virtually enslaved them.
The story begins in 1840 when Grace is a young girl and happy with her family and her cousins. First she loses her mother and her brother is injured in an accident, leaving her father, Patrick, a broken man.
Less than a decade later, Grace’s father arranges a marriage to an English squire, a landowner who has had and lost two wives already. The marriage will save their family from financial ruin yet deprive her of the Irish lad she might have had, Morgan McDonagh.
Grace dutifully complies and marries Bram Donnelly, who turns out to be a cruel man with a temper who beats her. With political violence sweeping through Ireland and the potato blight destroying lives, she secretly sides with the Young Irelanders, among them her crippled brother, Sean, and Morgan who becomes a rebel leader—the man who has loved her since they were both young.
This is a well-told tale based on much research so you are brought into the terrible times Ireland faced. The English stood by and did nothing, imprisoning (or killing) those who couldn’t pay their rent. One million people died and more than a million fled the country. Moore vividly portrays the famine that led to the growing movement in Ireland for independence. She gives the reader wonderfully courageous characters. At 461 pages it’s a long book but so worth reading.
And you’ll want to have books 2 and 3 as the story continues. It’s historical fiction but it’s also historical romance. It will tear at your heart to experience all that comes to Grace, both love and tragedy. And she brings the faith of the Irish people to center stage which I loved. It was very encouraging.
Possibly the Best Contemporary Romance! And Best McNaught! This is a five star romance from beginning to end--no weak spots anywhere. I prefer historicPossibly the Best Contemporary Romance! And Best McNaught! This is a five star romance from beginning to end--no weak spots anywhere. I prefer historicals and after reading some of McNaught’s, and loving them, I decided to try her contemporaries. (I have since read all of hers!) This is the story of Meredith, a young wealthy heiress to a department store chain based in Chicago and the son of a poor family. Matt has brains and a fierce determination to accomplish the ultimate success he wants so badly. On one July 4th, they meet and find passion and young love unexpectedly. Though neither is really ready for it, they are forced to marry only to be separated by circumstances and deep hurt that keeps them apart for 11 years. By that time, he has become the head of a corporate empire and she is the interim President of her family's flagship store. Both are wounded souls who have nothing but disdain for each other, believing each has betrayed the other. Ah, but true love will conquer all--and in this well told tale, it does.
I loved Matt, a hero to die for: handsome and rugged, never wavering in either his love for Meredith or his willingness to fight for what he wants--including her. I liked Meredith's courage and her willingness to "go on" despite what life has thrown at her to make something of her life. And I loved her softer side that added compassion to a successful businesswoman's strength. The fact that she looked like a "young Grace Kelly" wasn’t bad either.
This story has great depth, wonderful characters, meaningful scenes and naturally intriguing action. I laughed and I cried. It is definitely a keeper, one to be re-read and enjoyed again and again--a truly excellent romance. I did not want it to end. You will not be disappointed! Here's the whole Paradise Series--the rest are excellent, too:
1. Paradise (1991) 2. Perfect (1993) 3. Night Whispers (1998) 4. Someone to Watch Over Me (2003) 5. Every Breath You Take (2005) 6. Someone Like You (formerly entitled: Can't Take My Eyes Off of You)...more
A Keeper of a Medieval Romance set in 13th-century Wales
Gryff was a Welshman raised as a noble hostage in the Norman court. Now he hides his true idenA Keeper of a Medieval Romance set in 13th-century Wales
Gryff was a Welshman raised as a noble hostage in the Norman court. Now he hides his true identity, saying only that he is a falconer, while he flees from one danger to another, longing to return to his homeland. (The word “Hiraeth” comes up repeatedly, meaning the Welsh concept of longing for home.) Meanwhile, a beautiful woman, who is very good with knives, saves him from a pack of villains.
Nan has no doubt the ragged Welshman she has saved was born to better things, far different from the servant’s life she has led. For one thing, his speech is more proper. Nan has suffered much and was always saved by women. That part of the story is intriguing, I must say, and so well done.
Nan’s first priority is to find her younger sister, who was lost to her long ago. Alas, that will prove a disappointing task as Nan discovers they are now very different women.
Rich in history, this story reflects much research on England and Wales in the 13th century and on falconry and Wales’ part in raising the noble birds. It’s also very well told, capturing the medieval era perfectly. I love Kingston’s writing, the emotion in her characters and the complex motives that compel them forward to their fate.
This is definitely a keeper, a true love story of the genre and so much deeper than most. I guess you can say I loved it!...more
A Post Civil War Romance with Great Heart…a Keeper!
Set in Texas in 1876, this is the story of two wounded souls. Broken by the horrors she has seen inA Post Civil War Romance with Great Heart…a Keeper!
Set in Texas in 1876, this is the story of two wounded souls. Broken by the horrors she has seen in the Civil War, and hoping for a new life, Amelia Carson agrees to become the mail order bride of budding Texas rancher, Dallas Leigh. Since he was injured by an untamed stallion, he sends his brother, Houston, to fetch Amelia from the train station in Ft. Worth.
Houston has been gravely scarred from his time in the war and only reluctantly agrees to bring Dallas’ bride to the ranch. In the month-long journey, they face the trials of the road: snakes, storms and flooding rivers—and they fall in love.
Houston fights his attraction for Amelia, knowing he must deliver her untouched. But they have grown close and, when they arrive at the ranch, Dallas notices.
This is a wonderful, well-told story that kept me turning pages. The descriptions of the dangers Houston and Amelia face are so well done, they’ll have you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well developed and the stage is set for the next two stories of Dallas and the younger brother, Austin.
Wonderful Story of a Jaded Duke and a Feisty Urchin he “Buys” for His Page
This has to be one of my favorites by Heyer. Set in the 18th century in theWonderful Story of a Jaded Duke and a Feisty Urchin he “Buys” for His Page
This has to be one of my favorites by Heyer. Set in the 18th century in the time of Louis XV, this is the story of Justin Alastair, Duke of Avon, who, because of this reputation as a debauched rake, is dubbed “Satanas”.
Late one evening, the Duke stumbles across Leon, a red-headed urchin fleeing a certain beating from his brother who is a tavern owner in a bad part of town. Finding the urchin of keen interest, Avon buys the boy and makes him his page. But it soon becomes clear to Avon that Leon is not what he seems. For one thing, 19-year-old “Leon” can read and write and he speaks very well. His features are refined, too.
The duke has a score to settle with an enemy and knows this redheaded page is somehow tied into that family. Avon must unravel the mystery. But the jaded duke doesn’t count on falling in love with the waif who turns out to be a beautiful young woman named Leonie.
A well-told, clever and, at times, funny story I really enjoyed. Witty dialog, intrigue and treachery abound. Great characters populate the pages. The only thing I kept asking myself is how everyone missed that Leonie had to be menstruating by this time in her life. (And what the title had to do with the story.) But, oh well, those are minor points. Highly recommended.
Great Story, Well Told set on the Eve of the American Revolution
Set in 1776, this is the story of Jacob Dare, a half Indian backwoodsman, who is in nGreat Story, Well Told set on the Eve of the American Revolution
Set in 1776, this is the story of Jacob Dare, a half Indian backwoodsman, who is in need of a wife. He wants one from the gentry to bring a lady’s refinement to his rustic home and having seen Lady Catriona Kilcairn, he decides to have her.
Jacob finds a way to manipulate Catriona into accepting his proposal. He will allow her loyalist father to avoid the American Oath of Allegiance, thus saving their colonial home. Catriona thought she would marry the aristocratic Barrett Fairfax, an Englishman, but to save her home she will marry the rough Jacob Dare.
Jacob’s settlement deep in the woods is far from her home and nothing like Catriona imagined. Worse, he expects her to cook and clean, which she has never done. Their wedding night is not a gentle wooing either. Undaunted, Catriona’s spirit rises to the occasion and she wins the respect of all. While there is great chemistry between Jacob and Catriona, there are no words of love. And when she finds Jacob has not fulfilled his part of their bargain and the rebels burn her family’s home, she decides to leave him.
This is a great story and well told, bringing the frontier life to the page and giving us a love story on the eve of the revolution to savor. Two proud people come together for an exciting tale. Jacob is a wonderful hero, strong and stoic and successful in all he sets his mind to. Cat is a loyal Scot of noble background who would sacrifice herself for her family. In the end, both Cat and Jacob will give up something close to their hearts to please the other even as they are planning to separate.
A worthy tale based on solid research into the era and set on the eve of the American Revolution. Highly recommended. ...more
4 and 1/2 Stars! Unique Western Historical Romance is Delightful
Set in Sweetwater Springs, Montana, presumably in the last quarter of the 19th century4 and 1/2 Stars! Unique Western Historical Romance is Delightful
Set in Sweetwater Springs, Montana, presumably in the last quarter of the 19th century (no date is given), this is the story of Annie Fitzgerald, one of three Fitzgerald daughters orphaned and raised on a ranch by a good woman. When Annie is just a kid, she has an encounter with 10-year-old Luke Barstow, who tries to help her land a fish and ends up being scolded by Annie. So he puts a frog down her dress.
Ten years later, after living in South Carolina with her sisters, Annie returns to Sweetwater Springs to run the ranch that is now hers. Luke has become a respected and wealthy man and when he encounters Annie, he sees a feisty gal, but one who has grown into a beauty with a lady’s manners.
The first thing I noticed about this story was the author's unique “voice”. She repeats names and “head hops” between characters in rapid succession to give you a sense for all that is happening. Flitting through everyone’s head was confusing at first. And the failure to have any paragraph breaks between dialog or different characters’ thoughts made reading the story a challenge. But once I overcame all that, I quite liked the story and it held my interest. I would even say I have become a fan of Ms. Platt.
The back and forth between Luke and Annie is priceless and, at times, funny. Both are strong characters. And there are many exciting passages as bad guys, who want Annie’s ranch, use various methods to try and take it from her. But Luke is her constant protector, always there in the background, helping her. The chemistry is very subtle.
Some of the author’s comparisons made me laugh out loud. I particularly liked the one where she said the slow-moving coach traveled at the pace of a sick snail. Ha!
Now that I’ve adjusted to her style, I would look forward to reading another by this author. There are two more in the Fitzgerald series: Elaine’s Escape is out now and the story of the third sister, Louisa, is planned....more
Superb, Exciting, Enthralling William the Conqueror Romance!
First published under Heather’s pen name, Shannon Drake, this is one of those historical rSuperb, Exciting, Enthralling William the Conqueror Romance!
First published under Heather’s pen name, Shannon Drake, this is one of those historical romances that sweeps you away from the beginning and holds you captive until the last page. I could not put it down. Set in 11th century England and Normandy, it tells the story of William the Conqueror, the bastard duke of Normandy, who would be king of England following Edward the Confessor's death.
The prologue is 33 pages and begins with the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and its immediate aftermath. Alaric, the bastard Count of Anlou, has served William since he was 12. He celebrates with his master as victory is finally theirs. Fallon, the beautiful Saxon princess, daughter of King Harold Godwinson, sees her father and uncles dead, her betrothed lost to her, and her country ravaged by the dreaded Normans. Then Alaric, who takes her from the battlefield where she is wielding a sword with the best of the warriors, claims her innocence and her honor making her his whore.
Fallon has lost everything and, trust me, you will feel the loss along with her. But she and Alaric have a long history, going back to her childhood when he was a young knight. Even then she hated Normans.
After the prologue, the story goes back in time to the original conception of William and first meeting with Alaric. Alaric becomes William's champion and a valiant warrior and commander of William's knights as they take Normandy and then cast their eyes toward England.
Alaric is in and out of Fallon's life as she grows up and each time they meet it is a tempestuous encounter. She is proud and willful and fiercely loyal to her father, her people and England. He is a Norman bastard who will not give an inch, though he is known by all to be an honorable knight. But England will be conquered and the Saxons will be subdued. Alaric is bitter toward women since he was betrayed by his wife. So, while he desires Fallon, he will not love her and he wants no wife again.
Fallon hates Alaric for all he has taken from her, but now she is his prisoner and his woman whether she likes it or not. Though Alaric doesn't love her, he has claimed her and will not let her go. So, escape becomes her passion.
It's another excellent historical tale by Heather Graham with history woven in so well you do not feel you are getting a history lesson but you will come away with a clear feel for what England experienced at the hands of the Conqueror. The tapestry of characters is rich and the characters well developed. The sexual tension is very high (nearly constant) and the action is fast moving. A great bodice ripper and a serious historical.
I highly recommend it; it’s on my keeper shelf. ...more
Exciting Story of Love Among the Smugglers of Rye with Pirates, Sea Captains and a Wonderful Heroine
Set in 1810, this exciting story is rich in historExciting Story of Love Among the Smugglers of Rye with Pirates, Sea Captains and a Wonderful Heroine
Set in 1810, this exciting story is rich in history of the Napoleonic era and the smugglers that made Rye, England famous. It’s also the story of Tess Leighton, impoverished by her father’s debts, who becomes the leader of the Rye smugglers to feed the people and take care of her ancestral home, which is falling down around her.
By night, she runs a dangerous game, one step ahead of the government agents who seek the death of the one called “the Romney Fox”, a smuggler whose calling card is a black rose. In her sleep Tess suffers nightmares from the time her father locked her in the cellars and spiders crawled over her.
After crucial military secrets are discovered being sent to Napoleon, London Viscount Ravenhurst, a hero of Trafalgar, is dispatched to catch the spy. Ravenhurst and Tess have a history: once they were in love. Each felt betrayed by the other and now they are enemies. Worse, he believes she is involved in sending English gold to France, prolonging the war. But neither can deny the passion that still sizzles between them.
He takes her innocence when she is drugged but vows to wed her. She will have nothing to do with him.
Then Tess is betrayed and finds herself the captive of Andre Le Brix, a notorious smuggler pirate, who would claim her as his own. In his arms, she finds the love and peace she seeks.
A very exciting, well-written story of sea captains, pirates and smugglers swirling around Rye and the beautiful Tess.
Yes, it’s a bodice ripper but it will keep you turning pages. Great dialog, wonderful characters, a very courageous heroine. What’s not to love? It’s a keeper.
Note: I understand the author has revised and re-released this as Seven Nights with a Pirate. Some reviews say it’s not as good as the original, which is the one I read. I cannot judge the new one, but I loved this original. ...more
4 and 1/2 Stars - Brilliant Telling of Love in the midst of Terrible Times in King John’s England
October is Medieval month on the blog and I’m beginni4 and 1/2 Stars - Brilliant Telling of Love in the midst of Terrible Times in King John’s England
October is Medieval month on the blog and I’m beginning with a great story.
Set in 13th century England, this 6th in the William Marshal/Bigod series is the story of Mahelt Marshall, the eldest daughter of William and Isabelle Marshall, and her marriage to Hugh Bigod, heir to the earldom of Norfolk. If you read The Greatest Knight and The Scarlet Lion first, you will have a solid foundation for this story.
The villain of the story is King John, a cruel tyrant, a murderer of children and a despoiler of women, particularly those wed to his barons. But this is also the love story of Mahelt and Hugh and how their love survived those horrible times. Mahelt is spirited and courageous, like her father and Hugh is a steady, loyal man who loves his wife.
The story begins as the young Mahelt is taken into the Bigod family to be protected until her marriage to Hugh. Then her brothers become King John’s hostages and Mahelt and Hugh are quickly married as her father leaves for his property in Ireland. She must grow up and quickly to handle all she is presented with, including a father-in-law who treats her like chattel.
When King John sets out to subdue the Bigods and her young son is taken hostage, Mahelt faces a heartbreaking battle, fearing neither she, nor her marriage, will survive.
A brilliant weaving of historical fact with fiction that brings this period in England’s history to life. I thoroughly enjoyed it....more
Enthralling Saga of a White Woman’s Love for a Cheyenne Warrior
Set in the mid 19th century in Wyoming, this is the story of Sarah Wise, the spoiled SoEnthralling Saga of a White Woman’s Love for a Cheyenne Warrior
Set in the mid 19th century in Wyoming, this is the story of Sarah Wise, the spoiled Southern belle daughter of General Wise, who indulged his only child. So when she asked to go into the West with him and his men, he finally agreed. And so begins the tale of Sarah’s new life.
As they move deeper into the frontier, Sarah begins to change, as she must accept hardships of the road. She dare not complain, as it was she who insisted on coming along.
At Fort Laramie, the young Cheyenne chief Night Hawk sees Sarah and knows instantly the redhead he calls “Flame” is his soul mate. Sarah recognizes him from a dream she has had, one of many dreams that tell of future events, and is frightened. Little does she know that she is about to become his captive.
Night Hawk steals her away and soon makes her his wife, giving Sarah no choice in the matter. Having taken his dead brother’s wife Little Rabbit into his tipi. Sarah mistakenly assumes the pregnant squaw is his wife in truth but Night Hawk merely shelters his dead brother’s pregnant wife. Little Rabbit resents Sarah and is jealous of the love Night Hawk shows the white woman.
Hart kept me on the edge of my seat reading all that happens to Sarah and the Cheyenne over the next few years. There are many twists and turns as Sarah makes a new life among the Cheyenne, tries to escape, discovers her gift of dreams makes her a “Dreamer” to the Cheyenne and greatly prized. She grows up and falls in love with her respected Cheyenne warrior husband. And Night Hawk never flags in his love for her, save for when she tries to escape and he believes she has betrayed him.
Hart’s deep research into the Cheyenne people comes through as we experience all that it means to live among them. She brings the era to life and adventure to the page. I highly recommend this story!...more
Enthralling Story of Star-crossed Love Amidst the Jacobite Uprising of 1745
Set in 1745, in the time of feuds between the clans and the Scottish suppoEnthralling Story of Star-crossed Love Amidst the Jacobite Uprising of 1745
Set in 1745, in the time of feuds between the clans and the Scottish support for Bonnie Prince Charlie, this is the story of Katherine Fraser who falls in love with the eldest son of her family’s enemy—the MacDonalds. James MacDonald had a horrible reputation of cattle stealing, killing and debauchery when he met the lovely, flame-haired Katherine Fraser. For love of her, he changed. Neither family wanted the marriage but agreed to a betrothal when they could see the pair was determined.
Then came Charles Stuart and the call to arms all over Scotland. Having lost all in the earlier rising in 1715, Katherine’s family declined to go. Their enemies, the MacDonalds, were in the forefront of the clans supporting the prince. In one horrible act, James tears asunder the love that bound him to Katherine and sealed forever the enmity between his clan and hers.
This is a poignant love story very well told. Anthony vividly portrays the emotions of the Scots at the time of the Jacobite Uprising of 1745 and her description of the English slaughter of the Scots on Culloden Moor was brilliant and detailed. By the time you get there, you are so invested in the characters and the clans, your heart is racing.
The romance is an unusual one as James and Katherine are separated for much of the story, yet ever in each other’s mind. I loved them both but Katherine really shined as a woman trying to do the right thing under dismal circumstances. The ending is a bit like jumping off a cliff and I found I wanted more of the two of them.
If you like well researched, detailed history in your historical romance, and you can’t get enough of Scotland at this time, then you will love this one. Highly recommended. ...more
Suspenseful Love Story of a Campbell and a MacGregor in 18th Century France and Scotland
This is not my first by Malcolm and there is a reason. She wriSuspenseful Love Story of a Campbell and a MacGregor in 18th Century France and Scotland
This is not my first by Malcolm and there is a reason. She writes great stories.
Set in France and Scotland in 1764, this is the story of Kat MacGregor, daughter of the banished MacGregor clan who promised her dying mother she would care for her siblings, both older than Kat. For five years she has fought to protect her ailing younger brother and her vulnerable older sister, knowing that if their identity as MacGregors is discovered once they return to Scotland, they could die.
Sir Darach Campbell, Lord of Strathrannoch and Glengrian, knows Kat holds the secret to his missing brother, Riach, and so intends to hold the “ragged chit” close. In front of witnesses, he announces he and Kat are wed. In Scotland, that constituted a valid marriage. Once he decided to make her his wife, Darach begins to acknowledge the fascination he had for her from the first moment he looked into her green eyes five years before in France.
So begins a tug of war as Kat tries to escape to get back to her brother and sister and Darach fearlessly hangs on, all the while trying to solve the mystery behind his wee bride and his missing brother.
I loved both the hero and the heroine. Kat is young but fearless, clever and undaunted by the young Campbell lord. Darach is tenacious yet tender with Kat (well, most of the time). While there is not much history, you can tell Malcolm has done her research with the Gaelic sprinkled throughout and the fear that was real for any MacGregor.
Malcolm does a superb job of keeping us in suspense and turning pages. It’s a great read and highly recommended for readers who love deeper Scottish historicals, which I do. Malcolm is also the author of The Taming, book 1 in the Cameron trilogy, which I also recommend. I consider them all “keepers”. ...more
Superb Storytelling and a Keeper—a Highland Love that Survives the Massacre of Glencoe!
Roberson's Lady of the Glen has everything I love in a ScottishSuperb Storytelling and a Keeper—a Highland Love that Survives the Massacre of Glencoe!
Roberson's Lady of the Glen has everything I love in a Scottish historical romance: an epic love story, a noble hero, a strong heroine, real history (the massacre of Glencoe), attention to detail and enough suspense and drama to keep me turning pages. And a wonderful hero and heroine. Even the music of the Highlands is included. I could hear the pipes and their mournful sound as Roberson described them. This is a classic and on my Top 10 list.
The story begins in 1682 when Catriona (“Cat”) Campbell first encounters Alasdair (“Dair”) Og MacDonald. She is an awkward, uncomely girl raised like one of her brothers by her drunken father, but Dair pays her a compliment when no one else does, telling her that she has “bonnie eyes…all bluey-green and bright. The sort of eyes a Highlander likes to come home to.” How could Cat ever forget him after that? Not even though he is one of the dreaded MacDonalds, the enemies of clan Campbell, could she fail to harbor a tenderness for him.
Much happens in this intricately woven tale that spans a decade. It’s the time when King James was exiled to France and William and Mary ruled England. The Scots battle each other as much as the English. Grey John Campbell, Earl of Breadalbane seeks to be the power behind the throne and he thinks it is William who will sit on that throne. He exerts his influence to unite the clans, pretending to support King Jamie, while planning on serving the Highland clans on a silver platter to William. The clans don’t trust him but the lairds have little choice, seeing the English Ft. William erected as a symbol of the English dominance.
Famous battles like Killiecrankie are vividly described as Dair fights with the MacDonalds of Glencoe and the Stewarts of Appin. Both the MacDonalds and the Campbells kill each other’s young men caught reeving cattle. Dair saves Cat from harm, and she saves his life. All this while another woman shares Dair’s bed. Then Cat’s father agrees to wed her to the Earl of Breadalbane’s son, Duncan Campbell in exchange for money to pay his many debts.
Perhaps the most intense moment is the Massacre of Glencoe when the treachery of the Campbells joins with English, including the king, to murder nearly the entire clan of the Glencoe MacDonalds without provocation. Still remembered to this day, the massacre of Glencoe was a great perfidy on the part of the Campbells and England. A very sad chapter in Scotland’s history. As Roberson says of Glencoe, “’Tis a glen of sorrows, an empty place of blood and broken stone, of charred timber and burial cairns.”
I did not want to put this one down. Based on considerable research, the author truly captured the heart of the Highlands. The characters she vividly portrays bring to life one of the most incredible periods of Scotland’s history.
If you love Scotland and real Highlander romance—the deep ones—you will love this book! It does have a happy ending, too.
Wonderful, Witty Romance & a Handsome, Hungarian Prince in Italy, Switzerland and Hungary!
Set in 1847, beginning in Rhode Island and New York but thenWonderful, Witty Romance & a Handsome, Hungarian Prince in Italy, Switzerland and Hungary!
Set in 1847, beginning in Rhode Island and New York but then going to Italy, Switzerland and Hungary, this is the story of Eliza Hilliard, the daughter of a wealthy merchant. Eliza is a talented artist who sees much, partly because she was left lame from a riding accident as a child and understands pain. When Princess Elizabeth (Bette) Von Schmerling comes to America seeking a wife for her nephew, Prince Miklos Sztarai of Hungary, Eliza’s mother leaps at the offer made to her daughter.
By proxy, Eliza is to marry a man she has never met, one she envisions as fat and blustering. She is willing to do it because the terms of the contract provide she can get out of the marriage if she wishes when she meets the prince and will get a large settlement—and the marriage can’t be consummated without mutual assent. Happy with her books and her art, Eliza jumps at the chance to be free from her controlling mother.
In Northern Italy, Eliza finally meets her new husband where he is staying at Lake Como. A handsome, golden-haired prince, he is also a former colonel in the Hungarian army and orders her about while holding her at arm’s distance.
Monson brings great humor and witticisms to the fore with Eliza’s musings about her husband. Eliza is only 16 but canny and wise. The dialog is witty, often brilliant. Neither Eliza nor Miklos wants the marriage. He is skeptical about Eliza’s reasons for entering the marriage and until he figures it out, he will not let her go, but he will not consummate the marriage either. Eliza is happy about that since she wants out.
Monson’s presentation of the budding respect and affection of these two prickly people is brilliant. I just loved it. And the secondary characters and historical figures are so well done, providing a rich tapestry of historical detail. I relish a romance where the author takes the time (and the pages) to slowly develop a believable relationship. The secondary characters are well drawn, including Miklos’ mistress, a great beauty who wonders at the appeal of the skinny American girl.
As they travel through Europe, Eliza discovers Miklos’ secrets and finally has to admit she loves him. And then revolution erupts and they are caught up in the fight for Hungary's independence. The story reflects great research into the history of Hungary. Historical figures join the fictional characters for some exciting scenes.
It's a wonderful read and highly recommended. Oh, and yes, it's a bodice ripper but they are married. ...more
Absorbing Story from New Zealand in the Late Victorian Era
Two authors I greatly admire, Heather Graham and Cordia Byers, recommended this book to me. Absorbing Story from New Zealand in the Late Victorian Era
Two authors I greatly admire, Heather Graham and Cordia Byers, recommended this book to me. I am so glad they did. Though it was published in 1960 (I bought it used on Amazon), it is a worthy story readers will enjoy today (with one caveat you’ll see below). It will definitely be on my list of the Best Historical Romances Set in Exotic Locales, which I’ll be posting later this month.
Set in the late Victorian period, the story tells of Briar Johnson, who as a baby was found in a cold ditch by the side of the road clutched in the arms of what was presumably her dead mother. Briar was fortunate to be raised in the home of a schoolmaster who found her intelligent and taught her to speak well and read the classics. When he dies, she takes a position as a maid and sails away to New Zealand with two young ladies sent by their family to find proper husbands.
Beautiful Briar (named after the briar rose) determines she will one day have the finer things in life, the life she believes she was meant for. So, when the opportunity comes, she attends a ball that would be forbidden to her and dons a mask for a masked game that has the men picking prospective brides. Alas, she did not get the man she wanted. Instead, she got the hard Saul Whitmore, cousin to an earl and wealthy in his own right with a sheep ranch and the finest house in the area deep in the wild country.
Saul, at his mother’s urging, intends to take a wife, but most of the women he meets are insipid creatures who can only talk of gowns and parties. In Briar, he sees a woman who has a fire in her green eyes that intrigues him. So he determines to have her. With few options and urged on by all, Briar accepts his proposal of marriage even though she hates the hard man who mocks her at every turn. The title, “Sleep in the Woods” was used twice in the book, once as a euphemism for death, the death that was all around the pioneers living in Taranaki in the shadow of Mt. Egmont on the North Island of New Zealand. When they were under siege by a renegade band of Maoris, the Reverend prayed: “Grant us to live, and not to sleep in these woods, unless that be Thy will. If we must die, let us do so bravely…” But then later, Briar remembers a passage from Ezekiel 34: “…they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods,” which gives a more favorable aspect to the title and comports with the excellent and very happy ending. Suspenseful action is infused throughout this well-researched story. Wonderful characters populate every page. Beautiful descriptions of both flora and fauna are tucked in without you really being aware. And the hero and heroine are striking. Saul, a man whose strength enabled him to carve out a destiny in New Zealand’s wild country, was a worthy hero, though often harsh. Briar, grasping at the security Saul’s wealth provided, had a tender heart for all. She was the mistress of his house and the courage of the people as they faced hardship and death. I could not help but love her.
The only thing this story lacked—and might have been better for it—were love scenes. So much emotion was left in the dark. What Saul and Briar shared in bed might have told us their real feelings for each other when their words did not. An entire wedding night was summed up with one word, “Afterward.” There is even a bodice-ripping scene rather late in the book but, without the follow through, it was a bit obscure. But one must make allowances for its year of publication—1960.
Still, it’s a great classic and a worthy read—and set in an exotic locale!
A Love Story in 19th century Burma and a Wild Ride!
Set in Rangoon in the era of Queen Victoria, it tells the story of Lysistrata Herriott who travels A Love Story in 19th century Burma and a Wild Ride!
Set in Rangoon in the era of Queen Victoria, it tells the story of Lysistrata Herriott who travels with her doctor father from Boston to the other side of the world—a place where she could escape her relatives and her past. From the very beginning of the story, we know Lysistrata is fearless when she takes off with the locals in a strange country. She is also courageous and altruistic, becoming a nurse in the hospital where people of color are treated for cholera.
In Rangoon, Lysistrata meets the other Europeans and witnesses the racial discrimination that exists around her, for Rangoon is a place of many cultures: Burmese, Indian, Chinese and, of course, the British.
Richard Harley (“Ram Kachwaha” to the Burmese) is an enigma, the son of an English nobleman and an Indian princess, who his father captured but never wed. Handsome and rich, Harley is accepted into the European society, but he maintains his ties to the other side and observes his boundaries. He wants Lysistrata, but knows he cannot have her in the public’s eye. And because he does not want to love her, he treats her as if he doesn’t care, that is until he captures her and takes her to his palace deep in the jungle, where he tells her she may leave only when he is dead. But Lysistrata is intent on escape…
This story has an intricate plot that brings you into the exotic world of Burma: Rangoon and its other cities, the teaming jungles, its diverse culture and its wild rivers. As Harley takes Lysistrata to his palace, they encounter perilous paths, thugs and wild beasts. You’ll feel the heat, experience the monsoon season and climb treacherous mountain passes. It has great action scenes and a courtroom drama near the end that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Lysistrata is a very worthy heroine, and Harley is a mysterious figure who intrigues. The dialog is brilliant, and there are some wonderful one-liners. One of my favorites is uttered by Lysistrata when, in a humorous mood, she tries to discredit Harley after she has had a bit too much to drink: “Any man who filches women is bound to cheat at cards.”
It’s is a long book (464 pages) but the story kept me turning pages. Not quite as coherent as STORMFIRE, it is nevertheless marvelous. (I wanted a list of characters, a map and a glossary for all the foreign terms that were not defined.) If you want to experience Burma in the late 19th century, this book will take you there. I recommend it. ...more
A Brilliant Story of Scotland’s Past Affecting its Future & Two Intertwined Love Stories. A Keeper!
This was an unusual story for me. With a few notablA Brilliant Story of Scotland’s Past Affecting its Future & Two Intertwined Love Stories. A Keeper!
This was an unusual story for me. With a few notable exceptions, I don’t generally read time travel historical novels. And it’s difficult to characterize this one. It’s not straight historical romance, nor is it historical fiction, nor is it paranormal/fantasy or even time travel as such, yet it has elements of all these.
Part of the story is set in modern Scotland and part in early 18th century Scotland where, in the spring of 1708, an invading Jacobite fleet of French and Scottish soldiers nearly succeeded in landing the exiled James Stewart in Scotland to reclaim his crown. The story is also told in two voices, one in the first person (Carrie, the writer in modern times) and the other in the 3rd person, the voice of the heroine from Carrie’s family’s past and Scotland’s, Sophia Paterson.
Key in the telling of both stories is Slains Castle, a ruined castle in Aberdeenshire, overlooking the North Sea from its cliff-top site east of Cruden Bay.
As her writing proceeds, Carrie begins to realize she is not just inventing a story set in history but experiencing the memories of her long-ago relative. Sophia meets and falls in love with Mr. Moray, the Jacobite who works to bring the king back to Scotland. And Carrie develops a tendre for Graham Keith, the oldest son of her landlord. The parallels of the two stories and the two romances are uncanny and add to the intrigue. Both are well-told and had me turning pages. Even though the ending dawned on me early on, the author kept me in suspense, wondering if it would be.
The characters are richly drawn, Graham (Carrie’s love interest,) and Sophia being my favorites. I relished the thought that those who loved both Sophia and Moray were pulling strings for them. The language is beautiful, the descriptions vivid and all are woven together in marvelous fashion.
A Magnificent Love Story That Begins in England and ends in the New World – a Keeper!
This is the first in the North American Women trilogy, a classic A Magnificent Love Story That Begins in England and ends in the New World – a Keeper!
This is the first in the North American Women trilogy, a classic and one of my favorites by Heather Graham. It’s part of the Cameron Saga that I highly recommend. They were the first books I read by Heather that led me to become a huge fan of her historical romances.
It begins in 17th century England and tells of Jasmine ("Jassy") and Jamie. The story follows them to New World (Virginia), which was then very much a wild wilderness, untamed and inhabited by hostile Indians.
Jassy has had a hard life as the bastard daughter of a dead nobleman. When her mother dies for lack of medical attention, Jassy learns of her connections to a noble family and, through a series of events, the family takes her in but treats her as little better than a servant. There she meets the dark Lord Cameron who wants to marry her because she reminds him of his "wild Virginia" where he is building a new life. Jassy is in love with his friend, the charming and fair Robert, but Robert has other plans.
Because Jassy fears dying in poverty like her mother, she consents to wed Jamie even though she is not even sure she likes him. But she is honest and tells him she is marrying him so she will not starve.
Jamie Cameron wants the beautiful Jassy—she makes his blood boil—and he believes she will be strong enough to endure the life in the wilderness where there are still Indians and pressures just to survive. But Jamie does not tell Jassy that he intends to take her to the New World because he knows Jassy wants the security of Jamie's beautiful manor in England.
Can she love a man she hates? Can she forget the fair Robert? Can Jamie love the tavern wench who wants only his wealth? So begins an adventure that is so well told and so well done, I have read it again and again. And the others in the series are equally good.
Heather Graham's writing is superb. Her portrait of wild early America is wonderful. The story pulls you in and does not let you go. There are no slow spots as the action and characters are very real. The sexual tension permeates the book and is very believable. You will love Jassy and Jamie and you will find yourself drawn back to those historical times at the beginning of America. This is a keeper!
The Cameron Saga:
The North American Women trilogy:
Sweet Savage Eden A Pirate's Pleasure Love Not a Rebel
The Civil War trilogy:
One Wore Blue And One Wore Gray And One Rode West...more
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