TEST
If you are looking for a good medieval read, I’d suggest passing this one by. While the hero and heroine are heroic, the plot filled with twists, turns, and danger, the love scenes long and filled with imagery, I remained utterly disengaged throughout the entire read.
How is this possible, you ask? Frankly, I’m not sure. What I am sure of is that this book simply did not work for me. Perhaps together we can discover why as I tell you about the book.
MacKenna Hughes is the de facto leader of her village. She not only cares for her parent-less family after the murder of her father by the King’s over-lord, she cares for the village as well. Brave warrior Lord Thomas Montclaire has been sent by King Edward to secure the castle and village. MacKenna becomes his prisoner, and after he discovers her management skills and incredible intellect, his bailiff (estate manager) as well.
As a sort of rebel leader, MacKenna has sworn to hate the nobility that killed her father and the nobility that failed to bring her father’s murderer to justice. She cannot maintain her hatred of Thomas, however, who, to prevent her from escaping, has her sleep in his chambers. This closeness, in addition to the evidence she sees with her own eyes of his fairness and kindness, troubles her. Making things all the more difficult is that MacKenna has promised the villagers she would marry. By accident, her choice turns out to be. . . Lord Montclaire.
Thomas has his own troubles. He has fallen in love with MacKenna. But he is a warrior through and through and believes he should never marry. Plus, he’s got some guilt over a relationship that ended in tragedy. But by the time he discovers MacKenna has chosen him, he’s worked out that dilemma and forces the marriage. Did he do it for love, or to appease the enemy? We know, but MacKenna is not sure.
She’s not sure because while Thomas is quite perfect, he can’t or won’t help her bring her father’s murder to justice. In fact, if MacKenna knew his orders were simply to secure the area and then turn it over to another of the King’s coterie, she would likely go ballistic. And when Thomas is away on the King’s business and a new overlord comes to town, she does. Making matters worse is that the new overlord is her father’s murderer.
So here we have it. Feisty heroine. Successful yet thoughtful warrior. Nasty villain. Axes to grind. Deceptions. Betrayals. An interesting story-line that should have the reader frantically turning the pages. A consummation scene that goes on forever and should leave the reader hot and bothered.
But this reviewer was not frantically turning the pages. This reviewer was not all hot and bothered. I simply felt nothing for MacKenna or Thomas. I yawned through the love scenes. I gritted my teeth as I worked my way through nearly 400 pages of this book.
Sometimes reading a romance is like taking a steaming hot bath filled with perfumed bubbles surrounded by a myriad of softly lit candles. Reading this romance was more akin to taking a shower and running out of hot water while the shampoo is still in your hair.
Grade: D
Book Type: Medieval Romance
Sensuality: Warm
Review Date: 01/02/97
Publication Date: 1997
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.