Book Description
~ A Defiant Lady ~
In Scotland's darkest hour, an English warrior dressed all in black has come for her. Blessed with the kenning, Lady Tamlyn MacShane foresaw this day, when the ruthless Lord Julian Challon would conquer her land -- and her heart. She is determined to resist him...but she is no match for his strength...or his sensuality...
~ A Resolute Lord ~
To Julian, the proud Scotswoman should be nothing more than a captive. Yet Tamlyn's fiery Beauty ensnares him, body and soul. Now, the warrior known as the Black Dragon is in danger of falling under the spell that cannot be broken---the spell of love....
Customer Reviews:
The union of two predestined warriors in a magical land........2007-09-25
A Restless Knight (The Dragons of Challon, Book 1)
A beautiful romance delivered in an engrossing plot. I loved the character portrayals of the legendary Black Dragon, Lord Julian Challon and Lady Tamlyn MacShane, the mistress of Glenrogha. Two strong yet vulnerable warriors who are predestined for each other. Deborah MacGillivray's narrative deftly illustrates their profound love for each other.
Ms MacGillivray's in-depth insight into Scottish Medieval period is ever present in her detailed descriptions and certainly conveyed me to the magical ambiance of Glenrogha and of the period.
The Challon saga continues with In Her Bed (The Dragons of Challon, Book 2) Damian St Giles and Lady Aithinne Ogilvie, another must read!
PERFECT HERO, MAGNIGICENT HEROINE WONDROUS STORY.......2007-09-15
The fact that this book already has over 40 reviews from enchanted readers tells you that this is an unforgettable story with incredible characters, unbelievable emotion and great sexual tension.
With fabulous narrative and a beautifully developed plot, the story begins the saga of the Dragons of Challon. Set in the period of Scotland's history, full of bloodshed and cruelty at the hand of English King Edward, known as Longshanks, it is a time of savagery but also a time where out of Scotland's darkest hour emerges the face of William Wallace, as a victorious champion for his people.
The story revolves around an English Knight, Julian of Challon, who has lost favor with his English King and the youngest daughter of a Scottish Laird, Tamlyn MacShane. Julian is fleeing the horrors of Berwick, a town massacred by Longshanks to teach a lesson to the Scottish people. The horrors beheld by Julian and two his two bastard brothers is unimaginable - he is plagues by horrid nightmares and he carries the guilt of the death of his youngest brother Christian that also perished at Berwick.
Tamlyn, the youngest of three sisters and gifted with fey knowledge, is awestruck by the visions that she is able to see from Julian's past. In her dreams, she relives Julian at the battle of Berwick and witnesses the death of Christian, so she is aware of the unbelievable pain that Julian is carrying inside.
The development of the story and its characters will leave you breathless with its beauty. Both Julian and Tamlyn are reincarnated lovers from a pagan time and the fey magik is sprinkled throughout the story.
The splendor and lore of the Scottish highlands is retold here with a magickal wand. You can almost smell the heather on the hills and feel the mists of the Loch envelop you as you read. A truly magnificent novel, skillfully executed by this accomplished story teller. You will be waiting with baited breath for all the continuing chapters in the Dragons of Challon.
The story of Damian St Giles, Julia's cousin and of Lady Aithinne Ogilvie, also Tamlyn's cousin is told in the next book "In her Bed" which is already out in paperback.
everything I could want in a Scottish Medieval.......2007-07-20
Set in the year before the body of the movie Braveheart takes places, an English warrior is sent to claim the valley of Glen Shane. The peaceful valley is protected by a magic fog, which keeps all away--except the Black Dragon of Challon. Julian Challon is war weary, he is aging, want a home, sons. He still grieves for the death of his younger brother, just a year or so before. A man who has been a soldier too long, coming to the tranquil holding that is now his feels like coming home. At the end of the journey is Lady Tamlyn MacShane. She is a strong-willed woman, yet has a tender heart...and she is a witch. Just what Julian needs to heal his torn soul.
A wonderful romance that leaves me hungry to the next book in the series.
Just plain wonderful!!.......2007-07-02
Good story, wonderful romance and yummy love scenes. I can't wait for the next book "In Her Bed".
A Breathtakingly Beautiful book!.......2007-02-12
There is no way you could read this book without experiencing everything the characters do. The descriptions are so vivid you'll see the scenes and feel the mist and hear the crackle of the fire. This writer is a definite artist and a automatic buy for me from now on. I loved the characters and was rooting for them from the start. I can't wait for her next book.
Customer Reviews:
Stupid.......2006-10-12
This is just plain Boring with a capital B and Stupid with a capital S. If this is the author's debut novel I hate to see what her next book is like. Yes it's her first novel so I really should giver her a break but this book has nothing to recomend. James is a duke and Richard is after the title and in order to do this he needs to kill James and make it look like a accident. James is sweet but thats about it. She wrote no depth to her characters at all. I found him not the least bit interesting.
And then we have Sarah the oh so boring American who has come to look for her cousin who just happens to be James's friend. Don't you love coincidences. Blah! Sarah was found in a compromising position with James very early on in the book and they then are required to get married but headstrong annoying Sarah says no. And so we go on with her living at James estate I assume to make the story more interesting but it fails to do even that.
And the villian Richard - he was not even a villian, no suspense, no excitment just a couple of hundred pages thrown together to make a stupid book with less than average characters that you care nothing about.
Romantic Adventure.......2006-07-15
The Duke's cousin is crazy and plots his cousin demise. James the Duke of Alvord needs to marry and produce an hire -soon. When he finds Sarah Hamilton from American in his bed he thinks all his problems are solved - or not. Great first novel - off to find more of this author.
Great fun in the beginning............2006-07-01
I have to say, Ms. MacKenzie has a voice. She's very entertaining and fun to read, and if she hadn't had a "ravishment" scene of the heroine by the villain, and then such a quick recovery, I would have given 6 stars if I could. I loved this book. it had so much going for it. I rarely laugh at Regencies. I was laughing at this one. And then...that incident. And such a quick recovery? the next
thing I knew she was over it? I was annoyed, disappointed and a little bit tiffed. I had to wait a long time before I rated this. It was such a 5. And then it was such a 1. In the end, I'm going with 3. I'll check out her next one. Maybe.
Save your money, read a library copy.......2006-04-22
First book in the Naked series.
American Sarah Hamilton promises her dying father to go to her uncle, the Earl of Westbrooke, after her father dies. She goes to England, unchaperoned, to find her uncle, unaware he died a few months previously.
Sarah ends up in bed with James Runyon, Duke of Alvord. They're both naked and compromised. And Sarah's cousin Robbie, the new earl, mistakenly put them there.
James is a war hero, in the market for a wife and has an unjustified rake reputation. He instantly likes Sarah and decides to marry her. But his nasty cousin is trying to kill him to take the title. Now Sarah's in danger also.
This story was ridiculous, from the unchaperoned part to the sleeping naked part (she should have slept in her dirty clothes, for crying out loud!) to the meddlesome aunt and her friend to James - a duke! - not being able to stop his cousin - not a duke! - just to name a few of the ridiculous parts.
But the most unbelievable part was the secret James reveals to Sarah just before they're going to make love. That was a ~WHAT?!?!!!~ moment. Since this was Ms. MacKenzie's first book, I'll cut her a little slack; otherwise it would get 1 star. I felt I should read this because we chose THE NAKED MARQUIS for our reading group book for April. I sincerely hope it's better than this one.
A pretty good read with some steam!.......2006-03-26
I liked this book.
The hero, a 28 year old duke whose evil cousin Richard is trying to eliminate him, rather obviously, I thought, needs to get married and procreate rather quickly.
Enter the heroine, an american, whose father having died, requested that she return to his homeland England and ask his brother to further look after her.
From one romp to the next, the story is often incongruent, but James and Sarah feel real. I love the fact that they come across as very honest with each other as well. Sarah has her moments of doubt, but usually being the good american girl that she is, she voices them and resolves them.
The murder attempts on Jame's life could be cut back, I think I counted 6. The reason given was that the Duke wasn't taken seriously when he tried to convince everyone that Richard was trying to kill him. I found it hard to believe that no one would believe a Duke if he told them anything, especially in the regency period.
The writing was solid and correct for the time period, something that I have found is increasingly not the case lately in many so-called regency romances, which made the book also more belivable for me.
The only downfall is that Duke, at 28, was supposedly still a virgin. I can't imagine it. In any way, shape or form. But still, it didn't detract too much from the story and I managed to finish it in a day anyway...
Customer Reviews:
Good action adventure.......2007-08-14
I picked this up because I love pirates, and it held my interest throughout. I agree with the reviewers who were disappointed with the heroine--she was too mercurial, changing her mind in an instant on such important life's decisions such as "should I sail away with this villainous, dashing pirate, or stay with my stolid, nasty fiancee?" It feels like this "I hate you, no I love you" stuff was just drawn out to bulk up the word count of the book because of lack of plot. The many anachronisms grated on me and no one sounded as though they were in the early 1700s, but for some reason the story did hold my interest--I think because I really liked the hero. I agree, more of the hero's POV!
My Wicked Pirate.......2007-08-13
Lady Alanis, granddaughter of the Duke of Dellamore has been patiently waiting for the last three years for her betrothed, Viscount Silverlake to return from Jamaica and marry her. Her patience now worn thin and a desire to see what the world has to offer, Alanis, disregarding her grandfather's warning that war time is no time to travel unescorted as well as the high seas being infested with vicious, cut-throat pirate's sets sail aboard the Pink Beryl. The excitement and sense of freedom are just what she was looking for.
Unfortunately, Alanis' freedom is short lived as pirates, led by the infamous Viper invade her ship and claim Alanis as their ultimate prize. Will Alanis escape her captors or will she become entranced by her sculpted and ruggedly handsome Italian pirate?
Eros, also known as the Viper has had great success making a name for himself as a vicious Italian blackguard who roams the sea with no mercy. His main objective is to reclaim what is rightfully his. On a mission to save his sister with a trade of his latest prize, Eros becomes entranced by his beautiful, stubborn prisoner. Will Eros be able to reclaim his birth-right and quench his feelings for the fair-haired Alanis?
My Wicked Pirate was a welcomed diversion from the chill of the latest ice storms. Rona Sharon is a debut romance author who lives in Tel Aviv, Israel. With romance novels being non-existent over there, she admits she spends a lot of time on Amazon.com purchasing and reading romance novels.
My Wicked Pirate is by far the best historical romance I have read in a long time. The novel is set in the 18th century and is filled with everything a reader could possibly want such as betrayal, war, action, adventure, seduction and much more. Ms. Sharon's eloquent prose enables the reader to envision themselves in the story as well as providing some quick Italian language lessons. There were many times I wish I could have grabbed Alanis and given her a good shaking. This book grabs your attention from page one leaving it very difficult to put it down. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys romance with a lot of spice. I truly enjoyed this seductive adventure and I anxiously look forward to more works by this incredibly talented author.
T. Kelley
Book Reviewer
RoundTableReviews.com
Fantastic Historical Romance.......2007-07-26
What a great book this was! All the positive reviews are right, I could barely put it down. Frankly I'm surprised this book hasn't garnered more attention. I think the silly title and the cheesy cover art are holding it back. If I hadn't seen all the positive reviews here I know I wouldn't have picked it up on my own. This is as good (if not better) then books I've read from more well known authors. The storyline is fast paced and the characters were interesting and well fleshed out and even the minor characters felt authentic. There's plenty of history, world travel, drama, action, villainy, romance, intimacy, sizzling sex, you name it. For a first time author Rona Sharon has shown to be very talented. I'll definitely be reading her next book.
Finally--a GREAT romance novel!.......2007-05-04
Once in a while I pick out a book that I simply can't put down. Sadly this doesn't happen often enough. In the case of MY WICKED PIRATE you could say I accidentally stumbled upon it--and what a treat this book was!
The story kept me riveted to my seat. The hero was delicious--an alpha male without the annoying tyrannical traits that some authors seem to admire and that I find misogynistic and tiresome. A heroine with spunk and--even more rarely--backbone. The clash between them was all the hotter for it. The scorching love scenes were very graphic--enough to make me blush--but were tastefully worked into the plot.
I look forward to reading anything this bold new author pens down.
A different heroine would have helped.......2007-04-27
I usually like Pirate romances. A ship provides an interesting place for characters to fall in love. Eros, the pirate was definitely a swashbuckling sea raider. I really liked him. Alanis, his love interest, left a lot to be desired. She was incredibly spoiled and I really get tired of the heroine who over and over screams how much she hates the hero. She is demanding and many times her words are incredibly hurtful. The subplot with Eros's sister, Jasmine, and Alanis's fiancé, Lucas, was brushed over entirely too quickly. How Jasmine could love, Lucas, a man who continually states he would rather be with Alanis and is committed to killing her brother is beyond belief.
Eros wins the prize of most noble and longsuffering pirate. He still loves Alanis despite her childish tantrums, fickleness and arrogance.
The second half of the book feels very different from the first and really saves it from being a one star. Eros must face his past and Alanis becomes less selfish, although she still is imperious. All in all this book gets 2 ½ stars. Great hero, good plotting toward the last part of the book but an unsympathetic heroine.
Customer Reviews:
What a nice story.......2007-08-14
This story is so nice. Tristan and Haith. Two soul's destined to meet.
I thought it was well written and entertaining.
Strong plotting, intrigue in the first half, boring, weak second half.......2007-05-14
Possible SPOILERS ahead.
I had very high hopes for this novel while reading the beginning. I thought: wow, here's a "romance" novel which actually spends time on meaningful intrigue and vivid settings. And unlike other romance novels, thankfully we're spared of repetitive introspection, while the hero's characterization didn't delve on his imposing size and his tortured soul/past. Tristan D'Argent actually seemed like a character a male author would write, which is a rare in "romance" novels. Unfortunately, the intrigue in the second half of the novel precipitously unraveled into a battle between Seacrest and Greanly, and seemed like everyone came out of the woodwork to help our hero, his half-brother Nicholas, his mother, and his once-departed friend Pharao.
It also seemed Grothaus didn't know what to do with Berti's mother Ellora at the end. Despite harboring a warranted animosity towards Haith, we're told she undergoes a magical turn-around at the end and accepts Berti's choice for her new dark-skinned husband. In the beginning to the middle and when Ellora is imprisoned alongside Haith, Ellora had a very interesting characterization. But that was quickly dropped.
Unlike other romance novels I've read, this novel is extremely light on the sensuality/sex factor, focusing instead on the political intrigue, plotting and the magic. We don't even see a love scene between our hero and heroine until the last 10 pages of novel. I can't recall THE WARRIOR's soul mates kissing until the last 10 pages also. Wow.
I found the mid to later parts of the novel very boring, dragging even. The interaction between lead pair was sparse and entirely forgettable. The ending stretched mercilessly, the baddies (Lord Nigel & Donald the smithy) mustered one last gasp after another when it seemed like it was over. Though Tristan's mother appearing at the end didn't seem out of place, I found the appearance and aid of Tristan's half-brother Baron Nicholas FitzTodd too easy, incongruous and an obvious ruse to set up a possible sequel with Nicholas. Even though Nicholas and Tristan do not share the same father, remarkably, they exhibit a similar imposing physical size.
Can't say I particularly liked Haith's character either. Our predictably headstrong, sharp-tongued heroine (especially towards the hero, also predictably) does her own thing throughout the book, never really fully trusting Tristan or even Minerva for that matter, but it all works out in the end. Even though Tristan completely believes in and trusts Haith halfway through until the end (Tristan dismisses her admission of guilt as Nigel's spy), Haith never really reciprocates that trust. The light sprinkles of interaction between our hero and heroine - Tristan and Haith - was tumultuous at best, and the blissful union between two at the end didn't seem like it answered any of the questions of trust between the two given their untrustworthy interaction. Maybe we're to take it on true love, since they're supposed to be soul mates. And since the Buchanan family talent for magic runs in the woman of the bloodline, it was very unsatisfactorily predictable that Haith & Tristan's first-born would be a girl. [Gags]
Grothaus' THE WARRIOR contained a lot of scenes where Haith is dreaming, and possibly exploring/advancing her magical talent. I didn't get the final dream she has where Pharao appears and she returns to consciousness. Is it meant to signify her acceptance of her talent, which she viewed in a negative light before? So does she have control or doesn't she? I don't understand, because the conversation between Pharao & Haith in Haith's dream was just too nonsensical.
I'm still looking for a novel which adequately balances sff, history, intrigue, characters and romance. Is it too much to ask a romance novel to have substantive male characterization beyond the physical attributes and the tortured/wounded soul also?
The Story, possible SPOILERS.
Haith is the bastard daughter of the Lord James of Seacrest, the Lord James slain in a battle defending his stronghold against the Normans while Haith's magically-talented mother murdered. Haith's half-sister Berti and Berti's mother Ellora take up residence with the new Lord of Seacrest, Lord Nigel. Nigel takes Ellora for his wife and Berti for his stepdaughter. With her former husband Lord James dead, Ellora evicts Haith and her great-aunt Minerva from the Hall, and Haith grows up amongst the Seacrest/Greanly common folk
Lord of Greanly, William's Hammer Tristan D'Argent finally returns home from long battles suppressing rebellions for King William. In order to foster allegiance and alliance amongst his lords, King William has already betrothed Tristan with Haith's half-sister Berti. Upon returning home, Tristan finds all is not well with his new home ever since Lord Nigel of Seacrest has assumed care of Greanly's residents at Seacrest. Nigel also enjoys a double stipend for having to care for both Greanly's commons folk and his own.
There's interesting political intrigue in the beginning and things take off from there as the warrior Tristan ably spars with Nigel in a political game of his own.
Again, there isn't much interaction between our leading pair, so don't hold your breath there. Read it for the gripping plotting, the vivid settings and for the intrigue. I was unconvinced by the romance since it fell back on the "soul mate" plot device to bring our leading pair together at the end. I also didn't care for Haith's shallowly predictable characterization, which is rare since the heroine usually has the substance in romance novels.
Good Start...........2006-11-27
...but not great. This book did hold my attention because I love the paranormal and Haith intrigued me. Unfortunately, I felt that Tristan and Haith's relationship was not developed nor did they spend a lot of time together. Of course, they dreamed of each other and were "soulmates" but there wasn't much dialogue between the two. The two characters that interacted the most was Haith and her Aunt Minerva. The story had great promise and I am not sure if the author had a page limit. If you don't want to have any spoilers then stop reading now.
I bring up the page limit based on the fact that the love scene didn't happen until the VERY end of the book. Once that happened everything was wrapped up within 5 pages and I was left perplexed. The book could have easily had 50-100 more pages! I would have liked to have had more of Tristan and Haith with the secondary characters (too many of them) being limited. I would have loved a scene where Tristan gets to see all of Haith's capabilities or the two characters actually talking to each other. The few times that they did converse made me wish that they would stop talking or yelling at each other and that is not good for the two main characters in a romance.
I will pick up her next book and hope that her sophmore effort will weave magic around the two MAIN characters that are supposed to be in love.
another wonderful historical writer.......2006-11-17
Kensington Zebra Debut is putting out some high-powered talent in the likes of Cynthia Breeding, Deborah MacGillivray and Heather Grothaus. For a reader who loves historicals this is such a welcome trend. These are strong historicals. Each writer has a very different in style and form, but all able to deliver strong, emotional stories.
Grothaus is on my pre-order list as are Breeding and MacGillivray from this point on. I am checking out more Zebra Debut Historicals. Great price, great reads.
Tristan D'Argent is another strong hero that just captured me. Haith was a haunting heroine who has to fight the hand of fate to win her true love.
I have pre-ordered Grothaus' next book and simply cannot wait.
Great First Book!.......2006-10-17
This was a great book, better than I have read in a long time, and I read a lot of these books. I cannot wait for her next book in April 2007.
Customer Reviews:
HORRID BOOK... MINUS 5 STARS.......2007-03-27
PERSONALLY, i found this book HORRIBLE. The writer has NO CLUE about...anything (writing, storyline, plot, romance, love). Rolf is just a man driven by lust, and Meghan is a push-over who likes to be abused by the man she loves. He treats her worse than garbage and doesn't seem to repent much. When i first read about the plot, i was intrigued, but when i actually read the book, only 20 pages (out of 250) had anything to do with the plot. THE REST OF THE BOOK WAS ABOUT "MAKING LOVE" (if we can call it that). IT WAS SOOOO TIRESOME, AND ANNOYING.. how can anyone compare this author with Judith McNaught (Almost Heaven, Whitney my love, A kingdom of dreams) or even Julie Garwood (Ransom, The Gift)??!! If you like those two authors, RUN FROM THIS BOOK.. It took me MORE than a week to finish it, and now it's in the garbage.. IT'S THAT BAD.. It had nothing to do with romance.. I think she is a horrible writer. She doesn't know how to make her characters interesting or even likeable, and she doensn't know how to develop a story.
don't waste your money!!
Very Romantic.......2007-03-13
This story held my attention and I could not put it down.
I loved both Rolf and Megan, and I thought that the story was very well written.
This book was a 2 night read for me.
The "hero" has no honor, but a powerful heroine makes this story enthralling........2007-02-22
I can't really call the leading man a hero. Throughout the book, "Rolf" lies, schemes, and betrays a woman who deserves to be admired. Normally, a character who is so despicable would ruin a story for me. However, the heroine "Meghan" is so admirable that I could not put the book down. I had to keep reading to learn her fate.
Rolf is out for vengeance. He believes that Meghan's brother killed his wife and son. To get even, Rolf kidnaps Meghan. His plan is to use her as his leman until she gives him a son to replace the one who died. From the beginning, he has guilt that stems from his past relationship with Meghan. Years ago, Rolf and Meghan were in love and hoping to marry. (One big question in this story is why he ended up marrying someone else all of a sudden. I kept waiting for an answer to that, but it was never explained.) Despite his guilt, Rolf is determined to shame Meghan's family.
Meghan of Blackthorn is a powerful warrior. Her clan knows her as "The Pride of Blackthorn." She can ride and perform archery better than most men. Despite her great skills, she is captured by one of the few men who can best her. Rolf was once her true love, but he betrayed her by marrying another woman. Now, years later, he seeks to humiliate her. He takes away her weapons and "boys clothes", forcing her to live as he commands. She fights him in ways that cause the shame to fall on his own shoulders. To get her to agree to share his bed, he asks her to handfast with him. She agrees, believing he is finally honoring her. Rolf's clan can hardly bare his dishonor... they know he is already betrothed to another woman. Rolf makes his oath to Meghan in front of his clan, being careful to word it in a way that he can back out of.
Meghan and Rolf spend the next several weeks in bliss. She is confident that they will be married at the end of their handfast. Rolf has no intention of marrying her, but he continues to deceive her so that she will continue to share his bed. However, what was meant to be vengeance against her family, becomes Rolf's own torment. He has fallen deeply in love with Meghan. When he receives a message that his betrothed will arrive in three days, Rolf spends one last special night with Meghan. He then turns from her without explanation. He has her belongings removed from their room, refuses to speak to her, and will not allow her sit next to him in the great hall. Meghan is hurt, but tries to be patient. When the three days are up, Rolf announces that he will marry the other woman the following morning. Meghan is crushed, but she refuses to give up her dignity. All know the shame is truly Rolf's to bare.
During the following weeks, Meghan works on planning an escape back to her family's lands. She valiantly spends her days training with Rolf's men, earning their respect and wearing her pride for all to see. While preparing for another escape attempt, Meghan overhears a plot to kill Rolf and his family. She also hears the murders admit that they killed Rolf's first wife and child. Desperate to escape, but still a woman of honor, she goes to Rolf to warn him. When he refuses to believe her, Meghan makes her escape.
Rolf comes to his senses, realizing that Meghan is not a woman who would lie. Now he must stop the murders and find Meghan. Signs that she was injured have been found in the woods. When she is found, he will do anything to earn her forgiveness.
I like the fact that it takes months for Rolf to win Meghan back. I would have been really annoyed if she made it easy for him after all he had done to her. He humbles himself in every way and gives her the freedom to be herself at last. The betrayal was a bit too steep for me though. I personally could not forgive Rolf's selfish and dishonorable acts. Meghan saved this book for me.
Agonizing tale to get through but very enthralling.......2006-08-27
Rolf MacDaidh has a score to settle with his childhood friend, Connor of Blackthorn. Connor murdered his wife and unborn child and Rolf is planning to inflict the same pain on him. He kidnaps Meghan, Connor's sister, and carries, well drags her off to his castle. Meghan is formidable. She is unlike any other woman he's ever known. She is known as the Pride of Blackthorn, the Woman Warrior of Blackthorn, and she can out-fight, out-shoot, and out-ride any man in her keep or Rolf's.
Meghan is shocked when Rolf reveals the reason behind her kidnapping and also his plans for her. Since Connor robbed him of an heir, Rolf will have an heir through Meghan. Meghan vehemently refuses so Rolf agrees to handfast with her, which is a form of marital oath where they both agree to stay together as long as both are willing. Meghan, in her oath, agrees to stay with Rolf for a year and a day.
Meghan and Rolf are finally a happily married couple but Meghan's happiness is constantly marred by the pitying looks thrown her way by the people around her. What she doesn't know is the true treachery of Rolf's plan. He already has a betrothed and plans to break their handfast to marry her and force Meghan to be his mistress.
Rolf's vengeance comes to pass. He marries his betrothed and Meghan is humiliated. And instead of releasing Meghan to return to her home, she is forced to remain at Rolf's keep and witness their wedding and endure his wife's malicious contempt for her. But Rolf's carefully laid plans finally backfire when Connor's innocence is finally proven and Meghan escapes his clutches on the same night.
Intense. Very intense. So intense that even three days later, I'm not completely satisfied with the ending. What I find unbelievable is that, after all the trauma Meghan has gone through, the anger, the hate and her rage at what Rolf did to her "simply" melts off of her at his apology. I can't quite swallow that.
An appropriate ending, I think, would've been a brief separation for the two while Meghan and Rolf worked through their emotions, especially Meghan's torture and ill treatment at Rolf's hands. After that, once they discover their abiding love for each other, they meet at, oh I don't know, somewhere and confess all, kiss and make up, and plan their wedding.
And may I just say that Rolf is a total idiot? With too much muscle in his biceps and not enough in his noggin.
RISK NOTHING!!.......2006-08-02
THE ONLY RISK BUYING THIS BOOK IS LENDING IT OUT. YOU WILL NEVER GET IT BACK!
I KEEP MINE IN THE NIGHTSTAND AND RE-READ IT AT LEAST ONE TIME A WEEK...YES, IT IS THAT GOOD. THE VILLIANS ARE AS ROTTEN AS THEY COME. THE HERO IS AS HANDSOME AS THEY SHOULD ALWAYS BE. THE HEROINE IS STRONG BUT AT THE END VERY VUNERABLE. ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE IS THE COVER PICTURE ONLY SHOWS HALF OF THIS HUNK'S FACE AND I HAVE TO USE MY IMAGINATION AND IT RUNS WILD EVERYTIME I PICK UP THE BOOK.
Book Description
This innovative film-based program is designed to motivate and inspire beginning French students. Based on the French film Le Chemin du retour, Débuts is a completely integrated program for the first -year French course.
Le Chemin du retour is an engaging story about a young French journalist, Camille Leclair, and her pursuit of the truth about her grandfather’s past. Through Camille’s quest, students are introduced to many facets of today’s French and Francophone cultures as well as to important historical events in France. They learn language in the functional context provided by the film, and concepts are reinforced by the on-screen activities that help students verify their comprehension. The two-hour feature-length film is divided into twenty-two episodes and an Epilogue, and each episode includes on-screen pre- and post-viewing activities that make the film accessible to students. Episodes are approximately fifteen minutes in length and correspond to the chapters in the textbook. Over eight hours of viewing bring the richness of French language and culture to beginning students, while at the same time exposing them to clear and natural French that they can understand.
Each chapter of Débuts, the textbook, is correlated to an episode of the film. The textbook prepares students for the film-viewing experience through the chapter vocabulary presentations and activities and through additional pre-and post-viewing activities. The vocabulary and grammar presentations and activities recycle and expand on the dialogue and structures presented in the film. Pair and small-group activities enable students to talk about the characters in the story and their own lives. The cultural content of the film is further explored in cultural notes and readings in each chapter.
Customer Reviews:
Forever Yours .......2007-09-02
Sophie Treneham lives in the country with her young daughter caring
for an estate that is slowly crumbling. Sophie would rather be there
though than in London's society ballrooms where she would be ridiculed
and judged for her scandalous past. Stephan, Sophie's brother,
desperately wants to see Sophie cared for so he coerces Jagger
Remington to marry her but Jagger doesn't want a wife and Sophie does
not want a husband.
As their feelings for each other slowly begin to change secrets from
their past threaten to destroy their newfound love, and danger and
deceit surround them.
Forever Yours is a lovely romantic story. Sophie is proud and very
strong. Jagger is compassionate and kind. Sophie pushes Jagger away
continually which is understandable and even expected but it's a
relief when they finally come together. Forever Yours is a touching
love story laced with excitement suspense and drama.
Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
UNBELIEVABLE, AMAZING, AWESOME, FABULOUS, CANT SAY ENOUGH!!!.......2007-08-04
Every once in a while you are stunned by the debut of a new writer and their work. In this case I say stunned because it is rare for a "first" book to be so moving, touching and so extraordinarily well written. For those of you tried and true historical romance fans that recall the earlier works of Julie Garwood's medievals and regencys and Kathleen Woodiwiss remarkable books such as Shanna, The Wolf and the Dove and The Flame and the Flower... this is going to be right up your alley.
In Forever Yours, you encounter both hero and heroine truly fighting with the remnants of a tragic and tortured past. For Sophie, her "offence" is believing that she was eloping with a man who loved her, though she was just the instrument of a gambling bet as the "groom" pretends to marry her, uses her and leaves her. From the "union" she bears twins and she has to suffer further tragedy when her son dies of a fever.
Jagger, equally tortured by his past and his lack of knowledge as to why his pederast father, brutally beat him and his mother from an early age, returns to England after being in self elected exile in India.
When his mentor and friend Stephen, whom he has always looked upon as a father figure, arrives in India to ask him to marry his sister, Jagger can't refuse, as he owes Stephen a debt of honor. The night that he and his mother were nearly beaten to death, he took his injured mother to Stephen, who took care of her until she died.
The story has every facet that makes a romance a fabulous read - be prepared to suck this one down overnight and be up till the wee hours of the morning...
The story is loaded with mystery, murder, sinister plots and truly evil characters that revolve around the two main protagonists. Both Sophie and Jagger feel that they have been manipulated by Stephen. But after dealing with the resentment and hurt of Stephen's actions, they accept their sealed fates, create a fragile bond and begin to see behind the reasons why Stephen brought them together.
Jagger falls in love with Sophie instantly. Her wounded and stoic demeanor, her fortitude and strength even after the tragic events in her young life makes Jagger immediately assume the role of the Knight in Shinning armor that Sophie never known existed. After the way society has shunned her and what she suffered at the hands of a "man", makes her scorn and mistrust the male species and is quite resolute in thinking that no man is trustworthy.
I fell in love with Jagger - his kindness and tenderness toward Sophie's small daughter, who has been rendered mute after the death of her twin brother. The painstakingly patient, kind and loving, manner in which he draws Sophie into believing that he is an honorable and trustworthy, loving man is truly beautiful, as is the love that they eventually share.
Each rollercoaster twist and turn in spellbinding first novel will leave you breathless and early awaiting Ms. Annello's next installment.
Truly, I can't say enough about this marvelous book - I entreat, NO I insist - you to RUN to the store and a get a copy of this beautifully written and emotionally gorgeous story that is, by far, one of the best romance books I have read in years.
Can't wait for the next book from this author! Intelligent AND hot!.......2007-07-12
Not just a hot romance, but a historically rich and wonderfully fulfilling read. Sincerely didn't want it to come to an end. This is no fluff romance novel - quality writing and lots of fun too. More, please....!
A Historical Romance that will win your heart.......2007-07-10
Forever Yours by Janmarie Anello
The power of just one kiss could make a rugged, loner, who never wished for a wife or family fall in love. Jagger Remington knew that one kiss would never be enough with Sophie Treneham.
Sophie's reputation had long been soiled by the town from having a child out of wedlock, but she did not give a care to the wind. She was bound and determinded to make it on her own; she needed no dependence on a man for any reason. Sophie's whole world changed when her brother Stephen, the Earl tricked her into signing betrothal documents.
Then along came Jagger Remington to claim his prize. Little did he know she was not going to give in to marriage to a pirate looking man so easily. When the Earl is ambushed, his last request is to see Jagger and Sophie wed before he passed away. As head strong as Sophie is she had a few conditions to the marriage before she would even consider marrying Jagger.
Could Jagger live in the confines of this home knowing she is untouchable? Sophie is his wife after all but can he resist the temptation of this mahagony haired angel that has stolen his heart?
Ms. Anello is spellbinding with this book Forever Yours. I was enthralled from the very start. It was like being on a rollercoaster, there were ups and downs and twists along every corner. I highly recommend you pick up your copy today. I award Ms. Anello 5 hearts, I thouroughly enjoyed this historical romance.
"Forever Yours" numero uno.......2007-06-27
WOW! A "can'tputitdownpageturner" debut that truly epitomizes historical romances. I absolutely fell in love with Jagger...a leading man to be reckoned with who is honorable, full of integrity,fighting his own demons, and willing to go the distance to make his leading lady Sophie get past her insecurities and questionable past long enough to fall in love with him. Despite pairing up initially to honor a vow, and despite treachery from many sides, these two find a way to overcome adversity to make their true feelings known to one another. Absolutely captivating and heartwarming...my only complaint, it ended toooo soon! I cannot wait for Janmarie Anello's next historical romance to hit the shelves.
Linda
Customer Reviews:
Agree with first review.......2007-09-19
I whole-heartedly agree with D. Crawford's review and rating of 5 stars. I especially loved the author's humor, often reflected in the thoughts of both the hero and heroine. Cord, for example, finding himself more and more inconveniently aroused by his convenient-marriage wife, vows to himself to "aim to keep the little rustler [in his pants] corraled." I thought this was a wonderful read and I sure hope that Ms Kenny writes many more!
Boring and predictablr.......2007-08-26
This book was so boring and predictable, I finally reached the point of no return and threw it away.
Colorful and sensuous debut western historical romance.......2007-04-01
Set in the 1890s in Kansas, Janette Kenny's amazing debut historical makes the reader sense the time period in vivid detail. The mismatch romance sizzles with suspenseful action that makes One Real Cowboy a fast-paced page turner. Jannette Kenny is a master storyteller.
Beatrix Northrope hires cowpoke Cord Tanner to marry her in order to abide by her grandfather's demands that she be married before he turns over the deed to Prairie Rose where she breeds thoroughbred horses. Her neighbor wants to add this land to his growing cattle ranch and has already made an offer for the land. Cord wants to leave Revolt, Kansas and his past, but first, he needs some money and the horse that comes at the completion of the contract. When her upper-class grandfather decides to come to America all the way from England to check on this marriage, everything goes wrong. Beatrix must prove that their marriage is stable and to a suitable husband with a suitable background, temperment, and a business acumen to manage the ranch. Upon his arrival, Beatrix discovers that her miserable ex-fiance and her aunt show up alongside her grandfather to pass judgement and stir discord. In addition, her father's death years ago looks less and less like an accident. Today, the incidents of sabotage and near accidents surrounding Prairie Rose escalate the closer she gets to obtaining the deed. Is Cord's unknown past more of a threat than their marriage of convenience is an asset? Beatrix must carefully balance all those who want her land, all those questioning her marriage, and this strange man she now calls her husband.
Cord's developing relationship to the wild stallion Zephyr parallels his relationship to Beatrix. Although a secondary character, Zephyr's past and future intrigue and provide subtle psychological depth to the main characters. A wonderful addition to this delightful romance!
The author's attention to sensuous detail allows the reader to imagine the time and the characters with all the senses. The heroine is bold, impulsive, intelligent and sometimes humorously naive. No wonder Cord has such a hard time abiding by the terms of their contract! As the Cord's character unfolds though Kenny's skillful dialogues and interior monologues, the reader finds herself drawn to him just like the heroine. The chemistry is electric. The romance is hotter than a summer day in Kansas --- but much more enjoyable. I eagerly await Kenny's next novel.
Books:
- A Treasury of Deception: Liars, Misleaders, Hoodwinkers, and the Extraordinary True Stories of History's Greatest Hoaxes, Fakes and Frauds
- America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It
- American Corrections (with InfoTrac )
- Back on Blossom Street (The Knitting Books #3)
- Bad Boy: A Memoir
- Blind Spots: Achieve Success by Seeing What You Can't See
- Buck Up, Suck Up . . . and Come Back When You Foul Up: 12 Winning Secrets from the War Room
- Cien años de soledad: Edición conmemorativa (The 40th Anniversary Edition)
- Cracker!: The Best Dog in Vietnam
- Crazy '08: How a Cast of Cranks, Rogues, Boneheads, and Magnates Created the Greatest Year in Baseball History
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Miss Julia Strikes Back
- History: Fiction or Science
- Contabilidad de costos / Cost Accounting
- Classic Battletech: Field Manual: Mercenaries
- Fundamental Principles of Restaurant Cost Control with CD
- History: Fiction or Science
- Fugitive Days: A Memoir
- Management Accounting for Non-Specialists
- Cosmopolitan Vision
- The Food of the Gods, The Sea Lady
General
| Romance
| Subjects
| Books
In Her Bed (The Dragons of Challon, Book 2)
The Sea King (Berkley Sensation)
Risk Everything (Zebra Debut)
The Raven Prince (Warner Forever)
The Ravencliff Bride (Candleglow)
