The Novice Bride - Carol Townend

Title: The Novice Bride

Author: Carol Townend

Line: Historical

Release month: UK - March 2008/USA - August 2007

The S-Factor: Sweet

Back-Blurb:

INNOCENT BRIDE, CONQUERING HUSBAND!

As a novice, Lady Cecily of Fulford’s knowledge of men is nonexistent. But when tragic news bids her home immediately, her only means of escape from the convent is to brazenly offer herself to the enemy...as a bride!

With her fate now in the hands of her husband, Sir Adam Wymark, she battles to protect her family. Suspicions and betrayal are rife, yet their convenient marriage offers Cecily much more than comfort in her knight’s arms...

Review:

Set during the Norman Conquest, The Novice Bride takes a familiar conceit – having as its hero one of the invaders and its heroine a Saxon. This type of set up is a popular one as conflict between the characters is inevitable from the word go, and in some instances, authors using this type of plot let the stories write themselves. Not so Carol Townend! The tale that plays out in The Novice Bride is an utterly engaging one, and the author’s skill is so great that she effortlessly weaves the backdrop and central story together in such a way that the reader becomes enveloped in her historical world.

Indeed, it was the historical background that I found most enthralling in this story. The research is so thorough that everything seems real and authentic, and the experiencing of the sights and sounds of 11^th century England is a joy. I really didn’t want the story to end. Taking her reader through a poverty-stricken village, a post-invasion Winchester struggling to come to terms with its new masters and the bleakness of an unforgiving English winter, Carol Townend is a confident, enthralling historical writer, one who never lets the backdrop overshadow her central romantic story.

And what a romance! In Cecily, the author has crafted a lovely and lovable heroine whose innocence and inherent goodness are her defining qualities... I defy anyone who reads this not to fall in love with her from the start. Cecily’s journey from prim and proper nun to loving wife is thoroughly engrossing. As for the hero, Adam Wymark is a little sterner and his character is the more complex of the two, and he’s a hero I could really identify with. His growing love for Cecily is always believable and makes for great reading. The romance scenes are well handled and full of subtlety and sweetness.

The rest of the story is populated with interesting supporting characters and tension between both the protagonists and everybody else. Carol Townend really puts across a feeling of what it was like to live in these harsh, violent times which is why I loved the book so much. In fact, it’s my favourite historical romance yet!

Reviewed by: Gray

Hero Hotness Factor = ♥♥♥♥

Heroine Lovability Factor = ♥♥♥♥♥

Awww Factor = ♥♥♥♥♥

Stickability Factor = ♥♥♥♥♥

Weepy Factor = ♥♥♥♥♥

Did you know that Carol's first novel, set in 11th century England, won the RNA New Writers' Award? To find out more about Carol why not visit her website ...

Have you read this book or others by the same author? Leave a comment, we'd love to hear from you!!!

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An Honorable Rogue - Carol Townend

Title: The Novice Bride

Author: Carol Townend

Line: Historical

Release month: NA Feb 2008

The S-Factor: Sensual

Back-Blurb:

CHARMED AND SEDUCED!

Benedict Silvester is a rogue and a flirt! His skill as a musician means he is always travelling...and he charms women wherever he goes. Yet he is on a special mission: to accompany Rozenn Kerber to England.

Rose is frustrated with Ben’s frivolous behaviour and annoyed that his wicked smile continually occupies her thoughts, for he can never offer the stability she craves. But on their travels, Rose begins to suspect that he may have a serious side, that Ben is more than he appears...

Review:

An Honorable Rogue is another winner from historical romance author Carol Townend and is another engaging exploration of life at the time of the Norman Conquest! The story begins in France and follows Benedict as he accompanies Rose on an adventurous passage to England. However, alongside the physical journey, Rose is also taken on a personal, sexual awakening, journey-of-discovery. Ben is a longstanding family friend, and although Rose finds him attractive, she has never allowed herself to dream that he could offer her the security and stability she craves. Ben is a lovable hero, full of warmth and charm. Unbeknown to Rose he has a secret undercover mission which adds mystery and excitement to the plot. Rose is an ambitious and strong woman who modern readers will find easy to identify with. She struggles to fit into society and her endeavours give her character an admirable inner strength. The relationship between the hero and heroine is frequently heartbreaking for the reader because Ben is obviously in love with Rose, yet she refuses to focus on his positive side, only seeing the negatives which he wraps up with his easy going, happy-go-lucky nature.

The author gives a fantastic attention to detail which enables the reader to feel like they are accompanying Ben & Rose on their voyage. The additional emotional journey that both the characters undertake has the story brimming with sensuality, tension and suspense making for real page-turning qualities. Carol Townend is adept at writing historical novels and An Honorable Rogue is one of her finest. Rich in historical detail it vividly brings a long-gone era to life, and is an utterly romantic read and a real winner. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by: Gray

Hero Hotness Factor = ♥♥♥♥♥

Heroine Lovability Factor = ♥♥♥♥♥

Awww Factor = ♥♥♥♥♥

Stickability Factor = ♥♥♥♥♥

Humour Factor = ♥♥♥♥♥

Did you know that Carol's first novel, set in 11th century England, won the RNA New Writers' Award? To find out more about Carol why not visit her website ...

Have you read this book or others by the same author? Leave a comment, we'd love to hear from you!!!

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His Cinderella Bride - Annie Burrows

Title: His Cinderella Bride

Author: Annie Burrows

Line: Historical

Release month: September 2007

The S-Factor: Sizzling

Back-Blurb:

Beggar maid...

Jasper Challinor, Marquis of Lensborough, was appalled! Who was this redheaded, badly dressed waif in his aristocratic host’s dining room? And why in the world was the proud Marquis so drawn to her?

Wealthy lady!

Lord Lensborough was a man well used to getting exactly what he wanted – and he wanted Hester! Convinced that she was a poor relation, the noble lord was about to receive the shock of his life...from a lady who would break all his very proper rules!

Review:

Annie Burrows’ debut historical novel for Harlequin Mills & Boon is a lusty and enthralling tale of love and life in Regency England. The hero of His Cinderella Bride is a wealthy aristocrat on the look-out for a wife – and, in shades of Jane Eyre, he meets her in a country lane in inclement weather, although I don’t remember a scene where Jane fell into a ditch full of muddy water!

After this inauspicious opening, we meet the book’s heroine, Hester, a similarly wealthy woman who hides under the disguise of a poor servant. Soon enough Annie Burrows transports us into a world of mistaken identities, evil, would-be rapists, illegitimate gypsy children, carriage rides, tavern brawls and London society. It’s all utterly charming and engaging, and the author’s conjuring up of an early 19^th century atmosphere is very well done.

The book’s strength lies in the characterisation of the hero and heroine. Annie Burrows wisely keeps the focus on these two characters throughout and there’s never any unnecessary diversion to take away from the central romance plot. The dialogue is rich and full of passion and the romantic scenes are understated and heart-warming, everything you could wish from a category romance.

His Cinderella Bride is a brilliant piece of writing and a story I enjoyed and identified with from beginning to end. Annie Burrows is an accomplished writer and I look forward to seeing more of her work on the strength of this book.

Reviewed by: Gray

Hero Hotness Factor = ♥♥♥♥♥

Heroine Lovability Factor = ♥♥♥♥♥

Awww Factor = ♥♥♥♥

Stickability Factor = ♥♥♥♥♥

Humour Factor = ♥♥♥♥♥

Did you know that Annie Burrows studied English literature, with Philosophy at University? To find out more why not vist her Website

Have you read this book or others by the same author? Leave a comment, we'd love to hear from you!!!

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A Noble Captive - Michelle Styles

Title: A Noble Captive

Author: Michelle Styles

Line: Mills & Boon Historical Romance

Release month: UK - January 2007

The S-Factor: Simmering

Back-Blurb:
Roman soldier

Strong, proud, honourable - Marcus Livius Tullio embodied the values of Rome. Captured on the high seas and brought to the Temple of Kybele, he was drawn towards the woman who gave him refuge.

Pagan priestess

Fierce, beautiful, determined - Helena despised all that Rome stood for. In sheltering Tullio, she had to subdue her awareness of him --- or she might confess all! The soldier’s strength and nobility tempted her to lean on him, but she knew that to succumb would be to betray her people…

Review:

A Noble Captive chronicles the romance between Helena, the priestess’ assistant at a pagan temple, and the prisoner who has just been transported to the same temple – a strong-willed Roman suffering anguish after his capture by pirates. The two are thrown together in a story that is centred around a single location – the island temple – but manages to pack plenty of plot and incident in along the way.

In Helena, Michelle Styles has created a pleasingly complex heroine, one who is both sympathetic and at the same time self-willed, somebody the reader can feel for while at the same time respect. In her hero, Marcus Livius Tullio, Michelle has captured an essentially Roman ‘character’, focusing on all that is admirable about that race, while giving equal weight to Tullio’s own personality and focusing on his own inner turmoils.

An engaging cast of supporting characters flesh out the rest of the book and there are many well-drawn figures to equal the hero and heroine. A sub-plot concerning the romance between Quintus and Galla is particularly engaging and one feels that their own story could fill a book. Meanwhile, corrupt officials and bloodthirsty pirates are always present in the backdrop, adding a palpable sense of mystery and tension to the proceedings.

There is plenty of reference to period detail which helps add to the overall authenticity of the book and the author gives a good idea of what life was like during the Roman period, from the day-to-day chores carried out by servants to the bartering and merchanting that was carried out on the high seas.

A Noble Captive is an engaging and well-researched Historical romance that should entertain any fan of the genre. Michelle Styles deserves kudos for ably bringing to life the ancient past.

Reviewed by: Gray

Hero Hotness Factor = ♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor = ♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor = ♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor (will they have a happily ever after) = ♥♥♥♥♥
Humour Factor = ♥♥
Weepy Factor = ♥♥♥


Did you know that: Julius Caesar's capture by pirates in 73 BC provided the inspirational spark for this book? To find out more about Michelle why not visit her website or her Blog...

Have you read this book or others by the same author? Leave a comment, we'd love to hear from you!!!

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