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historical book review

Vow of Deception by Angela Johnson

By Barb Drozdowich

Welcome to Sugarbeat’s Books – The Home of the Romance Novel

Today I’m posting the review of a book that I reviewed some time ago, but for whatever reason, never posted the review here.  I got a copy of this book from the author – and she autographed it for me!  That’s the book that I am giving away today.  Just fill out the form at the bottom of the post to be entered.  Sadly, only US/Canada entries for this giveaway please.

 

Vow of Deception by Angela Johnson

ISBN: 1420108581

Publisher: Zebra Books

Release: Nov 1, 2010

Source: I received a copy of this book to read and review from the author.

sugarbeat's book romance novels romance book review historical contemporary interviews author promotionsAs a knight, Sir Rand Montague’s allegiance is to King Edward I. But when the king orders Rand to escort Rosalyn Harcourt to court in order to wed her off to Sir Golan – a crass knight Rand abhors – he’s torn between duty and desire. For Rand has never forgotten the woman he spent one incredible night of passion with…After suffering abuse at the hands of her deceased husband, Rose wishes to never wed again. But when Rand rescues her after Sir Golan attempts to compromise her, she agrees to marry Rand in name only. However, sharing such close quarters with Rand brings back memories of their torrid rendezvous – and tempts Rose to give in to an all-consuming desire…

 

It’s Medieval times, we have knights in shining armor, damsels in need of rescuing from evil knights without any honor, and a great storyline to pull everything together. This author does an outstanding job of telling a story in a time of war dividing loyalities and hardship hampering even the titled citizens.

Welcome to the year of our lord 1276 – and knights in shining armor. Where men are men and strength is the key to survival. It’s the unforgiving time of the rule of King Edward I and our heroine is a widow who lives on the edges of Wales. England is about to go to war with Wales and the king needs a strong point of power along that border. He has decided to offer
Rosalyn, Lady Ayleston’s had in marriage to Sir Golan; a knight with a murky past. It’s suspected that he murdered his first wife. Rosalyn’s friend, Sir Rand Montague is not happy about this potential union, but as cousin to the king, he doesn’t feel he has the power to object to it. He is sent to bring Rosalyn to court to be married, whether she likes it or not. Rand is concerned about this new marriage for Rosalyn as he suspects she was abused in her first marriage. Rosalyn, unsuspecting of the plans for her, is trying to meet with Bishop Meyland to take a vow of chastity, thus allowing her to remain unmarried. It’s not to be, as Rand arrives before she can leave to meet with the Bishop. This sets in motion the story that whisks us through the sometime rough and unpleasant times that the 1200s were.

Although I’m generally not a fan of romances set in Medieval times, I enjoyed this story. I’d not read the first book in this series, but the author sums up what happened in the previous book in a short discussion between Rand and Rosalyn early on in the book. This author doesn’t spend a huge amount of time outlining historical events surrounding the setting of this book. The reader is provided with enough background to understand the events that are happening, but history is not the driver of the plot, the characters are. Ms Johnson does an outstanding job of creating characters! Rand is a duty-bound knight, conscious of his connection to the king and his responsibilities to the crown. He has had several tragedies in his past that continue to color his actions. Rosalyn is a strong woman, trying to survive in a world ruled by men. Women are the property of men and their children are the property of their husbands. Women’s rights are sadly lacking in this time period! The respect and the chemistry between Rand and Rosalyn is a wonderful thing to read. Their understanding of each other’s past issues and them coming together despite their fears is beautifully written. The character of King Edward I is suitably haughty and somewhat irrational. The characters that I like the best were the villains of the story. Sir Golan is handsome and smooth of tongue on the surface, but evil underneath. He presents a facade that he wants certain people to see, but is utterly ruthless. Lydia is the evil character from the previous book. She is supposedly confined to a nunnery, but escapes to create havoc in this book. She is a master manipulator and has the various characters dancing to her tune.

This story moves right along, at times predictable, allowing the reader to become comfortable. Just when the reader is comfortable, a curve is thrown into the mix. This creates a story that is fairly relaxing to read, yet with enough excitement to keep things unpredictable. I enjoyed my journey into the world of knights in armor, honor, duty and loyalty to the king.

This book is a great read. It’s a wonderful love story set in difficult times. Another good book from this author and I look forward to her next work.

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The Truth of Lord Stoneville by Sabrina Jeffries

By Barb Drozdowich

Welcome to Sugarbeat’s Books – The Home of the Romance Novel!

sugarbeat's books romance novels romance book reviewsWelcome also to Series Sunday – the day of the week where we look at a series of books that I’m reading.  Today we are revisiting a series that is just ending.

Don’t we wish that our favorite authors could write faster?

The Hellions of Halstead Hall is Sabrina Jeffries latest series.  The first book was published in January of 2010 and I’ve just gotten a copy of the last book of this series.  I thought I’d repost the reviews that I’ve already posted, and talk about this series as a group.

The Hellions are a collection of 5 siblings who lost both their parents to what was assumed to be a murder/suicide, but as we work through the books, we find out more about this.  The siblings are raised by their maternal grandmother, Hetty Plumtree, a no nonsense woman who owns a brewery.  The series starts with the story of Oliver, the Marquess of Stoneville.

The Truth About Lord Stoneville by Sabrina Jeffries

ISBN: 978-1-4391-6751-9
Publisher: Pocket Books Romance

Released: January 2010

Source: I purchased this book to read and review

sugarbeats books romance novels romance book reviews

The oldest of the scandalous Sharpes—five hell-raising siblings tainted still by the gossip surrounding the “accidental” deaths of their parents two decades ago-—Oliver Sharpe, the Marquess of Stoneville, like his brothers and sisters, has lived life on his own terms. In his case, as an unrepentant rakehell. Or so life had played out until Grandmother Hetty got a bee in her bonnet. Now the five Sharpe siblings face a daunting ultimatum: Marry by year’s end—or kiss their inheritance good-bye.

Oliver vows to fulfill the bargain in true Sharpe style—by bringing home a fake fiancé from a brothel! But his scheme backfires when he foils a robbery and rescues an American beauty instead. Maria Butterfield came to London to find her missing fiancé, but her prior engagement won’t stop Oliver from getting what he wants: Maria in his bed. His rebellious charade may just call Hetty’s bluff, but not before it become all too real—stirring up a love that tempts him to be a hellion no more.

The Truth About Lord Stoneville is the first book in Sabrina Jeffries’ latest series of books. Being a long time fan of Sabrina Jeffries, I snapped up the first book when it hit the shelves and sat and read it in one (long) afternoon!

Sabrina Jeffries fans may recognize that Lord Stoneville is a character from the School of Heiress series. (Ms. Jeffries talks about how many requests she got to write Lord Stoneville’s story in an interview I’ve read)

Oliver Sharpe, the Marquess of Stoneville is the eldest of 5 siblings who lost their parents early. He and his siblings are raised by their grandmother, Hetty Plumtree. It is now 20 years after the day that the parents died. The death was the great scandal of the time, but the actual details of the day their parents died seems to be somewhat of a question. Oliver, as the eldest, bore much of the scandal. He was sent away to boarding school – and we readers of historical romances know how nasty boys at boarding school can be!

Oliver’s grandmother, Hetty, is tired of waiting for her grandchildren to marry and has decided to issue an ultimatum: If they don’t all marry by the time she dies, none of them will see any of her money. Oliver decides to teach his grandmother a lesson in meddling by choosing his bride from a brothel! He has no real interest in actually getting married as he has learned from the horrible example his parents set.

Maria Butterfield is an American who has come to England to track down her missing fiance. She has a run in with Oliver at a whorehouse and decides to take him up on his offer: his help finding her missing fiance for posing as his wife to be. Really, how hard could it be??

The resulting story is hilarious at times, heart wrenching at times, and overall an excellent read!
The character of Maria’s cousin Freddy is wonderfully written. He is so wanting to be a protector. I can see him like a little puffed up robin trying to protect his chick! He would just blurt out whatever was on his mind. So funny! The various parts that dealt with Oliver’s parents’ deaths were absolutely painful. I found myself hurting for that little boy left in that situation, and cheering for him to recover under the ministrations of Maria.

Although I haven’t met a Sabrina Jeffries book I don’t like, I really enjoyed reading this first look at the Hellions of Halstead Hall series. The characters, whether likable or not so likable are well written and well developed. The love scenes steam my glasses, and I find myself lost in another world a mere few pages after beginning. I am looking forward to the next book in the series!

 

Cruise over to Sabrina Jeffries’ website to read more on this series of books and come back next week for the next book in the series!

 

Related articles
  • Early Review: To Wed a Wild Lord by Sabrina Jeffries (csilibrarian.wordpress.com)
  • TO WED A WILD LORD by Sabrina Jeffries…review…. (mybookaddictionreviews.wordpress.com)
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