Entries Tagged 'Knight' ↓
February 7th, 2010 — 3.5 Stars, 4 Stars, A-C, ARC, Alien, Erotica, Great Britain, Kidnapping, Kings, Princes, Sheiks, Chiefs, Knight, Magic Users, Paranormal, Politician, Queen or Princess, Space, Stowaway, Warrior
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Today I am reviewing Knight’s Fork by Rowena Cherry. This is my first ARC (advance review copy; official book release is September 30, 2008) and I eagerly read the whole novel in two days! Knight’s Fork is just one novel in the futuristic set series about the Great Djinn race. Knight’s Fork contains all the right stuff from a stowaway princess to a knight’s quest and the threat of death licking at their heels. This book and series would be great for any lover of alien paranormal romance or paranormal romance in general.
Watch out for the ‘Dj’ names! There’s quite a few to remember and follow! The romance novel is filled to overflowing with political intrigue and the key players are trying to play everybody else all at the same time to get their way. The main characters have to watch out for who their enemies are and who their allies are.
Cherry titles her novels after chess moves, and yes the characters do play chess and the move in question is used several times throughout the novel. Knight’s Fork in particular is about a choice between two evils – you’re going to lose something and the decision becomes which loss is acceptable?
This choice is ‘Rhett’s, a Saurian Knight, and it is between power and a female. Saurian is another alien race, but don’t let this fool you about this white knight. Back to the point - how can power or a female be a bad choice whichever you choose? A grab for power will set other leaders in a tizzy and the female is another male’s mate that’s how!
The rival male is King of another alien race, the Volnoth, and taking Electra could start a war on par with the ancient Greek war over Helen of Troy. It’s too bad for ‘Rhett that he’s tempted by Electra and not by the power offered. Far more tempting is that she wants him… for his sperm. What’s a knight to do?
This novel and series isn’t for the fainthearted that likes their romances to be mild and sweet. Urban colloquialisms for sex and emissions abound, the Great Djinn even regularly swear by Carnality! However for those who crave the contemporary slang and straightforward nature to the approach of sex Knight’s Fork is deliciously racy and erotic. The whole novel revolves around sex!
You could compare Cherry’s novel to Laurell K. Hamilton’s Meredith Gentry series about fairies because the Princess Electra seeks to get pregnant just like Meredith does. Or you could compare the novel to the Twilight Saga with ‘Rhett being a virgin, sworn to a vow of chastity, similar to Edward’s chase behavior. Whatever parallels you draw, Cherry spins a great story.
Rating: 3.5-4 Stars
Originally posted 2008-09-11 05:56:00. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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January 22nd, 2010 — 3 Stars, Book Review, Cursed Lead, Great Britain, Knight, Magic Users, Medieval, Warrior
The story of Gawain and Aislyn is one told before in the Canterbury Tales (The Wife of Bath's Tale) under different names. Gwen Rowley remakes it in Knights of the Round Table: Gawain. Where the original had the knight rape a lovely young maiden and sentenced before King Arthur and Guinevere into solving a riddle about what women really want or meet his death, this tale is more humorous and full circle. I laughed out loud several times while reading this novel.
It starts with King Arthur and Sir Gawain riding to the King’s certain death. Having been bested a year ago by a young knight from another court, Arthur was deeded the task to find out what women truly desire. A whole year and a book full of answers that contradicted each other later, there was no hope for King Arthur. Gawain is determined to see his uncle survive this second meeting with the knight.
An old crone comes across their path and offers the answer for a price… Gawain must marry her, if her answer is deemed correct. He accepts much to King Arthur’s dismay and her answer turns out valid. Gawain marries the hideous crone and endures ridicule, scorn, shame, and more at her hands and by his fellow courtiers. But the crone makes him laugh, something he’s not done in the five years since Aislyn’s death.
Aislyn is determined to teach Sir Gawain a lesson. He left her five years ago in anger after she’d bared her heart and soul to him. Sir Gawain knew nothing of love and his contempt of women was widely known. She would have given King Arthur the answer freely, but then the idea of punishing the feckless and faithless Gawain was too irresistible to pass up. She wasn’t marrying him because he still could make her heart leap at the sight of him… that would be unwise, after all he had turned on her, he would do so again.
Unfortunately for her, Aislyn is stuck in her crone form by Gawain’s aunt at court and she can not speak of her true identity. Only a kiss born of love and received in love would break the enchantment even partially. One kiss and she could be young and beautiful for half of the day, her punishment for the cruelty she subjected upon Gawain. But half a day could be enough to last a lifetime, if she could conjure up the courage to stay.
Rating: 3 Stars
Buy: Knights of the Round Table: Gawain
Originally posted 2008-12-08 20:04:40. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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January 13th, 2010 — About, Barons and Baronets, Counts, Marquis, Viscounts, Dukes and Earls, Great Britain, Historical Romance, Knight, Regency
When reading romance novels about English gentry and nobility I always wonder about the rankings. I know diddlysquat about this subject, mostly because I am American. I decided to do some digging to see if I could sort the matter out. Luckily there are a lot of resources on the matter.
The first thing I was determined to find out was the order of the rankings. I always thought an Earl was as noble as a Duke or fairly similar. An Earl is far less substantial than you might think. In fact they seem to be quite plentiful; perhaps that is why so many romance novels include an Earl. A Marquis, on the other hand was more substantial than I gave credit. For some reason, I always assumed it was on similar footing as a Viscount. Whoops-- social faux pas, anyone?
The order of rank is as follows:
- Duke/Duchess
- Marquis (alternative spelling: Marquess)/Marchioness
- Earl/Countess
- Viscount/Viscountess
- Baron/Baroness
Baronets and Knights are not peers. A baronet is a hereditary knight. The title of Sir goes down through the generations. His wife is referred to as Lady.
The rarest rank of nobility is the Duke with his dukedom, making Barons by their rank far more abundant.
About the only thing I got right was the order of the Viscounts and Barons.
Did you know there were several peerages?
The isles of Britain and Ireland had in total five different peerages. Those of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain, and the United Kingdom! No wonder the country has so many names in history! Also, a noble man could belong to more than one peerage!
Labels of Address (loosely):
This doesn't include salutations of correspondence. The first bit is how to do the introduction on the different levels of nobility followed by how to address them in formal speech.
- Duke/Duchess: His Grace/Her Grace (insert title); His Grace/Her Grace
- Marquis/Marchioness: Most Honorable (insert title); Lord/Lady
- Earl/Countess: Right Honorable (insert title); Lord/Lady
- Viscount/Viscountess: Right Honorable (insert title); Lord/Lady
- Baron/Baroness: Right Honorable (insert title); Lord/Lady
Originally posted 2008-08-07 05:39:59. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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November 24th, 2009 — 4.5 Stars, Book Review, Bride Stealing, G-I, Highlander, Knight, Virgin Heroine, Warrior
Highland Barbarian by Hannah Howell is an exceptional romance novel. The love story is both captivating and highly amusing. A tale of a Lowlander (with Highlander blood in her veins) and a Highlander (whose warrior skills include brains), this is sure to be on your favorite shelf.
With his Laird on his deathbed, Sir Artan Murray cannot refuse the task of going to the Lowlands to lure Cecily, his Laird's niece, home again. Throw in her tempting dowry and the fact that his Laird wants to make him, the second son of twins, the heir and future Laird, Artan finds himself traveling south before he knows it. In his heart of hearts, Artan knows he could never marry a girl no matter how bonnie she is or how bonnie her dowry. He wants a marriage like his parents, as all the Murray's wed for love.
When he first lays eyes on Cecily Donaldson, Artan thinks he's seen an angel. Glorious red hair and beautiful green eyes have tempted him as no woman has ever tempted him. Stealing kisses, usurping her arranged betrothal's rights, and fighting off a few dozen men are all fun and games until Artan overhears a conversation from the girl's guardians between her betrothed. His questions and fears answered, Artan knows what he must do.
He will have to kidnap his future bride from the midst of wolves and take her back with him whether she wants to go or not. Cecily, hurt and betrayed, struggles against her passion for this Highland barbarian. Her struggles however are halfhearted, because when Artan touches her or kisses her or loves her, she burns for him with a yearning that can't be denied.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Buy: Highland Barbarian
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Originally posted 2008-11-27 22:13:51. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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October 15th, 2009 — 3.5 Stars, ARC, Great Britain, Guest Reviews, J-L, Knight, Medieval, Rape/Abuse, Scarred Hero, Science, Time Travel, United States of America
by Susan Sigler, guest reviewer
Wish for the Moon is a beautiful story with elements comparable to Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe, complete with medieval knights and tournaments.
Jones’s story contains medieval and feudal terms, which left me feeling a bit confounded for the first half of the story. I found myself resorting to a list of medieval terminology which I printed from the internet. For the second half of the read, I applied my own inferences and conjectures deciding to forego my list altogether.
As a result, there is an adjustment period for modern readers. Some terms you’ll find within the book are: atavistic, barbican, bread trenchers, garderobe, hauberk, I trow, supercilious, God’s teeth, for certes, and cantankerous.
I found myself empathizing more with a secondary character, rather than the main characters. I found (Giles) both earl and brother to our hero (Matthias) quite refreshing. I enjoyed Gile’s character very much. He is honest and forthcoming, whereas Matthias is dishonest and unforthcoming. They are at odds, and their brotherly dynamics are at the heart of this plot.
The setting where most of our story unfolds, takes place inside a castle during the Middle Ages.
Caroline Greer (heroine) will travel alone from South Carolina in the states, to Wales in the U.K. She visits Matthias Thorne, a professor of medieval studies at Cardiff University. Matthias may have knowledge of a plant, known for its abilities to help inhibit seizures. This is critical to Caroline who’s not only an herbalist, but suffers from epileptic seizures.
When Matthias turns her away refusing to help, Carrie must take matters into her own hands.
In his attempt to stop her from uncovering a dark truth, they will travel back in time into the Middle Ages.
Once there, they will encounter a terrible betrayal, lies, and deceit. When the truth is revealed, will Carrie and Matthias have enough trust in themselves to forge a life together? Or will the betrayal be too painful to overcome.
Wish for the Moon is book one of Circle of Destiny, which leads me to surmise, it may very well be part of a trilogy.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Time Travel Romance, eBook, The Wild Rose Press, Copyright 2008, 375 pages.
ISBN# 1-60154-554-1
Buy: Wish for the Moon
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September 21st, 2009 — A-C, Guest Blogger, Knight, Medieval
by Elizabeth Chadwick, guest blogger and author of The Greatest Knight
I’d like to say many thanks for inviting me to be your guest blogger. I’m really pleased to be here!
Whenever I go out on the road and give talks about historical fiction, certain questions are asked on a regular basis, so I thought I’d write my own Q and A session!
Q. Have you always written?
A. I have been telling myself stories verbally since I can remember but I only started writing them down from being fourteen when I was inspired by a TV drama about the Tudors. I wrote an entire 500 page novel longhand and realised in the writing that it was what I wanted to do for a living.
Q. Did it take you a long time to find a publisher?
A. I plucked up the courage to send my first attempt out when I was 17. It was returned to me with a “thanks but no thanks,” but I wasn’t put off. It was part of who I was and whether I was published or not, I was still going to carry on writing. Throughout the rest of my teens and twenties, I continued to write novels, send them off and have them rejected, but I persevered. If you really want something, you don’t give up that easily. I finally got the call in my early thirties as a stay at home mother with two small children. I had my desk in their playroom and used to sneak moments to write in between looking after my boys.
Q. How long does it take you to write a novel?
A. My contracts are fifteen months. This gives me time to research the books, write them, and also do all the extra bits and pieces that are part of a writer’s career these days such as websites, Facebook, Twitter and of course guest blog posts! It also gives me time for my family and for going out on tour to meet the readers in person.
Q. What’s a typical working day?
A. Well I don’t rise at the crack of dawn unless forced. 8.30 to 9am feels about right. While drinking the morning mug of tea, I’ll check the morning’s e-mails, Facebook and Twitter to see what’s come in overnight. I’ll answer the most pressing ones and sort the others into ‘to deal with’ and ‘delete’. Around 10am I’ll start writing. I take a coffee break and check the e-mails again after a couple of hours. Then more writing up to late lunch about 2pm. Back to the writing unless I have to do domestic stuff such as the grocery shop or get my hair cut etc. I break off between 5 and 8 for family time, and then it’s back to work. When writing a first draft I aim for 1500 words a day. Once I finish my word count, it’s on to blogging, networking and answering reader e-mails. Then to bed with a book around 1am and read until around 2. I definitely work better at night!
Q. What attracted you to write about the Middle Ages and what led you to William Marshal, star of The Greatest Knight?
A. After I’d written my Tudor story, I fell in love with a knight on a children’s TV programme called Thibaud, le Chevalier Blanc, and he set me to writing my own medieval story. I knew nothing about the Medieval times when I set out to write my story, so I had to start researching and the more I researched, the more interested I became in the period and the more I wanted to write about it. I came across William Marshal whilst researching one of my earlier novels and realised that his story simply had to be told. What a man! The fourth son of a minor baron who became a champion jouster, married a great heiress, and went on one day not only to rule England, but to save the country from disaster. He outlived four kings in his lifetime. The Greatest Knight covers the first part of his life story. A second stand alone novel, The Scarlet Lion, covers his struggles with the ever notoriouis King John.
Q.Would you like to have lived in those times?
A. I would absolutely love to go back for annual holidays and in different seasons to see what it was like, but I am afraid I am too much a creature of the 21st century. I think we give Medieval folk far less credit than is their due for their skill and resilience, and some of the beautiful things they crafted such as textiles and leatherwork, but I also know that I would miss flushing toilets, hot water at the turn of a tap….and chocolate. Especially chocolate. William Marshal was known to love his food, but also be discerning about it. I wonder what he would think if handed a bar of chocolate to try!
About the Author
Elizabeth Chadwick lives near Nottingham with her husband and two sons. She is the author of 17 historical novels, including Lords of the White Castle, Shadows and Strongholds, A Place Beyond Courage, The Scarlet Lion, the Winter Mantle, and the Falcons of Montebard, four of which have been shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Awards. Much of her research is carried out as a member of Regia Anglorum, an early medieval re-enactment society with the emphasis on accurately re-creating the past. She won a Betty Trask Award for The Wild Hunt, her first novel.
Buy: The Greatest Knight
Giveaway: Elizabeth Chadwick and Sourcebooks are sponsoring a giveaway of 1 copy of The Greatest Knight for US and Canada only readers. Enter by leaving relevant comments. One entry per comment; multiple entries allowed. Ends: September 28th, 2009.
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September 17th, 2009 — 4 Stars, Book Review, G-I, Great Britain, Heiress, Highlander, Kidnapping, Knight, Survival, Virgin Heroine, Warrior
I had a hard time setting Highland Hearts aside to get some work done once I started it. I ended staying up late last night to finish it. This story is exciting and thrilling and you'll be sure to love it even if Highlander romance is not your cup of tea.
Contessa Delgado's journey to love begins the moment she releases Sir Revan Halyard from her Uncle Thurkettle's dungeon. Footsteps and voices descend the stairwell leading down to where they are and Revan does what any dashing knight would do when life was in danger - hold a girl by sword point and threaten to skewer her if Thurkettle and his men don't drop their weapons.
Feisty Tess has a wicked tongue and gives him a verbal lashing even as he drags her onto his horse and rides into the woods as if the devil were on their heels. When arrows start to rain down on them without a care to Tess' safety and some aimed even more deliberately at her the urge to get away is even more dire. What uncle would shoot to kill his niece? An uncle who wanted all the wealth she just inherited from her trust, that's who.
When they rest at last Tess tells Revan what she thinks of his gratitude for her saving his life and he swears then that he never truly meant to run her through with his sword, the threat just had to look real. Then Revan asks Tess to face some hard facts. Tess acknowledges to Revan that she is aware of at least three other incidences where her uncle's tried to kill her and make look like accidents. Revan having kidnapped Tess has made it far easier to kill her and lay the blame elsewhere.
Revan guesses it is because of fortune and Tess murmurs her agreement and tells him a paltry version of her inheritance not revealing her full wealth to the handsome knight. She then asks Revan why her uncle had locked him up and he reveals that he is a knight in service to the king. Together they patch what clues Revan was able to gather on his mission to spy for King James II and what Tess can deduce from clues she unwittingly encountered in her uncle's keep of treason and betrayal her uncle and their neighbor Douglas were cooking up together.
Their knowledge puts them in even more danger as they now have to get their information to the king, avoid her uncle's men and the Douglas men out to get them, and while they do not fight the growing fires that flare between them their love is not an easy one. This novel is truly about passion on the run as Revan and Tess land in one mess or another.
Rating: 4 Stars
Originally posted 2008-09-18 05:44:22. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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April 23rd, 2009 — 2 Stars, Blind, Book Review, D-F, Dukes and Earls, Great Britain, Heiress, Historical Romance, Kidnapping, Knight, Mistaken Identity, Virgin Heroine
The Heiress by Jude Deveraux started off exceptionally well in my opinion but tapered off into mediocrity and stayed there after the jumpstart. It’s too bad that it did that as my initial impressions of the novel were four out of five stars. The editing felt choppy in the middle and was completely disconnected towards the end. There was a distinct lack of transitions between scenes and as I read I felt like I was missing the good parts, the parts that tied everything together.
It was hard to feel for the characters after the initial start as well. There was no chemistry between the two of them in the end and that’s what killed the book. I kept reading though hoping it would turn around and be the amazing story it started off as. No such luck.
Axia has forever been stigmatized by her fortune. When people first meet her, they dismiss her, but that soon changes when they hear about how she is the Maidenhall Heiress. Their entire demeanor would do a one eighty. Men previously uninterested would turn fawning gazes her way and declare their undying love and devotion. For once Axia would love to be wanted, needed, and desired for who she was rather than how much money she represents.
James, call him Jamie, Montgomery is a dirt-poor Elizabethan knight. He inherited his brother’s earldom after his death to a fever. Unfortunately for James, his brother had gambled away everything leaving the family with nothing and no way to support themselves. James had responsibilities to the tenets whose land had once been Montgomery before his brother’s debts, his withdrawn mother, blind twin sister, and tomboy younger sister. So when Maidenhall offered to pay him to escort his daughter Axia to her betrothed, James said yes.
But then his sisters found out and hatched a plan to use Jame’s beauty to save them from destitution. He would woo the Maidenhall Heiress while she was under his charge and convince her to marry him instead of the man she was betrothed too. However Axia outsmarts James and convinces her beautiful cousin to play the part of heiress to allow Axia freedom on the journey. The tale is a topsy-turvy ride through layers of deception, intrigue, and desperation.
Rating: 2 Stars
Originally posted 2008-08-25 05:41:11. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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