21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I couldn't put this one down!, April 24, 2000
I usually enjoy Christina Dodd's books and this one was no exception. Edlyn is a twice-widowed woman who is living in poverty at an abbey as an herbalist. She is strong, compassionate and disillusioned, the only thing she still owns is her pride. Hugh, is a strong, honorable and brave knight commanding the kings royal warriors. Edlyn and Hugh recognize each other from their childhood days and Edlyn had thought she had long since buried her tender feelings for Hugh. Their reunion, though, is not a particularly loving one. Hugh was wounded in battle and lays close to dying, Edlyn is coerced into tending him by his manservant. Later, Edlyn find out that Hugh is the lord who captured her second husband and brought him to justice. Her late husband was executed for treason to the crown and her and her kids were kicked out of their home, destitute. Hugh is a bit arrogant and chauvinistic - in a lovable kind of way - but he does comes around later on in the book and sees the error of his ways. They make for a strong couple who complement each other. I loved that Edlyn's character was intelligent and proud, she came up with great ways to save them from trouble. She may not have much in the way of material things but she more than makes up for in character. No sappy, whiney heroine here. I think you'll appreciate that for a change - I did.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Return of Her First Love, April 19, 2004
After her second husband was hung for treason, Lady Edlyn and her two sons were cast out of their home with little more than the clothes on the backs. Having nowhere else to go, they seek shelter at the convent she had financially assisted.
Edlyn, a skilled herbalist, now treats the battle wounds of the men the nuns nurse back to health. But on one of her trips to the dispensary, Edlyn discovers a critically injured knight, accompanied by his manservant who insists she tend his master's wounds in secret. She remembers the knight as Hugh de Florisoun, the love of her girlhood. A lot has happened to Edlyn since then at the hands of men, and she has become cynical regarding their capacity for love and honor. She brings Hugh back from the brink of death with her healing skills, and the declaration of her past love. Hugh, who has just been made an earl and given an estate by the prince, wishes to repay his debt to her by insisting they marry. Reluctantly, Edlyn becomes his bride, and agrees to run his household and submit to his passion, but withholds her heart. Hugh has never backed down nor lost a battle, and he's determined to emerge the victor in this also.
This is the sequel to ONCE A KNIGHT where we were first introduced to Lady Edlyn and Hugh de Florisoun. While this isn't one of my favorites by Ms. Dodd, it was still a very good story and definitely worth the read. The humor in this book was wonderful. My favorite scene was when Hugh found Edlyn after she had been kidnapped shortly after their marriage. I still laugh when I think about it. The secondary character of Richard also added some good moments as well.
I think my only two complaints would be Edlyn came across as being rather cold to me, which was understandable considering her history. However, it seemed like it took forever for her to realize and admit her love for Hugh, even to herself. And at the end, she still seemed a little too reserved. The other problem was even though I did believe they had fallen in love, I didn't feel the intensity of their passion for each other, at least not as strong as I have in most of Ms. Dodd's other novels. Again, that may relate back to my feeling Edlyn was too reserved for too long. But despite those couple of issues, this story still deserves a four star rating, and I would definitely recommend it.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Read, February 21, 2001
By A Customer
I was bored one day and did not have a good book to read. I discovered a site called www.Bookface.com and saw this book in the romance section. I had never read any medieval romances before so I was a bit wary but to my surprise I really enjoyed it. Now I know why so many authors write about this era. It is the stuff of fairy tales with romance, mystery, suspense, and best of all humor. I was introduced to historical romances by Georgette Heyer who started this whole genre and am always searching for other such authors. I really loved this book and immediately started reading the next book I could find from Christina Dodd. I also recommend reading Judith McNaught.
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