Customer Reviews

A Winter Ballad

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I love the the way Barbara Samuels writes. She weaves her love scenes like a beautiful tapestry. The scenes in this book are captivating. I am addicted to her writing and this is another great love story. I am happy to say the Anya and Christian are very easy to love and sympathise with. But their problems are difficult to overcome. The book gives a very real picture of the prejudice and filth they had to live with. I did learn a lot about the hold the Church had over the people of those times and it made the book impossible to put down.

It's not often in a book that you find a man in need of a woman's help. But without Anya, Christian would have died. He then in his own awkward way saves her.

I expected the book to end with an ending leaving you wondering what happened. This book has a complete and wonderful ending. I wish I could tell more.

This is the best historical romance I have read in a very long time!

You won't regret buying it!

This is the first book I've read by Barbara Samuel but it won't be the last. Historical Romance is my favorite genre and this book was intellegently written with an admirable hero and heroine. They are beset with difficulties caused by the elements, evil family, and the Medieval Church. Happily with perseverence, luck, and wise decisions, they and their romance triumph. I would have liked a bit more real history but the atmosphere of the period was carefully drawn and that was very satisfying.

Lady Anya of Winterbourne finds a severely injured knight in the woods and decides to take him home to cure him. After a first investigation of the knight's injuries she supposes that the knight and his dog must have been beaten and left to die in the woods, however, with her care the knight heals. Lady Anya doesn't know who the knight is and the knight feels that his rescuer has her own secrets.

A well-written historical romance with loveable main characters. The author succeeded perfectly in creating and sustaining the atmosphere and threats of the time.

The plot is interesting and entertaining, especially because the lady saves the knight before he even gets the chance to unleash his chivalry.

However, for so many 5* reviews I would have expected something more outstanding and maybe some more twists and turns to the story.

In any case, a nice and unproblematic read that offers many hours of relaxation.

Wow, this was a really great story. It was an unusual storyline and very well written. At times the words were almost poetic to me. I really enjoyed the relationship between Anya and Christian. I'm not a big fan of romance novels where the main characters are arguing for most of the book. Christian was a true champion to Anya and their love really pulls you in. I was sad when the story was done because I just wanted it to keep going. I will be reading more of Ms. Samuel. The romance scenes weren't too graphic either if you prefer it that way. This was a great book, esp at the price.

I read a lot- mostly mysteries and historical romance - medieval, highlander, Georgian, Regency, etc. I discovered Barbara Samuels when I was loading my Kindle for a month long trip out of the country without my computer. Looking for less than 9.99 books, I found her books (very reasonably priced .99 to 2.99 for full length novels) and was very, very pleasantly surprised on two counts. I've read 3 of her books now and have enjoyed them all very much.

First, the stories are not cut from the same mold as so many historical romances are (a variation on the same old storyline. Well, "Winter Ballad" is somewhat a variation on the medieval heiress running her castle...and the warrior), but the 2 St. Ives were refreshingly different. Second, I liked that she wrote well. She doesn't have the sophisticated writing of Liz Carlisle or Eloisa James in sentence construction or vocabulary, but the writing is solid, very good, keeps the interest for the most part (a bit too much introspection on the characters part), and the writing is error free. None of the intrusive "I" when it should be "me"... She knows her grammar or has a good editor that knows grammar and spelling -which I respect. There's some sex, yes, but not as hot or as explicit as others. I give it a 5 star because it was well crafted and took me by surprise. Maybe a 4 if I compare it to others.

I agree with the reviews. The characters were sympathetic and the general plot was intriguing and non-contrived. There were real issues involved here, ambition, poverty, family issues etc.I was satisfied with this Barbara Samuel book.

This is my first book by Barbara Samuel and I was not disappointed. Interesting story line, good characterization and writing. Have to admire Anya, her strength of character especially after what she suffered. Loved the poignancy of Anya and Christian's story, they had wonderful chemistry from the start.

It was odd for me to read about Edward II mentioned in a positive light, the king being a friend of Christian's, given that Edward II is not remembered well by history.

The setting provides a glimpse of life during those times, the hardship and frightening power and corruption of the church.

Loved this book. I've read many romance books in my days, however, this book was one of those "special ones". It will remain in my heart and mind for a long time.

I find Barbara Samuel's books consistently good and this one didn't disappoint. A well written and entertaining read with sympathetic and very human characters that feel real and resonate long after you finish the book. Recently discovered this author and already she's on my keeper shelf.