Customer Reviews

The Bargain

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

An erotic Medieval by Ms. Templeton that had just enough of 'you are my woman` to appeal to many readers, alas, left me wanting. Indeed the steamy and sensual love scenes were anjoyable but not as explicit as I expected.

What brought my rating down was the modern language. If not for the 'mayhaps` and 'nays` thrown in here and there I could have been reading a Regency. Also, the conflict wrapped up way too quickly.

Not bad for a quick afternoon read and I will probably check out another book by this author. However, The Bargain was not a keeper.

Renaud de Wolf, knight to King William, has come to reclaim Braemere, the fief which de Pirou, the man sent by the king before him, has lost back to its original owners-losing his own life in the process. Renaud has taken the castle, and now Adelstan Cawdor, who retook his home from the man who slew his parents, stands before him.

Before things can go further, an arrow is loosed, striking Renaud in the shoulder. Only Adelstan's quick defense saves the culprit; his twin-his female twin, Aleysia. Seeing no other way out when she is brought before Renaud, Aleysia makes a bargain to be de Wolf's mistress in exchange for her twin's life.

This is a well-written tale, in which the erotic abounds, but never overshadows the love story developing between its principles. The author focuses on the relationship between Aleysia and de Wolf, but there is also a sub-plot about de Wolf's sister Elena, and Renaud's first-in-command, Galeran. This author handles both with skillful ease.

There are a few editing mistakes, and the solution to the obstacles standing in Aleysia and de Wolf's path seems a bit too easy, but these are minor complaints in an otherwise enjoyably well-developed and interesting story, with several plot twists and turns that help it along. The characters have dimension and extreme likeability in the case of the principles, while the villains of the piece show devious depth that rings true and adds to the story's appeal.

This is a well-crafted medieval tale, and will be enjoyed by lovers of erotica, romance and a historical setting alike. Recommended.

Reviewed by Lee M







Copyright © 2006 CK2S Kwips and Kritiques. All rights reserved.

The Bargain is a medieval erotic pleasure! Norman Knight Renaud de Wulf conquers Braemere for King William. Upon his arrival he captures the young Saxon Lord Adelstan Cawdor, but is suddenly wounded by an arrow shot from the young Lord's twin. Renaud soon discovers this twin is a beautiful young woman, Lady Aleysia. A cold conqueror, he accepts "The Bargain" of her virginity and her warming his bed in return for him sparing her brother's life. Renaud soon discovers that once is not enough with this young and sensual beauty. The lust they expect, but soon Renaud and Aleysia find themselves struggling with their feelings of love, an intense struggle between conqueror and captured. Renaud finds his love for the beautiful Aleysia becoming stronger than his allegiance to his King and he continually finds himself giving into her demands for her brother's release. Soon he is sacrificing all for more of her. This is what makes this story even more erotic, as well as it being a delightful well-written historical romance that has a balance of story, character development, and erotica. It is the intense lust, pleasure and love that at times seems all consuming, which is what makes a good erotic read more than just a string of sex scenes. Julia Templeton is an author destined to be one of the top authors in erotic romance. This reviewer finds that when a Julia Templeton story is part of an anthology, her story always seems to outshine the others. Her books are a true delight for those who love the sensual that blends with a well-developed and researched story. And like her characters......her fans want more!

I love erotic romances (emphasis on "romance", not just "erotica.") And having read several of Ms. Templeton's other works, I grabbed The Bargain with high hopes. I wasn't disappointed.

She skillfully blends a very traditional medieval romance with steamy and plentiful love scenes. It's a perfect mix. The hero was just alpha enough and there was enough historical background to lay the foundation without becoming like a history class.

With the over-saturation of vampires, faeries and witches in erotic romance these days, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that some publisher might realize there is still a market for medieval and even (gasp) western romance with an erotic flavor.

Please keep them coming, Ms. Templeton!!

Aleysia of Braemere refuses to sit idly by and let her twin, Adelstan, be killed for defending their home. Shamelessly making a bargain with the Norman devil sent by King William, Aleysia devises a plan to gain his trust and free her brother. In her naiveté, Aleysia doesn't realize that in fighting her feelings for this fierce warrior, she just might lose more than her heart.

Throughout his life, Renaud de Wulf has been taught honor and loyalty. He has also learned to never trust a woman. Arrogantly believing that no woman can outwit him, Renaud agrees to Aleysia's request and terms. The seasoned knight reasons that he will reap the benefits of Aleysia's plea for her brother's life quite lustily without becoming attached to the blonde haired siren he holds in his arms. Quite unexpectedly, however, the tables turn and Renaud finds himself craving Aleysia's innocent and passionate touch like he has never craved anything before.

Neither Aleysia nor Renaud are prepared for the onslaught of feelings that each experiences. Aleysia torments Renaud at every turn as she manipulatively struggles to free her brother. Just when they seem to come to a tentative truce, an order by the king threatens to tear these two stubborn lovers apart. Before the king's edict can take place, a foe thought to once be a friend threatens Aleysia's very existence and it will be up to Renaud to save the woman he has come to adore.

THE BARGAIN by Julia Templeton is a passionate historical tale set a few years after the Battle of Hastings during the period of time in English history when Normans and Saxons despised one another. The emotions and feelings of the characters portrayed in THE BARGAIN are extremely realistic. I could sense Aleysia's turmoil as she fights to do what she thinks is right for her brother while still falling in love with Renaud. Renaud de Wulf is downright deadly but a most virile and sensuous man. I sat back and smiled as I watched him succumb time and time again to Aleysia's wiles. Perfectly matched, yet fighting their attraction every step of the way, their capitulation is breathtaking!

When I see the name Julia Templeton on the cover of a historical novel, I know within the pages is an extraordinary read. THE BARGAIN was that and more; it consumed me for hours! I had to know what was next for these wonderfully dynamic characters. To say that I enjoyed THE BARGAIN would be mundane; I savored this book and know without a doubt I will read it time and time again.

THE BARGAIN released on November 7, 2006.

I've read all of Ms. Templeton's romances, and am a huge fan! Her latest, THE BARGAIN does not disappoint. If you want a spicier story, and a strong romance, perfectly combined, you'll enjoy the story of Aleysia and Renaud de Wulf.

It says "erotic romance" on the cover. Personally, I didn't find it any more erotic than a mainstream historical romance, and a good deal less so than some. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

We have our heroine Aleysia, dressed as a boy, an expert with a bow. Her twin brother is captured by Renaud de Wulf, and when he comes for her, she shoots him with an arrow. Even so, she's strangely attracted to him, and offers him "anything" in exchange for her brother's freedom.

There's the expected back and forth dilemma about Aleysia falling in love with the hated enemy, and the trust issue from Renaud, who seems hurt that his captive would try to escape, and surprised that she'd help her brother escape when he tells her he has to take him to the king to face execution anyway--sorry about that bargain.

There is nothing here I haven't read a dozen times before, and nothing to distinguish it. There is, as advertised, quite a lot of sex, but there's nothing to distinguish that, either.

My biggest problem with this story, however, is that it hits nearly every problem I have with historical romances, and romances in general:

* the heroine who dresses as a boy
* the heroine who's an expert marksman
* the back-and-forth of "I love him, but he's my enemy"
* the premature and illogical demands for trust

Readers who don't mind those conventions, and who aren't jaded by a few too many sex scenes would probably really enjoy this. It's just not for me.

Good. I read this quickly. Good storyline characters and passion as expected in these novels. However nothing new that I have not read before. This story follows the same routine.

Julia Templeton's novel The Bargain is not a bad read but it isn't all the memorable either. Taking place a few years after The Norman invasion of England it pairs a fiery Saxon against a Norman Knight.

Renaud de Wolf is a fierce Norman who is very loyal to King William. He is commanded to take hold of Braemere castle and subdue its owner Adelstan Cawdor, a man who killed the previous noble Lord. He easily overtakes the castle and captures Adelstan, when he is shot by a lad on the ramparts who is Adelstan's twin, Aleysia.

Aleysia dressed in boys clothing is beautiful, so much so that Renaud makes a bargain with her, he will spare her brother's life if she will become his mistress. So begins their tale of sensual discovery and lustful encounters which were a bit unbelievable. Aleysia is very attracted to Renaud and from the beginning enjoys their heated embraces a little too much, after all the man just captured her castle and she seems to forget that when he touches her. At the same time she is with Renaud, she is looking for a means to help her brother escape the dungeons.

Renaud is very trusting, a little too trusting, but he is also clever, kind and fair. I liked him much more than Aleysia who never seemed to know how she felt about Renaud unless someone interpreted her feelings for her. Her loyalty to her brother is her north star and here she is unwavering and actually believable. She manages to help him in his escape but what price will everyone pay for her actions?

This book moves along at a fairly steady pace and the male characters in this novel are strong and well developed. Alysia's character seemed uncertain (she adapted to wearing female clothing and putting away weaponry way too easily). But her real problem was she lacked Renaud's dynamic charm.

I bought this book because the cover blurb was clever, but was disappointed by the contents. While I don't expect scholarly accuracy in fiction, I do expect an author who writes "historicals" - even "erotic historicals" - to be aware that history is more nuanced than "it takes place in the past and there's noblemen and stuff." Within the first fifty pages of this book it becomes quite clear that, rather than using the unique details of a particular historical period to construct a plot and characters, the author merely grabbed the name "Norman Conquest" from somewhere and used "historical" to refer to a completely generic "past." I amused myself at first by picking out plot elements that had been done better by other authors. When that palled, I wondered if the time period or location actually mattered and began substituting random historical periods and/or nationalities whenever "Norman", "Saxon" or "Scotland" was mentioned in the text to see if it changed the political or interpersonal dynamics. It didn't. They were generic enough to encompass anything. As for the erotic part, the author writes mechanical descriptions - the same descriptions over, and over, and over. I was glad, in a detached sort of way, that Renaud and Aleysia seemed to be enjoying their moments, but I got bored with betting with myself whether her nipples or his balls would ache first. I didn't find it interesting enough to finish it.