Customer Reviews

Beauty's Curse: Book Two in the Boadicea Series

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Galiana Montehue's beauty brings her suitors but not love. Indeed, her beauty is more a curse than a gift. Her mother has taught her the perfect comportment of ladies, but she does not have the family's magical powers she so eagerly desires. Her parents are eager for their daughter to marry, but deep in her heart, Galiana hopes for adventure, true love and magical power. Instead, she injures a knight while trying to protect her brother, causing a head injury that leaves Lord Rourke Wallis blind. Taken prisoner, Galiana is forced to care for the handsome knight. Since he cannot see her, the curse of her beauty does not influence his reactions to her. Indeed, whereas other men worship her without ever knowing her, Rourke sees Galiana as she truly is on the inside. As Rourke heals from his injury, his quest to find the Breath of Merlin, a supernatural treasure stolen from King William, leads both Rourke and Galiana into dangerous territory. Will Galiana and Rourke be able to negotiate their way amidst all the court intrigue, subterfuge and hidden alliances that threaten their mission? Will the attraction between Galiana and Rourke endure past the thrill of adventure?

In BEAUTY'S CURSE, the second of the Bodicea series featuring the sisters of the magical Montahue family, Traci E. Hall takes medieval magical romance to a new level as her characters search for an ancient treasure! BEAUTY'S CURSE can be read as a stand alone as well as after the first book, LOVE'S MAGIC, although the medieval romance enthusiasts will certainly want to read both after getting a taste of the author's writing. BEAUTY'S CURSE is a medieval romance full of adventure, mystery and supernatural magic set in the late 12th century, a time of political intrigue. Rourke makes for a most intriguing romance hero. Although handsome and strong, strong at least before his injury, ambition and a desire for power drive Rourke's intentions. As a spy seemingly working for both sides, Rourke knows how to play the game and work both sides to his advantage. When conflicting demands on his allegiance come head to head, how will he choose? Galiana is beautiful and knows how to act as a lady, and yet she has both an independent spirit and strength of character. Rourke and Galiana are just the perfect match to unleash each other's inner strength, setting each other free to follow the dictates of their hearts rather than the ways they have learned to survive the earlier disappointments of their lives.

BEAUTY'S CURSE is everything a reader could ask for in a medieval romance. Traci E. Hall weaves together a historical setting and fairy tale magic, adventure and romance into story that captures the imagination. Once opened, BEAUTY'S CURSE is hard to put down and this reader didn't. BEAUTY'S CURSE is the perfect stay-at-home snow or rainy day reading choice. Traci E. Hall's writing flows naturally, making this romance easy to read. One scene flows from the next. BEAUTY'S CURSE will appeal to readers wanting more from their medieval romances. Most definitely, the length gives readers more of a story and more of a chance to know the wonderful characters, and to follow their adventures but the richness of the story is more than simple page count alone. Traci E. Hall writes a story with a richness of texture. The mystery and Rourke's role as spy adds a layer of suspense while the romance also has exciting twists. An easy mix between dialogue, action and descriptive detail allows the reader to enter the world of the story. Intriguing subplots peak one's interest while not distracting from the main storyline. Interactions between the characters provide delightful moments of humor. If you love magical medieval romance, Traci E. Hall is a must read author!

Courtesy of Book Illuminations

This book has everything a Medieval romance should have - a powerful warrior hero, a courageous, stong-willed heroine, rich details, court intrigue, and passion that sizzles on the page. A fresh twist turns the usual themes of attraction and lust on end and makes this a very character-driven story as Galiana and Rourke work toward self-discovery, trust and love. I'm looking forward to more in this series!

i love anything historical and this book did not disappoint. the main characters, gali and rourke, as well as the secondary characters, were all well-developed and truly popped from the page. (on a side note, the secondary character, jamie, would make a nice hero in another book). the novel was filled with tension, romance, intrigue, and magic. if you like medieval historicals with a touch of the paranormal, you will love this book. it's quick and easy to read in that the details about the time period (12th century) are beautifully woven throughout the story--a good beach novel. happy reading!

The perfect blend of history, romance and mystery! This is book 2 in a series of 3. You can certainly read this book out of sequence but don't do it to yourself!!! You will be missing out on a wonderful story series. The story flows so well. I never felt like too much time was spent on a scene in the book. You will be amazed by how well Traci Hall describes her characters and what is going on around them. You will fall in love with these characters. It's a touch of magic and romance without the heaviness. Relax and enjoy!!!

If you are a romance fan, you will like this book. It is set in twelfth century Wales and has all the trappings of court intrigue. There are complex main characters and intriguing secondary characters. The story is fast paced and easy to read. It is full of drama, mystery, and passion.

Galiana Montehue is sought after for her great beauty. She despairs ever finding true love, for all men seen to get stupid the moment they lay eyes on her. When her parents leave her in charge of the keep while they go to visit her sister, she is thrilled with the chance to show that she is mature and responsible enough for the task. But her mischievous younger brothers draw her into a snowball fight into the forest. When she sees a knight baring down on her brother, she throws a rock, downing the knight. Her intent was to just to save her younger brother. Soon she finds herself and the entire keep prisoner of the knight's men, who demand she nurse him back to health, or else.
Rourke Wallis is intent to find the Breath of Merlin, a mythical stone, for King William. Felled by a maiden, he's shocked to awaken without sight. But ways most on his mind is his goal to find the stone, though the lovely nurse who is bringing him back to health is an added bonus.
Galiana is stumped on how to deal with a man who doesn't fall over himself because of her looks, its a refreshing, if slightly annoying change. Soon though she finds herself in the middle of court intrigue and fighting a passion which is futile to resist. Can Rourke reach his ambitions with this country maiden, or will he set her aside?

BEAUTY'S CURSE was a captivating story full of passion, drama and intrigue. I loved the complex characters and events that brought this story together. Galiana has to prove that she is more than a beautiful face, and with Rourke not able to see her, she is at first pleased to finally find someone who can't judge her by her looks, though after a while, she is a bit annoyed with his comments that she is anything but gorgeous.

Usually I hate court intrigue of any kind, but I found that it wasn't drawn out into many misunderstandings in this story and I really enjoyed how it all played out. I also enjoyed secondary characters, and would love to see Jamie Fitzhugh with his own story. I look forward to reading more by Traci E. Hall, she is a talent that I had not before discovered, but will definitely search out for from now on.

Reviewed for: Night Owl Romance

In 1193 her family demands Galiana Montehue marry soon or else they will arrange a marriage for her. So far she has found no one appealing as her incredible beauty has become a curse that has hardened her to all these shallow charmers. Galiana takes a walk with her twelve year old twin brothers when they engage in a snowball fight in the near forest.

Abruptly a man with a sword threatens her siblings. Galiana throws a rock at him, hitting his head and knocking him out. The knight's men grab her to take care of their injured leader. When he awakens from his comatose state he is blind. As she nurses him back to health including his sight, they fall in love, but the royal spy Wallis O'Rourke must find the Breath of Merlin artifact to save the land from an evil ancient magic and marry the woman he loves before her father cuts off his head and other body parts.

With hints of Camelot, this is a terrific medieval romance as King William's espionage agent falls in love with his beautiful nurse while he is unable to see her "curse". The story line is fast-paced from the moment Galiana cast the first stone and never slows down until the final confrontation with her raging dad wanting his blood for her abduction. The twins put in-law relationships in perspective when they call him "her rapist". Traci E. Hall provides an exhilarating late twelfth century tale as the Montehue brood wants vengeance against the man who loves their daughter.

Harriet Klausner