Customer Reviews

The Black Knave

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

 

 

His father and his older brother thought he was a wastrel. His father openly hated him for walking away from the wholesale slaughter of innocent women and children at Culloden. However, not long afterward his brother trips and dies on his own blade and a low lying tree branch kills his father. Rory Forbes becomes the Marquis of Braemoor, a position he does not want.

Cumberland forces Bethia MacDonnell to marry Rory, who she feels is pathetic. He dresses like a wimp and she heard he cowardly fled the battlefield even if he fought for her enemy. She needs the help of the brave Black Knave to rescue her brother held hostage by Cumberland. The Black Knave has saved numerous Jacobites from the wrath of the victors sending them to safety in France. As Rory and Bethia find reasons to distrust and loathe one another, they still fall in love. However, she needs a champion not a loser like Rory, even if at times he seems so heroic.

THE BLACK KNAVE is a retelling of the classic Scarlet Pimpernel that makes Patricia Potter either a raving lunatic or an intrepid, confident author. After reading the historical romance, readers will realize that the awesome author pulls off a coup as she freshens up both the Pimpernel premise and the overwritten post-Culloden novel. Rory and Bethia are a wonderful couple who fall in love amidst the ruins of war and its aftermath. The story line is action packed and never allows the reader to sit back as Ms. Potter provides her audience with a thriller.

Harriet Klausner

Rory Forbes actually fit the definition of a hero. And he was so good at it. He was just so sexy, and handsome and loyal to those he cared about. Can't get much better than him. A wonderful, wonderful book.

After the death of his father, Rory Forbes becomes the new Marquis of Braemoor. He neither wants the title nor the bride that he is forced to marry per the King's order. The Jacobite bride was even less pleased but was forced to marry to save her younger brother who was being held prisoner. In her eyes only the Black Knave can save her and she needs his help desperately. Little did she know, he is closer than he thinks.

Rory and Bethia hate each other from the start and his fake persona of being a gambling, empty headed wastrel isn't helping matters. You cannot help but love Rory. He is sensitive to her feelings, even though he can't let her know. He is strong, noble, kind, gentle, and has a good heart. Bethia is strong, brave and determined and does not sit back and accept his treatment of her. She makes the most of her situation and doesn't whine and cry like others would in her situation. She fights him tooth and nail although her attraction to Rory is growing. Little by little she sees through his facade, and sees the wonderful man underneath. When I say little by little that's exactly what I mean and the reason for the four stars. It had a tendency to drag a little while they got to know each other better. It wasn't a very fast paced, exciting book, but it did have all the qualities of a good book. The character development and plot were both excellent. The end was just as it should be with all the t's crossed and i's dotted.

I recommend this book highly, just don't expect it to keep you on the edge of your seat. It had more of a laid back feel to it.

With an historic backdrop and wonderful characters, this book is an all-time favorite, unmatched in excellence even by Ms Potter's other books. Rory Forbes is the sort of character who will stay in a reader's memory for a long while, as will Bethia. It was such a rough and tragic time in history to be alive but they survived, although it's hard to believe they would have had too many peaceful years further on in their marriage, given the unrest of the eighteeneth century.

This guy, Rory Forbes was spectacular in his many disguises. And he was such a handsome, intelligent man, any woman would have been lucky to be married to him. Bethia realized it before long,too. She handled herself like a trouper through all the ups and downs. A great woman.

This is the type of book that isn't easy to put down once you start reading it. It was so intertaining, so 'on the edge of your seat' and also romantic. Ms. Potter is no MADELINE HUNTER when it comes to love scenes, but they were sweet nonetheless, if evasive.

I'm not easily impressed but I found this novel to be outstanding!!! Rory Forbes was fantastic, handsomely portrayed, and I think even the Duke of Cumberland was charmed by him. Bethia was a gem, although she and Jenna (The Diamond King) are almost identical in personality.

This is one of those rare books you hate to put down; it was SO interesting. Just an outstanding plot based on actual events in history, and absolutely wonderful characters. I thought Rory was magnificent.

THE BLACK KNAVE, WAS A GREAT BOOK. I RECOMEND IT PATRICIA POTTER HAS A WAY WITH A STORY. THIS IS AN EXCITING BOOK WITH DANGER AND LOVE, IT WILL MAKE YOU WONDER HOW EVERYONE CAN BE SO STUPID AS NOT TO FIGURE OUT WHATS REALLY GOING ON. BETHIA IS TRYING TO SAVE HER ELEVEN YEAR OLD BROTHER, AND MARRIED FOR CONVIENENCE, TO A SCOTTISH REBEL. DURING THIS TIME SHE IS SEARCHING FOR SCOTLANDS HERO. SHE IS NOT AWARE THAT THE BLACK KNAVE MIGHT JUST BE THE LOVE OF HER LIFE.

Ms Potter, as always, serves up a beautifully told story of loss and love. Unlike many other readers, I am NOT a fan of Gabaldon. (I'll always think fondly of Jamie, but prefer scenes of brutality to remain asexual.) Ms Potter painstakingly shows the reality of war and loyalty issues, complete with base villains, with no distasteful scenes of sexual torment. The research is impeccable, the characters three-dimensional, and the tenderness heartwarming. In Ms Potter's books, a reader is allowed--encouraged--to root for the heroes and be assured of justice in the end. Bless you, Ms Potter, for giving us yet another splendid book!