Customer Reviews

The Border Lord and the Lady (Border Chronicles)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I agree that it is predictable. I just got to the point where the first husband dies and I don't know if I'm even interested in finishing the book.

I have all of Ms. Small's books, and like the other reviewer I've watched them fall into this predictable format.

Please Ms. Small, give us some of your older style with the history, color, drama, and love. I'm going to buy the next book. How could I not, but please bring us back to your older styles that captured my imagination and made me stay up all hours reading.

First of all, I would like to say that Bertrice Small is one of my favorite authors.

This book, however, is too much in a pattern which several books have already followed: The first husband is not really what she wanted, but she falls in love. Then he dies and she starts out disliking the new husband she is given, but eventually she falls in love with him, too. There is a crisis and afterwards, they both admit their love. (Reminds me of Blaze Windham and some other books...) And then there is, of course, the hateful servant she let go and who plans revenge (in other books this position is filled by rejected suitors or other jealous people who try to harm the heroes or heroines).

I am a bit disappointed...

There was no spirit in this book as there was in such wonderful stories as "Enchantress Mine", "The Kadin" or "Skye O'Malley". Or at least it was lost on me (I could NOT find any twists that were unexpected, as a previous reviewer stated!)

The Earl of Leighton worries his brilliant teenage second wife Luciana Maria Pietro, whom he married for her money and for giving him sons, will harm his beloved young daughter, Lady Cicely Bowen. To keep her safe he sends her away from her stepmother. Cicely and Lady Joan Beaufort become friends.

When Joan and King James I of Scotland marry, Cicely is selected as a lady-in- waiting to the new queen. At the Scottish court, two lairds with opposite demeanors pursue Cicely. Andrew Gordon is a suave aristocrat while Ian Douglas is a border lord. Although she plans to marry Andrew, Ian abducts her. She finds border life complex and harsh while her other suitor declares clan war and the queen demands the return of her lady in waiting.

This is an entertaining fifteenth century romance starring strong lead characters and real historical figures especially Joan who was married to James I. The story line provides a deep look at the era when intrigue and clan disputes and hostilities were the norm. Vivid with the real persona enhancing the triangular relationship, Bertrice Small provides a wonderful romance with Stockholm syndrome implications.

Harriet Klausner

Seriously.

Why do I do this to myself?

This is the fourth book in the Border Chronicles, the fourth I've read in sequence, and the fourth that is basically the same story told with a different set of historical personalities. Basically, this series ends up being an engaging account of a period of history in the border lands between England and Scotland with some light fiction tossed into the mix.

Now this is not necessarily a bad thing. Me, I'm a history junkie, so I can get into details laid on thick and furious. But this is not a historical romance novel as I suspect fans of the genre might be led to believe. Romance is the ignition of the senses and the chemistry that sparks into life between two people. Here we have likable characters but no real sense of why anyone should care deeply about anyone else.

Unfortunately the author has gone back to drink from the same well she has watered from in many previous books. I don't want to give any spoilers, but regular readers will see the pattern and might even be as aggravated with it as I was.

Well, okay, all of this, and isn't page 10 just a wee bit too soon to be discussing the nuts and bolts of "restoring" virginity to hoodwink a husband?

Finally, a historical romance that totally delivers quality. This book had my complete attention and most chapters had me glued to my sofa.

Although at times the author was too detailed with the food being eaten, the home furnishings and tapestries being woven/cleaned, one can truly appreciate the characters. The author included a great deal of character dialog as opposed to simple narration which allowerd one to truly understand the vast personalities within the storyline.

This book is by no means predictable. One sees the characters growing throughout their relationships, and although this is a romance novel set in midieval Scotland, the characters are never in control of their destiny. The storyline truly projects the hardships people went through during that time period, including the heroine. Although she is the Queen's best friend, no special treatments or favors are awarded her and one really feels the strength and wrath that is projected by Sctoland's King James I as he has come back from English imprisonment and is exercising control over the clan lairds and border lords. For us ladies, although we enjoy reading the trials and tribulations of historical romances, in my opinion, it would've been quite difficult to actually have lived during that time period, as women were not free to choose their own husbands, hold titles to land, were constantly birthing children every year(heaven forbid the child turned out to be a girl)etc. However, the sexual interludes were VERY descriptive definitely not rated "G" and yes on the very erotic side. The ending to this story is very unexpected and it is much appreciated when the author has researched the facts included within their storyline. The back cover summary to this book does not do the story any justice.

I am definitely looking forward to more works from this author.

Once I got past the realization that Bertrice Small historical romances are very different than others, I found the things that at first distracted (long narratives, repeated scenes told through different characters' eyes, and "head hopping" from one character's perspective to another in rapid succession) became a rich background for a captivating story. Then, too, one has to love the historical part of historical romance as Small gives you a lot of what was going on at the time, including the food they ate. Finally, her historical romances, or at least those I have read, do not all have one hero and one heroine who live happily ever after. The Border Lord and the Lady is just such a book. Oh, there's a happy ending, don't get me wrong, but it won't be what you expect. Nevertheless, it is very realistic for the time (15th century) and the place (the border between Scotland and England). And it's a wonderful story. I plan to read all in this series.

Lady Cicely Bowen was the much loved daughter of her widowed father, the Earl of Leighton. But when he remarries, his new wife is so jealous that the earl has to send Cicely away to foster at court to insure her safety. There, living in Queen Joan's household, she becomes a lady and the best friend of the king's cousin, Lady Joan Beaufort. When her cousin marries the young James Stewart, king of Scotland, Cicely follows her to Scotland. There Cicely expects to have her choice of husbands as promised by her father and agreed to by King James. But one of the border lords, Ian Douglas, laird of Glengorm, is smitten with her and decides she is the only one for him. Tired of fighting her other suitors for access, he engages in a bit of bride stealing, practically a tradition in Scotland.

To say this is the love story of Cicely and Ian is only part of the story. This tale goes on for several years and much happens in the lives of all those in Scotland who are a part of Cicely's life. I won't spoil it for you but I will say I was a bit shocked when certain events happened. But I did recognize it as reality and got over it very quickly as the story continued to intrigue me. I highly recommend this one.

Also, I recommend reading Small's "Betrayed" with or before this romance. It is the story of Fiona Hay, introduced in The Border Lord and The Lady, and it's a worthy read.

So you have the whole Border Chronicles series, here it is in order:

-A Dangerous Love
-The Border Lord's Bride
-The Captive Heart
-The Border Lord and the Lady
-The Border Vixen
-Bond of Passion (Oct 2011)

As usual Ms. Small gives a solid foundation of her characters from beginning to end. However, I was definitely shocked by what happened to one of the main characters. I wasn't happy and in fact after that I lost interest. It started off well, with the male character Ian kidnapping Cicely, the heroine. Cicely is strong, but what I didn't like is that she didn't love Ian, the man who was passionately in love with her with the same passion. Yes, she loved him but not as much or the way he loved her. I couldn't understand this. Yes, the way in which she became his wife wasn't traditional, but he was affectionate and kind to Cicely. Another character who comes in later in the book, Kier. I felt was undeveloped and lacked the connection I would think would be needed in a romance. Towards the end it felt a bit rushed. But all in all an okay read.

This book is all about a woman that is alone in the world due to a selfish step-mother and a father that panders to her. She goes to live with the Queen Mother and meets a girl who will be her friend for the rest of her life. The book takes you through fostering, the Scottish court, coronation, marriage, death, and falling in love all over again.

The characters realize that everything happens for a reason and that the only thing you can count on is love. She has been manipulated by most of the men in her life (father, King, suitors, first husbands and uncles). She learns how to follow and open her heart to the man of her dreams.

Cecily really does end up living happily ever after. It is too bad that all the hardships had to come first, so that she could appreciate it.

Well there's 4 days of reading I'm never getting back. This is the first time I've read a Bertrice Small book. The cover and inset pages boasts she's a legend and the reigning queen of historical genre. REALLY!?!?! with this tripe!? What was her editor thinking!? Or did they already cut out 200 other useless pages!?

The book didn't get remotely interesting until about page 200. seriously. everything else could have been left to reference later in shorter less painful pages. I wanted romance, excitement, adventure, love! Sex!! i got a massive history lesson about King James I (which I already had in college) and his court. I was bored to tears and then laughed for a good day when i hit the anal reference. I only forced myself to finish on sheer stubbornness alone. I doubt I'll be buying the other books after this one. I love historical romance. Its my secret addiction. this was a total fail in opinion. sorry!

Despite the fact that most women of her station marry for position and alliances, Lady Cicely Bowen has vowed that she'll only marry a man she loves. Her father has even given her leave to accept or deny any suit she chooses - much to her guardian's, Jamie, the King of Scotland, irritation. When Jamie married Cicely's best friend Joan she accompanied them to Scotland but finding an acceptable husband amongst these wild looking men could prove more complicated than she ever imagined.

Cicely, for most intents and purposes is a practical lass. It only makes sense that she share much in common with the man she marries so when the laird of Fairlea, Andrew Gordon, begins his courtship of her she believes him to be a good choice. He's cultured, can speak French and recite poetry. There's just no passion between them. His kisses don't make her tingle and he's more overbearing than she likes. His clan members have seen to it that no other man can even get close to Cicely which is why border lord Ian Douglas takes matters into his own hands and risks enraging the king by abducting the lady. He's been in love with Cicely since the day he pledged his fealty to the young king and he's determined to make her his wife. He just never imagined she'd prove to be so stubborn or find it so wildly satisfying to attempt to win her favor.

Cicely is horrified by the condition of Glengorm, Ian's ancestral home. It's been sadly neglected and the servant Bethia is a most distasteful woman. Cicely may not intend to be the lady of Glengorm but she's certainly not going to live in filth or allow this servant to speak to her so disrespectfully. With Ian's blessings she sets about making his home habitable - so that it will run properly and he'll be comfortable once she's returned to the Queen's service. Will she really want to leave Ian or Glengorm once the King's men arrive?

With her newest release Bertrice Small captures all the violence and wonder of 15th century Scotland. THE BORDER LORD AND THE LADY is a sweet romance tempered with stunning revelations, laughable arguments, beautiful descriptions of the scenery, memorable characters, smoldering love scenes and historical facts that bring this volatile time period to life. As with any Bertrice Small novel there are scenes that make you laugh and others that make you cry but there's always a feeling that `life' plays out the way it's meant to be.

I've been a huge Bertrice Small for many years and all of her titles grace my bookshelves but she still manages to surprise me with her carefully constructed plotlines and the depth of her characters.

THE BORDER LORD AND THE LADY is the fourth book in the BORDER CHRONICES but each story stands alone.

The other titles in this series are:
A DANGEROUS LOVE
THE BORDER LORD'S BRIDE
And
THE CAPTIVE HEART

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)