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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An engaging historical romance, January 17, 2006
Set in 14th century England, in the time of King Edward III, BY DESIGN is the story of a noblewoman sworn to avenge the wrongful death of her father and restore her brother's birthright.
After losing her home during the war that overthrew Edward II and saw his son on the throne, Lady Joan de Brecon and her brother find themselves in the mercy of Sir Guy Leighton. Three years later, after escaping their oppressor, Joan ekes out a living selling her craft at the local market where she catches the eye of a well to do mason.
From the very first moment he saw her, Rhys was captivated by Joan's beauty and calm dignity. A few days later and Rhys finds himself playing savior to her and after caring for her, Rhys knew that he would do anything to be with Joan - and if it means buying her indenture, then so be it. And that's exactly what Rhys ends up doing, much to Joan's ire. But while Joan is initially defiant about the situation she's been thrown into, Rhys' kindness would eventually win her over.
What I liked most about this book is the undeniable chemistry between Rhys and Joan. Not only do we see the passion between them, but the bond that stems from their past. I thought that Rhys was a great hero - kind and honorable, and his tenderness towards Joan is truly touching. Joan's dignity is really admirable. You can't help but feel for her after everything she's endured. She's one of the most selfless heroines I have read about and there is nothing to dislike about her.
With its well-developed characters and the sexual tension between the main characters, not to mention the tender love that develops between them, BY DESIGN is an engaging historical romance. Even readers who are not familiar with the historical background won't lose interest for the author has done well in ensuring that you don't lose focus on the romance between Rhys and Joan.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Three and a half stars really, August 22, 2004
This book reminded me of an overgrown shrub--it was undeniably beautiful in places, but it really needed to be trimmed back! A bit more editing should have been done before publishing to iron out its flaws and make the wording flow better.
To give the writer credit, though, she does seem to have a rather good feel for historical writing. In places I could almost see, smell and taste the dubious delights of ye olde London. The author didn't gloss over the harsh realities of life back them, but rather used them to her advantage: they don't bring down the book at all, or darken the story, but instead create a contrasting backdrop against which the main characters shine even brighter.
Joan is a lovely heroine, brave and determined and artistic. But it is the hero, Rhys, whom you will really adore. Unlike many of the 'heroes' I've read about in historical romances lately, he is not cruel or bitter or bent on revenge, but nice and honest and really very sweet, all of which makes him a lot more manly and attractive than those other annoying, overbearing 'heroes'!
This book actually has a decent plotline too--which is more than can be said for many romance novels thesedays--and while it's not a master work of literature, it is nonetheless an entertaining, appealing read that is reasonably good for its genre.
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating medieval romance, January 2, 2001
In the marketplace near the Cathedral, freemason Rhys observes a beautiful newcomer serenely and quietly trying to sell crockery. For some strange reason, Rhys finds himself enchanted by the "alien" and even more excited by her work that is geometrically perfect especially since he learns that she lacked the proper equipment. Reluctantly by gleefully for having met the latest hawker, Rhys finally moves on to conduct his own business. A few days later, Rhys sees his enchantress in quite a different situation. Apparently she did something that led to her master blaming her. Now she is a victim of the stocks. Rhys rescues Joan by buying her indentured contract. Joan wants nothing to do with her savior even if he is kind and handsome, and she is falling in love with him. Even with the enticement of Rhys and his love, Joan's goal remains vengeance on those who destroyed her and her family though some of her enemies reside in the court of young King Edward. BY DESIGN is an exciting late medieval romance that uses the political and economic conditions of the times as a backdrop to a warm historical romantic intrigue. The story line works because of the historical depth, especially that of the guilds which brings much color to the tale and leaves the audience feeling they are inspecting pottery among other wares. The lead couple seems real because of the full flavor of the period. Though Madeline Hunter has written a medieval romance that sub-genre fans will enjoy, readers of historical fiction will gain much pleasure from the novel too. Harriet Klausner
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