29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exceptionlly Good! Excellent!, July 9, 2000
This review is from: Conquer The Night (A Zebra Historical Romance) (Paperback)
Once again Shannon Drake strikes gold! The story she weaves will keep you glued to the book. The story of Arryn Granham and Kyra Beniface in my opinion is one of Ms. Drake's best. Ms. Drake weaves a story of two people caught up in turbulent times in Scotland. A time when people like William Wallace, Andrew deMoray fought England's Edward I for freedom. Skillfully she has told a beautiful love story mixed in with true historical facts. Yet not once has this story compromised historical facts nor the purpose of the story of two strong-willed people. You will not be bored with facts, dates and such. Yet the story flows through events; such as, Berwick, Stirling Bridge, yet remains true to the romance novel we want to read. Here is a story of a man, Arryn, hurt, bitter, wanting revenge against Kinsey Darrow, who destroyed his home, his people, killed his wife and his unborn child. Kyra who is to marry Kinsey, is taken prisoner by Arryn and is to be used as a tool for revenge. Yet though all the hurt, bitterness, misunderstandings, a love is born that will survive. This may sound like your typical medieval romance story, and to some degree it is (so what, I love that type of story). However, it is more than typical. It is an excellent written story. I highly recommend this book. Now I have to wait for next year for her third installment of the Granhams.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Highly recommended, April 22, 2001
This review is from: Conquer The Night (A Zebra Historical Romance) (Paperback)
Kyra was willing to enter into any bargain with God to escape her prospective marriage to Kinsey Darrow. Betrothed by King Edward himself, Kyra cannot prevent the marriage to a man she finds unbearable, coarse, and cruel. But Kyra certainly did not consider the arrival of Sir Arryn and his men to be an answer to her prayers. Indeed, as the Scotsmen overthrew the castle, she took up a sword, dressed as a man, and fought the leader of the invaders herself.
Arry's wife was brutally murdered by Kinsey and his men. Arryn welcomed the opportunity to take both Kinsey's castle and his independent, spirited woman. Conquered by the bold knight, Kyra chooses to follow Arryn even though her choice means forsaking her home, her King, and her wealth. But Arryn suspects her motives, and she can't bring herself to confess that she not only despised the man to whom she's pledged, but she fears him.
As Arryn fights for Scotland to belong to Scotland, and not England, so will he fight to retain possession of his heart. He had thought that his heart was safe, insulated by grief. But the fiery Kyra has unexpected results. Further, Arryn's ill prepared to cope with the way Kyra leaves him feeling shaken and beguiled. Her fire and spirit lay bare his heart as easily as he wields his sword, though he won't admit it.
True lovers of historical romance will relish Shannon Drake's CONQUERING THE NIGHT. The carefully researched historical detail lends complexity and depth to the passionate romance. Indeed, Shannon Drake writes with a zeal and flair for history seldom matched. I highly recommend CONQUERING THE NIGHT.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Story, Part of an Extraordinary Series, March 21, 2006
This review is from: Conquer The Night (A Zebra Historical Romance) (Paperback)
This is book 2 of the Graham family series. Before reading this book, be sure to read "Come the Morning." These books are the best written romance stories of the Scottish vs. English war that I have ever read. They are more than pin cushion romance. They draw you into the desperate struggle for Scotland's freedom. These stories stay with you long after you finish them.
My personal suggestion for reading this series:
Each book picks up where the last left off. You are given a realistic view of the devastating war between England and Scotland. The Graham men are Scottish, fighting for their freedom. The heroines in these stories are English. I have read the first three books so far, and each one has the couples paired that way.
In order to enjoy each book, without feeling the themes are redundant, I suggest reading a book that is not connected with this series in between each of the Graham series books. This will make each story stand on it's own, while still keeping you personally connected to the Graham men... And these books are written well enough that you will feel that personal connection.
Conquer the Night:
Kyra's beloved father has died. He has spent his life loyal to the English king, although his estate is in Scotland. His only heir is his daughter, Kyra.
Kyra is devastated. Not only has she lost her father, but a horrible man has convinced King Edward to give Kyra to him in marriage. She loathes this man, Kinsey Darrow, and uses her personal connections to Edward to stall the wedding.
As a servant and knight to King Edward, Darrow leaves Kyra's estate temporarily to fight in the war. When he returns, he finds that the castle has been overtaken by the Scots. When he hears it is Aaryn Graham who has taken the castle, he knows that Graham will have taken his betrothed as well. He is certain Aaryn will use her as revenge for the fact that Darrow had raped and murdered Aaryn's young pregnant wife a year earlier.
Aaryn feels triumphant. Revenge will finally be his! He has taken the castle that Darrow hoped to claim through marriage, and he has taken Darrow's betrothed prisoner. He plans to ruin her by taking her virtue. He is certain Lady Kyra encouraged the ravishment of his wife and home.
While bathing in the master chamber, which is the room he keeps Kyra in, she thinks she can convince him that using her would be worthless. She taunts him with stories of how "well used" she already is. She claims to have been with every stable boy, servant, and knight in the keep. When Aaryn has had all he can take of her words, he quickly grabs her and takes her himself. When he does, he stops immediately. He finds that she had lied about being experienced. Still, she is hard to resist. Aaryn finds it becomes more and more difficult to keep her out of his thoughts.
Over the next weeks, Aaryn is surprised to find how happy the people of Kyra's land are to have him there. They believe he was sent by God to save her from her marriage to Darrow. Aaryn trains the people daily, preparing them for Darrow's return. They must fight the English soldiers to keep Kyra free of Darrow. They have realized that Darrow will murder Kyra once he has married her to claim her title and home.
Aaryn can't stay in Kyra's land forever. He must return to the battle with England. One of the greatest battles in this wars history is about to take place. He must be there to fight for Scotland. However, he can't leave Kyra alone. He knows Darrow will capture her and kill her. Aaryn brings Kyra along, planning to hide her with the wives of the Scottish soldiers.
Who will win the battle for Scotland's freedom? (The outcome is based upon true facts of the war.) Will Darrow find Kyra? Will Aaryn be slain in the combat against England?
There is a traitor among Kyra's people. Who is it? How will he betray her? Read and find out.
There are 5 books in this series. Reading them in order does make a difference. Here is the order of the series:
Come the Morning
Conquer the Night
Seize the Dawn
Knight Triumphant
The Lion in Glory
I am yet to have read the last two, but I have ordered them from Amazon. I look forward to the continuing story of the Graham family.
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