The Conqueror (Zebra Debut) [Paperback]

Kris Kennedy (Author)

Book Description

Series: Zebra Debut | Publication Date: May 1, 2009

England, 1152. Henry II is king. The country is wracked by bloody civil war. Griffyn Sauvage is a valiant knight with a strict moral code of honour. But when his family's estate and vast treasures are seized, he becomes hardened by the betrayal. Now he will go to any lengths for vengeance - even if it means forming a union with his most despised enemy by marrying his daughter, Lady Guinevere de l'Ami. Then, Griffyn lays eyes on Gwyn and is completely disarmed...As war strikes, Gwyn is left alone to fight her enemies who want control of her ancestral lands. When Griffyn comes to her rescue, she is grateful that the mysterious, brave knight has risked his life to protect hers. With each passing day, she finds herself drawn to him even as she senses he's hiding a dark secret from her. And when another dangerous adversary closes in on both of them, Griffyn and Gwyn's trust in each other will be put to the ultimate test...

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zebra; Original edition (May 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 142010652X
• ISBN-13: 978-1420106527
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,091,486 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rounding up to four stars, some flaws but overall well written, June 19, 2009

By 

Melissa (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Conqueror (Zebra Debut) (Paperback)

The Conqueror almost read like two separate novels. The first portion of the novel I loved, in fact it was delightfully written with humor and plenty of action. The second half was darker and the characters, especially the heroine were brooding and distant.

Pagan aka Englishman Griffyn Savauge is a Knight on a mission for King Henri of France. Griffyn is in England to gather intelligence and find nobles loyal to Henri before he wages war on King Stephen. He is on his way to a rendezvous when he spies a beautiful raven haired lady facing down armed men.

Guinevere is fleeing London after she discovers that one of the landed nobles wants to force her into marriage. Gwyn is surrounded by men intent on capturing her and returning her to London when a savior comes and rescues her. Griffyn assists Gwyn and is surprised when she joins the fight by throwing rocks, shoes and whatever she can get her hands on at her attackers.

Gwyn and Griffyn travel that evening searching for shelter but Griffyn must make his rendezvous. Here the book falls into a wonderful story of good dialogue and actions that display both characters noble selves.

It is only later that Griffyn discovers that Gwyn occupies his castle which was stolen from his father and through a series of unfortunate circumstances the two are separated but neither has forgotten the other.

The second half of the book is more problematic because the leads act so differently than the first half of the novel. Griffyn is angry (rightfully so) and Gwyn is loyal to the point of stubborness (her guilt is a bit trying). To his credit Griffyn still has a lot of honor but Gwyn is described by the author as speaking sourly. Gwyn is also not good at reading people's motives or their hidden agendas; there are times she acts so rashly that I wondered how she kept her castle after her father's death. The last chapters are particularly well written though, loose ends are tied up nicely. Overall this novel warrants almost four stars. It would have been higher if there had been doses of humor and a little more honesty between the characters in the latter half of the novel.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent historical romance! Reviewed by Wild on Books!, May 4, 2009

By 

Natalie S "ns65" (Nashville) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Conqueror (Zebra Debut) (Kindle Edition)

In medieval England, Griffyn Sauvage, also known as Pagan, is a rare knight indeed. He has moral values not seen in many men knights included, and is one of the most courageous as well. When his property is seized and his familial home is snatched away from him, Griffyn's honor and morals have to fall by the wayside. He decides then and there that retribution will come at his hands and he will get his lands, home, and monies back - even if he has to marry the daughter of his enemy to do so. Griffyn might have his way sooner than later when he has to come to the rescue of a beautiful maiden fighting her own enemies. Realizing who she is, Griffyn is stunned but ecstatic that the women he is to marry is right in front of him.

Smelling retribution in the form of Lady Guinevere de l'Ami, Griffyn knows that vengeance is his, or so he thinks. Lady Gwyn might have a thing or two to say about that. Trust doesn't come easily to Gwyn or Griffyn; Gwyn especially. She knows that Griffyn is hiding something. That doesn't stop either from falling in love with each other.

For me, personally, there is nothing better than a well written historical romance. I love escaping into reading nirvana with knights in shining armor and damsels in distress. Bloody adversaries. Hidden traitors. Vengeance. Betrayal. THE CONQUEROR is such a book but is also so much more. THE CONQUEROR is the story of two people who had no reason to trust the other but were able to do just that. Griffyn's reasons for his distrust were obvious. He was a loyal and moral knight. He fought hard for king and country. And what did that get him? His lands taken and his treasures seized. Gwyn's life is anything but idyllic after the death of her father and in the rush of men wanting to marry her to take control of her wealth as well as her body had her a bit gun shy of marriage and all it entails. I can't say that I blamed her.

Ms. Kennedy also used some humor in THE CONQUEROR. Griffyn and Gwyn's first scene together has each fighting assassins and their words to each other are quick, witty, and made me laugh out loud. Best of all, though, I love how THE CONQUEROR made me feel. I could sense the gut wrenching emotions of Griffyn for the home he had lost. Gwyn's utter despondency over her father's death and her complete refusal and anger at possible suitors was more than apparent in each scene. The love felt between Gwyn and Griffyn shined through with every single touch and kiss. I blushed, smiled, and then happily went back and started reading THE CONQUEROR again.

For an amazing historical romance with emotional intensity and love scenes naughty enough to make you blush, THE CONQUEROR is the book to read. I have happily added THE CONQUEROR to my keeper shelf and plan to reread it often!

***Natalie S.***

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Medieval Romace with Issues, January 31, 2011

By 

Regan (San Diego) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Conqueror (Zebra Debut) (Kindle Edition)

I had trouble deciding if I liked this one. Let's just say it has its good parts but it also has issues described below.

The story begins in England in 1152. Stephen, grandson of William the Conqueror, is reigning as king of England (contrary to the "editorial review" information). Henri, son of Empress Matilda, is Duke of Normandy (he was not King of France as some reviews state). Our hero, Griffyn Savage ("Pagan") is one of Henri's knights and a spy who comes to England, the land of his birth, to make some secret alliances for Henri's planned invasion. Among his other objectives, Pagan plans to one day reclaim his home, Everoot, where his father was once Lord but was betrayed by his best friend, de L'Ami. I would think that would be enough of a role for the male lead, but no, this one is also the Heir to being the Guardian of some religious relics of great importance which are hidden at Everoot (you'd recognize the relic names). The whole Guardian thing was, at times, just too awkward. The author tried to make the hero seem tortured by his past, the many betrayals, the hatred for de L'Ami (who was naturally the father of our heroine, Guinevere, now the Lady of Everoot) but sometimes it seemed contrived.

As the story opens, Gwyn is fleeing London as news has leaked out her father has died and she is now fair marriage game for an evil lord (and others) who want her and her castle. It was a bit bizarre that the daughter of an earl would be alone in London without even a maid much less a guard (her men are mysteriously missing in action) and unable to get an audience with the King who she knows. Anyway, traveling alone on the road out of London, she is accosted by the evil lord's men and saved by Pagan who just happens to be traveling the road north toward a critical meeting. Gwyn and Griffyn travel together for a time and the story is interesting for a while though a bit improbable (they make love in his hideout that same night and she in some unrealistic ignorance believes the hideout is an inn). Neither knows the identity of the other (she calls him Pagan and he calls her Raven for her dark hair). The next day, Gwyn unintentionally betrays Pagan who is captured and taken to prison where he is beaten, etc. Returned to France in a prisoner exchange, Pagan hears that Gwyn is the one who betrayed him.

The story recommences a year later with Henri's successful invasion (which is not really described) and Griffen (Pagan) takes Everoot and plans to take Gwyn as his wife though each mistrusts and is angry with the other. There really never was a good conversation between them about the marriage. Gwyn just seemed to accept it. In fact, much of the tension could have been resolved by a meaningful conversation. Though they were supposedly enemies, neither fought the physical attraction and they are soon falling into bed (again) before the wedding takes place. This part of the story at times lost my interest as it devolved into the whole Guardian of the "treasure" thing and looking for the puzzle keys.

The author at times uses terms and phrases that are not medieval and that was jarring. (The one that comes to mind is the word "cosmetics" which was used first in the 17th century.) I liked the hero though I didn't think she described his face well. I got that he had gray eyes and think he had dark hair but that was about it. The heroine at times seemed like a wet noodle and at other times seemed like a rebel with a cause. She was just too accommodating to Pagan at the end for me.