The Crimson Lady [Mass Market Paperback]

Mary Reed Mccall (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Brandan de Cantor is frantic with worry. While he was away fighting in the Crusades, his nefarious uncle sold his beloved younger sister, Elizabeth, into prostitution, and now Brandan must find her. But as a knight of the realm and the son of a noble justice, he has no idea where to look. Desperate, he enlists the reluctant help of the notorious prostitute known as "The Crimson Lady," Giselle de Coeur. Giselle, going by the name of Fiona Byrne, is now a respectable owner of an embroidery shop, and although she might be Brandan's only hope, she has no desire to return to the sadistic man who bought her from her mother and who it took her years to escape. McCall's winning and romantic tale of an honorable knight who becomes an outlaw to attain justice and a virtuous courtesan who risks her freedom for a girl she's never met will appeal to fans of medieval romances with strong heroines, such as those by Haywood Smith and Jude Deveraux. Shelley Mosley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

As the sixth of seven girls in a family of readers, Mary's early life was filled with activity, excitement-and books. Drawn by the intense emotions and happy-ever-after endings penned by her favorite authors, Mary decided that she, too, wanted to write stories that might wEND

their way into readers' hearts.However, it wasn't until she finished her undergraduate degree in Russian and English and her master's degree in English Literature that she was able to seriously pursue her lifelong dream.

Now married to her college sweetheart and the mother of two girls of her own, Mary teaches high school English in upstate New York -- and feels fortunate to also have the chance to weave her romantic tales, creating worlds where justice always prevails and where love does indeed conquer all.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (May 27, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060097701
• ISBN-13: 978-0060097707
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,979,717 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mary Reed McCall grew up in a rural area of Upstate New York as part of a large and loving family. Before becoming a writer, she first considered a career in national security, studying for a brief time at the University of Leningrad before completing undergraduate degrees in Russian and English back in the United States, followed by a Master's degree in English Literature. The sixth of seven girls in her family, Mary now makes her permanent home in New York State, with her husband and children. When she is not writing or involved with family activities, she teaches high school and college level English.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Powerful Story!, June 20, 2003

By 

Tara A. Green (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Crimson Lady (Mass Market Paperback)

THE CRIMSON LADY has one of the most eye-catching and beautiful book covers of the year. If that doesn't grab your attention, the story will. Mary Reed McCall has written an emotional story of innocence stolen and how love can be found in the depths of despair.
Sold at 15 to Lord Draven, Fiona Bryne's innocence is stolen from her and she is turned into "The Crimson Lady". She becomes known as a notorious courtesan and thief, her escapades legendary, her sensual techniques known far and wide.

Braiden de Cantor, a dishonored knight, who coincidently happens to also be Draven's nephew, seeks her in order to rescue his foster sister who has been sold into prostitution. Finding Fiona, he forces her to accompany him to her former band of outlaws in order to teach him how to first survive by thievery in order to raise money to rescue his foster sister and then to take him to the stewes to retrieve his foster sister.

Fiona (called Giselle as the crimson lady) is a deeply emotionally scarred woman. At the hands of Draven she experienced a powerless and debilitating weakness one might feel when under the power of another. She was never allowed to give freely of her emotion or affections and believes she will never have those things she wants most.

Braeden is a warm and sensitive man who falls under Fiona's spell. Her beauty matches her legendary reputation but her demeanor does not. Braeden sees past the facade to the true woman beneath.

There are several very emotional scenes in this book, one being where Braeden and Fiona first make love. As a warm rain falls, symbolically cleansing Fiona of her past violations with Draven, they make love, and a deep affection develops between these two characters.

There are plot stumbles, as there are too many coincidences to make the story entirely plausible. The writing at times is not developed enough to fully engage the reader, however the story is a powerful one. Ms. McCall has written an original story for romance readers, with more depth than one might be used to. Mary Reed McCall, who has several books under belt, seems to still be a developing talent. This book is both enjoyable and original.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A moving, romantic, interesting story!, August 12, 2003

By 

Stacie M Allison "Stacie Allison" (Here) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Crimson Lady (Mass Market Paperback)

As a general rule, I rarely even read romance anymore, opting instead for political debate, history, or anthropology. But out of a desire for escape, I picked up this book at my local grocery store, not expecting such an engrossing tale! I give credit where credit is due, though - hence, this review:

This book, as others have noted, has real emotional depth, something which is often lacking in other romances. The characters are completely believable and easy to identify with. The love scenes really reflected genuine feeling and were descriptive without being pornographic or corny. And to top it off, the book contained really interesting information about London of almost 1000 years ago - I had no idea prostitution was legal!

The story - also as has been noted - could have been developed with more detail. I kind of got the sense that the author didn't want to lose the attention of her audience by lengthening the book, but I definitely don't think that was a danger - I think she could have added another 2-300 pages of details regarding the heroine's experience under Draven, the outlaw activities the couple took part in, and developing the characters - and the ending - even more. It also wouldn't have hurt to add another love scene, since the author is quite adept at that! :) Overall, though, this was a beautiful, unique story that I think even those who aren't fans of romance would enjoy.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a story! A deep love with a villan you cannot forget!, September 26, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Crimson Lady (Mass Market Paperback)

Great story...ranks right up there with Madeline Hunter's medievals. Although my first choice in historicals is always a regency historical, I loved this medieval romance. It pulled at my heart strings. The heroine, Fiona, was feisty and smart while the hero, Braedan, was strong yet tender. Man! it's been a while since I've read a book with such a nasty villan! Contrary to an earlier review, I feel that the glimpse we saw of our heroine's time with the villian, Draven, was enough. I think it was a great choice to focus on the love between Braendan and Fiona rather than dwell on the ugly past with Draven. ...Read this, you won't be disappointed, as off I go to find books on Ms. McCall's back list....