Customer Reviews

The Crimson Lady

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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....

This is a great read. It isn't the same old, same old story line but a new approach. The writing is rich and never lags. I totally agree with the HK review above.

The Crimson Lady is an interesting medieval romance with a true original heroine who's life has gone through such disturbing situations that the reader will weep. Fiona was sold to a truly evil man at 15 by her mother. She was used by Draven for his own sexual appetites till he because obsessed with her, wanting to own her body and soul. He renamed her Giselle and she finally escaped only to be found 3 years later by Braedan, his nephew who wants revenge on Draven for what he has done to his younger sister and brother. He needs The Crimson Lady as she was called so he could find his sister Elizabeth who Draven kidnapped and led her into a world of prostitution. Much like Fiona went through.
Giselle is the true star of this story. After all she has gone through, she tries to get past the demons and the man who practially destroyed her with his possesive and evil nature. Braendan tries to help Giselle through it all with love and showing her self worth. Honestly, Giselle (Fiona) would need intense therapy to get through everything she indures.
The reader will have an incredible journey along with the two main charcters and be truly disqusted by Draven who shows he has no soul through persuasion and subtle pervasion, especially when dealing with Fiona.
The sex scenes are emotional and bonding. All that was missing was more of the backstory between Fiona and Draven and what Fiona had to endure all those years as his prisoner. Other than that, a truly original story.

Katiebabs

When I first read Mary Reed McCall's work years ago, I kept having to remind myself to breathe. Her writing is so beautiful that it swept me up, and every time I expected a lull in the tide, it just took me higher. Very rarely do I find an author with this much pure talent. She weaves a spell with prose. I absolutely promise, if you read this book, you will be very glad you did. It's enchanting and beautiful. (And easily worth double the asking price.)

Maggie Shayne
New York Times Bestselling Author

In 1292 England, Fiona Byrne was once Giselle de Coeur THE CRIMSON LADY, a woman who was a very popular courtesan, but also a thief who stole from her wealthy patrons to give to the poor. She still believes in economic redistribution, but has retired from her previous life of crime. She earns her way as a seamstress.

Though his fortune was stolen and his name ruined as he has been declared an outlaw, Braedan de Cantor needs to rescue his foster sister. Braeden's odious uncle sold the lass to a debaucher. He seeks The Crimson Lady to help him save Elizabeth's life. When she refuses, he blackmails her into aiding him with the threat of revealing her identity. As they work in close proximity to save a young lady's life, they fall in love, but fist must complete his quest that, if successful, will provide her with redemption.

THE CRIMSON LADY is an exciting medieval romance starring a strong capable female and a desperate male who needs her help (for a change). Though why Fiona is embarrassed by her past especially in the London slums seems out of character for this confident person, she and Braedan make a fine couple, which inside a loaded plot leads to a fine reading experience.

Harriet Klausner

It is, however, better than The Maiden Warrior as a whole, in my opinion. I'm rating it at 3 stars, but it's more like 3 & 1/2 -- just not quite 4.

Braeden is excellent--noble, determined, kind. Fiona is wounded, then healed by his love for her. The conflict between them is interesting. Themes include not judging based on heresay and people aren't what you expect. The book is often sweet and Braeden's kindness slowly tames Fiona's wariness.

McCall presents a good villain and an engaging climatic situation. Some scenes resonate beautifully, and her writing is always clear and rich. But something was missing; I could not put my finger on it. If I still had the book, I'd flip through it again to try to discern the proble. Perhaps it simply wasn't compelling enough emotionally, but mostly I think I simply tired of the heroine's personal struggles. McCall writes very sensitive heroes, but her heroines are too bristly and begin to irritate me long before they realize how wonderful their men are.

There was just something about this book. Braedan may have been just a little too perfect. I'm not sure. There just didn't seem to be enough conflict between the two. It just seemed too easy. I guess that I've come to expect a bit of a struggle.
The villain was well written but I thought the last 1/4 of the book was just too dark. I hate when authors make you feel all sunshiny and bright for most of the book and then you are plunged into dark despair for the remainder. Too jolting.