Customer Reviews

Desired (G K Hall Large Print Book Series)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

I actually read this book a couple of years ago, and I find it is one that I have read and re-read. Christian Hawksblood is mesmerizing, and for those who have reviewed this book and found the characters to be "lacking in substance", I highly disagree. This book was not meant to be a tedious lesson in historical accuracy, it was meant to be bold, romantic and erotic. That is why we read romance novels is it not?! Lighten up and get in the spirit of play (and FANTASY!) Women have always loved bad boys with good hearts and bold ways, no matter what the century. And Christian, with his dark skin, raven hair and mesmerizing aquamarine eyes, outspoken ways, and mystic training of the Knights Templar is a perfect "bad boy" with a pure heart.(Complete with scimitar tatoo!) From the moment he boldly calls Brianna HIS lady upon meeting her, despite her betrothal to his brother, you know the sparks of passion are about to ignite. And they do as he teaches her the ways of love, in body AND soul. You know Brianna belongs with this man. Very erotic, beautiful and romantic too. Very Kama Sutra. This was a great book. Highly enjoyable and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great love story and a hunky, intelligent and intriguing hero!

I'm a new comer to Virginia Henley and love her books. Desired is the 3rd book Of Virginia's that I've read. I found I couldn't put it down. I've read many historical romances and find that she puts some things in hers that is always a surprise. One scene in this story, Christian is fantasizing about Brianna....and well...let's just say that Virginia is VERY creative....and let's face it...if your into historical romances you've read it all. She proved me wrong when I thought no historical author could suprise me.

I am not one to know what is or is not historically accurate. What I do know is when I love a story. And this particular story I fancy. Maybe it is the description of the dark,dangerous, and sexy hero Hawksblood or maybe it is the fact that Virginia Henley went out on a limb to write two love stories in one book. That alone deserves praise. The sexual tension between the characters is fabulous. And the "magic" that has been applied to the story in the form of visions is helpful in guiding the story along. And the sexual tension is exquisite...not to mention the sex scenes. Keep up the good work.

This story kept my interest from begin to end. I loved the characters, especially Christian, the epitomy of "perfect" male. I also liked how the author told two love stories,Brianna and Christian and Edward and Joan. Nicely written, both romantic and sexy!

Virginia Henley is my favorite author, and the hero in this book, Christian, is the perfect male. i had to read it cover to cover in one sitting it was so enjoyable. A great love story

This was my first VH book and I have mixed feelings about it. It actually took me about a week to read and usually I read a book within a couple of days if I really like it. If I can't put a book down, that's usually a great sign that its an exceptional book. I actually found it hard to keep picking this book up.

First, I did enjoy the historical aspect. The plot was very interesting and packed with action. Unfortunately I found myself more interested in the wars being fought and in the lives of the knights and royals than I did the actual romantic couple. This kept me reading, as well as the fact that I am stubborn and hate to start a book and not finish it.

I picked this book up for the romance and did not find what I wanted. Sure there was lots of earthshattering sex, but the love between them was not believable. Their characters were too perfect... Neither of them had a flaw... and I think that flaws make the characters endearing and believable. While I don't mind a bit of magic in a book if used tactfully, it just didn't seem to add much to the story here.

The romance between Joan and Edward was lovely and though it was intended as a secondary relationship, they were mentioned more than the lead characters and had more chemistry and love between them. I looked forward to reading about their story more than Christian and Brianna's. But truth is that I really didn't *care* about these people or what happened to them. It was basically a passing interest as I tried to get through the book.

Virginia Henley has a nice writing style and she sure knows her history (her books follow it as it really happened), but somehow the depth of her characters felt lacking to me. I won't say I'll never read another of her books, since she likely has better books out there. But definetely not for awhile as I have several others I've been waiting to read written by authors I'm sure of.

Why did I love this book so much? Because every character in this book found "true love". The story centers around Christian and Brianna, but the friendships, loyalties, passions and romance that transpire throughout the course of the book will just make you want to be in love too! A truly fine romance story with an intense plot. This is also about the strong romance between Prince Edward and his "Joan of Kent". Ah, to find a love so strong as Christian and Briana, Prince Edward and Joan, Paddy and Adele, Ali and Glynnis, King Edward and his "Philippa", my gosh this book will take you away to "Dreamland". READ IT, YOU WILL LOVE IT, THE COUPLES WILL MESMERIZE YOU

This book was such a great read i couldn't wait to leave work to get back to it. I left everything behind just to finish it. The history in this book was indeed well researched and sometimes i even felt like i was in the royal plantagenet court when this story was unfolding. I was a bit disappointed in how the Robert issue was dealt with as well as the story with Joan and Edward- Joan was too trusting. Brianna was too staunch in some cases. Ms Henley really has a very graphic talent- I swear i was at Brianna and Christian's home. Just wished she had added an epilogue.i think Hawkesblood made a very satisfying lover- the best i can imagine- just wished he had taken Brianna from Robert sooner.

Ay yai ya! Where to begin? Well, lets first look at the H/H. They had no personality what so ever. The hero, Christian De Beauchamp who is apparently an half arabic/half norman prince is in love with the Heroin before he ever laid eyes on her (courtesy of erotic dreams in which he sees her as his life long destiny). So Christian is constantly reiterating that Brianna is his destiny until that is, towards the end of the book, where he suggests he can give her a divorce?! The heroin, Brianna is such a dunce. You just want to bash her over her head or try to strangle her to save yourself from her stupidity. She also, much the hero, has erotic dreams about an unknown knight with aquamarine eyes. When she sees the very same eyes on the hero's bastard brother Robert De Beauchamp, she is sure that he is her destiny and and because of those dreams she happily agrees to get betrothed to him. When she is introduced to Christian, she see's, he too has the same eyes and is very attracted towards him. She begin's to realize that she's had dream's of Christian, not Robert! Yet still she hold's off on Christian- for the next 420 pages or so.

She has no qualms with sleeping with Christian even when she's betrothed to Robert. Christian on the other hand asks her to break her betrothal contract after they make love and she happily agrees. Lo and behold when in the presence of Robert she chickens out on keeping her promise. This reader is used to very dominant males and was very disappointed. Christian does absolutely nothing to get Brianna out of her betrothal contract other than ask her to do it herself! (Only one other time in the book did he actively contribute to freeing Brianna from her fiance). The writer goes on and on about how he is dominant and possessive, but almost 300 pages of the book, Brianna is engaged to Robert, who btw was a much more complex character than the H/H.

Also, i'm unsure as to if the author know's anything about Islam? Throughout the book, Christian refers to Allah and God as though the two are different. Muslim's actually believe in the same God as the Christians. Muslim's believe in Jesus and all the Prophets mentioned in the Bible. So, Christian having grown up in the cradle of the Islamic religion should have known this. So I was puzzled as to why he kept referencing Allah as though it was a different God all together. Here is an example "I have the advantage of being able to ask Allah for favors as well as the Christian God."

As another reader mentioned earlier, the romance between Joan and Edward was much sweeter than the main H/H.

Last but surely not the least flawed thing about this book was the butchering of historical facts. Without going into too much detail, Joan's 'real' married life was much different than what was portrayed in this book. But I can sort of forgive the author for this, because this was not just a historical book, but a historical romance. What I cannot forgive is that the romance, at least to me, felt as though it was secondary to all the historical events taking place in the book. The H/H are only together maybe (roughly) ~70 pages of the whole 448. The rest of the time the Hero is off to war or some other such historical event taking place.

I have read other books by Virginia Henley and I know she can do much better than his. I was very disappointed in this book and recommend that you save your time and money and not read this book.

This book starts slow, but it is well the wait. I started to read and thought that I wasn't going to be interested. I am thrilled that I stuck it out. I started crying and then wanted to cheer for the heroine. I didn't want it to end and I can't wait for sequels to this book.