4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Will Catch Readers' Hearts, September 22, 2007
This review is from: The Harlot's Daughter (Harlequin Historical) (Mass Market Paperback)
Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer
on 08/30/2007
Lady Joan of Weston, also known as Solay, is the considered the lowest of the low, punished for her mother's sin of courting the late king. Now Solay must see the ruling king in hopes of aid. The courts and Parliament have stripped her mother of nearly everything. If something doesn't change, Solay, her mother, and her younger sister will starve.
Lord Justin Lamont believes in the letter of the law. A lawyer and member of the Council that is to oversee young King Richard's monetary decisions, Justin has the unfortunate task of interacting with the impetuous monarch. When Solay arrives at Windsor to seek money, Justin vows to stand in her way. Her mother wronged the kingdom and deserves whatever hardship the family must face. From what he can tell, Solay has been sent to seduce her way into a comfortable purse, just like her mother. He won't let that happen.
When Solay and Justin are betrothed to each other to serve someone's nefarious purposes, both must reexamine their lives and expectations, for everything is about to change.
Medieval romance is a genre that requires a great deal of research by authors who take on the challenge. Setting, way of life, customs, even what people wore and ate during the era help place readers in the story. Even then, to pull readers the rest of the way in, the author must create a compelling tale. Gifford succeeds at both in THE HARLOT'S DAUGHTER. Solay and Justin are very human; each character is strong, yet deliciously flawed. To a modern woman, Solay's focus on finding a man to help support her family may seem archaic, but for the time period, it is quite appropriate. Lest the "modern" woman despair, however, this attitude is something that is exposed and addressed quite nicely throughout.
This book is easy to read, and the story is compelling. Political intrigue, a tumultuous betrothal, desperation, and hope weave this tale of love and acceptance into a historical romance that will catch readers' hearts. Blythe Gifford knows how to touch that essential something in us all.
4.5-Books
See also:
The Knave And The Maiden (Harlequin Historical Series) by Blythe Gifford
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A terrific story!, September 26, 2007
This review is from: The Harlot's Daughter (Harlequin Historical) (Mass Market Paperback)
Wow--what a good book! Based on factual events during the reign of Richard II, this novel held me spellbound not only because of the smouldering relationship between the hero (the "law") and the heroine (the "harlot's daughter") but because of the developing background struggle between England's monarch and parliament. I liked that this conflict was echoed by the hero-heroine struggle for "equity" in an era when noble women had few rights that weren't dependent on men.
It's been a while since I've read a medieval historical romance that wasn't cliched or overdone or (gasp) where the outcome is apparent from the first page and there were no surprises. THE HARLOT'S DAUGHTER is truly memorable!
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A good story, October 15, 2007
This review is from: The Harlot's Daughter (Harlequin Historical) (Mass Market Paperback)
Based on historical events, this book is a quick and interesting read filled with intrigue, politics and romance. It does not disappoint for action.
Joan, or Solay as she is called, is the daughter of the ex-King and his mistress, or so she thinks. After the King is deposed and another takes her place, she moves with her mother and younger sister to the countryside, basically in exile from the populace. Running low on funds, her mother sends her to court to beg favor from the King that he might give them money annually. The King, meanwhile, answers to Parliament, and is not exactly in charge of the treasury. Solay goes to court, among snickers and rumors of her heritage, and cajoles and lies her way into the King's favor.
When things are looking in her favor, Justin, the lawyer steps in.
Justin is sick and tired of people and their games and lies. Of course, he has his own, but that is different. Working with Parliament to stop a corrupt King is wearing him out. When he notices Solay attempting to get money from the King, he steps in to figure out what is going on, and let her know she will not get a cent without Parliament's approval. Solay does everything within her power to gain his favor, but he sees right through her tricks.
In the background of the story is a power-hungry party King and his cronies, married men having affairs, and a Pope annulling his marriage for some reason never given. There is a little sister who wants to be a man, a power-hungry abd loveless mother, and a dead wife.
There is also a power hungry Parliament and clerks, terrified judges, and at the very center of the storm, two people whom say they love each other, but don't even know themselves.
Each character in this book hoard secrets and lies like a candy stash. Though the characters are believable, none are likeable. I spent the entire book trying to figure out who were the good guys and who were the bad ones. I wanted to root for someone to win, but in the end, I'm not sure which side won because both were good and bad.
Also, we don't find out enough about the charactgers and their personalities to either like or dislike them. Though the story ran smoothly, I felt let down. It was extremely impersonal.
Armchair Interviews says: Heed this reviewer's comments.
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