Customer Reviews

Blue Heaven, Black Night

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

 

 

Boy was I disappointed! After reading "Beneath a Blood Red Moon" I thought I'd found a new author to collect. WRONG. I might read another of her books just to see if this one was a fluke, but I'm liable to be gun shy for a few months.

This book was one stress after another. It was one of those overdone story lines in which the heroine obstinately refuses to accept the fact that she has feelings for the hero. In fact, she's nice to everyone but him. By the time she begins to come around (and this is three quarters of the way to the end of a 500 and some odd paged novel), the hero goes off to the crusades.

After she FINALLY accepts the fact that she loves her husband, she goes to the holyland to try to find him. In the mean time, he's "slaked his lust" with another woman, even though he thought of his wife the whole time. (Pleeeez!)

When she gets to the holyland, she is then abducted by an Arabian prince, thereby setting off an entire new set of stressors.

I feel that the author was trying to use all of this friction as sexual tension, but she missed her target completely. Unless you like inflaming your ulcer, chances are you will find this book stressful instead of sexually and romantically intense.

All of this was stress was then woven throughout an incredibly slow-paced book with way too much historical detail. I'd go sit in a history class if I wanted a dissertation on medieval life.

Perhaps it's just me, but when I read a romance, I want to feel good the whole way through. Reality provides enough emotional rollercoasters. I give this two stars only because it was well-written. Otherwise, this is a big thumbs down.

I love this book! There was never a dull moment, from the beginning to the end! Drake uses historical details to make this book more real and myth to give this amazing love story a sense of the magical. If you're looking for a PASSIVE love story, where the hero and heroine falls in love at first sight and lives happily ever after, then this is NOT the book for you. However, if you're looking for a book that will keep you entralled by the hero and herione's clash of wills and sexual tension, then this is definitely the book for you! Drake takes us along w/ Bryan and Elyse on a emotional rollercoaster filled w/ adventure, denial, betrayal, loyality, and finally true and lasting love. From England to the Holyland, Drake leaves us gasping for more!

This is the second best Shannon Drake medieval romance. Ondine being the first. I love the way that she puts so much depth into the characters, you know, the whole love-hate relationship. Who wants to read a romance where the characters love each other from the beginning? you would never have a good story if that was the case, and Drake manages to show this relationship without the hero being brutal. If you want a good Drake book, let this be the one you buy.

I bought this book when it first came out, and didn't read it until the next year. It was the book that got me hooked on Romance. I am now 16 and have a small library of Romance Novels. Shannon Drake has become my favorite auther over the years. I have enjoyed every minute I spend reading. For all those mothers out there, don't worry It doesn't enterfere with my school work!!

A good read! Typical of Drake's style, stubborn heroine alpha male, lots of verbal sparring, danger, spicy love scenes.

Shannon Drake is one of the best writers of historical fiction. I prefer her works because they are very rich in ACCURATE historical facts. For a history buff like myself it makes the romance that much better. This book is no different. As usual, Drake gives us a powerful, sexy novel that hooks you from absolute beginning to end.

If you enjoy reading about the middle ages, and you enjoy adventure, strong characters, and a battle of wills, this novel may be lacking, as I found it lacking. I would suggest Heather Graham's/Shannon Drake's 'Princess of Fire' which is a five star or 'The King's Pleasure' which I gave 4 1/2 stars. I didn't particularly care for Danielle, the heroine in the King's pleasure (as I stated in my review for that novel), however, the historical events, the battle of wills, the intrique and mystery made up for Danielle's lack of sensibility

Wow, what a story. I was up until 2am two nights in a row reading this book. Great love story with lots to twists and turns....if you love simple love stories...this isn't for you. DRAMA....conflict...passion are just some of the emotions running through this story. It was so sad to finish the book, I became enthralled with the plight of Bryan and Elise. Can't say enough on how compelling this story was. Enjoy!!!

I've read (and reviewed) several medieval romances by Shannon Drake (aka Heather Graham) and loved them all. She writes with passion and great talent that brings alive the time of knights and their ladies and simply sweeps you away. This one is, in my opinion, right up there with Princess of Fire and Knight of Fire, two others I've given 5 stars to (see my other reviews). First, there is the legend of the Plantagenets, the story of a beautiful woman with blue green eyes and red gold hair, Melusine, who fire could not burn, and of the knight who takes her as a spoils of war to find he is mesmerized by her beauty and craves her love. He becomes obsessed with her. But when he tries to test her, she disappears into thin air, leaving him with their two children whose heirs are Henry II and Richard the Lion Heart. So begins the complex story of Sir Bryan Stede, a knight who rose from humble beginnings to become the favored knight of Henry II and then his son, Richard the Lion Heart. Set in the late 12th century, Stede rises in reputation to earn the respect of his king's enemies, like Saladin, who Richard fights for Jerusalem in the the 3rd crusade in the Holy Land. In a case of mistake, Bryan captures Henry's illegitimate daughter, Elise, Duches of Montoui in France believing her to be a thief. She fights him and lies to him. In his anger, he takes her believing she is no innocent and then he becomes obsessed with her. But each is promised to another. At the point when they both hated each other, I couldn't see how Drake could bring them together, but she did and it was masterful. The story leads to the Holy Land and to an Arabian prince, Jalahar, who fights Bryan. Once he sees Elise he also becomes obsessed with her and will not give her up after he captures her. What a story!! I do recommend you read "the legend" intro twice so as not to forget it as it gives clues to the rest. If you're a Shannon Drake fan, this is one you'll want to read again.

I have enjoyed many of Ms. Drakes books. It isn't one of her best work. However this book was exciting and worth reading. The story will keep you wondering what's going to happen next, even if we all know there will be a happy ending.