Customer Reviews

Honor's Splendour

5 star:		(120)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

For me, this book is one of Julie Garwood's many best novels. I have read more than 10 of her books yet each time, it's a new different adventure. Yes, I agree that she sometimes described her herione pretty much with the same physical descriptions such as freckles in noses, smells like roses, etc... However, I find this flaw rather inciting.

Madelyne's strength, courage, patience and love for others simply captivated me to read on. Despite all the miserable times she had encountered during her growing up years, she still manages to keep her heart & spirit intact. Even after all the beatings and living life without a mother and a father, she still counted and appreciated her one single blessing of having an uncle who loved her. She doesn't dwell on the past, doesn't hold onto hate... and what's even more amazing is her unselfish side of wanting to help others find peace and happiness. Duncan is a true warrior in every way. He's honorable & patient. Practical & very disciplined...until love sinked in, and that's when practicality & disciplined became somewhat a burden.

The slow realization and acceptance of love between the two was simply perfect. Each scenes, little gestures of passions made this book irrisistible. There are many heart warming and humorous scenes in this book as well... The warming of Duncan's feet, the wedding, the learning of archery, the finding of the WOLF, the beginning of friendship with Duncan's sister, Adela & a whole lot more. I could go on and on but I don't want to give it all away here for those who haven't read it yet. Oh, I must add that I find Madelyne's clumsiness entertaining. The secondary characters all contributed to make this book worth reading for as well. Perhaps J.G. will write a sequel or a seperate book for Duncan's brothers and Adela's love story? The family twist and complications added spice and thrill from front to end. A must read & a keeper!

I am not going explain the plot synopsis since other reviewers have done that very well. I will say this is one book that I go back to read time and again. After reading it once more, I wanted to review it though I find it almost hard to do justice to!

The heroine (Madelyne) is strong without losing any of her femininity. The hero (Duncan) remains true to his character - honorable, yet tough. Each is enhanced by the other's strengths. Madelyne needs Duncan's strength to protect and boost her own self confidence. Duncan needs Madelyn's joy to help him become spontaneous and less rigid. I am always entranced by these two people! This book is filled with wonderful, touching and funny moments from beginning to end. Amongst my favorites are Madelyn mistaking Duncan's brother Edmund for a Cyclops when suffering a fever and the scene when all believe she is about to be run down by Duncan's huge horse! But, there are so many memorable moments - I don't want to spoil it for you!

Wonderful secondary characters. So many that I cannot even name them all - although the other brothers (Edmund and Gilard) deserve books of their own, I don't think that Garwood went on to do that. Duncan's sister and Madelyn's Uncle were also engaging characters. The backdrop of visits to court and battles are so well described you find yourself right in the center of action. There are horrible villains (Madelyn's brother is just one of them) and yet another romance to concentrate on.

This is one of those sweeping romances that you do not soon forget. Worth obtaining!

And that means a lot...because all of her book are stupendous! In this book, Lady Madelyne 'rescues' the Wolf from her brothers capture...only to find that he invaded the keep to capture her! Against her will she is dragged to a place that he calls home, and has to deal with his brother that loathes her, a sister that despises her, and dogs that simply won't keep away from the main table. You can't help but laugh at the antics of this family, and applaud the heroism shown by Lady Madelyne. A must read if you enjoy a good laugh and a "sigh-able" romance.

This is a poignant story of how a maiden secured a place in a fierce warrior's heart by the simple act of warming his feet.

Vowing revenge against the baron who forcefully took away his sister's innocence, Baron Duncan of Wexton knew that the only way to even the score is by kidnapping Baron Louddon's sister, Lady Madelyne. But little did he expect that the prize would fall into his hands so easily, for when Louddon's men captured Duncan, Madelyne came to his rescue. Having suffered the hatred of her abusive brother, Madelyne decides to flee. But upon learning that her brother's men intended to leave Duncan out in the cold to die, she comes to his rescue unaware that she was the main reason why he came. And so she finds herself a captive of Duncan and taken back to his castle. But instead of suffering the wrath of his revenge, Madelyne is given more freedom at Wexton than she's ever had at her brother's. And as the days progress, she finds herself falling in love with the warrior who turned out to be kind and honorable.

HONOR'S SPLENDOUR is a sweet story that would capture your interest right from the start. Madelyne is such a sweet lady, whom Fate has dealt a terrible blow when she was orphaned at a very young age. But despite the misery, especially the abuse she suffered from her brother, she never lost her faith in the good things about life. There is nothing to dislike about her for she continually seeks to make the people around her happy. As for her naiveté and clumsiness, they're just simply delightful. With Duncan, beneath his tough exterior lies a man of courage and honor. I loved how protective he became of Madelyne and how he did his best to make her feel safe. And it was so good reading how happy it made Duncan feel to see the change in her. His tenderness and patience towards Madelyne just melt my heart. I just loved how the romance developed between them. The passion and tenderness are simply adorable and made for some real feel-good reading. I will never forget the part in the beginning where, right after she rescues him, Duncan thinks to himself that Madelyne doesn't realize yet that she has sealed her fate by warming his feet (you will understand once you've read it).

Filled with humor, romance and knights in shining armor, you will also be entertained by the secondary characters and wish that some of them will get their story. Very enjoyable!

As a first time reader of Julie Garwood, I was quite impressed by "Honor's Splendour". I've always enjoyed historical and period stories and this story is right up my alley. The heroine is both strong and kind and the hero is dashing and passionate.

The story begins in England, in 1099 in the feuding court of King William. Baron Duncan of Wexton, the Wolf, has vowed revenge on Baron Louddon after he discovers that the Louddon raped his young sister Adela while she was in the King's court. Duncan travels to Louddon's castle under what he thinks is a truece when he is captured and set out to freeze to death. Louddon's sister, Madelyne rescues Duncan and then finds herself Duncan's hostage. Louddon's castle is burned and Duncan, along with his hostage and his army begin their journey back home.

Madelyne, is a gentle woman who has been scorned by her father and brother all of her life. After her mother's death, she was sent to her uncle, a priest, to live. With her uncle she finds a home with love and learning. She returns home to find Louddon's feelings towards her have not changed, except for the fact that he now desires his step-sister. On the day she is taken hostage by Duncan, she had planned to escape to Scotland to live with a cousin. Now's she's the prisoner of her brother's sworn enemy, who happens to be the most handsome man she's ever met.

I found this novel to be a very entertaining read. I enjoyed the transformation of Adela once Madelyne is brought into the Wexton home. Duncan's brothers, Edmond and Gilard also provide humor to the novel as well as a little competition romance-wise for Duncan. I was very impressed by Mrs. Garwood's style of writing. She's very talented and has a way of creating a character that speaks to your heart like Madelyn and Duncan. I look forward to reading more of her novels. I'd love to see some sort of trilogy involving the remaining single brothers. Just a thought...and a hint. :)

a wonderful romance story that you'll want to read over and over and over again. Madelyne and Duncan fit so well together! I love the parts where Madelyne would keep on doing little things, like hold on to Duncan's hand, or tell him how she would never talk to him again, or when she would cry and Duncan would be always there to be sobbed on. My favorite part in the book, is when Madelyne gets sick and she lives all her 'Greek legends'. She gives Edmond a black eye and mistakens Duncan for many characters in her legends (all heros of course!). Its very funny. The book is filled with many scenes that will make you laugh and cry.

A magnificent story where all spledours are filled through honor. Julie Garwood is the best!

Honor's Splendour is an incredibly romantic and beautiful book. The characters are great, the plot is strong with lots of twists and the love between the two leads is as genuine as it gets.

The characters are really good and well developed. Duncan is the tall, masculine warrior with an arrogant streak as wide as his shoulders. Madelyne is a woman who has been mistreated in the past by her brother but remains strong and kind. The growing love between Duncan and Madelyne is really passionate, tender and romantic. There are no pathetic `big misunderstandings', no ludicrous plot twists, or stereotypical characters.

The beginning is one of the best in romantic fiction that I have ever read because Madelyne and Duncan meet on the forth page (I hate having to read about a third of the book before the hero and heroine are introduced) in a strong and memorable opening scene. Madelyne does something utterly selfless and sweet which endears you to her for the rest of the book and Duncan ends the second chapter with one of those `you belong to me' phrases which would scare me half to death in real life but within the pages of a historical romance make me tingle inside and smile.

Near the end of the book there is a short period where Duncan and Madelyne are separated because she has to go to court for a while why he is away but this only lasts about 20 pages which is nothing out of 374 page paperback. When they are reunited there is an unforgettable scene where Duncan shows Madelyne how much he loves her in a sweet, caring way. Oh, I could go on and on about the best bits - little snatches of witty dialogue, places where Duncan loses his cool over Madelyne and says lovely things such as "You come before everyone and everything else" and so on!

Overall Honor's Splendour is well worth the money and I often reread it when I need a little boost. Duncan is a wonderfully protective hero who would do anything for Madelyne and she is an endearing woman who has remained charming despite being cruelly treated. I enjoyed the fact that Duncan was the first to say `I love you' about three quarters of the way through which was a refreshing change and gave a chance for their love to bloom and flourish throughout the rest of the chapters.

Enjoy!

JoAnne

Ok, so Julie Garwood's books keep getting better and better!

This book was so sweet. It starts out with our hero Duncan being betrayed by Madelyne's brother Louddon. Madelyne comes to his rescue and warms his feet which he was shocked by. He takes her as his captive and then the love story starts.

Madelyne thinks she is not worthy of anything. The 2 years with her brother made her believe that she had no worth. She does things that are brave but doesn't think of it as brave. When she rescued Duncan she knew if she was caught she would be beaten by her brother but Duncan needed her help so she helped him. Of course he repays her by kidnapping her but it is ok. Duncan realizes that she thinks she is nothing and proves to her that she is someone worthy of love and respect. Duncan opens a whole new world to Madelyne where if she is happy she can laugh and if she is mad it is ok to yell. She trusted Duncan and knew he would not use the emotions against her like her brother.

Duncan...ahhh, where to start! He is such a good hero. He is huge and so strong and brave yet sensitive. After being with Madelyne for a while he starts doing and saying things that are out of character for him. He is a very well respected and feared Baron and so he has to act a certain way. He must rule with fear and loyalty to the king at all times...so he thinks. Madelyne changes all that. She teaches him to be a brother to his family and that he can be both Brother and lord to them. She also teaches him that to rule with love and respect is better than to rule with fear and respect. His eyes are opened to many things through out the book and he really does not fight them for long like a lot of characters I have read. He comes off as closed minded but he really isn't at all. He just may not tell anyone he has changed his mind he will just change whatever it is. He hates being questioned and she questions him all the time and it is so funny. Duncan has a huge heart, but he tries to hide it. When he realizes he loves her it is so great! He tries to make everything perfect the night he realizes he loves her. So sweet! Madelyne still tries to hide her feelings from Duncan on certain things but he can read people very well and does things out of his character to make her happy and show her she is important and has worth.

This story was so sweet and good!! Julie Garwood wrote it so well you feel the emotions. A lot of stuff goes on in this book but it is still a very good romance. I really did not want the story to end. I felt like I knew them so well. At the end of the book I sighed and had a smile on my face (that, to me, is a sign of a good book). If you haven't read this book I would suggest you go to the closest book store and get it right away...ok, so why are you still reading this? Go buy the book!!

You will absolutely adore the hero & heroine of this story. Madelyne, a gentle, compassionate beauty who has known mostly cruelty from her brother, is the prize captured when Duncan, a fiercely proud warrior and Baron of Wexton, retaliates against Madelyne's brother. The story is set amid the turbulent times of feudal England. It is interesting reading w/exciting passion & genuine love that develops between these two. The characters are so likeable w/Madelyne being loving & compassionate & Duncan being the hardened warrior who falls in love w/her. Madelyne's humor, honesty & gentleness cause Duncan's heart to be lost to her, but he really falls in love w/her in the very beginning when she warms his near frozen feet against her in a totally selfless act. I also enjoyed learning about the Greek legends she so enjoys.

Julie Garwood is one of the best writers of romance today & Honor's Splendour is one of her best efforts.

I have read almost all of Julie Garwood's books and this one is my hands-down favorite. I gave it five stars because if you're studying for a law school exam and all you can think of is flying home to your mom's romance novel library so you can reach to the third shelf to grab Honor's Splendor and read it four times over Winter Break...it qualifies for 5 stars. I think one of the greatest things about this book is the wonderful character development and subtle humor in the book. Although some have called Madelyne dumb, it was refreshing to read a period book where the woman may not have had a PhD in "Fending for yourself." Baron Wolf is every woman's fantasy precisely because he is so real. He's not strikingly handsome, he can be humorless at times, but deep down in the end, even though he doesn't show it everyday, he proves his love in front of the world (this could have been why my mom gave it to my dad to read...) First, everyone knows that the first chapter is the greatest first chapter ever written...especially the last line. From there the characters get even richer to the point where you begin to feel for them and their situations, empathize with their plights, and love the relationship growing between them. I could spend forever and a day raving about this book but it could all be summed up in four words:
READ THE FIRST CHAPTER.
I promise you that if you pick it up and read it, you won't be able to put it down.