Customer Reviews

The King's Mistress (Harlequin Historical)

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

 

 

This book's plot had such potential. It starts with the mistress of England's King Henry II, being reluctantly paid off with a marriage to a nobleman, Orrick. Orrick is handsome and good to the reluctant wife, and wants to win her trust & love. They feel attracted to each despite their bad beginning. Now that's a good recipe for a juicy romance.

Unfortunately, I never lost my first impression of the heroine as an empty, selfish and self-centered woman (despite the author's valiant attempts to explain why she was that way). Also, there's no sensuality in her 'encounters' with the hero. And finally, I wasn't overly impressed with Orrick's character, either. He's almost a weakling, because he's too good to her and she remains a spoiled baby.

Also, he's basically stricken with lust from the moment of his first meeting with the heroine, which is never a strong selling point in my opinion. (It's a pet peeve of mine to hate it whenever an author goes on & on about the tightness the hero feels in his pants when he sees the heroine.) Quite a few characters accuse him of thinking with his you-know-what instead of with his brain --which is actually an accurate observation. But just not something the reader wants thrown in their face while reading a "romance".

And the heroine's leaving her [...] child in the nunnery just floored me. OK, I understand that in that time & place, she could not raise her as a single mother. But Orrick was certainly presented as a nice enough guy, who would've let her take the child into their household once they'd settled things between them. I was very disappointed that the author let this golden opportunity to give the heroine a real heart and a loving character slip by.

Anyway, this book is just not the compelling, must-read romance I was hoping for. Shallow plot, somewhat shallow characters = just not interesting.

Setting - Silloth-on-Solway, England, 1178 --- Groomed since the age of 8 to be the consort of royalty, Marguerite of Alencon, had achieved that honor of gracing the Plantagenet bed of King Henry II. Beautiful, intellectually accomplished and fluent in several languages, Marguerite would be a worthy candidate for the title of Queen, only Eleanor of Aquitane, held that honor, and Henry was in no rush to replace her. Young and gullible, she believed the words of love spoken in passion and becoming pregnant, Marguerite thought she held the winning hand. Therefore, she was surprised when Henry sent her to a convent to have his child, but the biggest shock of all was when he arranged her wedding to Lord Orrick of Silloth - one of the northernmost keeps and the furthest away from court.

Orrick, Lord of Silloth was summoned to court by the king where he was to be rewarded for his service to the crown, with another title, gold and a `bride' befitting his standing in the esteem and respect of the king. Worried but knowing a summons by the king was not to be ignored, nor were turning down the `gifts' a healthy option, Orrick reluctantly made the trip to court. When he first met Marguerite, less than an hour before the ceremony, he was pleasantly surprised and immediately taken with her beauty and held out some hope for his future. Marguerite though gracious, was still in denial, and advised Orrick to not be too disappointed or humiliated when Henry would stop the wedding. She was under the illusion that this was only a ruse to firmly chastise her for demanding that Henry marry her. Orrick knowing more of the volatile situation only hoped that `her' humiliation would not be too devastating and was prepared to do all in his power to protect and gain her love.

*** This was another vivid look at life in the medieval world, richly detailing the court of Henry II. The author brings to life, the harsh, unfeeling world of betrayals and subterfuge as nobles sought riches, power and advancement through manipulation, totally ignoring the feelings of the innocent. Rigidly trained and browbeaten to believe her destiny was to be a royal consort, Marguerite actually fell in love with Henry, as she was molded into the perfect image of what a queen should be. Orrick was a superb hero, a lord that was intellectually astute and kind, he battled his feelings of lust for his wife to give her the time and space to trust him and come to terms with the feelings he sensed she had for him once she had the time to realize her affair with Henry was over. The love story was beautifully developed and evolved slowly with an incredible sensual tenderness, which was a joy to behold. BOTTOM LINE - Rich in historical detail, and written with tremendous depth of feeling, Brisbin continues to deliver another masterful and brilliantly conceived medieval! --- Marilyn Rondeau, for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---

What a unique concept! A woman who is not only intelligent, knows her own mind and what she wants of life, but is also willing to obtain it? Unheard of, especially in Henry II's court. As consort to the King, Marguerite knows what she wants, and isn't afraid to use all the intrigue of the time to get it. as with many things in life, things don't go her way, and she's forced to marry a many far away from Henry's court. This was an excellent addition to Ms. Brisbin's medieval stories; she's a truly talented writer with a gift for the time period.