Customer Reviews

The Knight Before Christmas

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

 

 

Jackie Ivie's "The Knight Before Christmas" blends a dry sense of humor with a good feel for a stark, winter Medieval setting where the hero (Myles) and the heroine (Kendran)could cozy up to a warm fire in a deserted shack if only each of them didn't have a personal agenda.

Since the plot has been described in other posts, I would just like to add that what makes this story different from the standard "brought together in an impossilbe situation" plot, is that each character is so caught up in protecting himself/herself from any emotional responses, that they bumble along the path in a series of misunderstandings that would make Lucy and Desi seem complacent.

The Knight Before Christmas definitely has a different twist and an interesting ending... I can hardly wait to see what kind of man the curse laid upon Lady Sybil brings...

Myles, the Donal heir, fought his entire clan to a standstill but finally, betrayed by his own honor guard, he was beaten. Now he must marry the famously ugly, famously shrill daughter of the Laird of Eschocan--marry her and receive her dowry of precious land. Or rather, he would if he survived the Scottish blizzard, but that seems increasingly unlikely as he makes his way across the deserted and ice-covered countryside.

At the last possible moment, he spots what he'd imagined impossible--an inhabited croft. Inhabited, however, not by a poor peasant, but by a beautiful woman. A woman who, by her attire and bearing, can only be noble. And the only nobles within travel are the Eschocan. Could he have fought his entire clan, been beaten within an inch of his life, to avoid a woman who sets his blood on fire?

Kendran knows all she needs to about men. They are violent, cruel to women, and immune to logic. Still, Myles seems different. Oh, not about the lack of logic, but about everything else. Locked together in a small croft, with nothing to do to pass the time but get to know one another, play games, and gradually fall in love, Kendran learns that there is more to men than she'd dreamed possible.

Unfortunately for both of them, an unpleasant surprise awaits Myles at the Eschocan castle when he goes to press his marriage plans. And it isn't just that the castle itself, a part of his betrothed's dowry, is falling down on itself. Could it really be that love is not enough? That duty, honor, and male pride can stand in the way of what both Myles and Kendran need? Fortunately for both of them, Kendran's half-sister, the mystical Lady Sybil, has her own plans--plans that don't make much sense to either Kendran or Myles but that just might lead to their happiness. Of course, following someone else's plan is not easy for either a man or a woman.

Author Jackie Ivie delivers a rolicking adventure of a story. Myles and Kendran are teriffic characters, suitable for one another because of their flaws as well as their virtues. Ivie combines humor with great characters, fine writing, and a complex situation that really does seem doomed to keep the lovers from achieving their goal of marriage (to each other). I am very happy to recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fun historical romance.

The story is set in the year 1455. Myles Donal is ordered by his father to marry the female nicknamed the Harridan of the Highlands. Having delayed as long as possible, Myles sets out for the Eschoncan Keep to meet and wed his betrothed. Yet before he can reach his destination, he becomes trapped in a furious blizzard. With no other choice, Myles stumbles into a small croft. He never expects to find a female already within, also riding out the blizzard. She has laryngitis and communication is all but impossible. Yet she is clearly high born; therefore, untouchable. But when Myles learns she is the daughter of Laird Eschoncan, he does not even try to hold back his desire for her.

Kendran Eschoncan ran away from an arranged marriage. The blizzard traps her in a small croft and she has no choice but to wait it out. She does not expect to share her shelter with anyone, especially not a man! Men cause nothing but pain. Kendran has marks from her father's previous beatings to prove it. However, their battle of wills soon turns into passion.

When they eventually meet again at Eschoncan Keep, Myles learns that Kendran is the not the daughter he is expected to marry. To keep Kendran's honor intact, they can neither show their love for each other, nor admit to having met before. Through it all, one of Kendran's sisters, Lady Sybil, gives the two star-crossed lovers advice. Before it is over, they may have to admit that Lady Sybil is touched by the fey after all.

**** Author Jackie Ivie delivers a little magic, a little fate, and a lot of passion in this tale of Highland romance. I found some surprises and a twist or two as Myles and Kendran battle destiny. As for Lady Sybil, that character is more than meets the eye. I can hardly wait to dive into her story! Excellent reading here. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Myles Donal is on his way to meet his betrothed during a snowstorm. The woman is known as the witch of Eschoncan. Myles does not want this match. Right now he is more concerned with getting warm though. After stumbling through the snow he spies a croft and once inside he passes out.

Kendran Eschon is furious with this stranger who broke down her door and then promptly fell unconscious on the floor, but she begins the arduous task of getting him settled.

Kendran tends to Myles for days while he recuperates from his illness. Although she has lost her voice and is having trouble communicating, Myles is still very tempted by her fire and beauty. Kendran has been taught through her parent's bad marriage to hate men, so she is very wary of Myles. Stranded together in the croft, Myles and Kendran are consumed in a sensual haze that binds them to each other. Reality has different paths for them to follow though.

Kendran's sister Sybil has some magic in her and she insists that everything will work out. How can it be though when Myles is to set to marry another?

The Knight Before Christmas is a very sensual and romantic story. The pages spent on Kendran's seduction are steamy and touching. Myles is both a gentleman and a rogue. Kendran is intelligent and beautiful. Wit, passion and angst make The Knight Before Christmas a very engaging story. I was enthralled by Sybil's magic and Myles' and Kendran's love for each other. The Knight Before Christmas is a lovely story with a wonderful ending. I am very eager to read more from this talented historical romance author.

Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I loved this story. I thought the characters were well defined and I loved the cabin scenes. I also loved the horse and how smart he was! This was my first book by this author and I will look for more.

I was so impressed with Jackie's previous book LADY OF THE KNIGHT that I didn't think I'd enjoy THE KNIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS nearly as much. But I was wrong. Jackie tells a darn good story, fast-paced and full of surprises. She also keeps the sexual tension alive page after page. What a talent!

For someone used to reading Fantasy novels and new to romance, this was the perfect crossover book. The remote setting and simple or rustic lifestyle (castles, horses, open fires) felt comfortable, and yet once the characters meet -- nothing but heat. I loved that it had the love you/hate you conflict, and the irony of mistaken motives and mistaken identities just added humor and pathos to the piece. Is this "literature?" Of course not. Was it fun, sexy, and easy to invest in? Absolutely! I read them all (in about two weeks) and look forward to the new one coming out in the winter.Tender Is The Knight (Zebra Historical Romance)A Knight Well Spent (Zebra Historical Romance)Once Upon a KnightHeat of the KnightLady Of The Knight (Zebra Debut)

THE KNIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS by Jackie Ivie
October 11, 2006

Amazon rating 3/5

"Myles and his horse Rafe are caught in a snowstorm. Luckily they come upon a small croft (cottage) that offers safe haven until the storm passes. Inside they find a woman who Myles believes is the one he has been told to marry in an arrangement between their families. She is known as 'The Harridan of the Highlands', not a very flattering description. His first encounter with her confirms the rumors. The two fight over the croft, but as tensions mount, so does their passion, and it doesn't take long for a mutual attraction to develop.

Kendran's childhood was not a happy one, as her father was a very strict disciplinarian who beat his daughters and wife. Kendran does not trust men at all, sees them all as ruthless and evil, and assumes that Myles is the same. She is in love with Myles, but finds she HAS to marry someone. She and Miles spent a lot of time in bed in the croft, and she soon finds that she's pregnant. Because Myles has been promised to her older sister, she needs to make sure her child is not born a bastard, and to convince everyone that it's her future husband's baby. Myles is not happy when he learns of Kendran's asking Kenneth to come to the estate so she can be wed before her pregnancy becomes known." -- complete review found at Bookloons - M. Lofton

Not a favorite of mine, but for those who love their romances with a lot of spicy love scenes, the first few chapters is just that. Good descriptives help keep this story going, as well as colorful characters throughout.

Good concept but poor execution. It rarely takes me more than a day or two to read a romance novel but this one took me a week. It was slow moving and boring for the most part...I thought I was going to fall into a coma throughout most of the book. One third in I had to start skimming to actually find character dialog. Most of the book was made up of inner monolgues that were repetitive and a waste of space. I purchased this book because I saw five star reviews and after reading this book I felt compelled to save other readers good money that could be better used elsewhere. Take my word for this...head to Hannah Howell, Lynsay Sands, Sherrilyn Kennyon/Kinley Macgregor, Christine Kelly, or Michelle Sinclair and save yourself some major disappointment.

Second book I read of Jackie Ivie - thought first was OK, even though the "historical" element was totally missing. This was bad from start to finish.
This book has two settings - the first half, in a cabin and the second half, in a run down castle.
The laryingitis description was terrible - couldn't talk, but screech, not realistic at all.
If I read one more description about the packing of the snow around the door and the "slide" created from the window one more time, I was going to throw the book.
It was so bad outside that the snow would "cave" in if you opened the door, but the horse in the lean to was nice and comfy.

I didn't have to pay (library), that was the only "good thing".