Lady of Conquest [Mass Market Paperback]

Teresa Medeiros (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1998

She had the fierce spirit of a warrior--and the passionate heart of a woman in love.

He is called Conn of the Hundred Battles, the warrior-king who forged a nation from a land of isolated clans.  As High King of Ireland, he rides with the legendary Fianna, his elite band of warriors.  But a threat to the throne looms from a mysterious scourge who has vanquished several of Conn's bravest warriors.  Conn rides out alone to face a seemingly invincible foe, never expecting that he will confront a grief-maddened hellcat with emerald eyes and hair like liquid flame....

Wielding a sword called Vengeance, Gelina ó Monaghan has sworn to defeat the man she holds responsible for her family's ruin.  She never dreamed she'd be bested by him in combat...and lose her heart in the bargain.  Their forbidden passion will become a private war fought with swords and kisses, promises and betrayal--and surrender will be only the beginning....

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The lush hills of ancient Ireland are the background for this epic battle of wills between two kindred spirits. When Conn, king of Ireland, goes to face the creature that has murdered his loyal warriors, he is convinced that his strength will bring him swift vengeance. Imagine his surprise when he finds his worthy adversary is the lovely and young Gelina O'Monaghan.

Gelina has spent years hating Conn and the warriors who destroyed her family's fortunes, but she has no choice but to return to the castle Tara as Conn's ward. Soon, Gelina begins to see a different side of Conn and his fellow men. Though some town folk still suspect her loyalty, Gelina begins to replace the fear and anger in her heart with security and hope. When the tension between Gelina and Conn turns passionate, it's clear that she has found love as well. But when a courtier is murdered and Gelina is the only suspect, Conn must banish her. Unable to refute the accusations, Gelina feels her old hatred rekindling. Irresistibly drawn to her, Conn goes to her, but will they be reunited in love or divided by hatred?

Court life in ancient Ireland makes an interesting setting for this romance; the descriptions are detailed and appealing. Gelina is a refreshingly aggressive and self-sufficient heroine, if not historically credible. Generally, Teresa Medeiros explores the thin line between love and hate with a keen eye, but readers may find the multiple chapters of mutual abuse between these two rather unsavory. --Nancy R.E. O'Brien

Review

Don't miss these enchanting romances by Teresa Medeiros:

Nobody's Darling:
"There is so much joy, so much magic and just the right amount of poignancy that you will find tears mixed with your laughter....A book you'll reread simply to relive the pleasure."
--Romantic Times

Touch of Enchantment:
"A fine and funny combination of Jude Deveraux and Erma Bombeck."
--Publishers Weekly

Breath of Magic:
"Wondrous and brimming over with the love and laughter of Teresa Medieros' style."
--Romantic Times

Fairest of Them All:
"Medeiros pens the ultimate romantic fantasy."
--Publishers Weekly

Thief of Hearts:
"Emotional, funny, sensual, and spellbinding, this is a marvelous read!"
--Romantic Times

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (December 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553581147
• ISBN-13: 978-0553581140
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.1 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #641,956 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Teresa Medeiros wrote her first novel at the age of twenty-one, introducing readers to one of the most beloved and versatile voices in romance fiction. All of her books have been national bestsellers, appearing on the New York Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. She currently has over 10 million books in print and is published in over 17 languages. She was chosen one of the "Top Ten Favorite Romance Authors" by Affaire de Coeur magazine and won the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award for 'Best Historical Love and Laughter'. She is a seven-time RITA finalist, two-time PRISM winner, and two-time recipient of the Waldenbook Award for bestselling fiction. Teresa lives in Kentucky with her husband and two lovably neurotic cats. Her latest Scottish historical THE DEVIL WEARS PLAID was released in 2010 and her first contemporary women's fiction novel GOODNIGHT TWEETHEART was released in January 2011. You can join her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/teresamedeirosfanpage or follow her on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/teresamedeiros . You can visit her website at http://www.teresamedeiros.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ending needs revision..., July 21, 2001

By 

Abbys (Moreno Valley, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lady of Conquest (Mass Market Paperback)

I honestly didn't know how to rate this book in the beginning. After the book ended, I didn't even know whether I liked it or not. Thing is, I had to read this book twice in order to get a proper conclusion. Then, I realized it isn't an awful read to deserve lower than 2 stars nor was it a "so-so-not-bad" kind of book to deserve a 3 stars either. I admit, I particularly didn't like the ending of this book. I would have love to see Conn proved his trust, begged or perhaps even 'ask' Gelina for forgiveness and acceptance with more effort, depth and passion. I didn't appreciate the idea of someone as strong-headed and strong-willed as Gelina to simply fall over and forgive after hearing a sweet one-liner from Conn's lips! The Epilogue didn't help much either. Perhaps the ending should be revised. Anyway, The initial plot of this book is a LOVE/HATE relationship. To be honest, it kindda make u feel the same way about the whole story in general too. Conn and Gelina's relationship was melancholy yet luring and intriguing. Heart rending, relief and more heart wretching all throughout the book. What Gelina went through in the hands of Conn-her martyrdom, her confusions, her courage and her love & hatred! She is brave yet she isn't afraid to cry also. That makes her more human in my eyes. I really like her. Conn did a lot of awful things to Gelina that makes my heart ache but then again, she also did her share to infuriate even a Saint. A man's pride, honor and ego can only take so much of a blow! Conn actually did give her chances but then Gelina's young, not to mention that she was shaped to hate Conn from an early age. How can one differentiate love from hatred when both is felt and given in extreme passion? ugh, totally frustrating. A very emotional read. So perhaps this is why I rated this book a 4 stars in the end. I had conflicting emotions, conflicting opinions of this book. It made me think about it even after it was put down. When I was ready to write my review, I read here that there is indeed a lot of controversy about this book. Some hate it, some love it. If an author can pull readers together this way, I say it deserve a higher rating. If not for the abrupt ending, I would have rated this "one of a kind" book a fiver.

This is only my third book of Teresa Medeiros but I will most definitely read more of her works. The Ireland setting in this book also piqued my curiosity since most of the historical romance books I've read are in Scotland/Highland-England settings. This love/hate relationship in an Ireland setting was a distinctive and a refreshing change. I like it, so... TRY this book. I won't guarantee that you will find it as I see it but then again you might even enjoy it more than I have. This book is not for everyone. It's all a matter of taste and preferences.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Follow up after reading all the other reviews, January 15, 2003

By 

"prncssom" (Easton, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lady of Conquest (Mass Market Paperback)

Ok, I read all 43 reviews and I'm not sure anymore that we were all reading the same book, excatly when was there love in this book? The hero was abusive, and yes the heroine was a little flighty but she was like 14 at first, its understandable. I honestly did not see love in it, Conn is nice to gelina like one time when she is still his foster daughetr and thats it. I had to add this review because reading that so many people thought the book was fantastic and touching and breathtaking, etc. seriously worries me. Do that many women in this country think that abuse equals love? I've read hundreds (if not more) of romances, and ive seen almost everytime of relationship possible, and never has a hero been as abusive to the heroine. I mean the man raped her REPEATEDLY!! If you liked the book because you couldn't stop reading it, tyhen sure, I couldn't stop reading it either, but if you think that is love, then I'm really worried for you. And finally, rape has no place in romance, it is one of the worst crimes, if not the worst, perpetrated against women, and the impression on the victim lasts forvever. Obviously the authors that incorporate it in their books have never experienced it themselves, those who actually had I'm sure would not so trivialize it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars reluctantly drawn, August 16, 2002

By 

A. C. "amaranth_s_designs" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lady of Conquest (Mass Market Paperback)

While Medeiros is my favorite writer of romance and generally excellent historical fiction, this book left me with a bad taste in my mouth and a fear of ever being as "in love" as these two characters. This book shows a classic example of a horribly abusive mean-spirited relationship. While these two could have had a good relationship, the choices they made and the truly intense hatred they show for one and other would make me want to end up far from seeing them written into a lasting love. I wouldn't wish their brand of love on my worst enemy. Violence reigns in their story. I would never reread it.