Customer Reviews

Lady of Fire (Onyx)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Anita Mills triumphs again with this passionate story based on forbidden love, medieval warfare, and glorious chivalry. Set in 11th century Normandy, this is an intense novel of epic proportions. Many great noblemen intensely pursue the beautiful, young Eleanor of Nantes. But it is to Roger FitzGilbert to whom she surrenders her heart, the one man she is forbidden to love.

The book opens with preparations for a festival staged by Gilbert of Nantes, Eleanor's disappointed father. He is disappointed, in the fact, Eleanor was born female. Painfully wise, Eleanor has accepted that her parents neither love nor enjoy her. Instead she gains comfort from her half-brother, Roger. Closer than other siblings, the two are inseparable.

The party arrangements are underway, and even William the Conqueror and his son, Prince Henry, arrive for the celebration. Forthwith, amused with the spirited Eleanor, William agrees to discuss a betrothal contract, with Gilbert of Nantes, on behalf of his besotted son. Infatuated with the young beauty, the prince will offer marriage, love and friendship to the exquisite Eleanor.

Also attending the feast is one of the most elite villains ever conceived in romance reading -- the wonderfully written Count Robert of Belesme. On this festive day, Robert, a nobleman's son, pledges he will have Eleanor for his own. Brilliantly, Mills shapes this extraordinary individual into a handsome, appealing and forceful man, but oh, he is so ruthless and evil. Using skilled talent, the author toys with her reader's sensibilities. Even though, the reader realizes how heinous this man is, just for a moment, you wish him success -- for Robert of Belesme so wanted and loved Eleanor

This is a tale of heroic magnitude, with Eleanor cast as the Normandy "Helen of Troy", whose beauty, wisdom and grace arouse the greatest warriors of her time. Even the church and the King of England become involved in the battle over Eleanor's fate, as an obsessed Robert lays claim to her.

"Lady of Fire" is a phenomenal read, a page-turner all the way, complete with abduction, manipulation, and confrontation. Yet, throughout it is a tale of a gentle love. An absolute wonderful romance. Well done Anita Mills. Unfortunately, this book is no longer published, but do try to get a copy. It is well worth the effort.

Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.

This is the first of the series and I have read all of the books until they're almost falling apart. I totally agree with another reviewer's wish that Anita Mills would return to the characters in this series. I can't recommend this book enough. Can I give it more than 5 stars?

Anita Mills retells the tales once told of William the Bastard Duke of Normandy, Matildia of Flanders, his wife, and their unruly brood in a new way by being focused on a couple (Eleanor and Rodger) and their struggle to be together, forever. This is the start of the series that ended(?) with Roses in Winter. Eleanor and Rodger (Lady of Fire) Catherine and Guy (Fire and Steel) Richard and Gilliane (Hearts of Fire) Elizabeth and Giles (The Fire and the Fury) and William and Arabella (Roses in Winter)

The addition of the fictional characters does not detract from the historical accuracy. Ms Mills does quite well in bringing the great historical dramas played by Kings and Queens down to the levels that affected the people they ruled.

These are all rather interesting books that provide a great deal of depth to a particular period in history.

Lady of Fire in particular, because it brings to life the Norman court and the conflicts over property and personal desire.

This is the book that started me on the romance genre. This is the book that inspired me to make romance writing my hobby. I've read this book so many times that the pages are falling apart. Amazing and believable characters, Anita Mills pulls you into the story. Eleanor, the most beautiful and sought after woman in Normandy, Roger her one and true love. Both fighting against king, church and family to be together. Action, adventure, twists, turns, chivalry, knights, honor, good against evil and in the midst of the chaos is the indominable love and intense passion between Eleanor and Roger. This book has it all! A must buy and a must keep forever!

I have had this book and the rest of the Fire series for nearly nine years. I love this family and I wish Ms. Mills would return to this era and this style of writing! Please write about Jamie, Arabella's son, from Winter Roses- I think that would make a wonderful story....

I have been trying to find the rest of this series for a very long time. Thanks ROLEX91@aol for listing the series so I know what to look for. I've read Lady of Fire and Hearts of Fire, but have been unable to find the rest of the series. If you can find any of these books, they are a must read!

This is an awesome read especially for historical romance. The way Ms. Mills writes makes it seem like you are right there living the pages. Its such an engrossing and wonderful story. Actually most of the books in this series are really good. I wish more "historical" romance writers wrote this way. I like more complex story lines and detailed characters. This book had it all. The only thing is that I found myself liking the villian Robert Count Belsme more than I liked the Hero. The hero was just too "virtous and good" for my taste, I rather liked Robert for his hard edge, cunning, and strenght. If there was one thing I would change in the series is that Robert of Belsme would have found his own love or rather his redemtion through another heroine and had his own book for the series. Anyhow read this book and its counterparts you won't regret it.

I can't say enough good things about the Anita Mills medieval Fire series. They are incredibly written with believable characters making personal and political choices within the context of the 11th and 12th century. This first book perfectly sets up the conflicts and relationships which will enfold in its sequel Fire and Steel. If you are a romance fan, you must read this series. I don't understand why it hasn't been reissued to be more available to new fans.

ROBERT BELESME IS THE MOST MEMORABLE BAD GUY IN ALL THE ROMANCE NOVELS I HAVE READ (WHICH IS QUITE A FEW!). There is a cold and dashing glamour to his evil. He's not your usual two-dimensional obsessive brute set up as the foil for the hero. Yes, he is violent (very true to the medieval genre), but he is a thinking, feeling man and it's clear as the story concludes in the first novel that he truly does love the heroine. This is a bad guy who weeps from disappointment and lies to protect his love. You come to understand his bitterness in this context, and this makes him a somewhat sympathetic and appealing character in an odd fashion.

I keep re-reading these books, the way I re-read the Julia Quinn Bridgerton novels and the Patricia Veryan Golden Chronicles. I put these books in that category of superb romance and adventure.

I'm not sure how I discovered this author, but I am so glad that I did. I have read the first story in this series and am currently reading the third. I also read Autumn rain which was wonderful as well. I don't know if I can put into words how to describe these beautifully written stories. Historically accurate detail along with compelling romance keep you reading and wanting more. The kind of stories I find myself thinking about and wanting to get back to as soon as possible. Anita Mills writes beautiful stories that I am loving to read. I hope others will discover her and give her a try. This is the first story, the second is "Fire and Steel", the third-"Hearts of Fire", the fourth-"The Fire and the Fury", the fifth-"Winter Roses". It is always great when you get this many great stories to enjoy!

This book was very good in many ways. Now I liked the second half better than the first. I honestly wished that Robert had won her at times vs. Roger, don't get me wrong, Roger and Lea were made for each other, but Count Robert did really love her too. This book was probably one of the most "real" books in many ways for this genre. It is not for the faint, there is rape, incest, .... one of the most graphic and violent books, but it seemed like it fit into the story in an accurate historical way. It was very well researched.