Customer Reviews

Lady in White: Lords of Midnight

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

 

 

LADY IN WHITE is a quick read set in Elizabethan England (picture SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, minus the depressing ending and spews of poetry). Lady Arabella Purfoy has been maneuvered into a marriage with a reclusive squire she's never met by the Virgin Queen Herself, only to find herself completely heels over head in love with the man's steward.

The book doesn't overplay either the relationship between Belle and the steward, nor the political intrigue that surrounded the Elizabethan court before the death of Mary, Queen of Scots.

While the book was enjoyable for a light read, and one is glad to see the hero and heroine together in the end, the novel doesn't pack any emotional punches, even at key moments in the story, and there are very few surprizes. Not a work of genius, but a good and satisfying work nonetheless.

Denise Domning is a very gifted story teller. She has superbly captured the life and times that were the Elizabethan age. Her characters come to life on the page and make you feel that you have known them for years. From the page one you find yourself caring about what happens to them. Denise's ability to weave fact and fiction with a healthy dose of intrigue, will keep you reading, not wanting to put your e-reader down! Lady in White is set against the backdrop of the religious movement in Elizabethan England. The Church of England was the voice of religion and Elizabeth I was the head of the church. You will believe that you have actually met Elizabeth I and know what it was like to be a member of her court and have it your bounden duty to abide by her every whim and decision. I highly recommend Lady in White to all who what to read a touching romance while learning about history.

I throughly enjoyed Lady In White. It was interesting to read of court intrigues, scandals and habits of Elizabethan nobility. I think the author accurately portrayed the time period as well as the characters dismay over the tangle they find themselves in because of relations machinations at court.

Arabella and Jamie were realistic lovers-who loved each other but knew they must not recognize their love as Arabella was being forced to marry Jamie's leige lord, Nick, who was in love with another as well. I enjoyed the fact that the characters were older-and behaved more maturely and honestly than some youngster with no life experiences.

The bedroom scenes are mild, and the romance itself is more intrinsic to the plot as well.

An unusual Historical Romance that I recommend for romance fans looking for something a bit different.
4.5 stars!

Although I liked the book that preceeded this one (Lady in Waiting) this was still an excellent book and follow-up to LIWg. This book did involve way less of the Queen but it was great to read about Nicholas. I was also surprised that this story also contained Ned from the first book who was Kit's friend in court. I think if you read the first book you owe it to yourself to read this book.

The lady in white is not our Lady Arabella, but a ghost haunting the home Nick, James' employer. Queen Elizabeth I has ordered Lady Arabella to marry Nick as proof of her subjects' loyalty. A problem with this plan is that Nick is in love with another woman and they just got married - in defience of the royal order. Neither Bella nor the steward (James) know that Nick is married. Each character tries to find a way out of the situation because James and Bella are now in love.

It sounds interesting doesn't it? Well, it wasn't. Ms. Domning tried to reflect the political and religious tensions of the time, but doesn't manage much authenticity.

The book turns out to be a lot of talk about nothing, very little suspense and only a couple of sightings of the ghost. Not very exciting. Very slow moving, I can't recommend this book!