Customer Reviews

Lions and Lace

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've reread this novel several times since my last review and unfortunately, my opinions haven't changed. To be fair though, I admit that Lions and Lace is very well written, but poor when it comes to the romantic scheme of things. The way McKinney describes the time period is impressive because you really feel as if you are a part of it, and she has a way of being detailed without going overboard. Even her side characters are vivid. They all come alive and have their own side stories to tell; and all this is done without overshadowing the main couple.
But for all her research and creativity, I'm going to have to give L&L a bad word, but I'm going to make a distinction and be very specific about this.

As a book, Lions and Lace is exceptional, but as a romance it is a flop (in my humble opinion).

I have nothing against cruel heroes (I even love some of them), but I was disappointed with how Trevor Sheridan treated Alana throughout the love story...throughout their* 'love' story.
I think one of the most important things in a romance novel with a cruel hero is that he must be redeemed at some point in the novel. I don't want him to change and become a 'good boy' - part of his appeal is his darkness, and I acknowledge that, but I feel that if a hero treats his heroine unkindly, he owes it to her to make up for his bad behavior. He must* show that he is sorry and it becomes a must for me, to see him behaving in ways that convince me that he does love the heroine.

My problem with Trevor is that he spends 99% of the novel fighting his love for Alana and he admits it only in the third to the last page (literally). I DO realize and understand why he does and says those awful things to her but my question is, how am I to be convinced that he loves her when not once do I see the transformation of his feelings from love to hate?
His hatred for Alana was apparent throughout, then all of a sudden when she is about to leave he writes her a note (which is another disappointment because he could not even go to her himself and beg her forgiveness- she had to come to him instead despite all she endured), and says that he loves her.

I've noticed that a lot of people admire Trevor Sheridan because of his love for his family. I myself, have no doubt that he would kill to protect that little sister of his- Alana was right when she thought that "as a brother, he was a saint". But would he do the same for Alana? I think not.

The most important thing is...in order to be able to tell that a man loves another, that a man would fight for that loved one, that he would do anything to protect and make that loved one happy- you have to be able to SEE his love in the things he does for her. Trevor may not be a 'cuddly', expressive man but there was never a doubt that he loved Mara and Eagan to the death.
Trevor Sheridan DOES have a great capacity to love.

It is a pity though, that his great capacity for loving, fighting for and protecting does not extend to Alana Van Alen. And that is the reason why I cannot appreciate this story for there is no love in it. I would've forgiven Sheridan for all his cruelty towards Alana had I seen his love for her- but that eloquent note of his in the end was hardly proof for me. He never even apologized.

Whenever I reread Lions and Lace and take note of Trevor saying such
sweet, wonderful things to his sister ("I want you to never doubt that I'd do anything for you Mara...I want tonight to be as glorious as your dreams"), I compare it to the things he says to Alana. When I first read Lions and Lace I was so excited- I couldn't wait for Trevor to realize his mistake and treat Alana the way he treated Mara (if not even BETTER). I was convinced by that example above, that this hard man could be loving- that once he got over what ailed him he would take back all the unkind words he said and worship the ground his wife walked on. I did not see that.
He never said that he wanted Alana to be happy (whereas he says "I want Mara to be happy" or "I won't let them hurt Mara", a dozen times in the book).
I can give so many examples but I think I've already made my point, and in doing so I feel rather sad. Trevor Sheridan had so much potential to be a great romance novel hero but it just never happened.
A great brother, yes. But a husband? No.

Lions and Lace is an amazing romance novel. From start to finish Meagan McKinney writes and conveys such strong feelings of innocense, betrayal, love, confusion and lust... and not necessarily in that order. The hero, Trevor Sheridan is a brooding, dark and unforgiving character. But behind this facade, he is just looking for love and acceptance. When he meets the New York socialite Alana Van Alen, it's not only a case of convenient revenge on the Knickerbockers of the NY elite but also a struggle against the magnetic attraction. It is through their hurt and mutual pain that you grow the know these characters and even hope that they overcome the obstacles and recognize the love between them. It's an emotional roller coaster.. Highly recommend. If you're looking for a light hearted sweet romance... this isn't the book for you. But if you want a book to touch your soul... this is it.

Julianne

This is a book I read several years ago and usually re-read once or twice a year. It is romance at its best. I found Trevor to be the hero most romance authors should try to emulate. He is smart, powerful, sexy, but he is also caring and vulnerable. He is adorable! Alana is a heroine you can really root for. You really hope that she gets her man and he can help her put her life in order. The secondary characters are excellent, expecially Mara. This book really is an excellent example of romance writing at its best.

"Lions and Lace" was a very well written book...However, it wasnt one that I particularly loved. Trevor and Alana were both frustrating to me. First of all, Alana was frustrating in her refusal to communicate openly. I will say that she broke down and was honest before Trevor, but it was just tiring reading about her supressing her emotions day in and day out. As for Trevor, well, he was mean for 95% of the story. I actually enjoy a mean, brooding hero. But, the man has to show growth and redeem himself...Trevor, even though he would on occassion show a bit of softness, refused to break down and profess his love to Alana until almost the last page. This annoyed me because even though he was undeniably attractive, I just could not understand what Alana saw in him to make her love him so.
All in all, this was a good read, but it missed being a keeper for me because I couldnt fully trust Trevor.

I read A Man to Slay Dragons and was looking for another book by this author. A clerk at a used bookshop recommended and then located this book for me. I was pretty tired of this genre with some exceptions; this book changed that. I wish there were more well-written historical romances like it. First, what makes it different is that it is a historical romance that is set in New York at the dawn of the Gilded Age--not the usual romance novel setting of England, Scotland, or the wild west. I learned some history about New York that I was unaware of while reading an enjoyable love story. Secondly, the cast of characters are interesting and developed, not the usual one-dimensional sidekicks, hero, and goody-two-shoes heroine. The story is centered around Trevor Sheridan, a self-made American millionare with roots in Ireland and a chip on his shoulder about his Irish birth, and Alana Sheridan, a New York knickerbocker, who moves in the first circles and hides a tragic family history. Trevor marries Alana as an act of revenge against the knickerbocker society that shuns him and his self-made wealth. Outside of their marrage, it appears that Alana broke tradition by marrying "outside" her class in a love match. The reality is that Trevor will never let her forget the reason for their marriage--revenge against her and all of high-society. How she convinces him that her love is real and that they belong together makes for a wonderful story. The main story is nicely assisted by two subplots involving Trevor's brother, Eagan, and sister, Mara, who also find love in this story. And, Alana's sister's story is continued in Fair as the Rose. A sequel that is just as good as the original.

Since reading Lions and Lace, I've made a point to read all her books, including McKinney's latest book, Lady Moonlight, which revisits this era and involves Trevor Sheridan as a possibly distant relative of the heroine. Unfortunately, although it wasn't a bad read, it wasn't up to this standard. These books by McKinney are as magical as Lions and Lace: A Man to Slay Dragons, When Angels Fall, The Ground She Walks Upon, and Fair is the Rose. Her other books have been readable but not as smooth and developed as these.

Watch the sparks fly as you root for the underdog. Alana is a well brought up society girl with a terrible secret. Sheridan is a ruthless man determined to have his family recognised by society. Trevor traps Alana in a plot to help him, and the sparks fly as these two lovers battle pregidous of family and friends. Super book. Fell in live with these characters. It's a book to read over and over.

i agree with saki. it was a good book but i dont understand why the hero loved his sister more than the heroine. his kindness to his family does not make up for what he did to alana. he never even said sorry. even after chapter 27, when he found out that alana was good he still continued to treat her the same way, he was still taunting her knickerbocker background. this book was well written but it's true that when it comes to romance it was disappointing.

i was also wondering, in the end when alana was about to pack her things and leave, she was feeling sad when she was thinking of "the tender times she and trevor laughed together". what was she thinking about??? there were NO tender moments before the third to the last page of the book! even in the last page, the hero never smiled at the heroine. if you want to read about a great brother, then trevor is your man. but if you want to read about a good partner, stay FAR away from him.

Read this book if you want to be taken on an emotional roller coaster! The hero is smart, sexy, strong, and ruthless. The heroine is a perfect combination of strength, resolve, and innocence. He is the lion and she is the lace and when they come together, it is magic! I read it in one day and could not get enough so I read all over again on the following day. Trevor is so hottt! and the fact that he speaks Gaelic is so seductive....I can almost hear him seduce Alana in Gaelic. The author makes you feel for him even though he does/says many cruel things to the heroine. You come to understand where his cruelty and ruthlessness comes from. Alana is so sweet and strong...she makes you admire her. She could have easily been developed into a spoil-rotten snobby high-society woman, but she wasn't. Even though she is seriously rich and sophisticated, you can still feel for her as if she is one of your girlfriends. I love them both!!

I just wish the author made a sequel of Lions and Lace to focus on the reconciled relationship of Trevor and Alana (instead of just Fair is the Rose, which focuses mostly on Alana's sister). This could have been a 3 book series...but still read it! You will cry, laugh, and want to read again and again!

Lions and Lace is a book to read over and over - I myself have read it three times, and do plan on reading it again! It speaks of a tough, independent woman - Alana Van Alen - thrown up against the devil of all devils, Trevor Sheridan. I laughed, cried, and squealed with delight while reading this masterpiece. Meagan McKinney has done it again!

Like the title suggests, this book by the talented Meagan McKinney is about two opposites, one dark and powerful, the other innocent and condemned by appearance, yet the two share a common ground, a deep dark past; one that she cannot divulge, and one that he can never forget. Lions and Lace has succeeded as being the one and only novel (as of yet) to move me to the very core of my being, (and I've read this over 2 years ago). I've found myself getting chills each and everytime I re-read the novel (I've read it at least a dozen times). It is THAT good! Recommended w/ my highest regards. Meagan McKinney has the talent to make you laugh and cry like no other. Get this book and you'll have no regrets. Don't get this book and you'll be missing out on the romance of a lifetime!