Customer Reviews

Lion's Lady

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Christina Bennett has come to London to avenge her mother's death. She uses her European title of Princess Christina when she is presented to London society. Christina hides many secrets - particularly that she was raised by American Native Indians. At times, her presentation to and acceptance by London society seems a little stretched but it is such a great story that you overlook those little bits of non-reality.

Lyon, The Marquis of Lyonwood, is a cynical and hard man. He has the usually rakish views of English historical romance in that he does not believe in love or even expect to meet a woman that could mean more to him than the physical side of a relationship.

Christina and Lyon meet at a party and from the first glimpse, they know their attraction to each other is certainly unique. Although Lyon doesn't want a relationship with a woman beyond a mistress, he finds himself seeking out Christina again and again. Christina is unlike any woman he has ever met, she is rather blunt and does not fear or hide her fierce attraction to Lyon. Since Lyon has a lot of experience solving mysteries, through his secretive work for the English government, he senses when something is not truthful. And he senses Christina is not being entirely truthful when answering questions about her past. Lyon becomes almost obsessed with finding out about Christina's past and finds himself wildly attracted to her. Christina, in turn, is very attracted to Lyon but will not tell him her secrets because she must maintain her Princess front and knows she will return to America eventually.

This is my third Garwood book. I would have rated them all 5 stars but this is the best one yet. The humor is subtle but at times makes you laugh out loud. The story lines were interesting - even the secondary characters and the mysteries! I usually get easily bored with the mystery portion of a romance novel. More times than not, the mystery is poorly written and is an obvious ploy to extend the novel. But the two mysteries written in The Lion's Lady are just right. They take a page or two here and there but aren't boring when they appear.

The hero, Lyon, as usual, was a hero to dream about. There are never men like this. If there were, their wives would leave them. Dominance in personality is not a favored trait in a husband today. But this image that Lyon exudes is handsome, dominant, protective, yet very caring as a husband AND it is one of fairy tales. Romance writing certainly contains some aspects of a fairy tale and I think that is one reason I love reading well-written romance novels. I can enjoy Lyon just as he is written! He is a well-rounded romance hero with an appreciation for humor and a definite flair for being in charge.

Christina is a very likable heroine. She is a little too sweet at times but I have found that this is typical for Garwood's heroines. But Christina was so ornery and stubborn to boot! She lied - constantly - to Lyon. Fortunately, he considered it endearing because he understood her reason for it. She is only attempting to cover up her background and I think she is mostly truthful at other times.

It is so humorous how Lyon handles Christina's lies and her attempts to hide the truth by giving him vague answers to his specific questions. I love that Christina thinks of Lyon as a warrior. The relationship is certainly unusual for romance writing. There is none of the misunderstandings and bitter words so common in this type of book. We get to see their relationship from the beginning with an unusual twist. From the first moment, they both realize that their attraction to each other is strong and shared. They both attempt to avoid this mutual attraction in their own ways.

As Christina and Lyon's relationship develops, we get to experience many wonderful scenes in which they live out, day to day, their love for each other. It is refreshing to not have fighting and disturbances between the romance leads up until the end of the book. We are given time to relish their relationship.

The sensual scenes are a solid four out of five (see More About Me for rating guidelines) both in occurrence and specifics. These scenes are very well written and just fall in as one of the lovely aspects of the story. They help give the story substance and spice. But this is not a novel that depends on sensual scenes. However, we are happy that they are included.

This book is a keeper. When I pick this one up again for a second read - I will remember that not only is this book well--written, it is also spicy and very humorous.

"Lion's Lady" is my favorite Julie Garwood novel, and I have read them all. The love story is great, the sensuality is charmingly warm, and the various characters just seem to come alive on the page. The humor which constantly arises due the the contrasting cultures made me laugh all through the book. Christina and Lyon are both intelligent, likeable and strong. The lurking sense of danger which threads through the book makes the plot satisfying, and Christina's mother's journal entries (which start each chapter) are very poignant. I just love this book and would encourage anyone who loves the Regency genre to read it.

While I generally enjoy Garwood's Highland-based stories, this one, set in England, was pretty good. Christina has been raised by indians, but is now back in England to claim her heritage. Lyon is the man she marries, to keep her devilish father from getting his hands on the money. This is one of the cases, where the couple is already in love before they marry, but she fears she will lose him, if he knows that she was raised with an indian family. The story and character development wasn't as strong in this book, as they are in other Garwood books. However, the journal entries that begin each chapter, are very interesting, and I found myself looking forward to reading those, more than the actual story.

My first book by Julie Garwood turned out to be one of my favourite romances of all time (that includes books by Woodiwiss and Lindsey. The best thing about the book was its unique storyline, with Christina starting off as a child in the Indian territories of America and ending up a star in London's high society.

The book was both amusing and moving, with fast paced dialogue between the characters. I have since read nearly all of Julie Garwood's books. This one is for keeps.

This was a reread for me. I liked it this time as much, if not more than I did the first time.
It's the start of a series... (the next being Guardian Angel).
Princess Christina is the main topic of gossip with everyone in London. The mysterious Princess is beautiful, warm and friendly. The people of London no virtually nothing about her.
Rumors grow and eventually reach Lyon the Marquis of Lyonwood. Lyon is a somewhat bitter man who has chosen to close himself off from society. While he is physically and financially attractive, he usually scares off potential loves. He likes it that way.
While escorting his sister to a party he hears of the princess. Men are lusting for her and woman want to be her best friend. He can't believe the hype is warranted. Then she walks in to the party. He is blown away by her beauty.
His interest in her starts off as a curiosity. He wants to know where she came from and what she is about. Christina isn't giving any answers.
As they get to know eachother, Lyon's not sure if her answers are truth, but he is determined to get to the bottom of her mysterious past. Christina is just as determined to hide it.
This is a fun romance that is trully beleivable. Both characters are great characters. You really like them from the start. You sympathize with their pasts and admire their strenghts.
Christina is a strong heroine with just the right mix of femininity, independance and vulnerability. She is tough with out being stand offish.
Lyon is a strong leading male with an extraordinary sensitivity and wit. He is smart, handsome, loving and protective. A little arrogant and very worth the read.
Both characters have some issues, Christina more than Lyon. But it is great reading them falling in love while everything comes together.

If your sick of the 'typical' regency romance (shy/innocent beauty reins in the consumate rake) look no further! Garwood has done it again. Excellent book. When was the last time you've read a regency about that had a girl raised by native american indians in it? -uh Never!

This is a story about Christina, a white woman, who was raised by native americans. Before her nineteenth b-day, she returns to England and with the help of her scheming/self serving aunt, searches for a 'temporary' husband in order to marry and collect her inheritance after which she plans to return to her tribe. Enter Lyon, Marquis of Lynwood. Lyon, a retired government all around agent/spy with a secret past. He's got the battle scars from the work he's done as well as emotional ones from an ultimate betrayal.

And when these two get together -whoa! guaranteed you've never read anything like this before. First of all, Christina is not a typical lady obviously, she speaks her mind, uses native american terminology often, never really answers questions straightforwardly and lies horribly to protect her secrets from being exposed and anyone getting hurt. This leaves Lyon in a constant state of confusion. Just when he thinks he knows what she'll say, she throws him into a loop. Like when he asks her if she thinks about him & her ever in bed together, she says yes!

The banter between these two is hilarious. A total role reversal with Lyon spending most of his time convincing Christina that they are meant to be together forever and Christina clinging to the fact that she must return to her homeland.

Very well written by Garwood. And the reading about his and her secrets just adds to the flavor of the story. The whole 'princess' thing is very interesting and leads up to some nasty run-ins with her long lost father and money-hungry aunt.

This may not be your typical regency romance, but excellent none the less. Very refereshing.

This is my 8th Garwood book. All very good. My personal favorites are the highlander/scottish ones -The Bride, The Prize, The Secret, Honor's Spendor and Ransom.

This is my 2nd most favorite of Ms. Garwood's novels. The Bride will always be the best. I loved Christina. She is independent, strong and very resourceful. I think I like her even better than Jamie (The Bride). Lyon is the perfect match for the beautiful and headstrong Christina. He is not the typical brutish, insensitive hero who tries to bend her will (not as much anyway). I laughed so hard when he think she constantly falls out of their bed and the fact that everytime she is upset with him, she cuts her hair. I recommend this book and the trilogy of The Gift, The Castles and Guardian Angel also. Julie: Keep on writing.

The story is about a girl named Christina, who was raised by the Native Americans. Her mother died when she was 2 while trying to escape from her evil husband. She kept a diary and Christina would read it when she got older.

Lyon is a jaded man whose dead wife had cheated on him with his brother. He is enchanted with Christina and her strange way of thinking.

They meet when Christina is forced to go to England with her aunt. All along Christina avoids telling him about her past for fear of putting Lyon in danger because her grandfather left her a whole bunch of money and both her real father and her aunt wants it.

I thought that the way she started most chapters with an entry from Christina's mother's diary was very nice. There were lots of witty conversations between Christina and Lyon, although I did find it a little annoying that Christina waited so long to tell Lyon about her past. And I love the ending! I think it was her best ending out of all the books I've read.

Christina and Lyon are two amazing characters that are really well developed in this book. Romantically they fit each other to a T. The [loveliness] of their courtship kept me enthralled when the story did not.

Julie Garwood has an amazing talent of creating likeable characters who do not necessarily stay their roles. It is hard to imagine that Lyon would behave so angrily with Christina. And vice versa. However, the entire suspense throughout the story that comes with Christina's journal is good. It keeps the reader on track. I liked the beginning part with the indians. I found it unique and hilarious. It sets the stage for all the misunderstanding Christina and Lyon have together when talking. And it makes it all the more hilarious when Lyon doesn't get it but the reader does.

Overall, it's not my favorite Garwood book... I believe her best ones are the Scottish series she writes. But this book is full of humor, likeable characters and overall sensual. In fact, its hard for me to not like a Garwood romance!

Another one of Ms. Garwood's book that I enjoyed. I have read most of her books and found that although her heros all seemed to be the same large, impressive type, I still enjoy the fast pace reading. I Particularly enjoyed some of the scenes related to Christine's childhood. They were funny and loving. Her ability with a dagger and horses are also refreshing. Some of her phrases were very funny. Although the story has little surprises, it was still a great read.