16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
My Beloved - A Poignant Love Story, August 29, 2002
This review is from: My Beloved (Mass Market Paperback)
One thing about Karen Ranney - her storylines are always interesting. I did not love this book but I really did like it.
Sebastian and Juliana were wed 12 years prior to the story - he being about 12 and she the age of 5. The previous 5 years had seen Sebastian fighting the crusades, being imprisoned and finally ransomed out by the Knights Templar. His ransom price was highly inflated for that time because the Knights Templar were not, as portrayed here, the good guys in this book.
Having been finally summoned from the convent she had lived in for the last 12 years, Juliana was pretty much terrified of having to finally assume wifely duties. It was quite a shock to her to find that her husband would ask her to perpetuate a lie and say they were married without ever consumating the marriage bed. Here we have the real core of the love story. No, there was no sexual interaction between Juliana and Sebastian - but yes, you will see how a love, pure and selfless, is built on compassion, understanding and caring. But don't despair, because when you get towards the end you will definitely be in for some very HOT and STEAMY love scenes.
The story was a real eye opener - mostly for the historical value and any lover of history will definitely be thrilled with it. This was a good read, at times slow, but well worth the time.
I will quote from the book, one of the most amazingly beautiful passages Sebastian quoted telling of his love for Jualiana ....."Aristotle was once asked the definition of a friend. He answered that it was a single soul dwelling in two bodies. What is love? I think it is the same. Be my soul, my dearest Juliana."
God, get out the kleenex!!!!
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A beautiful and historical love story...5 stars and then some!, May 11, 2006
This review is from: My Beloved (Mass Market Paperback)
This is the 2nd novel by Karen Ranney that I've read this past year. I read "Till Next We Meet" (very good) and now "My Beloved". She is a new author for me and so far, a pleasure to have found!
I think that if you are a true historical romance fan and have read hundreds if not a thousand or more books during your lifetime (as I have since high school), then you will understand what I will say. Many authors write really strong tales but, often they fall short in many ways. Whether it is due to poor editing, poor publishing houses, poor press or more, fall short they do. It's just something that happens be it in the begging, middle or end. The characters loose their steam, the story line gets confusing or boring, the action is peaked too early, the ending too neat and tidy, scenes don't make sense, etc. Some books are sexy & lusty, some dark and intense, some rich and passionate, some violent and angry, some sad and morose, some happy and witty and so on. Few books and fewer authors manage to capture in each book the essence of the main characters, the true depth of a story line and the complex emotions of human nature to pull the reader in and captivate them completely. I also don't buy romances for the sex scenes alone. I want it all - passion, intensity, intrigue and deep love. When I finish a story, I want to feel sad that the characters are now gone to me. Sad that the imaginary setting that I found so fascinating is now gone to me. Sad that a world existed in someone elses mind so vividly and yet I was granted special visiting privileges to visit and dream for awhile too. When I close that last page, turn the novel over and gently smooth my hand over the cover of the book one last time, I know I will be missing something special that was mine for just a short time. It is now gone forever. Only thoughts remain. What a joy that is!
I found that in this book, "My Beloved".
The story itself was woven with thought and a skilled hand at writing. I liked how we met Sebastian in the prison and then his life after as a dark, brooding and secretive monk back at his flourishing castle, estate and city holdings. He seemed dark, mysterious and fascinating. All loved him but, all stayed away from him. I liked how we met Juliana at the convenant with the religious sisters and her life as a child bride never claimed by her groom. Sebastian finally claimed his wife by sending for her and making a pact with her after he left the holy wars and prison. You finally get to meet the couple together early in the book. It is amazing to see two people go through so many events as the story plays out and remain at essence who they always were but....become even more through life challenges. They have hidden depths you never knew and evolve into even more wonderful peolpe as the story goes on.
I enjoyed and was drawn in by all the secrets that Sebastian withheld - the mystery of who and what he was all about was genuinely interesting. Especially since you found out later in the book that he was a complete man but, his situation made him view the world from afar for their sake more than his. I was moved by his genuine emotion, tenderness, contained passion and intense sadness. He was a great warrior at one time - now - a man in hiding. He was a beautiful hero - not in just face, eyes and forms but, in his heart and soul. You could feel that throughout.
I also liked how Juliana developed from a spirited child, then to a reserved religious woman and then back again to a woman who fought for those she loved. She learned to take chances that few of us would do but, she did it because loved demanded she ask and receive more. Her dedication to reading, writing and copying scripts was a great development for this character. An unusual occupation for a woman for the time but, possible as a convent breed woman. She accepted her circumstances and made the best of it and then some. She was beloved by all in the story as time went on, including her distant but, fascinated husband Sebastian. She evolved as a woman should from accepting what fate gives her to asking and then demanding what she wants in life. She was vibrant and giving and warm - especially as she came to understand herself and life at a greater level.
My favorite parts of the book were the secret fascinations each held for the other - Sebastian for Juliana and Juliana for Sebastian. Could any two people as close as tied in matrimony be any further apart than these too? . Their longing was tangible, their desires tormenting, their need for the other apparent yet...the distance remained due to Sebastian's commands that they do. Was he a monk? Was he a holy celibate and sworn to the God and not the pleasures of the flesh? Why was he in denial? The bathing scene was perfect - desires raging out of control but, nothing can be done with them! They could not be together physically - a barrier created by Sebastian that Juliana didn't understand. But...they could be together mentally and Juliana made sure they did that through conversations, disclosures of life events and daily and nightly contact. Language became their bridge - their connection to the other. They then felt emotional for the other, then physical at the end of the book when they could and then...ah the ultimate, connected by the spirit. Mental, emotional, physical and spiritual connections. The full cycle of love. One beloved for the other - Juliana and Sebastian. This love transcended the passion of the flesh.
The secondary story line of the Templars and the crusades, the missing treasure of Cathar and Sebastian's hidden secret, the miracle at the end are all critical elements to this story. They entwine and become a part of this book and will leave you fascinated throughout. There are no down points, no dull parts and certainly nothing that didn't make sense. Parts of the secondary story are drawn on documented history and other parts historical speculation and thus, it draws you in even further. These elements made the story rich and full bodied - wonderful to read and even more fun to imagine the ultimate....."what if???? Extra characters like Jared, Grazide, Gregory, Gertrude - the head sister and more make the tale even more appealing and real. Even though you didn't know the deep history of each person, their unique qualities added to the story line. Each had an important part of the story and it all came together beautifully.
If you are looking for a story that is strong in character development, complex yet easy to understand plot line and rewarding conclusion - then this is the book for you. The story is really a simple one - does love conquer all - and you'll get your answer if you buy it. This author is really gifted when it comes to writing emotions; you'll be drawn in and not want to leave Langlinais Castle in England and leave behind Sebastian, Juliana, Jared and everyone else. This is a winner, guaranteed. You will add this to your "best of the best" list and never lend it out. Happy reading!
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16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I applaud Ms. Ranney for writing the book of her heart, April 3, 2000
This review is from: My Beloved (Mass Market Paperback)
I just closed the covers of My Beloved and signed on here to read all the glowing reviews. Imagine my shock when I came across such a polarized range of viewpoints and a shocking number of them negative. This book entranced me from the first page -- from the childhood separation of Juliana and Sebastian to their eventual emotional resolution, I was spellbound. The prose is lyrical and full of rich depth, the love scenes both sensual and compelling. What's not to love? Slow moving? Give me a break...some of the best romances don't gallop along, they meander gracefully and let the reader savor every step. My best friend is a calligrapher, so maybe that's why I found the scenes in the scriptorum so intriguing (this seemed to be a frequent complaint of the naysayers). I thought that that unusual skill added character to Juliana. And as for Sebastian's dark secret, well, someone spilled the beans to me before I read the book and I STILL found his plight and his longing for his wife to be heartbreaking. This is what the craft of writing romance is all about -- emotional tension, sexual chemistry and enough historical detail to make it all seem convincing. I salute you, Karen Ranney, and I spit in the general direction of your critics (to borrow an apt insult from Monty Python and the Holy Grail).
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