Customer Reviews

The Norman's Bride (Harlequin Historical)

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Royce finds and saves the mysterious Isabel and nurses her back to health from her life-threatening wounds. Isabel can't remember who she is and who has done this to her. Passions arise between these two, but Royce resists because he's hiding the secret of his real identity (a man who did things he wants to forget). He's a man who could never deserve a lady like Isabel. Soon it becomes apparent that Isabel is a true lady and Royce is a knight. They both succumb to their passions and make promises. Only then does Isabels sister come looking for her and Isabels and Royce's world come crashing down. Will she give up her old life, accept and forgive the horrible truths of Royce's past to be with the man she loves?

The first ~180pages were pure torture! It could have been put in 20 pages, no kidding. Too much repetition. Isabel only remembers bits and pieces and Royce refuses to divulge his true identity. Drags alot and saying that there is no action in this story is putting it midly. No sword fights, suspense, mystery (barely anyway) etc.

The only good part is that the love scenes are well written and the ending is decent. But I just couldn't get into it, took me days to finish it.

If you like Norman/Saxon historicals read Garwood or Paula Quinn instead. Their novels are excellent.

William Royce de Severin was content to serve Lord Orrick hiding from his past. Hiding from life. Hiding from happiness. For the man he once was was dead. And must stay dead to protect those he loved. But nothing prepared him for the feelings he had for the woman found near his cottage. A woman beaten near to death. A woman with no memory of who she was or where she came from. A woman who made Royce dream of things he couldnt dare hope to have. For if she ever learned of his past she would surely hate him as he hated himself.

Isabel had no memory of who she was. Nor why anyone would want to nearly kill her. But as snitches of memory start to return, all she knows is, she feels safest when Royce is nearby. In Royce she knows she is safe, protected. But why does he continue to push her away when she knows he wants to be with her? Why does he keep saying there is no future for them when all can see the attraction between them?

As Isabel's memory begins to return it is evident she is gentleborn just as Royce tries hard to hide the knight he was. But can a man with no future find a way to have one with a woman with no past?

Bravo Ms Brisbin! A heartwarming continuation of the series that started with THE DUMONT BRIDE, the author did the impossible. She turned a villain into a hero you cant help but love and with a haunted soul you cant help but pray for a way for it to mend. Two characters with troubled souls searching for happiness that only can be found with each other. The emotions were spectacular, the plot well paced and captivating, this story was one I could not bear to put down until it was over. A fantastic read I highly recommend to all! I cant wait to read the next in this series.

THE NORMAN'S BRIDE is the delicious sequel to the THE DUMONT BRIDE by Terri Brisbin.

Immediately upon starting this story the reader is sucked into the amazing world Terri Brisbin is able to create with her magical pen.

We meet "Isabel" who is brought to William De Severin's (now called Royce as he is hiding) doorstep. She is grievously wounded and has obviously been assaulted and left for dead. In fact, it is likely her attackers assumed she was dead her injuries are so serious.

As William helps nurse Isabel back to health it is apparent that she comes from noble birth. But why isn't her family looking for her? Why has no one heard of her death? Isabel, in turn, knows that William is no ordinary man, and has the training of a knight. Together these two pasts collide in this beautiful love story.

For those of you who have read THE DUMONT BRIDE where we first meet William De Severin, you might be surprised he is the hero of this story. Involved as a pawn and manipulated by threats to his family he is guilty of crimes including rape. Repentant and disgusted by his own past, William chooses to live a quiet life trying to escape the memories of his past. Ironically, "Isabel" wants to remember her past for she has lost her memory.

As bits and pieces of her former life do begin to emerge, we are transfixed by the magic of these two characters and their attraction to each other. Not only that, it is the unconditional acceptable by both of them that truly makes this a romantic and genuine love story. Isabel's mysterious past unravels to our delight in a satisfying conclusion.

Another book is set for this trilogy, entitled THE COUNTESS BRIDE, the story of William's sister. We wait with baited breathe for Terri Brisbin's next installment.

Couldn't get past the first chapter. Nothing about the writing, story, or hero and heroine made me want to continue.