Customer Reviews

Outrageous

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

 

 

This medieval romance by Ms. Christina Dodd takes place shortly after the Richard III/Henry Tudor battle for the English throne. Marian of Wenthaven is the saucy ex-lady-in-waiting, living with her two year old son at her father's keep. Griffith ap Powel is the Welsh warrior sent by King Henry to protect Lady Marian and her son, but from what?
While I enjoyed many aspects of this story, it is, after all, a romance novel, and in that area, I found it a bit lacking. The hero seemed to leap too quickly from his near animosity toward the heroine to all-encompassing love, with no real insight into what made him change his mind. The heroine, for all her demands that she is independent and self-reliant, still ends up in so much trouble as to require the hero to save her on more than one occasion. I never felt a strong chemistry between them.
The story moves along well, and although some points of the plot are easily guessed, there were still some surprises. All in all, a fun read, but not a keeper.

Bold and spirited, Lady Marian Wenthaven could wield an impressive sword. Living on her father's estate with her two-year-old son, Lionel, she harbors a dangerous secret. Marian is the close friend, and was once chief lady-in-waiting to the future Queen.

Griffith ap Powell was no stranger to battle, and he helped insure Henry Tudor would be king of England. Now the King has sent him to protect Lady Marian. It doesn't take long to discover treachery is afoot. But strong-willed Marian is not the easiest lady to protect, and the threat may be originating from someone close to Marian. Together they will have to confront the danger, and their feelings for each other.

When I pick up a book by Ms. Dodd, I just know it will be wonderful, and this was no exception. I loved the fact Marian was such a skilled swordsman, an attribute normally associated with men. Griffith was a strong, determined character and it was refreshing he knew he and Marian were meant to be, before she figured it out or accepted it. Art, Griffith's loyal, wily as a fox servant, was a real treat. Liver-spotted, snaggle-toothed and one-eyed, he could still easily seduce women to gain information if needed. The intrigue subplot was engrossing, believable and well done. If I had to come up with something negative to say, it would be the fact Marian did tend to make impulsive decisions, that would put her in dangerous situations requiring rescue. Although other reviewers have already pointed this out, I wasn't bothered enough by her behavior to lower my opinion of the quality of the story. I have read nearly everything Ms. Dodd has written. And yes, I do agree she has written better, but this was still a worthy book, and I do recommend it.

The most fundamental problem with this book has been touched on by the other reviewers. Basically, it's really difficult to like Marian, the heroine. She does lots of stupid things. She's not helped by the author who only reveals her motivation at the end of the book, long after I'd ceased to care about Marian.

Griffith isn't much better. I've been reading romances for decades and remember the bodice rippers with fondness. Still, he treads an awfully fine line between seduction and rape.

Finally, as a big fan of Josephine Tey's "The Daughter of Time", I was really annoyed with the blind following of Dodd in her treatment of Richard III. Tey's book very convincingly states that Richard's reputation is not deserved and that the propaganda that created the reputation didn't start until many years after this book was written.

This wasn't too bad, for a historical romance. It's set at the beginning of the reign of Henry VII, the father of the notorious Henry VIII, though none of it actually takes place at court. However, Henry VII does play a large role. Political intrigue is the driving force behind most of the plot. The romance between Marian and Griffith could have been a little more developed -- they went from lust to love very quickly -- but there were things I enjoyed. The dialogue, though not completely historically accurate, is more fitting than the speech patterns of today that are often used in historical romances. Also, I like the twisting intrigue of court. I'm liking Christina Dodd, and I'll definitely be reading more of her books.

The other 2 Dodd books I have read were well written with characters you cared about. I didn't feel any connection to these two. If you are looking for a great romance try SOMEDAY MY PRINCE or THE RUNAWAY PRINCESS, both by Dodd.

this book was terrible. simply awful! no authenticity in speech or customs. the protagonists were just cardboard cut outs of contemporary romance novel characters thrown into a different era. i couldn't finish the book(which is a first for me!)because the dialogue between marion and griffth just didnt ring true. i'm very disappointed.......dodd has never been one of my absolute favorite writers, but this book has to be her worst ever!

This is my first by Ms. Dodd & I was expecting something more gripping/enjoyable. While the overall story was interesting, it wasn't anything to get excited about. Another sappy heroine--the courageous, 'outrageous' & strong character of Lady Marian was completely undermined by the 'helpless, need-to-be-rescued-by-a-man' attitude/situations she found herself in. Some ingenuity, please!

The heroine is truly outrageous - and not in a good way. that she does not at all act like someone from her time can be forgiven - but in addition, she gets herself, and others, into trouble in the most exasperating way. is she really so stupid - to go out in the dangerous countryside BY HERSELF, carrying a toddler straight into danger, escaping the the safety of shelter for the flimsiest of reasons? And she is depicted as having to carry her own baggages too. It is so unbelievable it doesn't just stretch, but tears the imagination (as anyone who has carried a child would know - it would be impossible to carry several pieces of luggage, plus a baby, through the wilds, for crying out loud - especially when it's not out of necessity but just out of your own whim). She is so selfish and thick headed I found the hero to be a saint for putting up with her antics. But all in all, she stretches one's credulity too much - not because i can't believe in the overwhelming courage of the lady, but because she does not even seem to have the SENSE of the period - of what is hazardous, of what is possible and not possible to do ON FOOT - it just turns out not to be believable.

too bad, because i was enjoying the background about the wars between kings richard and henry.

After reading the book, I was shocked to see the horrible reviews! I got sucked into the story and loved the spirited Marian she was super relatable. If the book was all history, I would put it down- but it focused on Marian and Griffith. Well worth the read!

In OUTRAGEOUS, Marian is protecting 'her son' as well as a massive secret. Griffith is sent to deliver a message to her but finds himself unwilling to leave. When a new king is crowned, Griffith and Marian have to pledge their fealty, but will it leave them on opposite sides of the monarchy?

This is the first book I've read by this author and I'm not sure what my thoughts are concerning her work. I found the beginning of the book confusing and difficult to become part of. The characters were a bit stiff, but this could be due to the author's attempt at authenticity. The story is set in the 1400s, after all. Everytime I thought I would stop reading, Ms Dodd managed to bring in something that grabbed my attention. For this reason, I will give this author another try.

I'm aware that Ms Dodd writes historical as well as contemporary. Although I will try another of her historicals, I will also read one of her contemporary works.

My overall thoughts...undecided, but willing to try again.

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