27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
3 1/2 Stars is what I would like 2 give it Long & Drawn out, July 18, 2003
This review is from: Promise of the Rose (Mass Market Paperback)
I recently read this book because someone from Romantic Times Reader Message Board recommended it and because it had Scotland (which is my favorite romance subject) in the plot.
I read the book "The Conqueror" years ago (when it first came out) and I just discovered while reading this one that it is the pre-quel to this one. The book starts out as Stephan is a young child being fostered by (more like political hostage) the King of England while he is there he meets 3 other individuals 1st being Duncan, a young boy (who's father is the King of Scotland) is also being held. 2nd being Prince Rufus (who will later become King) and Rufus has a like of men, 3rd being Prince Henry who is brother to Rufus and of course, resents his older brother.
Stephen while traveling home is wounded and his men rest in a forest, our heroine Mary (Princess of Scotland) is in disguise and on her way to meet her betrothed for a tryst. She is captured and brought to Stephen he asks her repeatedly who she is because even though she is in disguise he know she must be a noblewoman. His Lust for her overcomes his rational behavior and he beds her... of course this back fires on him. He is already betrothed to someone else (a marriage approved and selected by the King himself)the King HATES Mary's father (the King of Scotland) and her father HATES (with a passion) King Rufus. This sends the story into some very interesting political turmoil at court which includes Stephen's father "Rolfe" in the story.
The story was long but I could not put it down. Mary is stubborn and very young (which was a norm for the writing style for when this book was written) she does some stupid things in the course of her relationship with Stephen. She is torn between her naive perception of her Father, her loyalty to Scotland, her growing LUST/LOVE for Stephen and last but not least her own head strong ways.
Stephen is no better, he has issues with the King that he never shares with anyone (accept the readers.. if you get what I mean), doesn't trust Mary-exiles her, hits her (although only once), has sexual relations outside of their marriage and goes to war on her family (Kings orders). Geoffrey is Stephen's brother he has a pivotal part in this book too, and I actually found his part more exciting and interesting. He is sexy, virile and sounds gorgeous like his father Rolfe.. but Geoffrey is to be a priest, in fact he is already in the order so you can imagine his story would be a bit more fascinating to watch. His struggle with Religion and his bodies natural "urges" LOL
You also get to see Ceidre, from "The Conqueror", Stephens mother again as well as her and Rolfe's other children.
Brenda Joyce always does a Outstanding job at keeping her history 90% accurate and when she strays she has a disclosure at the end of the book. Book does show "Rufus the Red" in a strange and sort of pathetic light. I couldn't figure out if I liked Henry or not there were times when he seemed okay and others were you weren't for certain whose interest he was taking care of.
This book has political espionage, incest, murder attempts, homosexuality, the church vs. the crown, betrayal (or was it?) a satisfying read for anyone who likes books and storylines from this time span and written in the 80's. I must also recommend over this one {KINGDOM OF DREAMS} written by Judith McKnaught pretty much almost the same identical story lines but in my opinion more of a fulfilling read... and yes JM's was written first.
Respectfully Reviewed
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT & FAST READ!, January 22, 2003
This review is from: Promise of the Rose (Mass Market Paperback)
The only thing I disliked about this book was that I couldn't put it down. I found myself reading it during every available second of every day even burning supper so I could finish a page! Lately, most stories can't hold my interest longer than the first few pages because their plots are too predictable or there is no chemistry between the characters or it is too unbelievable. Ms. Joyce has no problems creating chemistry and her characters feel real. I won't get into the storyline or what I liked about each character; read the book, you'll see what I'm talking about!
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
ONE OF THE BEST!!!, June 27, 2001
This review is from: Promise of the Rose (Mass Market Paperback)
WHEN MARY, PRINCESS OF SCOTLAND, IS CAPTURED IN HER DISGUISE AS A PEASANT AND DELIVERED INTO THE HANDS OF HER FATHERS WORST ENEMY STEPHEN DE WARENNE, SHE HAS NO IDEA THE TURN HER LIFE WILL TAKE. WHEN HE COMMANDS TO KNOW HER TRUE IDENTITY, AND SHE OPENLY DEFIES HIM AND FORFEITS HER VIRGINITY. LATER STEPHEN IS STUNNED WHEN HE FINDS OUT HER IDENTITY AND KNOWS THIS COULD MEAN WAR SO HE INSISTS ON MARRYING HER. HER FATHER AGREES ONLY SO SHE CAN SPY ON HIS ENEMY AND PLAN DE WARRENE'S DEFEAT. BUT MARY IS FALLING FOR HER HUSBAND AND ENEMY AND REFUSES TO SPY AND BREAK HER VOWS. BUT A SERIES OF ALMOST BETRAYAL'S AND LACK OF COMMUNICATION ALMOST DESTROY THEM BOTH. THIS BOOK IS THE SEQUAL TO "THE CONQUEROR". STEPHEN IS THE FIRST BORN OF ROLF AND CEIDRE. I LOVE BOOKS THAT BRING PAST CHARACTERS BACK. I HAVE READ THIS BOOK SEVERAL TIMES AND LOOK FORWARD TO IT AGAIN!!! A REAL PAGE TURNER!!!
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