The Shattered Rose [Paperback]

Jo Beverley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2005

Jehanne has never stopped loving her husband, Galeran of Heywood. And now, he's returned from war-leaner, tougher, callused in body and soul, longing for his wife and the child he has never seen. In other circumstances, it would be all Jehanne could ever hope for, but time and fate have wrought changes that neither of them could have expected when they kissed goodbye three years ago. For now Galeran has a rival, Raymond of Lowick, an ambitious nobleman who wants everything Galeran had-his lands, his castle, and his wife. He'll use any means and any deceit to gain control over Jehanne. But, Galeran is not a man to give up, no matter what powerful allies Raymond may have. Now, as the glittering court assembles, two men will vie for the same woman and a battle-weary warrior will mount one last campaign for Jehanne's safety, and her heart.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jo Beverley is widely regarded as one of the most talented romance writers today. She is a four-time winner of Romance Writers of America's cherished RITA Award and one of only a handful of members in the RITA Hall of Fame. She has also recieved the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. Born in England, she now lives with her husband and two sons in Victoria, British Columbia, just a ferry ride away from Seattle, WA.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Zebra (October 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821779346
• ISBN-13: 978-0821779347
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #432,559 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jo Beverley writes bestselling historical romance set in her native England. She was born and raised in the UK, and has a degree in history from Keele University in Staffordshire, but she lived in Canada for 30 years. Now she's returned to England she enjoys doing even more on-the-spot research.

Her 30+ novels have won her many awards, including 5 RITA awards, the top award in romance, and 2 career achievement awards from Romantic Times. She's a member of the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame and Honor Roll. Publishers Weekly declared her "arguably today's most skillful writer of intelligent historical romance."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great story, a bit marred by weak secondary romance, September 7, 2001

By 

bookjunkiereviews (India) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shattered Rose (Paperback)

Well, if Elizabeth Chadwick says this is a great book, it is certainly is worth looking at. That was how I came (via a Medieval Romance group) to this book, which is so unusual. Where else will you find an adulterous heroine (unwittingly so), and a hero who accepts his wife's illegitimate child - and then gets pulled up by the Church for doing so? A fantastic read, full of emotion. The heroine Jehanne is not always likeable, but boy, does Beverley pull you in. I think this is her finest book (of those I have read - medieval, Georgian, and Regency).

Just one problem stops it from being perfect. The secondary romance was sweet at first, and then got downright cloying. I wanted to kick both participants. Having said that (and got it off my chest), I recommend that you find a copy of this book and give it a try.

P.S. THE SHATTERED ROSE is one of my keepers, even after downsizing my keeper collection (down to 20, Heyers, Austen and Ellis Peters apart).

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Story, March 9, 2002

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Shattered Rose (Paperback)

Only Jo Beverley could come up with this story. So amazing, considering the times, of the hero coming home from the crusades to find, not only his son he'd never seen, dead, but his wife for whom he'd been celibate for 2 years, holding a few month old babe, who obviously was not his. Not only does he forgive her, but accepts this child whole heartedly because he would never conceive of hurting his beloved wife.

What Galeran goes through to overcome the betrayal and then the machinations to overcome all the difficulties of keeping the child are nothing short of heroic.

Then, on top of that, you have Aline and Raoul's story (which I truly enjoyed). I'll say like a previous reviewer, what an amazing tidbit the fact that ladies of the manor were supposed to bath high ranking visitors. This was truly an eye opener. What a way to weave historical fact into a delightful romance.

This is an amazing book, but anything by Jo Beverley, I've discovered is terrific.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poignant, August 17, 1999

By 

Harmoni (United States of America) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shattered Rose (Paperback)

I love the fact that both Jehanne and Galeran were virgins when they married each other and Galeran never had sex with another. He had taken and honored a vow of chastity when he went on Crusade to be able to ask God that he and Jehanne be blessed with a baby. When he returned home, he was stunned, bewildered, hurt and angry to find that Jehanne had had another man's baby.

The character development is extremely well done. The emotional turmoil experienced by Galeran is almost palpable as he realizes that he still loves his wife but has doubts regarding her love for him or for the man who fathered her baby. It is also quite a feat for the author to have developed Jehanne's character so that she becomes not only tolerable but likeable.

An enjoyable secondary love story develops between Galeran's friend and fellow Crusader Raoul de Jouray, who is tall, broad and strong, and Jehanne's cousin Aline, who is short and plump.