Customer Reviews

Stealing Heaven

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is much better than Hunter's previous work LORD OF A THOUSAND NIGHTS. It however, does not match up in terms of psychological and emotional intensity to her first four books, particularly her first book BY ARRANGEMENT(which some people hate but I re-read obsessively).

Let me explain how I view this author. Madeline Hunter is for me one of the strongest writers in the genre of historical romance. I mourn the fact that she will not be writing more medieval romances (there are so few good writers for medievals), although I am excited about her move to a different time period, one that I am far more familiar with. The reason why Hunter is an auto-buy author for me is that her plots are (almost) always different and challenging. Her heroes and heroines are complex characters, who merit closer examination through re-reads. There is enough historical detail to ponder over during each re-read - and to feel that I am right there in that city, or that hamlet or that castle or fortress. I also learn something new from her best books, whether it is the fact that medieval people sometimes had more sophisticated toilet facilities than suspected, or the fact that trade was more extensive than I had thought.

Stealing Heaven begins with a great scene - a man (the hero Marcus of Anglesmore) is climbing a garden wall to sneak a look at his betrothed. Why is his betrothed avoiding him? Why is this man so determined to view his bride, if he cannot avoid this marriage? Why does he have to marry her? Great questions. The plot thickens when Marcus discovers that he encountered the sister of the woman he is to marry, and that she is forbidden to him both by the laws of the church (after he marries) and by the fact that she was Edward III's mistress "the King's Whore."

We have met Marcus as young Mark in BY DESIGN, where he was the heroine's younger brother and a definite brat. He is older, more mature. He has not however come wholly to terms with the events of his childhood. It is not necessary to read BY DESIGN first, but some things about Mark make more sense if you have read that story first (or later).

Nesta is more of an enigma. She is consumed by her desire to fulfill her father's dying wishes, and to get her sister away from Marcus. She however cannot avoid her attraction to her sister's intended, even as she uses her body to taunt him and distract him. I will not provide too many spoilers here for those who have not read the book, but I will say that things do not turn out either as Nesta or as Marcus intended. Loyalties are challenged, and difficult decisions sometimes rest on half-truths (or half-lies) and omissions of the truth.

Some old friends from Hunter's earlier books (published earlier, that is) appear in this work. We meet David (hero of BY ARRANGEMENT) some years before his own marriage; we meet Addis (hero of BY POSSESSION) as a proud father but also a mentor to Mark. And we see a bit of Joan and Rhys (protagonists in BY DESIGN, the prequel to this work). It is always good to see old friends.

There are some problems with this work. First, I cannot buy the plot entirely for historical reasons. That is my particular problem. Secondly, this book lacks the historical detail, the specifics of geography, economy, and everyday life that made her first four books such a delight to read. I did not get as vivid a sense of being there on the Welsh marches or in London as I had hoped. Thirdly, the characters seem to lack the emotional intensity that her protagonists in earlier books had. Somehow, I cannot connect to Marcus or to Nesta. Her goals are understandable, but it is easier to relate to smaller causes or a quest for personal vengeance than a Grand Cause. No new secondary characters appear who match those in earlier books. This book could have done much more with Addis, David, Joan, and Rhys as well. We see them in glimpses here and there, and for the most part, they seem pale shadows of what they are in their own books. [I do not know if this is a good thing, because they could have taken over this story, or a bad thing].

I do wish that the book had a different title, because the title derives from comments made by Marcus that seemed like purple prose. While the writing is good (as always), I felt that hte book needed a little editing (two "vague smiles" from David within three pages was a bit too much). These may seem like petty things, but Madeline's titles have been so good for her first four books.

Finally, I wish to add that the label given to the heroine did not make sense given what was revealed about herself and the King, nor did her admission to Marcus make sense either. This part of the story could have done with a little more fleshing out.

I would have liked to rated this book higher, but while it was a good review, it lacked that emotional intensity, that tension, that complexity that the best books of hers have had for me. I am measuring Hunter against Hunter. In any other author, I would rate this book at least half a grade higher. Even among the better romances I have read this year, this is not a keeper for me, nor is it a book that demands an immediate re-read. Either quality would have merited a higher grade.

Grade = B

Rating = 3.9 (B)
Breakdown = romance element 3.8 (B); characterization 3.6 (B-); plot development 3.9 (B); writing 4.3 (B+)

it cannot compare to this author's previous books. Nesta is a woman consumed by a need to fulfill her father's dying wish. He dreamed of freeing Wales from English rule but was unable to accomplish this before he died so he asked his daughter to do so. Nesta's sister Genith has been betrothed by King Edward to an english lord, Marcus of Anglesmore, in an effort to calm the tensions in the region. The only problem is that Marcus doesn't want Genith but her sister Nesta whom he suspects of treason which is bad enough, but worse still is that she's also rumored to be the King's mistress.

This book, had it been written by any other author would have been an excellent read. However, having been written by this outstanding, virtually incomparable author it is merely good. In her previous books she seamlessly blended rich history with sensual, heart-stopping romance. With this book the history is sparse and not quite as interesting to read. Also the whole part about Nesta and the King is ambiguous at best and there really wasn't a happy resolution to that. I think the biggest problem I had with this book was the heroine Nesta and her treatment of Marcus. I thought she came across as a shrew and her refusal to accept what was between them lasted almost to the last page which I found really annoying. This was purely personal taste though and wasn't taken into account when I rated this book.

In short I recommend this book to both fans of Hunter and to those who are new to her. Although to new readers I would strongly suggest to start with her earlier works which are simply brilliant. Recommended :)

This was an absolutely splendid book in more ways than one. It is my third Madeline Hunter book and I have given each the highest rating possible. Stealing Heaven seemed better than the rest but it has been a while since I have read a Hunter book and why? I have not a clue. I so love her writing and now will eagerly proceed through her unfortunately short backlist.

Marcus of Anglemore is a knight of King Edward during the 1300s. His former home and lands have been restored to him and now the king has arranged a marriage that will further unite the Welsh and English and provide Marcus with more power and land through his new wife. By Design, the prequel to this story provides the background here and it is when we are first introduced to Marcus as a young boy.

Marcus has proven himself a valiant knight worthy of the king's favor and is all that most medieval heroes are - handsome, available, alpha, smart, highly trained in battle, extremely perceptive, and very sexy. On top of all those characteristics he is more than the average medieval hero in that he is very sensitive, understanding, and caring when it comes to the woman he cherishes. In fact, his understanding of the heroine's treasonous dedication to the Welsh cause is one of the most outstanding aspects of this book. I have not ever seen such tolerance and empathy from an alpha hero before and it in no way makes him seem less of a man - only much more the fantastic hero.

Nesta, the heroine, is the oldest daughter of a rebel Welsh chieftain, Llygad, who is deceased. She has been previously married to a Scot and is referred to as the king's whore. This description of her as the king's whore kept me from reading this book for months. I could not imagine an endearing tale about a king's whore. But - please do not let that stop you. While the validity of that rumor is not known for most of the book, it does not lessen the vitality of this captivating story.

Marcus is to marry Nesta's younger sister. It is not an alliance he is anticipating with any favor. One night he slips into the garden of his future wife to determine the reason he has been denied an introduction to her. For weeks, she has been reportedly ill but Marcus correctly suspects that it is only a ruse. Once in the garden, he spots Nesta, a beautiful alluring woman, and assumes she is his bride-to-be. That garden meeting is the very beginning pages of Stealing Heaven and it starts the book off with a bang! Their attraction to each other is so immediate and downright chemical that it flies off the page. When Marcus discovers that Nesta is not to be his bride, he can barely contain his ire. From this point, the book just gathers steam, getting better and more fascinating with every single page.

Although there are some interesting secondary characters, this story is primarily about Marcus and Nesta. It reaches the level of truly great romance. There are many, many pages devoted to their relationship - making the growth of their love only more real to the reader. When rating a romance book, one of my primary requirements for a high rating is the time dedicated to the development of the romance. This book certainly rates five stars in that aspect. The sensual scenes are some of the best I have read. I had not remembered Hunter writing such sexy scenes in her two previous books I had devoured. They are powerful - not distasteful - and rate about a 4.0 to a 4.5 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines).

Stealing Heaven is a wondrous tale that I could hardly put down. I relished each page and felt that Hunter's writing was truly unique. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is part of a series of which I have been unable to establish the order precisely. This is my best guess at the order of the series: By Possession, By Design, Stealing Heaven, and By Arrangement. I have not read them in order and they can be easily relished as stand-alone books. However, Hunter is better than average when it comes to writing sequels involving characters from other books. If you can read them in order, you will be in for an additional treat.

Madeline Hunter can really write, but this book was one of her less enjoyable efforts. I liked the fact that she tackled a war that is rarely mentioned in romance novels. The history provided is accurate without overwhelming the story. Those attributes made the story worth 2 stars to me. The characters and the repetitive ideas concerning the romance between them were disappointing.

The main couple consists of an English Lord and the daughter of a former Welsh leader. Marcus is in the service of King Edward, holding lands in the conquered territory of Wales. Nesta is a Welsh loyalist. The story takes place during one of the Welsh rebellions against England. This could have been a great tale. Unfortunately I couldn't really love either character. Marcus was weak and gullible, constantly risking being destroyed by Edward just to keep Nesta with him. This would have been romantic if Nesta had been worth the risk. Nothing about her was likable. She ruthlessly risked her own neck and Marcus's by committing numerous acts of treason to help the Welsh rebellion. He ran in circles trying to keep her from getting herself hung, meanwhile losing the respect of his peers and chancing forfeiture of his family's home, land, and status. When he would open his heart to her, she would lose her temper and tell him there was no love between them. The only time Marcus and Nesta were not fighting was when they were "making love". (But don't dare call it "love" when speaking to Nesta... she insists it is only "lust".) The whole book repeated these themes over and over. I could not see why Marcus would think she was worth the gamble, which made me see him as a total sap.

Irritating characters , repetition, and no true romance... not a great combo. Hunter's use of realistic events made it worth finishing the book, although many pages were skimmed through.

Stealing Heaven is Madeline Hunter's sixth book. Having enjoyed all her books, I eagerly awaited this one. The story of Marcus (brother of heroine in "By Design") and Nesta is beautifully written and is filled with historical detail. Ms. Hunter as usual has done her homework well. "Stealing Heaven" reminded me of a romance novel crossed with a Sharon Kay Penman historical fiction novel. I can't wait to read her next set of novels, set in the Regency era. Anyone could enjoy this book, even those people who look down on romance novels. Don't miss out on this one!!

In 1340 King Edward orders Marcus of Anglesmore to marry a Welsh woman. In the garden one night, Marcus meets his fiancee by accident and they share kisses so that he now believes she is his reward. However, the next day Marcus learns that the woman who bewitched him in the garden is Nesta, sister to his betrothed Genith verch Llygad and Edward's whore.

Nesta knows that Marcus is trouble as she finds herself quite attracted to him. She keeps reminding herself that her loyalties must be to the Welsh rebels though she is also fettered to the English King. However, as much as neither one wants to feel an attraction, Nesta nor Marcus can stop the passion turning into love that threatens their lives if they fall prey to it.

Though Genith weakens the possibility of a historical triangle romance, fans of fourteenth century tales will fully relish this vividly colorful tale of love. The story line is filled with a taste for the era especially the impact of the monarchy on everyone else. Nesta is a lively individual straddling several worlds while Marcus knows what he wants, is willing to go out and get it, but has no idea how to succeed without alienating his beloved's family and His Highness. Fans of deep textured historical romances will believe that Madeline Hunter's latest novel STEALING HEAVEN lives up to its title.

Harriet Klausner

This is a very poignant novel about how two people, bound by duties to their countries, overcome everything to find the ultimate happiness.

Marcus of Anglesmore finds himself betrothed to the daughter of Llygad ap Madoc, former leader of the rebellious Welsh, as ordered by King Edward, for the purpose of binding Wales to England. In London, we see Marcus climbing into a garden hoping to see his future bride. He encounters a beautiful woman, and thinking she was Genith, kisses her. In truth, the woman was Nesta, the elder sister, infamously known by all as King Edward's mistress. Upon learning the truth the following day, Marcus was astonished and more so by the fact that he has fallen under the spell of Nesta.

As the story progresses, we see these two people greatly drawn to one another, but both feel the weight of their obligations to their countries. The fact that both try to stay true to their beliefs and hold on to their loyalty, yet unable to deny their feelings for each other is what makes the story complex. Some of the scenes are heartbreaking that I almost cried, especially when reading of Marcus' pain.

I would have liked to read a detailed explanation of Nesta's involvement with King Edward and how she became known as 'the King's whore', rather than the brief exchange they had towards the end and her previous admission to Marcus. I just found it quite vague - at one point I was debating whether she was coerced, then another that she probably gave in to Edward in the end. I also found it hard to relate to Nesta in the beginning. I would have understood her more if we were told that she was seeking personal revenge instead of fighting for this grand cause that wasn't fully explained until the end.

Still, this is a really good book and the fact that it almost made me cry is enough reason for me to give it 5 stars.

This is an excellent story about two very intelligent individuals on different sides of a battle. They fall in love but cannot sacrifice their beliefs for that love. I was very moved by the story. Madeline Hunter is an excellent writer and able to make the time period come alive. Nesta is her strongest medieval heroine. She did an excellent job of making her independent in a believable manner. If you love medieval romances or strong heroines, then I recommend this book!

"Besides, I always said, if a thief is going to hang, it might as well be for a horse and not an apple."
"When did you always say that?"
He smiled slyly. "When I was a thief."
"So now I am a horse?"
He shook his head. "You are the stairway to the stars. It is heaven that I am stealing here [with you]."

I'm completely spellbound. Bewitched. Enthralled. Mesmerized.

A singularly memorable Madeline-Hunter novel, STEALING HEAVEN rises high above romance stereotypes and its tendency to dwell on characters' appearances. STEALING HEAVEN chronicles a fervid romance, a heart/gut-wrenching romance, an impossible romance, a romance that you simply cannot forget. There's a few books you read once in a blue moon that just never leave you. STEALING HEAVEN is just such a romance. Once I started reading, I literally could not stop. I smiled, I laughed, I cheered, and the novel even brought me to tears. Madeline Hunter throws the gamut of emotions at her unsuspecting readers like me in STEALING HEAVEN.

With BY POSSESSION (****), BY DESIGN (***) and finally STEALING HEAVEN (*****), Madeline Hunter appears to raise the stakes on impossible loves each time. Whereas status and birth seemed to separate our star-crossed lovers in BY POSSESSION and BY DESIGN, there's a lot more at stake in STEALING HEAVEN dividing our hero and heroine. A lot more. As STEALING HEAVEN's heroine Nesta reminds her hero Marcus more than once, "What I want is a small thing in this. In any of it. In all of it."

The chemistry and passion between Marcus & Nesta crackles with a profound intensity.

Marcus of Anglesmore. Marcus lays it all on the line, he risks everything to win his heroine. He's handsome of course, but he also exudes power and cunning. He's experienced it all: being groomed for a lordship as a young child, then having brutally lost it all, watching his sister forced so he could live, living in poverty and thieving to earn a cold, hard piece of bread and then having his lordship returned to him again. When Marcus arranges to dupe Nesta into a betrothal, it really hits you what he's risking in order to win Nesta considering all of Nesta's dangerous connections. If anyone were to discover what Marcus intentionally fails to report about Nesta's treasonous activities, Marcus would lose everything, he would lose it all again and his life in a blink of an eye. As he tells Nesta from the start, "I would fight to claim you..." And fight he does, even using Nesta as an instrument to claim her. Marcus doesn't care about Nesta's past, he doesn't blink twice about Nesta's promiscuous reputation, and even after their first time he doesn't ask her about it.

What Marcus risks for Nesta considering how little he knows for sure about her shady history and considering what he suspects regarding her treasonous plans for the future makes Marcus's plight to win Nesta that much more moving, that much more soulful. Not to take anything away from Nesta, but STEALING HEAVEN belongs to Marcus.

Towards the end, Nesta realistically points out, "The King's man should not be so easily swayed by passion, Marcus." Marcus confidently replies, "The King's man did his duty. If he found a way to do it and avoid a war, he is content. If he found a way to do it and keep the woman he loves (Nesta), he is satisfied. If that woman takes his hand willingly, he will consider it the greatest victory of his life."

Yes, Marcus sure has grown up since BY DESIGN. Wow, his character is realistic, sensual, cunning and honorable. And yes, romantic beyond any words of expression.

I don't think I've ever read a heroine quite so mature, quite so confident, quite so bold, quite so shrewd, quite so unafraid of the world of men as Welsh-born Nesta verch Llygad. She doesn't blush and melt at Marcus's every touch, she doesn't back down to Marcus's "maleness" and deploys her own female weapons in return, and boy does she give him a run for his money in the battle of wits and deception. Usually even if the heroine is a widow, her first marriage was loveless. However, Nesta has actually experienced pleasure before Marcus. It takes courage to write such a heroine in historical romance, I doubt most romance readers warm up to a heroine like Nesta, confident, beautiful, cunning, and not above using her "weapons" (beautiful figure) to get what she wants. And you have to be beautiful if you caught the King's eye. Nesta has tons of dark connections and a ton of dark history. Duty and love wrench Nesta's heart, and her journey as a worldly-wise and cynical woman to actually realize her little girl's dream of true love with a dashing, handsome knight was simply breathtaking. She's totally worthy of Marcus in every way. Marcus is totally worthy of her.

Even though THE PROTECTOR's Anna is the strongest of Hunter's heroines from an athletic and leadership point of view, STEALING HEAVEN's Nesta verch Llygad is the boldest and most cunning of any Madeline-Hunter heroines I've read to date. As far as the combined realms of brains, beauty and experience goes, Nesta wins hands down, no contest.

Although the title of the book literally refers to Marcus stealing heaven, I thought it could have gone the both ways. In the subtle ways Nesta thwarts Marcus's attempts to marry Nesta's sister in the beginning, she steals heaven for herself too. Only a strong-willed, extremely cunning woman like Nesta could steal heaven in Marcus's arms, every bit his equal in their battle of wits.

The Story.

King Edward has arranged Lord Marcus of Anglesmore's marriage to a Welsh girl with royal blood. After delaying the meeting with his intended for weeks, Marcus finally steals into the garden on a moonlit night for a glimpse of his future bride. Following an electric meeting, Marcus promptly steals some heaven right then and there with some kisses. Marcus anxiously returns the next morning for a formal meeting with his intended bride only to find that he stole kisses with his intended bride's sister Nesta last night. Marcus is livid. The witch didn't tell him who she was when he was kissing her last night!

Readers from BY DESIGN will remember Marcus "Mark" as Joan's younger brother, the heir to Anglesmore. Marcus and his sister Joan had to escape Anglesmore and live an impoverished life in London after Mortimer's man Sir Guy Leighton terrorizes Anglesmore. BY DESIGN ends with Anglesmore returned to Marcus and Addis de Valence (BY POSSESSION) serving as Marcus's tutor and warden. Marcus has already led a scrappy life going from riches to rags back to riches. He's been a thief, fighting in a gang, learning to be a lord, and training to be a knight. The roots of his vast street-smart experience shows clearly in STEALING HEAVEN, and god, has he ever grown up! Under Addis's guidance so too does he demonstrate his honor and cunning as a capable lord.

While Marcus fumes over Nesta's true identity and his strong reactions to her, Nesta schemes to escape London with her younger sister Genith while the King is out of the country. Welsh-born Nesta has surreptitious plans for herself and her sister, and they don't include marriage to the English lord Marcus. She dismisses her own reactions to Marcus as a magical foray from another world, and completely impossible. Marcus has other ideas. Marcus gives chase and finally captures Nesta and Genith after much hardship and in spite of Nesta's clever plots to throw off any pursuit. With Nesta and his future bride Genith in tow, he heads to his seat in Anglemore near the Marches. He also decides to quickly marry the sister Genith as the King arranged and be done with it.

Again, Nesta thwarts him.

After Nesta plots an escape again, Marcus is left with just one sister, Nesta. Marcus's emotions and reactions to Nesta boil over and he resolves to walk a very sharp double-sided edge as the King's loyal baron by tricking Nesta into a betrothal. A betrothal the King could very well disapprove of given the King's connection to Nesta. A betrothal that could could cost him everything. A betrothal to a rebel that could end with his life. Nesta's furious reaction to the betrothal is too fun.

The story rages on in intensity and poignancy as Marcus and Nesta spar in a battle of wits and deception, a battle surrounding a rebellious plot with Welsh freedom at stake. A Welsh autonomy and freedom Nesta will do just about anything for. A worthy cause, to be sure. Both Nesta and Marcus understand each other, both anticipate each other, both accept in each other a conflicting and betraying call to duty, and yet, both still manage to find heaven in each other's arms. Impossible love, you say? It doesn't get more impossible than Marcus and Nesta. At times, this battle of wits is very fun, at other times, very heart-wrenching. At the end of the day, it's all worth the price of admission.

I'm going to be re-reading this one.

Since her very first novel, I have been mesmerized by this author's writings - the medieval era comes to life under the pen of this extremely gifted author and her latest offering is no exception.

Marcus of Anglesmore was not happy to be betrothed by the king to a woman he'd never met. In the moonlit night he climbed over the garden wall where she was staying. The woman he met there both surprised and captivated him. He assumed she was his betrothed but alas it was only a case of mistaken identities as this enchantress was the sister of his betrothed. Not only the sister of his betrothed, but the discarded whore of the king he'd sworn his fealty to. Such a case of star crossed lovers you will ever come across.

Nesta's heart battled with her head for she could ill afford to let passion overcome the treasonous plans that she had become involved in. Plans that had been set in motion years before, and promises made to the father she had loved. Try as they might, both knew that nothing could come of their passion for one another. Marcus trying to do his duty to charm the sister when his heart and head could not release the images, scents, and feelings of the moonlit garden and Nesta. Marcus warred between the lover and the knight whose duty was to his king, as Nesta warred with herself between her womanly heart and duties as her father's heir to complete his treasonous plans,

The imminent battles over Welsh and English territories were nothing as to the battles of will and desires between these star-crossed lovers. Their differences seem insurmountable and the poignancy of their love, though no one spoke of love, is so sad it will bring tears to your eyes. They hope, but they both know that they will betray one another. Stealing what moments of passion they can only made the reality of their situation the hell it had become. Their words of love will entrance the most jaded and sensual and very descriptive sex will keep you warm and toasty all through the night.

Absolutely wonderful reading - a definite keeper.