Customer Reviews

Tender Is The Knight (Zebra Historical Romance)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Lady Elise, the young Dowager Duchess of Wynd, is known by all as "The Ice Goddess". She has survived living among the nobility by making all believe she has no heart or kindness. Nothing and no one can break through her calm, icy façade. No one recalls ever seeing her smile warmly, laugh gaily, or making friends. She needs no one. She depends only upon herself and her maid, Daisy. She refuses to ever marry again.

Elise also has secrets. She's extremely good at keeping them. However, she promised her late sister that she would see to the care of Rory. Elise is to let Rory know his Scottish kin. Problem is that the father, Evan, is dead too. The only thing to do is meet Evan's brother, Colin, and inform the man of his illegitimate nephew. But Elise does not know that Colin is "a big, bullheaded, boorish brute bred in the barbaric boundaries of a backwater country."

Colin, the new Duke of Gowan and Laird of MacGowan, is the very image of a fierce Scottish warrior. London's elite circle consider him a barbarian, though a rich one. Upon first sight of Elise their wills clash. Both are warriors among their own peers. Both have met their match!

***** Author Jackie Ivie succeeded in capturing my interest right at the beginning of the story and never letting me go. I understand now that Jackie Ivie enjoys pitting strong heroes and heroines against each other.

The heroine, Elise, is no fainting violet who needs to be constantly rescued. Nor does she do things so incredibly stupid that I just want to slap her. As for the hero, Colin ... well, let's just say the author wrote his character perfectly: from the haughty Laird to the confused and caring man.

An exceptional tale filled with honor, love, and witty banter that I am thrilled to highly endorse! OUTSTANDING! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Billie Jo from Romance Junkies,

Elise Wyndham, Dowager Duchess of Wynd, is beautiful, sassy, rich and has a long list of men she has dallied with. She is known as the Ice Goddess for her cold heart and a tongue sharp enough to stop the most charming man in his tracks. Since the death of her husband, she vows to never let a man control her again. When she seeks out Colin to let him in on a secret she possesses about his family, she finds him to be infuriating, arrogant and the only man who can melt the fortress around her heart. But Elise cannot open her heart to Colin because of what happened to her sister and his brother. She is too afraid that all Scotsmen are barbarians and untrustworthy. When she finds herself in a compromising predicament, she reluctantly follows Colin back to Scotland and discovers the passion between them is becoming increasingly hard to resist. Will Elise tell Colin she loves him before it is too late? Or will her secrets destroy any chance she has with him?

Colin, Duke of MacGowan, is a handsome man who is determined to find an English wife. When he encounters the lovely Elise, he knows he has found the one woman who can make him happy. He must convince her that she belongs with him, but he finds her to be extremely stubborn, standoffish and sassy. He devises an under-handed plan to trap her into marriage. What he did not count on was the intense passion between them and the secrets that keep tearing him apart. Even though Elise tries to tell him the truth, he keeps using his barbaric tactics to keep her in line. Will Colin ignore Elise and lose her love completely? Or will he listen and gain a love more powerful than anything he could have imagined?

TENDER IS THE KNIGHT is a delicious romp that screams to be read in one sitting. Jackie Ivie does a beautiful job keeping the reader glued to their seat while she weaves a tale with vivid imagery, complex characters, gripping plot and a passion electrifying enough to scorch you. I loved Elise for her razor-sharp tongue, her naïveté and the huge heart she tries to hide from everyone. At first I wanted to slap Colin for his arrogance, but in the end he captivated my heart for becoming a man any woman would love to have. I laughed out loud at all the antics and bantering and cried when two compelling characters find their happily ever after. TENDER IS THE KNIGHT is a must read and will be going on my keeper shelf. Ms. Ivie is now at the top of my auto-buy list and I anxiously await her next enchanting tale.

Lady Elise Wyndham, Dowager Duchess of Wynd for the last five years was known as the Ice Goddess! Young as she was, the young widow was notorious for her coldness, vanity, conceit and a rapier sharp wit that had kept her on the society pages and the object of many editorial lampoons targeting her and her conquests. Her beauty was as renowned as the appellations that described her - emotionless, cold, scandalous, and heartless. After being presented to the new Duke of MacGowan, she was therefore quite speechless when he turned to one of his minions stating "This one does na' have much meat to her," and then he waved her away!

His Grace, Colin MacPherson Rory MacGowan, Sixth Duke of Gowan and Laird of MacGowan, might not have been impressed (or at least didn't show it) by the young duchess but he certainly did notice her. In the coming weeks, after crossing paths with her throughout some of the London's social gatherings, he definitely noticed her. When in the middle of the night while at a hunting party, Elise was found running in fear and covered with blood from bashing in her alleged latest lover's head, Colin did the only honorable thing he could. He covered up her crime and when the magistrate came to question her, claimed her as his wife!

Elise had no intention whosoever of ever re-marrying, and absolutely no intention of remaining Colin's wife, but went along with the ruse. It also didn't matter how attractive he was beginning to look to her, she only had to remember the secret she carried and knew she could never be his wife. After all, her only purpose in seeking him out was to reveal to him that very same secret. Unfortunately, the time never seemed quite right to tell him until it was too late. When found out, Colin drew his own conclusions - naturally, they would be the wrong ones -- before these two would have the chance to see a path to happily ever after.

--This was another lively romantic adventure from the pen of the very promising author Jackie Ivie. This was thoroughly entertaining for both the fabulous double entendre dialogs between our main two protagonists and the sensual foreplay scattered throughout which was fabulous. Though generally not a real stickler for picky things, there were a couple of faux pas in the forms of address; that a dowager duchess would be `waiting at the end of the line' to be presented to a Duke; or, that she would not be placed higher up at a dinner table. I also felt the title, TENDER IS THE KNIGHT to be misleading by expecting a medieval while the setting was in fact 1876. Aside from my nit picking, do I recommend this book? YES! - I thoroughly enjoyed it as long as you can overlook the error a good editor should have picked up on.

Marilyn, for www.historicalromancewriters.com

Jackie Ivie delighted us with her debut book "Lady of the Knight," and once again writes another great historical romance of desire and seduction. This book is definitely for the more mature romance reader as Ms. Ivie shows that life and love are not perfect. She has a wonderful talent for creating deep characters who need to overcome one of the most difficult and deadliest of the seven sins: Pride. You cannot put this book down. As the beautiful English seductress Elise Wyndam and the brawn and handsome Laird Colin McGowan battle to overcome their pride and need to control, the reader aches through each trial. You become so involved with this story and characters, as Ms. Ivie has the talent to keep the sexual tension and desire throughout. This story reminded me of many great romances from the 1970's and early 1980's. If you like Rosemary Rogers and Bertrice Small, you will like Jackie Ivie. Her sensual characters weave through an imperfect life and circumstances to arrive at a fairy tale ending. From the ballrooms of England to the vast, beautiful and barbaric Scottish countryside this book captivates. You will laugh and be happy, cry and be sad, and yes, at times be thoroughly aggravated with these characters. Jackie Ivie masterfully shows that through life's imperfections, love can conquer all. Great book! Look forward to many more by Jackie Ivie.

All London knows her as the Ice Goddess. She's Elise, Dowager Duchess of Wynd, granted an allowance by the Wynd family that means never having to wear the same dress twice, and she intends to protect herself, never be dependant on a man for anything again. Being sold once was bad enough--coming into a man's control again is unacceptable. Still, she owes her nephew, illegitimate though he may be, an introduction to his family. Just because the former Duke of Gowan led her sister on, refused to marry her even after getting her pregnant doesn't mean that the current Duke should be denied knowing his nephew.

Except the current Duke is a barbarian. Just back from serving in the army, in India, Colin MacGowan is a mountain of a man. The first time he sees Elise, he complains she hasn't enough meat on her body. Then he accuses her of chasing him down--as if she would stoop to anything like that. But when a so-called friend tries to rape Elise, she has nowhere to turn but to Colin. Unfortunately for her, Colin's price is high indeed--he claims her as his wife.

When he sees Elise with Rory, Colin jumps to the conclusion that Elise has a [...]. Given the reputation Elise has intentionally created, it's an understandable mistake. But with both Elise and Colin holding onto their pride more than to their sense, the conflict between the two of them escalates--even as they travel into Victorian-era Scotland. Can even the desire that links these two prove strong enough to overcome the prejudice and pride that keeps them apart?

Author Jackie Ivie creates a concoction of clever banter, Scotish adventure, Victorian sensibilities, and a bit of insight into the fate of women forced into marriages not of their chosing in this entertaining romance. Elise makes a fascinating character--intent on using all of the weapons which nature and skill can bring in order to preserve her independence. Her loyalty to her late sister, and her guilt over not treating her sister better, make her more sympathetic. Colin is the classic alpha hero--all force, determination, pride, and readiness to believe the worst, even as his instincts point him toward the truth.

After years of seeing only Regency Era historicals, it was an added pleasure to see a story that steps out of that milieu and into the later Victorian period.

"Tender is the Knight" kept my interest, but the title is entirely
wrong. The hero is a laird, not a knight. He is hardly tender,
instead, he is self-centered and abusive. If you liked the '80's
novels of the furious man who mistreats the heroine, thinking that
she is a "whore," you will like this book. If you are rational, you
won't.

SPOILERS: In 1876, Elise is the subject of newspaper cartoons
which lampoon her as the Ice Queen with many lovers. Of course,
Elise, a widow, is neither an Ice Queen nor promiscuous. (Can
you guess what Elise REALLY is?) She meets the Scottish laird who
insults her, although we later find out he is instantly smitten, a
state he successfully hides from her and everyone else (including
this reader), throughout the book. Colin, a verbally (and later
physically) abusive misognist, consistently suspects the worst of
Elise, although without the plot device of "I abuse all women
because I was hurt by my mother/ my nanny/ my first governess/
the milkmaid I kissed/ my first love/ my first wife/ my cook who
keeps serving me oatmeat/ the woman who stepped on my toe
during the waltz, etc." Irrationally, he also rescues her, even from
the charge of murder, and then he manipulates her into declaring
in front of a magistrate that they are married. (Oh, why, oh why,
didn't Elise read romances about hand-fasting?) She, in turn, is
burdened with THE BIG SECRET that somehow she cannot spit
out--even though it would take about six words. After they
marry, he jumps to the worst conclusion when he sees her
holding a baby, and orders his men to pull her bodily from the
house, dragging her through stones which cut her foot (see, she's
too proud to tell anyone about it, even when it nearly gets
infected). When she cries out,"But I have to tell you something.
You misunderstand," instead of using the same number of words
to tell him the truth, he has her gagged and dragged onto his
private train car. For the last third of the book she endures great
deprivation, misuse, and deliberate humiliation. She keeps saying
to herself how she will enjoy seeing his reaction when he
discovers the TRUTH. I kept reading, waiting to see him grovel. It
NEVER comes. When he FINALLY is told the truth, he is then
furious because she has put HIM through all this pain of thinking
the worst of her! When they finally do get together, it is over in
about five pages-- almost no payoff to 330 pages of anticipation,
no groveling, no epilogue, no reward, no relief. No good.

Courtesy of Love Romances

Tender is the Knight showcases Jackie Ivie's skill at writing stories to warm the heart.

Elise, Duchess of Wynd, has seen much unpleasantness in her young life. Experience has molded her into a seemingly cold woman who hides her emotions behind an icy veneer. A sharp wit and a rapier tongue keep people at a distance and reinforce their opinions of her as an ice princess. None of them know that behind the cool exterior is a woman full of love to give and secrets to keep.

Colin, Duke of MacGowan, has come to London to take care of some business resulting from his new title. He desires to return to his home in Scotland, but meeting an icy beauty intrigues him for the time he is in London. As much as Elise infuriates him, she captivates him as no woman ever has before and he finds himself unable to resist.

Unfortunately, Elise holds a dark secret that will affect both of them. The longer she puts off telling him, the harder it is to reveal. It doesn't help matters that he makes her feel things she thought never to experience. Can their newfound love overcome all the obstacles between them? And what of her secret? What will he do when he discovers the truth?

The adventures of Elise and Colin bound across England and Scotland. Ms. Ivie does an incredible job describing the landscape and events of the times. Readers will feel like they are there, participating in the events in the expensive London homes, and traveling across the rolling hills and mountains as they journey on to Scotland. The author is brilliant in the dialogue, from the witty repartee Elise exchanges with the English nobles to the conversations Colin shares with his men. Readers will hear in their minds the thick Scottish brogue as well as the perfectly proper English language used.

Elise is a wounded woman, having lived through dark events no gently bred lady should ever have to experience. It is no wonder she has built up her cold exterior to hold pain at bay. One will understand how she has come to be the person she is and will rejoice in her blooming into a radiant young woman. Though others see her as unfeeling, those closest to her know the truth about who she really is.

Colin is all Scottish alpha male - strong, demanding, and allowing no opposition. Yet when surrounded by people he cares deeply about, he is a completely different man. However, for most of the book, this reviewer had a very difficult time accepting that while he can be so stubborn and merciless when crossed, he is so gentle to the ones he loves. It was very hard to believe he cared deeply for Elise considering some of his treatment of her until the very end of the book when he learns why she has disguised her love behind her frosty surface.

Though it took a long while for this reviewer to warm up to Colin, she thoroughly enjoyed her adventures in England and Scotland, and looks forward to future works by Jackie Ivie.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, October 2005. All rights reserved.

Elise is as lovely as an ice goddess, and appears to be just as heartless. This, however, is her strategy for surviving amidst the scandal-seeking aristocracy and she has hidden depths. A rough-cut Scottish Duke at first clashes with, and then pursues the icy beauty-- who is keeping secrets she does not want to see the light of day.

It was delightful. The characterization and dialogue was great. It moved along quickly, and didn't let me get bored! I enjoyed it very much! One third to one half the books I buy...I end up not finishing. Honestly, it's become really bad-- I start reading and go "This is c***" and toss it aside. The characterization of many books is unrealistic, the heroine needs a brain implant, the action is stupid-- something throws me off. I am awfully hard to please, honestly. Since I spend about $100 a month (or more sometimes) on books, it is a sad thing to buy them and not read them.

This book, however, kept me spellbound and I almost read through it in one night, even though I needed to get up early the next day. I was sorry to see the story of Elise and Colin end. I would love to visit them and see how they are doing; it's that kind of book.

Thanks so much for such a pleasurable read!

If you want to feel something as you read it, stick with Miss Ivie.
Her characters are very real, as are their emotions. Tender is the Knight was the first of her books that I've read, and I'm hooked.

Keep it up Miss Ivie!!!

The first time Elise meets the new Duke, she's in a receiving line waiting her turn for an introduction. When she's finally presented, he insults her and his aide hustles her away from him. The next day, he accosts her while she's riding because a cartoon has appeared lampooning the two of them. He's furious and says it's all her fault and she's to put a stop to it. He's rude and agressive with her, a woman he doesn't even know. Each time they come together he accuses her of trying to catch him in marriage and that she's a manipulative person. When Elise strikes a man attempting to rape her, she thinks she's killed him and goes looking for her maid. Colin, the duke, has had his man watching her door to see if she leaves her room (why is never explained)and he resolves her problem by announcing to his host and the magistrate that they're married by Scottish law and she was with him and not in her room. He fails to tell her that the man she struck just had a concussion and she doesn't need to agree that they're married to save herself. Thus, this man who kept accusing her of trying to trick him into marriage, tricks Elise into marriage. Why you say? Because lo and behold, Colin has been mad for her from the moment he first saw her (you could have fooled me). And apparently, Elise must love all his abuse because she can't stop wanting him no matter what he does to her. And from this point forward he does some mean, rotten, dispicable, cruel things to her.

As mentioned in other reviews, Elise is taking care of her 8 month old nephew by her dead sister and Colin's dead brother. She's sent for the newphew to accompany her on her forced trip to Scotland. Of course, when he arrives Colin assumes the worst - that Elise has tricked him into marriage to give her illegitament child a name. Elise kept trying to tell him about the nephew but it never happened (we needed a plot point to continue the abuse). She's separated from her nephew, her maid and placed in a virtual prison by her so called enamored husband who has a gag stuffed in her mouth when she trys to tell him the truth. BUT STILL SHE THINKS HE'S GORGEOUS AND WANTS HIM!!!

This round of one misunderstanding after another based on Colin always assuming the worst about Elise and never allowing her to explain anything continues throughout the book until she finally gets to tell him what he has previously refused to listen to. Once she does this, he's now furious with her for not telling him and sparing him all this heartache she's created because he can't help wanting her. Nothing is ever his fault. He has no remorse for how he's treated her. But unbelievable as it seems, Elise still wants him and admits to herself that she loves him. It isn't until the last few pages that all is resolved and they finally go to bed.

All in all, there was no reason why either of these characters would love the other.