Customer Reviews

This Is All I Ask

5 star:		(81)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This is the beautiful story of two injured individuals who learn to accept themselves and love each other.

Gillian of Warewick has been emotionally abused and beaten by her father all her life. Her brother, William, protected her as he could, but he meets an early death. William had squired together with Christopher of Blackmour and had obtained Christopher's promise to take care of Gillian if anything happened to William. After William's death, Christopher, who is now blind, offers for Gillian and sends his friend Colin of Berkhamshire to bring Gillian for their marriage.

Gillian is easily frightened and often cowers or strikes out in fear. She is also not physically beautiful - as her father repeatedly told her. Christopher and his men are very patient with Gillian and want her to never again feel the fear and worthlessness instilled in her by her father. Their tender concern for her is quite touching.

Christopher has his own fears and vows never to love another, because his blind love for his beautiful first wife led him into the trap that blinded him.

As each rises from soul-deep despair and learns to see the good in life and in themselves, their lives begin to blossom and they grow to love each other. In the end, Christopher is actually thankful to have lost his eyesight, because with it he would never have given Gillian a glance. Without his sight, he could see past the physical world to what he never could have seen otherwise.

Lynn Kurland's novel, This Is All I Ask, is one of those rare stories that will stay with me for years to come. It tells the poignant tale of an achingly lonely young woman and an emotionally ravaged warrior in thirteenth century England, two people whose heartbreaking lives are all the more touching because of their courage, vulnerability, and strength. It's been a long time since I've been as moved by two characters as I was by Gillian and Christopher. The setting is wild and majestic, a forbidding castle high above the sea near Scotland. The love scenes are tasteful and never resort to the purple prose that can so often ruin an otherwise good story. The touches of sweetly gentle humor further enhance the tale, another sign of Kurland's gifts as a storyteller. This is a book well worth the read, for romance and fantasy lovers alike.

In "This Is All I Ask," Lynn Kurland has succeeded at what I feel is the most difficult type of romance to write--the kind driven by character, not by plot, where conflict is caused by personality clash that can only be resolved by personal growth and self-awareness. In this novel, the hero, the heroine, and their friends are not cardboard cut-outs but actual people taking up residence in your imagination for the space of the story. They have strengths, and they have weaknesses, and how they overcome those weaknesses, and find true strength in uniting against evil, will keep you riveted to the end. A beautfiul love story, a tense battle between good and evil, and characters worth getting to know--this book has it all. I also enjoyed the gentle humor of this book, based upon the characters' foibles and small vanities rather than on some sort of sitcom joke.

All I can say is that I just oohed and ahhed thru practically this entire book! This was just so tender, and so heart wrenchingly sweet that I couldnt help myself  that and the tears for such tender scenes of love and thanksgiving that two tortured souls could find each other to love and heal.

Gillian of Warwick, physically and mentally abused by her most hateful and brutal father was to be married to the Dragon of Blackmour. Having heard the tales of his devil Gillian would have remained with the beast that was her father had not the knight sent to retrieve her given her any choice.

Christopher, the Dragon of Blackmour, had no more need of a wife, but had pledged his word of honor to his friend, her deceased brother, that he would take care of her to save her from the beast that was her father. Christopher had loved once, fully and foolishly, and had no more desire to repeat a mistake that had cost him so very much  but he was honor bound to keep his pledge. Christophers pledge along with a little bit of help from a few witches would finally enable them to be able to live one of the most powerful and sensitive love stories I have had the pleasure to read in a very long time.

The secondary characters are brilliantly portrayed and add a lushness and wonderful humor to this tale  from the inept witches, fierce knights with teddy bear hearts, and loyal friends who make this story so much more than just another run of the mill romance. There was just so much more to savor with the less than perfect hero and heroine, with everything that they had to overcome, that like me, I am sure you will be oohing and ahhing with a handy box of tissues by your side as well. Most definitely this one is for my keeper shelf.

The story is heart wrenching and touching. A tale of two damaged souls whom are so blinded by their own faults and fears. Gillian (of Warwick) and Christopher (of Blackmour) get help and a little push by fate (and three witches) to finding that they are truly worthy of love, and life.

The supporting characters are brilliant, and as always Lynn Kurland spins a fantastic beautiful tale. This was the first novel of hers I had read years ago. I instantly fell for the characters and wanted more. This is not a book put together to please mere masses. A stout heart and box of tissues (in this readers' case) was most necessary. The tenderness and adorable way this story was told has made me a permanent fan of Ms.Kurland.

It's sappy, it's touching, and it's romantic. Everything a romance should be and more. If one does not like these within their novels then perhaps one should seek something outside of the Romance genre. *wink* "This is All I Ask" is all that and more.

I have read hundreds of books but this has to be my favorite sofar. I can see by most of the reviews that people agree that this is agreat book. And it is. For those who complained that Gillian had a little self esteem problem do you read historicals very often? Consider the time period for pete's sake. Women were considered less then nothing even if they looked good. So if you have a pig of a father telling you every day that you are as ugly as mud and beats the stuffing out of you just to back it up you don't think you have a wee problem with self confidence. GET REAL! If not then you are a "better man than I Gunga Din". What Gillian and Chris felt was totally plausible considering the demoralizing experiences they had and it's gong to take more than a few days and a little sweet talking to get over it. I felt the story and the healing process were both well paced and very believable. Each had to come to terms with alot of past hurts and see the truth with their "inner eyes" before they could finally value their own worth. Add to that some solid secondary characters and some really good humor and you can't go wrong with this book. I particularly enjoyed Gillian's beauty and courage herbs. It was very touching how important it was to her to be everything she felt her husband deserved. And sad because all she really needed to do was be herself. I recommend this book. It really isn't like any book I've ever read before. And it shouldn't be compared to any other book either. There are some books that need to stand apart and not be compared to every other book you ever read. It also helps to have a warm heart and a romantic soul. It also doesn't hurt to be a fan of justice. And because of that I was more than pleased with Gillian's father's timely end.

I love Lynn Kurland's writing and have treasured every one of hers books. However, I found this one to be beyond the scope of what I could "take" in terms of tragedy befalling a heroine. Gillian's abuse was so gruesome and so unsettling that I found the whole book was very difficult to 'take'. Many romance novels have a theme of "triumph & love over adversity", but I felt this one simply went too far.

While I appreciated the happy ending, it didn't make up for the deep sorrow and fear I felt in reading this book. However, I will continue to remain a Lynn Kurland fan !

Gillian has been tortured and abused by her father for most of her life. Now she believes that she is going into an even worse fate than what she had to endure. Gillian's father has sold her to Christopher, the Dragon of Blackmour, as a bride. Gillian has heard gruesome stories of Christopher's ruthlessness; his dabble into the black arts and the unspeakable crimes he's committed. What Gillian eventually learns is that most of what she's heard is false and that Christopher is just another damaged individual like her. His first wife's treachery has robbed Nicholas of his sight and his trust in loving a woman. Nevertheless, Christopher and Gillian grow to love one another, but the battle isn't over. Gillian's father is a relentless and formidable foe. He has planned for years to rob Christopher of his life and lands and nothing, absolutely nothing will stand in the way of his goal.

There are absolutely few words to describe just how beautiful a read this is. I have to say it's one of the best books I've ever read. The storyline pulsates with life, enigmatic and memorable characters that try to survive in the harsh and bitter reality in which they live. I have to say that this is one of the best Lynn Kurland books I have ever read.

I've read this book twice already in less than a year and each time I just can't seem to put it down. What I loved about it was just how well defined the characters are. Their innocence, feelings, pain, and love are strong enough that they let the reader relate to them, and it draws us in to their story. It is the characters that really drew me in. This is a story of tender love that is given the chance to grow and flourish. Both so unsure of themselves, unsure of what the other thinks, yet they learn to overcome this. It is the story of two injured souls that learn to trust again and above all else...they learn to love agian.

I loved the relationship that grew between Gillian and Christopher. I felt their love and felt their pain. I also thought the supporting characters were wonderfully written as well. You know that it is a good book when you find yourself having such strong feelings for each charater. There is also such a great message in this book- that it is what's on the inside that matters.If you like touching tales of romance that can make you laugh and cry, then this is definitely the book for you. I highly recommend it!

Christopher Of Blackmoor has made a promise to a dying friend to save his sister from their abusive monster of a father. It is a promise he dreads because the last time he became involved with a woman, she betrayed him and he lost his sight in an accident. He is mistrustful of people, and because he is blind he feels completely useless as a human being. But he does come through on his promise, he offers for Lady Gillian and has her brought to his home.

Gillian has suffered horrific abuse from her father, both verbal and physical that has left her traumatized. She has no self confidence of feeling of self worth. These two are so messed up in the beginning of the story you wonder how in earth they will come to love one another.

However, Lynn Kurland does a good job of that making that happen without it seeming ridiculous. Gillian does not immediately overcome her tramautic childhood as soon as she meets Christopher, and Christopher does not immediately learn to trust again as soon as he meets Gillian. They both have a long way to go before they can trust each other. I just loved reading about Gillian slowly getting her self esteem back and learning she is worthy of love, and I loved reading about Christopher regaining his feeling of self worth.

This is a beautiful story that made me laugh and cry. I stayed up all night finishing it, and didn't want it to end. These two are so deserving of love and happiness after what they have been through, and the ending is wonderful. This Is All I Ask, is Lynn Kurland's absolute best story.