Velvet Song [Import] [Hardcover]

Jude Deveraux (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 316 pages
• Publisher: Severn House Publishers Ltd (April 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0727810227
• ISBN-13: 978-0727810229
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Jude Deveraux was once a fifth-grade teacher who loved to read. When her imagination began to be filled with her own stories to tell, her career as a writer began. Jude's novels have been set in both contemporary and historical periods. Her strong, lyrical writing style and ability to write stories with memorable characters, rich detail, and believable dialogue has garnered her many devoted readers.

Jude has had over thirty books on the New York Times bestsellers list, has over 60 million copies in print, and has been translated into 18 languages. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading murder mysteries, working in her garden, and in boxing class she likes to show much younger males that she can throw a mean right cross.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but I had higher expectation for Raine's story - 3.5 stars, November 5, 2005

By 

Michelle888 (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Velvet Song (Mass Market Paperback)

All her life, Alyxandria Blackett's world has revolved around music. So it is while she is deeply immersed in her newest composition alone in the forest when she finds herself fighting off the advances of Lord Pagnell. Although she manages to escape, the rejection isn't taken well by her would-be attacker. That same night, she sees her father murdered and her home burned. And when Pagnell realizes that she has again escaped, he declares her a witch and puts up a big reward for her capture. With the help of their priest, she pretends to be a boy and takes up sanctuary in the camp of outlaws and works as a squire for Raine Montgomery.

A few weeks before, Raine was declared an outlaw by King Henry when he made the mistake of attacking his beloved sister Mary's captor while in command of the king's army. Accused as a traitor, he has hidden himself deep in the forest and became the leader of England's rejects. But while obedience from them came quick and easy, it wouldn't be quite the same with his new squire.

From day one, Alyx has shown contempt for Raine holding his noble birth against him. But as quick as she is to dislike him, she also quickly learns that Raine is nothing like Pagnell. Fearing that she will soon lose her heart to him, she tries to protect herself by hiding behind the pretence of hating him.

VELVET SONG is the third instalment in the Velvet Quartet. If you have read the first two books, you might be a little disappointed to see that Raine is not quite the humorous, easy-going man he once was. Sure, we get to see glimpses of the "old Raine" once in a while, but for most part, he is bitter and quick to believe the worst of Alyx. But having been through so much agony since the tragedy that befell his sister, I could appreciate why he's changed so much. What I couldn't understand though was how he could have stayed away from his own child for so long. As for Alyx, despite her insecurities and constant bellowing, she was much easier to like than the second book's heroine. And the constant bickering between the main characters does provide some humor and I liked the part when Alyx loses her voice and seeing Raine take advantage of the situation.

Overall, this was quite an enjoyable read and I liked the way the author set up the pace for the finale - Miles' story (VELVET ANGEL).

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars not big on violence of any kind, July 21, 2001

By 

"cynical-romantic" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Velvet Song (Mass Market Paperback)

"Velvet Song" by Ms. Jude Deveraux, was the first historical romance I read, and it suitably hooked me. I liked Raine, when he was not being too proud, and I rather admired Alyx because she did what needed to be done. Raine, I have since learned, is a much better character in the other Montgomery novels than in his own.

Ms. Deveraux writes well and captures you into the world she describes. She is one of the top 5 romance writers out there, though truth be told, the Velvet series is her best work. Her characters are human not always so perfect, and she even varies them somewhat, which is unique amongst her profession. The one problem I had with this book was that Raine hits Alyx. I know it was "a different time" and that the author probably in no way condones domestic violence, but I was uncomfortable with that aspect of the novel. Fortunately, it only happens once, and if you can get over that feeling of discomfort, it does not detract overly much from the rest of the book. It is why this book is a four of five stars instead of a five of five.

Alyx was the more likeable of the two characters, and you can truly empathize with her. She is good hearted and she is one of my all time favorite heroines. Raine is less special, but at times he also became a very strong character.

Ms. Deveraux's characters are romantic, and you are cheering for them all of the way. You also get to meet other characters who have books about them, which I really like. I highly recommend this book as well as the rest of the Velvet series. Ms. Deveraux is a pleasure to read, and she combines everything important into an extremely good romance novel.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A woman with an incredibly cruel tongue. A man who sulks like a spoiled child. These two deserve each other., June 23, 2006

By 

Alyce In Wonderland "The Looking Glass" (Over the hill or underland, or just behind a tree) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Velvet Song (Mass Market Paperback)

I love the Montgomery family story. Also, I really enjoy Deveraux's humorous and passionate writing style. Those are really the main reasons I gave this book 3 stars instead of the 2 that it really deserves. I have a hard time liking a story when I can't like the people involved. This main couple, Raine and Alyx, are both miserable and cruel people.

The Hero:

Raine Montgomery is a sexy, beautiful man... physically. However, he is a horrible husband and an even worse father. He spends all of his time blabbing about "honor", meanwhile he abandons his wife twice, and never bothers to make any attempt to meet his daughter.

The first time he abandons Alyx, she is a month from giving birth to their child. He dumps her at his brother's home and refuses any letters from her. He sulks for months until their daughter is 2 months old. Then, he still treats her coldly as she struggles for his forgiveness. Her crime... she had hurt his pride by trying to save him from stupidly getting himself killed.

The second time he abandons her is for several months. Again he dumps her at his brothers house and refuses any word from her. By the time their daughter is a year old, he still has never seen the little girl or asked about her well- being. He takes no interest in her until Alyx finally sends the child to live with him for a few months. Alyx's crime this time... she hurt his pride again by trying to help him.

I can't love a "hero" (stretching the word here) who is a deadbeat dad and neglectful husband. To Raine, pride comes before his family.

The Heroine:

Alyx has a tongue that cuts deeper than a sword. She insults Raine constantly. I can't count the number of times she calls him "stupid", "overgrown ox", and other charming pet names. Whenever Raine finally calms down from his sulking spells and attempts to make amends, Alyx can't shut up. She belittles him and presses every cruel button she can think up. Raine calmly warns her several times that she is "going to far", but she just can't shut up. The most pleasant part of the story is during a few days when Alyx loses her voice.

Alyx also makes one hugely stupid move that cuts Raine's heart to pieces:

Raine is hiding in the forest until he can get a pardon from the king. When Alyx must leave the forest, Raine is ready to go with her and protect her. She wants him to stay in the forest where he is safe. Rather than just trying to sneak away from the camp, she goes along with a plan to hurt Raine so badly that he'll let her leave without him. Throwing half her clothes off, she jumps on his best friend to make look like they are having an affair. It works. Raine is soul- destroyed. Cruelty with a capitol "C."

The main story:

Alyx has great talent for music. She can sing like and angel and compose her own songs. In her village, she is held up on a pedestal. However, when a neighboring lord (Lord Pagnell) hears her sing, he is infatuated with her. He tries to rape her. She fights back and manages to escape. In retaliation, Lord Pegnell murders her father and burns her home to the ground. He announces a reward for her capture, claiming that she is a witch who uses song to entrance and bedevil men.

The priest of Alyx's village plans an escape for Alyx. There is a band of outlaws living deep in the forest. Because these outlaws would likely ravish a helpless female, they disguise her as a boy. When she arrives at the camp, she is introduced to leader. Raine Montgomery is a lord who has been excommunicated by the king. When the "boy" is dropped into his care, he decides to make Alyx his squire.

After weeks of training the "boy", Raine discovers her true identity. The two fall in love, but clash with one another constantly. He blows his temper at the drop of a hat, she insults and belittles him at will. The people of the outlaw camp grow to hate Alyx. In fear that they may harm her, Raine decides to take Alyx away from the camp. She wants him to stay, fearing that the kings men will find him and kill him. Raine's best friend, Joss, comes up with the plan to make Raine hate Alyx.

Joss and Alyx wander the country, earning their meals with music. After a month of traveling, they discover she is caring Raine's child. They continue to wander for several months until they are found by the evil Lord Pegnell. He plans a trap that will murder Alyx and capture Raine at the same time. In a sham trial, Alyx is found guilty of witch craft and sentenced to burn at the stake. Knights are posted all around the area to capture Raine, for surely he will come and try to rescue her. Pegnell has made sure that Joss went free, knowing that Joss would go to Raine for help. Joss informs Raine that the affair between himself and Alyx was not real. In an act of love and bravery, Raine gathers his loyal forest outlaws for a rescue. As soon as she is safe, Raine takes her to a chapel and marries her.

From here the story goes down hill. This is the point where Raine will abandon Alyx twice and never bother with his child. Alyx will continue to insult Raine with words so stupid and cruel you'll want to slap her. There was just too much anger and meanness between these two. No marriage like this one could survive. Why would either of them want the each other?

The book is a quick read. I read it in a day. Deveraux is great at creating fluid and detailed settings and personalities. Her love scenes are charming and steamy. The Montgomery family as a whole is very likable. These facts kept me from tossing the book before I finished it.

As disappointed as I was with this story, I will continue to read the rest of the Montgomery series.