Customer Reviews

The Willing Wife

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Ms. Dain has again created two very interesting and troubled characters in this story. Nicolaa has been married four times only to be left when her husbands found heiresses who had larger estates and more money. King Henry has now "awarded" her number five. She has become resentful of the husbands, but she has also learned to deal with men by being willing to do their bidding until they leave. Nicolaa assumes number five, Rowland, will be the same. Rowland comes to the marriage as unwilling as Nicholaa. He is carrying, in his heart, a deep love for his first wife who was killed helping him during an attack. Nicolaa does not believe a man can ever love anyone but himself, and Rowland will never love anyone but his lost wife.
The story is a simple telling of their lives together, trying to survive what neither wanted but must endure.
I loved this book, the story, the characters, and the writing. Ms. Dain shows a thorough knowledge of the Medieval times. Her descrptions of life in the tower and "goings-on" makes it easy to visualize what's happening.
You may want to read Ms. Dain's "The Holding" and "The Marriage Bed" before reading this book, though it certainly is not necessary to read either to enjoy this one. I recommend all three books very highly.

I feel the need to give this book five stars in order to offset earlier, harsher reviews. I do not "love" this book, but I LIKE it very much. Both hero and heroine are wounded, three dimensional characters. I strongly disagree with an earlier review that said they did not solve their own problems - on the contrary - that's exactly what they did. For believable reasons, both characters begin to trust one another. True, there is not a lot of action, per se. And I do agree that there is more internal dialogue than is sometimes necessary. However, I could actually picture everything that was happening. I felt as if I were seeing it all play out in my mind- like a movie, if that makes any sense. The descriptions and imagery are more vivid to me than most other romances I've read. Claudia Dain is a different kind of romance writer - she's unique. And that's a GOOD thing. I also recommend THE MARRAIGE BED - the second book in her medieval 'trilogy.' I haven't read THE HOLDING yet, but each book stands alone so don't worry about reading them out of order.

The Willing Wife, is the darkest and most complex of the installments.

It is difficult to find much to criticize about this book. The characters are smartly written, engaging, and learn from their experiences, evolving in different ways. Good twists and turns.

I am so glad to see this book available for the Kindle! Claudia Dain wrote wonderful medievals before she wrote wonderful Regencies and this is definitely one of them. Nicolaa's "willingness" does not extend to sharing - really sharing - anything of herself with Rowland. Dain manages to weave a hypnotizing tale of his persistent pursuit and her most reluctant acceptance. When Nicolaa finally gives herself fully to Rowland, the emotional payoff is incredibly powerful. An exceptional read!

The Willing Wife is a medieval romance with very interesting hero/heroine. Nicolaa is a woman 4 times married, and each time, her husbands leave her for a wealthier wife. So she has grown accustomed to men and their ways. And knows that all men will eventually leave. So, her home has become something of a refuge, a convent, for young women. Unlike her, though, these women are not so eager to avoid being shackled to a man.
In comes Rowland d'Albret, a romantic man from Aquitaine who has also been married but his wife was killed. So now, he has been sequestered by th king to marry this young woman who has now had four husbands. He is qccepting of her situation and sees himself as more or less her savior.
As far as hero's go, Rowland is one of the best. He is honest and sweet, and goodness, he knows just what to say.
However, he is just a man (fictional though he is). And like a man, he is far from perfect. He wants Nicolaa to give him her love, her trust, and her body, perhaps even her soul, and in exchange, he will give her his name and his protection. (Fair exchange?) You see, he is still mourning his one true love, and feels that the whole marriage with Nicolaa is a betrayal of his love for Lubias.
The Willing Wife, is anything but. Nicolaa sees Rowland as weak in the way that men are weak, that honor is ranked above love, above women, above most things that a woman needs. She could not trust Rowland considering the four men that had come before him. And he did not want simply part of her, he wanted all.
The author touched on the psychology of the matter, for both Rowland and Nicholaa, and one could easily understand both their reactions considering what they had gone through in the past. However, the protagonists were not completely resolved to this reader's mind. Rowland is very romantic, but Nicolaa is not really in the mood for romance. They were at odds. Constantly.
This book is not heavy on physical intimacy, if that is what you prefer, but it was certainly a good story.

In 1155 England, King Henry II provides a gift of land accompanied by a wife to Rowland the Dark of Aquitaine though the recipient wants neither an estate nor a spouse. The bride, Nicolaa of Cheneteberie accepts her fate as she has been widowed four times before and realizes that she might as well cooperate because she has no rights or even a nay say to these arranged marriages.

Though he preferred to remain single, Rowland knows no one lives to reject a regal present so he wants to make the marriage work. He goes out of his way to earn Nicolaa's trust. He begins his campaign to gain her love when he first concludes that she sees him as a passing nuisance because he plans to stay by her side if he can overcome the nightmares of his past.

Medieval romance fans will enjoy THE WILLING WIFE due to the interesting lead characters whose basic understanding of survival makes it possible for the reader to absorb quite a sense of the era. The story line engages the audience because of the attitudes of Nicolaa and Rowland, but also on the other hand makes for insignificant disputes between them. With this novel and books like THE MARRIAGE BED, readers will deign this author as one of the sub-genre's aristocracy.

Harriet Klausner

Set in England, the year of 1155. King Henry II was on the throne. Lady Nicolaa of Cheneteberie had already been given four husbands from the king. All four had asked Henry to set the marriage aside and had gotten new brides. Word had it that Nicolaa could not produce children. After being harshly handled by four husbands, she never wanted a fifth. The king sent her one anyhow. Nicolaa did her duty. She married him, Rowland the Dark. She knew he would leave quickly too. The fact did not displease her. Her heart had become well armored. Besides, Rowland's heart would forever belong to his deceased love, Lubias.

Sir Rowland d'Albret of Aquitaine knew she could not give him an heir. He did not want one. Nicolaa was worthy and would make a fine wife. He vowed to protect her and be gentle, unlike her previous husbands. Yet even though he would not ever give Nicolaa his heart, he believed she should, and would, give him hers!

**** Be warned, though a willing wife, the consummation of the marriage is harsh ... almost to be called rape, in my opinion. The entire book focuses on the two main characters. The secondary characters, in no way, detract from their tale. Rowland and Nicolaa seem to be very strong willed people. This makes for many battles between them and great reading for the readers. My only real complaint is that the villain seldom made an appearance. Great love story! ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

This is a book for those of us who have been down the path of love before. Called to once again dance the dance, having already given up, we simply go through the motions....The absolute strength of the lead female character was intriguing; how many times have each of us simply survived through perseverance? Evolution and growth of the characters, the warrior's absolute support of his love-the realization that life AND love is still worth something, makes this one of those unique books, which the reader will remember for a long time. Never give up; never close your heart, and have faith that there always is a true love in our future.

I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am to see Claudia Dain's older work getting new life! I love this story, love the history, love the hero and heroine and I LOVE CLAUDIA DAIN! Can't wait to re-read the rest of them!

from Ms. Dain. I enjoyed this book as I have enjoyed her previous books. Highly recommend.