Lady of Conquest (Mass Market Paperback)

by Teresa Medeiros (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The lush hills of ancient Ireland are the background for this epic battle of wills between two kindred spirits. When Conn, king of Ireland, goes to face the creature that has murdered his loyal warriors, he is convinced that his strength will bring him swift vengeance. Imagine his surprise when he finds his worthy adversary is the lovely and young Gelina O'Monaghan.

Gelina has spent years hating Conn and the warriors who destroyed her family's fortunes, but she has no choice but to return to the castle Tara as Conn's ward. Soon, Gelina begins to see a different side of Conn and his fellow men. Though some town folk still suspect her loyalty, Gelina begins to replace the fear and anger in her heart with security and hope. When the tension between Gelina and Conn turns passionate, it's clear that she has found love as well. But when a courtier is murdered and Gelina is the only suspect, Conn must banish her. Unable to refute the accusations, Gelina feels her old hatred rekindling. Irresistibly drawn to her, Conn goes to her, but will they be reunited in love or divided by hatred?

Court life in ancient Ireland makes an interesting setting for this romance; the descriptions are detailed and appealing. Gelina is a refreshingly aggressive and self-sufficient heroine, if not historically credible. Generally, Teresa Medeiros explores the thin line between love and hate with a keen eye, but readers may find the multiple chapters of mutual abuse between these two rather unsavory. --Nancy R.E. O'Brien

From Literary Times
Conn of the Hundred Battles, King of Ireland, rides out to avenge the deaths of five Fianna warriors. He comes to a cave where he engages a tall, ghoulish creature in battle, and with a swing of his sword he slices the beast in two. The bottom half escapes, but Gelina O'Monaghan is left with the man she and her brother Rodney believe to be responsible for their parents death. Gelina pledges her oath to Conn then returns with him and becomes his foster daughter. Gelina and Conn are always together and Nimbus, the dwarf jester, realizes that they are in love. And while their relationship develops and grows, it is also tested several times as situations and events make Conn doubt if he can trust Gelina and question her loyalty. Is Gelina plotting against Conn, and does she have a co-conspirator? If she is innocent, then who is acting against Conn? Their love overcomes these obstacles until their wedding day when their beloved Nimbus is murdered in front of all their guests. Gelina is caught red-handed holding an object that proves she did the evil deed and Conn banishes her forever. Later, in a dream, Conn hears Nimbus's word