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Rosecliffe #1
The Bride of Rosecliffe
Bestselling, award-winning author Rexanne Becnel brings the glory, intrigue, and breathtaking passion of the twelfth-century Wales to life in this spellbinding tale of loyalty and love...
In the name of the English King Henry, Rand Fitz Hugh has arrived to claim rebellious Wales. A fierce and loyal warrior, he is prepared for war, but boldly seeks peace, never imagining the battle that will rage within his own heart.
Josselyn ap Carreg Du is prepared to marry a man she loathes in order to unite Welsh lands against the hated English. Before she can do so, Rand makes her his captive-and pawn of his politics and ambition. She fears him, not because he is her mortal enemy...but because he has the means to make her forget that. In a time of strife and treachery, when enemies give no mercy and desperate choices mus be made, love may prove the greatest weapon of all...
In the name of the English King Henry, Rand Fitz Hugh has arrived to claim rebellious Wales. A fierce and loyal warrior, he is prepared for war, but boldly seeks peace, never imagining the battle that will rage within his own heart.
Josselyn ap Carreg Du is prepared to marry a man she loathes in order to unite Welsh lands against the hated English. Before she can do so, Rand makes her his captive-and pawn of his politics and ambition. She fears him, not because he is her mortal enemy...but because he has the means to make her forget that. In a time of strife and treachery, when enemies give no mercy and desperate choices mus be made, love may prove the greatest weapon of all...
378 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 15, 1998
About the author
Rexanne Becnel
64 books124 followersRexanne Becnel is the author of more than twenty historical romance and contemporary mainstream novels, many of which appeared on the USA Today bestseller list. With the publication of her first novel, My Gallant Enemy, Becnel won the Waldenbooks Award for Best First-Time Romance Author and the Romantic Times Award for Best Medieval Romance by a New Author. While growing up, Becnel lived for a time in Germany and England, where she became fascinated by medieval history. After studying architecture at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, she worked as a building inspector for the Vieux Carré Commission, the agency of the City of New Orleans charged with protecting and preserving the distinct architectural and historic character of the French Quarter. Becnel lives in New Orleans with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 25, 2012
This story depicts the romance between Rand Fitz Hugh,a baron under King Henry and Josselyn ap Carreg Du heir to a Welsh leader.Rand wants to lay claim to the land of Welsh peacefully but Josselyn and the others will do everything to thwart him.But what no one took into consideration was the fierce love which blossomed between them.
There were a lot of twists and the plot should have been interesting but it became irritating and repetitive after sometime.The characters also seemed superfluous.
I was really hoping to enjoy it but....
***sigh***
WHAT TO DO???
There were a lot of twists and the plot should have been interesting but it became irritating and repetitive after sometime.The characters also seemed superfluous.
I was really hoping to enjoy it but....
***sigh***WHAT TO DO???
May 31, 2023
I loved this series and this is the first one.
There’s much of history setting, and it’s based on welsh vs English.
The welsh resent English invaders and try to get rid of them.
The hero is an English lord that has to build a fortress in welsh territory.
The heroine is the heiress of that land.
She’s loyal of course and must try to get rid of the enemy- the hero. So she spies on him even if there’s much attraction between them.
When he finds out she betrayed him and was going to marry a welsh rebel he imprison her and decides to keep her as his servant, but ends having sex with her.
There’s this dichotomy I-love -you-but-I-must-hate-you and eventually the heroine manages to be free, but she has to betray him again.
She also marries another welsh, the father of the man she was going to marry before the hero captured her.
Of course she’s pregnant with the hero’s child and it seems that her husband it’s ok with it, since he’s impotent.
There’s a lot of drama and other kidnapping and misunderstandings but eventually she and the hero are reunited.
This I liked this one less than the other two books for several reasons:
- the hero didn’t want to marry the heroine. He planned to marry and English lady and to have her married to his younger brother. Until the end he didn’t plan to marry her.
- the heroine married another man. I understand loyalty to her people but the hero and his men weren’t cruel so why sacrifice herself to marry an old man?
- celibacy unclear for him. He has prostitutes in his camp so I suppose that during those months when she was married he wasn’t celibate. It’s never cleared though.
But the book was good and consistent even if it’s quite long.
There’s much of history setting, and it’s based on welsh vs English.
The welsh resent English invaders and try to get rid of them.
The hero is an English lord that has to build a fortress in welsh territory.
The heroine is the heiress of that land.
She’s loyal of course and must try to get rid of the enemy- the hero. So she spies on him even if there’s much attraction between them.
When he finds out she betrayed him and was going to marry a welsh rebel he imprison her and decides to keep her as his servant, but ends having sex with her.
There’s this dichotomy I-love -you-but-I-must-hate-you and eventually the heroine manages to be free, but she has to betray him again.
She also marries another welsh, the father of the man she was going to marry before the hero captured her.
Of course she’s pregnant with the hero’s child and it seems that her husband it’s ok with it, since he’s impotent.
There’s a lot of drama and other kidnapping and misunderstandings but eventually she and the hero are reunited.
This I liked this one less than the other two books for several reasons:
- the hero didn’t want to marry the heroine. He planned to marry and English lady and to have her married to his younger brother. Until the end he didn’t plan to marry her.
- the heroine married another man. I understand loyalty to her people but the hero and his men weren’t cruel so why sacrifice herself to marry an old man?
- celibacy unclear for him. He has prostitutes in his camp so I suppose that during those months when she was married he wasn’t celibate. It’s never cleared though.
But the book was good and consistent even if it’s quite long.
April 19, 2022
A great history of the first Norman Castles in Wales
November 9, 2023
I think I might go straight to book three
July 14, 2016
I AM A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS STORY WASNT AS INTERESTING AND AFTER READING A FEW OF BECNEL'S BOOKS, THE REPETITION CAN GET BORING AND A TAD ANNOYING.
OUR HERO is a tough, arrogant warrior under the command of King Henry is sent to Wales to build a castle and fortify his army's strength there, at the same time keeping men like Rand at bay because of his wealth and power. Ever the city boy, Rand wishes to get this over and done with because he prefers London and it's supply of loose women compared to the cold wilderness of Wales. However like any typical BECNEL heroes, he is always one who seduces the heroine, takes her virginity and acts like an ass about it before he marries her. That irks me every time.
OUR HEROINE is feisty but lately i am getting sick of brash and tempestuous heroines. I like them to be strong yet intelligent but at the same time loving and meek. Joselyn is often pushing Rand away when she obviously likes him. The number one thing that IRRITATES the hell out of me with BECNEL Heroines are the fact that they are PERVERSE AND HYPOCRITES. Why? Because they are always going on and on about hating the hero, then somehow their body betrays them, yes blame it on your body and then she acts all pissy and prickly. God it is so annoying! I don't mind when the heroine can stand up for herself but for the right thing, you don't have to act a bitch about EVERYTHING! Thats just a cock tease and a bitch.
OVERALL I wasnt so happy about this book and I pray to God that I can have another BECNEL Heroine to read that is agreeable to my palette. Where art thou heroines like a Monica McCarty, Lisa Kleypas or GaeLen Foley?!!!
OUR HERO is a tough, arrogant warrior under the command of King Henry is sent to Wales to build a castle and fortify his army's strength there, at the same time keeping men like Rand at bay because of his wealth and power. Ever the city boy, Rand wishes to get this over and done with because he prefers London and it's supply of loose women compared to the cold wilderness of Wales. However like any typical BECNEL heroes, he is always one who seduces the heroine, takes her virginity and acts like an ass about it before he marries her. That irks me every time.
OUR HEROINE is feisty but lately i am getting sick of brash and tempestuous heroines. I like them to be strong yet intelligent but at the same time loving and meek. Joselyn is often pushing Rand away when she obviously likes him. The number one thing that IRRITATES the hell out of me with BECNEL Heroines are the fact that they are PERVERSE AND HYPOCRITES. Why? Because they are always going on and on about hating the hero, then somehow their body betrays them, yes blame it on your body and then she acts all pissy and prickly. God it is so annoying! I don't mind when the heroine can stand up for herself but for the right thing, you don't have to act a bitch about EVERYTHING! Thats just a cock tease and a bitch.
OVERALL I wasnt so happy about this book and I pray to God that I can have another BECNEL Heroine to read that is agreeable to my palette. Where art thou heroines like a Monica McCarty, Lisa Kleypas or GaeLen Foley?!!!
December 22, 2020
Meh. The first and only book I'll probably read by this author. The plot dragged. Tension between the two lovers was borderline abusive. Didn't care for either of the main characters.
April 18, 2020
Exactly as a romance should be.
November 15, 2018
Never again, will I pick up a book by this author.
This book can be divided into three sections. Firstly boring then disgusting(h marries old dude for a while) then boring again.
This book can be divided into three sections. Firstly boring then disgusting(h marries old dude for a while) then boring again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 18, 2025DNF chapter 11.
I love this author! But the h is driving me crazy. She is obnoxious and full of bluster and it’s too much. Banter and resistance is all good and dandy, however when it’s downright stupidity it drives me crazy.
The story started well, but nothing is really happening.
I love this author! But the h is driving me crazy. She is obnoxious and full of bluster and it’s too much. Banter and resistance is all good and dandy, however when it’s downright stupidity it drives me crazy.
The story started well, but nothing is really happening.
March 6, 2017
Táto kniha je moja srdcová záležitosť!! Čítala som ju už dva razy a stále si nemôžem pomôcť. Ja ten príbeh jednoducho milujem! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
April 8, 2017
Pri príchode do Walesu, kde Randulf kladie základy svojho hradu Rosecliff sa stretáva so zanietenou Walesankou Josselyn ap Carreg Du. A už sa boj medzi nimi začína :-D
Kdesi som niečo podobné už čítala, aspoň taký pocit som mala pri čítaní tejto knihy. No páčilo sa mi to. Zvyšok recenzie nájdete tu: http://kokinakniznica.blogspot.sk/201...
Kdesi som niečo podobné už čítala, aspoň taký pocit som mala pri čítaní tejto knihy. No páčilo sa mi to. Zvyšok recenzie nájdete tu: http://kokinakniznica.blogspot.sk/201...
January 2, 2017
Expected. Satisfying. Fun.
January 15, 2021
Exclamation points! Stockholm Syndrome! Questionable consent! AND ROMANCE!
April 1, 2024
That it felt like a lot of research went into this is why 1.5 stars rounds up to two. But otherwise...yeah. Real old skool romance, as the step back (and publication date) tells you (if you weren't clued in by the cover style). And the whole like I said, old school.
Pull quotes/notes
"Once she was his captive, Rand would have the deceitful wench in his power and he would find out just how honest her attraction to him was." (117) because as we all know, there's no better way to find out someone's honest opinion of you than when there is a power imbalance in your favor
"'No,' she said, closing her eyes.
'You say no. But I hear yes.'" (230) sounds like a you problem, to be quite honest, Rand
Pull quotes/notes
"Once she was his captive, Rand would have the deceitful wench in his power and he would find out just how honest her attraction to him was." (117) because as we all know, there's no better way to find out someone's honest opinion of you than when there is a power imbalance in your favor
"'No,' she said, closing her eyes.
'You say no. But I hear yes.'" (230) sounds like a you problem, to be quite honest, Rand
August 28, 2021
I have discovered Rexanne Becnel when her The Maiden Bride was released on Prime Reading. The story and her writing style was new to me and I enjoyed it, so I gave that book a 4 star. And then after few days/weeks, My Gallant Enemy was also released in Prime Reading, and I also find it interesting. Liking her writing style, I decided to try and buy some of her other books, but somehow I was disappointed and find this story not as interesting as the first two books I’ve read from her. I didn’t really feel the connection between the characters and I find the heroine annoying. I already bought the 3rd book in this Trilogy, but I’m not reading it any time soon. I still want to try some of her other books just not from this series.
April 30, 2024
Whoa this book … it was a lot, but I have it 3 1/2 stars because I couldn’t put it down and I want to read the next two books!
What Rand did to Josselyn was harsh and despicable and then when he just threw her back … heartbreak. BUT, the fact that Josselyn just went ahead with the whole marriage for peace and choose the lesser evil when she didn’t have to was upsetting. She makes it worse when she tricks Rand all for Isolde WHEN if she was HONEST they could have worked together made her the bigger idiot. She lied a lot … lies on top of lies I can see how believing anything she said would be difficult.
What Rand did to Josselyn was harsh and despicable and then when he just threw her back … heartbreak. BUT, the fact that Josselyn just went ahead with the whole marriage for peace and choose the lesser evil when she didn’t have to was upsetting. She makes it worse when she tricks Rand all for Isolde WHEN if she was HONEST they could have worked together made her the bigger idiot. She lied a lot … lies on top of lies I can see how believing anything she said would be difficult.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2023
Definitely different
This is my first read of this author. Storyline for me was different than most I have read and certainly did have your attention, I see parts connecting with following ones I simply hope some things will change in the authors or presentation of things that take place with the characters .
This is my first read of this author. Storyline for me was different than most I have read and certainly did have your attention, I see parts connecting with following ones I simply hope some things will change in the authors or presentation of things that take place with the characters .
May 7, 2017
tried another one just to be fair. still not my genre.
February 7, 2025
I kept reading, hoping it would get better…
Alas, it did not.
Alas, it did not.
Did Not Finish
December 12, 2025Dnf chapter 11. The h is driving me mad. She is obnoxious and full of bluster.
April 4, 2008
Another re-read. I still love this trilogy. I need to see if I still have my 3rd book.
March 31, 2010
Wow. Turned into a real tearjerker for me at the end, after Josselyn changed from stubborn Welsh rebel to heartbroken single mom. Very recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2015
Good historical fiction. I liked how Becnel described the conditions and conflicts women face in Wales in the 11 hundreds. Of course, being romantic fiction, everything works out.
March 8, 2026
Scribd
September 17, 2014
i really liked it
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews