Cursed to spend his days as a wolf, at night Rolfe de Viandin was under a different enchantment. One woven by the beauteous Annelise de Sayerne - the woman fated to be his doom...and his salvation!
Vowing to marry solely for love seemed to Annelise the only way to escape her family's legacy of violence. Yet now she was oath-bound to the mysterious Rolfe de Viandin, a man who denied her his trust...though he'd managed to capture her heart!
New York Times bestselling author Claire Delacroix sold her first book in 1992, an historical romance called ROMANCE OF THE ROSE. Since then, she has published over sixty romance novels and novellas, and has also been published under the names Claire Cross and Deborah Cooke. She has an honours degree in history, with a focus on medieval studies. She is an avid reader of medieval vernacular literature, fairy tales and fantasy novels.
In October and November 2009, she was the writer in residence for the Toronto Public Library, the first time that the library has hosted a residency focused on the romance genre.
One Knight Enchanted is a fully revised version of a 1997 novel, Enchanted, a book I'm sad to say I couldn't finish. Delacroix really did an excellent job revitalizing this new release, adding in new scenes, polishing the characters, and streamlining the plot. It went from a novel I couldn't get through to a novel I couldn't read fast enough!
Delacroix has a unique niche writing medieval stories that meld together tales about knights returning from crusade in Outremer. Rolfe is a second son who longs for a family and a small estate to call his own. When he is about to leave his fellow knights behind as they part ways to return home from the east, an inn keeper gives him a dark bottle, promising that it will lead him to all his heart longs for. Well, upon nearing the home of his elder brother, curiosity gets the best of him and Rolfe opens the bottle early, releasing a djinn. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, a djinn is a genie of sorts and one of great power but also of fickle nature. Rolfe soon finds himself blessed with a gorgeous palace and cursed to be a wolf during the day with no real hope of redemption.
Annelise is a smart, beautiful woman...who is shockingly unwed. Her half-brother is determined to go earn his fortune in tournament and does not want to be burdened with a half-sister during his quest. With no thought for her welfare, he pushes her towards a marriage she knows will lead to her ruin, causing her to rebel and flee for a convent, only to stumble upon the cursed palace instead.
I don't want to reveal too much of the story beyond this point since it is really cool to see how the characters are brought together by seemingly random events and how they begin to build trust and love between them. I also wanted readers to know who read the other medieval series that this one has several sex scenes (nothing real graphic) and a lot of paranormal elements. However, at its core, it is a story of redemption, sacrifice, and love which is why I kept diving in despite my typical aversion to stories with a lot of paranormal themes. It is Delacroix after all so I usually give her a free pass since I love her style :)
Rolfe is a bit secretive and has a hard time trusting a woman after what happened to him in the past, but he cannot seem to help himself with Annelise, who exudes an honesty, intelligence, and grace that he finds irresistible. Annelise for her part is a true survivor. She is a true product of her time and is always being pushed about by men, but somehow she manages to persevere and blaze her own path. While she never expected to end up the way she did, I loved how she had such hope and desire to make things work out.
In addition to the romance, there are riddles about the curse that need to be solved and a villain who threatens Rolfe and Annelise. There is definitely plenty going on to keep a reader entertained. I really enjoyed the adventure and mystery in this story and I look forward to reading the next one in the series about Annelise's brother, Quinn.
I received a free copy from the author. All opinions for this book are my own. Thank you for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review.
The title “Enchanted” attracted my current quest for historical romances with a paranormal twist. The beginning was promising, what with the appearance of genies, which set me thinking that the story is going to bear a similarity to the story / setting of “Aladdin and the magic lamp” But, alas it fell short of my expectations. *sigh*
There’s a bad Genie who curses the Hero. There’s a good Genie who tries to mitigate the damage. There’s a Heroine who rejects perfectly good alliances because she’s holding out for love. There’s a Hero who’s curse will be released by love. There’s a rejected suitor who is out to cause trouble. Finally it’s the Heroine who makes a grand selfless gesture and the curse is broken.
Set in the year 1101 Rolfe de Viandin has spent 6 years fighting the Holy War and is returning home. Annelise de Sayerne has been raised in a convent from an early age but is termed “impertinent” and “outspoken” by the nuns. Unbeknownst to both of them, Rolfe’s mother Hildegarde de Viandin has requested Annalise’s hand in marriage for Rolfe through a mutual friend Bertrand de Beauvoir. Just imagine..... had Annalise accepted the proposal, the story would have been over.......
Something unusual / interesting / unique - Hero’s destrier is named “Mephistopheles” - Here’s the dictionary meaning of the word for those who are interested - https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dic...
After wrapping my mind around that this isn't the usual novel I am use to from this author, I could not stop reading it.
It has suspense, love, villains and more villains, paranormal thrown in, sacrifice, and a romance that will stay with you.
I loved the fantasy part of this story, I was taken back to my childhood reading books about magic and wizards. But, this is one for adults which I couldn't devour fast enough.
There is very passionate and somewhat descriptive lovemaking - not erotic or vulgar in my mind. Because I felt a connection to this couple the passion came through the most.
I had a hard time not reading ahead, especially near the end, because I felt I was on a roller coaster with the emotions this author brought out.
We get a great HEA, a satisfying epilogue and no cliffhanger. I can't wait to read Quinn's story.
A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and all opinions are my own. (ljb)
Exactly what I signed up for. A romance novel straight from 1997. Great concept, a strong Lady Hawk element, good heroine. Interesting to make generalizations about where romance was in 1997 and how far we've come based on this book. I had issues with the hero, the setup, and the ending. Not a lot of actual romance, the hero and heroine spent a lot of time apart. Glad to have read it.
Upon returning from the east with a gift for his brother, the hero-curious as it what lies inside the bottle- opens the gift and is confronted by a woman who calls herself a Jinni. In his arrogance and rudeness, she curses him to be a wolf and to know that anyone he trusts will betray him. At first, he laughs her off, then he realizes that he has grown a tail. Horrified and fearful of this change, he is confronted by yet another Jinni who lived in the bottle. This one is kind and good. She grants him his freedom of being a man when the night falls and that the power of love is capable of breaking the curse.
The heroine, willful and scarred by life with her abusive father who killed her mother, has vowed to marry only for love. When her brother demands she wed against her wishes, she insists she'll join a covenant before becoming the possession of a man. On the way to the church, her riding party is attacked by hungry wolves. In terror she flees to an almost mythical white castle standing in the middle of nowhere. Begging entrance to the gates, she is told that she can only enter if she agrees to marry its master. In fear for her life she agrees, not expecting that she'll no be honor bound to do exactly that. Her new husband hides his face, tells her nothing of himself, not even his name, but he loves her so passionately at night before disappearing in the morning. Lonely and angry with all the secrets she defiantly lights a candle one night to view his face. Enraged, he flees the castle for weeks on end.
In that time the heroine fears she's going crazy with boredom, unable to leave the castle and with no one for company she longs for her husband. The hero thought that sex would be enough to break the curse as that's all the love he's ever known. When it doesn't, he fears the second part of the curse, that whom he trusts will betray him. So he keeps himself from confiding in his wife and he doubts her every move. When he returns, life goes on as usual yet he refuses to tell her his name. Life between them is full of passion yet regardless of the heroine's desire to help him and have him trust her, he stubbornly remains closed off. Then the evil Jinni returns reeking more havoc and without her husband’s love or support is falls to her to defeat the woman and sacrifice herself for the love of the man who just now realized his one love for her.
This book was okay but I didn't enjoy the characters much-personality wise. I mean for a harlequin romance novel the plot was enchanting and the writing style was horrible much it was stupidity and selfishness of the characters that threw me off. Stupidity on the heroine's side for all of her broad declarations of independence and strength, I found her to be whiney and a bit of a harpy at times, hounding the hero constantly to divulge his secrets yet sleeping with him at every opportunity. And selfishness in the hero was very predominate and I didn't much like it as I don't fell as if he much earned his freedom of the curse. He didn't change his behavior and because he somehow found a way to make the heroine's love him his curse was broken? It didn't sit right. Because he doubted her every word and action almost right up to the end. He didn't confide in her regarding anything about himself, everything she learned she learned from the fairytale book. Their romance was off kilter and unbalanced and it was due to the hero. As such, I found this book uneven and horribly frustrating. Yet regardless of this fact, the idea that a short harlequin romance would have decent writing and plot is enough to earn my respect. So, 2 star rating alley here we go.
Rolfe de Viandin is on his way home from Outremer in hopes his older brother rewards him on his return from crusade with a small holding of his own. He reviewed a dark bottle from an inn keeper promising that it will lead him to all his heart longs for and he plans to give it to his brother, along the way home curiosity get to him and he opens the dark bottle and releasing a djinn ( Jeanie in a bottle). Rolfe soon finds himself blessed with a gorgeous palace and cursed to be a wolf. A second djinn pops out of the bottle and adds to the curse and he’s only a wolf in the daytime and return to a man at night. Annelise de Sayerne is determined that only true love will convince her to pledge herself in marriage. Her father was cruel man and she decides to go back to the convent rather than marry a man she doesn’t love or a stranger she doesn’t know. On her way to the convent her party is attacked by wolves and one in particular wolf drives her into the forest to a hidden palace. She begs entrance, but she has to agree to marry the lord before the gate will open. Annelise now find herself in Rolfe’s palace. Rolfe is cursed to be a wolf by day and man by night unless love breaks the curse and sets him free. He see Annelise as his one chance to be set free from this curse and convinces her to marry him. Annelise is a smart, beautiful woman who quickly falls for Rowan, but she know there more going on at the palace, she doesn’t know or understand if she can only get her husband to trust her and confide in her. Rolfe can’t resist Annelise’s charms, but he has a hard time trusting in anyone especially a woman. Her life is threatened when a spurned suiter arrives and his protective instincts come out and he realizes just how much he really cares for Annelise. I loved this captivating story filled with fantasy, intrigue and a love to last a lifetime if only they can break the curse. This is my honest opinions after I voluntarily read a copy of this book that was provided to me with no requirements for a review.
And here I thought I found a Beauty and the Beast kinda book, and instead I got... this thing. I didn't like any of the characters, and to think she's Quinn's sister! *shakes head* Whatever. =__=
A compelling book with plot twists that will keep you guessing throughout.
In the first book we have a background for this series. Giving you a little information about the series as to some of what to expect. Meeting the group of knight that have bonded because of their vast background.
Raulf de Viandan is a proud noble knight who takes his vow seriously. After fighting in Outremer for a few years he is now headed home. The gift given to him that he hope's his brother will see fit to grant a small holding to him. On the way home the gift is so tempting that it gets opened. Raulf is so surprised that he you know it he is cursed.
Annelise de Sayerne has watched her father kill her mother and been told lies about her brother but only know they were lies. Now her half brother has brought her home from the convent and her father has passed away. She wants to stay with Yves, but he wants to see her safe and married. She is given two options. One to Raulf whom she has not met or seen and one to a villainous Enguerrand de Roussineau .
Now being that there are forced that are beyond mortal man that take great belief and a leap of faith we have a few plot twists and turns that give a great adventurous, compelling, and exciting issues to our read that will have you on the edge of your seat. To give you more would ruin the book but let's just say that this read does NOT disappoint but WILL excite and keep you wanting more.
One Knight Enchanted is a revised book and is the start of a new series Rogues & Angels. The series will be about 4 knights returning to their homes from years at the Crusade. . Before they all left on their journeys each was given special gifts from an Innkeeper that's suppose to help each one find what they look for in the future to come. Book one is the story of Rolfe de Viandin and his travel to his home along with the misfortune that he encounters. Lady Annelise De Sayerne stumbles across Rolfe de Viandin on her trip to a convent in hopes of advoiding a forced marriage that her brother has set her up for. Both have to rely on each other in helping each out of their ordeals. This book supplies romance, laughter and adventure. If you like "fairytale" stories then this is a great beginning of a delightful series to come! I received a copy of this book with no requirement for a review. This is my honest review. I look forward to future publications to this series and more from this talented author.
This review is for the 2018 full novel version of a previous novella. A knight trying to get home from the middle East to see his brother and mother before Yule becomes embroiled in a fairy tale courtesy of an angry djinn. At the same time a young women refusing to marry except for love is heading to the convent to spend the rest of her life. Along the way the woman is suddenly alone in the forest and fearing the wolves being after her seeks shelter at a strange palace. Fantasy, romance, and falling in love ensues. A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion. True love grows, and love making happens, but not erotic or overly explicit. Danger comes and true love wins out. Fun fairy tale romance, I'm hoping will be a series for all of the knights introduced in the beginning of this story.
One Knight Enchanted is a magical, medieval fairy tale that has moments that read like an eighties movie script. Cursed by a djinn to spend the day as a wolf and the night as a man, Knight Rolfe de Viandin has a borrowed castle and no hope for a future. Annelise de Sayerne has seen the disastrous marriage her parents had and watched as her father murdered her mother. She is determined to marry for love or not at all and refuses to marry the choices she's presented with. On her return to the convent, wolves attact her party and she seeks refuge in a mysterious castle where she agrees to marry the owner for refuge. Rolfe and Annelise both most overcome trust issue and follow their hearts as they try to break the curse and find their HEA. Highly entertaining, if a little predictable, the story sets as steady pace with plenty of adventure filled with elements of the supernatural with an enjoyable HEA. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy.
Ms. Delacroix has managed to blend a story of an honorable knight returning from the crusades with a touch of magic and fantasy into a lovely story. Rolfe de Viandin inadvertently unleashes a curse along the way when he opens a bottle and releases a malevolent Djinn, who condemns him to live as a wolf by day and a man by night. When Annelise de Sayerne crosses Rolfe's path on her way to the convent, he feels an immediate need to protect her. So begins an unlikely relationship. Add an evil rejected suitor, a brother rumored to be cruel, a history of abuse and you have the basis for a book you won’t be able to put down until all is resolved in the mandatory HEA. As always the writing is beautiful and the dialogue appropriate to the period. I highly recommend! A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion.
A beauty and the beast retelling with. Djinn instead of a witch casting the curse. I found the prologue overwhelming with the introductions of so many characters - and you only see two of them again (one being the hero).
Other unnecessary characters added later - a half brother, the overlord and some local lord who also has control over the heroine - sort of?
So many characters who don’t add anything but confusion to the plot. Speaking of plot it is Beauty and the beast so it has to follow some of the storyline but it really didn’t add anything new besides the Djinn (more characters and we get their story multiple times which also bogged down the plot).
The characters were ok. Their interactions in the beginning were awkward and the dialogue wasn’t great. There are just other retelling I enjoyed more.
I was skeptical about this story when I read the preview, but was very surprised at how wonderful it was. The story captures your attention from the start and the knight was not the only person enchanted as it had me in its thrall. The mixture of magic, suspense and some steamy sensual love scenes makes this page turner a book you will read over and over. I'm sold on this series and will wait with bated breath for the next book about these brave knights.
A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion.
This was such a great, well-written medieval romance! Rolfe has been cursed to live as a wolf by day. The curse can only be broken by true love and he does not believe in love. Anneliese has sworn only to marry for love, but when her guardian insists she marry a man she doesn't know she runs away into the forest. This book can be read as a standalone story, though it is the first in the Rogues & Angels series. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series as well as others by this author. A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion.
This was a sensational story, it was mystical and full of adventure. Claire DelaCroix has captured my imagination. A roller coaster ride of emotions that left me with that lightheaded feeling.
I enjoyed the connection between Annelise and Rolfe the whole book was highly entertaining. Reading a Claire De LaCroix book is like stepping into a magical medieval world.
I received a complimentary copy of this book with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and all comments are my own.
A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion. One Knight Enchanted is a medieval fairy tale. Annelise de Sayerne won't marry without true love and deciding to return to the convent. Rolfe de Viandin is returning from the Crusades with a gift for his brother. Deciding to open the bottle just to see what was in it. What he got was a big surprise!!!! The connection between Annelise and Rolfe will captures your attention.
thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Another great medieval romance book. A tale of a blossoming love triumphing over magical curses. This is the first book in a series of knights returning from Outremer. Can't wait for the tales of the other returning knights.
A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I have voluntarily posted a review consisting of my honest opinions.
I love every book of Claire’s that I have read and this was no exception. I was doubtful at first because I’m not a big fan of magical elements in stories but it worked in this story. The story of Annelise and Rolfe is magical in that it proves to the most sceptical of people that the power of love is great indeed! You are desperate for everything to turn out right for these two but you don’t see how these events can lead to a happy ending. Sigh!
This is a tightly written fable of a knight and a brush with the djinn. It retells a fairy tale of a knight who is cursed to change into a wolf by day and back into a man at knight and clever and courageous woman who frees him. Well down well written and entertaining.
Well, MOVE OVER Westley & Buttercup! You're no longer the World's Most Adorable medieval couple!
Rolfe & Annelise stole my heart. I wanted them to stay in the magical castle forever. Ms. Delacroix paints a lovely picture inside the high castle walls with it's temperate climate, beautiful flowers, gardens and pools inside the walls, while it's snowing in the forest outside. I could almost smell the roses & jasmine and hear the birds sing.
But alas, there is a curse that must be broken, and an evil villain who wishes for Annelise himself and threatens their happiness. Add in two djinns, one evil and one good, and a love story for the ages, and you have a magical story.
I did not want this book to end! I read it in several hours and was teary eyed quite a few times, which rarely happens. Simply put, Rolfe & Annelise's love touched me deeply and I want to read it again this very minute. Loyalty, sacrifice and true love. Westley & Buttercup who??
This was a very interesting Romance novel. The story was different then any romance novel I have read before. Jinni's, enchanted palaces, a knight cursed to spend his days as a wolf. And among it all a love story. I enjoyed it, and it was a quick read.
This book reminded me of Beauty and the Beast. Although the story had it's own twists and turns and I did enjoy it, the basic story line is a little overused. I enjoyed reading it, but it isn't one that I will reread over and over again.