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Bride of the Lion
In an age of chivalry tainted by bloodshed and betrayal, two unlikely lovers are swept up by a passion strong as steel, sensual as velvet, and eternal as the stars...
Jocelyn Montagne
Reckless, exotic daughter of a Celtic noblewoman and a Norman knight, left to guard her father's fortress, she fought brutish takeovers with a dagger. But nothing could defend her from the brooding magnificence of the invader who quickened her wild Welsh blood and stole her tender soul.
Robert de Langley
Faull of arrogance and outlaw vigor, the fabled Lion of Normandy would hold his old enemy's daughter hostage for his plundered lands - until he decreed that he must keep them both.
Tossed between vengeance and lingering desire, war made them enemies, and passion possessed them.
Jocelyn Montagne
Reckless, exotic daughter of a Celtic noblewoman and a Norman knight, left to guard her father's fortress, she fought brutish takeovers with a dagger. But nothing could defend her from the brooding magnificence of the invader who quickened her wild Welsh blood and stole her tender soul.
Robert de Langley
Faull of arrogance and outlaw vigor, the fabled Lion of Normandy would hold his old enemy's daughter hostage for his plundered lands - until he decreed that he must keep them both.
Tossed between vengeance and lingering desire, war made them enemies, and passion possessed them.
376 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
8 people are currently reading
648 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Stuart
5 books19 followersAka Elizabeth Awbrey
Elizabeth spent her childhood on an Arkansas farm surrounded by animals. Later, she spent ten years in Louisiana working in hospital management. She enjoys horseback riding (reflected in her novels) and has traveled in Europe. When last heard of she was residing in St. Louis.
Unfortunately for her readers (but fortunately, I’m sure, for her family), she stopped writing in 1995 to raise a family.
Source: Regan Walker
Librarian Note: There is more than one author writing under this name. This one is uniquely identified by using 2 spaces between the first and last name.
Elizabeth spent her childhood on an Arkansas farm surrounded by animals. Later, she spent ten years in Louisiana working in hospital management. She enjoys horseback riding (reflected in her novels) and has traveled in Europe. When last heard of she was residing in St. Louis.
Unfortunately for her readers (but fortunately, I’m sure, for her family), she stopped writing in 1995 to raise a family.
Source: Regan Walker
Librarian Note: There is more than one author writing under this name. This one is uniquely identified by using 2 spaces between the first and last name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 31, 2022
Read 3/31/22
3.5 stars
Good writing, great MC, and interesting all around story.
The only problem is it's length. The book is 400 pages and it felt like 400 pages. With good editing this book could have been great.
Finish RTC
3.5 stars
Good writing, great MC, and interesting all around story.
The only problem is it's length. The book is 400 pages and it felt like 400 pages. With good editing this book could have been great.
Finish RTC
February 9, 2015
I was really liking this book until this happened;
''He hesitated, wondering if Jocelyn would believe him about anything ever again. He had caused her a great deal of hurt—and all for nothing. For a fruitless effort to distance himself with a woman he couldn't even bed until it was Jocelyn herself he had imagined in his arms.''
On top of that;
"Jocelyn, there is something we need to speak of." His tone was serious and she opened her eyes. He was staring at his hands, scowling fiercely. "Judas, madam, I don't even remember her name! That woman at Leaworth. I am sorry you had to—"
Judas, douchebag, not giving a fuck about the random woman you fucked won't stop you from ruining the book, Judas, asshole, what a letdown, Judas.
Award for strong self respecting female of the year;
"Oh, Robert, if I'm baseborn you'll need to marry someone else! I understand that, honestly I do. Only let me be your mistress.I know you have other women, will reconcile myself to being one of them somehow. Only don't bring the others where I will have to see them. I..."
Then, apology of the year;
''Robert turned her over to face him. To her amazement and hurt he looked as if he were fighting a laugh. "After what you did to that poor creature at Leaford do you think there've been women foolish enough to frequent my bed?''
"I need to tell you something, Jocelyn," he murmured. "I had meant to tell you that night I came back from Leaford. I didn't take that woman for wanting her. I took her because she was there, available and attractive, but I didn't want her. I wanted only you." "I... I don't understand." He frowned. "I didn't want to care so much, to need any woman so much as I was coming to fear I needed you." "That time before Christmas," she said, thinking back. "That's when it all began to change." He nodded. "You did give me a scare, madam, set me to thinking thoughts I didn't want to have.''
Thanks but no thanks, douchebag, cheating is cheating unless someone drugged you and raped you, obviously not the case, fuck you and fuck your doormat wife willing to forgive you.
"I believe you've done it, Robert," she said, in a strained, choking attempt at lightness. "You've come up with the only possible excuse a man could make for taking a mistress, the only excuse a wife would not only accept but be flattered to hear.'' That's only you showing your nonexistent self respect, doormat, his excuse is insulting to anyone else's intelligence, bye. Stopped reading after that.
Hahaha How to completely ruin a good book in a few sentences by Elizabeth Stuart.
''He hesitated, wondering if Jocelyn would believe him about anything ever again. He had caused her a great deal of hurt—and all for nothing. For a fruitless effort to distance himself with a woman he couldn't even bed until it was Jocelyn herself he had imagined in his arms.''
On top of that;
"Jocelyn, there is something we need to speak of." His tone was serious and she opened her eyes. He was staring at his hands, scowling fiercely. "Judas, madam, I don't even remember her name! That woman at Leaworth. I am sorry you had to—"
Judas, douchebag, not giving a fuck about the random woman you fucked won't stop you from ruining the book, Judas, asshole, what a letdown, Judas.
Award for strong self respecting female of the year;
"Oh, Robert, if I'm baseborn you'll need to marry someone else! I understand that, honestly I do. Only let me be your mistress.I know you have other women, will reconcile myself to being one of them somehow. Only don't bring the others where I will have to see them. I..."
Then, apology of the year;
''Robert turned her over to face him. To her amazement and hurt he looked as if he were fighting a laugh. "After what you did to that poor creature at Leaford do you think there've been women foolish enough to frequent my bed?''
"I need to tell you something, Jocelyn," he murmured. "I had meant to tell you that night I came back from Leaford. I didn't take that woman for wanting her. I took her because she was there, available and attractive, but I didn't want her. I wanted only you." "I... I don't understand." He frowned. "I didn't want to care so much, to need any woman so much as I was coming to fear I needed you." "That time before Christmas," she said, thinking back. "That's when it all began to change." He nodded. "You did give me a scare, madam, set me to thinking thoughts I didn't want to have.''
Thanks but no thanks, douchebag, cheating is cheating unless someone drugged you and raped you, obviously not the case, fuck you and fuck your doormat wife willing to forgive you.
"I believe you've done it, Robert," she said, in a strained, choking attempt at lightness. "You've come up with the only possible excuse a man could make for taking a mistress, the only excuse a wife would not only accept but be flattered to hear.'' That's only you showing your nonexistent self respect, doormat, his excuse is insulting to anyone else's intelligence, bye. Stopped reading after that.
Hahaha How to completely ruin a good book in a few sentences by Elizabeth Stuart.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2018
His excuse for cheating was a bunch of crap!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2025
One of the better books I've read in a while.
I deeply enjoyed the complex intrigue and politics. It really captures how complicated allegiances and alliances can be and how sometimes in the real world you have to work with people you don't like.
I LOVE how Jocelyn is a competent and practical character. She shows a level of political savvy I don't usually see in female characters.
When we meet Robert, he's a misogynistic jerk and the author puts him through some industrial-grade character growth that is both believable and satisfying. He does cheat on Jocelyn at one point, but I felt like it worked for his character arc and him maturing enough to acknowledge it was wrong shows massive development on his part.
I also think Stuart did a good job depicting the ✨vibe✨ surrounding medieval attitudes toward religion and that helps really ground us in the setting.
Highly recommend this one.
I deeply enjoyed the complex intrigue and politics. It really captures how complicated allegiances and alliances can be and how sometimes in the real world you have to work with people you don't like.
I LOVE how Jocelyn is a competent and practical character. She shows a level of political savvy I don't usually see in female characters.
When we meet Robert, he's a misogynistic jerk and the author puts him through some industrial-grade character growth that is both believable and satisfying. He does cheat on Jocelyn at one point, but I felt like it worked for his character arc and him maturing enough to acknowledge it was wrong shows massive development on his part.
I also think Stuart did a good job depicting the ✨vibe✨ surrounding medieval attitudes toward religion and that helps really ground us in the setting.
Highly recommend this one.
April 8, 2014
I've read 2 of Stuart's 5 books and, so far, her heroes are some of the most reasonable/fair men in Romance land. The 'big misunderstanding' is pretty much avoided or dealt with quickly by *gasp* actually communicating. This novel is highly driven by outside forces (political/historical) and focuses on how the H/h manage to survive the very dangerous and unsure times they are living in by supporting one another through some serious crap. It's really very strange to find a healthy relationship in a medieval (or romance in general). Very, very strange.
The hero, Robert, is almost too perfect. He's the legendary brave, honorable, trustworthy man who does not change his loyalties when the political tides shift. I'm almost glad for the because it made him seem more fallible and was nowhere near as disturbing as I'd assumed it would be. Robert did have trust issues with women because of his first wife, who was quite the piece of work.He's also adheres to another common trope - 'I'll never love again'. However, he still retains enough common sense to recognize a woman worthy of trust and his fear of loving is not just the typical weak 'one woman hurt me' type. He's lost a lot of people he loved in the violence of the times, most particularly a 4-year-old son (not a spoiler, revealed very early on).
The heroine is the unwanted youngest daughter of the man who took Robert's holdings while he was in Normandy fighting for the king, even though he was supposedly an ally of Robert's and pledged to secure his lands - not take them over. The h is unwanted/unloved by her father because her mother was not the mother of his two older children, a woman he loved. Her mother was a Welsh noblewoman he married simply for political reasons and neither loved the other. Plus, apparently, there was some big deal about Welsh women being shorter and having darker hair than the ideal willowy, blond English rose type he and the English in general preferred. I did have a problem with how much emphasis was placed on the fact that the h was not as beautiful as her fragile, blond older sister. The h has some serious issues/insecurities about her looks and worth because of how she was raised, but when things are seen from her POV I feel like we get a very distorted view of her. The H finds her extremely attractive and her description sounds very attractive. You just have to try and overlook all her insecurities, which do wear a little thin at times.
The hero, Robert, is almost too perfect. He's the legendary brave, honorable, trustworthy man who does not change his loyalties when the political tides shift. I'm almost glad for the because it made him seem more fallible and was nowhere near as disturbing as I'd assumed it would be. Robert did have trust issues with women because of his first wife, who was quite the piece of work.He's also adheres to another common trope - 'I'll never love again'. However, he still retains enough common sense to recognize a woman worthy of trust and his fear of loving is not just the typical weak 'one woman hurt me' type. He's lost a lot of people he loved in the violence of the times, most particularly a 4-year-old son (not a spoiler, revealed very early on).
The heroine is the unwanted youngest daughter of the man who took Robert's holdings while he was in Normandy fighting for the king, even though he was supposedly an ally of Robert's and pledged to secure his lands - not take them over. The h is unwanted/unloved by her father because her mother was not the mother of his two older children, a woman he loved. Her mother was a Welsh noblewoman he married simply for political reasons and neither loved the other. Plus, apparently, there was some big deal about Welsh women being shorter and having darker hair than the ideal willowy, blond English rose type he and the English in general preferred. I did have a problem with how much emphasis was placed on the fact that the h was not as beautiful as her fragile, blond older sister. The h has some serious issues/insecurities about her looks and worth because of how she was raised, but when things are seen from her POV I feel like we get a very distorted view of her. The H finds her extremely attractive and her description sounds very attractive. You just have to try and overlook all her insecurities, which do wear a little thin at times.
April 5, 2017
Unquestionably One of the Finest Medieval Romances!
You know you’ve read a great novel when you don’t want it to end. Winner of Romantic Times’ best Medieval Historical Romance for 1995, this is an enthralling 12th century tale from one of the best historical romance authors.
Robert de Langley became famous as the Lion of Normandy as he fought at his father’s side for King Stephen—until he died in a fiery inferno surrounded by Henry de Anjou’s men in a church in France. But the Lion didn’t die. He survived to return to England with one goal in mind: to retake his family’s castle, Belavoir, from the dreaded Lord Montagne who has seized it and to continue the fight against Henry de Anjou, now duke of Normandy. When Montagne leaves on a trip to London, Robert and his loyal men take the castle by treachery, much to the delight of all at Belavoir—all except Montagne’s daughters. Left in charge by her father, though she is his least favorite because her dark coloring reminds him of his Welsh second wife, Jocelyn Montagne makes it clear to Robert that while the castle is rightfully his, she will fight him to protect her sister and their virtue.
Stuart has a gift with words. Her descriptions take on a lyrical quality as she reaches for ways of describing what her mind sees that bring the scenes to life in a vivid way (“Jocelyn held her breath, watching as Robert de Langley surged across the plain like an angel of death. His sword rose and fell with a grace that was both beautiful and terrifying to behold, with a stark economy of motion that was unstoppable.”) It’s a pleasure to read a story that draws you in on each page. And she does not neglect the developing romance between a hero who has long ago stopped trusting women and a woman who is worthy of his trust above all others but believes no one wants her. There’s lots of history here, too, as Henry Plantagenet (Henry II) seeks the English throne. (If you like history with your historical romance and not some vague background, you’ll like this story.)
You won’t regret getting this one, I promise.
Stuart only wrote five historical novels before retiring to raising a family. During the years she wrote romance novels, she gave us some of the finest. All her novels are on my “Best Romances” lists on Amazon and my blog. All, save the first, were written under the name Elizabeth Stuart.
RECKLESS ANGEL (1988, writing as Elizabeth Awbrey)
HEARTSTORM (1989)
WHERE LOVE DWELLS (1990, winner of the RITA Award for Best Historical in 1991)
WITHOUT HONOR (1994)
BRIDE OF THE LION (1995, winner of the Romantic Times’ Best Medieval)
You know you’ve read a great novel when you don’t want it to end. Winner of Romantic Times’ best Medieval Historical Romance for 1995, this is an enthralling 12th century tale from one of the best historical romance authors.
Robert de Langley became famous as the Lion of Normandy as he fought at his father’s side for King Stephen—until he died in a fiery inferno surrounded by Henry de Anjou’s men in a church in France. But the Lion didn’t die. He survived to return to England with one goal in mind: to retake his family’s castle, Belavoir, from the dreaded Lord Montagne who has seized it and to continue the fight against Henry de Anjou, now duke of Normandy. When Montagne leaves on a trip to London, Robert and his loyal men take the castle by treachery, much to the delight of all at Belavoir—all except Montagne’s daughters. Left in charge by her father, though she is his least favorite because her dark coloring reminds him of his Welsh second wife, Jocelyn Montagne makes it clear to Robert that while the castle is rightfully his, she will fight him to protect her sister and their virtue.
Stuart has a gift with words. Her descriptions take on a lyrical quality as she reaches for ways of describing what her mind sees that bring the scenes to life in a vivid way (“Jocelyn held her breath, watching as Robert de Langley surged across the plain like an angel of death. His sword rose and fell with a grace that was both beautiful and terrifying to behold, with a stark economy of motion that was unstoppable.”) It’s a pleasure to read a story that draws you in on each page. And she does not neglect the developing romance between a hero who has long ago stopped trusting women and a woman who is worthy of his trust above all others but believes no one wants her. There’s lots of history here, too, as Henry Plantagenet (Henry II) seeks the English throne. (If you like history with your historical romance and not some vague background, you’ll like this story.)
You won’t regret getting this one, I promise.
Stuart only wrote five historical novels before retiring to raising a family. During the years she wrote romance novels, she gave us some of the finest. All her novels are on my “Best Romances” lists on Amazon and my blog. All, save the first, were written under the name Elizabeth Stuart.
RECKLESS ANGEL (1988, writing as Elizabeth Awbrey)
HEARTSTORM (1989)
WHERE LOVE DWELLS (1990, winner of the RITA Award for Best Historical in 1991)
WITHOUT HONOR (1994)
BRIDE OF THE LION (1995, winner of the Romantic Times’ Best Medieval)
July 10, 2011
SPOILERS:
This is on many peoples Keeper list, best romance list, top romance list, and etc. However, I just didn't care for it and I am saying this without getting to the much talked about cheating, "adultery" part of the book.
My biggest beef with this book is the way the heroine is written in. Its odd too because I really should have felt more empathy towards someone who was so unloved and unappreciated. However, when this is practically shoved down your throat every few pages, it really starts to aggravate...
We get it, she's been so friggin unloved, and no one paid much attention to her all of her lonesome live! Jeez! Pity party in any form gets on my friggin nerves. Then there is her appearance, she's plain except for her hypnotic, witch like eyes. Her older sister on the other hand, literally stuns men with her beauty. She seemed to have it all; her fathers love, beauty, love of the man she (at first) wanted.... But wait, wait.. she can't hate this sister because well, she was the only person who cared for her lonesome self when others ignored her... *rolls eyes*
Heroine is only around 17-18 yrs old, and yet she walks around acting like a 30+yr old woman, who knows absolutely everything, and has the patience of an unfeeling zombie. She's (too) wise BEYOND her years. Utterly unbelievable. Again, I rolled my eyes.
Although I did not get to the cheating scene (hero needed to fight his feelings for the heroine - stupid), I read else where from fans that she takes the hero back without much ado (doormat) and makes the other girl ( a serving girl ) suffer. I DESPISE this behavior, leave the cheating guy alone but take revenge on the other woman?
I am glad I ditched this book early.
Something positive:
Hero and the heroine did not bicker from start to finish.
This is on many peoples Keeper list, best romance list, top romance list, and etc. However, I just didn't care for it and I am saying this without getting to the much talked about cheating, "adultery" part of the book.
My biggest beef with this book is the way the heroine is written in. Its odd too because I really should have felt more empathy towards someone who was so unloved and unappreciated. However, when this is practically shoved down your throat every few pages, it really starts to aggravate...
We get it, she's been so friggin unloved, and no one paid much attention to her all of her lonesome live! Jeez! Pity party in any form gets on my friggin nerves. Then there is her appearance, she's plain except for her hypnotic, witch like eyes. Her older sister on the other hand, literally stuns men with her beauty. She seemed to have it all; her fathers love, beauty, love of the man she (at first) wanted.... But wait, wait.. she can't hate this sister because well, she was the only person who cared for her lonesome self when others ignored her... *rolls eyes*
Heroine is only around 17-18 yrs old, and yet she walks around acting like a 30+yr old woman, who knows absolutely everything, and has the patience of an unfeeling zombie. She's (too) wise BEYOND her years. Utterly unbelievable. Again, I rolled my eyes.
Although I did not get to the cheating scene (hero needed to fight his feelings for the heroine - stupid), I read else where from fans that she takes the hero back without much ado (doormat) and makes the other girl ( a serving girl ) suffer. I DESPISE this behavior, leave the cheating guy alone but take revenge on the other woman?
I am glad I ditched this book early.
Something positive:
Hero and the heroine did not bicker from start to finish.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2018
He didn't even grovel, where was her pride and dignity.
October 3, 2015
This is part historical and part romance. There is a lot of political maneuvering and plenty of battles to be had, but there is also plenty of romance developing between Robert de Langley and Jocelyn. What I love most about this is how it develops - you really see the friendship and the love beginning to grow. Too frequently the love develops immediately after the wedding night, but here there was plenty of build up, then a real and healthy love develops, not fully based on lust. We get to see the story about a true, loving couple and a heroine who is NOT a doormat, but is a very devoted wife to a very deserving husband. She bends without breaking and has no stubborn and irrational pride that so frequently irritates me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2016
3.5* stars. Really well crafted tale that draws you in and keeps you reading. In no way am I a history buff and usually I skim any 'technical' parts of books becuase I'm usually more interested in the characters. In this case I enjoyed it and was interested in how the historical facts were played out within the tale.
September 12, 2022
Ok I picked this up in a used bookstore bc I was like I want a cheesy romance novel, bro turns out to be pretty historically accurate plus the plot was so good. Exactly what I wanted and exceeded my expectations. The spice was also not bad for being said typical romance novel!
October 28, 2023
Great medieval. 4.5 stars
September 14, 2017
I don't generally like cheating heroes but eh, this book was like a relief from all the dark stuff I've been reading of late. It was rather enjoyable and light hearted with no major angst.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2023
I like it very very much.
This is a story that takes place at the end of the English anarchy of the 12th century.
Robert the Langley is a knight who remained loyal to King Stephen, but ended up losing his lands, his castles and almost lost his life at the hands of Henry of Anjou (future Henry II) not only because of the rivalry for the crown but because of a personal problem involving Robert's deceased wife.
After spending some time missing, Robert returns with his loyal men to recover one of his main castles, which is now in the hands of the Montangue family, more specifically William, but as the men of the family left the castle, Robert takes advantage and takes the castle, kidnapping the William's two daughters, the eldest is the beautiful and charming Adelisa, the family favorite and whom all men admire, the youngest is Jocelyn who is ignored and mistreated by her father and brother, but who Adelisa loves, and who takes care of everything ,managing the food and driving the castle, Jocelyn is half Welsh, she is legitimate but not loved, she is pretty but as always she has lived in the shadow of her older sister, she feels ugly, unimportant and worthless.
Although Robert initially feels attracted to Adelisa like everyone else, but in the end it is Jocelyn who attracts his attention, for her exotic beauty (black hair, light brown eyes), for the way she tries to protect her sister, and for her practicality as the one who manages the castle, takes care of the wounded and deals with Robert, many things happen but in the end during the kidnapping the attraction between Robert and Jocelyn grows although neither expresses it, in the end however it is agreed that Robert and Adelisa would get married, so he will receive part of what was his land, Robert reluctantly accepts only because Stephan orders it, time passes and the wedding day arrives, Jocelyn feels jealous and envious but loves her sister and wishes her the best, however Adelisa has heard that Robert killed his first wife and is terrified, her ex-fiancé who loves her, another English baron also heard the rumors and Adelisa runs away and secretly marries him, Robert is humiliated and her father-in-law William has no choice but offer Jocelyn and a wedding is quickly arranged. Robert obtains more lands and castles, he and Jocelyn end up married.
Jocelyn feels bad she thinks Robert is disappointed, but in the end she discovers that no, that Robert is happy and that in fact he planned everything because he didn't want to marry Adelisa, but with Jocelyn, the two do their best, although they have fights due to jealousy of him, the marriage is almost always good until Robert discovers that he is falling in love, which scares him, he loved his first wife too much and he does not want to suffer again, so in a moment tries not to love Jocelyn, and for that he cheats on her with another woman, (?) I didn't find much logic in this, but the plot is well constructed and it's the Middle Ages... I don't know why many readers dislike that, I don't. I think it makes the story more realistic for its time, what I didn't like is the way out the author gave to this to begin with she doesn't even have time to complain about it because for weeks, due to politics, they don't see each other after that, I liked the fact that Jocelyn obviously goes crazy, jealous, and attacks the woman, although in the end she gives her an expensive ring to compensate, (love the scene) but immediately after Henry of Anjou returns so Robert and Jocelyn cannot see each other or talk about what happened. for a long time, that was annoying, there was never a real confrontation about the infidelity, on top of that the attempt at confrontation was short and empty, that did seem unfair to me, but well they meet again, they both end up being Henry's prisoners, then Jocelyn discovers that Maybe she is an illegitimate daughter, and she confesses it to Robert, telling him that she understands if he has to leave her to marry someone else, but he doesn't care because he loves her, so although Robert is loyal to Stephen, he ends up understanding that loyalties can change and that people are not only good or bad, Stephen dies and Henry ends up being King, obviously Jocelyn and Robert ended up happy with a son.
As I said, I really liked the book, not only because the plot is different and well constructed our heroin isn't a Mary Sue she isn't the most beautiful girl and Robert isn't a Charm prince , and all the characters are complex, they all have virtues and defects, Adelisa is beautiful and spoiled, but she is compassionate and afraid, Jocelyn is brave and intelligent, but lacks self-confidence, and is clumsy when it comes to making decisions, Robert is selfish and ambitious but loyal and brave, Stephen is honorable but stubborn and weak, Henry is brave and persevering but ambitious and deceitful.
In addition, the book really recreates a story in the Middle Ages, adding the religious theme, our protagonists never forget their faith and it drives them for much of the story, the problems with lands and titles are also realistic, and it lets you see the collateral damage of the civil dispute, the activities really allow see more about politics and love, for example the way a large castle is supplied, how wives, even rich ones, have to mend clothes and so on.
And the writing is beautiful, the author is very talented, I can't wait to read more of her
However, I didn't love other things, which is why I don't give it 5 stars.
Although the love story is the center of the entire plot, I think it starts slowly and eventually fades away amidst the political conflicts, and in the end the time they share together is so little that one wonders if it is just the initial attraction the reason unites them or is it really love.
Although Jocelyn has an interesting personality, she is brave, mature, realistic, at times not only did I not understand her, but I could not sympathize with her, I think that lust overcame her and took over her, her sister Adelisa saved Jocelyn's life, and protected her from an unhappy childhood, is more than good to her and even offers her that no matter what, she will always give her a place in her house. Is there a more beautiful and sincere offer for a medieval woman? I don't think so, but when Adelisa expresses that she feels repulsed by Robert, Jocelyn is like (Are you crazy??? You're stupid!!!) Fortunately she only thinks about it, she doesn't say it, but she shouldn't even think about it, Robert kidnaps them, kisses and touched Adelisa (against her will!!!) How is it that Adelisa is a fool? How is she wrong? Robert may be handsome but Adelisa doesn't want him and being disgusted she acts like a normal woman..... While Jocelyn as a lustful fool, only dreams of Robert, and when Adelisa runs away with the love of her life a man that Jocelyn knows is good and loves Adelisa, instead of thinking about her sister and letting her go, Jocelyn runs to Robert to tell him that her sister has just run away because she wants to spare him the humiliation, (EXCUSE ME ?????) Telling them immediately she could have ruined the plan, could they have gone after Adelisa, caught her and punished her? Could they have forced her to marry someone she hates??? What bothers me is that Jocelyn doesn't even do it for Adelisa but for Robert, a man she just MET!!! OK I understand that Jocelyn has no reason to be loyal to her family but to be that way with Adelisa???? I hated Jocelyn... Truly.
In that same sense, her husband told her directly that he thought she would sleep with other guys, which obviously hurt her to death because he used that fact that she really enjoys sex, but after 5 minutes and a simple apologize she is sleeping with him (??) Friend, have dignity!!! ..... Not to mention how she accepts the lover's explanation or how she offers to be Robert's mistress, and let him have other women ..... yes I understand that was medieval times, I don't expect her to react like a modern woman but it seems to me that she was too accommodating and I didn't like that she did it all for lust.
It was never clarified what happened to her brother, I think, since many things remain unfinished, a longer novel would have served better to better develop what was started.
This is a story that takes place at the end of the English anarchy of the 12th century.
Robert the Langley is a knight who remained loyal to King Stephen, but ended up losing his lands, his castles and almost lost his life at the hands of Henry of Anjou (future Henry II) not only because of the rivalry for the crown but because of a personal problem involving Robert's deceased wife.
After spending some time missing, Robert returns with his loyal men to recover one of his main castles, which is now in the hands of the Montangue family, more specifically William, but as the men of the family left the castle, Robert takes advantage and takes the castle, kidnapping the William's two daughters, the eldest is the beautiful and charming Adelisa, the family favorite and whom all men admire, the youngest is Jocelyn who is ignored and mistreated by her father and brother, but who Adelisa loves, and who takes care of everything ,managing the food and driving the castle, Jocelyn is half Welsh, she is legitimate but not loved, she is pretty but as always she has lived in the shadow of her older sister, she feels ugly, unimportant and worthless.
Although Robert initially feels attracted to Adelisa like everyone else, but in the end it is Jocelyn who attracts his attention, for her exotic beauty (black hair, light brown eyes), for the way she tries to protect her sister, and for her practicality as the one who manages the castle, takes care of the wounded and deals with Robert, many things happen but in the end during the kidnapping the attraction between Robert and Jocelyn grows although neither expresses it, in the end however it is agreed that Robert and Adelisa would get married, so he will receive part of what was his land, Robert reluctantly accepts only because Stephan orders it, time passes and the wedding day arrives, Jocelyn feels jealous and envious but loves her sister and wishes her the best, however Adelisa has heard that Robert killed his first wife and is terrified, her ex-fiancé who loves her, another English baron also heard the rumors and Adelisa runs away and secretly marries him, Robert is humiliated and her father-in-law William has no choice but offer Jocelyn and a wedding is quickly arranged. Robert obtains more lands and castles, he and Jocelyn end up married.
Jocelyn feels bad she thinks Robert is disappointed, but in the end she discovers that no, that Robert is happy and that in fact he planned everything because he didn't want to marry Adelisa, but with Jocelyn, the two do their best, although they have fights due to jealousy of him, the marriage is almost always good until Robert discovers that he is falling in love, which scares him, he loved his first wife too much and he does not want to suffer again, so in a moment tries not to love Jocelyn, and for that he cheats on her with another woman, (?) I didn't find much logic in this, but the plot is well constructed and it's the Middle Ages... I don't know why many readers dislike that, I don't. I think it makes the story more realistic for its time, what I didn't like is the way out the author gave to this to begin with she doesn't even have time to complain about it because for weeks, due to politics, they don't see each other after that, I liked the fact that Jocelyn obviously goes crazy, jealous, and attacks the woman, although in the end she gives her an expensive ring to compensate, (love the scene) but immediately after Henry of Anjou returns so Robert and Jocelyn cannot see each other or talk about what happened. for a long time, that was annoying, there was never a real confrontation about the infidelity, on top of that the attempt at confrontation was short and empty, that did seem unfair to me, but well they meet again, they both end up being Henry's prisoners, then Jocelyn discovers that Maybe she is an illegitimate daughter, and she confesses it to Robert, telling him that she understands if he has to leave her to marry someone else, but he doesn't care because he loves her, so although Robert is loyal to Stephen, he ends up understanding that loyalties can change and that people are not only good or bad, Stephen dies and Henry ends up being King, obviously Jocelyn and Robert ended up happy with a son.
As I said, I really liked the book, not only because the plot is different and well constructed our heroin isn't a Mary Sue she isn't the most beautiful girl and Robert isn't a Charm prince , and all the characters are complex, they all have virtues and defects, Adelisa is beautiful and spoiled, but she is compassionate and afraid, Jocelyn is brave and intelligent, but lacks self-confidence, and is clumsy when it comes to making decisions, Robert is selfish and ambitious but loyal and brave, Stephen is honorable but stubborn and weak, Henry is brave and persevering but ambitious and deceitful.
In addition, the book really recreates a story in the Middle Ages, adding the religious theme, our protagonists never forget their faith and it drives them for much of the story, the problems with lands and titles are also realistic, and it lets you see the collateral damage of the civil dispute, the activities really allow see more about politics and love, for example the way a large castle is supplied, how wives, even rich ones, have to mend clothes and so on.
And the writing is beautiful, the author is very talented, I can't wait to read more of her
However, I didn't love other things, which is why I don't give it 5 stars.
Although the love story is the center of the entire plot, I think it starts slowly and eventually fades away amidst the political conflicts, and in the end the time they share together is so little that one wonders if it is just the initial attraction the reason unites them or is it really love.
Although Jocelyn has an interesting personality, she is brave, mature, realistic, at times not only did I not understand her, but I could not sympathize with her, I think that lust overcame her and took over her, her sister Adelisa saved Jocelyn's life, and protected her from an unhappy childhood, is more than good to her and even offers her that no matter what, she will always give her a place in her house. Is there a more beautiful and sincere offer for a medieval woman? I don't think so, but when Adelisa expresses that she feels repulsed by Robert, Jocelyn is like (Are you crazy??? You're stupid!!!) Fortunately she only thinks about it, she doesn't say it, but she shouldn't even think about it, Robert kidnaps them, kisses and touched Adelisa (against her will!!!) How is it that Adelisa is a fool? How is she wrong? Robert may be handsome but Adelisa doesn't want him and being disgusted she acts like a normal woman..... While Jocelyn as a lustful fool, only dreams of Robert, and when Adelisa runs away with the love of her life a man that Jocelyn knows is good and loves Adelisa, instead of thinking about her sister and letting her go, Jocelyn runs to Robert to tell him that her sister has just run away because she wants to spare him the humiliation, (EXCUSE ME ?????) Telling them immediately she could have ruined the plan, could they have gone after Adelisa, caught her and punished her? Could they have forced her to marry someone she hates??? What bothers me is that Jocelyn doesn't even do it for Adelisa but for Robert, a man she just MET!!! OK I understand that Jocelyn has no reason to be loyal to her family but to be that way with Adelisa???? I hated Jocelyn... Truly.
In that same sense, her husband told her directly that he thought she would sleep with other guys, which obviously hurt her to death because he used that fact that she really enjoys sex, but after 5 minutes and a simple apologize she is sleeping with him (??) Friend, have dignity!!! ..... Not to mention how she accepts the lover's explanation or how she offers to be Robert's mistress, and let him have other women ..... yes I understand that was medieval times, I don't expect her to react like a modern woman but it seems to me that she was too accommodating and I didn't like that she did it all for lust.
It was never clarified what happened to her brother, I think, since many things remain unfinished, a longer novel would have served better to better develop what was started.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2014
WELL WRITTEN
This is the first read for me by this author, she hasn't written that many books but she's certainly very talented. This story set in the twelfth century is a tale of love, murder and betrayal. Robert de Langley the Lion of Normandy is determined to regain his lands and properties back from a Norman knight William Montagne. While William is off to meet the king Robert takes his chance, and pretending to be delivering supplies he gains entrance to the castle which very quickly falls to him. Williams youngest daughter Jocelyn is brave and not the slightest bit afraid to stand up to Robert. Her two siblings Brian and Adelise are older. But Brian is with their father. Adelise although older and considered more beautiful than the dark and exotic Jocelyn, is reduced to constant bouts of crying leaving Jocelyn to deal with the invaders alone.
Jocelyn had never been her fathers favourite, she was the child of his much despised second wife. In fact he treats Jocelyn little better than a servant. She's attracted to Robert, but when King Stephen hears of the escalating trouble he arrives and pronounces a solution. Robert will marry William's eldest daughter. But Adelise is horrified and runs away. So Robert is forced to marry Jocelyn.
While this is really well researched and written, it's meant to be a romance and to a degree it is. But the author seems more preoccupied with the historical details happening at that period in history and the fight for the throne of England between King Stephen and Henry of Anjou (the future Henry II). I did like the two main characters but any problems between them were to quickly glossed over SPOILER...... Shortly after their marriage while Robert is staying elsewhere Jocelyn arrives and finds another woman in his bed. His excuse given to Jocelyn was "she was there and she was attractive, but I only thought about you" the matter was immediately forgotten, really! It was things like that I didn't like. But I still thought that overall this is a good book, more so if you're really into this period in history, as there's plenty of detail.
This is the first read for me by this author, she hasn't written that many books but she's certainly very talented. This story set in the twelfth century is a tale of love, murder and betrayal. Robert de Langley the Lion of Normandy is determined to regain his lands and properties back from a Norman knight William Montagne. While William is off to meet the king Robert takes his chance, and pretending to be delivering supplies he gains entrance to the castle which very quickly falls to him. Williams youngest daughter Jocelyn is brave and not the slightest bit afraid to stand up to Robert. Her two siblings Brian and Adelise are older. But Brian is with their father. Adelise although older and considered more beautiful than the dark and exotic Jocelyn, is reduced to constant bouts of crying leaving Jocelyn to deal with the invaders alone.
Jocelyn had never been her fathers favourite, she was the child of his much despised second wife. In fact he treats Jocelyn little better than a servant. She's attracted to Robert, but when King Stephen hears of the escalating trouble he arrives and pronounces a solution. Robert will marry William's eldest daughter. But Adelise is horrified and runs away. So Robert is forced to marry Jocelyn.
While this is really well researched and written, it's meant to be a romance and to a degree it is. But the author seems more preoccupied with the historical details happening at that period in history and the fight for the throne of England between King Stephen and Henry of Anjou (the future Henry II). I did like the two main characters but any problems between them were to quickly glossed over SPOILER...... Shortly after their marriage while Robert is staying elsewhere Jocelyn arrives and finds another woman in his bed. His excuse given to Jocelyn was "she was there and she was attractive, but I only thought about you" the matter was immediately forgotten, really! It was things like that I didn't like. But I still thought that overall this is a good book, more so if you're really into this period in history, as there's plenty of detail.
March 7, 2018
A SOLID 4.5 STARS.
THIS ONE STARTED OUT SLOW BUT, THE ROMANCE BETWEEN THE CHARACTERS WAS A CALMING ONE AFTER ALL THE TEMPESTUOUS ANGST OF 1900S ROMANCES WITH OVERLY DRAMATIC CHARACTERS THAT FOCUSED MORE ON HURTING THAN LOVING.
OUR HERO is bent on recovering the home that was stolen by his enemy. He's lost his wife, his son and deep down he's still hurting. A wounded lion if you will. When he storms into the enemy's keep and declares it for his own now, he holds the man's two daughters' hostage. While one was a raging beauty, the other one caught his attention and held it. Robert is not hard to like, I have no qualms about him because for once, he's one of the reasonable heroes in historical romances dating back to the 1900s authors. Normally men like him would be overly arrogant and proud, he would have been very mean and non-repentant to the heroine. But, no. Robert's a good man. He began an unlikely friendship with our heroine (of course there was lust involved) before he married the woman and fell in love with her. Sometimes, love backwards is so much nicer to enjoy. Robert has a mistrust of women after the deceit and treachery of his first scheming wife, who was the most beautiful woman in Normandy. So, meeting Jocelyn helped changed his perspective and heal his heart.
OUR HEROINE isn't beautiful compared to her half-sister but, alone she's still keen on the eyes, especially with her exotic cat eyes that shine green and gold at times. Unlike her fair sister, she's been treated rather poorly by her father and brother, who spurned her for some unknown reason. Poor Jocelyn has grown up wanting the approval of her father, and has striven to be a good child all her life. She also suffers insecurity issues that are later put to rest by Robert's love. I liked Jocelyn. She's an odd egg compared to all the other fierce and hot-headed heroines I have read these past few days. She's actually CALM and RATIONAL. A beauty with brains. Thank God for a sensible heroine.
OVERALL the romance was sweet and cute. I enjoyed the intimate moments between Robert and Jocelyn as they put a smile on my face too. There was also politics, war and a little of everything in between.
THIS ONE STARTED OUT SLOW BUT, THE ROMANCE BETWEEN THE CHARACTERS WAS A CALMING ONE AFTER ALL THE TEMPESTUOUS ANGST OF 1900S ROMANCES WITH OVERLY DRAMATIC CHARACTERS THAT FOCUSED MORE ON HURTING THAN LOVING.
OUR HERO is bent on recovering the home that was stolen by his enemy. He's lost his wife, his son and deep down he's still hurting. A wounded lion if you will. When he storms into the enemy's keep and declares it for his own now, he holds the man's two daughters' hostage. While one was a raging beauty, the other one caught his attention and held it. Robert is not hard to like, I have no qualms about him because for once, he's one of the reasonable heroes in historical romances dating back to the 1900s authors. Normally men like him would be overly arrogant and proud, he would have been very mean and non-repentant to the heroine. But, no. Robert's a good man. He began an unlikely friendship with our heroine (of course there was lust involved) before he married the woman and fell in love with her. Sometimes, love backwards is so much nicer to enjoy. Robert has a mistrust of women after the deceit and treachery of his first scheming wife, who was the most beautiful woman in Normandy. So, meeting Jocelyn helped changed his perspective and heal his heart.
OUR HEROINE isn't beautiful compared to her half-sister but, alone she's still keen on the eyes, especially with her exotic cat eyes that shine green and gold at times. Unlike her fair sister, she's been treated rather poorly by her father and brother, who spurned her for some unknown reason. Poor Jocelyn has grown up wanting the approval of her father, and has striven to be a good child all her life. She also suffers insecurity issues that are later put to rest by Robert's love. I liked Jocelyn. She's an odd egg compared to all the other fierce and hot-headed heroines I have read these past few days. She's actually CALM and RATIONAL. A beauty with brains. Thank God for a sensible heroine.
OVERALL the romance was sweet and cute. I enjoyed the intimate moments between Robert and Jocelyn as they put a smile on my face too. There was also politics, war and a little of everything in between.
July 1, 2021
This is what’s called a historical romance, so I cannot grade it on the same scale as literary fiction. Then again I say this all the time, it’s hard to grade some books against others for a variety of reasons. So I do my best, it’s all I can do.
I love a good love story, but am not one for a Harlequin romance/Fabio-esque type book. Bride of the Lion is not what we think of as the typical romance novel. It is very much historical fiction with a central love story...but with somewhat lengthier sex scenes than would usually be the case in literary fiction. This is why Outlander is always categorized as a romance book. It fits the category description. Bride of the Lion is very much in the same sphere as Diana Gabaldon-type romance. Stuart may not write as deftly as DG (though few do), but this book is definitely in the same category as one of her novels.
I loved the characters. Robert de Langley is dreamy personified. Talk about swoonworthy! The female character, Jocelyn, is excellent as well, I really liked her. The ‘villains’ are good ones, ones that make you hate them dearly. The historical detail is good if basic. It’s the dialogue that’s the gem, the rapport between the main characters. You can’t help but root for them. I know some reviewers who gave it a lower rating because of one or two instances in the book (no spoilers here!), but it’s so important to remember the times when one reads a book. What is normal in one era can be quite the opposite in another. The scenario(s)/POVs in Bride of the Lion that some took issue with is 100% normal in the 12th century. It would’ve been inaccurate for the writer to write it any other way.
I finished this book in 48 hours which speaks volumes to how much I enjoyed it. In the romance category if Outlander is a 5, then Bride of the Lion is a 4. An easy enjoyable read. If you’re jonesing for a Jamie Fraser, Alexander ‘Shura’ Barrington, or a Alex MacGregor type male lead and need a quick fix......I assure you Robert de Langley will do the trick ;).
I love a good love story, but am not one for a Harlequin romance/Fabio-esque type book. Bride of the Lion is not what we think of as the typical romance novel. It is very much historical fiction with a central love story...but with somewhat lengthier sex scenes than would usually be the case in literary fiction. This is why Outlander is always categorized as a romance book. It fits the category description. Bride of the Lion is very much in the same sphere as Diana Gabaldon-type romance. Stuart may not write as deftly as DG (though few do), but this book is definitely in the same category as one of her novels.
I loved the characters. Robert de Langley is dreamy personified. Talk about swoonworthy! The female character, Jocelyn, is excellent as well, I really liked her. The ‘villains’ are good ones, ones that make you hate them dearly. The historical detail is good if basic. It’s the dialogue that’s the gem, the rapport between the main characters. You can’t help but root for them. I know some reviewers who gave it a lower rating because of one or two instances in the book (no spoilers here!), but it’s so important to remember the times when one reads a book. What is normal in one era can be quite the opposite in another. The scenario(s)/POVs in Bride of the Lion that some took issue with is 100% normal in the 12th century. It would’ve been inaccurate for the writer to write it any other way.
I finished this book in 48 hours which speaks volumes to how much I enjoyed it. In the romance category if Outlander is a 5, then Bride of the Lion is a 4. An easy enjoyable read. If you’re jonesing for a Jamie Fraser, Alexander ‘Shura’ Barrington, or a Alex MacGregor type male lead and need a quick fix......I assure you Robert de Langley will do the trick ;).
May 17, 2014
3.5. Well written but the initially feisty heroine lost her sprite too soon and the romance ended 80 % of the way through the book with the rest taken up by the historical backstory about the royal power struggle.
August 27, 2012
I love this book. I've read it so many times I can't tell you. Don't think she still writes and it's a shame. I love her books.
April 3, 2020
I really needed some medievalness in my life, and the librarian in our adult section (who specializes in romance) chucked this my way. This had lots of great historical detail (although I was always not as interested in the history as in the progression of the relationship). The relationship was steamy and had some great twists leading up to it, but I was majorly pissed when Robert was all "I only slept with that other girl because I was afraid of how much I was starting to care for you! It didn't mean anything!" that just gets glazed over and forgiven immediately. Maybe the author was trying to keep things historically accurate, but I totally lost respect for Robert and the whole fantasy of their relationship at that point.
March 4, 2024
Was a good soft romance book, but it was written like a fan-fic. I was not expecting for a book from 1995 to be written like it's on wattpad.
First of all the MC is all "I'm weak, but I have a dagger" like.
Also the age gap🫢
But it wasn't as crappy as other books I have read.
First of all the MC is all "I'm weak, but I have a dagger" like.
Also the age gap🫢
But it wasn't as crappy as other books I have read.
December 20, 2024
Listen I very much enjoyed this book and the story but Robert had me going there for a bit… almost dnf after she found the woman in his bed and then it was just looked over in a page? A paragraph like good god woman stand up for yourself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2019
not gd
August 13, 2024
This book started off so well and then his justification for cheating … WTF, NO!!! Her acceptance and finding it a compliment - this book just took a deep dive into the sea of crap! Before that cheating BS it was a four start story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2016
It's kind of hard to like a book when you don't like the main characters. This was the case for me, especially where the heroine was concerned. I totally did not like her, at all, not even one iota. Why? You ask. Let me count the ways:
1. She publicly slut shames a woman, causing her to be laughed at by her peers. Let's remember that women didn't have many choices in this era and did whatever was needed to survive. To criticize someone for this, especially a highborn lady to do the slut shaming is a sign of being unsympathetic, cruel and base in my book.
2. She physically assaults and brutally chops off the hair of her husband's lover leaving the woman in tears.
3. She slaps her sister. Yet also coddles her beyond any reasonable level - making her look like a wannabe martyr
4. Taking back her husband after he fucked another woman and never tearing him another one for doing this
5. Let's her half brother into the castle while her husband was away -- knowing he was treacherous and had been warned not to let him in -- you can guess what he did -- duh!!!
6. As for the "romance" I felt zero connection between the MCs
This book was a total letdown.
1. She publicly slut shames a woman, causing her to be laughed at by her peers. Let's remember that women didn't have many choices in this era and did whatever was needed to survive. To criticize someone for this, especially a highborn lady to do the slut shaming is a sign of being unsympathetic, cruel and base in my book.
2. She physically assaults and brutally chops off the hair of her husband's lover leaving the woman in tears.
3. She slaps her sister. Yet also coddles her beyond any reasonable level - making her look like a wannabe martyr
4. Taking back her husband after he fucked another woman and never tearing him another one for doing this
5. Let's her half brother into the castle while her husband was away -- knowing he was treacherous and had been warned not to let him in -- you can guess what he did -- duh!!!
6. As for the "romance" I felt zero connection between the MCs
This book was a total letdown.
February 16, 2013
I have never read a book by Elizabeth Stuart. I feel this book was a page turner for me, most books of this type always involve the eldest child with betrothal yet a very nice twist was added with adventure and romance. I love how strong Jocelyn Montagne is yet has this lusting beauty that Robert wants so passionately. I feel a must read for those who love novels from the 1100-1300's era, with Chivalry and family betrayal between war and romance.
October 7, 2012
One thing that I love about most Medieval Romances is that, they are full of action, and war. War in real life is a big NO for me but reading a fiction war really made me happy (call me blood-thirsty, I don't care!). Anyway, this book combined both action and romance that I found reading it is very much enjoyable. And although he's kind of a villain in this, I think i like Henry~.
July 11, 2014
Being very behind in reviews, and being that I've put this one off too long and I've forgotten most of it already. For those interested, I'd steer you to KatieV's review, which sums it all up quite nicely. I do like this author a lot, but for some reason this story and this pair didn't click for me.
July 1, 2015
One of my favorite romances -- EVER. Certainly a favorite historical if you take Heyer off the table. Stuart is different. Strong, capable heroines. Impossible dilemmas. Stuart is an amazing writer and plotter.
January 11, 2016
Ok, i take it back. Because the ending wasn't so bad. It was good start and in the middle up to 82% the Author very focus on History accuracy so she neglected the romance. But it's all good in the end. So i give it 4 stars.
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