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My Cherished Enemy
Seeking protection from her scheming uncle, Kathryn of Ashbury is forced to turn to her despised enemy, Guy de Marche, an arrogant knight who demands more from her than she is willing to give. Original.
395 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1992
14 people are currently reading
531 people want to read
About the author
Samantha James
93 books503 followersGrowing up in Joliet, Illinois, Samantha James had many childhood aspirations--being a writer was never one of them. When she was ten, she was certain she was destined to be an astronomer. That soon changed (happened a lot during those pre-teen years!) when she decided archaeology was in her future. Detective work was her next goal, thanks to the Trixie Belden mysteries she was reading, and before long, nursing beckoned (courtesy of the Cherry Ames series). In college, she set her sights on teaching history, then briefly entertained the notion of becoming a flight attendant, only to discover she did not like to fly.
Having been raised in a family of avid readers, she was rarely without a book in hand. Her tastes were rather eclectic. She got hooked on the Doc Savage series and Edgar Rice Burroughs after her older brother finished them, in her teen years, moved on to Agatha Christie, Daphne DuMaurier, and Phyllis A. Whitney.
In the meantime, the right guy came along. They met on a semi-blind date at an office Christmas party. She was told he wanted to go out with her, and he was told she wanted to go out with him. Six months later, the U.S. Army shipped him off to Germany--and she wrote faithfully at least three times a week--she often jokes this was the start of her writing career!
Marriage followed, as well as three daughters. Samantha left the detective work to her husband and turned her attention to raising their girls. When her youngest was six months old, two things happened: 1) she read Moonstruck Madness by Laurie McBain and scrambled to find every historical romance she could lay her hands on; 2) her older brother revealed he was writing and submitting his short stories to big-name magazines. As he put it, "I've been rejected by the best of 'em."
The seed was planted. Rejection was a dreaded word, but Samantha figured, "Well, if he can take it, so can I."
That summer, she wrote not one book, but three--longhand, in a notebook, during naptime. Bedtime. Any time she could. The burning desire to write was a long time in coming--she was nearing thirty by then--but she discovered that once she set pen to paper, she couldn't stop.
Those three manuscripts did get the dreaded rejection letter (they're still languishing somewhere in her attic), but she finally hit pay dirt with her fourth. Samantha's brother promptly proposed collaborating on a fantasy together--alas, still unwritten... Nowadays, she's firmly convinced she's the queen of rejected titles for her books. She's only managed to retain two original titles thus far, but writing is indeed a dream come true...
To date, her books have been published in numerous foreign countries (her daughters' number one choice for show-and-tell were always the foreign editions of Mom's books). Known for her heartfelt, emotionally charged "three-hanky reads", her books have been nominated for numerous awards, and have consistently hit the bestseller lists.
Maybe someday she'll do that fantasy-romance collaboration with her brother. For now, she's having a great time spinning dramatic, passionate tales of old...
Having been raised in a family of avid readers, she was rarely without a book in hand. Her tastes were rather eclectic. She got hooked on the Doc Savage series and Edgar Rice Burroughs after her older brother finished them, in her teen years, moved on to Agatha Christie, Daphne DuMaurier, and Phyllis A. Whitney.
In the meantime, the right guy came along. They met on a semi-blind date at an office Christmas party. She was told he wanted to go out with her, and he was told she wanted to go out with him. Six months later, the U.S. Army shipped him off to Germany--and she wrote faithfully at least three times a week--she often jokes this was the start of her writing career!
Marriage followed, as well as three daughters. Samantha left the detective work to her husband and turned her attention to raising their girls. When her youngest was six months old, two things happened: 1) she read Moonstruck Madness by Laurie McBain and scrambled to find every historical romance she could lay her hands on; 2) her older brother revealed he was writing and submitting his short stories to big-name magazines. As he put it, "I've been rejected by the best of 'em."
The seed was planted. Rejection was a dreaded word, but Samantha figured, "Well, if he can take it, so can I."
That summer, she wrote not one book, but three--longhand, in a notebook, during naptime. Bedtime. Any time she could. The burning desire to write was a long time in coming--she was nearing thirty by then--but she discovered that once she set pen to paper, she couldn't stop.
Those three manuscripts did get the dreaded rejection letter (they're still languishing somewhere in her attic), but she finally hit pay dirt with her fourth. Samantha's brother promptly proposed collaborating on a fantasy together--alas, still unwritten... Nowadays, she's firmly convinced she's the queen of rejected titles for her books. She's only managed to retain two original titles thus far, but writing is indeed a dream come true...
To date, her books have been published in numerous foreign countries (her daughters' number one choice for show-and-tell were always the foreign editions of Mom's books). Known for her heartfelt, emotionally charged "three-hanky reads", her books have been nominated for numerous awards, and have consistently hit the bestseller lists.
Maybe someday she'll do that fantasy-romance collaboration with her brother. For now, she's having a great time spinning dramatic, passionate tales of old...
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 8, 2016
Kathryn dint start out like a h I liked –she was bristly, confrontational, even irritating and the stories where the h and H are at odds for most of the book don’t make for an agreeable read. Because such conflict is just a way to prolong the story or really to get a story!
But here the author writes an h very convincing in her resistance. Her love and coveting of her home estate Ashbury, and her suspicion and hatred for the conquering H was believable- at least after a while. Her lament about women in those times being always dependent on a man-father, husband, lord, king for an identity was relatable.
The story beginning with the H’s beloved first wife’s pov was unique. And then later the H happening on the h in a passionate embrace with her ‘fiancé’ was a masterstroke too. I really liked that for originality. He believed her to be a manipulative b*tch (which she was with the om at least) and so treated her such, while he was the enemy who stood between her and her dreams. And so their slow and reluctant (battle-filled) journey towards each other and love was bittersweet and enjoyable.
Although the whole non-MU got a little protracted towards the end, the ending itself could have been tighter, the H’s rescue timing were trifle too pat but then maybe true love cannot be rushed and sometimes one can be a little indulgent about the drama bit.
March 15, 2013
4.75 Stars!!!
This is one of my favorite historical romances. The cover is a little dated but the author has since put out a new cover for this and updated some of the scenes. I read this a few years ago and loved it just as much this time around.
New Cover:
A real love/hate romance.
Guy de Marche, the dashing Earl of Sedgewick returns from the crusades to find his castle captured and his wife and child murdered. He begins grieving as he goes to work regaining his property, rebuilding his castles and life when the niece of his enemy, Kathryn of Ashbury, comes into his life.
What Guy does not know is that she resents and hates the man who destroyed his life as much as he does. He is responsible for killing her parents, taking her home and giving away she and her sister's dowry properties. Guy takes her captive at his castle to keep and eye on her. He does not trust her and she does not know who is the greater enemy, her uncle or this man who hates her because of the blood that runs through her body.
The battle begins at this point....but sometimes the closest thing to hatred is love and it is not too long before they start to see the better qualities of the other and find they are intensely attracted to each other. They begin a physical relationship and move closer and closer to an emotional one. But the bickering and mistrust keeps bobbing it's ugly head and tearing them apart just as they start moving towards each other.
The story is really around how do these two people who are meant for each other find love when they have every reason to mistrust each other. They have every reason to believe that the other will betray them and risk not only their lives but their hearts. The author builds the story to a wonderful ending which had me smiling. I loved this book ten years ago and I love it even more now. A great story, a great read and a favorite of mine!
This is one of my favorite historical romances. The cover is a little dated but the author has since put out a new cover for this and updated some of the scenes. I read this a few years ago and loved it just as much this time around.
New Cover:
A real love/hate romance.
Guy de Marche, the dashing Earl of Sedgewick returns from the crusades to find his castle captured and his wife and child murdered. He begins grieving as he goes to work regaining his property, rebuilding his castles and life when the niece of his enemy, Kathryn of Ashbury, comes into his life.
What Guy does not know is that she resents and hates the man who destroyed his life as much as he does. He is responsible for killing her parents, taking her home and giving away she and her sister's dowry properties. Guy takes her captive at his castle to keep and eye on her. He does not trust her and she does not know who is the greater enemy, her uncle or this man who hates her because of the blood that runs through her body.
The battle begins at this point....but sometimes the closest thing to hatred is love and it is not too long before they start to see the better qualities of the other and find they are intensely attracted to each other. They begin a physical relationship and move closer and closer to an emotional one. But the bickering and mistrust keeps bobbing it's ugly head and tearing them apart just as they start moving towards each other.
The story is really around how do these two people who are meant for each other find love when they have every reason to mistrust each other. They have every reason to believe that the other will betray them and risk not only their lives but their hearts. The author builds the story to a wonderful ending which had me smiling. I loved this book ten years ago and I love it even more now. A great story, a great read and a favorite of mine!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2022
I should read more Samantha James books because this was a really excellent medieval romance. I really loved the hero, Guy. The heroine, Kathryn was no doormat either. They had a really tempestuous relationship because each was afraid on letting the other knew about their true feelings. That's the basis for the whole book. I had to knock out 1 star because I feel that the misunderstanding was too drawn out. Other than that, this was a lovely read.
April 21, 2021
3.5 stars very good
I devoured this read! The angry chemistry between the MC was hot. Both characters had very similar personalities. They were very proud with quick tempers. Unfortunately, this got old by the end....hence less stars.
I recommend this book if you like a good bodice-ripper!
I devoured this read! The angry chemistry between the MC was hot. Both characters had very similar personalities. They were very proud with quick tempers. Unfortunately, this got old by the end....hence less stars.
I recommend this book if you like a good bodice-ripper!
March 5, 2012
May have slight spoilers.
My Cherished Enemy by Samantha James introduces us to Kathryn of Ashbury and Guy de Marche, Earl of Sedgewick.
Guy has returned after three years from the Holy Lands after having been on the Crusade and captured. In the dungeon that is were he learned of the birth of his son, and the death of his wife. He vows to have revenge of the man who raided his lands while he was away; Richard of Ashbury. Without wasting time, Guy quickly sets about retaking his lands and then going after him and his lands and he has the new king’s permission that he can do it as well.
Kathryn of Ashbury is Richard’s niece and she hate’s him with a passion. Her father bastard brother he went to the old king and begged to inherit all that, in her mind, was rightfully hers and her sister Elizabeth’s. He is cruel and wants nothing but more land, treating his two nieces no more well than servants, Kathryn makes the decision to marry, in the hopes that the man that will become her husband, Roderick, will be able to wrest control of Ashbury from her uncle and take it for himself.
Fate intervenes though and while talking with Roderick of their marriage, one they would announce to her uncle soon, Guy comes upon them and finds out that she is Richard’s niece.
Guy quickly makes the choice that she will be the perfect way into Ashbury and though Kathryn despises the man she has no choice but to take him inside, but not without first claiming his vow that he would not harm anyone inside.
The book pretty much takes off from her and Kathryn and Guy clash like roaring waves in a storm ridden sea. But the passion between them, the attraction can not be ignored for long; by either of them
I liked this novel, Samantha James is a favorite of mine but I have to say that I was a little annoyed with Kathryn. Though the book she is constantly dwelling and complaining that she will never inherit Ashbury even though it is ‘her right’ to do so. She blames her uncle, she blames Guy, and she hates the fact that she is a woman, saying were she a man and so on ad so forth.
You get the picture, this bothered me, a lot, I can understand some upset of course and with her uncle as well, but as a woman of her time, you would think that Kathryn would have known all along that she would not inherit, even upon the death of her father—so why has she not accepted it? Not that she should like it, but at least realize that there is no way she ever could.
And to be honest I do not think she ever does, it is a big thing of strife between her and Guy pretty much until the end of the book.
Other than that though, I enjoyed both characters, they fought a lot but in the end both come to realize the love they have for each other.
Guy himself was just as prideful, stubborn and had just as big of a temper, not to mention they both had the tendency to jump to conclusions of their own making and assuming things that were not remotely true. Is it really any wonder that they clashed so?
We also get some secondary plot with her sister Elizabeth, which I liked, it was nice for her not to get left out while Kathryn was finding her HEA.
I would recommend this novel to anyone who is looking for a good historical novel.
My Cherished Enemy by Samantha James introduces us to Kathryn of Ashbury and Guy de Marche, Earl of Sedgewick.
Guy has returned after three years from the Holy Lands after having been on the Crusade and captured. In the dungeon that is were he learned of the birth of his son, and the death of his wife. He vows to have revenge of the man who raided his lands while he was away; Richard of Ashbury. Without wasting time, Guy quickly sets about retaking his lands and then going after him and his lands and he has the new king’s permission that he can do it as well.
Kathryn of Ashbury is Richard’s niece and she hate’s him with a passion. Her father bastard brother he went to the old king and begged to inherit all that, in her mind, was rightfully hers and her sister Elizabeth’s. He is cruel and wants nothing but more land, treating his two nieces no more well than servants, Kathryn makes the decision to marry, in the hopes that the man that will become her husband, Roderick, will be able to wrest control of Ashbury from her uncle and take it for himself.
Fate intervenes though and while talking with Roderick of their marriage, one they would announce to her uncle soon, Guy comes upon them and finds out that she is Richard’s niece.
Guy quickly makes the choice that she will be the perfect way into Ashbury and though Kathryn despises the man she has no choice but to take him inside, but not without first claiming his vow that he would not harm anyone inside.
The book pretty much takes off from her and Kathryn and Guy clash like roaring waves in a storm ridden sea. But the passion between them, the attraction can not be ignored for long; by either of them
I liked this novel, Samantha James is a favorite of mine but I have to say that I was a little annoyed with Kathryn. Though the book she is constantly dwelling and complaining that she will never inherit Ashbury even though it is ‘her right’ to do so. She blames her uncle, she blames Guy, and she hates the fact that she is a woman, saying were she a man and so on ad so forth.
You get the picture, this bothered me, a lot, I can understand some upset of course and with her uncle as well, but as a woman of her time, you would think that Kathryn would have known all along that she would not inherit, even upon the death of her father—so why has she not accepted it? Not that she should like it, but at least realize that there is no way she ever could.
And to be honest I do not think she ever does, it is a big thing of strife between her and Guy pretty much until the end of the book.
Other than that though, I enjoyed both characters, they fought a lot but in the end both come to realize the love they have for each other.
Guy himself was just as prideful, stubborn and had just as big of a temper, not to mention they both had the tendency to jump to conclusions of their own making and assuming things that were not remotely true. Is it really any wonder that they clashed so?
We also get some secondary plot with her sister Elizabeth, which I liked, it was nice for her not to get left out while Kathryn was finding her HEA.
I would recommend this novel to anyone who is looking for a good historical novel.
October 14, 2010
This one should be retitled My Cherished Enemy: Emotional Abuse of Loved Ones in Medieval Times. A full 3/4 of the novel our hero and heroine spent reviling each other with all sorts of dastardly names and accusations - how does love grow from such hatred? Regardless, it was a fun read for me (not that I condone bad behavior) and I'll continue to read more from this author.
July 4, 2021
I have a love hate with these 80s-90s books: the hero and the heroine never communicate. Never! And then they assume the worst possible motive for a comment or a deed. It dries me insane, but at the same time I can't stop reading theme :))
June 6, 2017
Such a dysfunctional couple - from start to finish they just kept fighting and bickering and so full of insecurity, it wasn't even funny anymore. The only reason I finished this was because of Guy - I love my alpha male heroes and Guy fit the bill for sure!
May 10, 2024
All in all, this story is quite forgettable. The flow, the plot and MCs were distinctly lacking, undeveloped to its potential. Guy and Kathryn seemed stiff and feelings were forced, sorry to say, the chemistry was not there! Why do I say that? Well, for one, hero and others mentioned his beloved late wife too much and anything with the heroine appears second best! His feelings towards Kathryn constantly changes, varies by the hour and was too inconsistent compared to what we know of his deep love for Lady Elaine. So late in the story, it was still hard to distinguished if he really cares for her! Truly, nothing binds them emotionally. No way in hell did he fell in love with such a fiery Kathryn, the total opposite of his angelic wife, Elaine! Kathryn, at present, was just convenient and pregnant!
Actually, I don’t think heroine was all that as the author had hoped to make her. She was just your average damsel in distress, sometimes mouthy and other times mostly chill. Hence, undeveloped! Initially, with Peter, his son in the picture, or also lack of father-son relationship, it made heroine’s pregnancy unimportant, insignificant. Did he really care for her (their) babe? When he already has his heir? For the sake of romance, I guess that was a killer for me. The thought persists, if Guy truly loves Kathryn or were we just to believe that he does by the end.
Naturally, people love again, some moves on, not necessary to compared one’s present love to the one of their past, but the author didn’t paint enough emotional- intimacy between Kathryn and Guy here to make the romance anything to die for. Theirs was just lust, physical-intimacy and it was not satisfying.
Actually, I don’t think heroine was all that as the author had hoped to make her. She was just your average damsel in distress, sometimes mouthy and other times mostly chill. Hence, undeveloped! Initially, with Peter, his son in the picture, or also lack of father-son relationship, it made heroine’s pregnancy unimportant, insignificant. Did he really care for her (their) babe? When he already has his heir? For the sake of romance, I guess that was a killer for me. The thought persists, if Guy truly loves Kathryn or were we just to believe that he does by the end.
Naturally, people love again, some moves on, not necessary to compared one’s present love to the one of their past, but the author didn’t paint enough emotional- intimacy between Kathryn and Guy here to make the romance anything to die for. Theirs was just lust, physical-intimacy and it was not satisfying.
December 11, 2017
Theme: medieval, virgin heroine, widower Hero, pregnant
I gave this 2 stars because I like the first 40% of the book. Then I got to know the heroine. Gah, she's annoying and obsessed with Ashberry (or Ashburry) that sometimes it made her stupid. Reminds me of that Beatrice Small's heroine in Spitfire.
I thought that Julie Garwood's heroines were somewhat stupid n many ways but no they had inner strength. I thought of J. Lindsey's heroines who were annoying but at least they knew how to fight hand-to-hand combat (well not most of them). I thought of Judith McNaught's heroines who were 'aarrghh' sometimes but at least they were funny and witty. I thought of Kathleen Woodiwiss' heroines who were doormats but they were stronger than this one. I even thought of Catherine Coulter too... but I couldn't stand this heroine. I wanted to shout to the Hero that he was better of with someone else. And honestly? I wanted to read more of his story with his dead first wife than this...
Plus, there was a second romance story of Elizabeth (heroine's sister) and Sir Hugh. I felt cheated because the progress of their story was just mentioned that they married. Damn, even I did not know what happened during the wedding and the wedding night. Why invest on the beginning of their romance and somehow courtship when it couldn't be continued?
I gave this 2 stars because I like the first 40% of the book. Then I got to know the heroine. Gah, she's annoying and obsessed with Ashberry (or Ashburry) that sometimes it made her stupid. Reminds me of that Beatrice Small's heroine in Spitfire.
I thought that Julie Garwood's heroines were somewhat stupid n many ways but no they had inner strength. I thought of J. Lindsey's heroines who were annoying but at least they knew how to fight hand-to-hand combat (well not most of them). I thought of Judith McNaught's heroines who were 'aarrghh' sometimes but at least they were funny and witty. I thought of Kathleen Woodiwiss' heroines who were doormats but they were stronger than this one. I even thought of Catherine Coulter too... but I couldn't stand this heroine. I wanted to shout to the Hero that he was better of with someone else. And honestly? I wanted to read more of his story with his dead first wife than this...
Plus, there was a second romance story of Elizabeth (heroine's sister) and Sir Hugh. I felt cheated because the progress of their story was just mentioned that they married. Damn, even I did not know what happened during the wedding and the wedding night. Why invest on the beginning of their romance and somehow courtship when it couldn't be continued?
December 18, 2023
4.4 stars
I enjoyed this story, but I have to confess that the verbal battle between the main characters was overdone and extended the story unnecessarily. There was a repetitive pace to the conflicts throughout, but the enemies to lovers trope is my most favorite, and so I was still able to thoroughly enjoy the story, in spite of its lack of originality. I felt that the FMC’s switch from the feisty heroine to the emotional teary eyed creature in the latter half was not consistent with the character but for me this discordance was not jarring enough to significantly impact my rating.
I enjoyed this story, but I have to confess that the verbal battle between the main characters was overdone and extended the story unnecessarily. There was a repetitive pace to the conflicts throughout, but the enemies to lovers trope is my most favorite, and so I was still able to thoroughly enjoy the story, in spite of its lack of originality. I felt that the FMC’s switch from the feisty heroine to the emotional teary eyed creature in the latter half was not consistent with the character but for me this discordance was not jarring enough to significantly impact my rating.
February 2, 2022
Prima metà del libro molto bella. Seconda metà uno strazio, lei una lagna senza uguali.
September 21, 2024
4.25 stars
November 4, 2024
Good medieval 🏰 melodrama.
October 20, 2013
This book followed a well traveled path for romance novels. A fiery love-hate relationship between a dominate male and a feisty female. I found myself fairly easily distracted from the book - especially after the first half or so. Most of it was fairly predictable, and the last 25% was that annoying theme writers over-use (I love him, but I refuse to tell him. Oh, I so wish he could only love me. I love her, but I'll go to the devil before I admit it to her... etc.).
Also, I would like to note that the cover blurb for this book was way off. It implies the heroine seeks out the hero for protection from her wicked uncle, and he then requires her "services" in exchange. That was not the case at all! Instead, the heroine meets the hero when he comes to seek retribution from her wicked uncle for the death of his first wife. They instantly dislike/distrust one another, and he then forcefully takes her under his protection.
I won't say more because I can't express it without spoilers. Overall, a decent read but not one I'd read again.
Also, I would like to note that the cover blurb for this book was way off. It implies the heroine seeks out the hero for protection from her wicked uncle, and he then requires her "services" in exchange. That was not the case at all! Instead, the heroine meets the hero when he comes to seek retribution from her wicked uncle for the death of his first wife. They instantly dislike/distrust one another, and he then forcefully takes her under his protection.
I won't say more because I can't express it without spoilers. Overall, a decent read but not one I'd read again.
August 9, 2016
This was my third re-read of this book. At one time it was a 5 star read for me, but I changed it to 4 stars this time around. I love this author's historical romance writing style and have read many of her books. We have a strong, alpha male knight seeking revenge for the brutal killing of his wife by a rival. We have a heroine who is immature in many way but normally a sweet, loving woman who puts her sister above all others. The book contains the usual rich historical descriptions of the medieval times. This time around, I got a little frustrated with the amount of push-pull between both the H/h. Both of them stubborn individuals who love each other but too worried about maintaining their pride. Still, this is one of my favorite historicals and I'll most likely read it again in the future.
First read in 2010 paperback. Re-read in 2013
First read in 2010 paperback. Re-read in 2013
May 4, 2014
Ok, this was very difficult to read. The emotional roller coaster the story drags you through is just plain tiring! The book is fine but the endless self-talk that leads to numerous misunderstandings on both parties was just too much! I was literally exhausted by the time I finished it. Literally exhausted!!
August 3, 2014
Set in Medieval England around the year 1152. This has the love-hate relationship between the hero and heroine. I didn't care too much for the characters. Hero was a major jerk. I can't see giving it more than 3 stars.
July 16, 2012
5++ stars!!...definitely one of my favs. now;)
really liked the plotline and character depth portrayed in the book.
Overall a great, awesome read;)
really liked the plotline and character depth portrayed in the book.
Overall a great, awesome read;)
September 7, 2012
so much angst, i became frustrated frequently but read straight through beginning to end.
July 26, 2013
another good book by this author! Great story line with strong willed characters!
July 10, 2014
What a fight of wills. I must say I am glad to be born in this era for women owning their own and not being barter or cast aside at a father's, king's or Husband's whim
Read
August 25, 2014A very enjoyable book.
July 10, 2015
Classic Bodice-Ripper.
March 17, 2022
3.75 stars
June 7, 2016
predictable but enjoyable read and the h keeps running away from the H. Still, quite ok!
July 30, 2017
OH MY GOD!!!! I don't think I have what it takes to finish this clusterfuck of a book. Apparently the h was spouse to be a strong female......😑What??? all she seems to do is running away and cry. and I don't get all the outrage towards the hero, I mean of course he doesn't trust you, you fucking tried to kill him! she is with his child yet she runs away with another idiot. she's all talk and nothing else. for such a clever female she is easily swayed by any crap anyone feeds her and anything the h says to her goes right over the head. she's so annoying that I didn't notice any other characters of the book. I don't think I'll finish this book. if this is what a strong female character looks like than I prefer a weak one😬 the heroine whatever her name was sucked so much that I forgot the whole plot of the book and I am still reading it.😠😠😠
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews