What do you think?
Rate this book
de Macy #1
Winterbourne
In a desperate move to resist the advances of the tyrant King John, beautiful young Lady Melyssan claims to be married to the king's worst enemy, Lord Jaufre de Macy, the legendary Dark Knight without Mercy. Seeking shelter at Jaufre's abandoned Castle Winterbourne, Melyssan is unprepared for the angry warrior who returns to expose her deception. Jaufre is a man as harsh and unforgiving as the Welsh borderland he rules, but Melyssan knew him from a time long ago when he was her champion, gentle and chivalrous. Melyssan must strive to find her way back into Jaufre's heart before they are both destroyed by the wrath of a vengeful king. Winterbourne is a classic historical romance by Susan Carroll, author of The Bride Finder and The Dark Queen series.
361 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 12, 1987
32 people are currently reading
393 people want to read
About the author
Susan Carroll
65 books379 followersBorn Susan Carol Cute in 1952, Susan Coppula obtained a Degree in English with complementary studies in History in the University of Indiana. Since 1986, Susan has published books under three different pseudonyms: Susan Carroll, Susan Coppula, and Serena Richards
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
September 4, 2023
Thought of re-reading it in 2023, but I have a feeling I’ll hate it now, so I decided to put it away.
12 years ago, I thought this was an amazing book, but it’s slow burn, the first 150 is complete boring, and because theres war going on, MC’s have separations. I don’t recall the plot, but I remember it making me cry.
12 years ago, I thought this was an amazing book, but it’s slow burn, the first 150 is complete boring, and because theres war going on, MC’s have separations. I don’t recall the plot, but I remember it making me cry.
March 24, 2012
This book has always been a little secret indulgence of mine, because of the era, the endearingly faithful heroine and the fallen-from-grace Knight. The hero once embodied that aspect of every girl's truer romanticism, that ascribes to our youthful soliloquy, where we imagine the cliche knight avowing his undying love to our wreath adorned head.
November 26, 2008
Bad, unbelievably bad. No chemistry between the main characters, a silly plot that has holes the size of swiss cheese, and although it is a romance the historical boners are way over the top. I bailed around page 100 or so.
February 4, 2013
This was a DNF for me for a number of reasons
The heroine was pretty usual run of the mill character,sweet and loving (and a bit dimwitted) but with a deformed foot that forced her to walk with a crutch.
I think she deserved better than the hero,Lord Joafre wich didnt endear himself to me in the slightest unless you count the time when the heroine was saved by him as a child from some bullies. But after that he was a pretty uninspiring hero.
Oh I get that he was supposed to be a tortured soul and such but to me only seemed to have two modes,anger or lust. That is when he wasnt ogling the heroine and thinking about her childlike innocence/eyes/behavior.
Offputting much?
Seeing as this is one of the earlier books of Susan Caroll I think you could say the hero and heroine are a cruder version of the couple from The Bride Finder Wich is a book I really liked.
My suggestion is to read that instead.
The heroine was pretty usual run of the mill character,sweet and loving (and a bit dimwitted) but with a deformed foot that forced her to walk with a crutch.
I think she deserved better than the hero,Lord Joafre wich didnt endear himself to me in the slightest unless you count the time when the heroine was saved by him as a child from some bullies. But after that he was a pretty uninspiring hero.
Oh I get that he was supposed to be a tortured soul and such but to me only seemed to have two modes,anger or lust. That is when he wasnt ogling the heroine and thinking about her childlike innocence/eyes/behavior.
Offputting much?
Seeing as this is one of the earlier books of Susan Caroll I think you could say the hero and heroine are a cruder version of the couple from The Bride Finder Wich is a book I really liked.
My suggestion is to read that instead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2018
Wonderful Medieval Romance
The Earl of Winterbourne is brave and honorable but jaded by betrayal and pain.
Melisandre is innocent and idealistic and is despised by her family because she has a mal formed foot.
They start their life together in less than solid ground and to make matters worse, the king of England hates them and is after revenge.
Great story by the same author of the amazing St. Leger series.
The Earl of Winterbourne is brave and honorable but jaded by betrayal and pain.
Melisandre is innocent and idealistic and is despised by her family because she has a mal formed foot.
They start their life together in less than solid ground and to make matters worse, the king of England hates them and is after revenge.
Great story by the same author of the amazing St. Leger series.
October 30, 2017
This review publishes on A Weebish Book Blog on 11/24/2017.
For years, I have been searching for this book. I couldn’t remember the title or the author, only that it was set in medieval England and featured a tortured hero, a childhood crush, and a crippled/lame heroine. Turns out the novel I longed for was actually two books—WINTERBOURNE by Susan Carroll and IF I HAD YOU by Lynn Kurland. Somehow in my memories I kind of meshed them all into one story. Now wonder it took me so long to find them! Here are my thoughts on WINTERBOURNE by Susan Carroll.
In a desperate attempt to resist the unwanted advances of King John, Melyssan flees to Winterbourne and masquerades as Jaufre de Macy’s wife, the kings most feared lord and Melyssan’s childhood “Sir Lancelot.”
MELYSSAN
Dreadfully naive and hopelessly timid Melyssan is thought of as lovely but weak. She’s actually rather courageous. She’s on the run from the king, posing as the wife of one of England’s most terrifying knights, and terrified out of her mind, and yet she has the bravery and compassion to willfully commit treason to help a family in need.
I admired Melyssan’s backbone, especially when she was going head-to-head with the Dark Knight. She gives as much as she gets when it comes to the gruff lord’s temper. It was also difficult not to feel for our unfortunate heroine. She goes through a lot of sorrow, turmoil, and loss in WINTERBOURNE.
JAUFRE DE MACY
Our infamous hero is the reason for most of my issues with this novel. While Carroll sees it fit to redeem our tortured hero, I wasn’t able to forgive and forget so easily. The Dark Knight might have an honor code, but he’s still a bully with too much power. He torments those weaker then him and lashes out at Melyssan when he’s too cowardly to acknowledge his own feelings.
He does have reason to feel unsavory against the fairer sex and his past riddled with those who’ve betrayed him. Still, to damn an entire gender due to the actions of the few? It’s hard to swallow, but his hatred for women isn’t the only thing that turns me off. it’s the countless times he disappoints and hurt Melyssan that kills his character for me.
Despite the character flaws, I actually enjoyed the world building and setting. For historical romance, Carroll crafted a novel that feels more realistic than other novels in its genre. In real life, problems don’t end when you find the person you want to spend the rest of your life with.
In WINTERBOURNE, Melyssan and Jaufre are forced to confront war, past demons, treason, and death while they attempt to carve out a life for themselves in the harsh and dangerous Middle Ages. While it can be hard to stomach, I admire the Carroll’s attempt at a realistic historical romance during a time when marrying for love was nothing more than a fairy tale.
Though WINTERBOURNE had issues, and a rather frustrating hero, I am glad I found it again. To say it was a nostalgic experience would be an understatement. I enjoyed the novel and though it looks like the de Macy series was dropped before completion, I find myself yearning for more from this author.
For years, I have been searching for this book. I couldn’t remember the title or the author, only that it was set in medieval England and featured a tortured hero, a childhood crush, and a crippled/lame heroine. Turns out the novel I longed for was actually two books—WINTERBOURNE by Susan Carroll and IF I HAD YOU by Lynn Kurland. Somehow in my memories I kind of meshed them all into one story. Now wonder it took me so long to find them! Here are my thoughts on WINTERBOURNE by Susan Carroll.
In a desperate attempt to resist the unwanted advances of King John, Melyssan flees to Winterbourne and masquerades as Jaufre de Macy’s wife, the kings most feared lord and Melyssan’s childhood “Sir Lancelot.”
MELYSSAN
Dreadfully naive and hopelessly timid Melyssan is thought of as lovely but weak. She’s actually rather courageous. She’s on the run from the king, posing as the wife of one of England’s most terrifying knights, and terrified out of her mind, and yet she has the bravery and compassion to willfully commit treason to help a family in need.
I admired Melyssan’s backbone, especially when she was going head-to-head with the Dark Knight. She gives as much as she gets when it comes to the gruff lord’s temper. It was also difficult not to feel for our unfortunate heroine. She goes through a lot of sorrow, turmoil, and loss in WINTERBOURNE.
JAUFRE DE MACY
Our infamous hero is the reason for most of my issues with this novel. While Carroll sees it fit to redeem our tortured hero, I wasn’t able to forgive and forget so easily. The Dark Knight might have an honor code, but he’s still a bully with too much power. He torments those weaker then him and lashes out at Melyssan when he’s too cowardly to acknowledge his own feelings.
“I heard a sermon once regarding women. Vessils of sin. Of male and female, ’tis the woman who is most lascivious. You need to keep up your own guard against your own evil, my lady.”
He does have reason to feel unsavory against the fairer sex and his past riddled with those who’ve betrayed him. Still, to damn an entire gender due to the actions of the few? It’s hard to swallow, but his hatred for women isn’t the only thing that turns me off. it’s the countless times he disappoints and hurt Melyssan that kills his character for me.
Despite the character flaws, I actually enjoyed the world building and setting. For historical romance, Carroll crafted a novel that feels more realistic than other novels in its genre. In real life, problems don’t end when you find the person you want to spend the rest of your life with.
In WINTERBOURNE, Melyssan and Jaufre are forced to confront war, past demons, treason, and death while they attempt to carve out a life for themselves in the harsh and dangerous Middle Ages. While it can be hard to stomach, I admire the Carroll’s attempt at a realistic historical romance during a time when marrying for love was nothing more than a fairy tale.
Though WINTERBOURNE had issues, and a rather frustrating hero, I am glad I found it again. To say it was a nostalgic experience would be an understatement. I enjoyed the novel and though it looks like the de Macy series was dropped before completion, I find myself yearning for more from this author.
March 7, 2021
This book absolutely swept me away and had me gripping for the book for dear life because I didn’t want sleep to take me away from it. This book was emotional and poignant and damn it will be one I won’t forget quickly.
Our heroine attracted the unwanted attention of the king and to avoid these attentions she told a big fat whopping lie- she was married to one of his Earls. This Earl had been away for years, so continuing the lie she moved into his estate and ran the place, although she knew that one day her time would be up. Low and behold our hero returns to find he has a wife?
This book really takes you on a journey. At the start the heroine is defined by her youth and a foot deformity and in medieval England has to carve out a life and an identity that doesn’t revolve around that. The hero at the start is bitter and broken by betrayal and not ready to love or let anyone love him. Well let me tell you that over time they both grow, but have A LOT of growing they need to do to be right for each other. This book also tackles something I don’t see a lot in medieval romances- the endless wars and never knowing if you will make it back or see anyone again, and then even when you are physically back together your experiences apart have changes you. Anyway suffice to say I loved this book and want to find more by this author.
Our heroine attracted the unwanted attention of the king and to avoid these attentions she told a big fat whopping lie- she was married to one of his Earls. This Earl had been away for years, so continuing the lie she moved into his estate and ran the place, although she knew that one day her time would be up. Low and behold our hero returns to find he has a wife?
This book really takes you on a journey. At the start the heroine is defined by her youth and a foot deformity and in medieval England has to carve out a life and an identity that doesn’t revolve around that. The hero at the start is bitter and broken by betrayal and not ready to love or let anyone love him. Well let me tell you that over time they both grow, but have A LOT of growing they need to do to be right for each other. This book also tackles something I don’t see a lot in medieval romances- the endless wars and never knowing if you will make it back or see anyone again, and then even when you are physically back together your experiences apart have changes you. Anyway suffice to say I loved this book and want to find more by this author.
June 8, 2010
Lady Melyssan has devised a plan to escape from King John's lecherous clutches by pretending to be wed to Lord Jaufre de Macy, better known as the Dark Knight. She sets herself up in his castle, Winterbourne while he is away in France. When he arrives home he goes along with her charade calling her bluff, wanting to see just how far she is willing go on with her deceit.
Lady Melyssan and Lord Jaufre could not be more opposite. Melyssan is sweet and innocent and believes first and foremost the best in everyone. Jaufre, on the other hand quickly jumps to the worst conclusions about everyone and is an angry, disillusioned man. He has good reason to be this way because of some terrible things that have happened in his past. Also, the current political state of affairs are pretty disheartening as well.
Winterbourne had plenty of angst and drama. I like angst but too much can be a drag. Jaufre and Melyssan were very quick to jump to the wrong conclusion and instead of talking through their problems they just sulked and avoided them. After a while this became troublesome. Even though that bothered me, for the most part this was a very fast read. The characters were well drawn and even though Melyssan was a very sweet person, she wasn't syrupy. Jaufre was your typical medieval man, close-mouthed about his feelings and yet protective of his wife and child.
One thing that you don't see to much of today is books that scan a long period of time. Winterbourne did and it took place over several years. It read like an eighties book with the misunderstandings and the sweeping length, but it didn't come with the negatives the eighties were known for, the rape or the womanizing. Winterbourne wasn't without its problems, but it was a good solid read for me.
Lady Melyssan and Lord Jaufre could not be more opposite. Melyssan is sweet and innocent and believes first and foremost the best in everyone. Jaufre, on the other hand quickly jumps to the worst conclusions about everyone and is an angry, disillusioned man. He has good reason to be this way because of some terrible things that have happened in his past. Also, the current political state of affairs are pretty disheartening as well.
Winterbourne had plenty of angst and drama. I like angst but too much can be a drag. Jaufre and Melyssan were very quick to jump to the wrong conclusion and instead of talking through their problems they just sulked and avoided them. After a while this became troublesome. Even though that bothered me, for the most part this was a very fast read. The characters were well drawn and even though Melyssan was a very sweet person, she wasn't syrupy. Jaufre was your typical medieval man, close-mouthed about his feelings and yet protective of his wife and child.
One thing that you don't see to much of today is books that scan a long period of time. Winterbourne did and it took place over several years. It read like an eighties book with the misunderstandings and the sweeping length, but it didn't come with the negatives the eighties were known for, the rape or the womanizing. Winterbourne wasn't without its problems, but it was a good solid read for me.
October 11, 2014
Reread today. Still lots of pain, but joy, too.
.
.
Oh my, I've read The Bride Finder series and was interested to read MORE of Susan Carroll's books.
This one hurt, a LOT of heartfail.
.
.
Oh my, I've read The Bride Finder series and was interested to read MORE of Susan Carroll's books.
This one hurt, a LOT of heartfail.
October 13, 2014
This story was a heavier read than I really wanted. I did enjoy it, but it was heartbreaking at times.
I adored how the hero and heroine met, how he'd rescued her from childhood bullies, and he, a young knight, was nice to her and even kept the memento she bestowed upon him.
This historical spans a number of years and heartaches. Even when they finally get together, there's still so much between them.
Good read.
I adored how the hero and heroine met, how he'd rescued her from childhood bullies, and he, a young knight, was nice to her and even kept the memento she bestowed upon him.
This historical spans a number of years and heartaches. Even when they finally get together, there's still so much between them.
Good read.
June 9, 2010
Being a lover of medieval settings and always on the lookout for new stories to read I had already see this title mentioned here and there before I got the chance to pick it up.
Set in the time of Richard the Lionheart and King John (I seem to be reading and watching a lot of things set in this period lately) it is the story of Melyssan, a maiden with a club foot, and Jaufre a knight loyal to King John. The beginning is a bit unbelievable but, if you get past that, it is an enjoyable story. When the story opens Melyssan is living in Jaufre's castle Winterbourne, after having told the king that she is his wife to defend herself from his amorous advances. In a time where marriages were a political affair that needed the king's seal of approval I found it odd that the king would accept her word for it and that not one of Jaufre's servants found it odd that a wife suddenly appears in the doorstep and not only proceeds to live there but manages to evict the steward for stealing from the Earl.
But as I said, if you get past all this, it is an enjoyable story. When Jaufre returns home from the war her find his new "wife" installed in the castle and decides to keep her around and teach her lesson. Melyssan has been in love with Jaufre since she was a 9 year old child and he saved her from some youths, and he starts to develop some feelings for her once he spends more time with her. She is terrible conscious of not being a beauty and having a disability so she is more sensitive than most, Jaufre has a temper and a natural distrust of women in general and wives in particular which doesn't help advance their relationship. Their biggest problem is lack of communication but also the fact that Jaufre is away for long periods of time, fighting. He has a reputation of having killed his first wife and it will take some time till the mystery of what happened to her comes to light.
I thought the backdrop of the political problems of the time was actually well done and given a bit more space than in most romances. At times it even seemed better explained than the romance itself because what I felt was lacking in Jaufre and Melyssan's story was time to just be a family and create bonds. Jaufre spent too much time troubled and unwilling to trust and then depressed which influences his relationship with Melyssan. I wanted time to see them well again and the end comes about a bit too abruptly for that. Overall I enjoyed reading it but it won't be joining the "my favourite medievals" bookshelf.
Grade: 4/5
Set in the time of Richard the Lionheart and King John (I seem to be reading and watching a lot of things set in this period lately) it is the story of Melyssan, a maiden with a club foot, and Jaufre a knight loyal to King John. The beginning is a bit unbelievable but, if you get past that, it is an enjoyable story. When the story opens Melyssan is living in Jaufre's castle Winterbourne, after having told the king that she is his wife to defend herself from his amorous advances. In a time where marriages were a political affair that needed the king's seal of approval I found it odd that the king would accept her word for it and that not one of Jaufre's servants found it odd that a wife suddenly appears in the doorstep and not only proceeds to live there but manages to evict the steward for stealing from the Earl.
But as I said, if you get past all this, it is an enjoyable story. When Jaufre returns home from the war her find his new "wife" installed in the castle and decides to keep her around and teach her lesson. Melyssan has been in love with Jaufre since she was a 9 year old child and he saved her from some youths, and he starts to develop some feelings for her once he spends more time with her. She is terrible conscious of not being a beauty and having a disability so she is more sensitive than most, Jaufre has a temper and a natural distrust of women in general and wives in particular which doesn't help advance their relationship. Their biggest problem is lack of communication but also the fact that Jaufre is away for long periods of time, fighting. He has a reputation of having killed his first wife and it will take some time till the mystery of what happened to her comes to light.
I thought the backdrop of the political problems of the time was actually well done and given a bit more space than in most romances. At times it even seemed better explained than the romance itself because what I felt was lacking in Jaufre and Melyssan's story was time to just be a family and create bonds. Jaufre spent too much time troubled and unwilling to trust and then depressed which influences his relationship with Melyssan. I wanted time to see them well again and the end comes about a bit too abruptly for that. Overall I enjoyed reading it but it won't be joining the "my favourite medievals" bookshelf.
Grade: 4/5
August 16, 2008
This was a good book but a little too much sex in it for me. I felt like I was skipping pages all over the place. But I really liked the idea of a crippled girl who escapes the king and claims to be married to a man she admired as a youth. When he comes home, it is most entertaining. I did enjoy it though.
April 2, 2010
Really enjoyed this - a lot more story and plot than most and I thought she wrote King John brilliantly
January 1, 2015
4.5 stars.
Quite bodice-rippery and engaging.
Quite bodice-rippery and engaging.
August 10, 2016
Picked this one after reading a sterling review in Likesbook but wasn't very happy with it.
October 27, 2008
Historical romance. Susan Carroll's best novel.
April 2, 2009
I really enjoyed this book.
October 4, 2024
*sigh* - t'was not for me. It started out very good, I enjoyed the setup and the heroine was very sweet and kind. But here is the rub, the hero was a relentlessly horrible shit-bag. I'll never understand why heroines fall in love and become utterly devoted to a man simply because he exists. For a romance to work, the hero needs at bare minimum a single quality that one can fall in love with. Not lust mind, I'm talking romantic love here.
There is a ghastly, loathsome moment in the book when the heroine gives birth to a little girl and he utterly rejects his daughter because 'I need a son'. He doesn't even bother to name her, because she's is a worthless female and it 'doesn't matter'. The whole episode is so wretched, so fucking vile and nasty, that I cannot forgive him. I spend the whole book yearning for the heroine to just get out, get away, flee far to some some remote Scottish island to live in peace with her precious daughter. But no, no, you see because the man in the most important thing you see and all must be sacrificed to appease his wants and desires. Fuck that! Fuck him! Fuck this book!
There is a ghastly, loathsome moment in the book when the heroine gives birth to a little girl and he utterly rejects his daughter because 'I need a son'. He doesn't even bother to name her, because she's is a worthless female and it 'doesn't matter'. The whole episode is so wretched, so fucking vile and nasty, that I cannot forgive him. I spend the whole book yearning for the heroine to just get out, get away, flee far to some some remote Scottish island to live in peace with her precious daughter. But no, no, you see because the man in the most important thing you see and all must be sacrificed to appease his wants and desires. Fuck that! Fuck him! Fuck this book!
December 20, 2024
I love a book where the hero or heroine is scarred or disabled. In this instance, Melyssan, our heroine, has a misshapen foot that makes her walk with a limp and use a cane.
Being set in the Medieval era, people thought it was a sign of the devil and taunted her and shunned her. Her own mother was cruel to her over it. She would never marry. She would never have children. Her only destination was the convent and she was prepared to accept her fate until real evil befell her and she had to pretend to be the wife of Jaufre de Macy and the mistress of his castle, Winterbourne.
Jaufre, The Dark Knight With No Mercy, was furious when he discovered this upon his return from France and rather than send her on her way, decided to play along. He put both her and her brother, Whitney, through the wringer, though and did it out of spite.
This was an incredible love story. It’s got drama, angst, adventure, tragedy, heartfelt moments, and a great ending.
This book is a shining example as to why I adore historical romances so much. The story kept my interest and the characters were magnificent, whether I liked them or not.
Solid five stars!
Being set in the Medieval era, people thought it was a sign of the devil and taunted her and shunned her. Her own mother was cruel to her over it. She would never marry. She would never have children. Her only destination was the convent and she was prepared to accept her fate until real evil befell her and she had to pretend to be the wife of Jaufre de Macy and the mistress of his castle, Winterbourne.
Jaufre, The Dark Knight With No Mercy, was furious when he discovered this upon his return from France and rather than send her on her way, decided to play along. He put both her and her brother, Whitney, through the wringer, though and did it out of spite.
This was an incredible love story. It’s got drama, angst, adventure, tragedy, heartfelt moments, and a great ending.
This book is a shining example as to why I adore historical romances so much. The story kept my interest and the characters were magnificent, whether I liked them or not.
Solid five stars!
July 15, 2020
Okay, well written, but too realistic not enough fantasy, love, romance, sweet, humor, etc.
I felt like I didn’t get enough of them to balance out the rough and stressful parts... I couldn’t keep it because of this reason... I loved them, but I felt like they were only a small percentage of the book, I was waiting for more of them and him getting back to her and being her Sir Lancelot... well written but too much and not enough of other stuff.
I felt like I didn’t get enough of them to balance out the rough and stressful parts... I couldn’t keep it because of this reason... I loved them, but I felt like they were only a small percentage of the book, I was waiting for more of them and him getting back to her and being her Sir Lancelot... well written but too much and not enough of other stuff.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2023
Unimpressive that's the first word that comes to my mind after finishing this book.
I liked how the author wrote but I hated how the story went(does that make sense?). I started of with an intense dislike of the h and when she grew a spine and grew on me , I started disliking the H ,who till then was very reminiscent of the H's from Julie Garwood books the tall,handsome ,brave, chivalrous warrior.
There are points in the book that got frustrating (spoiler:parts involving the king).
I liked how the author wrote but I hated how the story went(does that make sense?). I started of with an intense dislike of the h and when she grew a spine and grew on me , I started disliking the H ,who till then was very reminiscent of the H's from Julie Garwood books the tall,handsome ,brave, chivalrous warrior.
There are points in the book that got frustrating (spoiler:parts involving the king).
April 18, 2025
This book had me on the grips and the characters so real. It felt like my husband and I. Saying how you feel all the time is hard, This book totally grabbed me and wouldn't let go. The characters felt so real, it was crazy. It reminded me of my relationship, too. Sometimes it's hard, but being honest is so important. Totally recommend giving this one a read!
This book will forever be embedded in my heart.
This book will forever be embedded in my heart.
March 24, 2023
3.5 stars. The first half is fantastic, but the second half is bogged down by misunderstandings and the heroine's sense of worthlessness due to her club foot. The hero can be a bit of a ninny as he struggles to articulate his thoughts to the heroine (he keeps putting his foot in his mouth). Overall, it is an extremely well-written book.
July 10, 2022
Oof. Written in 1980s, and very much of its era. I think I've read it before, in the 2000s.
The edition sold on Smashwords would benefit from better proofreading to catch OCR errors.
Found it a bit heavy going.
The edition sold on Smashwords would benefit from better proofreading to catch OCR errors.
Found it a bit heavy going.
September 21, 2019
This was re-read. Enjoyed the first half much more than the second. 😉
June 7, 2025
Lady Melyssan, Lord Jaufre de Macy, King John and the rest of the characters seems so superficial. Melyssan is handicaped and Jaufre is so much older than her.
August 5, 2025
Extreme Achterbahn - es passiert viel zu viel - bis zum Ende. Anstrengend und irgendwie nicht besonders befriedigend.
August 8, 2025
Disturbing... DNF
June 9, 2014
Kurz-Meinung:
Dieses Buch sollte mich aus einem Lesetief herausholen. Susan Coppula ist ja Susan Carroll und das ist meine absolute Lieblingsschriftstellerin im Bereich historische Liebesromane. Tja, leider was das ganze sehr, sehr enttäuschend.
Bis zur Hälfte war es ganz okay, aber sehr langatmig und zwischen den beiden Hauptcharakteren wollte nicht so recht Stimmung aufkommen. Normalerweise schreibt die Autorin sehr humorvoll und locker, aber hier kam einfach nichts in Gange. Man hatte das Gefühl sie baut ganz langsam zu der großen Szene hin, wo dann endlich auch Jaufre einsieht, dass er Melysann liebt. Außerdem hatte ich im Netz gelesen, dass man durchhalten soll, da es dann ab Seite 150 (als ab der Hälfte) endlich richtig losgehen soll und die großen Gefühle aufkommen. Was mich dann ab Seite 150 erwartet war mehr als enttäuschend und ich stand kurz davor das Buch an die Wand zu werfen. Plötzlich wurde nämlich von einem auf den anderen Moment von der normalen Erzählweise auf eine Art Zusammenfassung umgeschwenkt und das von 9 Monaten in denen jede Menge passiert ist, wofür ich eigentlich so einen Roman lese. Vorallem wie nun beide endlich zusammengekommen sind und was die Beweggründe dafür waren. Aber nein nichts!!! Plötzlich wurde einem eine kurze Zusammenfassung gegeben, was passiert ist und jetzt befindet man sich plötzlich bereits an der Stelle wo Melysann ein Kind von ihm kriegt. Ich habe allen ernstes nochmal zurückgeblättert weil ich dachte mir fehlt hier ein ganzes Kapitel. Eben waren sie noch wie zwei Fremde auf der Falkenjagd und haben sich arg gestritten (ich dachte schon sie wird nun von der Burg flüchten) und dann wird auf einmal gesagt, dass sie nun schwanger ist, weil Jaufre sich plötzlich nach de Jagd entschieden hat sie in die Liebe einzuführen und sie zur rechtmäßigen Frau zu nehmen. Es wurde aber nie klar warum???? Boah, ich bin immer noch so wütend.
Wegen der Hinweise im Netzt das nun aber doch noch schöne Szenen kämen, las ich weiter. Leider wurde nichts besser. Jaufre scheint das Kind (Tochter) und seine Frau zu hassen. Es wird zwar ganz deutlich gemacht, dass er innerlich anders empfindet, beim Umgang mit den beiden ist er aber einfach unglaublich abweisend und ungehobelt. So was will ich nicht in einem Liebesroman lesen. Ich bin so maßlos enttäuscht. Da hätte ich lieber noch das langatmige Tempo vom Anfang gehabt, als so was.
Die Wortwahl im Buch war ebenfalls oft für mich unpassend. Mit der recht derben und ungehobelten Art wie die Männer selbst gehobenen Standes hier reden, könnte man noch akzeptieren, da wir uns im Mittelalter befanden. Dann benutzen die Leute aber auch ständig Wörter wie 'okay' oder Redewendungen wie 'alte Kamellen' oder es tritt gar ein Weihnachtsmann auf. Das War dann doch schon mehr als unpassend.
Ganz zum Ende hin wurde ich noch mit ein paar wenigen schönen Szenen vor allem zwischen Vater und Tochter beglückt, aber das konnte es dann auch nicht mehr für mich retten.
Leider muss ich daher sagen, dass ich das Buch nicht empfehlen kann. Das tut mir in der Seele weh, da ich die Schriftstellerin sonst schon fast vergöttere.
Meine Wertung:
2,6 von 5 Sternen
Dieses Buch sollte mich aus einem Lesetief herausholen. Susan Coppula ist ja Susan Carroll und das ist meine absolute Lieblingsschriftstellerin im Bereich historische Liebesromane. Tja, leider was das ganze sehr, sehr enttäuschend.
Bis zur Hälfte war es ganz okay, aber sehr langatmig und zwischen den beiden Hauptcharakteren wollte nicht so recht Stimmung aufkommen. Normalerweise schreibt die Autorin sehr humorvoll und locker, aber hier kam einfach nichts in Gange. Man hatte das Gefühl sie baut ganz langsam zu der großen Szene hin, wo dann endlich auch Jaufre einsieht, dass er Melysann liebt. Außerdem hatte ich im Netz gelesen, dass man durchhalten soll, da es dann ab Seite 150 (als ab der Hälfte) endlich richtig losgehen soll und die großen Gefühle aufkommen. Was mich dann ab Seite 150 erwartet war mehr als enttäuschend und ich stand kurz davor das Buch an die Wand zu werfen. Plötzlich wurde nämlich von einem auf den anderen Moment von der normalen Erzählweise auf eine Art Zusammenfassung umgeschwenkt und das von 9 Monaten in denen jede Menge passiert ist, wofür ich eigentlich so einen Roman lese. Vorallem wie nun beide endlich zusammengekommen sind und was die Beweggründe dafür waren. Aber nein nichts!!! Plötzlich wurde einem eine kurze Zusammenfassung gegeben, was passiert ist und jetzt befindet man sich plötzlich bereits an der Stelle wo Melysann ein Kind von ihm kriegt. Ich habe allen ernstes nochmal zurückgeblättert weil ich dachte mir fehlt hier ein ganzes Kapitel. Eben waren sie noch wie zwei Fremde auf der Falkenjagd und haben sich arg gestritten (ich dachte schon sie wird nun von der Burg flüchten) und dann wird auf einmal gesagt, dass sie nun schwanger ist, weil Jaufre sich plötzlich nach de Jagd entschieden hat sie in die Liebe einzuführen und sie zur rechtmäßigen Frau zu nehmen. Es wurde aber nie klar warum???? Boah, ich bin immer noch so wütend.
Wegen der Hinweise im Netzt das nun aber doch noch schöne Szenen kämen, las ich weiter. Leider wurde nichts besser. Jaufre scheint das Kind (Tochter) und seine Frau zu hassen. Es wird zwar ganz deutlich gemacht, dass er innerlich anders empfindet, beim Umgang mit den beiden ist er aber einfach unglaublich abweisend und ungehobelt. So was will ich nicht in einem Liebesroman lesen. Ich bin so maßlos enttäuscht. Da hätte ich lieber noch das langatmige Tempo vom Anfang gehabt, als so was.
Die Wortwahl im Buch war ebenfalls oft für mich unpassend. Mit der recht derben und ungehobelten Art wie die Männer selbst gehobenen Standes hier reden, könnte man noch akzeptieren, da wir uns im Mittelalter befanden. Dann benutzen die Leute aber auch ständig Wörter wie 'okay' oder Redewendungen wie 'alte Kamellen' oder es tritt gar ein Weihnachtsmann auf. Das War dann doch schon mehr als unpassend.
Ganz zum Ende hin wurde ich noch mit ein paar wenigen schönen Szenen vor allem zwischen Vater und Tochter beglückt, aber das konnte es dann auch nicht mehr für mich retten.
Leider muss ich daher sagen, dass ich das Buch nicht empfehlen kann. Das tut mir in der Seele weh, da ich die Schriftstellerin sonst schon fast vergöttere.
Meine Wertung:
2,6 von 5 Sternen
February 3, 2015
It took me a very long time to finish this book. The premises were good but I got bore fast despite the fact that it seems like there were too much things happening. Furthermore, many of the emotional situations could have been easily resolved with a bit of communication between the two main characters, and there were in my opinion too much time spent apart by the main characters resolving issues linked to side plots while few time were spent resolving issues linked to their couple. And the ending regarding the king went too easily
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews