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Scottish Medieval #3
A Sword Upon The Rose
New York Times bestselling author Brenda Joyce takes you back to the Highlands, where the battle for land, liberty and love rages on...
A bastard daughter, Alana was cast away at birth and forgotten by her mighty Comyn family. Raised in solitude by her grandmother, she has remained at a safe distance from the war raging through Scotland. But when a battle comes close to home and she finds herself compelled to save an enemy warrior from death, her own life is thrown into danger.
Iain of Islay's allegiance is to the formidable Robert Bruce. His beautiful rescuer captures both his attention and his desire, but Alana must keep her identity a secret even as she is swept up into a wild and forbidden affair. But as Bruce's army begins the final destruction of the earldom, Alana must decide between the family whose acceptance she's always sought, or the man she so wrongly loves.
A bastard daughter, Alana was cast away at birth and forgotten by her mighty Comyn family. Raised in solitude by her grandmother, she has remained at a safe distance from the war raging through Scotland. But when a battle comes close to home and she finds herself compelled to save an enemy warrior from death, her own life is thrown into danger.
Iain of Islay's allegiance is to the formidable Robert Bruce. His beautiful rescuer captures both his attention and his desire, but Alana must keep her identity a secret even as she is swept up into a wild and forbidden affair. But as Bruce's army begins the final destruction of the earldom, Alana must decide between the family whose acceptance she's always sought, or the man she so wrongly loves.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 16, 2014
41 people are currently reading
989 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Joyce
106 books1,298 followersBrenda Joyce is the bestselling author of forty-one novels and five novellas. She has won many awards, and her debut novel, Innocent Fire, won a Best Western Romance award. She has also won the highly coveted Best Historical Romance award for Splendor and Two Lifetime Achievement Awards from Romantic Times BOOKreviews. There are over 14 million copies of her novels in print and she is published in over a dozen foreign countries.
A native New Yorker, she now lives in southern Arizona with her son, dogs, and her Arabian and half-Arabian reining horses. Brenda divides her time between her twin passions—writing powerful love stories and competing with her horses at regional and national levels. For more information about Brenda and her upcoming novels, please visit her Web sites: www.brendajoyce.com, www.thedewarennedynasty.com and http://mastersoftimebooks.com.
A native New Yorker, she now lives in southern Arizona with her son, dogs, and her Arabian and half-Arabian reining horses. Brenda divides her time between her twin passions—writing powerful love stories and competing with her horses at regional and national levels. For more information about Brenda and her upcoming novels, please visit her Web sites: www.brendajoyce.com, www.thedewarennedynasty.com and http://mastersoftimebooks.com.
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August 19, 2022DNF Stopped at page 121. No chemistry between the MC and I don't care about them. I'm just 😴
July 9, 2021
Brenda Joyce is a wonderful writer! I loved the story, set in Scotland during the rise of Robert the Bruce. Alana is the bravest heroine I've seen in a long time. She suffers through cold, hunger, beatings, a miscarriage, and never waivers in her loyalty to her family, especially her wonderful grandmother. I was so happy when Iain finally realized that he couldn't live without her!
The only reason I give this book four stars instead of five is that the violence, brutality and misery of the story seemed to crowd out the romance at times. I wanted more of Iain and Alana together, and maybe a few scenes of Alana being waited on and spoiled to make up for all the misery at the beginning. But Brenda Joyce is a great romantic storyteller and I look forward to reading more of her books!
The only reason I give this book four stars instead of five is that the violence, brutality and misery of the story seemed to crowd out the romance at times. I wanted more of Iain and Alana together, and maybe a few scenes of Alana being waited on and spoiled to make up for all the misery at the beginning. But Brenda Joyce is a great romantic storyteller and I look forward to reading more of her books!
August 2, 2014
I always look forward to the next book by Brenda Joyce—and, to put icing on this particular cake, it's not set in the Georgian or Victorian eras!
Alana is the bastard daughter of Alexander Comyn, niece to the nasty Earl of Buchan. Her ancestral lands have been awarded to another nasty fellow, and because she's a bastard and she has "the sight," everybody except her step-grandmother treats her like something to be scraped out of a chamber pot.
Unfortunately, that includes the Iain of Islay, the "hero" of this piece. He's one of Robert Bruce's best men, busily burning villages and castles and basically leaving lots of people in Buchan territories homeless. They meet because she has a vision of him getting knifed in the back, and a few days later when she sees the scene begin to play out, even though the Highlander is her family's enemy, Alana can't just watch him be killed. She warns him, and gets accused of spying for her trouble.
Even so, there's a great attraction between the two, played against the prelude to the historical Harrying of Buchan. Alana is torn between loyalty to her alternately neglectful, then abusive family and to the man she, for some reason, loves.
This is a classic "doormat heroine" story, so while I always really like Brenda Joyce and this is no exception, I recommend it only if you have the stomach for that kind of thing. It's well-written, chock full of great historical detail (even if some license is taken), and emotionally compelling, but use your mouth guard while reading, to avoid wear and tear on the teeth.
4 stars.
Alana is the bastard daughter of Alexander Comyn, niece to the nasty Earl of Buchan. Her ancestral lands have been awarded to another nasty fellow, and because she's a bastard and she has "the sight," everybody except her step-grandmother treats her like something to be scraped out of a chamber pot.
Unfortunately, that includes the Iain of Islay, the "hero" of this piece. He's one of Robert Bruce's best men, busily burning villages and castles and basically leaving lots of people in Buchan territories homeless. They meet because she has a vision of him getting knifed in the back, and a few days later when she sees the scene begin to play out, even though the Highlander is her family's enemy, Alana can't just watch him be killed. She warns him, and gets accused of spying for her trouble.
Even so, there's a great attraction between the two, played against the prelude to the historical Harrying of Buchan. Alana is torn between loyalty to her alternately neglectful, then abusive family and to the man she, for some reason, loves.
This is a classic "doormat heroine" story, so while I always really like Brenda Joyce and this is no exception, I recommend it only if you have the stomach for that kind of thing. It's well-written, chock full of great historical detail (even if some license is taken), and emotionally compelling, but use your mouth guard while reading, to avoid wear and tear on the teeth.
4 stars.
February 4, 2024
В любовните романи харесвам истински единствено сюжети, където героите стават в края, и то убедително, поне мъничко по-добри, отколкото са били в началото. В случая героинята надвива донякъде наивността и желанието на всяка цена да се хареса на отвратителните си роднини (това качество у много хора е просто универсално и взема ужасна дан). А героят поне в едно отношение хвърля на заден план изгарящата си амбиция за титли и пари (и това е най-големият напредък за такъв характер), както и схващането, че жените са предмети (тук напредъкът е по-слаб, но предвид епохата - значителен).
Старата бодис рипърка подмята клишетата като фокусник, и ги раздвижва в приятна история от 14-ти век и войните на крал Робърт Брус. Естествено, героинята е леко шизофренична, но като цяло доста зряла за жанра. Дори отчаяното и желание да обича слабоволевия си и страхлив баща, който я е зарязал в съответствие с нравите на епохата още преди тя да се роди, звучи убедително. Хепи ендът не ми се видя насилен, любовната история беше логична, без насилени драми и изсмукани от пръстите недоразумения - направо бързо се разбраха. Е, героят до последно обмисляше дали да не последва амбициите си за обширни владения и богата зестра със съответната наследница, но какво чудно има - войната винаги е била доходно занятие, и никой не живее от въздуха. И войната, както се вижда, я описват по-зряло старите авторки, без романтичния ореол, любовта към ужасите или идиотската политкоректност на новата вълна.
3,5 ⭐️
Старата бодис рипърка подмята клишетата като фокусник, и ги раздвижва в приятна история от 14-ти век и войните на крал Робърт Брус. Естествено, героинята е леко шизофренична, но като цяло доста зряла за жанра. Дори отчаяното и желание да обича слабоволевия си и страхлив баща, който я е зарязал в съответствие с нравите на епохата още преди тя да се роди, звучи убедително. Хепи ендът не ми се видя насилен, любовната история беше логична, без насилени драми и изсмукани от пръстите недоразумения - направо бързо се разбраха. Е, героят до последно обмисляше дали да не последва амбициите си за обширни владения и богата зестра със съответната наследница, но какво чудно има - войната винаги е била доходно занятие, и никой не живее от въздуха. И войната, както се вижда, я описват по-зряло старите авторки, без романтичния ореол, любовта към ужасите или идиотската политкоректност на новата вълна.
3,5 ⭐️
June 22, 2014
I won a copy of this book from a goodreads contest for a fair review.
I think the book is an interesting depiction of war, but I did not enjoy the romance at all. I found the heroine ridiculous and the hero unlikeable. I really wanted to like this book, but I found the love story too frustrating.
I think the book is an interesting depiction of war, but I did not enjoy the romance at all. I found the heroine ridiculous and the hero unlikeable. I really wanted to like this book, but I found the love story too frustrating.
April 8, 2024
Zašto su muški u ovakvim ljubićima uvijek ekstra šupci? A jedino kad su nježni je kad im se digne. Osim ako joj se ne želi osvetiti za izdaju. Onda je rough sex ALI bez maženja poslije.
June 22, 2017
I've got mixed feelings about this book. Some parts were great - interesting, gripping, fast-paced. But some parts were not so good - always crying heroine, strange choices, unbelievable situations. Overall, I liked it. But I won't read it again.
July 6, 2014
Alana is a naive little nitwit
June 13, 2014
Originally reviewed for Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy.
One woman who has to make an awful choice, family or love? Not an unusual trope for a romance book but Brenda Joyce tells such an intense tale of a woman torn that you never consider it ordinary.
Having been raised in the United States very few wars have actually touched our soil, so when we think if the Civil War (ours of course) one of the hardest concepts (and most tragic) is the brother vs brother concept. Intellectually we understand that they died for their ideals but in our hearts it's a different story. The thing we forget is we aren't the first country to go through this. And our actual war only lasted four years. In Scotland it lasted for generations. Of course politics and loyalty were just as important as ideals.
What made A Sword Upon the Rose so very interesting is that much of it was written from a Cromyn supporters view point. Most books written during this period are pro Bruce. I had to smile when some of the names of real people came up or real events because I actually knew something about them.. gotta love historical romance.
Born a bastard Alana was tossed aside by her powerful Comyn family. Raised on the edges in the home that was her mother's, her mother's property was given to another when she was eight (after all a bastard can't inherit). She became the ward of a man who made it clear that he wanted her, ewwww. A one time meeting with her father gave her hope of a better life but no one wanted her since she was considered a witch. No one wanted her that is until they realized that her visions might come in handy. After being unable to force a favorable vision she was beaten and once again tossed aside. But still she had hope that someday she would be loved.
Iain of Isley is a fourth son with a thirst for more. Having risen in the ranks of Robert the Bruce's army he finds himself confused when an innocent lady warns him of danger and takes the time to heal him before continuing her journey. Finding het once again after winning a seige only this time left locked in a turret room while the enemy fled the castle he is sure there is something between them. It would help if he had a clue as to who she actually was.
Usually I enjoy Ms. Joyce's work but I found this book a bit off. The general story and the historical references were well done but I didn't enjoy the characters.
Iain was, well typical to a man of his time but not a sympathetic character. Alana saves his life, he's suspicious... he finds Alana beaten and locked in a tower, he trusts her. He sleeps with her, it must be love. She asks him to refrain from burning the castle, the town and all the crops, she's chosen the other side. She rides to share info that once again saves him, he loves her. He brings her to his camp and introduces her to the woman who is "taking care of his needs", well she means nothing. He finds out who her father is, she's a spy. It goes on and on. He just wasn't likeable.
Alana wasn't much better..She was neglected by her family but believed they truly love her..believe them over the grandmother who loved and raised her. And yet she loved them so much that even when she realized she would never be good enough for Iain, she betrays them for land. Where's the love in that?
While Iain's stock kept falling, Godfrey a secondary character became stronger and extremely likeable character. A true friend.
If this was just a love story between Iain and Alana, I would find a hard time giving it two stars. But it's not. It's a story about an intriguing country with a rich and vibrant history. It's about the people who survived and the choices they were forced to make. It's about brother vs brother. And most of all it's about love, the love of a country. And that saves this book. Enough to bring it up to three stars and makes it a good solid book.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of The Sword Upon the Rose, provided by NetGalley and scheduled for release on June 24, 2014
One woman who has to make an awful choice, family or love? Not an unusual trope for a romance book but Brenda Joyce tells such an intense tale of a woman torn that you never consider it ordinary.
Having been raised in the United States very few wars have actually touched our soil, so when we think if the Civil War (ours of course) one of the hardest concepts (and most tragic) is the brother vs brother concept. Intellectually we understand that they died for their ideals but in our hearts it's a different story. The thing we forget is we aren't the first country to go through this. And our actual war only lasted four years. In Scotland it lasted for generations. Of course politics and loyalty were just as important as ideals.
What made A Sword Upon the Rose so very interesting is that much of it was written from a Cromyn supporters view point. Most books written during this period are pro Bruce. I had to smile when some of the names of real people came up or real events because I actually knew something about them.. gotta love historical romance.
Born a bastard Alana was tossed aside by her powerful Comyn family. Raised on the edges in the home that was her mother's, her mother's property was given to another when she was eight (after all a bastard can't inherit). She became the ward of a man who made it clear that he wanted her, ewwww. A one time meeting with her father gave her hope of a better life but no one wanted her since she was considered a witch. No one wanted her that is until they realized that her visions might come in handy. After being unable to force a favorable vision she was beaten and once again tossed aside. But still she had hope that someday she would be loved.
Iain of Isley is a fourth son with a thirst for more. Having risen in the ranks of Robert the Bruce's army he finds himself confused when an innocent lady warns him of danger and takes the time to heal him before continuing her journey. Finding het once again after winning a seige only this time left locked in a turret room while the enemy fled the castle he is sure there is something between them. It would help if he had a clue as to who she actually was.
Usually I enjoy Ms. Joyce's work but I found this book a bit off. The general story and the historical references were well done but I didn't enjoy the characters.
Iain was, well typical to a man of his time but not a sympathetic character. Alana saves his life, he's suspicious... he finds Alana beaten and locked in a tower, he trusts her. He sleeps with her, it must be love. She asks him to refrain from burning the castle, the town and all the crops, she's chosen the other side. She rides to share info that once again saves him, he loves her. He brings her to his camp and introduces her to the woman who is "taking care of his needs", well she means nothing. He finds out who her father is, she's a spy. It goes on and on. He just wasn't likeable.
Alana wasn't much better..She was neglected by her family but believed they truly love her..believe them over the grandmother who loved and raised her. And yet she loved them so much that even when she realized she would never be good enough for Iain, she betrays them for land. Where's the love in that?
While Iain's stock kept falling, Godfrey a secondary character became stronger and extremely likeable character. A true friend.
If this was just a love story between Iain and Alana, I would find a hard time giving it two stars. But it's not. It's a story about an intriguing country with a rich and vibrant history. It's about the people who survived and the choices they were forced to make. It's about brother vs brother. And most of all it's about love, the love of a country. And that saves this book. Enough to bring it up to three stars and makes it a good solid book.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of The Sword Upon the Rose, provided by NetGalley and scheduled for release on June 24, 2014
May 23, 2014
I received a ARC copy in exchange for a honest review
Alana, is known as the bastard daughter and has been hidden away, and along with her gift or foresight, she is feared among many, and used by her own family. She is the niece of the leader of the Comyn family, but is hardly treated as such. When Robert Bruce and his forces start attacking her families' holdings, her uncle is desperate to find a way to stop him, with using Alana as the means of doing it. But when she has a vision, of a fierce warrior being betrayed and almost killed, she knows that she must save him, she doesn't know why, she just knows that she must. While answering summons, Alana and her grandmother, come across a battle on a holding, and she sees the man from her vision, and manages to barely save his life, and a fierce attraction between Alana and the infamous Iain of Islay begins. Alana withholds her true identity from him and her gift, knowing that he could very well hand her over to Bruce and have her killed. So she must keep silent. But when they meet again, a sensual embrace turns into a love affair that will take Alana and Iain amid the dangers of the war that could tear their love apart, or bring about a match never to be broken...
A Sword Upon The Rose is the second book in this series, and it follows up where the first book left off. I have to say that this story aroused many sensations, and it is pack with plenty of historical information, that only adds a certain depth to this romance, which leaves a feeling of intensity from beginning to end. It begins with Alana having a vision of the infamous Iain. Then she meets him for the first time shortly after, and for the first time Alana feels the tender touch of a man, a man who is powerful and a warrior and fighting with Bruce, but treats her far better than anyone except for her grandmother has ever done. As tensions rise between the two armies, Alana soon faces a difficult choice, the loyalty to her family or loyalty to the only man she has ever loved. Alana feels torn in two, but she knows in her heart who has her loyalty and her heart, and no matter what the future holds, she knows she needs to take a chance on that one person who cares more for her than anyone ever has.
The characters in this story are very moving and there seems to be a pull the readers feels for them, almost without fully realizing it. The hero, Iain, is a hardened warrior, loyal and has had to make difficult choices. He is very sensual and possessive and is the type to give you weak knees. Alana hasn't had the easiest life either. Being born a bastard, and has always felt unloved most of her life, but she has such a inner strength that is admirable and I couldn't help but find myself endeared to both of these characters, they seems so good for each other. However it isn't all roses and daisies, this story isn't for the faint of heart, its not a light romance, but has a deep and is full of turmoil and conflict, but is one of the most satisfying romances I have ever read.
Rich in history significance, intense in the engaging plot, powerful in this love story that tugs at those heart strings, and will create a beyond memorable experience of stepping back in time, and feeling every riveting display of emotion that engages the reader from the beginning. A GLORIOUS TALE TO TREASURE!!
Alana, is known as the bastard daughter and has been hidden away, and along with her gift or foresight, she is feared among many, and used by her own family. She is the niece of the leader of the Comyn family, but is hardly treated as such. When Robert Bruce and his forces start attacking her families' holdings, her uncle is desperate to find a way to stop him, with using Alana as the means of doing it. But when she has a vision, of a fierce warrior being betrayed and almost killed, she knows that she must save him, she doesn't know why, she just knows that she must. While answering summons, Alana and her grandmother, come across a battle on a holding, and she sees the man from her vision, and manages to barely save his life, and a fierce attraction between Alana and the infamous Iain of Islay begins. Alana withholds her true identity from him and her gift, knowing that he could very well hand her over to Bruce and have her killed. So she must keep silent. But when they meet again, a sensual embrace turns into a love affair that will take Alana and Iain amid the dangers of the war that could tear their love apart, or bring about a match never to be broken...
A Sword Upon The Rose is the second book in this series, and it follows up where the first book left off. I have to say that this story aroused many sensations, and it is pack with plenty of historical information, that only adds a certain depth to this romance, which leaves a feeling of intensity from beginning to end. It begins with Alana having a vision of the infamous Iain. Then she meets him for the first time shortly after, and for the first time Alana feels the tender touch of a man, a man who is powerful and a warrior and fighting with Bruce, but treats her far better than anyone except for her grandmother has ever done. As tensions rise between the two armies, Alana soon faces a difficult choice, the loyalty to her family or loyalty to the only man she has ever loved. Alana feels torn in two, but she knows in her heart who has her loyalty and her heart, and no matter what the future holds, she knows she needs to take a chance on that one person who cares more for her than anyone ever has.
The characters in this story are very moving and there seems to be a pull the readers feels for them, almost without fully realizing it. The hero, Iain, is a hardened warrior, loyal and has had to make difficult choices. He is very sensual and possessive and is the type to give you weak knees. Alana hasn't had the easiest life either. Being born a bastard, and has always felt unloved most of her life, but she has such a inner strength that is admirable and I couldn't help but find myself endeared to both of these characters, they seems so good for each other. However it isn't all roses and daisies, this story isn't for the faint of heart, its not a light romance, but has a deep and is full of turmoil and conflict, but is one of the most satisfying romances I have ever read.
Rich in history significance, intense in the engaging plot, powerful in this love story that tugs at those heart strings, and will create a beyond memorable experience of stepping back in time, and feeling every riveting display of emotion that engages the reader from the beginning. A GLORIOUS TALE TO TREASURE!!
April 2, 2019
It was my first book of Brenda Jones.
Let me just say this. I started reading and I could not put it down! I found the whole historic background following the love story intriguing and when a historic novel, romance or not, makes me want to go and search the actual historic facts I consider it a success on its own accord!
I found Alana, the female protagonist, right where she is supposed to be; full of pain, naivity and yet in a constant need to trust and believe in love and family. I have seen many modern women act like that, even though their ending was not blissful…
A child out of wedlock in the 1300s Highlands, destitute of her inheritance, having been raised with no mother and only a lady to act as a relative, seeking her father, cursed with an ability to predict the vile future starts as a scared rabbit to end up to what was right to her.
Deciding to go into the heavy snow to warn her lover was an act of sacrifice all together. When she asked for the hand in marriage of Iain of Islay apart from her mother’s land and castle from Robert Bruce, which was expected, I laughed out loud. It was around 0100 in the morning. I loved how this naïve, wounded, full of doubts and worries character had grown to a woman claiming what she wanted.
Iain on the other hand appears as a cold fierce warrior. He could be a Spartan equivalent if born in a different country and in a different era. I hated it when he treated Alana like a piece of meat that could just use when he learnt that she is the “enemy’s niece.”And then, I stopped. Of course I would hate it. I needed to hate Iain but see Alana’s love. Alana kept loving him no matter what. Sometimes it shows naivity, but if love conquers all in the end it also conquered Iain.
The part where she wants to save her sister no matter how Alice had treated her, and the fact that Alana’s love stays concrete was true romance. As romantic people use all their emotions to do what is right. Great heroine!
It is not the way I would have treated myself or think about love. Alana did it though and I keep thinking of the story three days after. And as soon as I have time I will reread parts of it, I am sure.
I totally recommend even though the dialogues were too simple at points.
Let me just say this. I started reading and I could not put it down! I found the whole historic background following the love story intriguing and when a historic novel, romance or not, makes me want to go and search the actual historic facts I consider it a success on its own accord!
I found Alana, the female protagonist, right where she is supposed to be; full of pain, naivity and yet in a constant need to trust and believe in love and family. I have seen many modern women act like that, even though their ending was not blissful…
A child out of wedlock in the 1300s Highlands, destitute of her inheritance, having been raised with no mother and only a lady to act as a relative, seeking her father, cursed with an ability to predict the vile future starts as a scared rabbit to end up to what was right to her.
Deciding to go into the heavy snow to warn her lover was an act of sacrifice all together. When she asked for the hand in marriage of Iain of Islay apart from her mother’s land and castle from Robert Bruce, which was expected, I laughed out loud. It was around 0100 in the morning. I loved how this naïve, wounded, full of doubts and worries character had grown to a woman claiming what she wanted.
Iain on the other hand appears as a cold fierce warrior. He could be a Spartan equivalent if born in a different country and in a different era. I hated it when he treated Alana like a piece of meat that could just use when he learnt that she is the “enemy’s niece.”And then, I stopped. Of course I would hate it. I needed to hate Iain but see Alana’s love. Alana kept loving him no matter what. Sometimes it shows naivity, but if love conquers all in the end it also conquered Iain.
The part where she wants to save her sister no matter how Alice had treated her, and the fact that Alana’s love stays concrete was true romance. As romantic people use all their emotions to do what is right. Great heroine!
It is not the way I would have treated myself or think about love. Alana did it though and I keep thinking of the story three days after. And as soon as I have time I will reread parts of it, I am sure.
I totally recommend even though the dialogues were too simple at points.
May 7, 2014
Alana, bastard born, is living her life under the control of the men around her, a father that never claimed her, with a family of his own, an uncle who is powerful yet she's never seen and a guardian who abuses her. She has nothing, not even her mother's lands, her home.
So when she gets a chance to be cared for, a chance to claim what is rightfully hers, should she take it? Even if it meant going to the enemy against her family? Even if it meant betraying those closest to her?
Alana had to make a lot of hard decisions, keep secrets and break promises and rules. I didn't agree with her actions, but she did what she thought was right for her, I thought she was selfish, but then she did go through a lot.
Books with realistic history tend to have characters that do things we don't necessary agree on, yet it is logical, or needed.
Alana through her stubbornness and determination and very hard decisions stands against the men that control her life and gets what she wants.
The story was full of action and I was left guessing at what will happen next to the end.
But while we knew exactly what Alana was thinking all the time, Unfortunately, Iain's character was not explained, the book is from Alana's prospective, which left Iain out of depth and did not help in building his character and making it appealing to us.
The history is well researched and detailed, but as with all fiction, some liberties were taken in the building of the characters but not with the historical events.
Overall an enjoyable read although I was a but disappointed that we didn't see more of Iain.
This review is for a free ARC courtesy of Harlequin via NetGalley.
So when she gets a chance to be cared for, a chance to claim what is rightfully hers, should she take it? Even if it meant going to the enemy against her family? Even if it meant betraying those closest to her?
Alana had to make a lot of hard decisions, keep secrets and break promises and rules. I didn't agree with her actions, but she did what she thought was right for her, I thought she was selfish, but then she did go through a lot.
Books with realistic history tend to have characters that do things we don't necessary agree on, yet it is logical, or needed.
Alana through her stubbornness and determination and very hard decisions stands against the men that control her life and gets what she wants.
The story was full of action and I was left guessing at what will happen next to the end.
But while we knew exactly what Alana was thinking all the time, Unfortunately, Iain's character was not explained, the book is from Alana's prospective, which left Iain out of depth and did not help in building his character and making it appealing to us.
The history is well researched and detailed, but as with all fiction, some liberties were taken in the building of the characters but not with the historical events.
Overall an enjoyable read although I was a but disappointed that we didn't see more of Iain.
This review is for a free ARC courtesy of Harlequin via NetGalley.
August 11, 2021
4 stars. I finished this book- and lately that has been a challenge, so kudos to this book for holding my attention. I hate being in book slumps! Anyway, I did catch myself skimming at the very end, but not too terribly.
I can see why the heroine might get on readers nerves, but I had a soft spot in my heart for her and I thought Brenda Joyce did a good job explaining what childhood suffering and loneliness can do for someone’s self-esteem. Plus, Alana wasn’t a stupid feisty heroine who made HUGE senseless decisions. Don’t get me wrong, she withheld information that would have been better just being said, but then we wouldn’t have a BR adventure now, would we?
I wish more time had been spent on Iain falling in love with Alane. It was sort of insta-love, which I despise. BUT it wasn’t terrible. It was a simple book, but I liked it.
I can see why the heroine might get on readers nerves, but I had a soft spot in my heart for her and I thought Brenda Joyce did a good job explaining what childhood suffering and loneliness can do for someone’s self-esteem. Plus, Alana wasn’t a stupid feisty heroine who made HUGE senseless decisions. Don’t get me wrong, she withheld information that would have been better just being said, but then we wouldn’t have a BR adventure now, would we?
I wish more time had been spent on Iain falling in love with Alane. It was sort of insta-love, which I despise. BUT it wasn’t terrible. It was a simple book, but I liked it.
June 22, 2023
Argh!!!!! Iain is an a**!! What a terrible character. And Alana…I don’t know what to do with her? I fear she is so stupidly in love with Iain, she doesn’t have a sane thought in her head! Argh!!!
October 17, 2014
Ok, I was halfway through the book and had to force myself to finish it. Don't get me wrong, I loved Brenda's Masters of Time series. I couldn't put those down. I am absolutely disappointed in this book and I don't even know where to start. I liked Iain but his character was so two dimentional it did hurt. He would have been such a great hero and a ferocious warrior with a bit more inside into what was driving him, why he was obeying his lord and king and what he would have gained from his loyalty in war. The book was written from the view of Alana but I did not get her. She was a very disturbed character, pretty much crying most of the time, apparently too independent for her own good but with such a low self-esteem (due to her upbringing). The sex scenes were forced and horrible. I did not feel the heat that usually oozes out of Brenda Joyce's novels.
Halfway through the book I thought she might end up with another character from the book as her relationship to her "love of her life" cooled down significantly due to her repeatedly disobeying and lieing to him and I felt a better connection between these two than the MCs. Most of the time the hero and heroine were apart as he was always away fighting and the few times they were together they either faught or had sex. No love, no caring, no nothing. The dialogues were weird. He ordered her arround and she defied him at every corner, disobeying and doing pretty much her own thing. Somehow she reminds me a bit of Scarlet O'Hara (Gone with the Wind), a spoilt woman who finds fulfillment in owning property. Stuff family, stuff the man you love, go for the castle you would have inherited if you were born on the right side of the blanket. ~smack my head on the pillow in lack of a table or a close wall~.
This book had so much potential but in this case a total miss for me. :(
Halfway through the book I thought she might end up with another character from the book as her relationship to her "love of her life" cooled down significantly due to her repeatedly disobeying and lieing to him and I felt a better connection between these two than the MCs. Most of the time the hero and heroine were apart as he was always away fighting and the few times they were together they either faught or had sex. No love, no caring, no nothing. The dialogues were weird. He ordered her arround and she defied him at every corner, disobeying and doing pretty much her own thing. Somehow she reminds me a bit of Scarlet O'Hara (Gone with the Wind), a spoilt woman who finds fulfillment in owning property. Stuff family, stuff the man you love, go for the castle you would have inherited if you were born on the right side of the blanket. ~smack my head on the pillow in lack of a table or a close wall~.
This book had so much potential but in this case a total miss for me. :(
May 10, 2014
I read this book in starts and stops. Ms Joyce's writing abilities are usually better. She has a lot of books behind her in historical romances, but I really didn't want to finish. Being a avid reader, I thought I would enjoy reading a tale of Medieval knights and their ladies.
The characters were standard fare with lots of action on and off the battlefield. I liked Iain of Islay who supports Robert the Bruce in times of English against Scottish. Ian is loyal, handsome and ready to fight for what he believes in.
When Iain meets the beautiful Alana, she saves him from death during a battle near her home. Even though Alana is the bastard daughter of the Comyn family, she will keep her secret safe from the Highlander who threatens her security. Can two people from different backgrounds and countries, give love a chance to win their hearts?
Like I said, I liked this book, but didn't love it.
Thanks Net Galley for giving me the chance to give an honest review.
The characters were standard fare with lots of action on and off the battlefield. I liked Iain of Islay who supports Robert the Bruce in times of English against Scottish. Ian is loyal, handsome and ready to fight for what he believes in.
When Iain meets the beautiful Alana, she saves him from death during a battle near her home. Even though Alana is the bastard daughter of the Comyn family, she will keep her secret safe from the Highlander who threatens her security. Can two people from different backgrounds and countries, give love a chance to win their hearts?
Like I said, I liked this book, but didn't love it.
Thanks Net Galley for giving me the chance to give an honest review.
September 22, 2014
Brenda Joyce is an author who truly respects the historical part of historical romance which is why I like reading her romances. A Sword Upon the Rose exemplifies what a historical romance should be where the hisory isn't wallpaper or alternative historical with the characters acting and thinking like 21st century individuals.
A Sword Upon the Rose is an engaging story of the heroine's journey to happy ever after. She's a bastard daughter of the aristocracy. Her mother died, her father forgot about her for decades and she resides in a castle which should have been hers but where she is an outcast because she has visions of the future. The hero is a ruthless warrior. A fourth son who may be married to a wealthy heiress. The perfect setting for delivering drama, angst and passion which is delivered.
My only criticism is there is no description of the hero's inner thoughts. But once I realized this is the heroine's journey it didn't bother me as much. I did miss it tho.
A Sword Upon the Rose is an engaging story of the heroine's journey to happy ever after. She's a bastard daughter of the aristocracy. Her mother died, her father forgot about her for decades and she resides in a castle which should have been hers but where she is an outcast because she has visions of the future. The hero is a ruthless warrior. A fourth son who may be married to a wealthy heiress. The perfect setting for delivering drama, angst and passion which is delivered.
My only criticism is there is no description of the hero's inner thoughts. But once I realized this is the heroine's journey it didn't bother me as much. I did miss it tho.
May 23, 2014
I had a really tough time with this book, I used to love Brenda Joyce's historical romances. This was a horrible imitation of her previous work. The heroine was unlikable, annoying, whiny, and STUPID! She is 20 years old, which in historical context is freaking old, and she makes really dumb decisions. She says she hates her leige lord and his son, but the reason for why she hates the son is never really provided. The second time she meets the hero she's already thinking about sleeping with him; she jumps from barely knowing the guy, to being friends with him, and then lovers in one sentence (THOUGHTS IN HER MIND!) Hero was barely a character, he had no depth. The history was accurate but honestly I don't know much about this period so I can't speak as an authority. All in all don't waste your time!
June 17, 2014
Talk about your action packed Scottish highlander romance!! Lots of war during this time of Robert the Bruce. I actually want to rate it a 3.5 but the star system doesn't allow it!! I liked the development of Alana - her visions, her caring for her gran Eleanor -- and how she felt about Brodie Castle. The feel was there in the book.
I like Brenda and her writing -- but there wasn't the depth to the emotions between Alana and Iain that I have felt in her other romance couples...until the end.
She was great about portraying the Earl of Buchan and Sir Alexander --- all in all I liked this read.
I like Brenda and her writing -- but there wasn't the depth to the emotions between Alana and Iain that I have felt in her other romance couples...until the end.
She was great about portraying the Earl of Buchan and Sir Alexander --- all in all I liked this read.
May 23, 2018
beware to readers who dislike abusive heroes
I was really enjoying this book until about half way when the hero became abusive to the heroine. She submits to being manhandled and his forceful sex (which she believes he would not stop no matter how hard she fought!), then she begs for him to believe she loves him and that she is being honest with him. He is cruel and she us forced to betray her family to prove herself.
I don't know how this is romantic. It screams domestic violence -- both physical and mental. I couldn't like either character after these particular few scenes so I stopped reading. The stars I gave were for the first part of the book.
I was really enjoying this book until about half way when the hero became abusive to the heroine. She submits to being manhandled and his forceful sex (which she believes he would not stop no matter how hard she fought!), then she begs for him to believe she loves him and that she is being honest with him. He is cruel and she us forced to betray her family to prove herself.
I don't know how this is romantic. It screams domestic violence -- both physical and mental. I couldn't like either character after these particular few scenes so I stopped reading. The stars I gave were for the first part of the book.
August 11, 2014
I did not like how this book made me feel. The hero was a total lustful a**hole while the heroine was just pathetic. But I still would read from Brenda Joyce, I just didn't know what she was thinking while she wrote this book.
Follow me!
Follow me!
September 10, 2016
I really enjoyed this book! The struggles of the main character to stay true to herself and to pursue the man she loves is very interesting. The only reason I did not give it the highest rating is because of the abrupt ending.
April 26, 2018
La rosa e la spada è uno splendido romanzo historical romance, ben scritto, ambientato in una Scozia travolta dalla guerra tra i Comyn fedeli agli inglesi e Robert Bruce, che reclama per sé il titolo di Re di Scozia. Alana e Iain sono schierati sui due fronti opposti. Lui è uno degli uomini migliori al servizio di Robert Bruce, un vero guerriero, in certi frangenti anche spietato, perché questo è quello che gli viene richiesto. Radere al suolo intere città, seminare paura e timore nella gente comune, per essere sicuro che in futuro ci pensino due volte prima di schierarsi a favore degli inglesi, per lui tutto è lecito in favore della causa di Robert Bruce e la sua lealtà non ha mai un’esitazione, nemmeno di fronte alla sua attrazione per Alana. La ragazza invece dubbi e incertezze ne ha molti dopo il suo incontro con Iain. La sua vita è stata veramente molto difficile, sia a causa del fatto di essere una figlia illegittima, sia per alcune doti che la rendono speciale e hanno causato un ulteriore isolamento nei suoi confronti. L’unica persona che le ha dimostrato affetto e le è stata vicina è stata la nonna. È una Comyn, il nemico di Robert Bruce, e i sentimenti che prova per Iain la mettono in una posizione difficilissima. Il dovere di essere leale nei confronti della sua famiglia si scontra con quello che prova per Iain. Nasconde la sua vera identità e da questa scelta cominciano gli alti e bassi della sua relazione con Iain. Di certo non li eleggerei “coppia perfetta romance dell’anno”. Di errori ne fanno tanti, arrivano sempre al limite di una rottura che sembra inevitabile, ma riescono in un modo o nell’altro a perdonarsi sempre, e questa è la loro forza e la bellezza della loro storia nel libro. Ci sono stati momenti nei quali ho trovato Iain poco tollerabile per il suo comportamento con Alana, ma bisogna dire che lei a volte se le va a cercare… La prima menzogna raccontata da Alana, una volta scoperta manda Iain “in bestia”, ha l’occasione di svelargli le altre cose che nasconde, e invece continua a omettere o mentire, per paura di perderlo e a me viene da dire: “e allora sei di coccio!” Quello che ho apprezzato in Alana è che nonostante tutte le sue incertezze, si ritrova poi a compiere scelte coraggiose, pericolose, che non le lasciano mai la possibilità di evitare di affrontarne poi le conseguenze, ma per salvare Iain è disposta veramente a tutto. Quando invece si tratta di obbedire ai suoi ordini tassativi di non fare qualcosa, la cara Alana non ci sente, e questa sua testardaggine nel seguire il suo cuore, per salvare le sorella dalle quale è sempre stata tenuta lontano, mettendo in pericolo se stessa e il suo rapporto con Iain, me l’ha fatta amare ancora di più. Una storia appassionante e avvincente. Il libro in realtà è la seconda uscita della serie “Scottish Medieval” di Brenda Joyce, ma il bello di questi racconti è che possono essere letti tranquillamente anche come storie a sé. Da non perdere per chi ama questo genere di libri.
March 19, 2017
Found this book in a thrift store, the back cover description and cover got my attention. The book started out fast and interesting. I like stories where the female lead has the "sight". She was called a witch, but I thought that she would be known far and wide and I kept waiting for someone to tell Iain about her. That was drawn out way too long. Several scenes were way too drawn out. The author could have really used that aspect of her sight more. Towards the end I skimmed over some sections of "talk" between characters. I forced myself to read the whole book, wanting to see something more exciting. It was mundane enough that a young reader could read this. As a long term reader of historical romance this was just enough to keep me interested but, Alana's voice, her attitude towards life was annoying. I am glad she wasn't 16. She wasn't afraid of much which was good. Alana and Iain are a unlikely pair. The sexual encounters happened fast soon after meeting-not believable- and were frequent and .... not very romantic, more likely lust. There were so many secondary characters that I was confused at times and wanted more conflict or just once for Alana to not be so headstrong and do whatever she wanted to do. She kept traipsing back and forth between castles without any problems. What? Well, she did get frost bite once. The pregnancy issue was odd also and how it was handled. Just too much going on. I did like that the historical references were the same in other unrelated books. So, not my favorite book, but it flowed enough that I could thankfully finish.
December 12, 2020
3.5 (explícito). Algo dramática para mi gusto. Iain estaba bien, un poco a lo hombre de las cavernas. Todo el libro es narrado desde el punto de vista de Alana, en tercera persona. Alana, que puedo decir; evolucionó mucho, solo que como algunos le decían, estaba muy desesperada por conseguir aceptación de parte de sus familiares de sangre y eso la hacía medio ciega para ver que en realidad querían usarla para su beneficio. Mejoró para bien, Eleanor, Iain e incluso Godfrey la apoyaron. ... Siento que hubo mucho ir y venir, pero como considero esta historia como dramática se me hizo normal. Se ambienta en el siglo doce, creo, durante el final de una de las muchas guerras de la Escocía medieval. Tenemos a Alana, hija bastarda cuya madre murió murió durante su parto, y quien nunca ha sido reconocida por su familia de sangre y fue criada por la suegra de su madre viuda; algo interesante y peculiar, que en sí no le encontré mucho sentido, fue que tenía visiones sobre el futuro y por ello la denominaron bruja. Sobre ser bruja no me lo creo, pero por la época era un pensamiento razonable. ... Está bien la historia, hubo situaciones demasiado predecibles y otras no, se centró en Alana y prácticamente el título lo dice dice todo porque ella se encontraba en medio de una guerra (igual que otras personas), solo que a cada rato se mordía el labio, temblaba y lloraba y como que hacía berrinches. ... Buena lectura, tiene personajes que incluso llegarás a odiar y a otros que no... pero me esperaba algo mejor.
September 13, 2017
Let me begin by saying that Brenda Joyce is one of my all-time favourite romance authors and I pretty much assumed any book of hers was guaranteed to be great...I was wrong.
What a complete miss for me! Alana was so needy and insecure, I could not stand it! I like my Joyce heroines strong and feisty, like Ceidre in The Conqueror. Alana isn't fit to stand in her shadow! She betrayed all her principles for Iain's dick basically, because it wasn't love yet, just a rushed sex scene with no details that was incredibly disappointing and it did not improve across the book. One night of sex and to hell with one's father and family and loyalty. The grandmother was sorely overused but in the end useless and Iain wasn't the best man in the story, Godfrey was. At least his character had layers!
I feel like Joyce kind of phoned this story in. Didn't feel any heart or passion in it.
What a complete miss for me! Alana was so needy and insecure, I could not stand it! I like my Joyce heroines strong and feisty, like Ceidre in The Conqueror. Alana isn't fit to stand in her shadow! She betrayed all her principles for Iain's dick basically, because it wasn't love yet, just a rushed sex scene with no details that was incredibly disappointing and it did not improve across the book. One night of sex and to hell with one's father and family and loyalty. The grandmother was sorely overused but in the end useless and Iain wasn't the best man in the story, Godfrey was. At least his character had layers!
I feel like Joyce kind of phoned this story in. Didn't feel any heart or passion in it.
November 28, 2018
Eh. The hero really has no backstory and the heroine is really just too much. She's 20 and acts like this in the 1300s? And this one guy is her mortal enemy in the beginning, and now they are 'best friends' and he actually loved her the whole time? Nah.
Also, the sex scenes were naught. I mean, not for details for details sake, but he just 'plows the field' and we're done.
Not all that excited about this one.
Also, the sex scenes were naught. I mean, not for details for details sake, but he just 'plows the field' and we're done.
Not all that excited about this one.
December 10, 2020
This story is very dynamic and logical, though historically untrue. The love story is a bit tense, because in the 11th century the Catholic Church was very strong and the sexual freedoms shown in this way would make the heroine immoral without exception, possible without the possibility of marriage.
May 6, 2018
Some interesting fights
There were some interesting fights but the romance was lacking. There, was sex understood but lacked romance. Some places bogged down. I had trouble following the different castles. I don't recommend this book.
There were some interesting fights but the romance was lacking. There, was sex understood but lacked romance. Some places bogged down. I had trouble following the different castles. I don't recommend this book.
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