What do you think?
Rate this book
Passions of the Realm
IN THE HANDS OF THE CONQUEROR ...
Beautiful young Rowena was the proud and gallant daughter of the proud and gallant Sir Hugh fitz Giles. But now in strife-torn England of 1155, her father had fallen in battle, and the man who had vanquished him claimed his castle and all within it as his prize.
That man was Runnolf, the favorite knight of the victorious king, and a warrior whose size and strength, skill and daring, had made him a fearful legend.
What Runnolf wanted, he took ... and now he wanted Rowena ... and, God help her, she wanted him ... with a passion that burned with the fire of the forbidden ... and a love that defied all laws ...
Beautiful young Rowena was the proud and gallant daughter of the proud and gallant Sir Hugh fitz Giles. But now in strife-torn England of 1155, her father had fallen in battle, and the man who had vanquished him claimed his castle and all within it as his prize.
That man was Runnolf, the favorite knight of the victorious king, and a warrior whose size and strength, skill and daring, had made him a fearful legend.
What Runnolf wanted, he took ... and now he wanted Rowena ... and, God help her, she wanted him ... with a passion that burned with the fire of the forbidden ... and a love that defied all laws ...
462 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
1 person is currently reading
49 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 10, 2026
Read: 5/1/26
Setting: 1154 Wales, England
Trope: enemies to lovers, h mistress
1.5 stars
Yikes!
Plot:
Rowena's father is defeated in battle by one of Henry II's best knight, Sir Hugh. When he comes to take possession of the castle, Rowena's servants disguise her as an overweight servant in the kitchens. It doesn't take long for Hugh to discover their deceit and punish Rowena for it. Now, Sir Hugh faces a dilemma. What to do with the late lord's daughter? He will let Henry decide.
In the meantime, Hugh let's Rowena run the keep, something she does extraordinarily well. She's a hard worker, but she's also very beautiful. It's something Hugh trys very hard to ignore, without much success. It doesn't take him long before he beds her and feelings start to grow. If only she'd just learn to obey him better, they could be happy.
Liked:
1. Rowena was amazing! This girl could do anything! She was truely a Wonder.
2. Her loyal servants were entertaining
3. This pacing and writing were well done. I hated this book, but kept on reading.
Disliked:
1. Hugh was kinda of an a**hole and not in the fun Bodice-ripper way! Nothing Rowena did was ever good enough. Instead of cherishing her unique qualities, he suppressed them
2. He cheats on Rowena and instead of getting angry, she becomes more determined to please him and be whatever he needs her to be 🤢.
3. Rowena never did anything outrageous after her disguise was discovered. She'd be blamed for any trouble that happened, even though it was never her fault. The woman worked her a** off! Even Hugh had to acknowledged that fact. Still, she needed to do better. 🤪
Conclusion: This author took a strong, capable female and turned her into a weak, pathetically obedient slave. Why would any woman want to read this kind of romance story? It's a shame because the writing talent is there. Maybe this author should try a different genre
Setting: 1154 Wales, England
Trope: enemies to lovers, h mistress
1.5 stars
Yikes!
Plot:
Rowena's father is defeated in battle by one of Henry II's best knight, Sir Hugh. When he comes to take possession of the castle, Rowena's servants disguise her as an overweight servant in the kitchens. It doesn't take long for Hugh to discover their deceit and punish Rowena for it. Now, Sir Hugh faces a dilemma. What to do with the late lord's daughter? He will let Henry decide.
In the meantime, Hugh let's Rowena run the keep, something she does extraordinarily well. She's a hard worker, but she's also very beautiful. It's something Hugh trys very hard to ignore, without much success. It doesn't take him long before he beds her and feelings start to grow. If only she'd just learn to obey him better, they could be happy.
Liked:
1. Rowena was amazing! This girl could do anything! She was truely a Wonder.
2. Her loyal servants were entertaining
3. This pacing and writing were well done. I hated this book, but kept on reading.
Disliked:
1. Hugh was kinda of an a**hole and not in the fun Bodice-ripper way! Nothing Rowena did was ever good enough. Instead of cherishing her unique qualities, he suppressed them
2. He cheats on Rowena and instead of getting angry, she becomes more determined to please him and be whatever he needs her to be 🤢.
3. Rowena never did anything outrageous after her disguise was discovered. She'd be blamed for any trouble that happened, even though it was never her fault. The woman worked her a** off! Even Hugh had to acknowledged that fact. Still, she needed to do better. 🤪
Conclusion: This author took a strong, capable female and turned her into a weak, pathetically obedient slave. Why would any woman want to read this kind of romance story? It's a shame because the writing talent is there. Maybe this author should try a different genre
August 27, 2016
First half of the book was a fun historical romance (lord captures castle, finds hidden lady, tries to tame her). Unfortunately the second half of the book, the female lead becomes more and more oppressed but in her naiveness(?) begs for forgiveness in the form of physical punishment was...weird and uncomfortable. Basically should have stopped reading when Rowena names Firelight.
*
*
*
****Spoiler Summary****
*
*
*
Runnolf defeats fitzGiles, occupies fitzGile's unsanctioned castle, finds fitzGile's hidden daughter, Rowena, makes her his valet, ends up taking her and then falls in love. Eventually Runnolf takes Rowena to visit the King, in hopes of marrying her, sanctioning her father's castle and keeping her lands safe. A plot occurs to kill Rowena and discredit Runnolf so that fitzGile's neighbor gets his lands, but it ends in failure. The king plays a tick, forcing Rowena to marry the Lord of Peak, not telling her Peak is Runnolf. Eventually Rowena and Runnolf marry, and she retains all rights to her lands.
*
*
*
****Spoiler Summary****
*
*
*
Runnolf defeats fitzGiles, occupies fitzGile's unsanctioned castle, finds fitzGile's hidden daughter, Rowena, makes her his valet, ends up taking her and then falls in love. Eventually Runnolf takes Rowena to visit the King, in hopes of marrying her, sanctioning her father's castle and keeping her lands safe. A plot occurs to kill Rowena and discredit Runnolf so that fitzGile's neighbor gets his lands, but it ends in failure. The king plays a tick, forcing Rowena to marry the Lord of Peak, not telling her Peak is Runnolf. Eventually Rowena and Runnolf marry, and she retains all rights to her lands.
Read
August 1, 2012The book is very interessting in the beginning but when the caracter start the voyage to the court it begins to lose the reader. It is very well written but in my opinion the second half of the book could use a revamp.
January 4, 2013
This was the first romance novel that I read in my teens. I have read it about 10 times. My favorite I should say. I wish I could find it to read it again. Such a great story.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews