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Blood Red Roses
IN A LAND DIVIDED BY TREACHERY AND ENDLESS WARRING, THEY SHARED A PASSION THAT KNEW NO BOUNDS
When King William's knight, Fulk de Jobourg, is sent to reclaim the lands of a hanged traitor, he is also commanded to take the man's unwilling daughter as his wife. Bound and gagged, the furious Lady Alwyn is wedded to this dark-eyed, massive man who spends but one night in her bed before galloping off to fight the king's battles once more.
Left behind to tend to the Castle Morlaix, Alwyn cannot bring to mind the face of the husband she barely knows. But her body remembers the feel of his hot touch...and the urgent passion he ignited within her. When Fulk returns, Alwyn fights his efforts to take control of her family's estate. But she cannot resist what he brings to her at night...a sensual pleasure that binds her to him forever against her will...
When King William's knight, Fulk de Jobourg, is sent to reclaim the lands of a hanged traitor, he is also commanded to take the man's unwilling daughter as his wife. Bound and gagged, the furious Lady Alwyn is wedded to this dark-eyed, massive man who spends but one night in her bed before galloping off to fight the king's battles once more.
Left behind to tend to the Castle Morlaix, Alwyn cannot bring to mind the face of the husband she barely knows. But her body remembers the feel of his hot touch...and the urgent passion he ignited within her. When Fulk returns, Alwyn fights his efforts to take control of her family's estate. But she cannot resist what he brings to her at night...a sensual pleasure that binds her to him forever against her will...
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
14 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Deauxville
15 books7 followersaka M. H. Davis, Maggie Davis, Maggie Daniels
Maggie Hill was born in Norfolk, Virginia, USA, daughter of George Blair and Dorothy (Mason) Hill. She also writes under the pen names of M. H. Davis, Maggie Davis, Maggie Daniels, and Katherine Deauxville, is the author of over 25 published novels. She is a former feature writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, copywriter for Young & Rubican in New York, and assistant in research to the chairman of the department of psychology at Yale University. She taught three writing courses at Yale, and was a two-time guest writer/artist at the International Cultural center in Hammamet, Tunisia. She has written for the Georgia Review, Cosmopolitan, Ladies Home Journal, Good Housekeeping, Holiday and Venture magazines. She is the winner of four Reviewer’s Choice Awards and one Lifetime Achievement Award for romantic comedy from Romantic Times Magazine, and received the Silver Pen Award from Affaire de Coeur Magazine. She is also listed in Who's Who 2000.
Maggie Hill was born in Norfolk, Virginia, USA, daughter of George Blair and Dorothy (Mason) Hill. She also writes under the pen names of M. H. Davis, Maggie Davis, Maggie Daniels, and Katherine Deauxville, is the author of over 25 published novels. She is a former feature writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, copywriter for Young & Rubican in New York, and assistant in research to the chairman of the department of psychology at Yale University. She taught three writing courses at Yale, and was a two-time guest writer/artist at the International Cultural center in Hammamet, Tunisia. She has written for the Georgia Review, Cosmopolitan, Ladies Home Journal, Good Housekeeping, Holiday and Venture magazines. She is the winner of four Reviewer’s Choice Awards and one Lifetime Achievement Award for romantic comedy from Romantic Times Magazine, and received the Silver Pen Award from Affaire de Coeur Magazine. She is also listed in Who's Who 2000.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 28, 2021
Blood Red Roses is understandably a difficult book for some to enjoy. It could be nostalgia goggles on this one for me, plus a love for the glorious red stepback cover. Or it could be the vivid Middle Ages setting, my favorite time period. Or it could be that this book is really a wonderfully written piece of romantic fiction, just styled in a way that appeals to a niche audience. I read this Medieval romance by Katherine Deauxville (aka Maggie Davis) twice: once in middle school and then years later in high school, and was swept away in the story both times.
Alwyn is practically ancient for her time period at 28 to be unmarried. She's a seemingly wild Welsh woman forced to be given a prize in marriage to the Norman knight, Fulk de Jobourg, as she's heiress to her dead father's lands. They spend a passionate night together before Fulk is off again to fight for King William. It rang true to me that a woman would be forcefully bonded to her enemy, and he, being a man of war and conquest, would go off while she lived her life in her castle, waiting for his return.
My liking for this one could be because I love the brutal incivility of the Middle Age era. Deauxville injects an earthy historical ambiance that I really appreciate. What is the point of historical romance without history?
There's a scene where Fulk and his men torture a man and semi-castrate him before he flees. Fulk comments that it could have been worse: "At worst yon Welshman has one dangling nut."
Another scene depicts Fulk and his men as they stare at a woman with hairless pudenda. The genital references seem to be a theme in the Deauxville Medieval series. There is a dwarf with a giant dong in the second book, Daggers of Gold, which also has lots of talk about circumcised penises (the hero is Jewish). The third, The Amethyst Crown, features more references to dwarves, foreskin, castrations, and shorn vulvas.
Blood Red Roses had middling ratings, yet here I am praising it. I often have a contrarian opinion on certain books due to my personally peculiar tastes. The red-haired hero is extremely cold and distant. While Fulk is away, Alwyn has an emotional romance with a blond Scottish mason she fantasizes about and kisses. Later is taken captive by Powys, a black-haired Welsh lord from the hills. The latter was foretold to Alwyn by a fortune-teller who told her to choose Powys as her man. Then, there is Fulk's cousin Geoffrey who seems to have designs on Alwyn himself.
Fulk and Alwyn have a lust-based relationship, one not based on trust or communication. Is it a love story for the ages? Probably not, but I enjoyed the atmosphere and the authenticity of the time period. This is a Historical romance with a capital H on the history.
Fulk is no reformed kind-hearted hero at the end, and Alwyn will always be a disagreeable shrew. Still, I can't give this book a lower than "I love it" rating, because frankly, I did. Perhaps it's a matter of temporal tastes, as back in 1991 when this book was released, it was fairly successful, winning the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award for Best Medieval Romance.
5 stars
Alwyn is practically ancient for her time period at 28 to be unmarried. She's a seemingly wild Welsh woman forced to be given a prize in marriage to the Norman knight, Fulk de Jobourg, as she's heiress to her dead father's lands. They spend a passionate night together before Fulk is off again to fight for King William. It rang true to me that a woman would be forcefully bonded to her enemy, and he, being a man of war and conquest, would go off while she lived her life in her castle, waiting for his return.
My liking for this one could be because I love the brutal incivility of the Middle Age era. Deauxville injects an earthy historical ambiance that I really appreciate. What is the point of historical romance without history?
There's a scene where Fulk and his men torture a man and semi-castrate him before he flees. Fulk comments that it could have been worse: "At worst yon Welshman has one dangling nut."
Another scene depicts Fulk and his men as they stare at a woman with hairless pudenda. The genital references seem to be a theme in the Deauxville Medieval series. There is a dwarf with a giant dong in the second book, Daggers of Gold, which also has lots of talk about circumcised penises (the hero is Jewish). The third, The Amethyst Crown, features more references to dwarves, foreskin, castrations, and shorn vulvas.
Blood Red Roses had middling ratings, yet here I am praising it. I often have a contrarian opinion on certain books due to my personally peculiar tastes. The red-haired hero is extremely cold and distant. While Fulk is away, Alwyn has an emotional romance with a blond Scottish mason she fantasizes about and kisses. Later is taken captive by Powys, a black-haired Welsh lord from the hills. The latter was foretold to Alwyn by a fortune-teller who told her to choose Powys as her man. Then, there is Fulk's cousin Geoffrey who seems to have designs on Alwyn himself.
Fulk and Alwyn have a lust-based relationship, one not based on trust or communication. Is it a love story for the ages? Probably not, but I enjoyed the atmosphere and the authenticity of the time period. This is a Historical romance with a capital H on the history.
Fulk is no reformed kind-hearted hero at the end, and Alwyn will always be a disagreeable shrew. Still, I can't give this book a lower than "I love it" rating, because frankly, I did. Perhaps it's a matter of temporal tastes, as back in 1991 when this book was released, it was fairly successful, winning the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award for Best Medieval Romance.
5 stars
March 18, 2022
Where's the romance?
1. Hero and heroine lusted after each other, but I didn't believe they loved or even liked each other. They didn't even speak to each other until the 30-32% mark on my Kindle. That conversation happened after they married and slept together for the first time.
2. Hero's jealousy and extreme distrust of heroine seemed contrived. He believed his brother's insinuations about the heroine, yet he knew his brother was untrustworthy. He also never possessed any real evidence to support his suspicions. I never felt he carried any love underneath the jealousy, which was just about ownership and nothing else. In fact he hit the heroine so hard she fell or almost fell (twice). What the Fulk?! *rolls eyes*
3. Heroine expressed way more tenderness towards the other man than she ever did for the hero, emotionally cheating on him during their marriage.
4. Heroine's son wasn't able to breastfeed at one point, so in order to keep her flow going she breastfed these in the interim. . Historically accurate it might have been, but it's still gross.
1. Hero and heroine lusted after each other, but I didn't believe they loved or even liked each other. They didn't even speak to each other until the 30-32% mark on my Kindle. That conversation happened after they married and slept together for the first time.
2. Hero's jealousy and extreme distrust of heroine seemed contrived. He believed his brother's insinuations about the heroine, yet he knew his brother was untrustworthy. He also never possessed any real evidence to support his suspicions. I never felt he carried any love underneath the jealousy, which was just about ownership and nothing else. In fact he hit the heroine so hard she fell or almost fell (twice). What the Fulk?! *rolls eyes*
3. Heroine expressed way more tenderness towards the other man than she ever did for the hero, emotionally cheating on him during their marriage.
4. Heroine's son wasn't able to breastfeed at one point, so in order to keep her flow going she breastfed these in the interim. . Historically accurate it might have been, but it's still gross.
October 29, 2013
it didn't work for me because there wasn't any love between Fulk and Alwyn. On top of it all, If this wasn't bad enough, the writing style of the book was a mess.But i am very glad i read the book because Blood Red Roses was very well researched.
Ah beware :)) she breastfeeds two puppies. Four times a day.
some scenes.....
He hit his wife a blow on the side of her head with his open hand. Even so, it was enough to send her reeling. If he hadn't had her by the arm,she would have fallen.
--------------
He could see she was beyond reason. Holding her by the back of the dress, he hit her another smack on the side of her head. The wild howling stopped. She spun away and fell to the floor. She lay there, stunned, the gown like spilled blood around her, dark hair
hiding her face.
--------------
The Welshman had a thick mat of hair that extended like black fur down the inside of his thighs. Taking the soft pouch of the genitals in his hand, Fulk cut into the sac with just the tip of his knife. The hunter drew in his breath with a hiss. He thrashed in their grip, trying to escape. As the knife prodded deeper the Welshman screamed, his feet
kicking wildly. He arched his back, wrenching his arms from de Bais.
---------------
And our cheating heroine...
He put his finger over her lips. It was the first time he had touched her. "No, there is no need to speak of it. All I need from your mouth is this. "
He drew her to him and covered her lips with his.It was a soft kiss at first. Then he deepened it with the touch of his tongue in her mouth.
She was swept with an intense feeling that was like nothing she had known before. She followed it, hungry for him; straining for his mouth, the bulk of her swelling belly between them.
The wonder of Master Ian's kiss faded almost as soon as it began. The heavy reminder of the babe and all that was real pressed against them and held them apart.
He backed away, his mouth wet, his eyes dark.
-------------------
Ah beware :)) she breastfeeds two puppies. Four times a day.
some scenes.....
He hit his wife a blow on the side of her head with his open hand. Even so, it was enough to send her reeling. If he hadn't had her by the arm,she would have fallen.
--------------
He could see she was beyond reason. Holding her by the back of the dress, he hit her another smack on the side of her head. The wild howling stopped. She spun away and fell to the floor. She lay there, stunned, the gown like spilled blood around her, dark hair
hiding her face.
--------------
The Welshman had a thick mat of hair that extended like black fur down the inside of his thighs. Taking the soft pouch of the genitals in his hand, Fulk cut into the sac with just the tip of his knife. The hunter drew in his breath with a hiss. He thrashed in their grip, trying to escape. As the knife prodded deeper the Welshman screamed, his feet
kicking wildly. He arched his back, wrenching his arms from de Bais.
---------------
And our cheating heroine...
He put his finger over her lips. It was the first time he had touched her. "No, there is no need to speak of it. All I need from your mouth is this. "
He drew her to him and covered her lips with his.It was a soft kiss at first. Then he deepened it with the touch of his tongue in her mouth.
She was swept with an intense feeling that was like nothing she had known before. She followed it, hungry for him; straining for his mouth, the bulk of her swelling belly between them.
The wonder of Master Ian's kiss faded almost as soon as it began. The heavy reminder of the babe and all that was real pressed against them and held them apart.
He backed away, his mouth wet, his eyes dark.
-------------------
June 17, 2016
I think the main problem of this book is that it tries to be two things at once (historical novel and romance novel), and fails at both. For a rather slim volume, it's very heavy on the political background plot, the intrigues and fighting and whatnot. This makes it a bit tiring to read, because there are just too many names and titles, and too little background info (it's more or less just thrown at you) and too few encounters with said characters. Also, in order to actually care about any of this and about who wins over whom, you have to be at least somewhat emotionally invested in the main characters.
Here's this book's second failure: both main characters are quite unlikable. Even worse, the supposed chemistry between them is just rushed in at the end to make for a romance book instead of a "wtf is this" book. Both Fulk and what's-her-name could have been murdered at any point in the book for all I cared.
There's also a side story with a mason that's... pretty pointless?
And jealousy and fake scheming that's there only to... make the MCs "hate" each other for as long as possible?
Nothing really felt genuine in how any of them behaved here. It's just a whole lot of jumping to really weird conclusions, doing weirdly stupid things and not speaking up when doing so would solve things in 2 minutes.
Just... argh. So disappointing. Don't even get me started on the ridiculous sex scenes and the great love saga this is supposed to morph into in the last 5 pages.
Here's this book's second failure: both main characters are quite unlikable. Even worse, the supposed chemistry between them is just rushed in at the end to make for a romance book instead of a "wtf is this" book. Both Fulk and what's-her-name could have been murdered at any point in the book for all I cared.
There's also a side story with a mason that's... pretty pointless?
And jealousy and fake scheming that's there only to... make the MCs "hate" each other for as long as possible?
Nothing really felt genuine in how any of them behaved here. It's just a whole lot of jumping to really weird conclusions, doing weirdly stupid things and not speaking up when doing so would solve things in 2 minutes.
Just... argh. So disappointing. Don't even get me started on the ridiculous sex scenes and the great love saga this is supposed to morph into in the last 5 pages.
June 16, 2016
How excitingly repulsive this one looks!
From another review:
"The hero could not be redeemed. He was horrible to the very end. He is physically and mentally abusive"
*rubs hands in anticipation*
From another review:
"The hero could not be redeemed. He was horrible to the very end. He is physically and mentally abusive"
*rubs hands in anticipation*
January 18, 2024
3 stars
Enjoyable medieval romance, however it lacked the angst or high emotions that I typically enjoy in my romances. My top medieval romance is still Keeper of the Dream. This was also more so medieval realism rather than the slight fantasy twist that I enjoy in my medieval romances.
Enjoyable medieval romance, however it lacked the angst or high emotions that I typically enjoy in my romances. My top medieval romance is still Keeper of the Dream. This was also more so medieval realism rather than the slight fantasy twist that I enjoy in my medieval romances.
January 7, 2017
What an odd, grim story. I don't feel right shelving it as a 'romance' because... it just isn't.
It starts off following one of the oldest plots of HR, where William the Conqueror orders his warrior (Fulks) to marry a local lass (Alwyn). Fulks rides in one dark and snowy night, marries his bride (who is tied up and gagged the whole time) rapes her a couple of times and then rides off for four months. This leaves Alwyn alone, now pregnant, and finding herself attracted to another man.
(Ian is a mason who has been brought in to fix up the castle. He has way better chemistry with Alwyn and I found myself more invested in their relationship than anything to do with Fulks. Fulks you, Fulks.)
Fulks comes home, slaps Alwyn around a bit and they have sex.
Fulks accuses Alwyn of carrying another man's child. They have sex.
Alwyn runs away from home for awhile but then comes back. They have sex.
Fulks gets captured by the enemy and suddenly BOOM! Alwyn decides she wants him back.
What I'm saying is these two people don't have much interaction except fighting with each other and having sex. There is no romance. There is no communication. I don't think they even like each other. Not to mention that neither lead character has much personality. Fulks starts off as an A-hole and ends as an A-hole. Alwyn is simply dull. The only interesting person was Ian. In fact, I think I'll just rewrite the ending to satisfy myself.
Alwyn fakes her death, thus freeing herself from Fulks' grip. She and Ian go on to travel around Europe to build churches and castles as Alwyn learns the mysteries of Freemasonry.
The End
It starts off following one of the oldest plots of HR, where William the Conqueror orders his warrior (Fulks) to marry a local lass (Alwyn). Fulks rides in one dark and snowy night, marries his bride (who is tied up and gagged the whole time) rapes her a couple of times and then rides off for four months. This leaves Alwyn alone, now pregnant, and finding herself attracted to another man.
(Ian is a mason who has been brought in to fix up the castle. He has way better chemistry with Alwyn and I found myself more invested in their relationship than anything to do with Fulks. Fulks you, Fulks.)
Fulks comes home, slaps Alwyn around a bit and they have sex.
Fulks accuses Alwyn of carrying another man's child. They have sex.
Alwyn runs away from home for awhile but then comes back. They have sex.
Fulks gets captured by the enemy and suddenly BOOM! Alwyn decides she wants him back.
What I'm saying is these two people don't have much interaction except fighting with each other and having sex. There is no romance. There is no communication. I don't think they even like each other. Not to mention that neither lead character has much personality. Fulks starts off as an A-hole and ends as an A-hole. Alwyn is simply dull. The only interesting person was Ian. In fact, I think I'll just rewrite the ending to satisfy myself.
Alwyn fakes her death, thus freeing herself from Fulks' grip. She and Ian go on to travel around Europe to build churches and castles as Alwyn learns the mysteries of Freemasonry.
The End
May 26, 2024
yeah i’m actually proper pissed of bc i was promised a budding romance or ATLEAST SOME LOVE BETWEEN THEM but i had to endure almost 400 pages of whatever tf this book was 😭 the “romance” (if u could even call it that) was literally just the last 10-20 pages AND THATS IT IM ACTUALLY MAD RIGHT NOW
December 26, 2016
2.5 stars
The hero could not be redeemed. He was horrible to the very end. The heroine's very admirable given the time period and how she responded to all the adversity she faced. It's pretty well written and researched but the politics and descriptions of mundane scenes bogged down the pacing in parts of the story. This book should be read with the mind-set of an historical fiction novel not as a romance. The hero is physically and mentally abusive, is untrusting of his wife throughout the entire book even when he had no evidence or reason to, he makes threats to her, denies their child almost to the very end calling him "it", many times calling her a slut and a bitch. Her husband's affection for her at the end wasn't believable. The closest admission of love from him came as an inquiry towards his wife: "...do you want me to tell you I love you?" She never answered the question therefore he didn't tell her he loved her.
Um, yeah, a romantic hero he is not.
This is no romantic masterpiece but it is what is quite possibly a realistic portrayal of a what many women endured during the brutal medieval era.
The hero could not be redeemed. He was horrible to the very end. The heroine's very admirable given the time period and how she responded to all the adversity she faced. It's pretty well written and researched but the politics and descriptions of mundane scenes bogged down the pacing in parts of the story. This book should be read with the mind-set of an historical fiction novel not as a romance. The hero is physically and mentally abusive, is untrusting of his wife throughout the entire book even when he had no evidence or reason to, he makes threats to her, denies their child almost to the very end calling him "it", many times calling her a slut and a bitch. Her husband's affection for her at the end wasn't believable. The closest admission of love from him came as an inquiry towards his wife: "...do you want me to tell you I love you?" She never answered the question therefore he didn't tell her he loved her.
Um, yeah, a romantic hero he is not.
This is no romantic masterpiece but it is what is quite possibly a realistic portrayal of a what many women endured during the brutal medieval era.
September 3, 2010
I read this book in high school. It is probably the best historical romance I have ever read, the historical details make you feel like you've used a time machine. The relationship between Fulk de Jobourgh and Alwyn is a bit abusive, which is accurate for the time period. Women did not have any rights are were pretty much bartering pieces that made babies. Despite this, Alwyn throws her weight around and who cares about the consequences? I really wish they would put this in a kindle edition, my old paperback copy is pretty moldy. Very steamy.
February 11, 2021
A Favorite of Mine
Such a great writer have this book in paper back and in my Kindle. I love her books especially this one. A favorite of mine.
Such a great writer have this book in paper back and in my Kindle. I love her books especially this one. A favorite of mine.
June 26, 2025
BLOOD RED ROSES is set during the Norman invasion. The heroine, Alwyn, is Welsh. Her father was a baron who was executed and has been mistress of the castle but now William has assigned one of his knights to marry her, a man named Fulk de Jobourg. She is literally bound and gagged and married while tied up, so that gives you an idea of what passes for courtship in this book.
Alwyn is incredibly resourceful and is constantly finding new ways to thwart her husband and his awful knights while also carrying for the people who have been under her family's charge. I recently read a book that was basically medieval in name only, so it was positively delightful to read a book that was drenched in all the unsavory aspects of history. I thought Deauxville did an excellent job showing how jaded people became to the everyday horrors of medieval life, just trying to survive and do the best they could with their circumstances. It's slightly horrifying, but I think if the past couple years have taught us anything as a society, it's that calamities often arrived stacked like a deck of cards and we just have to make do or perish.
My favorite part of the book was probably the siege at the end, but I also liked the scene when Alwyn saves a mason from execution using a secret passage and some of Fulk's hilarious outbursts (like his rage at a bard who is singing mean songs about him, LOL). I'm docking a star because the romance really wasn't so great. I kept hoping for a grovel or something but the hero and heroine basically went from hating each others' guts to being willing to sacrifice everything for one another with virtually no middle ground. I loved the writing and the story and the heroine is probably one of my favorite romance heroines I've encountered in a while, but this was merely good instead of being great.
That said, I'm definitely going to be buying more from this author. If you enjoy old skool bodice-rippers, this is your jam.
4 stars
Alwyn is incredibly resourceful and is constantly finding new ways to thwart her husband and his awful knights while also carrying for the people who have been under her family's charge. I recently read a book that was basically medieval in name only, so it was positively delightful to read a book that was drenched in all the unsavory aspects of history. I thought Deauxville did an excellent job showing how jaded people became to the everyday horrors of medieval life, just trying to survive and do the best they could with their circumstances. It's slightly horrifying, but I think if the past couple years have taught us anything as a society, it's that calamities often arrived stacked like a deck of cards and we just have to make do or perish.
My favorite part of the book was probably the siege at the end, but I also liked the scene when Alwyn saves a mason from execution using a secret passage and some of Fulk's hilarious outbursts (like his rage at a bard who is singing mean songs about him, LOL). I'm docking a star because the romance really wasn't so great. I kept hoping for a grovel or something but the hero and heroine basically went from hating each others' guts to being willing to sacrifice everything for one another with virtually no middle ground. I loved the writing and the story and the heroine is probably one of my favorite romance heroines I've encountered in a while, but this was merely good instead of being great.
That said, I'm definitely going to be buying more from this author. If you enjoy old skool bodice-rippers, this is your jam.
4 stars
December 31, 2021
Blood Red Roses is a historical romance set during the Norman Invasion around 1066 that follows Lady Alwyn, the half Welsh daughter of a baron who had been executed for treason, as she attempts to protect her home. William the Conqueror instructs one his knights, Fulk de Jobourgh, to storm her castle, force her into marriage by whatever means and take ownership of her land. She subsequently must learn how to manage her new husband and the knights he has placed around her home to keep her in line when he leaves to battle, while also navigating new found sexual desires, motherhood and political entanglement.
This is a historical romance in the sense that there's a lot of history, and a lot of volatile romance that is a far, far cry from the wholesome love stories we often see today. Both Fulk and Alwyn are relatively dislikeable characters, each with a great deal of trauma but who are making the best out of a situation neither of them particularly enjoy.
Deauxville has evidently put a lot of time and research into the setting of Blood Red Roses, the historical accuracies are impressive and excessive. There is a lot of politics and war in Blood Red Roses, more perhaps than there is contact between Fulk and Alwyn, so I can understand why some people find it dull, but this was absolutely my cup of tea, refreshingly bloody and political with minimal romantic aspects except for where it was necessary.
This is a historical romance in the sense that there's a lot of history, and a lot of volatile romance that is a far, far cry from the wholesome love stories we often see today. Both Fulk and Alwyn are relatively dislikeable characters, each with a great deal of trauma but who are making the best out of a situation neither of them particularly enjoy.
Deauxville has evidently put a lot of time and research into the setting of Blood Red Roses, the historical accuracies are impressive and excessive. There is a lot of politics and war in Blood Red Roses, more perhaps than there is contact between Fulk and Alwyn, so I can understand why some people find it dull, but this was absolutely my cup of tea, refreshingly bloody and political with minimal romantic aspects except for where it was necessary.
October 5, 2024
really well written and interesting. my review could be effected because i’m reading it in 2024.
the story is INTERESTING and the heroine is great. i felt she was very human and despite her awful circumstances she always kept her dignity. she was strong, smart, and kind. she always tried her best and when bad decisions were made i understood why. she wasn’t stupid just to move the plot along. she really felt like a fish out of water struggling to make the right choices and sometimes making the wrong ones because she didn’t know any better.
the hero was awful. he deserved more punishment for his crimes. why did he let his cousin off scot free for betraying him and getting his men killed but his wife (the heroine) got two blows to the head for stuff she didn’t do? i hate this man. if he was a real man he would be the type who didn’t know how to touch a woman at all.
however, my hate for him was a sign the story made me feel passionately. it was well written, very interesting(i keep using this word because it is the best one to sum this story up), and had a lot of likable characters, minus the hero. if you like pre-2000 historical romance this is a great read.
if you are reading this review and are debating reading this book, trigger warnings galore for ableism, some racism against jewish people, dubious(leaning more straight up tho) consent, domestic abuse, scary childbirth, and more i probably can’t remember.
the story is INTERESTING and the heroine is great. i felt she was very human and despite her awful circumstances she always kept her dignity. she was strong, smart, and kind. she always tried her best and when bad decisions were made i understood why. she wasn’t stupid just to move the plot along. she really felt like a fish out of water struggling to make the right choices and sometimes making the wrong ones because she didn’t know any better.
the hero was awful. he deserved more punishment for his crimes. why did he let his cousin off scot free for betraying him and getting his men killed but his wife (the heroine) got two blows to the head for stuff she didn’t do? i hate this man. if he was a real man he would be the type who didn’t know how to touch a woman at all.
however, my hate for him was a sign the story made me feel passionately. it was well written, very interesting(i keep using this word because it is the best one to sum this story up), and had a lot of likable characters, minus the hero. if you like pre-2000 historical romance this is a great read.
if you are reading this review and are debating reading this book, trigger warnings galore for ableism, some racism against jewish people, dubious(leaning more straight up tho) consent, domestic abuse, scary childbirth, and more i probably can’t remember.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2023
Ok so this was good, but not great. At the beggining, it felt as if the pace were to slow. Alwyn is a bitch (and I love her for it she's a cool bitch). Fulk is also a bitch (derogatory), he does not redeemed himself at all, and he might be a great fighter but he's an idiot. Just gather the facts man. The betrayals did not shock me at all, they were too obvious. The writing is really well done tho, and clearly a lot of reserach went into it. If it weren't the case, I would have given this 2 stars.
February 2, 2022
Slow read with a very strong heroine and hero who constantly underestimates/misunderstands her and is jealous as well. Despite his passion the heroine trusts almost everyone over what Alwyn says. She struggles to keep everything together while the hero wages war as per the King's orders. the book ends in HEA and it is believable, practical and realistic.
December 21, 2020
This was a disappointing read. There was no romance or even a real marriage and the story was boring. I didn't care for the characters. They were one dimensional. I had to force myself to finish. I question reading anymore of this author's books.
September 12, 2024
Not a romance. No chemistry betwen the Norman lord and his Saxon wife.
dnf
July 24, 2025Writing is messy. Not exciting.
November 30, 2021
Don’t be put off by the 3.5* reviews, trust me, this book is an all-time favourite! Definitely in my Top 5 for ‘Bodice Rippers’
Maggie Davis, or ‘Katherine Deauxville’ as she’s known as under her Historical Romance novels, manages to do what most authors within this genre cannot, she creates a romance within a medieval setting so expertly, that you truly believe every word on each page. From the small details of historic figures, use of Medieval English used throughout, even down to the tiny descriptions of daily life in the 11th century - it’s clear that the author did extensive research on the time period, and it’s what makes it such a beautiful read that I come back to time and time again!
As a history fanatic, I loved how realistic it was. I know some reviewers couldn’t understand the coldness of Fulks and Alwyns relationship - probably because they’re used to the sappy ‘love at first sight’ in other historical romances, but I appreciated how realistic their volatile relationship was. I mean, come on, would you instantly fall in love with a man you’d been forced to wed? And Alwyn being the daughter of a traitor, you can’t expect the hero to trust and love her instantly, either. Instead, it’s a lengthy and, at times, an unsure romance that blooms from sexual attraction to respect and finally, love.
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good Julie Garwood like anyone else, but sometimes reading hers and similar books feels like I’m reading a Mills and Boon; unrealistic plots that are borderline ridiculous, fairy tale romances, dumbed down girls and tough heroes that instantly crumble when they first lay eyes on their heroine. Blood Red Roses is probably the opposite of that! Aside from the captivating and turbulent relationship between Fulk and Alwyn, there’s also political intrigue that builds up throughout the novel and threatens their marriage.
Overall, I love this book, I especially appreciated the heroine being 25+ lol. I’ve also read the sequels which were just as incredible, my favourite being ‘The Crystal Heart’ and ‘The Amethyst Crown’.
I do have a question, does anyone know if the author is still writing? I’ve tried to do a Google search and her website hasn’t been updated for years, I’ve reread this book more times than I can count so would love an update! 💖
Maggie Davis, or ‘Katherine Deauxville’ as she’s known as under her Historical Romance novels, manages to do what most authors within this genre cannot, she creates a romance within a medieval setting so expertly, that you truly believe every word on each page. From the small details of historic figures, use of Medieval English used throughout, even down to the tiny descriptions of daily life in the 11th century - it’s clear that the author did extensive research on the time period, and it’s what makes it such a beautiful read that I come back to time and time again!
As a history fanatic, I loved how realistic it was. I know some reviewers couldn’t understand the coldness of Fulks and Alwyns relationship - probably because they’re used to the sappy ‘love at first sight’ in other historical romances, but I appreciated how realistic their volatile relationship was. I mean, come on, would you instantly fall in love with a man you’d been forced to wed? And Alwyn being the daughter of a traitor, you can’t expect the hero to trust and love her instantly, either. Instead, it’s a lengthy and, at times, an unsure romance that blooms from sexual attraction to respect and finally, love.
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good Julie Garwood like anyone else, but sometimes reading hers and similar books feels like I’m reading a Mills and Boon; unrealistic plots that are borderline ridiculous, fairy tale romances, dumbed down girls and tough heroes that instantly crumble when they first lay eyes on their heroine. Blood Red Roses is probably the opposite of that! Aside from the captivating and turbulent relationship between Fulk and Alwyn, there’s also political intrigue that builds up throughout the novel and threatens their marriage.
Overall, I love this book, I especially appreciated the heroine being 25+ lol. I’ve also read the sequels which were just as incredible, my favourite being ‘The Crystal Heart’ and ‘The Amethyst Crown’.
I do have a question, does anyone know if the author is still writing? I’ve tried to do a Google search and her website hasn’t been updated for years, I’ve reread this book more times than I can count so would love an update! 💖
February 27, 2014
Even though it's been years since I last read this, I think of it often. The author stuck closely to the reality of life back then, even though that time wasn't pretty. Life was harsh and dirty and there were feuds going on constantly. She weaves her tale into the period very skillfully.
Alwyn doesn't know her husband at all, in fact by the end of the book I remember she still was learning about him. They could have stood for some modern DNA tests to knock some sense into the man. My problem was that I had a hard time following the story. I wasn't sure who were the good guys and who were the bad. Explanations came after the fact and I didn't follow the reasoning much of the time. Regardless, it was very vivid and I thought true to the period. I admire the amount of research she must have done to make it so real.
Alwyn doesn't know her husband at all, in fact by the end of the book I remember she still was learning about him. They could have stood for some modern DNA tests to knock some sense into the man. My problem was that I had a hard time following the story. I wasn't sure who were the good guys and who were the bad. Explanations came after the fact and I didn't follow the reasoning much of the time. Regardless, it was very vivid and I thought true to the period. I admire the amount of research she must have done to make it so real.
March 17, 2012
A suspenseful, fun read, though I felt it took Fulk a long time to accept Gilbert as his son. The Master Mason was a great character as well.
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