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The French Prize
An ancient riddle, a broken vow – a modern-day quest for a medieval treasure.
Australian-born Dr. Olivia Walker is an Oxford academic with a reputation as one of the world’s leading Crusade historians and she’s risked everything on finding one of the most famous swords in history – Durendal. Shrouded in myth and mystery, the sword is fabled to have belonged to the warrior Roland, a champion of Charlemagne’s court, and Olivia is determined to prove to her detractors that the legend is real. Her dream is almost within reach when she discovers the long-lost key to its location in Provence, but her benefactor – Raimund Blancard – has other ideas.
For more than a millennium, the Blancard family have protected the sword. When his brother is tortured and killed by a man who believes he is Roland’s rightful heir, Raimund vows to end the bloodshed forever. He will find Durendal and destroy it, but to do that he needs Olivia's help.
Now Olivia is torn between finding the treasure for which she has hunted all her life and helping the man she has fallen in love with destroy her dream. And all the while, Raimund's murderous nemesis is on their trail, and he will stop at nothing to claim his birthright.
Australian-born Dr. Olivia Walker is an Oxford academic with a reputation as one of the world’s leading Crusade historians and she’s risked everything on finding one of the most famous swords in history – Durendal. Shrouded in myth and mystery, the sword is fabled to have belonged to the warrior Roland, a champion of Charlemagne’s court, and Olivia is determined to prove to her detractors that the legend is real. Her dream is almost within reach when she discovers the long-lost key to its location in Provence, but her benefactor – Raimund Blancard – has other ideas.
For more than a millennium, the Blancard family have protected the sword. When his brother is tortured and killed by a man who believes he is Roland’s rightful heir, Raimund vows to end the bloodshed forever. He will find Durendal and destroy it, but to do that he needs Olivia's help.
Now Olivia is torn between finding the treasure for which she has hunted all her life and helping the man she has fallen in love with destroy her dream. And all the while, Raimund's murderous nemesis is on their trail, and he will stop at nothing to claim his birthright.
352 pages, Paperback
First published July 13, 2014
2 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Cathryn Hein
34 books176 followersCathryn Hein is a best-selling author of rural romance and romantic adventure novels, a Romance Writers of Australia Romantic Book of the Year finalist with Santa and the Saddler, and a regular Australian Romance Reader Awards finalist.
A South Australian country girl by birth, Cathryn loves nothing more than a rugged rural hero who’s as good with his heart as he is with his hands, which is probably why she writes them! Her romances are warm and emotional, and feature themes that don’t flinch from the tougher side of life but are often happily tempered by the antics of naughty animals. Her aim is to make you smile, sigh, and perhaps sniffle a little, but most of all feel wonderful.
Cathryn lives in Newcastle, Australia with her partner of many years, Jim. When she’s not writing, she plays golf (ineptly), cooks (well), and in football season barracks (rowdily) for her beloved Sydney Swans AFL team.
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A South Australian country girl by birth, Cathryn loves nothing more than a rugged rural hero who’s as good with his heart as he is with his hands, which is probably why she writes them! Her romances are warm and emotional, and feature themes that don’t flinch from the tougher side of life but are often happily tempered by the antics of naughty animals. Her aim is to make you smile, sigh, and perhaps sniffle a little, but most of all feel wonderful.
Cathryn lives in Newcastle, Australia with her partner of many years, Jim. When she’s not writing, she plays golf (ineptly), cooks (well), and in football season barracks (rowdily) for her beloved Sydney Swans AFL team.
Do you love free stories? Join my newsletter team for new release news, teasers, book sales and more, along with access to my collection of smile-inducing romantic short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 21, 2015
Australian Olivia Walker is living her dream as an academic historian in Oxford. Ever since she was a little girl and her grandmother told her stories of Charlemagne's court and his knights or paladins she has been fascinated by that period of French history. Now she has been contracted by a Frenchman, Raimund Blancard to help him hunt down the long lost sword of Charlemagne's paladin Roland. Raimund's ancestor was responsible for hiding Roland's sword, Durendal, when Roland died and Olivia must now help Raimund find an ancient relic that will point to Durendal's final hiding place. However, their quest to find the sword is complicated by the presence of another man who feels he has a legitimate claim on the sword and it becomes a race against time to find it.
This historical romance will definitely appeal to lovers of romance. While the historical story was interesting (Roland and Durendal did really exist) I would have liked a bit more historical fact and background to fill out the story. Olivia is depicted as a strong, feisty woman and while we mostly see her feelings for Raimund we do not get much of a feeling for what is going on in Raimund's mind. He is a bit stereotypical as the strong silent type, a reserved practical soldier but I would have loved to see a bit more character development so that his individual personality shines through. The other characters in the story, Christiane and Edouard and Raimund's arch enemy Gaston were also all fairly undeveloped. However, all in all this was an engaging read of the Indiana Jones type adventure quest for long lost historical artifacts. 3.5★
September 15, 2014
The French Prize is a contemporary romantic adventure set in Provence, a change of pace for author Cathryn Hein who has a reputation for her heartwarming Australian rural romance novels.
Dr Olivia Walker is a historian obsessed with finding the mythical sword, Durendal, said to have belonged to the warrior Roland, a champion of Charlemagne’s court. When she is employed by the wealthy Raimund Blacard to recover La Tasse due Chevalier Gris, 'The Cup of the Grey Knight', she is one step closer to realising her dream and silencing her detractors, for etched around the rim is a clue to legendary sword's location.
For centuries the descendants of one of Charlemagne's most trusted aides, Guy of Nabonne, have been the guardians of Durendal but in the 14th century its hiding place was lost. Foreign Legion Captain Raimund Blacard is the last of his family line and he is determined to recover the sword before his murderous rival Gaston, and to Olivia's horror, destroy it.
In part, The French Prize is an Indiana Jones style treasure hunt for a lost relic as Olivia and Raimund search for the clues that will lead them to Durendal. The sword, and the legends of Roland and Charlemagne, are historical facts which have been incorporated into the story and then blended with Hein's imagination.
If I am honest the romance was a touch heavy for me personally with all the yearning and the brooding, it didn't quite overwhelm the plot but I did feel like it threatened to on occasion. That said, the chemistry, relationship development and conflict between Olivia and Raimund was believable within the context of the story.
Olivia, as a passionate historian who has chased the legend of Durendal for most of her life, is horrified by Raimund's plans to destroy the sword and hopes to convince him to spare it. She naively refuses to let the hunt go, even with Gaston posing a very real threat, but proves capable and resourceful.
Raimund is all about duty and honour but his elder brother's murder at the hands of Gaston has him swearing to destroy the sword, despite his family's legacy of guardianship. Grieving and weary, he sees himself as cursed which is why he rebuffs Olivia despite their obvious mutual attraction.
Hein's settings are nicely realised, from the landscape of the French countryside to the hidden room storing Raimund's family treasures, her characters are well drawn and the plot is neatly crafted. Combining romance with well paced action and suspense, The French Prize is an engaging novel.
September 8, 2014
Ever since her grandmother told her the stories of Charlemagne warrior Roland and his sword Durendal, Dr Olivia Walker has been hooked. Now an Oxford scholar with a premier reputation, she has dedicated her life to finding out everything she can about the possible location of the famed sword. And now she has had a break through.
Olivia is bankrolled by the Frenchman Raimund Blacard, a descendant of Roland and his family but Raimund has his own ideas about what they’re going to do with the sword when they find it. Generations of Blacard men have protected its location but not without personal cost. When Raimund’s brother was kidnapped, tortured and killed by a man who believes he is the rightful heir to the sword, Raimund made a vow to himself – and it’s a vow he intends to keep at all costs.
Now Olivia, who wants to find and preserve the relic for all to experience and enjoy, finds herself torn. On one hand, she has hunted for the sword, seeking to solve it’s mystery for almost her entire life. The scholar in her wants to preserve and study. But on the other hand, Raimund is the man she has fallen in love with and she may not be able to stop him from seeing his promise through and destroying the sword.
The French Prize is a new novel by acclaimed rural romance author Cathryn Hein – but it is definitely not a rural romance! In this one she moves away from farm boys and country Australia and instead we’re in Europe with a sexy but rather aloof Frenchman and the search for an ancient relic. As a reader, it can be quite difficult when an author you enjoy tries something new – will you like it as much as the others? Will the differences make or break?
Fortunately I found it all too easy to celebrate the differences in this book. The action is fast paced and clever, with Olivia and Raimund battling to stay one step ahead of Raimund’s murderous foe, who killed his brother and will stop at nothing to deliver the same to Raimund in order to claim the sword. As the last of the Blacards, Raimund is the only thing standing between him and the sword. A soldier in the French Foreign Legion, Raimund is skilled and capable but also grieving and weary. He’s tired of this game, centuries spent protecting something that has caused much heartache and loss. Raimund is very different from the previous heroes in Hein’s books but he’s still undeniably attractive. He’s much more closed off on the surface – definitely a soldier used to following orders and giving them. At times Olivia wonders if he actually has a sense of humour but scratch the surface and Raimund is full of surprises! Olivia is smart and capable, extremely dedicated to the quest (at times almost to the detriment of her own safety) but the further along they get, the more confused she becomes. She started out wanting to discover the sword for the academic benefits, giving the world a chance to see learn about something that most people thought was just a fairy tale. It’s consumed a lot of her life, it’s often made her the topic of ridicule but she’s never wavered in her beliefs that it existed and that she would be able to find it. But the more time she spends with Raimund, the more she learns of how this has almost cursed his family, how it has taken so much from him and how desperately he wants to destroy it and end it once and for all, the more she becomes torn between the academic side of her and the romantic side of her that wants Raimund to be happy. The two of them have some really good chemistry, made complicated by Raimund’s promise and his reluctance to become involved, seek a happiness for himself that he doesn’t believe he can achieve.
As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve never been much of a history buff. I never took history in high school, never picked up an elective at university and it’s only later in life that I started to find an interest in it. I learn through reading now – fiction leads me to research and non-fiction a lot of the time and I’m slowly attempting to fill in the (large) gaps. I loved the historical element in this because it wasn’t too extensive – it was fun and exciting and just enough to get you intrigued. There’s lots of mystery and puzzling out of clues as well as some tricky gadgets and fast cars. This book is a virtual treasure hunt in an exotic location, filled with vivid descriptions of food and wine that’s enough to make anyone’s mouth water. I found myself wanting to drink a wine I’d never even tried before – and the thing is, I don’t even really like wine!
The French Prize has a little of everything – romance, mystery, action, food and fun. It’s taken Cathryn Hein out of the rural romance box and proved that she has a lot more to offer readers with a complex and enjoyable story. I’ve always loved her rurals but I have to say, I love this one just as much!
Olivia is bankrolled by the Frenchman Raimund Blacard, a descendant of Roland and his family but Raimund has his own ideas about what they’re going to do with the sword when they find it. Generations of Blacard men have protected its location but not without personal cost. When Raimund’s brother was kidnapped, tortured and killed by a man who believes he is the rightful heir to the sword, Raimund made a vow to himself – and it’s a vow he intends to keep at all costs.
Now Olivia, who wants to find and preserve the relic for all to experience and enjoy, finds herself torn. On one hand, she has hunted for the sword, seeking to solve it’s mystery for almost her entire life. The scholar in her wants to preserve and study. But on the other hand, Raimund is the man she has fallen in love with and she may not be able to stop him from seeing his promise through and destroying the sword.
The French Prize is a new novel by acclaimed rural romance author Cathryn Hein – but it is definitely not a rural romance! In this one she moves away from farm boys and country Australia and instead we’re in Europe with a sexy but rather aloof Frenchman and the search for an ancient relic. As a reader, it can be quite difficult when an author you enjoy tries something new – will you like it as much as the others? Will the differences make or break?
Fortunately I found it all too easy to celebrate the differences in this book. The action is fast paced and clever, with Olivia and Raimund battling to stay one step ahead of Raimund’s murderous foe, who killed his brother and will stop at nothing to deliver the same to Raimund in order to claim the sword. As the last of the Blacards, Raimund is the only thing standing between him and the sword. A soldier in the French Foreign Legion, Raimund is skilled and capable but also grieving and weary. He’s tired of this game, centuries spent protecting something that has caused much heartache and loss. Raimund is very different from the previous heroes in Hein’s books but he’s still undeniably attractive. He’s much more closed off on the surface – definitely a soldier used to following orders and giving them. At times Olivia wonders if he actually has a sense of humour but scratch the surface and Raimund is full of surprises! Olivia is smart and capable, extremely dedicated to the quest (at times almost to the detriment of her own safety) but the further along they get, the more confused she becomes. She started out wanting to discover the sword for the academic benefits, giving the world a chance to see learn about something that most people thought was just a fairy tale. It’s consumed a lot of her life, it’s often made her the topic of ridicule but she’s never wavered in her beliefs that it existed and that she would be able to find it. But the more time she spends with Raimund, the more she learns of how this has almost cursed his family, how it has taken so much from him and how desperately he wants to destroy it and end it once and for all, the more she becomes torn between the academic side of her and the romantic side of her that wants Raimund to be happy. The two of them have some really good chemistry, made complicated by Raimund’s promise and his reluctance to become involved, seek a happiness for himself that he doesn’t believe he can achieve.
As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve never been much of a history buff. I never took history in high school, never picked up an elective at university and it’s only later in life that I started to find an interest in it. I learn through reading now – fiction leads me to research and non-fiction a lot of the time and I’m slowly attempting to fill in the (large) gaps. I loved the historical element in this because it wasn’t too extensive – it was fun and exciting and just enough to get you intrigued. There’s lots of mystery and puzzling out of clues as well as some tricky gadgets and fast cars. This book is a virtual treasure hunt in an exotic location, filled with vivid descriptions of food and wine that’s enough to make anyone’s mouth water. I found myself wanting to drink a wine I’d never even tried before – and the thing is, I don’t even really like wine!
The French Prize has a little of everything – romance, mystery, action, food and fun. It’s taken Cathryn Hein out of the rural romance box and proved that she has a lot more to offer readers with a complex and enjoyable story. I’ve always loved her rurals but I have to say, I love this one just as much!
August 29, 2014
Ever since she was a little girl regaled with her grandmother’s tales of Charlemagne’s paladin, Roland and his sword, Durendal, Olivia has wanted to discover the artefact’s hiding place.
Now, an Oxford academic and a leading Crusade historian, Dr Olivia Walker, who has trawled through rotting archives, “breathed the dust of Raimund’s ancestors into her lungs” and heard them speak the almost forgotten language of southern France, is the only one who can decipher the true meaning behind La Tasse du Chevalier Gris’ inscription.
Having been commissioned by Raimund Blancard to find the legendary sword, we are introduced to both of them as she is about to unearth the goblet which, according to legend has a riddle inscribed on it that is the “key” to the location of the sword. Hopefully this will give Olivia “vindication for all the years of mockery and ridicule she’d endured” at the hands of her peers.
An argument between them ensues but comes to an abrupt halt when shots suddenly ring out and, ire forgotten, they find themselves running from a persistent gunman.
The treasure safely in Olivia’s hands she doesn’t realise the danger they are in until Raimund begins to reveal the reasons behind their close encounter with the gunman. She is further horrified to learn that Raimund has an arrière-pensée, one which compels her to prevent him doing what he believes is his right – she is, after all, a historian charged with protecting anything of historical value for future generations.
But somewhere in the midst of crossing swords with this enigmatic but honour-bound French Legion soldier who is determined to uphold a promise made to his dead brother, Olivia becomes entangled in his quest for justice and discovers that Durendal is perhaps not the only thing that she wants. Hoping to penetrate Raimund’s hard exterior to see if there is something deeper at his core, she undertakes to help him. Will they be able to find Durendal before the madman on their tail does? If so, will they discover if it is Durendal or love that is the ultimate French prize?
The one thing I love about Cathryn’s novels is that in all of them, she uses beautiful settings to support her romantic themes. Set in present day Provence, she deviates from her usual genre of Australian rural romance to bring us a down-scaled Indiana Jones’ style adventure, packed with legendary French tales, history, beautiful scenery, one gutsy heroine and a very determined hero.
Despite the deviation from our favourite sub-genre and continent, the scenery is authentic, the action scenes fast-paced (with a well-placed booby trap keeping the climax dynamic), while Olivia's growing attraction to Raimund and his loyalty to his brother are palpable. As she draws on memories and photographs of her own time spent living in France, her remarkable knowledge of the Provençal countryside, the language and French history shines through and adds much depth to the novel as you imagine yourself on the dig with both Olivia and Raimund, wander through his family’s subterranean archives smelling those amazing old books and feel the adrenaline rush through your body on a chase through a cave. In typical Hein style, she pulls it together with élan.
If you’ve been longing for some action in your romance novels, then I definitely recommend this romantic escapist adventure.
Now, an Oxford academic and a leading Crusade historian, Dr Olivia Walker, who has trawled through rotting archives, “breathed the dust of Raimund’s ancestors into her lungs” and heard them speak the almost forgotten language of southern France, is the only one who can decipher the true meaning behind La Tasse du Chevalier Gris’ inscription.
Having been commissioned by Raimund Blancard to find the legendary sword, we are introduced to both of them as she is about to unearth the goblet which, according to legend has a riddle inscribed on it that is the “key” to the location of the sword. Hopefully this will give Olivia “vindication for all the years of mockery and ridicule she’d endured” at the hands of her peers.
An argument between them ensues but comes to an abrupt halt when shots suddenly ring out and, ire forgotten, they find themselves running from a persistent gunman.
The treasure safely in Olivia’s hands she doesn’t realise the danger they are in until Raimund begins to reveal the reasons behind their close encounter with the gunman. She is further horrified to learn that Raimund has an arrière-pensée, one which compels her to prevent him doing what he believes is his right – she is, after all, a historian charged with protecting anything of historical value for future generations.
But somewhere in the midst of crossing swords with this enigmatic but honour-bound French Legion soldier who is determined to uphold a promise made to his dead brother, Olivia becomes entangled in his quest for justice and discovers that Durendal is perhaps not the only thing that she wants. Hoping to penetrate Raimund’s hard exterior to see if there is something deeper at his core, she undertakes to help him. Will they be able to find Durendal before the madman on their tail does? If so, will they discover if it is Durendal or love that is the ultimate French prize?
The one thing I love about Cathryn’s novels is that in all of them, she uses beautiful settings to support her romantic themes. Set in present day Provence, she deviates from her usual genre of Australian rural romance to bring us a down-scaled Indiana Jones’ style adventure, packed with legendary French tales, history, beautiful scenery, one gutsy heroine and a very determined hero.
Despite the deviation from our favourite sub-genre and continent, the scenery is authentic, the action scenes fast-paced (with a well-placed booby trap keeping the climax dynamic), while Olivia's growing attraction to Raimund and his loyalty to his brother are palpable. As she draws on memories and photographs of her own time spent living in France, her remarkable knowledge of the Provençal countryside, the language and French history shines through and adds much depth to the novel as you imagine yourself on the dig with both Olivia and Raimund, wander through his family’s subterranean archives smelling those amazing old books and feel the adrenaline rush through your body on a chase through a cave. In typical Hein style, she pulls it together with élan.
If you’ve been longing for some action in your romance novels, then I definitely recommend this romantic escapist adventure.
October 19, 2014
I seem to have trouble reading romances these days without thinking the heroine is annoying, and this heroine was an academic and australian but still managed to be somewhat pathetic around her lover. I just need my girl to be less of a big baby! I loved her mentor but found Eduoard and Christane nice but sort of bland. It's probably me that's the problem here, everyone else lived it.
However, I enjoyed the search through the archives and the history of the sword and cup.
However, I enjoyed the search through the archives and the history of the sword and cup.
August 16, 2016
I didn't realise when I bought this it was a romantic adventure book set around the search for a relic from the Crusades, not a historical book with a side serve of romance. So after my initial disappointment I found the book enjoyable but was frustrated by the heroine who was supposed to be fulfilling her professional life's ambition but kept being sidetracked from her work by wanting to kiss the hero.
October 23, 2017
A pleasantly cosy romance for a period of ill-health; which, if it weren't for the coathanger of some serious mediaevalist academic input would descend into anodyne chick-lit. Oh yes the hook of tourist-avoiding, genuine Provencale descendants enjoying traditions in cuisine, hospitality and dwellings also lends credibility to an otherwise routine 'Gone With The Wind' tendresse.
The French ballad or saga input pulls it together, putting it into a slightly more educative category than some.
? INDIANNA Jones or Lara Croft goes literary with ... well do you know who?
Oh alright, it passed some sick time, wasn't offensive, had some interesting themes but was a bit gooey for me!
The French ballad or saga input pulls it together, putting it into a slightly more educative category than some.
? INDIANNA Jones or Lara Croft goes literary with ... well do you know who?
Oh alright, it passed some sick time, wasn't offensive, had some interesting themes but was a bit gooey for me!
September 19, 2024
A jolly good romp. I found the characters a little bit annoying at times but overall it was an engaging read and definitely a page turned toward the end!
October 14, 2025
Didn't finish book, couldn't get into it
October 29, 2015
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
An ancient riddle, a broken vow – a modern-day quest for a medieval treasure.
Australian-born Dr. Olivia Walker is an Oxford academic with a reputation as one of the world’s leading Crusade historians and she’s risked everything on finding one of the most famous swords in history – Durendal. Shrouded in myth and mystery, the sword is fabled to have belonged to the warrior Roland, a champion of Charlemagne’s court, and Olivia is determined to prove to her detractors that the legend is real. Her dream is almost within reach when she discovers the long-lost key to its location in Provence, but her benefactor – Raimund Blancard – has other ideas.
For more than a millennium, the Blancard family have protected the sword. When his brother is tortured and killed by a man who believes he is Roland’s rightful heir, Raimund vows to end the bloodshed forever. He will find Durendal and destroy it, but to do that he needs Olivia's help.
Now Olivia is torn between finding the treasure for which she has hunted all her life and helping the man she has fallen in love with destroy her dream. And all the while, Raimund's murderous nemesis is on their trail, and he will stop at nothing to claim his birthright.
Having read a few of Cathryn Hein's Australian Rural Romance novels, I figured this might have been a nice change of pace and a real good indication of how she tackles stepping outside her comfort zone...and it almost worked out well.
I will start by saying that I do like the author's writing style - she never tries to overthink anything, doesn't add unnecessary detail or anything like that. The story flows well, at no point do you feel like the story has died, nor do the characters ever feel like cardboard cut-outs or caricatures. All that stuff is very well done - as I expected.
However, the downside for me was the storytelling itself - there were times when the story started to really get interesting and we were thrown to a romance interlude. I think it may have been a case of not wanting to get through the plot too quickly so she filled in some spaces with romance. Which would have been fine - it is billed as a bit of a romance novel - but it seemed to confuse me as to what the author was actually aiming for. I think there was a really good adventure story in that plot but it gets weakened (for me) by the constant interjections of romantic scenes. It could have been a very interesting romance novel, also, if she had dropped some of the mystery/action stuff...it just didn't blend perfectly for me.
Paul
ARH
An ancient riddle, a broken vow – a modern-day quest for a medieval treasure.
Australian-born Dr. Olivia Walker is an Oxford academic with a reputation as one of the world’s leading Crusade historians and she’s risked everything on finding one of the most famous swords in history – Durendal. Shrouded in myth and mystery, the sword is fabled to have belonged to the warrior Roland, a champion of Charlemagne’s court, and Olivia is determined to prove to her detractors that the legend is real. Her dream is almost within reach when she discovers the long-lost key to its location in Provence, but her benefactor – Raimund Blancard – has other ideas.
For more than a millennium, the Blancard family have protected the sword. When his brother is tortured and killed by a man who believes he is Roland’s rightful heir, Raimund vows to end the bloodshed forever. He will find Durendal and destroy it, but to do that he needs Olivia's help.
Now Olivia is torn between finding the treasure for which she has hunted all her life and helping the man she has fallen in love with destroy her dream. And all the while, Raimund's murderous nemesis is on their trail, and he will stop at nothing to claim his birthright.
Having read a few of Cathryn Hein's Australian Rural Romance novels, I figured this might have been a nice change of pace and a real good indication of how she tackles stepping outside her comfort zone...and it almost worked out well.
I will start by saying that I do like the author's writing style - she never tries to overthink anything, doesn't add unnecessary detail or anything like that. The story flows well, at no point do you feel like the story has died, nor do the characters ever feel like cardboard cut-outs or caricatures. All that stuff is very well done - as I expected.
However, the downside for me was the storytelling itself - there were times when the story started to really get interesting and we were thrown to a romance interlude. I think it may have been a case of not wanting to get through the plot too quickly so she filled in some spaces with romance. Which would have been fine - it is billed as a bit of a romance novel - but it seemed to confuse me as to what the author was actually aiming for. I think there was a really good adventure story in that plot but it gets weakened (for me) by the constant interjections of romantic scenes. It could have been a very interesting romance novel, also, if she had dropped some of the mystery/action stuff...it just didn't blend perfectly for me.
Paul
ARH
September 4, 2016
An excellent adventure into history and secrets with a touch of romance amidst the beauty of Provence.
When I first saw this book my immediate thought was ‘Sounds Awesome’. My second thought was ‘Hey, hands off my genre!’. I knew of Cathryn Hein and her rural fiction so in my mind that was what she wrote. Remember this was early in my publishing career and I was still almost exclusively reading thrillers, suspense, and romantic suspense. I put The French Prize on my mental To-Read list and got back to work. There are so many books out there and I didn’t end up reading The French Prize until just recently. That I waited so long is entirely my loss. This book is an excellent adventure.
As befitting an academic, Olivia is serious and dedicated and just a little bit obsessed with finding the cup and the sword that are central to this tale. The story revolves around the romantic story of Charlemagne and as I only have a passing acquaintance with it I loved learning about it through Olivia and Raimund’s eyes. Raimund is just as obsessed with the quest for the sword, perhaps more so. His back story is intriguing and nicely woven into the danger the two confront as they continue their quest. I’m not going to spill Raimund’s secrets or the surprise that awaits Olivia in his villa because that would spoil your journey. It took me a few pages to invest in the characters and I wanted a little more relationship development since Olivia’s change from seeing Raimund as arrogant and controlling to viewing him as her romantic hero seemed a little abrupt. Then again, I was so wrapped up in the adventure that I raced through the story, reading it in one sitting. Another read through would probably reveal greater nuances to the relationship. I’m definitely looking forward to a more leisurely read as Cathryn Hein writes beautifully.
The French Prize was an easy and thoroughly enjoyable read. If you love history and secrets and a touch of romance amidst the beauty of Provence (and really, who doesn’t love that?) then this book is definitely for you.
*I own a copy*
When I first saw this book my immediate thought was ‘Sounds Awesome’. My second thought was ‘Hey, hands off my genre!’. I knew of Cathryn Hein and her rural fiction so in my mind that was what she wrote. Remember this was early in my publishing career and I was still almost exclusively reading thrillers, suspense, and romantic suspense. I put The French Prize on my mental To-Read list and got back to work. There are so many books out there and I didn’t end up reading The French Prize until just recently. That I waited so long is entirely my loss. This book is an excellent adventure.
As befitting an academic, Olivia is serious and dedicated and just a little bit obsessed with finding the cup and the sword that are central to this tale. The story revolves around the romantic story of Charlemagne and as I only have a passing acquaintance with it I loved learning about it through Olivia and Raimund’s eyes. Raimund is just as obsessed with the quest for the sword, perhaps more so. His back story is intriguing and nicely woven into the danger the two confront as they continue their quest. I’m not going to spill Raimund’s secrets or the surprise that awaits Olivia in his villa because that would spoil your journey. It took me a few pages to invest in the characters and I wanted a little more relationship development since Olivia’s change from seeing Raimund as arrogant and controlling to viewing him as her romantic hero seemed a little abrupt. Then again, I was so wrapped up in the adventure that I raced through the story, reading it in one sitting. Another read through would probably reveal greater nuances to the relationship. I’m definitely looking forward to a more leisurely read as Cathryn Hein writes beautifully.
The French Prize was an easy and thoroughly enjoyable read. If you love history and secrets and a touch of romance amidst the beauty of Provence (and really, who doesn’t love that?) then this book is definitely for you.
*I own a copy*
September 24, 2014
The French Prize was a fun light-hearted romance that I really enjoyed. What I really liked was the collision of history and present time. And ‘knights’! I think that says it all...
Dr Olivia Walker is an intelligent woman chasing her dreams... her dreams, though, were about to come through yet they just might undermine her future happiness. She’s a woman who knows herself and is spunky enough to stand for herself –an easily likeable heroine.
Raimund Blancard is the last of his line and determined to destroy the fabled item that had so far taken apart his family. He’s one of those macho alpha male –a bit overbearing & overprotective but as always, with a soft core.
This wasn’t in any way a hard read –a bit of history, some mystery, bit of action, and tons of attraction thrown together for an enjoyable lazy afternoon read. There were a bit of kissing and sexual references but there was nothing graphic so it’s a fairly clean read. All in all, The French Prize was easy on the eyes and easy on the brain.
Thank you, Harlequin MIRA, for copy of eARC via NetGalley
Dr Olivia Walker is an intelligent woman chasing her dreams... her dreams, though, were about to come through yet they just might undermine her future happiness. She’s a woman who knows herself and is spunky enough to stand for herself –an easily likeable heroine.
Raimund Blancard is the last of his line and determined to destroy the fabled item that had so far taken apart his family. He’s one of those macho alpha male –a bit overbearing & overprotective but as always, with a soft core.
This wasn’t in any way a hard read –a bit of history, some mystery, bit of action, and tons of attraction thrown together for an enjoyable lazy afternoon read. There were a bit of kissing and sexual references but there was nothing graphic so it’s a fairly clean read. All in all, The French Prize was easy on the eyes and easy on the brain.
Thank you, Harlequin MIRA, for copy of eARC via NetGalley
August 2, 2015
I dived straight into this book because of the mouthwatering premise of an Indiana Jones-like adventure and in this particular aspect, The French Prize didn't disappoint. Ms Hein's descriptions of the Provencal countryside and solid grasp of history definitely created an atmosphere I was content to lose myself in for a couple of hours.
But it seems that these days - maybe I'm getting truly intolerant or something - I've been getting an influx of annoying, petulant heroines who should really know better than behave way below their status and obsessions. Olivia's obsession with history and artefacts should be something I normally find commendable, but her disregard for safety and stubborn insistence do cross the line into TSTL category at times. At the same time, Raimund is described often as a classy hero and a modern-day knight, but because the story was written from Olivia's perspective, he merely came across as wooden with hints of feeling.
In all, a good read...if you can stomach characterisation that can seem lacking in depth at times.
But it seems that these days - maybe I'm getting truly intolerant or something - I've been getting an influx of annoying, petulant heroines who should really know better than behave way below their status and obsessions. Olivia's obsession with history and artefacts should be something I normally find commendable, but her disregard for safety and stubborn insistence do cross the line into TSTL category at times. At the same time, Raimund is described often as a classy hero and a modern-day knight, but because the story was written from Olivia's perspective, he merely came across as wooden with hints of feeling.
In all, a good read...if you can stomach characterisation that can seem lacking in depth at times.
September 8, 2014
I loved this story it has everything that will have you captured in the journey from page one the characters are so real you will feel as if you are there and the setting awesome this one is exciting suspenseful and filled with action as Olivia and Raimund search for a medievil sword that has caused Raimund's family heartache over the centuries. Dr Olivia Walker is an historian hired by Raimund Blancard to help find an an ancient cup that holds a riddle of where the magical sword is hidden but along with much danger Olivia loses her heart and falls in love with Raimund but Raimund is the last in the family and is determined to never find love and carry on the family, he wants this all finished so as he can get back to being a soldier. But Olivia is a very stubborn woman :) this is a story that will have you up late at night and not wanting to put it down till the end this one really is a must read and it will stay with me for a long time be prepared for a wonderful adventure that will have you on the edge of your seat grabbing tissues and smiling throughout the story.
January 22, 2015
I could scarcely bear to put it down to eat or sleep! The book tells of a quest for long-hidden family treasures by the last remaining family member and an ardent historian. They seek a chalice, with accompanying verbal clue, and a sword reminiscent of Excalibur: perhaps both of these are myths, but our seekers are convinced of their reality, and attempts on their lives tend to confirm the reality of the treasures they seek. Dangers increase the more they learn, and their own relationship, originally merely two eager seekers after the truth and the treasure, develops almost in spite of their will. The setting is France, the historical detail fascinating, and the sheer determination and integrity of the two at the heart of the story are very winning. I greatly enjoyed this book.
August 25, 2014
Received an advance reading copy of this book from work. It was ok, something easy to read when I've been in a reading funk. I found the archeology side of things were a bit... idk. Lacking? Thats the only way I can describe it. The plot also is very heavy with romance, which is nice. I enjoyed the description of Southern France, the author was very descriptive and it helped set the scene.
- The villian wasn't anything too special
- The ending. The sword is still missing?? I know what he shows her at the very end but she doesn't see it. Not conclusive enough for me.
Overall, enjoyable light read that doesn't require too much thinking.
- The villian wasn't anything too special
- The ending. The sword is still missing?? I know what he shows her at the very end but she doesn't see it. Not conclusive enough for me.
Overall, enjoyable light read that doesn't require too much thinking.
October 9, 2015
Cathryn Hein has written several rural romances, but I was drawn to this romantic adventure instead. An Oxford academic from Australia, Dr Olivia Walker, is drawn to the ages old quest to find the fabled sword Durendal for Frenchman Raimund Blancard - a sword which sounds deliciously Lord Of The Rings-ish. I thought Cathryn must have invented the sword until I googled it, and it is very prominent in all the history/legends she outlines in the book. Fascinating! The book is also a love letter to the beauty of rural France, although poor Olivia and Raimund don't get to enjoy it as they scramble for their lives. What a terrific, compelling read.
October 24, 2014
This was an easy read but I expected more from the archaeological side of things. I thought the author just skimmed the surface and really could have delved deeper into that side of things. The romance was good, but also seemed rushed. I'm not sure if that's because the book starts when they have already worked together for a while, though.
November 19, 2014
The story needed at least a hundred more pages to flesh it out and give the characters authenticity. Having said that I did enjoy the light-hearted plot but feel very much like I've just read a 'Mills & Boon' where the stereotypical story of woman likes man but you have no idea what he's thinking till the end was very much in play.
November 26, 2014
rating - 1.5
This book was only just ok. There was too much stuff in the book that didn't need to be there. But I liked the story line. It would have been so much better if some/alot of the description was deleted. Way too much detail for me. Too much analysis of the feelings.
This author should read People of the Book to see how it's done.
This book was only just ok. There was too much stuff in the book that didn't need to be there. But I liked the story line. It would have been so much better if some/alot of the description was deleted. Way too much detail for me. Too much analysis of the feelings.
This author should read People of the Book to see how it's done.
August 31, 2014
Loved this one! Why not? It's got action-packed adventure, a lovely romance, a spirited, intelligent heroine, a sexy, laconic French hero, the spice of a treasure hunt and it's set in the gorgeous South of France. Such a treat.
September 8, 2014
Different to Cathryn Hein's usual stories...but I still loved it! Though I am not one for the Indigo Jones type of story, this one had more than enough interesting characters to sustain the suspense and enjoyment of the novel.
September 25, 2014
While I really enjoyed the original storyline and characters in this novel, I felt like it could have done with a few hundred more pages to make the plot more authentic and believable, fleshing out the characters' personal development as well as the development of the relationships within the book.
December 29, 2014
Mmmmm .. Was anticipating something a little more historical and a little less romantic - still I learnt some things about medieval France - but it felt like there were gaps which just got filled up with the 'romance' stuff - which was not particularly well written.
September 6, 2014
Exciting and satisfying romantic suspense in the most perfect setting (food sounded pretty darn good, too)
February 5, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. It's not my preferred genre, but is written by an author that I like. It has romance, suspense, mystery and an interesting legend. Well written and very interesting.
February 11, 2015
I liked this book, it was pitched as a romance but I found the story line much more than a romantic novel.
July 28, 2015
Tried really hard to read this, got to Chapter 7 and gave up - I could not give a rats what happened to the characters in it. Mills & Boon level reading!
April 13, 2017
Australian-born Olivia is one of the world's leading Crusade historians. Most of her life has been spent hoping to find a famous sword, the Durendal that belonged to the warrior Roland, a champion of Charlemagne's court. In France she finds The Cup of the Grey Knight which has an inscription engraved on it. This inscription is a clue of where to find the Durendale. The sword has been hidden for more than a millennium by the Blanchard family. Raimund's brother had been tortured by a man who believed he is the rightful heir to the Durendale so Raimund must find the sword before this man. Olivia falls in love with Raimund, who ignores her hints that she's attracted to him and all the way through the book she describes how gorgeous he is and his eyes are mentioned so many times! his molten dark chocolate eyes, his espresso eyes, fastening his brown eyes on hers, hopeful brown eyes, regarding her with his shining eyes, his brown eyes feverish from his find, his espresso eyes held hers, his eyes appeared milk chocolate brown in the daylight, lightened by the bright sun, his espresso eyes were dark! I really got to hate his eyes.
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