The Briton

by Catherine Palmer

Lady Bronwen, proud inheritor of the ancient ways of the Britons, had lost all she held dear. She had been widowed in war, then robbed of the ancestral home that was her birthright. And now her last hope was a stranger—one with whom she'd shared a single tender kiss.

The foreign knight Jacques le Brun begged her to let him defend her honor—nay, her very life. But he owed fealty to the hated French who had conquered her country, England, and to the new faith they brought with them. Could Bronwen place her trust in the pure, untainted love she saw shining in this man's eyes—and follow him to a new world…?

Genres: Romance, Christian Fiction, Love Inspired, Historical Fiction, Christian Romance, Historical Romance, Christian

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 1, 2008

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Catherine Palmer lives in Atlanta with her husband, Tim, where they serve as missionaries in a refugee community. They have two grown sons. Cathy is a graduate of Southwest Baptist University and holds a master's degree in English from Baylor University. Her first book was published in 1988. Since then she has published over 50 novels, many of them national best sellers. Catherine has won numerous awards for her writing, including the Christy Award, the highest honor in Christian fiction. In 2004, she was given the Career Achievement Award for Inspirational Romance by "Romantic Times" magazine. More than 2 million copies of Catherine's novels are currently in print. The Author's Work With her compelling characters and strong message of Christian faith, Catherine is known for writing fiction that "touches the hearts and souls of readers." Her many collections include A Town Called Hope, Treasures of the Heart, Finders Keepers, English Ivy, and the Miss Pickworth series. Catherine also recently coauthored the Four Seasons fiction series with Gary Chapman, the "New York Times" best-selling author of "The Five Love Languages."

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading the blurb on the back of the book, I expected this to be a quick, sappy, 'fluffy' Christian romance novel. It was not that at all (though it was most certainly Christian-without-rubbing-your-face-in-religion)! Sure, there were romantic parts, but they were woven throughout the book, and were never really a true focus until the ending chapters. The main portion of the book was filled with excitement and adventure: the tale of a knight and a lady, set in 10th century England, (around the time Henry II became king). I had a hard time putting this one down. For anyone that loves history, please check this one out. It read more like a Thomas Costain novel than a sappy romance. Really, really enjoyed this one and will be checking out more by the author. :)

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found that I actually enjoyed all the mushy scenes. Felt bad for the hero always getting rejected. But despite the flaws of a first novel, I did like it. Also, it was unique in trying to get inside the head of a premodern noblewoman whose first duty is to her heritage, not her heart. There was a good sense of disparate groups (Briton, Viking, Saxon, Norman) learning to all live together and except the reality of post conquest England.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christian fiction with a lot of historical background on the Britons, Vikings, and Norman’s. I liked Jacques (yeah, I’m a sucker for those knights with black curls!) but Bronwen got in my nerves. I couldn’t connect with her loyalty to her father.

[Allison Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story

[Jan Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clean romance set in medieval England containing a smart brave heroine and an attractive chivalrous hero. What’s not to like!

[Leigh Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be the best movie! Castles, gowns, secrets, old vs new ideas. Wonderful writing. My first for CP. I will be looking to read more from her.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a strange one. Love at first sight followed by long periods of no contact. Characters for claiming they had suffered for months thinking of the other, but as a reader, we did not get to participate in any of that. The scenes shared by the main characters were eagerly anticipated and often satisfactory, but the main character's reluctance to enter into the relationship was puzzling, and I struggled to understand the strength of her resistance. I enjoyed reading about the time period, but found myself frustrated and confused by the romance. Perhaps if I read it again, I would have a better understanding.

There was also a bit much in the religious area, a bit more focus on the main character's conversion to Christianity than I cared for.

[Kaitlynn Engel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I hated the feeling of being strung along with the male protagonist when the female protagonist kept refusing him. And I honestly don't think that some of the things that happened in the story would have been plausible in that time period. But whatever, she writes well, especially since this was her first book.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the story, but I think that it's a little hard to believe how many times the male protagonist coincidentally arrives. Also, I got a little lost regarding the passing of time. There were a few instances where I thought a week or two had passed when in reality many months had gone by. Other than this, I very much enjoyed this historical romance!

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've basically always loved CP's work, so I got this with total confidence that I would love it. I was surprised, then to find it a little cheesy. By the time I got to the end and saw in the note from the author that it was her first novel, I felt vindicated in my opinion. It isn't bad. But it isn't good, and CP has definitely become a better writer with time.

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://breesabookworm.blogspot.com/

Oh, I just loved this book! It's set way way back. I love historical romances and was so glad when Love Inspired came out with their Historical books! These is just a good historical Chrisian romance!

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic read.

It has Vikings and their gods and Britons and their gods and the Normans and their God.

It was action packed, had the old ways of a woman being married off without choice and so much more.

Worth reading

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I generally really love Catherine Palmer's books and was excited to see a new one out, but I must admit to some disappointment. Not her greatest by far, although there were parts that I enjoyed.

[Donnetta · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was OK as far as fluffy romance novels go.

[bookwyrmemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book. I've never read Steeple Hill fiction before... I'll definitely keep my eyes open for any more books!

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good on plot, but it took forever for her to get together with the guy, which we all knew was going to happen. It had more emphasis on despair than hope.

[Highland-dreamer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the story was good, but the ending fell flat, in my opinion.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my all time favorite books.

[Christal · Rating 3 out of 5]

set in Viking days, it was an interesting romance.

[Awjtf · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book!

[Cash'Lion Elud'Ox]

I decided its not for me. Well onto the next book of choice. I might try Stargate SG-1: Roswell read it until I can afford the Stargate SG-1: The Drift.

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

http://community.livejournal.com/genr...

[Allyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sort of a rush ending, but really loved the action in this one. :)