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Perigueux Family #1
Tormenta secreta
¿Qué precio estaba dispuesta a pagar para conservar la mansión y las propiedades que durante siglos habían pertenecido a su familia? Sola, sin hermanos ni padres que la protegieran, viuda de un sajón que sucumbió en la última y más cruel de las batallas contra el invasor, Faithe de Hauekleah tendrá que aceptar como esposo a un noble extranjero, a un enemigo, o permitir que le sea arrebatado aquello que más ama. Guillermo, el rey normando, ha vencido a Haroldo, el rey sajón, en una batalla que pasará a los anales de la historia: Hastings. Los conquistadores imponen su ley. Es joven, viuda y hermosa... y su rey acaba de perder una guerra definitiva. Ha sido en la batalla de Hastings, y teme ahora que los vencedores usurpen sus posesiones, sus tierras, su preciada mansión de Hauekleah. Pero... tal vez si aceptara casarse con el noble normando, el Halcón Negro, un enemigo, uno de los más temibles entre ellos, y lo complaciera como se espera de una esposa... aunque no lo amara... conservaría para sí el honor y para los suyos la tierra que les da de comer. Esos campos fértiles, la paz que transmite el lugar, incluso aquella hermosa mujer, Faithe de Hauekleah, fuerte por fuera, vulnerable en su interior... Es todo con lo que ha soñado, lo que le ha permitido mantenerse en pie, ballesta al hombro, en plena batalla. Pero es un sueño... ¿Cómo podría un hombre como él, atormentado por el recuerdo de tanta muerte, de tanta atrocidad, aspirar a una porción de cielo? Luke de Perigueux sabe que su negra alma sólo encontrará remisión en el amor incondicional. Visite nuestro especial de Novela Romántica Actual
368 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1997
30 people are currently reading
258 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Ryan
62 books184 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Patricia Burford Ryan (born August 9, 1954 in Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States) is an American writer of romance novels as Patricia Ryan, mystery novels as P.B. Ryan and erotica novels as Louisa Burton. She is the twin sister of the romance writer Pamela Burford.
She won a Golden Heart award in 1994 in the category "short contemporary series" and a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award. Her book Silken Threads also won a RITA, the top award of the Romance Writers of America, for "Best Long Historical Romance" of 2000.
Patricia Burford Ryan (born August 9, 1954 in Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States) is an American writer of romance novels as Patricia Ryan, mystery novels as P.B. Ryan and erotica novels as Louisa Burton. She is the twin sister of the romance writer Pamela Burford.
She won a Golden Heart award in 1994 in the category "short contemporary series" and a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award. Her book Silken Threads also won a RITA, the top award of the Romance Writers of America, for "Best Long Historical Romance" of 2000.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 24 reviews
March 9, 2011
As the author note states this is a true beauty and the beast story. One where the love of a strong woman saves the soul of the beastly creature she has somehow fallen for. Although the hero in SECRET THUNDER isn't hideously deformed (in fact he is a gorgeous male specimen) he more than fits the bill of the beast as the reader discovers right off the bat.
He is Luke de Periguerix, AKA the Black Dragon, a fearsome Norman warrior known for his ruthlessness on the battlefield. Fortunately, for the reader, underneath all of the brawn and ruthlessness lies a man with a kind heart whose biggest dream after facing (and committing) the worst atrocities of war is to live out the rest of his life quietly on a farm.
She is Faithe, a widowed Saxon woman, strong of heart and mind. She's a woman who loves her home so fiercely she is willing to marry the enemy in order to keep it.
Once married the two are fiercely attracted to each other but naturally have reservations about forming any kind of relationship. Just as things begin to fall into place for them a secret Luke wishes to remain buried comes back to haunt him and threatens their budding relationship.
The story starts out crudely and contains some very gruesome scenes. This is one author who does not pretty up the blood and brutality of the times she is writing about. But don't let this put you off; Ms. Rice balances the gore and darkness with many moments of compassion, beauty and light.
This book is sensual, very sensual and although the story line might sound familiar to many romance readers it features a very unique heroine. She's a widow who, imagine this, has enjoyed sex before she meets the hero! This, among many other things, endeared me to her and made for some very racy and exciting scenes. It also made her a real person in my eyes. I'm a little tired of the virginal heroine (be she a widow or not). Faithe was a nice change of pace.
The descriptions of life at the time are done so well you'll be sweating alongside the characters as they shear the sheep in the sweltering sun, you'll smell the stench of blood and grime on the unwashed bodies after battle. Ms. Rice is just so darn good you'll feel like you're there.
The plot does have a tendency to rely on misunderstandings between both characters. This is something that usually bugs me but because the writing is so exciting and realistic this didn't mar my enjoyment at all. I think it's because the reasons for the misunderstandings were valid and honorable rather than silly, petty things. I didn't feel like slapping anyone silly because I understood their reasons for not coming clean. I felt like crying for them both because of their predicaments.
The characterization (especially Luke's) is absolutely stunning. I've got to admit that after the first few chapters this is one beast that I was bound and determined to hate and I was ready to put the book aside but I'm so glad I continued reading. The author made him human and compassionate and, believe me, it was no easy feat with this hero! SECRET THUNDER might make you queasy, it might make you cry and it might even make you laugh. Which when you come down to it is the reason many of us read fiction ~ to be swept away and drawn into another place and time, even if we wouldn't want to stay there. These are all things this book fully delivers.
If you are a medieval fan, a beauty and the beast fan, or just like a really well told story that packs an emotional wallop SECRET THUNDER is most definitely worth a few hours of your precious reading time
He is Luke de Periguerix, AKA the Black Dragon, a fearsome Norman warrior known for his ruthlessness on the battlefield. Fortunately, for the reader, underneath all of the brawn and ruthlessness lies a man with a kind heart whose biggest dream after facing (and committing) the worst atrocities of war is to live out the rest of his life quietly on a farm.
She is Faithe, a widowed Saxon woman, strong of heart and mind. She's a woman who loves her home so fiercely she is willing to marry the enemy in order to keep it.
Once married the two are fiercely attracted to each other but naturally have reservations about forming any kind of relationship. Just as things begin to fall into place for them a secret Luke wishes to remain buried comes back to haunt him and threatens their budding relationship.
The story starts out crudely and contains some very gruesome scenes. This is one author who does not pretty up the blood and brutality of the times she is writing about. But don't let this put you off; Ms. Rice balances the gore and darkness with many moments of compassion, beauty and light.
This book is sensual, very sensual and although the story line might sound familiar to many romance readers it features a very unique heroine. She's a widow who, imagine this, has enjoyed sex before she meets the hero! This, among many other things, endeared me to her and made for some very racy and exciting scenes. It also made her a real person in my eyes. I'm a little tired of the virginal heroine (be she a widow or not). Faithe was a nice change of pace.
The descriptions of life at the time are done so well you'll be sweating alongside the characters as they shear the sheep in the sweltering sun, you'll smell the stench of blood and grime on the unwashed bodies after battle. Ms. Rice is just so darn good you'll feel like you're there.
The plot does have a tendency to rely on misunderstandings between both characters. This is something that usually bugs me but because the writing is so exciting and realistic this didn't mar my enjoyment at all. I think it's because the reasons for the misunderstandings were valid and honorable rather than silly, petty things. I didn't feel like slapping anyone silly because I understood their reasons for not coming clean. I felt like crying for them both because of their predicaments.
The characterization (especially Luke's) is absolutely stunning. I've got to admit that after the first few chapters this is one beast that I was bound and determined to hate and I was ready to put the book aside but I'm so glad I continued reading. The author made him human and compassionate and, believe me, it was no easy feat with this hero! SECRET THUNDER might make you queasy, it might make you cry and it might even make you laugh. Which when you come down to it is the reason many of us read fiction ~ to be swept away and drawn into another place and time, even if we wouldn't want to stay there. These are all things this book fully delivers.
If you are a medieval fan, a beauty and the beast fan, or just like a really well told story that packs an emotional wallop SECRET THUNDER is most definitely worth a few hours of your precious reading time
October 19, 2021
This book was a disappointment for me! It wasn't bad but it wasn't good either.
The book started out well. The H, in a drugged state, murders a Saxon man at a whore's house. Spoiler .....the deadman is the h's husband. Good beginning, right? Unfortunately, the book went down hill for me. This book was soo slow. I kept looking at the pages thinking "My God! I have 200pgs to go". The story would have been better as a novella.
3 biggest problem:
1. nonconsummation of the marriage. It's unrealistic and always frustrating! The H wanted the h to having feelings for him first. Yuck!
2. The author must not understand the Norman Invasion. No one would care about a Saxon man being murdered. They all had bigger problems!
3. The H arrives with only his brother. No fighting men! His brother would have left if he hadn't been injured. Was he suppose to rule these Saxons by himself? Granted it was land gentry but still
Conclusion:
I don't think the author knew what kind of book she wanted to write. From a raw beginning to a sweet ending. It just wasn't a fit for me. That being said.. I think some will like it. The MC are a good couple and the book does have some good parts. It's not a badly written book, I just found it be ..meh. This author has written better!
The book started out well. The H, in a drugged state, murders a Saxon man at a whore's house. Spoiler .....the deadman is the h's husband. Good beginning, right? Unfortunately, the book went down hill for me. This book was soo slow. I kept looking at the pages thinking "My God! I have 200pgs to go". The story would have been better as a novella.
3 biggest problem:
1. nonconsummation of the marriage. It's unrealistic and always frustrating! The H wanted the h to having feelings for him first. Yuck!
2. The author must not understand the Norman Invasion. No one would care about a Saxon man being murdered. They all had bigger problems!
3. The H arrives with only his brother. No fighting men! His brother would have left if he hadn't been injured. Was he suppose to rule these Saxons by himself? Granted it was land gentry but still
Conclusion:
I don't think the author knew what kind of book she wanted to write. From a raw beginning to a sweet ending. It just wasn't a fit for me. That being said.. I think some will like it. The MC are a good couple and the book does have some good parts. It's not a badly written book, I just found it be ..meh. This author has written better!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2016
Faithe of Hauekleah was married to her Saxon husband for eight years when he was pronounced dead by Orrik, their bailiff. They had fought against the Normans and lost. She was then wedded to Luke de Perigueux, the Black Dragon. He was her enemy but she was expected to remain faithful to him without prejudice.
Luke had returned from the war sadly detached. He had suffered from headaches and was tired. After awarded his boon, all he wanted to do was quietly settle down. But he had a secret and with it, some loss of memory.
Their romance developed slowly as was expected. Orrik did his best by trying to influence Faithe with umbrage, exasperation and resentment. He thought of her as his daughter and expected Faithe to believe everything he told her. Because of this matter and Luke’s secret, there was some minor suspense.
For me, the best part of the story was Luke and Faithe’s internal transition. It also helped that Alex, Luke’s outspoken and humorous younger brother, was along for the ride.
Luke had returned from the war sadly detached. He had suffered from headaches and was tired. After awarded his boon, all he wanted to do was quietly settle down. But he had a secret and with it, some loss of memory.
Their romance developed slowly as was expected. Orrik did his best by trying to influence Faithe with umbrage, exasperation and resentment. He thought of her as his daughter and expected Faithe to believe everything he told her. Because of this matter and Luke’s secret, there was some minor suspense.
For me, the best part of the story was Luke and Faithe’s internal transition. It also helped that Alex, Luke’s outspoken and humorous younger brother, was along for the ride.
October 13, 2012
A really good medieval romance, with a lot of twists and a passionate romance. Patricia Ryan is an incredible story teller, this is another winner. A beautiful love story, some high adventure, mixed with incredible odds and a touching ending. Sigh. :-)
April 20, 2012
Luke de Perigueux is known as the "Black Dragon" for his brutality and ferocity in battle, but it is not who he truly is inside. One of the most infamous and most feared of all the invading Norman soldiers, Luke keeps his bloodlust alive through the use of a special blend of herbs. He is distressed by his life and always afraid of the 'beast' that he believes lives inside of him. Finally, one night, when Luke believes he has committed a heinous crime, he retreats to a monastery to cleanse his soul and stave off his addiction to the herbs. After several months of solitude, Luke's overlord, Lord Alberic, grants him a farmstead called Haukleah... and the Lady of Haukleah, a Saxon widow, as a wife.
Faithe of Haukeleah is a widow - her Saxon husband having been killed off by illness after leaving to fight the Norman Invasion. She finds out that her ancestral home and farmstead will be handed to the "Black Dragon" - one of the most feared of the Norman soldiers. She can stay at Haukleah only if she agrees to marry its new Norman Lord, Luke de Perigueux. Although Faithe is loathe to marry a man who has killed so many of her people, her only alternative would be to leave her beloved home - which is an option she refuses to consider. Reluctantly, she agrees to the marriage. Her previous marriage had been pleasant, but it was not a love match. Faithe certainly does not expect her second marriage to be much different... but there is something about Luke that draws her to him. Now if only she could convince some of her most trusted staff of Luke's true nature...
This is a story of how love can heal. It's very much a 'beauty and the beast' tale. It was well told and very, very passionate. Faithe was an interesting heroine because - although she had not been in love with her first husband - she had a pleasant and enjoyable sex life before the hero. In fact, the heroine is quite lusty. This was a refreshing change from the usual fare. Luke is so warm and kind and compassionate, but he hides this 'true self' behind his brutal soldier facade. He longs to have a normal life and a loving marriage but does not believe he is capable. Luke lives in fear of 'the beast' that he believes dwells within him. As he begins to fall in love with Faithe, he longs to protect her from this 'beast.' Faithe helps him to see his true self, and loves him despite all of his faults and his past wrongs.
The main conflict in this book does not become apparent right away. The hero and heroine fall in love early on in the book, and for a while in the middle, the story dragged a bit. However, once the primary conflict comes into play, the book really took off again and the pace picked up. As always, Ms. Ryan is awesome with her characterizations. The secondary characters in this book really stood out. A major secondary character in this story is Luke's younger brother, Alex, who is the hero in the next book of this duet - Wild Wind. I adored Alex, and am really looking forward to reading his story!
Although this book was not as excellent as Ms. Ryan's other Medieval Romances that I've read, it was still a great read, and well worth my time!
Faithe of Haukeleah is a widow - her Saxon husband having been killed off by illness after leaving to fight the Norman Invasion. She finds out that her ancestral home and farmstead will be handed to the "Black Dragon" - one of the most feared of the Norman soldiers. She can stay at Haukleah only if she agrees to marry its new Norman Lord, Luke de Perigueux. Although Faithe is loathe to marry a man who has killed so many of her people, her only alternative would be to leave her beloved home - which is an option she refuses to consider. Reluctantly, she agrees to the marriage. Her previous marriage had been pleasant, but it was not a love match. Faithe certainly does not expect her second marriage to be much different... but there is something about Luke that draws her to him. Now if only she could convince some of her most trusted staff of Luke's true nature...
This is a story of how love can heal. It's very much a 'beauty and the beast' tale. It was well told and very, very passionate. Faithe was an interesting heroine because - although she had not been in love with her first husband - she had a pleasant and enjoyable sex life before the hero. In fact, the heroine is quite lusty. This was a refreshing change from the usual fare. Luke is so warm and kind and compassionate, but he hides this 'true self' behind his brutal soldier facade. He longs to have a normal life and a loving marriage but does not believe he is capable. Luke lives in fear of 'the beast' that he believes dwells within him. As he begins to fall in love with Faithe, he longs to protect her from this 'beast.' Faithe helps him to see his true self, and loves him despite all of his faults and his past wrongs.
The main conflict in this book does not become apparent right away. The hero and heroine fall in love early on in the book, and for a while in the middle, the story dragged a bit. However, once the primary conflict comes into play, the book really took off again and the pace picked up. As always, Ms. Ryan is awesome with her characterizations. The secondary characters in this book really stood out. A major secondary character in this story is Luke's younger brother, Alex, who is the hero in the next book of this duet - Wild Wind. I adored Alex, and am really looking forward to reading his story!
Although this book was not as excellent as Ms. Ryan's other Medieval Romances that I've read, it was still a great read, and well worth my time!
August 6, 2014
Una novela medieval que me gustó bastante durante su recorrido, pero que para mi gusto tuvo un epílogo muy corto e insustancial. Los personajes me parecieron correctos, sin que se destacase mucho ninguno pero la historia fue entretenida y el mundo que se plantea me interesó.
March 19, 2015
I actually enjoyed this book a lot. The Black Dragon, Luke de Perigueux, is a battle hardened young man who is among William the Conqueror's army who swept across England and forever changed the history of the Anglo Saxons and their descendants. Luke and his brother, Alex, were trained as warriors by their father and although they were willing to do their duty, in order to continue killing, Luke began taking "catnip" which contributes to an increase in battle ferociousness eventually leading him to believe he has a personality like a beast. Apparently catnip worked as a type of drug that enhanced performance, but left the indvidual who consumed it with after affects.
After one particularly disturbing incident, Luke spends two months in a monastery in order to become well from the effects of the catnip and is eventually rewarded for his military efforts through the gift of a wife and her ancestral home. She's a young widow, Faithe of Hauekleah, whose husband was killed by the conquering Normans. Even though Faithe is mortified by the prospects of having a Norman as a husband, she's determined to not lose her ancestral home and decides to make the best of it.
I found Luke to be honorable and not beastly at all. However, he had persuaded himself of some truths that had to be wrenched out of his mind in order to move forward into a happy and rewarding life with Faithe. I admired Faithe for her willingness to give her husband the best opportunity possible to become the respected master of his new property even though he was one of the hated Norman conquerors. However, there are dark matters in Luke's past that he's unwilling to come clean about due to his fears Faithe will no longer love him once she learns of these secrets. In addition, Faithe's long time steward and father figure, Orrick, has his own agenda which doesn't line up with Luke's or Faithe's. Alex is along for the ride, he loves and supports his brother, but mostly spends his time with two attractive wenches - twin sisters taking turns sleeping with them on his pallet, as he recuperates from serious wounds. Alex's story is told in [[ASIN:B003X4KW58 Wild Wind (Lords of Conquest)].
Although this story began in a brothel, the storyline isn't full of sexual details, with the exception of the eventual coming together of Luke and Faithe. I strongly dislike books that focus on sexual details throughout the story.
After one particularly disturbing incident, Luke spends two months in a monastery in order to become well from the effects of the catnip and is eventually rewarded for his military efforts through the gift of a wife and her ancestral home. She's a young widow, Faithe of Hauekleah, whose husband was killed by the conquering Normans. Even though Faithe is mortified by the prospects of having a Norman as a husband, she's determined to not lose her ancestral home and decides to make the best of it.
I found Luke to be honorable and not beastly at all. However, he had persuaded himself of some truths that had to be wrenched out of his mind in order to move forward into a happy and rewarding life with Faithe. I admired Faithe for her willingness to give her husband the best opportunity possible to become the respected master of his new property even though he was one of the hated Norman conquerors. However, there are dark matters in Luke's past that he's unwilling to come clean about due to his fears Faithe will no longer love him once she learns of these secrets. In addition, Faithe's long time steward and father figure, Orrick, has his own agenda which doesn't line up with Luke's or Faithe's. Alex is along for the ride, he loves and supports his brother, but mostly spends his time with two attractive wenches - twin sisters taking turns sleeping with them on his pallet, as he recuperates from serious wounds. Alex's story is told in [[ASIN:B003X4KW58 Wild Wind (Lords of Conquest)].
Although this story began in a brothel, the storyline isn't full of sexual details, with the exception of the eventual coming together of Luke and Faithe. I strongly dislike books that focus on sexual details throughout the story.
January 22, 2015
Al principio del libro comienza el drama, el misterio (aunque no del todo) y el papel de cada personaje, cuando leí por primera vez al personaje masculino me extraño que me terminara gustando, como la autora tiene una forma de hacer a sus personajes masculinos lejos de agradarme este fue una sorpresa, Luke tenía su pasado oscuro y una personalidad tanto dura como también de un hombre atormentado y esa relación entre ambas personalidades fue interesante, sobre todo cuando se enfrente a diferentes situaciones que pueden revelar su verdadero secreto. Por otro lado, Faithe, igualmente fue de mi agrado, tenía una personalidad fuerte pero muy en el fondo era una mujer débil... digamos que era casi lo contrario de Luke y el encuentro entre ellos a pesar de ser de lo mas normal la evolución de esta no fue así, al contrario, los sentimientos no parecían superficiales y las relaciones amorosas demostraban sentimiento y eso igualmente fue algo que no me esperaba. Antes había mencionado que la autora me mostraba escenas solo de lujuria y sexo pero sin sentimientos, quiero aclarar que no estoy comparando si no más bien explicando el porque me sorprendió.
Con respecto a los personajes secundarios, el drama y el misterio... fue interesante, los personajes secundarios eran importantes pero dentro del misterio, incluso me desespero uno y casi odie por su forma de pensar, y mientras eso pasaba la pareja de Faithe y Luke me gustaba más.
Al llegar a las últimas páginas no me decepcione, fue una historia bien concluida sin dejar que me preguntara por personajes o situaciones, así es, el libro termino bien y no tengo queja algún al respecto porque todos terminaron como merecían.
Con respecto a los personajes secundarios, el drama y el misterio... fue interesante, los personajes secundarios eran importantes pero dentro del misterio, incluso me desespero uno y casi odie por su forma de pensar, y mientras eso pasaba la pareja de Faithe y Luke me gustaba más.
Al llegar a las últimas páginas no me decepcione, fue una historia bien concluida sin dejar que me preguntara por personajes o situaciones, así es, el libro termino bien y no tengo queja algún al respecto porque todos terminaron como merecían.
September 9, 2013
Really liked this story. The writing was well done. The characters were well written. The love story was different because these two fell in love. Even though Faithe was forced to marry Luke he didn't want to put pressure on her unless she wanted him. The way Luke felt he was unworthy of Faithe and how she couldn't get it through to him how she felt really came across. I liked how their relationship grew and they started to trust each other. Their will powers and a sense of propriety always controlled their actions, except in the bedroom that is. She was the experienced one and that was different too.
March 27, 2013
As far as bodice rippers go (and I sneak read these like I sneak listen to Barry Manilow-- in the dead of night), this was well-written, filled with authentic places of the time (William the Conqueror had just taken England) and had a crush-worthy leading man!! If I'm in the mood for an up-scale Harlequin, Ms Patricia Ryan's books are at the top of my list!!
(How's that for a two sentence review?)
(How's that for a two sentence review?)
December 13, 2013
I found this author in a bundle and immediately got stuck into the whole of her Lords of Conquest series. I love historically accurate, atmospheric reads that have great romantic couples and lots of sizzle. I finished the series and then went on to her historical detective series as P B Ryan (which I loved). No sizzle but a slow burn over the full series.
June 30, 2012
Generally pretty good for a fluffy romance. The writer writes well, and the plot held together nicely, even if it was rather predictable. There are some really racy scenes, however, so if you don't want that be warned. Ultimately not at all bad for what it was.
May 11, 2011
Loved it!
August 24, 2012
Love it!
December 4, 2012
Love EVERYTHING written by Patricia Ryan!!
Read
October 12, 2014an ok read
March 10, 2015
3.5. boring.
February 20, 2024
WHERE WAS THE THUNDER?
I didn't feel this as much as I expected. Everything started off promising but if I had to read an enemy to lovers story that has a similar time setting and situation, then I'd recommend Kathleen E.Woodiwiss's 'THE WOLF AND THE DOVE' - it had everything wholesome to expect from a woman forced to marry her enemy and eventually surrendering heart and home. SECRET THUNDER fell short off that benchmark. It lacked the emotional vines to pull the MCs together and I didn't appreciate how long the author made her reader wait for Faithe and Luke's FIRST KISS!
IT WAS ANTI-CLIMACTIC.
Now that I recall, I'm tempted to give this a 2.5 stars instead. Sure, there was underlying attraction, but it was a flint that didn't spark.
FAITHE and LUKE were forced to wed by order of the new monarch, and needless to say they were wary of each other's nationality. Faithe didn't wish to lose her home, determined to keep it no matter having to remarry again. Luke on the other hand, was a hardened soldier who actually beheld a soft heart. With the moniker of 'BLACK DRAGON', I assumed him to be ruthless and difficult to deal with.
I WAS QUICKLY DISABUSED OF THAT NOTION.
LUKE reminded me of a cuddly bear soon after he realized his beautiful wife appealed to him in every way - the type of family and life he'd always wanted. Having no ambition and unsuited for the monastery, he became a soldier steep in the battlefield, but truly all he wanted was to live a simple farm life. He made no secret that Hauekleah was HIS now and he was here to stay. While attracted to Faithe, the man was so damned honourable, he wanted her to fall in love with him, wanting him willingly instead of fulfilling her wifely duties - in bed.
FAITHE was pretty much a nice character. She kept an open mind, tended the sick or hurt and apparently has a healthy sexual need which her new husband denies - to her chagrin. LOL! I was thrilled to see read her attempt to seduce Luke, but it failed miserably when he confessed he wanted her to WANT HIM FOR HIM or nothing at all. Other than that, she was merely trying to keep the peace between her people and new husband, and also fearing that Luke will kick her out of her home.
OVERALL the romance was lukewarm. It wasn't excitingly passionate, and there wasn't substantial drama to trigger readers. I kept waiting for something to happen - to test their relationship, to test the fragile trust between Norman and Saxons, but alas, I was disappointed when the author barely scratched the surface of a true enemies to lovers romance. I'll say it turned insta-love halfway through the story...so that was a bit of a bonkers.
I didn't feel this as much as I expected. Everything started off promising but if I had to read an enemy to lovers story that has a similar time setting and situation, then I'd recommend Kathleen E.Woodiwiss's 'THE WOLF AND THE DOVE' - it had everything wholesome to expect from a woman forced to marry her enemy and eventually surrendering heart and home. SECRET THUNDER fell short off that benchmark. It lacked the emotional vines to pull the MCs together and I didn't appreciate how long the author made her reader wait for Faithe and Luke's FIRST KISS!
IT WAS ANTI-CLIMACTIC.
Now that I recall, I'm tempted to give this a 2.5 stars instead. Sure, there was underlying attraction, but it was a flint that didn't spark.
FAITHE and LUKE were forced to wed by order of the new monarch, and needless to say they were wary of each other's nationality. Faithe didn't wish to lose her home, determined to keep it no matter having to remarry again. Luke on the other hand, was a hardened soldier who actually beheld a soft heart. With the moniker of 'BLACK DRAGON', I assumed him to be ruthless and difficult to deal with.
I WAS QUICKLY DISABUSED OF THAT NOTION.
LUKE reminded me of a cuddly bear soon after he realized his beautiful wife appealed to him in every way - the type of family and life he'd always wanted. Having no ambition and unsuited for the monastery, he became a soldier steep in the battlefield, but truly all he wanted was to live a simple farm life. He made no secret that Hauekleah was HIS now and he was here to stay. While attracted to Faithe, the man was so damned honourable, he wanted her to fall in love with him, wanting him willingly instead of fulfilling her wifely duties - in bed.
FAITHE was pretty much a nice character. She kept an open mind, tended the sick or hurt and apparently has a healthy sexual need which her new husband denies - to her chagrin. LOL! I was thrilled to see read her attempt to seduce Luke, but it failed miserably when he confessed he wanted her to WANT HIM FOR HIM or nothing at all. Other than that, she was merely trying to keep the peace between her people and new husband, and also fearing that Luke will kick her out of her home.
OVERALL the romance was lukewarm. It wasn't excitingly passionate, and there wasn't substantial drama to trigger readers. I kept waiting for something to happen - to test their relationship, to test the fragile trust between Norman and Saxons, but alas, I was disappointed when the author barely scratched the surface of a true enemies to lovers romance. I'll say it turned insta-love halfway through the story...so that was a bit of a bonkers.
July 26, 2024
Es una linda historia de amor y tiene una gran trama detrás, la protagonista muy fuerte y para mi punto de vista tiene un gran razonamiento y una manera muy fuerte de pensar en los momentos malos.
Lo que no me gusto fue que para mi el amor no fue muy creíble al principio, solo poco a poco pude sentir cariño entre ellos dos y pude agarrarle cariño a los personajes.
La historia se sitúa después de una guerra y una invasión política y vemos cambien en esta y hay tanto cambios culturales, sociales y políticos y todos los estragos que hubo, muy buena narrativa histórica, me gusto mucho.
Lo que no me gusto fue que para mi el amor no fue muy creíble al principio, solo poco a poco pude sentir cariño entre ellos dos y pude agarrarle cariño a los personajes.
La historia se sitúa después de una guerra y una invasión política y vemos cambien en esta y hay tanto cambios culturales, sociales y políticos y todos los estragos que hubo, muy buena narrativa histórica, me gusto mucho.
November 13, 2018
This was a new author for me, I liked her writing style very much so that I will for sure read the next one in this series.
Yet the book was only OK for me. It could have been so good yet sadly it wasn't. H and h were likeable, no instant love, it featured a few different sides to a commonly plot, also not so short but in the end it didn't deliver and the end was still rushed. A pity, I had hoped for more!
Still a 3.5🌟read that I recommend.
Yet the book was only OK for me. It could have been so good yet sadly it wasn't. H and h were likeable, no instant love, it featured a few different sides to a commonly plot, also not so short but in the end it didn't deliver and the end was still rushed. A pity, I had hoped for more!
Still a 3.5🌟read that I recommend.
February 17, 2017
Reitero, no soy de romances medievales, pero me leí el dos de la serie y me gustó entonces me animé a completarla, si bien me gustó mas el libro siguiente (los leí en orden inverso), fue entretenida, me encanta la crudeza de la escritora en algunos apartes, tan afín con la época.
November 17, 2025
Me encantan las historias de sajones y Normandos; y está no es la excepción:
Fythe y Luke han llegado al matrimonio por obligación, ella como dueña de una heredad, el cómo guerrero normando invasor.
al principio, recelos miedos, culpas. luego pasión desatada
Fythe y Luke han llegado al matrimonio por obligación, ella como dueña de una heredad, el cómo guerrero normando invasor.
al principio, recelos miedos, culpas. luego pasión desatada
December 6, 2016
Es muy ligero de leer con una trama muy interesante en la que nada pasa porque sí y continuamente te tiene atrapada. El final se queda algo corto, te quedas con ganas de saber que pasó con los personajes secundarios.
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