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Kiss Trilogy #3
Kissed by Shadows
New York Times bestselling author Jane Feather has won legions of fans and critical accolades for her unique blend of sizzling seduction, dangerous intrigue, and passionate adventure. In this second of two romances featuring two unconventional sisters whose quest to solve the mystery surrounding their lives puts each of them in the path of an irresistible hero, Jane Feather tells the story of a young bride in peril and a mysterious English lord who find themselves at the center of a sinister plot...and a reckless affair.
Kissed By Shadows
Lady Philippa Nielson had no memory of what took place in her bedchamber in the dead of night--nor knowledge of the dangerous plot that put her life in jeopardy. But with a brief touch of his hand and one glance of his knowing gray eyes, Pippa felt a connection to the dark stranger who should have been her greatest enemy. Who was this man who seemed to understand more about her life than she did herself? Why did she respond to his most casual caresses with the most urgent and reckless of desires?
Lionel Ashton had been appointed guardian of both Pippa and the secret she unknowingly bore. And protect this sensuous and fiercely independent woman he would, even from the king himself. But what Lionel knows about Pippa will put both their lives in the greatest danger--even as they slip under the spell of a daring seduction that will turn them into passionate outlaws...and legendary lovers.
Kissed By Shadows
Lady Philippa Nielson had no memory of what took place in her bedchamber in the dead of night--nor knowledge of the dangerous plot that put her life in jeopardy. But with a brief touch of his hand and one glance of his knowing gray eyes, Pippa felt a connection to the dark stranger who should have been her greatest enemy. Who was this man who seemed to understand more about her life than she did herself? Why did she respond to his most casual caresses with the most urgent and reckless of desires?
Lionel Ashton had been appointed guardian of both Pippa and the secret she unknowingly bore. And protect this sensuous and fiercely independent woman he would, even from the king himself. But what Lionel knows about Pippa will put both their lives in the greatest danger--even as they slip under the spell of a daring seduction that will turn them into passionate outlaws...and legendary lovers.
480 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
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456 people want to read
About the author
Jane Feather
170 books629 followersJane Feather (born Jane Robotham) is a popular British–American writer of historical romance novels. In 1984 she wrote five contemporary romances under the pseudonym Claudia Bishop. She is a New York Times-bestselling, award–winning writer, and has more than ten million romance novels in print.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
January 22, 2015
Spoiler that's also a warning: The premise of this "romance" is so nauseating, I couldn't enjoy it. The "hero" assists devoutly religious King Philip in repeatedly raping a drugged woman for the purpose of getting her pregnant, so that her baby can then be taken from her, if necessary, to be passed off as the queen's own child. If forced seduction makes you queasy in historical romance novels, wait till you read about the calculated use of an unconscious girl as a baby-maker for the hero's boss, and her subsequent imprisonment, with the full cooperation of the hero - who rationalizes his participation in the rapes by assuring himself that he will find a way to "make it right" after his king's baby-momma has served her purpose...Yes, I know that women in the Dark Ages were powerless and could be used as men wished , but I don't read romances for an education in how ugly the world can be, and I HATE it when a heroine falls for her rapist. I learned long ago to avoid authors who use rape as foreplay. The Jane Feather I've enjoyed typically has more class than that. Her bad-boy heroes might coerce and deceive to get their way, but this? There's something so calculating and clinical about the rapes in this book, and the "hero's" justification for helping it happen, that it somehow seemed harder to get past than the usual "carried away by passion" bit that turns rape into fantasy in novels set in the Middle Ages. There's no passion at work in the rape of poor Pippa (the fun and flirty younger sister we met in "To Kiss a Spy"). She's been chosen as an incubator, period. And we're supposed to believe she could get past the knowledge that a man who claims to love her was an accessory to her rape... Why did I keep reading? I think I kept hoping I'd believe in the developing romance and feel less dirty for having picked this up. It didn't work. It's been several years since I read "Kissed By Shadows," and I still think of it as Jane Feather's Drug-Rape Book. ..Should more fairly have been titled, Raped By Monsters.
July 4, 2012
Up front, I'll just say that I can't see why the villains of this piece went to such extremes to breed a royal bastard when the story so proliferates with them.
The setting: England. Mary has ascended the throne and married Philip of Spain. The story centers around the queen's futile efforts to bear a child.
Royal bastard #1 is literally royal. King Philip. The story opens with him and some of his toadies standing over a young woman who is unconscious on a daybed. The toadies assure the king that she is drugged senseless and will remember nothing. They then set up a privacy screen so he can rape her while they stay in the room as witnesses to the act.
When it's over, royal bastard #2 is directed to tend to her. He covers her where the king left her naked. She wakes and looks into his eyes, looks at a brooch at his collar. He puts his hand over her eyes and when she drifts off again, he carries her out to royal bastard #3, her waiting husband.
The heroine: Lady Philippa (Pippa) Nielson, the second daughter of Guinevere (heroine of The Widow's Kiss). Pippa's married to Stuart, who is a great friend and shares her love of fashion (cliche alert--this is apparently a subtle hint), though his lovemaking has been more dutiful than passionate. But he's been even more of a disappointment lately. This is not the first morning Pippa has awakened feeling queasy and finding sticky fluid between her thighs. She Stuart out for not having the decency to at least wake her. Did I mention that his lovemaking was boring? Must be, if she believes she keeps sleeping through it. Stuart flushes and then blusters about being drunk and just couldn't resist, and anyway she's his wife to use as he pleases, and she drops the subject, tho she makes it clear she will not be pleased if it happens again.
Pippa and her husband are at court, although Pippa is much in disfavor. She was a lady in waiting and friend to Elizabeth, and voluntarily went to the Tower with her. Mary, who sees plots everywhere, has since imprisoned Elizabeth at Woodstock in Oxfordshire, but refused to let her be attended by any but strangers. Pippa, whose support of Liz is viewed as borderline treason, is required to remain at court, not even permitted to see her family in Derbyshire. The queen treats her with contempt and dislike, which is sure to win the loyalty of any subject. But then Mary wasn't concerned about winning loyalty by being a decent, kind, or merciful queen, either in this story or in history.
One day at court Pippa sees a man and stops dead in her tracks. His eyes are familiar--she's seen them before but can't figure out where, and the more she tries to place him the more she gets this really creepy scary feeling. He sends her a complicit gaze as if they share a connection (?!). She asks her stepbrother Robin who he is and learns his name is Lionel Ashton, an Englishman who has lived in Spain and is one of Philip's men. Later she encounters Lionel and asks if they've met, and when he denies it she asks why he seems so familiar, he says he couldn't say with an amused tone. Because a good guy would be amused by that question under the circumstances.
If you haven't guessed yet, the king (with Bloody Mary's approval, as well as Stuart's cooperation and the facilitation of other toadies including Lionel) has been raping Pippa in order to breed an heir to secure Spain's claim on England. Mary is in her 40's, and while he is also trying to breed a legitimate heir with her, if that can't happen they'll take Pippa's baby and claim it is theirs. And thus far the plan is working well. Pippa is in fact pregnant (which is a relief so we don't have to see more than that one royal rape). And the queen thinks she's knocked up as well, a claim confirmed by her physicians and various symptoms.
Pippa is puzzled when the queen insists that she be tended by the royal physicians, disregarding her protest that she's more comfortable with her family's physician. The waters get even murkier when she is placed under house arrest and ordered to stay out of the royals' sight. Odder still, instead of her husband, Lionel is assigned to supervise her activities; she's not allowed to leave her chamber without his consent. She can't figure out why the king and queen would on one hand show such forceful interest in her pregnancy and yet not want to lay eyes on her and treat her like a prisoner. And she cant get a straight answer from anyone, certainly not Lionel and least of all her husband.
Some of Stuart's behavior has made her think that he has a mistress, but one day she wanders past a half-open door and hears her DH knocking boots (and a few sundry other bits) with another guy (I know you must be faint from the shock). Pippa doesn't know this just yet, but it seems the king and his toadies found out and threatened Stuart's lover with exposure (which would mean a gruesome death), if he doesn't deliver Pippa. Stuart has his priorities, and his wife doesn't rank quite as high as his boy toy. But he feels bad about what he's been doing to her, so he shuns her and treats her like crap to make up for it. Feather goes to some effort to make his quandary sympathetic. We're meant to root for him to find a way out of this trap, which he quite rightly recognizes will end with his death when he's no longer useful, but he doesn't care as long as his lover is safe. And I guess you could argue that by rendering Pippa senseless before he takes her to be raped, he makes sure that she won't have any knowledge that the royals might find inconvenient. So there's that. But still, I couldn't make myself care much what happened to him. No matter the motivation, what he did was brutal and cruel and done to someone he'd already abused by using her as his beard.
As for Lionel, well, let's just say he is toadying to Philip for reasons of his own. Good reasons--when you read them you will fully grasp some of the horrors of those days. But while you can sympathize with his goals, they simply don't justify his actions, not only going along with the king's violation of a subject, but keeping Pippa in ignorance, not warning her or trying to find alternatives (like, oh, I dunno, maybe a noble but slutty woman who would willingly screw the king, hand over her spawn, and keep her mouth shut in exchange for a tidy fortune)? Lionel feels guilty, which is meant to make us like him, but it just made me angry. He is constantly assuring himself that he will make it right. But how "right" could he possibly make this? His plans to "help" this innocent, lively woman who loves her family turn out to be cruel in their own way. It's explained away--supposedly he was so set on his own goal that he thought that any discomfort suffered by the victim was justified--he didn't really feel bad about it until he had to face that he was doing this to a beautiful woman who happens to warm his loins (makes ya wonder whether his conscience would've even flickered if she happened to be fugly).
Ok, sorry. I just hated this guy all through the story and I never got past it. So I gakked up hair balls every time this couple sucked face and flipped past the pages where they did the nasty, since it just felt like more violation to me, particularly when she's banging him while still ignorant of what he's helped the king do to her.
Oh, and towards the end he has the balls to claim that even before he knew her he loved her? But earlier he tells her he went along with all this before he knew her. Yeah. Some love there, buddy.
Even so, once again, the book gets lots of stars because I was heart and soul caught up with the heroine's plight. I cried--and I'm not an easy mark when it comes to that. I actually yelled at the book a time or two. And, if the "romance" required me to stomach a "HEA" with royal bastard #2, I'll say this--Feather does at least leave you wondering how that's going to happen, given Pippa's inconvenient marriage of convenience (and it doesn't work out the way you probably think!). And Pippa's rationale at the end was almost satisfying. I still might've rather seen Lionel eat midden, but eh, OK. Oh, and some decent adventure and well-researched history as well. Even though the rape/baby swap part of the story is fiction, you'll realize that England really dodged a bullet when Mary's baby turned out to be a tumor, and Philip's manner of death was probably karma at work. Nuff said.
I recommend this entire series, and Feather has a permanent place on my favorite authors list.
The setting: England. Mary has ascended the throne and married Philip of Spain. The story centers around the queen's futile efforts to bear a child.
Royal bastard #1 is literally royal. King Philip. The story opens with him and some of his toadies standing over a young woman who is unconscious on a daybed. The toadies assure the king that she is drugged senseless and will remember nothing. They then set up a privacy screen so he can rape her while they stay in the room as witnesses to the act.
When it's over, royal bastard #2 is directed to tend to her. He covers her where the king left her naked. She wakes and looks into his eyes, looks at a brooch at his collar. He puts his hand over her eyes and when she drifts off again, he carries her out to royal bastard #3, her waiting husband.
The heroine: Lady Philippa (Pippa) Nielson, the second daughter of Guinevere (heroine of The Widow's Kiss). Pippa's married to Stuart, who is a great friend and shares her love of fashion (cliche alert--this is apparently a subtle hint), though his lovemaking has been more dutiful than passionate. But he's been even more of a disappointment lately. This is not the first morning Pippa has awakened feeling queasy and finding sticky fluid between her thighs. She Stuart out for not having the decency to at least wake her. Did I mention that his lovemaking was boring? Must be, if she believes she keeps sleeping through it. Stuart flushes and then blusters about being drunk and just couldn't resist, and anyway she's his wife to use as he pleases, and she drops the subject, tho she makes it clear she will not be pleased if it happens again.
Pippa and her husband are at court, although Pippa is much in disfavor. She was a lady in waiting and friend to Elizabeth, and voluntarily went to the Tower with her. Mary, who sees plots everywhere, has since imprisoned Elizabeth at Woodstock in Oxfordshire, but refused to let her be attended by any but strangers. Pippa, whose support of Liz is viewed as borderline treason, is required to remain at court, not even permitted to see her family in Derbyshire. The queen treats her with contempt and dislike, which is sure to win the loyalty of any subject. But then Mary wasn't concerned about winning loyalty by being a decent, kind, or merciful queen, either in this story or in history.
One day at court Pippa sees a man and stops dead in her tracks. His eyes are familiar--she's seen them before but can't figure out where, and the more she tries to place him the more she gets this really creepy scary feeling. He sends her a complicit gaze as if they share a connection (?!). She asks her stepbrother Robin who he is and learns his name is Lionel Ashton, an Englishman who has lived in Spain and is one of Philip's men. Later she encounters Lionel and asks if they've met, and when he denies it she asks why he seems so familiar, he says he couldn't say with an amused tone. Because a good guy would be amused by that question under the circumstances.
If you haven't guessed yet, the king (with Bloody Mary's approval, as well as Stuart's cooperation and the facilitation of other toadies including Lionel) has been raping Pippa in order to breed an heir to secure Spain's claim on England. Mary is in her 40's, and while he is also trying to breed a legitimate heir with her, if that can't happen they'll take Pippa's baby and claim it is theirs. And thus far the plan is working well. Pippa is in fact pregnant (which is a relief so we don't have to see more than that one royal rape). And the queen thinks she's knocked up as well, a claim confirmed by her physicians and various symptoms.
Pippa is puzzled when the queen insists that she be tended by the royal physicians, disregarding her protest that she's more comfortable with her family's physician. The waters get even murkier when she is placed under house arrest and ordered to stay out of the royals' sight. Odder still, instead of her husband, Lionel is assigned to supervise her activities; she's not allowed to leave her chamber without his consent. She can't figure out why the king and queen would on one hand show such forceful interest in her pregnancy and yet not want to lay eyes on her and treat her like a prisoner. And she cant get a straight answer from anyone, certainly not Lionel and least of all her husband.
Some of Stuart's behavior has made her think that he has a mistress, but one day she wanders past a half-open door and hears her DH knocking boots (and a few sundry other bits) with another guy (I know you must be faint from the shock). Pippa doesn't know this just yet, but it seems the king and his toadies found out and threatened Stuart's lover with exposure (which would mean a gruesome death), if he doesn't deliver Pippa. Stuart has his priorities, and his wife doesn't rank quite as high as his boy toy. But he feels bad about what he's been doing to her, so he shuns her and treats her like crap to make up for it. Feather goes to some effort to make his quandary sympathetic. We're meant to root for him to find a way out of this trap, which he quite rightly recognizes will end with his death when he's no longer useful, but he doesn't care as long as his lover is safe. And I guess you could argue that by rendering Pippa senseless before he takes her to be raped, he makes sure that she won't have any knowledge that the royals might find inconvenient. So there's that. But still, I couldn't make myself care much what happened to him. No matter the motivation, what he did was brutal and cruel and done to someone he'd already abused by using her as his beard.
As for Lionel, well, let's just say he is toadying to Philip for reasons of his own. Good reasons--when you read them you will fully grasp some of the horrors of those days. But while you can sympathize with his goals, they simply don't justify his actions, not only going along with the king's violation of a subject, but keeping Pippa in ignorance, not warning her or trying to find alternatives (like, oh, I dunno, maybe a noble but slutty woman who would willingly screw the king, hand over her spawn, and keep her mouth shut in exchange for a tidy fortune)? Lionel feels guilty, which is meant to make us like him, but it just made me angry. He is constantly assuring himself that he will make it right. But how "right" could he possibly make this? His plans to "help" this innocent, lively woman who loves her family turn out to be cruel in their own way. It's explained away--supposedly he was so set on his own goal that he thought that any discomfort suffered by the victim was justified--he didn't really feel bad about it until he had to face that he was doing this to a beautiful woman who happens to warm his loins (makes ya wonder whether his conscience would've even flickered if she happened to be fugly).
Ok, sorry. I just hated this guy all through the story and I never got past it. So I gakked up hair balls every time this couple sucked face and flipped past the pages where they did the nasty, since it just felt like more violation to me, particularly when she's banging him while still ignorant of what he's helped the king do to her.
Oh, and towards the end he has the balls to claim that even before he knew her he loved her? But earlier he tells her he went along with all this before he knew her. Yeah. Some love there, buddy.
Even so, once again, the book gets lots of stars because I was heart and soul caught up with the heroine's plight. I cried--and I'm not an easy mark when it comes to that. I actually yelled at the book a time or two. And, if the "romance" required me to stomach a "HEA" with royal bastard #2, I'll say this--Feather does at least leave you wondering how that's going to happen, given Pippa's inconvenient marriage of convenience (and it doesn't work out the way you probably think!). And Pippa's rationale at the end was almost satisfying. I still might've rather seen Lionel eat midden, but eh, OK. Oh, and some decent adventure and well-researched history as well. Even though the rape/baby swap part of the story is fiction, you'll realize that England really dodged a bullet when Mary's baby turned out to be a tumor, and Philip's manner of death was probably karma at work. Nuff said.
I recommend this entire series, and Feather has a permanent place on my favorite authors list.
December 29, 2025
never did i think i would find a book that made me root for the gross age-gap couple over the main couple, but i did. it was diabolical.
(TW: rape)
SYNOPSIS:
Lady Philippa Nielson finds herself attracted to a mysterious stranger while her marriage stalls and stutters. Something about Lionel Ashton intrigues her, makes her wonder if they have ever met before. He holds a secret that will destroy her, but keeping it will destroy him.
PLOT:
okay, so based on the blurb, i went into this knowing that it would be a dark romance. i don't think i expected what i was given, because the backstory behind why Pippa knows Lionel is batshit crazy, gross and violating. with the backdrop of 1500s England, Mary I and Philip of Spain are weirdly main characters in this book, and the inciting moment that kicks this all off is Philip of Spain raping Pippa while she's asleep and drugged, with the intent of producing a bastard heir. her husband has been blackmailed to allow this to happen, and Lionel is Philips main man in organising it all.
honestly, i should have stopped reading after this happened, IN THE FIRST CHAPTER, but i was morbidly curious about how they could possibly reconcile this relationship by the end. spoiler alert,
but what follows after this first chapter is a bumbling traipse through Pippa meeting Lionel,
you would think it would be a quick easy read, but it's almost 500 pages for no good reason. like so many scenes went on for wayyyyyyy to long, and were useless.
so plot was...the first red flag.
CHARACTERS:
idc about the other characters, but our hero ??? Lionel ??? cannot forgive him. absolutely egregious to have him have a hand in this, AND OPENLY ADMIT that he didn't think about how the woman in this ploy would be affected until he saw them.
AND THEN,
i genuinely don't even know how the plot for this illegitimate child makes sense. Philip needs an heir, and they're gonna somehow convince everyone that Pippa's child is his even though she has no recollection of their coupling? idk, just...bad.
the other characters were all fine. Pippa is witty and sharp, Robin is a predator, Luisa is an exotic seductress of 18 (at least we're told this, but i find it hard to believe). they're all there, but like, i lost interest.
WRITING STYLE
it was fine. not groundbreaking. a bit inconsistent, with some phrasing that felt too modern. idk. i think i'm just hung up on the whole premise, and i couldn't focus on anything else.
final rating: ughhh, why did i do this to myself? 1 star.
(TW: rape)
SYNOPSIS:
Lady Philippa Nielson finds herself attracted to a mysterious stranger while her marriage stalls and stutters. Something about Lionel Ashton intrigues her, makes her wonder if they have ever met before. He holds a secret that will destroy her, but keeping it will destroy him.
PLOT:
okay, so based on the blurb, i went into this knowing that it would be a dark romance. i don't think i expected what i was given, because the backstory behind why Pippa knows Lionel is batshit crazy, gross and violating. with the backdrop of 1500s England, Mary I and Philip of Spain are weirdly main characters in this book, and the inciting moment that kicks this all off is Philip of Spain raping Pippa while she's asleep and drugged, with the intent of producing a bastard heir. her husband has been blackmailed to allow this to happen, and Lionel is Philips main man in organising it all.
honestly, i should have stopped reading after this happened, IN THE FIRST CHAPTER, but i was morbidly curious about how they could possibly reconcile this relationship by the end. spoiler alert,
but what follows after this first chapter is a bumbling traipse through Pippa meeting Lionel,
you would think it would be a quick easy read, but it's almost 500 pages for no good reason. like so many scenes went on for wayyyyyyy to long, and were useless.
so plot was...the first red flag.
CHARACTERS:
idc about the other characters, but our hero ??? Lionel ??? cannot forgive him. absolutely egregious to have him have a hand in this, AND OPENLY ADMIT that he didn't think about how the woman in this ploy would be affected until he saw them.
AND THEN,
i genuinely don't even know how the plot for this illegitimate child makes sense. Philip needs an heir, and they're gonna somehow convince everyone that Pippa's child is his even though she has no recollection of their coupling? idk, just...bad.
the other characters were all fine. Pippa is witty and sharp, Robin is a predator, Luisa is an exotic seductress of 18 (at least we're told this, but i find it hard to believe). they're all there, but like, i lost interest.
WRITING STYLE
it was fine. not groundbreaking. a bit inconsistent, with some phrasing that felt too modern. idk. i think i'm just hung up on the whole premise, and i couldn't focus on anything else.
final rating: ughhh, why did i do this to myself? 1 star.
January 12, 2020
Skim read/listened for the most part but counting it as a finish.
Old Skool Medieval romance with a lot of the plot of book using real life historical events in the story. The heroine was a lady in waiting to Elizabeth and had accompanied Elizabeth at her house arrest during the Reign of Mary Tudor after her marriage to King Phillip of Spain.
The background of the story is pretty distasteful. And requires a TW/CW for rape. The book uses the historical fact of Mary's inability to have a baby as the main plot impetus. She and Phillip were so committed to the Catholic faith that their plan to have a child and cement Catholicism with England. But Mary wasn't getting pregnant.
So Phillip, Mary and the courtiers came up with a plot. Phillipa, the heroine, was in much disfavor because of her loyalty to Elizabeth and her husband (a man held in much favor by Mary had a secret that he could be blackmailed for -- you can probably guess what the secret was). For several nights, he'd drug her and Phillip's courtiers, including the hero Lionel, arranged for Philip to visit her while she was out and rape her. The plan was to get the baby on her, fake a pregnancy with Mary and pass the baby off as Mary's.
But Lionel the hero, has plans of his own. He as inveigled his way into Phillip and Mary's inner circle in a 'keep your enemies close' sort og thing. To him, England falling under the rule of the Inquisition is the worst thing that can happen and he plants to do everything he can to bring them down. So while he finds what is happening to Phillipa terrible, he does nothing to stop it. But he (I can grudgingly say) seeks to help her in small ways.
At this point I start to skim I read, I want to get to the end. When does she find out about her husband? How will she find out what happened to her? Does she end up pregnant with the King's kid? How does she reconcile her growing feelings for Lionel with what he stood by at let happen to her.
While those questions get answered and Phillipa comes out triumphant, I can't say I enjoyed anything really about this book.
Old Skool Medieval romance with a lot of the plot of book using real life historical events in the story. The heroine was a lady in waiting to Elizabeth and had accompanied Elizabeth at her house arrest during the Reign of Mary Tudor after her marriage to King Phillip of Spain.
The background of the story is pretty distasteful. And requires a TW/CW for rape. The book uses the historical fact of Mary's inability to have a baby as the main plot impetus. She and Phillip were so committed to the Catholic faith that their plan to have a child and cement Catholicism with England. But Mary wasn't getting pregnant.
So Phillip, Mary and the courtiers came up with a plot. Phillipa, the heroine, was in much disfavor because of her loyalty to Elizabeth and her husband (a man held in much favor by Mary had a secret that he could be blackmailed for -- you can probably guess what the secret was). For several nights, he'd drug her and Phillip's courtiers, including the hero Lionel, arranged for Philip to visit her while she was out and rape her. The plan was to get the baby on her, fake a pregnancy with Mary and pass the baby off as Mary's.
But Lionel the hero, has plans of his own. He as inveigled his way into Phillip and Mary's inner circle in a 'keep your enemies close' sort og thing. To him, England falling under the rule of the Inquisition is the worst thing that can happen and he plants to do everything he can to bring them down. So while he finds what is happening to Phillipa terrible, he does nothing to stop it. But he (I can grudgingly say) seeks to help her in small ways.
At this point I start to skim I read, I want to get to the end. When does she find out about her husband? How will she find out what happened to her? Does she end up pregnant with the King's kid? How does she reconcile her growing feelings for Lionel with what he stood by at let happen to her.
While those questions get answered and Phillipa comes out triumphant, I can't say I enjoyed anything really about this book.
February 7, 2017
Lady Pippa mengira dirinya hamil dari suaminya, Lord Stuart Nielson. Yg tidak disadari adalah dirinya "dijual" utk nafsu bejat Raja Phillip, dibawa ke istana kediamannya dlm keadaan dibius. Dibawah intrik-intrik kerajaan, Lady Pippa bertemu dgn Lionel yg adalah kaki tangan Phillip. Pippa adalah pengikut setia Lady Elizabeth dan pernah ikut dipenjara bersamanya, dirinya sudah lelah dicurigai oleh Queen Mary (saudara tiri Lady Elizabeth) yg juga menyatakan diri sedang hamil.
Ketika Pippa mengetahui suaminya adalah homosexual, dia bertekad membalas dendam dgn menjalin hubungan gelap dgn Lionel. Hingga Lionel mengungkapkan rahasia sebenarnya ayah bayi yg dikandung Pippa. Mereka tidak punya pilihan lain selain kabur utk menyelamatkan nyawa mereka juga. Dibantu Robin, kakak Pippa dan juga Luisa, gadis anak perwalian Lionel yg jatuh cinta pada Robin, mereka berpetualang menghindari kejaran dari antek-antek Phillip utk hidup dan mati.
Menurut saya novel ini lebih sarat dan cenderung ke historical fiction drpd ke historical romance. Tampaknya author masih "lemah" dlm menuangkan romansa yg pekat, sehingga saya merasa unsur romance dlm buku ini cukup ringan dan biasa saja. Justru titik fokus ini pada unsur history pada era Tudor yg lebih memikat, dan tema yg tidak biasa dimana heroine-nya nyaris terjebak dlm jaring-jaring kekuasaan yg penuh skandal dan permainan politik kerajaan yg berbahaya.
Saya suka sekali pada saat pelarian mereka ke Perancis yg lumayan menegangkan, dan juga membuktikan Lady Pippa punya pendirian teguh dan memiliki semangat yg tinggi utk selamat dari pengejaran orang-orang Phillip. Buku ini layak dibaca bagi penyuka sejarah seperti saya. Ada unsur history, suspense, romance yg digabung menjadi satu, menciptakan jalinan cerita yg seru. Tertarik? Silakan dibaca.
Ketika Pippa mengetahui suaminya adalah homosexual, dia bertekad membalas dendam dgn menjalin hubungan gelap dgn Lionel. Hingga Lionel mengungkapkan rahasia sebenarnya ayah bayi yg dikandung Pippa. Mereka tidak punya pilihan lain selain kabur utk menyelamatkan nyawa mereka juga. Dibantu Robin, kakak Pippa dan juga Luisa, gadis anak perwalian Lionel yg jatuh cinta pada Robin, mereka berpetualang menghindari kejaran dari antek-antek Phillip utk hidup dan mati.
Menurut saya novel ini lebih sarat dan cenderung ke historical fiction drpd ke historical romance. Tampaknya author masih "lemah" dlm menuangkan romansa yg pekat, sehingga saya merasa unsur romance dlm buku ini cukup ringan dan biasa saja. Justru titik fokus ini pada unsur history pada era Tudor yg lebih memikat, dan tema yg tidak biasa dimana heroine-nya nyaris terjebak dlm jaring-jaring kekuasaan yg penuh skandal dan permainan politik kerajaan yg berbahaya.
Saya suka sekali pada saat pelarian mereka ke Perancis yg lumayan menegangkan, dan juga membuktikan Lady Pippa punya pendirian teguh dan memiliki semangat yg tinggi utk selamat dari pengejaran orang-orang Phillip. Buku ini layak dibaca bagi penyuka sejarah seperti saya. Ada unsur history, suspense, romance yg digabung menjadi satu, menciptakan jalinan cerita yg seru. Tertarik? Silakan dibaca.
January 12, 2013
One of the automatic DQs for me with a romance novel is when the female hero is sexually brutalized or humiliated or raped in any sense of the word. This book STARTS with such a scene, as the prologue, and makes it the major plot complication. Basically ruined the story of two quite likable characters. I also wish the secondary story between the female hero's stepbrother (whom we've known for three books) and his love interest had more emotional effect. A wasted opportunity.
September 14, 2014
Jane Feather is a great writer and I've really enjoyed her other books, but the plot of this one was too much for me. A heroine who is drugged and raped by the king each night to get a child he could potentially pass off as the queens? And a hero who delivers her to this situation each time? No. Just no.
January 16, 2024
Jane Feather tells the story of a young bride in peril and a mysterious English lord who find themselves at the center of a sinister plot...and a reckless affair. Kissed By Shadows Lady Philippa Nielson had no memory of what took place in her bedchamber in the dead of night--nor knowledge of the dangerous plot that put her life in jeopardy. It's Feather at her best with intrigue at the court of Mary Tudor.
November 13, 2025
Did not finish - offensive and repulsive, unless drugging and raping an unsuspecting women so she could provide an heir for the king is your idea of romance, you should probably throw this book in the garbage.
July 9, 2012
What was done to her was hurtful and the husband was the worst of all kind.
July 13, 2022
25th July 1554, Winchester, England. A highly imaginative twist in history. After the marriage of Queen Mary to Prince Philip of Spain, they and their Catholic followers hope for an heir to ensure England remains Catholic.
Because of doubts about the validity of Queen Mary’s supposed pregnancy, in this fictionalised version of history, Prince Phillip and his followers conspire to have him impregnate a young fertile woman.
On several occasions the woman is drugged before Prince Phillip has sex with her, this in the presence of her husband, Stuart Neilson and court officials. Among these is Ray Gomez who becomes a crucial player in the days that follow. These are brutal days in which non-Catholics are pursued and punished unmercifully.
For the central character, Pippa, newly married to Stuart Neilson, with high hopes of an interesting life as a respected member of the Royal court, her life becomes untenable her days as a resident of the Royal Court, life becomes increasingly untenable as her freedoms a stripped away beheaded, tor
In this fictional version of history, to guard against failure to ensure an heir fathered by On several occasions, Pippa, newly married to Lord Stuart Neilson, is rendered unconscious and impregnated by King Philip. This, with the knowledge and in the presence of Pippa’s husband, Stuart Neilson and the rather remote figure of Ray Gomez, right hand man to the king.
For Pippa, the future looks grim. Virtually a prisoner with a gay husband who pays little attention to her. Ray Gomez becomes her protector and lover. He manages to take her away to a safe haven before returning to England fight for political change. The pair are reunited before the birth of a healthy boy child who we are assured will remain safe within his mother’s care who is supported by the locals. Well, paced read that kept me in there to the end.
Because of doubts about the validity of Queen Mary’s supposed pregnancy, in this fictionalised version of history, Prince Phillip and his followers conspire to have him impregnate a young fertile woman.
On several occasions the woman is drugged before Prince Phillip has sex with her, this in the presence of her husband, Stuart Neilson and court officials. Among these is Ray Gomez who becomes a crucial player in the days that follow. These are brutal days in which non-Catholics are pursued and punished unmercifully.
For the central character, Pippa, newly married to Stuart Neilson, with high hopes of an interesting life as a respected member of the Royal court, her life becomes untenable her days as a resident of the Royal Court, life becomes increasingly untenable as her freedoms a stripped away beheaded, tor
In this fictional version of history, to guard against failure to ensure an heir fathered by On several occasions, Pippa, newly married to Lord Stuart Neilson, is rendered unconscious and impregnated by King Philip. This, with the knowledge and in the presence of Pippa’s husband, Stuart Neilson and the rather remote figure of Ray Gomez, right hand man to the king.
For Pippa, the future looks grim. Virtually a prisoner with a gay husband who pays little attention to her. Ray Gomez becomes her protector and lover. He manages to take her away to a safe haven before returning to England fight for political change. The pair are reunited before the birth of a healthy boy child who we are assured will remain safe within his mother’s care who is supported by the locals. Well, paced read that kept me in there to the end.
December 21, 2020
Pippa couldn't believe he did it again and honestly she didn't understand her husband one bit why would he treated her like this they were supposed to be partners.
But no he did what he wanted and apparently that was that.
She recalled vividly how excited her life had been especially when she'd had joined the Lady Elizabeth's House hold and shortly afterwards she meet her now husband and the courtship that followed.
However now she found herself on the outs with the current Queen even though she would never endanger herself or anyone else.
Pippa thought she was losing her mind she'd seen that man somewhere she knew she had even If she couldn't recall where.
But as life sped by she still believed she knew Mr.Ashton from somewhere even when he told her differently.
Pippa knew there was something wrong with her husband and there was something seriously wrong with their marriage.
She was completely shocked by the prospect of becoming a mother she knew she wanted to have a child but it still took her surprise.
Pippa stood there listening to two people as the exchanged lovey-dovey talk...
That's when she reckonized someone she knew and darn it all it hurt like nothing else.
She didn't know how to deal with what she knew and went looking for someone she thought would easy the ache.
Lionel knew they were being reckless oh so reckless but he wanted her as much as he wanted her next breathe.
Pippa couldn't believe she was being punished but for what she couldn't understand why?
Lionel hated that he held all the marbles and she had none even though there were moments that he thought she might recalled something.
Anger... And every other emotion she was feeling compelled her to escape. And escape she would.
Lionel was well aware the danger they all were in but he couldn't no he wouldn't abandoned Pippa.
But no he did what he wanted and apparently that was that.
She recalled vividly how excited her life had been especially when she'd had joined the Lady Elizabeth's House hold and shortly afterwards she meet her now husband and the courtship that followed.
However now she found herself on the outs with the current Queen even though she would never endanger herself or anyone else.
Pippa thought she was losing her mind she'd seen that man somewhere she knew she had even If she couldn't recall where.
But as life sped by she still believed she knew Mr.Ashton from somewhere even when he told her differently.
Pippa knew there was something wrong with her husband and there was something seriously wrong with their marriage.
She was completely shocked by the prospect of becoming a mother she knew she wanted to have a child but it still took her surprise.
Pippa stood there listening to two people as the exchanged lovey-dovey talk...
That's when she reckonized someone she knew and darn it all it hurt like nothing else.
She didn't know how to deal with what she knew and went looking for someone she thought would easy the ache.
Lionel knew they were being reckless oh so reckless but he wanted her as much as he wanted her next breathe.
Pippa couldn't believe she was being punished but for what she couldn't understand why?
Lionel hated that he held all the marbles and she had none even though there were moments that he thought she might recalled something.
Anger... And every other emotion she was feeling compelled her to escape. And escape she would.
Lionel was well aware the danger they all were in but he couldn't no he wouldn't abandoned Pippa.
October 13, 2022
Okay my first medieval romance and it was not good. Old school and uses royalty of the time for some plot points which I don’t like. First the heroine is drugged and raped by the king, this is not graphic but just reading the opening made me sick. And the guy who helps with this plan is the hero??? Also just too many side stories. The 30 something brother and his freshly 18 is ick too. I know it probably happened during the time but doesn’t mean I want to read about it in a fictional book. Just not a great read
May 22, 2017
Много ми беше неприятна тази книга. Започва как, краля на Франция, изнасилва главната героиня, докато тя е упоена, и то съпругът й, позволява това да се случи, за да може да роди дете на краля. Да не споменаваме, че и главния герой присъстваше по време на деянието. И когато тя наистина забременя, главния герой реши да я спасява нея и детето й, от краля и от съпруга й. Абе тотална простотия, наистина не ми хареса никак. Четох я с много зор.
December 18, 2019
If I could give this book negative stars I would. What the actual F***?!?! This book starts by royal dudes raping a woman for the sake of bearing a “royal child” with her husband standing by and justifying the action. I’m already over it. I will burn this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2017
Too boring and obvious.
April 12, 2019
Paranormal romance. Light read. Good weekend book.
Read
July 23, 2020Spicy pre-Elizabethan royal intrigues with the authors unique twists.
September 12, 2021
Did not finish book. Halfway through the book, I thought why am I reading this book. I could not stand the way Pipa was used & deceived by everyone.
January 2, 2022
This book is good but there are too many confusing parts. Also, the main characters didn't have any chemistry (in my opinion) probably because Ashton was a part of Philip's team back then.
November 4, 2022
A sizzling romance coupled with twisting politics in England in the renaissance era, this book keeps you engaged from the very beginning.
January 30, 2023
The plot is so, so bad. I forced myself to finish just to see how this absurdity would end.
April 2, 2023
i’m sorry but this book was just so morbid that i couldn’t even finish it 😭 don’t waste your time on it, the story is all kinds of fucked up.
July 4, 2014
Oh wow bener-bener kisah yang paling memilukan.
Dari prolog aja, aku udah tau kalau itu Pippa dan pemilik bros aneh itu Lionel. Parah, dari prolog aja aku udah sedih. Dari prolog aja udah kasian. Dari prolog aja udah gak mau lanjut baca tapi penasaran dengan akhirnya, bagaimana Pippa berhasil keluar dari masalah kelamnya.
Parah.
Sedih banget.
Di buku ini ada dua cerita, tentang Pippa dan Robin (akhirnya!) (yah walau biasanya aku termasuk yang menentang ada dua cerita dalam satu buku tapi di buku ini dua cerita itu kan saling berhubungan erat jadi oke). Dan ketika aku baca buku ini, aku merasa kelam, kasian, suram ketika baca cerita Pippa, dan senyum-senyum, ringan, ketika baca ceritanya Robin. Begitu kontras.
Tapi untunglah Feather masih berbaik hati dengan memberikan kisah bahagia bagi Pippa. Walau, parah, kasian parah.
Kisahnya menyedihkan, mana lagi di awal cerita Lionel dideskripsikan sebagai buruk rupa oleh Pippa sendiri. Lalu pernyataan tentang 'mencintai' bagi Pippa itu berada di bagian akhir, ketika konflik mulai meninggi, bukan sebelumnya. Lalu walau pasangan Robin diceritakan bahwa ia dibutuhkan oleh Pippa, namun rasanya tak ada adegan ketika pasangan Robin itu benar-benar dibutuhkan oleh Pippa. Perjalanan mereka hanya menjadi kisahnya untuk menjadi lebih berani dan menggapai cinta pertamanya. Bila aku bisa membayangkan tokoh hero-heroine lainnya dengan akhir yg bahagia walau buku telah ditutup, namun tidak begitu dengan Robin dan pasangannya. Entahlah, imajinasiku membayangkan walau gadis itu mencintai Robin namun cintanya lebih besar dibanding Robin kepadanya, lalu nanti dia meninggal dan barulah Robin bertemu cinta sejatinya. Well itu imajinasiku. Tapi perhatikan lagi Kiss Trilogy ini; semua tokohnya sudah pernah menikah dahulu, pasangannya meninggal/berkhianat sebelum bertemu dengan pasangan sejatinya. Rite? Dan kenapa tidak dengan Robin?
Oh well, memang disayangkan.
Kayanya segitu saja deh kesanku pada buku ini. Kalau gak salah. Oh well...
Poor Pippa. Berbahagialah... *lebay
N.b. Aku gak mau bikin sinopsis tentang cerita ini lah.
Dari prolog aja, aku udah tau kalau itu Pippa dan pemilik bros aneh itu Lionel. Parah, dari prolog aja aku udah sedih. Dari prolog aja udah kasian. Dari prolog aja udah gak mau lanjut baca tapi penasaran dengan akhirnya, bagaimana Pippa berhasil keluar dari masalah kelamnya.
Parah.
Sedih banget.
Di buku ini ada dua cerita, tentang Pippa dan Robin (akhirnya!) (yah walau biasanya aku termasuk yang menentang ada dua cerita dalam satu buku tapi di buku ini dua cerita itu kan saling berhubungan erat jadi oke). Dan ketika aku baca buku ini, aku merasa kelam, kasian, suram ketika baca cerita Pippa, dan senyum-senyum, ringan, ketika baca ceritanya Robin. Begitu kontras.
Tapi untunglah Feather masih berbaik hati dengan memberikan kisah bahagia bagi Pippa. Walau, parah, kasian parah.
Kisahnya menyedihkan, mana lagi di awal cerita Lionel dideskripsikan sebagai buruk rupa oleh Pippa sendiri. Lalu pernyataan tentang 'mencintai' bagi Pippa itu berada di bagian akhir, ketika konflik mulai meninggi, bukan sebelumnya. Lalu walau pasangan Robin diceritakan bahwa ia dibutuhkan oleh Pippa, namun rasanya tak ada adegan ketika pasangan Robin itu benar-benar dibutuhkan oleh Pippa. Perjalanan mereka hanya menjadi kisahnya untuk menjadi lebih berani dan menggapai cinta pertamanya. Bila aku bisa membayangkan tokoh hero-heroine lainnya dengan akhir yg bahagia walau buku telah ditutup, namun tidak begitu dengan Robin dan pasangannya. Entahlah, imajinasiku membayangkan walau gadis itu mencintai Robin namun cintanya lebih besar dibanding Robin kepadanya, lalu nanti dia meninggal dan barulah Robin bertemu cinta sejatinya. Well itu imajinasiku. Tapi perhatikan lagi Kiss Trilogy ini; semua tokohnya sudah pernah menikah dahulu, pasangannya meninggal/berkhianat sebelum bertemu dengan pasangan sejatinya. Rite? Dan kenapa tidak dengan Robin?
Oh well, memang disayangkan.
Kayanya segitu saja deh kesanku pada buku ini. Kalau gak salah. Oh well...
Poor Pippa. Berbahagialah... *lebay
N.b. Aku gak mau bikin sinopsis tentang cerita ini lah.
February 26, 2009
1554, not my favorite period to read but this was a knock-out.
This was a time of intrigue and one false move and you would die, horribly. A time where fanatics on both sides of religion used it for power and gain.
It is July, 1554 and Mary, daughter of Henry VIII is on the throne, married to Phillip of Spain, and Lady Elizabeth is in prison.
Phillip and Mary have devised a devious plan to allow Spain to eventually have control of England and the secret could cost the lives of many.
"Lady Phillippa Nielson had no memory of what took place in her bedchamber in the dead of night--nor knowledge of the dangerous plot that put her life in jeopardy. But with a brief touch of his hand, and one glance of his knowing gray eyes, Pippa felt a connection to the dark stranger who should have been her greatest enemy. Who was the man who seemed to understand more about her life than she did herself? Why did she respond to his most casual caresses with the most urgent and reckless of desires? Lionel Ashton had been appointed quardian of both Pippa and the secret she unknowingly bore. And protect this sensuous and fiercely independent woman he would, even from the kind himself. But what Lionel knows about Pippa will put both their lives in the greatest danger--even as they slip under the spell of a daring seduction that will turn them into passionate outlaws...and legendary lovers."
This was a time of intrigue and one false move and you would die, horribly. A time where fanatics on both sides of religion used it for power and gain.
It is July, 1554 and Mary, daughter of Henry VIII is on the throne, married to Phillip of Spain, and Lady Elizabeth is in prison.
Phillip and Mary have devised a devious plan to allow Spain to eventually have control of England and the secret could cost the lives of many.
"Lady Phillippa Nielson had no memory of what took place in her bedchamber in the dead of night--nor knowledge of the dangerous plot that put her life in jeopardy. But with a brief touch of his hand, and one glance of his knowing gray eyes, Pippa felt a connection to the dark stranger who should have been her greatest enemy. Who was the man who seemed to understand more about her life than she did herself? Why did she respond to his most casual caresses with the most urgent and reckless of desires? Lionel Ashton had been appointed quardian of both Pippa and the secret she unknowingly bore. And protect this sensuous and fiercely independent woman he would, even from the kind himself. But what Lionel knows about Pippa will put both their lives in the greatest danger--even as they slip under the spell of a daring seduction that will turn them into passionate outlaws...and legendary lovers."
November 28, 2012
This is the finale of the Kiss trilogy. I truly enjoyed this series taking place in the mid 16th century. Queen Mary (the daughter of Henry VIII) and King Phillip rule during a very fanatical time. People are murder for little reason and Mary is quite serious about her catholicism. The problem is she cannot produce an heir. A plot is hatched to impregnate Lady Nielson (Pippa) with Phillip's heir, while she is drugged. Lionel Ashton is involved with King Phillip and is left to care for Pippa. . . . (violins) It is the perfect historical romance full of plenty of action. Entertaining and great character development. I would love to see a new series, perhaps with her stepbrother Robin and Louisa.
November 16, 2015
Berbalut kisah sejarah di era Ratu Mary, novel ini menawarkan alur yang memesona.
Sedari pertama membaca, saya sudah dikejutkan dengan plot licik yang dilancarkan suami Ratu Mary, Raja Phillip dari Spanyol.
Kehadiran Lionel Ashton, tokoh utama pria yang jauh dari kata sempurna membuat novel ini semakin memikat.
Lionel memang tidak tampan dan cenderung buruk rupa (sangat jauh berbeda dengan karakter utama yang biasanya digambarkan tampan dan berkelas), tapi entah bagaimana saya tertarik dengan pembawaan Lionel.
Segar rasanya jika dihadapkan pada penokohan karakter mayor yang berbeda dan tidak pasaran.
Selain daya tarik Lionel yang tidak biasa, gejolak rencana jahat dan intrik-intrik kerajaan juga menjadi bumbu penyedap yang membuat novel ini tak bisa dilewatkan begitu saja.
Sedari pertama membaca, saya sudah dikejutkan dengan plot licik yang dilancarkan suami Ratu Mary, Raja Phillip dari Spanyol.
Kehadiran Lionel Ashton, tokoh utama pria yang jauh dari kata sempurna membuat novel ini semakin memikat.
Lionel memang tidak tampan dan cenderung buruk rupa (sangat jauh berbeda dengan karakter utama yang biasanya digambarkan tampan dan berkelas), tapi entah bagaimana saya tertarik dengan pembawaan Lionel.
Segar rasanya jika dihadapkan pada penokohan karakter mayor yang berbeda dan tidak pasaran.
Selain daya tarik Lionel yang tidak biasa, gejolak rencana jahat dan intrik-intrik kerajaan juga menjadi bumbu penyedap yang membuat novel ini tak bisa dilewatkan begitu saja.
May 18, 2015
Siendo violada repetidamente por el rey al estar drogada a causa del vino alterado que le daba su esposo gay para así este poder estar a favor del rey para que no matara a su amante gay... Que delicia! Sobre todo la parte en la que Pippa se enamora del hombre que la llevaba en brazos desde la habitación del rey hasta las de "su marido"... Lo único meramente salvable es que Pippa no odio a su pequeña solo por ser fruto de las violaciones, esa pequeña vida no tenía la culpa... Muy bueno que la reina mary halla pagado con creces por lo desagradable que se volvió con la familia que la puso al poder!
Lástima que Phillip no murió de manera horrible como Mary! Bastardo violador!
Lástima que Phillip no murió de manera horrible como Mary! Bastardo violador!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2012
Baca selipan kisah Pippa di buku 1 dan 2 jadi penasaran gimana kisahnya di bukunya sendiri. Pippa yang cerewet, suka ingin tahu, suka menggoda, enerjik, de el el. Tapi ya ampun, di buku ini dari awal aja uda tragis. Setelah menikah, ternyata Pippa sempat dipenjara karena mendukung Elizabeth. Pas keluar dari penjara, hubungannya dengan suaminya menjadi renggang, yang paling menyakitkan suaminya ternyata memanfaatkan Pippa tanpa sepengetahuan Pippa sendiri, pokoknya sedih banget jadi Pippa, sifat2nya yang dulu jadi menghilang karena tekanan kedewasaan (taelaaaa...)
February 1, 2019
I've enjoyed quite a few books by Feather, this ....in my opinion....was not one of her best.
Well, it’s now February 1st, 2019. Supposedly I read this book almost nine years ago and wrote the short review. Usually I remember something about books I’ve read, but absolutely nothing about this book jogged my memory. So I don’t know what book I actually read, but I don’t believe it was this one because I loved it. Romantic, dramatic, and full of suspense. Well written
Well, it’s now February 1st, 2019. Supposedly I read this book almost nine years ago and wrote the short review. Usually I remember something about books I’ve read, but absolutely nothing about this book jogged my memory. So I don’t know what book I actually read, but I don’t believe it was this one because I loved it. Romantic, dramatic, and full of suspense. Well written
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