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Fairfax Family #1
Falcon's Fire
Vowing never to fall in love after her mother dies of a broken heart, Lady Martine agrees to an arranged marriage to a nobleman, but Sir Thorne Falconer, who is coordinating the match, falls in love with Martine. Original.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 1995
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689 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Ryan
62 books185 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 - 30 of 88 reviews
February 9, 2021
This book is a five star for me. The plot and setting are so richly detailed and the characters are so incredibly vivid.
Martine of Rouen (heroine), the illegitimate daughter of a Baron, would have never agreed to marry were it not to help her half-brother and sole protector, Rainulf, whom she adores. Rainulf rescued her from isolation and starvation as small child after Martine’s mother, their father’s mistress, committed suicide. Because of this, she feels she owes him. Martine vows that although she will marry, she will never ever fall in love. She will not experience the torment that her mother did over her father, only to be scorned and turned away.
Rainfulf, a brilliant scholar, priest, and former soldier, is determined to go on a pilgrimage to cleanse his soul – he feels guilty for his role in the Crusades (during which he was held prisoner for many months) and begins to question the authority of the Church. If he is to go on his pilgrimage, however, he must find a suitable marriage for his sister. Rainulf’s best friend, a soldier with whom he was held captive during the Crusade, has the solution.
Sir Thorne Falconer (hero) – an expert in birds of prey – has sworn fealty to the Baron Godfrey. The son of a poor woodsman, Thorne is determined to advance his station in life and gain some land of his own. However, despite being one of the greatest and most respected knights of the realm, he is still just the Baron's falconer.
Then his best friend writes to him that his sister is in need of a husband with land.
Thorne arranges for Martine – a distant cousin of the Queen – to marry Sir Edmond, the son of his overlord. He hopes that the beneficial match will finally earn him the lands he craves.
But what neither Thorne nor Martine expects is to find one another completely and utterly irresistible. And it is not just a physical attraction; they mesh perfectly in nearly every way: both enjoy books, chess, and intellectual pursuits, and both have tortured pasts that cause each a great deal of pain.
With Martine’s betrothal to Sir Edmond official, both she and Thorne know that it is impossible to pursue one another, yet they cannot seem to help it, and manage to find ways to come into contact despite the danger of their feelings.
A series of obstacles come into these characters’ paths: Martine is brutalized to near death by her cruel husband, Thorne is injured in battle, and the evil Bernard (the elder son of Lord Godfrey) is a first-class sadomasochist who really has it out for the hero and heroine. Finally due to her extensive knowledge of medicinal herbs, and her tendency to flout religious convention,
These, combined with the internal struggles of the hero and heroine make for a very… VERY difficult path toward their HEA.
Thorne maintains he does not believe in love, although he is unable to explain the powerful emotions and sense of protectiveness Martine stirs in him.
Martine, tortured by her mother’s life and death, believes that all men want from women is to use them and toss them aside. As such, she is angry at herself for falling into Thorne’s ‘trap’ and desperately tries to resist her growing feelings for him. She tries to tell herself that all Thorne cares about is his friendship with her brother and getting land.
Of course, this is not true, but because Thorne cannot admit his own feelings, he gives her no reason to doubt that presumption. Nonetheless, the heroine is exceedingly stubborn, so much so that despite all evidence to the contrary, she carries on her denial of her own feelings and her refusal to believe in Thorne a bit too long.
This book was excellent. I felt like I was truly on a journey with these characters. Patricia Ryan is a master of characterization. But even more, she has a true talent for putting the reader right in the setting. Her excellent descriptions of scenery, objects and clothing involve all of the senses, and give the reader a true sense of being there that is sometimes lacking in other historical novels. The characters in this book, both primary and secondary, were so vivid and real. I felt their pain, understood them, and loved them.
Thorne is a wonderful hero: one of the best I’ve ever read, and totally swoon-worthy.
Martine – I adored her, but it bothered me that she continually doubted Thorne’s sincerity even after the countless times he proved himself to her. Of course, I do understand that the character has been badly damaged, but I thought it went on a bit too long. This was probably my ONLY annoyance with this amazing book.
Plus, the love scenes (four total) were scorching hot. One of which includes oral sex in the infirmary of a monastery. Talk about daring!
This book is certainly not an inspirational book, but it does carry a lot of religious themes. The main characters are all religious. But this seemed a natural element of the medieval era in which this book takes place, when the Church was embedded into the fabric of everyday life. And in fact, the book shows the very dark side of the Church and how corruption and politics interacted with the Church leadership.
I am looking forward to reading the follow-up to this book, featuring the heroine's brother, Rainulf. As a priest and sworn celibate, Rainulf's romance should be very interesting to read!
Martine of Rouen (heroine), the illegitimate daughter of a Baron, would have never agreed to marry were it not to help her half-brother and sole protector, Rainulf, whom she adores. Rainulf rescued her from isolation and starvation as small child after Martine’s mother, their father’s mistress, committed suicide. Because of this, she feels she owes him. Martine vows that although she will marry, she will never ever fall in love. She will not experience the torment that her mother did over her father, only to be scorned and turned away.
Rainfulf, a brilliant scholar, priest, and former soldier, is determined to go on a pilgrimage to cleanse his soul – he feels guilty for his role in the Crusades (during which he was held prisoner for many months) and begins to question the authority of the Church. If he is to go on his pilgrimage, however, he must find a suitable marriage for his sister. Rainulf’s best friend, a soldier with whom he was held captive during the Crusade, has the solution.
Sir Thorne Falconer (hero) – an expert in birds of prey – has sworn fealty to the Baron Godfrey. The son of a poor woodsman, Thorne is determined to advance his station in life and gain some land of his own. However, despite being one of the greatest and most respected knights of the realm, he is still just the Baron's falconer.
Then his best friend writes to him that his sister is in need of a husband with land.
Thorne arranges for Martine – a distant cousin of the Queen – to marry Sir Edmond, the son of his overlord. He hopes that the beneficial match will finally earn him the lands he craves.
But what neither Thorne nor Martine expects is to find one another completely and utterly irresistible. And it is not just a physical attraction; they mesh perfectly in nearly every way: both enjoy books, chess, and intellectual pursuits, and both have tortured pasts that cause each a great deal of pain.
With Martine’s betrothal to Sir Edmond official, both she and Thorne know that it is impossible to pursue one another, yet they cannot seem to help it, and manage to find ways to come into contact despite the danger of their feelings.
A series of obstacles come into these characters’ paths: Martine is brutalized to near death by her cruel husband, Thorne is injured in battle, and the evil Bernard (the elder son of Lord Godfrey) is a first-class sadomasochist who really has it out for the hero and heroine. Finally due to her extensive knowledge of medicinal herbs, and her tendency to flout religious convention,
These, combined with the internal struggles of the hero and heroine make for a very… VERY difficult path toward their HEA.
Thorne maintains he does not believe in love, although he is unable to explain the powerful emotions and sense of protectiveness Martine stirs in him.
Martine, tortured by her mother’s life and death, believes that all men want from women is to use them and toss them aside. As such, she is angry at herself for falling into Thorne’s ‘trap’ and desperately tries to resist her growing feelings for him. She tries to tell herself that all Thorne cares about is his friendship with her brother and getting land.
Of course, this is not true, but because Thorne cannot admit his own feelings, he gives her no reason to doubt that presumption. Nonetheless, the heroine is exceedingly stubborn, so much so that despite all evidence to the contrary, she carries on her denial of her own feelings and her refusal to believe in Thorne a bit too long.
This book was excellent. I felt like I was truly on a journey with these characters. Patricia Ryan is a master of characterization. But even more, she has a true talent for putting the reader right in the setting. Her excellent descriptions of scenery, objects and clothing involve all of the senses, and give the reader a true sense of being there that is sometimes lacking in other historical novels. The characters in this book, both primary and secondary, were so vivid and real. I felt their pain, understood them, and loved them.
Thorne is a wonderful hero: one of the best I’ve ever read, and totally swoon-worthy.
Martine – I adored her, but it bothered me that she continually doubted Thorne’s sincerity even after the countless times he proved himself to her. Of course, I do understand that the character has been badly damaged, but I thought it went on a bit too long. This was probably my ONLY annoyance with this amazing book.
Plus, the love scenes (four total) were scorching hot. One of which includes oral sex in the infirmary of a monastery. Talk about daring!
This book is certainly not an inspirational book, but it does carry a lot of religious themes. The main characters are all religious. But this seemed a natural element of the medieval era in which this book takes place, when the Church was embedded into the fabric of everyday life. And in fact, the book shows the very dark side of the Church and how corruption and politics interacted with the Church leadership.
I am looking forward to reading the follow-up to this book, featuring the heroine's brother, Rainulf. As a priest and sworn celibate, Rainulf's romance should be very interesting to read!
January 12, 2017
Not my kind of read.
Hits to many of my pet peeves. I don't like my heros having sex with other women than the heroine. Even if he is thinking of the h.. not a good excuse IMHO.
I don't enjoy being angry or upset when I read a romance. This one has done so.
Hits to many of my pet peeves. I don't like my heros having sex with other women than the heroine. Even if he is thinking of the h.. not a good excuse IMHO.
I don't enjoy being angry or upset when I read a romance. This one has done so.
April 9, 2018
Leída hace un montón de años pero quería comentar porque es una de las pocas novelas que canjeé por otras porque no me gustó (siempre guardo todas). Y no deseo volver a leerla.
No sé si es mala solo que, evidentemente, no me gustan las medievales. Tenemos mucho maltrato a la mujer, engaños, violaciones, falsas acusaciones, situaciones angustiantes, etc.
Repito, por ahí es maravillosa, pero no mi estilo.
No sé si es mala solo que, evidentemente, no me gustan las medievales. Tenemos mucho maltrato a la mujer, engaños, violaciones, falsas acusaciones, situaciones angustiantes, etc.
Repito, por ahí es maravillosa, pero no mi estilo.
August 7, 2012
This was a three star for me until about 50%. After that...it just lost my attention; perhaps, because the writer seemed to have forgotten about some of her secondary characters. There was a lot about the child, Ailith and her mother, and then, poof--gone or forgotten. The sex scences seemed gratuitous, especially the one five days after the hero had been seriously wounded. The trial scene seemed right out of TV's Perry Mason. I dunno. Maybe it was just me being hyper-critical. It does have a HEA.
April 15, 2020
No soy muy fanática de la ficción histórica, me choca la crueldad hacia la mujer y hacia los animales. Pero habiendo quedado varada por la cuarentena fuera de casa y contando solo con unos pocos libros, decidí darle una oportunidad a este.
Por suerte, me sorprendió para bien. Me generó muchísimas emociones, algunas buenas y otras malas y creo que eso es lo que hace un buen libro. No pasar desapercibido, hacer que el lector 'Sienta'. Así que son 4.5 estrellas para mí. Me hubiera gustado saber un poco más de algunos personajes secundarios pero igual lo disfruté.
Por suerte, me sorprendió para bien. Me generó muchísimas emociones, algunas buenas y otras malas y creo que eso es lo que hace un buen libro. No pasar desapercibido, hacer que el lector 'Sienta'. Así que son 4.5 estrellas para mí. Me hubiera gustado saber un poco más de algunos personajes secundarios pero igual lo disfruté.
August 8, 2012
Great book. Well written and well researched (I presume since my knowledge of the Middle Ages is woefully lacking and I had to trust the history in the book was accurate).
The hero, Thorne, is fabulous. He's caring, honest, smart, strong, and seemingly invincible. The heroine, Martine, is a bit less fabulous but still likable enough and I can understand why Thorne is captivated by her. The novel spans six or seven months which allows for the build-up of lots of romantic/sexual tension between Thorne and Martine. I like it much better when H/h don't fall in love within the space of three days. And for a book written in 1995, the was quite a nice level of steam in the sex scenes.
The only thing keeping this from getting a five star from me is Martine's inability to trust Thorne's motivations. She's given ample evidence that he's honest and sincere yet she always looks to find fault and ulterior motives that just aren't there. It was a bit maddening and chipped away at my admiration for her (hence the "less fabulous" description from above). Also, there was a lot of violence in this book. I don't normally read medieval romances so maybe this is par for the course but there were several really gross scenes which I'm actively trying to forget. The villains seemed a bit cartoonish and I wouldn't have minded fewer pages devoted to their POVs.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this and would recommend it to anyone who likes steam with strong sexual/romantic tension.
The hero, Thorne, is fabulous. He's caring, honest, smart, strong, and seemingly invincible. The heroine, Martine, is a bit less fabulous but still likable enough and I can understand why Thorne is captivated by her. The novel spans six or seven months which allows for the build-up of lots of romantic/sexual tension between Thorne and Martine. I like it much better when H/h don't fall in love within the space of three days. And for a book written in 1995, the was quite a nice level of steam in the sex scenes.
The only thing keeping this from getting a five star from me is Martine's inability to trust Thorne's motivations. She's given ample evidence that he's honest and sincere yet she always looks to find fault and ulterior motives that just aren't there. It was a bit maddening and chipped away at my admiration for her (hence the "less fabulous" description from above). Also, there was a lot of violence in this book. I don't normally read medieval romances so maybe this is par for the course but there were several really gross scenes which I'm actively trying to forget. The villains seemed a bit cartoonish and I wouldn't have minded fewer pages devoted to their POVs.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this and would recommend it to anyone who likes steam with strong sexual/romantic tension.
July 28, 2015
Well, this was a surprise! It was part of a "marriage of convenience" boxed set I bought, and I turned up my nose at it because I'm not that big on historicals. I read it thanks to No Book Buying 2015, because at least it was set in medieval times and it wasn't a same-y Regency romance. And it was awesome! Very different from what I expected. It was so full of twists and turns, and actual plot! At first I got mad that the marriage of convenience trope wasn't between the two love interests, but the book went on for much longer than I would have thought (like, the point I would have figured would be the end ended up being square in the middle), and all was right. I guess it could be classified as a romance, but there's a lot more to it than that. It reminded me of Outlander a bit (though without time travel!). I mean, it's pretty brainless, with very villainous villains, but it grabbed me and I really wanted to know what happened.
I'd recommend it more if you want an exciting page-turner than a wonderful romance - some parts of the romance were pretty dumb, like Martine's unwillingness to trust Thorne until basically the end of the book. I guess that's why it lost a star.
I probably won't read the next one in 2015, because after working for this author, No Book Buying 2015 works against her, but hopefully I'll remember to check it out next year.
I'd recommend it more if you want an exciting page-turner than a wonderful romance - some parts of the romance were pretty dumb, like Martine's unwillingness to trust Thorne until basically the end of the book. I guess that's why it lost a star.
I probably won't read the next one in 2015, because after working for this author, No Book Buying 2015 works against her, but hopefully I'll remember to check it out next year.
October 25, 2013
One of the best romance novels I have read in a long time. The characters were well defined and the language was terrific. Emotionally I was swept away with the many horrors that Martine was subjected to and Ioved the bits of humor that surrounded her plight at times. I did miss a reconnection with her brother but I guess Ms Ryan was saving something for a next novel.
August 7, 2013
While parts of this were slow it was still a great story! I wish there had been an epilogue. I loved both main characters and loved how this progressed.
May 25, 2017
Martine is the illegitimate daughter of an important guy in Anglo-Saxon England. She grows up loving her father, not understanding that her mother is his mistress, until her father's actual legit wife dies. Martine's mother makes a wedding dress and is certain that now that he's free, he'll marry her and everything will be great. But he marries some little fifteen-year-old and completely cuts off Martine and his mistress from his support. Martine's mother is so distraught that she commits suicide, leaving Martine to die of starvation, until her father's legit son (and thus her half-brother) Rainulf finds her and saves her. He takes her to a convent, where she learns how to be a person, but she's not trained in how to be a lady. And while her father is a cousin of the queen or something, Martine's relationship to the queen is the kind that, uh, well, people would be super judgy about if they knew.
Thorne Falconer meets Rainulf while they're in the Crusades, taken captive and starving and going crazy. Thorne is Saxon and uneducated, so Rainulf teaches him French and English and general "how to be a decent guy" things. Thorne goes to England once he's released, and becomes a knight for Godfrey, who has land holdings and two 10000% dickish sons, Bernard and Edmond (damn it Edmond!). Bernard's married to a barren wife, and Edmond isn't married, but they're both into killin' prostitutes, and huntin' and falconin' and other Man Shit, so there's that! Thorne has no land, though, and he wants land so he can be a Man.
Rainulf wants to go... do something? It'll take like 2 years and he'll be traveling a lot, and he can't take Martine with him. So, for shady plot reasons, Rainulf contacts Thorne, who sets up a marriage between Martine and Edmond. In exchange for getting Edmond a wife who's related to the queen (...kindaaaaa???), Thorne will get some land.
During the trip to England from France, the boat's in a storm and Martine gets pissed and, anyway, she's a sassy kind of entitled girl and she sasses the crew and they're like "you do witchcraft!" and she's like "GIRL YOU WISH. But how about you just NEVER TALK AGAIN," to the captain. Or some shit. It was a long time ago.
So the first person Martine meets is Thorne, and she's like "...maybe marriage won't be so bad," but then she finds out Thorne isn't Edmond and she's embarrassed, and also super defensive because she's so angry about what happened to her mom that she's determined she will never love anyone ever EVER SHUT UP.
Martine meets Edmond, and at the time he has blood on his hands and she's like FUCK THIS SHIT, but everyone's like "I'm sure he's fine," even though he's a total fucking sociopath. They have a celebration picnic and this little girl who has bonded with Martine drowns. Her name's Ailith. Martine, who carries around medicinal herbs and knows things because she hung out with physicians, resuscitates Ailith after Ailith has been pronounced dead. The local priest asshole is like "witchcraft! That girl was dead and God wants her dead!" and Martine is like "fuck that noise." And so is Thorne, who is like "....damn I am really liking this woman."
Also Bernard's wife (again, barren) notices that Thorne's into Martine and she copies Martine's perfume and dresses like her and catches Thorne asleep and has sex with him pretending she's Martine, and by the time he figures it out, uh, well, he didn't have time to pull out, and... oops. Bernard's wife is like WHEEEEE I HOPE I HAVE A BABY! Also she's a bitch.
Martine finds out about this and thinks Thorne's a man-whore, which isn't too far off. The night he meets Martine, he like fucks a kitchen maid in the hallway cause he's got a raging hard-on and ain't got time to deal with it himself.
Anyway. Martine and Thorne end up having sex on a riverbank (shut up, at least it wasn't IN the fucking water, although he's referred to as "fighting with a beast within" when he tries to deny his raging hard-on for her, and then when he gives in it's like "the bear is loose" and oh sweet baby gherkin that was ridic) and he takes her virginity, oops. And they're both like "yeah that was great but whatev." Martine knows that Thorne's land deal is contingent on her marrying Edmond, who, again, sociopath. Thorne has nothing to offer Martine, although he also thinks she's smoking hot.
So, Martine marries asshole, and he's afraid of her (again, the whole witchcraft allegations) so he doesn't even try to consummate until a week in, and Martine drugs his wine so he'll pass out but he doesn't drink wine before trying to fucking CHOKE THE LIFE OUT OF HER AND RAPE HER LIKE HE DID TO THAT UNFORTUNATE PROSTITUTE, and then he has some wine before he can get too far, but still. He still beats the shit out of her; he just doesn't rape her.
She manages to run away, and Thorne finds her and nurses her back to health, and they try to get the marriage annulled (it was never consummated), but one way to do that is "I mean is she a virgin?" and oops she isn't. So Martine decides to just stay at the local monastery, like, forever. The monks say it's okay as long as, um, no sexytimes. With Thorne. Cause everyone knows y'all doin it.
Thorne's wounded when trying to break into a local castle, thanks to another subplot, and brought to the monastery, where Martine nurses him back to health, and they... have cautious sexytimes because, like, Thorne's super wounded. And they're clearly in love and clearly in denial. Martine thinks she's weak like her mom and Thorne's like "I'm too MANLY to be in love."
Bernard's wife dies in what she thought was childbirth, but she probably had some massive tumor. She thought it was Thorne's baby but it was, again, tumor hellspawn. Edmond dies around the same time thanks to drinking and (horse) driving. Martine's a landed widow!
So Bernard's like "hey y'all Imma marry Martine tomorrow" like before his wife's corpse is even cold, and Martine's like "how about fuck no," but anyway she can be compelled and shit. Life is hard for ladies in pre-indoor plumbing times, yo. So she breaks out and runs away, and Thorne finds her and he's like "hey girl let's get married" practically while his dick is still inside her (because yes of course they have sex again) and she's like "...yeah sure 'cause you just stick your dick in anything that's willing and whatev."
Bernard finds out and is like "well played. BUT FUCK YOU BOTH. [evil laugh]"
The queen gives Thorne the castle that he was wounded while trying to capture! And Martine is happy because she has a garden and a house and Thorne's trying to be nice to her but yeah he wants to get all up in there. And she's like "whatev just get it over with" and he's like "noooooo," but they have a little fight and he runs away to Hastings. Martine tells him to go there and fuck a prostitute if he just needs to rub one out, but instead he gets drunk off his ass and Bernard busts into the castle and is like "hey bitch WITCHCRAFT."
So Martine is put on trial for witchcraft and nearly gets out of it, thanks to one of the monks, and then Bernard pays the ship captain to say she made him mute, and they're like "hey girl haaaaay BURN HER" but Thorne gets to spend an hour with Martine the night before she's gonna be burned at the stake so they can make sweet sweet love, and then he gets the ship captain to admit the truth, and so everything's okay but Bernard's like "yeah bitch you still gonna burn" and Thorne kills him with an arrow! So hooray they're going home together and they're in love and awwww.
Thorne Falconer meets Rainulf while they're in the Crusades, taken captive and starving and going crazy. Thorne is Saxon and uneducated, so Rainulf teaches him French and English and general "how to be a decent guy" things. Thorne goes to England once he's released, and becomes a knight for Godfrey, who has land holdings and two 10000% dickish sons, Bernard and Edmond (damn it Edmond!). Bernard's married to a barren wife, and Edmond isn't married, but they're both into killin' prostitutes, and huntin' and falconin' and other Man Shit, so there's that! Thorne has no land, though, and he wants land so he can be a Man.
Rainulf wants to go... do something? It'll take like 2 years and he'll be traveling a lot, and he can't take Martine with him. So, for shady plot reasons, Rainulf contacts Thorne, who sets up a marriage between Martine and Edmond. In exchange for getting Edmond a wife who's related to the queen (...kindaaaaa???), Thorne will get some land.
During the trip to England from France, the boat's in a storm and Martine gets pissed and, anyway, she's a sassy kind of entitled girl and she sasses the crew and they're like "you do witchcraft!" and she's like "GIRL YOU WISH. But how about you just NEVER TALK AGAIN," to the captain. Or some shit. It was a long time ago.
So the first person Martine meets is Thorne, and she's like "...maybe marriage won't be so bad," but then she finds out Thorne isn't Edmond and she's embarrassed, and also super defensive because she's so angry about what happened to her mom that she's determined she will never love anyone ever EVER SHUT UP.
Martine meets Edmond, and at the time he has blood on his hands and she's like FUCK THIS SHIT, but everyone's like "I'm sure he's fine," even though he's a total fucking sociopath. They have a celebration picnic and this little girl who has bonded with Martine drowns. Her name's Ailith. Martine, who carries around medicinal herbs and knows things because she hung out with physicians, resuscitates Ailith after Ailith has been pronounced dead. The local priest asshole is like "witchcraft! That girl was dead and God wants her dead!" and Martine is like "fuck that noise." And so is Thorne, who is like "....damn I am really liking this woman."
Also Bernard's wife (again, barren) notices that Thorne's into Martine and she copies Martine's perfume and dresses like her and catches Thorne asleep and has sex with him pretending she's Martine, and by the time he figures it out, uh, well, he didn't have time to pull out, and... oops. Bernard's wife is like WHEEEEE I HOPE I HAVE A BABY! Also she's a bitch.
Martine finds out about this and thinks Thorne's a man-whore, which isn't too far off. The night he meets Martine, he like fucks a kitchen maid in the hallway cause he's got a raging hard-on and ain't got time to deal with it himself.
Anyway. Martine and Thorne end up having sex on a riverbank (shut up, at least it wasn't IN the fucking water, although he's referred to as "fighting with a beast within" when he tries to deny his raging hard-on for her, and then when he gives in it's like "the bear is loose" and oh sweet baby gherkin that was ridic) and he takes her virginity, oops. And they're both like "yeah that was great but whatev." Martine knows that Thorne's land deal is contingent on her marrying Edmond, who, again, sociopath. Thorne has nothing to offer Martine, although he also thinks she's smoking hot.
So, Martine marries asshole, and he's afraid of her (again, the whole witchcraft allegations) so he doesn't even try to consummate until a week in, and Martine drugs his wine so he'll pass out but he doesn't drink wine before trying to fucking CHOKE THE LIFE OUT OF HER AND RAPE HER LIKE HE DID TO THAT UNFORTUNATE PROSTITUTE, and then he has some wine before he can get too far, but still. He still beats the shit out of her; he just doesn't rape her.
She manages to run away, and Thorne finds her and nurses her back to health, and they try to get the marriage annulled (it was never consummated), but one way to do that is "I mean is she a virgin?" and oops she isn't. So Martine decides to just stay at the local monastery, like, forever. The monks say it's okay as long as, um, no sexytimes. With Thorne. Cause everyone knows y'all doin it.
Thorne's wounded when trying to break into a local castle, thanks to another subplot, and brought to the monastery, where Martine nurses him back to health, and they... have cautious sexytimes because, like, Thorne's super wounded. And they're clearly in love and clearly in denial. Martine thinks she's weak like her mom and Thorne's like "I'm too MANLY to be in love."
Bernard's wife dies in what she thought was childbirth, but she probably had some massive tumor. She thought it was Thorne's baby but it was, again, tumor hellspawn. Edmond dies around the same time thanks to drinking and (horse) driving. Martine's a landed widow!
So Bernard's like "hey y'all Imma marry Martine tomorrow" like before his wife's corpse is even cold, and Martine's like "how about fuck no," but anyway she can be compelled and shit. Life is hard for ladies in pre-indoor plumbing times, yo. So she breaks out and runs away, and Thorne finds her and he's like "hey girl let's get married" practically while his dick is still inside her (because yes of course they have sex again) and she's like "...yeah sure 'cause you just stick your dick in anything that's willing and whatev."
Bernard finds out and is like "well played. BUT FUCK YOU BOTH. [evil laugh]"
The queen gives Thorne the castle that he was wounded while trying to capture! And Martine is happy because she has a garden and a house and Thorne's trying to be nice to her but yeah he wants to get all up in there. And she's like "whatev just get it over with" and he's like "noooooo," but they have a little fight and he runs away to Hastings. Martine tells him to go there and fuck a prostitute if he just needs to rub one out, but instead he gets drunk off his ass and Bernard busts into the castle and is like "hey bitch WITCHCRAFT."
So Martine is put on trial for witchcraft and nearly gets out of it, thanks to one of the monks, and then Bernard pays the ship captain to say she made him mute, and they're like "hey girl haaaaay BURN HER" but Thorne gets to spend an hour with Martine the night before she's gonna be burned at the stake so they can make sweet sweet love, and then he gets the ship captain to admit the truth, and so everything's okay but Bernard's like "yeah bitch you still gonna burn" and Thorne kills him with an arrow! So hooray they're going home together and they're in love and awwww.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2018
Well.....
Well....It is hard to decide how much I liked this book and how much I didn't.I
There was much to like in this 12th century era story regarding a young woman hiding her bastard birth after an arranged marriage to a young lord. Her priest half-brother relies on his close friendship with the falconer knight of the estate in which her betrothed resides. Thorne Falconer has made this match in order to be rewarded with a manor and lands, and having come from obscure poverty this is of extreme importance to him. But mutual sparks fly when he meets, for the first time, his priest friend's sister Martine.
The growing infatuation between Thorne and Martine was done very well, I thought. I especially enjoyed the part when Thorne basically chases down the serving wench in the great hall in an attempt to relieve his lust after having dined across the table from Martine and in hopes of erasing his desire for her by the act. This was rather humorous.
On the other hand, I found the whole story about Thorne's shrine to his long deceased little sister kind of creepy and a lot sappy. It was a totally unnecessary left turn in the story and really ruined what up until then was a decent story. In other words, it added nothing to the plot and actually detracted from it.
The trial was well done. But the end of the book comes to an abrupt end. Too abrupt!
So I give three stars and give a middling recommendation to historical fiction romance readers...emphasis on the romance and much less on any historical basis.
Well....It is hard to decide how much I liked this book and how much I didn't.I
There was much to like in this 12th century era story regarding a young woman hiding her bastard birth after an arranged marriage to a young lord. Her priest half-brother relies on his close friendship with the falconer knight of the estate in which her betrothed resides. Thorne Falconer has made this match in order to be rewarded with a manor and lands, and having come from obscure poverty this is of extreme importance to him. But mutual sparks fly when he meets, for the first time, his priest friend's sister Martine.
The growing infatuation between Thorne and Martine was done very well, I thought. I especially enjoyed the part when Thorne basically chases down the serving wench in the great hall in an attempt to relieve his lust after having dined across the table from Martine and in hopes of erasing his desire for her by the act. This was rather humorous.
On the other hand, I found the whole story about Thorne's shrine to his long deceased little sister kind of creepy and a lot sappy. It was a totally unnecessary left turn in the story and really ruined what up until then was a decent story. In other words, it added nothing to the plot and actually detracted from it.
The trial was well done. But the end of the book comes to an abrupt end. Too abrupt!
So I give three stars and give a middling recommendation to historical fiction romance readers...emphasis on the romance and much less on any historical basis.
May 13, 2017
LOVED IT! I was even more delighted when I realized that the author is the same as the Nell Sweeney mystery set, books I thoroughly enjoyed as well! The plot was contiguous and tight; it takes the reader on a roller coaster. The character development was spot-on and thorough. I loved every minute of it!
I was a little frustrated at two relatively mature and intelligent people who can't communicate with one another at critical times, but since that is such a trait of humanity...it is forgiven. In the electronic version, there were a half-dozen typos (YES! As an English teacher for 25 years, I would happily proofread her works!) It would also help if there were separations between sections within chapters -- many times, the story changes setting or time with no indication.
I was a little frustrated at two relatively mature and intelligent people who can't communicate with one another at critical times, but since that is such a trait of humanity...it is forgiven. In the electronic version, there were a half-dozen typos (YES! As an English teacher for 25 years, I would happily proofread her works!) It would also help if there were separations between sections within chapters -- many times, the story changes setting or time with no indication.
September 21, 2018
This had some interesting historical elements, but not sure how accurate they are. The characters were ok. Plot was nothing special. It did have some preachy elements about how evil religion is, and at this time in history it was, so it's not too bad. I didn't enjoy this one, but it wasn't as bad as some romances I have read. It was the historical elements that I liked most.
December 31, 2018
Outstanding medieval romance!
Thorne is everything we want in a swashbuckling hero, and Martine is his perfect match. This adventure romance kept me glued to my kindle as they worked through all the obstacles to their HEA. I was completely engrossed in this story, with its amazing worldbuilding and vibrant characters. It's a superb story, start to finish.
Thorne is everything we want in a swashbuckling hero, and Martine is his perfect match. This adventure romance kept me glued to my kindle as they worked through all the obstacles to their HEA. I was completely engrossed in this story, with its amazing worldbuilding and vibrant characters. It's a superb story, start to finish.
August 22, 2025
This was an enjoyable historical romance with plenty of action in it. I loved Martine as a strong young woman who needs to be strong to survive. Thorne is the perfect hero, not a noble but strong protector feelings. The sparks between the two are well written and their path to HEA is littered the whole way.
A great read
A great read
May 13, 2017
I don't do rape... I have no desire to read it in any format, even if a woman tricks a man. When I realized I had only read 28% of the book, there still wasn't any romance, and I'd already been unhappy with some of the other actions of the characters, I'd figured it was time to call it quits.
August 12, 2020
Okay book. The heroine “feels” more pain than the hero inflicted on her on account of her assumptions and she treats him very unfairly. Ending was a bit melodramatic & things go way too conveniently for the MCs.
May 9, 2017
The heroine is particularly loathsome. I tend to form emotional attachments to the characters in novels, but I couldn't even muster up a smudge when she was on the brink of disaster.u
May 12, 2017
No truer aim than a falcons!
This was a superb read from start to finish about finding true love and how one never knows till it's almost to late!!
This was a superb read from start to finish about finding true love and how one never knows till it's almost to late!!
May 27, 2017
Wonderful
What an exciting story! I couldn't put it down! A new author to me, but definitely one I will be checking out in the future! Fantastic read!
What an exciting story! I couldn't put it down! A new author to me, but definitely one I will be checking out in the future! Fantastic read!
July 22, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. Medieval romance has always been a favorite of mine. Martine and Thorne are great together!
August 12, 2017
Started out pretty good, but by the middle too much was tied up in a Big Misunderstanding (tm) and the end was rushed. Would not recommend,
February 28, 2019
Good book, lovely story, heart warming romance. Didn't like the explicit description of the sexual scenes and so I stopped reading the book. Not sure how the story ends
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2020
I enjoyed reading.
July 12, 2021
Heart warming
I loved this book it was souch a geart warming book. I recomnend this book whole heartly. Its so awesome.
I loved this book it was souch a geart warming book. I recomnend this book whole heartly. Its so awesome.
November 6, 2021
Me gusta las historias medievales! Así que lo disfruté mucho 🌸🌿
January 3, 2023
I love this book.
I can't wait for more.
I will be leaving reviews on AMAZON & GOODREADS!
And letting everyone know about it.
So I gave it FIVE STARS!
I can't wait for more.
I will be leaving reviews on AMAZON & GOODREADS!
And letting everyone know about it.
So I gave it FIVE STARS!
September 17, 2023
En verdad que fue entretenida.
August 2, 2015
This is a definite four star read for me. I loved the story line and the characters are likeable and easy to identify with. I’m not all that familiar with the historical accuracy of the medieval time period so I have to always rely on the author’s knowledge and how he/she relays the historical facts. But it seemed like this author has done her homework and research.
Martine of Rouen the heroine of the story, an illegitimate child of a Baron and her mother after cast aside from her lover commits suicide. Martine as a very young girl finds her mother floating in a lake and thus brings on a continuous nightly nightmare that follows her throughout the years. Her half-brother Father Rainulf finds her and assumes responsibility for her giving her good descent upbringing and education somewhat befitting a Nobleman’s child. She is so beholden to her brother she would do anything to repay his kindness even to the point of marrying a man she has never laid eyes upon. After all women in those days did not have much of a say as to whom they were betrothed too and most times were married off as convenience in lieu of property and or social status with the realm.
Sir Thorne Falconer a landless knight and a good friend of Rainulf arranges a marriage for Martine to a second son of a wealthy landowner. But when Thorne lays eyes upon the fair Martine he is instantly drawn to her as she is to him. They both try desperately to fight this attraction but as we all know fate always plays a big part of our lives. In recompense for this arranged marriage Sir Thorne is promised his own land, something that he has never had but always strived for and the most important thing in his life. He doesn’t believe in love and even though he’s no stranger to women he never let himself take that fall.
This book moves at a good pace and there is always something going on, with twists, turns and surprises in the lives of Martine and Thorne. The love scenes are sensual passionate and steamy but very cleanly written. The editing was very good; I only remember one place where there was a mix up of words.
The only thing that bothered me with this book, there is so much detail throughout the story and the story itself is deep until the end, then it just stops. I felt I was left hanging, like, ok, where is the rest of the ending. The author put so much into the story and just stops writing. It was very disappointing to me.
If it weren’t for the ending it would have been a five star rating from me, but as it is, I’m only giving it a four star rating from RT. The cover I liked very much as it’s in line with the storyline and it gets a five heart rating from me.
Martine of Rouen the heroine of the story, an illegitimate child of a Baron and her mother after cast aside from her lover commits suicide. Martine as a very young girl finds her mother floating in a lake and thus brings on a continuous nightly nightmare that follows her throughout the years. Her half-brother Father Rainulf finds her and assumes responsibility for her giving her good descent upbringing and education somewhat befitting a Nobleman’s child. She is so beholden to her brother she would do anything to repay his kindness even to the point of marrying a man she has never laid eyes upon. After all women in those days did not have much of a say as to whom they were betrothed too and most times were married off as convenience in lieu of property and or social status with the realm.
Sir Thorne Falconer a landless knight and a good friend of Rainulf arranges a marriage for Martine to a second son of a wealthy landowner. But when Thorne lays eyes upon the fair Martine he is instantly drawn to her as she is to him. They both try desperately to fight this attraction but as we all know fate always plays a big part of our lives. In recompense for this arranged marriage Sir Thorne is promised his own land, something that he has never had but always strived for and the most important thing in his life. He doesn’t believe in love and even though he’s no stranger to women he never let himself take that fall.
This book moves at a good pace and there is always something going on, with twists, turns and surprises in the lives of Martine and Thorne. The love scenes are sensual passionate and steamy but very cleanly written. The editing was very good; I only remember one place where there was a mix up of words.
The only thing that bothered me with this book, there is so much detail throughout the story and the story itself is deep until the end, then it just stops. I felt I was left hanging, like, ok, where is the rest of the ending. The author put so much into the story and just stops writing. It was very disappointing to me.
If it weren’t for the ending it would have been a five star rating from me, but as it is, I’m only giving it a four star rating from RT. The cover I liked very much as it’s in line with the storyline and it gets a five heart rating from me.
August 12, 2016
Me ha gustado más de lo que esperaba.
Generalmente, las novelas ambientadas en el medievo me gustan, aunque suelen tener algo que me desagrada, no por ellas en sí mismas sino por las condiciones de vida que tenían las mujeres y otros grupos vulnerables; es un logro admirable que alguien pueda escribir una novela histórica, la cual efectivamente muestre las circunstancias de la época que narra, pero a mí siempre me causan ese reparo por las injusticias que se producían.
En esta novela hay muchos ejemplos de injusticia, pero también hay momentos maravillosos entre los personajes, en los cuales demuestran su fortaleza para mantenerse íntegros a pesar de todo. La autora expone muy bien las circunstancias y las motivaciones de los protagonistas, el porqué es una situación complicada para ellos y difícil de resolver. Martine en un inicio no me agradó porque se mostraba arrogante y un poco inmadura, pero cuando se conoce cómo ha crecido y lo que vivió en su niñez, se le toma aprecio y hasta admiración por su valor y bondad. En cuanto a Thorne, bueno, se comporta como un caballero amable, galante, valiente y también algo mujeriego; me simpatizó por su voluntad de hacer las cosas bien y progresar en la vida, pero sin intención de lastimar a nadie; por eso le afecta tanto el matrimonio concertado por él entre Martine y Edmond, ya que teme haber cometido un error, no sólo porque comienza a enamorarse de Martine sino porque ese matrimonio puede ser peligroso para ella.
Como dije antes, la novela me ha gustado mucho, me parece que describe bien el contexto histórico; los personajes son congruentes, interesantes, y se llega a empatizar con ellos; la trama mantiene el interés por seguir leyendo, porque combina aventura, peligro, ternura, pasión y amor, creo que está completa, además de que las escenas finales son muy emocionantes.
Generalmente, las novelas ambientadas en el medievo me gustan, aunque suelen tener algo que me desagrada, no por ellas en sí mismas sino por las condiciones de vida que tenían las mujeres y otros grupos vulnerables; es un logro admirable que alguien pueda escribir una novela histórica, la cual efectivamente muestre las circunstancias de la época que narra, pero a mí siempre me causan ese reparo por las injusticias que se producían.
En esta novela hay muchos ejemplos de injusticia, pero también hay momentos maravillosos entre los personajes, en los cuales demuestran su fortaleza para mantenerse íntegros a pesar de todo. La autora expone muy bien las circunstancias y las motivaciones de los protagonistas, el porqué es una situación complicada para ellos y difícil de resolver. Martine en un inicio no me agradó porque se mostraba arrogante y un poco inmadura, pero cuando se conoce cómo ha crecido y lo que vivió en su niñez, se le toma aprecio y hasta admiración por su valor y bondad. En cuanto a Thorne, bueno, se comporta como un caballero amable, galante, valiente y también algo mujeriego; me simpatizó por su voluntad de hacer las cosas bien y progresar en la vida, pero sin intención de lastimar a nadie; por eso le afecta tanto el matrimonio concertado por él entre Martine y Edmond, ya que teme haber cometido un error, no sólo porque comienza a enamorarse de Martine sino porque ese matrimonio puede ser peligroso para ella.
Como dije antes, la novela me ha gustado mucho, me parece que describe bien el contexto histórico; los personajes son congruentes, interesantes, y se llega a empatizar con ellos; la trama mantiene el interés por seguir leyendo, porque combina aventura, peligro, ternura, pasión y amor, creo que está completa, además de que las escenas finales son muy emocionantes.
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