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The Bargain #1
The Bargain
Saxon beauty Aleysia Cawdor is willing to do anything to protect her dear twin brother during a conquest that could strip her of her everything. Her last resort is to enter into a sensual bargain with her worst enemy, and submit to his brutish ways.
Love-starved Norman knight Renaud de Wulf is eager to again feel the touch of flesh. He’s going to take what’s coming to him-the vulnerable woman who’s been waiting to fulfill her obligation in the most intimate way imaginable. Body and soul.
Never would de Wulf guess the true motives for Aleysia’s submission-or where their heated nights would take them.
The MEDIEVAL WARRIORS series is the story of twins Adelstan and Aleysia Cawdor, Saxon royalty whose lives are forever changed during and after the Norman Conquest of England.
*****PLEASE NOTE: THE BARGAIN IS A STEAMY ROMANCE WITH FREQUENT SEX SCENES****
Love-starved Norman knight Renaud de Wulf is eager to again feel the touch of flesh. He’s going to take what’s coming to him-the vulnerable woman who’s been waiting to fulfill her obligation in the most intimate way imaginable. Body and soul.
Never would de Wulf guess the true motives for Aleysia’s submission-or where their heated nights would take them.
The MEDIEVAL WARRIORS series is the story of twins Adelstan and Aleysia Cawdor, Saxon royalty whose lives are forever changed during and after the Norman Conquest of England.
*****PLEASE NOTE: THE BARGAIN IS A STEAMY ROMANCE WITH FREQUENT SEX SCENES****
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2006
50 people are currently reading
582 people want to read
About the author
Julia Templeton
29 books148 followersI was born in Crescent City , California , a small logging town on the Pacific coast, home of enormous redwood trees and clear rivers. I have great memories of playing on stumps the size of small houses on my grandmother's acreage in a little town just north of Crescent City called Fort Dick . My sister and I would take daily walks to the main street store—an old, tiny white building that included the town's post office. The main street included just the market, a tavern (appropriately called The Stump) and a church we attended each Sunday morning. I loved that small town…and I still do.
In the early seventies my family moved to Washington, a state with gorgeous mountains, beautiful forests, and lots of green, which meant lots of rain, but I love all the seasons. I have wonderful memories of my childhood—a mother who was always at home, a father who worked hard to give us a good life, and a sister and brother who always looked out for me.
When I was all of 14 years old, I met Kip Templeton, my brother's best friend, and the man I would one day marry. Green eyes, dark hair, 6'1", and built like a Greek god , Kip had quite the reputation as a bad boy. I was absolutely terrified of him. Being that he was almost four years older than me, not to mention my brother's best friend, he was off-limits.
Yeah right…
Kip swept me off my feet and at the tender age of nineteen, I became pregnant with my first child. That same year I also discovered historical romance in the form of Kathleen Woodiwiss’s SHANNA. That book started a love of the genre that would spark a desire to write my own stories.
Two kids and many years later I sat down at my computer and started writing a romance novel. Realizing I had a lot to learn, I bought research books, and studied the craft of romance writing. I joined Romance Writers of America, and attended a Romantic Times convention. I went to every workshop and absorbed every word. I met authors like Heather Graham, Kat Martin, Virginia Henley and Susan Johnson who were all approachable and friendly. That trip solidified my desire to become a published author.
I sold six short stories to confession magazines, and felt like I was headed in the right direction when an untimely illness threw a wrench in my plans. Soon my focus turned from writing to fighting an inflammable bowel disease that would eventually cost me my large intestine in a radical surgery.
During my illness I had lost my desire to write, but eventually I felt that familiar urge to sit down and start a new story, and I did just that. I’ll never forget the phone call I received from Amy Garvey of Kensington saying she wanted to purchase the novel for their new Precious Gems Historical line. In that moment I had realized my dreams…and it felt incredible.
Since then, I have sold time-travel, historical, vampire and contemporary romances to Berkley, Avon, Ellora's Cave, Cerridwen Press, Hard Shell Word Factory and Triskelion. I’ve also made some incredible friends (Beth Ciotta, Jordan Summers, Tracy Cooper-Posey, Jolie Mathis, Mary Stella, Cynthia Valero, Patrice Michelle, Kathy Love, Arianna Hart & Kate Pearce) to name a few…who have gone through the ups and downs of publishing with me.
I still live in Washington with my husband Kip, who is my biggest cheerleader (I even talked him into modeling for my historical romance SURRENDER TO LOVE). Our daughter has left the nest but lives nearby and our youngest is attending college and still lives at home. We’re enjoying our lives and even bought a Harley, something we’ve been waiting twenty-plus years for. It’s a good life…and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Thanks for taking the time to read about me. I hope it gives you a good idea of who I am.
God Bless!
Julia
In the early seventies my family moved to Washington, a state with gorgeous mountains, beautiful forests, and lots of green, which meant lots of rain, but I love all the seasons. I have wonderful memories of my childhood—a mother who was always at home, a father who worked hard to give us a good life, and a sister and brother who always looked out for me.
When I was all of 14 years old, I met Kip Templeton, my brother's best friend, and the man I would one day marry. Green eyes, dark hair, 6'1", and built like a Greek god , Kip had quite the reputation as a bad boy. I was absolutely terrified of him. Being that he was almost four years older than me, not to mention my brother's best friend, he was off-limits.
Yeah right…
Kip swept me off my feet and at the tender age of nineteen, I became pregnant with my first child. That same year I also discovered historical romance in the form of Kathleen Woodiwiss’s SHANNA. That book started a love of the genre that would spark a desire to write my own stories.
Two kids and many years later I sat down at my computer and started writing a romance novel. Realizing I had a lot to learn, I bought research books, and studied the craft of romance writing. I joined Romance Writers of America, and attended a Romantic Times convention. I went to every workshop and absorbed every word. I met authors like Heather Graham, Kat Martin, Virginia Henley and Susan Johnson who were all approachable and friendly. That trip solidified my desire to become a published author.
I sold six short stories to confession magazines, and felt like I was headed in the right direction when an untimely illness threw a wrench in my plans. Soon my focus turned from writing to fighting an inflammable bowel disease that would eventually cost me my large intestine in a radical surgery.
During my illness I had lost my desire to write, but eventually I felt that familiar urge to sit down and start a new story, and I did just that. I’ll never forget the phone call I received from Amy Garvey of Kensington saying she wanted to purchase the novel for their new Precious Gems Historical line. In that moment I had realized my dreams…and it felt incredible.
Since then, I have sold time-travel, historical, vampire and contemporary romances to Berkley, Avon, Ellora's Cave, Cerridwen Press, Hard Shell Word Factory and Triskelion. I’ve also made some incredible friends (Beth Ciotta, Jordan Summers, Tracy Cooper-Posey, Jolie Mathis, Mary Stella, Cynthia Valero, Patrice Michelle, Kathy Love, Arianna Hart & Kate Pearce) to name a few…who have gone through the ups and downs of publishing with me.
I still live in Washington with my husband Kip, who is my biggest cheerleader (I even talked him into modeling for my historical romance SURRENDER TO LOVE). Our daughter has left the nest but lives nearby and our youngest is attending college and still lives at home. We’re enjoying our lives and even bought a Harley, something we’ve been waiting twenty-plus years for. It’s a good life…and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Thanks for taking the time to read about me. I hope it gives you a good idea of who I am.
God Bless!
Julia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
October 25, 2020
Nothing was inherently wrong about this book. It was pretty decent on my standard. Though, they did have sex like a lot.
A lot. Lot.
To the point, that it might've been repetitive. I kinda want more from the plot. You could say nothing interesting ever happened in this book. The exciting stuffs always happened without us as the audience.
So... yeah. I like the side story with the hero's sister more. 😅
A lot. Lot.
To the point, that it might've been repetitive. I kinda want more from the plot. You could say nothing interesting ever happened in this book. The exciting stuffs always happened without us as the audience.
So... yeah. I like the side story with the hero's sister more. 😅
March 23, 2022
Too much lust, not enough romance and barely there historical details make this a very dull read. I have to admit I skimmed read the final 50%. The smutty scenes, though plenty are repetitive and not particularly inventive (how many times can you read about the heroine nipples pebbled just by looking at the hero 🤦🏻♀️). So, my conscience simply wouldn't allow me to recommend this book. I wouldn't bother with this author anymore. Sorry, not sorry.
May 28, 2015
I liked the story, enemies to lovers, courageous heroine, loyal hero, and many spices, what's not to love?
At first I was afraid hero would force himself on heroine, but that's not the case. H and h gradually fell in love with each other through the story. Heroine sacrificed herself in exchange of her twin brother's life. Although she did everything to save her brother behind hero, hero even thought she betrayed him, he still forgave her again and again, even try to sacrifice his position.
Not sure how to thought about heroine's twin brother though, never once did I see he did anything to protect his sister until the end. Maybe I will change my view about him after I read the next book.
At first I was afraid hero would force himself on heroine, but that's not the case. H and h gradually fell in love with each other through the story. Heroine sacrificed herself in exchange of her twin brother's life. Although she did everything to save her brother behind hero, hero even thought she betrayed him, he still forgave her again and again, even try to sacrifice his position.
Not sure how to thought about heroine's twin brother though, never once did I see he did anything to protect his sister until the end. Maybe I will change my view about him after I read the next book.
April 8, 2021
Enemies to lovers trope. The heroine and her twin brother were captured. The heroine makes a deal with the hero that she will be his if he lets her twin live. I noticed the author didn't really describe the action from the battle scenes and the story focused more on the characters and sex. There's even a sex scene or two with two secondary characters.
January 24, 2012
This is my first erotic book read about a Norman and a Saxon. While I am reading I can't help comparing this book from Julie Garwood book titled The Prize. It has the same plot and same characters. In every turn of the page I felt the similarities of the two stories.
For the characters of the h/h. For me the heroine gave in easily and for the hero he is not too smart for me. It maybe an erotic story but still it has a story, not only smexy on it. It is like the smexy parts were only included just to say it is an erotic romance. I hoped the story between King William were elaborated more. To add that, the Scot revenge gave something more of the story. This book will turned it better if the conflicts and obstacles that both h/h have get through were expanded more.
The concept of the story captured me. Since it has a similarity of my all time favourite book The Prize, maybe I was yearning to be this story more like it. Nevertheless this book this not disappoint me. I felt that the story became rushed. I am hoping more from it.
For the characters of the h/h. For me the heroine gave in easily and for the hero he is not too smart for me. It maybe an erotic story but still it has a story, not only smexy on it. It is like the smexy parts were only included just to say it is an erotic romance. I hoped the story between King William were elaborated more. To add that, the Scot revenge gave something more of the story. This book will turned it better if the conflicts and obstacles that both h/h have get through were expanded more.
The concept of the story captured me. Since it has a similarity of my all time favourite book The Prize, maybe I was yearning to be this story more like it. Nevertheless this book this not disappoint me. I felt that the story became rushed. I am hoping more from it.
May 22, 2012
Renaud came to conquer Braemere but what he didnt bargain for was a woman that struck every nerve ending in his body.
Aleysia thinks she's only giving herself to save her brother but finds love and happiness in a bizarre situation.
The sex between Renaud and Aleysia was scorching hot! they are so very creative in the art of making love. boobies! thats all i'm gonna say ;)
Aleysia thinks she's only giving herself to save her brother but finds love and happiness in a bizarre situation.
The sex between Renaud and Aleysia was scorching hot! they are so very creative in the art of making love. boobies! thats all i'm gonna say ;)
August 17, 2012
This was a quick fun read. I love a bit of historical romance.
The H & h were both very likeable. The smut was hot & fun & got kinkier as it went on.
The story held it's own & didn't just feel like a vessel for the smut.
I will definitely read more by this author.
The H & h were both very likeable. The smut was hot & fun & got kinkier as it went on.
The story held it's own & didn't just feel like a vessel for the smut.
I will definitely read more by this author.
May 23, 2012
Awwww, HEAs all around :) Loved this book. Definitely need a Wulf to "storm my castle" as Megs would say ;-P
June 6, 2017
I love a historical romance with the heroine being feisty and knowing what she wants!
This is a reread for me but still enjoyable.
This is a reread for me but still enjoyable.
September 17, 2021
I did enjoy some of this but there are issues. it is boring for large chunks. The historical information given wasn't very accurate, not only the depiction of the Scots at the time being wrong, but even the description and names of buildings were wrong. There was a lack of any historical setting, with even the character dialogue being completely modern. The scene setting was practically non existent.
But the biggest problem was that, like many of the low quaily books flooding Amazon by prolific 'churn em out' authors, who push out books every few weeks, this was more sex than substance, with a heroine made stupid by her lust for the hero. She is constantly and repeatedly weak and pathetic and doesn't care that the hero intends to hand her brother to his death, because her lust makes her stupid.
They proceed to hump like rabbits in scenes that are completely unrealistic, including scenes where the virgin heroine cam have sex all night long and have multiple orgasms. Eye roll bad. Don't get me wrong, I prefer erotic scenes in my reads, but not too stupid heroines and such a lack of substance, where everything is too glossy, and too unbelievable. It was very disappointing to come across this in a historical book. I might as well have been reading a 'churn em out' author's biker, mafia or mountain man book.
It's such a pity because I liked the hero, and even the heroine and her brother and there were parts of the story I enjoyed. This could have been so much better, if only the author had taken the chance to make things between the H and h more realistic and therefore grittier. Especially given their circumstances, and put more detail into scenes. But unfortunately for me this was onmy a 2 star read, 2.5 at a push, became it was too boring in chunks, far too weak and everything too fluffy.
But the biggest problem was that, like many of the low quaily books flooding Amazon by prolific 'churn em out' authors, who push out books every few weeks, this was more sex than substance, with a heroine made stupid by her lust for the hero. She is constantly and repeatedly weak and pathetic and doesn't care that the hero intends to hand her brother to his death, because her lust makes her stupid.
They proceed to hump like rabbits in scenes that are completely unrealistic, including scenes where the virgin heroine cam have sex all night long and have multiple orgasms. Eye roll bad. Don't get me wrong, I prefer erotic scenes in my reads, but not too stupid heroines and such a lack of substance, where everything is too glossy, and too unbelievable. It was very disappointing to come across this in a historical book. I might as well have been reading a 'churn em out' author's biker, mafia or mountain man book.
It's such a pity because I liked the hero, and even the heroine and her brother and there were parts of the story I enjoyed. This could have been so much better, if only the author had taken the chance to make things between the H and h more realistic and therefore grittier. Especially given their circumstances, and put more detail into scenes. But unfortunately for me this was onmy a 2 star read, 2.5 at a push, became it was too boring in chunks, far too weak and everything too fluffy.
December 16, 2018
Well, a very fruity novel. Quick read. Lots of lusty sex with repetitive wording which does begin to get on your wick, but if you like that sort of thing this is quite a good read. Great to have two characters so attracted to one another and not constantly bickering so in that respect refreshing.
June 3, 2019
3.5 stars
This surprised me, I liked it. Glad I picked it up at half price.
This surprised me, I liked it. Glad I picked it up at half price.
March 19, 2021
Loved it!
May 24, 2021
Weak heroine
So tired of authors always going for the weak female. With no control over her body or mind. Boring. Same old same old.
So tired of authors always going for the weak female. With no control over her body or mind. Boring. Same old same old.
December 29, 2021
Sexy and fun
Everything you're looking for in a romance! I found myself thinking and worrying for these characters even as I trusted the ending would be worth it.
Everything you're looking for in a romance! I found myself thinking and worrying for these characters even as I trusted the ending would be worth it.
October 3, 2022
This book is the definition of BAD...
December 24, 2022
2.5 stars
Standard fare
Standard fare
February 21, 2017
I remember being so scandalized by this in high school, lmao. Just reread it in "honor" of Valentine's Day and wasn't nearly as impressed - it's total trash. But still entertaining, mostly. You can tell the author got bored at the end and was rushing to wrap everything up.
I just realized that there was a sequel featuring Aleysia's brother, and I'm down with that, so I'll go check it out. But, like, on my Kindle and not actually buying the paperback the way I did with the first one, haha.
I just realized that there was a sequel featuring Aleysia's brother, and I'm down with that, so I'll go check it out. But, like, on my Kindle and not actually buying the paperback the way I did with the first one, haha.
September 19, 2016
Written in 2006, the book is labeled "erotic historical romance." By today's standards it almost seems a little tame. And the storyline is a bit formula. But it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story and characters. If your looking for a fast and fun read, I can recommend this one.
July 21, 2014
Sex Addiction in Medieval Times?
Sometimes lust can be incredibly unbelievable. Meaning...the situations in which is occurs are NOT BELIEVABLE. If you have lost your entire family in a brutal, bloody fashion, would you feel even an ounce of physical attraction to one of the blood smeared men who had been sent by the same murdered who killed your family? Probably not. Would you feel ANY desire to sleep with the man who was going to have your brother killed in a few days? Unlikely. Yet our heroine apparently can't help herself. Is she smitten, or does she suffer from clinical sex addiction?
I can't stand books in which the characters' libidos simply defy reality.
Finally the end is drawn out and dull. You see if coming for far too long and then seeing that there is like 40 pages left, you'll probably feel the same "meh" that I did.
As for sex...oh, there's a lot of it! But it's damn dull. Dull because there is no reticence, no discovery, no nothing. It's just emotionally boring.
Sometimes lust can be incredibly unbelievable. Meaning...the situations in which is occurs are NOT BELIEVABLE. If you have lost your entire family in a brutal, bloody fashion, would you feel even an ounce of physical attraction to one of the blood smeared men who had been sent by the same murdered who killed your family? Probably not. Would you feel ANY desire to sleep with the man who was going to have your brother killed in a few days? Unlikely. Yet our heroine apparently can't help herself. Is she smitten, or does she suffer from clinical sex addiction?
I can't stand books in which the characters' libidos simply defy reality.
Finally the end is drawn out and dull. You see if coming for far too long and then seeing that there is like 40 pages left, you'll probably feel the same "meh" that I did.
As for sex...oh, there's a lot of it! But it's damn dull. Dull because there is no reticence, no discovery, no nothing. It's just emotionally boring.
October 18, 2015
The Bargain...Hmmm!..well I have only read one other of Julia Templeton's books and I loved it very much as this one.I liked the first one I read called Somewhere in Time because it was a time travel romance book and I kinda like those,but this one was not but it was great though cause it was set in the times of Lords,Kings,Princessess and so on.I like that kind of romance books as well.Love to read more of her books.She does a lot of books for the Kindle.But their are times I like going back to the good ole ways and hold a good book...
June 30, 2020
So much potential but...
I enjoy steamy sex scenes in my historical romances but this was ridiculous. Half the book was sex, the other half was story. Instead of the sex scenes enhancing the story, they overwhelmed it and became boring. By the time I was half way through the book I was flicking pages at warp speed to get past the sex and see the story unfold. I gave the book 2 stars because I loved the H/h and the story had good merit, it just wasn't fully played out. I even think the writer has some chops but to relegate so much of the book to sex is just a cop out.
I enjoy steamy sex scenes in my historical romances but this was ridiculous. Half the book was sex, the other half was story. Instead of the sex scenes enhancing the story, they overwhelmed it and became boring. By the time I was half way through the book I was flicking pages at warp speed to get past the sex and see the story unfold. I gave the book 2 stars because I loved the H/h and the story had good merit, it just wasn't fully played out. I even think the writer has some chops but to relegate so much of the book to sex is just a cop out.
June 18, 2014
This is by far one of my favourite books. The imagery painted by the authors words is amazing. Truly sucks you into the world that the characters are living. I for one could finish this book in one sitting and still wanna read it again. Must read and a must own book!! Once you read it your gonna wanna read it again! I think I have read it 5-6 times and it continues to be my favourite book!
February 1, 2013
love aleysia so much..i admire her courage, her loyalty to her twin..she did not lack guts. and renaud well was just completely taken by her, besotted with her. love the book very much, it was a light read..like a fairytale
April 1, 2017
A bargain that leaves you breathless...
Renaud and Aleysia are sworn enemies but love and lust have other plans for the Norman Warlord and his English captive!
Steamy love scenes make this an incredible adult only good read.
Renaud and Aleysia are sworn enemies but love and lust have other plans for the Norman Warlord and his English captive!
Steamy love scenes make this an incredible adult only good read.
May 16, 2017
And what a bargain it was.
Ranaud, a Norman Knight, captured the lands of Breamere in the name of William. He found the former Saxon owners there and instead of killing the male heir, he was convinced to another bargain with his sister. Her, for the life of her brother.
Ranaud, a Norman Knight, captured the lands of Breamere in the name of William. He found the former Saxon owners there and instead of killing the male heir, he was convinced to another bargain with his sister. Her, for the life of her brother.
September 16, 2020
A Norman Knight
No Saxon wishes for their castle to be overtaken by Normans. But a bargain is struck and a Saxon becomes the mistress of a Norman knight in exchange for her brother's life. Enjoyable medieval romance with the ups and downs of a couple in love.
No Saxon wishes for their castle to be overtaken by Normans. But a bargain is struck and a Saxon becomes the mistress of a Norman knight in exchange for her brother's life. Enjoyable medieval romance with the ups and downs of a couple in love.
July 26, 2025
The first book in Julia Templeton's The Bargain series. Erotica set in Medieval England. It sounded good but it didn't follow through on its potential for me.
May 4, 2008
Not bad.
July 4, 2008
This book was ok; seemed like it was written in a hurry. Hard to care about any of the characters because their personalities were not developed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews