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Brides of Legend #1
Shadows and Lace
With one roll of the dice, Rowena's drunken father gambled her away into the service of a dark and forbidding knight accused of murder. The Dark Lord of Caerleon used Rowena to slay the ghosts of his past, but he would be ensnared in his own trap--slave to a desire he could never hope to quench.
340 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 1990
78 people are currently reading
952 people want to read
About the author
Teresa Medeiros
51 books2,576 followersNew York Times bestseller Teresa Medeiros wrote her first novel at the age of twenty-one and has since gone on to win the hearts of both readers and critics. All of her books have been national bestsellers, featured on the New York Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. She currently has over 10 million books in print.
She is a seven-time Rita finalist, two-time PRISM winner, and two-time recipient of the Waldenbooks Award for bestselling fiction.
GOODNIGHT TWEETHEART was released in January 2011 and her latest historical THE PLEASURE OF YOUR KISS is coming from Pocket Books in December 2011. Teresa lives in Kentucky with her husband and her cats, Buffy the Mouse Slayer and Willow Tum-Tum.
She is a seven-time Rita finalist, two-time PRISM winner, and two-time recipient of the Waldenbooks Award for bestselling fiction.
GOODNIGHT TWEETHEART was released in January 2011 and her latest historical THE PLEASURE OF YOUR KISS is coming from Pocket Books in December 2011. Teresa lives in Kentucky with her husband and her cats, Buffy the Mouse Slayer and Willow Tum-Tum.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
September 20, 2015
1.5 stars
Storyline:
Gareth's stepmother seduced him when he was a teenager, his father died, he caught stepmother in arms with another knight, got jealous, stepmother found on bedroom floor run through with a sword. Her newborn and knight go missing, everyone blames Gareth for their deaths.
14yrs later
Gareth wins Rowena from her father in a dice game. Neither Rowena's father, her brothers (except for the youngest), or her betrothed cousin fight for her. Gareth takes her to his castle where Gareth's sister Marlys hates on her, his knightly friend sort of makes plays for her, and Gareth himself sort of falls in love with her.
This is where I'm going to step in and save you all from the endless filler and get to the gist, Rowena was the stepmother's baby but no born of Gareth's father but the knight that escaped that night. Gareth knew this and was going to punish Rowena's father by raping her and sending her back pregnant. She was too good, he fell in love, blah, blah. Turns out Gareth's sister Marlys killed the stepmother letting Gareth take the blame. Gareth and sister have confrontation, Marlys disappears into the night. Gareth and Rowena live happily ever after.
Seriously, that is all of the storyline.
This book was broken up into three parts and for you visual learners out there, here you go,
Part One:
Again, let me save you all endless filler, nothing happens in this part besides Gareth and Rowena meeting and him taking her to his castle.
No really, NOTHING happens.
I start to get moody
Part Two:
Rowena runs away...
for a bit before Gareth catches her and he decides,
Wink, wink.
and Rowena decides,
Translation: They be hitting the sheets hard but Gareth still maintains he doesn't want to marry her.
A whole lot of this,
Part Three:
Rowena's brothers, her betrothed cousin, and her father sort of come to rescue her. First off, Rowena is like dude, we're cousins, no.
One down. Then Gareth agrees to squire her youngest brother and they all become friends. How/Why? No idea. 4 down. Rowena steals Gareth's horse to sprint her father away.
Gareth not happy. However, with her savvy 19yr old deduction and intuition she explains to Gareth that it was not her father who killed the stepmother but Marlys!
Marlys tries to kill Rowena...sort of.....Gareth rescues her.....sort of......Marlys rides away.......sort of.....and then our happily ever after......sort of.
And I'msort of sitting here like,
THE ENDLESS NOTHINGNESS AND FILLER.
Save yourselves and read Thief of Hearts.
Storyline:
Gareth's stepmother seduced him when he was a teenager, his father died, he caught stepmother in arms with another knight, got jealous, stepmother found on bedroom floor run through with a sword. Her newborn and knight go missing, everyone blames Gareth for their deaths.
14yrs later
Gareth wins Rowena from her father in a dice game. Neither Rowena's father, her brothers (except for the youngest), or her betrothed cousin fight for her. Gareth takes her to his castle where Gareth's sister Marlys hates on her, his knightly friend sort of makes plays for her, and Gareth himself sort of falls in love with her.
This is where I'm going to step in and save you all from the endless filler and get to the gist, Rowena was the stepmother's baby but no born of Gareth's father but the knight that escaped that night. Gareth knew this and was going to punish Rowena's father by raping her and sending her back pregnant. She was too good, he fell in love, blah, blah. Turns out Gareth's sister Marlys killed the stepmother letting Gareth take the blame. Gareth and sister have confrontation, Marlys disappears into the night. Gareth and Rowena live happily ever after.
Seriously, that is all of the storyline.
This book was broken up into three parts and for you visual learners out there, here you go,
Part One:
Again, let me save you all endless filler, nothing happens in this part besides Gareth and Rowena meeting and him taking her to his castle.
No really, NOTHING happens.
I start to get moody
Part Two:
Rowena runs away...
for a bit before Gareth catches her and he decides,
Wink, wink.
and Rowena decides,
Translation: They be hitting the sheets hard but Gareth still maintains he doesn't want to marry her.
A whole lot of this,
Part Three:
Rowena's brothers, her betrothed cousin, and her father sort of come to rescue her. First off, Rowena is like dude, we're cousins, no.
One down. Then Gareth agrees to squire her youngest brother and they all become friends. How/Why? No idea. 4 down. Rowena steals Gareth's horse to sprint her father away.
Gareth not happy. However, with her savvy 19yr old deduction and intuition she explains to Gareth that it was not her father who killed the stepmother but Marlys!
Marlys tries to kill Rowena...sort of.....Gareth rescues her.....sort of......Marlys rides away.......sort of.....and then our happily ever after......sort of.
And I'm
THE ENDLESS NOTHINGNESS AND FILLER.
Save yourselves and read Thief of Hearts.
May 1, 2021
I love Teresa Medeiros, but this was just okay for me. It was more bodice-ripper than I care for although it’s really bodice-ripper lite in comparison to the real rapey deals.
I'm tempted to give it three stars just because I like Teresa's other books so much, but that's not fair or right. And no, I am not on a first name basis with the author, but very lazy today.
I'm tempted to give it three stars just because I like Teresa's other books so much, but that's not fair or right. And no, I am not on a first name basis with the author, but very lazy today.
December 9, 2016
3.5 but I'm rounding to 4 because the first third of the book is worth 10 stars at least!
April 3, 2014
Gareth is called "the Dark Knight of Caerleon" because everyone thinks he had an affair with his stepmother and then murdered her the night his father was killed when he caught her in bed with another man. (Everyone is half right.) So when he gets a chance to seek revenge on the Other Man, he does! By taking his daughter, Rowena, who is naive and innocent and too lovely to bear.
Anyways, they fall in love. This is like at the 40% point of the novel, btw, because then there's all this drama with her father showing up, and she runs away and becomes a traveling acrobat, and then she gets sexually assualted, and then rescued and then sexually assaulted again, and then she goes back to Caerleon, and then they go to this other castle, and Rowena gets kidnapped by the actual murderer and then there's a joust.
FOLLOW ME? GREAT.
Basically, everyone is horrible to one another until the very, very end, which comes out of nowhere and doesn't really fit the first 7/8ths of the book. I found myself entertained, but in a way that was mostly horrified.
Anyways, they fall in love. This is like at the 40% point of the novel, btw, because then there's all this drama with her father showing up, and she runs away and becomes a traveling acrobat, and then she gets sexually assualted, and then rescued and then sexually assaulted again, and then she goes back to Caerleon, and then they go to this other castle, and Rowena gets kidnapped by the actual murderer and then there's a joust.
FOLLOW ME? GREAT.
Basically, everyone is horrible to one another until the very, very end, which comes out of nowhere and doesn't really fit the first 7/8ths of the book. I found myself entertained, but in a way that was mostly horrified.
July 27, 2016
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
Summary
Rowena's father has always left his children to survive on their own for the most part. He has a weakness for gambling. And with the roll of a dice, he sold one of his children for a year for servitude to the Lord of Caerlon. When Gareth, the Lord of Caerlon finds that his nemesis has a daughter, and a beautiful one at that he takes her as payment. Rowena is a protector of her brothers and she knows that if she resists too much that Gareth might harm her family. Rowena has no idea what to expect from this dark and dangerous lord who is an enigma to her. He threatens but she doesn't feel she needs to fear him but she knows there are truths he is keeping from her. Gareth blames Rowena's father for a betrayal from the past. But Gareth is captivated by Rowena, her passion and fighting spirit and protectiveness of her brothers, But the past is what is standing between Gareth and Rowena, and trust and honesty will be vital for them to find a future.
The Hero
Gareth, the Lord of Caerlon was blamed for the death of his stepmother, who practically seduced him when he was young and manipulated him since he was a boy. But even though Gareth wasn't able to find the real culprit, he took the blame with pride and no fear. For years he has been wanting revenge on the man he blames for everything in the past, Rowena's father, a gambler and a lecher. Gareth is a hero that I was uneasy about at first. He has quite a few alpha like tendencies. He is a warrior and a medieval lord, but is feared more than respected. But Gareth surprised me in this book, because there are some hidden depths to him. I did like that he proves to be honorable.
The Heroine
Rowena is protective of her family. Even though her father is rarely around and is always gambling away what little they have, she still is devoted to him and loved him. Its her brothers she will fight for though. I love how Rowena has a bit of "tom boy" in her. On a daily basis, she hunts for food so that they will survive. I like how spirited Rowena is but when faced with Gareth, even though in the beginning she fears him, she doesn't let fear control her actions. But I also respected the way she handles Gareth and stands on her own even if the consequences wouldn't end good for her.
Plot and Story Line
In Shadows and Lace we are introduced into a story of mystery and passion set in the Plantagenets Era in England. I did have a blast with this book, and it definitely had Teresa Medeiros written all over it so it was fun to read this author again. I did have a blast with this book though, and it was quite entertaining and lively in many ways. The chemistry between Gareth and Rowena is pretty strong even from the beginning. What I liked however, was seeing the way that Gareth is with Rowena. Once he brings her to his home, he pretty much gives her free rein. Which Rowena isn't a fan of, she doesn't want to be a lady of leisure at all. So goes about hunting since it's the only thing she knows how to do to contribute. I love how she isn't afraid to stand up for herself or what she believes in or who she protects. We are introduced into some fun characters....Gareths friend and Rowena's brothers. The actual romance is pretty wonderful to see grow in this story. Its not a easy one, since Gareth and Rowena need to resolve events and secrets from the past before they can fully be together. But I love how they are with each other and seeing their bond deepen throughout the story.
The Cover
I do like the oldie like cover....with the intricate font here!!!
Overall View
Shadows and Lace is a story of redemption, forgiveness and an abiding love worth fighting for!!!! FANTASTICALLY WRITTEN!!
[foogallery id="22939"]
Summary
Rowena's father has always left his children to survive on their own for the most part. He has a weakness for gambling. And with the roll of a dice, he sold one of his children for a year for servitude to the Lord of Caerlon. When Gareth, the Lord of Caerlon finds that his nemesis has a daughter, and a beautiful one at that he takes her as payment. Rowena is a protector of her brothers and she knows that if she resists too much that Gareth might harm her family. Rowena has no idea what to expect from this dark and dangerous lord who is an enigma to her. He threatens but she doesn't feel she needs to fear him but she knows there are truths he is keeping from her. Gareth blames Rowena's father for a betrayal from the past. But Gareth is captivated by Rowena, her passion and fighting spirit and protectiveness of her brothers, But the past is what is standing between Gareth and Rowena, and trust and honesty will be vital for them to find a future.The Hero
Gareth, the Lord of Caerlon was blamed for the death of his stepmother, who practically seduced him when he was young and manipulated him since he was a boy. But even though Gareth wasn't able to find the real culprit, he took the blame with pride and no fear. For years he has been wanting revenge on the man he blames for everything in the past, Rowena's father, a gambler and a lecher. Gareth is a hero that I was uneasy about at first. He has quite a few alpha like tendencies. He is a warrior and a medieval lord, but is feared more than respected. But Gareth surprised me in this book, because there are some hidden depths to him. I did like that he proves to be honorable.
The Heroine
Rowena is protective of her family. Even though her father is rarely around and is always gambling away what little they have, she still is devoted to him and loved him. Its her brothers she will fight for though. I love how Rowena has a bit of "tom boy" in her. On a daily basis, she hunts for food so that they will survive. I like how spirited Rowena is but when faced with Gareth, even though in the beginning she fears him, she doesn't let fear control her actions. But I also respected the way she handles Gareth and stands on her own even if the consequences wouldn't end good for her.
Plot and Story Line
In Shadows and Lace we are introduced into a story of mystery and passion set in the Plantagenets Era in England. I did have a blast with this book, and it definitely had Teresa Medeiros written all over it so it was fun to read this author again. I did have a blast with this book though, and it was quite entertaining and lively in many ways. The chemistry between Gareth and Rowena is pretty strong even from the beginning. What I liked however, was seeing the way that Gareth is with Rowena. Once he brings her to his home, he pretty much gives her free rein. Which Rowena isn't a fan of, she doesn't want to be a lady of leisure at all. So goes about hunting since it's the only thing she knows how to do to contribute. I love how she isn't afraid to stand up for herself or what she believes in or who she protects. We are introduced into some fun characters....Gareths friend and Rowena's brothers. The actual romance is pretty wonderful to see grow in this story. Its not a easy one, since Gareth and Rowena need to resolve events and secrets from the past before they can fully be together. But I love how they are with each other and seeing their bond deepen throughout the story.
The Cover
I do like the oldie like cover....with the intricate font here!!!
Overall View
Shadows and Lace is a story of redemption, forgiveness and an abiding love worth fighting for!!!! FANTASTICALLY WRITTEN!!
[foogallery id="22939"]
August 3, 2012
This romance is an example of Teresa Medeiros' early novels in the sense that it was very well researched (from a historical standpoint) and very beautifully written. I think as the years have gone on, Teresa M. has been phoning it in. Her more recent books are nothing compared to her early '90s classics. But I disgress. Shadows and Lace I would put in the un-PC bodice-ripper genre. We have a very dark, brooding, aggressive hero and a very innocent naive (but beautiful, of course) heroine. As with most bodice-rippers, the hero takes possession of the heroine in some innocuous way. In this instance, she is literally given to him as a gambling debt. Said hero treats the heroine cruelly, while falling for her at the same time. I wouldn't exactly say there's rape involved, I would define the sex more as heavily persuaded with a threat lingering over the heroine's head if she does not succumb. Quite deliciously naughty.
I unapologetically adore this book. It's really hard to find comparable poetic dialogue that Medeiros writes in Shadows and Lace nowadays. You can feel the chills, the heat between Gareth and Rowena, and the darkness swirling around them. Curl up with this one on an autumn night and enjoy.
I unapologetically adore this book. It's really hard to find comparable poetic dialogue that Medeiros writes in Shadows and Lace nowadays. You can feel the chills, the heat between Gareth and Rowena, and the darkness swirling around them. Curl up with this one on an autumn night and enjoy.
March 9, 2018
Well, that was painfully stupid, and it didn't even have the benefit of being short. I don't demand much from these silly novels, but Shadows and Lace was unpleasant, unromantic, confusing and a little creepy. Gareth and Rowena both seemed to be of below-average intelligence, I kept hoping they wouldn't end up together and produce offspring. You expect a certain amount of absurdity in the plot but this one made so little sense that I can't even summarize it.
I think there is a maximum number of times per novel (one) that you can use the " beautiful heroine is about to be raped but at the last minute the unusually large and muscular and handsome hero comes out of nowhere and rescues her" plot device. ln this novel it happens twice. I'm so annoyed that I wasted precious hours of my life on this.
I think I have read others by this author and thought they were above average, but maybe I am confusing her with someone else.
I think there is a maximum number of times per novel (one) that you can use the " beautiful heroine is about to be raped but at the last minute the unusually large and muscular and handsome hero comes out of nowhere and rescues her" plot device. ln this novel it happens twice. I'm so annoyed that I wasted precious hours of my life on this.
I think I have read others by this author and thought they were above average, but maybe I am confusing her with someone else.
October 26, 2015
I was really disappointed by this book. I really like Heather and Velvet, and I expected a similar quality to that. This was badly written, with grammatical errors and sentences that made no sense scattered throughout it. It read like a first draft. There were lines in it (I'm trying to remember off the top of my head so I've probably got this wrong) like 'she crept towards him until the back of her knees bumped into the low table.' What? Anatomically impossible! Fire that copy editor! But all that could have been forgiving if the story and characters were good. They weren't.
Rowena is described as so innocent and young that the full-grown male lead of the story, Gareth, comes off as a paedophile with his desire for her. Also, she is so amazingly stupid and weak it's just gross to watch the degradation of her by Gareth and basically everyone else in the book. I couldn't figure out why she would have any awakening of feelings for him other than Stockholm syndrome. He is another wounded-bad-boy like Sebastian in Heather and Velvet, but in Gareth's case he actually does have *some* wrong doings to account for, but in his case he takes all his guilt, shame and anger out on her, and just because he is haunted by the past is no excuse for the amount of cruelty he heaps on her - I'm afraid *I* couldn't forgive him, and so the whole romance was missing for me. The inevitable wedding at the end of the books feels about as romantic and tying up the lose ends of an abduction and rape by forcing the victim to marrying her rapist.
I guess writing a romance novel is like walking a tightrope. Similar elements worked in Heather and Velvet, but here they were overblown and the characters so out of balance with each other it fell right off that highwire.
Rowena is described as so innocent and young that the full-grown male lead of the story, Gareth, comes off as a paedophile with his desire for her. Also, she is so amazingly stupid and weak it's just gross to watch the degradation of her by Gareth and basically everyone else in the book. I couldn't figure out why she would have any awakening of feelings for him other than Stockholm syndrome. He is another wounded-bad-boy like Sebastian in Heather and Velvet, but in Gareth's case he actually does have *some* wrong doings to account for, but in his case he takes all his guilt, shame and anger out on her, and just because he is haunted by the past is no excuse for the amount of cruelty he heaps on her - I'm afraid *I* couldn't forgive him, and so the whole romance was missing for me. The inevitable wedding at the end of the books feels about as romantic and tying up the lose ends of an abduction and rape by forcing the victim to marrying her rapist.
I guess writing a romance novel is like walking a tightrope. Similar elements worked in Heather and Velvet, but here they were overblown and the characters so out of balance with each other it fell right off that highwire.
May 20, 2009
Another one of my all time favorites from Ms. Medeiros.
Sir Gareth is dark, brooding, and tortured by the fact he killed his beautiful and alluring stepmother. Or did he? Everyone seems to think so, including the women who want to spend the night in his bed because of his dark and dangerous reputation.
When Gareth wins Lady Rowena in a dice game with her father, even the few friends he has left begin to doubt him. For Gareth has plans...he intends to use Rowena in destroying her father, the man truly responsible for the downfall of his family.
But there are some things Gareth didn't count on. Like Rowena's beauty, charm, strength and spirit. And the very fact he finds her irresistible. Sometimes, even the best laid plans of revenge can be thwarted by love...
From the moment I read this book, I LOVED it! Sir Gareth is such a tortured soul in desperate need of rescuing, and Rowena's innocence and spirit is just what he needs. I love the how Gareth fights not only his attraction to her (though part of his plan is to ruin her) but also the deep emotion which he fights tooth and nail. And the ending...is totally shocking. Not your usual Romance.
Sir Gareth is dark, brooding, and tortured by the fact he killed his beautiful and alluring stepmother. Or did he? Everyone seems to think so, including the women who want to spend the night in his bed because of his dark and dangerous reputation.
When Gareth wins Lady Rowena in a dice game with her father, even the few friends he has left begin to doubt him. For Gareth has plans...he intends to use Rowena in destroying her father, the man truly responsible for the downfall of his family.
But there are some things Gareth didn't count on. Like Rowena's beauty, charm, strength and spirit. And the very fact he finds her irresistible. Sometimes, even the best laid plans of revenge can be thwarted by love...
From the moment I read this book, I LOVED it! Sir Gareth is such a tortured soul in desperate need of rescuing, and Rowena's innocence and spirit is just what he needs. I love the how Gareth fights not only his attraction to her (though part of his plan is to ruin her) but also the deep emotion which he fights tooth and nail. And the ending...is totally shocking. Not your usual Romance.
October 23, 2016
This author's descriptive skills were great, but where's the freakin' story??? Please stop propping up purple prose with lackluster plotlines. I could be more forgiving in that case.
April 13, 2025
Books I Own. HR. Tropes: Medievel Romance, Forced Proximity, Revenge, Enemies to Lovers.
MC's- h L. Rowena Fordyce, 20,daughter of Lindsay Fordyce, a Knight of Revelwood with 7 sons & 1 daughter. H Gareth de Crecy, Lord of Caerlon, 33 a Knight, sister Marlys a tomboy.
I didn't like this story. It was a story of revenge. The h was young but had a good heart. She was a bit simple but had the wisdom of understanding people. She was a light to her family that didn't have much and had to survive on turnips and apples and the odd game she caught. The H had been betrayed by a woman, his stepmother, Elayne de Crecy, who he believed betrayed him with another lover. She was murdered and Gareth was blamed. Years later he wanted revenge on Lindsay Fordyce her lover, whom he believed murdered her. Rowena was Elayne de Crecy's daughter and Lindsay Fordyce's out of wedlock.
Medeival Period Mentions in the Book: Jousting, Knights castles with moats and Portucullis, Minstrels and travelling acts, big feasts, gambling and bedding women, Planagenats Rulers if England, Stories of Knights of Chivalry - Uther Pendragon. (King Arthur), the Crusades.
********************************************************************************
MC's- h L. Rowena Fordyce, 20,daughter of Lindsay Fordyce, a Knight of Revelwood with 7 sons & 1 daughter. H Gareth de Crecy, Lord of Caerlon, 33 a Knight, sister Marlys a tomboy.
I didn't like this story. It was a story of revenge. The h was young but had a good heart. She was a bit simple but had the wisdom of understanding people. She was a light to her family that didn't have much and had to survive on turnips and apples and the odd game she caught. The H had been betrayed by a woman, his stepmother, Elayne de Crecy, who he believed betrayed him with another lover. She was murdered and Gareth was blamed. Years later he wanted revenge on Lindsay Fordyce her lover, whom he believed murdered her. Rowena was Elayne de Crecy's daughter and Lindsay Fordyce's out of wedlock.
Medeival Period Mentions in the Book: Jousting, Knights castles with moats and Portucullis, Minstrels and travelling acts, big feasts, gambling and bedding women, Planagenats Rulers if England, Stories of Knights of Chivalry - Uther Pendragon. (King Arthur), the Crusades.
********************************************************************************
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2023
This is the first Teresa Medeiros book I ever read -- and it's still a favorite!
No other author can be sultry and dark, like Anne Stuart, and then the very next minute be as giggly and fun as Betina Krahn. I don't know how she makes it work, but she does!
No other author can be sultry and dark, like Anne Stuart, and then the very next minute be as giggly and fun as Betina Krahn. I don't know how she makes it work, but she does!
not-interested
April 14, 2021After shuffling some reviews, I am really not interested in this book. The plot was totally No for me. You can save yourself also by reading the following review-
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
February 23, 2025
Medeiros is at the top of her line with this book. Rowena and Gareth are written with such feeling and insight along with a story with so many twists and turns that the reader will be in the dark till the very end.
Gareth is such a dark soul but with such underlying feeling for Rowena due to a big secret that explains his true feelings to Rowena. Some may feel Gareth borders on obsession but everything is explained perfectly. Rowena is unlike any heroine you will ever read in fiction. Her innocence and tender love is practically the opposite of her hero and absolutely vital to the story.
Medeiros has a way with words and is an expert when dealing with the Middle Ages. There are also many secondary characters that round out the story.
In the beginning the reader maybe turned off by how Gareth steals Rowena due to winning a bet with her father and Gareth wants payment...meaning Rowena for his own means. There are secrets galore among the passion between Gareth and Rowena. The love scenes sizzle and are moving. This is truly a classic for this author and a must for any fan of Medeiros or any romance reader.
Gareth is such a dark soul but with such underlying feeling for Rowena due to a big secret that explains his true feelings to Rowena. Some may feel Gareth borders on obsession but everything is explained perfectly. Rowena is unlike any heroine you will ever read in fiction. Her innocence and tender love is practically the opposite of her hero and absolutely vital to the story.
Medeiros has a way with words and is an expert when dealing with the Middle Ages. There are also many secondary characters that round out the story.
In the beginning the reader maybe turned off by how Gareth steals Rowena due to winning a bet with her father and Gareth wants payment...meaning Rowena for his own means. There are secrets galore among the passion between Gareth and Rowena. The love scenes sizzle and are moving. This is truly a classic for this author and a must for any fan of Medeiros or any romance reader.
January 11, 2015
2.5 Stars I couldn't give it 3 ..
Firstly the book was badly written .. I will never read it again ..
In the beginning you can hardly understand what is written & it was boring ..
Then it started to become exciting but still badly written you wouldn't know who she was speaking about or where or what are they doing exactly .. A lot is left to the imagination ..
Finally she dragged, dragged and dragged on the ending. Really I expected the book to end before 2 or 3 chapters before she ended it ..
The heroin Rowena didn't have much of a personality .. one time she would be so willing without any pressure & one time she wouldn't and she would fight >> really strange personality ..
Overall the book had a nice idea but it could have been putted into words better than this ..
Firstly the book was badly written .. I will never read it again ..
In the beginning you can hardly understand what is written & it was boring ..
Then it started to become exciting but still badly written you wouldn't know who she was speaking about or where or what are they doing exactly .. A lot is left to the imagination ..
Finally she dragged, dragged and dragged on the ending. Really I expected the book to end before 2 or 3 chapters before she ended it ..
The heroin Rowena didn't have much of a personality .. one time she would be so willing without any pressure & one time she wouldn't and she would fight >> really strange personality ..
Overall the book had a nice idea but it could have been putted into words better than this ..
June 30, 2019
Ik heb de Nederlands talige uitgave gelezen : Een vrouw als prijs - Candlelight Historische roman 645
Het begin van het verhaal was een erg zwakke poging om een Johanna Lindsey gevoel eraan te geven , gelukkig ging de schrijfster snel daarna over op haar eigen schrijfstijl . Helaas was ik op het eind toch niet echt overtuigt van de liefde die Gareth en Rowena dan voor elkaar voelen .
Het begin van het verhaal was een erg zwakke poging om een Johanna Lindsey gevoel eraan te geven , gelukkig ging de schrijfster snel daarna over op haar eigen schrijfstijl . Helaas was ik op het eind toch niet echt overtuigt van de liefde die Gareth en Rowena dan voor elkaar voelen .
March 4, 2010
I had read many great reviews about Shadows and Lace, so I was very excited when I started reading the book. I've read some other Medeiros books, and loved them, and for the most part I liked this one too.
The main characters in this novel are Gareth, and Rowena. Much of Gareth's actions are guided by his need for revenge against the person who he believes is responsible for besmirching his name and blaming him for a murder he did not commit. Rowena meanwhile is a soft spoken and innocent woman. Gareth wins Rowena in a dice match against her father, Lindsey. He hopes to make Lindsey pay for allowing him to take the blame for the murder of his stepmother, but in the process she ends up falling in love with him.
Overall I enjoyed the story, and the character development. Gareth seemed to grow the most, going from a man obsessed with revenge, to finally giving it up because he loved Rowena enough to free her from his grasp and let her choose whether she wanted to be with him. I believe this endeared him to me the most. Rowena on the other hand confused me sometimes. At the very beginning she seemed a strong character because she tried to attack Gareth to prevent him from taking her, but afterwards, she is quietly accepting of what he does. It seems she lost a bit of the spirit she displayed at the beginning and only shows it sporadically, like at the very end when she jousts against Gareth for her freedom. Despite this, I did enjoy her quiet strength and found it to be such a contrast to his anger.
One of the most enjoyable things about Shadows and Lace is the secondary characters, such as Blaine and Marlys. Blaine is a womanizer, resentful, and jealous, possesing many of the traits associated with a villain, and even though I beleived he would play this role in the novel, he did not, and it was interesting to see him have these chracteristics and still be a loyal friend to Gareth. Now Marlys was Gareth's sister, and she is a very strong character as well, who does not want to be possessed by a man. She dresses and acts like a man, and does all this as she tries to live up and be the son her late father always wanted. I felt awful for her for being neglected and being misunderstood, and I believed that she condemned herself for the rejection of those she looked up to when what she really needed was support from those she loved.
This may or may not be a spoiler, although it is pretty easy to deduce from the prologue, but one of the things that irked me the most about this book was that fact that Gareth actually had a physical relationship with his step-mother, who was also the mother of Rowena. Even though he was young, 14, when he was seduced, I still found it so wrong that he knowingly became involved with the daughter of one of his past lovers. I expected him to deny it, but he never did. This major point for me (which I even discussed with my sister to make sure I was not freaking out) just ruined the book a little. The book in its entirety was great, and enriched by its original chracters and plot, but Medeiros has written better books in my opinion, like Once an Angel, The Bride and the Beast, or the The Vampire Who Loved Me, to name a few.
The main characters in this novel are Gareth, and Rowena. Much of Gareth's actions are guided by his need for revenge against the person who he believes is responsible for besmirching his name and blaming him for a murder he did not commit. Rowena meanwhile is a soft spoken and innocent woman. Gareth wins Rowena in a dice match against her father, Lindsey. He hopes to make Lindsey pay for allowing him to take the blame for the murder of his stepmother, but in the process she ends up falling in love with him.
Overall I enjoyed the story, and the character development. Gareth seemed to grow the most, going from a man obsessed with revenge, to finally giving it up because he loved Rowena enough to free her from his grasp and let her choose whether she wanted to be with him. I believe this endeared him to me the most. Rowena on the other hand confused me sometimes. At the very beginning she seemed a strong character because she tried to attack Gareth to prevent him from taking her, but afterwards, she is quietly accepting of what he does. It seems she lost a bit of the spirit she displayed at the beginning and only shows it sporadically, like at the very end when she jousts against Gareth for her freedom. Despite this, I did enjoy her quiet strength and found it to be such a contrast to his anger.
One of the most enjoyable things about Shadows and Lace is the secondary characters, such as Blaine and Marlys. Blaine is a womanizer, resentful, and jealous, possesing many of the traits associated with a villain, and even though I beleived he would play this role in the novel, he did not, and it was interesting to see him have these chracteristics and still be a loyal friend to Gareth. Now Marlys was Gareth's sister, and she is a very strong character as well, who does not want to be possessed by a man. She dresses and acts like a man, and does all this as she tries to live up and be the son her late father always wanted. I felt awful for her for being neglected and being misunderstood, and I believed that she condemned herself for the rejection of those she looked up to when what she really needed was support from those she loved.
This may or may not be a spoiler, although it is pretty easy to deduce from the prologue, but one of the things that irked me the most about this book was that fact that Gareth actually had a physical relationship with his step-mother, who was also the mother of Rowena. Even though he was young, 14, when he was seduced, I still found it so wrong that he knowingly became involved with the daughter of one of his past lovers. I expected him to deny it, but he never did. This major point for me (which I even discussed with my sister to make sure I was not freaking out) just ruined the book a little. The book in its entirety was great, and enriched by its original chracters and plot, but Medeiros has written better books in my opinion, like Once an Angel, The Bride and the Beast, or the The Vampire Who Loved Me, to name a few.
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October 1, 2011
My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book. This one's got 3 parts.
There are a few things I guessed from the prologue of this book and I have to say, I can't accept what happened between Gareth and his step-mother, just so ... ewwwww!! Really, it's so freakin abnormal, I don't care that he was 14 (14??, oh lord!!) and she was a real b*tch, in every way!! And I also have another suspicion about Rowena but have to see as I go.
Now Gareth, no matter the aforementioned 'ewww' stuff, is confusing me a lot. It's an ambivalent situation for me, I wanna hate him but I can't yet I can't shake off that 'ewww' part ... Kinda too much for my delicate sensibilities!
Rowena is so gullible, I would've love to see a little more spirit from her but she is already halfway in love with him (kinda like me ... Arghhh!! Tortured soul and all that :/)
On to chp 9 and I'm hooked but I know I'll have that weird sensation all through the book. :s
*****************
Onto the 3rd part now, forgot the chp, I'm so totally hooked and oh so jealous of Rowena! There I've said it. Even through all those eww stuff, I love Gareth and his intense feelings for Rowena, kinda reminds me of Lisa Kleypas heroes. I don't have enough lines to talk about Gareth, no matter what he is or how people see him.
Rowena, on the other hand, is a disappointment to me ... too bland! I liked Gelina better for her spirit, I'm yet to see anything from Rowena's part.
Love scenes were awesome, even those that were comparably in explicit ... I love a man like that whose action says it all. :)
As I said, I am jealous of Rowena and ... Can't concentrate on anything. *sigh*
****************
Ok, why oh why there was nothing abt Marlys in the end? I was so much more interested in her than Rowena! I didn't fall for the joust and other stuff to show her someone with a little bit of spirit. I found Rowena ... well, I said before ... boring!!!!!!!!! But, Blaine and Marlys DESERVE their own book with their history, it was so frustrating to see nothing, since Blaine was such a rakish character, even more than Gareth (no offense to you babe!), and Marlys was so interesting, with her manly clothes and attitude. She's got spirit but in the end ... I don't know, just not fair!! Why oh why .... ??? :(
Gareth, Gareth, Gareth ... I still don't have enough lines to say abt you except the fact that Rowena is so boring, what the heck did you find in her?? grrrr I don't care that you f*^&$# your b*tch of a step-mommy!! You are SO GOOD (in every way I can think of :p)!!!! *sigh*
It really wasn't fair what was done to Marlys, I'm still in shock that nothing was resolved between Blaine and her ... I have read other novels with very interesting secondary characters and things being resolved makes it so much more exciting. This and also because of my utter boredom at Rowena and a little 'twist' about her parentage, which just makes her relationship with Gareth a bit more than weird IMO (reminds me of one of Dinjolina's very interesting shelves lmao, not OK with me!), I'm giving it a 4; otherwise it would've been a 5 for me.
There are a few things I guessed from the prologue of this book and I have to say, I can't accept what happened between Gareth and his step-mother, just so ... ewwwww!! Really, it's so freakin abnormal, I don't care that he was 14 (14??, oh lord!!) and she was a real b*tch, in every way!! And I also have another suspicion about Rowena but have to see as I go.
Now Gareth, no matter the aforementioned 'ewww' stuff, is confusing me a lot. It's an ambivalent situation for me, I wanna hate him but I can't yet I can't shake off that 'ewww' part ... Kinda too much for my delicate sensibilities!
Rowena is so gullible, I would've love to see a little more spirit from her but she is already halfway in love with him (kinda like me ... Arghhh!! Tortured soul and all that :/)
On to chp 9 and I'm hooked but I know I'll have that weird sensation all through the book. :s
*****************
Onto the 3rd part now, forgot the chp, I'm so totally hooked and oh so jealous of Rowena! There I've said it. Even through all those eww stuff, I love Gareth and his intense feelings for Rowena, kinda reminds me of Lisa Kleypas heroes. I don't have enough lines to talk about Gareth, no matter what he is or how people see him.
Rowena, on the other hand, is a disappointment to me ... too bland! I liked Gelina better for her spirit, I'm yet to see anything from Rowena's part.
Love scenes were awesome, even those that were comparably in explicit ... I love a man like that whose action says it all. :)
As I said, I am jealous of Rowena and ... Can't concentrate on anything. *sigh*
****************
Ok, why oh why there was nothing abt Marlys in the end? I was so much more interested in her than Rowena! I didn't fall for the joust and other stuff to show her someone with a little bit of spirit. I found Rowena ... well, I said before ... boring!!!!!!!!! But, Blaine and Marlys DESERVE their own book with their history, it was so frustrating to see nothing, since Blaine was such a rakish character, even more than Gareth (no offense to you babe!), and Marlys was so interesting, with her manly clothes and attitude. She's got spirit but in the end ... I don't know, just not fair!! Why oh why .... ??? :(
Gareth, Gareth, Gareth ... I still don't have enough lines to say abt you except the fact that Rowena is so boring, what the heck did you find in her?? grrrr I don't care that you f*^&$# your b*tch of a step-mommy!! You are SO GOOD (in every way I can think of :p)!!!! *sigh*
It really wasn't fair what was done to Marlys, I'm still in shock that nothing was resolved between Blaine and her ... I have read other novels with very interesting secondary characters and things being resolved makes it so much more exciting. This and also because of my utter boredom at Rowena and a little 'twist' about her parentage, which just makes her relationship with Gareth a bit more than weird IMO (reminds me of one of Dinjolina's very interesting shelves lmao, not OK with me!), I'm giving it a 4; otherwise it would've been a 5 for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2020
O pai de Rowena sempre deixou os filhos para sobreviverem por conta própria e além do mais tem uma fraqueza por jogatinas. E, num lançamento de dados, vende um de seus filhos para servir um ano ao Senhor de Caerlon. Quando Gareth, o Senhor de Caerlon descobre que seu inimigo tem uma filha, e ele a quer como pagamento. Rowena é uma protetora de seus irmãos e sabe que se resistir demais, Gareth poderá prejudicar sua família. No entanto, ela não tem idéia do que esperar desse senhor sombrio e perigoso que é um enigma para ela. Ele a ameaça, mas ela não sente medo, mas sabe que há algo que ele está escondendo dela. Gareth culpa o pai de Rowena por uma traição do passado.
Só que Gareth fica cativado por ela, por seu espírito de luta e pelo desejo de proteger os irmãos. Mas existe um passado que está entre Gareth e Rowena.Portanto, a confiança e honestidade serão vitais para que encontrem um futuro juntos
O Ogro Gareth, é o culpado pela morte de sua madrasta, que praticamente o seduziu quando jovem e o manipulou desde que era menino. E como Gareth não foi capaz de encontrar o verdadeiro culpado, ele assumiu a culpa com orgulho e sem medo. Há anos, que deseja se vingar do homem a quem ele culpa por tudo no passado, (o pai de Rowena), um jogador e um homem lascivo. Ele tem algumas tendências alfas: um guerreiro e um senhor medieval, mas é mais temido do que respeitado. Tem seu lado sombrio oculto, mas possuía muita hombridade.
Rowena sempre foi a protetora de sua família. Mesmo que seu pai raramente esteja por perto e esteja sempre apostando, eles ainda são dedicados a ele e o amam. É pelos irmãos que lutará. Rowena age como um garoto (típica Tom boy). No dia-a-dia, caça o que comerem para que possam sobreviver. Mesmo quando se depara com Gareth, não deixa o medo controlar suas ações. E sabe lidar com Gareth e se mantém firme, mesmo quando as coisas não acabem bem para ela.
Shadows and Lace, é uma história de mistério e paixão ambientada na era das Plantagenetas na Inglaterra.
A química entre Gareth e Rowena é muito forte, desde o início. Quando ela vai para casa dele, ele praticamente a libera das obrigações de uma dama. Mas, ela recusa porque não quer ser uma dama ociosa.
O mesmo acontece com a caçada, já que é a única coisa que ela sabe como fazer para contribuir como serva. Ela sabe se defender e tem confiança no que acredita ou em quem protege.
Os personagens divertidos ficam por conta de - uma amiga de Gareth e dos irmãos de Rowena.
A vida deles não será fácil, pois terão que resolver eventos e segredos do passado
Uma história de redenção, perdão e amor...
Só que Gareth fica cativado por ela, por seu espírito de luta e pelo desejo de proteger os irmãos. Mas existe um passado que está entre Gareth e Rowena.Portanto, a confiança e honestidade serão vitais para que encontrem um futuro juntos
O Ogro Gareth, é o culpado pela morte de sua madrasta, que praticamente o seduziu quando jovem e o manipulou desde que era menino. E como Gareth não foi capaz de encontrar o verdadeiro culpado, ele assumiu a culpa com orgulho e sem medo. Há anos, que deseja se vingar do homem a quem ele culpa por tudo no passado, (o pai de Rowena), um jogador e um homem lascivo. Ele tem algumas tendências alfas: um guerreiro e um senhor medieval, mas é mais temido do que respeitado. Tem seu lado sombrio oculto, mas possuía muita hombridade.
Rowena sempre foi a protetora de sua família. Mesmo que seu pai raramente esteja por perto e esteja sempre apostando, eles ainda são dedicados a ele e o amam. É pelos irmãos que lutará. Rowena age como um garoto (típica Tom boy). No dia-a-dia, caça o que comerem para que possam sobreviver. Mesmo quando se depara com Gareth, não deixa o medo controlar suas ações. E sabe lidar com Gareth e se mantém firme, mesmo quando as coisas não acabem bem para ela.
Shadows and Lace, é uma história de mistério e paixão ambientada na era das Plantagenetas na Inglaterra.
A química entre Gareth e Rowena é muito forte, desde o início. Quando ela vai para casa dele, ele praticamente a libera das obrigações de uma dama. Mas, ela recusa porque não quer ser uma dama ociosa.
O mesmo acontece com a caçada, já que é a única coisa que ela sabe como fazer para contribuir como serva. Ela sabe se defender e tem confiança no que acredita ou em quem protege.
Os personagens divertidos ficam por conta de - uma amiga de Gareth e dos irmãos de Rowena.
A vida deles não será fácil, pois terão que resolver eventos e segredos do passado
Uma história de redenção, perdão e amor...
September 23, 2013
I love Teresa Medeiros' stories. Really i usually do. But this one was just painful to read. Really, seriously painful for me to finish. I actually dreaded reading it to the end of not because i wanted to know the ending. Even then, the ending was disappointing. I understand that this book was one of her earlier works and i am glad that her work has been better over the years. Some say that this story is written in a true style of many a historical romance. And if this is true, then it is small wonder why i have steered clear of historical romances all my life.
The storyplot was clear enough but the main characters were just tedious and inconsistent. The hero goes around like a wounded soul, brooding and manly at one point then so tender (or something that resembles tenderness before he reverts to his manly beastly self). The heroine is someone who is so weak and naive bordering on idiocy - the story just accentuates her flaws. When the hero's sister mentioned that the heroine's probably just beauty with no brains....i agreed wholeheartedly right till the end. The character of the hero's weird sister, Marlys is a saving grace(see, i even bother to remember her name because she's got style!). She's spunky, a bit rude and crass, definitely smart and have a decent backstory to support her emo tendencies.
All in all, i think there's just too many things going on in the story. Blaine's character could have been fleshed out more than just a friend who has a tendency to covet what's not his. The character Alise is just typical. Then you have the worthless old man character a.k.a drunkard father. The brothers were nothing more than accessories to the story. The plot sort of jumps towards the end...when the hero and the friend has a jousting match and suddenly....someone else comes in to joust. Like how the hell did she know how to joust so well, worthy of being the hero's opponent when she blunders through everything most of the time?
So, sorry Ms Medeiros - i don't mean to be disrespectful but this book is a shocker compared to your other great stories. Fellow readers, i dare say you might be disappointed if you are looking for a heroine with a good heart and head. But I'm not going to say don't read the book. I am going to say give it a try. If you are disappointed, tell me and we can b*tch about the characters together. Hehehe!
Cheers!
The storyplot was clear enough but the main characters were just tedious and inconsistent. The hero goes around like a wounded soul, brooding and manly at one point then so tender (or something that resembles tenderness before he reverts to his manly beastly self). The heroine is someone who is so weak and naive bordering on idiocy - the story just accentuates her flaws. When the hero's sister mentioned that the heroine's probably just beauty with no brains....i agreed wholeheartedly right till the end. The character of the hero's weird sister, Marlys is a saving grace(see, i even bother to remember her name because she's got style!). She's spunky, a bit rude and crass, definitely smart and have a decent backstory to support her emo tendencies.
All in all, i think there's just too many things going on in the story. Blaine's character could have been fleshed out more than just a friend who has a tendency to covet what's not his. The character Alise is just typical. Then you have the worthless old man character a.k.a drunkard father. The brothers were nothing more than accessories to the story. The plot sort of jumps towards the end...when the hero and the friend has a jousting match and suddenly....someone else comes in to joust. Like how the hell did she know how to joust so well, worthy of being the hero's opponent when she blunders through everything most of the time?
So, sorry Ms Medeiros - i don't mean to be disrespectful but this book is a shocker compared to your other great stories. Fellow readers, i dare say you might be disappointed if you are looking for a heroine with a good heart and head. But I'm not going to say don't read the book. I am going to say give it a try. If you are disappointed, tell me and we can b*tch about the characters together. Hehehe!
Cheers!
August 30, 2022
***UPDATED REVIEW***
I read this years and years ago on my very first Teresa Medeiros kick and I clearly enjoyed it very much. I hadn't read anything of hers in a long time, so I thought I'd give this one another go -- especially because it's one of her earliest published works (it seemed like a good place to start). The first thing I wanted to mention is that I didn't realize that this was part of a two book series, Brides of Legend. Even though I've read both books in the series, I don't think I ever realized they were intended as a pairing. This is why the original posts for these books don't list them as part of the Brides of Legend series.
The first thing I want to mention is this book spends a great deal more time focusing on Rowena's point of view than Gareth's. Now, this could be because the author wanted to keep an air of mystery about this dark, dangerous, possibly murderous male lead, but I got the sense that it was more so because it was more comfortable or familiar to write from Rowena's perspective. I can appreciate the mystery and intrigue this left swirling around Gareth, but it did make me sympathize less with him than, perhaps, I should have. Part of the charm of this genre is that readers get to fall in love with the male leads; part of this is to show is what's in his heart and his mind. We get glimpses of it in this book, but substantial chunks of it don't appear until much further in the book than I think they should have. This presented some challenges for me because I didn't care about Gareth or his feelings until quite a ways into the story. Rowena also presented a bit of a challenge for me. I don't know if it was the way I read this or if it was intentionally very vague, but we don't get a good sense of her age until almost the last few chapters. At first, I assumed she was in her early twenties or late teens. Then, she's treated so much like and child (and even behaves like one) and described in almost childlike terms (she's described as a "girl" rather than a woman on numerous occasions) that I got the sense that she was likely closer to fifteen-years-old, or thereabouts. Knowing Gareth was in his thirties, this rubbed me the wrong way. The only thing that made my mind accept this was my knowledge of history -- it wouldn't have been that odd were their ages really that far apart. Not until the very late chapters do we realize that Rowena is, indeed, in her early twenties. The number is, after all, just a number. My comment has more to do with the fact that she was more nebulous a character than I am used to (or, than I prefer). She was also, at times, a bit hollow. I began reading this book thinking she'd be a little hellcat, full of spunk and spitfire. She was, in a way, but she also went about certain things with very little resistance or personality. That's the right word -- her personality wasn't very unique. She allowed herself to be pushed around quite a bit. Those times she really did show off her spunk were great. (One comment I feel I must make is that Rowena likes to fall asleep...on horseback...a lot... If it happens once, okay. But I'm pretty sure it happened at least three times in this story; it started to feel a little bit silly). I found a lot of the exchanges between Rowena and Gareth to be very entertaining. They did have a lot of chemistry and tension. Since the story takes place over the period of a year, it's a great deal longer than the normal timespan for a book of this genre. This means there's plenty of time for delicious tension and for emotions to grow and blossom at a more believable rate. I will admit that there were moments where the story seemed to drag a bit (and I will mention that there was a remarkably consistent pattern of Rowena running away and then Gareth riding out to go and find her), though this didn't wreck the story for me.
The secondary characters (Blaine and Marlys) really made this book special. I'm a sucker for great supporting characters and Medeiros did a great job in this book. I am a firm believer that secondary characters such as these can really make a book and breathe life into the main characters. They show readers other sides to their personalities that they may not immediately show to the other lead. Blain was a great golden lighthearted foil to Gareth's dark and brooding nature. Marlys was a truly wild, untamed little hellion and, boy!, does she know how to create chaos! The dynamics between Blaine, Marlys, and Gareth really made it feel like there was extensive backstory, as if there really had been years of complex happenings before the first page of this book was written. This, I found, rather impressive. All of it was clearly well thought out and planned.
For the most part, I found the writing captivating and well-paced. I particularly like the vivid descriptions of the settings and seasons; they felt real and alive. There were some awkward parts regarding basic physics (for example: How can Rowena back up and strike her shin on something? The shin is the front of one's leg. When backing up, wouldn't she have hit her calf on something instead?) and I found those a bit jarring. I had to stop a couple of times and wonder how those things happened, but I let them be. The language -- especially from Rowena -- sometimes felt very stilted and overly formal, whereas Gareth's was remarkably smooth and well-crafted. I realize that Rowena was sometimes mocking Gareth when she spoke thusly, but certainly not all of the time. Rowena had spent so much of her childhood in an informal setting, yet she seemed to be way too well-spoken at times.
As far as the "romance" goes, I enjoyed the tension between Rowena and Gareth. They seemed to be a good match. I was frustrated with how much conflict their relationship had and how many times they seemed to stumble into an irreparable situation (though, I suppose some would find this a good thing in a book of this genre). It was a bit tamer than some of the other authors I normally read, which, I suppose, isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's less explicit and relies more on your imagination. This is good for those readers who prefer things a little bit more toned down. This is, of course, not to say that there isn't some explicit language and situations -- this is still very much an adult book.
I did enjoy this book, though probably not as much as I did the first time around. The tension is by far the best selling point of this story. Medeiros crafted it well and wrote a memorable character in Gareth. Now I'm going to have to get the second book in the series!
***ORIGINAL REVIEW***
This book was a very pleasant read! I was very impressed. The characters were very well-rounded and captivated me from start to finish. They were multifaceted and it made for an excellent story with MANY twists and turns that I had NO idea were coming. I cannot wait to pick up another of her books!
I read this years and years ago on my very first Teresa Medeiros kick and I clearly enjoyed it very much. I hadn't read anything of hers in a long time, so I thought I'd give this one another go -- especially because it's one of her earliest published works (it seemed like a good place to start). The first thing I wanted to mention is that I didn't realize that this was part of a two book series, Brides of Legend. Even though I've read both books in the series, I don't think I ever realized they were intended as a pairing. This is why the original posts for these books don't list them as part of the Brides of Legend series.
The first thing I want to mention is this book spends a great deal more time focusing on Rowena's point of view than Gareth's. Now, this could be because the author wanted to keep an air of mystery about this dark, dangerous, possibly murderous male lead, but I got the sense that it was more so because it was more comfortable or familiar to write from Rowena's perspective. I can appreciate the mystery and intrigue this left swirling around Gareth, but it did make me sympathize less with him than, perhaps, I should have. Part of the charm of this genre is that readers get to fall in love with the male leads; part of this is to show is what's in his heart and his mind. We get glimpses of it in this book, but substantial chunks of it don't appear until much further in the book than I think they should have. This presented some challenges for me because I didn't care about Gareth or his feelings until quite a ways into the story. Rowena also presented a bit of a challenge for me. I don't know if it was the way I read this or if it was intentionally very vague, but we don't get a good sense of her age until almost the last few chapters. At first, I assumed she was in her early twenties or late teens. Then, she's treated so much like and child (and even behaves like one) and described in almost childlike terms (she's described as a "girl" rather than a woman on numerous occasions) that I got the sense that she was likely closer to fifteen-years-old, or thereabouts. Knowing Gareth was in his thirties, this rubbed me the wrong way. The only thing that made my mind accept this was my knowledge of history -- it wouldn't have been that odd were their ages really that far apart. Not until the very late chapters do we realize that Rowena is, indeed, in her early twenties. The number is, after all, just a number. My comment has more to do with the fact that she was more nebulous a character than I am used to (or, than I prefer). She was also, at times, a bit hollow. I began reading this book thinking she'd be a little hellcat, full of spunk and spitfire. She was, in a way, but she also went about certain things with very little resistance or personality. That's the right word -- her personality wasn't very unique. She allowed herself to be pushed around quite a bit. Those times she really did show off her spunk were great. (One comment I feel I must make is that Rowena likes to fall asleep...on horseback...a lot... If it happens once, okay. But I'm pretty sure it happened at least three times in this story; it started to feel a little bit silly). I found a lot of the exchanges between Rowena and Gareth to be very entertaining. They did have a lot of chemistry and tension. Since the story takes place over the period of a year, it's a great deal longer than the normal timespan for a book of this genre. This means there's plenty of time for delicious tension and for emotions to grow and blossom at a more believable rate. I will admit that there were moments where the story seemed to drag a bit (and I will mention that there was a remarkably consistent pattern of Rowena running away and then Gareth riding out to go and find her), though this didn't wreck the story for me.
The secondary characters (Blaine and Marlys) really made this book special. I'm a sucker for great supporting characters and Medeiros did a great job in this book. I am a firm believer that secondary characters such as these can really make a book and breathe life into the main characters. They show readers other sides to their personalities that they may not immediately show to the other lead. Blain was a great golden lighthearted foil to Gareth's dark and brooding nature. Marlys was a truly wild, untamed little hellion and, boy!, does she know how to create chaos! The dynamics between Blaine, Marlys, and Gareth really made it feel like there was extensive backstory, as if there really had been years of complex happenings before the first page of this book was written. This, I found, rather impressive. All of it was clearly well thought out and planned.
For the most part, I found the writing captivating and well-paced. I particularly like the vivid descriptions of the settings and seasons; they felt real and alive. There were some awkward parts regarding basic physics (for example: How can Rowena back up and strike her shin on something? The shin is the front of one's leg. When backing up, wouldn't she have hit her calf on something instead?) and I found those a bit jarring. I had to stop a couple of times and wonder how those things happened, but I let them be. The language -- especially from Rowena -- sometimes felt very stilted and overly formal, whereas Gareth's was remarkably smooth and well-crafted. I realize that Rowena was sometimes mocking Gareth when she spoke thusly, but certainly not all of the time. Rowena had spent so much of her childhood in an informal setting, yet she seemed to be way too well-spoken at times.
As far as the "romance" goes, I enjoyed the tension between Rowena and Gareth. They seemed to be a good match. I was frustrated with how much conflict their relationship had and how many times they seemed to stumble into an irreparable situation (though, I suppose some would find this a good thing in a book of this genre). It was a bit tamer than some of the other authors I normally read, which, I suppose, isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's less explicit and relies more on your imagination. This is good for those readers who prefer things a little bit more toned down. This is, of course, not to say that there isn't some explicit language and situations -- this is still very much an adult book.
I did enjoy this book, though probably not as much as I did the first time around. The tension is by far the best selling point of this story. Medeiros crafted it well and wrote a memorable character in Gareth. Now I'm going to have to get the second book in the series!
***ORIGINAL REVIEW***
This book was a very pleasant read! I was very impressed. The characters were very well-rounded and captivated me from start to finish. They were multifaceted and it made for an excellent story with MANY twists and turns that I had NO idea were coming. I cannot wait to pick up another of her books!
December 29, 2016
This is one of those books I thought I had read a long time ago because the author was a favorite. I was wrong and this book is... not good, not bad - confusing?
The gist of it is that Gareth de Crecy, a knight. Has been unfairly accused, judged & reviled as a murderer.
Many years ago, when he was about 14 years old, he was seduced by his step mother. The step mother was found murdered and her child missing.
Gareth believes that a knight named Lindsey Fordyce, one of his step mother's other lovers, killed her and he plans revenge.
Ok... most of that plot is NOT in the book. I pieced it together on my own.
Either way, Gareth gambles with Fordyce. Fordyce, whom is poor & crippled loses, badly. He wagers one of his children (he has 6..? or 8 sons and 1 daughter) to live with & serve Gareth for 1 year. Gareth chooses the daughter, Rowena, as his 'prize.'
He takes her off to his castle where he pampers her while trying to figure out what to do with her.
The only characters that receive development are Rowena & Marlys (Gareth's younger sister). The two young women spend so much time together, I thought they were going to live HEA.
The overall plot of the book is lost as most of the story centers around Rowena's pampered life in Gareth's castle and her developing relationship with Marlys.
Overall, I did not enjoy this book. I kept reading it until the end. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment.
The gist of it is that Gareth de Crecy, a knight. Has been unfairly accused, judged & reviled as a murderer.
Many years ago, when he was about 14 years old, he was seduced by his step mother. The step mother was found murdered and her child missing.
Gareth believes that a knight named Lindsey Fordyce, one of his step mother's other lovers, killed her and he plans revenge.
Ok... most of that plot is NOT in the book. I pieced it together on my own.
Either way, Gareth gambles with Fordyce. Fordyce, whom is poor & crippled loses, badly. He wagers one of his children (he has 6..? or 8 sons and 1 daughter) to live with & serve Gareth for 1 year. Gareth chooses the daughter, Rowena, as his 'prize.'
He takes her off to his castle where he pampers her while trying to figure out what to do with her.
The only characters that receive development are Rowena & Marlys (Gareth's younger sister). The two young women spend so much time together, I thought they were going to live HEA.
The overall plot of the book is lost as most of the story centers around Rowena's pampered life in Gareth's castle and her developing relationship with Marlys.
Overall, I did not enjoy this book. I kept reading it until the end. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment.
June 4, 2012
This was a romantic mystery! Who would have thought to take the twists and turns that Teresa did with this book. I loved the key characters,Gareth and Rowena, he is a dark hero, and Rowena is strong heroine. Wow.... Rowena's father had an affair with Gareth's step mother, and Rowena is the result, but you don't find that out until the very end. This is a good mystery romance,just when you think you know the direction the story is going in, and have figured it out, the author throws you a curve and goes in an entirely different direction! What a great ending! This book made me laugh and made me cry!
Again the author completely throws you off kilter as she has Rowena fighting as a knight for her right to be free to choose who she wants to marry. A great story line,I tried throughout to figure out if Gareth killed his mother or if it was Rowena's Dad or some mysterious person who would be discovered as the plot unfolded. The author keeps you turning pages right up till the end.
A great read!! I read this book in one day as I could not put it down. Another great story from Teresa Mederios. I highly recommend it.
Again the author completely throws you off kilter as she has Rowena fighting as a knight for her right to be free to choose who she wants to marry. A great story line,I tried throughout to figure out if Gareth killed his mother or if it was Rowena's Dad or some mysterious person who would be discovered as the plot unfolded. The author keeps you turning pages right up till the end.
A great read!! I read this book in one day as I could not put it down. Another great story from Teresa Mederios. I highly recommend it.
October 1, 2016
3.5 stars, but giving it 4 because I love Teresa Medeiros. This is actually only my second book from her, my first being Thief of Hearts which was amazing!! So when I compare it to that, it's definitely not as good, but I still enjoyed it. When I read through other reviews, it seemed like people either loved it or hated it. I think you have to give TM a little break with the writing because it was her first book. It's not the best, but it still had elements that prove she can write a great HR. I can't wait to read more!!
A little about this book, there are 3 parts to it. The first part was actually my least favorite. I didn't feel like there was enough interaction between Gareth and Rowena. It was just kinda blah. And Gareth's sister Marlys was one of the worst characters ever. Way too much of her. Parts 2 and 3 got much better. Less Marlys, more interaction between the H/h and better chemistry. I really liked Rowena and Gareth. Just like Thief of Hearts, the ending was a bit brief for me, but I'm happy they got their HEA. Not the most memorable couple or book, but there was something about it that makes me want to read it again some day.
A little about this book, there are 3 parts to it. The first part was actually my least favorite. I didn't feel like there was enough interaction between Gareth and Rowena. It was just kinda blah. And Gareth's sister Marlys was one of the worst characters ever. Way too much of her. Parts 2 and 3 got much better. Less Marlys, more interaction between the H/h and better chemistry. I really liked Rowena and Gareth. Just like Thief of Hearts, the ending was a bit brief for me, but I'm happy they got their HEA. Not the most memorable couple or book, but there was something about it that makes me want to read it again some day.
August 14, 2015
Do you love Historical Romances as much as I do? It is my absolute favorite genre and Teresa Medeiros is definitely one of my favorite authors of this genre and has been for many many many years. I actually read this series (for the second or third time) out of sequence but that doesn't matter-they are totally stand alone. I don't know where my original copies are but now they are on my Kindle and I will be reading them again and again.
You may find yourself routing Rowena on out loud and grumbling at Gareth. The side characters are all pretty well fully developed and you will love or love to hate them as well. I don't want to tell you too much or I will give it all away and you know I won't do that willingly! You will just have to read it for yourself.
Shadows and Lace
You may find yourself routing Rowena on out loud and grumbling at Gareth. The side characters are all pretty well fully developed and you will love or love to hate them as well. I don't want to tell you too much or I will give it all away and you know I won't do that willingly! You will just have to read it for yourself.
Shadows and Lace
May 21, 2016
This story was. . .okay. I found that Rowena's maturity level was the hardest thing for me to pin down throughout the story. It doesn't take as many chances as its sister story, Lady of Conquest, but still has a tiny bit of the edginess to it that I would expect from Teresa Medeiros.
And as is my habit, I've arranged the last of my thoughts into a haiku:
"So young and sheltered,
Fostered in crumbling ruins
Of something better. "
And as is my habit, I've arranged the last of my thoughts into a haiku:
"So young and sheltered,
Fostered in crumbling ruins
Of something better. "
January 25, 2016
I read this book a few years ago and when I noticed I never rated it on goodreads I decided to re-read it again so I could rate it. I remember I enjoyed it the first time but this time I couldn't even finish it.
How did I manage to like it the first time I have no idea.
Great writing but the story, "romance" and characters were "wtf?"-style.
How did I manage to like it the first time I have no idea.
Great writing but the story, "romance" and characters were "wtf?"-style.
January 5, 2025
Honestly, in chapter one, I thought we were getting a spin on BATB/captor/captive romance (we're told that while their father does love them, he's often off in his cups/playing cards. But he always returns home laden with presents/never lays a hand on his kids. When Gareth comes to fetch someone, we learn the wager wasn't actually for Rowena per se; just for Gareth to get some use out of one of the Baron's kin. Rowena's actually being protected by her father, brothers, and cousins in the hopes that Gareth will spare her. But Gareth decides she'll do. I'm like "oh a clever that, Rowena's dad keeping mum on her existence". But that thought is shot when we find out Gareth knew Rowena/her mom all along. Whomp, whomp🫤). Forgive me, I've read a better version of this story before... it was by Anne Mallory if I remember correctly. There, we get a man who wagers his daughter in a card game as well. But unlike that novel, Shadows and Lace has many an ick factor for me:
-Meandering plot (so much is just not happening for far too many pages)
-Family Ties Adjacent
*Our hero was a victim of his step mother's S.A. She went on to become the mother of the heroine... and his whole revenge plan hinges on him getting Rowena pregnant/returning her ruined to her family. But don't worry. After literally dragging her through a stream, he falls in love and reconsiders... WTF?! So many WTF's.
-Lack of communication
*Notice I didn't say "miscommunication". These people just keep quiet. That type of angst is frustrating to read.
-Evil relative trope
* It's someone in Gareth's family who's been essentially framing him for murder/putting doubts in Rowena's head every time they get close. I believe it was his sister? Again, TWATD, anyone?
Overall, this felt like those 0ld school bodice rippers, particularly TWATD I forced myself to read for completions sake, with how the heroine is an innocent ball of sunshine, the light of her parent's eye, and incredibly young in looks/actions (we open on Rowena chasing a rabbit through the field). Doesn't help that it's juxtaposed with how distant the hero is, how he takes her from her family's home with Rowena's hands tied together and she's forced to hope she doesn't fall off his horse. I didn't feel the love. This is not the Teresa Medeiros I know and love. Appreciate she tried to do something different. But I've got one more book to read by her and really don't want it tainted by this. So, off to a good home, I guess?
-Meandering plot (so much is just not happening for far too many pages)
-Family Ties Adjacent
*Our hero was a victim of his step mother's S.A. She went on to become the mother of the heroine... and his whole revenge plan hinges on him getting Rowena pregnant/returning her ruined to her family. But don't worry. After literally dragging her through a stream, he falls in love and reconsiders... WTF?! So many WTF's.
-Lack of communication
*Notice I didn't say "miscommunication". These people just keep quiet. That type of angst is frustrating to read.
-Evil relative trope
* It's someone in Gareth's family who's been essentially framing him for murder/putting doubts in Rowena's head every time they get close. I believe it was his sister? Again, TWATD, anyone?
Overall, this felt like those 0ld school bodice rippers, particularly TWATD I forced myself to read for completions sake, with how the heroine is an innocent ball of sunshine, the light of her parent's eye, and incredibly young in looks/actions (we open on Rowena chasing a rabbit through the field). Doesn't help that it's juxtaposed with how distant the hero is, how he takes her from her family's home with Rowena's hands tied together and she's forced to hope she doesn't fall off his horse. I didn't feel the love. This is not the Teresa Medeiros I know and love. Appreciate she tried to do something different. But I've got one more book to read by her and really don't want it tainted by this. So, off to a good home, I guess?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2021
From the beginning I doubted whether I would ever like this book, but still I trudged on. Just when I thought it would pick up, there’s just a lot more waiting and nothing that happens. Since this book is divided into three parts the wait for anything to happen is interminable.
I knew early on that I was going to have a rough time reading this book. Ever since the moment Gareth tied Rowena to the back of his horse, I had a sneaking suspicion that I was not going to enjoy this particular story. By the time this event occurred again a little later in the book, I already knew I wasn’t liking it. Despite my animosity for the character, I kept reading, curious to see how this stomach-turning “romance” would endure. How did Rowena possibly fall in love with this horrible man? Their pairing made me sick for more reasons than Gareth’s brutish mistreatment of Rowena.
.
While Rowena is 19, and not really a child (even though she acts like one), there are characters like Blaine that make it quite apparent that age is just a number when it comes to slaking desires. The men in this book are deplorable and irredeemable. I felt bad for Rowena despite her character inspiring no strong feelings in me whatsoever. She still deserved better than her miserable father and ass of a lover.
That being said, I quite enjoy Teresa Medeiros’s writing. Even when i don’t like the story or the characters and feel like it drags, I do acknowledge that I’ve tended to enjoy her skills as an author in the past. This time, I just felt lost in the ridiculousness and pointlessness of the plot.
I knew early on that I was going to have a rough time reading this book. Ever since the moment Gareth tied Rowena to the back of his horse, I had a sneaking suspicion that I was not going to enjoy this particular story. By the time this event occurred again a little later in the book, I already knew I wasn’t liking it. Despite my animosity for the character, I kept reading, curious to see how this stomach-turning “romance” would endure. How did Rowena possibly fall in love with this horrible man? Their pairing made me sick for more reasons than Gareth’s brutish mistreatment of Rowena.
.
While Rowena is 19, and not really a child (even though she acts like one), there are characters like Blaine that make it quite apparent that age is just a number when it comes to slaking desires. The men in this book are deplorable and irredeemable. I felt bad for Rowena despite her character inspiring no strong feelings in me whatsoever. She still deserved better than her miserable father and ass of a lover.
That being said, I quite enjoy Teresa Medeiros’s writing. Even when i don’t like the story or the characters and feel like it drags, I do acknowledge that I’ve tended to enjoy her skills as an author in the past. This time, I just felt lost in the ridiculousness and pointlessness of the plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2020
I wasn't overly fond of this book. I didn't like most of the characters. Almost everyone in this book is debauched to some extent. (Gareth's best friend is a rapist/pedophile. Gareth stops him from raping Rowena and turns him down when he suggests the two of them rape a 13 yr old peasant. But we are supposed to like this man - at times he's nice to Rowena.) If they are not debauched they are simpletons. Rowena, our heroine, was not the brightest crayon in the box either. She can't count to five? Really?
The book altered between our hero, Gareth, abusing our heroine, Rowena, and caring about her. Rowena grows to love Gareth despite his abuse. I hate when rape has the woman responding with passion.
We never find out what happened to either Rowena's despicable father or Gareth's insane sister, Marlys. I don't like when bad behaviour gets off scot-free.
Initially I thought Marlys would have made a better main character until I found out about her pivotal role in the story.
This story was very long and jumped all over the place. I found the ending brief and unsatisfying.
If you do not like allusions to sexual predators, rape and pedophilia, you will not like this book.
The book altered between our hero, Gareth, abusing our heroine, Rowena, and caring about her. Rowena grows to love Gareth despite his abuse. I hate when rape has the woman responding with passion.
We never find out what happened to either Rowena's despicable father or Gareth's insane sister, Marlys. I don't like when bad behaviour gets off scot-free.
Initially I thought Marlys would have made a better main character until I found out about her pivotal role in the story.
This story was very long and jumped all over the place. I found the ending brief and unsatisfying.
If you do not like allusions to sexual predators, rape and pedophilia, you will not like this book.
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