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Per il piacere del re
La bellissima Danielle D'Aville è, a sua stessa insaputa, la figlia illegittima e segreta di Edoardo III, re d'Inghilterra, che la fa crescere nel cuore della sua corte fino al momento di concederla in sposa al fido scozzese Adrien MacLachlan.
Ma per quanto affezionata al re e affascinata dalla Scozia, Danielle non può ignorare che la sua terra natia è la Francia, patria della sua diletta e defunta madre e acerrima nemica dell'Inghilterra, contro cui è impegnata nella cruenta Guerra dei Cent'anni per la supremazia su ampi territori del continente.
Così, in più di un'occasione, sebbene con la morte nel cuore, la fanciulla appoggia segretamente i piani del sovrano francese, trasformandosi in una sua preziosa alleata.
E naturalmente ciò è molto più di quanto l'orgoglioso Adrien sia disposto a tollerare.
Perdutamente innamorato di un'altra donna e costretto a sposarsi contro la sua volontà, l'aitante e valoroso guerriero è assolutamente determinato a mettere fine con qualsiasi mezzo al tradimento della più insopportabile, infida, ribelle e... incantevole moglie che la sorte potesse infliggergli.
Sullo sfondo del XIV secolo, segnato da oscuri giochi di potere e sanguinose battaglie, questo avventuroso travaglio di un giovane cuore lacerato tra amore e lealtà è narrato con la consueta maestria da una grande signora del romance: Shannon Drake.
Ma per quanto affezionata al re e affascinata dalla Scozia, Danielle non può ignorare che la sua terra natia è la Francia, patria della sua diletta e defunta madre e acerrima nemica dell'Inghilterra, contro cui è impegnata nella cruenta Guerra dei Cent'anni per la supremazia su ampi territori del continente.
Così, in più di un'occasione, sebbene con la morte nel cuore, la fanciulla appoggia segretamente i piani del sovrano francese, trasformandosi in una sua preziosa alleata.
E naturalmente ciò è molto più di quanto l'orgoglioso Adrien sia disposto a tollerare.
Perdutamente innamorato di un'altra donna e costretto a sposarsi contro la sua volontà, l'aitante e valoroso guerriero è assolutamente determinato a mettere fine con qualsiasi mezzo al tradimento della più insopportabile, infida, ribelle e... incantevole moglie che la sorte potesse infliggergli.
Sullo sfondo del XIV secolo, segnato da oscuri giochi di potere e sanguinose battaglie, questo avventuroso travaglio di un giovane cuore lacerato tra amore e lealtà è narrato con la consueta maestria da una grande signora del romance: Shannon Drake.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
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About the author
Shannon Drake
52 books573 followersHeather Graham Pozzessere
aka Heather Graham, Shannon Drake
Heather Graham was born on March 15, 1953 and grew up in Dade County, Florida, and attended the University of South Florida at Tampa, majoring in theater arts and touring Europe and parts of Asia and Africa as part of her studies. After college, she acted in dinner theaters, modeled, waitressed, and tended bar. She married Hershey Dennis Possezzere, and after the birth of her third child, she was determined to devote her efforts to her writing: her dream. She sold her first book in 1982.
Today, this author's success is reflected not just by reader response and the over 20 million copies of her books in print, but in many other ways. In addition to being a New York Times bestselling author, Heather has received numerous awards for her novels, including over 20 trade awards from magazines such as Romantic Times and Affaire de Coeur, bestseller awards from B. Dalton, Waldenbooks, and BookRak, and several Reviewers' Choice and People's Choice awards.
Heather has appeared on Entertainment Tonight, Romantically Speaking, a TV talk show that aired nationwide on the Romance Classics cable channel, and CBS Sunday News. She has been quoted in People and USA Today, been profiled in The Nation, and featured in Good Housekeeping. Her books have been selections for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild. She has been published across the world in more than 15 languages and has published over 70 titles, including anthologies and short stories.
Now, she had five children. Somehow, this prolific author manages to juggle it all - family, career, and marriage - while reaching a level of success to which few can aspire.
aka Heather Graham, Shannon Drake
Heather Graham was born on March 15, 1953 and grew up in Dade County, Florida, and attended the University of South Florida at Tampa, majoring in theater arts and touring Europe and parts of Asia and Africa as part of her studies. After college, she acted in dinner theaters, modeled, waitressed, and tended bar. She married Hershey Dennis Possezzere, and after the birth of her third child, she was determined to devote her efforts to her writing: her dream. She sold her first book in 1982.
Today, this author's success is reflected not just by reader response and the over 20 million copies of her books in print, but in many other ways. In addition to being a New York Times bestselling author, Heather has received numerous awards for her novels, including over 20 trade awards from magazines such as Romantic Times and Affaire de Coeur, bestseller awards from B. Dalton, Waldenbooks, and BookRak, and several Reviewers' Choice and People's Choice awards.
Heather has appeared on Entertainment Tonight, Romantically Speaking, a TV talk show that aired nationwide on the Romance Classics cable channel, and CBS Sunday News. She has been quoted in People and USA Today, been profiled in The Nation, and featured in Good Housekeeping. Her books have been selections for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild. She has been published across the world in more than 15 languages and has published over 70 titles, including anthologies and short stories.
Now, she had five children. Somehow, this prolific author manages to juggle it all - family, career, and marriage - while reaching a level of success to which few can aspire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
November 6, 2021
Shannon’s Drake’s (aka Heather Graham) The King’s Pleasure is set amid the intense medieval backdrop of the Hundred Years’ War and the Black Death. It’s a solid romance in a historical age that always grips my attention.
The story begins with a prologue. The heroine Danielle is hiding from her husband in an inn as he searches for her. He’s under the impression that she’s there to have a tryst with a fellow Frenchman. Her husband is a Scottish knight, Adrien MacLachlan, who’s pledged to the English King. Danielle is not there to have an assignation with another man. However, she is there against her husband and his King’s wishes.
Adrien confronts Danielle, and the two have a fiery argument that ends in them making love. They look back at the stormy past that preceded this encounter.
Thus we’re flung back nineteen years prior. King Edward III of England is laying siege to Aville in France. The castle is defended by the resident Countess Lenore and her retinue. A young page, our hero, Adrien, at age 10, discovers a weak point in the walls. This allows the English King to breach it. King Edward takes triumphant control of the castle. He also takes the Countess as his captive back to England after enjoying a few nights of passion with her.
The brief yet intense affair culminates in a pregnancy. Lenore is returned to France, along with their daughter Danielle, as Edward’s vassal. Danielle grows to be more beautiful than her mother. When her mother dies years later, she is made the King’s ward and placed under his absolute control.
Torn between two worlds, the temperamental and fiercely independent Danielle finds it difficult to adjust.
As time passes, events form a path to our protagonists’ destiny. On several occasions, Danielle meets Adrien, now fully grown and made a knight. Danielle finds him arrogant and unlikeable. Dislike turn into hatred when she discovers it was he who enabled Edward to take her beloved home. Adrien thinks Danielle is shrewish and detestable.
The King plans to give Danielle’s hand in marriage to Adrien in gratitude for all of Adrien’s victories in battle. Adrien, on the other hand, would prefer Lady Joanna, the daughter of an Earl.
The onset of the Bubonic Plague will change things drastically. Both Danielle and Joanna suffer from the horrific disease, although only one of them makes it out alive.
Danielle finds herself an unwilling pawn in the game of royalty. She is forced to obey the King’s order to marry her enemy Adrien MacLachlan. Danielle hates him for political and personal reasons and vows she always will. While Danielle believes she has a duty to serve the French King, how can she do so? Especially now that she’s bound to a man under service to the English crown?
Intrigue, betrayal, passion, and romance mark the rest of the book. Danielle and Adrien are a fiery combination despite their antagonism towards each other (or, more likely, because of it). Their love-making is explosive. How can they reconcile their differences while war rages on, both literally and figuratively, within their hearts?
As I always find when reading medieval romances I enjoy, it’s the history that draws me in. I appreciated the attention to detail and authenticity of the time period. Shannon Drake’s writing is strong. She excels in writing love scenes. The road to getting the actual love was a rocky one, however. Danielle and Adrien enjoy fighting for fighting’s sake. It seemed to act as a sexual stimulant for the two!
I also could have done without Adrien’s back story of his engagement to another woman. Fortunately, he didn’t dwell overmuch on the loss of his first love, as Shannon Drake/ Heather Graham has made her heroes do in the other books.
Besides being stubborn and misguided, Danielle and Adrien were well-matched, and their HEA believable. I can imagine them spending many years within their castle walls arguing and then quickly patching matters up for wild make-up sex.
The story begins with a prologue. The heroine Danielle is hiding from her husband in an inn as he searches for her. He’s under the impression that she’s there to have a tryst with a fellow Frenchman. Her husband is a Scottish knight, Adrien MacLachlan, who’s pledged to the English King. Danielle is not there to have an assignation with another man. However, she is there against her husband and his King’s wishes.
Adrien confronts Danielle, and the two have a fiery argument that ends in them making love. They look back at the stormy past that preceded this encounter.
Thus we’re flung back nineteen years prior. King Edward III of England is laying siege to Aville in France. The castle is defended by the resident Countess Lenore and her retinue. A young page, our hero, Adrien, at age 10, discovers a weak point in the walls. This allows the English King to breach it. King Edward takes triumphant control of the castle. He also takes the Countess as his captive back to England after enjoying a few nights of passion with her.
The brief yet intense affair culminates in a pregnancy. Lenore is returned to France, along with their daughter Danielle, as Edward’s vassal. Danielle grows to be more beautiful than her mother. When her mother dies years later, she is made the King’s ward and placed under his absolute control.
Torn between two worlds, the temperamental and fiercely independent Danielle finds it difficult to adjust.
As time passes, events form a path to our protagonists’ destiny. On several occasions, Danielle meets Adrien, now fully grown and made a knight. Danielle finds him arrogant and unlikeable. Dislike turn into hatred when she discovers it was he who enabled Edward to take her beloved home. Adrien thinks Danielle is shrewish and detestable.
The King plans to give Danielle’s hand in marriage to Adrien in gratitude for all of Adrien’s victories in battle. Adrien, on the other hand, would prefer Lady Joanna, the daughter of an Earl.
The onset of the Bubonic Plague will change things drastically. Both Danielle and Joanna suffer from the horrific disease, although only one of them makes it out alive.
Danielle finds herself an unwilling pawn in the game of royalty. She is forced to obey the King’s order to marry her enemy Adrien MacLachlan. Danielle hates him for political and personal reasons and vows she always will. While Danielle believes she has a duty to serve the French King, how can she do so? Especially now that she’s bound to a man under service to the English crown?
Intrigue, betrayal, passion, and romance mark the rest of the book. Danielle and Adrien are a fiery combination despite their antagonism towards each other (or, more likely, because of it). Their love-making is explosive. How can they reconcile their differences while war rages on, both literally and figuratively, within their hearts?
As I always find when reading medieval romances I enjoy, it’s the history that draws me in. I appreciated the attention to detail and authenticity of the time period. Shannon Drake’s writing is strong. She excels in writing love scenes. The road to getting the actual love was a rocky one, however. Danielle and Adrien enjoy fighting for fighting’s sake. It seemed to act as a sexual stimulant for the two!
I also could have done without Adrien’s back story of his engagement to another woman. Fortunately, he didn’t dwell overmuch on the loss of his first love, as Shannon Drake/ Heather Graham has made her heroes do in the other books.
Besides being stubborn and misguided, Danielle and Adrien were well-matched, and their HEA believable. I can imagine them spending many years within their castle walls arguing and then quickly patching matters up for wild make-up sex.
October 2, 2015
A Very Worthy Medieval set in the time of King Edward III
A worthy read from an icon of historical romance. Graham’s stories are well researched and well written and immediately draw me in. This one begins in 1336 (there is a prologue set in 1357—a great tavern scene), and covers several years as we travel from England to France and Scotland. It tells the story of Lady Danielle D'Aville, a countess who is loyal to the French King Philip (and later, King Jean) but has become the ward of King Edward III of England since the death of her mother.
As a young girl of 14, King Edward betrothed Danielle to his favored knight, Adrien MacLachlan, a proud Scot and “one of the most famed” of Edward’s knights with his own lands in the Highlands. Danielle hates the arrogant knight because he was responsible for the strategy that allowed King Edward to take down her home of Aville.
Adrien has lost his own love to the plague, a woman he met at King Edward's court and intended to marry. Though he really doesn't like the strong-willed young French girl, Danielle, he will obey his king and become betrothed to her, particularly since the marriage will gain him her estates in England and France. Danielle is willing to become betrothed to her enemy, the knight she detests, only because the alternative is an old nobleman in Sweden and Adrien promises her freedom to continue reigning at Aville alone for years.
Adrien keeps his bargain and young Danielle does not see him for 5 years while he is off winning accolades for his jousting abilities at tournaments across the Continent and whoring with many women. When he is ordered by King Edward to move forward with the wedding, Adrien returns to claim Aville. The reluctant bride he only remembers as a troublesome girl has grown into a stunningly beautiful woman who is attracting men all over Europe. He decides he will wed her after all even though Danielle still considers him an arrogant enemy. She goes through with the wedding only because he promises to give her time before they share a marriage bed.
The plot thickens as England and France are about to go to war and a French nobleman who loves Danielle is bitter that he has lost her. Adrien isn’t exactly the attentive lover either. The morning after he consummates the marriage, he left her to play archery with the men at Aville and he is uncaring and rude and at times cruel to the high spirited, intelligent and courageous young woman.
As a last thought, you might want to skip the prologue or read it after as it gave away much. All in all, it is a worthy, exciting read and Graham’s writing, as always, is very well done.
A worthy read from an icon of historical romance. Graham’s stories are well researched and well written and immediately draw me in. This one begins in 1336 (there is a prologue set in 1357—a great tavern scene), and covers several years as we travel from England to France and Scotland. It tells the story of Lady Danielle D'Aville, a countess who is loyal to the French King Philip (and later, King Jean) but has become the ward of King Edward III of England since the death of her mother.
As a young girl of 14, King Edward betrothed Danielle to his favored knight, Adrien MacLachlan, a proud Scot and “one of the most famed” of Edward’s knights with his own lands in the Highlands. Danielle hates the arrogant knight because he was responsible for the strategy that allowed King Edward to take down her home of Aville.
Adrien has lost his own love to the plague, a woman he met at King Edward's court and intended to marry. Though he really doesn't like the strong-willed young French girl, Danielle, he will obey his king and become betrothed to her, particularly since the marriage will gain him her estates in England and France. Danielle is willing to become betrothed to her enemy, the knight she detests, only because the alternative is an old nobleman in Sweden and Adrien promises her freedom to continue reigning at Aville alone for years.
Adrien keeps his bargain and young Danielle does not see him for 5 years while he is off winning accolades for his jousting abilities at tournaments across the Continent and whoring with many women. When he is ordered by King Edward to move forward with the wedding, Adrien returns to claim Aville. The reluctant bride he only remembers as a troublesome girl has grown into a stunningly beautiful woman who is attracting men all over Europe. He decides he will wed her after all even though Danielle still considers him an arrogant enemy. She goes through with the wedding only because he promises to give her time before they share a marriage bed.
The plot thickens as England and France are about to go to war and a French nobleman who loves Danielle is bitter that he has lost her. Adrien isn’t exactly the attentive lover either. The morning after he consummates the marriage, he left her to play archery with the men at Aville and he is uncaring and rude and at times cruel to the high spirited, intelligent and courageous young woman.
As a last thought, you might want to skip the prologue or read it after as it gave away much. All in all, it is a worthy, exciting read and Graham’s writing, as always, is very well done.
April 18, 2022
Another great Heather Graham book. This was taking place during Edward iii
December 22, 2024
Concludo la serie delle recensioni legate al genere Historical Romance del 2024 e sono contenta di farlo con Shannon Drake, autrice che mi ha sempre dato soddisfazioni, sia come stile che come ambientazioni coerenti e intriganti.
Ad esempio, se non amate le serie e siete un po' stanche del "solito" regency, vi consiglio questo volume stand-alone ambientato in piena guerra dei Cent'anni (Francia contro Inghilterra, il Principe Nero, Azincourt, Giovanna d'Arco, eccetera). Durante le varie scorrerie in territorio francese, Edoardo III espugna il castello di Aville, trucidando tutti e tenendosi la giovane marchesa come amante (dopo averla umiliata in pubblico).
Portata in Inghilterra, la nobile partorisce una figlia, che viene cresciuta come pupilla del re e che viene quindi promessa sposa a un suo cavaliere fedele.
Fatte queste debite premesse, è comprensibile che Danielle, la protagonista, non spasimi per sposare Adrien; non solo il cavaliere è l'artefice della caduta del castello di famiglia, non solo è per lei l'ennesimo sopruso di chi l'ha spogliata delle proprie terre, ma l'uomo (c'è una discreta differenza d'età) è oltretutto innamorato di lady Johanna e la considera un fastidioso disturbo imposto dal sovrano.
Mi è piaciuto molto che la Drake non appiattisca la protagonista a un facile "lui è il nemico, ma è comunque bello"; Danielle parte detestando con tutta se stessa Adrien, lo ostacola con i mezzi a disposizione (dispetti, bugie, odio sbandierato), finendo per cedere, ma solo gradualmente, perché è una donna sola in un mondo di maschi, guerra e morte.
Tra tradimenti, agguati e persino la peste, quello che nasce è un amore conflittuale, che si trasforma in passione dopo aver fatto faticare Adrien (che, peraltro, di suo sarebbe anche un uomo d'onore, con l'unica pecca è essere bravo e astuto in battaglia).
Poteva essere un polpettone, ma la Drake confeziona invece un romanzo corposo, avventuroso e molto piacevole.
Ad esempio, se non amate le serie e siete un po' stanche del "solito" regency, vi consiglio questo volume stand-alone ambientato in piena guerra dei Cent'anni (Francia contro Inghilterra, il Principe Nero, Azincourt, Giovanna d'Arco, eccetera). Durante le varie scorrerie in territorio francese, Edoardo III espugna il castello di Aville, trucidando tutti e tenendosi la giovane marchesa come amante (dopo averla umiliata in pubblico).
Portata in Inghilterra, la nobile partorisce una figlia, che viene cresciuta come pupilla del re e che viene quindi promessa sposa a un suo cavaliere fedele.
Fatte queste debite premesse, è comprensibile che Danielle, la protagonista, non spasimi per sposare Adrien; non solo il cavaliere è l'artefice della caduta del castello di famiglia, non solo è per lei l'ennesimo sopruso di chi l'ha spogliata delle proprie terre, ma l'uomo (c'è una discreta differenza d'età) è oltretutto innamorato di lady Johanna e la considera un fastidioso disturbo imposto dal sovrano.
Mi è piaciuto molto che la Drake non appiattisca la protagonista a un facile "lui è il nemico, ma è comunque bello"; Danielle parte detestando con tutta se stessa Adrien, lo ostacola con i mezzi a disposizione (dispetti, bugie, odio sbandierato), finendo per cedere, ma solo gradualmente, perché è una donna sola in un mondo di maschi, guerra e morte.
Tra tradimenti, agguati e persino la peste, quello che nasce è un amore conflittuale, che si trasforma in passione dopo aver fatto faticare Adrien (che, peraltro, di suo sarebbe anche un uomo d'onore, con l'unica pecca è essere bravo e astuto in battaglia).
Poteva essere un polpettone, ma la Drake confeziona invece un romanzo corposo, avventuroso e molto piacevole.
February 19, 2014
I didn't love this book. It was exasperating with their constant misunderstandings. Left me feeling flat.
January 31, 2025
Voto 4.5
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Vanilla 91 - per RFS
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Lady Danielle è la figlioccia di re Edoardo, è una nobildonna con grandi ricchezze, è estremamente attraente, ma è anche molto altro. È una giovane fiera e orgogliosa, è giusta verso la sua gente e sprezzante del pericolo. Danielle ha il cuore diviso tra due nazioni in guerra: è leale al re francese di cui è una lontana parente ed è legata al re inglese che l’ha cresciuta come una figlia, ma, soprattutto, è fermamente intenzionata a rispettare l’ultimo giuramento fatto a sua madre; quelle poche parole pronunciate su un letto di morte condizionano enormemente ogni sua scelta.
Quando il re inglese la promette in moglie a Adrien, un guerriero affascinante e presuntuoso, la giovane lady non ne è affatto felice. In più, il fatto che il bel soldato sia innamorato di un’altra donna, non pone certo le basi per un matrimonio sereno.
Era molto che non leggevo un romanzo storico e ho particolarmente apprezzato questo scritto da Shannon Drake.
Gli scontri, la passione e le forti personalità dei personaggi mantengono viva l’attenzione del lettore, che viene coinvolto in un amore turbolento, ma profondo.
Pagina dopo pagina Adrien e Danielle, diventano sempre più una coppia, mantenendo però un’individualità ben riconoscibile.
Pian piano tra i due la dolcezza smorza l’inimicizia, il rispetto reciproco crea una base su cui trova terreno fertile un’emozione più forte dell’attrazione.
Per il piacere del re è un romanzo leggero, una lettura “da focolare” che ben accompagna un momento di relax. C’è una buona dose di romanticismo, qualche piccolo intoppo da superare e un amore da veder sbocciare.
Vista la presenza di un erotismo molto soft, accennato e non spesso ripetuto, il libro è adatto anche a un pubblico più giovane.
Un romance storico dove il sentimento, dunque, supera di gran lungo la sensualità, regalando al lettore una storia frizzante e dolce.
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Vanilla 91 - per RFS
.
Lady Danielle è la figlioccia di re Edoardo, è una nobildonna con grandi ricchezze, è estremamente attraente, ma è anche molto altro. È una giovane fiera e orgogliosa, è giusta verso la sua gente e sprezzante del pericolo. Danielle ha il cuore diviso tra due nazioni in guerra: è leale al re francese di cui è una lontana parente ed è legata al re inglese che l’ha cresciuta come una figlia, ma, soprattutto, è fermamente intenzionata a rispettare l’ultimo giuramento fatto a sua madre; quelle poche parole pronunciate su un letto di morte condizionano enormemente ogni sua scelta.
Quando il re inglese la promette in moglie a Adrien, un guerriero affascinante e presuntuoso, la giovane lady non ne è affatto felice. In più, il fatto che il bel soldato sia innamorato di un’altra donna, non pone certo le basi per un matrimonio sereno.
Era molto che non leggevo un romanzo storico e ho particolarmente apprezzato questo scritto da Shannon Drake.
Gli scontri, la passione e le forti personalità dei personaggi mantengono viva l’attenzione del lettore, che viene coinvolto in un amore turbolento, ma profondo.
Pagina dopo pagina Adrien e Danielle, diventano sempre più una coppia, mantenendo però un’individualità ben riconoscibile.
Pian piano tra i due la dolcezza smorza l’inimicizia, il rispetto reciproco crea una base su cui trova terreno fertile un’emozione più forte dell’attrazione.
Per il piacere del re è un romanzo leggero, una lettura “da focolare” che ben accompagna un momento di relax. C’è una buona dose di romanticismo, qualche piccolo intoppo da superare e un amore da veder sbocciare.
Vista la presenza di un erotismo molto soft, accennato e non spesso ripetuto, il libro è adatto anche a un pubblico più giovane.
Un romance storico dove il sentimento, dunque, supera di gran lungo la sensualità, regalando al lettore una storia frizzante e dolce.
September 14, 2024
There are parts of this book I really like and other parts that are super frustrating and took away from my enjoyment of the story. It was based on a stupid premise that a child held a vow which was really due to a misunderstanding/miscommunication, which are not tropes I prefer to be featured strongly. I would also skip the prologue and much of the childhood phase. It was creepy to see the H/H interaction knowing their later relationship. I like an enemies to lovers scenario but OMG she wouldn’t stop sparring (physically and verbally) with him, so much so that he looked mild in comparison. I will re-read in the future but only some chapters, because when it was good, it was very, very good.
10/14/24 re-read from chapter 10, 39% mark, excellent
10/14/24 re-read from chapter 10, 39% mark, excellent
October 7, 2011
Honestly, I didn't enjoy this book very much. Felt more like a history lesson most of the time than a romance. Too much info! Not enough loveliness between the H/H. The girl was pretty unlikeable to me and the guy was a prick because he was always having to deal with the shrew of a girl. It was a DNF for me. I gave it two stars because the author did obviously do her history homework but I made it about halfway and put it in the Friends of the Library pile.
If you are into actual history and royal intrigue by all means, you will LOVE this book. But if you are more into it for the romance and the relationship between the H/H, you won't find much to sustain you here.
If you are into actual history and royal intrigue by all means, you will LOVE this book. But if you are more into it for the romance and the relationship between the H/H, you won't find much to sustain you here.
May 21, 2025
Why didn’t I dnf this??? I have regrets, but I thought maybe at some point the grand asshole “hero” would apologize. More fool me! Instead, the heroine groveled and gave in when she was in the right the entire time.
Ugh. What a complete goddamn disappointment of a book.
Ugh. What a complete goddamn disappointment of a book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
abandoned
July 4, 2013This is just silly.NEXT!
April 13, 2018
This was the first romance book that I've ever read. I was 12 and in first year high school when my bestfriend lent me this one haha. I liked it back then. I don't know if I'm going to like it again 17 years later.
May 26, 2019
Demorei para começar a ler, mas não me arrependi
Lendo algumas resenhas negativas em blogs, no Goodreads e Skoob, fui deixando o livro pra lá, mas como fui tola. Fui sim, mas reaprendi uma lição que já sabia, mas não segui que é: Cada pessoa tem um gosto e uma forma de pensar, não devemos nos deixar levar pela opinião de outro.
E isso vale para a minha opinião também. Se você estiver lendo as resenhas, não se deixe levar nem pela minha nem pela dos outros, faça a sua análise, a sua interpretação.
Esse livro é um livro de época e com fatos históricos. Se você for ler um livro de época que respeita os costumes da época não pode ler com uma visão atual.
Nessa época a mulher não tinha outro valor a não ser procriar e servir de moeda de troca. As mulheres eram espancadas, violentadas e usadas. Triste mas um fato. História. Então, se você for feminista ferrenha que não suporta esse tipo de menosprezo à mulher não leia e não sonhe em viajar no tempo porque vai se dar mal.
Mas mesmo tendo algumas partes mais fortes, o livro foi leve e romaciado para época que era muito pior que o descrito.
Personagens fortes e eu sempre gostei dos livros com os Plantagenet
Recomendo.
Lendo algumas resenhas negativas em blogs, no Goodreads e Skoob, fui deixando o livro pra lá, mas como fui tola. Fui sim, mas reaprendi uma lição que já sabia, mas não segui que é: Cada pessoa tem um gosto e uma forma de pensar, não devemos nos deixar levar pela opinião de outro.
E isso vale para a minha opinião também. Se você estiver lendo as resenhas, não se deixe levar nem pela minha nem pela dos outros, faça a sua análise, a sua interpretação.
Esse livro é um livro de época e com fatos históricos. Se você for ler um livro de época que respeita os costumes da época não pode ler com uma visão atual.
Nessa época a mulher não tinha outro valor a não ser procriar e servir de moeda de troca. As mulheres eram espancadas, violentadas e usadas. Triste mas um fato. História. Então, se você for feminista ferrenha que não suporta esse tipo de menosprezo à mulher não leia e não sonhe em viajar no tempo porque vai se dar mal.
Mas mesmo tendo algumas partes mais fortes, o livro foi leve e romaciado para época que era muito pior que o descrito.
Personagens fortes e eu sempre gostei dos livros com os Plantagenet
Recomendo.
July 20, 2020
The Good:
Danielle's personal history was very interesting. The action scenes were written pretty well. And the ending almost made this book worth reading. I like how she stuck to her guns when it came to the vow she made to her mother, but also tried to be a loyal wife in the meantime.
The Bad:
This book heavily promotes marital rape. I mean just because it's your husband doesn't make it ok. No means no people! I also thought the fact that he was that way went against his overall character.He wants to protect her but so many times refers to wanting to physically harm her. BTW I skip the sex stuff in these books but this one I could tell was very negative, not recommended at all!
Danielle's personal history was very interesting. The action scenes were written pretty well. And the ending almost made this book worth reading. I like how she stuck to her guns when it came to the vow she made to her mother, but also tried to be a loyal wife in the meantime.
The Bad:
This book heavily promotes marital rape. I mean just because it's your husband doesn't make it ok. No means no people! I also thought the fact that he was that way went against his overall character.He wants to protect her but so many times refers to wanting to physically harm her. BTW I skip the sex stuff in these books but this one I could tell was very negative, not recommended at all!
September 19, 2019
I could’ve really loved the H/h but honestly there was too much arguing between them. Adrain even let a 10 yr old girl bait him into an argument. Daniele got on my last nerve being so pig headed about the “vow” she made to her dying mother. And Adrien did seem to practically rape Danielle many times before she “gave in and enjoyed it”! Really?i disliked that the two of them didn’t reveal they even loved each other until almost the very end of the book. I don’t mind a little angst, but this book had too much of it. Sometimes even I wanted to spank Danielle and whack Adrien over the head.
Want to read
October 19, 2012A red-headed romance hero :-/
April 21, 2014
The story was good, but I couldn't get over the main character acting like a spoiled brat all the time. It really brought the whole experience down a bit for me.
November 11, 2015
Fantastic! Battle of wills story with strong characters.
October 22, 2015
Wonderful
I love historical romance and Heather Graham is one of the best. This book is at once tender , funny, romantic and suspenseful. A good read.
I love historical romance and Heather Graham is one of the best. This book is at once tender , funny, romantic and suspenseful. A good read.
October 25, 2015
The King's Pleasure
Books with strong women and strong Scottish men are my favorite and this book supplied both. Great way to relax and let the real world disappear.
Books with strong women and strong Scottish men are my favorite and this book supplied both. Great way to relax and let the real world disappear.
November 7, 2023
A historical romance that takes place in war, and plague during the reign of King Edward III.
April 25, 2016
All I can say is that every thing here is perfect! I enjoyed and loved it so so much! My kind of historical-romance novel! ❤️❤️❤️
May 14, 2022
I'm warning you ... over 500 pages!!!
That alone should be a trigger.
It was so damn long - some of the scenes could have been omitted; like some of the war scenes - how the Hero shielded his body, drew his sword, thrusted his knife ... all those very interesting facts. Yippy.
Too f*ckin long. It was awfully tedious. The author provided a very long prologue about the two warring countries ... the English vs the French. For those of you who don't appreciate lengthy narratives about the war, you go right ahead. For me, it was - there I said it again -; too long.
Secondly, the heroine was so annoying. I hated her! Immensely.
I mean, I loved that she was beyond beautiful but her treacherous actions were just unforgivable.
Super duper getting on my nerves. She was so spoilt and sheltered.
The only reason I kept reading was because of the Hero.
Now the Hero ... he's not only hot, he's a warrior who kept his words (unlike the heroine). From the early age of 10, he's been given to live with the English king. Imagine a mere lad who had to learn to live with foreigners and swear fealty even though he might not agree with the King's orders.
His downfall was that he's too patient with the heroine. She defied him too many times and she attempted to escape from him so many occasions I couldn't keep count.
So ... enough said. I don't love this book.
That alone should be a trigger.
It was so damn long - some of the scenes could have been omitted; like some of the war scenes - how the Hero shielded his body, drew his sword, thrusted his knife ... all those very interesting facts. Yippy.
Too f*ckin long. It was awfully tedious. The author provided a very long prologue about the two warring countries ... the English vs the French. For those of you who don't appreciate lengthy narratives about the war, you go right ahead. For me, it was - there I said it again -; too long.
Secondly, the heroine was so annoying. I hated her! Immensely.
I mean, I loved that she was beyond beautiful but her treacherous actions were just unforgivable.
Super duper getting on my nerves. She was so spoilt and sheltered.
The only reason I kept reading was because of the Hero.
Now the Hero ... he's not only hot, he's a warrior who kept his words (unlike the heroine). From the early age of 10, he's been given to live with the English king. Imagine a mere lad who had to learn to live with foreigners and swear fealty even though he might not agree with the King's orders.
His downfall was that he's too patient with the heroine. She defied him too many times and she attempted to escape from him so many occasions I couldn't keep count.
So ... enough said. I don't love this book.
June 9, 2021
Well this started out in an interesting way with a prologue that described events that took place later in the story. In a way, it left me cold because at that point, you can already see that the relationship between the H and h was highly contentious and that the h was quite naive to meet with a strange man in a room at an inn. However, I read on.
The circumstances of Danielle's birth and how Adrien came to be attached to her was clever in its way. However, again, though she was young, I thought that Danielle was just too naive that she would blame all of her hardships on this one man. It just did not make logical sense.
I did get tired of the bickering between the two of them and the one upmanship. It was constant and did nothing to advance the plot. I was afraid that it would last until the last 10 pages, but fortunately we do get a reprieve.
I know that some readers will have an issue with the gender relations and marital rights, but I do believe that was historically accurate. Overall this book was more interesting because of the inclusion of the British king Edward III and the battles surrounding his reign. It was okay, not great
The circumstances of Danielle's birth and how Adrien came to be attached to her was clever in its way. However, again, though she was young, I thought that Danielle was just too naive that she would blame all of her hardships on this one man. It just did not make logical sense.
I did get tired of the bickering between the two of them and the one upmanship. It was constant and did nothing to advance the plot. I was afraid that it would last until the last 10 pages, but fortunately we do get a reprieve.
I know that some readers will have an issue with the gender relations and marital rights, but I do believe that was historically accurate. Overall this book was more interesting because of the inclusion of the British king Edward III and the battles surrounding his reign. It was okay, not great
July 19, 2021
I found this in a lending library replete with romance novels in the tiny town of Pacific Beach, WA (as all lending libraries in tiny beach towns should be). It is very representative of the genre (which I like!), but not exceptional, and grating in one significant way. The author is totally up on her medieval history, so I did actually enjoy and learn from the political intrigue aspects of the plot, but the central romance is just way too consistently about rape fantasy for me. I don't want that to sound judgmental, because there is a wide swath of things that people find sexy and enjoy in consensual ways, but if a relationship is all "hate sex," that's just not my particular cup of tea. No matter how satisfying the characters are written as finding it afterwards. But my feelings aren't hurt, and it was exactly the sort of thing you zip through at the beach and then never think of again (or at least, once you write your goodreads review).
May 13, 2020
I had a hard time putting this one down. Danielle was really not very smart and was very naive. If I was the hero I would not have the patience he did. She kept going against not only what her king and guardian asked but also what her husband asked. She kept getting herself into dangerous situations to where her husband had to rescue her. And she was to naive to realize what marriage was about in those days. She did not realize she was pregnant until he told her.
The hero was not only gorgeous but he was a good man. If he pushed her sexually it was because they were married and he was sexually attracted to his wife which he should be. It did not take her long to
react to his lovemaking.
I enjoyed all the history especially the details of the black plaque as presently we are dealing with the corona virus.
I have always had a thing for Scottish men.
The hero was not only gorgeous but he was a good man. If he pushed her sexually it was because they were married and he was sexually attracted to his wife which he should be. It did not take her long to
react to his lovemaking.
I enjoyed all the history especially the details of the black plaque as presently we are dealing with the corona virus.
I have always had a thing for Scottish men.
January 3, 2021
Literally came here only for the romance but, ended up learning a great deal of history about 14th century England and France. Honestly, I don't regret it one bit and I really enjoyed it!
There were times when I found Adrien and his actions quite...questionable and intimidating- I had to keep reminding myself that this story is based on a society in the past with morals and ideas completely different from today's time.
However, despite 'slightly disliking' Adrien in the beginning, watching both his and Danielle's relationship slowly grow and develop throughout the story was actually really nice. *cries*
(Also, I loved Danielle's strong and bold personality so much.)
There were times when I found Adrien and his actions quite...questionable and intimidating- I had to keep reminding myself that this story is based on a society in the past with morals and ideas completely different from today's time.
However, despite 'slightly disliking' Adrien in the beginning, watching both his and Danielle's relationship slowly grow and develop throughout the story was actually really nice. *cries*
(Also, I loved Danielle's strong and bold personality so much.)
October 1, 2017
If I could give this book zero stars I would. Rape is rape, and it doesn’t matter if it’s committed by a stranger or a husband - no means no. It’s really not a hard concept. The issue I have with this book is that it romanticizes marital rape in such a way that it’s intended to be appealing. And I’m sure it is, and I’m not here to kinkshame anyone, but I started reading romance novels as a teenager and I would never want teenage me to finish this book and think that is romantic behavior.
Also maybe let’s not sexualize 13 year old girls okay
Also maybe let’s not sexualize 13 year old girls okay
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2019
Love Heather Graham books
This story of Adrien and Danielle is full of so much adventure, war, sadness, friendship, humor and love. I always enjoy Ms. Graham's books. Danielle fights so hard to fulfill a vow she made to her mother on her death bed. It causes so much heartache for herself and Adrien. Adrien is the King's champion. He fights wars for him. Danielle was the king's ward. But she is also French so therein lies her dilemma. In the end after much drama they find a little twist in their lives and love, so much love.
This story of Adrien and Danielle is full of so much adventure, war, sadness, friendship, humor and love. I always enjoy Ms. Graham's books. Danielle fights so hard to fulfill a vow she made to her mother on her death bed. It causes so much heartache for herself and Adrien. Adrien is the King's champion. He fights wars for him. Danielle was the king's ward. But she is also French so therein lies her dilemma. In the end after much drama they find a little twist in their lives and love, so much love.
May 1, 2018
This book was just so frustrating. The secrets and miscommunications were awful. It was way too long and although I liked both main characters, they were both so stubborn that it drove me crazy. Also we have come along way since this book was written and the love scenes were a very iffy in a consensual sense. The end was good but all in all I just was frustrated.
December 24, 2023
The story was yummy medieval goodness, but Danielle was almost too much! I gave up on her stubborn, naive, immature, self righteous, over indulged treacherous self. Every time she did something STUPID she justified it because it wasn’t her intent to be duped or play into enemy hands. Her loyalty was at the expense of others who loved her so it was pretty heartbreaking.
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