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The Vow
She was the enemy he must destroy--no matter how much he wanted her....
Let the rich, dazzling voice of Juliana Garnett wrap you in the passion and pageantry of another time--and the tale of two well-defended hearts that must finally surrender...to desire.
She vowed she'd never yield...to the treachery of his plans or the heat of his passion....
Sent by William of Normandy to quell a brazen Saxon rebellion, Luc Louvat believed his mission would be easily accomplished. For what foolish Saxon lord had any hope of triumphing against an army of seasoned Norman knights?
But the great warrior was in for a shock...surprised first by the ferocious battle the wily old lord waged--and then by what he discovers when he meets his adversary no crusty, aging nobleman this, but an exquisite princess with a face as fragile as a flower--and a will as steely as the sword she wields.
Suddenly Luc finds he's waging a dangerous new war...aimed at the defenses of a fierce Saxon beauty who threatens to conquer his warrior's heart.
Let the rich, dazzling voice of Juliana Garnett wrap you in the passion and pageantry of another time--and the tale of two well-defended hearts that must finally surrender...to desire.
She vowed she'd never yield...to the treachery of his plans or the heat of his passion....
Sent by William of Normandy to quell a brazen Saxon rebellion, Luc Louvat believed his mission would be easily accomplished. For what foolish Saxon lord had any hope of triumphing against an army of seasoned Norman knights?
But the great warrior was in for a shock...surprised first by the ferocious battle the wily old lord waged--and then by what he discovers when he meets his adversary no crusty, aging nobleman this, but an exquisite princess with a face as fragile as a flower--and a will as steely as the sword she wields.
Suddenly Luc finds he's waging a dangerous new war...aimed at the defenses of a fierce Saxon beauty who threatens to conquer his warrior's heart.
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
About the author
Juliana Garnett
13 books21 followersAKA Michelle Brandon, Micki Brown. Virginia Brown, Emma Harrington and Virginia Lynn.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 23, 2022
Ohmygosh, I completely forgot I even had this book in my pile.
I abandoned it out of boredom. I was looking for a little more adventure than this particular tale ended up offering, and didn't feel a connection with either of the characters so...
Yeah, sorry, I started a different book. 😅🤦🏼♀️
I abandoned it out of boredom. I was looking for a little more adventure than this particular tale ended up offering, and didn't feel a connection with either of the characters so...
Yeah, sorry, I started a different book. 😅🤦🏼♀️
October 27, 2010
Disappointing. I found it very easy to put down and thought it got bogged down with too much war strategy and politics and the heroine and hero had a hate/desire relationship throughout a big portion of the book (he takes over her castle and becomes his property, she's not a doormat and fights back, etc). The author also did something awful to the heroine's pet wolf that just about made me toss the book away unfinished and made me break my vow of never reading the end of the book before I was done. This wasn't a bad book, I've surely read worse, but all of the political intrigue just wasn't for me. I did like the hero (although he was alpha in the extreme) and the heroine was likable with her razor sharp tongue. She was most definitely this hero's match. And the book was very sensual but most of it was need rather than love. I'd give this one a 3 out of 5 because I did a lot of skimming but I did like the characters and the heroine's pet.
March 3, 2023
Aww, that was nice that he didn't immediately plunder the spoils. Oh, now he thinks she has had the D before and that sacred V card has been punched? Ah well, what's one more D added to the list?
This book setup way more foreshadowing than it needed.
-This white wolf is repeatedly used as a plot device for essentially controlling ceara (keeee-ra). With all the threatening and posturing, I assumed it would eventually be unleashed in glorious fashion. Mais non.
-The h can understand French! She will undoubtedly at some point overheat something that is important to the relationship or the plot. Nope, let's just keep bringing it up and make it completely pointless.
-The OW drama was sort of important, in a roundabout way? At no point did I feel that these scenes added to the story. They easily could have resolved the book through other means.
-Why write this super independent capable woman for the first 20% to have her do literally nothing in the rest of the book. What did she do all day? What was her purpose at wulfridge? I don't know, and I don't think she did, either.
So why 3 stars? Because I can and nobody can stop me. .. .and I know it should be lower but I'm a sucker. It didn't grab my attention and not let go, but neither did it invoke strong feelings the other direction.
This book setup way more foreshadowing than it needed.
-This white wolf is repeatedly used as a plot device for essentially controlling ceara (keeee-ra). With all the threatening and posturing, I assumed it would eventually be unleashed in glorious fashion. Mais non.
-The h can understand French! She will undoubtedly at some point overheat something that is important to the relationship or the plot. Nope, let's just keep bringing it up and make it completely pointless.
-The OW drama was sort of important, in a roundabout way? At no point did I feel that these scenes added to the story. They easily could have resolved the book through other means.
-Why write this super independent capable woman for the first 20% to have her do literally nothing in the rest of the book. What did she do all day? What was her purpose at wulfridge? I don't know, and I don't think she did, either.
So why 3 stars? Because I can and nobody can stop me. .. .and I know it should be lower but I'm a sucker. It didn't grab my attention and not let go, but neither did it invoke strong feelings the other direction.
August 13, 2018
Straciłam już rachubę ile razy czytałam "Wilczycę". Jeden z pierwszych romansów historycznych, który przeczytałam. Zawsze wolałam akcję osadzoną w okresie regencji, wojen napoleońskich czy wojny Dwóch Róż, ale tutaj proszę, średniowieczna Anglia i napięcia między Saksonami i Normanami to również dobra gratka. Autorka bardzo dobrze wyważa romans i aspekt historyczny powieści - są intrygi polityczne, jest nowy normański król, który próbuje podporządkować sobie Saksonów, są niepokorni Szkoci, wszystko pięknie się komponuje. Na pewno jeszcze nie raz do niej wrócę.
February 22, 2022
The heroine is shown strong but reckless and acted many a times stupidly. But as the story progresses, she becomes smarter..
So i liked her in the later half more.
She is strong and really really courageous. And perceptive in many cases .
She is shown full if wisdom..
Many a times she did over shadow the hero..
But sadly the story had many loop holes and incomplete parts..
So giving it only three story..
It could have been much more better..
It is still entertaining with twists and turns..
So i liked her in the later half more.
She is strong and really really courageous. And perceptive in many cases .
She is shown full if wisdom..
Many a times she did over shadow the hero..
But sadly the story had many loop holes and incomplete parts..
So giving it only three story..
It could have been much more better..
It is still entertaining with twists and turns..
July 9, 2020
Loved the positive female image, a strong character. Romance was good and the setting and time period were fun to imagine.
October 24, 2020
My first read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Luc and Ceara were a great couple.
August 12, 2011
The Vow by Juliana Garnett
If you enjoy the history of medieval England you'll enjoy The Vow. Juliana brings to life the wars between the Saxons and Normans. Between Kings and peasants. Between a woman who wants a man and a woman who wants to save her home and lands. Fealty or death.
Ceara, which is pronounced Keera, tries to talk her father into fighting against William of Normandy rather then joining him but he refuses. Ceara is strong willed and capable of fighting but her father has the final word. Sheba, her beautiful white wolf, is her best and only friend as well as her protector. After he dies the Saxon rebel will do all she can to protect what is hers.
Luc Louvat was betrayed by his family. His father disinherited him and his brother betrayed him. As a Knight of William's he is found faithful and trustworthy. William sends him on a mission to conquer the Saxon Lord who has attacked Sir Simon. Luc heads to Wulfridge with all his warrior pride knowing that his band of Norman Knights will easily overtake the old Baron. Only he soon finds a knife at his throat. He did not take the young lad seriously and with his guard down the lad gets the upper hand. He notices the lack of strength and tiredness and soon reverses the situation and something niggles at his mind. As he presses his hand behind the lads armor he finds in disbelief that he is dealing with a lass.
The Saxon Princess fights with all she has until she realizes she has no more to give. Her people have been overtaken and even the innocent unarmed servants have been slaughtered. Ceara had sent Sheba into hiding but as she is taken to York, to William, she hears her pet and escapes to find her. Luc follows her and to keep her under his thumb he only has to threaten her pet. When Luc found out she had been married he decides to give into his desire for the lovely rebel. He does not trust her or believe her that she had been married but was yet a maid. He was wrong.
When facing William it is proven that Sir Simon had been wrong and William offers to find her a husband. She confesses she had her maidenhood stolen from her on the trip and when Luc confesses then William decides the two will marry as it will join Saxon and Norman. Lady Amelie is not pleases. She did not want Luc before but now that he has become the Earl of Wulfridge she wants him.
Power and greed seemed to rule and it was hard to know who could be trusted or who would betray you.
Contains sexual situations
Book received for review from NetGalley
If you enjoy the history of medieval England you'll enjoy The Vow. Juliana brings to life the wars between the Saxons and Normans. Between Kings and peasants. Between a woman who wants a man and a woman who wants to save her home and lands. Fealty or death.
Ceara, which is pronounced Keera, tries to talk her father into fighting against William of Normandy rather then joining him but he refuses. Ceara is strong willed and capable of fighting but her father has the final word. Sheba, her beautiful white wolf, is her best and only friend as well as her protector. After he dies the Saxon rebel will do all she can to protect what is hers.
Luc Louvat was betrayed by his family. His father disinherited him and his brother betrayed him. As a Knight of William's he is found faithful and trustworthy. William sends him on a mission to conquer the Saxon Lord who has attacked Sir Simon. Luc heads to Wulfridge with all his warrior pride knowing that his band of Norman Knights will easily overtake the old Baron. Only he soon finds a knife at his throat. He did not take the young lad seriously and with his guard down the lad gets the upper hand. He notices the lack of strength and tiredness and soon reverses the situation and something niggles at his mind. As he presses his hand behind the lads armor he finds in disbelief that he is dealing with a lass.
The Saxon Princess fights with all she has until she realizes she has no more to give. Her people have been overtaken and even the innocent unarmed servants have been slaughtered. Ceara had sent Sheba into hiding but as she is taken to York, to William, she hears her pet and escapes to find her. Luc follows her and to keep her under his thumb he only has to threaten her pet. When Luc found out she had been married he decides to give into his desire for the lovely rebel. He does not trust her or believe her that she had been married but was yet a maid. He was wrong.
When facing William it is proven that Sir Simon had been wrong and William offers to find her a husband. She confesses she had her maidenhood stolen from her on the trip and when Luc confesses then William decides the two will marry as it will join Saxon and Norman. Lady Amelie is not pleases. She did not want Luc before but now that he has become the Earl of Wulfridge she wants him.
Power and greed seemed to rule and it was hard to know who could be trusted or who would betray you.
Contains sexual situations
Book received for review from NetGalley
August 25, 2011
1062. At sixteen Ceara is a woman in the eyes of countrymen but she is also considered a bad tempered she-wolf and possibly a women who conspires with the devil because of her bad temper and wicked tongue. She’s not pleased of the shaky truce with the Normans and tries to convince her father so, but for her being a woman she isn’t listened.
So the day comes when the Normans do arrive lead by Luc Louvat, a Knight without land, a bastard son of a Lord, if he can win Wulfridge from the stubborn Saxons he can keep it. But Wulfridge doesn’t fall easily, and it isn’t until the cunning wit of the Knight that they infiltrate the castle only to notice that they’d battled not against a Lord, but a Lord’s wicked daughter.
Ceara belittles and smites Luc with her wicked tongue and seriously tries his patience and gets him angrier than he has ever been, but there is something else about the fair-haired maiden that raises emotions, but it isn’t anything he wants to further explore. With as many tricks as Ceara has in her pocket he’s wise to be cautious as he begins to transport the Lord’s daughter to the King's court to lay her at his mercy.
But it turns out it’s not so easy to hate when you feel more elaborate emotions, electricity running between them drawing the two stubborn together, and the two fight to figure out what they want and what they need and wither those two just might intersect eventually and what would have to be sacrificed for that.
Ceara does seem her age in her emotions of invulnerability and in her teenage hormones, but she also has the side of a woman who has been through war and seen blood, and not being a stranger to a sword. She's not your frail maiden type, but an honest to god saxon warrior princess.
Luc comes off harsh and controlled but it’s yummy to read his resolves crack around her and her temper. She keeps tempting him, shunning him and purring for pleasure and it’s fun to see him control on how to react to her.
I love historical novels, there is something about the brute ways and swords and the knights taking what belongs to them, but doing it while falling in love with the heroine!
A temper filled, headstrong journey with passion that simmers to a boil as fast as you can draw your sword and hack down the enemy.
So the day comes when the Normans do arrive lead by Luc Louvat, a Knight without land, a bastard son of a Lord, if he can win Wulfridge from the stubborn Saxons he can keep it. But Wulfridge doesn’t fall easily, and it isn’t until the cunning wit of the Knight that they infiltrate the castle only to notice that they’d battled not against a Lord, but a Lord’s wicked daughter.
Ceara belittles and smites Luc with her wicked tongue and seriously tries his patience and gets him angrier than he has ever been, but there is something else about the fair-haired maiden that raises emotions, but it isn’t anything he wants to further explore. With as many tricks as Ceara has in her pocket he’s wise to be cautious as he begins to transport the Lord’s daughter to the King's court to lay her at his mercy.
But it turns out it’s not so easy to hate when you feel more elaborate emotions, electricity running between them drawing the two stubborn together, and the two fight to figure out what they want and what they need and wither those two just might intersect eventually and what would have to be sacrificed for that.
Ceara does seem her age in her emotions of invulnerability and in her teenage hormones, but she also has the side of a woman who has been through war and seen blood, and not being a stranger to a sword. She's not your frail maiden type, but an honest to god saxon warrior princess.
Luc comes off harsh and controlled but it’s yummy to read his resolves crack around her and her temper. She keeps tempting him, shunning him and purring for pleasure and it’s fun to see him control on how to react to her.
I love historical novels, there is something about the brute ways and swords and the knights taking what belongs to them, but doing it while falling in love with the heroine!
A temper filled, headstrong journey with passion that simmers to a boil as fast as you can draw your sword and hack down the enemy.
February 23, 2018
I reviewed this on my blog at www.bookworm2bookworm.wordpress.com
I rarely venture out of my Regency World of Romance and step into Medieval World of Romance and when I do my hopes and expectations are high. This book was published in 1998 by Fanfare, but last month (8/8/2011) was rereleased by Loveswept for Kindle and I was lucky to get an eARC of it for an honest review.
Having never read the author I was pleasantly surprised to find her prose to my liking. The hero and heroine, the medieval setting, decent pace and even the fairly predictable plot were quite good and kept my interest from the start.
As the story opens, we get the glimpse of our heroine, Ceara (Keera) at sixteen and we already know that she's a handful for her father, Lord Balfour of Wulfridge as she confronts him on his fealty to the bastard King William. At eighteen, much has changed in Ceara's world, but she has stayed the same, willful, strong and brave as always.
Luc Louvat is a Norman Knight whose bravery and fealty to the King William is well-known and upon finding out that Lord Balfour has broken his word, William is incensed and wants the man brought to him in chains and for that he needs Luc and his brave knights. William promises Luc an earldom and all of Wulfridge as a prize.
I'm not sure that this story will appeal to all of you, but if you liked BRAVEHEART, you just might like this story which is chock full of a battles and political intrigue. That's not to say that it lacks in sensual department. On the contrary, this couple's tale is not just interesting but very entertaining and very sensual. If you've never read the original, I think you should give it a try this time around.
* I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I rarely venture out of my Regency World of Romance and step into Medieval World of Romance and when I do my hopes and expectations are high. This book was published in 1998 by Fanfare, but last month (8/8/2011) was rereleased by Loveswept for Kindle and I was lucky to get an eARC of it for an honest review.
Having never read the author I was pleasantly surprised to find her prose to my liking. The hero and heroine, the medieval setting, decent pace and even the fairly predictable plot were quite good and kept my interest from the start.
As the story opens, we get the glimpse of our heroine, Ceara (Keera) at sixteen and we already know that she's a handful for her father, Lord Balfour of Wulfridge as she confronts him on his fealty to the bastard King William. At eighteen, much has changed in Ceara's world, but she has stayed the same, willful, strong and brave as always.
Luc Louvat is a Norman Knight whose bravery and fealty to the King William is well-known and upon finding out that Lord Balfour has broken his word, William is incensed and wants the man brought to him in chains and for that he needs Luc and his brave knights. William promises Luc an earldom and all of Wulfridge as a prize.
I'm not sure that this story will appeal to all of you, but if you liked BRAVEHEART, you just might like this story which is chock full of a battles and political intrigue. That's not to say that it lacks in sensual department. On the contrary, this couple's tale is not just interesting but very entertaining and very sensual. If you've never read the original, I think you should give it a try this time around.
* I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
September 9, 2011
The Vow is a medieval romance set in 1069. Luc Louvat is a Norman Knight sent by King William to capture the lands of Wolfridge little does he knows that it is being defended by none other than Ceara, the princess of Wolfridge after the death of her father. Circumstances throws these two together making them clash as both have twisted pasts which makes it really hard for them to open up to each other. The fact that they were enemies keeps getting in their way. It was frustrating to see both of them going back and forth so much. However it made their final union all the more sweet. This story was not just about two people falling in love. It was how they got over the fact that they were enemies who had very different point of view coming together and trust each other with love.
I read a medieval romance after a long time so it took a bit of getting used to the language and the rough handling of the heroine by the hero. But it was alright later as this was what was acceptable before and as I read more about Luc I did not mind it as much. My favourite character turned out to be Sheba. She was adorable. Can I please, please have a pet wolf too?
I would recommend it to all Medieval Romance fans.
ARC provided by NetGalley.
I read a medieval romance after a long time so it took a bit of getting used to the language and the rough handling of the heroine by the hero. But it was alright later as this was what was acceptable before and as I read more about Luc I did not mind it as much. My favourite character turned out to be Sheba. She was adorable. Can I please, please have a pet wolf too?
I would recommend it to all Medieval Romance fans.
ARC provided by NetGalley.
August 15, 2011
i have fallen in love with this book. the heroine is not a "woe-is-me" type. she defentally stands up for herself and her people.
in part I we find ourselves introduced to the hero and heroine in a very odd situtation and i found it humerous. it was interesting to see how the started reacting toeach other and how she kept putting her foot in her mouth because she didnt iknow when to stay quiet. by the end of part I they have found themselves married because of her mouth. she has vowed not to lose her heart adn he has sworn that he owns her.
in part II the hero and herine learn to talk and to love each other. there is still some arguments on who is more stubborn then the other. but in the end they learn that they love each other.
overall i loved the story. it flowed from chapter to chapter. there was suspense mixed in with the romance which brought more interest into the story.
i recomend this book to everyone who likes a intriguing and suspenseful romance.
in part I we find ourselves introduced to the hero and heroine in a very odd situtation and i found it humerous. it was interesting to see how the started reacting toeach other and how she kept putting her foot in her mouth because she didnt iknow when to stay quiet. by the end of part I they have found themselves married because of her mouth. she has vowed not to lose her heart adn he has sworn that he owns her.
in part II the hero and herine learn to talk and to love each other. there is still some arguments on who is more stubborn then the other. but in the end they learn that they love each other.
overall i loved the story. it flowed from chapter to chapter. there was suspense mixed in with the romance which brought more interest into the story.
i recomend this book to everyone who likes a intriguing and suspenseful romance.
December 12, 2012
An old style historical romance novel taking place in medieval times this book is filled with the passions oft found during wars. Definitely not for those who are only looking for hot sex but for those looking for history and war and romance this is the book for you.
Ceara of Wulfridge was raised as a warrior and with her wolf Sheba she fought against the Normans. Luc Louvat fought for King William to unite all of England. First they fought against each other then for each other; she for the her Saxon people, he for the Normans, together for all of England.
Ceara of Wulfridge was raised as a warrior and with her wolf Sheba she fought against the Normans. Luc Louvat fought for King William to unite all of England. First they fought against each other then for each other; she for the her Saxon people, he for the Normans, together for all of England.
August 10, 2012
I started this book thinking it would be the same old formulaic story. Fortunately, Garnett had a few surprises for me. Light and quick, this book is a great summer read. I completed in 2 days (about 6 hours)
September 17, 2009
2.5 stars
August 5, 2011
Entertaining read.
May 7, 2013
Well... he was a caveman. And when I say it, I mean it. But it was quite an entertaining book anyway.
December 9, 2014
Good. Fast paced.
March 28, 2019
I bought the paperback before I had my kindle but I never read it and unfortunately it is not on kindle so although I would like to read it, being on paperback, it might be awhile.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews