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Trapped at the Altar
New York Times bestselling author Jane Feather introduces a sizzling new series that moves from the remote wilds of southwest England to the turbulent royal court, when a lovely young woman is forced into marriage to unite two families—and discovers a most unexpected desire...
Headstrong Ariadne Daunt is convinced she loves handsome Gabriel Fawcett, but her grandfather has other plans for her. He decrees that she marry Ivor Chalfont, thus forging a powerful alliance between the two warring families who share ownership of their valley. Given no time to plot an escape, Ari finds herself standing reluctantly at the altar, swearing to honor and obey a man who is not her choice.
Ivor has treasured Ari as a friend ever since he was brought to the valley as a child, but now he feels a man's desires. He longs to take the beautiful young woman to his bed and make their marriage more than an empty vow. Ari may believe she loves another man, but Ivor believes otherwise—and he will not rest until he gains her heart, her trust . . . and her passion.
Headstrong Ariadne Daunt is convinced she loves handsome Gabriel Fawcett, but her grandfather has other plans for her. He decrees that she marry Ivor Chalfont, thus forging a powerful alliance between the two warring families who share ownership of their valley. Given no time to plot an escape, Ari finds herself standing reluctantly at the altar, swearing to honor and obey a man who is not her choice.
Ivor has treasured Ari as a friend ever since he was brought to the valley as a child, but now he feels a man's desires. He longs to take the beautiful young woman to his bed and make their marriage more than an empty vow. Ari may believe she loves another man, but Ivor believes otherwise—and he will not rest until he gains her heart, her trust . . . and her passion.
Audiobook
First published July 22, 2014
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About the author
Jane Feather
170 books629 followersJane Feather (born Jane Robotham) is a popular British–American writer of historical romance novels. In 1984 she wrote five contemporary romances under the pseudonym Claudia Bishop. She is a New York Times-bestselling, award–winning writer, and has more than ten million romance novels in print.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
May 6, 2014
*ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
So, I have to be honest, right? This one is not my cuppa for romance. Trapped at the Altar is def not my idea for romance. Well, yes, it's romance, but between the wrong couple.
Ariadne and Ivor's family had an agreement since they're baby that eventually they'd be married. Unfortunately, Ariadne fell in love with Gabriel, the OM (I'd say the hero).
Now, I don't have a problem if the heroine's not a virgin. She obviously loved this Gabriel so much, that's what bother me because for me, the hero Ivor was the third wheel . He's the one that ruined their relationship and being selfish about it. That's one.
Second, the author may consider who's the hero. She gives a pretty passionate POV from Gabriel that I had to remind my self he's NOT the hero. The problem was, once I remember Gabriel wasn't the hero, I came into a description like this,
She could still feel his presence upon her, imprinted on her skin; her body still retained the memory of him, the hard length of him inside her.
Once you make the description like that about the OM, you lost me.
But that's not my mainly concern. Right at first I dislike the heroine. She took her liberty too much. And Ivor wasn't really my alpha hero. I mean, he's okay with her meeting with OM? Suddenly, he felt jealousy after he let her met the OM for hours? Not so believable for me. And that ruined the rest of the story. Couldn't get that off my mind.
So, I have to be honest, right? This one is not my cuppa for romance. Trapped at the Altar is def not my idea for romance. Well, yes, it's romance, but between the wrong couple.
Ariadne and Ivor's family had an agreement since they're baby that eventually they'd be married. Unfortunately, Ariadne fell in love with Gabriel, the OM (I'd say the hero).
Now, I don't have a problem if the heroine's not a virgin. She obviously loved this Gabriel so much, that's what bother me because for me, the hero Ivor was the third wheel . He's the one that ruined their relationship and being selfish about it. That's one.
Second, the author may consider who's the hero. She gives a pretty passionate POV from Gabriel that I had to remind my self he's NOT the hero. The problem was, once I remember Gabriel wasn't the hero, I came into a description like this,
She could still feel his presence upon her, imprinted on her skin; her body still retained the memory of him, the hard length of him inside her.
Once you make the description like that about the OM, you lost me.
But that's not my mainly concern. Right at first I dislike the heroine. She took her liberty too much. And Ivor wasn't really my alpha hero. I mean, he's okay with her meeting with OM? Suddenly, he felt jealousy after he let her met the OM for hours? Not so believable for me. And that ruined the rest of the story. Couldn't get that off my mind.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2021
DNF. I only read about 100 pages. I just could nog get into this.
One star for effort.
One star for effort.
July 16, 2014
3.5 stars (goodreads really does need to make half stars an option)
******Full Review********
“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.”
Ari is a young woman who grew up in a very sheltered valley having her whims catered to. She deems herself in love with Gabriel, a poet living next to her little realm. Her attraction is based on how different he is from the rough and tumble men of her valley. When her grandfather dies, her uncle, who does not hold Ari in the same affection, is left in charge. Ari finds an old betrothal between her and her childhood friend Ivor, is suddenly very much in play.
As the reader, you are not going to like Ari right away. She is young, immature, and spoiled. Ivor, on the other hand, you will find yourself staunchly on his side. He knows about Ari’s other lover but is willing to overlook her youthful indiscretions if she embraces her role as his wife after they are married. Ari and Ivor have a solid friendship, they just need to find a way to incorporate a romantic side to it. Due to what Ivor feels was his childhood abandonment, he has major trust issues and Ari with her brick wall up against Ivor, create a story full of secrets, lies, strife, and growing up.
The pace of 80% of this story is very deliberate, slow moving even. It takes about half way into the book before the real focus is on Ari and Ivor’s relationship. The couple is traveling to London to gain influence for their family at court and along the way, Ari finds herself learning to accept and in fact appreciate her fate and marriage, hence the beginning quote I used. The time period is 1600s, during the Catholic and Protestant split and there are some intriguing moments of Ari and Ivor trying to straddle the line but it’s not a major player in the book.
This story is about the ins and outs of a working marriage, the building of trust, love, and affection. While I felt the ending rapped up far too quickly when Ari’s secrets came to light, Gabriel goes through a character change that feels forced so that, I imagine, readers can look upon Ivor as the true hero, and the time period isn’t really felt except through talk of clothing and sometimes speech, the writing is solid and of quality. Even though the heroine is frustrating at times and the pace is, like I said, slow moving, I would still recommend this book, especially for the type of person who enjoys a good chess game.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
******Full Review********
“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.”
Ari is a young woman who grew up in a very sheltered valley having her whims catered to. She deems herself in love with Gabriel, a poet living next to her little realm. Her attraction is based on how different he is from the rough and tumble men of her valley. When her grandfather dies, her uncle, who does not hold Ari in the same affection, is left in charge. Ari finds an old betrothal between her and her childhood friend Ivor, is suddenly very much in play.
As the reader, you are not going to like Ari right away. She is young, immature, and spoiled. Ivor, on the other hand, you will find yourself staunchly on his side. He knows about Ari’s other lover but is willing to overlook her youthful indiscretions if she embraces her role as his wife after they are married. Ari and Ivor have a solid friendship, they just need to find a way to incorporate a romantic side to it. Due to what Ivor feels was his childhood abandonment, he has major trust issues and Ari with her brick wall up against Ivor, create a story full of secrets, lies, strife, and growing up.
The pace of 80% of this story is very deliberate, slow moving even. It takes about half way into the book before the real focus is on Ari and Ivor’s relationship. The couple is traveling to London to gain influence for their family at court and along the way, Ari finds herself learning to accept and in fact appreciate her fate and marriage, hence the beginning quote I used. The time period is 1600s, during the Catholic and Protestant split and there are some intriguing moments of Ari and Ivor trying to straddle the line but it’s not a major player in the book.
This story is about the ins and outs of a working marriage, the building of trust, love, and affection. While I felt the ending rapped up far too quickly when Ari’s secrets came to light, Gabriel goes through a character change that feels forced so that, I imagine, readers can look upon Ivor as the true hero, and the time period isn’t really felt except through talk of clothing and sometimes speech, the writing is solid and of quality. Even though the heroine is frustrating at times and the pace is, like I said, slow moving, I would still recommend this book, especially for the type of person who enjoys a good chess game.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
February 27, 2021
Audiobook Review:
There are books by Ms. Jane Feather that I totally love and then there are some that are like this one. Others I've read but never audiobooks so this was first. Trapped at the Alter was an okay listen for me and I thought it could be better. I understood the plote but the heroine came off way to stubbor and self-centered for me. I did like the hero and his patience with dealing with the heroine.
Ms. Jill Tanner as the narrator was a first for this listener. I do love her voice but the narration came off a bit too strong for the heroine and a bit soft for the hero. Understandably but it really didn't get my attention enough to enjoy the listen. Although I did finish the listen, however it fell a bit short for me. My rating is a 2.5 rounded to 3 Stars.
There are books by Ms. Jane Feather that I totally love and then there are some that are like this one. Others I've read but never audiobooks so this was first. Trapped at the Alter was an okay listen for me and I thought it could be better. I understood the plote but the heroine came off way to stubbor and self-centered for me. I did like the hero and his patience with dealing with the heroine.
Ms. Jill Tanner as the narrator was a first for this listener. I do love her voice but the narration came off a bit too strong for the heroine and a bit soft for the hero. Understandably but it really didn't get my attention enough to enjoy the listen. Although I did finish the listen, however it fell a bit short for me. My rating is a 2.5 rounded to 3 Stars.
October 7, 2020
Ik heb de Nederlands talige uitgave gelezen : Meer dan een bruid - Candlelight Historische roman 1199
Jane Feather is een van mijn favoriete schrijfsters in dit genre omdat ze een romantisch verhaal altijd mooi combineert met historische feitjes ( ik neem niet eens meer de moeite om na te gaan of die allemaal wel kloppen want wat dat betreft heeft zij mij nog nooit teleurgesteld ) . Verder hebben haar vrouwelijke hoofdpersonen altijd een sterk gevoel van een eigen ik en laten zich niet klakkeloos door een man vertellen hoe ze zich moeten gedragen .
De enige reden waarom ik dit boek geen vijf sterren heb gegeven is omdat het geen volledig einde heeft , ik had graag een epiloog gehad waarin duidelijk wordt of ze in hun missie geslaagd zijn etc.
Jane Feather is een van mijn favoriete schrijfsters in dit genre omdat ze een romantisch verhaal altijd mooi combineert met historische feitjes ( ik neem niet eens meer de moeite om na te gaan of die allemaal wel kloppen want wat dat betreft heeft zij mij nog nooit teleurgesteld ) . Verder hebben haar vrouwelijke hoofdpersonen altijd een sterk gevoel van een eigen ik en laten zich niet klakkeloos door een man vertellen hoe ze zich moeten gedragen .
De enige reden waarom ik dit boek geen vijf sterren heb gegeven is omdat het geen volledig einde heeft , ik had graag een epiloog gehad waarin duidelijk wordt of ze in hun missie geslaagd zijn etc.
June 24, 2014
My copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
Author: Jane Feather
First published: 2014
Length: 4441 locations
Setting: Somerset and London, 1684
Sex: Frequent (once it gets going) and explicit.
Heroine: 20 years old. Has lived an isolated life.
Hero: 23yo.
I struggled with this book. On one hand there are some really interesting premises. On the other, Ariadne is a spoilt bitch who does her darndest to get the people around her killed. In the end I just didn't like it and fought (with myself) to keep on reading.
Let me explain.
Interesting things:
- Setting. Somerset and London in 1684, the Stuart period with the Restoration under Charles II and just before the (brief) reign of James II. An short period that saw a growth in the British Empire, the London metropolis, and increasing anti-Catholic views and rebuilding of London after the Great Fire of 1666. Feather takes advantage of this period novelty by visiting with King Charles II, the Duke of York and Duchess of Portsmouth, among many others.
- Friends to lovers. Typically, to allow that relationship movement and prevent feelings of "incest", authors allow one of the partners to move away. On their return they see, low-and-behold, the love of their life has grown up! Not so for Ariadne and Ivor. At the time of their Marriage of Convenience they still see each other as childhood friends. Ariadne even lusts after another. An interesting relationship to tackle in a romance.
Not so interesting:
- I had to go back and check Ari's age. The book opens in 1667, when (we are told) she was 3. We pick back up in 1684. So Ariadne is 20 (or thereabouts) at the time of her marriage. Yet she acts much, much younger. Ari's actions puts others lives at risk. It puts her own life at risk. But she neither cares nor accepts personal responsibility. When her new husband points out she may be with child her response is to blame him, her uncle, her grandfather for her predicament. I struggle to find any of her good qualities, while Ivor constantly forgives her and gives of himself from a deep well of patience.
- Nothing happens for a very, very long time. 40% in and we're still packing for London. Come on! So very bored. But I persisted because surely it has to get exciting at some stage!
- The Love Triangle. Gabriel is a milquetoast. Ari is fickle. Ivor is forebearing. There is no conflict or interest. *sigh*
- Cheating. Despite being married Ari "cheats" (in her mind) with Gabriel and struggles to give her trust to Ivor.
I'm sorry. I didn't take to this book. I didn't like Ari. I wished Ivor was given the opportunity to choose for himself. It was very slow to build and then failed to give a satisfying climax.
This is not a book I would recommend. Which is annoying because there were some really interesting historical bits.
Pimp and it's etymology:
""You sound like my pimp," Ari said, only half laughing." loc.3163
Is it appropriate to use the term in 1668? Apparently, yes. Pimp appears in a 1607 play Your Five Gallants by Thomas Middleton where it means to dress seductively (see w'pedia), but also as a procurer (Primero, the pimp, runs a brothel).
References:
Jane Feather on w'pedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Fea...
(ISBN 978-1-4767-0364-0)
-CR-
Author: Jane Feather
First published: 2014
Length: 4441 locations
Setting: Somerset and London, 1684
Sex: Frequent (once it gets going) and explicit.
Heroine: 20 years old. Has lived an isolated life.
Hero: 23yo.
I struggled with this book. On one hand there are some really interesting premises. On the other, Ariadne is a spoilt bitch who does her darndest to get the people around her killed. In the end I just didn't like it and fought (with myself) to keep on reading.
Let me explain.
Interesting things:
- Setting. Somerset and London in 1684, the Stuart period with the Restoration under Charles II and just before the (brief) reign of James II. An short period that saw a growth in the British Empire, the London metropolis, and increasing anti-Catholic views and rebuilding of London after the Great Fire of 1666. Feather takes advantage of this period novelty by visiting with King Charles II, the Duke of York and Duchess of Portsmouth, among many others.
- Friends to lovers. Typically, to allow that relationship movement and prevent feelings of "incest", authors allow one of the partners to move away. On their return they see, low-and-behold, the love of their life has grown up! Not so for Ariadne and Ivor. At the time of their Marriage of Convenience they still see each other as childhood friends. Ariadne even lusts after another. An interesting relationship to tackle in a romance.
Not so interesting:
- I had to go back and check Ari's age. The book opens in 1667, when (we are told) she was 3. We pick back up in 1684. So Ariadne is 20 (or thereabouts) at the time of her marriage. Yet she acts much, much younger. Ari's actions puts others lives at risk. It puts her own life at risk. But she neither cares nor accepts personal responsibility. When her new husband points out she may be with child her response is to blame him, her uncle, her grandfather for her predicament. I struggle to find any of her good qualities, while Ivor constantly forgives her and gives of himself from a deep well of patience.
- Nothing happens for a very, very long time. 40% in and we're still packing for London. Come on! So very bored. But I persisted because surely it has to get exciting at some stage!
- The Love Triangle. Gabriel is a milquetoast. Ari is fickle. Ivor is forebearing. There is no conflict or interest. *sigh*
- Cheating. Despite being married Ari "cheats" (in her mind) with Gabriel and struggles to give her trust to Ivor.
I'm sorry. I didn't take to this book. I didn't like Ari. I wished Ivor was given the opportunity to choose for himself. It was very slow to build and then failed to give a satisfying climax.
This is not a book I would recommend. Which is annoying because there were some really interesting historical bits.
Pimp and it's etymology:
""You sound like my pimp," Ari said, only half laughing." loc.3163
Is it appropriate to use the term in 1668? Apparently, yes. Pimp appears in a 1607 play Your Five Gallants by Thomas Middleton where it means to dress seductively (see w'pedia), but also as a procurer (Primero, the pimp, runs a brothel).
References:
Jane Feather on w'pedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Fea...
(ISBN 978-1-4767-0364-0)
-CR-
September 22, 2021
Writing is detailed and has depth, the settings are very well described. Nice to have a different time period from the norm with events in the 1600s although the overall feel did not quite depict that period.
Enjoyable overall. But Ivor has to be the worse H name I have yet to encounter. And he was a little inconsistent in his reactions to the h and her actions
Also Ariadne's behavior was unaccountably unrealistic, from how quickly she got over her supposedly previously engaged affections to her rather abrupt and oddly insistent desire to want unremitting monkey bed play with the H.
I've never seen a man say "No, not now" as many times as in this book. Ari was frankly a little obstinate and entitled, although she has her good moments.
Queries:
Why was the secondary royal intrigue plot line so abruptly and awkwardly dropped? I mean why bother with it at all if it was meant to go nowhere? It was convoluted, and made no logical sense to me, try as I might to figure out how these vague maneuverings were expected to gain tangible results.
I also found it unlikely that they'd be so easily accepted into the royal presence without a thorough examination of their pedigree. How did the Daunt reputation, sins and crimes just simply never come up as an issue at court when so much was made of it before hand?
How can you rehabilitate a family name if you never get around to saying "hey btw I'm from this infamous family"? They left that step out so completely that it would be awkward as heck if the fact were to be revealed at this point.
Plus the King liked his females chubby so why did he even take more than cursory note of slight boyish pixie like Ariadne?
The ending felt like walking off an unexpected cliff, no wrap up, no resolution and not even a team of secondary characters that would allow for the assumption of a wrap up of loose threads in a sequel or series.
It was as if the author got tired of writing for the day so tagged on a few pages banishing the rival and some 'make up shagging' to turn it all in before deadline.
Just feels like a few chapters were missing after so much momentum at the beginning. Build up with no payoff. Still a quick easy read, and very well written.
Enjoyable overall. But Ivor has to be the worse H name I have yet to encounter. And he was a little inconsistent in his reactions to the h and her actions
Also Ariadne's behavior was unaccountably unrealistic, from how quickly she got over her supposedly previously engaged affections to her rather abrupt and oddly insistent desire to want unremitting monkey bed play with the H.
I've never seen a man say "No, not now" as many times as in this book. Ari was frankly a little obstinate and entitled, although she has her good moments.
Queries:
Why was the secondary royal intrigue plot line so abruptly and awkwardly dropped? I mean why bother with it at all if it was meant to go nowhere? It was convoluted, and made no logical sense to me, try as I might to figure out how these vague maneuverings were expected to gain tangible results.
I also found it unlikely that they'd be so easily accepted into the royal presence without a thorough examination of their pedigree. How did the Daunt reputation, sins and crimes just simply never come up as an issue at court when so much was made of it before hand?
How can you rehabilitate a family name if you never get around to saying "hey btw I'm from this infamous family"? They left that step out so completely that it would be awkward as heck if the fact were to be revealed at this point.
Plus the King liked his females chubby so why did he even take more than cursory note of slight boyish pixie like Ariadne?
The ending felt like walking off an unexpected cliff, no wrap up, no resolution and not even a team of secondary characters that would allow for the assumption of a wrap up of loose threads in a sequel or series.
It was as if the author got tired of writing for the day so tagged on a few pages banishing the rival and some 'make up shagging' to turn it all in before deadline.
Just feels like a few chapters were missing after so much momentum at the beginning. Build up with no payoff. Still a quick easy read, and very well written.
September 15, 2019
2.5 stars
This was slow going and the main characters really rubbed me the wrong way through most of this. Ariadne was selfish and immature while Ivor was a bit overbearing. The narrator did a great job though ;)
This was slow going and the main characters really rubbed me the wrong way through most of this. Ariadne was selfish and immature while Ivor was a bit overbearing. The narrator did a great job though ;)
July 10, 2014
If you’re looking for a bosom heaving historical romance with complete adherence to era dialogue, you may want to look elsewhere. If you are looking to be treated to a glimpse of the 1600’s, a taste of the reality of life back then without getting lost in the details, while becoming a witness to two people, betrothed as children who discover what a marriage truly is and how deep the trust, respect and forgiveness must run to overcome mistakes of the past when a wondrous future is ahead of them.
Ari is almost too contemporary in her thinking, but I realized it was part of her appeal to me. She has made some huge mistakes, selfish mistakes and has realized she not only wants, but needs to atone for them. Ivor has been her closest friend since they were betrothed as children, strong, yet quick to laugh, until their political marriage became a reality and he knew Ari’s heart belonged to a much gentler man. Give Ivor a medal for his patience and forward thinking!
Trapped at the Altar by Jane Feather is a quick and fairly light romantic read that doesn’t overdo the period tones, and really doesn’t dig much deeper than the two main characters. I would call this the perfect beach read, myself! There is an atmosphere of sensual tension that vibrates between these two, low, but steady until the flames are fanned and each finally sees the other for who they really are.
Quick, well-paced, not too deep, but, hey, I got to meet the King and Queen at court!
I received an ARC edition from Pocket Books in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: July 22, 2014
Publisher: Pocket Books
ISBN: 9781476703640
Genre: Historical Romance|Adults
Print Length: 400 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Ari is almost too contemporary in her thinking, but I realized it was part of her appeal to me. She has made some huge mistakes, selfish mistakes and has realized she not only wants, but needs to atone for them. Ivor has been her closest friend since they were betrothed as children, strong, yet quick to laugh, until their political marriage became a reality and he knew Ari’s heart belonged to a much gentler man. Give Ivor a medal for his patience and forward thinking!
Trapped at the Altar by Jane Feather is a quick and fairly light romantic read that doesn’t overdo the period tones, and really doesn’t dig much deeper than the two main characters. I would call this the perfect beach read, myself! There is an atmosphere of sensual tension that vibrates between these two, low, but steady until the flames are fanned and each finally sees the other for who they really are.
Quick, well-paced, not too deep, but, hey, I got to meet the King and Queen at court!
I received an ARC edition from Pocket Books in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: July 22, 2014
Publisher: Pocket Books
ISBN: 9781476703640
Genre: Historical Romance|Adults
Print Length: 400 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
July 27, 2014
I received this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The gist: Ari is the heiress of a lawless band of pirates and raiders. Ivor was essentially sold to her family as a young boy in an effort to strengthen the ties between their families. They were brother as children and when Ari's grandfather died, they were forced to wed and leave for London in an effort to reclaim her family's position within the King's court. The problem with all of this is that Ari has fallen in love with a young poet and she doesn't want to marry Ivor. She makes plans to meet her poet in London and run away with him. On the long journey to London, however, Ari and Ivor grow closer than ever and Ari's heart becomes conflicted.
Ari is a strong, fiercely independent, warrior of a young woman. She comes from a family of lawless hethens, basically, and she's been raised to be a fighter. Her poet is so different from anyone in her clan and he makes her realize her feminine side. Ivor is her closest friend and confidant and he has been since they were young children. He's sort of been like a brother to her so she's hesitant about marrying to him and having a physical relationship with him. But she's been exposed to feminine feelings since she met her poet and it doesn't take long before she sees Ivor in a romantic light. Then she's conflicted because she doesn't want to hurt him, but she knows she has to end things with the poet and it'd hurt Ivor to know she seems to speak to the poet even if only to end their association. She's conflicted about it because in an effort to protect Ivor from hurt, she keeps secrets from him. I think that's probably a common conflict with anyone in a relationship. You strive be honest with your spouse, but you also don't want to hurt them and if you can take care of something yourself without causing your spouse undue pain, you might conflicted about keeping secrets from your spouse, even if you truly feel like it's only to protect them. I felt for her, for her conflict and her confusion about her changing feelings. She also dealt with feelings of whether or not she was flighty because she truly felt she was in love with her poet, but then when she starts to realize she's falling for Ivor, she feels unfaithful and wishy washy and like a flake. How could her feelings change so swiftly? I think that's something many people deal with when they meet the person they're suppose to be with, but they've THOUGHT they loved a previous paramour(s). I REALLY liked Ari.
Ivor was pretty much the perfect hero. He loves Ari deeply. She's been his best friend, really his ONLY friend, in a hostile clan that he was essentially sold to as a very young child. He knew love with his parents before they gave him away to Ari's fierce clan and Ari was really the only person who showed him affection in his new setting. And she's pretty much the only one who has shown him affection his whole life since. He hasn't been beaten or treated as a slave or anything, but he definitely hasn't been completely accepted into the clan either. He knows Ari hasn't been totally honest with him because she's been his companion nearly his whole life and it kills him that she's hiding something from him. It was bad enough knowing she was in love with another man and that he isn't the only man to have sexual relations with her. I truly felt for Ivor throughout the entire book. He's kind of a hard man, but it's more from necessity than anything else.
The story itself was rather boring. They were attacked once on their journey to London, but otherwise, not much really happened in the book. And it was an awful long book to not have much happen... It was also boring because it gave a lot of history lessons. It's set in the late 17th century when England was very different and almost medieval and that's a lesser known time. It's also not nearly as popular an era for romance novels because women very much took a backseat and were essentially servants to their husbands in every way. Ari was a spitfire like Elizabeth Bennett, about 150 years before opinionated women were slightly more tolerated. There was quite a bit of history about the Royal Court at the time. Ari and Ivor go to London with the soul purpose of ingratiating themselves in the King's good graces. They do spend time with the King and Queen, but the story kind of fizzles and doesn't tell ya whether they really succeed in their mission of reinstating Ari's family name. The King is atrocious (as many Kings were...) and he brazenly kept his two mistresses in the palace and his wife was expected to be friendly with them and whatnot. The King takes a liking to Ari and flirts with her and you're led to believe he might proposition her, but again, nothing really comes out of anything with the King and Queen. It feels like this should be book one in Ari and Ivor's journey, but I'm under the impression is this a complete story from beginning to end. It ended VERY abruptly, too. It's not a cliffhanger by any means, but it just ends suddenly. I was left with lots of questions. Maybe I'm just too used to an epilogue, but I was REALLY wanting an epilogue, maybe 1-5 years down the road that would answer my questions about whether they succeeded in their mission and if the King made any advances. Were they able to keep a distance between themselves and the pretentiousness of Court? Did they have kids? What happens with the king and his successor(s) and his health? Health problems are eluded to, but not explained or mentioned again. It was just rather annoying.
The book was SUPER long and somewhat boring, as I've already explained. Had there even been more of a conclusion, I would've given it more stars, even though I was able to put it down and walk away from it without jonesin' for more. As it is, I can't give it more than 3 stars and those are solely because I REALLY liked Ari and Ivor and their struggles with their new marriage and the shift of their relationship from friends to spouses/partners.
The gist: Ari is the heiress of a lawless band of pirates and raiders. Ivor was essentially sold to her family as a young boy in an effort to strengthen the ties between their families. They were brother as children and when Ari's grandfather died, they were forced to wed and leave for London in an effort to reclaim her family's position within the King's court. The problem with all of this is that Ari has fallen in love with a young poet and she doesn't want to marry Ivor. She makes plans to meet her poet in London and run away with him. On the long journey to London, however, Ari and Ivor grow closer than ever and Ari's heart becomes conflicted.
Ari is a strong, fiercely independent, warrior of a young woman. She comes from a family of lawless hethens, basically, and she's been raised to be a fighter. Her poet is so different from anyone in her clan and he makes her realize her feminine side. Ivor is her closest friend and confidant and he has been since they were young children. He's sort of been like a brother to her so she's hesitant about marrying to him and having a physical relationship with him. But she's been exposed to feminine feelings since she met her poet and it doesn't take long before she sees Ivor in a romantic light. Then she's conflicted because she doesn't want to hurt him, but she knows she has to end things with the poet and it'd hurt Ivor to know she seems to speak to the poet even if only to end their association. She's conflicted about it because in an effort to protect Ivor from hurt, she keeps secrets from him. I think that's probably a common conflict with anyone in a relationship. You strive be honest with your spouse, but you also don't want to hurt them and if you can take care of something yourself without causing your spouse undue pain, you might conflicted about keeping secrets from your spouse, even if you truly feel like it's only to protect them. I felt for her, for her conflict and her confusion about her changing feelings. She also dealt with feelings of whether or not she was flighty because she truly felt she was in love with her poet, but then when she starts to realize she's falling for Ivor, she feels unfaithful and wishy washy and like a flake. How could her feelings change so swiftly? I think that's something many people deal with when they meet the person they're suppose to be with, but they've THOUGHT they loved a previous paramour(s). I REALLY liked Ari.
Ivor was pretty much the perfect hero. He loves Ari deeply. She's been his best friend, really his ONLY friend, in a hostile clan that he was essentially sold to as a very young child. He knew love with his parents before they gave him away to Ari's fierce clan and Ari was really the only person who showed him affection in his new setting. And she's pretty much the only one who has shown him affection his whole life since. He hasn't been beaten or treated as a slave or anything, but he definitely hasn't been completely accepted into the clan either. He knows Ari hasn't been totally honest with him because she's been his companion nearly his whole life and it kills him that she's hiding something from him. It was bad enough knowing she was in love with another man and that he isn't the only man to have sexual relations with her. I truly felt for Ivor throughout the entire book. He's kind of a hard man, but it's more from necessity than anything else.
The story itself was rather boring. They were attacked once on their journey to London, but otherwise, not much really happened in the book. And it was an awful long book to not have much happen... It was also boring because it gave a lot of history lessons. It's set in the late 17th century when England was very different and almost medieval and that's a lesser known time. It's also not nearly as popular an era for romance novels because women very much took a backseat and were essentially servants to their husbands in every way. Ari was a spitfire like Elizabeth Bennett, about 150 years before opinionated women were slightly more tolerated. There was quite a bit of history about the Royal Court at the time. Ari and Ivor go to London with the soul purpose of ingratiating themselves in the King's good graces. They do spend time with the King and Queen, but the story kind of fizzles and doesn't tell ya whether they really succeed in their mission of reinstating Ari's family name. The King is atrocious (as many Kings were...) and he brazenly kept his two mistresses in the palace and his wife was expected to be friendly with them and whatnot. The King takes a liking to Ari and flirts with her and you're led to believe he might proposition her, but again, nothing really comes out of anything with the King and Queen. It feels like this should be book one in Ari and Ivor's journey, but I'm under the impression is this a complete story from beginning to end. It ended VERY abruptly, too. It's not a cliffhanger by any means, but it just ends suddenly. I was left with lots of questions. Maybe I'm just too used to an epilogue, but I was REALLY wanting an epilogue, maybe 1-5 years down the road that would answer my questions about whether they succeeded in their mission and if the King made any advances. Were they able to keep a distance between themselves and the pretentiousness of Court? Did they have kids? What happens with the king and his successor(s) and his health? Health problems are eluded to, but not explained or mentioned again. It was just rather annoying.
The book was SUPER long and somewhat boring, as I've already explained. Had there even been more of a conclusion, I would've given it more stars, even though I was able to put it down and walk away from it without jonesin' for more. As it is, I can't give it more than 3 stars and those are solely because I REALLY liked Ari and Ivor and their struggles with their new marriage and the shift of their relationship from friends to spouses/partners.
July 11, 2014
Originally Reviewed For: Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy
It's been a long time since I read a Jane Feather book I discovered her in the late 80's early 90's and particularly enjoyed her V series. There was something rich and in depth about her stories. Something different. But as I delved ever deeper into the world of romance Ms. Feather fell by the wayside.
I am certainly glad I took the time to rediscover Ms. Feather as Trapped at the Altar was a nice read. An enjoyable live story with some interesting plot devices. The era alone made it unique. Set in Charles II Restoration era so no recency, Victorian or wild west, in some ways a new frontier.
The Daunte's had been a family of power and position during the reign of Charles I, her grandfather a close intimate. But with the terror that was Cromwell they lost everything. Everything but their desire to survive. For decades now they have grown their wealth and power. They have smuggled, been wreckers and highwaymen. Anything to regain their wealth. But now with Charles II in power it's time to put their plan to regain their place in society in action.
Lady Ariadne Carfax is the person the plan evolves around. From childhood she has been betrothed to a member of the protestant branch of her family. Two sides at war but both wanting to claim their place in the world so both sacrificing a child to do so. Even though she is the Lord's granddaughter and the family's very existence revolves around her she been allowed to run wild in their family's valley her entire life. In some ways she was sheltered as she wasn't allowed to leave and had no clue what the outside world was like. So of course she snuck out as often as she could. On one of those forays she met the sweet, poetic Gabriel Fawcett and fell in love. Totally ignoring her betrothal, she was sure she could talk her grandfather around. That is until he decides it's time for her to wed and pushes up the agenda.
Lord Ivor Chalvont was basically sold to the Daunte branch if the family at the age if six. Taken from his loving home to be raised by the Dyante's a harsh, unyielding group with little respect for the outside world. Fortunately he has always had his best friend Air..But now they are all grown up, to be married and a mission to carry out. Everything would be fine if Air wasn't already in love with hertf poet.
A wonderful premise... and yet.
The road these two traveled to find each other was a wonderful story. Ivor had to force himself to give Ari the time she needed to realize that they had a good thing. That the friendship they had could blossom into love. Of course the chemistry helps, a lot. But it was a downfall as well did Air love him or their lovemaking?
Ari on the other hand had to really see both Gabriel and Ivor. Had to realize that what she saw in Gabriel was a child's crush on a man who was different from what she was used to. That he was soft and just not the man for her. She also had to open her eyes to what a true and wonderful man Ivor was and time away from her family showed her how truly special he was..
See, still sounds great doesn't it?
*****The following questions can be considered spoilers...read at your own discretion. But you have been warned!*****
What bothered me was the excess of outside storyline..
What did her uncle have against her? Is there something sinister there or did I just read that into things?
What is the resolution of their plan? Did the family succeed?
Does Ivor ever even see his family again?
So many unresolved questions and too much background noise.
These questions bring a likeable story down to a three star just narrowly missing a two. It was too well written for that BUT remains a disappointment for me.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Trapped at the Altar ,provided by NetGalley and scheduled for release on July 22, 2014
It's been a long time since I read a Jane Feather book I discovered her in the late 80's early 90's and particularly enjoyed her V series. There was something rich and in depth about her stories. Something different. But as I delved ever deeper into the world of romance Ms. Feather fell by the wayside.
I am certainly glad I took the time to rediscover Ms. Feather as Trapped at the Altar was a nice read. An enjoyable live story with some interesting plot devices. The era alone made it unique. Set in Charles II Restoration era so no recency, Victorian or wild west, in some ways a new frontier.
The Daunte's had been a family of power and position during the reign of Charles I, her grandfather a close intimate. But with the terror that was Cromwell they lost everything. Everything but their desire to survive. For decades now they have grown their wealth and power. They have smuggled, been wreckers and highwaymen. Anything to regain their wealth. But now with Charles II in power it's time to put their plan to regain their place in society in action.
Lady Ariadne Carfax is the person the plan evolves around. From childhood she has been betrothed to a member of the protestant branch of her family. Two sides at war but both wanting to claim their place in the world so both sacrificing a child to do so. Even though she is the Lord's granddaughter and the family's very existence revolves around her she been allowed to run wild in their family's valley her entire life. In some ways she was sheltered as she wasn't allowed to leave and had no clue what the outside world was like. So of course she snuck out as often as she could. On one of those forays she met the sweet, poetic Gabriel Fawcett and fell in love. Totally ignoring her betrothal, she was sure she could talk her grandfather around. That is until he decides it's time for her to wed and pushes up the agenda.
Lord Ivor Chalvont was basically sold to the Daunte branch if the family at the age if six. Taken from his loving home to be raised by the Dyante's a harsh, unyielding group with little respect for the outside world. Fortunately he has always had his best friend Air..But now they are all grown up, to be married and a mission to carry out. Everything would be fine if Air wasn't already in love with hertf poet.
A wonderful premise... and yet.
The road these two traveled to find each other was a wonderful story. Ivor had to force himself to give Ari the time she needed to realize that they had a good thing. That the friendship they had could blossom into love. Of course the chemistry helps, a lot. But it was a downfall as well did Air love him or their lovemaking?
Ari on the other hand had to really see both Gabriel and Ivor. Had to realize that what she saw in Gabriel was a child's crush on a man who was different from what she was used to. That he was soft and just not the man for her. She also had to open her eyes to what a true and wonderful man Ivor was and time away from her family showed her how truly special he was..
See, still sounds great doesn't it?
*****The following questions can be considered spoilers...read at your own discretion. But you have been warned!*****
What bothered me was the excess of outside storyline..
What did her uncle have against her? Is there something sinister there or did I just read that into things?
What is the resolution of their plan? Did the family succeed?
Does Ivor ever even see his family again?
So many unresolved questions and too much background noise.
These questions bring a likeable story down to a three star just narrowly missing a two. It was too well written for that BUT remains a disappointment for me.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Trapped at the Altar ,provided by NetGalley and scheduled for release on July 22, 2014
May 4, 2014
A mostly enjoyable read, Trapped at the Altar was a good historical romance. I could easily have loved this book, but for one issue. And, unfortunately, that issue ruined the book for me. But, overall, it was an okay read.
Ari...
I didn't like her. At all. I usually appreciate a heroine that is strong and knows her own mind, but, in this case, it made her unlikable. For me, the bad things started to pile up near the beginning, when she wanted to continue on with her lover after she was married. Then, I didn't like that she was mean-spirited to Ivor. Didn't those previous years of friendship mean anything? Then, the switch between loving Gabriel and loving Ivor happened way to quickly, in a way that made her seem shallow. Then, she abused Gabriel's trust, keeping very important things from him, even though she knew his trust was given carefully. And, just in general, she came off as selfish. There's really no sugar-coating it. I didn't like her. I thought both Ivor and Gabriel (who was actually very sweet and adorable) deserved better.
Now, Ivor was much better. I totally adored him. He was very sweet and much more forgiving and patient than most would expect him to be. I thought wonderful.
The romance was okay. Since I didn't like Ari, I wasn't feeling any of the sweetness. But, I will say that the heat level was steamy and that part of their relationship was well done.
The plot was well paced and I was kept interested the entire way through. The thing about this book is that I really liked the writing style and the story itself and most of the character. If it hadn't been for Ari, I probably would have loved this book, so, I would still go for this author.
Trapped at the Altar was a good historical romance. I enjoyed it, though I didn't particularly love it, and it was an overall good read. I don't think I would outright recommend it, but it might be worth looking up.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Ari...
I didn't like her. At all. I usually appreciate a heroine that is strong and knows her own mind, but, in this case, it made her unlikable. For me, the bad things started to pile up near the beginning, when she wanted to continue on with her lover after she was married. Then, I didn't like that she was mean-spirited to Ivor. Didn't those previous years of friendship mean anything? Then, the switch between loving Gabriel and loving Ivor happened way to quickly, in a way that made her seem shallow. Then, she abused Gabriel's trust, keeping very important things from him, even though she knew his trust was given carefully. And, just in general, she came off as selfish. There's really no sugar-coating it. I didn't like her. I thought both Ivor and Gabriel (who was actually very sweet and adorable) deserved better.
Now, Ivor was much better. I totally adored him. He was very sweet and much more forgiving and patient than most would expect him to be. I thought wonderful.
The romance was okay. Since I didn't like Ari, I wasn't feeling any of the sweetness. But, I will say that the heat level was steamy and that part of their relationship was well done.
The plot was well paced and I was kept interested the entire way through. The thing about this book is that I really liked the writing style and the story itself and most of the character. If it hadn't been for Ari, I probably would have loved this book, so, I would still go for this author.
Trapped at the Altar was a good historical romance. I enjoyed it, though I didn't particularly love it, and it was an overall good read. I don't think I would outright recommend it, but it might be worth looking up.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
July 25, 2014
I struggled with this book. On one hand I enjoyed the historical aspect of this book - the author definitely did her homework. That is why I love reading historical books. On the other, Ari is a spoiled brat who seems to not care that she is getting the people around her killed. And I am not sure who was trapped at the altar - I think it was poor Ivor trapped. At the beginning of the book I liked Ivor and then when the story started with her not wanting to wed him because she was in love with another I thought, WOW am I going to start not liking him and hoping for the true love. Well that never happened. I was on team Ivor all the way. But I do find it hard to believe that in the time period he would be ok with Ari not being a virgin. In the end I just didn't like it and fought to keep on finish it.
**I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
**I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
January 31, 2021
Ariadne Daunt befriends Ivor Chalfont when he is six and she is three. They grow up together and are the best of friends. Over the years, however, Ivor's friendship has changed to love. Ari believes herself in love with Gabriel Fawcetf, a poet from the neighboring valley. Ariadne 's uncle Rolf plans to uphold the betrothal between Ivor and Ari, and unit two powerful families together. Rolf Daunt wants the couple to reestablish the Daunt family in royal favor. Ivor wants more than Ari's friendship. He wants her love. But can he trust her knowing she loves another?
I found Ari immature and self-absorbed. She changes a little bit during the story's progression. Ivor is more mature, though he is only three years her senior. He knows more about the dangers of everyday life than does sheltered Ariadne. Ari believes all she can offer Ivor is a marriage of friendship since she loves Gabriel Fawcett. Time and again she betrays Ivor's trust and love, yet, he opens his heart to her each time she breaks his trust. He forgives her because he knows Ari since childhood and the type of person she is. The characterizations were well developed and the plot well thought out. The pace was slow in the beginning, but sped up quickly toward the end. I felt the ending was rushed. I thought Ivor forgave too easily the last time, but it provided a HEA for the couple. The descriptions of the clothing and setting was acceptable. The setting is during the 1600's when the Protestant and Catholic faiths warred against each other for acceptance within the royal court. This religious conflict was a backdrop to Ivor and Ariadne's relationship. It was more like a filler and it didn't really affect the action of the story.
I found Ari immature and self-absorbed. She changes a little bit during the story's progression. Ivor is more mature, though he is only three years her senior. He knows more about the dangers of everyday life than does sheltered Ariadne. Ari believes all she can offer Ivor is a marriage of friendship since she loves Gabriel Fawcett. Time and again she betrays Ivor's trust and love, yet, he opens his heart to her each time she breaks his trust. He forgives her because he knows Ari since childhood and the type of person she is. The characterizations were well developed and the plot well thought out. The pace was slow in the beginning, but sped up quickly toward the end. I felt the ending was rushed. I thought Ivor forgave too easily the last time, but it provided a HEA for the couple. The descriptions of the clothing and setting was acceptable. The setting is during the 1600's when the Protestant and Catholic faiths warred against each other for acceptance within the royal court. This religious conflict was a backdrop to Ivor and Ariadne's relationship. It was more like a filler and it didn't really affect the action of the story.
September 11, 2016
I got this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. I enjoyed the historical aspect of this book. It is set in the time of Charles II in England. The treatment of the historical facts was somewhat light, but in keeping with what I have come to expect from a Jane Feather book. The anachronisms were not great enough to pull me out of my enjoyment of the story.
This is a friends to lovers trope. Arriane and Ivor were raised together from childhood. Ivor and Ari were betrothed as young children, and Ivor was sent to Ari’s family to be raised from the age of 6. They were betrothed to end the long term feud between their two respective families. They were raised with the familial expectations that they would go to court to represent the families’ interests. Additionally, given the catholic versus protestant tensions in the country, they were betrothed so that both families could be protected by having one of each religion in the couple, so that there was some protection no matter which way the ruling monarch leaned. The Catholic Daunt family planned this carefully, and while it seemed distasteful to me, is very appropriate for the time period of the story.
Ari feels herself in love with a poet, Gabriel, and has already slept with him multiple times. They were starting to make plans to sneak Ari away to Gabriel’s family so the two lovers could remain together. But then Ari’s father dies, and this precipitates the very rapid marriage of Ari to Ivor. Duplicitous Ari is trying to plot how she can outwit the elders in her family to end up with Gabriel. Then she tells Gabriel that she can see no way out of marrying Ivor, but she wants to carry on an affair with Gabriel once she’s marrying. This headstrong and sly behavior did not endear her to me!
For the most part, Ivor was a more likeable character. We do get more of a sense of how Ivor is manipulated and constrained, and felt sorry for him throughout most of the book. He was reasonably honorable, and trying to do his best with the situation.
He also tried to shield Ari from the consequences of her thoughtless behavior. Ari was spoiled, not in a vicious way, but simply too young-seeming for her years, and without thought to how her behavior would affect others. She has not been asked to act like an adult prior to her marriage, which seemed unusual to me.
I did find it unrealistic that Ivor didn’t care that Ari wasn’t a virgin when they got married. And he did have many episodes of acting like an ass as well. I did not dislike him for the most part, as I did Ari, but I did not fall in love with him, as I like to do with my romance heroes.
There is a long and drawn out buildup to Ivor finding out that Ari has met with Gabriel behind his back. The meetings were innocent, and Ari tells Gabriel that she loves her husband and will not carry on with Gabriel.
But of course Ivor finds out about it and is livid. The build up to the supposed betrayal is so heavy handed, I can feel the foreshadowing walloping me over the head! There is also another thoughtless behavior of Ari’s that contributes to Ivor’s anger and sense of betrayal in which I sided with Ivor.
I really enjoyed Jane Feather’s books when I first started reading romance. After reading this book, I went back to my Goodreads shelf and looked at my ratings for the last years of books, and they have been consistently low. I believe that I have been buying her most recent books based upon my initial love of her earlier books. I don’t think I’ll let her trade on her good name in my buying habits much longer, though. Perhaps I’ll look for her next release in my library- I can’t give her up quite yet.
This is a friends to lovers trope. Arriane and Ivor were raised together from childhood. Ivor and Ari were betrothed as young children, and Ivor was sent to Ari’s family to be raised from the age of 6. They were betrothed to end the long term feud between their two respective families. They were raised with the familial expectations that they would go to court to represent the families’ interests. Additionally, given the catholic versus protestant tensions in the country, they were betrothed so that both families could be protected by having one of each religion in the couple, so that there was some protection no matter which way the ruling monarch leaned. The Catholic Daunt family planned this carefully, and while it seemed distasteful to me, is very appropriate for the time period of the story.
Ari feels herself in love with a poet, Gabriel, and has already slept with him multiple times. They were starting to make plans to sneak Ari away to Gabriel’s family so the two lovers could remain together. But then Ari’s father dies, and this precipitates the very rapid marriage of Ari to Ivor. Duplicitous Ari is trying to plot how she can outwit the elders in her family to end up with Gabriel. Then she tells Gabriel that she can see no way out of marrying Ivor, but she wants to carry on an affair with Gabriel once she’s marrying. This headstrong and sly behavior did not endear her to me!
For the most part, Ivor was a more likeable character. We do get more of a sense of how Ivor is manipulated and constrained, and felt sorry for him throughout most of the book. He was reasonably honorable, and trying to do his best with the situation.
“I would settle for your friendship and respect, Ariadne. Whether I can give you the latter will be up to you.”
“I could not bear to lose our friendship, Ivor,” she said softly. “We cannot let this marriage come between us.” For a moment, he looked at her in disbelief, then threw back his head with a shout of laughter. “Oh, Ariadne, only you could say something like that. Marriages are supposed to be unions, they symbolize a joining of minds and bodies, and you see ours as an instrument of division.” He clasped her hand tightly for a moment and leaned towards her. “I will not let this marriage divide us, Ari. Whether you do is entirely up to you.”
He also tried to shield Ari from the consequences of her thoughtless behavior. Ari was spoiled, not in a vicious way, but simply too young-seeming for her years, and without thought to how her behavior would affect others. She has not been asked to act like an adult prior to her marriage, which seemed unusual to me.
“There are watchers everywhere, Ari. While you were under your grandfather’s direct protection, you were safe enough from prying eyes, but no longer.” He shook his head in frustration. “You have to understand that you are no longer a free spirit in this valley, indulged and protected. You are a tool now, a means to an end.” His hands moved to take her shoulders, bringing her body around to face him. “If you will survive here, Ariadne, you will accept the position you are in now. I am in the same position, and together we must weave a path through this quagmire.
I did find it unrealistic that Ivor didn’t care that Ari wasn’t a virgin when they got married. And he did have many episodes of acting like an ass as well. I did not dislike him for the most part, as I did Ari, but I did not fall in love with him, as I like to do with my romance heroes.
There is a long and drawn out buildup to Ivor finding out that Ari has met with Gabriel behind his back. The meetings were innocent, and Ari tells Gabriel that she loves her husband and will not carry on with Gabriel.
Ivor was her partner, her true mate. It was for her to tell Gabriel the truth, to let him down gently but definitely. There could be no misunderstanding. She would not hurt him any more than she could help, but her loyalty was to Ivor.
But of course Ivor finds out about it and is livid. The build up to the supposed betrayal is so heavy handed, I can feel the foreshadowing walloping me over the head! There is also another thoughtless behavior of Ari’s that contributes to Ivor’s anger and sense of betrayal in which I sided with Ivor.
I really enjoyed Jane Feather’s books when I first started reading romance. After reading this book, I went back to my Goodreads shelf and looked at my ratings for the last years of books, and they have been consistently low. I believe that I have been buying her most recent books based upon my initial love of her earlier books. I don’t think I’ll let her trade on her good name in my buying habits much longer, though. Perhaps I’ll look for her next release in my library- I can’t give her up quite yet.
November 6, 2014
Trapped at the Altar by Jane Feather is her debut novel in the Trapped series which turns out to be my very first experience of her writing as well. The premise of this story was an interesting one. Ivor Chalfont and Ariadne Daunt had grown up together, childhood friends, their entwined fate as husband and wife decided when they were merely children. When the time of reckoning had come, Ariadne had been in love with another, so totally not ready to give herself up to Ivor who seemed perfectly at home with what is expected of him.
What could have turned out to be a delicious read somehow headed astray right from the very beginning. Jane Feather’s writing style is not one that is difficult to follow. But turns out, I had a problem with connecting to either Ivor or Ariadne. There were moments in the story where I though I might be able to fall in love with Ivor which turned out to be a couple of false alarms. If you ask me, Ivor was the lesser of the two evils where the two protagonists of the story are concerned.
Ariadne was in love with another man which was fine by me. She was reluctant to enter into a forced marriage which was yet again fine by me. And Ariadne giving up her virginity to the man she had supposedly been in love with was also fine with me. What I wasn’t fine with was the deception she lived under up till everything just pretty much exploded in her face. I felt that Ariadne was just a little bit too spoiled and selfish, and I guess rightfully so when she herself admitted to the fact towards the end of the story. Ariadne has this habit of thinking of just herself and though there forges this connection between Ivor and herself as man and wife, she has a hard time putting her trust in him and letting him know how she feels about certain things related to their marriage.
Ivor was the character I felt that could have turned the story around for the better. Ivor had everything going for him which Ariadne’s lover did not. He had the body, the charm and the sexual knowledge to seduce his wife into loving him and I don’t believe that Ivor lived up to his potential in that aspect. There is this aloofness about him or I should say a stiffness about him that seems almost unyielding. For two people who had known each other and practically grown up together as confidantes and best of friends, I had a hard time envisioning that connection between them. There were scenes where that connection seemed to materialize and then something would happen and it just went poof in the air. Somehow, I wanted more from both Ivor and Ariadne and I never got that.
The whole aspect of Ivor and Ariadne’s forced nuptials is based on both Ivor and Ariadne’s family getting their reputation back at the King’s court. There was an uninteresting storyline about Catholics and Protestants which I couldn’t get into and towards the end, a vague sense of unfinished business that lingered on regarding this particular storyline even when the book ended. I believe that the next couple of books in the series would follow that line of story to the end? But frankly I would have to say that I am just not that interested enough to find out more.
Recommended, if you are a fan of Jane Feather.
Rating = 2/5
For more reviews & quotes, visit www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
What could have turned out to be a delicious read somehow headed astray right from the very beginning. Jane Feather’s writing style is not one that is difficult to follow. But turns out, I had a problem with connecting to either Ivor or Ariadne. There were moments in the story where I though I might be able to fall in love with Ivor which turned out to be a couple of false alarms. If you ask me, Ivor was the lesser of the two evils where the two protagonists of the story are concerned.
Ariadne was in love with another man which was fine by me. She was reluctant to enter into a forced marriage which was yet again fine by me. And Ariadne giving up her virginity to the man she had supposedly been in love with was also fine with me. What I wasn’t fine with was the deception she lived under up till everything just pretty much exploded in her face. I felt that Ariadne was just a little bit too spoiled and selfish, and I guess rightfully so when she herself admitted to the fact towards the end of the story. Ariadne has this habit of thinking of just herself and though there forges this connection between Ivor and herself as man and wife, she has a hard time putting her trust in him and letting him know how she feels about certain things related to their marriage.
Ivor was the character I felt that could have turned the story around for the better. Ivor had everything going for him which Ariadne’s lover did not. He had the body, the charm and the sexual knowledge to seduce his wife into loving him and I don’t believe that Ivor lived up to his potential in that aspect. There is this aloofness about him or I should say a stiffness about him that seems almost unyielding. For two people who had known each other and practically grown up together as confidantes and best of friends, I had a hard time envisioning that connection between them. There were scenes where that connection seemed to materialize and then something would happen and it just went poof in the air. Somehow, I wanted more from both Ivor and Ariadne and I never got that.
The whole aspect of Ivor and Ariadne’s forced nuptials is based on both Ivor and Ariadne’s family getting their reputation back at the King’s court. There was an uninteresting storyline about Catholics and Protestants which I couldn’t get into and towards the end, a vague sense of unfinished business that lingered on regarding this particular storyline even when the book ended. I believe that the next couple of books in the series would follow that line of story to the end? But frankly I would have to say that I am just not that interested enough to find out more.
Recommended, if you are a fan of Jane Feather.
Rating = 2/5
For more reviews & quotes, visit www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
July 30, 2014
An intriguing tale for lovers of historical romance! Taken from my review at RomanceJunkies.com:
Ariadne ‘Ari’ Fairfax, a relative of the Daunt family, is in love with poet Gabriel Fawcett, but she has been betrothed to her childhood friend, Ivor, since they were quite young. This union is intended to unite the warring family. With her grandfather’s death, the elders ensure that the wedding takes place immediately; giving Ari little chance to protest and leaving her brokenhearted. Sending Gabriel off to protect him from her vengeful family, she makes plans to escape her husband and reunite with her lover in London, where the newlyweds are expected to rehabilitate the Daunt and Chalfant family names, returning them to their once noble status. But as they prepare for travel, Ari begins to see her husband as more than a friend.
At the age of six, Ivor Chalfant was sent to live with the Daunts. He felt out of place until one little girl, Ari, took him in hand. He has no qualms about marrying Ari, despite her proclaimed love for another man. In fact, he stands to gain much from the marriage, including a wife he loves. He and Ari have always enjoyed a solid friendship, but now he wants nothing more than to take her to his bed. Despite her claims of love for another man, Ivor does not believe it and will do whatever he has to in order to win her heart as well as her passion.
Even while feeling disloyal to Gabriel, Ari cannot help giving into the physical attraction between her and Ivor. The two men in her life could not be more different – Gabriel is a shy poet while Ivor, like the men in her clan, exudes raw power. After being around her relatives, the Daunts, she enjoys the quiet comfort of being around Gabriel, but she cannot deny the powerful chemistry she has with Ivor. Just as she finds herself falling in love with her husband, Gabriel makes his presence known in London, determined to win her back. Will Gabriel’s presence destroy the trust being built between Ari and Ivor? Which man will she choose?
An intriguing tale, TRAPPED AT THE ALTAR, the first book in a new series by bestselling author Jane Feather, is a passionate, historical romance that closely examines the matter of trust as Ari is torn between her husband and her lover. This story is set during the Monmouth Rebellion, a time when family fortunes could be won or lost over religion. Ari is Catholic and Ivor is Protestant. With the queen being a Catholic and the king publicly portrayed as a Protestant while secretly attending mass; it will take some tricky maneuvering for the newlyweds to complete their mission successfully. Will Gabriel’s presence in London destroy any progress they have made?
I could not help rooting for Ivor since Gabriel came across to me as a milquetoast. Still the story will have you guessing, even as the choice becomes more and more apparent. The big factor may come down to the trust between husband and wife, as Ivor’s trust in Ari is tested time and again. I enjoyed reading TRAPPED AT THE ALTAR and recommend it to lovers of historical romance.
Dottie, RomanceJunkies.com
Ariadne ‘Ari’ Fairfax, a relative of the Daunt family, is in love with poet Gabriel Fawcett, but she has been betrothed to her childhood friend, Ivor, since they were quite young. This union is intended to unite the warring family. With her grandfather’s death, the elders ensure that the wedding takes place immediately; giving Ari little chance to protest and leaving her brokenhearted. Sending Gabriel off to protect him from her vengeful family, she makes plans to escape her husband and reunite with her lover in London, where the newlyweds are expected to rehabilitate the Daunt and Chalfant family names, returning them to their once noble status. But as they prepare for travel, Ari begins to see her husband as more than a friend.
At the age of six, Ivor Chalfant was sent to live with the Daunts. He felt out of place until one little girl, Ari, took him in hand. He has no qualms about marrying Ari, despite her proclaimed love for another man. In fact, he stands to gain much from the marriage, including a wife he loves. He and Ari have always enjoyed a solid friendship, but now he wants nothing more than to take her to his bed. Despite her claims of love for another man, Ivor does not believe it and will do whatever he has to in order to win her heart as well as her passion.
Even while feeling disloyal to Gabriel, Ari cannot help giving into the physical attraction between her and Ivor. The two men in her life could not be more different – Gabriel is a shy poet while Ivor, like the men in her clan, exudes raw power. After being around her relatives, the Daunts, she enjoys the quiet comfort of being around Gabriel, but she cannot deny the powerful chemistry she has with Ivor. Just as she finds herself falling in love with her husband, Gabriel makes his presence known in London, determined to win her back. Will Gabriel’s presence destroy the trust being built between Ari and Ivor? Which man will she choose?
An intriguing tale, TRAPPED AT THE ALTAR, the first book in a new series by bestselling author Jane Feather, is a passionate, historical romance that closely examines the matter of trust as Ari is torn between her husband and her lover. This story is set during the Monmouth Rebellion, a time when family fortunes could be won or lost over religion. Ari is Catholic and Ivor is Protestant. With the queen being a Catholic and the king publicly portrayed as a Protestant while secretly attending mass; it will take some tricky maneuvering for the newlyweds to complete their mission successfully. Will Gabriel’s presence in London destroy any progress they have made?
I could not help rooting for Ivor since Gabriel came across to me as a milquetoast. Still the story will have you guessing, even as the choice becomes more and more apparent. The big factor may come down to the trust between husband and wife, as Ivor’s trust in Ari is tested time and again. I enjoyed reading TRAPPED AT THE ALTAR and recommend it to lovers of historical romance.
Dottie, RomanceJunkies.com
July 17, 2014
Well...it ended. Really? Not positive, but thought so. Kept looking for an epilogue? Maybe my review copy dropped it somehow?
The story of Ivor Chalfont and Ariadne Daunt is an interesting one given that their families are rivals but through an old agreement, the Chalfont's agree to hand over their young son, Ivor, so he can be betrothed to Ariadne and unite their families and regain their standing with the King who banished them, I guess, to the West Country where the Daunt's have been existing by smuggling and exhorting riches from others. Many questions occur with this premise - why are the families using their kids and waiting 20 years to do this? Doesn't this seem like a thin plan given the families haven't exactly been upstanding citizens? This would have been nice to know, but no detail given.
The book mainly revolves around the conflict between Ivor and Ariadne who have grown up together as best friends with this knowledge that they are to be married someday, although Ariadne seems to have had memory loss on this point. She falls in love with a boy who doesn't live in the valley, in other words, not of their kind, and feels she can never love another. However, she is forced to marry Ivor (hence the title) and start on the quest that takes them to the King's court in London. We navigate through the rough patches that Ivor and Ariadne face regarding the consummation of their marriage and sexual frustration while Gabriel plans to be in London to get Ariadne back.
The attraction between Ariadne and Ivor is a good one and I was rooting for Ivor to hang in there and be patient with Ariadne, that she'll come around. The sex scenes were only a long paragraph, where I prefer a bit more lead up to, during, and after description, or at least several scenes which there were a few.
It is when they are in London, that things start to come together regarding the love triangle between Ivor, Ariadne and Gabriel, in addition to Ivor and Ariadne beginning their family mission and make inroads in achieving their goal of getting invited to court. Yet, the only conclusion given is the resolution of the love triangle and happily ever after for Ivor and Ariadne. It is glaringly obvious that there is more to know regarding the family mission, yet there is no mention of it at all. I was shocked to find that my book ended - 100% done really?
I guess I will never know if they were successful in their mission, if their families' standing was restored, or if they had children. It seems odd to have a sequel as the ending here wasn't set up that way and an epilogue chapter would probably do. It's too bad it had to end hanging like that, as I have to give it 2 stars and while not quite a 4 star book, I would have given it a fair, in the middle, rating.
Digital Review Copy provided by NetGalley.
The story of Ivor Chalfont and Ariadne Daunt is an interesting one given that their families are rivals but through an old agreement, the Chalfont's agree to hand over their young son, Ivor, so he can be betrothed to Ariadne and unite their families and regain their standing with the King who banished them, I guess, to the West Country where the Daunt's have been existing by smuggling and exhorting riches from others. Many questions occur with this premise - why are the families using their kids and waiting 20 years to do this? Doesn't this seem like a thin plan given the families haven't exactly been upstanding citizens? This would have been nice to know, but no detail given.
The book mainly revolves around the conflict between Ivor and Ariadne who have grown up together as best friends with this knowledge that they are to be married someday, although Ariadne seems to have had memory loss on this point. She falls in love with a boy who doesn't live in the valley, in other words, not of their kind, and feels she can never love another. However, she is forced to marry Ivor (hence the title) and start on the quest that takes them to the King's court in London. We navigate through the rough patches that Ivor and Ariadne face regarding the consummation of their marriage and sexual frustration while Gabriel plans to be in London to get Ariadne back.
The attraction between Ariadne and Ivor is a good one and I was rooting for Ivor to hang in there and be patient with Ariadne, that she'll come around. The sex scenes were only a long paragraph, where I prefer a bit more lead up to, during, and after description, or at least several scenes which there were a few.
It is when they are in London, that things start to come together regarding the love triangle between Ivor, Ariadne and Gabriel, in addition to Ivor and Ariadne beginning their family mission and make inroads in achieving their goal of getting invited to court. Yet, the only conclusion given is the resolution of the love triangle and happily ever after for Ivor and Ariadne. It is glaringly obvious that there is more to know regarding the family mission, yet there is no mention of it at all. I was shocked to find that my book ended - 100% done really?
I guess I will never know if they were successful in their mission, if their families' standing was restored, or if they had children. It seems odd to have a sequel as the ending here wasn't set up that way and an epilogue chapter would probably do. It's too bad it had to end hanging like that, as I have to give it 2 stars and while not quite a 4 star book, I would have given it a fair, in the middle, rating.
Digital Review Copy provided by NetGalley.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2014
Clan duty vs love!
1684. Seeking to restore the Daunt family's place at the court of King Charles, the patriarch of this renegade Somerset clan hatches a long reaching plot. His granddaughter is to marry his hostage ward, Ivor Chalfont to ensure peace between two powerful clans. Decided on when both were children, this idea certainly doesn't fit well with his wild cap granddaughter Ariadne. Ari has plans and a true love of her own, her poet lover Gabriel, so different from the raw power of the men of her clan. 'Ivor was a warrior, Gabriel a misty-eyed poet.'
When her grandfather dies Ari finds herself forced into the long standing agreement by her uncle, the new clan leader. Her immediate marriage with Ivor is followed closely by being whisked away to London and the court of Prince Charles, where intrigue is rife and deception is the norm. The clan's future is at stake and Ari and Ivor must play their assigned roles with care. To do that they must play both sides of the religious game, Catholic and Protestant. A very narrow path indeed.
I must admit Ari seems uncaring and self centred in the beginning. Well being forced down a path you don't want to take might make you like that. Her outlook does change as the story unfolds.
Meanwhile, Gabriel has other ideas and follows Ari, his muse, his true love to London, hoping to rescue her. That's where it all unravels. Suddenly, in this new situation both men seem very different. Ari has decisions to make and her poet lover is so persistent. As for Ivor Chalfont, her childhood companion, he has grown into a strong and patient man who maybe suits her more than she ever dreamed.
An enjoyable and different read.
A NetGalley ARC
1684. Seeking to restore the Daunt family's place at the court of King Charles, the patriarch of this renegade Somerset clan hatches a long reaching plot. His granddaughter is to marry his hostage ward, Ivor Chalfont to ensure peace between two powerful clans. Decided on when both were children, this idea certainly doesn't fit well with his wild cap granddaughter Ariadne. Ari has plans and a true love of her own, her poet lover Gabriel, so different from the raw power of the men of her clan. 'Ivor was a warrior, Gabriel a misty-eyed poet.'
When her grandfather dies Ari finds herself forced into the long standing agreement by her uncle, the new clan leader. Her immediate marriage with Ivor is followed closely by being whisked away to London and the court of Prince Charles, where intrigue is rife and deception is the norm. The clan's future is at stake and Ari and Ivor must play their assigned roles with care. To do that they must play both sides of the religious game, Catholic and Protestant. A very narrow path indeed.
I must admit Ari seems uncaring and self centred in the beginning. Well being forced down a path you don't want to take might make you like that. Her outlook does change as the story unfolds.
Meanwhile, Gabriel has other ideas and follows Ari, his muse, his true love to London, hoping to rescue her. That's where it all unravels. Suddenly, in this new situation both men seem very different. Ari has decisions to make and her poet lover is so persistent. As for Ivor Chalfont, her childhood companion, he has grown into a strong and patient man who maybe suits her more than she ever dreamed.
An enjoyable and different read.
A NetGalley ARC
July 6, 2014
Ari and Ivor have been betrothed since childhood. Ari didn't care and went about her business with no thought to how it would affect her future. Ivor does his duty, but also loves her. They are both thrown into sudden marriage, cast out of the country, and into London.
For a period romance it is immediately apparent that the author has done the research and is knowledgeable. I am not. As a reader I had a difficult time getting past unusual words. Even knowing the context I was forced to look up many to understand what was happening in the story and to picture it. I like learning new things as I read but not to the extent that the story line stalls. The romance was ok - not great. The sex had potential but felt cut short in every instance. The plot line around the romance fell short. It had the feel of a short story being stretched but still incomplete.
A lot of repetition by the author. Editing could have chopped quite a few pages by looking at places where Ari (especially) had thoughts in her head and then repeated them almost verbatim in conversation a page later.
For a period romance it is immediately apparent that the author has done the research and is knowledgeable. I am not. As a reader I had a difficult time getting past unusual words. Even knowing the context I was forced to look up many to understand what was happening in the story and to picture it. I like learning new things as I read but not to the extent that the story line stalls. The romance was ok - not great. The sex had potential but felt cut short in every instance. The plot line around the romance fell short. It had the feel of a short story being stretched but still incomplete.
A lot of repetition by the author. Editing could have chopped quite a few pages by looking at places where Ari (especially) had thoughts in her head and then repeated them almost verbatim in conversation a page later.
January 29, 2015
For Ariande Duant she does not want the agreed upon marriage to childhood friend Ivor Cahalfont, her heart belongs to another. Ivor believes that with time Ariande will come to love him, but Ariande is proving to be irrational when it comes to honoring her grandfathers wishes. Trust is tested and Ivor wants a real marriage with his wife, but will Ariande be willing to give their marriage the opportunity it deserves.
Full review on Single Titles
http://singletitles.com/?p=10425
Full review on Single Titles
http://singletitles.com/?p=10425
June 28, 2014
Overall I liked this book. I really liked Ari's spunk and tenaciousness. She was definitely a woman ahead of her time. This is really a story about her finding true love and growing as a woman and a wife. She makes so many mistakes but really means no harm. The plot was smooth and kept me wanting to read the book which I was able to finish in a little over a day. I recommend this book.
July 23, 2018
Ari and Ivor have been friends since they were children but Ari is not happy when she is ordered by her family to marry Ivor to secure her family’s security and standing with the King. Ari believes she is in love with another man and has no qualms about telling Ivor her heart belongs to another. Ivor accepts his responsibility to the family and marries Ari but believes her feelings will change and he will win her heart.
I found this story very interesting in that Ari is not a virginal maiden. She has given her body and heart to another man; a man she is not married to. Very taboo in this historical setting, as marriages are contracts and the bride’s purity is an important part of the arrangement. I found it interesting that Ivor goes through with the marriage despite knowing Ari has given herself to another and he keeps that secret between them. I really admired that as this story could have had a completely different outcome.
The only real problem I had with this story is with Ari. She is self-centered and selfish in the beginning. She appears to be a little fickle in how quickly she gets over Gabriel and realizes she loves Ivor. I enjoyed watching her squirm a little bit when Gabriel appears in London and she is filled with anxiety how she will address the situation. It is resolved not how I thought it would, but, again, Ivor deserves the credit for doing the right thing. I liked Ari, but she needed to do a lot of growing up and with Ivor, she is well on her way.
My Final Verdict: Though Ari starts off as very immature and headstrong, she develops into a proper noblewoman doing what her family expects of her. I thought Ivor was an excellent character and I liked that he accepts the challenge of marriage to Ari and winning her love and doesn’t look back. Fans of historical romances will enjoy the backdrop of the court of King Charles II.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Trapped At The Altar from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I found this story very interesting in that Ari is not a virginal maiden. She has given her body and heart to another man; a man she is not married to. Very taboo in this historical setting, as marriages are contracts and the bride’s purity is an important part of the arrangement. I found it interesting that Ivor goes through with the marriage despite knowing Ari has given herself to another and he keeps that secret between them. I really admired that as this story could have had a completely different outcome.
The only real problem I had with this story is with Ari. She is self-centered and selfish in the beginning. She appears to be a little fickle in how quickly she gets over Gabriel and realizes she loves Ivor. I enjoyed watching her squirm a little bit when Gabriel appears in London and she is filled with anxiety how she will address the situation. It is resolved not how I thought it would, but, again, Ivor deserves the credit for doing the right thing. I liked Ari, but she needed to do a lot of growing up and with Ivor, she is well on her way.
My Final Verdict: Though Ari starts off as very immature and headstrong, she develops into a proper noblewoman doing what her family expects of her. I thought Ivor was an excellent character and I liked that he accepts the challenge of marriage to Ari and winning her love and doesn’t look back. Fans of historical romances will enjoy the backdrop of the court of King Charles II.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Trapped At The Altar from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
March 28, 2023
The only thing I liked about this book is that the heroine was brave.
July 27, 2014
Historical romance set in the 1600's.
3.5 to 4 stars!
Why 3.5 to 4 stars , well because I am still unsure as to wether I like our heroine , Ari Daunt ! Ari is a strong heroine but to me she comes across as selfish several times through the book, granted she grew up in Daunt Valley, sheltered from the outside world, raised by her grandfather after her parents death. Her grandfather being an Earl and in charge of the Daunts ; Ari was left to do as he pleased with no one to answer to but her Grandfather who tended to favor her and give in easily.
What I liked, well was Ari's freind , husband and lover , Ivor Chalfont ! Ivor was brought to Daunt valley at the age of 6 to be raised with the Daunts in perpetration for marriage to afar as a means of joining to two arms of a family separated by choice of faith , the daunts being Catholic and out of favor with the Kings politics ,bwhich is what forced the into seclusion to begin with and the Chalfont side of the family Protestant . Ari and Ivor grew up in each others pockets great freinds and confidants , so for Ari to share with Ivor her love of an outsider she met in the meadows above the valley Gabriel Fawcett a farmers son and poet was normal . Till everything changed, Ari's grandfather passes away, her uncle takes over and demands that Ivor and Ari marry , and begin the process of getting in the good graces with the king and his court . Ivor 's role has changed , he is being pushed by Ari's uncle and the council to be her guardian and take charge of her; Ari unused to being controlled by anyone pushes the limits with Ivor , never mind the fct that he outright tells him she does not want to marry him, she wants Gabriiel , she hurts Ivor because for him since he was six Ari has been his world.
Received this Arc from Netgalley for an honest review!
The very day of her Wedding, of course she did not know her uncle would force her and Ivor to marry at the wake feast of her grandfather , she spends in a tryst with Gabreil and then sends him away for his own safety, but he vows to follow her to London and take her away, Ari does not discourage him.
Ivor is aware or at least suspects that Ari does not come to him as a virgin so he plans at deceiving her uncle and the council , but outright tells Ari they will not consummate the marriage until he is sure that she does not carry Gabriel's child. Throughout the story Ivor goes out of his way to protect and forge sometyoe if marriage with Ari , she unfortunately , lies to him, continues to take decisions into her own hands instead of sharing them with him.
So like I said hard for me to get on board with Ari.
Ii leave you with the question, can Ivor and Ari come to love one another? Can they bring the family back into the crowns good graces? Will Ari and Gabriel run off together? Will Ari stop lying to Ivor and share her thoughts? The answer to these questions await within. Tell me your thoughts on Ari's character .
3.5 to 4 stars!
Why 3.5 to 4 stars , well because I am still unsure as to wether I like our heroine , Ari Daunt ! Ari is a strong heroine but to me she comes across as selfish several times through the book, granted she grew up in Daunt Valley, sheltered from the outside world, raised by her grandfather after her parents death. Her grandfather being an Earl and in charge of the Daunts ; Ari was left to do as he pleased with no one to answer to but her Grandfather who tended to favor her and give in easily.
What I liked, well was Ari's freind , husband and lover , Ivor Chalfont ! Ivor was brought to Daunt valley at the age of 6 to be raised with the Daunts in perpetration for marriage to afar as a means of joining to two arms of a family separated by choice of faith , the daunts being Catholic and out of favor with the Kings politics ,bwhich is what forced the into seclusion to begin with and the Chalfont side of the family Protestant . Ari and Ivor grew up in each others pockets great freinds and confidants , so for Ari to share with Ivor her love of an outsider she met in the meadows above the valley Gabriel Fawcett a farmers son and poet was normal . Till everything changed, Ari's grandfather passes away, her uncle takes over and demands that Ivor and Ari marry , and begin the process of getting in the good graces with the king and his court . Ivor 's role has changed , he is being pushed by Ari's uncle and the council to be her guardian and take charge of her; Ari unused to being controlled by anyone pushes the limits with Ivor , never mind the fct that he outright tells him she does not want to marry him, she wants Gabriiel , she hurts Ivor because for him since he was six Ari has been his world.
Received this Arc from Netgalley for an honest review!
The very day of her Wedding, of course she did not know her uncle would force her and Ivor to marry at the wake feast of her grandfather , she spends in a tryst with Gabreil and then sends him away for his own safety, but he vows to follow her to London and take her away, Ari does not discourage him.
Ivor is aware or at least suspects that Ari does not come to him as a virgin so he plans at deceiving her uncle and the council , but outright tells Ari they will not consummate the marriage until he is sure that she does not carry Gabriel's child. Throughout the story Ivor goes out of his way to protect and forge sometyoe if marriage with Ari , she unfortunately , lies to him, continues to take decisions into her own hands instead of sharing them with him.
So like I said hard for me to get on board with Ari.
Ii leave you with the question, can Ivor and Ari come to love one another? Can they bring the family back into the crowns good graces? Will Ari and Gabriel run off together? Will Ari stop lying to Ivor and share her thoughts? The answer to these questions await within. Tell me your thoughts on Ari's character .
July 21, 2014
First Thoughts: This one sounded really interesting but I just couldn't get into it.
This one sounded interested when I decided to review it and at the beginning I liked it but then it gets bogged down with the traveling to London and I realized I wasn't that interested in the characters.
The Daunts use to be part of Court but with a protestant king the Catholics were ran off and the Daunts became powerful thugs. They have always wanted their place back at Court so Ari's grandfather betrothed her to her cousin Ivor who is from a protestant background. The two families hope that the young couple can go to London and rise up into Court.
The only problem with this idea is that Ari is in love with Gabriel a poet. She loves Ivor for a friend as they have grown up together but she never thought of his as a husband. She only agreed to be betrothed because she thought it would give her more time to convince her grandfather that she loved Gabriel. Then her grandfather dies and her uncle who knows about her dalliance decides to go ahead and rush things along and marry her to Ivor before she can even think of a way out.
Ari is sort of a spoiled brat and she is very mean-hearted to Ivor through the beginning of their marriage. I know that she didn't want to be married to him but it's not his fault. He didn't have a lot of choice in the matter either, but the only difference for him is that he really does love Ari. She hates seeing him go to a whorehouse but she has no right to complain, she tells him she is in love with someone else when they are married. I just never really cared a lot for Ari even though she does start to behave a bit better in the middle of the book.
Ivor, is a sweet guy but he just never grabbed my attention. He puts up with Ari's actions a little bit better than I would have if I was him. She is lucky she was married to Ivor because anyone else would have treated her a lot different. That being said I think because he was so sweet was the reason I didn't really care for him. He let her get away with to many things, especially when they have a lot at stake.
Gabriel, well lets jut say I have no clue what she ever seen in that man. He was a real wimp and I was glad that she decided that their little trollop was just a childish love. Though Gabriel doesn't take no very well.
Over all I just wasn't in love with any of these characters and so this one just didn't click for me. Historical romances are my favorites usually, but something was missing from this one and I just can't put my finger on it. I have seen some reviews of those who really loved it and ones that didn't so this one seems to be just a hit and miss with readers.
This one sounded interested when I decided to review it and at the beginning I liked it but then it gets bogged down with the traveling to London and I realized I wasn't that interested in the characters.
The Daunts use to be part of Court but with a protestant king the Catholics were ran off and the Daunts became powerful thugs. They have always wanted their place back at Court so Ari's grandfather betrothed her to her cousin Ivor who is from a protestant background. The two families hope that the young couple can go to London and rise up into Court.
The only problem with this idea is that Ari is in love with Gabriel a poet. She loves Ivor for a friend as they have grown up together but she never thought of his as a husband. She only agreed to be betrothed because she thought it would give her more time to convince her grandfather that she loved Gabriel. Then her grandfather dies and her uncle who knows about her dalliance decides to go ahead and rush things along and marry her to Ivor before she can even think of a way out.
Ari is sort of a spoiled brat and she is very mean-hearted to Ivor through the beginning of their marriage. I know that she didn't want to be married to him but it's not his fault. He didn't have a lot of choice in the matter either, but the only difference for him is that he really does love Ari. She hates seeing him go to a whorehouse but she has no right to complain, she tells him she is in love with someone else when they are married. I just never really cared a lot for Ari even though she does start to behave a bit better in the middle of the book.
Ivor, is a sweet guy but he just never grabbed my attention. He puts up with Ari's actions a little bit better than I would have if I was him. She is lucky she was married to Ivor because anyone else would have treated her a lot different. That being said I think because he was so sweet was the reason I didn't really care for him. He let her get away with to many things, especially when they have a lot at stake.
Gabriel, well lets jut say I have no clue what she ever seen in that man. He was a real wimp and I was glad that she decided that their little trollop was just a childish love. Though Gabriel doesn't take no very well.
Over all I just wasn't in love with any of these characters and so this one just didn't click for me. Historical romances are my favorites usually, but something was missing from this one and I just can't put my finger on it. I have seen some reviews of those who really loved it and ones that didn't so this one seems to be just a hit and miss with readers.
July 8, 2015
Originally posted on Tales to Tide You Over
Ariadne and Ivor conduct a drawn-out dance of tangled emotions: love, distrust, and anger in Trapped at the Altar. The premise of her being in love with another man but forced to marry Ivor made the beginning awkward for me. Gabriel did not suit her, but who is to say with true love?
That made me wonder if I would enjoy this book, but she matures a lot throughout the story, and at the same time stays true to her nature though it works against her. Ivor is a little more rigid. He sheds his childhood in an instant, but carries his fears with him like a blessing.
This is an odd book with things hinted at that do not reach their point, which makes sense as the start of an epic historical saga, but the book is styled as a romance, so I was a little thrown. In structure and story, there are also marked weaknesses while there were several times when the details didn’t match my knowledge of the time period, like the use of modernish card game metaphors.
So why am I telling you about it when I only bother to review books that worked for me?
The characters are complex and well written, especially Ari, who comes to understand not just herself but others through the course of the novel. The novel offers a rolling third POV, handing the reins off to minor or short-term characters as well as the main two, but each character is full-blooded with both weaknesses and strengths enough to carry me along.
I will forgive much for characters who make me want to see them work through their tangles, and Jane Feather definitely offered those. Not only that, but as a saga, this novel provides a good setup with the potential for further complexity as Ivor and Ariadne figure out how to navigate the court and the balance between two conflicting religions (Protestant and Catholic). To be honest, I’m not quite sure where it’s going after this, but I am intrigued by the possibilities laid out and would happily spend more time with Ariadne and Ivor as they decide how to navigate the spear pit they’ve been suspended above for the good of their families and their own future.
I will note that the sexual aspect is explicit and has dominance overtones, but it is also key to the story as Ariadne learns, both physically and in her heart, what it is to love a man who is her equal.
P.S. I received this title from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Ariadne and Ivor conduct a drawn-out dance of tangled emotions: love, distrust, and anger in Trapped at the Altar. The premise of her being in love with another man but forced to marry Ivor made the beginning awkward for me. Gabriel did not suit her, but who is to say with true love?
That made me wonder if I would enjoy this book, but she matures a lot throughout the story, and at the same time stays true to her nature though it works against her. Ivor is a little more rigid. He sheds his childhood in an instant, but carries his fears with him like a blessing.
This is an odd book with things hinted at that do not reach their point, which makes sense as the start of an epic historical saga, but the book is styled as a romance, so I was a little thrown. In structure and story, there are also marked weaknesses while there were several times when the details didn’t match my knowledge of the time period, like the use of modernish card game metaphors.
So why am I telling you about it when I only bother to review books that worked for me?
The characters are complex and well written, especially Ari, who comes to understand not just herself but others through the course of the novel. The novel offers a rolling third POV, handing the reins off to minor or short-term characters as well as the main two, but each character is full-blooded with both weaknesses and strengths enough to carry me along.
I will forgive much for characters who make me want to see them work through their tangles, and Jane Feather definitely offered those. Not only that, but as a saga, this novel provides a good setup with the potential for further complexity as Ivor and Ariadne figure out how to navigate the court and the balance between two conflicting religions (Protestant and Catholic). To be honest, I’m not quite sure where it’s going after this, but I am intrigued by the possibilities laid out and would happily spend more time with Ariadne and Ivor as they decide how to navigate the spear pit they’ve been suspended above for the good of their families and their own future.
I will note that the sexual aspect is explicit and has dominance overtones, but it is also key to the story as Ariadne learns, both physically and in her heart, what it is to love a man who is her equal.
P.S. I received this title from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
October 15, 2014
3-1/2*
Ariadne Daunt has all her life, had the freedom and independence because of her beloved grandfather the Lord of Daunt. During her wanderings she met and fell in love with Gabriel Fawcett and vowed to be with him. Unfortunately on her grandfather’s deathbed he decreed that she marry her childhood friend Ivor Chalfont, forging a powerful alliance between the two warring families. In fact, her uncle Rolf who was now the new head of the Daunts, demanded that Ari be married at once, giving her no time to protest as the elders planned her nuptials. Although Ari had always been fond of Ivor, her childhood friend, she had no plans to consummate the nuptials thinking that when she had the chance she would run away with Gabriel. But as plans sometimes did not come to fruition, Ari’s plans took a distinct detour once Ivor began to charm his bride, and passion became all-consuming for both parties.
*** As I’ve always found, Ms. Feather writes a fully descriptive and often sensual story, and with TRAPPED AT THE ALTAR, she captured my imagination and attention. While I wasn’t quite sure as to whether I liked Ari, I absolutely fell in love with Ivor. Ivor, knew of Ari’s indiscretions and having loved her all his life, he would do his duty and marry for the good of the two warring families. However, he was not stupid and knowing of her indiscretion would bide his time before consummation of their wedding knowing that she had lost her virginity before they married.
Ari on the other hand had not only given her heart away, but also her virginity. She was in the beginning keeping many secrets from her friend and husband Ivor who in spite of knowing was still a most honorable and loving man. Ari’s secrets were many but she did comply with the plans of working together with Ivor in cultivating a bond to get into both the royals good graces. Specifically, the two religions that separated the King and Queen – he being Protestant and his wife being Catholic.
The story itself while having some wonderfully sensual areas delivered in all aspects touching on the politics of the day; the historical; and especially Ari’s secrets as she was slowly falling in love with her best friend and now husband. Does her lover show up in the story? Yes. Does she hold true to her heart and make the right decision? Guess you have to read the book and discover that for yourself.
Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com
Ariadne Daunt has all her life, had the freedom and independence because of her beloved grandfather the Lord of Daunt. During her wanderings she met and fell in love with Gabriel Fawcett and vowed to be with him. Unfortunately on her grandfather’s deathbed he decreed that she marry her childhood friend Ivor Chalfont, forging a powerful alliance between the two warring families. In fact, her uncle Rolf who was now the new head of the Daunts, demanded that Ari be married at once, giving her no time to protest as the elders planned her nuptials. Although Ari had always been fond of Ivor, her childhood friend, she had no plans to consummate the nuptials thinking that when she had the chance she would run away with Gabriel. But as plans sometimes did not come to fruition, Ari’s plans took a distinct detour once Ivor began to charm his bride, and passion became all-consuming for both parties.
*** As I’ve always found, Ms. Feather writes a fully descriptive and often sensual story, and with TRAPPED AT THE ALTAR, she captured my imagination and attention. While I wasn’t quite sure as to whether I liked Ari, I absolutely fell in love with Ivor. Ivor, knew of Ari’s indiscretions and having loved her all his life, he would do his duty and marry for the good of the two warring families. However, he was not stupid and knowing of her indiscretion would bide his time before consummation of their wedding knowing that she had lost her virginity before they married.
Ari on the other hand had not only given her heart away, but also her virginity. She was in the beginning keeping many secrets from her friend and husband Ivor who in spite of knowing was still a most honorable and loving man. Ari’s secrets were many but she did comply with the plans of working together with Ivor in cultivating a bond to get into both the royals good graces. Specifically, the two religions that separated the King and Queen – he being Protestant and his wife being Catholic.
The story itself while having some wonderfully sensual areas delivered in all aspects touching on the politics of the day; the historical; and especially Ari’s secrets as she was slowly falling in love with her best friend and now husband. Does her lover show up in the story? Yes. Does she hold true to her heart and make the right decision? Guess you have to read the book and discover that for yourself.
Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com
September 11, 2014
Feather's book is an enjoyable historical read, however there are a few things holding it off getting more than three stars...
Firstly, it is hard to love the main character, Ariadne, especially at first as she comes across as incessantly naive, stubborn and spoilt. Believing herself to be in love with Gabriel, a poet from a nearby settlement, Ari refuses to commit to her relationship with Ivor and does begin to grate on the nerves at some points, especially in the face of the gentle patience she is consistently offered. For himself, Ivor is much easier to like as a character; Feather gives us some great insights into his thoughts and his devotion and understanding of Ari is sure to melt many a reader's heart.
Ivor and Ari's relationship is a solid friendship from the beginning, which is a pleasant element to their tale, and we get to accompany the character's on their slow journey to romance. Occasionally, this journey could be a little too slow and it is a while before we do get to focus on the relationship of our leads, but there is enough interest in the scheming of the novel to keep readers interested up until that point. The ending, in contrast, was perhaps a bit too abrupt for me and we left the characters too soon after the revelation of their secrets.
What I did love about the book was the setting. The 1600s isn't an era that gets a lot of attention from historical romance authors who tend to stick to the ever popular Regency era, alongside the occasional foray into the Victorian age. Trapped at the Altar's setting was different enough and detailed enough for it to be refreshing and add that little bit of extra interest for the reader.
Overall, I did quite enjoy Trapped at the Altar, a nice romance with a great slow evolution that leaves plenty of opportunities for some sweet moments, as well as those more spicy. With a refreshing setting and some really well developed characters I'd happily recommend the novel to anyone who likes their characters to work a bit for their HEA.
Full review at Rosie Reads Romance
*ARC received in return for an honest review. Trapped at the Altar is published by Pocket Books and is available now.
Firstly, it is hard to love the main character, Ariadne, especially at first as she comes across as incessantly naive, stubborn and spoilt. Believing herself to be in love with Gabriel, a poet from a nearby settlement, Ari refuses to commit to her relationship with Ivor and does begin to grate on the nerves at some points, especially in the face of the gentle patience she is consistently offered. For himself, Ivor is much easier to like as a character; Feather gives us some great insights into his thoughts and his devotion and understanding of Ari is sure to melt many a reader's heart.
Ivor and Ari's relationship is a solid friendship from the beginning, which is a pleasant element to their tale, and we get to accompany the character's on their slow journey to romance. Occasionally, this journey could be a little too slow and it is a while before we do get to focus on the relationship of our leads, but there is enough interest in the scheming of the novel to keep readers interested up until that point. The ending, in contrast, was perhaps a bit too abrupt for me and we left the characters too soon after the revelation of their secrets.
What I did love about the book was the setting. The 1600s isn't an era that gets a lot of attention from historical romance authors who tend to stick to the ever popular Regency era, alongside the occasional foray into the Victorian age. Trapped at the Altar's setting was different enough and detailed enough for it to be refreshing and add that little bit of extra interest for the reader.
Overall, I did quite enjoy Trapped at the Altar, a nice romance with a great slow evolution that leaves plenty of opportunities for some sweet moments, as well as those more spicy. With a refreshing setting and some really well developed characters I'd happily recommend the novel to anyone who likes their characters to work a bit for their HEA.
Full review at Rosie Reads Romance
*ARC received in return for an honest review. Trapped at the Altar is published by Pocket Books and is available now.
May 31, 2014
The first thing that I have to mention is that the synopsis NEEDS to be changed. Her name was NOT Ariadne "Ari" Carfax, it was Ariadne "Ari" DAUNT. I assume this error was due to the fact that Carfax was perhaps her original surname, but in the version I was given,her surname (and obviously that of her family) was Daunt, and I must admit its very discouraging to see it printed wrong.
Secondly, there was a few inconsistencies with this novel that caught my attention whilst reading it. To start with, there were numerous instances of two words being used side by side that should not be there. One instance that I remember clearly was the passage that read "Face it, Ari. Accept it. We will be married this day week". This lead to confusion for me as a reader. Would they be wed this day? This week? This day next week?
Another word that stuck out like a sore thumb was when Ari (whilst speaking to Ivor) says, "You sound like my pimp". I am full aware of there being brothels during this time period, but not once have I ever heard the word pimp used in another historical or regency romance. It was like a bucket of cold water had been thrown over me, shattering the illusion that I was there with the couple.
As far as the story itself... I didn't love it, I didn't exactly hate it. There were some scenes where the characters really stuck out to me, like when Ari came to the aid of her husband and their men during an attack, but for the most part there was just too much going on. On one hand this was a novel about a couple finding the balance between love and friendship, then there was the part about them reclaiming their family name(s) and reestablishing them in society. And then there was the third (and less talked about aspect) which was Ari's original love and plans with Gabriel (the poet she had loved at the start). I feel like the author tried to weave too many story-lines into one novel causing confusion, all cultivating in a rather abrupt and unfinished (at least to me) ending.
DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has NOT altered or changed my review in any way. All thoughts expressed in this review are 100% my own.
Secondly, there was a few inconsistencies with this novel that caught my attention whilst reading it. To start with, there were numerous instances of two words being used side by side that should not be there. One instance that I remember clearly was the passage that read "Face it, Ari. Accept it. We will be married this day week". This lead to confusion for me as a reader. Would they be wed this day? This week? This day next week?
Another word that stuck out like a sore thumb was when Ari (whilst speaking to Ivor) says, "You sound like my pimp". I am full aware of there being brothels during this time period, but not once have I ever heard the word pimp used in another historical or regency romance. It was like a bucket of cold water had been thrown over me, shattering the illusion that I was there with the couple.
As far as the story itself... I didn't love it, I didn't exactly hate it. There were some scenes where the characters really stuck out to me, like when Ari came to the aid of her husband and their men during an attack, but for the most part there was just too much going on. On one hand this was a novel about a couple finding the balance between love and friendship, then there was the part about them reclaiming their family name(s) and reestablishing them in society. And then there was the third (and less talked about aspect) which was Ari's original love and plans with Gabriel (the poet she had loved at the start). I feel like the author tried to weave too many story-lines into one novel causing confusion, all cultivating in a rather abrupt and unfinished (at least to me) ending.
DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has NOT altered or changed my review in any way. All thoughts expressed in this review are 100% my own.
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