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Montgomery/Taggert: Publication order #3
Копринена ласка
Красивата Алисия Макаран е глава на влиятелен и могъщ шотландски клан. Но крал Хенри издава заповед да я хванат и омъжат за англичанина Стивън Аскот. Така кралят смята да разшири влиянието си върху шотландците, поставяйки начело на най-силния им клан свой човек. Алисия обаче мрази всички англичани.
И не иска нито да предаде властта си, нито да се подчини на натрапен мъж. Но се влюбва в него…
„Това е история за гордост, предразсъдъци и вкоренени традиции. История за истинската любов и как тя може да съществува, въпреки различията.“
Amazon
И не иска нито да предаде властта си, нито да се подчини на натрапен мъж. Но се влюбва в него…
„Това е история за гордост, предразсъдъци и вкоренени традиции. История за истинската любов и как тя може да съществува, въпреки различията.“
Amazon
263 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
525 people are currently reading
4123 people want to read
About the author
Jude Deveraux
199 books7,041 followersJude Gilliam was born September 20, 1947 in Fairdale, Kentucky. She has a large extended family and is the elder sister of four brothers. She attended Murray State University and received a degree in Art. In 1967, Jude married and took her husband's surname of White, but four years later they divorced. For years, she worked as 5th-grade teacher.
She began writing in 1976, and published her first book, The Enchanted Land (1977) under the name Jude Deveraux. Following the publication of her first novel, she resigned her teaching position. Now, she is the author of 31 New York Times bestsellers.
Jude won readers' hearts with the epic Velvet series, which revolves around the lives of the Montgomery family's irresistible men. Jude's early books are set largely in 15th- and 16th-century England; in them her fierce, impassioned protagonists find themselves in the midst of blood feuds and wars. Her heroines are equally scrappy -- medieval Scarlett O'Haras who often have a low regard for the men who eventually win them over. They're fighters, certainly, but they're also beauties who are preoccupied with survival and family preservation.
Jude has also stepped outside her milieu, with mixed results. Her James River trilogy (River Lady, Lost Lady, and Counterfeit Lady) is set mostly in post-Revolution America; the popular, softer-edged Twin of Fire/Twin of Ice moves to 19th-century Colorado and introduces another hunky-man clan, the Taggerts.
Deveraux manages to evoke a strong and convincing atmosphere for each of her books, but her dialogue and characters are as familiar as a modern-day soap opera's. "Historicals seem to be all I'm capable of," Jude once said in an interview, referring to a now out-of-print attempt at contemporary fiction, 1982's Casa Grande. "I don't want to write family sagas or occult books, and I have no intention of again trying to ruin the contemporary market." Still, Jude did later attempt modern-day romances, such as the lighthearted High Tide (her first murder caper), the contemporary female friendship story The Summerhouse, and the time-traveling Knight in Shining Armor. In fact, with 2002's The Mulberry Tree, Deveraux seems to be getting more comfortable setting stories in the present, which is a good thing, since the fans she won with her historical books are eager to follow her into the future.
Jude married Claude White, who she later divorced in 1993. Around the same time she met Mohammed Montassir with whom she had a son, Sam Alexander Montassir, in 1997. On Oct. 6th, 2005, Sam died at the age of eight in a motorcycle accident.
Jude has lived in several countries and all over the United States. She currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina and has an additional home in the medieval city of Badolato, Italy.
She began writing in 1976, and published her first book, The Enchanted Land (1977) under the name Jude Deveraux. Following the publication of her first novel, she resigned her teaching position. Now, she is the author of 31 New York Times bestsellers.
Jude won readers' hearts with the epic Velvet series, which revolves around the lives of the Montgomery family's irresistible men. Jude's early books are set largely in 15th- and 16th-century England; in them her fierce, impassioned protagonists find themselves in the midst of blood feuds and wars. Her heroines are equally scrappy -- medieval Scarlett O'Haras who often have a low regard for the men who eventually win them over. They're fighters, certainly, but they're also beauties who are preoccupied with survival and family preservation.
Jude has also stepped outside her milieu, with mixed results. Her James River trilogy (River Lady, Lost Lady, and Counterfeit Lady) is set mostly in post-Revolution America; the popular, softer-edged Twin of Fire/Twin of Ice moves to 19th-century Colorado and introduces another hunky-man clan, the Taggerts.
Deveraux manages to evoke a strong and convincing atmosphere for each of her books, but her dialogue and characters are as familiar as a modern-day soap opera's. "Historicals seem to be all I'm capable of," Jude once said in an interview, referring to a now out-of-print attempt at contemporary fiction, 1982's Casa Grande. "I don't want to write family sagas or occult books, and I have no intention of again trying to ruin the contemporary market." Still, Jude did later attempt modern-day romances, such as the lighthearted High Tide (her first murder caper), the contemporary female friendship story The Summerhouse, and the time-traveling Knight in Shining Armor. In fact, with 2002's The Mulberry Tree, Deveraux seems to be getting more comfortable setting stories in the present, which is a good thing, since the fans she won with her historical books are eager to follow her into the future.
Jude married Claude White, who she later divorced in 1993. Around the same time she met Mohammed Montassir with whom she had a son, Sam Alexander Montassir, in 1997. On Oct. 6th, 2005, Sam died at the age of eight in a motorcycle accident.
Jude has lived in several countries and all over the United States. She currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina and has an additional home in the medieval city of Badolato, Italy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 337 reviews
August 18, 2015
I've read a quarter of this book and I shall go no further. Let me count all the craptastic reasons why:
1. The heroine is the laird of her Scottish clan. In a brilliant bid to improve cross-border relations, King Henry of England has kidnapped the heroine and is forcing her to marry one of his subjects. We might debate the effectiveness of sanctions, but there's no doubt that the art of diplomacy has definitely improved over the years.
2. So our heroine (who's the Medieval version of Princess Di -- only with a Scottish accent) tries to hold a discussion with her future husband on how he should behave, when he moves in with her, in order to win the hearts and minds of her clansmen -- and to prevent them from stabbing him in sullen resentment of his uppity English ways. Only he's too distracted by her breasts peeking out from the top of her low-cut dress to pay any attention to her inane chatter. Why can't the woman just shut up so he can eye fuck her breasts in blessed silence?
3. When she reveals that he should take her clan name once they're married because this demonstrates the necessary respect for her people and is good diplomacy, he refuses unequivocally. Because taking her name and employing common sense will emasculate him. He's a man -- hear him ROAR.
4. On their wedding night, our heroine (quite understandably) does not want to sex it up with our intrepid hero. He insists. Romance books like to call this reluctance, whereas courts of law prefer the term rape. In self defence, our heroine orders her dog to defend her self. Not content with sexually assaulting our heroine, our hero physically assaults her dog. He punches it in the face. But our hero feels no remorse for animal abuse because once again he's transfixed by the magnificence of our heroine's stupendous breasts. Those are some powerful boobs.
5. Unhappy with his bride's "coy" behaviour, he realises she needs to be chastised -- 50-Shades-of-Grey lite style. He hauls her over his lap and spanks her because only naughty girls say no.
And I'm done. Because if I carry on reading I'll be tempted to burn my bras in protest and good underwear is really expensive nowadays.
1. The heroine is the laird of her Scottish clan. In a brilliant bid to improve cross-border relations, King Henry of England has kidnapped the heroine and is forcing her to marry one of his subjects. We might debate the effectiveness of sanctions, but there's no doubt that the art of diplomacy has definitely improved over the years.
2. So our heroine (who's the Medieval version of Princess Di -- only with a Scottish accent) tries to hold a discussion with her future husband on how he should behave, when he moves in with her, in order to win the hearts and minds of her clansmen -- and to prevent them from stabbing him in sullen resentment of his uppity English ways. Only he's too distracted by her breasts peeking out from the top of her low-cut dress to pay any attention to her inane chatter. Why can't the woman just shut up so he can eye fuck her breasts in blessed silence?
3. When she reveals that he should take her clan name once they're married because this demonstrates the necessary respect for her people and is good diplomacy, he refuses unequivocally. Because taking her name and employing common sense will emasculate him. He's a man -- hear him ROAR.
4. On their wedding night, our heroine (quite understandably) does not want to sex it up with our intrepid hero. He insists. Romance books like to call this reluctance, whereas courts of law prefer the term rape. In self defence, our heroine orders her dog to defend her self. Not content with sexually assaulting our heroine, our hero physically assaults her dog. He punches it in the face. But our hero feels no remorse for animal abuse because once again he's transfixed by the magnificence of our heroine's stupendous breasts. Those are some powerful boobs.
5. Unhappy with his bride's "coy" behaviour, he realises she needs to be chastised -- 50-Shades-of-Grey lite style. He hauls her over his lap and spanks her because only naughty girls say no.
And I'm done. Because if I carry on reading I'll be tempted to burn my bras in protest and good underwear is really expensive nowadays.
July 22, 2016
4 stars!!
I enjoyed book 2 in the Velvet saga a lot more than the first one – likable English alpha male hero, feisty yet vulnerable Scottish heroine, and an engaging, attention-grabbing story set in the beautiful Highlands. This one’s a winner for me!
This book picks up where we last saw Stephen in book 1 – after making sure his sister-in-law Judith is okay he’s now three days late to his wedding to Bronwyn, a proud and stubborn Scottish lass who’s the head of her clan. They literally come to blows when they first meet and begrudgingly marry, neither giving in an inch.
What made this book stand out for me is that there is actual relationship development – unlike book 1 where only vanity and egoistical attitudes were present, Bronwyn and Stephen’s gradual love is plausible and real. In historical times, men were always considered superior to women so it really humbled me to see Stephen making efforts to understand and know Bronwyn and her Scottish ways. Most importantly, the part where made my eyes water. That kind of gesture might not mean much in modern times but back then it’s practically unheard of.
Of course there are times where Bronwyn’s a complete shrew and Stephen’s a total jerk but overall, I like these characters as individuals and as a couple – both of them are fiery and passionate. The only reason this book isn’t getting 5 stars is because of the atrocious ending. I’m really starting to hate the way Jude Deveraux ends her stories – she does a fantastic job of building up tension and angst but delivers such weak HEA endings. Oh well, I guess it’s the innerds that count right? However, the ending sets up the groundwork for book 3 and my favorite brother’s story so I’ll be diving into that one soon.
Thanks Camaro for re-reading with me!! Can’t wait to start Raine’s book!!
I enjoyed book 2 in the Velvet saga a lot more than the first one – likable English alpha male hero, feisty yet vulnerable Scottish heroine, and an engaging, attention-grabbing story set in the beautiful Highlands. This one’s a winner for me!
This book picks up where we last saw Stephen in book 1 – after making sure his sister-in-law Judith is okay he’s now three days late to his wedding to Bronwyn, a proud and stubborn Scottish lass who’s the head of her clan. They literally come to blows when they first meet and begrudgingly marry, neither giving in an inch.
What made this book stand out for me is that there is actual relationship development – unlike book 1 where only vanity and egoistical attitudes were present, Bronwyn and Stephen’s gradual love is plausible and real. In historical times, men were always considered superior to women so it really humbled me to see Stephen making efforts to understand and know Bronwyn and her Scottish ways. Most importantly, the part where made my eyes water. That kind of gesture might not mean much in modern times but back then it’s practically unheard of.
Of course there are times where Bronwyn’s a complete shrew and Stephen’s a total jerk but overall, I like these characters as individuals and as a couple – both of them are fiery and passionate. The only reason this book isn’t getting 5 stars is because of the atrocious ending. I’m really starting to hate the way Jude Deveraux ends her stories – she does a fantastic job of building up tension and angst but delivers such weak HEA endings. Oh well, I guess it’s the innerds that count right? However, the ending sets up the groundwork for book 3 and my favorite brother’s story so I’ll be diving into that one soon.
Thanks Camaro for re-reading with me!! Can’t wait to start Raine’s book!!
January 10, 2018
She's a cranky little thing...
I really enjoyed this audio and the step back in time it gave me. I remember Stephen Montgomery as my first love. Every man I met was compared to him. Sure, I didn't meet a lot of English men who became Scottish and wore a kilt, but I wanted a man to love me fiercely. Stephen loved Bronwyn...and she didn't even deserve it.
Bronwyn is fierce and determined. It's hard to be a woman and Laird of your clan. The bloody English have caused pain and heartache for her people. Bronwyn is sickened to learn that the English king wants an English man (of his choosing) by her side as a husband. She must marry her enemy, so it's no surprise she's hardly jumping for joy at meeting her husband to be...and...he's three days late.
Historical romances have changed a lot over the years. We expect it to be true to the time...only if there is no raping, pillaging, infidelity or abuse. Hmmm...unfortunately, that's almost impossible. My acceptance of accuracy over romantic fairytales has changed my expectations. I think this was definitely closer to historically accurate than fairytales.
The narrator does a fantastic job and it was very easy to listen to.
I really enjoyed this audio and the step back in time it gave me. I remember Stephen Montgomery as my first love. Every man I met was compared to him. Sure, I didn't meet a lot of English men who became Scottish and wore a kilt, but I wanted a man to love me fiercely. Stephen loved Bronwyn...and she didn't even deserve it.
Bronwyn is fierce and determined. It's hard to be a woman and Laird of your clan. The bloody English have caused pain and heartache for her people. Bronwyn is sickened to learn that the English king wants an English man (of his choosing) by her side as a husband. She must marry her enemy, so it's no surprise she's hardly jumping for joy at meeting her husband to be...and...he's three days late.
Historical romances have changed a lot over the years. We expect it to be true to the time...only if there is no raping, pillaging, infidelity or abuse. Hmmm...unfortunately, that's almost impossible. My acceptance of accuracy over romantic fairytales has changed my expectations. I think this was definitely closer to historically accurate than fairytales.
The narrator does a fantastic job and it was very easy to listen to.
June 2, 2021
Forced into marriage with the English nobleman Stephen Montgomery, Scotswoman Brenna MacArran, the leader of her clan, vows to make his life miserable.
While Deveraux's heroes in the Velvet Series had their bad moments, particularly Gavin, and to a lesser extent, Miles and Raine, in "Highland Velvet," Stephen Montgomery was the stuff girlish dreams are made of.
Stephen was kind and loving to his sister-in-law, Judith, always taking her side whenever Gavin preferred his evil mistress. He stayed by her bedside during her painful miscarriage and supported her throughout.
When Stephen saw Bronwyn for the first time, he fell instantly in love with her. He worked his butt off to get the approval of the men in Bronwyn's clan and had to fight that creepy Roger Chatworth for her hand in marriage, even though they were already betrothed. Heck, he even changed his last name so that her MacArran family name wouldn't die out. And he was no wussy male, but a deadly soldier willing to work hard and rethink his value system when faced with contradictions.
If anything, Bronwyn was the “bad” one: she stabbed him on their wedding night; she was the one who betrayed Stephen again and again. He deserved a much better heroine.
After over twenty-plus years, Stephen Montgomery remains one of my most beloved heroes in romance. He was a real nice guy, the kind of man any woman would be happy to have in real life. I wonder why the terms nice guy and beta male get conflated so often. A man can still be an “alpha,” a leader to his people, but that doesn’t mean he has to be an over-bearing, woman-hating douchebag.
Bronwyn was awful, but her woe-is-me attitude wasn’t enough to overshadow Stephen, who was such a great character that he made this book. Other pluses were the wicked antics of Roger Chatworth and the doomed love story of his brother Brian with the Montgomery brothers' sole sister, Mary.
I really loved this one.
5 stars
While Deveraux's heroes in the Velvet Series had their bad moments, particularly Gavin, and to a lesser extent, Miles and Raine, in "Highland Velvet," Stephen Montgomery was the stuff girlish dreams are made of.
Stephen was kind and loving to his sister-in-law, Judith, always taking her side whenever Gavin preferred his evil mistress. He stayed by her bedside during her painful miscarriage and supported her throughout.
When Stephen saw Bronwyn for the first time, he fell instantly in love with her. He worked his butt off to get the approval of the men in Bronwyn's clan and had to fight that creepy Roger Chatworth for her hand in marriage, even though they were already betrothed. Heck, he even changed his last name so that her MacArran family name wouldn't die out. And he was no wussy male, but a deadly soldier willing to work hard and rethink his value system when faced with contradictions.
If anything, Bronwyn was the “bad” one: she stabbed him on their wedding night; she was the one who betrayed Stephen again and again. He deserved a much better heroine.
After over twenty-plus years, Stephen Montgomery remains one of my most beloved heroes in romance. He was a real nice guy, the kind of man any woman would be happy to have in real life. I wonder why the terms nice guy and beta male get conflated so often. A man can still be an “alpha,” a leader to his people, but that doesn’t mean he has to be an over-bearing, woman-hating douchebag.
Bronwyn was awful, but her woe-is-me attitude wasn’t enough to overshadow Stephen, who was such a great character that he made this book. Other pluses were the wicked antics of Roger Chatworth and the doomed love story of his brother Brian with the Montgomery brothers' sole sister, Mary.
I really loved this one.
5 stars
January 31, 2022
Overall: ⭐️⭐️ 2 stars
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖 3 books
Feels: 🦋 1 butterfly
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔 3 broken hearts
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡ 2 lightnings
Romance: 💞💞 2 hearts
Sensuality: 💋 1 kiss
Sex Scene Length: 🍑 1 peach
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥-🔥🔥 (So another hard one to rate - while there's plenty of sex scenes (7), they are sooo short and not descriptive at all. So definitely considered LOW STEAM)
Hero Jerk Scale: 😠😠😠 3 of 5 angry faces
Heroine Jerk Scale: 😠😠😠😠😠 5 of 5 angry faces
Humor: Cant recall a drop.....so no?
Here we are with book 3 of the Montgomery/Taggert series. This is book 4 for me because I am following the chronological order of the series from Jude Deveraux's website. You can probably pick this up as a stand alone, but you will get more from it, understanding of characters and flow if you read the prior book, The Velvet Promise. The heroes from both those books are brothers.
So, this is Stephen Montgomery's book. He is promised a bride by his king. He gets a highland chief, the MacArran. A hot-tempered, feisty Scottish woman who is used to doing as she pleases and not following anyone's orders. Their relationship begins with turmoil and they go through....well basically too much....before they find their HEA.
Give this book a try if you want:
- classic "old school"/"bodice ripper" feels - it reads like a saga, jumping from from danger to the next, always keeping the reader anxious for what will happen next. Content warnings abound, beware.
- you need to be okay with content warnings. The basics are violence and death on page, rape of side character on page. I get into more details at the end under a spoiler warning.
- Scottish heroine and English hero
- arranged marriage trope
- a jealous hero (he's a bit of a jerk, but a saint compared to his brother in the previous book!)
- I believe this is considered Tudor time period with a 1501 setting.
- lots of angst and push and pull between the characters
- LOTS and LOTS of DRAMA
- a bit of road trip feel - they go from Scotland to England and places in between
The prologue of this book is basically a review of the end of the prior book (so if you don't happen to read in order, you will still get the important plot points)
This has an enemies to lovers feel because Bronwyn, the heroine, is determined to hate Stephen. She's Scottish and to marry an Englishman is the worst for her, especially after the damage the English have done to her people and land - even killing her own father. She's determined to hate him. And don't worry, she succeeds for 3/4 of the book.
So I actually didn't have quite the same amount of loathing for this book as the prior ones. I think it's because it's one of the first that the hero doesn't actually rape and beat the heroine. HUGE positive am I right???? Thank you, Gavin from the previous book, for getting out that backhoe and digging those standards a new low!
Stephen was overall pleasant and very patient with Bronwyn. Bronwyn who now wears the crown for one of the worst heroines EVER. EVER. She was just so obnoxious through most of the book and making idiotic decisions repeatedly, putting everyone in danger and actually ending the lives some because of her stupid actions, while always being cruel to Stephen (and having consensual sex at the same time, I know, an amazing feat.) She truly was awful and annoying and basically ruined the first half of the book for me.
I would like to say that the fat shaming comments were much less in this book compared to a few of the others I have read. (I can't even believe I'm noticing this as a plus, how utterly sad!) There was worry Bronwyn was "ugly and fat" before she met Stephen. And Mary was described as plump.
MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖 3 books
Feels: 🦋 1 butterfly
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔 3 broken hearts
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡ 2 lightnings
Romance: 💞💞 2 hearts
Sensuality: 💋 1 kiss
Sex Scene Length: 🍑 1 peach
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥-🔥🔥 (So another hard one to rate - while there's plenty of sex scenes (7), they are sooo short and not descriptive at all. So definitely considered LOW STEAM)
Hero Jerk Scale: 😠😠😠 3 of 5 angry faces
Heroine Jerk Scale: 😠😠😠😠😠 5 of 5 angry faces
Humor: Cant recall a drop.....so no?
Here we are with book 3 of the Montgomery/Taggert series. This is book 4 for me because I am following the chronological order of the series from Jude Deveraux's website. You can probably pick this up as a stand alone, but you will get more from it, understanding of characters and flow if you read the prior book, The Velvet Promise. The heroes from both those books are brothers.
So, this is Stephen Montgomery's book. He is promised a bride by his king. He gets a highland chief, the MacArran. A hot-tempered, feisty Scottish woman who is used to doing as she pleases and not following anyone's orders. Their relationship begins with turmoil and they go through....well basically too much....before they find their HEA.
Give this book a try if you want:
- classic "old school"/"bodice ripper" feels - it reads like a saga, jumping from from danger to the next, always keeping the reader anxious for what will happen next. Content warnings abound, beware.
- you need to be okay with content warnings. The basics are violence and death on page, rape of side character on page. I get into more details at the end under a spoiler warning.
- Scottish heroine and English hero
- arranged marriage trope
- a jealous hero (he's a bit of a jerk, but a saint compared to his brother in the previous book!)
- I believe this is considered Tudor time period with a 1501 setting.
- lots of angst and push and pull between the characters
- LOTS and LOTS of DRAMA
- a bit of road trip feel - they go from Scotland to England and places in between
The prologue of this book is basically a review of the end of the prior book (so if you don't happen to read in order, you will still get the important plot points)
This has an enemies to lovers feel because Bronwyn, the heroine, is determined to hate Stephen. She's Scottish and to marry an Englishman is the worst for her, especially after the damage the English have done to her people and land - even killing her own father. She's determined to hate him. And don't worry, she succeeds for 3/4 of the book.
So I actually didn't have quite the same amount of loathing for this book as the prior ones. I think it's because it's one of the first that the hero doesn't actually rape and beat the heroine. HUGE positive am I right???? Thank you, Gavin from the previous book, for getting out that backhoe and digging those standards a new low!
Stephen was overall pleasant and very patient with Bronwyn. Bronwyn who now wears the crown for one of the worst heroines EVER. EVER. She was just so obnoxious through most of the book and making idiotic decisions repeatedly, putting everyone in danger and actually ending the lives some because of her stupid actions, while always being cruel to Stephen (and having consensual sex at the same time, I know, an amazing feat.) She truly was awful and annoying and basically ruined the first half of the book for me.
I would like to say that the fat shaming comments were much less in this book compared to a few of the others I have read. (I can't even believe I'm noticing this as a plus, how utterly sad!) There was worry Bronwyn was "ugly and fat" before she met Stephen. And Mary was described as plump.
MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes
March 12, 2012
I didn't really like this one since it was so long and the heroine got on my nerve so much. I just wanted to slap her all through the novel. She complained a lot and wanted Stephan to become something he was not even though the poor man tried she still didn't like him and always insulted him which made me wonder how a guy like Stephan can love such an annoying and selfish women. Okay I get she loved her clan so what everyone loves their people but do you have to insult every single Englishman and blaming them for your father's and peoples' murder? We get how much pain and lost it cost you but just because one is bad doesn't mean everyone else is as well. I just hated this novel it just got me mad at her stupidness and stuborness. Ahhh gosh I wish the author could have gave us someone else (caring, loving, friendly and funny) instead of this brat. God I just hate her character so much :(
March 7, 2014
Overall, I liked this one better than the first book: The Velvet Promise. There were times, particularly in the 1st half of the book where I would have liked to have slapped Bronwyn. She was just so immature. She was 'almost twenty' when the book began, but I think this is one of those cases where the author should have made her younger. I'll have to admit to finding it a bit squicky when you have an older hero and someone younger than the modern 'age of consent' in a historical, even though I know it was common practice for women to be wed much younger than that. 18 is considered an adult here in the U.S. and 17-18 tends to be the youngest most HR authors will go. In this case, she should have gone for the 17. It would have made Bronwyn's impulsiveness and know-all attitude more palatable. I didn't tag her as TSTL, even though she did do some things that qualified her for the position. I felt it wasn't fair, because there were areas where she was very capable and intelligent. She just needed to grow up. I also sympathized with the situation she was put in and how difficult it must have been to have all that responsibility and be forced to wed an Englishman when she had every reason to hate/mistrust the English. She does grow up quite a bit over the course of the story though - thank heavens.
Stephen was a very loveable hero and a great guy. At first he was arrogant and stubborn about his English ways, but he also grew and changed over the course of the novel. It was refreshing to see a H take on a new way of life for once. Usually, it's the h who has to do that. But, Stephen also had his stupid moments too. Like the prank he played on his childhood "friend" that got so out of hand. And his jealousy certainly made him act like an ass at times. However, I was glad for the whole prank mess, because it made Stephen seem less perfect and Bronwyn less of a shrew. In other words, neither of them were perfect.
I also liked the emphasis on how little the older Montgomery brothers actually knew/understood about women and the problems that caused. It made sense. Historically speaking, I'm sure men of their station rarely had the friendship type of relationships that help us to understand one another. They were raised doing manly things and women were either subordinates who were there to serve or protected ladies who were kept at a distance from them and only seen formally. Of course they are all expert lovers nonetheless. That I don't buy, but am willing to let that go in the name of romance :)
The villain, Roger Chatworth, was sort of interesting and I'm curious to see how his story will play out in the next 2 novels. He had some redeeming characteristics alongside being a raging SOB. It made him more believable. Very few people are totally good or totally evil. However his actions in the end were horrible. Major spoiler: I'm afraid at this point, Roger is going to follow the path of continuing to blame the Montgomerys for all his problems rather than look in a mirror. I don't see him having the courage to truly face what he's done.
Stephen was a very loveable hero and a great guy. At first he was arrogant and stubborn about his English ways, but he also grew and changed over the course of the novel. It was refreshing to see a H take on a new way of life for once. Usually, it's the h who has to do that. But, Stephen also had his stupid moments too. Like the prank he played on his childhood "friend" that got so out of hand. And his jealousy certainly made him act like an ass at times. However, I was glad for the whole prank mess, because it made Stephen seem less perfect and Bronwyn less of a shrew. In other words, neither of them were perfect.
I also liked the emphasis on how little the older Montgomery brothers actually knew/understood about women and the problems that caused. It made sense. Historically speaking, I'm sure men of their station rarely had the friendship type of relationships that help us to understand one another. They were raised doing manly things and women were either subordinates who were there to serve or protected ladies who were kept at a distance from them and only seen formally. Of course they are all expert lovers nonetheless. That I don't buy, but am willing to let that go in the name of romance :)
The villain, Roger Chatworth, was sort of interesting and I'm curious to see how his story will play out in the next 2 novels. He had some redeeming characteristics alongside being a raging SOB. It made him more believable. Very few people are totally good or totally evil. However his actions in the end were horrible. Major spoiler: I'm afraid at this point, Roger is going to follow the path of continuing to blame the Montgomerys for all his problems rather than look in a mirror. I don't see him having the courage to truly face what he's done.
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February 24, 2024
My first Deveraux started out strong. Bronwyn is a Highland laird during the time of the Tudors; Stephen is the charming Englishman ordered to wed her.
Notwithstanding the fact that this is an HR published in the 20th century, Bronwyn is an INCREDIBLE heroine - intelligent, funny, tough, and loyal to her people. It's no wonder Stephen is head over heels for her. To be fair, her much-touted beauty has a lot to do with that, but this is addressed when she observes that her beauty really shouldn't matter to him as much as it does. (I told you she was great!)
By the end of the book, she also doesn't give up anything essential to her nature. If anything, it's Stephen who changes utterly to be with her. This was a solid historical in a more unusual time setting and with a more unusual Scottish heroine/English hero pairing - I only wish it had an epilogue, since it ends quite suddenly, but it seems Deveraux doesn't really go in for those.
Notwithstanding the fact that this is an HR published in the 20th century, Bronwyn is an INCREDIBLE heroine - intelligent, funny, tough, and loyal to her people. It's no wonder Stephen is head over heels for her. To be fair, her much-touted beauty has a lot to do with that, but this is addressed when she observes that her beauty really shouldn't matter to him as much as it does. (I told you she was great!)
By the end of the book, she also doesn't give up anything essential to her nature. If anything, it's Stephen who changes utterly to be with her. This was a solid historical in a more unusual time setting and with a more unusual Scottish heroine/English hero pairing - I only wish it had an epilogue, since it ends quite suddenly, but it seems Deveraux doesn't really go in for those.
June 13, 2024
DNF @ 34%. This has to be one of the most unlikable heroines I have ever read. She complains endlessly about her husband being her enemy because he's English and not Scottish. Then when he tries to learn Scottish ways, she is all I WILL NOT BE FOOLED, I MUST BE ON GUARD BECAUSE HE IS STILL ENGLISH. There's quite literally nothing he could do to make her happy. She's irritating as fuck.
The hero is just as bad - this book was written in the 1980s and you can definitely tell even though it's a historical setting. The hero doesn't initially listen to heroine's attempts to enlighten him on her concerns about her clan because he's too busy trying to get her to have premarital sex even though he just met her and they are getting married in a matter of days. Then on their wedding night she resists his advances and when that doesn't work she scratches him in her attempts to stab him with a knife. Her next line of defense is to instruct her dog to attack him and he then punches said dog in the head. This lovely night is rounded out by him spanking her and then falling asleep with their marriage unconsummated. I'm not making that up.
This book is horrid.
The hero is just as bad - this book was written in the 1980s and you can definitely tell even though it's a historical setting. The hero doesn't initially listen to heroine's attempts to enlighten him on her concerns about her clan because he's too busy trying to get her to have premarital sex even though he just met her and they are getting married in a matter of days. Then on their wedding night she resists his advances and when that doesn't work she scratches him in her attempts to stab him with a knife. Her next line of defense is to instruct her dog to attack him and he then punches said dog in the head. This lovely night is rounded out by him spanking her and then falling asleep with their marriage unconsummated. I'm not making that up.
This book is horrid.
December 12, 2025
3.5 stars. Highland Velvet is the 2nd book in the Velvet Montgomery historical romance series by Jude Deveraux which I’m currently binging! This one I enjoyed more than book 1 because of the characters and the Scotland setting.
The King rewarded the Montgomery family for their faithful service over the years by giving the 2nd Montgomery brother Stephen a rich, Scots bride. Stephen Montgomery we saw a lot in book 1 (Velvet Promise), his brother Gavin and sister-in-law Judith are the couple in that book and he’s close with them both. This book starts after the events of book 1. Stephen is not looking forward to marrying his bride Bronwyn since they’ve never met, he definitely has some assumptions about her. Bronwyn is a great character and actually the laird of her powerful Scots clan. Their relationship was fun to see play out as they’re both strong, hot-headed and opinionated, although similar to book 1 there were times I wasn’t as invested. I did love the Scottish Highlands setting though (1501 timeframe). I think to read this series, you’re going to need to enjoy old school bodice ripper style vibes and saga storytelling with lots of drama and familial relationships!
CW: animal abuse and death, violence, mentions of sexual assault and rape, cheating
The King rewarded the Montgomery family for their faithful service over the years by giving the 2nd Montgomery brother Stephen a rich, Scots bride. Stephen Montgomery we saw a lot in book 1 (Velvet Promise), his brother Gavin and sister-in-law Judith are the couple in that book and he’s close with them both. This book starts after the events of book 1. Stephen is not looking forward to marrying his bride Bronwyn since they’ve never met, he definitely has some assumptions about her. Bronwyn is a great character and actually the laird of her powerful Scots clan. Their relationship was fun to see play out as they’re both strong, hot-headed and opinionated, although similar to book 1 there were times I wasn’t as invested. I did love the Scottish Highlands setting though (1501 timeframe). I think to read this series, you’re going to need to enjoy old school bodice ripper style vibes and saga storytelling with lots of drama and familial relationships!
CW: animal abuse and death, violence, mentions of sexual assault and rape, cheating
July 31, 2020
Entre as 3,5 ⭐️ e as 4⭐️
June 24, 2021
Honestly until I got to book 2 I forgot how much this series does not read very well in 2021. It's just bad. So bad. We get abuse of a dog, the hero "paddling" the heroine, just a lot of ugliness throughout and in the end, people telling the heroine she is in the wrong and she needs to bow to her English husband that she was forced to marry.
January 18, 2021
This book takes me to Scotland and back to England with the second Montgomery brother Stephen and his new wife Bronwyn (love this name!) a stubborn but full of life Laird of the McAren. This setting is by far my fave within this saga. Something I forgot to mention in my reread is how much I love the authors descriptions of the women’s fashions. I think this is where I first started to love the fashion of this era. Now onto my fave brothers book...💜
February 8, 2022
This is # 4 in the series on Jude Deveraux’s website. This book was a love story, another marriage of convenience, Battle of the sexes, the continued war between the Chatsworth’s and the Montgomerys. Judith and her mother Helen are both expecting babies. Bronwynn is also expecting. Gavin and Judith, Stephen and Bronwynn are married. Roger Chatsworth has two other siblings BRIAN who was crippled after a horse fell on him and a sister Elizabeth whom was put in a convent for protection. Roger offered marriage to Bronwynn hoping to acquire her land. King Henry Vll requested Stephen Montgomery marry Bronwynn MacArran head of her clan.
Lots of conflicts between the H and h but their lovemaking was intense.
Lots of conflicts between the H and h but their lovemaking was intense.
February 15, 2019
*Reread Review*
Jude Deveraux is a freaking master... that's all there is too it. This entire story is so complex, and yet when you pull everything away the whole book is about an arrogant hero and a stubborn heroine neither wanting to bend to each other and causing each other all kinds of problems. When I say that in other books a couple doesn't have much adversity to "temper" their love its this kind of adversity I mean most I think. You know the kind of love that isn't perfect.. it starts with lust, progresses to near hatred, begrudging respect and eventually after hardship and camaraderie comes love. I feel like that is "most" like love in real life except it it doesn't end at that sentence.. the cycle starts over every day.. every week.. and so on and so forth. Both our heroine and hero are likeable and yet so flawed but eventually they realize their faults and own up to them!
This second book in the Velvet Series stars Stephen Montgomery and Bronwyn McAran. Both reluctant participants in a marriage contrived by the King. Of course Stephen sets off on the wrong foot because of events from the last book so better late than never right? Not to Bronwyn, who has the biggest pride and stubbornness of any female Scotland it seems. It is a battle from the beginning, a tug of rope that constantly moves back and forth neither wining and both starting to look ridiculous and wrong most of the time. Only by accepting each other and their faults can they move forward and give up their flaws to grasp a real love to last through time!
Another thing I really love about the series is that events are happening/overlapping with the other brother's books so its like reading a really big book with all their prospectives as they explain away certain things. I just love this author and am excited to continue my reread of the series.
Jude Deveraux is a freaking master... that's all there is too it. This entire story is so complex, and yet when you pull everything away the whole book is about an arrogant hero and a stubborn heroine neither wanting to bend to each other and causing each other all kinds of problems. When I say that in other books a couple doesn't have much adversity to "temper" their love its this kind of adversity I mean most I think. You know the kind of love that isn't perfect.. it starts with lust, progresses to near hatred, begrudging respect and eventually after hardship and camaraderie comes love. I feel like that is "most" like love in real life except it it doesn't end at that sentence.. the cycle starts over every day.. every week.. and so on and so forth. Both our heroine and hero are likeable and yet so flawed but eventually they realize their faults and own up to them!
This second book in the Velvet Series stars Stephen Montgomery and Bronwyn McAran. Both reluctant participants in a marriage contrived by the King. Of course Stephen sets off on the wrong foot because of events from the last book so better late than never right? Not to Bronwyn, who has the biggest pride and stubbornness of any female Scotland it seems. It is a battle from the beginning, a tug of rope that constantly moves back and forth neither wining and both starting to look ridiculous and wrong most of the time. Only by accepting each other and their faults can they move forward and give up their flaws to grasp a real love to last through time!
Another thing I really love about the series is that events are happening/overlapping with the other brother's books so its like reading a really big book with all their prospectives as they explain away certain things. I just love this author and am excited to continue my reread of the series.
February 2, 2020
My romance kick has been quenched 😌
August 11, 2016
dosta lijepih opisa Škotske i njenog naroda i njihovih osobina, ali pored toga ništa posebno....ovaj put Jude me nije uspjela potpuno oduševiti kao u prvom dijelu Baršunasto obećanje.
December 17, 2016
I liked the story but i hated Bronwy..she was a real pain in the a..... ,and for me she's the one who ruins all the fun.
February 5, 2023
I really, really loved the first installment of this series, hence I was hoping this one would live up like the first one. However, even though this was good, the ending was too rushed ... corrupted with too many things happening at the same time that they cheapened the romance bits between the Hero and heroine.
Having said that, I enjoyed this book, just not as much as the first one. Hero - Stephen - was so hot ... he might seem crude to some - but I liked him just fine. He was physically attracted to Bronwyn the instant he laid eyes on her and said some rude things that may seem offensive to some. He's a really 'nicer' Heroes - compared to the author's other Heroes, I must say. No 'forced intimacy' or anything. He never hit nor treated her unfairly, nor abused her. I felt that he was genuinely kind. In fact, the heroine was the one who was treating him unfairly. She refused to welcome her husband and see that he was trying to transform and live according to her ways.
The ending ... like I mentioned, was a bit disappointing. I did not see any reconciliation between the couple, they just sort of saw each other and kissed; everything was all well. While I was like, "What the heck ...?" I was expecting the great apology or drama or something but meh ... nothing.
Too rushed. BUT, it was still a very, very enjoyable read.
Having said that, I enjoyed this book, just not as much as the first one. Hero - Stephen - was so hot ... he might seem crude to some - but I liked him just fine. He was physically attracted to Bronwyn the instant he laid eyes on her and said some rude things that may seem offensive to some. He's a really 'nicer' Heroes - compared to the author's other Heroes, I must say. No 'forced intimacy' or anything. He never hit nor treated her unfairly, nor abused her. I felt that he was genuinely kind. In fact, the heroine was the one who was treating him unfairly. She refused to welcome her husband and see that he was trying to transform and live according to her ways.
The ending ... like I mentioned, was a bit disappointing. I did not see any reconciliation between the couple, they just sort of saw each other and kissed; everything was all well. While I was like, "What the heck ...?" I was expecting the great apology or drama or something but meh ... nothing.
Too rushed. BUT, it was still a very, very enjoyable read.
May 24, 2018
Lady Bronwyn McArran is a Scottish Laird captured by the hated English and forced to marry one of theirs. Stephen Montgomery came to Scotland to conquer, but is he strong enough to conquer Bronwyn? As he falls hopelessly in love with this fiery Scot he tries with every fiber of his being to win her respect, and her love.
Very well written as usual for Jude Deveraux. She is a fantastic writer that takes the reader on delightful romantic journeys through her literary works.
This was a very fun read. Sensual and entertaining with a good handful of humor as the two pros constantly butt heads. I would definitely recommend this book to anybody who likes a bit of romance.
Very well written as usual for Jude Deveraux. She is a fantastic writer that takes the reader on delightful romantic journeys through her literary works.
This was a very fun read. Sensual and entertaining with a good handful of humor as the two pros constantly butt heads. I would definitely recommend this book to anybody who likes a bit of romance.
February 27, 2023
He’s so whipped I LOVE
February 14, 2011
After having read the disappointing “The Velvet Promise”, I was still intrigued with Stephen's story and his Scottish bride who's laird of the MacArran clan. I've always been fond of characters from the Highlands, their traits, mannerisms, expressions, and their burr. I noticed he and Gavin assumed the worst looks of their brides and was astounded to see their real faces, in a way it's stupid but it's best to expect the worst and hope for the best.
In this story, the conflict couldn't be more obvious from the start. Stephen is four days late for his wedding and he never sent a word, all the while Roger Chatworth is snaking his way into the MacArran lands. It's about Scots against Englishmen, and Bronwyn's hatred for them all. When Stephen saw her, he was instantly attracted to her and wanted her for himself, and even fought for her and endured a lot of things. He really made an effort for Bronwyn to respect him by being a Scot – wearing their clothes, training like them, talking like them, and even thinking like them. While I've always appreciated alpha females, Bronwyn is just too stubborn and a little childish.
I liked how love blossomed between Stephen and Bronwyn, he's a really patient man and if it weren't for that then their marriage won't work out. The prank he pulled on his friend Hugh was total crap though. If I were Bronwyn I'd react the same way and because Stephen's jealousy blinded him, he refused to see the other side of the coin – talk about conflicts.
I've noticed Jude Deveraux really writes extremely unreasonable heroines whenever their resisting the heroes of the story, but lust comes easily. I gave this a four because I liked the story, the characters had a chance to redeem themselves, but I hated the minimal amount of love scenes – they're always hurried and have little detail. Ms Deveraux isn't really one of my fave authors, but I just read this in response to a reading challenge.
In this story, the conflict couldn't be more obvious from the start. Stephen is four days late for his wedding and he never sent a word, all the while Roger Chatworth is snaking his way into the MacArran lands. It's about Scots against Englishmen, and Bronwyn's hatred for them all. When Stephen saw her, he was instantly attracted to her and wanted her for himself, and even fought for her and endured a lot of things. He really made an effort for Bronwyn to respect him by being a Scot – wearing their clothes, training like them, talking like them, and even thinking like them. While I've always appreciated alpha females, Bronwyn is just too stubborn and a little childish.
I liked how love blossomed between Stephen and Bronwyn, he's a really patient man and if it weren't for that then their marriage won't work out. The prank he pulled on his friend Hugh was total crap though. If I were Bronwyn I'd react the same way and because Stephen's jealousy blinded him, he refused to see the other side of the coin – talk about conflicts.
I've noticed Jude Deveraux really writes extremely unreasonable heroines whenever their resisting the heroes of the story, but lust comes easily. I gave this a four because I liked the story, the characters had a chance to redeem themselves, but I hated the minimal amount of love scenes – they're always hurried and have little detail. Ms Deveraux isn't really one of my fave authors, but I just read this in response to a reading challenge.
April 21, 2017
Jude Deveraux is an old time favorite. Her heroes are usually just edgy enough to be considered medieval a**holes, but they more than likely redeem themselves, and her heroines have spunk, even when they sometimes can go either way: too submissive or too OTT.
In this story, Bronwyn, the heroine, was kind of OTT and TSTL. Despite this, I somehow ended up liking about 85% of the story because it had some action and didn't feel too slow in pace. Plus, I liked the hero most of the time. However, Bronwyn and some details left loosely tied in the last 15% of the story kept me from rating this above 3 stars.
Most of the reviews I read featured some heroine-bashing of Bronwyn. And, I get it. This heroine was unusually given the title of Laird, her father choosing her to be head of their clan rather than her brother, which made said brother feel salty towards her. Regardless of being boss, homegirl still was at the mercy of the English, so she had to resign herself to an arranged marriage. Though her husband added insult to injury in his first impression, Bronwyn irritatingly beat her chest about her clan, hertitle as The McArrin, and her hatred of the English. Yet, that didn't stop her a** from getting nice and busy with her English husband, Stephen Montgomery.
Let's just say that Stephen was more tolerable, and he saved me from giving up this read/audiobook. Plus, the narrator wasn't bad.
It was an entertaining story until you get to the part when Bronwyn does something stupid again and Stephen is like MIA for way-too-long. That was very irritating and lost Stephen a little of my love.
Happy Reading
In this story, Bronwyn, the heroine, was kind of OTT and TSTL. Despite this, I somehow ended up liking about 85% of the story because it had some action and didn't feel too slow in pace. Plus, I liked the hero most of the time. However, Bronwyn and some details left loosely tied in the last 15% of the story kept me from rating this above 3 stars.
Most of the reviews I read featured some heroine-bashing of Bronwyn. And, I get it. This heroine was unusually given the title of Laird, her father choosing her to be head of their clan rather than her brother, which made said brother feel salty towards her. Regardless of being boss, homegirl still was at the mercy of the English, so she had to resign herself to an arranged marriage. Though her husband added insult to injury in his first impression, Bronwyn irritatingly beat her chest about her clan, hertitle as The McArrin, and her hatred of the English. Yet, that didn't stop her a** from getting nice and busy with her English husband, Stephen Montgomery.
Let's just say that Stephen was more tolerable, and he saved me from giving up this read/audiobook. Plus, the narrator wasn't bad.
It was an entertaining story until you get to the part when Bronwyn does something stupid again and Stephen is like MIA for way-too-long. That was very irritating and lost Stephen a little of my love.
Happy Reading
March 1, 2011
Late for his own wedding by 4 days, not a way to impress a bride that despises you already and has never met you. Especially Bronwyn who is named head of her clan after her father is killed by the hated English- and yes Stephen Montgomery, the groom, is English as well-- another strike. Another great book in the Montgomery series with many twist and turns, ups and downs and great make up sex since the H/h were always fighting.
I really didn't like the heroine at the beginning of the book, she was filled with too much animosity towards Stephen- almost too strong and noble. I loved Stephen though, he was always trying to win her over even by sacrificing all of his beliefs and loyalties; dressing, fighting, and talking like the Scots, but still keeping all of his chivalrous/alpha qualities. Once Stephen and Brownyn were separated from her clan, the love story began and they really got to know each other, then Brownyn became a likable character.
Very similar in style to the previous books in the series. Not quite as good as the first 2, but still very good. I probably will take a break and then go back to Velvet Song and Velvet Angel to hopefully make it fresh again.
May 7, 2010
This book is really a 3 but I am giving the extra star to Stephen. I liked him as a hero and he's less annoying than his brother, Gavin. However, Browyn is not as great a heroine as Judith. She just seriously annoyed the heck out of me. She started out as an annoying Gavin who easily believed someone else and then she was just angry and dramatic and just stupid at times. I really disliked her for 3/4s of the book. At the ends, she started redeeming herself. I thought the ending was a bit odd since I could not understand how useless the brothers could be. Maybe they could not do anything, I don't know. It felt sorta blah. This is not to discount the horrible scene that I won't mention since it will spoil the story. Sigh. In any case, in the last 10 pages, I got over my strong dislike of Browyn.
December 30, 2016
Read this years ago. Bronwyn annoyed me with her immaturity and unfair treatment of Stephen. It wouldn't have been so bad if Bronwyn had actually grown by the novel's end, but I don't remember that happening.
On the other hand, I had a crush on the delicious Stephen. Be my book boyfriend, please? I loved how he could be brave and kind, yet also a be a fierce warrior. What's more, his love for and patience with Bronwyn never seemed to waver despite her antics. The best Montgomery brother in the series by far!
4 stars for Stephen
1 star for Bronwyn
3 stars for the romance
On the other hand, I had a crush on the delicious Stephen. Be my book boyfriend, please? I loved how he could be brave and kind, yet also a be a fierce warrior. What's more, his love for and patience with Bronwyn never seemed to waver despite her antics. The best Montgomery brother in the series by far!
4 stars for Stephen
1 star for Bronwyn
3 stars for the romance
August 28, 2023
Read 6 Sep 2015
Reread 28 Aug 2023
Reread 28 Aug 2023
July 26, 2019
The Highlands *heart eyes*
July 16, 2016
I disliked the h.
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