She loves her kingdom…and the foreign usurper they hate. How can she choose between them?
Beth finally understands. The despised foreigners are not what she believed. Nor is her noble role just a burdensome restraint. It also carries authority—and the obligation to use it wisely. Which might be more of a restraint than the proposed marriage she is evading. Now all she needs to do is convince an entire kingdom to respect the people they hate.
Before she can even try, unraveling deceptions rock her land. A duchess mysteriously dies. Atrocities in Tower Woods come to light. The governing assembly is being manipulated. The cry of Beth’s heart is the last thing anyone cares about. As for loving a despicable foreigner—intolerable!
Tristan would do anything to help Beth, but his foreign hands are tied. The only thing he can do, must do, is kill the enormous vixicats that terrorize the Wilde—beasts that have proven invincible for over a century. If he conquers them, he invites a siege to his castle. What is worse? Starving or becoming a vixicat’s meal?
How can Beth forge her newfound scrap of authority into a tool that is both subtle and powerful enough to return justice to her land? Especially when succeeding could turn the foreigner she loves into an enemy.
A Castle Contended is the second novel in the Castle in the Wilde trilogy. If you enjoy a story where wit and hope confront lies and hate, come and explore this fantastical world with medieval undertones and conflicted cultures.
Sharon Rose has been weaving stories since her second-grade masterpiece, titled My Life as a Flying Squirrel. No publisher snatched it up, but her classmates loved it.
After creating home and family, Sharon pursued her dream of creating stories for people like you. To date, she has published ten books, with more in the works. She writes fantasy and science fiction because they offer vast spaces to explore the realities that we all face. Her stories blend cultures and characters into adventures with mystery, romance, and hope.
When not writing or reading, Sharon may be traveling, enjoying gardens, or searching for unique coffee shops with her husband. She lives in Minnesota, USA, famed for its 10,000 lakes and vibrant seasons.
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What’s in a name?
Way more than I expected. As in, more people. Of course, I knew I was not the only Sharon Rose in the world, but it turns out that some of them are authors, too. I’m the Sharon Rose who writes science fiction and fantasy for those who prefer a cleaner read.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
This book has a very old time feel to it.Beth is troubled by having to choose love with Tristan the foreigner or try to change the Government.She has to choose Tristan or choose to fight for justice. Her true love of the foreigner Tristan is the big problem and she can not have both. This has a good plot, is well written and is truly an enjoyable book.
Becoming an adult is a perilous endeavour for a princess - more so for the impulsive Princess Ellabeth (Lady Beth to anyone who read A Castle Awakened). It is not enough to fall in love; she has to deal with importunate suitors, inter-kingdom politics, foundational diplomatic relations and worse, nosy conservatives with too much to say about her love life. The course of love does not run smooth but I love it when a plan comes together! While Beth's and Tristan's romance is heartwarming, I also spent a lot of time thinking about Thomas. The author has him doing a lot of growing in this book too - where does Tom go in the next book? Again, a well-written and well-executed clean classical epic fantasy which combines nicely sweet, sassy and clear with fantasy and fairy tale elements. If only my niece was old enough to read this ....
I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I adored entering into the story of Castle in the Wilde again and hearing what Tristan had kept himself busy with, in addition to the perspective shifts that Beth had undergone while staying at the castle. Her challenges upon returning home and the various contentious people she interacted with was enlightening. The characters continue to develop and have a few pithy thoughts that are worth pondering. "I will not cast aside a diamond because it has a flaw." "The grip of bitterness faltered in the light of gratitude."
There is sweet innocence in this story while still exposing the horror of man's inhumanity to others. It's a great balance, and I can't wait for the next installment!
I received an ARC for this book; the review is my own.
This book reminded me so much of Downtown Abbey. It is very well written and the secrets are passed around via the maids. This is a very good book that can be read in pieces or binge read it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I am really not much into this genre but this book was really good and the ending leaves a lot of openings for another book like this one.
So basically I sat (lay) down and read the whole thing in one sitting past midnight. Is that review enough? lol
Lemme see, where do I start?
I gave the first book, A Castle Awakened, 4 stars mainly because the writing style jarred me a little. The writing here is still somewhat old and stuffy at points, but either it flows better here or I'm more used to it now(?) so this sequel was a rather entrancing read. Or maybe I've reconciled myself to the fact that it just fits the style and the story.
Beth is learning what it truly means to be Princess of Layvacia (Lavaycia? I can't spell) - and that involves acting through seeming inaction quite often. Her parents have accepted the fact that she's grown up and are now involving her in their discussions. There's politics galore, including whole sections debating the finer points of the kingdom's laws, so if you're not one for those, you might get a bit bored in those chapters. There are still many unspoken secrets, frustrating as it is for Beth and the reader, but many things FINALLY get revealed in this one!
While I enjoyed the very clean, very slow burn between Beth and Tristan, it doesn't really appear much, other than some pining on both sides. The meat of this story is really the politics between kingdoms and the tricky navigation of opposing cultures without causing offence. It's also a very witty novel - not laugh out loud hilarious - but with a generous sprinkling of humourous turns of phrase and wry observations.
Note: I received a digital ARC of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Loved A Castle Contended! Tristan and Beth's love story has a wonderful new beginning in this book! I say beginning because they start their HEA in this one. All of the drama leading up to it, the vixicats, and the intrigue! Oh, it makes the beginning of this ending so wonderful!! You definitely need to read these in order!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.
This was a very interesting book. I enjoyed how the royalty did not seem all that royal and strict. I loved how the princess in the book was heard and listened to in certain instances in front of all the dukes from around the area. I would definitely recommend this book.
Yes, this is an author review, so I’ll just tell you what I found enjoyable in writing this story. All the action in a wild land is fun to write, but mostly I love characters.
The first novel was more about Tristan, and while he is still present, this novel is predominately Beth’s tale. Her eyes were opened in the previous story. Now she has to figure out what to do with her new understanding. Instead of resenting the position she was born to, she must make use of it if she is ever to have a chance at her heart’s desire. Unfortunately, her greatest hope conflicts with the needs of her kingdom and with those who would like to keep Beth in the role of a useful pawn. It was fun giving her contradictory goals in a disrupted society, then letting her figure out a path through the chaos.
There are always surprises in writing a story. This time it was the underlying problem that kept an essentially kind young woman focused on herself. When Beth returned to her own home, I realized that she had been living according to other people’s opinions about her. She couldn’t make progress until she decided she was done with that. This is a dilemma we all face every time we want to move forward in life.
And finally…Thomas. Though he is a secondary character in this novel, I’ve grown especially fond of him. It was a pleasure to write him facing up to the huge changes that are coming his way and taking the first step. I don’t write cliffhangers, but one big question remains at the end of A Castle Contended. Thomas must deal with the ramifications of that unsolved issue in novel 3.
• The author described emotions and situations vividly and clearly.
• Adventure, suspense, twists and turns. Giant wolves and vixicats, and a mysterious land. What more could you ask of a fantasy adventure?
• This was a fun, clean fantasy. I enjoyed this realm the author created.
• I liked the political intrigue of the Lavaycia Court with Beth and her parents, the King and Queen.
• I liked how Beth had matured as a leader.
• I liked how the King and Queen were trying to improve the circumstances and narrow mindedness of their people.
• This book had a very satisfying ending. I hope there are more books to come in this series.
I was given a free copy of this book by the author. My review was voluntary and my opinions were my own. I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read more books by this author.
A Castle Contended is the second book in the Castle in the Wilde series. It does feel very much like a part two and do recommend starting with book one, A Castle Awakened. There is a lot of character development in that first book that you need to fully appreciate the character arcs that are completed in this novel.
My lest favorite character from the first book, Beth, became my favorite in this one. In the first book princess Ellabeth was very immature and acted like an entitled brat, but in this book we see how the attitudes of those around her very much fueled her ideas and actions. It took someone finally seeing her for the adult she was, for her to truly grow up.
This novel is Beth's story but don't worry the, dashing Lord Petram is still a central character, as he continues to hunt the dangerous vixicats that roam the Wilde. Much of his arc is just him waiting around for Lavaycia to sort out their inner kingdom politics, but he still finds plently to do to fill the time.
So we reach the central conflict of A Castle Contended. Politics and to a lesser extent genealogy. For some reason this book struck me as more of a commentary on the practice of European royalty to marry within their own families. (The plot dealing with both deformities from birth defects and with hereditary mental illness within the nobility.)
I didn't find this change of focus as interesting. I really enjoyed the world building a exploration of A Castle Awakened. If the first book was a romantic adventure then this sequel a political courtroom drama.
It featured a lot of debate and rhetoric, but very little action. (Unless you count the great Vixicat hunt, that scene had a ton of action.) Though, I did really like the part where the Duke of Maerton got put in his place. It was a good lesson, to show that bullies don't always get what they want.
Though it could be argued that the amount of justice served to people who actually deserve it , is the least realistic thing about this story.
On that note, the ending was almost too perfectly tied up for what I know to be a planned trilogy. I am very interested in what the author has in store for these characters next.
Non spoiler review: A good series! Interesting characters who face unusual circumstances to try to be together. There’s political intrigue, some fighting, and many plots woven together to form a good whole story.
Spoiler review: The storyline as a whole is really good, but honestly I can’t help but feel the author left so much on the table.
The characters needed to face more trials and tribulations in order to grow and make this story what it could have been!
It seemed the second book just came together way too easily and nicely. In order to get the most out of this story the author should have thrown in more problems.
The vixicats fell way too easily, for one. They could have had some escape and need to hunt them down. Could have even made it political with a vixicat destroying a caravan from Selta or Maerton and Tristan being blamed.
For another, all the political machinations wrapped up neatly…..but way too easily. The villain could hardly put up a fight and the heroes suffered nothing from finishing up the issues.
Frankly my overall feeling is that this could have been split into two books and packed with a bunch more action and intrigue. Maybe even some loss for the characters. And interspersed with all of that could have been more castle and village building at the Castle in the Wilde. More time spent focusing on Tristan growing a community and bringing together people from Tower Woods and Moorelin into a community while dealing with Vixicats, xenophobia, and supply issues.
You may ask, ‘Why give it 5 stars if it could have been more?’
Well, the author is a good sort (we spoke briefly as I inquired about the first book) and I want her to feel encouraged to keep writing! And the story is good. The ways plot lines wrapped up was well done and thoughtful. It could have just been more intriguing with more problems, to be honest.
Beth is back among her family and suddenly discovering what it's like to be treated as a woman and a princess rather than a child - but she's also in love, and the man she loves is a foreigner and forbidden the land, let alone her hand. She has more power than she ever realised, but can she learn to wield it wisely - and will it be enough? Tristan has made a treaty with the king, but he is still in danger from both the vixicats and those who hate foreigners (and consider him as trespassing on their territory). The most he can do to win the woman he loves is to kill off the vixicats and wait - but removing the vixicats will also remove one of the barriers keeping his castle safe. Will Tristan and his men survive the battle with the vixicats? And is there any hope of a peaceful future with Beth?
When one has power, it's clear it should be used for good. But the good of the country, or one's own good? And how does one learn its use? I enjoyed watching Beth discover her power and learn to use it, while also trying to follow her heart in a sometimes hostile environment. Tristan also had some growing to do, especially in developing patience, and the thread of faith running through the book was a welcome addition. The writing is good and held my interest throughout. Can probably be read as a standalone story but I think best read with book 1 for background (and I can't imagine you wouldn't want to follow with book 3 for Thomas' story).
Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.
I was given a free copy of this book and I decided to give it an honest review. If you liked the previous novel, you will like this one. It starts off where the other ended. The reader is given a much more in depth view of Beth's homeland, which given more insight into the first novel. It is a nice change of pace to read a fantasy where the author is not trying to shock or creep me out. My only problem is that everything comes together a little too well. But the author planted some information in the first novel, which shows that there is a plan. The writing is straight forward and highly entertaining.
I really enjoyed this continuation of the Castle in the Wilde series and I will continue on with the Novella A Castle Lost and Book 3 A Castle from The Ashes....If i am being honest, I enjoyed the first book in the series a little bit more than the second book but still really enjoyed this installment
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. A Castle Contended was an engaging and enjoyable read, filled with compelling characters and a story that kept me hooked from start to finish. The writing was immersive, and I loved the way it made me feel completely transported into its world!
I truly hated to put it down last night, but sleep would not be delayed. I was hanging on every word, ready to turn in my card to Sharon Rose fan club if the results didn’t match my expectations. Thank God that it did. Love your books.
The story of kingdom intrigue continues as Ellabeth comes into her own as princess. Sharon Rose weaves cultural differences to create unique characters that you long to see gain their heart's desires.
As good as the first, even though Beth and Tristan are apart for a good part of the book. But you really get to see Beth flourish under her new confidence and maturity.
Castle Contended starts where Castle Awakened left off. It answers some of the questions from the first book, but lays the groundwork for more exploration of the world in book 3.
These books are hard to rate because it feels like not much is happening while I'm reading, yet I still enjoy the steady, laid-back writing. The characters and the politics of the world itself, rather than the plot, are really the focus of the writing. All in all, this was a sweet and satisfying continuation of the series, and I'm interested to see what happens next.
I received an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review