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Beyond the Sunrise
I will love you all my life and even beyond that.
Even at fifteen, Jeanne, the privileged daughter of a royalist émigré, knew what she liked: Englishman Robert Blake, bastard son of a marquess. Yet his questionable birth rendered him forbidden. Forced to part, they were still young enough to believe in tomorrow. But as time passed, that brief ephemeral flirtation at Haddington Hall faded into memory.
Eleven years later in Portugal, during the Peninsular Wars, they meet again, both of them spies, and destined to be working on opposing sides. He is now a captain with the British army. She is the widowed Marquesa das Minas—sometimes going by the name Joana da Fonte. However for only one of them does the flicker of recognition still burn.
Amid the fury of war and in the shadow of secrets, passion flares once again. But for Joana and Robert, each entrusted to a dangerous mission that demands deception, falling in love could be the most dangerous risk of all.
Even at fifteen, Jeanne, the privileged daughter of a royalist émigré, knew what she liked: Englishman Robert Blake, bastard son of a marquess. Yet his questionable birth rendered him forbidden. Forced to part, they were still young enough to believe in tomorrow. But as time passed, that brief ephemeral flirtation at Haddington Hall faded into memory.
Eleven years later in Portugal, during the Peninsular Wars, they meet again, both of them spies, and destined to be working on opposing sides. He is now a captain with the British army. She is the widowed Marquesa das Minas—sometimes going by the name Joana da Fonte. However for only one of them does the flicker of recognition still burn.
Amid the fury of war and in the shadow of secrets, passion flares once again. But for Joana and Robert, each entrusted to a dangerous mission that demands deception, falling in love could be the most dangerous risk of all.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 3, 1992
200 people are currently reading
842 people want to read
About the author
Mary Balogh
200 books6,346 followersMary Jenkins was born in 1944 in Swansea, Wales, UK. After graduating from university, moved to Saskatchewan, Canada, to teach high school English, on a two-year teaching contract in 1967. She married her Canadian husband, Robert Balogh, and had three children, Jacqueline, Christopher and Sian. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, music and knitting. She also enjoys watching tennis and curling.
Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Her first book, a Regency love story, was published in 1985 as A Masked Deception under her married name. In 1988, she retired from teaching after 20 years to pursue her dream to write full-time. She has written more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas since then, including the New York Times bestselling 'Slightly' sextet and 'Simply' quartet. She has won numerous awards, including Bestselling Historical of the Year from the Borders Group, and her novel Simply Magic was a finalist in the Quill Awards. She has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Her first book, a Regency love story, was published in 1985 as A Masked Deception under her married name. In 1988, she retired from teaching after 20 years to pursue her dream to write full-time. She has written more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas since then, including the New York Times bestselling 'Slightly' sextet and 'Simply' quartet. She has won numerous awards, including Bestselling Historical of the Year from the Borders Group, and her novel Simply Magic was a finalist in the Quill Awards. She has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
November 4, 2021
November 2021 reread: This novel still holds up as one of my favorite comfort reads by Mary Balogh! There is something in this mix of forbidden love, meticulously researched history, and ETL romance with a side of spying that draws me in like a magnet.
I don’t think this book is for everyone, as both main characters can be quite unlikeable at times, and the heroine’s stubborn streak and fake persona as ‘the marquesa’ is bound to annoy even the most sympathetic of readers. Maybe it’s because I see a little of myself in her 15 yo self as well as her grown up version with all her walls of defence firmly up, but I feel like cutting her some slack: sometimes you have to put on a show to protect yourself.
I just love to see two strong personalities clash and fight, and eventually tear down each other’s defences. I love their unwillingness to fall in love with each other and their protestations that their feelings for each other are merely a mix of hatred and lust.
Robert and Joana’s story is not only stormy, but also quite lengthy, spanning nearly a year and featuring both of them being imprisoned at some point. The ending is satisfactorily romantic, with a tough hero showing his soft, poetic heart. Will be revisiting this one often in the future when I’ll be in need of an HR that hits all the right spots and makes me sigh with contentment when I turn the last page.
July 2021 read: This Balogh romance is either love or hate, as the wildly discordant ratings and reviews suggest. You either enjoy your HR with a generous side of angst and historical details, or you detest them. Personally, my heart started beating faster with each historical reference and Balogh’s dedication to researching the Napoleonic wars payed off in full, by making this story engrossing and vivid from start to finish. In the past I have sometimes found her commitment to making her stories realistic a little annoying (generally because this choice reflects poorly on her heroes), but in this case it made a plot-driven story unforgettable, whereas it would’ve degenerated into a soap opera if the author had glossed over the dangers of warfare. The supporting cast is excellent and extremely well-written, and yet the main couple was given center stage and time to unravel their complicated relationship. I am a sucker for second chance at love, and Joana and Robert were simply unforgettable as childhood sweethearts to estranged adults. Their dynamic felt incredibly authentic even while Balogh wrote scenes of unadulterated romanticism. and the story really kept me guessing until the end if they could find a way to reconcile their bigger than life feelings for each other to the harsh reality of their situation. And I am also glad that the resolution to this impasse felt grounded and reasonable, while still satisfyingly romantic. And finally, a last word on the heroine, whom most reviewers seem to detest: while she certainly is no paragon of honesty, I can excuse many of her choices as the result of her attempts to keep her feelings for the hero in check, while also navigating a very delicate political situation. And I found her determination and bravery admirable, especially because she never fit into the ‘strong woman’ cliché, but was allowed to be feminine and vulnerable at the same time. The hero was equally complex and contradictory while never becoming too much of an asshole, I loved his psychological journey from self-denial and hatred to authenticity and love. Both of them were merely play acting for ten years and finally drew the strength to be themselves once they found each other again.
I don’t think this book is for everyone, as both main characters can be quite unlikeable at times, and the heroine’s stubborn streak and fake persona as ‘the marquesa’ is bound to annoy even the most sympathetic of readers. Maybe it’s because I see a little of myself in her 15 yo self as well as her grown up version with all her walls of defence firmly up, but I feel like cutting her some slack: sometimes you have to put on a show to protect yourself.
I just love to see two strong personalities clash and fight, and eventually tear down each other’s defences. I love their unwillingness to fall in love with each other and their protestations that their feelings for each other are merely a mix of hatred and lust.
Robert and Joana’s story is not only stormy, but also quite lengthy, spanning nearly a year and featuring both of them being imprisoned at some point. The ending is satisfactorily romantic, with a tough hero showing his soft, poetic heart. Will be revisiting this one often in the future when I’ll be in need of an HR that hits all the right spots and makes me sigh with contentment when I turn the last page.
July 2021 read: This Balogh romance is either love or hate, as the wildly discordant ratings and reviews suggest. You either enjoy your HR with a generous side of angst and historical details, or you detest them. Personally, my heart started beating faster with each historical reference and Balogh’s dedication to researching the Napoleonic wars payed off in full, by making this story engrossing and vivid from start to finish. In the past I have sometimes found her commitment to making her stories realistic a little annoying (generally because this choice reflects poorly on her heroes), but in this case it made a plot-driven story unforgettable, whereas it would’ve degenerated into a soap opera if the author had glossed over the dangers of warfare. The supporting cast is excellent and extremely well-written, and yet the main couple was given center stage and time to unravel their complicated relationship. I am a sucker for second chance at love, and Joana and Robert were simply unforgettable as childhood sweethearts to estranged adults. Their dynamic felt incredibly authentic even while Balogh wrote scenes of unadulterated romanticism. and the story really kept me guessing until the end if they could find a way to reconcile their bigger than life feelings for each other to the harsh reality of their situation. And I am also glad that the resolution to this impasse felt grounded and reasonable, while still satisfyingly romantic. And finally, a last word on the heroine, whom most reviewers seem to detest: while she certainly is no paragon of honesty, I can excuse many of her choices as the result of her attempts to keep her feelings for the hero in check, while also navigating a very delicate political situation. And I found her determination and bravery admirable, especially because she never fit into the ‘strong woman’ cliché, but was allowed to be feminine and vulnerable at the same time. The hero was equally complex and contradictory while never becoming too much of an asshole, I loved his psychological journey from self-denial and hatred to authenticity and love. Both of them were merely play acting for ten years and finally drew the strength to be themselves once they found each other again.
June 10, 2015
I should really know better than to read/listen to a romance novel written before the mid-to-late 1990s at the VERY earliest (aside from Jane Austen's novels, of course). Balogh is one of my favorite historical romance novelists, but this early work of hers is awful. It's kind of interesting as a historical spy novel set in Portugal & Spain during the Napoleonic Wars, but as a romance it fails miserably. The heroine does nothing but humiliate, emasculate, and lie to the hero, even when her mission no longer requires secrecy, and yet the reader is supposed to believe he would STILL fall in love with her?! Um, no, that's not how that works. Men respond to authenticity, not the contempt Joana demonstrates for all men as she manipulates, flirts with, and controls them like puppets on a string.
The book perpetuates the myth that if you have sex with a man who lusts after you, that means he'll automatically fall in love with you. Um, no, also not how that works! A man has to care about and respect a woman in order to fall in love with her. Lust is just lust.
The story could have wrapped up in half the time if only Joana had told the truth as convincingly as she continued to tell lies; had explained why she wanted the French colonel to follow her; had been honest, genuine, and/or kind; and had enlisted Robert's help instead of deliberately making him think she was a French spy. There were flashes of excellence in this novel, where you could glimpse the writer Balogh would become, but there were also plot holes and faulty premises enough to have me ranting at my car stereo for hours (see above about the unnecessary length of the book).
I strongly do not recommend this one. The narrator does her best, but she can't make up for a terrible story.
For readers' advisors: setting doorway is primary. Story is secondary, I guess. There is some swearing and a lot of sex. Seriously, no one could have energy for that much sex while trudging around the hills/mountains of Spain & Portugal in wartime with no shelter, no trust, no safety, & not much food. No one.
The book perpetuates the myth that if you have sex with a man who lusts after you, that means he'll automatically fall in love with you. Um, no, also not how that works! A man has to care about and respect a woman in order to fall in love with her. Lust is just lust.
The story could have wrapped up in half the time if only Joana had told the truth as convincingly as she continued to tell lies; had explained why she wanted the French colonel to follow her; had been honest, genuine, and/or kind; and had enlisted Robert's help instead of deliberately making him think she was a French spy. There were flashes of excellence in this novel, where you could glimpse the writer Balogh would become, but there were also plot holes and faulty premises enough to have me ranting at my car stereo for hours (see above about the unnecessary length of the book).
I strongly do not recommend this one. The narrator does her best, but she can't make up for a terrible story.
For readers' advisors: setting doorway is primary. Story is secondary, I guess. There is some swearing and a lot of sex. Seriously, no one could have energy for that much sex while trudging around the hills/mountains of Spain & Portugal in wartime with no shelter, no trust, no safety, & not much food. No one.
dnf
May 17, 202344% in DNF
I listened to the audio. First of all, I don’t like Roslyn Landor. She sounds too primp and conservative.
But I would be able to withstand it if the heroine, Jean/Juana would be likable or if I believed in the chemistry between our MCs.
The heroine is an experienced flirt who has all the men under her finger. Mind you, not just men from one town like London but men from 4 countries (England, Spain Portugal and France) and she knows everyone and everyone who is anyone knows her. She is so beautiful everyone is smitten with her. She openly flirts with everyone yet no one thinks of her as a whore. But underneath it all she a spy in Napoleonic wars… and beyond that… she is after a vendetta of her own.
There is almost no space in her life for the hero. Yet she still decided to flirt with him and to make him fall in love with her.
Their relationship is based on being childhood friends, yet she does not recognize him 🤯. He recognizes her. He has the same name, looks the same, is English yet, she doesn’t recognize him.
It was unlistenable to my ears. And I tried. I tried many times to come back. But it was not getting better.
I’m sure the second half is better but I don’t care because I don’t care about this contrived, non sensical heroine.
Hero was good. He was right, he wanted to stay away from her as far as possible yet somehow she always found a way to be with him in private. What an annoying woman. At this point in the book (44%) he completely despises her and for a good reason, yet she is still pushing herself on him.
I am doing what poor Robert should have done at this point, I’m running away from this story.
End of rant.
I listened to the audio. First of all, I don’t like Roslyn Landor. She sounds too primp and conservative.
But I would be able to withstand it if the heroine, Jean/Juana would be likable or if I believed in the chemistry between our MCs.
The heroine is an experienced flirt who has all the men under her finger. Mind you, not just men from one town like London but men from 4 countries (England, Spain Portugal and France) and she knows everyone and everyone who is anyone knows her. She is so beautiful everyone is smitten with her. She openly flirts with everyone yet no one thinks of her as a whore. But underneath it all she a spy in Napoleonic wars… and beyond that… she is after a vendetta of her own.
There is almost no space in her life for the hero. Yet she still decided to flirt with him and to make him fall in love with her.
Their relationship is based on being childhood friends, yet she does not recognize him 🤯. He recognizes her. He has the same name, looks the same, is English yet, she doesn’t recognize him.
It was unlistenable to my ears. And I tried. I tried many times to come back. But it was not getting better.
I’m sure the second half is better but I don’t care because I don’t care about this contrived, non sensical heroine.
Hero was good. He was right, he wanted to stay away from her as far as possible yet somehow she always found a way to be with him in private. What an annoying woman. At this point in the book (44%) he completely despises her and for a good reason, yet she is still pushing herself on him.
I am doing what poor Robert should have done at this point, I’m running away from this story.
End of rant.
Read
November 22, 2023I feel like Balogh's 90s novels are markedly different than what people typically associate her with (quiet, provincial stories) and it's very interesting to see what she does with a Napoleonic spy novel.
Joana and Robert met and fell in love when they were teenagers, but her family put a quash on the budding relationship because Robert is illegitimate. A decade later, he's a soldier and a spy receiving a mission in Portugal, and Joana is the widowed Marquesa das Minas. Joana is a femme fatale and a spy, but she's good enough at subterfuge that when Robert meets her again he takes her as the flighty aristocrat lacking in empathy she pretends to be.
Robert gets sent on a spy mission and Joana is enlisted (BY WELLINGTON!!!!) to assist him. Her help looks more like a betrayal because Wellington doesn't think Robert would be a very convincing actor, (Which, maybe not the best guy to hire as a spy then! WELLINGTON!) so he's not in on the fact that Joana is his ally. They bicker and fuck for like the entire novel, good for them.
I'd recommend for Balogh fans, it's kind of a weird one! I think femme fatale characters are maybe not Balogh's strength, but I was invested.
Joana and Robert met and fell in love when they were teenagers, but her family put a quash on the budding relationship because Robert is illegitimate. A decade later, he's a soldier and a spy receiving a mission in Portugal, and Joana is the widowed Marquesa das Minas. Joana is a femme fatale and a spy, but she's good enough at subterfuge that when Robert meets her again he takes her as the flighty aristocrat lacking in empathy she pretends to be.
Robert gets sent on a spy mission and Joana is enlisted (BY WELLINGTON!!!!) to assist him. Her help looks more like a betrayal because Wellington doesn't think Robert would be a very convincing actor, (Which, maybe not the best guy to hire as a spy then! WELLINGTON!) so he's not in on the fact that Joana is his ally. They bicker and fuck for like the entire novel, good for them.
I'd recommend for Balogh fans, it's kind of a weird one! I think femme fatale characters are maybe not Balogh's strength, but I was invested.
January 20, 2015
Loved this daring change of pace for Regency superstar Mary Balogh -- a steamy wartime romance set in Spain, featuring a rugged British officer and a very unusual Balogh heroine -- a seductive and exotic lady spy!
September 13, 2016
I've given this an A for narration and a B+ for content at AAR, so I'm rounding up to 5 stars.
Mary Balogh’s 1992 novel Beyond the Sunrise boasts a storyline quite unlike those found in the other books of hers I’ve read in that it’s mostly plot, rather than character driven. That isn’t a criticism, however, because I enjoyed this new audiobook very much. It isn’t without its problems, the principal of which lies with the heroine’s somewhat cavalier treatment of the hero and I suspect that had I been reading the book rather than listening to it, I might have found her difficult to like, but Ms. Landor is able to portray her with such empathy that even when I didn’t particularly like her actions, I was at the very least able to understand her and even feel sorry for her and angry on her behalf at situation in which she has been placed.
The bulk of the story takes place in Portugal and Spain in 1810, but the book opens eleven years earlier at the country seat of the Marquis of Quesnay, when we meet our two protagonists, who are then aged fifteen and seventeen. Jeanne is the daughter of the Comte de Levisse, a French emigré and Robert is the only – although illegitimate son – of the Marquess. During one idyllic summer, the young couple falls deeply in love, only to be cruelly separated by the Comte, who, recognising the strength of daughter’s feelings for a young man far below her in station, tells her that Robert has been boasting of his conquest and laughing behind her back at her gullibility. Jeanne believes her father’s lies and hides her true feelings behind the smiles and light-hearted gaiety that are to become one of many weapons in her arsenal of feminine appeal, and informs Robert that she had just been toying with him. After all, what possible interest could the daughter of a nobleman have in a bastard?
The story then moves ahead eleven years, to a ballroom in Lisbon where Captain Robert Blake of the 95th Rifles, recuperating from injuries received in the line of duty, is feeling ill-at-ease, and chafing to return to his regular duties. He is utterly stunned to see Jeanne – now the widowed Marquesa Joana das Minas – enter on the arm of a fellow officer, and all his feelings of adolescent rage and hurt come tumbling back. She, however, doesn’t recognise him at all.
Joana immediately senses that in Robert, she has found a man who is not going to succumb to her charms and fall at her feet, which naturally makes him something of a challenge. For his part, Robert is well aware of this fact, which makes him even more determined to keep his distance when he can and treat her with cold indifference when he can’t.
But the pair is thrown together by the Viscount Wellington, who sends Robert on a dangerous mission behind enemy lines. Unbeknownst to the captain, Joana has been acting as a British agent for a number of years; having ties to England (her mother was English), France and Portugal (her late husband was Portuguese) means that she is able to move easily between the British forces, the Portuguese partisans and the French, who believe her to be a double agent. For the sake of the mission, Robert cannot be allowed to know all this, and Joana knows that there will come a point in their journey when she will have to act in such a way as to convince the French that she hates him – and that she will cause him to actually despise her in the process.
When Wellington’s plan is put into action, Joana plays her part so well that Robert is completely convinced by what he perceives as her betrayal of both her mother’s country and himself, and his sense of her duplicity is powerfully compounded by her long-ago treatment of him – so much so that even when she finally tells him the truth, he doesn’t believe her.
This is probably my main issue with the story – not so much that Robert can’t bring himself to trust Joana, but rather the way she insists on treating him, continuing her act as “the Marquesa”, the flirtatious, coquettish widow who treats men as her playthings – she even admits to herself that Robert’s distrust of her is not surprising given the way she treats him, yet she cannot abandon her act, feeling that should he realise how she really feels about him, he will break her heart. Another, smaller issue is that because there is a great deal of focus on what is undoubtedly a well-thought out and executed plotline, there is less emphasis on the development of the romance between the principals; the listener is expected to take it as read that these two still harbour strong feelings for each other, and the story is more about how they move through longing, betrayal and distrust to find one another again. Theirs is a tempestuous relationship – their inability to keep their hands off each other leading them to agree to be “frenemies-with-benefits” for the duration of their journey - but it also includes some moments of great poignancy, such as the one evening when they agree to forget everything and allow themselves a moment out of time.
In spite of my quibbles, this quickly became an audiobook I was reluctant to put down, which was in no small part to Rosalyn Landor’s compelling narration. Her ability to get to the heart of a story and its characters never ceases to amaze me, her pacing and acting choices throughout the book are spot-on and her performance of the narrative is as emotionally resonant as her characterisations. In short, she once again delivers an absolutely flawless performance. She differentiates very effectively between all the main and secondary characters, utilising a variety of European accents when called for, all of them sounding authentic and never so thick that the listener has to work hard to make out the words beneath. I especially enjoyed her portrayal of Robert, who is tough, hard-edged and sexy, but with a well-hidden vulnerability which Ms Landor nonetheless finds and conveys with perfect subtlety.
There is one problem with the production that is in no way down to the performance - there are lots of pauses at odd moments which seem to be present for no discernible reason. (This happened as well in Garden of Lies, also produced by Recorded Books). I looked through my print copy of Beyond the Sunrise to see if the pauses were breaks between paragraphs, but they are not. They became quite distracting as my listening progressed; one of them came right at an *ahem* important moment in a love scene, and took me right out of the moment! But while it was noticeable and more annoying at some times than at others, that fault didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the audiobook, which I’m strongly recommending to fans of the author, the narrator and historical romance in general.
Mary Balogh’s 1992 novel Beyond the Sunrise boasts a storyline quite unlike those found in the other books of hers I’ve read in that it’s mostly plot, rather than character driven. That isn’t a criticism, however, because I enjoyed this new audiobook very much. It isn’t without its problems, the principal of which lies with the heroine’s somewhat cavalier treatment of the hero and I suspect that had I been reading the book rather than listening to it, I might have found her difficult to like, but Ms. Landor is able to portray her with such empathy that even when I didn’t particularly like her actions, I was at the very least able to understand her and even feel sorry for her and angry on her behalf at situation in which she has been placed.
The bulk of the story takes place in Portugal and Spain in 1810, but the book opens eleven years earlier at the country seat of the Marquis of Quesnay, when we meet our two protagonists, who are then aged fifteen and seventeen. Jeanne is the daughter of the Comte de Levisse, a French emigré and Robert is the only – although illegitimate son – of the Marquess. During one idyllic summer, the young couple falls deeply in love, only to be cruelly separated by the Comte, who, recognising the strength of daughter’s feelings for a young man far below her in station, tells her that Robert has been boasting of his conquest and laughing behind her back at her gullibility. Jeanne believes her father’s lies and hides her true feelings behind the smiles and light-hearted gaiety that are to become one of many weapons in her arsenal of feminine appeal, and informs Robert that she had just been toying with him. After all, what possible interest could the daughter of a nobleman have in a bastard?
The story then moves ahead eleven years, to a ballroom in Lisbon where Captain Robert Blake of the 95th Rifles, recuperating from injuries received in the line of duty, is feeling ill-at-ease, and chafing to return to his regular duties. He is utterly stunned to see Jeanne – now the widowed Marquesa Joana das Minas – enter on the arm of a fellow officer, and all his feelings of adolescent rage and hurt come tumbling back. She, however, doesn’t recognise him at all.
Joana immediately senses that in Robert, she has found a man who is not going to succumb to her charms and fall at her feet, which naturally makes him something of a challenge. For his part, Robert is well aware of this fact, which makes him even more determined to keep his distance when he can and treat her with cold indifference when he can’t.
But the pair is thrown together by the Viscount Wellington, who sends Robert on a dangerous mission behind enemy lines. Unbeknownst to the captain, Joana has been acting as a British agent for a number of years; having ties to England (her mother was English), France and Portugal (her late husband was Portuguese) means that she is able to move easily between the British forces, the Portuguese partisans and the French, who believe her to be a double agent. For the sake of the mission, Robert cannot be allowed to know all this, and Joana knows that there will come a point in their journey when she will have to act in such a way as to convince the French that she hates him – and that she will cause him to actually despise her in the process.
When Wellington’s plan is put into action, Joana plays her part so well that Robert is completely convinced by what he perceives as her betrayal of both her mother’s country and himself, and his sense of her duplicity is powerfully compounded by her long-ago treatment of him – so much so that even when she finally tells him the truth, he doesn’t believe her.
This is probably my main issue with the story – not so much that Robert can’t bring himself to trust Joana, but rather the way she insists on treating him, continuing her act as “the Marquesa”, the flirtatious, coquettish widow who treats men as her playthings – she even admits to herself that Robert’s distrust of her is not surprising given the way she treats him, yet she cannot abandon her act, feeling that should he realise how she really feels about him, he will break her heart. Another, smaller issue is that because there is a great deal of focus on what is undoubtedly a well-thought out and executed plotline, there is less emphasis on the development of the romance between the principals; the listener is expected to take it as read that these two still harbour strong feelings for each other, and the story is more about how they move through longing, betrayal and distrust to find one another again. Theirs is a tempestuous relationship – their inability to keep their hands off each other leading them to agree to be “frenemies-with-benefits” for the duration of their journey - but it also includes some moments of great poignancy, such as the one evening when they agree to forget everything and allow themselves a moment out of time.
In spite of my quibbles, this quickly became an audiobook I was reluctant to put down, which was in no small part to Rosalyn Landor’s compelling narration. Her ability to get to the heart of a story and its characters never ceases to amaze me, her pacing and acting choices throughout the book are spot-on and her performance of the narrative is as emotionally resonant as her characterisations. In short, she once again delivers an absolutely flawless performance. She differentiates very effectively between all the main and secondary characters, utilising a variety of European accents when called for, all of them sounding authentic and never so thick that the listener has to work hard to make out the words beneath. I especially enjoyed her portrayal of Robert, who is tough, hard-edged and sexy, but with a well-hidden vulnerability which Ms Landor nonetheless finds and conveys with perfect subtlety.
There is one problem with the production that is in no way down to the performance - there are lots of pauses at odd moments which seem to be present for no discernible reason. (This happened as well in Garden of Lies, also produced by Recorded Books). I looked through my print copy of Beyond the Sunrise to see if the pauses were breaks between paragraphs, but they are not. They became quite distracting as my listening progressed; one of them came right at an *ahem* important moment in a love scene, and took me right out of the moment! But while it was noticeable and more annoying at some times than at others, that fault didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the audiobook, which I’m strongly recommending to fans of the author, the narrator and historical romance in general.
June 2, 2011
Started this on the train home from Paris... a rather dense tale almost entirely set between Spain and Portugal. The female lead is a spirited and beautiful young woman, with a British/Portuguese mother and a French father - all the better to blur the lines, right? My main problem with the story was this character- somehow too annoying for words. As a spy, she is obliged to trick the hero and when she could enlighten him, oh surprise, he doesn't believe her. She refuses to beg and plead or basically make any effort to convince him because as she says, it's more fun just to tease him. Why this should be more fun eludes me completely, other than that it meant they were continually at cross purposes and when the hero loves her despite himself, he hates himself for doing so. Not my favorite Balogh by a long stretch, but given that I usually love her books, it's only fair there be some I like less. This one's relatively old, for what that's worth.
June 2, 2025
Beyond the Sunrise (1992) is an amazing mingling of a beautifully written second chance romance set against the backdrop of the Peninsula War. Brilliant story!
⚔️ My thoughts about this Balogh book are slightly influenced by having read the Sharpe series of historical fiction books by Bernard Cornwell which began publication in 1981, and then having seen the popular Sharpe tv series, which was broadcast 1993-2008, and starred the British actor Sean Bean. I loved the Sharpe books and show!! There are some similarities with Beyond the Sunrise, and the early Cornwell books and episodes of the show:
** Location: Portugal and Spain, 1809-1810, references to specific military campaigns, battles, historical figures, and local partisans.
** Heroes are British men who worked their way up thru the ranks in the Army from private to captain, started careers in India, are imposing handsome men with blond hair and scars, attractive to women, and rough around the edges… unfamiliar with social niceties. Both are now officers in the famed 95th Rifles infantry regiment which wore green jackets, and both do special assignments under direct orders from Lord Wellington.
⚔️ While on a visit to England in 1799 Jeanne, the daughter of a French count and English mother, meets Robert Blake. She’s 15, and he’s the 17 year old bastard son of a marquess. Their attraction is forbidden by their fathers. Eleven years later they meet at a ball in Lisbon Portugal.. she’s now the Marquesa das Minas, a beautiful widow; the toast of Lisbon. He was a hero at Talavera, hates such entertainment… was dragged to the ball by a comrade. Both become enmeshed in a world of spying, intrigue, and desire for each other.
⚔️ Jeanne is proud, stubborn, flirts with many men, lies to Robert, and uses him over and over for her own dangerous purposes. She’s an unlikeable and awful heroine. He too lies, and tries his utmost not to fall in love with her again. I was completely enthralled with two sharply drawn flawed characters .., Balogh’s writing is exceptional. Her expert attention to historical details adds to the suspenseful adventures in the story. Unlike her later books this one has plenty of sizzling passionate sex scenes … some raw and rough… all after an agonizing slow burn especially for Robert.
⚔️ Overall, I can easily see why some folks don’t care for this book … unlikeable main characters… the heroine is especially despicable, oodles of deceit, lots of historical stuff, and it’s 383 pages of tiny print. But I like all that .. except for the tiny font size. For me, its similarities to the Sharpe tales, the suspense and adventure, detailed scorching hot sex scenes, plus the heart felt second chance romance make Beyond the Sunrise a splendid masterpiece. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+
Sharpe tv series is available via BritBox in the U.S.
⚔️ My thoughts about this Balogh book are slightly influenced by having read the Sharpe series of historical fiction books by Bernard Cornwell which began publication in 1981, and then having seen the popular Sharpe tv series, which was broadcast 1993-2008, and starred the British actor Sean Bean. I loved the Sharpe books and show!! There are some similarities with Beyond the Sunrise, and the early Cornwell books and episodes of the show:
** Location: Portugal and Spain, 1809-1810, references to specific military campaigns, battles, historical figures, and local partisans.
** Heroes are British men who worked their way up thru the ranks in the Army from private to captain, started careers in India, are imposing handsome men with blond hair and scars, attractive to women, and rough around the edges… unfamiliar with social niceties. Both are now officers in the famed 95th Rifles infantry regiment which wore green jackets, and both do special assignments under direct orders from Lord Wellington.
⚔️ While on a visit to England in 1799 Jeanne, the daughter of a French count and English mother, meets Robert Blake. She’s 15, and he’s the 17 year old bastard son of a marquess. Their attraction is forbidden by their fathers. Eleven years later they meet at a ball in Lisbon Portugal.. she’s now the Marquesa das Minas, a beautiful widow; the toast of Lisbon. He was a hero at Talavera, hates such entertainment… was dragged to the ball by a comrade. Both become enmeshed in a world of spying, intrigue, and desire for each other.
⚔️ Jeanne is proud, stubborn, flirts with many men, lies to Robert, and uses him over and over for her own dangerous purposes. She’s an unlikeable and awful heroine. He too lies, and tries his utmost not to fall in love with her again. I was completely enthralled with two sharply drawn flawed characters .., Balogh’s writing is exceptional. Her expert attention to historical details adds to the suspenseful adventures in the story. Unlike her later books this one has plenty of sizzling passionate sex scenes … some raw and rough… all after an agonizing slow burn especially for Robert.
⚔️ Overall, I can easily see why some folks don’t care for this book … unlikeable main characters… the heroine is especially despicable, oodles of deceit, lots of historical stuff, and it’s 383 pages of tiny print. But I like all that .. except for the tiny font size. For me, its similarities to the Sharpe tales, the suspense and adventure, detailed scorching hot sex scenes, plus the heart felt second chance romance make Beyond the Sunrise a splendid masterpiece. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+
Sharpe tv series is available via BritBox in the U.S.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2015
Vikki’s Musings
I am a huge fan of Mary Balogh ever since I picked up a copy of Allyne Bedwyn’s story. She is definitely one of my auto-buy authors. I can honestly say that I have loved all the books I have read by her, and I have read many of them. Beyond the Sunrise is quite different from her other novels, but nonetheless very enjoyable. I have read many of the reviews of this book, and the ratings are all over the place, which is unusual for one of her novels.
While this is not an easy, light-hearted read, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fifteen-year-old Jeanne Morisette, is the daughter of an aristocratic French émigré. While visiting Haddington Hall, the home of the Marquess of Quesnay, she meets his bastard son, Robert. A sweet, innocence romance starts between the pair and for four glorious days, they revel in the feelings of first love.
Jeanne’s father finds out, and he tells her lies regarding Robert. While at first, she does not believe him, her insecurity and youth influence her feelings, thinking that Robert has shared some of their private moments with the stable hands. When she tells Robert farewell, she says some very hurtful things to him.
Robert’s tender feelings are wounded by her words and when his father laughs over his audacity in thinking he could be romantically involved with a girl so far above his status, he feels humiliated as well. This causes him additional anguish, and instead of allowing his father to buy him a commission, he runs away and joins the army as a private, determined to make his own way in the world.
They meet again eleven years later and while Robert recognizes her, she does not know that he is the young boy from her youth who professed his love for her with all the fervency only the young can have. He thinks the now widowed Marquesa des Minas is vane and a complete flirt. He can find no redeeming characteristics in her at all, yet he is immensely drawn to her.
Robert Blake has clawed his way up the ranks and is now an acclaimed war hero and a captain. Battled scarred and toughened by the rigors of battle, he has become a well-thought of comrade by his peers.
General Arthur Wellesley, who will in a few years become the Duke of Wellington, gives Robert a dangerous mission to complete, but before he ventures into enemy territory, he is asked to accompany the marquesa to her aunt.
The couple clash repeatedly while fighting an overwhelming attraction for each other. Lies and deceit keep them at odds much of the time. It does not help that both of them have been given missions that will lead them into peril, making it appear that they are on opposing sides. Is there any chance that the innocent love they had in their youth can become a love strong enough to weather all their secrets?
This is not a pretty read to say the least. Jeanne’s character is not easy to like. At times, I despised her and hated the half-truths and the tactics she employs with any man she comes in contact with, including Robert. She never gives him a straight answer, allowing him to believe the worst of her. However, underneath her tough exterior is a woman of great loyalty and dedication. She will accomplish her mission for Wellesley and her personal one, regardless of the loss for herself. While I cannot like her methods, I do admire her fortitude and determination in the face of the enemy.
Robert Blake’s character is brusque and at time even brutal, and he has his own secrets he holds tight to his chest for most of the story. He is just as much at fault as Jeanne when it comes to being honest with her, and just as quick to believe in her betrayal. But again, on a deeper level, he has tremendous courage and is just as determined to success in a mission that is not one he would have ever volunteered for.
While I enjoyed the romance between Robert and Jeanne, what made this such an incredible read for me is the historical details of the battles they fight in. The accuracy of the account takes my breath away. I can’t even imagine all the research Ms. Balogh must have done to write this fantastic tale of love and betrayal.
If you enjoy a rousing romance with a good bit of history interwoven, then Beyond the Sunrise is a book you will want to read. As with all of Ms. Balogh’s novels, this will remain on my keeper shelf for many years to come. Happy reading!
I am a huge fan of Mary Balogh ever since I picked up a copy of Allyne Bedwyn’s story. She is definitely one of my auto-buy authors. I can honestly say that I have loved all the books I have read by her, and I have read many of them. Beyond the Sunrise is quite different from her other novels, but nonetheless very enjoyable. I have read many of the reviews of this book, and the ratings are all over the place, which is unusual for one of her novels.
While this is not an easy, light-hearted read, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fifteen-year-old Jeanne Morisette, is the daughter of an aristocratic French émigré. While visiting Haddington Hall, the home of the Marquess of Quesnay, she meets his bastard son, Robert. A sweet, innocence romance starts between the pair and for four glorious days, they revel in the feelings of first love.
Jeanne’s father finds out, and he tells her lies regarding Robert. While at first, she does not believe him, her insecurity and youth influence her feelings, thinking that Robert has shared some of their private moments with the stable hands. When she tells Robert farewell, she says some very hurtful things to him.
Robert’s tender feelings are wounded by her words and when his father laughs over his audacity in thinking he could be romantically involved with a girl so far above his status, he feels humiliated as well. This causes him additional anguish, and instead of allowing his father to buy him a commission, he runs away and joins the army as a private, determined to make his own way in the world.
They meet again eleven years later and while Robert recognizes her, she does not know that he is the young boy from her youth who professed his love for her with all the fervency only the young can have. He thinks the now widowed Marquesa des Minas is vane and a complete flirt. He can find no redeeming characteristics in her at all, yet he is immensely drawn to her.
Robert Blake has clawed his way up the ranks and is now an acclaimed war hero and a captain. Battled scarred and toughened by the rigors of battle, he has become a well-thought of comrade by his peers.
General Arthur Wellesley, who will in a few years become the Duke of Wellington, gives Robert a dangerous mission to complete, but before he ventures into enemy territory, he is asked to accompany the marquesa to her aunt.
The couple clash repeatedly while fighting an overwhelming attraction for each other. Lies and deceit keep them at odds much of the time. It does not help that both of them have been given missions that will lead them into peril, making it appear that they are on opposing sides. Is there any chance that the innocent love they had in their youth can become a love strong enough to weather all their secrets?
This is not a pretty read to say the least. Jeanne’s character is not easy to like. At times, I despised her and hated the half-truths and the tactics she employs with any man she comes in contact with, including Robert. She never gives him a straight answer, allowing him to believe the worst of her. However, underneath her tough exterior is a woman of great loyalty and dedication. She will accomplish her mission for Wellesley and her personal one, regardless of the loss for herself. While I cannot like her methods, I do admire her fortitude and determination in the face of the enemy.
Robert Blake’s character is brusque and at time even brutal, and he has his own secrets he holds tight to his chest for most of the story. He is just as much at fault as Jeanne when it comes to being honest with her, and just as quick to believe in her betrayal. But again, on a deeper level, he has tremendous courage and is just as determined to success in a mission that is not one he would have ever volunteered for.
While I enjoyed the romance between Robert and Jeanne, what made this such an incredible read for me is the historical details of the battles they fight in. The accuracy of the account takes my breath away. I can’t even imagine all the research Ms. Balogh must have done to write this fantastic tale of love and betrayal.
If you enjoy a rousing romance with a good bit of history interwoven, then Beyond the Sunrise is a book you will want to read. As with all of Ms. Balogh’s novels, this will remain on my keeper shelf for many years to come. Happy reading!
March 30, 2019
I’m somewhere right in the middle with this one. Some parts I thoroughly enjoyed, while others quite nearly bored me to tears. The idea was interesting, I think it’s the execution that was a bit lacking. Some parts could have easily been cut down while others could have been explored more. I think the best word to describe this book would be average!
January 9, 2018
(2.5 stars? I blame my library for my having read this. While I was passing the LARGE PRINT section this book shouted out to blind-as-a-bat me and I assumed it was fate. Since then I realize it was just a mistake.)
Well, now. This was educational but not enjoyable. How educational? Well, I learned that Mary Balogh could write an HR with an excessive amount of sex in it. Not excessively explicit, just excessive in the amount of times the H and h have sex.
The plot itself could have been great. Robert and Jeanne/Joana met once when he was 17 and she 15 and developed an ill-fated case of puppy love, since he was the bastard son of an English marquess and she the daughter of an aristocratic French diplomat. When they meet again in Portugal some 11 years later during the Peninsular Wars (he as a soldier, she as the widow of a Portuguese marquess), he recognizes her but she does not realize who he is. She flirts; he resists. She flirts more; he resists more. But, of course, we know he *burns* for her.
Robert is sent by Wellington on a spying mission to French territory. Joana, unbeknownst to Robert, is also sent by Wellington to make sure the mission is successful. He thinks she's a spy for the French. She doesn't try to deny this or tell him the truth about herself. He doesn't trust her. She does nothing to keep him from mistrusting her. But none of this keeps them from having sex like bunnies all during their escape from the French back to British headquarters (and that's a long time).
This was a WTF book for me. Not sure what Balogh's intent was. If it was to confuse her readers, she certainly succeeded with me.
Well, now. This was educational but not enjoyable. How educational? Well, I learned that Mary Balogh could write an HR with an excessive amount of sex in it. Not excessively explicit, just excessive in the amount of times the H and h have sex.
The plot itself could have been great. Robert and Jeanne/Joana met once when he was 17 and she 15 and developed an ill-fated case of puppy love, since he was the bastard son of an English marquess and she the daughter of an aristocratic French diplomat. When they meet again in Portugal some 11 years later during the Peninsular Wars (he as a soldier, she as the widow of a Portuguese marquess), he recognizes her but she does not realize who he is. She flirts; he resists. She flirts more; he resists more. But, of course, we know he *burns* for her.
Robert is sent by Wellington on a spying mission to French territory. Joana, unbeknownst to Robert, is also sent by Wellington to make sure the mission is successful. He thinks she's a spy for the French. She doesn't try to deny this or tell him the truth about herself. He doesn't trust her. She does nothing to keep him from mistrusting her. But none of this keeps them from having sex like bunnies all during their escape from the French back to British headquarters (and that's a long time).
This was a WTF book for me. Not sure what Balogh's intent was. If it was to confuse her readers, she certainly succeeded with me.
April 8, 2010
The hero (Robert Blake) is just scrumptious but the heroine is mostly annoying. I couldn't understand why she didn't just hand the villain over to the Spanish partisans when she found him instead of following him across Spain and down Portugal for the second half of the book so she could shoot him personally. The Spanish partisans would have administered a much more severe punishment on him than she did. Mary Balogh has a few books where the plot is stretched out for rather stupid reasons ...
August 7, 2010
A highly unusual Balogh. Wartime setting -- a childhood romance that goes awry -- very heated encounters (for Balogh). Rather unforgettable.
February 18, 2016
This story has mixed reviews and I can understand why those who didn’t like it, well didn’t like it. It’s mostly the heroine, Jeanne, and I can see why she’d be considered unlikable. However I found her unique, interesting, and her relationship with Robert a shift from the usual spy dynamic.
Jeanne and Robert met a kids and fell in love. But he was beneath her and her father convinced her to break up with him. She does so harshly believing her father.
Years later we find our MCs in Portugal. Robert is a Captain in the army and she is a widowed Marquesa, and a spy. He recognizes her instantly. She does not recognize him as she believes he died many years earlier. The Marquesa Joana da Fonte is a role Jeanne plays, and plays it well. Joane is outgoing, flirtatious, concerned about fashion and all its trappings, very shallow, and reels men in like fish. Robert, having hardened his heart against her, does not beg and scrape, and that intrigues her. She decides she wants him and proceeds to tease and flirt and push to make him either uncomfortable to make him want her. Her game is pushed up when they both report to Wellington. Robert is sent into Spain as a spy. Jeanne is ordered to betray him to the French, unbeknownst to Robert.
The fact the woman was in the know in this story, and didn’t feel conflicted about her role was oddly refreshing for me. But again, I can see why she might grate on people. She is not apologetic for what she does and she has a core of steel few people see. She walks a difficult road. She’s a double agent who’s seen much, the most devastating the attack and murder of her sister. She’s not kind, she’s not empathic, and she lies better than she tells the truth. Because she’s a spy. A spy who’s spent years playing a dangerous game that could get her killed. She never apologies for what she’s done. She owns it.
Robert for his part is a rather stuffy fellow. He’s attracted to Jeanne, but doesn’t understand her. He likes rules and everything in its place. They really have little in common. I have no real fault with him but there was not enough to him to carry the story without her. And the story really is about her.
I feel this is a cup of tea story. Either it’s your flavor or not. It worked for me.
Jeanne and Robert met a kids and fell in love. But he was beneath her and her father convinced her to break up with him. She does so harshly believing her father.
Years later we find our MCs in Portugal. Robert is a Captain in the army and she is a widowed Marquesa, and a spy. He recognizes her instantly. She does not recognize him as she believes he died many years earlier. The Marquesa Joana da Fonte is a role Jeanne plays, and plays it well. Joane is outgoing, flirtatious, concerned about fashion and all its trappings, very shallow, and reels men in like fish. Robert, having hardened his heart against her, does not beg and scrape, and that intrigues her. She decides she wants him and proceeds to tease and flirt and push to make him either uncomfortable to make him want her. Her game is pushed up when they both report to Wellington. Robert is sent into Spain as a spy. Jeanne is ordered to betray him to the French, unbeknownst to Robert.
The fact the woman was in the know in this story, and didn’t feel conflicted about her role was oddly refreshing for me. But again, I can see why she might grate on people. She is not apologetic for what she does and she has a core of steel few people see. She walks a difficult road. She’s a double agent who’s seen much, the most devastating the attack and murder of her sister. She’s not kind, she’s not empathic, and she lies better than she tells the truth. Because she’s a spy. A spy who’s spent years playing a dangerous game that could get her killed. She never apologies for what she’s done. She owns it.
Robert for his part is a rather stuffy fellow. He’s attracted to Jeanne, but doesn’t understand her. He likes rules and everything in its place. They really have little in common. I have no real fault with him but there was not enough to him to carry the story without her. And the story really is about her.
I feel this is a cup of tea story. Either it’s your flavor or not. It worked for me.
June 15, 2015
I love Mary Balogh. I haven't read everything she's ever written, but I have read most of her work. I have never read anything by her that I didn't like--until now. I just could not get into this book. I was so excited to read it initially, because it had so many elements I really enjoy in romance (spies, the Peninsular War), but this book was a struggle. Neither the hero nor heroine were all that likable; I am not usually that demanding of a reader when it comes to likability, but I just didn't really care about these two. Worse, the further I got into the book, the more of a chore it became to finish. I think this was because the payoff was delayed until almost the very end. I kept waiting for the hero to have it out with the heroine over the events of their youth, and it never happened. I feel like much of the forward momentum of the plot was lost due to this delay. The fact that the heroine also did not tell the hero what she was really up to in the later chapters also drove me nuts. Even when she told him, it was done in such a way that she wasn't believed, which just added to my frustration. I can only take so many "big misunderstanding" plot devices, and in this one we had multiple cases of that. Unfortunately, this book just wasn't for me.
November 16, 2013
This early Balogh historical is a bit florid and less engaging than most of her other works. It starts out with a well written depiction of engaging childhood friends, separated abruptly by parents and circumstance of birth. However, I lost interest in this couple soon after, as the dense historical plot overwhelmed the emotional growth of their relationship.
January 17, 2022
This was a slog. Definitely old school romance. I love Mary Balogh’s more recent books, but this was not my cup of tea.
November 16, 2025
Have to admit I was avoiding Mary’s books like a plague after one book but this one… is somewhat okay? but fell flat imo… the mmc just doesnt have this level of desperation I want from him, it’s always the fmc doing the chasing and I kinda hate it here like MAN UP! alas, he did some crying because he love her at least so that kinda of sweet. Overall this book convinced me that I should not’ve given up on Mary’s book and theres a lot to discover, hopefully
May 2, 2015
I think I may have stumbled across my new favorite Regency romance author. I’ve read two books by Mary Balogh so far, and she has a special talent for spinning a tale of tension and conflict, which can often be lacking in some romances.
Beyond the Sunrise is about two childhood friends, Jeanne (or Joana in Portuguese) and Robert, who parted badly. Years later, they meet in Portugal in the midst of the Napoleonic invasion. Robert, who enlisted in the army, is now a British spy, and Joana is one as well. Robert recognizes Joana, but she doesn’t realize he is the same man as the boy who she thought died of smallpox years before.
Stories of mistaken identity and heaps of angst are my catnip, since the anticipation of the moment of truth is always exciting. It takes a surprisingly long time for Robert to realize Joana is not a French spy and is actually working for his cause, but that’s partly because Joana is such a good actress. She even refuses to confirm her identity once he rejects her story, since she’s too proud to beg.
Joana is one of the spunkiest, bravest romance heroines I’ve encountered in a long time. She was a joy to root for. Despite being the daughter of a French count, Joana is more at home wielding a musket and infiltrating war zones than she is at attracting gentleman admirers at balls (although she does both well). I might even consider her an anti-heroine at some points, since she’s quite willing to double-cross Robert if it accomplishes her goals. I absolutely love her sass:
Joana is no fainting damsel in distress, and is always ready to call Robert out on his bullshit. In fact, their verbal sparring (or sometimes just verbal abuse) is one of the best parts of their budding romance. In the beginning, they despise each other despite their mutual physical attraction. Robert even holds Joana prisoner for a while, believing her a traitor to England.
Since so many Regencies are set in London, far from the battlegrounds of Europe, it was refreshing to read about two spies in war-torn Portugal. The military descriptions of the two armies’ movements sometimes got confusing, since I’m no strategist, but they never overpowered the central love story. I found the intrigue fascinating, and the constant threat of a French attack heightened the suspense.
Because Joana and Robert come from vastly different socioeconomic backgrounds, I was interested to see how they would manage to end up together. Regency romances are often matches of convenience, or at least courtships with an obvious ending, because both parties are from the nobility. I liked that Joana and Robert had to work for their happy ending, and that Balogh didn’t sweep their differences under the rug.
I wish that Joana’s “secret” had been revealed earlier on, and that the military jargon wasn’t so prevalent, but other than that I found Beyond the Sunrise to be a delightful story about love, loss, and the ravages of war. Balogh’s writing is excellent, and I’m excited to try out some of her other books.
Check out this review and others on my book blog here.
Beyond the Sunrise is about two childhood friends, Jeanne (or Joana in Portuguese) and Robert, who parted badly. Years later, they meet in Portugal in the midst of the Napoleonic invasion. Robert, who enlisted in the army, is now a British spy, and Joana is one as well. Robert recognizes Joana, but she doesn’t realize he is the same man as the boy who she thought died of smallpox years before.
Stories of mistaken identity and heaps of angst are my catnip, since the anticipation of the moment of truth is always exciting. It takes a surprisingly long time for Robert to realize Joana is not a French spy and is actually working for his cause, but that’s partly because Joana is such a good actress. She even refuses to confirm her identity once he rejects her story, since she’s too proud to beg.
Joana is one of the spunkiest, bravest romance heroines I’ve encountered in a long time. She was a joy to root for. Despite being the daughter of a French count, Joana is more at home wielding a musket and infiltrating war zones than she is at attracting gentleman admirers at balls (although she does both well). I might even consider her an anti-heroine at some points, since she’s quite willing to double-cross Robert if it accomplishes her goals. I absolutely love her sass:
“Men!” she said finally. “God’s gift to the animal kingdom. He made such a number of ghastly errors creating them that he had to create women to set all to rights again.”
Joana is no fainting damsel in distress, and is always ready to call Robert out on his bullshit. In fact, their verbal sparring (or sometimes just verbal abuse) is one of the best parts of their budding romance. In the beginning, they despise each other despite their mutual physical attraction. Robert even holds Joana prisoner for a while, believing her a traitor to England.
“Bastard,” she said to him.
“Slut.”
“Coward and brute.”
“Traitor and siren.”
She snarled up at him.
He snarled back.
And then suddenly and quite unexpectedly she smiled at him, her eyes sparkling, her mouth curving appealingly. “Oh God, Robert,” she said, “I would rather fight with you any day of the year than make love with another man. I don’t know when I had such fun.”
Since so many Regencies are set in London, far from the battlegrounds of Europe, it was refreshing to read about two spies in war-torn Portugal. The military descriptions of the two armies’ movements sometimes got confusing, since I’m no strategist, but they never overpowered the central love story. I found the intrigue fascinating, and the constant threat of a French attack heightened the suspense.
Because Joana and Robert come from vastly different socioeconomic backgrounds, I was interested to see how they would manage to end up together. Regency romances are often matches of convenience, or at least courtships with an obvious ending, because both parties are from the nobility. I liked that Joana and Robert had to work for their happy ending, and that Balogh didn’t sweep their differences under the rug.
I wish that Joana’s “secret” had been revealed earlier on, and that the military jargon wasn’t so prevalent, but other than that I found Beyond the Sunrise to be a delightful story about love, loss, and the ravages of war. Balogh’s writing is excellent, and I’m excited to try out some of her other books.
Check out this review and others on my book blog here.
March 1, 2022
This is not a pretty romance story. This is an unusual case of a book where I didn't like the story but recognize that the story is well done. I was a little surprised that it didn't end slightly differently. My dislike is purely personal in terms of how some things transpired.
One very positive thing about this book is that it provides historical information about the Peninsula theatre of that war. I have often wanted to know more detail. Most pure Regency romances provide minor details but not a big picture. The author says in a postscript that this aspect of the book is mostly accurate.
The thing I didn't like about this book was the adversarial nature of the love story. Obviously, there is precedent, but I just don't care for it. It is extreme and lasts through most of the book. Joana deliberately teases Blake knowing that it creates barriers between them It's a valid plot device, just not one I like.
This leads to something I found downright distasteful possibly to the point of being offensive. Their sex was angry sex. Their first such encounter borders on rape and has a lot of similarities to a conqueror forcing his will on the conquered. It is only saved by Joana's turning the tables after Blake's hesitation. Even after that, they engage in angry sex. Given her circumstances as prisoner, at least in Blake's mind, it is reasonable to question whether her participation is truly consensual or if she is merely fooling herself to make the situation bearable. Perhaps the fact that Joana tried to make it out that she really wasn't a prisoner excuses the wrongdoing, but the situation is far from clear cut. Because of all that I have just explained, I would recommend against this book being suitable for teens or younger.
The sequence surrounding the main battle scene is ridiculous. It is ridiculous that it could happen. It is ridiculous in that Joana endangers several nearby soldiers if not the entire outcome. It is ridiculous that the situation is passed over so lightly by officers other than Blake.
Matures themes: there are plenty of sex scenes which are mildly explicit but see earlier paragraph. There is war violence and torture. It is interesting that the backstory which motivates Joana includes the rape and killing of members of her family as she watched. The situation described is exactly that of a conqueror forcing his will on the conquered which is so close to what happens between Blake and Joana (excluding the murder that follows.) Again, I don't recommend this book for young audiences.
One very positive thing about this book is that it provides historical information about the Peninsula theatre of that war. I have often wanted to know more detail. Most pure Regency romances provide minor details but not a big picture. The author says in a postscript that this aspect of the book is mostly accurate.
The thing I didn't like about this book was the adversarial nature of the love story. Obviously, there is precedent, but I just don't care for it. It is extreme and lasts through most of the book. Joana deliberately teases Blake knowing that it creates barriers between them It's a valid plot device, just not one I like.
This leads to something I found downright distasteful possibly to the point of being offensive. Their sex was angry sex. Their first such encounter borders on rape and has a lot of similarities to a conqueror forcing his will on the conquered. It is only saved by Joana's turning the tables after Blake's hesitation. Even after that, they engage in angry sex. Given her circumstances as prisoner, at least in Blake's mind, it is reasonable to question whether her participation is truly consensual or if she is merely fooling herself to make the situation bearable. Perhaps the fact that Joana tried to make it out that she really wasn't a prisoner excuses the wrongdoing, but the situation is far from clear cut. Because of all that I have just explained, I would recommend against this book being suitable for teens or younger.
The sequence surrounding the main battle scene is ridiculous. It is ridiculous that it could happen. It is ridiculous in that Joana endangers several nearby soldiers if not the entire outcome. It is ridiculous that the situation is passed over so lightly by officers other than Blake.
Matures themes: there are plenty of sex scenes which are mildly explicit but see earlier paragraph. There is war violence and torture. It is interesting that the backstory which motivates Joana includes the rape and killing of members of her family as she watched. The situation described is exactly that of a conqueror forcing his will on the conquered which is so close to what happens between Blake and Joana (excluding the murder that follows.) Again, I don't recommend this book for young audiences.
March 6, 2015
England 1799
Robert Blake, age 17, is the illegitimate son of the Marquess of Quesnay of Haddington Hall. His mother was the mistress of the Marquess for many years until her death. While he has always been provided for by his father, the man’s wife hates him because she has never had any children with him. His father has promised to buy him a commission when he turned 18.
The lovely French girl, Jeanne Morisette, age 15, visits the Hall and meets Robert out on the grounds. They enjoy exploring the area and indulging in a few kisses. Jeanne is the daughter of the Comte de Levisse who had fled France during the Reign of Terror and now lives in England. Robert quickly falls in love with Jeanne but when she departs, she treats him with disdain.
Rather than wait until he was 18, Robert decides to run away and enlist as a soldier in the Ninety-Fifth Rifles infantry regiment. Private Robert Blake is then headed to India determined to make his life on his own.
Portugal and Spain 1810
Now we find Captain Robert Blake, a hero, tough, battle scarred, proud, and multi-lingual man healing from some serious wounds he received in battle. Anxious to return to duty and his men, he has worked hard to regain his strength.
He is invited to attend a soiree, he is shocked to meet Jeanne who is now known as Joana de Fonte, the Marquesa das Minas. She is now widowed and while he recognizes her, she does not recognize him probably due to the scarring on his face. She flirts with him but he remains simply cordial. Lord Wellington tasks him with escorting her to Viseu to visit her aunt and while he would rather decline, he has no other choice but to accept the assignment. There is something in her that wants to humiliate him probably because he would not fall at her feet like other men do.
When he safely brings her to her destination, he is then sent on a special mission by Wellington. He is captured by the French and at the same time he receives a great shock.
I have enjoyed Mary Balogh’s novels for many years but have to say that I was extremely disappointed and rather bored by this one. It is a re-release from the original 1992 book. I found Jeanne to be very irritating and there was way too much time of the book spent on the war.
Robert Blake, age 17, is the illegitimate son of the Marquess of Quesnay of Haddington Hall. His mother was the mistress of the Marquess for many years until her death. While he has always been provided for by his father, the man’s wife hates him because she has never had any children with him. His father has promised to buy him a commission when he turned 18.
The lovely French girl, Jeanne Morisette, age 15, visits the Hall and meets Robert out on the grounds. They enjoy exploring the area and indulging in a few kisses. Jeanne is the daughter of the Comte de Levisse who had fled France during the Reign of Terror and now lives in England. Robert quickly falls in love with Jeanne but when she departs, she treats him with disdain.
Rather than wait until he was 18, Robert decides to run away and enlist as a soldier in the Ninety-Fifth Rifles infantry regiment. Private Robert Blake is then headed to India determined to make his life on his own.
Portugal and Spain 1810
Now we find Captain Robert Blake, a hero, tough, battle scarred, proud, and multi-lingual man healing from some serious wounds he received in battle. Anxious to return to duty and his men, he has worked hard to regain his strength.
He is invited to attend a soiree, he is shocked to meet Jeanne who is now known as Joana de Fonte, the Marquesa das Minas. She is now widowed and while he recognizes her, she does not recognize him probably due to the scarring on his face. She flirts with him but he remains simply cordial. Lord Wellington tasks him with escorting her to Viseu to visit her aunt and while he would rather decline, he has no other choice but to accept the assignment. There is something in her that wants to humiliate him probably because he would not fall at her feet like other men do.
When he safely brings her to her destination, he is then sent on a special mission by Wellington. He is captured by the French and at the same time he receives a great shock.
I have enjoyed Mary Balogh’s novels for many years but have to say that I was extremely disappointed and rather bored by this one. It is a re-release from the original 1992 book. I found Jeanne to be very irritating and there was way too much time of the book spent on the war.
August 19, 2024
Poignant Story of Two People Who Cannot Have a Future
THE STORY: Robert and Jeanne met at teenagers at his father's estate. Robert is the bastard son of a marquess who is unwelcome in his father' home. Jeanne is the daughter of a French noble. Both excluded from the activities in the house, Jeanne and Robert spend several days together talking, exploring and kissing. They fall in love but both know that it cannot be because of the difference in their stations in life. Over a decade later, the two meet again during the Pennisular Wars. Robert has made his own way in life and is a captain in the British army. Jeanne is now known as Joana and a wealthy widow. The two meet again and the forces of the battles between the English and the French put them both in jeopardy. While they both have changed, their love is as doomed now as it was when they were teenagers.
OPINION: BEYOND THE SUNRISE is deeply emotional book. Robert and Jeanne have a long road before they can find happiness and throughout their journey there is a overwhelming sense that the two have no future which adds a sense of urgency and sadness to the book. Robert and Jeanne have a sad story because it is so often limited by lies and deception. My one complaint was that Jeanne is often the author of the problems between the couple and it comes from her pride. After a while, I tired of the constant misunderstandings between the couple. I enjoyed the book because it is deeply emotional and full of angst and sadness that is ultimately uplifting.
WORTH MENTIONING: This story is told deep in the Pennisular Wars which is a critical part of the novel not just a background.
FINAL DECISION: I liked this book. The story is dark and emotional. My only complaint is that I thought that most of the problems in the book were caused by the heroine's actions and after a while I found that a bit annoying.
CONNECTED BOOKS: BEYOND THE SUNRISE is a standalone book.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.
THE STORY: Robert and Jeanne met at teenagers at his father's estate. Robert is the bastard son of a marquess who is unwelcome in his father' home. Jeanne is the daughter of a French noble. Both excluded from the activities in the house, Jeanne and Robert spend several days together talking, exploring and kissing. They fall in love but both know that it cannot be because of the difference in their stations in life. Over a decade later, the two meet again during the Pennisular Wars. Robert has made his own way in life and is a captain in the British army. Jeanne is now known as Joana and a wealthy widow. The two meet again and the forces of the battles between the English and the French put them both in jeopardy. While they both have changed, their love is as doomed now as it was when they were teenagers.
OPINION: BEYOND THE SUNRISE is deeply emotional book. Robert and Jeanne have a long road before they can find happiness and throughout their journey there is a overwhelming sense that the two have no future which adds a sense of urgency and sadness to the book. Robert and Jeanne have a sad story because it is so often limited by lies and deception. My one complaint was that Jeanne is often the author of the problems between the couple and it comes from her pride. After a while, I tired of the constant misunderstandings between the couple. I enjoyed the book because it is deeply emotional and full of angst and sadness that is ultimately uplifting.
WORTH MENTIONING: This story is told deep in the Pennisular Wars which is a critical part of the novel not just a background.
FINAL DECISION: I liked this book. The story is dark and emotional. My only complaint is that I thought that most of the problems in the book were caused by the heroine's actions and after a while I found that a bit annoying.
CONNECTED BOOKS: BEYOND THE SUNRISE is a standalone book.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.
March 1, 2015
A youthful romance between the two protagonists ended rather abruptly and bitterly when they were found out by the parents. Years later, they met again during the Napoleon War in Portugal, where he was working on a mission directed by Wellington and the heroine, with her half French and half English heritage, had questionable loyalties. Their love-hate dynamics got rather weary after a while, with the constant fluctuations between his "I hate you, but I still want to f##k you" and hers "I love you, but I adore f##king with your mind". For a lengthy and wordy book, there seems to be a distinct lack of character depth. The heroine especially came across as not much better than the persona she had adopted as her guise - a flirtatious, superficial and narcissistic social butterfly.
September 24, 2015
not bad but too much about sex. i dunt believe their puppy love lasted all dat long ! i also dunno how jeanne fell in love wid the adult robert. he was absolutely horrible to her ! abandoning life as a duchess to live one of a gypsy really, this happens only in fairy tales ! also joanna had planned revenge for 3 years against the man who had raped her half-sister and for me, the anticlimax is when joana, for no apparent purpose, postponed the revenge for later and missed her chance ! she actually just shot him near the end and dat did not satisfy the reader's thirst for something big and dramatic.
May 6, 2025
I can’t believe I am saying this about a story written by Mary Balogh, but I did not enjoy this book! The heroine was intelligent, but she was also scheming, self centered, willful, manipulative and a lot of other unflattering things. The hero was morose and boring. This story was published in 1992. I think I will stick with the authors more recent novels, every one of which I have given 4 or 5 stars.
August 25, 2010
This was a very intense read. I really enjoyed it. As a former exchange student to Portugal and a long time amateur historian of the Napoleanic Wars I am hardwired to like a story that takes place in Portugal during the Peninsular War.
One of Balogh's best.
One of Balogh's best.
April 5, 2022
I love 90s Balogh, and this is no exception. Much more plot driven than most of her books. Very much a road trip story. the deception became tedious closer to the end, but was saved by the wonderful last scenes.
January 24, 2016
Balogh's early novel is as well plotted as Wellington's plans. The historically rich story is beautiful and though heartbreaking at many points must end happily.
October 18, 2017
Zniesť modré z neba či hviezdy k nohám je pomerne zaužívaný slovný obrat. Ale sľúbil vám už niekto darovať úsvit?
„Máte rád západ slnka, kapitán?“ spýtala sa. „Možno je to ďalší dar, ktorý by ste mohli venovať dáme svojho srdca.“
„Myslím, že nie.“ Hľadel jej priamo do tváre. „Krása súmraku je klamlivá. Po ňom nasleduje tma. Radšej úsvit. Daroval by som jej úsvit a všetko, čo nasleduje za úsvitom. Svetlo, teplo a život. A lásku.“
Na prvý pohľad sa môže zdať, že ide o typický sladký ženský román. Ale nie je to úplne tak. Baloghová sa snaží pridržiavať historických reálií, v tomto prípade bojov v Španielsku a Portugalsku počas napoleonských vojen. Celým dejom sa nesie vojnová atmosféra, nepriateľstva Francúzov a Angličanov, ktorí sú spojencami Španielov.
Tu sa objavuje problém pre hlavnú hrdinku Jeanne či Joanu. Sama nevie, kam patrí. Po matke je Angličanka, po otcovi Francúzka a ten sa veľmi snažil, aby z nej vychoval reprezentatívnu Francúzku.
Mala pätnásť, keď spoznala Roberta. Ten má so svojím pôvodom obdobné problémy ako ona. Je totiž nemanželským synom a jeho nevlastná matka ho nemá rada, pretože ona svojmu mužovi nedokázala dať deti. Mal sedemnásť, keď sa do Jeanne zamiloval, prv než si ho všimla ona. A vedel, že je tá pravá. Ani jeden nemohol ísť na ples, pretože ona bola primladá a on ako ľavoboček sa musel držať bokom. A tak spolu tancovali, pobozkali sa a sľúbili si večnú lásku...
„Ja by som svojho rytiera nikdy nenechala ísť do boja samého. Kráčala by som po jeho boku a spoločne s ním by som znášala všetko nepohodlie a nebezpečenstvo.“
Netušila, že jej slová sa raz naplnia...
Ich stretávanie sa neujde pozornosti Jeanninmu otcovi, ktorý dcéru presvedčí, že Robert ju chce len zneužiť a každému rozpráva, ako ju úspešne zvedie. Jeanne svojmu otcovi uverí a zatvrdí sa. Už nikdy nebude nikoho milovať a každému mužovi popletie hlavu. A prvou obeťou je Robert. Bez štipky citu sa mu vysmeje a nadá mu do pankhartov.
A tak jedna nádejná láska skončí – aby sa o jedenásť rokov neskôr mohla znovu pokúsiť o šťastie.
Robert sa vzdal všetkého, čo mu otec mohol poľahky zohnať – vrátane kúpy dôstojníckej hodnosti, k čomu sa už schyľovalo. Zmizol a zaradil sa ako obyčajný radový vojak Robert Blake do deväťdesiateho piateho streleckého pluku. Svojou šikovnosťou a odvahou sa počas nasledujúcich rokov prepracoval až k hodnosti kapitána.
Zo Jeanne sa medzitým stáva markíza das Minas. Je vdova a je očarujúca. Muži jej ležia pri nohách, s radosťou jej podržia hoci aj vejár a ona si tú pozornosť vychutnáva. Je rozmaznaná, spupná, panovačná. Je z nej okúzľujúca harpya. Chýr hrdinského kapitána Blakea doľahol až k jej ušiam a ona si zmyslela, že ho nevyhnutne potrebuje pre svoj plán. Príde kvôli nemu do Lisabonu, kde sa zotavuje zo takmer smrteľného zranenia a stretáva sa s ním na plese. Nespozná ho. Robert zmužnel a tvár mu hyzdí jazva. Zato on ju spoznal a je v nemilom šoku.
Joana sa totiž stala svedkom, ako jej nevlastných súrodencov z matkinej strany povraždili Francúzi. Sestru Mariu znásilnil akýsi francúzsky dôstojník, potom ju posunul svojim vojakom a napokon dal rozkaz zabiť ju. Jeanne, odvtedy už presvedčená Angličanka Joana, prisahala, že toho muža nájde a zabije. A tomuto životnému cieľu podriadila všetko. Mužov, lži, klamstvá, intrigy, ktoré omotáva aj okolo zúfalého Roberta.
Joana, dá sa povedať, nie je typickou hrdinkou ženských romancí. Je krásna a žiadaná, to áno, ale je spurná, drzá a zlá. Občas cynická. Niekomu možno nemusí byť sympatická, ale mne sadla. Nepatrí k ufňukaným dámičkám, ktoré potrebujú pomoc v nešťastí a pľuzgier na nohe je svetovou katastrofou. Joana zvláda život markízy i sestry španielskeho partizána Duarteho. Spolupracuje s vikomtom Wellingtonom a vďaka francúzskemu pôvodu sa stáva jeho špiónkou, o čom Robert netuší a myslí si, že je i naďalej presvedčenou Francúzkou – a podľa toho sa k nej aj správa. Nenávidia sa, respektíve on nenávidí ju, a zároveň sa priťahujú. On k nej cíti odpor nielen za koketovanie so všetkými naokolo, ale aj za tvrdé slová, ktoré mu ako pätnásťročná vmietla do tváre. A ona netuší, že je to ten istý Robert, pretože jej tvrdili, že zomrel na kiahne, ale páči sa jej.
Vikomt Wellington ho poverí ťažkou úlohou – motať sa v blízkosti francúzskeho územia a dať sa zajať aj s nastrčenými plánmi obranných línií. Podarí sa mu to. A tam sa znovu objavuje Joana, okolo ktorej hrkúta plukovník Leroux. Pomocou intríg a lží Roberta úspešne dostáva zo zajatia, kdežto on si myslí, že ho vyslobodili partizáni a ju si berie ako rukojemníčku. Spoločne utekajú nepriateľským územím. Ona v nádeji, že ich budú prenasledovať, aby mohla zabiť muža, ktorý jej nedá spávať...
„Pružná, nádherná, bezstarostná víla, v dokonalom súlade s prírodou. Bože, aká je to mimoriadna žena, premýšľal, keď za ňou kráčal. Zvláštna a krásna. Rola jemnej a distingvovanej markíza das Minas jej sedela rovnako dobre ako rola živelnej a divokej Joany Ribeirovej, ako sa sama nazývala.“
Vzťah hlavných hrdinov je vykreslený nesmierne zaujímavo. Ona je spupná intrigánka, ktorú Robert silno priťahuje a uplatňuje naňho všetky svoje pôvaby. On sa drží bokom, hoci sa z nej ide zblázniť. Myslí si o nej, že je koketná suka. Celkovo sa titulujú vtipnými slovami ako beštia, hovädo, kretén, diablica. Ich vzťah funguje na báze nepriateľky a vojaka väzniteľa. Hoci mu nakoniec prizná, že sú na rovnakej strane, Robert jej po všetkých tých lžiach neverí. Doráža naňho tak silno a tak neodolateľne ho priťahuje, že sa dohodnú, že spolu budú spávať. Bez citov. Skrátka len boj o rozkoš. Sexuálne scény sú intenzívne a drsné, presne kopírujú ich vzájomný vzťah.
„Ak budete súhlasiť, čakajte to každý deň a každú noc, no bez predstierania zvádzania či romantiky. A v žiadnom prípade nebudeme predstierať lásku, dokonca ani nežnosť. Pôjde len o to, že sme muž a žena, spolu a sami.“
Príbeh je veľmi pekný, pútavý a pestrý. Nachádza sa na hranici rozprávky pre ženy a uveriteľného príbehu. Vzťah hrdinov je vášnivý a hlboký, emócie tryskajú a vy ich bytostne cítite a – veríte im.
Neodpustím si však drobnú poznámku. Na začiatku majú hrdinovia pätnásť a sedemnásť rokov a Baloghová ich zobrazuje ako malé deti, ktorými sú iba z dnešného pohľadu. Joana sa napríklad sťažuje, že sa od nej vyžaduje, aby sa správala ako dieťa. To je priam do nebavolajúca hlúposť, nakoľko v roku 1799, kedy príbeh začína, pätnásťroční dávno žiadnymi deťmi neboli – vlastne nimi neboli ani ako úplne malinké. Na detstvo nemali nárok a puberta je výhradne moderný pojem. Pätnásťroční bývali často už ženatí a vydaté (napríklad známa Mária Antoinetta), v nižších kruhoch pokojne už šestnásťroční pracovali ako učitelia. A tvrdenie, že Robert sa v sedemnástich ešte nenaučil čeliť realite života, je už naozaj prúser...
Podobne ma zarazilo, že Robert ju nechal ísť po schodoch ako druhú a sľúbil, že bude dávať pozor, aby nespadla. Dáma predsa vždy ide do schodov prvá, aby ju džentlmen mohol zachytiť. Ako druhá ide, keď schádzajú nadol. A že cesta dolu sa jej zdala ešte náročnejšia a musela sa ho chytiť, aby si oddýchla, bolo tiež trošku zvláštne... A takisto som sa pozastavila na tvrdení, že Joana nemá veľa skúseností v mužoch, ale vyzná sa v nich...
Nehľadiac na tieto drobnosti, ktoré ma spočiatku takmer odradili od čítania, to je kniha, ktorú by si zástankyne žánru rozhodne nemali dať ujsť.
Bude vám totiž nejaký čas rezonovať v hlave.
„Máte rád západ slnka, kapitán?“ spýtala sa. „Možno je to ďalší dar, ktorý by ste mohli venovať dáme svojho srdca.“
„Myslím, že nie.“ Hľadel jej priamo do tváre. „Krása súmraku je klamlivá. Po ňom nasleduje tma. Radšej úsvit. Daroval by som jej úsvit a všetko, čo nasleduje za úsvitom. Svetlo, teplo a život. A lásku.“
Na prvý pohľad sa môže zdať, že ide o typický sladký ženský román. Ale nie je to úplne tak. Baloghová sa snaží pridržiavať historických reálií, v tomto prípade bojov v Španielsku a Portugalsku počas napoleonských vojen. Celým dejom sa nesie vojnová atmosféra, nepriateľstva Francúzov a Angličanov, ktorí sú spojencami Španielov.
Tu sa objavuje problém pre hlavnú hrdinku Jeanne či Joanu. Sama nevie, kam patrí. Po matke je Angličanka, po otcovi Francúzka a ten sa veľmi snažil, aby z nej vychoval reprezentatívnu Francúzku.
Mala pätnásť, keď spoznala Roberta. Ten má so svojím pôvodom obdobné problémy ako ona. Je totiž nemanželským synom a jeho nevlastná matka ho nemá rada, pretože ona svojmu mužovi nedokázala dať deti. Mal sedemnásť, keď sa do Jeanne zamiloval, prv než si ho všimla ona. A vedel, že je tá pravá. Ani jeden nemohol ísť na ples, pretože ona bola primladá a on ako ľavoboček sa musel držať bokom. A tak spolu tancovali, pobozkali sa a sľúbili si večnú lásku...
„Ja by som svojho rytiera nikdy nenechala ísť do boja samého. Kráčala by som po jeho boku a spoločne s ním by som znášala všetko nepohodlie a nebezpečenstvo.“
Netušila, že jej slová sa raz naplnia...
Ich stretávanie sa neujde pozornosti Jeanninmu otcovi, ktorý dcéru presvedčí, že Robert ju chce len zneužiť a každému rozpráva, ako ju úspešne zvedie. Jeanne svojmu otcovi uverí a zatvrdí sa. Už nikdy nebude nikoho milovať a každému mužovi popletie hlavu. A prvou obeťou je Robert. Bez štipky citu sa mu vysmeje a nadá mu do pankhartov.
A tak jedna nádejná láska skončí – aby sa o jedenásť rokov neskôr mohla znovu pokúsiť o šťastie.
Robert sa vzdal všetkého, čo mu otec mohol poľahky zohnať – vrátane kúpy dôstojníckej hodnosti, k čomu sa už schyľovalo. Zmizol a zaradil sa ako obyčajný radový vojak Robert Blake do deväťdesiateho piateho streleckého pluku. Svojou šikovnosťou a odvahou sa počas nasledujúcich rokov prepracoval až k hodnosti kapitána.
Zo Jeanne sa medzitým stáva markíza das Minas. Je vdova a je očarujúca. Muži jej ležia pri nohách, s radosťou jej podržia hoci aj vejár a ona si tú pozornosť vychutnáva. Je rozmaznaná, spupná, panovačná. Je z nej okúzľujúca harpya. Chýr hrdinského kapitána Blakea doľahol až k jej ušiam a ona si zmyslela, že ho nevyhnutne potrebuje pre svoj plán. Príde kvôli nemu do Lisabonu, kde sa zotavuje zo takmer smrteľného zranenia a stretáva sa s ním na plese. Nespozná ho. Robert zmužnel a tvár mu hyzdí jazva. Zato on ju spoznal a je v nemilom šoku.
Joana sa totiž stala svedkom, ako jej nevlastných súrodencov z matkinej strany povraždili Francúzi. Sestru Mariu znásilnil akýsi francúzsky dôstojník, potom ju posunul svojim vojakom a napokon dal rozkaz zabiť ju. Jeanne, odvtedy už presvedčená Angličanka Joana, prisahala, že toho muža nájde a zabije. A tomuto životnému cieľu podriadila všetko. Mužov, lži, klamstvá, intrigy, ktoré omotáva aj okolo zúfalého Roberta.
Joana, dá sa povedať, nie je typickou hrdinkou ženských romancí. Je krásna a žiadaná, to áno, ale je spurná, drzá a zlá. Občas cynická. Niekomu možno nemusí byť sympatická, ale mne sadla. Nepatrí k ufňukaným dámičkám, ktoré potrebujú pomoc v nešťastí a pľuzgier na nohe je svetovou katastrofou. Joana zvláda život markízy i sestry španielskeho partizána Duarteho. Spolupracuje s vikomtom Wellingtonom a vďaka francúzskemu pôvodu sa stáva jeho špiónkou, o čom Robert netuší a myslí si, že je i naďalej presvedčenou Francúzkou – a podľa toho sa k nej aj správa. Nenávidia sa, respektíve on nenávidí ju, a zároveň sa priťahujú. On k nej cíti odpor nielen za koketovanie so všetkými naokolo, ale aj za tvrdé slová, ktoré mu ako pätnásťročná vmietla do tváre. A ona netuší, že je to ten istý Robert, pretože jej tvrdili, že zomrel na kiahne, ale páči sa jej.
Vikomt Wellington ho poverí ťažkou úlohou – motať sa v blízkosti francúzskeho územia a dať sa zajať aj s nastrčenými plánmi obranných línií. Podarí sa mu to. A tam sa znovu objavuje Joana, okolo ktorej hrkúta plukovník Leroux. Pomocou intríg a lží Roberta úspešne dostáva zo zajatia, kdežto on si myslí, že ho vyslobodili partizáni a ju si berie ako rukojemníčku. Spoločne utekajú nepriateľským územím. Ona v nádeji, že ich budú prenasledovať, aby mohla zabiť muža, ktorý jej nedá spávať...
„Pružná, nádherná, bezstarostná víla, v dokonalom súlade s prírodou. Bože, aká je to mimoriadna žena, premýšľal, keď za ňou kráčal. Zvláštna a krásna. Rola jemnej a distingvovanej markíza das Minas jej sedela rovnako dobre ako rola živelnej a divokej Joany Ribeirovej, ako sa sama nazývala.“
Vzťah hlavných hrdinov je vykreslený nesmierne zaujímavo. Ona je spupná intrigánka, ktorú Robert silno priťahuje a uplatňuje naňho všetky svoje pôvaby. On sa drží bokom, hoci sa z nej ide zblázniť. Myslí si o nej, že je koketná suka. Celkovo sa titulujú vtipnými slovami ako beštia, hovädo, kretén, diablica. Ich vzťah funguje na báze nepriateľky a vojaka väzniteľa. Hoci mu nakoniec prizná, že sú na rovnakej strane, Robert jej po všetkých tých lžiach neverí. Doráža naňho tak silno a tak neodolateľne ho priťahuje, že sa dohodnú, že spolu budú spávať. Bez citov. Skrátka len boj o rozkoš. Sexuálne scény sú intenzívne a drsné, presne kopírujú ich vzájomný vzťah.
„Ak budete súhlasiť, čakajte to každý deň a každú noc, no bez predstierania zvádzania či romantiky. A v žiadnom prípade nebudeme predstierať lásku, dokonca ani nežnosť. Pôjde len o to, že sme muž a žena, spolu a sami.“
Príbeh je veľmi pekný, pútavý a pestrý. Nachádza sa na hranici rozprávky pre ženy a uveriteľného príbehu. Vzťah hrdinov je vášnivý a hlboký, emócie tryskajú a vy ich bytostne cítite a – veríte im.
Neodpustím si však drobnú poznámku. Na začiatku majú hrdinovia pätnásť a sedemnásť rokov a Baloghová ich zobrazuje ako malé deti, ktorými sú iba z dnešného pohľadu. Joana sa napríklad sťažuje, že sa od nej vyžaduje, aby sa správala ako dieťa. To je priam do nebavolajúca hlúposť, nakoľko v roku 1799, kedy príbeh začína, pätnásťroční dávno žiadnymi deťmi neboli – vlastne nimi neboli ani ako úplne malinké. Na detstvo nemali nárok a puberta je výhradne moderný pojem. Pätnásťroční bývali často už ženatí a vydaté (napríklad známa Mária Antoinetta), v nižších kruhoch pokojne už šestnásťroční pracovali ako učitelia. A tvrdenie, že Robert sa v sedemnástich ešte nenaučil čeliť realite života, je už naozaj prúser...
Podobne ma zarazilo, že Robert ju nechal ísť po schodoch ako druhú a sľúbil, že bude dávať pozor, aby nespadla. Dáma predsa vždy ide do schodov prvá, aby ju džentlmen mohol zachytiť. Ako druhá ide, keď schádzajú nadol. A že cesta dolu sa jej zdala ešte náročnejšia a musela sa ho chytiť, aby si oddýchla, bolo tiež trošku zvláštne... A takisto som sa pozastavila na tvrdení, že Joana nemá veľa skúseností v mužoch, ale vyzná sa v nich...
Nehľadiac na tieto drobnosti, ktoré ma spočiatku takmer odradili od čítania, to je kniha, ktorú by si zástankyne žánru rozhodne nemali dať ujsť.
Bude vám totiž nejaký čas rezonovať v hlave.
October 21, 2015
Two stars overall but the third star for the well written suspense that kept me reading even though the hero and heroine argue nearly from the start to nearly the end. Not my favorite theme.
In the beginning they fall in love as teens, she 15 and he 17. They are bored teenagers with no one else but each other to spend time with during a house party. They profess their love but are torn asunder by their respective fathers. Her father is a French aristocrat and her mother (deceased) an English aristocrat. Robert is the illegitimate son of an aristocrat and his beloved mistress. Unfortunately for his father, his wife is barren and therefore he has no legitimate heir. This means Robert is too far beneath Jeanne to be considered a suitor.
The fathers each lie to their child in order to quash any feelings that might be between the two and they are separated thinking the worst of each other. Then they meet again in Portugal. Robert has earned his way up to Captain and Jeane (who is being called Joane at this time) is a widow whose husband was Portuguese. Viscount Wellington makes an appearance planning a military action that involves using both of them as spies. Unfortunately Jeane/Joane knows the entire operation but Robert does not know of Joane's contribution. Also, Robert recognizes her as his teenage love but Joane was told her "Robert" died of smallpox and therefore thinks it just a coincidence that Captain Robert Blake reminds her of him. The story only works because Robert does not let Joane know he recognizes her and Jeane is not to reveal her part in the spy game.
In the beginning they fall in love as teens, she 15 and he 17. They are bored teenagers with no one else but each other to spend time with during a house party. They profess their love but are torn asunder by their respective fathers. Her father is a French aristocrat and her mother (deceased) an English aristocrat. Robert is the illegitimate son of an aristocrat and his beloved mistress. Unfortunately for his father, his wife is barren and therefore he has no legitimate heir. This means Robert is too far beneath Jeanne to be considered a suitor.
The fathers each lie to their child in order to quash any feelings that might be between the two and they are separated thinking the worst of each other. Then they meet again in Portugal. Robert has earned his way up to Captain and Jeane (who is being called Joane at this time) is a widow whose husband was Portuguese. Viscount Wellington makes an appearance planning a military action that involves using both of them as spies. Unfortunately Jeane/Joane knows the entire operation but Robert does not know of Joane's contribution. Also, Robert recognizes her as his teenage love but Joane was told her "Robert" died of smallpox and therefore thinks it just a coincidence that Captain Robert Blake reminds her of him. The story only works because Robert does not let Joane know he recognizes her and Jeane is not to reveal her part in the spy game.
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