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Tortured
Ensnared in the war-torn, untamed Dark Ages of North England, Sierra understands all too well what it takes to the ability to numb the soul. She has learned this lesson the hard way, watching her mother die at the hands of the king's henchmen, her brother cast out into the cold to perish, and discovering the treacherous, leering king holds a crucial secret about her past.
But when he grants Sierra her life, she discovers the pardon is perhaps worse than death. Sierra is made executioner's apprentice, forced to witness unspeakable suffering while encouraged to explore her own sexual power.
Brainwashed and exhausted, Sierra's heart slowly grows cold—until Dryston of Hereford is brought to the dungeon as traitor and spy. Using her sexual allure to extract the warrior's secrets, Sierra finds herself torn between duty and desire. Soon, Sierra is craving the only man who can help set her battered soul free and give her a chance for revenge….
But when he grants Sierra her life, she discovers the pardon is perhaps worse than death. Sierra is made executioner's apprentice, forced to witness unspeakable suffering while encouraged to explore her own sexual power.
Brainwashed and exhausted, Sierra's heart slowly grows cold—until Dryston of Hereford is brought to the dungeon as traitor and spy. Using her sexual allure to extract the warrior's secrets, Sierra finds herself torn between duty and desire. Soon, Sierra is craving the only man who can help set her battered soul free and give her a chance for revenge….
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 29, 2009
4 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
Amanda McIntyre
80 books297 followersAmanda McIntyre’s passion is telling character-driven stories with a penchant for placing ordinary people placed in extraordinary situations.
A bestselling author, her work is published internationally in print, E-book, and audio. She writes sizzling contemporary and erotic historical romance and believes no matter what, love will find a way.
Learn more at : www.amandamcintyresbooks.com and Amandas Amazon Author page http://www.amazon.com/author/amandamc...
A bestselling author, her work is published internationally in print, E-book, and audio. She writes sizzling contemporary and erotic historical romance and believes no matter what, love will find a way.
Learn more at : www.amandamcintyresbooks.com and Amandas Amazon Author page http://www.amazon.com/author/amandamc...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 14, 2017
2.5 stars
"You have spoken the truth and perhaps it makes you feel better to do so. It is no secret that I am no lady, but at least I do not pretend to be something I am not. You, on the other hand, wear your piety on your sleeve for all to see, when inside you are just as prone to lust and cruelty as the rest of us."
"That is enough," he stated flatly.
"People like me and Cearl, we're nothing in your eyes. You are not able to see past your preconceived judgments of me. You see a filthy face, tattered clothes and the life I did not choose, and still you judge me for what I must do to survive."
"This conversation is over." He glanced at her, then turned away.
"I do not fit into your idea of a lady," she continued, "because my hair is not long. Because I do not wear the clothes of a proper maiden, or act helpless and in need of a big strapping arse like yourself."
He looked at her then and his gaze narrowed.
"Maybe you are so put off by me because you know I do not need you to survive. I have lived through hell without your help and I can certainly continue to live without you."
This is a dark ages set erotica and it doesn't play around with shying away from the time period. There is brutal torture, rape, murder, and unwashed bodies. I personally couldn't get too much into the hot and sexy swing of things because most sex scenes happened after torture and while our heroine enjoys her sexual side, I couldn't shake the influence of necessity. Basically, a chicken or the egg conundrum was taking place in my mind if she naturally enjoyed sex or her imprisonment and survival convinced her she enjoyed it. She mentions how her sexual relationship with a fellow prisoner is the only way she can escape for a while her awful life, which I was ok with but the fellow prisoner wasn't great in bed, so not getting the sexy there, lol. The relationship with the hero was ok but their sex scenes came after torture, dude had his pinky tip cut off and was whipped (not the consensual kind) and somehow still felt up for sexy times. I get a hangnail and I don't want to be touched for 48hrs; I couldn't change gears so fast.
I saw another reviewer mention how she felt like the villain and heroine had more chemistry and even though it icks me out too, I agree. If you're into dark ages erotica, this would be a great pick, it had a wonderful authentic (well, fictional authentic) feel to it. My mind just couldn't go with the flow or change gears to get into the erotic side. However, the survive and going to get my rocks off heroine was great.
"You have spoken the truth and perhaps it makes you feel better to do so. It is no secret that I am no lady, but at least I do not pretend to be something I am not. You, on the other hand, wear your piety on your sleeve for all to see, when inside you are just as prone to lust and cruelty as the rest of us."
"That is enough," he stated flatly.
"People like me and Cearl, we're nothing in your eyes. You are not able to see past your preconceived judgments of me. You see a filthy face, tattered clothes and the life I did not choose, and still you judge me for what I must do to survive."
"This conversation is over." He glanced at her, then turned away.
"I do not fit into your idea of a lady," she continued, "because my hair is not long. Because I do not wear the clothes of a proper maiden, or act helpless and in need of a big strapping arse like yourself."
He looked at her then and his gaze narrowed.
"Maybe you are so put off by me because you know I do not need you to survive. I have lived through hell without your help and I can certainly continue to live without you."
This is a dark ages set erotica and it doesn't play around with shying away from the time period. There is brutal torture, rape, murder, and unwashed bodies. I personally couldn't get too much into the hot and sexy swing of things because most sex scenes happened after torture and while our heroine enjoys her sexual side, I couldn't shake the influence of necessity. Basically, a chicken or the egg conundrum was taking place in my mind if she naturally enjoyed sex or her imprisonment and survival convinced her she enjoyed it. She mentions how her sexual relationship with a fellow prisoner is the only way she can escape for a while her awful life, which I was ok with but the fellow prisoner wasn't great in bed, so not getting the sexy there, lol. The relationship with the hero was ok but their sex scenes came after torture, dude had his pinky tip cut off and was whipped (not the consensual kind) and somehow still felt up for sexy times. I get a hangnail and I don't want to be touched for 48hrs; I couldn't change gears so fast.
I saw another reviewer mention how she felt like the villain and heroine had more chemistry and even though it icks me out too, I agree. If you're into dark ages erotica, this would be a great pick, it had a wonderful authentic (well, fictional authentic) feel to it. My mind just couldn't go with the flow or change gears to get into the erotic side. However, the survive and going to get my rocks off heroine was great.
June 30, 2016
I was really surprised I loved this book as much as I did, I have no idea why but everything was pretty much perfect, actually I only had 2 small problems about the book, one Dryston fell particularly head over hells for everyone which I thought was a tad ridiculous. the 2nd thing being Sierra having a slutty moment in the middle of the book, I understand why she did it I just wished.. it was written differently or something.
anyways I cant wait to get my hands onto more books like this or more books by this author!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Re-read: 9/5/2016
Rating: 4 Stars
What a terrible and cliched book. I can't recall how many times i rolled my eyes at the dialog or scoffed and their 'realistic' behaviour and attitude, and yet.... I loved every moment of it!
It's a similar feeling to those gross but delicious sour twisties that weirdly taste of lime - you can only handle it in small doses to appreciate its awesomness.
I had completely forgotten how this book ended, it was pretty bad. And i doubt I'll be re-reading it anytime soon, but i just know down the track, in another few years or so I'll start thinking about this brutal world and these two completely fucked up people and their insane relationship and the craving to relive their lives will emerge. And really who wants to read 'romance' about sane people living their happy lives anyways? Give me gore and revenge with a side dish of romance any day over that!!
(Side note: I did drop a star for this re-read, now 4 stars)
anyways I cant wait to get my hands onto more books like this or more books by this author!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Re-read: 9/5/2016
Rating: 4 Stars
What a terrible and cliched book. I can't recall how many times i rolled my eyes at the dialog or scoffed and their 'realistic' behaviour and attitude, and yet.... I loved every moment of it!
It's a similar feeling to those gross but delicious sour twisties that weirdly taste of lime - you can only handle it in small doses to appreciate its awesomness.
I had completely forgotten how this book ended, it was pretty bad. And i doubt I'll be re-reading it anytime soon, but i just know down the track, in another few years or so I'll start thinking about this brutal world and these two completely fucked up people and their insane relationship and the craving to relive their lives will emerge. And really who wants to read 'romance' about sane people living their happy lives anyways? Give me gore and revenge with a side dish of romance any day over that!!
(Side note: I did drop a star for this re-read, now 4 stars)
November 24, 2009
I have never before read anything from Ms. McIntyre before, but I actually kept seeing this advertised here on GoodReads and it sounded intriguing, so I figured I would give it a whorl. For me this was an enjoyable read. The plot was expertly crafted, which was nice, and very different than some other erotica books I have read. This book was excellently researched and really stayed true to the time period. You could actually feel the gritty, rugged reality that people had to live through. I was really intrigued with the bad guy (the Saxon king), and wished there could have been more interaction with him. For some reason though, I felt like something else was missing.
I loved the heroine, Sierra, an apprentice to the executioner under Saxon rule (which Sierra is not, so she is basically a slave). The hero, Dryston, a Roman, is brought to the Saxon executioner in order to find out information about the rebellion. Sierra helps Dryston escape and tags along with me so that she can be free as well. Sierra does not have any family left... or does she?
I loved the heroine, Sierra, an apprentice to the executioner under Saxon rule (which Sierra is not, so she is basically a slave). The hero, Dryston, a Roman, is brought to the Saxon executioner in order to find out information about the rebellion. Sierra helps Dryston escape and tags along with me so that she can be free as well. Sierra does not have any family left... or does she?
October 7, 2009
This is a very emotional book and my review has been very hard to write. Not in a bad way, but in a good way. The story is set in 500 a.d. I can not phantom how things were back then; not only life in general but for the people themselves… woman, man, or child. To have the world you live in, your home, your land, ripped apart due to war; enslaved to a ruthless ruler. What do you do when you find yourself lying with the enemy and you have no where to run? That is what life is like for Sierra.
The land she once knew is no more. The land of Brittania was conquered by the Saxons and their Lord (oh I would so love to call him names that I can not call him here for fear that my tongue would be cursed) has no mercy when it comes to the Britons. His rules are easy: do as I say or die. There is no gray areas in his world - only black and white. His way or no way. People lived in fear of what could happen to them, or their children, at the wrath of Lord Aeglech.
Sierra's mother, a druid, had the gift of sight. She aided the King of Saxon in seeing the past and the future. She passed this skill onto Sierra. Sierra also has a younger brother, he was her step-brother, but she loved him all the same. But her mother hid her young son, who was of cross blood, from the Lord and that was considered treason. Ordered to death by the King she served, Sierra witnessed her mother’s death. With only her brother left to protect, they were captured and turned over to the King. The only thing that protected them was their mother’s curse: “Let the dark curse of a thousand generations fall upon anyone who should cause harm to these children. The ancients-the gods and goddesses of earth, fire, water, and air-bless them. Whoever does them harm shall have his life and the lives of all his kin brutally taken.” (pg. 54)
Lord Aeglech wanted the son dead and did not care about Sierra. That is until he found out she carried the gift of sight like her mother. Then the gift of sight bound her to Lord Aeglech - King of Saxon as his slave.
You could say that the curse is what saved her and her brother, but saved them from what? What life was to become of her when her mother was dead and her brother was... well, she did not what become of her brother. So, this gift, what good was it if she could not escape the only hell she knew and protect her brother.
Since Sierra showed more fire and will than most of Lord Aeglech’s army, so he made her the apprentice of the executioner. She was literally surrounded by death at every turn of day. How does one’s soul live, how does one’s heart feel alive when surrounded by so much death? She put a wall up around herself and learned to block any emotion, any feelings, any anything out of her daily life. Sierra started this life at the young age of twelve. Can you imagine living this kind of life at twelve. Whew… Sierra is a woman of strong will and determination. She is like no woman I have ever read about before. The woman I see before me in this story truly inspires me. Her soul is very raw, she is honest to the core, courageous, and very independent.
Nine years later….
Still living her life as the apprentice of the executioner, Sierra is still living in hell. The wall she built nine years ago has completely barricaded her heart to any type of feeling or emotion. Now, I don’t want you think that she is total void of emotion. There is a young man, Cearl, who offers her a few moments of “companionship.” He is a helper in the kitchen and a maker of the drums for battle. Her meetings with him allow for the briefest moments of escape as she would call it. But if she was to feel anything deeper, it would not be with him.
The Saxon army has burned down many villages, destroyed many fields and basically, they have pissed off a lot of people. Some of those people are forming their own army against Lord Aeglech. He grows worried about rebellion from the surrounding people.
Upon destroying one village in particular, the army finds a gem in the dust. A Roman solider in a Celt village. They bring him back to Lord Aeglech for praise.
Upon entering Lord Aeglech’s world, Dryston (the Roman solider) soon learns first hand the evilness he faces. With the worry of rebellion, Lord Aeglech wants all the information that Dryston holds. He course of action: allow Balrogan, the executioner, to torture him until he caves or dies. But death would prove unfruitful for the solider because Lord Aeglech could not extract information out of him. So, the next step when Balrogan fails… send in the apprentice.
Lord Aeglech wants Sierra to use her gift of sight on Dryston to retrieve any information she can. When she is called on to use her gift of sight on Dryston, she gets more than she bargains for. For the memory in his mind is the last night before he entered Lord Aeglech’s world… it was a night of passionate love making and when he realizes what Sierra is seeing, he recalls that memory to the full height of that night. Realizing what she is seeing, something primitive stirs in Sierra, something deep within her. Something she thought she was dead and buried.
He offers her a chance to break free of the prison she lived in. If they can form a bond together… then together they can break free…
I have given you the beginning… now for a glimpse of the ending… The next part of this tale is about two people depending on each other for support, for life and hopefully for love.
This book is simply amazing. You will feel things you probably have not felt in a while. Sierra has to re-learn how to trust, how to open herself up, how to love, how to feel… all over again. Ms. McIntyre’s story telling is breathtaking! The words, the flow, the feelings… She puts you right in the story. I felt all of Sierra’s heart ache, I felt all of her pain and her passion. The way she puts the story together… is astounding! I even had to re-read it for “research” purpose! The characters, the plot, the story telling… all seemed very real, very raw and very genuine to me. Sit back and you can really picture this happening. And that is the job of am amazing author, to make me feel like I am there. And believe me, Ms. A does marvelous job. And to leave this one a great note… you know how we love our hero’s tortured… well, this time it is our heroine! Tortured!
To find out more about Ms. McIntyre, please visit her site --->>> here.
Her blog is --->>> here. She also blogs with two other wonderful ladies at Lust In Time --->>> here.
Drop by any one of those places and say hi! She would love to hear from you!
The land she once knew is no more. The land of Brittania was conquered by the Saxons and their Lord (oh I would so love to call him names that I can not call him here for fear that my tongue would be cursed) has no mercy when it comes to the Britons. His rules are easy: do as I say or die. There is no gray areas in his world - only black and white. His way or no way. People lived in fear of what could happen to them, or their children, at the wrath of Lord Aeglech.
Sierra's mother, a druid, had the gift of sight. She aided the King of Saxon in seeing the past and the future. She passed this skill onto Sierra. Sierra also has a younger brother, he was her step-brother, but she loved him all the same. But her mother hid her young son, who was of cross blood, from the Lord and that was considered treason. Ordered to death by the King she served, Sierra witnessed her mother’s death. With only her brother left to protect, they were captured and turned over to the King. The only thing that protected them was their mother’s curse: “Let the dark curse of a thousand generations fall upon anyone who should cause harm to these children. The ancients-the gods and goddesses of earth, fire, water, and air-bless them. Whoever does them harm shall have his life and the lives of all his kin brutally taken.” (pg. 54)
Lord Aeglech wanted the son dead and did not care about Sierra. That is until he found out she carried the gift of sight like her mother. Then the gift of sight bound her to Lord Aeglech - King of Saxon as his slave.
You could say that the curse is what saved her and her brother, but saved them from what? What life was to become of her when her mother was dead and her brother was... well, she did not what become of her brother. So, this gift, what good was it if she could not escape the only hell she knew and protect her brother.
Since Sierra showed more fire and will than most of Lord Aeglech’s army, so he made her the apprentice of the executioner. She was literally surrounded by death at every turn of day. How does one’s soul live, how does one’s heart feel alive when surrounded by so much death? She put a wall up around herself and learned to block any emotion, any feelings, any anything out of her daily life. Sierra started this life at the young age of twelve. Can you imagine living this kind of life at twelve. Whew… Sierra is a woman of strong will and determination. She is like no woman I have ever read about before. The woman I see before me in this story truly inspires me. Her soul is very raw, she is honest to the core, courageous, and very independent.
Nine years later….
Still living her life as the apprentice of the executioner, Sierra is still living in hell. The wall she built nine years ago has completely barricaded her heart to any type of feeling or emotion. Now, I don’t want you think that she is total void of emotion. There is a young man, Cearl, who offers her a few moments of “companionship.” He is a helper in the kitchen and a maker of the drums for battle. Her meetings with him allow for the briefest moments of escape as she would call it. But if she was to feel anything deeper, it would not be with him.
The Saxon army has burned down many villages, destroyed many fields and basically, they have pissed off a lot of people. Some of those people are forming their own army against Lord Aeglech. He grows worried about rebellion from the surrounding people.
Upon destroying one village in particular, the army finds a gem in the dust. A Roman solider in a Celt village. They bring him back to Lord Aeglech for praise.
Upon entering Lord Aeglech’s world, Dryston (the Roman solider) soon learns first hand the evilness he faces. With the worry of rebellion, Lord Aeglech wants all the information that Dryston holds. He course of action: allow Balrogan, the executioner, to torture him until he caves or dies. But death would prove unfruitful for the solider because Lord Aeglech could not extract information out of him. So, the next step when Balrogan fails… send in the apprentice.
Lord Aeglech wants Sierra to use her gift of sight on Dryston to retrieve any information she can. When she is called on to use her gift of sight on Dryston, she gets more than she bargains for. For the memory in his mind is the last night before he entered Lord Aeglech’s world… it was a night of passionate love making and when he realizes what Sierra is seeing, he recalls that memory to the full height of that night. Realizing what she is seeing, something primitive stirs in Sierra, something deep within her. Something she thought she was dead and buried.
He offers her a chance to break free of the prison she lived in. If they can form a bond together… then together they can break free…
I have given you the beginning… now for a glimpse of the ending… The next part of this tale is about two people depending on each other for support, for life and hopefully for love.
This book is simply amazing. You will feel things you probably have not felt in a while. Sierra has to re-learn how to trust, how to open herself up, how to love, how to feel… all over again. Ms. McIntyre’s story telling is breathtaking! The words, the flow, the feelings… She puts you right in the story. I felt all of Sierra’s heart ache, I felt all of her pain and her passion. The way she puts the story together… is astounding! I even had to re-read it for “research” purpose! The characters, the plot, the story telling… all seemed very real, very raw and very genuine to me. Sit back and you can really picture this happening. And that is the job of am amazing author, to make me feel like I am there. And believe me, Ms. A does marvelous job. And to leave this one a great note… you know how we love our hero’s tortured… well, this time it is our heroine! Tortured!
To find out more about Ms. McIntyre, please visit her site --->>> here.
Her blog is --->>> here. She also blogs with two other wonderful ladies at Lust In Time --->>> here.
Drop by any one of those places and say hi! She would love to hear from you!
January 11, 2010
First of all, check out that cover! If anyone has ever wondered if covers can sell a book, the answer can be found just looking at Amanda McIntyre's books. As soon as I saw the Diary of Cozette cover, I had to buy it. Had no idea what the book was about, but my mind was made up and to this day I still think that is my favorite cover of all time.
That doesn't make the cover of TORTURED any slouch, it's another winner and perfectly captures the time period and the passion of this book. The Harlequin Spice cover gods are definitely smiling on Amanda since I've seen the sneak peak at her next book, and wowsa!
One thing I love about Amanda's historicals, are that they always feature a time period not normally given much notice. TORTURED takes place in the Dark Ages of Briton around 500 A.D.
Another thing I love? Amanda's unconventional heroines. The heroine of Tortured is Sierra, a young girl who will eventually become the Saxon King's Head Executioner. Didn't know women served as executioners? Well they did, and Amanda loves turning this kind of unknown information into a story of passion and love.
Dryston and Sierra's story is both unconventional in its beginnings and lovely in its growth. Inside Dryston beats the heart of a warrior and that of a man who can love deeply. I enjoyed the interchanges between the two as Dryston strove to change Sierra's view of sex as a act of manipulation. A guide to help her rediscover how to live and love, Dryston was a hero through and through.
This is a very passionate and intense book that I easily became engrossed in. If you like your historicals with some real meat to the story and some intense heat, then you'll really enjoy this book.
As many of you know from reading this blog, I do my best to give my honest opinion of books while leaving as much of the story for you to discover as possible. Not only am I seriously against spoilers, but I don't like giving away plot points either. But, I have to say this – the ending to TORTURED was one I found very satisfying. The climax surprises in that it's not typical of romances and for that I literally cheered out loud. I've been waiting to find a book that would go there, and leave it to Amanda to write it!
That doesn't make the cover of TORTURED any slouch, it's another winner and perfectly captures the time period and the passion of this book. The Harlequin Spice cover gods are definitely smiling on Amanda since I've seen the sneak peak at her next book, and wowsa!
One thing I love about Amanda's historicals, are that they always feature a time period not normally given much notice. TORTURED takes place in the Dark Ages of Briton around 500 A.D.
Another thing I love? Amanda's unconventional heroines. The heroine of Tortured is Sierra, a young girl who will eventually become the Saxon King's Head Executioner. Didn't know women served as executioners? Well they did, and Amanda loves turning this kind of unknown information into a story of passion and love.
Dryston and Sierra's story is both unconventional in its beginnings and lovely in its growth. Inside Dryston beats the heart of a warrior and that of a man who can love deeply. I enjoyed the interchanges between the two as Dryston strove to change Sierra's view of sex as a act of manipulation. A guide to help her rediscover how to live and love, Dryston was a hero through and through.
This is a very passionate and intense book that I easily became engrossed in. If you like your historicals with some real meat to the story and some intense heat, then you'll really enjoy this book.
As many of you know from reading this blog, I do my best to give my honest opinion of books while leaving as much of the story for you to discover as possible. Not only am I seriously against spoilers, but I don't like giving away plot points either. But, I have to say this – the ending to TORTURED was one I found very satisfying. The climax surprises in that it's not typical of romances and for that I literally cheered out loud. I've been waiting to find a book that would go there, and leave it to Amanda to write it!
June 14, 2012
Tortured is out of the realm of my usual Romance book. The story is not your warm fuzzy romance story, it is a very gritty story of a young woman named Sierra who is thrust into a life she didn't want and did what she had to survive. Sierra lived in 500 A.D. at a time when the Saxons had invaded Britannia after the Romans left. A very dark time in history, especially for a woman. As I read the book I struggled with the life she led and the things she had to endure. Sierra becomes the executioner's apprentice and is made to assist him. Sierra is part Celt and has the gift of site from her mother. Her only escape for the past nine years has been when she met her one male friend for some trysts here and there. She remembers the death of her mother and her brother that was taken from her. The King's soldiers captures Dryston of Hereford and he is brought to Sierra to interrogate. Sierra is shocked by how much she comes to like being with Dryston. He begins to develop feelings for her as well but is reserved because he has lost women in the past. The remainder of the book is Sierra and Dryston as they try and escape their imprisonment and the subsequent fight with the King. Like I said in the beginning this book is not your typical romance, but that being said, I did like the book. It is a story of a woman that has no one to trust but her self and she lives a life that most people would not survive. Through this she meets a man that can possibly have a future with. Dryston is an interesting character. He wants to take care of Sierra and make her happy. The book might not be for everyone but it is definitely worth a look.
January 30, 2011
I really love Drystan!!! A very beatiful man, he's strong, he knows what he want, not always in which ways, but he knows; he knows when to take the reins of the situation and when,like french says,"laisser tomber"; Sierra...she is a very beautiful protagonist, strange, strong, edgy and deeply hurt by all the horror that had to see and deal with; when you think to known what she feels...you wrong...really unexpected book! Good, not the most beautiful book that I ever read but, for the setting and the period, that I don't really like, it is an enjoy reading!!
March 8, 2010
I tried to win this book when it came out, but with no luck I knew it was going to be a must buy for me, and I wasn't dissapointed! Tortured by Amanda McIntyre was just plain fantastic! One thing I loved was that after I read it I went over to Amanda's website to check out her other books, well what I found made this little reader a very happy girl! Amanda as put together a page for her inspirations, including music & media, a cast and pictures of landscapes to give you perfect imagery into what inspired Tortured! I was for one over the moon, Amanda even talked about the story behind this masterful creation! Brilliant I tell you, I was thinking... oh oh, that is how I imagined the waterfall or castle from her eloquent words, so full of life and a clear representation of the imagery in my own head.
I adored Sierra from the moment she stepped on the page, a woman just trying to survive and nothing was going to stop her. She has had a horrible and degrading existence. Only kept alive by the man who had her mother killed because he knew she could be of use to him in the future. Like her mother (a druid), Sierra was a seer, she saw the future and when the maniacal Lord Aeglech discovers this he spares her and kills her younger brother. His birth a betrayal to Lord Aeglech as he sees it, so he orders his death as he places Sierra with the executioner. An apprentice to the executioner Sierra becomes hardened to her surroundings where death and torture are an everyday experience.
Until...... until the arrival of Dryston. Captured and sent to the executioner to be tortured for his knowledge of the activities and plotting against Lord Aeglech he is resilient and strong and holds onto all his secrets. He would rather them kill him. But the evil Lord has other plans, that would be Sierra. He uses her to get information about his enemies from Dryston by her power of seduction. Something about Dryston pulls Sierra towards him, lust, desire, freedom. He could be her ticket out of here. And she knows that if she doesn't at least give it a try with him, she will die here. It will killer like it killed her mother.
I think the most enjoyable thing for me was Sierra having to learn that she couldn't use sex and her art of manipulation for everything. When Dryston starts working his way into her heart, Sierra is torn. It wasn't suppose to be this way. She was to get out, get her revenge and live her life, not fall in love with a man. She has had a hard life and can hold her own, but does she want to, does she want to choose to open up her heart and trust Dryston. And more than that, can he trust her?
I adored Sierra from the moment she stepped on the page, a woman just trying to survive and nothing was going to stop her. She has had a horrible and degrading existence. Only kept alive by the man who had her mother killed because he knew she could be of use to him in the future. Like her mother (a druid), Sierra was a seer, she saw the future and when the maniacal Lord Aeglech discovers this he spares her and kills her younger brother. His birth a betrayal to Lord Aeglech as he sees it, so he orders his death as he places Sierra with the executioner. An apprentice to the executioner Sierra becomes hardened to her surroundings where death and torture are an everyday experience.
Until...... until the arrival of Dryston. Captured and sent to the executioner to be tortured for his knowledge of the activities and plotting against Lord Aeglech he is resilient and strong and holds onto all his secrets. He would rather them kill him. But the evil Lord has other plans, that would be Sierra. He uses her to get information about his enemies from Dryston by her power of seduction. Something about Dryston pulls Sierra towards him, lust, desire, freedom. He could be her ticket out of here. And she knows that if she doesn't at least give it a try with him, she will die here. It will killer like it killed her mother.
I think the most enjoyable thing for me was Sierra having to learn that she couldn't use sex and her art of manipulation for everything. When Dryston starts working his way into her heart, Sierra is torn. It wasn't suppose to be this way. She was to get out, get her revenge and live her life, not fall in love with a man. She has had a hard life and can hold her own, but does she want to, does she want to choose to open up her heart and trust Dryston. And more than that, can he trust her?
September 5, 2015
I was ensnared by the man's look on the front of this cover that I had to buy it. I don't know why, but I was just fascinated by his expression. After reading the description, I was so taken by this book that I immediately had to read it. I actually expected the female protagonist, Sierra, to be a whore with prisoners. The description led me to believe. It also made me think that she was some week female under the influence of her enemy.
I was so completely wrong. Not only does Sierra only have sex with three people the entire novel --two because she wanted to and one because she is pretty much forced--, but she is one of the strongest heroines I have ever read. She watched her mother, who had the gift of sight, being forced to work for the enemy Saxons, who later murders her for hiding Sierra's brother. Sierra and her brother, Torin, are then forced apart. It is thought that Torin is left for dead, while Sierra takes up her mother's job as the Saxon king's Seer. Her entire life, Sierra never loses her fire, her hope, or her determination. When she sees Dryston, she sees her chance to escape and doesn't hesitate to snatch it.
I was so completely enraptured by this novel: by Sierra's life and emotions, by Dryston's mission, determination, and tenderness when taking care of Sierra, and by the entire nations hope of being free from the Saxons. McIntyre weaves such a compelling story that one cannot help but be tangled up in. I actually completely forgot that this was meant to be an erotic novel because I was so caught up in the storyline. I am glad, however, that I did not read this book for the erotica. Honestly, the erotic scenes fizzled. They were short, lacked description, and were actually passable.
One of the best novels I've read in a long time.
I was so completely wrong. Not only does Sierra only have sex with three people the entire novel --two because she wanted to and one because she is pretty much forced--, but she is one of the strongest heroines I have ever read. She watched her mother, who had the gift of sight, being forced to work for the enemy Saxons, who later murders her for hiding Sierra's brother. Sierra and her brother, Torin, are then forced apart. It is thought that Torin is left for dead, while Sierra takes up her mother's job as the Saxon king's Seer. Her entire life, Sierra never loses her fire, her hope, or her determination. When she sees Dryston, she sees her chance to escape and doesn't hesitate to snatch it.
I was so completely enraptured by this novel: by Sierra's life and emotions, by Dryston's mission, determination, and tenderness when taking care of Sierra, and by the entire nations hope of being free from the Saxons. McIntyre weaves such a compelling story that one cannot help but be tangled up in. I actually completely forgot that this was meant to be an erotic novel because I was so caught up in the storyline. I am glad, however, that I did not read this book for the erotica. Honestly, the erotic scenes fizzled. They were short, lacked description, and were actually passable.
One of the best novels I've read in a long time.
May 31, 2011
"Tortured" by Amanda McIntyre will stay with me for a long, long time. I couldn't have picked a better time than Memorial Day to read this book. "Tortured" is about loss of personal freedom, survival instinct, and the timeless hunger for omnipotence in those humans who live to dominate others. The story takes place in a time when Christianity, hedonism, and superstition were at war with each other, and mankind was the prize. However, it is also an unforgettable love story. Dryston is a wounded warrior whose gentle touch and loving passion bring back to life a young woman who willed so much of herself into submissive oblivion. It is the unconquerable spirit dwelling deep within Sierra which captivates her captive. All she loved was taken from her as a girl, as her mother was hung before her eyes and her young brother dragged away to be killed. Nothing was left for her to keep. Even her long hair was chopped off. She was forced to dress as a boy and become the apprentice to a master executioner. Together, Sierra and Dryston form a bold plan of escape, heading toward their predetermined fate. This is a vivid, well-told tale of the rawness and uncertain times of the Dark Ages. Would we have acted in the same manner as Sierra and Dryston and others around them? Amanda McIntyre places us right in the middle of the story line, making us see how human spirituality and physicality become twisted under ceaseless torment and cruelty. Although the setting of the story goes back in time more than fifteen hundred years, humans still act in much the same way. There will always be those who quest for dominance, but mercifully, there will always be love and lovers to offer hope for mankind.
March 16, 2010
This book had moments of greatness but not enough to gain any more than 3 stars. The first half of the book was choppy and felt bogged down with the back story.
The second half really picked up for me and I came to love Dryston and Sierra. I just wished we got more relationship development. The chemistry was good and the banter between the two reminded me a times of my favorite couple from Garwoods the Bride. Although this work does not even come close to Garwoods.
The sibling reunion was a bit of a let down again I really liked the idea but wanted more.
Although this is marked as an erotic book I didn't feel the sex scenes were in anyway over the top. It has a strong story with sex woven in between.
Overall, the characters and plot ideas are good but were not executed well enough to make this book great.
The second half really picked up for me and I came to love Dryston and Sierra. I just wished we got more relationship development. The chemistry was good and the banter between the two reminded me a times of my favorite couple from Garwoods the Bride. Although this work does not even come close to Garwoods.
The sibling reunion was a bit of a let down again I really liked the idea but wanted more.
Although this is marked as an erotic book I didn't feel the sex scenes were in anyway over the top. It has a strong story with sex woven in between.
Overall, the characters and plot ideas are good but were not executed well enough to make this book great.
August 25, 2009
I've missed reading novels set in the ye olde ages of the middle. In spite of the frequent steamy sex and occasional 'bondage' (not so much literally though), there just wasn't enough detail or development to make me care enough for the characters.
I actually felt Sierra had more chemistry with the King than Dryston. Does anyone agree with me or am I just sick?
I actually felt Sierra had more chemistry with the King than Dryston. Does anyone agree with me or am I just sick?
June 22, 2013
I might have not fallen in love with this book, but I enjoyed it.
So what if Sierra got a little slutty in the first part of the book? What if she slept or almost slept with half the male population? And why care that Dryston fell for every girl he saw? They made a fine couple after they met.
The writing was good and it had a nice flow, but I have not much more to say really.
So what if Sierra got a little slutty in the first part of the book? What if she slept or almost slept with half the male population? And why care that Dryston fell for every girl he saw? They made a fine couple after they met.
The writing was good and it had a nice flow, but I have not much more to say really.
June 5, 2013
Not my usual read, but so glad I did read this. I was help captive by the book the first page to the last page.
November 3, 2016
Setting: Saxon Shore, AD 500 – village/mansion with oubliette, mansion kitchen, mansion stables; forests around with waterfall; abandoned, fallen castle; tents/caves;
Theme: winning back land from the abusive overlords; giving and receiving trust; enduring under horrific environment and then opening up; love;
Characters:
Sierra aka Mouse: gift of sight, undeveloped as mother killed when she was 12; when mother hung for being a traitor, the lord (wanting to preserve her gift of sight) kept her alive, he made her the executioner’s apprentice, living in the Oubliette (place of forgetting), where she grew from a young girl to a woman; she detached herself from her emotions so as to be able to live through the horror of the torture chambers;
Lord Dryston: trained as a warrior for the Roman legion, came home to fight for Britannia against the Saxons, helping to recruit and train the peasants;
Torin: son of Vortigern, (previous Brittan leader, defeated by Aeglech – whom he had hired as a mercenary); her younger brother; when mother killed, she was unable to protect him – a guard tasked to kill him, but scared of mother’s curse, he left him in the woods – where child Dryston found him hiding in a log and brought him home… his trauma leaving him with no memory except his name; trained in Rome with Dryston, and now working with rebels on his own land;
Sierra and Torin’s mother: seer; father of both children were the rulers of their region – those men wanting her seer talents for their own – and she required to have sex withthem; she hid her son, not only so as to keep him safe from genocide of male babies, but because his father was Aeglech’s predecessor; when boy sighted (Sierra’s mistake), guards came…
Alyson: mystical healer; Torin’s lover;
Roman General Ambrosis: did not leave Britain when the other Roman’s left, and seems willing to aid the rebels;
Cearl: castle/kitchen servant; started as Sierra’s friend, became her uncomplicated lover; now a handsome man, but a bit of a simpleton;
Lord Aeglech: Germanic; came to Britain with mercenary force, and conquered he who hired him; terrorizes the Brittans – slavery, high taxes, torture/death; he had Sierra’s mother as his mistress and seer, but when found she was hiding a son (he’d killed boy children to prevent anyone growing up to challenge him) he sent his men to rape and kill her (hanging from tree in front yard); he wants Sierra’s seer talent, so he does not kill her, but does put her with the dungeon master, and tries to make her sexless – cut her hair and boy’s clothes;
Balrogan: executioner, torture chamber; homosexual; carried out the torture/deaths without question but did not mistreat Sierra per se…
Summary:
When we first meet Sierra, she is meeting up with Cearl for sex – her only time to lose herself in something not horrid; we have a horrid scene where Aeglech tests her by bringing her to his bedroom, while he is having sex with a village woman – who brought a knife to kill him – and he asks her to touch the woman (when he is pounding into her) and tell her what she sees – guessing he knows about the knife, she tells him the truth – and then requires she watches while the lover begs for mercy, but he slits the lover’s throat and then leaves so Sierra can clean up after her; then when he knows that a Roman warrior has been captured, he has Sierra come to him, and he seduces her in his bath – without actual penetration – though he does bring her to climax, using her body against her… and then he has her ‘promoted’ – given a pretty dress, and her own small room (with rungs on the wall to chain prisoners to)… and told she will now use her feminine wiles (yes = sex if necessary) and her seer touch to get the secrets from prisoners…
And her first prisoner is the Roman – she sees his torture by Balrogan & Aeglech in the oubliette – and sees the Roman’s courage and size… and hatches a plan to help him escape if he’ll take her with him… he is taken to her room, and chained (where she initiates sex with him against the wall – hmmmm) … she tells Aeglech that his men are at the castle ruins (the castle ruins she had seen him in a battle);
She tries to make it look like he is kidnapping her from the gallows, onto a guard’s horse… and they spend about a week together, trying to get to his men before Aeglech figures out which castle; along the way, the spend a lot of time wet (lakes, waterfalls, rain : ) ; and he works at understanding her life, and helping her find her heart, her emotions; he gives her honesty and she returns it, though especially at first, just didn’t talk to him; she helps him with his guilt over his family, and girl friend, and almost girl friend killed by the invading force… and she finally confides about her mother and brother… and together figure out that his friend is possibly her brother…
He sends her on the horse to camp to warn them, while he entices the guards away from the camp – her brother does not believe her = especially when someone points her out as the executioner’s apprentice – and has her ‘jailed’ – though not mistreated, she is ignored… he sends out men to cautiously look for Dryston (looking for a trap) – and rescue him from the river, where he had jumped from the cliff… and when he awakens Dryston tells Torin he can trust her – and she gives him the truth of their childhood – and he believes… and she is finally allowed to go to Dryston… a night of passion – then she sneaks out to confront Aeglich herself… and ends up chaining him to a wall in the torture room of the castle – stabbing him, and setting a fire… Dryston wakes up, moment of betrayal, but figures out what she’d be up to… goes to her rescue…
Memorable Scenes:
“Dunna ever be afraid, Sierra,” her mother’s voice whispered in her head. “Fear will be your downfall, as it is mine.”
“Let the dark curse of a thousand generations fall upon anyone who should cause harm to these children. The ancients – the gods and goddesses of the earth, fire, water, and air – bless them. Whoever does them harm shall have his life and the lives of all his kin brutally taken.”
“I swear, as long as I have a breath in my body, no harm shall come to you, if you help me in this.” His words came back to her and Sierra made him a silent promise of the same.
Theme: winning back land from the abusive overlords; giving and receiving trust; enduring under horrific environment and then opening up; love;
Characters:
Sierra aka Mouse: gift of sight, undeveloped as mother killed when she was 12; when mother hung for being a traitor, the lord (wanting to preserve her gift of sight) kept her alive, he made her the executioner’s apprentice, living in the Oubliette (place of forgetting), where she grew from a young girl to a woman; she detached herself from her emotions so as to be able to live through the horror of the torture chambers;
Lord Dryston: trained as a warrior for the Roman legion, came home to fight for Britannia against the Saxons, helping to recruit and train the peasants;
Torin: son of Vortigern, (previous Brittan leader, defeated by Aeglech – whom he had hired as a mercenary); her younger brother; when mother killed, she was unable to protect him – a guard tasked to kill him, but scared of mother’s curse, he left him in the woods – where child Dryston found him hiding in a log and brought him home… his trauma leaving him with no memory except his name; trained in Rome with Dryston, and now working with rebels on his own land;
Sierra and Torin’s mother: seer; father of both children were the rulers of their region – those men wanting her seer talents for their own – and she required to have sex withthem; she hid her son, not only so as to keep him safe from genocide of male babies, but because his father was Aeglech’s predecessor; when boy sighted (Sierra’s mistake), guards came…
Alyson: mystical healer; Torin’s lover;
Roman General Ambrosis: did not leave Britain when the other Roman’s left, and seems willing to aid the rebels;
Cearl: castle/kitchen servant; started as Sierra’s friend, became her uncomplicated lover; now a handsome man, but a bit of a simpleton;
Lord Aeglech: Germanic; came to Britain with mercenary force, and conquered he who hired him; terrorizes the Brittans – slavery, high taxes, torture/death; he had Sierra’s mother as his mistress and seer, but when found she was hiding a son (he’d killed boy children to prevent anyone growing up to challenge him) he sent his men to rape and kill her (hanging from tree in front yard); he wants Sierra’s seer talent, so he does not kill her, but does put her with the dungeon master, and tries to make her sexless – cut her hair and boy’s clothes;
Balrogan: executioner, torture chamber; homosexual; carried out the torture/deaths without question but did not mistreat Sierra per se…
Summary:
When we first meet Sierra, she is meeting up with Cearl for sex – her only time to lose herself in something not horrid; we have a horrid scene where Aeglech tests her by bringing her to his bedroom, while he is having sex with a village woman – who brought a knife to kill him – and he asks her to touch the woman (when he is pounding into her) and tell her what she sees – guessing he knows about the knife, she tells him the truth – and then requires she watches while the lover begs for mercy, but he slits the lover’s throat and then leaves so Sierra can clean up after her; then when he knows that a Roman warrior has been captured, he has Sierra come to him, and he seduces her in his bath – without actual penetration – though he does bring her to climax, using her body against her… and then he has her ‘promoted’ – given a pretty dress, and her own small room (with rungs on the wall to chain prisoners to)… and told she will now use her feminine wiles (yes = sex if necessary) and her seer touch to get the secrets from prisoners…
And her first prisoner is the Roman – she sees his torture by Balrogan & Aeglech in the oubliette – and sees the Roman’s courage and size… and hatches a plan to help him escape if he’ll take her with him… he is taken to her room, and chained (where she initiates sex with him against the wall – hmmmm) … she tells Aeglech that his men are at the castle ruins (the castle ruins she had seen him in a battle);
She tries to make it look like he is kidnapping her from the gallows, onto a guard’s horse… and they spend about a week together, trying to get to his men before Aeglech figures out which castle; along the way, the spend a lot of time wet (lakes, waterfalls, rain : ) ; and he works at understanding her life, and helping her find her heart, her emotions; he gives her honesty and she returns it, though especially at first, just didn’t talk to him; she helps him with his guilt over his family, and girl friend, and almost girl friend killed by the invading force… and she finally confides about her mother and brother… and together figure out that his friend is possibly her brother…
He sends her on the horse to camp to warn them, while he entices the guards away from the camp – her brother does not believe her = especially when someone points her out as the executioner’s apprentice – and has her ‘jailed’ – though not mistreated, she is ignored… he sends out men to cautiously look for Dryston (looking for a trap) – and rescue him from the river, where he had jumped from the cliff… and when he awakens Dryston tells Torin he can trust her – and she gives him the truth of their childhood – and he believes… and she is finally allowed to go to Dryston… a night of passion – then she sneaks out to confront Aeglich herself… and ends up chaining him to a wall in the torture room of the castle – stabbing him, and setting a fire… Dryston wakes up, moment of betrayal, but figures out what she’d be up to… goes to her rescue…
Memorable Scenes:
“Dunna ever be afraid, Sierra,” her mother’s voice whispered in her head. “Fear will be your downfall, as it is mine.”
“Let the dark curse of a thousand generations fall upon anyone who should cause harm to these children. The ancients – the gods and goddesses of the earth, fire, water, and air – bless them. Whoever does them harm shall have his life and the lives of all his kin brutally taken.”
“I swear, as long as I have a breath in my body, no harm shall come to you, if you help me in this.” His words came back to her and Sierra made him a silent promise of the same.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2018
Romanzo erotico? 50 pagine in cui ho letto: scene erotiche sparse a caso che sono del tutto inutili per la trama. Peni turgidi e fiori bagnati, scrupoli maschili che penso nel 500 d.c. fossero inesistenti (ma non sono uno storico). Lungaggini sulle torture e la prigionia, il dominio ecc ecc uff. Un re che gode a svilire i propri servi facendoli partecipare alle sue performance sessuali, che culminano nell’omicidio della donna che hanno nel letto. Boh. Non ho sentito nessun brivido di alcun genere.
November 30, 2025
Es un 2.5⭐️
Es entretenía, pero unas historia que pasa sin pena ni gloria.
Sierra es la aprendis del verdugo desde hace nueve años después de ver como colgaban a su mamá y se llevaban a su hermano menor.
Dryston pertenece a un grupo que pretende derrocar al viquino que se hizo a la fuerza con el poder de Britania
Despues de capturar a Dryston y ser torturado es llevado con Sierra para que lo sedusca y poder saber en donde se esconden los rebeldes pero Dryston hace un trato con Sierra y ella lo ayuda a escapar, siempre y cuando se la lleve con el.
Es entretenía, pero unas historia que pasa sin pena ni gloria.
Sierra es la aprendis del verdugo desde hace nueve años después de ver como colgaban a su mamá y se llevaban a su hermano menor.
Dryston pertenece a un grupo que pretende derrocar al viquino que se hizo a la fuerza con el poder de Britania
Despues de capturar a Dryston y ser torturado es llevado con Sierra para que lo sedusca y poder saber en donde se esconden los rebeldes pero Dryston hace un trato con Sierra y ella lo ayuda a escapar, siempre y cuando se la lleve con el.
January 26, 2020
Lo leí porque llevaba años en la pila y transcurría al finalizar la etapa romana de Britannia, lo cual nunca es un periodo normal en una novela. Pero no tiene mucho más que aportar, ya que el ritmo me pareció irregular, en momentos demasido lento y en otros precipitado, en especial al final.
January 8, 2019
Nah. I can’t really say that I enjoyed this story. It wasn’t what I had thought it would be. The connection with the main couple didn’t come together. Maybe the audible had something to do with it but I don’t think so. It just missed a mark or something. I was really hoping for something a bit darker perhaps.
But the dialog flowed and there was decent story building so I feel a three star is generous.
But the dialog flowed and there was decent story building so I feel a three star is generous.
August 21, 2014
Uno más que agregar para el desafío de Desempolvando libros (que no creo terminar :S) Lo compré hace bastante tiempo, más porque ya lo tenía en digital y cuando vi el precio me dije que tenía que aprovechar y hasta ahora lo pude leer.
Es entretenido más no EL libro con LA historia, tiene el toque de romance y la historia es un poco predecible después de la mitad. Los personajes no son particularmente rescatables, aunque Sierra se lleva mi admiración por ser de las mujeres independientes y capaces de defenderse de lo que sea aunque parezca una tarea imposible y que lleva todas las de perder.
Si algo no me gusta casi nada es la portada, es demasiado sugerente... del tipo que no lo sacas para leer en el transporte o en una reunión donde te aburres y solo quieres leer ¿? Así que eso es un punto en contra... al menos a mi no me parece bonita.
Y la advertencia de presencia de escenas sugerentes y subidas de tono, así como la palabra con v que se refiere al miembro masculino. No son escenas tipo el Marqués de Sade ni mucho menos, no son muchas pero aquí también le resto el hecho de que Sierra es un poco sexosa y hubo un par de momentos que me daban ganas de golpearla por recordarme a Velvet Touch (nunca lo lean). De ahí en fuera me entretuvo un poco porque aunque había momentos predecibles, Dryston me encanto, un tipo valiente, romántico y además de todo bromista.
No hay muchos personajes y en realidad es una historia corta que después de la mitad me la leí en una noche. Aunque siento que el final quedo un poco abierto y creo que no hay una segunda parte :S así que creo hubiese sido agradable darle otro final y no uno que me pusiera a pensar en cómo por qué terminaría así?
Es el primer libro que leo de la autora y al menos por el momento no planeo leer otro en un futuro próximo y no es porque la odiará... sino porque tengo muchos otros pendientes :D y que además no he conseguido nada más de ella.
Lo recomiendo si les gusta el romance con un toque de pasión, se encontrarán con una historia un tanto divertida y no hay modo de complicarse la vida con demasiados personajes.
Es entretenido más no EL libro con LA historia, tiene el toque de romance y la historia es un poco predecible después de la mitad. Los personajes no son particularmente rescatables, aunque Sierra se lleva mi admiración por ser de las mujeres independientes y capaces de defenderse de lo que sea aunque parezca una tarea imposible y que lleva todas las de perder.
Si algo no me gusta casi nada es la portada, es demasiado sugerente... del tipo que no lo sacas para leer en el transporte o en una reunión donde te aburres y solo quieres leer ¿? Así que eso es un punto en contra... al menos a mi no me parece bonita.
Y la advertencia de presencia de escenas sugerentes y subidas de tono, así como la palabra con v que se refiere al miembro masculino. No son escenas tipo el Marqués de Sade ni mucho menos, no son muchas pero aquí también le resto el hecho de que Sierra es un poco sexosa y hubo un par de momentos que me daban ganas de golpearla por recordarme a Velvet Touch (nunca lo lean). De ahí en fuera me entretuvo un poco porque aunque había momentos predecibles, Dryston me encanto, un tipo valiente, romántico y además de todo bromista.
No hay muchos personajes y en realidad es una historia corta que después de la mitad me la leí en una noche. Aunque siento que el final quedo un poco abierto y creo que no hay una segunda parte :S así que creo hubiese sido agradable darle otro final y no uno que me pusiera a pensar en cómo por qué terminaría así?
Es el primer libro que leo de la autora y al menos por el momento no planeo leer otro en un futuro próximo y no es porque la odiará... sino porque tengo muchos otros pendientes :D y que además no he conseguido nada más de ella.
Lo recomiendo si les gusta el romance con un toque de pasión, se encontrarán con una historia un tanto divertida y no hay modo de complicarse la vida con demasiados personajes.
June 9, 2010
Tortured takes place during the Dark Ages after the Romans pulled out of Britannia. Sierra works as an apprentice to an executioner. She was forced to this position as a twelve year old after she witnessed the rape and death of her mother. Six years have passed and Sierra has managed to survive by take each day at a time. When her master has captured a rebel soldier, he orders Sierra to work him over for information. Only Sierra is drawn to Dryston and they formulate a plan to escape.
I picked out this book because Amanda McIntyre will be at the RT Convention this year and also because it was set in a time period other than the standard Regency that is so prevalent today. I will admit I was a little worried that there would be too much written about the torture. Plus, this book is published by the Harlequin Spice line and it is an "Erotic Novel" and that means I might not get my happy ever after. Fortunately I needn't have worried. Although, the reality of life was very hard back then, the author didn't dwell on it and managed to balance the dark with the light.
I really thought that the author did a good job with making the characters ring true to the time period. The reader will feel like they have traveled back in time. The political upheaval made for very desperate and uncertain times. The reader will feel the characters desperation, yet underneath is a sense of longing and hope.
I did have some problems with Tortured. Sierra has learned that in order to survive she has to contain her feelings. To reveal them might be her death. It would have been nice to see Sierra really break through these emotional bonds, especially by the end of the story. When Sierra goes back to confront her captor with all the animosity she felt towards him, the ending seemed anti-climatic because Sierra never really loses control emotionally. Also, I never really bought into the passion between Sierra and Dryston. I felt like something was missing and this could again lead back to Sierra's emotional disconnection.
I picked out this book because Amanda McIntyre will be at the RT Convention this year and also because it was set in a time period other than the standard Regency that is so prevalent today. I will admit I was a little worried that there would be too much written about the torture. Plus, this book is published by the Harlequin Spice line and it is an "Erotic Novel" and that means I might not get my happy ever after. Fortunately I needn't have worried. Although, the reality of life was very hard back then, the author didn't dwell on it and managed to balance the dark with the light.
I really thought that the author did a good job with making the characters ring true to the time period. The reader will feel like they have traveled back in time. The political upheaval made for very desperate and uncertain times. The reader will feel the characters desperation, yet underneath is a sense of longing and hope.
I did have some problems with Tortured. Sierra has learned that in order to survive she has to contain her feelings. To reveal them might be her death. It would have been nice to see Sierra really break through these emotional bonds, especially by the end of the story. When Sierra goes back to confront her captor with all the animosity she felt towards him, the ending seemed anti-climatic because Sierra never really loses control emotionally. Also, I never really bought into the passion between Sierra and Dryston. I felt like something was missing and this could again lead back to Sierra's emotional disconnection.
January 24, 2015
This was an enjoyable read. It has an interesting plot that takes you right along on the adventure and makes you root for the two main characters to both get where they are going and get together.
Overall it was an interesting story with likable characters in a well-described world that you could lose yourself in. Oh ya, and there were plenty of love scenes if that is what you are looking for (or looking to avoid).
Overall it was an interesting story with likable characters in a well-described world that you could lose yourself in. Oh ya, and there were plenty of love scenes if that is what you are looking for (or looking to avoid).
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September 22, 2009I'm not giving this book a rating because I didn't finish it. But, unlike most DNF's, I'm not sure it was entirely the book's fault. It isn't badly written, and there are some interesting historical details. But, I was bored. I didn't engage with the characters, and I skimmed more than half of it before I decided to just give up. The parts that I read seemed well written, and the premise I was getting was interesting enough for me to pick up the book in the first place. But, I just didn't find it enough to keep reading. I would try another book by this author, but I won't be giving THIS book another try.
January 4, 2013
Two stars is my "tolerable" rating. I like lots of sex, but these people had serious (and I mean serious) wounds. His wounds, her wounds, both of them were in little shape for much but a nice bed in an intensive care unit, and they were still going at it like bunnies. The wounds seemed to cause them issues everywhere but in the sack. The idea for me was just a bit too distracting I suppose. The ending just sort of flopped for me too.
What I liked about this book was that it was far more realistic regarding the time period than most historical erotic romances. It's not whitewashed or cleaned up for modern tastes.
What I liked about this book was that it was far more realistic regarding the time period than most historical erotic romances. It's not whitewashed or cleaned up for modern tastes.
June 7, 2011
terribly lacking. i could not, no matter how hard i tried, find myself liking the characters. there was so much potential - angst, trauma, anger, passion - but none of it came together. and WTH was with that ending? the story was empty. the ending was missing. the sex was boring. nothing redeeming about this book but the steamy cover.
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April 25, 2013Letto in versione cartacea... Originale come ambientazioni e come personaggi, anche se abbastanza violento nelle scene erotiche, però, io ho un debole per lo stile dell'autrice che trovo descrittivo, ma senza eccessi e capace di farti visualizzare come in un film ciò che leggi.
April 3, 2012
The book depicted a setting with so much hopelessness and suffering for the main character. The lines were typical but still witty at certain times. It's like a forced knight-in-shining-armor fairy tale wherein if I were the girl in the story, I would not really be needing anyway.
May 19, 2010
Great work by Amanda McIntyre. I will definitely be adding her other works to my ever growing list of books I would love to read.
Well written, good storyline and a fantastic cover!
Well written, good storyline and a fantastic cover!
September 11, 2016
No he me ha gustado ni los personajes ni la historia. No lo recomiendo.
March 13, 2013
UGH I was done after the third mention of turgid nipples. And calling her vagina a quiver...repeatedly? Really? Yep, this just isn't for me.
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