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The Prize
10 Compact Discs - 12 hours
In the resplendence of William the Conqueror's London court, the lovely Saxon captive, Nicholaa was forced to choose a husband from the assembled Norman nobles. She chose Royce, a baron warrior whose fierce demeanor could not conceal his chivalrous and tender heart. Resourceful, rebellious and utterly naive, Nicholaa vowed to bend Royce to her will, despite the whirlwind of feelings he aroused in her. Ferocious in battle, seasoned in passion, Royce was surprised by the depth of his emotion whenever he caressed his charming bride.
In a climate of utmost treachery, where Saxons still intrigued against their Norman invaders, Royce and Nicholaa reveled in their precious new love...a fervent bond soon to be disrupted by the call of blood, kin and country!
12 pages, Audio CD
First published August 1, 1991
1676 people are currently reading
10071 people want to read
About the author
Julie Garwood
151 books12.6k followersWith more than 35 million books in print and 26 NEW YORK TIMES bestsellers, Julie Garwood has earned a position among America's favorite fiction writers.
Born and raised in Kansas City, MO, Ms. Garwood attributes much of her success to growing up in a large family of Irish heritage. "The Irish are great storytellers who relish getting all of the details and nuances of every situation. Add in the fact that I was the sixth of seven children. Early in life, I learned that self expression had to be forceful, imaginative, and quick," says Ms. Garwood.
She began her writing career when the youngest of her three children entered school. After the publications of two young-adult books, she turned her talents to historical fiction. Her first novel, GENTLE WARRIOR, was published by Pocket Books in 1985. Since then, she has branched into other genres including contemporary romantic suspense. Today, her name appears regularly on the bestseller lists of every major publication in the country, and her books are translated into dozens of languages around the world. Her bestselling novel FOR THE ROSES was adapted for the HALLMARK HALL OF FAME television movie ROSE HILL.
Ms. Garwood lives in Leawood, KS and is currently working on her next novel.
Born and raised in Kansas City, MO, Ms. Garwood attributes much of her success to growing up in a large family of Irish heritage. "The Irish are great storytellers who relish getting all of the details and nuances of every situation. Add in the fact that I was the sixth of seven children. Early in life, I learned that self expression had to be forceful, imaginative, and quick," says Ms. Garwood.
She began her writing career when the youngest of her three children entered school. After the publications of two young-adult books, she turned her talents to historical fiction. Her first novel, GENTLE WARRIOR, was published by Pocket Books in 1985. Since then, she has branched into other genres including contemporary romantic suspense. Today, her name appears regularly on the bestseller lists of every major publication in the country, and her books are translated into dozens of languages around the world. Her bestselling novel FOR THE ROSES was adapted for the HALLMARK HALL OF FAME television movie ROSE HILL.
Ms. Garwood lives in Leawood, KS and is currently working on her next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,044 reviews
November 27, 2011
"He never knew what hit him." The first line in this book was enough to hook me. How could I not love a heroine who was smart and resourceful enough to drop the hero to the ground in the middle of a battle?
Baron Royce is Norman and Lady Nicholaa is Saxon, and that makes them enemies in 1066. The Prize starts with Nicholaa trying to defend her home against Royce and his "barbaric" soldiers. She's successfully defeated the three previous knights sent by "the bastard" William of Normandy, soon to be the new King of England, but she realizes Royce is on a league of his own and the chances of her winning against him are nonexistent. So she tricks him into thinking she's her twin sister Danielle - a nun! - and manages to escape and find sanctuary in the nearest convent. When Royce finds out that there's no sister Danielle and that he's been had by the cunning Nicholaa, he can't help but appreciate how clever she is and surprises his men by laughing instead of getting furious with her deception.
Arrogant that he is, Royce doesn't see Nicholaa's escape as a defeat, as he's sure he'll be able to leave her sanctuary and go with him to meet his King William in London. As the Saxon woman who's so valiantly defended her family's holding, she's a legend among the Normans, the bride the King is going to give to his most worthy knight as "the prize" in a contest for her hand - and her family's holding and lands, of course. As it happens, Royce does get Nicholaa to leave her sanctuary and go with him to London, even though she keeps trying to escape every chance she gets along the way. During this journey, they start seeing each other with new eyes, and Royce grows more and more attracted to Nicholaa while she realizes how honorable, caring and protective he is. And that's how they start to fall in love with each other, against their better judgment. Naturally, they still have a long way to understand and accept their feelings, and that's where the fun lies. :)
I liked Royce from the start, and he won me when he laughed - instead of going ballistic - at being bested by Nicholaa with her "nun act". He was arrogant, hard and a bit gruff on the outside, but soft and oh-so-sweet on the inside. He was like a delicious petit gâteau, my favorite dessert, and all I can say is, Yummy, may I have some more, please? ;) He was smart and brave, but didn't think he was worthy of Nicholaa because she was a beautiful and gentle lady while he was just an "ugly" - his face was marred by a horrible scar - and hardened warrior. But she never saw him that way and, incredibly, she even thought his "handsomeness" was disturbing. Ah, love is blind, indeed!
Nicholaa was a strong and cunning heroine. She was a bit ditzy and naive sometimes - her convoluted plan to get Royce drunk with ale backfired big time, LOL - but that came across as charming and not annoying. She also seemed unable to stop herself from telling lies - all for the greater good, of course - but she couldn't keep them straight to save her life and Royce had no problem seeing through them. The way he kept cornering and trapping her inside her lies had me laughing out loud every single time.
And Royce's lectures... I loved those scenes. The man loved to lecture Nicholaa, even though he was aware she didn't pay any attention to it. I had a smile on my face every time he clasped his hands behind his back, started lecturing her and she just sat there with her hands folded on her lap, daydreaming the whole time. That was just one example of the many interactions between Royce and Nicholaa that were just a joy to read, and I couldn't get enough of them.
The only thing that I found a bit "jarring" was the lack of closure in regards to Nicholaa's older brother Thurston. That wasn't "bad" enough to make me enjoy this book any less, it's just that I wanted to know what happened to him.
All in all, what's left for me to say? Another Garwood, another winner! At this point, I'm a truly devoted fan of Ms. Garwood. I haven't gone through all her backlist yet, but I really loved everything I've read so far. Having read her books almost back to back, it was easy for me to notice that her stories have some kind of a "formula", but it's one I love so I'm all for it. Very well done, Ms. Garwood!
Baron Royce is Norman and Lady Nicholaa is Saxon, and that makes them enemies in 1066. The Prize starts with Nicholaa trying to defend her home against Royce and his "barbaric" soldiers. She's successfully defeated the three previous knights sent by "the bastard" William of Normandy, soon to be the new King of England, but she realizes Royce is on a league of his own and the chances of her winning against him are nonexistent. So she tricks him into thinking she's her twin sister Danielle - a nun! - and manages to escape and find sanctuary in the nearest convent. When Royce finds out that there's no sister Danielle and that he's been had by the cunning Nicholaa, he can't help but appreciate how clever she is and surprises his men by laughing instead of getting furious with her deception.
Arrogant that he is, Royce doesn't see Nicholaa's escape as a defeat, as he's sure he'll be able to leave her sanctuary and go with him to meet his King William in London. As the Saxon woman who's so valiantly defended her family's holding, she's a legend among the Normans, the bride the King is going to give to his most worthy knight as "the prize" in a contest for her hand - and her family's holding and lands, of course. As it happens, Royce does get Nicholaa to leave her sanctuary and go with him to London, even though she keeps trying to escape every chance she gets along the way. During this journey, they start seeing each other with new eyes, and Royce grows more and more attracted to Nicholaa while she realizes how honorable, caring and protective he is. And that's how they start to fall in love with each other, against their better judgment. Naturally, they still have a long way to understand and accept their feelings, and that's where the fun lies. :)
I liked Royce from the start, and he won me when he laughed - instead of going ballistic - at being bested by Nicholaa with her "nun act". He was arrogant, hard and a bit gruff on the outside, but soft and oh-so-sweet on the inside. He was like a delicious petit gâteau, my favorite dessert, and all I can say is, Yummy, may I have some more, please? ;) He was smart and brave, but didn't think he was worthy of Nicholaa because she was a beautiful and gentle lady while he was just an "ugly" - his face was marred by a horrible scar - and hardened warrior. But she never saw him that way and, incredibly, she even thought his "handsomeness" was disturbing. Ah, love is blind, indeed!
Nicholaa was a strong and cunning heroine. She was a bit ditzy and naive sometimes - her convoluted plan to get Royce drunk with ale backfired big time, LOL - but that came across as charming and not annoying. She also seemed unable to stop herself from telling lies - all for the greater good, of course - but she couldn't keep them straight to save her life and Royce had no problem seeing through them. The way he kept cornering and trapping her inside her lies had me laughing out loud every single time.
And Royce's lectures... I loved those scenes. The man loved to lecture Nicholaa, even though he was aware she didn't pay any attention to it. I had a smile on my face every time he clasped his hands behind his back, started lecturing her and she just sat there with her hands folded on her lap, daydreaming the whole time. That was just one example of the many interactions between Royce and Nicholaa that were just a joy to read, and I couldn't get enough of them.
The only thing that I found a bit "jarring" was the lack of closure in regards to Nicholaa's older brother Thurston. That wasn't "bad" enough to make me enjoy this book any less, it's just that I wanted to know what happened to him.
All in all, what's left for me to say? Another Garwood, another winner! At this point, I'm a truly devoted fan of Ms. Garwood. I haven't gone through all her backlist yet, but I really loved everything I've read so far. Having read her books almost back to back, it was easy for me to notice that her stories have some kind of a "formula", but it's one I love so I'm all for it. Very well done, Ms. Garwood!
January 6, 2021
My favourite re-read/listens...
I kind of love that a romance set so far back in history, still manages to have a heroine that shows strength, courage and perseverance. This mixed with a slight vulnerability, made Nicholaa one of my very favourite heroines. Royce, well he's exactly my kind of man. Strong, determined and fierce, he finds it hard to accept the sweetness Nicholaa gives him. They are so perfect together that each re-read leaves me a very happy and content romance reader.
Julie Garwood, you are a bloody legend.
I'm on a roll...maybe one more Julie Garwood ... until next year. ;-)
**********
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Another awesome Julie Garwood historical romance done and dusted. I'm loving re-reading/listening to these classics.
In The Prize, we meet the beautiful and feisty Nicholaa and the scarred warrior Royce. Their love story was full of humour, sizzling chemistry, intrigue and treachery.
While at first, it seems they are destined for a marriage filled with battles. As they go on, their attraction to each other intensifies and feelings develop. Nicholaa loves her family and will do anything to protect them. Royce is determined to have a peaceful life...if only Nicholaa would obey his rules.
The Prize captivated my attention so much I was in danger of heading out to Woop Woop instead of work. It's too easy to relax on the train listening to my audio and forget that I actually have a set destination to reach.
Again, I loved the narrator and had no problems telling when the characters changed. I will definitely be listening to more Julie Garwood in the future.
I kind of love that a romance set so far back in history, still manages to have a heroine that shows strength, courage and perseverance. This mixed with a slight vulnerability, made Nicholaa one of my very favourite heroines. Royce, well he's exactly my kind of man. Strong, determined and fierce, he finds it hard to accept the sweetness Nicholaa gives him. They are so perfect together that each re-read leaves me a very happy and content romance reader.
Julie Garwood, you are a bloody legend.
I'm on a roll...maybe one more Julie Garwood ... until next year. ;-)
**********
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Another awesome Julie Garwood historical romance done and dusted. I'm loving re-reading/listening to these classics.
In The Prize, we meet the beautiful and feisty Nicholaa and the scarred warrior Royce. Their love story was full of humour, sizzling chemistry, intrigue and treachery.
While at first, it seems they are destined for a marriage filled with battles. As they go on, their attraction to each other intensifies and feelings develop. Nicholaa loves her family and will do anything to protect them. Royce is determined to have a peaceful life...if only Nicholaa would obey his rules.
The Prize captivated my attention so much I was in danger of heading out to Woop Woop instead of work. It's too easy to relax on the train listening to my audio and forget that I actually have a set destination to reach.
Again, I loved the narrator and had no problems telling when the characters changed. I will definitely be listening to more Julie Garwood in the future.
April 7, 2023
Re-read–April 2023
DNF- Audible Version
Sadly, the audible version of this book is poorly narrated. I finally stopped listening and returned it.
The narrator‘s rigid, overly dramatic reading style isn’t a good match for the vibrant, witty, light-hearted writing style of Julie Garwood. Luckily, most of Garwood’s audible books are well narrated…Thank heavens.
4 1/2 Stars
Once again, Julie Garwood delivers a heartwarming, humorous, and delightfully romantic tale.
What I liked most about this book was Royce's character (he's not one Garwood's prototypical hero) and the relationship between him and the heroine, Nicholla.
Royce is a hero to adore. He may not be extremely good-looking, with a badly scarred face, but he has the perfect combination of alpha and beta characteristics. He's powerful, driven, and a true leader; but he also possess a strong benevolent side that makes him one of the most charming, endearing, and truly swoon worthy heroes Julie Garwood has created.
Royce's and Nicholla's relationship is fabulous. Both characters are open, honest, and even blunt about their feelings (once they recognized them, of course). It was refreshing not to have all the added drama and misunderstandings that comes from a lack of communication.
I also enjoyed the subplot involving Nicholla's brother Justin. His story enriched the plot and brought to the book some of it more endearing moments.
The Prize is a wonderful, feel-good romance you'll be happy to have read. You can't beat Julie Garwood. She's one of the best!
DNF- Audible Version
Sadly, the audible version of this book is poorly narrated. I finally stopped listening and returned it.
The narrator‘s rigid, overly dramatic reading style isn’t a good match for the vibrant, witty, light-hearted writing style of Julie Garwood. Luckily, most of Garwood’s audible books are well narrated…Thank heavens.
4 1/2 Stars
Once again, Julie Garwood delivers a heartwarming, humorous, and delightfully romantic tale.
What I liked most about this book was Royce's character (he's not one Garwood's prototypical hero) and the relationship between him and the heroine, Nicholla.
Royce is a hero to adore. He may not be extremely good-looking, with a badly scarred face, but he has the perfect combination of alpha and beta characteristics. He's powerful, driven, and a true leader; but he also possess a strong benevolent side that makes him one of the most charming, endearing, and truly swoon worthy heroes Julie Garwood has created.
Royce's and Nicholla's relationship is fabulous. Both characters are open, honest, and even blunt about their feelings (once they recognized them, of course). It was refreshing not to have all the added drama and misunderstandings that comes from a lack of communication.
I also enjoyed the subplot involving Nicholla's brother Justin. His story enriched the plot and brought to the book some of it more endearing moments.
The Prize is a wonderful, feel-good romance you'll be happy to have read. You can't beat Julie Garwood. She's one of the best!
May 29, 2012
I wasn't going to review this one because I don't usually write reviews when I read a well-known and traditionally published author. However, I felt it deserved a review to explain the low rating.
I hated the heroine, Nicholaa. There was no happy medium for this character. She was either acting like an insecure adolescent, seeking approval and attention, or she was raising hell. The only time I found the strong woman characterized at the beginning of the book believable was - yes, at the beginning of the book. Once Baron Royce has her in his presence, it was difficult to even imagine her as a strong woman. She pouts. She whines. She snivels. She looks for approval. She seeks attention. What the author seems to think is the behavior of a strong woman, I saw as temper tantrums.
And can I say I'm sick of heroines who are so stunningly beautiful that all men stop in their tracks and gape, unable to speak past the tongue hanging out of their mouth? Read enough historical romance novels and you'll begin to wonder if there were any ugly or even just passably good-looking noblewomen in all of medieval England. This was my fourth historical romance in as many days and without fail, the heroine in each of them could have been sisters, or even identical quadruplets. Oh sure - the hair color or the eye color changes, but the description otherwise isn't original or different.
In short, the characters and the plot were shallow and formulaic. If you plow your way through romance novels and love them all, you'll probably like this one. If you demand a little more depth for your reading experience, this isn't the book that's going to deliver it for you.
I hated the heroine, Nicholaa. There was no happy medium for this character. She was either acting like an insecure adolescent, seeking approval and attention, or she was raising hell. The only time I found the strong woman characterized at the beginning of the book believable was - yes, at the beginning of the book. Once Baron Royce has her in his presence, it was difficult to even imagine her as a strong woman. She pouts. She whines. She snivels. She looks for approval. She seeks attention. What the author seems to think is the behavior of a strong woman, I saw as temper tantrums.
And can I say I'm sick of heroines who are so stunningly beautiful that all men stop in their tracks and gape, unable to speak past the tongue hanging out of their mouth? Read enough historical romance novels and you'll begin to wonder if there were any ugly or even just passably good-looking noblewomen in all of medieval England. This was my fourth historical romance in as many days and without fail, the heroine in each of them could have been sisters, or even identical quadruplets. Oh sure - the hair color or the eye color changes, but the description otherwise isn't original or different.
In short, the characters and the plot were shallow and formulaic. If you plow your way through romance novels and love them all, you'll probably like this one. If you demand a little more depth for your reading experience, this isn't the book that's going to deliver it for you.
June 2, 2013
This classic Julie Garwood medieval romance is set in the time of the Saxon and Norman skirmishes. One thing that slays me is the mindset of the invaders...they'd come to a castle keep, lay it under siege, kill as many men as possible, and basically just overtake the place...and then they would graciously allow the 'former' lord to remain alive if he would only swear fealty to their leader and become part of their army. WHAT THE....what? That's crazy to me...it's basically forcing them to live a life of shame, now basically peasants within their own home. Mind boggling.
My synopsis:
Lady Nicolaa is a clever young Saxon woman who tricks Royce into believing that she is at first a nun, then a married woman with a baby. Not only is she clever, but she has become a renowned battle leader when she leads her brother's army in his absence. Of course, Royce and his men are a cut above what the Norman usurper sent before, and they quickly overtake Nicolaa's home and men. Now Royce is charged with bringing the infamous woman to his king to be auctioned of as a prize wife to the man who wants her most. And Nicolaa is furious...
My thoughts:
Julie Garwood excels at writing tough as nails alpha warrior men and naive, brainless...but never helpless...heroines. I imagine that her characters would have truly fit into the time period for which they were created. Royce is super authoritative, to the point of chauvinism. Me man, you woman...ugh, ugh!!
Nicola is air headed and ridiculously naive, though she doesn't let her apparent lack of brains keep her from making demands. This is my Nicolaa...more in actions than in looks...If you've seen the movie Enchanted, you'll know what I mean...
One problem that I had with the way her character is portrayed is that while Nicolaa sure does like to put her foot down and take a hard stance about certain issues, she always seems to cave in and bow to Royce. What's the point of making her this strong willed female if she ends up sounding like a vapid woman? There was almost no instance in which she executes a plan that she is so determined to execute, other than that first charade with the nun's clothing.
But the story was captivating, the scenery and the court intrigue very well done. JG's historicals are so hugely different from what is written today, it's almost laughable. I don't suggest reading them if you have hard core feministic tendencies...these women are mostly doormats. But then, their men always come around and pretty much love their women to distraction, forsaking kings and friends and family just to make their lovers happy. So there you go...it's a special kind of romance, and I very much enjoyed it.
My synopsis:
Lady Nicolaa is a clever young Saxon woman who tricks Royce into believing that she is at first a nun, then a married woman with a baby. Not only is she clever, but she has become a renowned battle leader when she leads her brother's army in his absence. Of course, Royce and his men are a cut above what the Norman usurper sent before, and they quickly overtake Nicolaa's home and men. Now Royce is charged with bringing the infamous woman to his king to be auctioned of as a prize wife to the man who wants her most. And Nicolaa is furious...
My thoughts:
Julie Garwood excels at writing tough as nails alpha warrior men and naive, brainless...but never helpless...heroines. I imagine that her characters would have truly fit into the time period for which they were created. Royce is super authoritative, to the point of chauvinism. Me man, you woman...ugh, ugh!!
Nicola is air headed and ridiculously naive, though she doesn't let her apparent lack of brains keep her from making demands. This is my Nicolaa...more in actions than in looks...If you've seen the movie Enchanted, you'll know what I mean...
One problem that I had with the way her character is portrayed is that while Nicolaa sure does like to put her foot down and take a hard stance about certain issues, she always seems to cave in and bow to Royce. What's the point of making her this strong willed female if she ends up sounding like a vapid woman? There was almost no instance in which she executes a plan that she is so determined to execute, other than that first charade with the nun's clothing.
But the story was captivating, the scenery and the court intrigue very well done. JG's historicals are so hugely different from what is written today, it's almost laughable. I don't suggest reading them if you have hard core feministic tendencies...these women are mostly doormats. But then, their men always come around and pretty much love their women to distraction, forsaking kings and friends and family just to make their lovers happy. So there you go...it's a special kind of romance, and I very much enjoyed it.
December 3, 2022
2 🤕🤕⭐️s
Unfortunately, it wasn’t as great as I expected.
The hero was intriguing at some parts but it bothered me that most of the times he was lecturing the heroine and was trying to alter her personality.
The heroine was a mess. She had very few moments where she was strong and sassy but most of the rest she was either crying or jumping from one tantrum to another. She was annoying.
Also, the points of view alternations within the paragraphs were very tedious and distracting. I had to re-read so many lines in order to figure out which character was speaking or thinking…
While I have read and loved ‘Saving Grace’ and ‘Honor’s Splendour’ by JG, the Prize felt as if it was written by a different author.
I am sorry to say that I was disappointed. 😔
I struggled to finish it…
Unfortunately, it wasn’t as great as I expected.
The hero was intriguing at some parts but it bothered me that most of the times he was lecturing the heroine and was trying to alter her personality.
The heroine was a mess. She had very few moments where she was strong and sassy but most of the rest she was either crying or jumping from one tantrum to another. She was annoying.
Also, the points of view alternations within the paragraphs were very tedious and distracting. I had to re-read so many lines in order to figure out which character was speaking or thinking…
While I have read and loved ‘Saving Grace’ and ‘Honor’s Splendour’ by JG, the Prize felt as if it was written by a different author.
I am sorry to say that I was disappointed. 😔
I struggled to finish it…
February 6, 2022
Con el conflicto entre sajones y normandos como telón de fondo, conoceremos la historia de Lady Nicholaa y el barón Royce, quienes simple y sencillamente te robarán el corazón, además de provocarte sus buenas carcajadas con momentos realmente memorables.
Una novela encantadora y absolutamente recomendable en el género.
Reto #29 PopSugar 2022: Un libro diferente de un autor(a) que leíste en 2021
Una novela encantadora y absolutamente recomendable en el género.
Reto #29 PopSugar 2022: Un libro diferente de un autor(a) que leíste en 2021
October 15, 2014
Written October 13, 2014
3.8 Stars - Safely, securely and precisely what expected. - Sweet charming, well written 'oldish' HR
A Ms Garwood historical read (or listening) can not be but heartwaring and enjoying. The Prize a historical from 1991, here narrated by a very professional Anne Flosnik in a 12 hrs audiobook, is no exception.
Perhaps you don't hear or see me sing and dance with joy after this novel, but at least I warm up for some very happy cheer jump step.
A sweetie one!
***********************************************************
England 1066 in William the Conqueror's court..
The lovely Saxon captive Lady Nicholaa was forced to choose a husband from the assembled Norman nobles.
She chose Royce, a baron warrior.
Nicholaa is young, cute and charming. The baron is tired, torn by war and with an ugly scar on his face. - You see, no surprises, it can't be but pretty delightful. - Of course, this becomes incredibly (super über) cute with an grand end.
I'll admit that I sometimes rolled my eyes, but I also giggled and had so much fun. Here isn't it any anxiety or tough scenes. This is simply the most romantic HR to find.
Easily digestible, well-written and very nicely narrated in this audio edition. Just to enjoy.
***********************************************************
Nothing new under the sun for sure, but entertaining old-fashioned Medieval HR to enjoy.
Ms. Garwood's stories have a certain irresistible and innocent style that I like. It will most certainly be more delightful medieval romances written by her in the future.
I LIKE - it's good to be there in the romantic 1060:s
3.8 Stars - Safely, securely and precisely what expected. - Sweet charming, well written 'oldish' HR
A Ms Garwood historical read (or listening) can not be but heartwaring and enjoying. The Prize a historical from 1991, here narrated by a very professional Anne Flosnik in a 12 hrs audiobook, is no exception.
Perhaps you don't hear or see me sing and dance with joy after this novel, but at least I warm up for some very happy cheer jump step. A sweetie one!
***********************************************************
England 1066 in William the Conqueror's court..
The lovely Saxon captive Lady Nicholaa was forced to choose a husband from the assembled Norman nobles.
She chose Royce, a baron warrior.
"In a climate of utmost treachery, where Saxons still intrigued against their Norman invaders..."
Nicholaa is young, cute and charming. The baron is tired, torn by war and with an ugly scar on his face. - You see, no surprises, it can't be but pretty delightful. - Of course, this becomes incredibly (super über) cute with an grand end.
I'll admit that I sometimes rolled my eyes, but I also giggled and had so much fun. Here isn't it any anxiety or tough scenes. This is simply the most romantic HR to find.
Easily digestible, well-written and very nicely narrated in this audio edition. Just to enjoy.
“A woman can't do anything about her appearance. Either she's pretty or she isn't. But her character is quite another matter.”
***********************************************************
Nothing new under the sun for sure, but entertaining old-fashioned Medieval HR to enjoy.
Ms. Garwood's stories have a certain irresistible and innocent style that I like. It will most certainly be more delightful medieval romances written by her in the future.
I LIKE - it's good to be there in the romantic 1060:s
June 9, 2025
The Prize in the book’s title is Nicholaa, a Saxon maiden defending her family’s stronghold against Norman invaders. She turned away two previous attacks, leaving one attack’s leader with an arrow in his butt, so King William sent his best knight, Baron Royce, to take the stronghold and bring the maiden back as a prize for the king to award in marriage to one of his knights.
Guess who ends up with her.
While Royce is a warrior who knows nothing of marriage or even emotions, he decides, in the usual Julie Garwood Medieval deluded alpha-male way, that establishing a household should be simple enough, as he explains to his friend Baron Hugh:
”I may be newly married, Hugh, but I understand that there is only one way this partnership can work to everyone’s satisfaction. I will give the orders, and she will obey them. I’ll be patient, of course. She deserves that consideration. Marriage is new to her, too,” he added. “Once she catches on, life will go along peacefully. She only has to obey me, Hugh. It won’t be difficult.”
“Does Nicholaa understand this dictate?” Hugh asked.
“In time she will,” Royce vowed. His voice was as hard as stone when he added, “I will have a peaceful home.”
(Snigger) Yeah, like that’s gonna happen.
Nicholaa, being another quintessential willful and guileful Julie Garwood Medieval heroine, has a counter plan for getting her way after a few attempts have failed.
She decided to be nice. After all, she’d tried everything else. Nagging hadn’t worked. Neither had shouting. Nicholaa was getting desperate. She reasoned that if she turned pleasant, Royce might retaliate in kind. Perhaps then he would listen to her orders.
This book flies along, clever and subversive and fun and frothy, but with very touching emotional moments interspersed through a thoroughly engrossing story. I couldn’t find a fault in this if I tried, and I’ve no desire to try.
Delightful from beginning to end.
Guess who ends up with her.
While Royce is a warrior who knows nothing of marriage or even emotions, he decides, in the usual Julie Garwood Medieval deluded alpha-male way, that establishing a household should be simple enough, as he explains to his friend Baron Hugh:
”I may be newly married, Hugh, but I understand that there is only one way this partnership can work to everyone’s satisfaction. I will give the orders, and she will obey them. I’ll be patient, of course. She deserves that consideration. Marriage is new to her, too,” he added. “Once she catches on, life will go along peacefully. She only has to obey me, Hugh. It won’t be difficult.”
“Does Nicholaa understand this dictate?” Hugh asked.
“In time she will,” Royce vowed. His voice was as hard as stone when he added, “I will have a peaceful home.”
(Snigger) Yeah, like that’s gonna happen.
Nicholaa, being another quintessential willful and guileful Julie Garwood Medieval heroine, has a counter plan for getting her way after a few attempts have failed.
She decided to be nice. After all, she’d tried everything else. Nagging hadn’t worked. Neither had shouting. Nicholaa was getting desperate. She reasoned that if she turned pleasant, Royce might retaliate in kind. Perhaps then he would listen to her orders.
This book flies along, clever and subversive and fun and frothy, but with very touching emotional moments interspersed through a thoroughly engrossing story. I couldn’t find a fault in this if I tried, and I’ve no desire to try.
Delightful from beginning to end.
December 31, 2024
3. okuyuş.
İkinci okuyucumda niye bu kadar abartmışım bilmiyorum, hâlâ best of bests ama o kadar da değil yani. hallerim mi gelmişti acaba skdldpfğğdğf
2. okuyuş.
yapacak olsam ilk bu kitap için "bestest" diye bir shelf açarım. öyle güzel. mükemmel. mü.kem.mel.
1. okuyuş.
gelmiş geçmiş okuduğum en iyi historical'dan öte en iyi okuduğum romanceslardan bu kitap! iddia ediyorum. benzersiz, olağanüstü, muazzam bi şey bu!!!
gerçek hayatta da hödük erkeklere karşı bi aşırı sempatim var, böyle höd deyip durduğu ama sizin durmadığınız ve size bu yüzden vurulduğu fln ahhhhhhh.
kitap tam böyle.
Garwood'un historicallarda yeri gerçekten ayrı. pek ingiliz dükleri okumayı sevmesem de onları bile sevdiriyor, iskoçları saymıyorum bile. evet, eski zaman savaşlarına dair pek çok kitap okudum ama hiç kimse (KMM hariç) Garwood kadar bu hödüklük-aşık çizgisini iyi çizemiyor. çünkü ya erkeğin aşık tavırlarını yeterince yazamıyorlar, ya aşk sözcüklerine geç kalıyorlar, ya hödüklükle ayılığı karıştırıyorlar ya da aşıkla şehvetli arasındaki ayarı tutturamıyorlar. BU. KADIN. MÜ.KEM.MEL!
yıl 1066, Normanlar'ın ingiltere'yi aldığı yıl. Normanlar Gal-Viking karışımı savaşçılar. yani a sınıfı ama plusplus :D bi kere adam herhangi bi durumda, sevişirken, endişelenmişken fln titriyor bu da plusplusplus yapar.
buraya alıntı bırakıp gideceğim, sonra da Royce Melborn'un modern versiyonunun en azından şöyle ucundan olacak kadar bana yollaması için tanrıya dua edeceğim. ben bu kadar muhteşem bir erkek okumayalı çünkü bayağı uzun oldu, çok iyi karakterler okudum öldüm bittim ama Royce gibi bir erkeğin düşü için bile yaşanır!
"Royce Nicholaa'yla ne halt edeceğini merak ediyordu.
Nicholaa kendisini Royce'un tam kalbine yerleştiriyordu ve Royce'un onu durdurabilecek hiçbir silahı yoktu. Kahretsin, Royce'un hayatı bir kalıbın içindeydi ve o değişemeyecek kadar yaşlıydı. Ayrıca günlük tekdüzeliğinin düzenini, disiplinini seviyordu. Hayatından çok memnundu.
Memnun muydu?"
ilk serzenişler :D
"O kabus Royce'u soğuk terler içerisinde uyandırdı. Çok inandırıcı ve çok gerçekçiydi. Rüyada Nicholaa bir ormanda kayıptı. Büyük tehlike altındaydı ve Royce ona erişemiyordu."
o şehvetli, ıslak rüyalar yerine adamın gördüğü rüyaya bak, allahım...
"Royce'un elinde küçücük bir kütük vardı. Titreyen mum ışığında, Nicholaa Royce'un önündeki masada duran beyaz veriri görebiliyordu. Royce kütüğü dibinde yakın bir yerinden sol elinde tutuyordu. Öbür elinde ise küçük bir bıçak tutuyor ve kütüğün tepesindeki kıymıkları onunla oyarak uzaklaştırıyordu. Arasıra yukarı kaldırdığı vezire baktıktan sonra kütüğe geri dönüyordu.
Royce Nicholaa'ya başka bir siyah vezir yapıyordu.
Nicholaa bütün kesiklerin nereden geldiğini o vakit anladı. Kocasının niye bu denli tükenmiş göründüğünü de anladı. Ama hepsinden daha çok, başka bir şey anladı: Royce onu seviyordu."
pisliğin teki, kızın babasının emek ve anı dolu anlarda yaptığı satranç takımından siyah veziri kırıp ateşe atıyor. herifim de ne olduğunu anlayamadığı duyguları kadınına gösterebilmek ve onu mutlu etmek için...
muhtemelen açıklamama rağmen yine de pek etkilenmediniz adfafd ama şu satırların geçtiği yerler muazzam yerler. kadın karakter Nicholaa bazen çenesi yüzünden çıldırtsa da beni, Royce'da olduğu gibi, susmasını da istemiyorsunuz, Royce olduğu gibi :)
bi gün gerekli finansal durumları sağlarsam bu kadının kitaplarını kendi dilinde alacağım (ingilizce'de he-she olayı olduğu için karakterler ayrışıyor ama bizde olmadığından çeviri de hep isim vardı, sürekli isim vardı, bu bir tahmin ama), eğer olmazsa da epsilon'dan çıkanları alsam bile kendim karton cilt hazırlayıp onla kaplayacağım kapakları. bu da öyle işte.
sevgili tanrım...
xoxo
iko
January 1, 2015
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★★★★½ (This is a review of the audiobook.) Anne Flosnik reads this classic medieval Julie Garwood tale rather nicely. If she is somewhat “stilted” in areas, she makes up for it in others. By “stilted” I mean where the story is pure narrative she sounds stiff. I also wasn’t crazy over our Norman hero, Baron Royce’s voice; by trying to lower him to a baritone, he comes across sounding “stuffy” and that isn’t the way I heard him in my head (always a difficult – if not impossible – job!).
Call to Arms, by Edmund Blair Leighton
Nevertheless, Ms. Flosnik does a wonderful job with our Saxon heroine, Lady Nicholaa, and handles the humor and action with the right tone and animation. She has various voices for multiple castle and court members (I only caught once where she didn’t slip completely into the assigned accent). Otherwise, her narration has too much monotonicity for my taste. My attention was held, but I think that was by the story and not necessarily the delivery. Ms. Flosnik sounds better when she appears interested in the storyline. I’ll definitely listen to more of her readings.
I’m hoping to get permission to add this beautiful picture. Until then, here is the hyperlink: Portchester Castle .
The medieval romance itself holds up quite well after twenty-one years. I love that Royce and Nicholaa are dealing with the everyday drudgery and disagreements over castle remodeling. I can’t help thinking this is a novel that would certainly be edited down if it were written today, much to my consternation – and everyone’s loss.
★★★★½ (This is a review of the audiobook.) Anne Flosnik reads this classic medieval Julie Garwood tale rather nicely. If she is somewhat “stilted” in areas, she makes up for it in others. By “stilted” I mean where the story is pure narrative she sounds stiff. I also wasn’t crazy over our Norman hero, Baron Royce’s voice; by trying to lower him to a baritone, he comes across sounding “stuffy” and that isn’t the way I heard him in my head (always a difficult – if not impossible – job!).
Call to Arms, by Edmund Blair Leighton
Nevertheless, Ms. Flosnik does a wonderful job with our Saxon heroine, Lady Nicholaa, and handles the humor and action with the right tone and animation. She has various voices for multiple castle and court members (I only caught once where she didn’t slip completely into the assigned accent). Otherwise, her narration has too much monotonicity for my taste. My attention was held, but I think that was by the story and not necessarily the delivery. Ms. Flosnik sounds better when she appears interested in the storyline. I’ll definitely listen to more of her readings.
I’m hoping to get permission to add this beautiful picture. Until then, here is the hyperlink: Portchester Castle .
The medieval romance itself holds up quite well after twenty-one years. I love that Royce and Nicholaa are dealing with the everyday drudgery and disagreements over castle remodeling. I can’t help thinking this is a novel that would certainly be edited down if it were written today, much to my consternation – and everyone’s loss.
April 13, 2010
MY FAVOURITE HISTORICAL!!!!! CHECKMATE
Nicolaa (a saxon)has defended her home against the normans and the king is not happy.
The king has ordered Baron Royce to bring the woman that had defended her home so well against his vassals. She was going to be The Prize for the lucky knight who won the battle for her. The King was allowing his knights to compete for her hand in marriage. But, Nicholaa saved the Queens niece. So the king changed his mind and allowed Nicholaa to choose from any of the single knights. Of course since she had already spent a week or so with Royce she choose's him because she knew he would not hurt her. They get married and sparks fly.
Omg, where to begin with Royce!!! Iloved him, he is everything a hero should be big, brave,sexy,handsome (even with a scar)and has a wicked sense of humour.
Both Nicolaa and Royce are believable ,lovable characters.
If you love a great story with a great H/H then Please please read, you won't be disappointed. JG at her very best.
Nicolaa (a saxon)has defended her home against the normans and the king is not happy.
The king has ordered Baron Royce to bring the woman that had defended her home so well against his vassals. She was going to be The Prize for the lucky knight who won the battle for her. The King was allowing his knights to compete for her hand in marriage. But, Nicholaa saved the Queens niece. So the king changed his mind and allowed Nicholaa to choose from any of the single knights. Of course since she had already spent a week or so with Royce she choose's him because she knew he would not hurt her. They get married and sparks fly.
Omg, where to begin with Royce!!! Iloved him, he is everything a hero should be big, brave,sexy,handsome (even with a scar)and has a wicked sense of humour.
Both Nicolaa and Royce are believable ,lovable characters.
If you love a great story with a great H/H then Please please read, you won't be disappointed. JG at her very best.
May 19, 2010
Before starting this book you may want to mentally prepare yourself for a kowtowing heroine because if that kind of trait bugs you (like it does me to no end) this book has the potential to get on your nerves –fast. There’s that and the fact that the hero is painfully overbearing and you think he’s going to get the oh so deserved whack upside the head eventually but he never does unfortunately which is a shame because it could have done him a world of good :)
Briefly, the story is about Nicolaa (no that’s not a typo there really are two “a”s in her name), a Saxon, who ends up being taken as chattel by Royce, the Norman, in the name of William the Conqueror. She’s forced to marry a Norman (she hates them all of course) and live happily ever after. She decides to hitch her wagon with Royce –a kind of better the devil you know and all that. Up to there the story is pretty good. Got the ol’ love/hate thing going, some decent tension building, story is moving along nicely, basically all the things you need to keep you interested and reading. Once the two tie the knot and go about the business of living together however it’s downhill to the end and I was tired of them. I love a good medieval but this wasn’t one of them.
Now the novel starts out well enough with a strong heroine who’ll give you the what for but she quickly spirals into the nauseatingly acquiescing “I have to please my husband at all cost even if he’s an idiot and what he says makes no sense” kind of heroine :-/ You might think it’s all part of her plan to get him later, but it’s not, and there’s no plan and she’s just another one of “those” heroines that make your skin crawl with their suddenly submissive character that has the reader shaking her head thinking “what the **bleep bleep** happened here?!”. Who likes this kind of woman anyway? I hate when the author sets up a heroine to be strong and independent and then does this 180 on you making her nearly spineless. What a rip off. She doesn’t have to be an uncompromising harpy but she doesn’t have to be an accommodating doormat 24/7 either. Thankfully Garwood didn’t make Nicolaa TSTL, but she's waaay too nice and that kind of heroine is just plain boring and one dimensional.
As for the hero, if you liked the overbearing moron in Garwood’s The Bride (I hated him) then this is a moderately toned down version of Mr I Need a Punch in My Smug Face. Our man Royce here isn’t that much different. He’s such a jerk sometimes. He could be really nice and protective but then he goes into I Know Everything Always mode and it just grates on the nerves. He’s overly bossy and condescending like the annoying dad in the father knows best role instead of being the sexy lover that he should be. I don’t know why authors write these guys like that but this book was written in the early ‘90s and maybe that was the trend for hero writing. Mind you, if an author can make you dislike a character it’s better than being ambivalent so somewhere they must have written something well to get at least a reaction out of you, good or bad. I’d prefer the good though… anyway, moving on…
In terms of writing there’s a problem with paragraphing. When an author changes a scene but not a chapter, normally there are a few blank lines between paragraphs to indicate this change to the reader, this wasn’t the case here and it makes it hard to follow the story because you feel like you misread something. The writing is also more of a telling than a showing kind of style which I don’t particularly enjoy. It tends to make for a flat story that never really comes alive. Better be a fan of heavy narration seeing as there's enough of it.
This is no Ransom that’s for sure but it’s not as irritating as Honor's Splendour either, I guess it’s sort of in between the two. It’s not that there’s anything really wrong with the novel it’s more that I don’t like these kinds of characters or this kind of writing. Here’s hoping that the next Garwood book I pick up leans more towards the "Ransom" side because that book was exceptional, nothing like this borderline nails on the chalkboard one.
Briefly, the story is about Nicolaa (no that’s not a typo there really are two “a”s in her name), a Saxon, who ends up being taken as chattel by Royce, the Norman, in the name of William the Conqueror. She’s forced to marry a Norman (she hates them all of course) and live happily ever after. She decides to hitch her wagon with Royce –a kind of better the devil you know and all that. Up to there the story is pretty good. Got the ol’ love/hate thing going, some decent tension building, story is moving along nicely, basically all the things you need to keep you interested and reading. Once the two tie the knot and go about the business of living together however it’s downhill to the end and I was tired of them. I love a good medieval but this wasn’t one of them.
Now the novel starts out well enough with a strong heroine who’ll give you the what for but she quickly spirals into the nauseatingly acquiescing “I have to please my husband at all cost even if he’s an idiot and what he says makes no sense” kind of heroine :-/ You might think it’s all part of her plan to get him later, but it’s not, and there’s no plan and she’s just another one of “those” heroines that make your skin crawl with their suddenly submissive character that has the reader shaking her head thinking “what the **bleep bleep** happened here?!”. Who likes this kind of woman anyway? I hate when the author sets up a heroine to be strong and independent and then does this 180 on you making her nearly spineless. What a rip off. She doesn’t have to be an uncompromising harpy but she doesn’t have to be an accommodating doormat 24/7 either. Thankfully Garwood didn’t make Nicolaa TSTL, but she's waaay too nice and that kind of heroine is just plain boring and one dimensional.
As for the hero, if you liked the overbearing moron in Garwood’s The Bride (I hated him) then this is a moderately toned down version of Mr I Need a Punch in My Smug Face. Our man Royce here isn’t that much different. He’s such a jerk sometimes. He could be really nice and protective but then he goes into I Know Everything Always mode and it just grates on the nerves. He’s overly bossy and condescending like the annoying dad in the father knows best role instead of being the sexy lover that he should be. I don’t know why authors write these guys like that but this book was written in the early ‘90s and maybe that was the trend for hero writing. Mind you, if an author can make you dislike a character it’s better than being ambivalent so somewhere they must have written something well to get at least a reaction out of you, good or bad. I’d prefer the good though… anyway, moving on…
In terms of writing there’s a problem with paragraphing. When an author changes a scene but not a chapter, normally there are a few blank lines between paragraphs to indicate this change to the reader, this wasn’t the case here and it makes it hard to follow the story because you feel like you misread something. The writing is also more of a telling than a showing kind of style which I don’t particularly enjoy. It tends to make for a flat story that never really comes alive. Better be a fan of heavy narration seeing as there's enough of it.
This is no Ransom that’s for sure but it’s not as irritating as Honor's Splendour either, I guess it’s sort of in between the two. It’s not that there’s anything really wrong with the novel it’s more that I don’t like these kinds of characters or this kind of writing. Here’s hoping that the next Garwood book I pick up leans more towards the "Ransom" side because that book was exceptional, nothing like this borderline nails on the chalkboard one.
February 10, 2022
2.5 stars
Romance literature gods if you hear me, forgive me for what I am about to say....but this needed way better misunderstandings. Even I the hater of all miscommunication found this pitiful.
🛑TINY SPOILERS YOU WON'T EVEN NOTICE THEM🛑
The heroine was the "prize" of this book. As ordered by the king, she was taken by Royce from her home to become a wife to one of the Norman knights. They are to fight for her hand and the dowry that comes with her. Due to yet another amazingly heroic thing the heroine did (you can bet your ass she was the most stunning, amazing, talented, impressive woman on this planet yet still remained blissfully stupid 90% of the time) she got to choose her husband and not the other way around. So she choose Royce to make him pay for taking her from her home and yada yada.
This is all good and dandy except there was no revenge or "making his life hell". There was a lot of placating, seducing, jumping in front of arrows for him and basically being the perfect, earth-quaking woman that she already is. From the moment she decided to marry him, it took her a staggering second to realise she is an adult now and needs to be a good loyal wife😭 like wtf. WHERE IS THE UNNECESSARY IMMATURITY AND PAIN THAT I SIGNED UP FOR HELLOOO. Okay, that is a lie, there was unnecessary immaturity. The one and only time the heroine's cunningness actually worked was when she acted exactly the way her husband wanted....which is like his personal maid with bedroom privileges. Obviously he then realised how much he missed her fiery temper and tantrums🥰. I won't even lie I had nothing against that part, as unoriginal as that plotline is, it's still highly entertaining.
Royce did not assume, or hold a grudge, or have a single miscommuncative bone in his body. And if he did, it was all resolved in a logically reasonable matter (as reasonable as sexism can be) within the next paragraph. And to make matters even worse, they still remained completely on a different page throughout this whole story WITH ALL OF THAT IN MIND. No miscommunication, in fact there was plenty of honesty between them, they just didn't care🤣.
It was weird because I liked it before I remembered that I actually hate it. When Nicholaa was questioned by Royce about the mysterious dagger (which was given to her with instructions to assassinate him) she just simply told him everything that happened. Just like that. I was shook.... but also pleased.... but also mad. I mean she had the perfect opportunity for revenge, it's literally why she married him. And even then a million other reasons why she shouldn't tell him the truth. I was deprived of drama.
To be honest 90% of the time I was trying to figure out what the fuck is wrong with the guy. He literally saw through all of her lies or attempts at manipulation (without a single stupid assumption might I add!!) and wasn't even mad. Basically making this not only a no misunderstanding zone but also a NO HE-ACCIDENTALLY-SLAPPED-HER-BECAUSE-SHE-PROVOKED-HIM ZONE???? Is this even a historical romance? Dude cradled babies, never raised his tone and gave awards to his enemy's servants for lying to him🤨. Okay Saint Royce. Mother Theresa ain't got nothing on you we get it.
Everyone really was so damn understanding and patient I thought I was tripping. I am having mixed feelings about it. I liked it because it provided a stress-free environment. Every time a conflict was born, I had no doubt in my mind it would be resolved rather quickly, with no dire consequences. But then again, where's the fun in that?
I'm not so unhinged (yet) to rate a book that low for not being frustrating enough🤡. It might actually be frustrating to some people due to the heroine's obvious dumbassery & the hero valuing women on the same level as his horse.....actually women might even be less important than a horse. But I am an unfeministic whore when it comes to fiction so I was okay with it❤️.
The actual reason is there were too many scenes of people just talking about boring shit I didn't care about. I realise I must sound dumb right now, I complained about virtually nothing. But I've come to expect a certain dose of misery in my HRs and the only miserable thing about this was how plain it was.
Overall: if you ever have trouble satisfying your husband, read this book. 75% of it was Royce giving a step by step guide on how to be a good, docilerug wife in the 11th century which might still work for you today.
PS: yes I do realise I have used at least 2 words in this review that don't belong in English vocabulary. What you gon do abt it?
Romance literature gods if you hear me, forgive me for what I am about to say....but this needed way better misunderstandings. Even I the hater of all miscommunication found this pitiful.
🛑TINY SPOILERS YOU WON'T EVEN NOTICE THEM🛑
The heroine was the "prize" of this book. As ordered by the king, she was taken by Royce from her home to become a wife to one of the Norman knights. They are to fight for her hand and the dowry that comes with her. Due to yet another amazingly heroic thing the heroine did (you can bet your ass she was the most stunning, amazing, talented, impressive woman on this planet yet still remained blissfully stupid 90% of the time) she got to choose her husband and not the other way around. So she choose Royce to make him pay for taking her from her home and yada yada.
This is all good and dandy except there was no revenge or "making his life hell". There was a lot of placating, seducing, jumping in front of arrows for him and basically being the perfect, earth-quaking woman that she already is. From the moment she decided to marry him, it took her a staggering second to realise she is an adult now and needs to be a good loyal wife😭 like wtf. WHERE IS THE UNNECESSARY IMMATURITY AND PAIN THAT I SIGNED UP FOR HELLOOO. Okay, that is a lie, there was unnecessary immaturity. The one and only time the heroine's cunningness actually worked was when she acted exactly the way her husband wanted....which is like his personal maid with bedroom privileges. Obviously he then realised how much he missed her fiery temper and tantrums🥰. I won't even lie I had nothing against that part, as unoriginal as that plotline is, it's still highly entertaining.
Royce did not assume, or hold a grudge, or have a single miscommuncative bone in his body. And if he did, it was all resolved in a logically reasonable matter (as reasonable as sexism can be) within the next paragraph. And to make matters even worse, they still remained completely on a different page throughout this whole story WITH ALL OF THAT IN MIND. No miscommunication, in fact there was plenty of honesty between them, they just didn't care🤣.
It was weird because I liked it before I remembered that I actually hate it. When Nicholaa was questioned by Royce about the mysterious dagger (which was given to her with instructions to assassinate him) she just simply told him everything that happened. Just like that. I was shook.... but also pleased.... but also mad. I mean she had the perfect opportunity for revenge, it's literally why she married him. And even then a million other reasons why she shouldn't tell him the truth. I was deprived of drama.
To be honest 90% of the time I was trying to figure out what the fuck is wrong with the guy. He literally saw through all of her lies or attempts at manipulation (without a single stupid assumption might I add!!) and wasn't even mad. Basically making this not only a no misunderstanding zone but also a NO HE-ACCIDENTALLY-SLAPPED-HER-BECAUSE-SHE-PROVOKED-HIM ZONE???? Is this even a historical romance? Dude cradled babies, never raised his tone and gave awards to his enemy's servants for lying to him🤨. Okay Saint Royce. Mother Theresa ain't got nothing on you we get it.
Everyone really was so damn understanding and patient I thought I was tripping. I am having mixed feelings about it. I liked it because it provided a stress-free environment. Every time a conflict was born, I had no doubt in my mind it would be resolved rather quickly, with no dire consequences. But then again, where's the fun in that?
I'm not so unhinged (yet) to rate a book that low for not being frustrating enough🤡. It might actually be frustrating to some people due to the heroine's obvious dumbassery & the hero valuing women on the same level as his horse.....actually women might even be less important than a horse. But I am an unfeministic whore when it comes to fiction so I was okay with it❤️.
The actual reason is there were too many scenes of people just talking about boring shit I didn't care about. I realise I must sound dumb right now, I complained about virtually nothing. But I've come to expect a certain dose of misery in my HRs and the only miserable thing about this was how plain it was.
Overall: if you ever have trouble satisfying your husband, read this book. 75% of it was Royce giving a step by step guide on how to be a good, docile
PS: yes I do realise I have used at least 2 words in this review that don't belong in English vocabulary. What you gon do abt it?
November 15, 2020
3.5 Stars
Overall Opinion: This was an enjoyable read. I liked how they butted heads and loved to fight one another. I also liked both characters. I am, however, really disappointed in the ending! Why not give us more?! Especially because this was on the longer side! Not even an epilogue?! That reason alone has me dropping my rating to a 3.5 star read.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Nicholaa and Royce’s story. Nicholaa is left to defend her families hold when the Normans send another baron, Royce, to take over. Royce soon realizes that the woman he is supposed to capture and bring back to the Norman King as his prize for a deserving knight is much more trouble than he realized. They butt heads but also bond in their journey back to the king. When Nicholaa is given the option to choose her new husband, she shocks them both by choosing Royce. There is some family and nemesis drama and some adjustments having to be made being a new married couple...and they get a HEA ending
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between focusing on Nicholaa and Royce in 3rd person narrative.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. This was on the longer side at 408 pages in my kindle app, but I thought it flowed well and I never skimmed.
Instalove: No, they butt heads at first — so more like hate to love.
H (Hero) rating: 4.5 stars. Royce. I really liked him. I appreciated his patience and strength and how he cared for others.
h (heroine) rating: 4 stars. Nicholaa. I liked her. She was stubborn and sassy and strong.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Not really
Heat level: Good They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: No
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: No
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had alright closure but I definitely wanted more! Even just an epilogue!! I would still call it a HEA ending but I was still bummed.
Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
Overall Opinion: This was an enjoyable read. I liked how they butted heads and loved to fight one another. I also liked both characters. I am, however, really disappointed in the ending! Why not give us more?! Especially because this was on the longer side! Not even an epilogue?! That reason alone has me dropping my rating to a 3.5 star read.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Nicholaa and Royce’s story. Nicholaa is left to defend her families hold when the Normans send another baron, Royce, to take over. Royce soon realizes that the woman he is supposed to capture and bring back to the Norman King as his prize for a deserving knight is much more trouble than he realized. They butt heads but also bond in their journey back to the king. When Nicholaa is given the option to choose her new husband, she shocks them both by choosing Royce. There is some family and nemesis drama and some adjustments having to be made being a new married couple...and they get a HEA ending
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between focusing on Nicholaa and Royce in 3rd person narrative.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. This was on the longer side at 408 pages in my kindle app, but I thought it flowed well and I never skimmed.
Instalove: No, they butt heads at first — so more like hate to love.
H (Hero) rating: 4.5 stars. Royce. I really liked him. I appreciated his patience and strength and how he cared for others.
h (heroine) rating: 4 stars. Nicholaa. I liked her. She was stubborn and sassy and strong.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Not really
Heat level: Good They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: No
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: No
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had alright closure but I definitely wanted more! Even just an epilogue!! I would still call it a HEA ending but I was still bummed.
Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
August 21, 2023
I never get tired of rereading her books. This was wonderful and is a 10 star read.
Reread. And very deserving of a 5 star rating, again.
Wonderful couple.
Wonderful romance.
Wonderful characters.
And wonderful HEA.
Checkmate, loved that little statement between the two main characters. Especially when Nicholaa said it to Royce when she chose him. 😊
This review is short, simple and true.
Reread. And very deserving of a 5 star rating, again.
Wonderful couple.
Wonderful romance.
Wonderful characters.
And wonderful HEA.
Checkmate, loved that little statement between the two main characters. Especially when Nicholaa said it to Royce when she chose him. 😊
This review is short, simple and true.
March 7, 2021
Hikaye genel olarak çok güzeldi keşke sık sık tekrara düşmeyip gereksiz uzamasaydı ☺
March 16, 2022
This is my second read, and even though I admit this is not Garwood’s best (it can be a bit slow sometimes), it’s still goddamn good. Excellent. Exemplary. Wonderful.
This book follows the story of a Norman named Royce and a Saxon named Nicholaa. She was supposed to be taken to the new Norman king, and be gifted to a Norman man as a prize. Nicholaa was not an easy girl to capture, however, and had bested three men before the king sent the best one, Royce. She shot a pebble to his temple with a slingshot in the first line of the book.
The thing about Garwood’s books is that it has less drama than other books. And although this book has an amazing conflict, the main focus is Romance, basically how they fell in love.
I can’t pinpoint the moment, but I do remember how Royce has a habit of rubbing her back, and Nicholaa who likes worrying (and received a kiss on her temple every time), and her wanting kisses but she’s too shy to ask, and Royce seeing right through her and kissed her anyway; It’s the little things like these that made Garwood so enjoyable to read. I feel so relaxed and happy after reading her books.
The hero is a rule-following, routine-loving, no-nonsense hero, which is pretty rare. He’s a scarred hero, and even though he acted like it’s no big deal, he was surprised and flattered that Nicholaa called it his mark of valor and that she consider him very handsome. Nicholaa on the other hand, is a beauty that likes to run her mouth and likes to daydream whenever she gets lectured by her husband. Ugh... I might get diabetes with all this sweetness.
I can’t find anything wrong with this book other than the pacing. Honest to god, I want to be part of their family.
This book follows the story of a Norman named Royce and a Saxon named Nicholaa. She was supposed to be taken to the new Norman king, and be gifted to a Norman man as a prize. Nicholaa was not an easy girl to capture, however, and had bested three men before the king sent the best one, Royce. She shot a pebble to his temple with a slingshot in the first line of the book.
The thing about Garwood’s books is that it has less drama than other books. And although this book has an amazing conflict, the main focus is Romance, basically how they fell in love.
I can’t pinpoint the moment, but I do remember how Royce has a habit of rubbing her back, and Nicholaa who likes worrying (and received a kiss on her temple every time), and her wanting kisses but she’s too shy to ask, and Royce seeing right through her and kissed her anyway; It’s the little things like these that made Garwood so enjoyable to read. I feel so relaxed and happy after reading her books.
The hero is a rule-following, routine-loving, no-nonsense hero, which is pretty rare. He’s a scarred hero, and even though he acted like it’s no big deal, he was surprised and flattered that Nicholaa called it his mark of valor and that she consider him very handsome. Nicholaa on the other hand, is a beauty that likes to run her mouth and likes to daydream whenever she gets lectured by her husband. Ugh... I might get diabetes with all this sweetness.
I can’t find anything wrong with this book other than the pacing. Honest to god, I want to be part of their family.
February 13, 2020
This is a spun-sugar version of Woodiwiss' The Wolf and The Dove.
Perhaps if I'd never read that then I'd feel more charitable, but honestly, this is the lesser in every way possible. Granted the original was a rapey bodice ripper which might not suit people or be a trigger, but being inside both Royce and Nicolaa's heads with their repeated mantras of 'Is this love?' and 'I'll be agreeable' made we want to smack them both.
I'm sure other reviewers have referenced "Checkmate" and the sling, but those were my two favorite parts.
This was funny though:
Btw, I would have inserted the Woodiwiss link but GR is busted, again. Kinda like my Romance Week or Bust. Not giving up, yet. Charge!
(\_/)
(O.o)
c♥️
Perhaps if I'd never read that then I'd feel more charitable, but honestly, this is the lesser in every way possible. Granted the original was a rapey bodice ripper which might not suit people or be a trigger, but being inside both Royce and Nicolaa's heads with their repeated mantras of 'Is this love?' and 'I'll be agreeable' made we want to smack them both.
I'm sure other reviewers have referenced "Checkmate" and the sling, but those were my two favorite parts.
This was funny though:
Lawrence lifted the hem of her gown, tore off a strip of her chemise, and began wrapping her throbbing shoulder. Nicholaa looked down at the ragged bandages covering her hands and had to shake her head over her own condition. Lord, she was a mess. Since meeting Royce, she'd suffered one injury or indignity after another, If this continued, she'd be dead in a week.
Btw, I would have inserted the Woodiwiss link but GR is busted, again. Kinda like my Romance Week or Bust. Not giving up, yet. Charge!
(\_/)
(O.o)
c♥️
January 14, 2022
FIVE “I IMMEDIATELY WANT TO READ THIS AGAIN” STARS
And I would do just that, but I have like 5 other Garwood books on my kindle right now and my library is sending me warnings through email informing me that my loans are ending imminently.
Anyway, back to The Prize. This is easily my favorite Garwood. To be clear, I've only read four of her books. And if we're going to get really technical and honest-y, I've actually only read three and half books by this author. The "half" is because I gave up on one of her books 50% in since I just could not get into it.
The Prize was fantastic. It was such a "feel good" read.
Garwood has a freakin’ way with words, man. The little moments spoke volumes in this story and I adored the relationship between Royce and Nicholaa. 😍😍😍
If medieval romance is your jam, read this. If medieval romance is not your jam, read this anyway because it’s really, really good.
And I would do just that, but I have like 5 other Garwood books on my kindle right now and my library is sending me warnings through email informing me that my loans are ending imminently.
Anyway, back to The Prize. This is easily my favorite Garwood. To be clear, I've only read four of her books. And if we're going to get really technical and honest-y, I've actually only read three and half books by this author. The "half" is because I gave up on one of her books 50% in since I just could not get into it.
The Prize was fantastic. It was such a "feel good" read.
Garwood has a freakin’ way with words, man. The little moments spoke volumes in this story and I adored the relationship between Royce and Nicholaa. 😍😍😍
If medieval romance is your jam, read this. If medieval romance is not your jam, read this anyway because it’s really, really good.
November 14, 2017
4.75 ‘Captured Legend’ Stars
Arghhhh, how have I not read this HR brilliancy until now?! *slaps herself in the forehead*
What an amazing story! I couldn’t have loved Royce and Nicholaa any more than I did! Had we all the loose ends like Thurston and Clarisse and Hugh tied up better, and of course the ever required Epilogue, it would have been 5+++ Stars. But it was still a SPECTACULAR read that I will no doubt add to my all time fav HR, and forever remember.
Julie Garwood did it again. She truly is a Historical Romance genius! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Arghhhh, how have I not read this HR brilliancy until now?! *slaps herself in the forehead*
What an amazing story! I couldn’t have loved Royce and Nicholaa any more than I did! Had we all the loose ends like Thurston and Clarisse and Hugh tied up better, and of course the ever required Epilogue, it would have been 5+++ Stars. But it was still a SPECTACULAR read that I will no doubt add to my all time fav HR, and forever remember.
Julie Garwood did it again. She truly is a Historical Romance genius! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
November 25, 2012
I love love LOVE all the Julie Garwood books i have read, except this. I liked Nicholaa at first - she was interesting, smart and drew your in - Royce seemed sweet with not too much of a temper, only then they got married. It seemed like as soon they got hitched, he became a pig and she became plain annoying. What happened to the woman who shot an arrow in a mans arse when he tried to take her home from her? It seemed like every time she got annoyed at Royce he'd pet her a little and all would be well. Well I'm sorry Nicholaa, but your big bro's right. You are a traitor. And as for Royce, he didn't want a wife and a home, he wanted a soldier he could sleep with! He manipulated her as much as she did him and isolated her. He took her country, her home and her hand in marriage, but he still wasn't happy, he had to take her servants loyalty to her and even made her brother, who should have been treated firmly but fairly within her own home, sleep as a soldier alienated from his own sister. And she just rolled over and took it. I'm not sorry to say that this is only the second book I have ever not finished, because sue me, but I'm just not a fan of controlling relationships and fickle people who choose their partners over their own blood
October 28, 2019
This book really drove home for me why Julie Garwood is one of the only "old skool" historical authors who is still regularly recommended to today's romance readers. These books are a fascinating hinge point between the older tropes in the genre and sensibilities that you see in historicals published today. I could not help but stan the heroine in this one, and it was kind of amusing to see the author vacillating between paying lip service to the conventions of the genre at the time of writing (that the hero ALWAYS is right, etc.) and the new direction she clearly wanted to take the characterization. Anyways, all in all, a very fun & enjoyable book that makes me want to dive further into her Scottish historical backlist
September 10, 2016
Odlično! :)
March 2, 2021
I read this for the first time soon after it was released. I then reread it several times through the years. I recently listened to this on audio and was so disappointed in the narration. I reviewed it on the edition of that book. Since I never reviewed this book back in the day, I decided to share some of the things I remembered and loved about the book.
I remember loving the following things about this book:
The heroine was feisty, knew how to work a wicked slingshot, and tended to ignore her husband’s lectures - not that he would know she was ignoring him.
The hero had a set of rules that he demanded his wife follow but hated it when she did. Love when a hero teaches himself a lesson about the woman he loves. He also was amazing with the heroine’s brother and her nephew. Sigh. Hard, rough warrior asleep with a baby on his chest. Swoon.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
I remember loving the following things about this book:
The heroine was feisty, knew how to work a wicked slingshot, and tended to ignore her husband’s lectures - not that he would know she was ignoring him.
The hero had a set of rules that he demanded his wife follow but hated it when she did. Love when a hero teaches himself a lesson about the woman he loves. He also was amazing with the heroine’s brother and her nephew. Sigh. Hard, rough warrior asleep with a baby on his chest. Swoon.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
January 9, 2025
ikinci okuma: hastalık sebebiyle istirahat ederken yeniden okudum. bu sefer daha hoşuma gitti, iyi geldi
ilk okuma: 3,5 gibi ama inisiyatif kullanmayacak kadar cimriliğim üzerimde bugün.
@İlknur a.ka. iko’cumun yorumu üzerine bu ay okumayı düşündüğüm ama bir türlü karar veremediğim Garwood kitabı oldu Ödül. Sıkıcı bir çeviri, rezil kapak kısmını işin dışında bırakırsak güzel başladı kitap.
Kendisini yeni İngiltere kralına götürmek için gelen üç şövalyeyi eli boş yollamayı başaran Nicholaa, bu sefer Baron Royce ile mücadele etmek zorunda kalıyor. Normanların ülkelerini istila ettiğini düşünen kızımız canını dişine takıp savaşıyor ancak en sonunda kralın karşısına çıkarılıyor.
Kralın şövalyelerinden birine ödül olarak vermek istediği bu güzel kadının Royce’u kandırması, sapanı kullanışı vs eğlenceliydi. Ama evlilik olayından sonra biraz sıkıldım ben, ne yalan söyleyeyim.
ilk okuma: 3,5 gibi ama inisiyatif kullanmayacak kadar cimriliğim üzerimde bugün.
@İlknur a.ka. iko’cumun yorumu üzerine bu ay okumayı düşündüğüm ama bir türlü karar veremediğim Garwood kitabı oldu Ödül. Sıkıcı bir çeviri, rezil kapak kısmını işin dışında bırakırsak güzel başladı kitap.
Kendisini yeni İngiltere kralına götürmek için gelen üç şövalyeyi eli boş yollamayı başaran Nicholaa, bu sefer Baron Royce ile mücadele etmek zorunda kalıyor. Normanların ülkelerini istila ettiğini düşünen kızımız canını dişine takıp savaşıyor ancak en sonunda kralın karşısına çıkarılıyor.
Kralın şövalyelerinden birine ödül olarak vermek istediği bu güzel kadının Royce’u kandırması, sapanı kullanışı vs eğlenceliydi. Ama evlilik olayından sonra biraz sıkıldım ben, ne yalan söyleyeyim.
February 22, 2021
3.5 COSY STARS
An entertaining re-read, light and fluff. It really was a nice bit of escapism.
There are times where the heroine had be rolling my eyes but she did amuse rather than annoy.
An entertaining re-read, light and fluff. It really was a nice bit of escapism.
There are times where the heroine had be rolling my eyes but she did amuse rather than annoy.
January 17, 2023
Another enjoyable read and I do love this author's historical romances they just have such a feel-good factor to them all. This one is set in 1066 and tells the story of Nicholaa a young Saxon girl and Royce a baron in the new Norman king's ranks.
Whilst defending her home from the Norman invaders our girl makes herself somewhat of a legend. After sending three former knights running with their tails between their legs Royce is dispatched to complete the job at hand apprehending Nicholaa before escorting her to London where she will offered as the king's prize awarded as wife to a worthy knight of his choosing.
Royce is instantly captivated by the beautiful Saxon maiden Nicholaa. She constantly keeps him on his toes disrupting his predictable life all whilst leading the honourable knight on a fine chase using her cunning spirit and gentle disposition to totally disarm him he didn’t stand a chance really. So when the choice of husband is unexpectedly placed in Nicholas’s own court she of course makes the obvious choice of Royce setting in motion a battle of wills that can only result in their future happiness.
I adored these two they made such a great pair. Royce was so protective and patient he was also stubborn as a mule. Thinking to mould his wife into what he considers he wants only to then unexpectedly discover he loves and wants her exactly how she is.
Nicholaa was a breathe of fresh air and she had such a contagious personality. She wasn’t judgmental or proud and was very accepting of others. She also wasn’t a pushover which I did appreciate managing to achieve her objectives without being a shrew about it.
These two had so much chemistry together and I loved the quiet way they dealt with each other finding it incredibly charming. I also love that these stories aren’t high angst and the couples discuss any issues without flying off the handle.
This had a bit of everything humour passion danger and I was never once bored I’m definitely on a roll now and looking forward to diving head-first into another historical romance. I definitely recommend this if this genre is your particular jam.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/63435390
January 1, 2022
One of my faves - have re-read many times over
June 28, 2020
It's a sweet medieval story about a girl whose world changed from one second to the other in a time period where fortune can change at the flip of a coin. He wanted to win her as a prize and she vindictively chose him as his prize for putting her in that position. Now, they must learn to live as a married couple and their role in their household as Lord and Lady.
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