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Defy the Thunder
POSSESSED BY LOVE
When the armies of William the Conquerer swept across England, it was Lord Robert of Devlin who stormed Cheltenham Castle and claimed the flaming-haired, violet-eyed Catherine as his prize. Trembling with fear, but fired by defiance, Cat swore she would never yield to the enemy knight. Yet, she found herself helpless in his arms, held by the passion of her own response.
But Robert's plans were quickly thwarted by his treacherous twin brother John. who greedily vowed to seize his brothers most cherished treasure... the sensuous Cat!
Thrust into the center of a deadly conflict, Cat is terrorized by the evil John and tormented by fear for Robert's life. And the daring knight, who had claimed her heart with his tenderness, was once again forced to resort to his sword to capture the woman who possessed him with her love.
When the armies of William the Conquerer swept across England, it was Lord Robert of Devlin who stormed Cheltenham Castle and claimed the flaming-haired, violet-eyed Catherine as his prize. Trembling with fear, but fired by defiance, Cat swore she would never yield to the enemy knight. Yet, she found herself helpless in his arms, held by the passion of her own response.
But Robert's plans were quickly thwarted by his treacherous twin brother John. who greedily vowed to seize his brothers most cherished treasure... the sensuous Cat!
Thrust into the center of a deadly conflict, Cat is terrorized by the evil John and tormented by fear for Robert's life. And the daring knight, who had claimed her heart with his tenderness, was once again forced to resort to his sword to capture the woman who possessed him with her love.
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
54 people want to read
About the author
Virginia Brown
105 books108 followersSince writing her first romance novel in 1984, Virginia Brown has written nearly 50 romance novels. Many of her books have been nominated for Romantic Times' Reviewer's Choice, Career Achievement Award for Love and Laughter, and Career Achievement Award for Adventure. Her works regularly appear on national bestseller lists. Having written under several different names about historical eras such as the old West, Regency-era, and the American Civil War, she now writes under a new pseudonym, Juliana Garnett, to focus upon the medieval era.
A native of Tennessee, Virginia spent her childhood traveling with her parents as a "military brat,” living all over the US and in Japan. This influenced her love of travel and adventure, which is reflected in her work.
Twice a year, Virginia visits England to research her novels, and includes Scotland in her travels. She feels this adds a new dimension to her work, and enables her to more authentically impart the true flavor of the geographical and historical sites.
In addition to appearing on the nationally syndicated television program What's Hot, What's Not, Virginia Brown has been interviewed by Jane Pauley on the Today Show, and regularly appears on local television and radio shows in addition to coverage by the press. She also experienced a first for a romance writer by appearing on the cover of Memphis, the magazine.
Virginia is the mother of four grown children, and now enjoys her menagerie of dogs that includes a fat beagle, two part-chows, a hound and five cats. As the grandmother of three lovely children, one of her greatest pleasures these days is visiting with Justin, Christina, and Gaby.
A native of Tennessee, Virginia spent her childhood traveling with her parents as a "military brat,” living all over the US and in Japan. This influenced her love of travel and adventure, which is reflected in her work.
Twice a year, Virginia visits England to research her novels, and includes Scotland in her travels. She feels this adds a new dimension to her work, and enables her to more authentically impart the true flavor of the geographical and historical sites.
In addition to appearing on the nationally syndicated television program What's Hot, What's Not, Virginia Brown has been interviewed by Jane Pauley on the Today Show, and regularly appears on local television and radio shows in addition to coverage by the press. She also experienced a first for a romance writer by appearing on the cover of Memphis, the magazine.
Virginia is the mother of four grown children, and now enjoys her menagerie of dogs that includes a fat beagle, two part-chows, a hound and five cats. As the grandmother of three lovely children, one of her greatest pleasures these days is visiting with Justin, Christina, and Gaby.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 20, 2024
Reread: I'm currently reading
Read: 6/22/20
This was not that good. The H was egotistical, alpha male. He humiliates and rapes the h. The h enjoys the rape. I hated that most of all. Robert views her as a posession that is his alone. The H never changes till the last 50 pgs. So the whole book, he is an ass.
The villain, John, was interesting but batshit crazy. His whole goal is to murder his twin brother because he felt he should have inherited everything if not for being born a few minutes after his brother. Talk about extreme jealousy! I did like the secondary characters. I hated how Catherine was treated so badly. She was humiliated and rape by two different men. This was not a romance story. Though I couldn't put it down, I was still disgusted by the H. I'm glad I read this book was free.
On reread: 8/20/20
I liked this book on reread. Once I knew what to expect, I ended up really enjoying it. I guess that's Bodice-rippers for you
Read: 6/22/20
This was not that good. The H was egotistical, alpha male. He humiliates and rapes the h. The h enjoys the rape. I hated that most of all. Robert views her as a posession that is his alone. The H never changes till the last 50 pgs. So the whole book, he is an ass.
The villain, John, was interesting but batshit crazy. His whole goal is to murder his twin brother because he felt he should have inherited everything if not for being born a few minutes after his brother. Talk about extreme jealousy! I did like the secondary characters. I hated how Catherine was treated so badly. She was humiliated and rape by two different men. This was not a romance story. Though I couldn't put it down, I was still disgusted by the H. I'm glad I read this book was free.
On reread: 8/20/20
I liked this book on reread. Once I knew what to expect, I ended up really enjoying it. I guess that's Bodice-rippers for you
August 31, 2024
Dumb. Robert was an 8-yr-old in a man’s body, complete with tantrums & metaphorically stuffing his fingers in his ears; he only looked like a better choice because the author inserted a frothing, psychotic twin brother so the audience could feel relieved that Catherine was back with douchebag Robert. The guy wasn’t alpha; he was just an insufferable creep who repeatedly humiliated the heroine for no reason other than showing off a shiny new toy that he refused to share while stomping his feet & tossing said toy around with no care for its longevity. 🤮 I kept hoping he’d keel over so Catherine could marry Roger instead. Roger wasn’t an idiot. Roger wasn’t a total dick. Roger was vastly superior to Robert, which says a lot given his role as two-dimensional sidekick in a bad medieval romance. 🙄
Anyhoo…
Catherine + her changeable violet eyes were Mary Sue to the max, but I’ve read worse heroines in cheeseball rippers. The plot, though—yikes. Messy, pointless, haphazard…not good. And by “not good” I mean “Scooby Doo meets medieval.” (Yes, that’s just as nonsensical as it sounds.)
2 stars because it went quickly (thank you, giant font of doom 😬). Otherwise, this was a flat tire.
NB: For a similar story prompt done infinitely better, I recommend ANISE by Patricia Phillips. It’s a darker read, but the characters have depth & the ambiance is fitting to the subject.
{Note: This book is part of my ongoing quest to pluck tomes I’ve had unread for 7+ years & either love-and-keep or DNF-and-donate.}
Anyhoo…
Catherine + her changeable violet eyes were Mary Sue to the max, but I’ve read worse heroines in cheeseball rippers. The plot, though—yikes. Messy, pointless, haphazard…not good. And by “not good” I mean “Scooby Doo meets medieval.” (Yes, that’s just as nonsensical as it sounds.)
2 stars because it went quickly (thank you, giant font of doom 😬). Otherwise, this was a flat tire.
NB: For a similar story prompt done infinitely better, I recommend ANISE by Patricia Phillips. It’s a darker read, but the characters have depth & the ambiance is fitting to the subject.
{Note: This book is part of my ongoing quest to pluck tomes I’ve had unread for 7+ years & either love-and-keep or DNF-and-donate.}
July 27, 2017
To any romance fan who hasn't read this book, you need to stop what you're doing and find this book immediately! I promise you, it will be so worth it! This book is what historical romance novels are all about. Old school brilliance. I'm a huge fan of the Norman/Saxon genre and this couple are in my top 5 all-time! Robert and Catherine are amazing! Their journey to happiness is a non-stop page turner and the sex is HOT. Guaranteed to bring you back for a re-read countless times more!
April 20, 2022
I have a lot of Virginia Brown's older books.
She was a "go to" author back in the day.
But this one..I don't know if it's just my tastes have changed?
Well..yes they have..BUT!
The hero rapes heroine upon first meeting..yaaa ok a little aggressive I would say?
Kinda cringed on how he acted and the heroine herself.
Ok..most of these BR or such oldies started off with a bang (excuse the pun)
Then the story line/ plot evens out a "tad"
Then when she starts getting raped by others..ya..nope.
Those who know my tastes know the "pass around Polly" isn't my thing.
I don't mind the stuff going on between the two major characters..but I started to flip & skip.
This one disappointed me, I didn't connect with these two at all.
The hero was obsessed to the point of being cruel and that rubbed me wrong..instant dislike.
Heroine..no back bone.
Being a big fan of this author and enjoyed her other books, III let this one slip.
She was a "go to" author back in the day.
But this one..I don't know if it's just my tastes have changed?
Well..yes they have..BUT!
The hero rapes heroine upon first meeting..yaaa ok a little aggressive I would say?
Kinda cringed on how he acted and the heroine herself.
Ok..most of these BR or such oldies started off with a bang (excuse the pun)
Then the story line/ plot evens out a "tad"
Then when she starts getting raped by others..ya..nope.
Those who know my tastes know the "pass around Polly" isn't my thing.
I don't mind the stuff going on between the two major characters..but I started to flip & skip.
This one disappointed me, I didn't connect with these two at all.
The hero was obsessed to the point of being cruel and that rubbed me wrong..instant dislike.
Heroine..no back bone.
Being a big fan of this author and enjoyed her other books, III let this one slip.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews