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Lovespell
With a tunic draping her sensuous figure and a cap hiding her wheatgold hair, no one guessed that the boy Gil was really the voluptuous Gillian. Only men could belong to craftsmen's guilds, and as the best bowmaker in all of England, the beautiful girl never minded the disguise...until she saw Sir Brian. The handsome knight's hazel eyes and masterful body smote her to her very core - and for the first time in her life, Gillian longed to risk her career for just a moment of passion's sweet fury!
When Brian de Trenanay discovered the gorgeous maiden beneath the coarse, mannish garments, he knew he had to brand her as his own. Even though she was an enemy Englishwoman, she had pierced the French man of war to the heart. His senses enflamed, Brian decided there would be time enough for fighting on the morrow. Tonight he would surrender his strength to the power of ecstasy and submit to the irresistible force of her Lovespell
When Brian de Trenanay discovered the gorgeous maiden beneath the coarse, mannish garments, he knew he had to brand her as his own. Even though she was an enemy Englishwoman, she had pierced the French man of war to the heart. His senses enflamed, Brian decided there would be time enough for fighting on the morrow. Tonight he would surrender his strength to the power of ecstasy and submit to the irresistible force of her Lovespell
- GenresHistorical RomanceFrance
558 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
72 people want to read
About the author
Deana James
22 books23 followersDeana James was a pen name for Mona Dean Sizer.
As Deana James, she wrote 20 books, all but 1 were historical romances for Zebra.
A proud, lifelong Texas native, she passed away on February 17, 2022.
aka Mona_D_Sizer and Rachel Davis.
As Deana James, she wrote 20 books, all but 1 were historical romances for Zebra.
A proud, lifelong Texas native, she passed away on February 17, 2022.
aka Mona_D_Sizer and Rachel Davis.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 21, 2017
Lovespell is yet another great romance by the eclectic Deana James. Gillian is an English fletcher who poses as twins, the male Gil & female Gillian. The hero, a Norman knight named Brian, is badly beaten and his armor has been stolen. He is rescued by Gil who heals him. Although too proud for his own good, Brian repays Gil by helping make arrows. Eventually Brian figures out Gil's true identity and falls for her. To finish repaying Gil for saving his life, Brian must help Gil arm the English, the enemies of his own people.
However there are many misadventures along the way, as a cast of secondary characters soon take stage and add more drama, romance and a tragic elements to this story.
Also causing trouble in Gillian and Brian’s relationship is a gay quasi-villain, Ranulf, who desires boy Gil. He beats Brian and captures Gil, practically raping her, but is so excited he finishes prematurely and then is angered to find out she's a girl. Eventually Gil & Ranulf become pals, march through battle together and it's strongly hinted Ranulf loves both versions of Gil/Gillian.
But it's Brian who is the very intense love of her life. Brian is a conflicted character, a knight in a time where the methods of war were starting to change, a time where the common man was able to obtain financial power. Brian must question who he is as the world around him transforms into something he doesn’t recognize and he becomes disillusioned. In the end, the hero gives up his knighthood to stay with his beloved, a lower-class arrow-maker who will still on occasion pose as a man.
Good stuff.
4 1/2 stars
However there are many misadventures along the way, as a cast of secondary characters soon take stage and add more drama, romance and a tragic elements to this story.
Also causing trouble in Gillian and Brian’s relationship is a gay quasi-villain, Ranulf, who desires boy Gil. He beats Brian and captures Gil, practically raping her, but is so excited he finishes prematurely and then is angered to find out she's a girl. Eventually Gil & Ranulf become pals, march through battle together and it's strongly hinted Ranulf loves both versions of Gil/Gillian.
But it's Brian who is the very intense love of her life. Brian is a conflicted character, a knight in a time where the methods of war were starting to change, a time where the common man was able to obtain financial power. Brian must question who he is as the world around him transforms into something he doesn’t recognize and he becomes disillusioned. In the end, the hero gives up his knighthood to stay with his beloved, a lower-class arrow-maker who will still on occasion pose as a man.
Good stuff.
4 1/2 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2019
This review is of “Lovespell” by Deana James.
The book begins in England where knight Brian de Trenanay, the hero of the book, has passed out from wounds suffered when he was betrayed by his squire. He is rescued by two people, Kenneth Fletcher and his “brother” Gil, who, in reality, is Gillian Fletcher, the heroine of the book. Gillian disguises herself as a boy to fulfill her dream of being a fletcher, a person who helps make bows and arrows. Only men can work as craftspeople, which explains the lie Gillian, Kenneth and their uncle Tobin Walton are perpetrating. Brian soon discovers the truth and he and Gillian become lovers.
Brian is determined to get back his stolen armor, and when he finds the culprit, he sets off in pursuit. Big mistake. The culprit, an evil knight named Ranulf of Braithwaite, captures Brian and tortures him; Brian is later rescued by Gillian. Later, he has to return the favor after Ranulf abducts Gillian.
After Ranulf captures Gillian, he puts her on a ship bound for Brian’s native France, where she is to be thrown into the sea. She escapes the ship and, in France, meets a woman, Lady Alys of Bellepaix, who seeks Gillian’s help escaping her evil stepson, Jules. Jules wants to put Alys in a convent as punishment for turning his father against him. Gillian and Alys escape, but not before Jules rapes Alys.
Gillian and Alys meet Brian and his squire, Howard of Rothingham, a.k.a. Hob, in France, and they travel deeper into the country, ending up at Brian’s home. There, he is met by his parents and learns very painful truths. After these discoveries, Brian goes headlong into battle, is wounded, and comes to realize that being a knight isn’t what he wants. His priorities change, and he and Gillian reconcile their differences and have their Happily Ever After.
Upside: I liked the fact that Gillian is a very strong character. She deals with danger in various forms and does not finch or run from it. She also does not always need a male character to save her.
Downside: I’m not sure that either Gillian or Brian were strong enough to carry an entire book as heroine and hero. I didn’t find them interesting enough for that level. The most interesting character for me was Lady Alys, and she and Hob, who became her lover died before the end of the book.
Sex: There are multiple love scenes, which Ms. James tries to imbue with heat and sensuality, but for the most part, she doesn’t quite reach the level she could have with them. It should be noted that Ranulf likes men, and there are scenes of male sodomy in this book that may be offensive to some readers.
Violence: In addition to Alys’ rape, there is a major bloody battle that takes place at the battle in France known as the Battle of Agincourt. Multiple men and animals die, and both Gillian and Brian are injured there (yes, Gillian is fighting in the battle). The violence is not graphic.
Bottom Line: “Lovespell” is a good book, definitely better than “Lovestone” but not at the level of greatness. 3.5 stars.
The book begins in England where knight Brian de Trenanay, the hero of the book, has passed out from wounds suffered when he was betrayed by his squire. He is rescued by two people, Kenneth Fletcher and his “brother” Gil, who, in reality, is Gillian Fletcher, the heroine of the book. Gillian disguises herself as a boy to fulfill her dream of being a fletcher, a person who helps make bows and arrows. Only men can work as craftspeople, which explains the lie Gillian, Kenneth and their uncle Tobin Walton are perpetrating. Brian soon discovers the truth and he and Gillian become lovers.
Brian is determined to get back his stolen armor, and when he finds the culprit, he sets off in pursuit. Big mistake. The culprit, an evil knight named Ranulf of Braithwaite, captures Brian and tortures him; Brian is later rescued by Gillian. Later, he has to return the favor after Ranulf abducts Gillian.
After Ranulf captures Gillian, he puts her on a ship bound for Brian’s native France, where she is to be thrown into the sea. She escapes the ship and, in France, meets a woman, Lady Alys of Bellepaix, who seeks Gillian’s help escaping her evil stepson, Jules. Jules wants to put Alys in a convent as punishment for turning his father against him. Gillian and Alys escape, but not before Jules rapes Alys.
Gillian and Alys meet Brian and his squire, Howard of Rothingham, a.k.a. Hob, in France, and they travel deeper into the country, ending up at Brian’s home. There, he is met by his parents and learns very painful truths. After these discoveries, Brian goes headlong into battle, is wounded, and comes to realize that being a knight isn’t what he wants. His priorities change, and he and Gillian reconcile their differences and have their Happily Ever After.
Upside: I liked the fact that Gillian is a very strong character. She deals with danger in various forms and does not finch or run from it. She also does not always need a male character to save her.
Downside: I’m not sure that either Gillian or Brian were strong enough to carry an entire book as heroine and hero. I didn’t find them interesting enough for that level. The most interesting character for me was Lady Alys, and she and Hob, who became her lover died before the end of the book.
Sex: There are multiple love scenes, which Ms. James tries to imbue with heat and sensuality, but for the most part, she doesn’t quite reach the level she could have with them. It should be noted that Ranulf likes men, and there are scenes of male sodomy in this book that may be offensive to some readers.
Violence: In addition to Alys’ rape, there is a major bloody battle that takes place at the battle in France known as the Battle of Agincourt. Multiple men and animals die, and both Gillian and Brian are injured there (yes, Gillian is fighting in the battle). The violence is not graphic.
Bottom Line: “Lovespell” is a good book, definitely better than “Lovestone” but not at the level of greatness. 3.5 stars.
October 9, 2022
Lovespell isn't my favorite work by Deana James (the beginning was incredibly slow, and the battle scenes that weren't focused on Gillian felt endlessly drawn out), but it was still an enjoyable, beautifully written novel. I would definitely recommend it if you like wholesome romances with feminist themes.
However, I'd say that the best part of this story wasn't the romance at all, but the large cast of supporting characters. Ranulf the misunderstood villain was a particular favorite of mine (I'm not kidding about the extreme wholesomeness of this book. The main antagonist starts off as a murderous crazy person and by the end he's good friends with everyone lol). I loved the idea behind his redemption arc even though I feel like that whole subplot definitely should have been given more page time. Lady Alys and Hob were also such memorable characters, and their final scene almost made me cry.
3.5 stars
TW: torture, sexual assault, domestic violence, brief homophobia
However, I'd say that the best part of this story wasn't the romance at all, but the large cast of supporting characters. Ranulf the misunderstood villain was a particular favorite of mine (I'm not kidding about the extreme wholesomeness of this book. The main antagonist starts off as a murderous crazy person and by the end he's good friends with everyone lol). I loved the idea behind his redemption arc even though I feel like that whole subplot definitely should have been given more page time. Lady Alys and Hob were also such memorable characters, and their final scene almost made me cry.
3.5 stars
TW: torture, sexual assault, domestic violence, brief homophobia
September 26, 2021
Ранен френски рицар в Англия има нужда от оръжейник, и си намира такъв, само дето му трябва известно време (но не твърде много) да се светне, че това е момиче. Двамата налитат и на странен английски професионален войник (който в началото се държи като “лошия”, но не е, накрая ми стана любимец), и всичките се набъркват в битката при Ажинкур, участвайки на различни страни. Сладка любовна история от времето на 100-годишната война.
⭐️3,5 звезди⭐️
⭐️3,5 звезди⭐️
February 1, 2021
DNF technically, lost me at the sexual assault scene and i skimmed the last quarter after that. up until then, this book had actually been turning around for me. it starts out with that classically 80s combo of problematic elements—questionable sex scenes! piggish men and their glaring sexism! raging homophobia! oh boy!!—but when you get about midway through, a lot of that changes. well, the homophobia is still a big issue, but gillian and brian’s relationship improves, and brian’s sexism gets a little less aggressive. judging by what i skimmed of the ending, it seems like by the end, brian finally lets go of being a knight and he agrees to let gillian keep up the gil act and work as a fletcher. when the good stuff works, it really works! gillian is a great character, and i loved the points this book raised about women and their frustrating lack of agency in this time period. and when brian’s not being a complete idiot, him & gillian are pretty great. the way she gets him off his high horse and shows him that women are smart and capable (and that it’s cool when you let them lead in bed 👀) is satisfying to read.
nevertheless, it feels like a pretty long road to get there, and even though you could argue that the story & the characters mostly grow out of their problematic elements (aforementioned homophobia excluded), it’s all still disappointing to read. this has the roots of the kind of story i think i could really like, but the execution is frustrating, and the issues feel a little too glaring to gloss over.
nevertheless, it feels like a pretty long road to get there, and even though you could argue that the story & the characters mostly grow out of their problematic elements (aforementioned homophobia excluded), it’s all still disappointing to read. this has the roots of the kind of story i think i could really like, but the execution is frustrating, and the issues feel a little too glaring to gloss over.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews