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Desired
Mesmerized by the dark knight's turquoise gaze, Lady Brianna of Bedford tried to turn away. After all, she was betrothed to Robert de Beauchamp. And now this total stranger, Christian Hawksblood, de Beauchamp's bastard brother, claimed her with a soul-searing look. What was his mystical power that compelled her to abandon herself to this man she dare not even trust...Christian Hawksblood, Prince and Knight Templar, burned with memories of the beauty he first saw in a vision, clad only in a nimbus of red-gold hair. Brianna of Bedford was his, ordained by fate. But first he had to deal with his jealous brother. And then with Brianna, the innocent temptress who branded him with passion even as she compelled him to listen with his heart...
450 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1995
31 people are currently reading
587 people want to read
About the author
Virginia Henley
66 books637 followersVirginia Syddall was born on December 5, 1935 in England, where her father, Thomas Syddall, taught her to love history. She obtained a degree in History in the University. In 1956, Virginia married Arthur Henley. They moved to America, and now they live most of the year in St. Petersburg, Florida, and they spend the hot summers in Ontario, Canada, where they have their two adult children and three grandsons.
Virginia Henley is a New York Times bestselling writer of historical novels. Her work has been translated into fourteen languages. She is the recipient of more than a dozen writing awards, including a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award, a Waldenbooks' Bestselling Award, and a Maggie Award for Excellence from the Georgia Romance Writers.
Virginia Henley is a New York Times bestselling writer of historical novels. Her work has been translated into fourteen languages. She is the recipient of more than a dozen writing awards, including a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award, a Waldenbooks' Bestselling Award, and a Maggie Award for Excellence from the Georgia Romance Writers.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
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January 3, 2011I give up. One of my resolutions this year is not to bother finishing a book that (a) is tons of work to read; and/or (b) I don't like. This one is mostly (a).
Kudos to Virginia Henley for all of her historical research but man, this book made my eyes cross. Historical name-dropping and the constant switching of names for titles becomes tiresome when you have to stop and think who it is she is talking about. The author crams historical events like the invasion of France, battles for the return of a hostage and about 10 different intrigues in Edward's court into about 20 pages. Where is the romance?! Oh yeah - buried in all of this high-school history homework.
Trying to keep track of the myriad main characters in this book simply became too much for me. I don't think I'm a stupid person (*holds hand up - no comments from the peanut gallery, please*) but also don't like to have to work this hard to read a romance novel.
My head hurts - I'm off to find a mindless, large-font historical-lite to make it feel better.
Kudos to Virginia Henley for all of her historical research but man, this book made my eyes cross. Historical name-dropping and the constant switching of names for titles becomes tiresome when you have to stop and think who it is she is talking about. The author crams historical events like the invasion of France, battles for the return of a hostage and about 10 different intrigues in Edward's court into about 20 pages. Where is the romance?! Oh yeah - buried in all of this high-school history homework.
Trying to keep track of the myriad main characters in this book simply became too much for me. I don't think I'm a stupid person (*holds hand up - no comments from the peanut gallery, please*) but also don't like to have to work this hard to read a romance novel.
My head hurts - I'm off to find a mindless, large-font historical-lite to make it feel better.
August 10, 2017
Really boring. Epic head-hopping/scene-shifting. Bizarre insertion of paranormal woo-woo. Mary Sue & Gary Stu.
I just don't care.
While I still hold out hope for other VH books, this one was a slog & not interesting at all. Maybe if I was more in tune with that era...? *shrug* All I know is the dialogue sounded more Regency than Medieval, & the Medieval trappings themselves were glossy & token at best, with the hero's weird supernatural senses intruding rather awkwardly. Topping it off, the pace was awful; scenes shifted without warning & the action often relayed dispassionately or second-hand.
DNF.
I just don't care.
While I still hold out hope for other VH books, this one was a slog & not interesting at all. Maybe if I was more in tune with that era...? *shrug* All I know is the dialogue sounded more Regency than Medieval, & the Medieval trappings themselves were glossy & token at best, with the hero's weird supernatural senses intruding rather awkwardly. Topping it off, the pace was awful; scenes shifted without warning & the action often relayed dispassionately or second-hand.
DNF.
November 15, 2020
Abandonado en la pagina 325
Ya no puedo mas, no me apetece nada de nada este libro.
En este libro hay un monton de personajes y todos se me mezclan, es verdad que ahora ya los tengo mas controlados pero como que me importan una mierdan. Con la trama me parece un poco brutita en el punto de que ellos solo piensan en follar ( creo que se tirarian hasta un árbol) y en guerra eso también y ellas parecen que estan ahi para que se las tiren, en serio la trama se pierde en todo esto.
La ambientación es siglo quince (lo dice el libro) tirando a super medieval, y claro ya con eso se especifique que ellas están para casarse, ok lo entiendo, pero se podría a ver currado mas la trama.
ABANDONO
Ya no puedo mas, no me apetece nada de nada este libro.
En este libro hay un monton de personajes y todos se me mezclan, es verdad que ahora ya los tengo mas controlados pero como que me importan una mierdan. Con la trama me parece un poco brutita en el punto de que ellos solo piensan en follar ( creo que se tirarian hasta un árbol) y en guerra eso también y ellas parecen que estan ahi para que se las tiren, en serio la trama se pierde en todo esto.
La ambientación es siglo quince (lo dice el libro) tirando a super medieval, y claro ya con eso se especifique que ellas están para casarse, ok lo entiendo, pero se podría a ver currado mas la trama.
ABANDONO
May 14, 2013
Virginia Henley is a talented writer, but this particular book was one that I kept putting down. Although I was absolutely in love with Christian, I couldn't stand Brianna. I thought she was too flighty. She gave her loyalty to a man who treated her rather questionably and shunned the man that vowed to love her forever. Usually I enjoy a little taste of the supernatural, but the uses in this book just felt out of place. I haven't written Virginia Henley off yet. I have a couple other books of hers to read that have gotten higher ratings than this one.
July 23, 2024
A treasure trove of purple prose, Virginia Henley' s Desired is a wildly enjoyable, silly romp that will leave you chuckling and never bored.
November 2, 2014
รู้สึกว่านิยายของเวอร์จิเนียจะเริ่มต้นด้วยอีหรอบเดียวกันหมดทุกเรื่อง และพระเอกจะมีพี่น้องที่ขี้อิจฉาที่ต้องการจะฉกชิงนางเอกไปจากตน ต่างกันที่ช่วงเวลาของนิยายแต่ละเรื่องจะไม่เหมือนกันอย่างเรื่องนี้เกิดขึ้นระหว่างช่วงสงครามอังกฤษ-ฝรั่งเศส ซึ่งเราไม่มีความรู้ตรงนี้เลยไม่รู้รายละเอียดมากนัก
ที่จริงนิยายของเวอร์จิเนียจะค่อนข้างจัดจ้านกว่านิยายโรมานซ์ย้อนยุคเรื่องอื่นๆ แต่เราอ่านเล่มนี้แล้วรู้สึกเฉยๆ แถมตัวละครยังเยอะจนเราสับสนจำชื่อแทบไม่หมดว่าใครเป็นใคร เราชอบเรื่องของเจ้าชายเอ็ดเวิร์ดกับโจนซึ่งเป็นคู่รองของเรื่องนี้ซึ่งทำให้เนื้อเรื่องมีความน่าสนใจมากขึ้น
ทั้งพระเอกนางเอกเรื่องนี้มีเซ้นต์หรือจะเรียกว่าพลังวิเศษก็ได้ คือสามารถเห็นเหตุการณ์ล่วงหน้า บางครั้งก็ยังอ่านใจกันได้อีกแล้วก็สามารถบังคับความฝันได้ เล่นเอาคนอ่านอย่างเราๆงงไปตามๆกันว่าตกลงนี่ความฝันหรือเรื่องจริงกันแน่เนี่ย
ถ้าหากมองข้ามคาแรคเตอร์ตัวละครที่บางครั้งก็หลุดๆไปบ้าง กับความงี่เง่าของนางเอก ถือว่านิยายเล่มนี้สนุกใช้ได้เลยทีเดียว ...
ที่จริงนิยายของเวอร์จิเนียจะค่อนข้างจัดจ้านกว่านิยายโรมานซ์ย้อนยุคเรื่องอื่นๆ แต่เราอ่านเล่มนี้แล้วรู้สึกเฉยๆ แถมตัวละครยังเยอะจนเราสับสนจำชื่อแทบไม่หมดว่าใครเป็นใคร เราชอบเรื่องของเจ้าชายเอ็ดเวิร์ดกับโจนซึ่งเป็นคู่รองของเรื่องนี้ซึ่งทำให้เนื้อเรื่องมีความน่าสนใจมากขึ้น
ทั้งพระเอกนางเอกเรื่องนี้มีเซ้นต์หรือจะเรียกว่าพลังวิเศษก็ได้ คือสามารถเห็นเหตุการณ์ล่วงหน้า บางครั้งก็ยังอ่านใจกันได้อีกแล้วก็สามารถบังคับความฝันได้ เล่นเอาคนอ่านอย่างเราๆงงไปตามๆกันว่าตกลงนี่ความฝันหรือเรื่องจริงกันแน่เนี่ย
ถ้าหากมองข้ามคาแรคเตอร์ตัวละครที่บางครั้งก็หลุดๆไปบ้าง กับความงี่เง่าของนางเอก ถือว่านิยายเล่มนี้สนุกใช้ได้เลยทีเดียว ...
November 15, 2010
Brianna has been dreaming about a dark haired, dark skinned knight and it just so happens Christian has been having the same dreams. When they finally meet, she almost engaged to his half brother, who through jealousy or maybe he's just that way turns pretty evil. In most of these books with a young (17) heroine, she's so stubborn and pig headed it drives me crazy. But this time I actually felt like Brianna had legitimate reasons for not wanting to hurt Christian's half brother and though she loves Christian, will sacrifice her happiness for that honor. And actually Christian instead of taking her and yelling "No" constantly kind of sees why she's doing it but still feels they are destined together. I think the book could easily have had about 100 to 200 pages removed where the back-and-forth will she/won't she went on too many times, but overall I really enjoyed the book.
June 26, 2023
I romanzi della Henley presentano spesso due cose: da un lato una notevole lunghezza, non comune ad altre autrici, e, dall'altro, il bisogno di inserire sempre elementi paranormal/magici in storie d'amore che potrebbero benissimo vivere della sola cornice storica.
Anche questo romanzo non si discosta: si tratta di un librone corposo, ambientato all'epoca di re Edoardo III d'Inghilterra, durante la Guerra dei Cent'anni con la Francia.
La Henley immagina che dall'Arabia giunga il figlio nato dalle nozze tra una principessa araba e un guerriero inglese durante le Crociate; a sua volta il guerriero (chiamato, forse per ironia, Christian) lascia la terra d'origine, con scudieri e falco, per dirigersi come mercenario in Francia e poi in Inghilterra, dove ritrova il padre.
Il capo dei Beauchamp, ovvero il conte di Warwick, accoglie il figlio naturale (ma in realtà legittimo) e lo inserisce a corte, dove Christian diviene amico del Principe Nero (il famoso condottiero, figlio del re) e partecipa addirittura alle battaglie di Crécy e di Poitiers, mettendosi in mostra.
Al contempo, suscita però la gelosia del fratellastro minore, il quale sino a un attimo prima era l'unico erede, nonché promesso sposo di una bellissima dama.
I due si contendono la medesima fanciulla, così come si affrontano nei tornei. Il tutto mentre anche il Principe Nero, il re in persona e altri cavalieri si destreggiano tra intrighi e amanti varie.
Avrei anche dato un voto più alto, se non fosse stato per il fastidio delle aggiunte pseudo-magiche, che ho trovato a dir poco stravaganti e inutili (basti pensare che la bravura di Christian si fonda anche su visioni e premonizioni che egli ha sullo schieramento nemico...).
Bisogna davvero banalizzare così battaglie storiche, rimaste celebri anche per l'enorme numero di vittime? Senza contare che nel romanzo i protagonisti sembrano tutti eroi senza macchia, mentre il Principe Nero fu comunque ricordato dai posteri soprattutto per le terribili incursioni, in cui faceva strage di civili francesi, razziando e bruciando tutto ciò che trovava.
Da ultimo, la storia d'amore principale è molto debole, quasi trasparente.
Di per sé, la trama non non è spiacevole e l'epoca è una delle mie preferite: però quasi 600 pagine condite da storia e (troppe) licenze di fantasia sono abbastanza sfiancanti.
Anche questo romanzo non si discosta: si tratta di un librone corposo, ambientato all'epoca di re Edoardo III d'Inghilterra, durante la Guerra dei Cent'anni con la Francia.
La Henley immagina che dall'Arabia giunga il figlio nato dalle nozze tra una principessa araba e un guerriero inglese durante le Crociate; a sua volta il guerriero (chiamato, forse per ironia, Christian) lascia la terra d'origine, con scudieri e falco, per dirigersi come mercenario in Francia e poi in Inghilterra, dove ritrova il padre.
Il capo dei Beauchamp, ovvero il conte di Warwick, accoglie il figlio naturale (ma in realtà legittimo) e lo inserisce a corte, dove Christian diviene amico del Principe Nero (il famoso condottiero, figlio del re) e partecipa addirittura alle battaglie di Crécy e di Poitiers, mettendosi in mostra.
Al contempo, suscita però la gelosia del fratellastro minore, il quale sino a un attimo prima era l'unico erede, nonché promesso sposo di una bellissima dama.
I due si contendono la medesima fanciulla, così come si affrontano nei tornei. Il tutto mentre anche il Principe Nero, il re in persona e altri cavalieri si destreggiano tra intrighi e amanti varie.
Avrei anche dato un voto più alto, se non fosse stato per il fastidio delle aggiunte pseudo-magiche, che ho trovato a dir poco stravaganti e inutili (basti pensare che la bravura di Christian si fonda anche su visioni e premonizioni che egli ha sullo schieramento nemico...).
Bisogna davvero banalizzare così battaglie storiche, rimaste celebri anche per l'enorme numero di vittime? Senza contare che nel romanzo i protagonisti sembrano tutti eroi senza macchia, mentre il Principe Nero fu comunque ricordato dai posteri soprattutto per le terribili incursioni, in cui faceva strage di civili francesi, razziando e bruciando tutto ciò che trovava.
Da ultimo, la storia d'amore principale è molto debole, quasi trasparente.
Di per sé, la trama non non è spiacevole e l'epoca è una delle mie preferite: però quasi 600 pagine condite da storia e (troppe) licenze di fantasia sono abbastanza sfiancanti.
October 17, 2023
Malefica81 - per RFS
.
Per la serie Introvabili, oggi vi parlerò della storia del cavaliere templare e principe arabo Christian Hawksblood, meglio conosciuto come Drakkar e della donna del suo mondo onirico, Brianna di Bedford. Ragazza che vede nei suoi sogni, nelle sue visioni e sa che è sua.
A Brianna invece le regole di corte le stanno strette, vede nel suo futuro un matrimonio con un uomo deciso dal re ma, quando vedrà l’indisponente principe arabo, le cose cambiano. Christian è il figlio maggiore del conte di Warrick e decide di dare i suoi servigi al re Edoardo d’Inghilterra, in questo modo potrà avere modo di avere la sua Brianna, la donna del suo destino.
“Ah, ma siete decisamente in grado di essere spietata, Brianna. Voi siete la mia signora, la mia donna. Mi appartenete, corpo e anima, dagli albori del tempo.”
In un turbinio di prendi e molla, intrighi, battaglie e guerre, Christian e Brianna diventano una coppia, anche se Brianna alcune volte l’avrei presa a calci nei denti per quanto è testarda e rompipalle.
“E così questo era il guerriero normanno dal cui seme lui era derivato! Sfregiato, duro, feroce; un corpo e una volontà d’acciaio. Non aveva ereditato soltanto le lunghe membra dal suo genitore. Warrick fissò lo scuro volto del falco su cui era stampato l’orgoglio di un principe arabo. Selvaggio, crudele, indomito, enigmatico; era tutte queste cose e tuttavia, splendore divino, era un uomo.”
Mai avrei pensato di trovare uno storico così coinvolgente, forse con un linguaggio diverso da quello a cui siamo abituati ma del resto ci troviamo nel 1300. L’autrice riesce a coinvolgerti dalla prima all’ultima riga e ti fa sentire ciò che ogni personaggio sta provando.
Alla prossima
.
Per la serie Introvabili, oggi vi parlerò della storia del cavaliere templare e principe arabo Christian Hawksblood, meglio conosciuto come Drakkar e della donna del suo mondo onirico, Brianna di Bedford. Ragazza che vede nei suoi sogni, nelle sue visioni e sa che è sua.
A Brianna invece le regole di corte le stanno strette, vede nel suo futuro un matrimonio con un uomo deciso dal re ma, quando vedrà l’indisponente principe arabo, le cose cambiano. Christian è il figlio maggiore del conte di Warrick e decide di dare i suoi servigi al re Edoardo d’Inghilterra, in questo modo potrà avere modo di avere la sua Brianna, la donna del suo destino.
“Ah, ma siete decisamente in grado di essere spietata, Brianna. Voi siete la mia signora, la mia donna. Mi appartenete, corpo e anima, dagli albori del tempo.”
In un turbinio di prendi e molla, intrighi, battaglie e guerre, Christian e Brianna diventano una coppia, anche se Brianna alcune volte l’avrei presa a calci nei denti per quanto è testarda e rompipalle.
“E così questo era il guerriero normanno dal cui seme lui era derivato! Sfregiato, duro, feroce; un corpo e una volontà d’acciaio. Non aveva ereditato soltanto le lunghe membra dal suo genitore. Warrick fissò lo scuro volto del falco su cui era stampato l’orgoglio di un principe arabo. Selvaggio, crudele, indomito, enigmatico; era tutte queste cose e tuttavia, splendore divino, era un uomo.”
Mai avrei pensato di trovare uno storico così coinvolgente, forse con un linguaggio diverso da quello a cui siamo abituati ma del resto ci troviamo nel 1300. L’autrice riesce a coinvolgerti dalla prima all’ultima riga e ti fa sentire ciò che ogni personaggio sta provando.
Alla prossima
June 10, 2024
Debo decir que pase por muchas etapas, al principio sencillamente creí que la historia no me iba a gustar que todo estaba mal, me confundía con todos los nombres y yo no entendía nada verdaderamente, y sinceramente no sé en que punto me pique tanto que llegue hasta leermelo hasta las casi 5 de la mañana y es que no podía soltarlo, llegó un punto que el libro era tan malo que era bueno y yo creo que cuando empiezan lo spicy se puso mejor, peroooooo sinceramente me salte todas las peleas porque que aburrido y las historias secundarias pues no es como que fueran las mejores me hubiera gustado que redujeran la historia a solo la pareja principal en vez de añadir nos tantas pero pues ya se leyó
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February 9, 2018King Edward III was married to Phillipa. He was still attentive to her and she was pregnant for the 10th time. He was also having an affair with the Earl of Salisbury's wife. The earl was the king's best friend and he had been in France for 2 years and was imprisoned there. Katherine de Montecute convinced him to have her son betrothed to Joan of Kent as a favor to her.
Joan of Kent and Brianna of Bedford were best friends. They were both raised in court because they had both lost their parents. Joan was cousin to the children of the King. She and the king's eldest son, Edward, had been childhood friends and had grown to love each other. They couldn't marry as they were first cousins so she was betrothed to William de Montecute but Edward was determined to see that didn't happen. They slept together and she became pregnant. Edward did some bribery and convinced John Holland to marry Joan in name only while she and Edward continued to sleep together. Brianna and Edward's best friend did what they could to hide and protect the two of them even though they didn't agree with their handling of the situation.
Drakkar Hawksblood used his English name of Christian de Beauchamp and came from an Arabian mother. He had dark hair and a dark complexion. His father was an English Lord, Earl of Warrick, and he had a younger half-brother, Robert de Beauchamp. Christian had been trained to fight by the Arabs. He left home and began fighting in tournaments to gain wealth and possessions on his way to England to find his father. They met and his father readily accepted him and introduced him to the king. Christian and Edward became fast friends and fought together. One of those battles was against France and they were victorious even though there were many more Frenchmen. Christian had an ability to tune out the world and have visions of the future which helped to get himself and others out of various predicaments.
His visions let him see his future wife before he began his travels and he recognized Brianna as the girl in his dreams when he first saw her. She recognized him from her dreams too. The attraction between the two of them was strong and they found a way to be together too. She tried to prevent being alone with him because the king had betrothed her to Christian's half-brother, Robert. She tried to convince herself to like Robert although the more she found out about him, the less she liked.
Robert was very jealous of Christian and hated him intensely. There was a jousting tournament sponsored by the king and Robert ended up wounding himself. Christian had jumped in a river and saved a ferret on his way to England and the ferret was now his pet. That ferret had bit Robert in his wound. Christian ended up taking Brianna back home for a visit when Robert was supposed to, to pick up some granite that the king wanted for a tower table that he was having built to model the Knights of the Round Table. Christian and Brianna returned to to Windsor after about a month to find that Robert's leg hadn't healed yet and he was blaming it on Christian's ferret. Christian knew about healing properties and treated the wound. It ended up healing completely once Robert found out that the king's army was headed to France for a battle. Robert had used the wound to convince Brianna to never leave him or dissolve the betrothal. Robert was also in league with the king's second son, Lionel, who was not very smart and easily led. Lionel was knick named the Ox. He brought Elizabeth Grey home with him one night when he was drunk and Robert had sex with her. Elizabeth ended up pregnant and had an abortion. She convinced the maid who had given her the drugs to not tell Brianna that it was her fiancee that had gotten her pregnant. Elizabeth told the girls that it had been the prince.
Princess Isabel was taken to France after the battle was won in order for her to become betrothed to Count Louis of Flanders. He didn't want to marry her and kept putting her off. The king and queen didn't tell Isabel that he didn't want to marry her. She was told that all the paperwork and arrangements take time. Isabel was a very spoiled and demanding child. Within a week after the betrothal, Count Louis left Flanders and went to Paris to be with the French king. Isabel had been jilted. Louis hated the English because his father had been killed by an English arrow.
During the French battle, Robert had wounded Edward's horse causing him to fall. He dislocated his shoulder but with Christian's help, he survived the day. Christian told Robert that he suspected him of causing Edward's fall but didn't do it in front of others because he had no proof. He told Robert that he would be watching him closely. Robert hated Christian even more. Robert had wanted Edward to die so that Lionel could become king because Lionel was easily manipulated by Robert. Robert would have a lot of power.
The king had traded a Scottish prisoner to France in exchange for the release of the Earl of Salisbury. That release led to a battle with the Scots headed by the man who had been in prison. Christian had returned home from France for a short time to deal with the Scots. After the battle with the Scots, Christian took Brianna from court to Bedford so that she could not go to France with the King and his family for Isabel's betrothal and her own wedding to Robert. Christian was determined that Brianna would not marry his half-brother.
Robert and the others returned from France. Joan was showing her pregnancy by now and Edward had to go back to England. She remained in France with her husband and her brother, Edmund. Edward intended to return to France after a celebratory tournament was completed. Robert brought Brianna back to Windsor from Bedford with the intention of marrying her after the tournament. The country was celebrating their victory and Queen Phillipa had her baby girl. The king had chosen his 25 knights to sit at the table in the tower he had built and Christian was one of those who were chosen along with his son Edward. Lionel was upset and proceeded to get drunk again. Robert went to see him and convinced Lionel to agree to see that Edward received a mortal wound during the tournament. Robert's intentions were to see that both Christian and Edward were killed.
The tournament was held and there was a mock battle held after the joust. Christian and Edward had been told of a conversation overheard by a man that Edward was to be killed during the melee. Christian and Edward traded armor and Edward was surprised to see three men head directly toward Christian. Edward knocked one out while Christian took out another one. Edward saw the third one aiming his sword at Christian and stuck his own sword through the man who turned out to be Robert. He was dead. The king found out what had happened and requested for Lionel to be brought to the tent where they were. The king blamed Lionel for the attempted killing of Edward and since everyone saw Edward dressed as Christian, they let Christian bear the blame for killing Robert as an accident. It was Christian's suggestion that the people never now that Lionel had ever tried to have Edward killed.
The king, Warrick and Christian all agreed to accept Christian to marry Brianna.
Christian forced Brianna to marry him at the order of the king while she thought that Christian had murdered his brother in order to marry her and obtain control of both her and his father's possessions. It was keeping his word of honor to not tell her that Edward had been the one to kill Robert and not himself.
After Joan had Edward's baby girl, her husband John raped her. She was afraid to be alone with him after that and kept her baby with her along with her maids. It didn't take long before John threatened to take the life of her baby if she didn't give in to him again. Joan went to Brianna and told her what had happened. Brianna told Joan she wouldn't leave her alone with him and had a small knife with her. John came into the room and knocked Brianna unconscious. Brianna's knife fell into the bed and Joan managed to get hold of it without John seeing it. Brianna came to and picked the lock to get back into Joan's chambers. Christian's ferret was with her too. Joan ended up stabbing John in the neck, Brianna hit him over the head and the ferret bit him. He was dead after confessing to having killed Joan's brother.
Christian was headed to war against France again with Edward and his father. Christian got a feeling that something was wrong and headed him quickly. He arrived at the house just after John was killed and took the body. He told the women that he would take care of it. He took it back to the battlefield and left him there. No one suspected that he wasn't killed in the battle. He was supposed to have gone anyway and he shouldn't have been at home with Joan.
After the battle against France was won again, Christian headed home to check on his mother. There was a plague going around called The Black Plague. One of the king's daughters, Joanna, had died and Christian was afraid that his mother was in danger. Brianna was afraid that he might never return because of how she had treated him.
Guy de Beauchamp ended up sick at the end of the battle. Glynis and Brianna took care of him and he recovered after a time. Glynis had married Paddy, one of Christian's squires. Adele and Ari were planning on marrying too. They were Joan's maid and another of Christian's squires. Glynis was pregnant with Paddy's child and the two of them were extremely happy.
Brianna had asked Guy during his recovery if it was Edward that had killed Robert. Guy admitted that it had been Edward. Brianna felt very guilty for her attitude toward Christian and something broke within her. She was ready to admit her love to him and commit fully to him.
Christian finally returned and noticed the change in Brianna. She apologized for her attitude and told him she loved him. Christian told her that he had brought his mother home to Guy de Beauchamp. Brianna told Christian that she thought she was pregnant.
Edward found out what had happened to Joan and told his parents that he didn't care what they though, he was marrying Joan. She was pregnant once again and they were hoping for a boy this time.
King Edward and the king of France signed an agreement for peace for 7 years.
Joan of Kent and Brianna of Bedford were best friends. They were both raised in court because they had both lost their parents. Joan was cousin to the children of the King. She and the king's eldest son, Edward, had been childhood friends and had grown to love each other. They couldn't marry as they were first cousins so she was betrothed to William de Montecute but Edward was determined to see that didn't happen. They slept together and she became pregnant. Edward did some bribery and convinced John Holland to marry Joan in name only while she and Edward continued to sleep together. Brianna and Edward's best friend did what they could to hide and protect the two of them even though they didn't agree with their handling of the situation.
Drakkar Hawksblood used his English name of Christian de Beauchamp and came from an Arabian mother. He had dark hair and a dark complexion. His father was an English Lord, Earl of Warrick, and he had a younger half-brother, Robert de Beauchamp. Christian had been trained to fight by the Arabs. He left home and began fighting in tournaments to gain wealth and possessions on his way to England to find his father. They met and his father readily accepted him and introduced him to the king. Christian and Edward became fast friends and fought together. One of those battles was against France and they were victorious even though there were many more Frenchmen. Christian had an ability to tune out the world and have visions of the future which helped to get himself and others out of various predicaments.
His visions let him see his future wife before he began his travels and he recognized Brianna as the girl in his dreams when he first saw her. She recognized him from her dreams too. The attraction between the two of them was strong and they found a way to be together too. She tried to prevent being alone with him because the king had betrothed her to Christian's half-brother, Robert. She tried to convince herself to like Robert although the more she found out about him, the less she liked.
Robert was very jealous of Christian and hated him intensely. There was a jousting tournament sponsored by the king and Robert ended up wounding himself. Christian had jumped in a river and saved a ferret on his way to England and the ferret was now his pet. That ferret had bit Robert in his wound. Christian ended up taking Brianna back home for a visit when Robert was supposed to, to pick up some granite that the king wanted for a tower table that he was having built to model the Knights of the Round Table. Christian and Brianna returned to to Windsor after about a month to find that Robert's leg hadn't healed yet and he was blaming it on Christian's ferret. Christian knew about healing properties and treated the wound. It ended up healing completely once Robert found out that the king's army was headed to France for a battle. Robert had used the wound to convince Brianna to never leave him or dissolve the betrothal. Robert was also in league with the king's second son, Lionel, who was not very smart and easily led. Lionel was knick named the Ox. He brought Elizabeth Grey home with him one night when he was drunk and Robert had sex with her. Elizabeth ended up pregnant and had an abortion. She convinced the maid who had given her the drugs to not tell Brianna that it was her fiancee that had gotten her pregnant. Elizabeth told the girls that it had been the prince.
Princess Isabel was taken to France after the battle was won in order for her to become betrothed to Count Louis of Flanders. He didn't want to marry her and kept putting her off. The king and queen didn't tell Isabel that he didn't want to marry her. She was told that all the paperwork and arrangements take time. Isabel was a very spoiled and demanding child. Within a week after the betrothal, Count Louis left Flanders and went to Paris to be with the French king. Isabel had been jilted. Louis hated the English because his father had been killed by an English arrow.
During the French battle, Robert had wounded Edward's horse causing him to fall. He dislocated his shoulder but with Christian's help, he survived the day. Christian told Robert that he suspected him of causing Edward's fall but didn't do it in front of others because he had no proof. He told Robert that he would be watching him closely. Robert hated Christian even more. Robert had wanted Edward to die so that Lionel could become king because Lionel was easily manipulated by Robert. Robert would have a lot of power.
The king had traded a Scottish prisoner to France in exchange for the release of the Earl of Salisbury. That release led to a battle with the Scots headed by the man who had been in prison. Christian had returned home from France for a short time to deal with the Scots. After the battle with the Scots, Christian took Brianna from court to Bedford so that she could not go to France with the King and his family for Isabel's betrothal and her own wedding to Robert. Christian was determined that Brianna would not marry his half-brother.
Robert and the others returned from France. Joan was showing her pregnancy by now and Edward had to go back to England. She remained in France with her husband and her brother, Edmund. Edward intended to return to France after a celebratory tournament was completed. Robert brought Brianna back to Windsor from Bedford with the intention of marrying her after the tournament. The country was celebrating their victory and Queen Phillipa had her baby girl. The king had chosen his 25 knights to sit at the table in the tower he had built and Christian was one of those who were chosen along with his son Edward. Lionel was upset and proceeded to get drunk again. Robert went to see him and convinced Lionel to agree to see that Edward received a mortal wound during the tournament. Robert's intentions were to see that both Christian and Edward were killed.
The tournament was held and there was a mock battle held after the joust. Christian and Edward had been told of a conversation overheard by a man that Edward was to be killed during the melee. Christian and Edward traded armor and Edward was surprised to see three men head directly toward Christian. Edward knocked one out while Christian took out another one. Edward saw the third one aiming his sword at Christian and stuck his own sword through the man who turned out to be Robert. He was dead. The king found out what had happened and requested for Lionel to be brought to the tent where they were. The king blamed Lionel for the attempted killing of Edward and since everyone saw Edward dressed as Christian, they let Christian bear the blame for killing Robert as an accident. It was Christian's suggestion that the people never now that Lionel had ever tried to have Edward killed.
The king, Warrick and Christian all agreed to accept Christian to marry Brianna.
Christian forced Brianna to marry him at the order of the king while she thought that Christian had murdered his brother in order to marry her and obtain control of both her and his father's possessions. It was keeping his word of honor to not tell her that Edward had been the one to kill Robert and not himself.
After Joan had Edward's baby girl, her husband John raped her. She was afraid to be alone with him after that and kept her baby with her along with her maids. It didn't take long before John threatened to take the life of her baby if she didn't give in to him again. Joan went to Brianna and told her what had happened. Brianna told Joan she wouldn't leave her alone with him and had a small knife with her. John came into the room and knocked Brianna unconscious. Brianna's knife fell into the bed and Joan managed to get hold of it without John seeing it. Brianna came to and picked the lock to get back into Joan's chambers. Christian's ferret was with her too. Joan ended up stabbing John in the neck, Brianna hit him over the head and the ferret bit him. He was dead after confessing to having killed Joan's brother.
Christian was headed to war against France again with Edward and his father. Christian got a feeling that something was wrong and headed him quickly. He arrived at the house just after John was killed and took the body. He told the women that he would take care of it. He took it back to the battlefield and left him there. No one suspected that he wasn't killed in the battle. He was supposed to have gone anyway and he shouldn't have been at home with Joan.
After the battle against France was won again, Christian headed home to check on his mother. There was a plague going around called The Black Plague. One of the king's daughters, Joanna, had died and Christian was afraid that his mother was in danger. Brianna was afraid that he might never return because of how she had treated him.
Guy de Beauchamp ended up sick at the end of the battle. Glynis and Brianna took care of him and he recovered after a time. Glynis had married Paddy, one of Christian's squires. Adele and Ari were planning on marrying too. They were Joan's maid and another of Christian's squires. Glynis was pregnant with Paddy's child and the two of them were extremely happy.
Brianna had asked Guy during his recovery if it was Edward that had killed Robert. Guy admitted that it had been Edward. Brianna felt very guilty for her attitude toward Christian and something broke within her. She was ready to admit her love to him and commit fully to him.
Christian finally returned and noticed the change in Brianna. She apologized for her attitude and told him she loved him. Christian told her that he had brought his mother home to Guy de Beauchamp. Brianna told Christian that she thought she was pregnant.
Edward found out what had happened to Joan and told his parents that he didn't care what they though, he was marrying Joan. She was pregnant once again and they were hoping for a boy this time.
King Edward and the king of France signed an agreement for peace for 7 years.
May 19, 2013
Edward III is in the habit of collecting orphaned heiresses to bestow on the men he favors. Brianna of Bedford's mum died in childbirth and her da died in service to the king. Bri is a lady-in-waiting to Isabella, Edward's bratty daughter. Bri's mum had the "second sight" and Bri has occasional visions of her own future, including dreams about a big hunky knight with turquoise aquamarine eyes.
The king bestows Bri on the house of Warrick, and the earl claims her for his handsome son and heir apparent, Robert. Robert holds a prestigious position as chief knight for the king's second son.
Bri agrees to the betrothal, noting that Robert kinda sorta looks like the man of her dreams (well, he's golden where her dream guy is dark, but they have the same eyes).
Enter Christian Hawksblood.
Back in the day, the Earl of Warrick hooked up with a Turkish princess. Warrick meant to take her with him when he sailed back to England, but the pregnant princess jumped ship. Christian grew up in his mother's native land and entered the Knights Templar, where he developed his telepathic/hypnotic skills. He can read minds, project ideas into others' minds, commune with animals, and generally control the universe with his wonderful pagan skills.
So Christian has the Warrick aquamarine eyes, and the dark complexion in Bri's dreams. When she first sees Christian she's gobsmacked. Also, the more she knows Robert, the less she likes and trusts him. None of it matters. She agreed to marry Robert, and her word is her bond.
So far so good. I like honorable heroines. But here's where I have trouble: Without letting out all the gory details, let's just say Bri ends up with Christian, but the way it comes about is less than ideal. Bri saw Christian do something that looks pretty bad. Being a magical mind-reader, he knows she's eating herself alive with guilt—she feels worse every time she experiences a moment of passion or happiness with him. And all he'd need to do is tell her certain facts to relieve her of that guilt. But he won't. It's all about his honor, see, cuz he promised not to reveal those facts. So instead of trusting HIS WIFE, whom he SUPPOSEDLY loves, with the secret, he mopes that SHE doesn't trust HIM. Can anybody say
But I wasn't so caught up that I really cared, because the "telly" writing style kept me at a distance. 2.5 stars
The king bestows Bri on the house of Warrick, and the earl claims her for his handsome son and heir apparent, Robert. Robert holds a prestigious position as chief knight for the king's second son.
Bri agrees to the betrothal, noting that Robert kinda sorta looks like the man of her dreams (well, he's golden where her dream guy is dark, but they have the same eyes).
Enter Christian Hawksblood.
Back in the day, the Earl of Warrick hooked up with a Turkish princess. Warrick meant to take her with him when he sailed back to England, but the pregnant princess jumped ship. Christian grew up in his mother's native land and entered the Knights Templar, where he developed his telepathic/hypnotic skills. He can read minds, project ideas into others' minds, commune with animals, and generally control the universe with his wonderful pagan skills.
So Christian has the Warrick aquamarine eyes, and the dark complexion in Bri's dreams. When she first sees Christian she's gobsmacked. Also, the more she knows Robert, the less she likes and trusts him. None of it matters. She agreed to marry Robert, and her word is her bond.
So far so good. I like honorable heroines. But here's where I have trouble: Without letting out all the gory details, let's just say Bri ends up with Christian, but the way it comes about is less than ideal. Bri saw Christian do something that looks pretty bad. Being a magical mind-reader, he knows she's eating herself alive with guilt—she feels worse every time she experiences a moment of passion or happiness with him. And all he'd need to do is tell her certain facts to relieve her of that guilt. But he won't. It's all about his honor, see, cuz he promised not to reveal those facts. So instead of trusting HIS WIFE, whom he SUPPOSEDLY loves, with the secret, he mopes that SHE doesn't trust HIM. Can anybody say
But I wasn't so caught up that I really cared, because the "telly" writing style kept me at a distance. 2.5 stars
February 8, 2016
This probably rates more like 3 1/2 stars. It had a lot of different things going on in the plot and sometimes it was really hard to follow. I like the main characters though. Some of Prince William's behavior I found cowardly and I think a lot of the women submitted to seduction just a little easier than they should have, but generally I thought it was a good plot. Everything came together in the end for the most part. It was a very long and drawn out book and probably could have been written to be 75% as long as it was and still contain pertinent information. However it was still a good book. I'm not sure if I will read more by this author or not. There were times. Gaged in the story and other times I felt really bored like I was waiting for something to happen. But we'll see...
August 6, 2012
Really good! I hardly put it down.
January 31, 2013
Excellent book based on the famous Bible story. Narrated from the perspective of Samson's mother, wife and lover. It opens a window into the old world and it's ways. It sucked me in immediately!
June 4, 2013
Well-done
June 30, 2024
Desired was a lot of fun and a perfect romance-drama for a casual read. I’ve never read much romance before but this story made me interested to read more of the genre! It’s easy to feel the need to read heavy, complex books but once in a while a fantasy love story is so refreshing. I really didn’t expect most of the twists and turns of the Court of Windsor and the medieval setting made for a magical backdrop. Something I enjoyed about Desired was the detail put into the side characters and the development of Brianna’s friends and their individual storylines. It made the book seem so full of personality and especially Joan and Edward’s story was a crazy one to keep up with. Brianna is a very hard headed female lead and at times I was frustrated with her but Christian was so badass it was worth it. Overall an exciting read with lots of medieval drama, war, magic, and romance spun in. (And the looming threat of the Black Plague? How long do Christian and Brianna really last after the conclusion of the book…)
April 30, 2019
It was a very long but entertaining epic-like book. I shipped Joan and Edward so much. I was rooting for them more than Brianna and Christian, to be honest. I was really sad when Edmund died. It was so cute at the end when the father is finally reunited with the princess, his wife. Also, Robert was killed off for half the book...
It was funny how Virginia Henley refers to the men's "manroot"s. Ahh a good chuckle for that one. I love Virginia Henley! I'm on a Virginia Henley binge now. I wish she wrote more books, though. I've noticed that this book's cover is similar to Seduced and I think one other's.
Also this book reminded me of the plot to Virginia Henley's "Ravished, in which the heroine was betrothed but loved the brother instead.
It was funny how Virginia Henley refers to the men's "manroot"s. Ahh a good chuckle for that one. I love Virginia Henley! I'm on a Virginia Henley binge now. I wish she wrote more books, though. I've noticed that this book's cover is similar to Seduced and I think one other's.
Also this book reminded me of the plot to Virginia Henley's "Ravished, in which the heroine was betrothed but loved the brother instead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2024
3 1/2 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️ - it was good but got a little long and drawn out at the end. Christian was very likeable and Brianna was tiresome. The mystical element of reading each other’s minds and when she wore her mom’s clothes she could foresee the future was a little odd … but ignoring that the story was enjoyable until the last 20% when it was just too long. I like that she uses historical characters because it’s fun to look them up and find out it’s about them.
November 11, 2016
นางเอกน่ารำคาญ
เนื้อเรื่องเน้นรบมากไป น่าเบื่อ
ตัวละครเยอะมาก
มีคู่รอง คู่หลัก ซึ่งเราไม่ชอบ เราชอบเรื่องที่มีแค่คู่หลักมากกว่า แม่คู่รองเรื่องนี้จะน่ารักดี แต่เรารู้สึกรำคาญที่ต้องแบ่งเวลาไป รู้สึกคู่รองเด่นกว่ทคู่พระเอก นางเอกเสียอีก
เนื้อเรื่องเน้นรบมากไป น่าเบื่อ
ตัวละครเยอะมาก
มีคู่รอง คู่หลัก ซึ่งเราไม่ชอบ เราชอบเรื่องที่มีแค่คู่หลักมากกว่า แม่คู่รองเรื่องนี้จะน่ารักดี แต่เรารู้สึกรำคาญที่ต้องแบ่งเวลาไป รู้สึกคู่รองเด่นกว่ทคู่พระเอก นางเอกเสียอีก
February 4, 2018
ธีมเป็นยุคที่ชอบพอดี พล็อตไม่มีอะไรโดดเด่น แต่เรื่องราวสนุกใช้ได้ นี่ถ้าเรื่องราวเข้มข้นมากกว่านี้อีกนิดน่าจะเปรี้ยงกว่านี้ บางอย่างมันง่ายไปหน่อย ฉากเลิฟซีนวาบหวามรัญจวนใจ น่ารักและโรแมนติก พระเอกเท่มาก แต่แอบเทคะแนนให้เจ้าชายเอ็ดเวิร์ดมากกว่า
November 18, 2018
Brianna is annoying and dumb as a rock. Christian makes up for it, but the history lesson is nap worthy.
September 20, 2016
"Desired" is a pretty okay book when it comes to romance novels. Henley is top-notch for steamy romance interludes and she doesn't let down.
Despite that, some of the non-steamy details were hard to get around. There were a lot of glaring historical inaccuracy and inconsistency that made it hard for me to thoroughly enjoy.
Set during the 100 year war, Henley brings back actual real-life lords that had already been dead for 100 years, by that point to give life to her all original character. Joan of Kent and Prince Edward, the Black Prince, must have wished they could have gotten married at age 18 when in reality they were closing in on 40! Combine that with an overly masculine, overly sexual Prince Lionel, who couldn't have been more than 14, but somehow taller and bigger than most grown men, indulging way too much in drunken lewdness, that would put today's teens to shame!
I had a hard time getting through this book, and the romantic interludes were sparse and ended in fighting. Hence, the 3 stars.
Despite that, some of the non-steamy details were hard to get around. There were a lot of glaring historical inaccuracy and inconsistency that made it hard for me to thoroughly enjoy.
Set during the 100 year war, Henley brings back actual real-life lords that had already been dead for 100 years, by that point to give life to her all original character. Joan of Kent and Prince Edward, the Black Prince, must have wished they could have gotten married at age 18 when in reality they were closing in on 40! Combine that with an overly masculine, overly sexual Prince Lionel, who couldn't have been more than 14, but somehow taller and bigger than most grown men, indulging way too much in drunken lewdness, that would put today's teens to shame!
I had a hard time getting through this book, and the romantic interludes were sparse and ended in fighting. Hence, the 3 stars.
July 24, 2011
eh....
Although there was an interesting take on the romance between Edward "the Black Prince" and Joan of Kent (although there were inaccuracies such as age and the number of children she had with John holland), and of course the 100 year war with France, The romance between The hero and Heroine of the book was actualy disappointing. The whole pyschic angle was just strange - she wears her mother's robe and she in engulfed with passion, she takes it off and is unsure and regretful... it was just weird.
Although there was an interesting take on the romance between Edward "the Black Prince" and Joan of Kent (although there were inaccuracies such as age and the number of children she had with John holland), and of course the 100 year war with France, The romance between The hero and Heroine of the book was actualy disappointing. The whole pyschic angle was just strange - she wears her mother's robe and she in engulfed with passion, she takes it off and is unsure and regretful... it was just weird.
January 12, 2016
I think I gave up on this one about twenty pages in, because the Medieval heroine and her friends were having "fun" by rubbing manure on some poor old lady's dress when she wasn't looking. I think this is the Henley book where that happens. If I'm wrong, please let me know!
June 15, 2018
“I am possessed by burning love.
Let this man yearn for me, desire me.
Let his desire burn for me.
Let my love come forth from the spirit and
be transmitted to him.
Let him desire me as nothing has been
desired before.
Fill him with love for me!”
Let this man yearn for me, desire me.
Let his desire burn for me.
Let my love come forth from the spirit and
be transmitted to him.
Let him desire me as nothing has been
desired before.
Fill him with love for me!”
February 18, 2011
This book inspired me to create a new shelf!
Read
July 7, 2012another great book by Henley
September 8, 2013
I gave it my all. 50 pages left, and I couldn't continue. Too many coincidences for my taste.
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