What do you think?
Rate this book
Desire
From the windswept, craggy coast of a remote British Isle comes the thrilling tale of a daring lady and a dangerous knight... bound by the tempests of fate and the dawning of Desire.
Upon her father's death, beautiful, headstrong Lady Clare knew that she must wed, for the protection of the Isle of Desire now fell to her. Yet when her guardian's choice of prospective husbands rode through the castle gates, she felt utterly betrayed. All sinewy muscle and savage steel, Sir Gareth of Wyckmere was not the poet she'd requested but a fearsome knight whose only interest was in war.
Legions of robbers had fallen beneath the Hellhound of Wyckmere's sword, and now this bold warrior was certain that he could tame one willful wife. Yet even Gareth could not deter Lady Clare from trying to mold him into her ideal--until their clash of wills ignited a passion that set them both aflame... and a treacherous plot put their lives in deadly peril.
Upon her father's death, beautiful, headstrong Lady Clare knew that she must wed, for the protection of the Isle of Desire now fell to her. Yet when her guardian's choice of prospective husbands rode through the castle gates, she felt utterly betrayed. All sinewy muscle and savage steel, Sir Gareth of Wyckmere was not the poet she'd requested but a fearsome knight whose only interest was in war.
Legions of robbers had fallen beneath the Hellhound of Wyckmere's sword, and now this bold warrior was certain that he could tame one willful wife. Yet even Gareth could not deter Lady Clare from trying to mold him into her ideal--until their clash of wills ignited a passion that set them both aflame... and a treacherous plot put their lives in deadly peril.
373 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 1993
356 people are currently reading
2,591 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Quick
122books5,393followersPseudonym of
The author of over 40 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, JAYNE ANN KRENTZ writes romantic-suspense, often with a psychic and paranormal twist, in three different worlds: Contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick) and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 30 million copies of her books in print.
She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.
Ms. Krentz is married and lives with her husband, Frank, in Seattle, Washington.
Pseudonym(s):
The author of over 40 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, JAYNE ANN KRENTZ writes romantic-suspense, often with a psychic and paranormal twist, in three different worlds: Contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick) and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 30 million copies of her books in print.
She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.
Ms. Krentz is married and lives with her husband, Frank, in Seattle, Washington.
Pseudonym(s):
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 323 reviews
May 2, 2015
Ahhhh good old Amanda Quick!
Sometimes you read a few pretty bad books, trying to get to know a few new writers, get used to their styles, and you realize: man I am tired. I want a good old-fashioned romance story where the heros, while dark nad brooding, know their responsibilities and the heroins, while strong-willed and sometimes foolishly romantic, are gentle and loving. I don't know whether it is a trend in romance novels, but nowadays readers seem to love a hellcat or a heroin, warrior princess, a woman who fights like a wild cat and threatens to scratch your eyeballs out if she believes you threaten someone she loves. I just don't know what is so attractive about that? If I want female hyeteria, I have it aplenty from work.
It is at times like this, I turned to one of my old favorites. Amanda Quick is one of them.
I started reading this book today in one of those moments I described: after trying on a few different new writers for fit and getting so tired of all the "feminist toughness", I decided to go for my old flames. And I am sooooo comforted after reading it.
I am not sure whether I am making sense. This is not so much a review as a note of my cathartic reading experience this afternoon. If you have read Amanda Quick before and liked it, read it. You won't be sorry. This book is Amanda Quick at her best: a mystery, a man who needs tenderness and a woman who needs a firm chest. No fights over dominance or submission. But lots of negotiation, finding boundaries and coming to a concensus, which is, what relationships should be about. It is true that these Amanda Quick stories follow a formula. But this is a formula that works very well and Amanda Quick has the talent to write yet another tender story out of the same formula.
I hope my review was not too abstract. :D It is just.....I somehow feel that I met the old self reading this book. Remembering how I felt when I read Amanda Quick as a teenager and finding myself, still touched by the softness in her stories.
Sometimes you read a few pretty bad books, trying to get to know a few new writers, get used to their styles, and you realize: man I am tired. I want a good old-fashioned romance story where the heros, while dark nad brooding, know their responsibilities and the heroins, while strong-willed and sometimes foolishly romantic, are gentle and loving. I don't know whether it is a trend in romance novels, but nowadays readers seem to love a hellcat or a heroin, warrior princess, a woman who fights like a wild cat and threatens to scratch your eyeballs out if she believes you threaten someone she loves. I just don't know what is so attractive about that? If I want female hyeteria, I have it aplenty from work.
It is at times like this, I turned to one of my old favorites. Amanda Quick is one of them.
I started reading this book today in one of those moments I described: after trying on a few different new writers for fit and getting so tired of all the "feminist toughness", I decided to go for my old flames. And I am sooooo comforted after reading it.
I am not sure whether I am making sense. This is not so much a review as a note of my cathartic reading experience this afternoon. If you have read Amanda Quick before and liked it, read it. You won't be sorry. This book is Amanda Quick at her best: a mystery, a man who needs tenderness and a woman who needs a firm chest. No fights over dominance or submission. But lots of negotiation, finding boundaries and coming to a concensus, which is, what relationships should be about. It is true that these Amanda Quick stories follow a formula. But this is a formula that works very well and Amanda Quick has the talent to write yet another tender story out of the same formula.
I hope my review was not too abstract. :D It is just.....I somehow feel that I met the old self reading this book. Remembering how I felt when I read Amanda Quick as a teenager and finding myself, still touched by the softness in her stories.
December 28, 2021
2.5 stars
This was such a disappointment. There was literally NO PLOT in this book and the romance wasn't even good enough to make up for it. Clare needs a husband, so Gareth comes to marry her, even though he doesn't entirely fit her list for the "perfect man." Clare knows she needs to marry Gareth, but she wants him to know she's not ready to consummate their marriage. The two spend time together. Someone dies 200 page in. There's a little mystery that wasn't all that exciting. And that's literally it. I WAS SO BORED. I did like how Clare ran her own perfume business and maintained the Isle of Desire all on her own, but I need something to happen with the plot other than the characters just getting to know each other. This was just so disappointing and I was just bored out of my mind. I'm so sad because Ravished was one of my favorite historical romances of all time. This one just didn't do anything for me.
This was such a disappointment. There was literally NO PLOT in this book and the romance wasn't even good enough to make up for it. Clare needs a husband, so Gareth comes to marry her, even though he doesn't entirely fit her list for the "perfect man." Clare knows she needs to marry Gareth, but she wants him to know she's not ready to consummate their marriage. The two spend time together. Someone dies 200 page in. There's a little mystery that wasn't all that exciting. And that's literally it. I WAS SO BORED. I did like how Clare ran her own perfume business and maintained the Isle of Desire all on her own, but I need something to happen with the plot other than the characters just getting to know each other. This was just so disappointing and I was just bored out of my mind. I'm so sad because Ravished was one of my favorite historical romances of all time. This one just didn't do anything for me.
May 30, 2017
This was a really good medieval romance. I wonder why there are not that many of these out there anymore? When I was growing up I always saw a romance cover with a heroine (bosoms heaving) being clutched by a man with a sword with a castle in the background.
Ah well.
"Desire" has Lady Clare of the Isle of Desire being forced to wed after her father's death. Her guardian suggest that she marry Sir Gareth of Wyckmere or her closet neighbor, Sir Nicholas of Seaborn. Due to Lady Clare being abducted by Sir Nicholas a few months back and not caring for him, she feels like she's trapped between no good choices. But without realizing it, Lady Clare starts to develop feelings for Gareth and his knights that chose to ride alongside him.
I have to say that I was more in love with the hero in this one. Gareth has an interesting backstory (no spoilers) but we know that he is a bastard that was raised in his father's household. All he wants is a place to call his own and a wife and he starts to see Clare and the rest of the people there as his to protect.
Clare is kind of stupid. Yeah I said it. She has a hair trigger temper at times and sometimes does really dumb stuff that if this was a different kind of book would probably have caused Gareth to beat and or rape her (thank God that didn't happen).
The two of them make a lot of sense and I can see why they were so strong together. The love scenes were pretty hot too though.
With all of this going on we have a murder mystery to solve that could lead to Clare and Gareth's death as well.
The writing is clever and I have to say that I laughed at the horrible songs that Clare's minstrel was playing. The rhyming was just bad.
I thought the ending was abrupt though. We just go to Clare throwing down another gauntlet that Gareth doesn't call her out on (and honestly I would have) and then the book ends. Still give it five stars though.
Ah well.
"Desire" has Lady Clare of the Isle of Desire being forced to wed after her father's death. Her guardian suggest that she marry Sir Gareth of Wyckmere or her closet neighbor, Sir Nicholas of Seaborn. Due to Lady Clare being abducted by Sir Nicholas a few months back and not caring for him, she feels like she's trapped between no good choices. But without realizing it, Lady Clare starts to develop feelings for Gareth and his knights that chose to ride alongside him.
I have to say that I was more in love with the hero in this one. Gareth has an interesting backstory (no spoilers) but we know that he is a bastard that was raised in his father's household. All he wants is a place to call his own and a wife and he starts to see Clare and the rest of the people there as his to protect.
Clare is kind of stupid. Yeah I said it. She has a hair trigger temper at times and sometimes does really dumb stuff that if this was a different kind of book would probably have caused Gareth to beat and or rape her (thank God that didn't happen).
The two of them make a lot of sense and I can see why they were so strong together. The love scenes were pretty hot too though.
With all of this going on we have a murder mystery to solve that could lead to Clare and Gareth's death as well.
The writing is clever and I have to say that I laughed at the horrible songs that Clare's minstrel was playing. The rhyming was just bad.
I thought the ending was abrupt though. We just go to Clare throwing down another gauntlet that Gareth doesn't call her out on (and honestly I would have) and then the book ends. Still give it five stars though.
June 29, 2015
As an avid fan of the author, I was extremely tempted to giving this book 4 stars purely out of loyalty. But alas, I couldn't find it in my heart to overlook its flaws. Clare was simply too annoying for me, especially with all her "By Saint Hermione's (insert body part here)." GOD. When I reached half of the book, I've read so much about Saint Hermione's body parts that I simply wanted to bang my head on the wall.
Another thing was the pacing. Unlike her other novels (e.g. Ravished, Dangerous etc), Desire seemed to be too draggy. The only exciting part of the book happened near the end. There was no excitement, no thrill. Even the sexual tension between the characters seemed lacking. Gareth and Clare didn't really click for me; they didn't have chemistry at all. I wasn't too convinced by their attraction, nor was I swept away by their love. Them falling for each other seemed out of place, too, like they were forced to fall in love at the end.
I was really bored and disappointed with this novel, but Gareth kept me from quitting. I really loved him and I especially appreciated how understanding and patient he was with Clare (even during the times when she acted childish). Sigh. I could not help feel that he was a tad bit wasted on her.
Another thing was the pacing. Unlike her other novels (e.g. Ravished, Dangerous etc), Desire seemed to be too draggy. The only exciting part of the book happened near the end. There was no excitement, no thrill. Even the sexual tension between the characters seemed lacking. Gareth and Clare didn't really click for me; they didn't have chemistry at all. I wasn't too convinced by their attraction, nor was I swept away by their love. Them falling for each other seemed out of place, too, like they were forced to fall in love at the end.
I was really bored and disappointed with this novel, but Gareth kept me from quitting. I really loved him and I especially appreciated how understanding and patient he was with Clare (even during the times when she acted childish). Sigh. I could not help feel that he was a tad bit wasted on her.
July 20, 2018
"Desire" is the story of Lady Clare and Knight Gareth.
Basically, Lady Clare is the leader of her keep, and is in desperate need of a husband since her father's death. This is to protect herself from lecherous men, like their neighbor Lord Sebastian. She writes a missive to the Thurston of Landry, asking for his help to choose an ideal husband with certain qualities.
What the latter does instead is choose his bastard son and send him to Lady Clare!
Gareth is opposite of what Clare wants- but soon they engage in a battle of wills and are wed. What happens next is the story.
AAAGH.
Ive been having a terrible luck with books lately and after this one, I need to stay away from Quick books for a while because last few, including this have been below expectations. The blurb was very interesting and sounded like a Garwood book. But the content itself..
The heroine was obstinate, wishy washy and plain annoying. She was controlling and very naive *cough* stupid 90% of the time.
I commend the hero for putting up with her because he understanding and had loads of patience for her shenanigans...until it came to the hymen algorithm because that's where he was like a dog with a bone.
The second half of the book dealt with them as a married couple, a murder, loads of perfume making and flower sex, marital spats, magician drama and finally the much awaited end.
Did not enjoy or like this at all.
Safe
1/5
Basically, Lady Clare is the leader of her keep, and is in desperate need of a husband since her father's death. This is to protect herself from lecherous men, like their neighbor Lord Sebastian. She writes a missive to the Thurston of Landry, asking for his help to choose an ideal husband with certain qualities.
What the latter does instead is choose his bastard son and send him to Lady Clare!
Gareth is opposite of what Clare wants- but soon they engage in a battle of wills and are wed. What happens next is the story.
AAAGH.
Ive been having a terrible luck with books lately and after this one, I need to stay away from Quick books for a while because last few, including this have been below expectations. The blurb was very interesting and sounded like a Garwood book. But the content itself..
The heroine was obstinate, wishy washy and plain annoying. She was controlling and very naive *cough* stupid 90% of the time.
I commend the hero for putting up with her because he understanding and had loads of patience for her shenanigans...until it came to the hymen algorithm because that's where he was like a dog with a bone.
The second half of the book dealt with them as a married couple, a murder, loads of perfume making and flower sex, marital spats, magician drama and finally the much awaited end.
Did not enjoy or like this at all.
Safe
1/5
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
August 19, 2015DNF on page 74. DNF because this romance is dead to me. will not be resuscitated.
Cause of Death: Throwing against the wall. Blunt force trauma.
It feels like so many authors try to duplicate Scarlett/Rhett from Gone with the Wind but it is a miss for me. I think because they force it, and make the hero an asshole with no charming wit. Also it wasn't instalove/instalust between Scarlett and Rhett. Just my thoughts.
I mean when you wish the hero will either be poisoned or the heroine become a nun you know this book is a FAIL. I could finish this, but I'm in fuck it mode. Also where is Cersei when you need her.
Like I've been avoiding this one all day. I think I took my time scrubbing my stove today for that reason. Not a good sign.
I'm sad because I actually liked the heroine at first. *sighs*
Cause of Death: Throwing against the wall. Blunt force trauma.
It feels like so many authors try to duplicate Scarlett/Rhett from Gone with the Wind but it is a miss for me. I think because they force it, and make the hero an asshole with no charming wit. Also it wasn't instalove/instalust between Scarlett and Rhett. Just my thoughts.
I mean when you wish the hero will either be poisoned or the heroine become a nun you know this book is a FAIL. I could finish this, but I'm in fuck it mode. Also where is Cersei when you need her.
Like I've been avoiding this one all day. I think I took my time scrubbing my stove today for that reason. Not a good sign.
I'm sad because I actually liked the heroine at first. *sighs*
December 30, 2014
Lady Clare's father died and her guardian is Thurston of Landry. She knows she must marry and so requests a man with certain qualities. Instead she is sent Sir Gareth of Wyckmere also known as Hellhound of Wyckmere. Sir Gareth is the bastard son of Thurston of Landry and the opportunity to have his own land appeals to him. He isn't going to let a few paltry qualities keep him from it.
Fun and clever at times. I started reading this and realized I had already read it and for whatever reason my rating/review was not here. Anyway, I read it again and it was good. I will gladly recommend to Historical Romance lovers!
Fun and clever at times. I started reading this and realized I had already read it and for whatever reason my rating/review was not here. Anyway, I read it again and it was good. I will gladly recommend to Historical Romance lovers!
March 29, 2022
This one didn't work for me. It took me several months to pick it up again. I think the biggest problem that I have with the book would be the dialogues. The dialogues felt unnatural, at times too modern and never quite hitting the medieval notes. I think that is why Ms. Quick has only written 2 medievals thus far. I think she struggled to make it work. In terms of characters and plot - formulaic and standard for AQ books. This book is not her best, unfortunately.
March 20, 2019
Cu romanele Amandei Quick am făcut cunoștință pentru prima dată în anii �90, când m-a cucerit cu stilul său și cu rețeta sa proprie de a scrie historical-romance. De fapt, e corect să spun că a fost autoarea care m-a introdus în lectura acestui gen, unul dintre puținele subgenuri romance pe care le citesc (după cum știți, romance nu e chiar în fruntea preferințelor mele).
Care este deci această rețetă atât de satisfăcătoare a Amandei Quick? În primul rând, personajele. Ea aduce în prim plan acel gen de eroină pe care îți dorești să o găsești în cărți, de regulă o femeie atipică pentru epoca în care se desfășoară acțiunea, care nu se supune canoanelor frumuseții și nici convențiilor sociale. Eroinele sale sunt femei inteligente, care au deja un drum propriu, o activitate care le pasionează, păreri bine marcate și un nivel de independență în gândire. Ele nu așteaptă să fie salvate de feți-frumoși, sunt pasionale și chiar dacă s-au arătat naive la vârste fragede, sunt dispuse să se salveze singure și să meargă înainte.
Eroii masculini ai Amandei, pe de altă parte, sunt în general bărbați sobri, cu un trecut întunecat, cu puține înclinații spre romantism, care degajă un aer de pericol. În general bine pregătiți în ceea ce privește folosirea armelor, la rândul lor sunt oameni cu multiple preocupări, inclusiv dintre cele științifice. Întâlnirea lor cu eroinele generează adeseori situații savuroase, dialoguri spumoase și înfruntări ale voințelor, adevărate meciuri pe care și le dispută pe parcursul cărții.
Impresiile mele complete le gasiti aici:
Care este deci această rețetă atât de satisfăcătoare a Amandei Quick? În primul rând, personajele. Ea aduce în prim plan acel gen de eroină pe care îți dorești să o găsești în cărți, de regulă o femeie atipică pentru epoca în care se desfășoară acțiunea, care nu se supune canoanelor frumuseții și nici convențiilor sociale. Eroinele sale sunt femei inteligente, care au deja un drum propriu, o activitate care le pasionează, păreri bine marcate și un nivel de independență în gândire. Ele nu așteaptă să fie salvate de feți-frumoși, sunt pasionale și chiar dacă s-au arătat naive la vârste fragede, sunt dispuse să se salveze singure și să meargă înainte.
Eroii masculini ai Amandei, pe de altă parte, sunt în general bărbați sobri, cu un trecut întunecat, cu puține înclinații spre romantism, care degajă un aer de pericol. În general bine pregătiți în ceea ce privește folosirea armelor, la rândul lor sunt oameni cu multiple preocupări, inclusiv dintre cele științifice. Întâlnirea lor cu eroinele generează adeseori situații savuroase, dialoguri spumoase și înfruntări ale voințelor, adevărate meciuri pe care și le dispută pe parcursul cărții.
Impresiile mele complete le gasiti aici:
December 18, 2024
Entertaining medieval romance from 1993.
This story occurs in England sometime during the 1154-89 reign of Henry II, which was concurrent with the Holy Wars (1095-1291).
Clare is the 23-year-old Lady of the Isle of Desire, who is admired and loved by her people. She has never had any desire to marry. She was entirely unimpressed with the marriage of her parents and any other marriages she has observed for people of her station in society. She was trained by her highly intelligent and talented mother to create essential oils from the massive fields of herbs and flowers grown on Desire. From those oils she produces perfumes, soaps, sachets, healing ointments, and moisturizers, which are sold at fairs in London. Clare makes a great deal of money from this pursuit and, in fact, it is the only source of income on Desire. Her father was a scholar who spent his life in reading and tracking down books, which were handmade and quite rare in those days. He spoke and wrote Arabic and collected books from the Middle East that he translated into Latin. He was killed around a year ago on his last trip abroad to purchase more books. Clare's older brother was a knight, who spent his entire adult life participating in tournaments, both because he found it exciting and in hopes of winning prize money. He was killed a few months ago in one of those tournaments. As sole heir to a rich holding, Clare's father's liege, Lord Thurston, has informed her that she must marry. Since the tender age of 12, the year that her mother died, Clare has been entirely in charge of Desire in every way that matters, since neither her father nor brother had any interest in upholding their responsibilities as Lord of Desire. Clare has never wanted to marry because, as far as she is concerned, anyone she married would be as bad as her father and brother, contributing nothing while extracting enormous sums from Desire. But Clare is rational enough to accept the fact that her liege, Lord Thurston, has the power to order her to marry. However, as a means of wresting some control over her fate, she sends an assertive missive to him spelling out her preferences in a future mate.
In the prologue of this novel, Lord Thurston is informing his 31-year-old bastard son, Gareth, that he is offering him the fabulous boon of a wealthy, landowner heiress to wed. It has been Gareth's lifelong goal to become a landed knight. He is already financially secure, but money without land and position do not provide the security that he seeks. He obtained his wealth through many years as a mercenary, with a well-trained and highly honed team of loyal, fellow knights following him. He is known far and wide as the Hellhound of Wyckmere, because of the hellfire he rains down on outlaw, renegade knights. Shortly after informing Gareth of his good fortune, Lord Thurston shows Gareth Clare's letter, and the two of them have a hearty laugh at her temerity in daring to demand that her liege lord send her multiple potential husbands to choose from, who all meet her three preferences for a mate: He must be of average size--absolutely no huge men need apply. He must smile frequently and have a sense of humor. And he must be literate. Lord Thurston and Gareth agree that at least Clare will be getting one out of the three. Gareth is extremely well read.
This novel is one of the very few medieval romance novels written by Jayne Ann Krentz under her pseudonym, Amanda Quick. It is also one of her earliest historical romances. As such, it does not utilize the pattern that JAK later established for virtually all of her novels, that is, it is not a romantic suspense in which the FMC and MMC are equal partners in seeking out and bringing one or more murderers to justice, while acting as amateur sleuths throughout the novel. There definitely is a dangerous villain in this novel, but this villain does not lead to any action-adventure scenes until toward the very end of the novel.
One of my favorite parts of this novel is its terrific First Meet, which is simultaneously sexy and humorous. When Gareth and his troop of men-at-arms ride, without prior warning, into the only village on the Isle of Desire, Clare is sitting on the wall of the local convent, goggling at them side by side with a grubby urchin. She is almost as filthy as the little boy, because she had just been digging in the convent garden with the Mother Superior. Clare is unable to resist the temptation of clambering onto an undignified, prime observation point to view the most thrilling cavalcade anyone on Desire has ever seen. She assumes she will be anonymous and overlooked by Gareth because of her unprepossessing garb, but her ingrained air of command gives her away, and Gareth instantly recognizes her as the Lady of Desire. He sidles his enormous war horse right up to the convent wall and, in an instinctive moment of symbolic ceremony, extends to her the hilt of his sword. The moment that she gingerly accepts it, he pulls her in front of him on his horse and rides with her to her castle, while everyone in the village cheers.
I personally liked the fact that this is not a dark novel. It is light drama, with frequent instances of sprightly, battle-of-the-sexes humor, which contains more than a hint of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. Clare has a fiery temper, which has never been on display most of her life, since she has had free rein to run Desire any way she wanted, until Gareth shows up. In contrast, Gareth has his temper totally under control, which he considers an essential skill for the bastard of a noble lord who wishes to be anything in society other than a nonentity. As a result, the quarrels between the two of them are all instigated by Clare, and Gareth always comes off looking much more mature than her, since he never once loses his cool.
This is a slowburn romance, which is the case for virtually every romance that JAK has ever written. In addition, the sex scenes in this novel are actually far more romantic and exciting than most of the sex scenes that she has written in the later years of her career.
As someone who does not particularly enjoy medieval romances, I only gave this book a try because I am a big fan of JAK. I'm glad I did, because I was not disappointed. I really liked Gareth, a powerful knight who never abuses his power to harm others who are weaker than he. I also greatly enjoyed that he is a scholar who loves to read and study. This is my favorite type of MMC, what might be termed a Nerd Warrior or a Brawny Brainiac. I also found it fascinating that Clare is equally well read and is a highly skilled herbalist. Her close relationships with multiple, intelligent, supportive women was a highlight of this story for me as well.
All in all, I had a very good time with this novel. I own the audiobook version. The narrator is Anne Flosnik, who does a good job.
This story occurs in England sometime during the 1154-89 reign of Henry II, which was concurrent with the Holy Wars (1095-1291).
Clare is the 23-year-old Lady of the Isle of Desire, who is admired and loved by her people. She has never had any desire to marry. She was entirely unimpressed with the marriage of her parents and any other marriages she has observed for people of her station in society. She was trained by her highly intelligent and talented mother to create essential oils from the massive fields of herbs and flowers grown on Desire. From those oils she produces perfumes, soaps, sachets, healing ointments, and moisturizers, which are sold at fairs in London. Clare makes a great deal of money from this pursuit and, in fact, it is the only source of income on Desire. Her father was a scholar who spent his life in reading and tracking down books, which were handmade and quite rare in those days. He spoke and wrote Arabic and collected books from the Middle East that he translated into Latin. He was killed around a year ago on his last trip abroad to purchase more books. Clare's older brother was a knight, who spent his entire adult life participating in tournaments, both because he found it exciting and in hopes of winning prize money. He was killed a few months ago in one of those tournaments. As sole heir to a rich holding, Clare's father's liege, Lord Thurston, has informed her that she must marry. Since the tender age of 12, the year that her mother died, Clare has been entirely in charge of Desire in every way that matters, since neither her father nor brother had any interest in upholding their responsibilities as Lord of Desire. Clare has never wanted to marry because, as far as she is concerned, anyone she married would be as bad as her father and brother, contributing nothing while extracting enormous sums from Desire. But Clare is rational enough to accept the fact that her liege, Lord Thurston, has the power to order her to marry. However, as a means of wresting some control over her fate, she sends an assertive missive to him spelling out her preferences in a future mate.
In the prologue of this novel, Lord Thurston is informing his 31-year-old bastard son, Gareth, that he is offering him the fabulous boon of a wealthy, landowner heiress to wed. It has been Gareth's lifelong goal to become a landed knight. He is already financially secure, but money without land and position do not provide the security that he seeks. He obtained his wealth through many years as a mercenary, with a well-trained and highly honed team of loyal, fellow knights following him. He is known far and wide as the Hellhound of Wyckmere, because of the hellfire he rains down on outlaw, renegade knights. Shortly after informing Gareth of his good fortune, Lord Thurston shows Gareth Clare's letter, and the two of them have a hearty laugh at her temerity in daring to demand that her liege lord send her multiple potential husbands to choose from, who all meet her three preferences for a mate: He must be of average size--absolutely no huge men need apply. He must smile frequently and have a sense of humor. And he must be literate. Lord Thurston and Gareth agree that at least Clare will be getting one out of the three. Gareth is extremely well read.
This novel is one of the very few medieval romance novels written by Jayne Ann Krentz under her pseudonym, Amanda Quick. It is also one of her earliest historical romances. As such, it does not utilize the pattern that JAK later established for virtually all of her novels, that is, it is not a romantic suspense in which the FMC and MMC are equal partners in seeking out and bringing one or more murderers to justice, while acting as amateur sleuths throughout the novel. There definitely is a dangerous villain in this novel, but this villain does not lead to any action-adventure scenes until toward the very end of the novel.
One of my favorite parts of this novel is its terrific First Meet, which is simultaneously sexy and humorous. When Gareth and his troop of men-at-arms ride, without prior warning, into the only village on the Isle of Desire, Clare is sitting on the wall of the local convent, goggling at them side by side with a grubby urchin. She is almost as filthy as the little boy, because she had just been digging in the convent garden with the Mother Superior. Clare is unable to resist the temptation of clambering onto an undignified, prime observation point to view the most thrilling cavalcade anyone on Desire has ever seen. She assumes she will be anonymous and overlooked by Gareth because of her unprepossessing garb, but her ingrained air of command gives her away, and Gareth instantly recognizes her as the Lady of Desire. He sidles his enormous war horse right up to the convent wall and, in an instinctive moment of symbolic ceremony, extends to her the hilt of his sword. The moment that she gingerly accepts it, he pulls her in front of him on his horse and rides with her to her castle, while everyone in the village cheers.
I personally liked the fact that this is not a dark novel. It is light drama, with frequent instances of sprightly, battle-of-the-sexes humor, which contains more than a hint of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. Clare has a fiery temper, which has never been on display most of her life, since she has had free rein to run Desire any way she wanted, until Gareth shows up. In contrast, Gareth has his temper totally under control, which he considers an essential skill for the bastard of a noble lord who wishes to be anything in society other than a nonentity. As a result, the quarrels between the two of them are all instigated by Clare, and Gareth always comes off looking much more mature than her, since he never once loses his cool.
This is a slowburn romance, which is the case for virtually every romance that JAK has ever written. In addition, the sex scenes in this novel are actually far more romantic and exciting than most of the sex scenes that she has written in the later years of her career.
As someone who does not particularly enjoy medieval romances, I only gave this book a try because I am a big fan of JAK. I'm glad I did, because I was not disappointed. I really liked Gareth, a powerful knight who never abuses his power to harm others who are weaker than he. I also greatly enjoyed that he is a scholar who loves to read and study. This is my favorite type of MMC, what might be termed a Nerd Warrior or a Brawny Brainiac. I also found it fascinating that Clare is equally well read and is a highly skilled herbalist. Her close relationships with multiple, intelligent, supportive women was a highlight of this story for me as well.
All in all, I had a very good time with this novel. I own the audiobook version. The narrator is Anne Flosnik, who does a good job.
May 15, 2021
Having just completed one of Amanda Quick's two medieval romances, I decided to reread the other.
Clare's father was a knight under Lord Thurston and given the Isle of Desire. Her father dedicated himself to studying ancient texts and did not care for business. This, it was left to Clare to make a living for Desire and its inhabitants. She began cultivating fields of herbs and flowers, and developed perfumes and what we would call potpourri mixes. Some of the women made embroidered bags to place the potpourri. By the time Clare's father died, they had built up a very prosperous business.
Lord Thurston decided Clare needed a husband to protect his profits from Desire. Clare was of the opinion that men were undependable and violent and generally useless; this opinion was based on her experience with all the men who had been in her life. Her brother and then her father both got killed in the Crusades and Raymond de Coleville, the one knight she had a fondness for, had lied to her leading her to think he loved her and would marry her when he was already betrothed to another woman.
So Clare gets advice from the nuns in the local convent and from Abbess Helen with whom she had been corresponding, and develops her arguments as to why her marriage in unnecessary. Unfortunately, a local knight named Sir Nicholas, kidnaps her, which demonstrated her vulnerability. Sir Nicholas thought to force Clare to marry him, but she easily outwitted him, locking herself in a tower and making herself such a nuisance that he soon let her go. It was generally assumed that he had raped her, but Clare didn't give a fig for opinions.
So Lord Thurston sends his bastard son, Gareth, to marry Clare. Gareth is an enigma to Clare; he is big and intimidating and clearly skilled as a knight, but he prefers to using his wits above the sword. He trains with his men everyday, but he takes a close interest in the flowers and herbs, as well as the transporting and selling of their products. She begins to hope that he might be right for Desire and really having no other option, agrees to marry him.
As usual, the development of their relationship is interwoven into some mysteries on the isle. There is a murder of a nun, a melancholy minstrel, and a magician. Fun stuff. There is one particular scene that is really memorable: when Gareth consummates the marriage in a large wooden tub of dried flowers. When Gareth emerges from the drying shed, all his men snigger quietly or hide smiles, because Gareth is unaware he has flowers stuck to his tunic and in his hair.
Other than that, I feel this one drags a bit, and I know why I don't reread it much.
Clare's father was a knight under Lord Thurston and given the Isle of Desire. Her father dedicated himself to studying ancient texts and did not care for business. This, it was left to Clare to make a living for Desire and its inhabitants. She began cultivating fields of herbs and flowers, and developed perfumes and what we would call potpourri mixes. Some of the women made embroidered bags to place the potpourri. By the time Clare's father died, they had built up a very prosperous business.
Lord Thurston decided Clare needed a husband to protect his profits from Desire. Clare was of the opinion that men were undependable and violent and generally useless; this opinion was based on her experience with all the men who had been in her life. Her brother and then her father both got killed in the Crusades and Raymond de Coleville, the one knight she had a fondness for, had lied to her leading her to think he loved her and would marry her when he was already betrothed to another woman.
So Clare gets advice from the nuns in the local convent and from Abbess Helen with whom she had been corresponding, and develops her arguments as to why her marriage in unnecessary. Unfortunately, a local knight named Sir Nicholas, kidnaps her, which demonstrated her vulnerability. Sir Nicholas thought to force Clare to marry him, but she easily outwitted him, locking herself in a tower and making herself such a nuisance that he soon let her go. It was generally assumed that he had raped her, but Clare didn't give a fig for opinions.
So Lord Thurston sends his bastard son, Gareth, to marry Clare. Gareth is an enigma to Clare; he is big and intimidating and clearly skilled as a knight, but he prefers to using his wits above the sword. He trains with his men everyday, but he takes a close interest in the flowers and herbs, as well as the transporting and selling of their products. She begins to hope that he might be right for Desire and really having no other option, agrees to marry him.
As usual, the development of their relationship is interwoven into some mysteries on the isle. There is a murder of a nun, a melancholy minstrel, and a magician. Fun stuff. There is one particular scene that is really memorable: when Gareth consummates the marriage in a large wooden tub of dried flowers. When Gareth emerges from the drying shed, all his men snigger quietly or hide smiles, because Gareth is unaware he has flowers stuck to his tunic and in his hair.
Other than that, I feel this one drags a bit, and I know why I don't reread it much.
July 15, 2023
4/23/2009: My second favorite Jayne-Ann-Krentz-writing-as-Amanda-Quick book, I enjoy reading it most years. When I got up this morning to find it snowing on Easter in St. Louis, I grabbed Desire and spent the day cozily visiting with Clare and Sir Gareth. Note that both Desire and Mystique (my two favorites) are set in earlier times than the remaining Amanda Quicks. I'm not sure why I like these better. Usually I don't care for this period in history because it is so violent and there is no appreciation for life and for children, but this book is the exception.
7/5/2013: Both Clare and Sir Gareth approach their arranged marriage with the down-to-earth practicality of the times, but both want more than a business arrangement. As they work towards a healthy, loving relationship, they both must adjust. This is life in any era and I love the way JAK brings her characters to life and love and compromise without jeopardizing the courage of their convictions. Lovely book.
7/5/2013: Both Clare and Sir Gareth approach their arranged marriage with the down-to-earth practicality of the times, but both want more than a business arrangement. As they work towards a healthy, loving relationship, they both must adjust. This is life in any era and I love the way JAK brings her characters to life and love and compromise without jeopardizing the courage of their convictions. Lovely book.
February 9, 2020
My star rating:
Cover: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Pacing: 4.5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
World: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Art style: N/A
Enjoyment level: 4.5/5 stars
Cover: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Pacing: 4.5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
World: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Art style: N/A
Enjoyment level: 4.5/5 stars
March 10, 2024
I nominate Gareth for sainthood. I also nominate him for dunderheadhood, because his views on his absolute authority are positively medieval. Oh, wait, the time period is medieval so I guess that explains that.
But surely anyone willing to take on Clare qualifies for sainthood. Oh, she’s admirable in many ways: compassionate, talented, smart, capable of running an estate, a business, and a community. But she’s got a contrary nature, a hair-trigger temper, and a “my way or the highway� approach to everything she does. She and Gareth are the irresistible force and the immovable object and it’s pretty darned entertaining to watch them vie for the upper hand. I just wish my emotions had been a little more invested.
But surely anyone willing to take on Clare qualifies for sainthood. Oh, she’s admirable in many ways: compassionate, talented, smart, capable of running an estate, a business, and a community. But she’s got a contrary nature, a hair-trigger temper, and a “my way or the highway� approach to everything she does. She and Gareth are the irresistible force and the immovable object and it’s pretty darned entertaining to watch them vie for the upper hand. I just wish my emotions had been a little more invested.
March 20, 2018
I have a confession: I am predisposed to like heroes named Gareth. Ever since Julia Quinn's Gareth St. Clair, I have been enamored of the name and since then, other favorite authors have also done the name justice. Ergo, if a hero is named Gareth, I'm already smiling when I begin reading.
While this book had many problems, Gareth was not one of them. He was an even tempered knight, with a strong code of honor, a healthy sense of the absurd, and the largest well of patience I've ever encountered in a man. Since patience is a virtue, Gareth should be nominated for sainthood because oh my goodness, the heroine, Lady Clare, has to be one of the stupidest heroines ever. Some times it was laughable, many times it was so annoying. She stuck her nose in where it didn't belong, she made scenes in front of all her people that undermined her husband CONSTANTLY, and she had the common sense of a goat. Truly, I have no idea how the woman survived.
Gareth takes her weirdness all in stride and somehow manages it. The man has many qualities but keeping a cool head with Clare around is his greatest strength. I repeat, the man is a saint. Anyway, there was one benefit of Clare's stupidity. There is one scene with chicken blood (that's all I'm going to give you) that had me in stitches. I was on an airplane, people were looking at me, and I could not stop giggling. As usual, Clare does something horribly stupid and I'm reading along seeing the scene through Gareth's eyes and laughing along with him. This scene was pure comedic genius.
In addition to the romance, there is also a plot afoot. I had an idea of who the villain would be, but how Quick phrased everything within the context of the time period was cool. And Gareth...he had some great lines at the end. Everything of course, wraps up neatly, but Clare...oh man did she grate on me. At first, I found her amusing, but by the end, I just wanted to be done with her.
Nutshell: easy reading typical of Quick with a mystery, a cool alpha hero, fun stuff about perfumes and other dried flower processes, and a heroine that was the definition of TSTL. Read at your own risk and only if you can handle silly women...if you do try this, read the scene with the chicken blood in a place where people won't stare when you start laughing.
While this book had many problems, Gareth was not one of them. He was an even tempered knight, with a strong code of honor, a healthy sense of the absurd, and the largest well of patience I've ever encountered in a man. Since patience is a virtue, Gareth should be nominated for sainthood because oh my goodness, the heroine, Lady Clare, has to be one of the stupidest heroines ever. Some times it was laughable, many times it was so annoying. She stuck her nose in where it didn't belong, she made scenes in front of all her people that undermined her husband CONSTANTLY, and she had the common sense of a goat. Truly, I have no idea how the woman survived.
Gareth takes her weirdness all in stride and somehow manages it. The man has many qualities but keeping a cool head with Clare around is his greatest strength. I repeat, the man is a saint. Anyway, there was one benefit of Clare's stupidity. There is one scene with chicken blood (that's all I'm going to give you) that had me in stitches. I was on an airplane, people were looking at me, and I could not stop giggling. As usual, Clare does something horribly stupid and I'm reading along seeing the scene through Gareth's eyes and laughing along with him. This scene was pure comedic genius.
In addition to the romance, there is also a plot afoot. I had an idea of who the villain would be, but how Quick phrased everything within the context of the time period was cool. And Gareth...he had some great lines at the end. Everything of course, wraps up neatly, but Clare...oh man did she grate on me. At first, I found her amusing, but by the end, I just wanted to be done with her.
Nutshell: easy reading typical of Quick with a mystery, a cool alpha hero, fun stuff about perfumes and other dried flower processes, and a heroine that was the definition of TSTL. Read at your own risk and only if you can handle silly women...if you do try this, read the scene with the chicken blood in a place where people won't stare when you start laughing.
April 7, 2022
Siempre que me encuentro en un bloqueo lector, vuelvo a este libro porque sé que despertará todas las emociones que más amo como lectora. Es mi libro favorito de hace años, es mi lugar seguro y siempre vuelvo a él.
La trama es increíblemente preciosa y siempre me ha encantado por su sencillez. La historia es muy fácil de seguir y te atrapa desde un comienzo. A pesar de ser un libro que contiene la típica trama "enemies to lovers", nunca me deja de enamorar la relación que hay entre Gareth y Clare. Tomando en cuenta que está ambientada en la Edad Media, la descripción de la protagonista es muy fantástica; Clare es una mujer empoderada, independiente, con un tenue rechazo hacia el género masculino, trabajadora, disciplinada, inteligente y muy emocional; sus rasgos motivan a las lectoras femeninas, sin embargo, considerando la época en que esta historia sucede, se sabe perfectamente que esta personalidad no va a la par de las realidades femeninas medievales, pero aun así, no deja de encantarme, puesto que me vi seriamente identificada con Clare en todo el transcurso de la historia.
Gareth es simplemente el hombre soñado. A pesar de ser un hombre criado en una sociedad patriarcal y machista, y tener tenues actitudes que lo reflejan, Gareth es encantador y enamora por donde ande. La relación que tiene con Clare es casi de ensueño (digo casi, tomando en cuenta, tal y como dije, la época en que se encuentra ambientado el libro).
No tengo quejas respecto a este libro. Es básico, sencillo en todos los ámbitos, pero es exactamente eso lo que hace que encante. El toque de magia que corre por las páginas acelera el corazón, así como el amor descrito en cada párrafo. Me encantaría que este libro fuese más conocido, que más gente supiera de su existencia y pudiese disfrutar las casi 400 páginas que contiene; la primera vez que tuve la obra en mis manos lo leí en sólo una tarde, me atrapó tanto, que estuve horas y horas leyéndolo sin parar. Cuando lo terminé, me di cuenta que me había encontrado con un tesoro personal. Quizás la vida me dice que este libro no es famoso porque es sólo para mí.
Siempre lo recomendaré. Como libro favorito, siempre vuelvo a leerlo y jamás me aburro. Hace un par de días terminé de leerlo nuevamente y volvería a hacerlo cada vez que pueda. Simplemente encantador.
La trama es increíblemente preciosa y siempre me ha encantado por su sencillez. La historia es muy fácil de seguir y te atrapa desde un comienzo. A pesar de ser un libro que contiene la típica trama "enemies to lovers", nunca me deja de enamorar la relación que hay entre Gareth y Clare. Tomando en cuenta que está ambientada en la Edad Media, la descripción de la protagonista es muy fantástica; Clare es una mujer empoderada, independiente, con un tenue rechazo hacia el género masculino, trabajadora, disciplinada, inteligente y muy emocional; sus rasgos motivan a las lectoras femeninas, sin embargo, considerando la época en que esta historia sucede, se sabe perfectamente que esta personalidad no va a la par de las realidades femeninas medievales, pero aun así, no deja de encantarme, puesto que me vi seriamente identificada con Clare en todo el transcurso de la historia.
Gareth es simplemente el hombre soñado. A pesar de ser un hombre criado en una sociedad patriarcal y machista, y tener tenues actitudes que lo reflejan, Gareth es encantador y enamora por donde ande. La relación que tiene con Clare es casi de ensueño (digo casi, tomando en cuenta, tal y como dije, la época en que se encuentra ambientado el libro).
No tengo quejas respecto a este libro. Es básico, sencillo en todos los ámbitos, pero es exactamente eso lo que hace que encante. El toque de magia que corre por las páginas acelera el corazón, así como el amor descrito en cada párrafo. Me encantaría que este libro fuese más conocido, que más gente supiera de su existencia y pudiese disfrutar las casi 400 páginas que contiene; la primera vez que tuve la obra en mis manos lo leí en sólo una tarde, me atrapó tanto, que estuve horas y horas leyéndolo sin parar. Cuando lo terminé, me di cuenta que me había encontrado con un tesoro personal. Quizás la vida me dice que este libro no es famoso porque es sólo para mí.
Siempre lo recomendaré. Como libro favorito, siempre vuelvo a leerlo y jamás me aburro. Hace un par de días terminé de leerlo nuevamente y volvería a hacerlo cada vez que pueda. Simplemente encantador.
June 21, 2018
Clare, lady of the Isle of Desire, has no other choice but wed. What little choice she does have, will be spent on choosing the right husband, following a specific "recipe". All she needs are suitable candidates; they must not be big, they must be kind and have a pleasant disposition, and they must read.
Her liege lord sends her only two possible candidates. Sir Nicholas is out of the question, since he's an idiot, while Sir Gareth, the knight they call the Hellhound of Wyckmere, will not do either. He's huge, too serious and appears emotionless...But at least he can read.
I like ; the pageantry, the hulking knights on huge warhorses, the swords, the damsels in their girdles and wimples...This one only had the hulking knight on a huge warhorse and his sword.
I liked Gareth. He was the incarnation of a still water running deep. He was honorable, protective, smart and cunning...And unfortunately saddled with an idiot for heroine.
I couldn't stand Clare. For someone who prided herself on her intelligence, she sure could act stupid and shrewish. I'm sure she was supposed to be a feminist, but her "smart, strong willed" tantrums landed her in the entitled and opinionated bitch territory. She was impulsive, she never thought before she spoke, and her stereotypical view of knights (even the one who has sworn to protect her), coupled with her idiotic fantasy of the "dream man" got old really fast.
The resulting romance between the poor guy and the somewhat TSTL shrew made me wince, the "suspense" was predictable (you could see the villain and his "accomplice" from a mile away) and too short-lived...The majority of the story was spent on the two protagonists getting to know each other and Clare being Clare. With a different heroine, it might've been entertaining; with this one, it was just painful.
Her liege lord sends her only two possible candidates. Sir Nicholas is out of the question, since he's an idiot, while Sir Gareth, the knight they call the Hellhound of Wyckmere, will not do either. He's huge, too serious and appears emotionless...But at least he can read.
I like ; the pageantry, the hulking knights on huge warhorses, the swords, the damsels in their girdles and wimples...This one only had the hulking knight on a huge warhorse and his sword.
I liked Gareth. He was the incarnation of a still water running deep. He was honorable, protective, smart and cunning...And unfortunately saddled with an idiot for heroine.
I couldn't stand Clare. For someone who prided herself on her intelligence, she sure could act stupid and shrewish. I'm sure she was supposed to be a feminist, but her "smart, strong willed" tantrums landed her in the entitled and opinionated bitch territory. She was impulsive, she never thought before she spoke, and her stereotypical view of knights (even the one who has sworn to protect her), coupled with her idiotic fantasy of the "dream man" got old really fast.
The resulting romance between the poor guy and the somewhat TSTL shrew made me wince, the "suspense" was predictable (you could see the villain and his "accomplice" from a mile away) and too short-lived...The majority of the story was spent on the two protagonists getting to know each other and Clare being Clare. With a different heroine, it might've been entertaining; with this one, it was just painful.
February 4, 2010
This is my favorite novel written by Amanda Quick. Clare, the heroine, creates perfume. She marries Gareth, the Hellhound of Wyckmere, and the two get caught up in an evil plot to steal an alchemist's book. One aspect that brings this tale to life is the setting, the isle of desire. It's a beautiful place and the descriptions leave me wondering if Clare and Gareth live in the garden of Eden. My favorite part of the book, though, is Clare's strong, independent nature. Quick is able to create a heroine any woman can admire in a time period where women were valued for the number of male heirs they bore. Watching both Clare and Gareth develop as a couple is a truly magical experience.
May 29, 2020
I didn't realize this was more medieval rather than regency. All the other Quick's I'd read with this similar cover design were from regency England (think Pride and Prejudice era), so I was surprised by all the knights and "my ladies" in this one. It isn't my favorite historical romance time period, and this one did nothing to change my mind. I didn't hate it, and there were a few funny moments. The heroine, Clare, annoyed me so much, and while I liked the hero, Gareth, better, it wasn't enough to push it past "OK". If knights and crusades are more your thing, you'll like this one better than me.
July 11, 2021
3 stars. This book was actually better than what I was expecting� right up until the ending, which was pretty stupid. I just didn’t at all like the way that the story was wrapped up, and if not for that, this would have been a four star read. The book, maybe partly because of the narration, reminded me a lot of Julie Garwood’s stories.
Safe; heroine virgin but hero thinks she isn’t and it bothers him quite a bit…which is totally bs if you ask me.
Safe; heroine virgin but hero thinks she isn’t and it bothers him quite a bit…which is totally bs if you ask me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2018
#86 for 2018
Genre: Historical Romance
Genre: Historical Romance
January 27, 2021
сър Гарет от Уикмир и Лейди Клеър от Дизайър
Гарет е могъщ рицар познат под прозвището Адската Хрътка на Уикмир. Само споменаването на името му е достатъчно, че да изплаши вражеската армия. Незаконен син на един от най-влиятелните лордове, той винаги се е старал да превъзмогне факта, че е незаконно роден, и страстно следва заповедите на своя баща, искайки да му се докаже и превръщайки се в негова дясна ръка. Въпреки страховитата си слава, Гарет копнее отчаяно да има дом, който да нарече свой и жена с която да изгради семейство, затова в денят в който баща му го призовава, заявявайки му, че той и още един от васалите му, ще бъдат представени като потенциални младоженци, на наследница на цяло островно имение, Гарет се заклева, че ще направи всичко, за да бъде избран от младата дама. Дори е убеден в успеха си. Младата дама търси в бъдещия си съпруг само 3 неща. Да бъде по-среден на ръст, дори дребен, да е с весел и хрисим характер и да може да чете... е Гарет покрива само едно от изискванията й, но и това е нещо, нали? Той може да чете...
Лейди Клеър, е единствената господарка на малкият остров Дизайър, след смъртта на брат й и баща й. Дизайър е една огромна цветна градина, където се произвеждат етерични масла и парфюми снабдяващи половин Англия. Клеър няма никакво намерение да се омъжва, но след като бива отвлечена от лорда на съседно владение, и държана в плен, няколко дни, Клеър знае, че е време да предприеме тази решаваща стъпка, за да защити себе си, хората си и земите си. Тя пише на своя суверен изпращайки му точен списък на това, което търси в бъдещия си съпруг, и с не особено голямо вълнение очаква в дома й да започнат да прииждат потенциални кандидати за ръката й. Когато обаче на прага й се появява огромен рицар, повел сякаш цяла армия със себе си, Клеър осъзнава, че май исканията й не са взети напълно на сериозно. Положението става още по-зле, когато научава, че ще може да избира само между два рицаря, грамадният непознат, който е наричан Адската Хрътка на Уикмир и господаря на съседното владение, който преди седмици я е държал в плен. Повече от очевидно е, че не й е оставен голям избор, но макар да е принудена да встъпи в брак, тя е решена да не отстъпва за нищо пред новия си съпруг, дори и целувките му да разтопяват сърцето й.
Ами нещо не успя да ме грабне. Не че беше лоша книгата, дори напротив, имаше доста забавни моменти, и доста романтични, и все пак нещо не ми достигаше. Обикновено героините на Аманда са забавни и шантави, и винаги връзката между героя и героинята е била специална. Двамата срещу целият свят. Тук героинята ни беше упорита като магаре, но не по онзи очарователен и сладък начин, ами по един доста дразнещ и неприятен начин. Клеър беше постоянна опозиция на Гарет. Дразнеше ме как непрестанно му заявяваше, че няма думата в нейния дом с нейните хора, въпреки, че бяха съпрузи и дома и хората бяха и негови. Той от своя страна беше толкова интересен герой. Всяка сцена с него беше чудесна. Той бе силен, харизматичен и оправен. Хареса ми това, че копнееше за дом и семейство и когато му се отдаде случаи да го има бе готов да се бори с всичко и всички. Жалко, че му се падна шмръдла за съпруга. Някоя по-грижовна и добра героиня щеше да е много по-подходяща за него.
Гарет е могъщ рицар познат под прозвището Адската Хрътка на Уикмир. Само споменаването на името му е достатъчно, че да изплаши вражеската армия. Незаконен син на един от най-влиятелните лордове, той винаги се е старал да превъзмогне факта, че е незаконно роден, и страстно следва заповедите на своя баща, искайки да му се докаже и превръщайки се в негова дясна ръка. Въпреки страховитата си слава, Гарет копнее отчаяно да има дом, който да нарече свой и жена с която да изгради семейство, затова в денят в който баща му го призовава, заявявайки му, че той и още един от васалите му, ще бъдат представени като потенциални младоженци, на наследница на цяло островно имение, Гарет се заклева, че ще направи всичко, за да бъде избран от младата дама. Дори е убеден в успеха си. Младата дама търси в бъдещия си съпруг само 3 неща. Да бъде по-среден на ръст, дори дребен, да е с весел и хрисим характер и да може да чете... е Гарет покрива само едно от изискванията й, но и това е нещо, нали? Той може да чете...
Лейди Клеър, е единствената господарка на малкият остров Дизайър, след смъртта на брат й и баща й. Дизайър е една огромна цветна градина, където се произвеждат етерични масла и парфюми снабдяващи половин Англия. Клеър няма никакво намерение да се омъжва, но след като бива отвлечена от лорда на съседно владение, и държана в плен, няколко дни, Клеър знае, че е време да предприеме тази решаваща стъпка, за да защити себе си, хората си и земите си. Тя пише на своя суверен изпращайки му точен списък на това, което търси в бъдещия си съпруг, и с не особено голямо вълнение очаква в дома й да започнат да прииждат потенциални кандидати за ръката й. Когато обаче на прага й се появява огромен рицар, повел сякаш цяла армия със себе си, Клеър осъзнава, че май исканията й не са взети напълно на сериозно. Положението става още по-зле, когато научава, че ще може да избира само между два рицаря, грамадният непознат, който е наричан Адската Хрътка на Уикмир и господаря на съседното владение, който преди седмици я е държал в плен. Повече от очевидно е, че не й е оставен голям избор, но макар да е принудена да встъпи в брак, тя е решена да не отстъпва за нищо пред новия си съпруг, дори и целувките му да разтопяват сърцето й.
Ами нещо не успя да ме грабне. Не че беше лоша книгата, дори напротив, имаше доста забавни моменти, и доста романтични, и все пак нещо не ми достигаше. Обикновено героините на Аманда са забавни и шантави, и винаги връзката между героя и героинята е била специална. Двамата срещу целият свят. Тук героинята ни беше упорита като магаре, но не по онзи очарователен и сладък начин, ами по един доста дразнещ и неприятен начин. Клеър беше постоянна опозиция на Гарет. Дразнеше ме как непрестанно му заявяваше, че няма думата в нейния дом с нейните хора, въпреки, че бяха съпрузи и дома и хората бяха и негови. Той от своя страна беше толкова интересен герой. Всяка сцена с него беше чудесна. Той бе силен, харизматичен и оправен. Хареса ми това, че копнееше за дом и семейство и когато му се отдаде случаи да го има бе готов да се бори с всичко и всички. Жалко, че му се падна шмръдла за съпруга. Някоя по-грижовна и добра героиня щеше да е много по-подходяща за него.
July 29, 2014
Summary
The back of the book pretty much covers it. After the death of her father and an attempted kidnapping by a neighbor attempting to force marriage, Clare decides to surrender to the inevitable and write her guardian (at least I think that's who Thurston was supposed to be to her - he had some sort of control over her island even though it was largely considered to be hers and I'm not familiar enough with medieval hierarchies to remember) that she is ready to take a husband. Her guardian complies, only he does not send a man who fits her requested description, but his illegitimate son, Gareth.
Thoughts
This is pretty similar to a lot of her books. The heroine is headstrong and a bit flightier than the hero, who does his best to keep up with her in their various games of one upmanship. The courtship is fun and sweet with moments of angst, as per usual, and the villain is fairly obvious early on. Even though she definitely had her own way of doing things, Clare was a bit different than some of the other heroines I've read in that she isn't quite so willing to throw herself into danger as many of them are. Gareth, while possessing the crazy-smart intellect so many of Quick's heroes have, is more of a warrior than some of her others (not that they aren't tough in their respective books, just that they have tendencies to be more scholarly in their daily lives).
I think I've been binging on Amanda Quick books lately and I'm starting to notice the similarities. They're just so much fun though! I love how her heroines actually win as many battles with her heroes as they lose (as opposed to many historical romance heroines who, either lose every verbal skirmish with the heroes or win every verbal battle and then are seduced into submission). I love that her heroes tend to be the more staid, stick-up-the-arse types that have to balance out her herones' wilder tendencies (as opposed to the other way around, which, while it can be fun, can also get old after a while). So while this book isn't much of a departure (and indeed, the more I read of this particular nom de plume, the more I think Amanda Quick's stuff is largely the same) from her other stuff, it does have a few more differences than what I've been seeing. Still, after reading the same ones, I think I'm getting less inclined to give high stars even though I probably love this one just as much as the first AQ I read.
Basically, the gist is, don't let the three stars throw you off. I still loved this one. I just have read it before. AQ is becoming one of my go-to authors for a good read, but I'll probably need to take her off my reading list for a while so I don't wear her out.
The back of the book pretty much covers it. After the death of her father and an attempted kidnapping by a neighbor attempting to force marriage, Clare decides to surrender to the inevitable and write her guardian (at least I think that's who Thurston was supposed to be to her - he had some sort of control over her island even though it was largely considered to be hers and I'm not familiar enough with medieval hierarchies to remember) that she is ready to take a husband. Her guardian complies, only he does not send a man who fits her requested description, but his illegitimate son, Gareth.
Thoughts
This is pretty similar to a lot of her books. The heroine is headstrong and a bit flightier than the hero, who does his best to keep up with her in their various games of one upmanship. The courtship is fun and sweet with moments of angst, as per usual, and the villain is fairly obvious early on. Even though she definitely had her own way of doing things, Clare was a bit different than some of the other heroines I've read in that she isn't quite so willing to throw herself into danger as many of them are. Gareth, while possessing the crazy-smart intellect so many of Quick's heroes have, is more of a warrior than some of her others (not that they aren't tough in their respective books, just that they have tendencies to be more scholarly in their daily lives).
I think I've been binging on Amanda Quick books lately and I'm starting to notice the similarities. They're just so much fun though! I love how her heroines actually win as many battles with her heroes as they lose (as opposed to many historical romance heroines who, either lose every verbal skirmish with the heroes or win every verbal battle and then are seduced into submission). I love that her heroes tend to be the more staid, stick-up-the-arse types that have to balance out her herones' wilder tendencies (as opposed to the other way around, which, while it can be fun, can also get old after a while). So while this book isn't much of a departure (and indeed, the more I read of this particular nom de plume, the more I think Amanda Quick's stuff is largely the same) from her other stuff, it does have a few more differences than what I've been seeing. Still, after reading the same ones, I think I'm getting less inclined to give high stars even though I probably love this one just as much as the first AQ I read.
Basically, the gist is, don't let the three stars throw you off. I still loved this one. I just have read it before. AQ is becoming one of my go-to authors for a good read, but I'll probably need to take her off my reading list for a while so I don't wear her out.
December 28, 2015
My mom bought me this one for Christmas and I'm very excited to read it because it's not my usual genre.
--------------------------------------------
There were so many things that bothered me, but I'll start with the one I found most important. There was little plot in this, all the 'real' action happened near the end of the novel and it all seemed rather rushed and all over the place. The author spent more than a half of the book with the arguments between the two characters. There were some wtf moments in the book, like Clare's entire court 'throwing' bottles with chicken blood at her, so she could fake her virginity even though she claimed all the time that she was still a virgin. I don't know, it felt ...weird. Because while Clare might have been friends with her people, they were still under her command and I find it irrealistically that they'd dare to do such things in that period. The sexy times were very cheesy, comparing the genitalia with flowers and such things always makes me roll my eyes.
There were some parts that were funny and I liked reading an historical novel, but romance books + me isn't the greatest combination ever.
--------------------------------------------
There were so many things that bothered me, but I'll start with the one I found most important. There was little plot in this, all the 'real' action happened near the end of the novel and it all seemed rather rushed and all over the place. The author spent more than a half of the book with the arguments between the two characters. There were some wtf moments in the book, like Clare's entire court 'throwing' bottles with chicken blood at her, so she could fake her virginity even though she claimed all the time that she was still a virgin. I don't know, it felt ...weird. Because while Clare might have been friends with her people, they were still under her command and I find it irrealistically that they'd dare to do such things in that period. The sexy times were very cheesy, comparing the genitalia with flowers and such things always makes me roll my eyes.
There were some parts that were funny and I liked reading an historical novel, but romance books + me isn't the greatest combination ever.
February 21, 2018
That was a fun, light and fairly low-angst medieval romance by a new-to-me author. The ending was kinda abrupt and I wish there was an epilogue. However, the book was still enjoyable. Will definitely read more books from this author.
August 30, 2018
Le a kalappal a fordító előtt. Imádtam a régies nyelvezetet. :)
September 19, 2019
Re-read this and omg the lady is annoying! Like she totally does not deserve the H. I could not finish the book in this re-read..
June 4, 2023
Written 20 years ago, this historical romance shows its age. It is set in a vaguely medieval world, and the general attitude towards women is dismissive, even faintly contemptuous. The concept of sexual consent seems unknown to everyone, male and female alike. True, in a historical sense, but unpleasant to read about (I'm a woman, of course).
The hero might be better than most in that regard, but not by much. He is a knight: strong, just, respected and feared by other men, and as thick-skinned as his life of constant combat could make him. I liked the heroine more, even though her unruly temper and silly tongue plunge her into troubles again and again.
Their romantic line is slow and tepid, and the characters themselves are rather sketchy. Besides, the plot is not as well defined as in many later books by this author. So my overall impression was lukewarm. This book is definitely not the best by Amanda Quick, but it's not too bad. I even enjoyed reading it ... a little bit.
Note: it is a reread, but I read it first so long ago, I wasn't writing book reviews then.
The hero might be better than most in that regard, but not by much. He is a knight: strong, just, respected and feared by other men, and as thick-skinned as his life of constant combat could make him. I liked the heroine more, even though her unruly temper and silly tongue plunge her into troubles again and again.
Their romantic line is slow and tepid, and the characters themselves are rather sketchy. Besides, the plot is not as well defined as in many later books by this author. So my overall impression was lukewarm. This book is definitely not the best by Amanda Quick, but it's not too bad. I even enjoyed reading it ... a little bit.
Note: it is a reread, but I read it first so long ago, I wasn't writing book reviews then.
November 28, 2023
i don’t know if i’ve read another medieval HR but i greatly enjoyed this one! i think gareth could have been more loving but i loved how competent and unannoying clare was. also this book was funny - the chicken blood and saint hermione’s features
May 31, 2022
Another delight! I love these Big Serious Medieval Knights who just melt for their wife.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 323 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.