I didn't even have to think about today's book, it is Hearts Aflame by Johanna Lindsey. It's a medieval historical with Vikings and one of the first romances I bought. I have to admit, I was drawn to this book at first because of the cover. It was also this book that got me hooked on Johanna Lindsey. This book was written before the popularity of the female warrior in historicals. Kristen Hardraad, the heroine, is a strong woman taught to fight and use weapons by her mother. But she is also still womanly, and enjoys her feminine side. I find now that the heroine in historicals are too modern in their thinking and their actions. They can do it all and want nothing to do with or listen to the hero. Sometimes to the point of being TSTL. I'm not asking for a heroine who is timid and lacks the ability to think for herself. Instead, I want a heroine who is smart and strong while still being true to her time. Kristen, in my opinion fits that description. Oh, and Royce of Wyndham is hot! If the Viking era is one of your favourites (it's one of mine) check out the Hardraad series. It actually starts with Kristen's parent in The Fires of Winter and continues with Surrender My Love. I am still waiting for more books from this family.
Showing posts with label medieval romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label medieval romance. Show all posts
Saturday, May 14, 2011
30 Days of Books - Day 14
Favorite Book Of Your Favorite Writer
I didn't even have to think about today's book, it is Hearts Aflame by Johanna Lindsey. It's a medieval historical with Vikings and one of the first romances I bought. I have to admit, I was drawn to this book at first because of the cover. It was also this book that got me hooked on Johanna Lindsey. This book was written before the popularity of the female warrior in historicals. Kristen Hardraad, the heroine, is a strong woman taught to fight and use weapons by her mother. But she is also still womanly, and enjoys her feminine side. I find now that the heroine in historicals are too modern in their thinking and their actions. They can do it all and want nothing to do with or listen to the hero. Sometimes to the point of being TSTL. I'm not asking for a heroine who is timid and lacks the ability to think for herself. Instead, I want a heroine who is smart and strong while still being true to her time. Kristen, in my opinion fits that description. Oh, and Royce of Wyndham is hot! If the Viking era is one of your favourites (it's one of mine) check out the Hardraad series. It actually starts with Kristen's parent in The Fires of Winter and continues with Surrender My Love. I am still waiting for more books from this family.
I didn't even have to think about today's book, it is Hearts Aflame by Johanna Lindsey. It's a medieval historical with Vikings and one of the first romances I bought. I have to admit, I was drawn to this book at first because of the cover. It was also this book that got me hooked on Johanna Lindsey. This book was written before the popularity of the female warrior in historicals. Kristen Hardraad, the heroine, is a strong woman taught to fight and use weapons by her mother. But she is also still womanly, and enjoys her feminine side. I find now that the heroine in historicals are too modern in their thinking and their actions. They can do it all and want nothing to do with or listen to the hero. Sometimes to the point of being TSTL. I'm not asking for a heroine who is timid and lacks the ability to think for herself. Instead, I want a heroine who is smart and strong while still being true to her time. Kristen, in my opinion fits that description. Oh, and Royce of Wyndham is hot! If the Viking era is one of your favourites (it's one of mine) check out the Hardraad series. It actually starts with Kristen's parent in The Fires of Winter and continues with Surrender My Love. I am still waiting for more books from this family.
Friday, May 13, 2011
30 Days of Books - Day 16
Favourite Female Character
I know since my favourite male character was Jamie Fraser that it seems obvious that today's character would be Claire Fraser, but it's not. Don't get me wrong, she is one of my favourite, but there are times when I find her a little too harsh, curt, and a bit of a know-it-all. So for my favourite female character I have chosen Kristen Hardraad from Hearts Aflame. She is a strong woman who knows what she wants and takes the steps to get it. Kristen is knowledgeable in weaponry, is willing to fight dirty but at the same time can be vulnerable and willing to show her feminine side.
I know since my favourite male character was Jamie Fraser that it seems obvious that today's character would be Claire Fraser, but it's not. Don't get me wrong, she is one of my favourite, but there are times when I find her a little too harsh, curt, and a bit of a know-it-all. So for my favourite female character I have chosen Kristen Hardraad from Hearts Aflame. She is a strong woman who knows what she wants and takes the steps to get it. Kristen is knowledgeable in weaponry, is willing to fight dirty but at the same time can be vulnerable and willing to show her feminine side. Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Review - His Enemy's Daughter by Terri Brisbin
Left physically and emotionally scarred from battle, Soren Fitzrobert seeks revenge against his enemy by claiming his holdings. Left blinded by the invasion, Lady Sybilla is forced to marry the scarred invader. His Enemy's Daughter follows the story of Soren and Sybilla as they fight their attraction to one another and deal with their emotional and physical wounds.
I was left disappointed by this novel. It had all the makings of a great story but just fell flat. Sybilla was a flat one-dimensional character for me. Everyone loved her and she could do no wrong. At one point, a crowd gathers to see her triumph over walking down the stairs blind. When everyone broke into cheers, I rolled my eyes at the saccharine sweetness of it all. I found Soren to be very superficial and vain. His main reason for marrying Sybilla was because she could not see his scars. The scars were another distractor for me, the way that they were described, I found it hard to believe that Soren would have survived in that time. Soren's transformation from hating Sybilla and using her for revenge to caring for her was also too quick and not really shown in the writing. Telling rather than showing is the downfall of this book. It's been a couple of days since I read this book, but most of the details are vague because the story did not interest me and I ended up skimming through most of the book. Terri Brisbin has written better in the past, so hopefully the next book will be better.
I was left disappointed by this novel. It had all the makings of a great story but just fell flat. Sybilla was a flat one-dimensional character for me. Everyone loved her and she could do no wrong. At one point, a crowd gathers to see her triumph over walking down the stairs blind. When everyone broke into cheers, I rolled my eyes at the saccharine sweetness of it all. I found Soren to be very superficial and vain. His main reason for marrying Sybilla was because she could not see his scars. The scars were another distractor for me, the way that they were described, I found it hard to believe that Soren would have survived in that time. Soren's transformation from hating Sybilla and using her for revenge to caring for her was also too quick and not really shown in the writing. Telling rather than showing is the downfall of this book. It's been a couple of days since I read this book, but most of the details are vague because the story did not interest me and I ended up skimming through most of the book. Terri Brisbin has written better in the past, so hopefully the next book will be better.Monday, February 7, 2011
His Enemy's Daughter
I cannot wait for this book to come out!
Medieval storyline? Check
Tortured and scarred hero? Check
Story of revenge? Check
Forced marriage? Check
A temporarily blinded Sybilla is forced to marry Soren Fitzrobert, who plans on using his enemy's daughter for revenge only. The latest Harlequin Historical from Terri Brisbin will be released in March, 2011.
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