Lionheart [Mass Market Paperback]

I haven't read too many books by Connie Mason even though she seems to have a lot of titles out, but I did read this one though, and it wasn't a very good experience. First of all, I thought that the 2 main characters, Lionheart and Vanora, had no TRUE personalities. One minute they're extremely angry at each other...the next, they have their clothing off and have seemed to have forgotten the fact that they're enemies. Secondly, the story itself was kind of unbelievable. The fact that Lionheart had absolutely no suspicions whatsoever about who the white knight is, just makes me believe that he's totally ignorant! Even if he hadn't suspected Vanora because she's a woman, he probably should have at least suspected one of her men. Another thing, If he was that desperate about capturing this knight, he would have tried harder in getting the info out of Cragdon's inhabitants since they obviously would know something about this mysterious person. Throughout the whole book, I was never really pulled into the story itself. It just felt like the book didn't really have a main point at all. The only one I could come up with after reading it was: two people from different sides in a war were madly lusting each other. Without more than a few minutes of thinking, he agrees to marry her just because he couldn't control his animal urges?! That's a little 2 unbelieveable to me. I didn't find this book romantic at all...just full of sex scenes. It was so difficult for me to finish this book. I'm not sure if I'm going to pick up another Connie Mason book any time soon. If I were to recommand a book, I would say read "Lord of the Dragon" by Suzanne Robinson. That one has it all, including witty believable characters and a great love story full of romance.

Lionheart had been ordered by Prince Edward to take Cragdon Castle. That siege was where he first met the White Knight. However, once the castle had been claimed, the White Knight was nowhere to be found. Instead there was the lady of the keep, Vanora. The earlier battle had allowed cover for the escape of Daffid of Deverell and the White Knight. Lionheart soon had a vendetta against the elusive White Knight. In the meantime, Lionheart found himself obsessed with Vanora. His honor refused to allow him to simply claim her as the spoils of war. She was loyal to Wales and Llewelyn. He was loyal to England and Prince Edward. To have her, he would have to marry her.

Lord Rhys of Cragdon, Vanora's father, had died the Winter before. His warriors were now loyal to Vanora. But they were no match for Lionheart's forces. Through cunning, she helped her warriors escape, enraging Lionheart no end. Yet as she fought him, she could not stop herself from wanting him. To have him, though, would be a form of betrayal.

**** A steamy romance, wrought with betrayal, that will ensnare readers quickly. There are times the book seemed to slow down where romance is concerned. However, it overflows with battles and is historically accurate. It is immediately apparent that Vanora is the White Knight. No reader could NOT catch on to that fact before the castle is even captured. Yet the author kept the battle scenes of the White Knight realistic by making the allusive knight slim, wield a lighter sword, and not be as well trained as the men in that time frame. This is not Connie Mason's best work, by far, but I still found myself hooked in the story and unable to stop reading until the last page had been turned. Well worth your time and money. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

I'm always drawn to stories where the leading lady isn't a dainty little thing, but is instead a strong and fearless warrior. Connie Mason made this heroine tall, muscular and brave, yet still feminine enough to fall into the romantic role. You enjoy reading as "Venora" engages in exciting sword battles, as well as reading her take on femnine tasks such as midwifery.
Classic "love ya", "hate ya", "love ya" storyline, but it never gets boring. These two main characters are electric together. I got several laughs out of their stubborn tongue battles. I got a lot of enjoyment out of the firey love scenes as well.
My only complaint... Connie, can't you find a better word for the male anatomy?