14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A GOLDEN ROMANCE, Mar 8 2000
By Bernadette Mckeegan - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Strands of Gold (Mass Market Paperback)
This is a story where love is the strength the give magic a new meaning. The two sisters that both want the same man but for different purposes. That man is Dane Haversin, who dislikes the King and longs to do away with the 'moondancer' princesses ,bescause one killed his wife and child in childbirth. He comes to Greystone to kill the princesses and unite the kingdom in peace.Upon meeting unexpectly with the herione of the story, he finds he can't kill her and begins to slowly trust her. Arien can't believe what a dwarf has told her : that she must break Moondancer rules and join with a man and not just any man but Lord Haversin. But with her sister and time racing towards the deed that will be done on Dane, Arien used untried magic that destroys the trust Dane has in Arien and Magic. The way the story carries you along is just perfect for the classic Rumpelstiltskin. The trust that is broken has to be mended and a kingdom saved before it is too late make a classic love story to curl up with at night.Enjoy!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Faerie Tale Romance-Pretty Good, May 7 2007
By msbooklady "msbooklady" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Strands of Gold (Mass Market Paperback)
Princess Arien is a member of the magical sect the Moondancers who are bound to serve Mother Moon only in goodness and to remain virgins throughout their service. When Arien uncovers a plot by her sister Edana to entrap a nobleman named Dane Haversin into marriage to tap his life energy to strengthen her dark magic, Arien seeks out the elusive Dwarf under the rock for advice on how to stop Edana. The Dwarf tells her that Dane is her destiny and true love and the only way to stop Edana is to marry Dane herself, Arien believes there must be another way. IF she is not a virgin she can never become high priestess. Arien has always kind of loved Dane even after their first meeting years ago, when he pleas with her to stop Edana she knows she must do something. Dane doens't trust the Moondancers because one placed a curse on his dead wife and unborn son killing them, but he is drawn to something in Arien. When Edana puts a spell on Dane and attempts to rape him, Arien intercedes and in the process ends up making love to and then out of honor being forced into marrying Dane. Dane is bitter because he feels Arien tricked him into the marriage, when she says she had no choice but to do what she did to save him he doesn't believe her. However, he desires her physically and soon she is pregnant. Dane has forbid Arien to use her magic and in doing so almost cost her life, and soon they realize their love for each other. So begins the real trials to save the Moondancers, the kingdom and their lives.....This was a well written and interesting story. I was a little aggravated with Dane because he asked Arien for help and then gave her a hard time for giving it.
1.0 out of 5 stars
This hero is a Zero!!!, May 26 2010
By richard - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Strands of Gold (Mass Market Paperback)
This book starts off good enough and has a clever plot in align with with our childhood favorite Rumplestilskin. I would like to warn that there will be some spoilers but I would be remiss if I didn't mention them as they are the reason this book received such low marks from me.
Our fair young princess Arien is a "good witch" and her older sister Edana is a "bad witch" and in league with their father the evil king to ensnare our strong jawed,weak will,over sexed hero Dane. Dane HATES the Witches as they caused the death of his wife and infant son. Dane has every intention of killing the kings daughters until he encounters Arien. Of course he changes his mind and begins to see that mabey she is good and can be an ali. Soon there after Dane is seeking her out to save him from Edana. Edana wants to bed,trap,marry and eventually kill Dane.
Throw in an ancient troll and you have a good story. To bad what happens next had to occur....
#1.Dane our hero has a misteress back home with a six month old son. Yes yes I know that in those times it was common but my fantasies don't include men who entertain peasent misteresses that they have no intention of marring as they are beneath them and their station. Further more SEE what happens next
#2.So in as our hero is actively pursuing our Chaste maiden repeatedly begging her for help they have a kissing encounter where she accidently brushes up against his "manhood" causing an immediate reaction. Then the evil sister puts him under her spell so she can "couple" with him in her room and be caught by the king and therefore forced to marry. Young and pure Arien saves the day by casting a spell on the sister and trys to take her place to make it "Look like" Dane and her are together only coupling actually takes place. Now our hero is all but screaming rape and Arien is forced by him to relinquish her magic.
Honestly I couldn't go past page 191. I was sick to my stomach. There was no compasion for Ariel and Dane is a Tool!