Most helpful customer reviews
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3.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyed historical aspects, but romance was a little lacking, April 26 2004
This medieval romance by Ms. Christina Dodd takes place shortly after the Richard III/Henry Tudor battle for the English throne. Marian of Wenthaven is the saucy ex-lady-in-waiting, living with her two year old son at her father's keep. Griffith ap Powel is the Welsh warrior sent by King Henry to protect Lady Marian and her son, but from what?
While I enjoyed many aspects of this story, it is, after all, a romance novel, and in that area, I found it a bit lacking. The hero seemed to leap too quickly from his near animosity toward the heroine to all-encompassing love, with no real insight into what made him change his mind. The heroine, for all her demands that she is independent and self-reliant, still ends up in so much trouble as to require the hero to save her on more than one occasion. I never felt a strong chemistry between them.
The story moves along well, and although some points of the plot are easily guessed, there were still some surprises. All in all, a fun read, but not a keeper.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Well written engrossing love story..., Mar 24 2004
Bold and spirited, Lady Marian Wenthaven could wield an impressive sword. Living on her father's estate with her two-year-old son, Lionel, she harbors a dangerous secret. Marian is the close friend, and was once chief lady-in-waiting to the future Queen. Griffith ap Powell was no stranger to battle, and he helped insure Henry Tudor would be king of England. Now the King has sent him to protect Lady Marian. It doesn't take long to discover treachery is afoot. But strong-willed Marian is not the easiest lady to protect, and the threat may be originating from someone close to Marian. Together they will have to confront the danger, and their feelings for each other. When I pick up a book by Ms. Dodd, I just know it will be wonderful, and this was no exception. I loved the fact Marian was such a skilled swordsman, an attribute normally associated with men. Griffith was a strong, determined character and it was refreshing he knew he and Marian were meant to be, before she figured it out or accepted it. Art, Griffith's loyal, wily as a fox servant, was a real treat. Liver-spotted, snaggle-toothed and one-eyed, he could still easily seduce women to gain information if needed. The intrigue subplot was engrossing, believable and well done. If I had to come up with something negative to say, it would be the fact Marian did tend to make impulsive decisions, that would put her in dangerous situations requiring rescue. Although other reviewers have already pointed this out, I wasn't bothered enough by her behavior to lower my opinion of the quality of the story. I have read nearly everything Ms. Dodd has written. And yes, I do agree she has written better, but this was still a worthy book, and I do recommend it.
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