HISTORICAL
ROMANCE |
MEDIEVAL
ROMANCE |
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Death of Harold in the Battle of Hastings, as shown on the Bayeux
Tapestry
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Plaque at Battle Abbey commemorating the fusing of the Anglo-Saxon and
Norman peoples
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William the Conqueror
Bayeaux tapestry
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BOOK
ILLUMINATIONS
From Medieval Book Reviews
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Runaway Lady, Conquering Lord
by Carol Townend
Beautiful
use of imagery!
Emma
of Fulford was raised as a thane's daughter but now her reputation
precedes her. Her young son is proof of all the rumors of her
being a fallen woman. When the boy's father returns, Emma knows
she must run away to protect herself and her son. She runs to a
Norman knight, Sir Richard of Asculf, begging him for protection.
From their closeness emerges a passion but the honorable Sir Richard
must first tame this woman. Will she run from him as she did her
former lover? Before they can truly find love, Sir Richard must
share with her a dark secret.
Carol Townend's RUNAWAY LADY,
CONQUERING LORD, fourth in the Wessex Weddings series, brings
alive the tensions felt after the battle of Hastings. In this
wonderful series, Carol Townend creates stories of romance amid the
conflict and changes in society. RUNAWAY LADY, CONQUERING LORD can
most defimnitely be read as a stand alone but fans of the series will
enjoy the context and interconnectiveness of the previous
romances. RUNAWAY LADY, CONQUERING LORD has a
wonderful combination of action and emotion, both of which create a
hint of suspense and riveting adventure as Emma and Richard become
closer and closer to one another. Carol Townend does an excellent
job in characterization, allowing readers a glimpse at the motivations
and deeper desires of her characters, a glimpse that comes from the
characters themselves. Athough fearful of her former lover,
Emma is no helpless victim. The strength of Emma's
determination enriches her actions. Likewise,
Richard's sense of honor and his inner thoughts shine from the pages of
the romance as he wrestles with his memories of war and his growing
passion for Emma. As the two journey together, readers capture an
image of the landscape and the time period. The ending is
superb! Instead of a mild resolution, Carol Townend brings
together all things in a beautiful satisfying memorable image.
Carol Townend puts a wonderful zing in her ending.
Carol Townend is a new, unique voice in medieval romance.
Carol Townend will appeal to readers who crave more history in their
medieval historical romances. The beauty of Carol Townend's
medieval romance is not just in the accurate references but rather the
way she brings history into her characterization, and indeed into the
very heart of her story. The beauty and distinctive quality of
Carol Townend's romances, however, is the author's use of
imagery. Carol Townend has the ability to
evoke emotion through her descriptive detail. RUNAWAY LADY, CONQUERING LORD is
more plot and dialogue-based than perhaps some of the previous books in
the series. Although both action and plot are very well done,
this reader would like to see the author make even more use of the
distinctive imagery which separates her from lesser authors in the
subgenre. Carol Townend's descriptive detail and use of imagery
makes her romances memorable long after the last page. If you
love medieval romance, Carol Townend's romances are an absolute
must!
Shame on Harlequin for not making the books of this wonderfully
talented author more available in book form to American readers!
When I read articles on the re-emergence of medieval romance, I
immediately think of Carol Townend in the first tier of authors
creating a new and better medieval romance. Carol Townend's medieval
romances talk up, not down, to readers without some of the silly and
even demeaning conventions of some medieval romances while also not
lessening in any way the romance of medieval romance. Her women
characters are intelligent and passionate. Her heroes are
honorable, thoughtful and just as passionate. History and romance
are perfectly combined to make her romances both intellectually and
emotionally satisfying to today's modern readers.
Publisher: Harlequin Historical
(October
2009)
Series: Wessex Weddings
Other books in the series: The Novice Bride, An Honorable Rogue, His
Captive Lady
Author
website
Reviewed by Merrimon,
Medieval Book Reviews
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